Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of patients with acute lung injury. Predictors of mortality.

A recent North-American-European Consensus Conference proposed new, uniform criteria for the definition of acute lung injury, in part to facilitate earlier identification of patients for clinical trials. However, these criteria have not been evaluated prospectively. We designed a prospective cohort study of 123 consecutive patients with acute lung injury prospectively identified on admission to the adult intensive care units of a tertiary care university hospital. The objectives were to determine if selection of patients using the new criteria for acute lung injury results in a significant change in the clinical characteristics, risk factors, or predictors of mortality when compared with prior studies of patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); and to determine if a quantitative index of the severity of acute lung injury has prognostic value in identifying nonsurvivors of acute lung injury. We used three methods: (1) prospective identification of patients with acute lung injury using a PaO2/FIO2 ratio < 300 and bilateral infiltrates on chest radiograph in the absence of left heart failure; (2) evaluation of the severity of lung injury using a four-point scoring system; and (3) stepwise logistic regression analysis to identify variables significantly associated with hospital mortality. Overall hospital mortality was 58%. Sepsis was the most common clinical disorder (50/123 or 41%) associated with the development of acute lung injury. Using the new definition for acute lung injury, 66 of the 123 patients were enrolled with a PaO2/FIO2 ratio between 150 and 299; 57 of the 123 patients had a PaO2/FIO2 < 150 at the time of entry into the study. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
How Much In Vitro Cholesterol Reducing Activity of Lactobacilli Predicts Their In Vivo Cholesterol Function?

BACKGROUND Based on literature, in vitro cholesterol removal of lactic acid bacteria has been accounted for their in vivo cholesterol reduction. But recently it has been proposed that such in vitro characteristic may not be directly relevant to their in vivo activity. The objective of this study was to find how much in vitro cholesterol reducing potential of Lactobacillus plantarum A7 (LA7), a native strain isolated from an infant fecal flora, reflects its in vivo efficiency. LA7 previously showed serum cholesterol reducing capability in mice subjected to fatty diet. Here, we investigate whether the given strain is capable of in vitro cholesterol assimilation or consumption. METHOD LA7 was cultured in whole milk and de-Man-Rogosa-Sharpe (MRS) added with water-soluble cholesterol. Colorimetric method was adopted for cholesterol determination in both cultured media during incubation period. RESULTS No cholesterol assimilation was detected by growth and incubation of the active culture in either of the medium. Thus, in vivo cholesterol function of LA7 was not caused by cholesterol consumption. A comprehensive review of literature on the related studies also showed that there are other documented studies which evidenced the uncertainty of the direct relation between in vitro and in vivo studies. CONCLUSION Cholesterol removal from the cultured media may not be considered as an appropriate integral index for selection of Lactobacillus strains with cholesterol-lowering activity.
Impact of MALDI-TOF will be highly dependent on the clinician.

TO THE EDITOR—Clerc et al recently reported a real-life use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) to optimize the choice of antibiotherapy for bloodstream infections [1]. The advent of MALDI-TOF triggered numerous articles and great hopes about how it would change the organization of microbiology laboratories. However, little is known about its impact on infectious diseases (ID) specialists’ clinical practice or on antimicrobial stewardship. Therefore, we acknowledge and congratulate the authors for being one of the few groups of investigators to study the impact of MALDITOF on clinical practice. However, the authors chose to focus on gram-negative bacteria because MALDITOF is less reliable for gram-positive
The amount of periosteal apposition required to maintain bone strength during aging depends on adult bone morphology and tissue‐modulus degradation rate

Although the continued periosteal apposition that accompanies age‐related bone loss is a biomechanically critical target for prophylactic treatment of bone fragility, the magnitude of periosteal expansion required to maintain strength during aging has not been established. A new model for predicting periosteal apposition rate for men and women was developed to better understand the complex, nonlinear interactions that exist among bone morphology, tissue‐modulus, and aging. Periosteal apposition rate varied up to eightfold across bone sizes, and this depended on the relationship between cortical area and total area, which varies with external size and among anatomical sites. Increasing tissue‐modulus degradation rate from 0% to −4%/decade resulted in 65% to 145% increases in periosteal apposition rate beyond that expected for bone loss alone. Periosteal apposition rate had to increase as much as 350% over time to maintain stiffness for slender diaphyses, whereas robust bones required less than a 32% increase over time. Small changes in the amount of bone accrued during growth (ie, adult cortical area) affected periosteal apposition rate of slender bones to a much greater extent compared to robust bones. This outcome suggested that impaired bone growth places a heavy burden on the biological activity required to maintain stiffness with aging. Finally, sex‐specific differences in periosteal apposition were attributable in part to differences in bone size between the two populations. The results indicated that a substantial proportion of the variation in periosteal expansion required to maintain bone strength during aging can be attributed to the natural variation in adult bone width. Efforts to identify factors contributing to variation in periosteal expansion will benefit from developing a better understanding of how to adjust clinical data to differentiate the biological responses attributable to size‐effects from other genetic and environmental factors. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Factors influencing consumers' willingness to accept mobile advertising: a conceptual model

