Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fall in Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) disease following implementation of a booster campaign

Objective: To assess the impact of a Hib vaccination booster campaign targeting children aged 6 months to 4 years between May and September 2003, following a nationwide increase in the number of invasive Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) cases in all age groups after 1999. Design: The Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections prospectively monitors all cases of H influenzae disease in England and Wales and collects data from primary care trusts (PCTs) on coverage for vaccines in the childhood programme. Population: Adults and children in England and Wales (January 1991 to December 2006) Results: Data on vaccine coverage during the Hib booster campaign were available for 288/303 (95%) PCTs in England and revealed coverage of 71.8% for the 6–12-month age group and 63.2% for the 13–48-month age group. The Hib booster campaign resulted in a dramatic reduction in cases within 12 months in the age groups targeted for the booster. This decline was followed by a reduction in the number of cases reported among older children and adults. Since the campaign, however, there has been an increase in the number of cases reported among 1–3-year-old children (13 cases in 2004, 26 cases in 2005 and 32 cases in 2006), primarily in children who were too young to be vaccinated in the booster campaign. This group of children will be targeted in the pre-school catch-up programme that began in September 2007. Conclusions: The Hib booster campaign has helped to re-establish herd immunity in the UK. The increase in Hib disease among toddlers after 2004 supports the decision to introduce routine boosting for Hib at 12 months of age.
Executive function in fluency and recall measures among children with Tourette syndrome or ADHD

This study assessed two relevant aspects of executive dysfunction in children with either Tourette syndrome (TS) or ADHD. Process variables derived from existing neuropsychological measures were used to clarify the executive function construct. Clustering of responses on measures of verbal fluency, figural fluency, and verbal learning was examined to assess strategic response organization. Rule breaks, intrusions, and repetition errors were recorded to assess inhibition errors. No significant differences were found among the three groups (TS, ADHD, and controls) on tasks of response organization (clustering). In our sample, both the ADHD and the TS groups were largely free from executive function impairment, and their performance on the fluency and list learning tasks was in the average range. There was a significant group difference on one of the disinhibition variables, with both TS and ADHD groups showing significantly more intrusions on verbal list learning trials than controls. When more traditional total score variables were analyzed among the three groups, there were no significant differences; however, analysis of effect size revealed medium-to-large effect sizes for Letter Word Fluency total score differences (ADHD vs. controls), and for Semantic Word Fluency total score differences (ADHD vs. TS), with the ADHD group having weaker performance in both comparisons. Results provide some support for the use and analysis of process variables—particularly those related to inhibition and intrusion errors, in addition to the total score variables when assessing executive function deficits in children with ADHD and TS. While group differences may be found, children with uncomplicated TS should not routinely be considered to have significant executive function impairments, and when deficits are found, they may be attributable to other comorbid disorders. (JINS, 2001, 7, 102–111.)
RNA virus vectors: where are we and where do we need to go?

Equally exciting has been the progress in the development of genetic engineering methods for nonretroviral RNA viruses. The paper by Rice and coworkers in this issue of the Proceedings (8) is the most recent example of a highly imaginative approach to using RNA viruses (or components of RNA viruses) to express foreign genes. The foundation of the system described here goes back to 1987 …
Drinking behavior and sources of alcohol: differences between Native American and White youths.

OBJECTIVE We investigated drinking behavior and sources of alcohol among Native American and White youths, as well as how underage drinking behavior and sources of alcohol may be related to environmental factors. METHOD Survey data from a sample of 18,916 youths (8th, 10th, and 12th grades) from Montana were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling. Survey data were supplemented with county-level economic and census data. RESULTS Native American youths were more likely than White youths to report drinking and heavy episodic drinking and initiate drinking at a younger age. Native Americans were less likely than Whites to get alcohol from home or from someone younger than age 21 but were more likely to get it from other social sources or through theft from a store. Living in a county with more Native Americans was inversely related to access to alcohol for both White and Native American youths, as well as reduced lifetime, 30-day, and heavy episodic drinking. Living in a county with more single-parent households was positively related to lifetime drinking, 30- day drinking, heavy episodic drinking, and increased access to alcohol through someone younger than age 21 or a stranger. Median income was negatively related to lifetime drinking and ease of access to alcohol and was positively related to accessing alcohol from home without permission, theft, or purchase with a fake ID. CONCLUSIONS Because Native American and White youths have different drinking patterns and obtain alcohol from different sources, strategies to prevent alcohol problems in these groups should take these differences into consideration.
Resistance to activated protein C is a risk factor for pregnancy‐related venous thrombosis in the absence of the F5 rs6025 (factor V Leiden) polymorphism

