Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brote de Histoplasmosis asociada a la cueva Alfredo Jahn en Venezuela

La histoplasmosis es una enfermedad granulomatosa de distribucion mundial, descrita en todos los continentes - con excepcion de la Antartica - y causada por el hongo dimorfico Histoplasma capsulatum, el cual se adquiere por inhalacion de conidias, que se transforman dentro del hospedero en levaduras (1,2). En la literatura han sido resenadas diversas epidemias de histoplasmosis asociadas con la exposicion comun a la fase infectante del hongo, en actividades tales como visitas a cuevas, limpieza de parques o demolicion de edificios. Una extensa epidemia de histoplasmosis pulmonar aguda fue documentada entre un grupo de estudiantes de bachillerato quienes en forma simultanea visitaron, en el mes de marzo del 2000, dos camaras de la Cueva ? Alfredo Jahn? (Estado Miranda), la cual constituye una de las cavernas mas grandes del pais.
Re: More data regarding the effects of passive smoking on breast cancer risk among younger women

Dear Sir, We thank Dr. Johnson for providing us the opportunity to clarify additional analyses regarding the relationship of passive smoking in the Polish Breast Cancer Study. In our previous analyses, we concluded that passive smoking was not related to breast cancer risk, based on an estimated odds ratio (and 95% confidence interval, CI) of 1.11 (0.85–1.46) in never active smokers who reported passive smoking at home or at work compared with women without passive or active exposure. We also reported a lack of significant trend with increasing cumulative levels of exposure to passive smoke, measured as hours/dayyears. Dr. Johnson suggested additional analyses for hours/dayyears of passive smoking for never active smokers by age and menopausal status, given that young women might be particularly susceptible to the effects of tobacco smoke. These analyses are shown in Table I. Increasing levels of passive smoking were not significantly associated with breast cancer risk, overall or within age strata (Table I). Given the lack of a dose-response, particularly for the younger age groups, we believe that the data do not provide support for an association between passive smoking and breast cancer risk in young women. Analyses by menopausal status suggested an increase in risk with increasing levels of passive smoking among premenopausal women (Table I); however, the test for trend was not statistically significant (p-trend 5 0.08) and there was no evidence of significant modification of the passive smoking association by menopausal status (p-interaction 5 0.22). As Dr. Johnson suggested, the lack of statistical significance could be due to low power of our study. However, there are several observations that question the plausibility of a real increase in risk from passive smoking in premenopausal women. First, the magnitude of the suggested increase in risk is similar to that observed for active smoking in young women, which seems implausible given that the dose from passive smoking should be much lower than for active smoking. Second, no doseresponse was observed for passive smoking among women younger than 45 years of age, which might be a cleaner premenopausal group than women classified as premenopausal from self-report. Third, subgroup analyses increase the plausibility of false positive findings and therefore should be interpreted with caution, particularly when the power of the study is low. Because information on smoking was collected after the diagnosis of breast cancer, we cannot rule out the possibility of recall bias. However, recall bias would have had to be differential by menopausal status to explain modification by this variable. Given these limitations, we believe that additional data, particularly from large prospective studies collecting passive smoking information before diagnosis, are needed to further clarify the potential association between passive smoking and breast cancer risk among premenopausal women. Yours sincerely, Jolanta LISSOWSKA, Louise A. BRINTON and , and Montserrat GARCIA-CLOSAS
Pathogenicity of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli in neonatal calves and evaluation of fecal shedding by treatment with probiotic Escherichia coli.