The purpose of the present study is to build a conceptual model of consumers' willingness to accept mobile advertising. First, the study investigates factors that influence the acceptance of mobile advertising from both industry's and consumers' point of view. Second, based on a review of previous studies in the field, the authors propose a conceptual model of consumers' willingness to accept mobile advertising. The model, based on four research hypotheses, indicates that consumers' willingness to receive mobile advertisements to handsets is mainly driven by four factors: role of mobile medium in marketing mix; development of technology; one-to-one marketing medium; regulatory. The findings provide several conceptual and managerial insights into the role of mobile advertising today and in the near future.
Soil Nitrite as a Source of Atmospheric HONO and OH Radicals

Biogenic nitrite in soils is an important source of atmospheric HONO and OH. Hydroxyl radicals (OH) are a key species in atmospheric photochemistry. In the lower atmosphere, up to ~30% of the primary OH radical production is attributed to the photolysis of nitrous acid (HONO), and field observations suggest a large missing source of HONO. We show that soil nitrite can release HONO and explain the reported strength and diurnal variation of the missing source. Fertilized soils with low pH appear to be particularly strong sources of HONO and OH. Thus, agricultural activities and land-use changes may strongly influence the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere. Because of the widespread occurrence of nitrite-producing microbes, the release of HONO from soil may also be important in natural environments, including forests and boreal regions.
Functional Molecular Diversity of Marine Dissolved Organic Matter Is Reduced during Degradation

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a highly diverse mixture of compounds, accounting for one of the world's largest active carbon pools. The surprising recalcitrance of some DOM compounds to bacterial degradation has recently been associated with its diversity. However, little is known about large-scale patterns of marine DOM diversity and its change through degradation, in particular considering the functional diversity of DOM. Here, we analyze the development of marine DOM diversity during degradation in two data sets comprising DOM of very different ages: a three-year mesocosm experiment and highly-resolved field samples from the Atlantic and Southern Ocean. The DOM molecular composition was determined using ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry. We quantify DOM diversity using three conceptually different diversity measures, namely richness of molecular formulas, abundance-based diversity, and functional molecular diversity. Using these measures we find stable molecular richness of DOM with age >1 year, systematic changes in the molecules' abundance distribution with degradation state, and increasing homogeneity with respect to chemical properties for more degraded DOM. Coinciding with differences in sea water density, the spatial field data separated clearly into regions of high and low diversity. The joint application of different diversity measures yields a comprehensive overview on temporal and spatial patterns of molecular diversity, valuable for general conclusions on drivers and consequences of marine DOM diversity.
Let them play: experiences in the wild with a gamification and coaching system for young diabetes patients

In this paper we describe a platform that integrates gaming and coaching for adolescent patients with type 1 diabetes and results from user evaluations of the platform. The purpose of the platform is to support patients in diabetes self-management through educational game playing, monitoring and motivational feedback, and to support patients' care givers. We describe the design of the platform referring to principles from health care, persuasive system design and game design. The virtual coach is a game guide that can also provide personalized feedback about the user's daily care related activities which have value for making progress in the game world. We report about user evaluations in the wild which revealed that some assumptions made about how users are connected to the platform were not satisfied in reality, resulting in less optimal user experiences. We discuss challenges with suggestions for further development of integrated pervasive coaching and gamification platforms.
Interleukin-6 response to deliberate colonization of the human urinary tract with gram-negative bacteria

Intravesical inoculation of patients with Escherichia coli provided an opportunity to examine the interleukin-6 (IL-6) response to a gram-negative bacterial urinary tract infection in humans. All patients secreted IL-6 as a result of infection. Urinary IL-6 was not continuously secreted but appeared as a series of similar peaks during the first 48 h after infection. There was no significant difference in the ability to trigger IL-6 secretion between isogenic adhering or nonadhering strains, but a threshold concentration of 10(5) bacteria per ml of urine was necessary to fully stimulate IL-6 secretion. There was no detectable increase in IL-6 levels in the serum of the colonized individuals, suggesting mainly local IL-6 production. These results demonstrate that IL-6 is a part of the human mucosal response to gram-negative urinary tract infections.
GLP-I(7–36) Amide Augments Ba2+ Current Through L-Type Ca2+ Channel of Rat Pancreatic β-Cell in a cAMP-Dependent Manner