Resistance to activated protein C (aPC) is most commonly due to the F5 rs6025 (factor V Leiden) polymorphism, which increases the risk of venous thrombosis. In the present population‐based study of 313 cases and 353 controls, we investigated whether reduced sensitivity to aPC was associated with a history of pregnancy‐related venous thrombosis. Calibrated automated thrombography was used to determine the sensitivity to aPC, and normalized aPC sensitivity ratio (n‐aPC‐sr) was calculated. Pregnant women and women using oral contraceptives and/or anticoagulants were excluded due to the effect on the n‐aPC‐sr. In women without the F5 rs6025 polymorphism, free tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), free protein S and protein C activity were associated with n‐aPC‐sr. Unadjusted odds ratio for venous thrombosis for women with n‐aPC‐sr in the 4th quartile as compared with n‐aPC‐sr below the 4th quartile was 2·4 (95% confidence interval 1·7–3·6). Adjusting for free protein S, free TFPI and age did not influence the odds ratios. Also in carriers of the F5 rs6025 polymorphism the risk for venous thrombosis was increased for women with higher n‐aPC‐sr. Our findings substantiate the importance of the aPC resistant phenotype as a risk factor for pregnancy‐related venous thrombosis.
ood-web structure of and fishing impacts on the Gulf of Cadiz cosystem ( South-western Spain ) aría

The Gulf of Cadiz (North-eastern Atlantic, Spain) is an exploited ecosystem characterized by high marine biodiversity and productivity. Over the last decade, the landings of fish stocks such as anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and hake (Merluccius merluccius) have been declining and currently remain low. A food-web model of the Gulf of Cadiz has been developed by means of a mass balance approach using the software EwE 6 to provide a snapshot of the ecosystem in 2009. The goals of this study were to: (1) characterize the food-web structure and functioning, (2) identify the main keystone groups of the ecosystem, (3) assess the impact of fishing to the Gulf of Cadiz compared to that in other essential marine ecosystems in the coastal area of Spain: Cantabrian Sea (North-eastern Atlantic) and Southern Catalan Sea (Mediterranean Sea), and (4) examine the limitations and weaknesses of the Gulf of Cadiz model for improvements and future research directions. The model consists of 43 functional groups, including the main trophic components of the system with emphasis target and non-target fish species. The main trophic flows are determined by the interaction between detritus, phytoplankton and microand mesozooplankton. Rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), cephalopods and dolphins present important overall effects as keystone species on the rest of the groups. The exploitation of fisheries composed mainly of trawlers, purse seiners and artisanal boats is intensive in the Gulf of Cadiz with all fleets exerting high impacts on most living groups of the ecosystem. The findings highlighted that the Gulf of Cadiz is a notably stressed ecosystem, displaying characteristics of a heavily exploited area. The comparative approach highlights that the three ecosystems display similarities with regard to structure and functioning such as the dominance of the pelagic fraction, a strong benthic-pelagic coupling, the important role mpac of detritus, and the high i
A history of Saudi Arabia

This updated edition analyses the challenges, both internal and external, facing Saudi Arabia in the twenty-first century. Two new chapters discuss the political, economic and social developments in the aftermath of 9/11, painting a vivid picture of a country shocked by terrorism and condemned by the international community. Madawi Al-Rasheed reveals that fragmentation of royal politics, a failing economy and fermenting Islamist dissent posed serious threats to state and society in 2001. She assesses the consequent state reforms introduced under pressure of terrorism, international scrutiny and a social mobilisation of men, women and minorities struggling to shape their future against a background of repression and authoritarian rule. While Saudi Arabia is still far from establishing a fourth state, there are signs that the people are ready for a serious change that will lead them to a state of institutions rather than princes. The new edition brings the history of Saudi Arabia up to the present, analysing political and social developments in the aftermath of 9/11 Includes two new chapters, a new preface and updated conclusion, bibliography and glossary This will be invaluable to scholars, students, policy-makers and journalists, trying to follow Saudi history and politics to the twenty first century.
Chemical dependency and antisocial personality disonality disorder : psychotherapy and assessment strategies

Contents Foreword * Section One. Epidemiology, Etiology, and Differential Diagnosis * Introduction * Historical Perspective: Chemical Dependency and Antisocial Personality Disorder * Epidemiology of Substance Use Disorders and Antisocial Personality Disorder * Etiology of Substance Use Disorders and Antisocial Personality Disorder * Differential Diagnosis of Substance Use Disorders, Antisocial Personality Disorder, and Related Personality Disorders * Conclusion to Section One * Section Two. Psychotherapy and Rehabilitation * Treatment Implications: Introduction and Overview * Dual Diagnosis Dilemmas: Treatment of Chemically Dependent Patients With Concurrent Antisocial Personality Disorder * Uses of Structure in the Treatment of Chemically Dependent Patients With Impulse Control Problems * Treatment of Chemically Dependent Offenders in Correctional Settings * Therapist-Patient Relationship Dynamics * Psychotherapy and Assessment of the Dangerous Patient * Treatment Outcome Effectiveness, Relapse, and Recovery * Conclusion to Section Two * Bibliography * Index
Stability and antimicrobial effectiveness of treprostinil sodium in Sterile Diluent for Flolan

