Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of the Clinical Outcome in Invasive Candidiasis Patients Based on Molecular Fingerprints of Five Anti-Candida Antibodies in Serum*

Better prognostic predictors for invasive candidiasis (IC) are needed to tailor and individualize therapeutic decision-making and minimize its high morbidity and mortality. We investigated whether molecular profiling of IgG-antibody response to the whole soluble Candida proteome could reveal a prognostic signature that may serve to devise a clinical-outcome prediction model for IC and contribute to known IC prognostic factors. By serological proteome analysis and data-mining procedures, serum 31-IgG antibody-reactivity patterns were examined in 45 IC patients randomly split into training and test sets. Within the training cohort, unsupervised two-way hierarchical clustering and principal-component analyses segregated IC patients into two antibody-reactivity subgroups with distinct prognoses that were unbiased by traditional IC prognostic factors and other patients-related variables. Supervised discriminant analysis with leave-one-out cross-validation identified a five-IgG antibody-reactivity signature as the most simplified and accurate IC clinical-outcome predictor, from which an IC prognosis score (ICPS) was derived. Its robustness was confirmed in the test set. Multivariate logistic-regression and receiver-operating-characteristic curve analyses demonstrated that the ICPS was able to accurately discriminate IC patients at high risk for death from those at low risk and outperformed conventional IC prognostic factors. Further validation of the five-IgG antibody-reactivity signature on a multiplexed immunoassay supported the serological proteome analysis results. The five IgG antibodies incorporated in the ICPS made biologic sense and were associated either with good-prognosis and protective patterns (those to Met6p, Hsp90p, and Pgk1p, putative Candida virulence factors and antiapoptotic mediators) or with poor-prognosis and risk patterns (those to Ssb1p and Gap1p/Tdh3p, potential Candida proapoptotic mediators). We conclude that the ICPS, with additional refinement in future larger prospective cohorts, could be applicable to reliably predict patient clinical-outcome for individualized therapy of IC. Our data further provide insights into molecular mechanisms that may influence clinical outcome in IC and uncover potential targets for vaccine design and immunotherapy against IC.
Reliability Evaluation of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Power Systems

This study presents a systematic way to evaluate reliability performance of large grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power systems considering variation of input power and ambient-condition-dependent failure rates of critical components including PV modules, inverters, and capacitors. State enumeration is used to analyze real-life grid-connected PV systems. Ambient-condition-dependent failure rates of major components in PV systems are formulated and incorporated in reliability analysis. A series of reliability indices are defined to quantify PV systems' reliability performance. In addition, sensitivity analyses are extensively conducted to investigate the impact of different factors on the performances of PV power systems. Test results on a practical 20-kW PV project are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Biosolids and Sludge Management

This review section covers journal articles and conference papers related to biosolids and sludge management that were published in 2015. The literature review has been divided into the following sections: • Biosolids regulations and management issues; • Biosolids characteristics, quality and measurement including microconstituents, pathogens, nanoparticles and metals; • Sludge treatment technologies including pretreatment and sludge minimization, conditioning and dewatering, digestion, composting and innovative technologies; • Disposal and reuse including combustion/incineration, agricultural uses and innovative uses; • Odor and air emissions; and • Energy issues.
Prenatal and early life arsenic exposure induced oxidative damage and altered activities and mRNA expressions of neurotransmitter metabolic enzymes in offspring rat brain

