Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychologic status in multiple sclerosis after treatment with glatiramer.

BACKGROUND Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) therapy reduces clinical disease activity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE To study the effect of glatiramer therapy on neuropsychologic function as part of a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. METHODS Two hundred forty-eight patients with relapsing-remitting MS and mild to moderate disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale score, <5.0) were tested before and 12 and 24 months after randomization to administration of glatiramer acetate, 20 mg/d, or matching placebo. Neuropsychologic tests examined 5 cognitive domains most often disrupted in patients with MS: sustained attention, perceptual processing, verbal and visuospatial memory, and semantic retrieval. RESULTS Baseline neuropsychologic test performance was similar in both treatment groups and was within normal range, except for impaired semantic retrieval. Mean neuropsychologic test scores were higher at 12 and 24 months than at baseline, and no differences were detected between treatment groups over time. No significant interactions were detected between treatment and either time or baseline impairment. CONCLUSIONS Our 2-year longitudinal study showed no effect of glatiramer therapy on cognitive function in relapsing-remitting MS. Although it is possible that glatiramer therapy has no effect on cognitive function, the lack of measurable decline in cognitive function in both patient groups for 2 years limits the opportunity for glatiramer to demonstrate a therapeutic effect by minimizing such decline. Emerging treatments for MS should continue to be examined for their effect on cognitive impairment because it can be a critical determinant of disability. A greater understanding of the natural history of cognitive decline in MS is essential for a rational design of these drug trials.
Temperature and Water Vapor Variance Scaling in Global Models: Comparisons to Satellite and Aircraft Data

AbstractObservations of the scale dependence of height-resolved temperature T and water vapor q variability are valuable for improved subgrid-scale climate model parameterizations and model evaluation. Variance spectral benchmarks for T and q obtained from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) are compared to those generated by state-of-the-art numerical weather prediction “analyses” and “free-running” climate model simulations with spatial resolution comparable to AIRS. The T and q spectra from both types of models are generally too steep, with small-scale variance up to several factors smaller than AIRS. However, the two model analyses more closely resemble AIRS than the two free-running model simulations. Scaling exponents obtained for AIRS column water vapor (CWV) and height-resolved layers of q are also compared to the superparameterized Community Atmospheric Model (SP-CAM), highlighting large differences in the magnitude of CWV variance and the relative flatness of height-resolved q scaling in SP-.
Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Salmonella spp. in Turkey

The current study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in turkey and to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of the isolated Salmonellae. Two hundred and fifty turkeys were randomly selected for cloacal soab samples preparation, and the samples were investigated for Salmonella isolation. Identification of the isolated Salmonella was performed using standard bacteriological and biochemical procedures. The prevalence of Salmonella in turkey was about 14.8%. Disc diffusion tests on Muller-Hinton agar were used to determine the sensitivity to antibacterial agents. Ten antibiotics were studied: lincospectin, colistin, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, furazolidone, streptomycin, co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) and tetracycline. The highest resistant was observed against cephalexin (89.2%), tetracycline (86.5%), colistin (83.8%), and furazolidone (73%). The Highest sensitivity was found to gentamycin (86.5%), ciprofloxacin (83.8%), chloramphenicol (51.4%) and streptomycin (40.6%). The results showed high prevalence of Salmonella spp. in turkey and high levels of antimicrobial resistance pattern of the isolated Salmonellae were observed.
You followed my bot! Transforming robots into influential users in Twitter

Systems that classify influential users in social networks have been used frequently and are referenced in scientific papers and in the media as an ideal standard of evaluation of influence in the Twitter social network. We consider such systems of evaluation to be complex and subjective, and we therefore suspect that they are vulnerable and easy to manipulate. Based on this, we performed experiments and analysis of two systems for ranking influence: Klout and Twitalyzer. We created simple robots capable of interacting by means of Twitter accounts, and we measured how influent they were. Our results show that it is possible to become influential through simple strategies. This suggests that the systems do not have ideal means to measure and classify influence.
Kampf der Generationen oder Solidarität zwischen Jung und Alt? Das österreichische Pflegesystem im europäischen Vergleich