Introduction: Long‐term intravenous infusion of epoprostenol and treprostinil for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) via a central venous catheter is associated with the risk of bloodstream infection (BSI). While several potential explanations exist for possible differences in BSI incidence among intravenous prostanoids, one hypothesis suggests that the alkaline pH of epoprostenol in Sterile Diluent for Flolan (SDF) has greater antimicrobial activity compared with the neutral pH of other common diluents such as sterile saline or water, which have been used for treprostinil.
Machine learning methods for delay estimation in gravitationally lensed signals

Strongly lensed variable quasars can serve as precise cosmological probes, provided that time delays between the image fluxes can be accurately measured. This thesis, explores in detail a new approach based on kernel regression estimates, which is able to estimate a single time delay given several data sets for the same quasar. We develop realistic artificial data sets in order to carry out controlled experiments to test the performance of this new approach. We also test our method on real data from strongly lensed quasar Q0957+561 and compare our estimates against existing results. Furthermore, we attempt to resolve the problem for smaller delays in gravitationally lensed photon streams. We test whether a more principled treatment of delay estimation in lensed photon streams, compared with the standard kernel estimation method, can have benefits of more accurate (less biased) and/or more stable (less variance) estimation. To that end, we propose a delay estimation method in which a single latent nonhomogeneous Poisson process underlying the lensed photon streams is imposed. The rate function model is formulated as a linear combination of nonlinear basis functions. Such a unifying rate function is then used in delay estimation based on the corresponding Innovation Process.
Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) enhances 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced nigrostriatal damage via deacetylating forkhead box O3a (Foxo3a) and activating Bim protein.

Abstract Sirtuins are NAD-dependent protein deacetylases that were shown to have beneficial effects against age-related diseases. SIRT2 is a strong deacetylase that is highly expressed in brain. It has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a dopaminergic neurotoxin that replicates most of the clinical features of Parkinson disease (PD) and produces a reliable and reproducible lesion of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway and neurodegeneration after its systemic administration. Chronic administration of MPTP induces lesion via apoptosis. We show here that SIRT2 deacetylates Foxo3a, increases RNA and protein levels of Bim, and as a result, enhances apoptosis in the MPTP model of PD. We also show that neurodegeneration induced by chronic MPTP regimen is prevented by genetic deletion of SIRT2 in mouse. Deletion of SIRT2 leads to the reduction of apoptosis due to an increase in acetylation of Foxo3a and a decrease in Bim levels. We demonstrate that SIRT2 deacetylates Foxo3a, activates Bim, and induces apoptosis only in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-treated cells. Therefore, designing SIRT2 inhibitors might be helpful to develop effective treatments for PD.
Congestion control of Tcp/Aqm networks: Does the simulation tool change results?

The simulation of congestion control algorithms of TCP networks is discussed in this paper. Simulation is a widespread procedure for testing and understanding how real systems evolve. Internet has a great impact in our society. Everyone wants fast and reliable links, but sometimes congestion happens because the network delay and the number of users fluctuate from one moment to the next. There are different approaches for dealing with congestion: classical (such as drop tail or RED) or process control techniques (PID, predictive control or fuzzy). Future engineers need to learn about this topic. So it seems logical to use simulation, but which tools should we use? This paper presents a comparison using three different simulation programs: Matlab, EcosimPro and ns-2. Results show that, depending on what we want, we should choose different tools.
Endodontics in primary molars using ultrasonic instrumentation.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study, which is a series of consecutive case reports, was to describe and evaluate the protocol used in the treatment of pulpal necrosed of primary molars, used by the dental service of Social Support Foundation of the Moinhos de Vento Hospital, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. METHODS Eighteen primary molars in 15 children, ranging from 4 to 10 years of age, were endodontically treated using ultrasonic instrumentation. RESULTS Clinical and radiographic controls showed a success rate of 94%, considering an evaluation time of 14.1+/-6.3 months. CONCLUSIONS The use of ultrasonic instrumentation in primary molars with pulpal necrosis succeeded in reducing appointment time and showed a high success rate.
Inhibition of KIT tyrosine kinase activity: a novel molecular approach to the treatment of KIT-positive malignancies.

