Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of tidal volume on ventilation inhomogeneity assessed by electrical impedance tomography during controlled mechanical ventilation

The global inhomogeneity (GI) index is a parameter of ventilation inhomogeneity that can be calculated from images of tidal ventilation distribution obtained by electrical impedance tomography (EIT). It has been suggested that the GI index may be useful for individual adjustment of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and for guidance of ventilator therapy. The aim of the present work was to assess the influence of tidal volume (VT) on the GI index values. EIT data from 9 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome ventilated with a low and a high VT of 5 ± 1 (mean ± SD) and 9 ± 1 ml kg−1 predicted body weight at a high and a low level of PEEP (PEEPhigh, PEEPlow) were analyzed. PEEPhigh and PEEPlow were set 2 cmH2O above and 5 cmH2O below the lower inflection point of a quasi-static pressure volume loop, respectively. The lower inflection point was identified at 8.1 ± 1.4 (mean ± SD) cmH2O, resulting in a PEEPhigh of 10.1 ± 1.4 and a PEEPlow of 3.1 ± 1.4 cmH2O. At PEEPhigh, we found no significant trend in GI index with low VT when compared to high VT (0.49 ± 0.15 versus 0.44 ± 0.09, p = 0.13). At PEEPlow, we found a significantly higher GI index with low VT compared to high VT (0.66 ± 0.19 versus 0.59 ± 0.17, p = 0.01). When comparing the PEEP levels, we found a significantly lower GI index at PEEPhigh both for high and low VT. We conclude that high VT may lead to a lower GI index, especially at low PEEP settings. This should be taken into account when using the GI index for individual adjustment of ventilator settings.
Output feedback robust control of uncertain active fault tolerant control systems via convex analysis

This paper deals with the problem of and robust control, via dynamic output feedback, of continuous time active fault tolerant control systems with Markovian parameters (AFTCSMP) subject to both structured and unstructured parameter uncertainties. The above problematic is addressed under a convex programming approach. Indeed, the fundamental tool in the analysis is a linear matrix inequalities (LMI) characterization of dynamical compensators that stochastically (robustly) stabilize the closed loop system and ensure and robust performances. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the theoretical results.
Olfactory receptors on the cockroach antenna signal odour ON and odour OFF by excitation

A morphologically identifiable type of olfactory sensillum on the antenna of the American cockroach contains a pair of ON and OFF cells that responds oppositely to changes in the concentration of fruit odours. The odour of lemon oil was used to study the accuracy with which these cells can discriminate between rapid step‐like, ramp‐like and oscillating changes in odour concentration. The discharge rates of both cells are not only affected by the actual concentration at particular instants in time (instantaneous concentration) but also by the rate at which concentration changes. The impulse frequency of the fruit odour ON cell is high when odour concentration is high, but higher still when odour concentration is also rising. Conversely, the impulse frequency of the fruit odour OFF cell is high when odour concentration is low and higher still when odour concentration is also falling. Thus, the effect of odour concentration on the responses of both cells is reinforced by the rate of change. Sensitivity to the rate of concentration change becomes greater when the rate is low. Because of the high sensitivity to low rates of change, these cells are optimized to detect fluctuations in fruit odour concentration. Whereas the ON cell signals the arrival and presence of fruit odour, the OFF cell detects its termination and absence. These cells provide excitatory responses for both increase and decrease in fruit odour concentration and may therefore reinforce contrast information.
Substitution of the Bordetella pertussis Lipid A Phosphate Groups with Glucosamine Is Required for Robust NF-κB Activation and Release of Proinflammatory Cytokines in Cells Expressing Human but Not Murine Toll-Like Receptor 4-MD-2-CD14

