Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A multisensor LBS using SIFT-based 3D models

This paper introduces an LBS multisensor system that acquires data from different sensors available in commodity smart phones to provide accurate location estimations. Our approach is based on the use of visual structure from motion techniques to run off-line 3D reconstructions of the environment from the correspondences among the SIFT descriptors of the training images. We present several solutions to reduce the deployment cost, in terms of time, and to minimize the interference degree within the environment, but also pursuing a good balance between accuracy and performance. To determine the position of the smartphones, we first obtain a coarse-grained estimation based on WiFi signals, digital compasses, and built-in accelerometers, making use of fingerprinting methods, probabilistic techniques, and motion estimators. Then, using images captured by the camera, we perform a matching process to determine correspondences between 2D pixels and model 3D points, but only analyzing a subset of the 3D model delimited by the coarse-grained estimation. We implement a resection process providing high localization accuracy when the camera has been previously calibrated, that is, we know intrinsic parameters like focal length, but it is also accurate if an auto-calibration process is required. Furthermore, our experimental tests show promising results, since we are able to provide high accuracy with an average error down to 15 cm in less than 0.5 seconds of response time, making this proposal suitable for applications combining location-services and augmented reality.
Adherence to Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern and Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case-Control Study in Iran

Objective: The benefit of adherence to a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern in relation to the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has not been investigated among non-Mediterranean high-risk populations. The objective of the present study was to examine the association of compliance with the Mediterranean dietary pattern as measured by Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score (MSDPS) and the risk of ESCC in Iranian population. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 47 ESCC cases and 96 hospital controls aged 40–75 years. Participants were interviewed using validated questionnaires, and dietary patterns were characterized using the MSDPS. Results: Generally, the mean MSDPS in this population was low (30.84 ± 8.58). MSDPS showed content validity through having expected positive associations with several lifestyle characteristics and dietary intakes. Being in the highest quartile category of MSDPS, compared to the lowest, was independently associated with 37% reduction in risk of ESCC. Two-unit and 3-unit increases in the MSDPS resulted in 41% and 47% reduction in risk of ESCC, respectively. Higher intakes of olive oil (odds ratio [OR] = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.01–0.49), fish and other seafood (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.23–0.98), whole grain (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.28–0.76), and fruits (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.38–0.86) were significantly associated with reduced ESCC risk. In contrast, higher sweet (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.04–2.12) and meat intakes (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.25–2.49) were associated with higher ESCC risk. Conclusion: Consuming a diet in concordance with the principles of the Mediterranean dietary pattern may protect against ESCC. Preventive strategies to reduce ESCC risk in high-risk countries should focus on overall dietary pattern and dietary habits to be effective.
Bacterial adherence and glycocalyx formation in osteomyelitis experimentally induced with Staphylococcus aureus

A surgical procedure allowed the placement of a silicone rubber catheter in the marrow cavity of the tibia of a rabbit and also allowed the introduction of a sclerosing agent (sodium morrhuate) and cells of Staphylococcus aureus. Osteomyelitis developed in 60% of the animals so treated, and the infecting microorganism was recovered from the infected tibias of the animals that developed this disease. All blood cultures taken 24 h after the infection were negative for S. aureus. Radiological findings consisted of osteolytic changes, the occurrence of sequestration and periosteal reactions, and sclerosis in the infected bones. Sections of bone prepared for histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy of samples of bone marrow, bone chips, and the catheters taken from the infected tibiae revealed gram-positive cocci embedded in a very extensive matrix of ruthenium red-staining glycocalyx adhering to the bone and the implanted catheter. It is proposed that this extensive glycocalyx served a protective function for the bacteria and was important in bacterial adherence and thus played an important role in bacterial persistence and the development of osteomyelitis in these rabbits.
A comparison of the effects of olanzapine, haloperidol and placebo on cognitive and psychomotor functions in healthy elderly volunteers