PURPOSE Activation of the KIT tyrosine kinase by somatic mutation has been documented in a number of human malignancies, including gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), seminoma, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and mastocytosis. In addition, paracrine or autocrine activation of this kinase has been postulated in numerous other malignancies, including small-cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer. In this review, we discuss the rationale for and development of KIT tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of human malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Studies were identified through a MEDLINE search, review of bibliographies of relevant articles, and review of abstracts from national meetings. RESULTS Four tyrosine kinase inhibitors that have activity against KIT are currently being used in clinical trials, and one, STI571, has recently been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for treating patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. The role of KIT inhibitors in treating KIT-positive malignancies is reviewed. CONCLUSION Targeted therapy to inhibit the kinase activity of KIT is a rational approach to the treatment of KIT-positive malignancies. Two key factors are the potency of a given inhibitor and the relative contribution of KIT activation to the growth of the tumor. Given our current understanding of KIT activity in human malignancy, the best candidate diseases for treatment with KIT inhibitors are GIST, mastocytosis, seminoma and possibly some cases of AML. Additionally, KIT inhibitors may play an adjunctive role in diseases such as small-cell lung cancer, in which KIT activation is secondary to ligand binding rather than an acquired mutation.
A dynamic adaptive multiple access protocol for wireless integrated communications

A novel multiple access protocol, called DAMMA, is proposed for efficient handling of heterogenous traffic encountered in emerging wireless multimedia communications. To minimise contention collisions, DAMMA adopts random time slot selection in addition to the adaptive procedure for maintaining sufficient time slots available for contention. With DAMMA, time slots are selectively allocated to traffic of different service classes and priority levels to meet the diverse QoS requirements. Computer simulation results indicate that DAMMA can significantly enhance the throughput performance of data traffic. Under a given condition, the DAMMA protocol can achieve a maximum throughput of 91%, which compares well with 70% for the master-slave dynamic rate access (MSDRA) protocol adopted in the General Radio Packet Service (GPRS) system.
Clinical trials with an anti-CD25 ricin A-chain experimental and immunotoxin (RFT5-SMPT-dgA) in Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Immunotoxins (ITs) consisting of a cell-binding component and a potent toxin were developed as a new class of biological anti-tumor agents to improve adjuvant therapy. Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) has been demonstrated to be an excellent target for ITs because high concentrations of lymphocyte activation markers such as CD25 and CD30 are expressed on Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (H-RS). Several ITs against these antigens have shown potent antitumor effects against H-RS cells in vitro and in different HL animal models. On the basis of its superiority in preclinical models, the anti-CD25 IT RFT5-SMPT-dgA was subsequently evaluated in a phase I study in patients with refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma. The IT was constructed by linking the monoclonal antibody (Moab) RFT5 via a sterically hindered disulfide linker (SMPT) to deglycosylated ricin A-chain (dgA). All 15 patients enrolled in this trial were heavily pretreated with a mean of five different prior therapies. The IT was administered intravenously over four hours on days 1-3-5-7 for total doses per cycle of 5, 10, 15, or 20 mg/m2. Side effects were reversible and related to the vascular leak syndrome (VLS), i.e. decrease in serum albumin, edema, weight gain, hypotension, tachycardia, myalgia, and weakness. In all three patients receiving 20 mg/m2 NCI toxicity grade III was observed. Thus, 15 mg/m2 is the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of RFT5-SMPT-dgA. 50% of the patients developed human anti-ricin A-chain antibodies (HARA) and/or human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA). Clinical results included two partial remissions (PR), one minor response (MR), three stable disease (SD) and nine progressive disease (PD). In an extension of the phase I trial, five additional patients have been treated at the MTD.
Integration of Simulations and Experiments for Modeling Superalloy Grain Growth

Grain size is an important parameter controlling the mechanical behavior and useful life of turbine disks. During heat treatment above the gamma prime (γ′) solvus the grain size increases dramatically as the γ′ particles dissolve. The grain size then stagnates as the volume fraction of the γ′ phase approaches zero. In general, the grain size at stagnation cannot be described by classic Zener pinning theory because of its strong dependence on the strain rate and thermal exposure during thermomechanical processing. The grain size distribution, twin boundary fraction, γ′ size distribution and volume fraction, carbide size distribution and volume fraction, γ′ dissolution rates, and carbide coarsening rates have been measured in two powder metallurgical disk superalloys. Stored energy and boundary properties after deformation have been assessed. The experimental results have been used as input parameters for a physics-based model of grain growth in a field of two populations of particles, one coarsening and one dissolving. Phase field models have been used to support and clarify interpretations of experimental results and to validate the appropriate functional forms for precipitate coarsening and dissolution. Comparison of experimental and modeling results have suggested avenues for further experimental investigations and vice versa. This established feedback loop between experimentation and simulation has enabled focused experimentation, increasing the accuracy and general applicability of the model.