Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Displaying System Situation Awareness Increases Driver Trust in Automated Driving

Self-driving systems are expected to become increasingly popular in the foreseeable future. However, a driver who is out of the control loop might reduce overall situation awareness by overly trusting automated driving systems. Alternatively, the introduction of automated driving systems could lead to misuse or disuse. For these reasons, an automated driving system should encourage appropriate driver reliance to achieve social acceptance. Imperfect information of the system sensing range might adversely affect trust. This study used a vibrotactile display with an automated driving system to provide situation awareness. The display contributes to driver trust by enabling a driver to predict or perceive actions selected by the system. The display provides spatial information related to traffic objects by haptic stimulus. The driving scenario of passing a motorbike with vehicles approaching from behind was considered. The results of this driving simulator study demonstrated that the spatial information and the behavior of the system affected trust.
Genome-Wide Transposon Mutagenesis Indicates that Mycobacterium marinum Customizes Its Virulence Mechanisms for Survival and Replication in Different Hosts

ABSTRACT The interaction of environmental bacteria with unicellular eukaryotes is generally considered a major driving force for the evolution of intracellular pathogens, allowing them to survive and replicate in phagocytic cells of vertebrate hosts. To test this hypothesis on a genome-wide level, we determined for the intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium marinum whether it uses conserved strategies to exploit host cells from both protozoan and vertebrate origin. Using transposon-directed insertion site sequencing (TraDIS), we determined differences in genetic requirements for survival and replication in phagocytic cells of organisms from different kingdoms. In line with the general hypothesis, we identified a number of general virulence mechanisms, including the type VII protein secretion system ESX-1, biosynthesis of polyketide lipids, and utilization of sterols. However, we were also able to show that M. marinum contains an even larger set of host-specific virulence determinants, including proteins involved in the modification of surface glycolipids and, surprisingly, the auxiliary proteins of the ESX-1 system. Several of these factors were in fact counterproductive in other hosts. Therefore, M. marinum contains different sets of virulence factors that are tailored for specific hosts. Our data imply that although amoebae could function as a training ground for intracellular pathogens, they do not fully prepare pathogens for crossing species barriers.
Hsp70 instability and induction by a pesticide in Folsomia candida

The heat shock protein Hsp70 has been shown to be a promising biomarker in aquatic and terrestrial organisms. However, its analysis in the soil insect Folsomia candida (Collembola) poses many problems as the protein is particularly unstable in this species. Western blotting has shown that the principal degradation fragment has a size of 48 kDa. We have developed a Western blot method that avoids the degradation of Hsp70 and was successful in detecting the protein in the springtail F. candida after a heat shock (12, 18 and 24 h at 32°C). In the second part of the study the organisms were exposed to artificial compressed soil contaminated with the dinitrophenol dinoseb (10, 15 and 20 μg g-1 dry weight [DW]). Hsp70 was analysed in pooled samples (40 to 150 collembola according to age) after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 14 days. The only significant induction was observed after 5 days at 20 μg g-1 DW of dinoseb. The induction patterns over time were dissimilar for the different concentrations and a relatively high variability between the replicates was observed. Our results show that we must be cautious when interpreting biomarker results, especially those for Hsp70.
MRAM control transistor resilience against heavy-ion impacts

This work presents the simulation of different heavy ion impacts on the control transistors of two different types of magnetic random access memory cells (MRAM): a 32nm Bulk MRAM and 28nm FDSOI MRAM with buried oxide (BOX) thickness of 20nm. The Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) element of both MRAMs is simulated using a Compact Model described in C++. The control transistors are described using TCAD tools. The Linear Energy Transfer (LET) characteristic of simulated heavy-ions ranges from 10 to 80MeV-cm2/mg. The results show the robustness of these MRAM cells against these type of heavy ions, which is good for applications in harsh conditions.
Phantom Validation of Multichannel Magnetocardiography Source Localization

