Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Management of a large organized intraatrial catheter-tip thrombus in a child with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome using escalating tissue plasminogen activator infusions

Objectives: To describe the dissolution of a large organized intraatrial catheter-tip thrombus using a novel aggressive dose escalation of tissue plasminogen activator infusion. Design: Case report. Setting: A six-bed pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at a university hospital. Patient: An 8-yr-old with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with a large organized intraatrial thrombus at the tip of an indwelling central venous catheter placed for total parenteral nutrition 2 months before presentation. Intervention: Escalating dose of tissue plasminogen activator infusion. Measurements: A large intraatrial catheter-tip thrombus (2.5 × 3 cm) was an incidental finding on an echocardiogram done to assess cardiac function. The thrombus occupied almost half the right atrial cavity and hit the tricuspid valve with each heartbeat without obstruction of tricuspid inflow. The catheter had no blood return from either lumen for >1 month. Protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III were normal, and factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutations were absent. Blood cultures were negative. Pediatric and cardiovascular surgeons recommended open-heart surgery as the safest option for catheter removal to avoid the risk of superior vena cava occlusion, vascular rupture, or embolization. A second opinion concurred. A trial of thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator infusions was started at 0.1 mg/kg/hr for 6 hrs daily. No change in thrombus size was seen on a followup echocardiogram after 4 days. An aggressive dose escalation (0.15, 0.2, 0.25 mg/kg/hr for 6 hrs) was done over the next 5 days in an attempt to avoid open-heart surgery. Risks regarding disseminated intravascular coagulation and bleeding were presented to the parents. Main Results: Followup echocardiogram on day 10 showed complete resolution of the thrombus. No changes in respiratory/hemodynamic status or oxygen saturation were observed. Studies for disseminated intravascular coagulation remained stable, and no clinical bleeding was seen. The catheter was safely removed surgically; pathology examination showed no residual thrombus. Conclusions: Prolonged infusion of tissue plasminogen activator in escalating doses was safe and effective in the management of a large intracardiac catheter-tip thrombus and helped avoid open-heart surgery. In view of the potential hazards of tissue plasminogen activator, close pediatric ICU monitoring is indicated with the use of high-dose tissue plasminogen activator infusions.
A No-reference Perceptual Quality Metric for Videos Distorted by Spatially Correlated noise

Assessing the perceptual quality of videos is critical for monitoring and optimizing video processing pipelines. In this paper, we focus on predicting the perceptual quality of videos distorted by noise. Existing video quality metrics are tuned for“white”, i.e., spatially uncorrelated noise. However, white noise is very rare in real videos. Based on our analysis of the noise correlation patterns in a broad and comprehensive video set, we build a video database that simulates the commonly encountered noise characteristics. Using the database, we develop a perceptual quality assessment algorithm that explicitly incorporates the noise correlations. Experimental results show that, for videos with spatially correlated noises, the proposed algorithm presents high accuracy in predicting perceptual qualities. CCS Concepts •Human-centered computing → User models; Laboratory experiments; Empirical studies in HCI;
Toward an adult developmental conceptualization of alcohol abuse: a review of the literature.

Summary Until very recently, a paucity of research and theory on adult development has existed in the areas of personality and psychosocial development in general and, more specifically, in the area of alcohol abuse and its etiology. A review of the literature in these two areas of human behavior is discussed, outlining the parallels which concern this emergent focus upon the developmental periods of adulthood and alcohol addiction. Clinical implications are outlined with particular consideration given to alcohol treatment. In addition, conclusions are drawn which have significance for the future of theory, research, and practice in this area.
Accessory function of Kupffer cells in the antigen-specific blastogenic response of an L3T4+ T-lymphocyte clone to Listeria monocytogenes