The pathogenicity and fecal shedding of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O26:H11, O111:NM, and O157:H7 were compared in calves (< 1 week of age) with or without prior treatment with probiotic bacteria (competitive exclusion E. coli). Three groups of 12 to 14 calves were used for these treatments. Half of the calves in each group were perorally administered 10(10) CFU of probiotic bacteria per calf, and, 2 days thereafter, 10(8) CFU of a five-strain mixture with one of the three EHEC serotypes per calf were administered to each calf. None of the EHEC serotypes caused clinical disease,and neither gross nor microscopic lesions attributable to EHEC were detected in control or probiotic-treated calves at necropsy. In calves administered E. coli O157:H7, fecal shedding was greatly reduced (> 6 log10 CFU/g) by 8 days after administration, and there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 between probiotic-treated and untreated control groups at that time. In contrast, control calves perorally administered E. coil of serotypes O111:NM or O26:H11 continued to shed substantial populations (10(2.1) to 10(6) CFU/g of feces and 10(2.5) to 10(4.9) CFU/g of feces, respectively) throughout 7 days postadministration of EHEC. In both groups administered either E. coli O111:NM or O26:H11, significantly less (P < 0.05) EHEC was isolated from feces at 7 days postadministration of EHEC and at necropsy from theprobiotic-treated group than from the untreated control group. Overall, neonatal calves shed in the feces from 1 to 7 days following peroral administration of EHEC greater populations of E. coli O111:NM and O26:H111 than E. coli O157:H7. In addition, treatment of calves with probiotic E. coli reduced fecal shedding of E. coli O111:NM and O26:H11 in most calves.
A cross-sectional survey of stressors for postpartum women during wartime in a military medical facility.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether having a partner deployed during wartime increased the stress levels in pregnant women and altered the attitudes toward pregnancy or changed birth outcomes. METHODS Cross-sectional survey of all postpartum women at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. The anonymous survey was administered from May to July 2003. RESULTS Ninety-five surveys were collected. Fewer patients reported that their partner was deployed (41.1%) than not deployed (58.9%). Women with deployed partners gave birth to larger babies (3526.5 g vs. 3248.7 g, p = 0.016). No difference was seen in the gestational age at delivery, percentage with vaginal delivery, average number of children at home, self-reported stress, or reported weight gain during pregnancy. Women with partners deployed more often reported changed eating habits (56.4% vs. 8.0%, p < 0.001). Those with a deployed partner more often reported that media coverage impacted their stress level (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Pregnant women with deployed partners gave birth to larger babies. They also more frequently report a change in eating habits and that media coverage impacted their stress level.
Global Finite-Time Adaptive Stabilization of Nonlinearly Parametrized Systems With Multiple Unknown Control Directions

In this paper, the problem of the global finite-time adaptive stabilization for nonlinearly parametrized systems with multiple unknown control directions is addressed. Different from the previous results, the control directions of the considered systems are completely unknown. Adopting the adding a power integrator design technique, we develop an adaptive switching controller with a tuning parameter. Due to control directions unknown, a novel logic switching regulation is established based on Lyapunov function method to overcome this main obstacle. According to this switching rule, the design parameter is tuned online in a switching way. With the help of the obtained adaptive switching controller, the global finite-time stability of the closed-loop systems is shown. To verify the effectiveness of the control algorithm, a simulation example is presented.
Efficacies of Zinc-Finger-Active Drugs againstGiardia lamblia

ABSTRACT Twenty-nine of 34 (85%) Zn-finger-active compounds at 300 μM or less inhibited the growth of Giardia lamblia. The most active compound, disulfiram (Antabuse), was cidal at 1.23 ± 0.32 μM. In the adult mouse model, significant in vivo activity was demonstrated by increased cure rates and decreased parasite burdens.
Magnetic resonance type selective wireless power transfer using two transmission resonators with phase difference

Recently, a magnetic resonant wireless power transfer technology has attracted much attention due to its superior power transfer performance in a middle distance. As the technology utilizes the resonance phenomenon of a magnetic field, unintentional resonators with the same resonant frequency cause a power leak. In this study, a new selective wireless power transfer system using two transmission resonators with a phase difference is proposed and experimentally examined. The proposed concept was found to be feasible.
Correction of raindrop size distributions measured by Parsivel disdrometers, using a two-dimensional video disdrometer as a reference