The whole-cell patch-clamp method was used to examine the effect of glucagon-like peptide I (GLP-I)(7–36) amide on the activation process of L-type Ca2+ channels of rat pancreatic β-cells. After depolarization, GLP-I (1–100 nmol/l) caused action potentials in cells exposed to a glucose-free solution for 10 min. The percentage of cells producing action potential depended on the concentration of GLP-I. In some cells, GLP-I caused action potentials without the prior depolarization of the membrane. In cells exposed to the glucose-free solution for longer than 30 min, or in cells that were deprived of ATP by a means of the conventional whole-cell configuration, GLP-I (20 nmol/l) did not cause the electrical excitation. Application of GLP-I augmented the maximum Ba2+ current (IBa) through L-type Ca2+ channels and shifted the current voltage curve to the left. Values of changes in the maximum IBa depended on GLP-I concentration. Application of dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP, 1 mmol/1) also augmented IBa. In cells pretreated with Rp-cAMP, dbcAMP did not change the magnitude of IBa. Also in cells pretreated with Rp-cAMP, GLP-I failed to augment IBa. These results suggest that in pancreatic β-cells, GLP-I, by a cAMP-dependent mechanism, increases opening of L-type Ca2+ channels. cAMP-dependent augmentation of Ca2+ entry as well as cAMP production itself by GLP-I plays a crucial role in controlling insulin secretion.
Abl tyrosine kinases are required for infection by Shigella flexneri

Infection by the opportunistic bacterial pathogen Shigella flexneri stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of host cell proteins, but the kinases involved and their effects on the regulation of cell signaling pathways during bacterial entry remain largely undefined. Here, we demonstrate a requirement for the Abl family of tyrosine kinases during Shigella internalization. Family members Abl and Arg are catalytically activated upon Shigella infection, accumulate at the site of bacterial entry, and are required for efficient bacterial uptake, as internalization is blocked upon targeted deletion of these kinases or treatment with a specific pharmacological inhibitor. We identify the adapter protein Crk as a target for Abl kinases during Shigella uptake, and show that a phosphorylation‐deficient Crk mutant significantly inhibits bacterial uptake. Moreover, we define a novel signaling pathway activated during Shigella entry that links Abl kinase phosphorylation of Crk to activation of the Rho family GTPases Rac and Cdc42. Together, these findings reveal a new role for the Abl kinases, and suggest a novel approach to treatment of Shigella infections through inhibition of host cell signaling pathways.
A 40 nm CMOS 0.4–6 GHz Receiver Resilient to Out-of-Band Blockers

A highly-linear software-defined radio operating from 400 MHz to 6 GHz is presented, with the purpose of removing any dedicated filtering at the antenna. Very high resilience to out-of-band interference is achieved thanks to a 2.5 V linear LNA and mixer-based RF blocker filter. The 2 mm2, 40 nm digital CMOS receiver achieves +10 dBm out-of-band IIP3 and >; +70 dBm calibrated IIP2 at 3 dB NF. It tolerates 0 dBm blockers at 20 MHz offset with acceptable blocker NF.
Nitrogen fixation by white lupin under phosphorus deficiency.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS White lupin is highly adapted to growth in a low-P environment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether white lupin grown under P-stress has adaptations in nodulation and N2 fixation that facilitate continued functioning. METHODS Nodulated plants were grown in silica sand supplied with N-free nutrient solution containing 0 to 0.5 mm P. At 21 and 37 d after inoculation (DAI) growth, nodulation, P and N concentration, N2 fixation (15N2 uptake and H2 evolution), root/nodule net CO2 evolution and CO2 fixation (14CO2 uptake) were measured. Furthermore, at 21 DAI in-vitro activities and transcript abundance of key enzymes of the C and N metabolism in nodules were determined. Moreover, nodulation in cluster root zones was evaluated. KEY RESULTS Treatment without P led to a lower P concentration in shoots, roots, and nodules. In both treatments, with or without P, the P concentration in nodules was greater than that in the other organs. At 21 DAI nitrogen fixation rates did not differ between treatments and the plants displayed no symptoms of P or N deficiency on their shoots. Although nodule number at 21 DAI increased in response to P-deficiency, total nodule mass remained constant. Increased nodule number in P-deficient plants was associated with cluster root formation. A higher root/nodule CO2 fixation in the treatment without P led to a lower net CO2 release per unit fixed N, although the total CO2 released per unit fixed N was higher in the treatment without P. The higher CO2 fixation was correlated with increased transcript abundance and enzyme activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and malate dehydrogenase in nodules. Between 21 and 37 DAI, shoots of plants grown without P developed symptoms of N- and P-deficiency. By 37 DAI the P concentration had decreased in all organs of the plants treated with no P. At 37 DAI, nitrogen fixation in the treatment without P had almost ceased. CONCLUSIONS Enhanced nodulation in cluster root zones and increased potential for organic acid production in root nodules appear to contribute to white lupin's resilience to P-deficiency.
Effect of extension architecture on the LF noise of UTBOX SOI MOSFETs