The function of Kupffer cells in the development of protective immunity to infection by Listeria monocytogenes is controversial. To determine their role in antilisterial host defenses, Kupffer cells were separated from other nonparenchymal cells of the liver by centrifugation on a metrizamide gradient followed by adherence to glass or plastic. The resultant highly enriched Kupffer cell population supported the antigen-specific blastogenic response [( 3H]thymidine incorporation) of cloned L3T4+ T lymphocytes to L. monocytogenes in vitro. Blastogenesis was dependent upon the duration of the incubation period, the concentration of the antigen, and the number of Kupffer cells in culture. Maximum reactivity was greater than that observed when the same T-cell population was incubated with adherent peritoneal exudate cells and antigen under optimal conditions. The addition of antibodies specific for murine interleukin-1 beta to cocultures of Kupffer cells and T lymphocytes eliminated the antigen-stimulated incorporation of [3H]thymidine, indicating a requirement for interleukin-1. Analysis of the culture supernatants demonstrated that, in addition to interleukin-1, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-6, and gamma interferon were elaborated in cocultures containing cloned T lymphocytes, Kupffer cells, and antigen. These results suggest that Kupffer cells may serve a critical role in the development of immunity to infection by L. monocytogenes in vivo.
Functional MRI for Language Localization

Language Dominance in Partial Epilepsy Patients Identified with an fMRI Reading Task Gaillard WD, Balsamo L, Xu B, Grandin CB, Braniecki SH, Papero PH, Weinstein S, Conry J, Pearl PL, Sachs B, Sato S, Jabbari B, Vezina LG, Frattali C, Theodore WH Neurology 2002;59(2):256–265 Background Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) language tasks readily identify frontal language areas; temporal activation has been less consistent. No studies have compared clinical visual judgment with quantitative region-of-interest (ROI) analysis. Objective To identify temporal language areas in patients with partial epilepsy by using a reading paradigm with clinical and ROI interpretation. Methods Thirty patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, aged 8 to 56 years, had 1.5-T fMRI. Patients silently named an object described by a sentence compared with a visual control. Data were analyzed with ROI analysis from t-maps. Regional asymmetry indices (AIs) were calculated ([L-R]/[L+R]), and language dominance defined as >0.20. t-Maps were visually rated by three readers at three t thresholds. Twenty-one patients had the intracarotid amobarbital test (IAT). Results The fMRI reading task provided evidence of language lateralization in 27 of 30 patients with ROI analysis. Twenty-five were left dominant, two right, one bilateral, and two were nondiagnostic; IAT and fMRI agreed in most patients; three had partial agreement, and none overtly disagreed. Interrater agreement ranged between 0.77 to 0.82 (Cramer V; p < 0.0001); agreement between visual and ROI reading with IAT was 0.71 to 0.77 (Cramer V; p < 0.0001). Viewing data at lower thresholds added interpretation to 12 patients on visual analysis and eight with ROI analysis. Conclusions An fMRI reading paradigm can identify language dominance in frontal and temporal areas. Clinical visual interpretation is comparable to quantitative ROI analysis.
Helminthes could influence the outcome of vaccines against TB in the tropics

Helminthes, infections widespread in the tropics, are known to elicit a wide range of immunomodulation characterized by dominant Th2 type immune responses, chronic immune activation as well as up‐regulated regulatory T cell activity. Such a wide range of immunomodulation caused by helminthes may have an impact on the host's ability to cope with subsequent infections and/or may affect the efficacy of vaccination. Indeed studies conducted in humans living in helminth‐endemic areas and in animal models showed that helminth infection makes the host more permissive to mycobacterial infections and less able to benefit from vaccination. These observations have fundamental practical consequences if confirmed by large and appropriately controlled clinical studies. Eradication of worms could offer an affordable, simple and novel means to reduce the burden of the tuberculosis problem that at the moment seems to be getting out of control in sub‐Saharan Africa. This information would also be of great relevance in the design of vaccines against diseases of major public health importance, including malaria and HIV/AIDS.
Importance of srtA and srtB for Growth of Bacillus anthracis in Macrophages