Abstract. The raindrop size distribution (DSD) quantifies the microstructure of rainfall and is critical to studying precipitation processes. We present a method to improve the accuracy of DSD measurements from Parsivel (particle size and velocity) disdrometers, using a two-dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD) as a reference instrument. Parsivel disdrometers bin raindrops into velocity and equivolume diameter classes, but may misestimate the number of drops per class. In our correction method, drop velocities are corrected with reference to theoretical models of terminal drop velocity. We define a filter for raw disdrometer measurements to remove particles that are unlikely to be plausible raindrops. Drop concentrations are corrected such that on average the Parsivel concentrations match those recorded by a 2DVD. The correction can be trained on and applied to data from both generations of OTT Parsivel disdrometers, and indeed any disdrometer in general. The method was applied to data collected during field campaigns in Mediterranean France for a network of first- and second-generation Parsivel disdrometers, and on a first-generation Parsivel in Payerne, Switzerland. We compared the moments of the resulting DSDs to those of a collocated 2DVD, and the resulting DSD-derived rain rates to collocated rain gauges. The correction improved the accuracy of the moments of the Parsivel DSDs, and in the majority of cases the rain rate match with collocated rain gauges was improved. In addition, the correction was shown to be similar for two different climatologies, suggesting its general applicability.
A Self-Calibrated Bang–Bang Phase Detector for Low-Offset Time Signal Processing

This brief describes a self-calibrated bang-bang phase detector that has been implemented in a delay-locked loop (DLL) stabilized time-to-digital converter for high-energy physics applications. A two-state architecture is proposed, with a dedicated calibration state that measures the internal static phase offset and compensates for this offset in the other measurement state. The calibration is transparent to the DLL, runs continuously to compensate for radiation induced drifts, and shows a measured static phase offset variation of only 0.5 ps over different samples. The circuit has been designed and processed in a 40-nm CMOS technology.
An Approach to Add Multi-tenancy to Existing Applications

Multi-tenancy, i.e., sharing resources amongst several tenants, is a key element to make SaaS profitable by saving resources and operational costs. This paper considers multi-tenancy in the context of Cloud migration and presents an approach to let existing applications become multi-tenant. The novelty of this approach is that no reengineering and modification of the application’s source code is required. Adding some new components is sufficient to achieve tenant management, authentication, tenant isolation, and also customization. Using a case study, the paper demonstrates in detail how to benefit from aspect-orientation, particularly the AspectJ language, in this respect and concludes with experiences.
Supporting exploration awareness for visual analytics

While exploring data using information visualization, analysts try to make sense of the data, build cases, and present them to others. However, if the exploration is long or done in multiple sessions, it can be hard for analysts to remember all interesting visualizations and the relationships among them they have seen. Often, they will see the same or similar visualizations, and are unable to recall when, why and how they have seen something similar. Recalling and retrieving interesting visualizations are important tasks for the analysis processes such as problem solving, reasoning, and conceptualization. In this paper, we argue that offering support for thinking based on past analysis processes is important, and present a solution for this.
Optimal power allocation technique using genetic algorithm for maximization of Ergodic capacity under different fading channel approaches in Cognitive Radio Network

The main challenges in any wireless communication system is how to increase the Ergodic capacity in fading environments. Trying to solve this problem in Underlay Cognitive Radio Networks (UCRN). In this paper, proposed technique will be suggested under using genetic algorithm for optimization of power allocation strategies to enhance power performance and maximize the Ergodic capacity. This technique studies how to maximize Secondary User (SU) Ergodic capacity considering some constraints such as maximum transmit power of SU, interference threshold at Primary User (PU) and interference on SU. Moreover, this proposed technique investigates the Ergodic capacity gains offered under using different fading models and Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN). Further, SU Ergodic capacity under different levels of PU transmit power will be studied. Also, comparisons between this proposed technique and other optimized power allocation technique will be discussed. Finally, SU Ergodic capacity under peak, average transmit and interference power constraints will be investigated.
The Olympic Effect on American Attitudes towards China: beyond personality, ideology, and media exposure