The cognitive and psychomotor effects of olanzapine (3 mg) were compared with haloperidol (3 mg) and placebo in a double-blind, cross-over study. Fourteen healthy elderly volunteers (> 65 years) were randomized to receive once daily medication for 4 days with a 16-day interval between treatment periods. Assessments of attention, memory and motor control were made prior to dosing on each day, at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after dosing on days 1 and 4, and at 24 and 48 h following the last dose. On day 1, detectable impairment was observed at all time points in both groups. On day 4, haloperidol treated subjects showed increased impairment compared with day 1 and this was sustained throughout the 48 h of testing. Olanzapine treated subjects showed reduced day 4 deficit (compared with day 1), with no significant difference from placebo beyond 6 h post dose. These results suggest that both haloperidol and olanzapine have a measurable initial effect on cognitive and psychomotor function in elderly volunteers. However, acute effects associated with olanzapine decrease with repeated dosing and show substantial adaptation within 4 days. In contrast, effects seen with haloperidol are sustained and increase with repeated dosing over the same period.
Eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and architectural destruction are features of desquamative interstitial pneumonia

Aims: Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) is a rare pattern of diffuse parenchymal lung disease known to overlap with respiratory bronchiolitis‐interstitial lung disease (RB‐ILD). The aim was to review biopsy‐proven cases of DIP to investigate further the clinical, imaging and histological features of this disease.
Bilayer deformation by the Kv channel voltage sensor domain revealed by self-assembly simulations

Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations are used to explore the interaction with a phospholipid bilayer of the voltage sensor (VS) domain and the S4 helix from the archaebacterial voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel KvAP. Multiple 2-μs self-assembly simulations reveal that the isolated S4 helix may adopt either interfacial or transmembrane (TM) locations with approximately equal probability. In the TM state, the insertion of the voltage-sensing region of S4 is facilitated via local bilayer deformation that, combined with side chain “snorkeling,” enables its Arg side chains to interact with lipid headgroups and water. Multiple 0.2-μs self-assembly simulations of the VS domain are also performed, along with simulations of MscL and KcsA, to permit comparison with more “canonical” integral membrane protein structures. All three stably adopt a TM orientation within a bilayer. For MscL and KcsA, there is no significant bilayer deformation. In contrast, for the VS, there is considerable local deformation, which is again primarily due to the lipid-exposed S4. It is shown that for both the VS and isolated S4 helix, the positively charged side chains of S4 are accommodated within the membrane through a combination of stabilizing interactions with lipid glycerol and headgroup regions, water, and anionic side chains. Our results support the possibility that bilayer deformation around key gating charge residues in Kv channels may result in “focusing” of the electrostatic field, and indicate that, when considering competing models of voltage-sensing, it is essential to consider the dynamics and structure of not only the protein but also of the local lipid environment.
Okadaic acid induces the expression of both early and secondary response genes in mouse keratinocytes

Okadaic acid (OA), a potent mouse skin tumor promoter and inhibitor of the protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, was investigated for its effects on the expression of tumor‐associated early and secondary response genes in mouse keratinocytes. Adult mice were treated topically with 12.5 nmol of OA, and the steady‐state levels of various gene transcripts in the skin were determined at different times after treatment. The nuclear protooncogenes c‐fos and c‐jun are referred to as early response genes because the classical tumor promoter 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) induces their expression to maximal levels within 2 h after treatment. OA induced the expression of c‐fos 2–72 h after treatment, with two peaks at 6 and 48 h. The steady‐state level of expression of c‐jun was relatively high in untreated skin, and OA induced a slight increase in its expression from 12 to 48 h after treatment. Transin and plasminogen‐activator (PA) urokinase, whose induced expression peaks at least 4 h after TPA treatment, are referred to as secondary response genes. OA induced their expression more slowly than TPA. In mouse papilloma cell line 308, OA induced higher and more sustained steady‐state levels of c‐jun and c‐fos than an equimolar dose of TPA. Transin and PA‐urokinase were induced to similar levels by TPA and OA in 308 cells; however, the induction of these genes by OA was slower than induction by TPA. The existence of different patterns of induced expression of early and secondary response genes by OA and TPA suggests that these tumor promoters affect gene expression in mouse keratinocytes through different pathways.
Renal arteries in patients at risk of renal arterial stenosis: multicenter evaluation of the echo-enhancer SH U 508A at color and spectral Doppler US. Levovist Renal Artery Stenosis Study Group.