Die Arbeit geht der Frage nach, wie sich das osterreichische System der Langzeitbetreuung alterer Menschen mit Augenmerk auf die nachhaltige Solidaritat zwischen Generationen u.a. im Vergleich mit anderen europaischen Landern gestaltet. Besonderes Augenmerk wird dabei auf Finanzierungs-, Versorgungs- und Governance-Strukturen gelegt, sowie auf den Vergleich mit anderen sozialpolitischen Bereichen (Familienleistungen, Kinderbetreuung). Osterreich hat im internationalen Vergleich ein relativ groszugiges System der offentlichen Unterstutzung alterer Menschen, das stark auf Geldleistungen aufbaut. Dies gilt auch fur die Langzeitbetreuung, wo eine grose Anzahl pflegebedurftiger Menschen erreicht wird, diese aber pro Kopf eher wenig erhalten. Die Pflegeleistungen werden aus allgemeinen Steuermitteln sowie Kostenbeitragen von NutzerInnen finanziert, was bedeutet, dass die Finanzierung primar uber die Besteuerung von Arbeitseinkommen erfolgt. Unterschiedliche Kostenbeitrags- und Regressregelungen auf Bundeslanderebene fuhren zudem zu grosen Differenzen in der finanziellen und faktischen Verantwortung von Familien, insbesondere jungerer Generationen, die Pflege und Betreuung pflegebedurftiger Angehoriger sicherzustellen. Es folgt, dass die Einfuhrung vermogensbezogener „Pflegesteuern“ zu mehr Ausgewogenheit in den solidarischen Elementen des Pflegesystems beitragen konnte – nicht nur aus Generationensicht. Der flachendeckende Ausbau von Pflege- und Betreuungsdiensten und bundesweit einheitliche Regelungen zu privaten Kostenbeitragen stellen zudem eine Voraussetzung dafur dar, dass Solidaritat zwischen den Generationen unabhangig von sozialer Schicht und Wohnort beurteilt werden kann.
Traitement des signaux cinématiques pour la détection et la classification des transferts posturaux : le système ACTIM6D

Le faible prix des capteurs cinematique ainsi que leur faible consommation et facilite d'integration ont permis de developper ces dernieres annees leur utilisation dans le cadre d'application biomedicales et notamment pour la surveillance des activites de la personne porteuse. Les travaux de recherche portent principalement sur la detection de certains moments de la vie quotidienne par reconnaissance de formes. Cet article decrit une methode de detection des transferts posturaux utilisant la transformee en ondelettes afin de limiter le nombre de parametres et de seuils a fixer pour des utilisations avec differentes populations. Cette methode a ensuite ete validee sur un scenario court donnant un taux de bonne classification global de 70%.
The effects of diacylglycerol oil on fat oxidation and energy expenditure in humans and animals

Studies in animals and humans indicate that diets containing diacylglycerol (DAG) oil (containing >80% DAG) decrease body weight gain and body fat accumulation, especially visceral fat. Body weight and body fat are controlled by energy expenditure, fat oxidation, fat storage capacity, and appetite control. Recent researches indicate that DAG oil, compared with conventional oils, has distinct metabolic effects. We review the evidence concerning the effects of DAG oil intake on fat oxidation and energy expenditure. In humans, dietary DAG is more susceptible to oxidation, and in animals 1,3‐DAG, a major component of DAG oil, is rapidly oxidized. Short‐term human studies with indirect calorimetry demonstrate greater fat oxidation with DAG oil consumption compared with triacylglycerol (TAG) oil consumption. Furthermore, DAG oil consumption for 14 days stimulates energy expenditure. Based on these reports, enhanced fat oxidation and energy expenditure by daily DAG oil intake could contribute to long‐term reductions in body weight and fat accumulation. The literature provides support for the notion that dietary DAG is more rapidly oxidized than dietary TAG, and that, compared with TAG oil, DAG oil consumption increases whole body fat oxidation. The effects of DAG oil consumption on energy expenditure, however, remain inconclusive. © 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
3D face recognition via conformal representation