To better understand the effect of arsenic on central nervous system by prenatal and early life exposure, the oxidative stress and neurotransmitter metabolic enzymes were determined in offspring rats' brain cortex and hippocampus. Forty‐eight pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups, each group was given free access to drinking water that contained 0, 10, 50, and 100 mg/L NaAsO2 from gestation day 6 (GD 6) until postnatal day 42 (PND 42). Once pups were weaned, they started to drink the same arsenic (As)‐containing water as the dams. The level of malondialdehyde in 100 mg/L As‐exposed pup's brain on PND 0 and cortex on PND 28 and 42 were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels showed a clear decreasing trend in pup's cortex and hippocampus on PND 42. Activity of acetylcholinesterase was significantly higher in 100 mg/L As‐exposed pup's hippocampus than in control group on PND 28 and 42. mRNA expression of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65 and GAD67) in 100 mg/L As‐exposed pup's cortex or hippocampus on PND 28 and 42 were significantly higher than in control (p < 0.05). These alterations in the neurotransmitters and reduced antioxidant defence may lead to neurobehavioral and learning and memory changes in offspring rats. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 24:368–378, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.20349
Ugandan Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Phylogeny: Evidence for Cross-Ethnic Transmission of Viral Subtypes

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the relationship between Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) phylogeny and host ethnicity at the within-country scale. Methods: KSHV genomic DNA samples were isolated from 31 patients across eleven Ugandan ethnic groups. Amino acid sequences of the ORF-K1 gene were used to construct a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree. Results: A5 and B1 variants predominated with no evidence of distinct ethnic or geographic distribution. A new K1 subtype (F) was identified in a member of the Bantu Gisu tribe and a new subtype B variant (B3) among members of the Bantu Ganda tribe. Conclusions: The phylogeny may yet be structured by host ethnicity if members of Ugandan groups have convoluted biological origins, even as they identify with single tribes. An alternative possibility is that KSHV subtype evolution may have preceded major diversification of sub-Saharan Africans into ethnicities as we know them today, with ethnic groups beginning their histories already hosting multiple subtypes. A third alternative is that horizontal transmission of multiple KSHV subtypes may have broken up vertical lineages of the virus passed down within Ugandan populations.
Association between ventilation rates in 390 Swedish homes and allergic symptoms in children.

UNLABELLED The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that a low-ventilation rate in homes is associated with an increased prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms among children. A total of 198 cases (with at least two of three symptoms: wheezing, rhinitis, eczema) and 202 healthy controls, living in 390 homes, were examined by physicians. Ventilation rates were measured by a passive tracer gas method, and inspections were carried out in the homes. About 60% of the multi-family houses and about 80% of the single-family houses did not fulfill the minimum requirement regarding ventilation rate in the Swedish building code (0.5 air changes per hour, ach). Cases had significantly lower ventilation rates than controls and a dose-response relationship was indicated. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS A low-ventilation rate of homes may be a risk factor for allergies among children. Families with allergic children should be given the advice to have good ventilation in the home. In investigations, of associations between environmental factors and allergies, the air change rate in homes has to be considered.
MESTRANOL AS A REPELLENT TO PROTECT DOUGLAS-FIR SEED FROM DEER MICE

Author(s): Lindsey, Gerald D. ; Anthony, Richard M. ; Evans, James | Abstract: Mestranol [3-Methoxy-19-nor-17α-pregna-1,3,5 (10)-trien-20-yn-17-ol (C21H2602)] was tested at 2 percent (active) as a repellent for protecting Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seed from deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). In 5-day laboratory bioassays, deer mice consumed 61 to 66 percent fewer mestranol-treated seeds than control seeds; these results were about equal to those with a standard 0.5 percent (active) endrin seed treatment. Deer mice showed a progressive aversion to the mestranol seed treatment from 24 percent to 76 percent in 5 days. Thereafter, with minimal reinforcement, avoidance was maintained at 90 to 99 percent for 6 months. In six field trials in Washington, Oregon, and California, areas seeded with 2 percent mestranol-treated Douglas-fir seed yielded 1.6 to 5.9 times more germinants than areas seeded with control seed. In three of these areas, endrin seed treatments were included; they yielded 1.2 to 3.4 times more germinants than the mestranol treatment and 1.9 to 17.3 times more germinants than the control seed. Although the endrin treatments yielded higher numbers of germinants, the mestranol treatments in these tests generally resulted in acceptable numbers of germinants for first-year stocking. Mestranol's nontoxic, nonpersistent properties plus the aversion shown by deer mice to mestranol in our tests makes it a leading candidate as a Douglas-fir seed protectant in western United States.
The range of ocular movements decreases with aging.