ABSTRACT Bordetella pertussis endotoxin is a key modulator of the host immune response, mainly due to the role of its lipid A moiety in Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated signaling. We have previously demonstrated that the lipid A phosphate groups of B. pertussis BP338 can be substituted with glucosamine in a BvgAS-regulated manner. Here we examined the effect of this lipid A modification on the biological activity of B. pertussis endotoxin. We compared purified endotoxin and heat-killed B. pertussis BP338 whole cells that have modified lipid A phosphate groups to an isogenic mutant lacking this modification with respect to their capacities to induce the release of inflammatory cytokines by human and murine macrophages and to participate in the TLR4-mediated activation of NF-κB in transfected HEK-293 cells. We found inactivated B. pertussis cells to be stronger inducers of proinflammatory cytokines in THP-1-derived macrophages when lipid A was modified. Most notably, lack of lipid A modification abolished the ability of purified B. pertussis endotoxin to induce the release of inflammatory cytokines by human THP-1-derived macrophages but led to only slightly reduced inflammatory cytokine levels when stimulating murine (RAW 264.7) macrophages. Accordingly, upon stimulation of HEK-293 cells with inactivated bacteria and purified endotoxin, lack of lipid A modification led to impaired NF-κB activation only when human, and not when murine, TLR4-MD-2-CD14 was expressed. We speculate that in B. pertussis, lipid A modification has evolved to benefit the bacteria during human infection by modulating immune defenses rather than to evade innate immune recognition.
Combinatorial Optimization of AC Optimal Power Flow With Discrete Demands in Radial Networks

The ac optimal power flow (OPF) problem is one of the most fundamental problems in power systems engineering. For the past few decades, researchers have been relying on unproven heuristics to tackle OPF. The hardness of OPF stems from two issues: 1) nonconvexity and 2) combinatorial constraints (e.g., discrete power extraction constraints). The recent advances in providing sufficient conditions on the exactness of convex relaxation of OPF can address the issue of nonconvexity. To complete the understanding of OPF, this article presents a polynomial-time approximation algorithm to solve the convex-relaxed OPF with discrete demands as combinatorial constraints, which has a provably small parameterized approximation ratio (also known as polynomial-time approximation scheme (PTAS) algorithm). Together with the sufficient conditions on the exactness of the convex relaxation, we provide an efficient approximation algorithm to solve OPF with discrete demands, when the underlying network is radial with a fixed size and one feeder. The running time of the PTAS is <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$O(n^{\text{4} m/\epsilon }T)$</tex-math></inline-formula>, where <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T$</tex-math></inline-formula> is the time required to solve a convex relaxation of the problem, and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$m\text{ and } \epsilon$</tex-math></inline-formula> are fixed constants. Based on prior hardness results of OPF, our PTAS is among the best achievable in theory. Simulations show that our algorithm can produce close-to-optimal solutions in practice.
Obstetrical complications and childhood-onset schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE Increased obstetrical complications have been reported in individuals with adult-onset schizophrenia, with several studies finding an association between such complications and an earlier age at onset. Consequently, obstetrical records were examined for individuals with childhood-onset schizophrenia to determine if birth complications were more prevalent. METHOD The birth records of 36 patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia and 35 sibling comparison subjects were rated for birth complications by two psychiatrists who were unaware of group membership. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the groups in rates of obstetrical complications. Patients with such complications did not have a relatively earlier age at onset of schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS A very early age at onset of schizophrenia is probably not due to birth complications.
Cytochrome P450 2D6 variants in a Caucasian population: allele frequencies and phenotypic consequences.

Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) metabolizes many important drugs. CYP2D6 activity ranges from complete deficiency to ultrafast metabolism, depending on at least 16 different known alleles. Their frequencies were determined in 589 unrelated German volunteers and correlated with enzyme activity measured by phenotyping with dextromethorphan or debrisoquine. For genotyping, nested PCR-RFLP tests from a PCR amplificate of the entire CYP2D6 gene were developed. The frequency of the CYP2D6*1 allele coding for extensive metabolizer (EM) phenotype was . 364. The alleles coding for slightly (CYP2D6*2) or moderately (*9 and *10) reduced activity (intermediate metabolizer phenotype [IM]) showed frequencies of . 324, . 018, and . 015, respectively. By use of novel PCR tests for discrimination, CYP2D6 gene duplication alleles were found with frequencies of . 005 (*1x2), . 013 (*2x2), and . 001 (*4x2). Frequencies of alleles with complete deficiency (poor metabolizer phenotype [PM]) were . 207 (*4), . 020 (*3 and *5), . 009 (*6), and . 001 (*7, *15, and *16). The defective CYP2D6 alleles *8, *11, *12, *13, and *14 were not found. All 41 PMs (7.0%) in this sample were explained by five mutations detected by four PCR-RFLP tests, which may suffice, together with the gene duplication test, for clinical prediction of CYP2D6 capacity. Three novel variants of known CYP2D6 alleles were discovered: *1C (T1957C), *2B (additional C2558T), and *4E (additional C2938T). Analysis of variance showed significant differences in enzymatic activity measured by the dextromethorphan metabolic ratio (MR) between carriers of EM/PM (mean MR = .006) and IM/PM (mean MR = .014) alleles and between carriers of one (mean MR = .009) and two (mean MR = .003) functional alleles. The results of this study provide a solid basis for prediction of CYP2D6 capacity, as required in drug research and routine drug treatment.
The metabolic syndrome in Africa: Current trends