FENICI, R. , et al.: Phantom Validation of Multichannel Magnetocardiography Source Localization. Multichannel magnetocardiography (MMCG) is used clinically for noninvasive localization of the site of origin of cardiac arrhythmias. However, its accuracy in unshielded environments is still unknown. The aim of this study was to test the accuracy of three‐dimensional localization of intracardiac sources by means of MMCG in an unshielded catheterization laboratory using a saline‐filled phantom, together with a nonmagnetic catheter designed for multiple monophasic action potential recordings in a clinical setting. A nine‐channel direct current superconducting quantum interference device (DC‐SQUID) system (sensitivity fT/Hz0.5) was used for MMCG from 36 points in a measuring area of 20 × 20 cm. The artificial sources to be localized were dipoles embedded in the distal end of the catheter, placed 12 cm below the sensor's plane. Equivalent current dipoles, effective magnetic dipoles, and distributed currents models were used for the inverse solution. The localization error was estimated as the three‐dimensional difference between the physical position of the tip of the catheter and the three‐dimensional localization of the dipoles derived by means of the inverse solution calculated from MMCG data. The reproducibility was tested by repeating the MMCG after repositioning the phantom and the measurement system. The average location error of the catheter dipole was 9 ± 4 mm and was due primarily to imprecise depth estimation. Localization was reproducible within 0.73 mm. The distributed currents model provided an accurate image of current distribution centered over the catheter tip. The authors conclude that MMCG estimation is accurate enough to guarantee proper localization of cardiac dipolar sources even in an unshielded clinical electrophysiological laboratory. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. II]:426–430)
The prognostic value of extranodal extension in human papillomavirus‐associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Extranodal (or extracapsular) extension (ENE) is an adverse prognostic factor in patients with head and neck cancers who undergo primary surgery. However, the significance of ENE in human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is not well established, and single‐institution studies have not established that ENE predicts inferior outcome. The authors investigated the prognostic value of ENE in HPV‐positive patients who underwent primary surgery and whether adjuvant chemoradiation improved overall survival (OS) compared with radiation alone in ENE‐positive patients.
Real-Time PCR Assay for Rapid and Accurate Detection of Point Mutations Conferring Resistance to Clarithromycin in Helicobacter pylori

ABSTRACT The main cause of failure of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy is resistance to clarithromycin. The resistance is due to three point mutations in two positions on the 23S rRNA (A2142C, A2142G, and A2143G). Our aim was to develop a rapid and accurate method to detect these mutations directly on biopsy specimens. We developed a real-time PCR that included a simultaneous detection of the amplicons by hybridization of two probes labeled with LC-Red and fluorescein by using the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technology and melting curve analysis with the LightCycler thermocycler. The assay was first applied successfully on reference strains, reference plasmids, and H. pylori-negative biopsies. Biopsies from 200 patients having failed a first eradication attempt and for whom the H. pylori strain was available were then tested with the new assay. A result was obtained in 199 cases; a single genotype was detected in 157 cases, two genotypes were detected in 41 cases, and three genotypes were detected in one case. There were, in total, seven discrepancies between the real-time PCR and the phenotypic method of determination of clarithromycin susceptibility, and in an additional four cases the two phenotypic methods were in disagreement. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was applied to a sampling of biopsies, including all of the cases with multiple genotypes and all the cases with discrepant results. Finally, in four cases with discrepant results, the real-time PCR detected the resistant population at a concentration so low that it could not be detected by the phenotypic method, while in three cases other mutations could be involved. This assay had an accuracy at least as satisfactory as that of the phenotypic tests and could be performed within 2 h, allowing it to be used before the administration of therapy in the case of a first H. pylori eradication.
Comparison of capillary electrophoregram among heterozygous Hb Hope, Hb Hope/α-thalassemia-1 SEA type deletion and Hb Hope/β0-thalassemia

Abstract Background: Hemoglobin (Hb) A2 is artifactually elevated in cases of heterozygous Hb Hope when measured by capillary electrophoresis (CE). However, there is no report of HbA2 levels and capillary electrophoregrams for associations of heterozygote of Hb Hope with α-thalassemia nor β-thalassemia. Methods: Levels of HbA0, HbA2 and Hb Hope in 16 heterozygous Hb Hope, 3 Hb Hope/α-thalassemia-1 SEA type deletion and 2 Hb Hope/β0-thalassemia were measured by CE. Electrophoregram and the levels of those were compared within these three groups. Results: Artifactually elevated HbA2 levels (≥4%) were found in both groups of heterozygous Hb Hope and Hb Hope/α-thalassemia-1 SEA type deletion. Manual corrections were performed by adjusting baselines, and results showed that means of HbA2 in both groups decreased from 4.47% and 4.03% to 1.93% and 1.77%, respectively. The highest levels of HbA2 and Hb Hope were observed in samples with Hb Hope/β0-thalassemia. Moreover, HbA0 was not observed in these cases. Conclusions: The elevation of HbA2 in patients with heterozygous Hb Hope and with Hb Hope/α-thalassemia-1 SEA type deletion measured by CE leads to incorrect β-thalassemia trait diagnosis. However, using CE electrophoregram together with levels of HbA0, HbA2 and Hb Hope would be a more accurate and precise method for diagnosis of Hb Hope/β0-thalassemia.
Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence: Trait or State?