PURPOSE To determine whether normal maximum versions change as a function of age. METHODS One hundred twenty-four healthy subjects without any history of strabismus, ocular or periocular surgery, or major illness were examined to confirm visual acuity better than 20/60 in each eye and the absence of strabismus. Maximum sustained elevation, depression, dextroversion, and levoversion were quantified by using a standardized lateral version light-reflex (LVR) test. RESULTS Subjects ranged in age from 23 to 84 years. All LVR measurements were converted into degrees of eye rotation assuming standard globe size. For each maximal gaze position, the regression line (whether determined directly or scaled against historical normal values) was formed by plotting the LVR measurements versus age had a negative slope significantly different than zero (P =.0001 for all). Depression had a significantly smaller decrease in LVR measurement with age (-0.5% per year) than elevation (-1% per year, P = .0001), adduction (-0.8% per year, P = .0001), or abduction (-0.7% per year, P = .0017). Elevation had the largest decrease in LVR measurement with age compared with depression and abduction (P = .003). CONCLUSION As measured by LVR, the maximum versions into extremes of gaze decrease by an average of 0.5% to 1.0% per year of life between the third and ninth decade. The version least affected and most affected by age is depression and elevation, respectively. Age should be considered when assessing versions for evidence of rectus muscle overaction and underaction.
The Prognosis of Gastroschisis and Omphalocele

Purpose: Gastroschisis and omphalocele are major anterior abdominal wall defects. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical differences and mortalities of gastroschisis and omphalocele in Asan Medical Center. Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records was conducted of 103 cases of gastroschisis and omphalocele from September 1989 to February 2013 in Asan Medical Center in Korea. Results: There were 43 cases (41.7%) of gastroschisis and 60 cases (58.3%) of omphalocele. There was a female predominance in both gastroschisis (60.5%) and omphalocele (58.3%). The average gestational age at delivery was 36.7±0.4 weeks for both groups. The mean birth weights were 2,381.9±80.6 g for gastroschisis and 2,779.4±82.8 g for omphalocele (p=0.001). Mean maternal ages in the gastroschisis and omphalocele groups were 27.5±0.7 years and 30.5±0.7 years, respectively (p=0.002). Associated malformations were documented in 13 infants (30.2%) with gastroschisis and 46 infants (76.7%) with omphalocele (p<0.001). All of gastroschisis patients except one underwent surgery including 31 primary repairs and 11 staged repairs. Fifty-two infants with omphalocele underwent surgery−primary repair in 41 infants and staged repair in 11 infants. Among 103 cases, 19 cases (18.4%) expired. Mortality rates of gastroschisis and omphalocele were 23.3% (10/43 cases) and 15.0% (9/60 cases), respectively (p=0.287). The main causes of death were abdominal compartment syndrome (6/10 cases) in gastroschisis, respiratory failure (4/9 cases) and discharge against medical advice (4/9 cases) in omphalocele. Conclusion: Gastroschisisis was associated with younger maternal age and lower birth weight than omphalocele. Associated malformations were more common in omphalocele. The mortality rates did not make a statistical significance. This might be the improvement of treatment of cardiac anomalies, because no patient died from cardiac dysfunction in our study. Furthermore, abdominal compartment syndrome might be the main cause of death in gastroschisis.
A Note on Inductive Generalization

In the course of the discussion on Reynolds' (1970) paper in this volume, it became apparent that some of our work was related to his, and we therefore present it here. R.J.Popplestone originated the idea that generalizations and least generalizations of literals existed and would be useful when looking for methods of induction. We refer the reader to his paper in this volume for an account of some of his methods (Popplestone 1970). Generalizations of clauses can also be of interest. Consider the following induction: The result of heating this bit of iron to 419°C was that it melted. The result of heating that bit of iron-to 419°C was that it melted. The result of heating any bit of iron to 419°C is that it melts. We can formalize this as: Bitofiron (bit 1) A Heated (bit 1,419)z Melted (bit 1) Bitofiron (bit 2) A Heated (bit 2,419)= Melted (bit 2) (x) Bitofiron (x) A Heated (x, 419) Melted (x)
A low power 700MSPS 4bit time interleaved SAR ADC in 0.18um CMOS