Metabolic syndrome is a clustering of several cardiovascular risk factors. Contrary to earlier thoughts, metabolic syndrome is no longer rare in Africa. The prevalence is increasing, and it tends to increase with age. This increase in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the continent is thought to be due to departure from traditional African to western lifestyles. In Africa, it is not limited to adults but is also becoming common among the young ones. Obesity and dyslipidemia seem to be the most common occurring components. While obesity appears more common in females, hypertension tends to be more predominant in males. Insulin resistance has remained the key underlying pathophysiology. Though pharmacologic agents are available to treat the different components of the syndrome, prevention is still possible by reverting back to the traditional African way of life.
Keyword-based Challenges at the NTCIR-13 MedWeb

The AITOK team participated in the MedWeb Japanese subtask of the NTCIR-13. This report describes our approaches to challenging the multi-label classification problem of disease/symptom-related texts and reports some improvements after the formal-run. There are three approaches. The first one is a Keyword-based approach, the second one is a Logistic Regression approach, and the third one is a Support Vector Machine(SVM) approach. Keyword-based and Logistic Regression approaches were submitted to the formal-run. SVM-based approach was not submitted to the formal-run. These challenges made some improvements and have realized a machine learning approach is really good compared to other approaches.
The osmotolerant fructophilic yeast Zygosaccharomyces rouxii employs two plasma-membrane fructose uptake systems belonging to a new family of yeast sugar transporters.

Owing to its high resistance to weak-acid preservatives and extreme osmotolerance, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii is one of the main spoilage yeasts of sweet foods and beverages. In contrast with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Z. rouxii is a fructophilic yeast; it consumes fructose faster than glucose. So far, to our knowledge, no specific Z. rouxii proteins responsible for this fructophilic behaviour have been characterized. We have identified two genes encoding putative fructose transporters in the Z. rouxii CBS 732 genome. Heterologous expression of these two Z. rouxii ORFs in a S. cerevisiae strain lacking its own hexose transporters (hxt-null) and subsequent kinetic analysis of sugar transport showed that both proteins are functionally expressed at the plasma membrane: ZrFfz1 is a high-capacity fructose-specific facilitator (K(m)∼400 mM and V(max)∼13 mmol h(-1) g(-1)) and ZrFfz2 is a facilitator transporting glucose and fructose with similar capacity and affinity (K(m)∼200 mM and V(max)∼4 mmol h(-1) g(-1)). These two proteins together with the Zygosaccharomyces bailii Ffz1 fructose-specific transporter belong to a new family of sugar transport systems mediating the uptake of hexoses via the facilitated diffusion mechanism, and are more homologous to drug/H(+) antiporters (regarding their primary protein structure) than to other yeast sugar transporters of the Sugar Porter family.
Title Can relative skill be determined from a photographicportfolio ?

In this study, our primary aim is to determine empirically the role that skill plays in determining image aesthetics, and whether it can be deciphered from the ratings given by a diverse group of judges. To this end, we have collected and analyzed data from a large number of subjects (total 168) on a set of 221 of images taken by 33 photographers having different photographic skill and experience. We also experimented with the rating scales used by previous studies in this domain by introducing a binary rating system for collecting judges’ opinions. The study also demonstrates the use of Amazon Mechanical Turk as a crowd-sourcing platform in collecting scientific data and evaluating the skill of the judges participating in the experiment. We use a variety of performance and correlation metrics to evaluate the consistency of ratings across different rating scales and compare our findings. A novel feature of our study is an attempt to define a threshold based on the consistency of ratings when judges rate duplicate images. Our conclusion deviates from earlier findings and our own expectations, with ratings not being able to determine skill levels of photographers to a statistically significant level.
PPP: Schlechtes Image ist hausgemacht

Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) hat in Deutschland derzeit ein eher negatives Image, was vor allem darin begruendet ist, dass sich die Praxis an den Vorgaben des "Fernstrassenbauprivatfinanzierungsgesetzes" (FStrPrivFinG) und der Bundesverkehrswegeplanung orientiert. Die realisierten PPP-Projekte am Fernstrassennetz machen zusammen knapp 2 Prozent der Streckenlaenge der Bundesautobahnen aus; bei vergleichbaren europaeischen Laendern liegt der Anteil im Mittel bei mehr als 50 Prozent. Die Erfahrungen weltweit zeigen jedoch auf, dass das Nutzenpotenzial von PPP betraechtlich und unstrittig ist. Eckpunkte einer PPP sind die Life-Cycle-Betrachtung, der Massstab "Value for Money", die Risikoverteilung im Rahmen der Zusammenarbeit von oeffentlicher und privater Hand sowie die Ausgestaltung der PPP-Vereinbarung. Diese werden kurz beleuchtet und es wird aufgezeigt, was sich in Deutschland aendern muss beziehungsweise welche Voraussetzungen erforderlich sind damit diese Beschaffungsform auch einen wirkungsvollen Beitrag zur Verkehrsinfrastrukturfinanzierung und zur effizienten Nutzung der verfuegbaren Mittel liefern kann. Massgebliche Bedingungen dafuer, dass die PPP-Potenziale voll zur Wirkung kommen koennen, sind mehr und tatsaechlich fuer PPP geeignete Projekte in der Ausschreibung, eine Beschleunigung der Vergabeverfahren, die Erleichterung des Wechsels bei Eigentuemerstrukturen sowie die Erhoehung der Transparenz des praktizierten "Public Sector Comparator" (PSC). Beitrag zum Sonderteil "Infrastruktur Spezial".
The Effects of Suplatast Tosilate Treatment and Prophylaxis on Lung Histopathology in a Mouse Model of Chronic Asthma

Introduction Suplatast tosilate is a medication that inhibits TH2-type cytokines. We aimed to investigate the effects of suplatast tosilate treatment and prophylaxis on lung histopathology and cytokine levels in a mouse model of chronic asthma. Materials and Methods Forty-two BALB/c mice were divided into 6 groups: group I (control), group II (vehicle control), group III (dexamethasone), group IV (prophylaxis with suplatast tosilate), group V (treatment with suplatast tosilate), and group VI (prophylaxis and treatment with suplatast tosilate). All of the groups, except for the control and vehicle control groups, were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. The mice in the study groups, except those in the group receiving suplatast tosilate for prophylaxis only, were treated with study drugs. After the mice were killed, IL-4, IL-5, and interferon-γ levels were quantified in the lung tissue, which were examined histologically by light and electron microscopy. Results There were significant improvements in all histopathological parameters in the group treated with suplatast tosilate compared with the vehicle control group. Similar improvements were observed when the group receiving prophylaxis and treatment with suplatast tosilate was compared with the vehicle control as well. There were no significant differences between the group receiving only prophylaxis with suplatast tosilate and the vehicle control group. Cytokine levels were significantly higher in the vehicle control group when compared with the control group. Although all of the groups had lower cytokine levels than those of the vehicle control group, the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions Treatment with suplatast tosilate was effective in improving all histopathological parameters in a mouse model of chronic asthma. It was observed that the use of prophylactic suplatast tosilate was ineffective and had no additional effects when administered together with treatment.
Protein Supplementation at Breakfast and Lunch for 24 Weeks beyond Habitual Intakes Increases Whole-Body Lean Tissue Mass in Healthy Older Adults.