Background: The aim of this study was first to analyze the stability of Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence (SOC) as a measure of a person’s world view over time; secondly, to investigate its relationship with depression and anxiety. Methods: Data from two longitudinal studies were used: a study of severely injured accident victims (n = 96), and a study of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 60). The 13 items short version of the SOC scale and measures of depression and anxiety (Symptom Checklist, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were administered repeatedly over 6–12 months in both studies. Results: In the sample of accident victims, a significant decrease in the SOC mean score was observed during the first half year after the accident. During the same time period, symptoms of anxiety and depression decreased significantly. In the second half year after the accident, SOC as well as measures of psychopathology remained stable. RA patients showed high stability of SOC and measures of anxiety and depression over time. In both samples, between-time correlations of SOC scores were high (r ≥ 0.70, p < 0.01), indicating a high test-retest stability of SOC. Furthermore, in both samples, significant negative correlations of a moderate to high degree (r = –0.28 to –0.73, p < 0.01) were found between SOC and measures of anxiety and depression. Conclusions: SOC can be seen as a relatively stable (trait) measure. However, traumatic events such as life-threatening accidents may change a person’s world view and thus their SOC, even if psychiatric symptoms abate. This suggests that SOC is not merely a proxy measure of psychopathology, but rather a partially independent, general measure of a person’s world view.
CD14 Is an Acute-Phase Protein1

The origin of soluble CD14 (sCD14) in the circulation is uncertain. To examine whether CD14 could be an acute-phase protein (APP), the levels of sCD14, IL-6, and C-reactive protein were determined by ELISA in serum and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with various arthropathies, and the regulation of CD14 synthesis was examined in liver cells. In patients with crystal-mediated or immunologically mediated arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis), serum levels of sCD14 were higher than or similar to those found in infection-mediated arthritis (reactive arthritis), precluding a relation with bacteria exposure. Levels of sCD14 were similar in SF and serum, and did not correlate with the number of SF leukocytes, excluding an important source from leukocyte membrane-bound CD14, by protease-mediated shedding. In contrast, serum levels of sCD14 in patients correlated with those of C-reactive protein, a classical APP, and IL-6, a cytokine known to regulate the synthesis of APP in the liver. Serum levels of sCD14 also correlated with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis and reactive arthritis patients. IL-6 stimulated the production of CD14 by HepG2 hepatoma cells. By real-time PCR, the inducibility of CD14 by IL-6 was also observed at the mRNA level both in HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes. These in vitro results were confirmed by in vivo studies in IL-6−/− mice injected with turpentine, an experimental model of acute-phase response. Liver levels of CD14 mRNA increased in IL-6+/+, but not in IL-6−/− mice. These results indicate that sCD14 can be considered as a type 2 APP.
Joint line elevation in revision TKA leads to increased patellofemoral contact forces

One difficulty in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the management of distal femoral bone defects in which a joint line elevation (JLE) is likely to occur. Although JLE has been associated with inferior clinical results, the effect that an elevated joint line has on knee contact forces has not been investigated. To understand the clinical observations and elaborate the potential risk associated with a JLE, we performed a virtual TKA on the musculoskeletal models of four subjects. Tibio‐ and patellofemoral joint contact forces (JCF) were calculated for walking and stair climbing, varying the location of the joint line. An elevation of the joint line primarily affected the patellofemoral joint with JCF increases of as much as 60% of the patient's body weight (BW) at 10‐mm JLE and 90% BW at 15‐mm JLE, while the largest increase in tibiofemoral JCF was only 14% BW. This data demonstrates the importance of restoring the joint line, as it plays a critical role for the magnitudes of the JCFs, particularly for the patellofemoral joint. JLE caused by managing distal femoral defects with downsizing and proximalizing the femoral component could increase the patellofemoral contact forces, and may be a contributing factor to postoperative complications such as pain, polyethylene wear, and limited function. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:1–5, 2010
[Association between HLA-DQA1 gene copy number polymorphisms and susceptibility to gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE To explore the association between HLA-DQA1 gene copy number polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk in Chinese population, and the interaction of those genes and environmental factors. METHODS The genotype of HLA-DQA1 gene copy number polymorphisms was determined in 343 patients with gastric cancer and 330 controls by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression model was used to evaluate the impact of this polymorphism on the risk of developing gastric cancer and the gene-environment interaction. RESULTS Compared with 0 copy of HLA-DQA1 gene carriers, the 2 copies of HLA-DQA1 gene carriers had a significantly increased risk of gastric cancer (OR = 1.87, 95%CI = 1.15 - 3.06, P = 0.012). Gene-environment interaction of HLA-DQA1 gene copy number polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori infection significantly increased the risk of gastric cancer in a multiplicative manner, with an OR of 3.89 (95%CI = 1.75 - 8.57, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS HLA-DQA1 gene copy number polymorphism is associated with gastric cancer susceptibility, and there is a multiplicative gene-environment interaction between this polymorphism and Hp infection in the development of gastric cancer.
Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by PCR amplification with pan-Mycobacterium primers and hybridization to an M. tuberculosis-specific probe