In this paper, we propose a 3D face recognition approach based on the conformal representation of facial surfaces. Firstly, facial surfaces are mapped onto the 2D unit disk by Riemann mapping. Their conformal representation (i.e. the pair of mean curvature (MC) and conformal factor (CF) ) are then computed and encoded to Mean Curvature Images (MCIs) and Conformal Factor Images (CFIs). Considering that different regions of face deform unequally due to expression variation, MCIs and CFIs are divided into five parts. LDA is applied to each part to obtain the feature vector. At last, five parts are fused on the distance level for recognition. Extensive experiments carried out on the BU-3DFE database demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Analysis and design of a CSRR-based fully planar substrate-integrated waveguide for millimeter-wave circuits and antennas

We present here a new design of a substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW), which is based on the use of a metamaterial-inspired periodic structure of coupled complementary split-ring resonators (CSRR). The resonators are etched on the metal surfaces that cover both sides of the dielectric substrate. The strong interaction between two side-by-side placed CSRRs provides the necessary means to block propagation through the ring structure and completely replace the series of via posts that is characteristic of a conventional SIW. The proposed transmission line has excellent propagation characteristics, since propagation losses are kept at levels comparable to those of the classic SIW, while the fully planar structure and the associated ease of implementation render the proposed SIW a strong alternative for a cost-effective implementation of millimeter-wave circuits and antennas.
1230PDPHASE 1B STUDY OF ORAL DUAL-PI3K/MTOR INHIBITOR GDC-0980 IN COMBINATION WITH CARBOPLATIN (CARBO)/PACLITAXEL (PAC) ± BEVACIZUMAB (BEV) AND CISPLATIN (CIS)/PEMETREXED (PEM) IN PATIENTS (PTS) WITH ADVANCED SOLID TUMORS AND NSCLC.

ABSTRACT Aim: The PI3K signaling pathway is altered in many tumor types, including NSCLC. GDC-0980 has single-agent activity as well as preclinical cytotoxic synergy with taxane and platinum agents and antiangiogenic synergy with anti-VEGF agents. Methods: This Phase 1b study evaluated the safety and tolerability of GDC-0980 in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy (CT) and Bev in pts with advanced solid tumors (AST) or first-line advanced NSCLC: Arm A – Carbo (AUC 6) + Pac (200 mg/m2); Arm B – Carbo/Pac + Bev (15 mg/kg); Arm C - Cis (75 mg/m2) + Pem (500 mg/m2). On a 21-day cycle, CT regimens were administered on Day 1, and GDC-0980 PO QD on Days 1-14. Pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses were performed. Archival tumor tissue and blood samples for pharmacogenetic and ctDNA analyses were collected. Results: Sixty-five pts (28 in Arm A [17 NSCLC]; 18 in Arm B [10 NSCLC]; 19 in Arm C [12 NSCLC]) were treated with GDC-0980 20 to 40 mg. For AST cohorts in Arms A and B, the MTD of GDC-0980 was 25 mg (DLTs were febrile neutropenia, rash, and fatigue). For NSCLC cohorts in Arms A and C, the maximum administered dose (MAD) was 30 mg GDC-0980. At this dose, Grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) in >10% of all treated pts were neutropenia (59%), rash (24%), febrile neutropenia and anemia (12%) in Arm A and neutropenia (33%), anemia and fatigue (25%), hypertension, infection, and pneumonitis (17%) in Arm C. Other high-grade AEs of interest were less common: hyperglycemia in Arm A (6%) and Arm C (8%) and rash (8%) in Arm C. Among NSCLC pts treated with 30 mg GDC-0980, objective responses were observed in 9 of 14 (64%) pts in Arm A and 4 of 12 (33%) pts in Arm C. Other pts with follicular thyroid, ovarian, and urothelial cancers (Arm A) and angiosarcoma (Arm B) also had objective responses. There were no apparent PK interactions. Biomarker analysis is ongoing. Conclusions: The safety profile of GDC-0980 30 mg in combination with Carbo/Pac or Cis/Pem is consistent with that of the individual agents, and AEs were manageable and reversible. These GDC-0980 combinations have demonstrated preliminary activity in first-line NSCLC. Disclosure: O. Hamid: Consultant to Genenech; W. Lin: Employee of Genentech, Inc.; B. O'keeffe: Employee of Genentech, Inc.; M.R. Lackner: Employee of Genentech, Inc.; J. Spoerke: Employee of Genentech, Inc.; J. Ware: Employee of Genentech, Inc. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Automatic image labelling using similarity measures