PURPOSE To assess SH U 508A in the diagnosis of suspected renal arterial stenosis by means of ultrasonography (US) and to confirm the safety of SH U 508A in a clinical setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS A randomized crossover study was performed in 198 patients from 14 European centers who were referred for renal arterial angiography because they were suspected of having renal arterial stenosis. All patients underwent nonenhanced and SH U 508A-enhanced Doppler US of the renal arteries. Doppler criteria included measurement of renal arterial peak systolic velocity (threshold, 1.4-2.0 m/sec) in all centers and renoaortic ratio (threshold, 3.0-3.5) in nine. RESULTS The number of examinations with successful results increased following enhanced Doppler US examination--160 (83.8%) compared with 122 (63.9%) with nonenhanced Doppler US (P = .001), including patients with obesity or renal dysfunction. Renal arterial stenosis (> or =50%) was detected at angiography in 72 patients. Results at enhanced Doppler US were in agreement with results at angiography more often than with results at nonenhanced Doppler US in the diagnosis or exclusion of renal arterial stenosis (P = .001). For patients examined with nonenhanced and enhanced Doppler US, sensitivity (80.0% and 83.7%, respectively) and specificity (80.8% and 83.6%, respectively) remained unchanged. There were no clinically important adverse events following use of SH U 508A. CONCLUSION In patients suspected of having renal arterial stenosis, SH U 508A increased the number of diagnostic renal arterial Doppler studies.
A Network of Interdependent Molecular Interactions Describes a Higher Order Nrd1-Nab3 Complex Involved in Yeast Transcription Termination*

Background: How the yeast proteins Nrd1 and Nab3 provoke transcription termination is poorly understood. Results: An essential part of Nab3 contains a self-assembly domain that appears unstructured. Nrd1/Nab3 double mutants disrupt the function of this higher order complex, causing lethality. Conclusion: A large network of molecular interactions is needed for termination. Significance: A new essential function of Nab3 has been identified. Nab3 and Nrd1 are yeast heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)-like proteins that heterodimerize and bind RNA. Genetic and biochemical evidence reveals that they are integral to the termination of transcription of short non-coding RNAs by RNA polymerase II. Here we define a Nab3 mutation (nab3Δ134) that removes an essential part of the protein's C terminus but nevertheless can rescue, in trans, the phenotype resulting from a mutation in the RNA recognition motif of Nab3. This low complexity region of Nab3 appears intrinsically unstructured and can form a hydrogel in vitro. These data support a model in which multiple Nrd1-Nab3 heterodimers polymerize onto substrate RNA to effect termination, allowing complementation of one mutant Nab3 molecule by another lacking a different function. The self-association property of Nab3 adds to the previously documented interactions between these hnRNP-like proteins, RNA polymerase II, and the nascent transcript, leading to a network of nucleoprotein interactions that define a higher order Nrd1-Nab3 complex. This was underscored from the synthetic phenotypes of yeast strains with pairwise combinations of Nrd1 and Nab3 mutations known to affect their distinct biochemical activities. The mutations included a Nab3 self-association defect, a Nab3-Nrd1 heterodimerization defect, a Nrd1-polymerase II binding defect, and an Nab3-RNA recognition motif mutation. Although no single mutation was lethal, cells with any two mutations were not viable for four such pairings, and a fifth displayed a synthetic growth defect. These data strengthen the idea that a multiplicity of interactions is needed to assemble a higher order Nrd1-Nab3 complex that coats specific nascent RNAs in preparation for termination.
Diagnosis and Treatment of the Menstrual Migraine Patient