Nucleic acid amplification techniques such as the PCR are very useful in the rapid diagnosis of infections by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, recent studies have shown that the accuracy of results can vary widely when tests are performed with nonstandardized reagents. We have developed a PCR assay for the detection of M. tuberculosis that is both rapid and accurate. The assay reagents are standardized and quality controlled. False-positive results due to carryover contamination are prevented by the incorporation of dUTP coupled with uracil-N-glycosylase restriction. This assay also employs pan-Mycobacterium amplification primers, allowing for flexibility in the mycobacterial species that can be identified from a single amplification reaction. The amplification is very sensitive; amplification products generated from as few as three bacteria can be detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. DNAs isolated from 33 of 34 mycobacterial species tested were amplified efficiently. Only DNA from Mycobacterium simiae did not amplify. The amplification is also very specific. Amplification products were generated only from the DNAs of bacteria in closely related genera such as Corynebacterium. The nonmycobacterial amplicons do not pose a problem, as they do not hybridize to mycobacterium-specific probes. Hybridization of amplicons to an M. tuberculosis-specific probe allows for the unambiguous identification of M. tuberculosis complex organisms. The clinical performance of this PCR assay was evaluated against that of culture in 662 respiratory specimens. Sensitivities of 100 and 73.1% were obtained from smear-positive and -negative respiratory specimens, respectively. The corresponding specificities were 100 and 99.8%. The high sensitivity and specificity, coupled with the potential for detecting a wide range of mycobacteria, make this assay a useful tool in the clinical management of mycobacterial infections.
Loss of abdominal fat and metabolic response to exercise training in obese women.

Numerous studies have shown that a high accumulation of abdominal fat is associated with metabolic complications and with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. The present study examined the effects of changes in body fatness and in the level of abdominal fat on metabolic variables in a sample of 13 obese premenopausal women, aged 38.8 +/- 5.3 (SD) yr. Women exercised for 90 min at approximately 55% of maximal aerobic power (VO2 max) four to five times a week for a period of 14 mo. The training program induced a significant increase in VO2 max and a mean reduction in body fat mass of 4.6 kg (P less than 0.01), with no change in fat-free mass. Measurement of adipose tissue areas by computed tomography indicated a greater loss of abdominal fat compared with midthigh adipose tissue (P less than 0.05). The training program also produced significant reductions in the insulinogenic index measured during an oral glucose tolerance test and in plasma cholesterol (Chol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-Chol, and apolipoprotein (apo) B levels (P less than 0.05). Training also significantly increased plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-apo A-I and HDL2-Chol levels and decreased plasma HDL3-Chol concentration (P less than 0.05). Whereas no change in postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity was noted, a significant decrease in postheparin plasma hepatic triglyceride lipase activity was observed after training (P less than 0.005). Metabolic responses were not correlated with changes in VO2 max but were significantly correlated with the reduction in body fat mass and/or with the loss of deep abdominal fat. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Development in anterior segment imaging for glaucoma

Purpose of review Recent developments in anterior segment imaging enable high-resolution imaging with higher speeds than previous systems. This review will focus on advances in optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the anterior segment with an emphasis on angle evaluation. Recent findings Anterior segment imaging with OCT is possible with both time domain and Fourier domain devices, and with light sources of different wavelengths. Recent studies have identified new risk factors for angle closure and prediction models incorporating quantitative angle width parameters have been developed for detection of gonioscopically defined angle closure. Swept source OCT is a variation of Fourier domain OCT that allows three-dimensional imaging of the angle analogous to gonioscopy and novel quantitative parameters have been described for angle measurement with this technology. Fourier domain OCT devices have higher resolution and sampling density than time domain OCT and enable visualization of more angle structures such as the Schwalbe's line and Schlemm's canal. Summary OCT technology is expanding our understanding of angle closure disease. Although it does not replace gonioscopy in angle evaluation, it may help us identify predictors of progression along the angle closure disease spectrum such that treatment may be better targeted.