Scene classification based on global features. It can be used, for example, for annotating large databases of photos. The whole process has several steps. The first step is features extraction, and then the distance between a new image and reference images is calculated. A model is trained to classify new images based on this distance. The model was created using the Naïve Bayes classifier. To improve accuracy the forward selection was used, which optimizes the selection of a group of attributes. The overall performance on the testing dataset was 69.76%.
Epidemiologic correlates of cervical human papillomavirus prevalence in women with abnormal Pap smear tests: A Taiwan cooperative oncology group (TCOG) study

To explore factors affecting human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in all grades of cervical neoplasia among Chinese women, 1,264 women with abnormal cervical cytology attending the gynaecologic clinics of 11 major medical centres in Taiwan. Patients were interviewed and underwent complete gynaecologic examination including colposcopy. Cervical scrapings were collected for HPV DNA detection by both Hybrid Capture‐2 (high‐risk probe) and L1 consensus PCR‐reverse line blot. The prevalences of HPV in the four different diagnosis groups: (i) suspicious (n = 316), (ii) low‐grade intraepithelial lesion (n = 474), (iii) high‐grade intraepithelial lesion (n = 450), and (iv) cancer (n = 16), were 36.1%, 74.7%, 83.6%, and 100%, respectively. In the latter two groups, Patients less than 30 or 40 years old, respectively, tended to be infected more frequently with HPV than the older patients were. The main correlates of HPV prevalence were lifetime number of sex partners (odds ratio (OR) for two or more partners: 2.44; 95% CI, 1.44–4.15), vaginal douching after intercourse (OR for douching frequently: 1.44; 95% CI, 1.01–2.04), vitamin supplementation (OR for regular vitamin supplement: 0.71, 95% CI, 0.55–0.92), and performance of Pap smear tests (OR for never having a Pap smear performed: 2.22; 95% CI, 1.19–4.17). The risk for vaginal douching was augmented by the promiscuity of sex partners (OR of 3.19 (1.91–5.34)) and smoking (OR of 1.90 (1.15–3.13)), whereas vitamin supplementation reduced the odds ratio to 1.35 (0.85–2.15). The results of this study provide further evidence of the role of HPV in cervical carcinogenesis. The data also indicate the main areas of risk for the prevalence of HPV in cervical neoplasia in Chinese women living in Taiwan. J. Med. Virol. 77:273–281, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Instant Typing Is Essential to Detect Transmission of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella Species

Background Infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms are an increasing threat to hospitalized patients. Although rapid typing of MDR microorganisms is required to apply targeted prevention measures, technical barriers often prevent this. We aimed to assess whether extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella species are transmitted between patients and whether routine, rapid typing is needed. Methods For 43 months, the clonality of all ESBL-producing Klebsiella isolates from patients admitted to Erasmus MC University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands was assessed with Raman spectroscopy. A cluster was defined as n ≥2 patients who had identical isolates. Primary patients were the first patients in each cluster. Secondary patients were those identified with an isolate clonally related to the isolate of the primary patient. Results Isolates from 132 patients were analyzed. We identified 17 clusters, with 17 primary and 56 secondary patients. Fifty-nine patients had a unique isolate. Patients (n = 15) in four out of the 17 clusters were epidemiologically related. Ten of these 15 patients developed an infection. Conclusions Clonal outbreaks of ESBL-producing Klebsiella species were detected in our hospital. Theoretically, after Raman spectroscopy had detected a cluster of n ≥2, six infections in secondary patients could have been prevented. These findings demonstrate that spread of ESBL-producing Klebsiella species occurs, even in a non-outbreak setting, and underscore the need for routine rapid typing of these MDR bacteria.
Prognostic Significance of Methylation Profiles in Urothelial Carcinomas of the Bladder