ABSTRACT We examined the effect of mutation of two sortase genes of Bacillus anthracis, srtA and srtB, on the ability of the bacterium to grow in J774A.1 cells, a mouse macrophage-like cell line. While disruption of either srtA or srtB had no effect on the ability of the bacteria to grow in rich culture media, mutations in each of these genes dramatically attenuated growth of the bacterium in J774A.1 cells. Complementation of the mutation restored the ability of bacteria to grow in the cells. Since the initial events in inhalation anthrax are believed to be uptake of B. anthracis spores by alveolar macrophages followed by germination of the spores and growth of the bacteria within the macrophages, these results suggest that two sortases of B. anthracis may be critical in the early stages of inhalation anthrax.
C-terminal cleavage of DeltaNp63alpha is associated with TSA-induced apoptosis in immortalized corneal epithelial cells.

PURPOSE In the central human corneal epithelium, loss of DeltaNp63 occurs in all surface epithelial cells preparing to undergo desquamation, suggesting a potential role for DeltaNp63 isoforms in mediating surface cell apoptotic shedding. In this study, the authors investigated a role for DeltaNp63 isoforms in caspase-mediated apoptosis in a telomerase-immortalized corneal epithelial cell line. METHODS For in vitro studies, hTCEpi cells were cultured in KGM-2 serum-free culture media containing 0.15 mM calcium. To assess dynamic protein interactions among individual DeltaNp63 isoforms, DeltaNp63-EGFP expression plasmids were transiently expressed in hTCEpi cells and evaluated by FRAP. Trichostatin-A (TSA; 3.31 muM) was used to induce cell death as measured by caspase activity. Cleavage and loss of endogenous DeltaNp63alpha, DeltaNp63-EGFP expression plasmids, and p53 were assessed after treatment with TSA and siRNA. RESULTS Transient expression of DeltaNp63-EGFP alpha and beta isoforms resulted in the formation of a smaller isoform similar in size to DeltaNp63gamma-EGFP. FRAP demonstrated that DeltaNp63alpha-EGFP has greater immobile fraction than beta or gamma. TSA induced caspase-mediated apoptotic pathways; caspase induction was accompanied by a decrease in endogenous DeltaNp63alpha and p53. TSA upregulated DeltaNp63-EGFP plasmid expression; this was accompanied by a selective increase in cleavage of DeltaNp63alpha-EGFP. siRNA knockdown of DeltaNp63alpha correlated with a reduction in p53 independently of TSA. CONCLUSIONS DeltaNp63alpha is the dominant active isoform in corneal epithelial cell nuclei. Loss of DeltaNp63alpha occurs during apoptotic signaling by cleavage at the C terminus. The corresponding loss of p53 suggests that a significant relationship appears to exist between these two regulatory proteins.
Pressure dependence of the reaction H + O2(+Ar) → HO2(+Ar) in the range 1–900 bar and 300–700 K

The reaction H+O2 (+Ar)→HO2 (+Ar) was studied in a high pressure flow cell in the bath gas argon at pressures between 1 and 900 bar and temperatures between 300 and 700 K. H atoms were generated by laser flash photolysis of NH3 at 193.3 nm, HO2 radicals were monitored by light absorption at 230 nm. The results are consistent with experimental low pressure rate constants k0=[Ar] 2.5×10−32(T/300 K)−1.3 cm6 molecule−2 s−1 and theoretical high pressure rate constants k∞=9.5×10−11(T/300 K)+0.44 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 from the literature. The intermediate falloff curve was found to be best represented by k/k∞=[x/(1+x)]Fcent1/(1+(a+logx)2/(N±ΔN)2) with x=k0/k∞, a≈0.3, N≈1.05, ΔN≈0.1 (+ΔN for (a+logx) 0), and Fcent(Ar)≈0.5 independent of the temperature. A comparison with literature data between 300 and 1200 K does not confirm major deviations from third order kinetics in earlier medium pressure experiments.
Ontology for Academic Program Accreditation Ontology of Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology ( ABET ) Process