The design and implementation details of a 4-bit time interleaved Successive approximation register (SAR) analog to digital converter (ADC) for UWB application is presented in this paper. Low latency SAR ADC has been implemented by detecting two bits per clock cycle. Major contribution of this paper is that it uses only two capacitive DACs instead of three capacitive DACs. This is achieved by using Gilbert cell preamplifier in one of comparator detectors. It reduces the power consumption by approximately 33%. The ADC is implemented in 0. 18μm CMOS technology and has total power consumption of 23.3mw at sampling frequency of 700MSPS for an input swing of 1V peak to peak. The proposed SAR ADC gives SNDR of 23.9dB, SFDR of 32.6dB and THD of −37.8dB at nyquist rate. The proposed ADC enables a larger input swing with Figure of Merit of 2.5 which is higher than that of SAR ADCs reported in the literature.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction Enhances Lipolysis and Intracellular Lipid Accumulation in 3 T 3L 1 Adipocytes

Adipose tissue is one of the important peripheral tissues that regulate the whole-body homeostasis. Metabolic imbalance of energy productions and impaired oxidative phosphorylation in this target tissue may lead to mitochondrial dysfunction. However, it is currently unknown, what is the effect of mitochondrial dysfunctions in adipocytes on the cellular lipolysis activities and intracellular lipid accumulations. In this study, we determined the direct effects of mitochondrial dysfunction on the lipolysis activity and relative distribution of lipids in adipocytes. The induction of mitochondrial dysfunctions in adipocytes was performed with the treatment of two common mitochondrial respiratory inhibitors, antimycin A (Complex III) and oligomycin (ATP synthase) on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We found that in the presence and absence of insulin, both respiratory inhibitors significantly reduced intracellular ATP concentrations within adipocytes. Furthermore, both drug treatments resulted in the significant elevation of free fatty acids and glycerol release into the media compared to control. The treated cells were also found to exhibit an irregular intracellular accumulation of lipid droplets. Our result demonstrated that lipolysis activity, and abnormal intracellular lipid accumulations were up-regulated in the event of mitochondrial dysfunctions in adipocytes, warranting further research are required for studying mechanisms underlying these metabolic impairments. 
Ten-Year Follow-Up of Early Intensive Self-Management Guidance in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Asthma

Objective. We assessed the 10-year effectiveness of self-management guidance in a prospective follow-up study of patients with asthma when inhaled corticosteroids were used from the beginning in the treatment. Methods. Consecutive newly diagnosed asthmatics (n = 162) were randomized: 80 to an intervention group (IG) and 82 to a control group (CG). Lung function (LF), airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were examined at 10 years. Results. The advantages of intensive education with regards to LF measured by forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity were seen only after the first year. Later, there were no statistically significant differences in any parameters between the groups. However, during 10-year follow-up, peak expiratory flow, AHR, and HRQoL improved significantly in both groups (no differences as regards gender, smoking, or atopy). At 10 years, 68% of the IG and 75% of the CG patients still showed AHR after histamine challenge. Generic HRQoL scores in both groups equaled that of the age-standardized group a general population but only 50% in the IG and 55% in the CG had normal disease-specific HRQoL scores. According to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) criteria 23% of patients in the IG and 25% in the CG had asthma under control. Conclusions. The effectiveness of intensive self-management education could be shown only in the short term. The groups did not differ significantly in any of the parameters investigated, and showed nearly normal LF and HRQoL. AHR improved only partly and only a minority of the patients had asthma under good control according to GINA criteria. This study showed that evaluation of asthma using LF alone does not show the whole truth about asthma treatment results. HRQoL should be used in conjunction with GINA criteria, to assess asthma treatment outcomes. The value and importance of AHR for the evaluation of treatment remains obscure.
A Near-Optimal Separation Principle for Nonlinear Stochastic Systems Arising in Robotic Path Planning and Control