BACKGROUND Key areas of research on the preservation of lean tissue mass (LTM) during aging are determinations of the protein requirement and optimal protein intake at meals. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the effect of protein supplementation at breakfast and lunch for 24 wk beyond habitual intakes on whole-body LTM in healthy adults aged 50-70 y. METHODS In a single-blinded, randomized, controlled design, 60 healthy older men and women (aged 61 ± 5 y) with a body mass index (in kg/m(2)) of 25.8 ± 3.6 consumed either 0.165 g/kg body mass of a milk-based protein matrix (PRO) or an isoenergetic, nonnitrogenous maltodextrin control (CON) at breakfast and midday meals, the lower protein-containing meals of the day, for 24 wk. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the change in LTM. RESULTS After the intervention, protein intake in the PRO group increased from 0.23 ± 0.1 to 0.40 ± 0.1 g/kg for breakfast and from 0.31 ± 0.2 to 0.47 ± 2 g/kg for the midday meal. In response, LTM increased by 0.45 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.83) kg in the PRO group compared with a decrease of 0.16 (95% CI: -0.49, 0.17) kg in the CON group (P = 0.006). Appendicular LTM accounted for the majority of the difference in LTM, increasing by 0.27 (95% CI: 0.05, 0.48) kg in the PRO group compared with no change in the CON group (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Protein supplementation at breakfast and lunch for 24 wk in healthy older adults resulted in a positive (+0.6 kg) difference in LTM compared with an isoenergetic, nonnitrogenous maltodextrin control. These observations suggest that an optimized and balanced distribution of meal protein intakes could be beneficial in the preservation of lean tissue mass in the elderly. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02529124.
Multi-Parametric MRI and Texture Analysis to Visualize Spatial Histologic Heterogeneity and Tumor Extent in Glioblastoma

Background Genetic profiling represents the future of neuro-oncology but suffers from inadequate biopsies in heterogeneous tumors like Glioblastoma (GBM). Contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) targets enhancing core (ENH) but yields adequate tumor in only ~60% of cases. Further, CE-MRI poorly localizes infiltrative tumor within surrounding non-enhancing parenchyma, or brain-around-tumor (BAT), despite the importance of characterizing this tumor segment, which universally recurs. In this study, we use multiple texture analysis and machine learning (ML) algorithms to analyze multi-parametric MRI, and produce new images indicating tumor-rich targets in GBM. Methods We recruited primary GBM patients undergoing image-guided biopsies and acquired pre-operative MRI: CE-MRI, Dynamic-Susceptibility-weighted-Contrast-enhanced-MRI, and Diffusion Tensor Imaging. Following image coregistration and region of interest placement at biopsy locations, we compared MRI metrics and regional texture with histologic diagnoses of high- vs low-tumor content (≥80% vs <80% tumor nuclei) for corresponding samples. In a training set, we used three texture analysis algorithms and three ML methods to identify MRI-texture features that optimized model accuracy to distinguish tumor content. We confirmed model accuracy in a separate validation set. Results We collected 82 biopsies from 18 GBMs throughout ENH and BAT. The MRI-based model achieved 85% cross-validated accuracy to diagnose high- vs low-tumor in the training set (60 biopsies, 11 patients). The model achieved 81.8% accuracy in the validation set (22 biopsies, 7 patients). Conclusion Multi-parametric MRI and texture analysis can help characterize and visualize GBM’s spatial histologic heterogeneity to identify regional tumor-rich biopsy targets.
Inhibition of HMC-1 Mast Cell Proliferation by Vitamin E

The effects of four natural tocopherols on the proliferation and signaling pathways were examined in the human mastocytoma cell line (HMC-1). The four tocopherols inhibited HMC-1 cell proliferation with different potency (δ > α = γ > β). Growth inhibition correlated with the reduction of PKB (protein kinase B) phosphorylation by the different tocopherols. The reduction of PKB phosphorylation led to a decrease of its activity, as judged from a parallel reduction of GSKα/β phosphorylation. The translocation of PKB to the membrane, as a response to receptor stimulation by NGFβ, is also prevented by treatment with tocopherols. In the presence of PKC or PP2A inhibitors, the reduction of PKB phosphorylation by tocopherols was still observed, thus excluding the direct involvement of these enzymes. Other pathways, such as the Ras-stimulated ERK1/2 (extracellular signal responsive kinase) pathway, were not affected by tocopherol treatment. The tocopherols did not significantly change oxidative stress in HMC-1 cells, suggesting that the observed effects are not the result of a general reduction of oxidative stress. Thus, the tocopherols interfere with PKB phosphorylation and reduce proliferation of HMC-1 cells, possibly by modulating either phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, a kinase phosphorylating PKB (PDK1/2), or a phosphatase that dephosphorylates it. Inhibition of proliferation and PKB signaling in HMC-1 cells by vitamin E suggests a role in preventing diseases with mast cell involvement, such as allergies, atherosclerosis, and tumorigenesis.