Background : Study on epigenetics of urothelial carcinomas has expanded and allowed better understanding of their correlation with clinicopathologic features. The aim of this study was to determine reliable predictive epigenetic markers for patients with urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder. Methods : In 64 urothelial carcinomas of the urinary bladder, methylationspecific polymerase chain reaction with RAS association domain family 1A (RASSF1A), adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), death-associated protein-kinase (DAPK), runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3), p14, p16 and MGMT was performed and correlated the results with p53 mutations, DNA ploidy, clinicopathologic parameters and recurrences. Results : Hypermethyation of RASSF1A, APC, DAPK, RUNX3, p14, p16 and MGMT promoters was observed in 35 (54.7%), 29 (45.3%), 18 (28.1%), 18 (28.1%), 9 (14.1%), 2 (3.1%), and 6 (9.4%) cases, respectively. Hypermethylation of RUNX3 and APC was significantly associated with high histologic grades and aneuploidy. Methylation of DAPK was significantly associated with muscle invasion. Methylation of DAPK and RUNX3 genes was significantly associated with recurrence. In survival analyses, methylation of RUNX3 gene and methylation-high (methylation at two or more loci) phenotype was significantly associated with poor recurrence-free survival. Conclusions : Methylation of RUNX3 gene and methylation-high phenotype are significant indicator of recurrence.
A Comparison of Hotspot Mapping for Crime Prediction Major

Hotspot mapping is routinely applied to crime data by Police Forces in order to assist decision making on where and how to address future crime clu sters. However, there are numerous hotspot mapping techniques and limited guidance on how to a pply them. In addition, in the absence of an authoritative comparison study, academia and Police do not agree on the best technique to use. Police require an efficient tool for identifying crime clu sters by significance. It should describe them wit h precision and accurately predict their location. A s yet, no comparison study has assessed hotspot mapping techniques in this way.
How to Improve the Customer Loyalty: An Empirical Study of Chinese Department Stores

By understanding the customer and good customer relations, Customer loyalty program will as a marketing project of fostering customer loyalty for the department stores enterprises to build competitive advantage and enhance the economic significance. However, whether we can really enhance the customer loyalty is the key to the problem. In this article, we have revealed the department store's unique position on aspect of fostering customer loyalty on the basis of relevant literatures. At the same time, combined with the background of the department store industry, we have summed up the four dimensions of customer loyalty and further divided into 13 index systems. Then we use AHP to analysis. Lastly, according to the analysis of the domestic department store business, we propose some improvement strategies as well as make a summary of the method of improving customer loyalty.
Glimpse into Hox and tale regulation of cell differentiation and reprogramming

During embryonic development, cells become gradually restricted in their developmental potential and start elaborating lineage‐specific transcriptional networks to ultimately acquire a unique differentiated state. Hox genes play a central role in specifying regional identities, thereby providing the cell with critical information on positional value along its differentiation path. The exquisite DNA‐binding specificity of the Hox proteins is frequently dependent upon their interaction with members of the TALE family of homeodomain proteins. In addition to their function as Hox‐cofactors, TALE homeoproteins control multiple crucial developmental processes through Hox‐independent mechanisms. Here, we will review recent findings on the function of both Hox and TALE proteins in cell differentiation, referring mostly to vertebrate species. In addition, we will discuss the direct implications of this knowledge on cell plasticity and cell reprogramming. Developmental Dynamics 243:76–87, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of PrP in prion diseases.

Note: Weissmann, C. Univ Zurich,Inst Molek Biol I,Ch-8006 Zurich,Switzerland Univ Tatsspital Zurich,Inst Neuropathol,Zurich,Switzerland Reference UPAGU-ARTICLE-1993-007 Record created on 2007-12-12, modified on 2017-05-12
Application of case based reasoning in plane geometry intelligent tutoring system

A Plane Geometry Intelligent Tutoring System is developed to solve the problem that the students in middle schools often lack high-quality and individuation tutoring tools. According to the questions offered by students, PGITS can provide the comprehensive and systematic solution with step-by-step guidance, analysis and detailed answers, etc. Using PGITS for a period of time, the students can improve their learning ability and summarizing ability. PGITS utilizes a hybrid reasoning method integrating case based reasoning and rule based reasoning. This paper focuses on the case based reasoning in PGITS, presents its case representation and case retrieval. The use of case based reasoning reduces the time of solving user's questions and improves the efficiency of the system.