Women presenting with recurrent disabling headache frequently have migraine; but physicians need to rule out other headache disorders before they reach a diagnosis of migraine with or without aura. Many women who experience migraine in close association to their menstrual cycle may meet the diagnostic criteria for either menstrually related migraine (MRM), or pure menstrual migraine (PMM). Once an accurate diagnosis is made, treatment may be established to best suit the individual needs of that patient. Most women will find that migraine associated with hormone fluctuations respond well to standard treatment approaches including pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments. Pharmacological approaches include acute, preventive, and short‐term prophylaxis. Herein we review the difference between non‐menstrual migraine, PMM, and MRM and identify effective treatment strategies for appropriate management of migraine associated with hormonal fluctuations.
$S$ -Band Relativistic Magnetron Operation With Multichannel Radial Outputs of the Microwave Power

The results of an experimental study of the S-band magnetron operation with a six-vane anode block and multichannel radial outputs for microwave power extraction are presented. The magnetron was driven by a linear induction accelerator (~350 kV, ~2.5 kA, and 150 ns). In the case of three outputs for microwave power extraction and another three outputs connected to waveguides short circuited by movable plungers for adjusting the magnetron resonance, frequency-stable generation of the microwaves radiation with a total power of 570 MW from these three outputs was demonstrated. This power was equal to the power obtained when the same magnetron with one output was operated with high efficiency ( $\geq 40$ %). In addition, it was shown that the distribution of the generated microwave power between the three outputs allows wedge insulators to be used in the waveguides vacuum–air interface without electrical breakdown. Finally, microwave radiation, extracted in free space by a cluster of horn antennas connected at the output of the waveguides, was coherently added to each other at the desired distance with a three times larger microwave power density than in the case of 570-MW single output magnetron operation.
Ability to Generate Patient Registries Among Practices With and Without Electronic Health Records

Background The ability to generate registries of patients with particular clinical attributes, such as diagnoses or medications taken, is central to measuring and improving the quality of health care. However, it is not known how many providers have the ability to generate such registries. Objectives To assess the proportion of physician practices that can construct registries of patients with specific diagnoses, laboratory results, or medications, and to determine the relationship between electronic health record (EHR) usage and the ability to perform registry functions. Methods We conducted a mail survey of a stratified random sample of physician practices in Massachusetts in the northeastern United States (N = 1884). The survey included questions about the physicians’ ability to generate diagnosis, laboratory result, and medication registries; the presence of EHR; and usage of specific EHR features. Results The response rate was 71% (1345/1884). Overall, 79.8% of physician practices reported being able to generate registries of patients by diagnosis; 56.1% by laboratory result; and 55.8% by medication usage. In logistic regression analyses, adjusting for urban/rural location, practice size and ownership, teaching status, hospital affiliation, and specialty, physician practices with an EHR were more likely to be able to construct diagnosis registries (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25 - 1.86), laboratory registries (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.22 - 1.66), and medication registries (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.96 - 2.70). Conclusions Many physician practices were able to generate registries, but this capability is far from universal. Adoption of EHRs appears to be a useful step toward this end, and practices with EHRs are considerably more likely to be able to carry out registry functions. Because practices need registries to perform broad-based quality improvement, they should consider adopting EHRs that have built-in registry functionality.
Adjunctive thrombus aspiration and mechanical protection from distal embolization in primary percutaneous intervention for acute myocardial infarction

Primary percutaneous intervention for acute occlusion of a native coronary artery may be complicated by distal embolization of plaque or thrombotic debris, with infarct extension. We tested the clinical application of a new therapeutic strategy combining maximal antiplatelet therapy, with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition, and adjunctive mechanical protection from distal embolization and direct aspiration of thrombus with a new balloon and catheter system (PercuSurge™). Successful aspiration of thrombus could be obtained in 7 out of 8 attempted procedures, with inability to negotiate the angulated take‐off of the circumflex coronary artery in one patient. The current mechanical characteristics of the device, primarily developed for use in larger saphenous vein grafts, and certain caveats and limitations are discussed. New dedicated systems should be available in the near future for the native coronary circulation. Excellent immediate angiographic results were obtained in all treated patients, without evidence of loss of distal branches and no intraprocedural complications. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 50:362–370, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Left ventricular function in marathon runners: echocardiographic assessment.