Many educational institutions are adopting national and international accreditation programs to improve teaching, student learning, and curriculum. There is a growing demand across higher education for automation and helpful educational resources to continuously improve student outcomes. The student outcomes are the required knowledge and skill set that graduates of any accredited program have to gain in order entry into the workforce or for to continue with their future education. To evaluate student outcomes, each assessment activities must map to a course learning outcomes which maps students’ outcomes. The problem is that all course learning outcomes and student outcome mapping are placed in documents or database which requires more work and time to access and understand. This paper proposes an ontology based solution to enable visual discover of all course learning outcomes that maps to a particular student outcome and related assessments to help faculty or curriculum committees avoid over mapping or under mapping students’ outcomes. Keywords—Accreditation; Ontology; Semantic Web; classification; Education
Mammographic Density Under Hormonal and Hormone-Like Treatments

Mammographic screening is the only important intervention for the early detection of breast cancer. The ability of mammography to detect incipient breast cancer depends on breast density. Hormonal treatments, affecting the breast radiological density, are an important risk factor interfering mammography. In the same time, mammographic density is currently being explored as a biomarker of response in primary and secondary prevention trials. Important considerations for chemoprevention studies include maximizing intrareader reliability and minimizing variance resulting from technical and physiologic factors (Fabian & Kimler, 2006). While technical factors for maximizing intrareader reliability and minimizing variance depend on classifications and technology, it is also important to evaluate the impact of physiologic and pharmacological factors
Knowledge Transfer of Educational Programs in Public Management: Transfer-Inhibiting and Transfer-Enhancing Factors in the Belgian Public Sector

Abstract This article provides insight on the knowledge transfer of long-term programs in public management within the Belgian public sector. Two basic questions are addressed: What does transfer of public management programs to the workplace mean? And which transfer-inhibiting and -stimulating factors can be identified? The Learning Transfer System Inventory is used as a methodological tool to conduct this study. Results reveal that the transfer from the studied programs is inhibited by factors within the individual, the transfer climate, and the training program. The main problems seem to be that (a) the climate towards transfer is passive or neutral, (b) respondents are insufficiently prepared to enroll, and (c) training shows a gap between theory and practice. Because of these inhibiting factors, the “use” of program knowledge is limited to knowledge-based, interactive, or political use of new information. This article, which provides an incentive to assess other programs, emphasizes that educational programs in public management will be improved if sufficient effort is put into the conceptualization and implementation phases of a program.
Key Supplier Involvement in IT-enabled Operations: Key Supplier Involvement in IT-enabled Operations: When Does it Lead to Improved Performance? When Does it Lead to Improved Performance?

As firms continue to invest in IT resources and collaborate with key suppliers, many fail to benefit from these activities. Drawing on resource orchestration theory and the relational view of interfirm competitive advantage, we examine the contingent relationships among IT resources, key supplier involvement, and the focal firm’s performance. Using a multi-informants dataset from the manufacturing sector in China, we find that supplier involvement mediates the positive effect of IT resources on the focal firm’s performance only when there is a high level of mutual trust and when competitive intensity is low in the focal firm’s environment. In a highly competitive environment, however, mutual trust dampens the positive effect of supplier involvement on the focal firm’s performance, which reveals the “hidden costs” of interfirm trust. In contrast, the direct positive effect of IT resources on the focal firm’s performance is amplified by mutual trust when competitive intensity is high, suggesting that the focal firm will fare better without supplier involvement under these conditions. Therefore, key supplier involvement in the focal firm’s IT-enabled operations does not always lead to improved performance and its effect on performance is contingent on relational and environmental variables.
From pertussis to meningococcal disease and back

From pertussis to meningococcal disease and back represents nearly 30 years of research at Porton, first at the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research and latterly as part of the Health Protection Agency. I joined the group lead by Andy Robinson developing an acellular pertussis vaccine and was part of an exciting period that encompassed basic antigen characterisation and pathogenesis studies with the development of an acellular vaccine containing fimbriae. Research then changed to focus on serogroup B meningococcal disease, studying the vaccine potential of iron-regulated proteins and then Neisseria lactamica. The resurgence of pertussis seen in some countries alerted me to the lack of understanding of protective immune responses to Bordetella pertussis infection and disease and this is now an active area of research.
Start and End Interactions in Bidirectional Attention Flow for Reading Comprehension