The effect of the S/D extensions architecture on the low-frequency noise and DC characteristics of Ultra-Thin Buried Oxide (UTBOX) SOI MOSFETs measured at zero/accumulated back-gate voltage is discussed. The undoped underlapped extensions were found to be responsible for an increased 1/f noise level and resistance of devices with extensionless architecture. The noise spectra of these devices also appears to be immune to the Linear Kink Effect Lorentzians contribution, usually observed in the noise spectra of MOSFETs with doped extensions when accumulated back gate voltage is applied.
Object-Based Distinction between Building Shadow and Water in High-Resolution Imagery Using Fuzzy-Rule Classification and Artificial Bee Colony Optimization

Due to the high similarity of the spectra of urban water and building shadows, high-resolution satellite imagery often confuses and wrongly classifies these features. To address this problem, we propose an object-based method for distinguishing building shadow from water using an artificial bee colony algorithm. In the method, four spectral ratio bands are first calculated as additional input parameters for improving the accuracy of segmentation results. During the segmentation, a series of statistical factors, such as spectrum, ratio, and sharp features, are calculated to make up for defects in the high-resolution imagery. Finally, we propose a fuzzy-rule-based classifier to generate extraction rules. The classifier is based on artificial bee colony optimization, which employs the geometric mean (-mean) as fitness function. The proposed method was carried out on two test sites in Xiamen City. The experimental results based on GF-1 satellite date show that, compared with SVM method, the proposed method improved the overall accuracy of extraction by approximately 6% to 15% and the kappa coefficient values by approximately 0.1 to 0.2. The analysis of the extraction rules also proves that the red/NIR band and the length-width ratio band are significantly influenced by the distinction between building shadow and water.
Tilden: las palabras que dieron voz a los intérpretes

Tuvieron que pasar casi 50 anos para poder leer el libro de Freeman Tilden en castellano. Es una doble prueba de que algo importante esta pasando: primero, que ya somos muchos hispano-hablantes trabajando en el ambito de la interpretacion, “devorando” las reflexiones de los clasicos y aportando nuestra experiencia, quizas singular, demostrando que no solo en los paises anglosajones esta consolidada esta disciplina; la segunda, y no menos importante, que existe una Asociacion –para la Interpretacion del Patrimonio, claro– capaz de asumir el reto de traducir a los “clasicos” y que nos da la oportunidad a los hispanos de expresarnos con voz propia a traves de este Boletin. pequenas acciones con gran repercusion. Esta es mi forma de celebrar la edicion del primer libro de la AIP, “interpretando” las palabras de quien dio voz a un colectivo que quizas no tuviese conciencia de su buen hacer. El prologo de la Primera Edicion en Espanol, asi como los otros tres, exponen con claridad y acierto el contenido y contexto de este libro. Nos encontramos con la exposicion y concrecion de los principios, orientaciones y tecnicas de la interpretacion, trabajo realizado por un pionero y que medio siglo despues sigue vigente. La interpretacion de nuestro patrimonio es el resultado de un intenso analisis del trabajo profesional de los guias del Servicio de Parques Nacionales norteamericano, a partir del cual, el autor sintetiza todos aquellos recursos y metodologias que considera exitosas para comunicar de forma eficaz. Se trata de un trabajo de investigacion, en el sentido clasico: observacion, entrevistas, recogida de datos, analisis, conclusiones. para reconstruir a partir de la practica y de la experiencia que es la interpretacion; sin embargo, por su estructura y estilo, el libro no es un informe academico, sino el primer manual de como realizar una comunicacion interesante, motivadora y que sirva para gestionar mejor el recurso, es decir, una “guia del bien hacer”.
Psychogenic status epilepticus in children: Psychiatric and other risk factors

Article abstract The authors studied six children with repetitive psychogenic seizures severe enough to mimic status epilepticus. All received IV antiepileptic drugs in an emergency setting. Most had a family history of epilepsy. Affective and anxiety disorders predominated as comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. Acutely stressful situations precipitated all episodes of nonepileptic status epilepticus. With aggressive psychotherapeutic intervention and pharmacologic treatment of their underlying psychiatric diagnosis, the patients improved.
A Q-analog of the BI-periodic lucas sequence

In this paper, we introduce a q-analog of the bi-periodic Lucas sequence, called as the q-bi-periodic Lucas sequence, and give some identities related to the q-bi-periodic Fibonacci and Lucas sequences. Also, we give a matrix representation for the q-bi-periodic Fibonacci sequence which allow us to obtain several properties of this sequence in a simple way. Moreover, by using the explicit formulas for the q-bi-periodic Fibonacci and Lucas sequences, we introduce q-analogs of the bi-periodic incomplete Fibonacci and Lucas sequences and give a relation between them.