Cardiac alterations induced by chronic isotonic exercise were assessed echocardiographically in 8 active male marathon runners aged 29 +/- 7 yr (mean +/- SD) compared with 10 sedentary controls aged 27 +/- 5 yr. The runners had a significantly higher aerobic capacity than the controls (72.8 +/- 6 vs. 41.4 +/- 6 ml . kg-1 . min-1; P less than 0.001). Compared with the controls, the runners had a significantly lower heart rate at rest (49 +/- 3 vs. 73 +/- 9 beats/min; P less than 0.01) and during submaximal supine exercise at a similar absolute work load (115 +/- 11 vs. 124 +/- 12 beats/min; P less than 0.01). Similarly, the runners had a lower pressure-rate product both at rest (5.52 +/- 1.0 x 10(3) vs. 9.43 +/- 1.4 x 10(-3)) and during submaximal exercise (19.7 +/- 3.2 x 10(3) vs. 25.0 +/- 4.2 x 10(3); P less than 0.01). The left ventricular peak velocity of circumferential fiber shortening of the runners relative to that of the controls was significantly reduced both at rest (1.40 +/- 0.08 vs. 1.64 +/- 0.08 circ/s) and during submaximal supine exercise at a similar absolute work load (2.36 +/- 0.15 vs. 2.71 +/- 0.10 circ/s). However, this reduction in V cf was found to be directly related to the lower pressure-rate product of the runners and therefore did not reflect a decreased intrinsic myocardial contractility in the runners relative to the controls.
Similarities between Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 and Hepatitis C Virus Genetic and Phenotypic Protease Quasispecies Diversity

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are two highly variable RNA viruses that cause chronic infections in humans. Although HCV likely preceded the AIDS epidemic by some decades, the global spread of both viruses is a relatively recent event. Nevertheless, HCV global diversity is higher than that of HIV-1. To identify differences in mutant diversity, we compared the HIV-1 protease and HCV NS3 protease quasispecies. Three protease gene quasispecies samples per virus, isolated from a total of six infected patients, were genetically and phenotypically analyzed at high resolution (HIV-1, 308 individual clones; HCV, 299 clones). Single-nucleotide variant frequency did not differ between quasispecies from the two viruses (HIV-1, 2.4 × 10−3 ± 0.4 × 10−3; HCV, 2.1 × 10−3 ± 0.5 × 10−3) (P = 0.1680). The proportion of synonymous substitutions to potential synonymous sites was similar (3.667 ± 0.6667 and 2.183 ± 0.9048, respectively) (P = 0.2573), and Shannon's entropy values did not differ between HIV-1 and HCV (0.84 ± 0.02 and 0.83 ± 0.12, respectively) (P = 0.9408). Of note, 65% (HIV-1) and 67% (HCV) of the analyzed enzymes displayed detectable protease activity, suggesting that both proteases have a similar mutational robustness. In both viruses, there was a rugged protease enzymatic activity landscape characterized by a sharp peak, representing the master sequence, surrounded by a collection of diverse variants present at lower frequencies. These results indicate that nucleotide quasispecies diversification during chronic infection is not responsible for the higher worldwide genetic diversity observed in HCV. IMPORTANCE HCV global diversity is higher than that of HIV-1. We asked whether HCV genetic diversification during infection is responsible for the higher worldwide genetic diversity observed in HCV. To this end, we analyzed and compared the genotype and enzymatic activities of HIV-1 and HCV protease quasispecies existing in infected individuals. Our results indicate that HIV-1 and HCV protease quasispecies have very similar genetic diversity and comparable rugged enzymatic activity landscapes. Therapy for HCV has expanded, with new therapeutic agents such as the direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). DAAs, which target HCV NS3 protease and other virus proteins, have improved cure rates. However, major questions remain to be elucidated regarding the virologic correlates of HCV eradication. The findings shown here may help our understanding of the different therapeutic responses observed during chronic HCV infection.