The reading comprehension machine learning task involves reading in a question and returning an answer from an associated context paragraph. This task has proven to be difficult, as the performance of state-of-the-art models still do not compare with human performance. The difficulty of the tasks comes from understanding two separate pieces of information as well as the relationship between them before picking a response from the context. Recently, machine learning models have used attention to extend other natural language processing tools to reading comprehension, and among these methods is the Bidirectional Attention Flow (BiDAF) model, which was first introduced by Seo et al. [1]. In this paper, we present experimental results from variations of the default BiDAF model.
Position aware adaptive communication systems

This paper presents capacity limits of novel position aware adaptive cellular communication systems exploiting channel state information (CSI) at the transmitter (CSIT). The position aware adaptive communication systems are benchmarked against state-of-the-art adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) systems that use only feedback or predict CSIT in addition to the feedback CSI. Numerical results demonstrate that position aware adaptive systems operate close to the channel capacity over a large range of feedback delays and channel variability. Further, position aware adaptive communication systems achieve large capacity gains compared to state-of-the-art AMC systems for medium to large feedback delays.
Expectation-based, inference-based, and bottom-up software comprehension

SUMMARY The software comprehension process has been conceptualized as being either ‘top-down’ or ‘bottom-up’ in nature. We formally distinguish between two comprehension processes that have previously been grouped together as ‘top-down’. The first is ‘expectation-based’ comprehension, where the programmer has pregenerated expectations of the code’s meaning. The second is ‘inference-based’ comprehension, where the .
The Microsatellite Sequence (CT)n · (GA)nPromotes Stable Chromosomal Integration of Large Tandem Arrays of Functional Human U2 Small Nuclear RNA Genes

ABSTRACT The multigene family encoding human U2 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) is organized as a single large tandem array containing 5 to 25 copies of a 6.1-kb repeat unit (the RNU2 locus). Remarkably, each of the repeat units within an individual U2 tandem array appears to be identical except for an irregular dinucleotide tract, known as the CT microsatellite, which exhibits minor length and sequence polymorphism. Using a somatic cell genetic assay, we previously noticed that the CT microsatellite appeared to stabilize artificial tandem arrays of U2 snRNA genes. We now demonstrate that the CT microsatellite is required to establish large tandem arrays of transcriptionally active U2 genes, increasing both the average and maximum size of the resulting arrays. In contrast, the CT microsatellite has no effect on the average or maximal size of artificial arrays containing transcriptionally inactive U2 genes that lack key promoter elements. Our data reinforce the connection between recombination and transcription. Active U2 transcription interferes with establishment or maintenance of the U2 tandem array, and the CT microsatellite opposes these effects, perhaps by binding GAGA or GAGA-related factors which alter local chromatin structure. We speculate that the mechanisms responsible for maintenance of tandem arrays containing active promoters may differ from those that maintain tandem arrays of transcriptionally inactive sequences.
Protection in DC microgrids: a comparative review

A direct current (DC) microgrid has become a superior power system in recent years due to the development of DC loads and higher efficiency of DC systems. One of the challenging problems on DC microgrids operation is protection, and it is still a particular concern associated with the challenges of developing a proper protection scheme owing to its characteristics and lack of standards in DC protection. Due to the significant increasing interest on DC microgrid; this study investigates protection problems and schemes that need to be addressed in modern power systems involving DC microgrids. This study analyses and presents a comprehensive review of the most recent growth in the DC microgrids protection. Additionally, the fault characteristics of DC microgrids, the impact of constant power loads, the protection devices and several proposed methods to overcome the protection problems are discussed. The differences between the proposed protection methods for the DC microgrids are also discussed.