We consider nonlinear stochastic systems that arise in path planning and control of mobile robots. As is typical of almost all nonlinear stochastic systems, the optimally solving problem is intractable. We provide a design approach which yields a tractable design that is quantifiably near-optimal. We exhibit a "separation" principle under a small noise assumption consisting of the optimal open-loop design of nominal trajectory followed by an optimal feedback law to track this trajectory, which is different from the usual effort of separating estimation from control. As a corollary, we obtain a trajectory-optimized linear quadratic regulator design for stochastic nonlinear systems with Gaussian noise.
Auditive Unterscheidung von zeitlichen Lautheitsprofilen

Die vorliegende Untersuchung beschaftigt sich mit der Analyse von Verarbeitungs- und Entscheidungsprozessen bei der Unterscheidung von zeitlichen Lautheitsprofilen, bestehend aus weisem Rauschen, das zufallig im Pegel fluktuiert. Dabei interessieren Aspekte der Wahrnehmung schneller Lautheitsanderungen (zeitliches Auflosungsvermogen des Gehors), sowie der effizienten Nutzung der aufgenommenen Information fur verschiedene Aufgaben der Mustererkennung. In funf Experimenten werden verschiedene Varianten der Mustererkennung implementiert, die von Horern verlangen, Pegelinformation entweder uber eine gewisse Zeitspanne (bis zu 1 s) zu integrieren oder mit feiner zeitlicher Auflosung zu analysieren, um Unterschiede in "Lautheitsprofilen" zu entdecken. Eine spezielle statistische Methode, die COSS-Analyse [B.G. Berg, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. , 86, 1743-1746 (1989)], erlaubt es, aus globalen Versuchspersonenurteilen relative Gewichte zu schatzen, die wiedergeben konnen, wie stark jedes einzelne Zeitsegment eines Reizes die Entscheidung einer Versuchsperson beeinflusst. Auf diese Weise wird untersucht, wie effizient Versuchspersonen auch sehr kurze Zeitsegmente hinsichtlich ihrer Lautheit analysieren konnen und wie flexibel sie ihre Gewichtungsstrategien neuen Aufgabenstellungen anpassen konnen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Versuchspersonen in der Lage sind, Unterschiede in Lautheitsprofilen im Millisekundenbereich wahrzunehmen und die vorhandene Pegelinformation auch je nach Aufgabenstellung selektiv, effizient und flexibel zu nutzen. Die Ergebnisse sind damit konsistent mit der Vorstellung, dass das Gehor je nach Aufgabenstellung entweder uber einen langeren Zeitbereich integriert (Lautheitsintegration) oder mit feiner zeitlicher Auflosung diskriminiert (zeitliche Profilanalyse). Schwachen des Verarbeitungsprozesses zeigen sich dann, wenn Intensitatsspitzen sehr fruh im Reiz erkannt werden mussen bzw. irrelevante Information ignoriert werden muss.
Androgens and Estrogens in the Etiology and Prevention of Breast Cancer

Abstract: Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Rates vary about fivefold around the world, but they are increasing in regions that until recently had low rates of disease. Despite the numerous uncertainties surrounding the etiology of breast cancer, intensive epidemiological, clinical, and genetic studies have identified a number of biologic and social traits as risk factors associated with breast cancer. Principal among them are the evidence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 susceptibility genes, familial history of breast cancer, age, higher socioeconomic status, ionizing radiation, tallness in adult life, alcohol consumption, and a variety of hormone and metabolic factors. Among the hormonal influences, a relevant etiological function has been ascribed to elevated levels of estrogens, their active metabolites, and androgens. These endocrine factors may represent future targets for breast cancer prevention.