This paper explores the impact that increased exposure to China during the two and a half weeks of the Beijing Olympics had on American attitudes towards China. A large N longitudinal survey revealed a significant increase in negative attitudes towards China from the beginning to the end of August 2008. Statistical analysis revealed no dominant explanation for this change, however. Instead, personality (openness), ideology (social dominance orientation and right wing authoritarianism), and media exposure each had a small impact on changing attitudes. Further research (including a follow-up experiment manipulating the valence of media coverage of China) suggested both the possibility of an ‘efficiency effect’, whereby China's very success in both hosting and competing in the Olympics generated increased American anxiety about China, and a ‘cheating effect’, whereby stories about underage Chinese gymnasts and deception (e.g. lip synching while another child actually sang during the Opening Ceremonies) diffused broadly through social networks, uniformly and negatively impacting American attitudes towards China.
Evaluation of Cell Velocity Regulation in a Microfabricated Adhesion-Based Cell Separation Device

This paper reports the characterization of adhesion-based cell velocity regulation in a prototype microfabricated cell separation device for regenerative medicine. The principle of cell sorting is based on immunoreaction for accurate recognition of target stem cells. Target-cell specific antibody is immobilized on the micro channel wall to form a selectively adhesive surface, where a new class of functionalized parylene is used as the surface material for antibody immobilization. The flowing velocity of sample cells in a prototype microfabricated cell separation column is examined under the microscope. The measurement results show that the cell velocity is reduced by 40% due to the effect of antigen/antibody interaction
Effect of sialylated O-glycans in pro-brain natriuretic peptide stability.

BACKGROUND Atrial, brain, and C-type natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP, and CNP) are important in regulating a variety of cardiovascular and cellular functions. In cells, these peptides are made as proforms that are converted to mature forms. BNP and its related peptides are biomarkers for the diagnosis of heart failure. In this study, we examined glycosylation in pro-ANP, pro-BNP, and pro-CNP, which may alter their biochemical and metabolic properties. METHODS Human pro-ANP, pro-BNP, and pro-CNP were expressed in HEK 293 cells and murine HL-1 cardiomyocytes and analyzed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. We used deglycosylation enzymes to determine the carbohydrate content on these peptides and examined the effects of inhibiting O-glycosylation on cellular expression and stability of the peptides. RESULTS In HEK 293 and HL-1 cells, pro-BNP, but not pro-ANP and pro-CNP, from the culture medium had a greater molecular mass than that from cell lysate. Digestion with PNGase F, O-glycosidase, and sialidase A indicated that pro-BNP contained O-glycans but not N-glycans. The O-glycans on pro-BNP had sialic acids at their termini, protecting it from O-glycosidase digestion. In contrast, pro-ANP and pro-CNP contained no detectable amounts of N- or O-glycans. Inhibition of O-glycosylation on pro-BNP did not prevent its expression in the cells. However, partially O-glycosylated pro-BNP was much less stable than fully O- glycosylated pro-BNP. CONCLUSIONS O-glycosylation is not necessary for pro-BNP expression but important for its stability.
Study of Dynamometer Cards Identification Based on Root-Mean-Square Error Algorithm

The surface dynamometer cards are important working condition data of sucker-rod pumping system. It has a very important practical significance for the analysis of transmission system and the diagnosis of oil production condition of sucker-rod pumping system. The pump dynamometer cards are important reference for the diagnosis of oil production condition, and its key technology is the identification of pump dynamometer cards. A new similar pattern recognition algorithm based on root-mean-square error (RMSE) is proposed, a theoretical model of the similarity matching algorithm based on RMSE is established, and the algorithm is studied and analyzed. The three-dimensional vibration mathematical models for the surface dynamometer cards are created, by which the surface dynamometer cards can be transformed to the pump dynamometer cards. The accuracy, reliability and stability between the algorithm of RMSE similarity matching and the classical algorithms of similarity pattern matching are studied. The research .
Capacitance Effect on Microwave Power Spectra of Spin-Torque Oscillator With Thermal Noise

A macro-spin simulation has been carried out to study the thermal stability of a spin-torque oscillator (STO) connected in parallel with a capacitance. To study the impact of realistic thermal fluctuation on an STO, a stochastic magnetic field vector is added into the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert-Slonczewski (LLGS) equation. From the numerical solution, it is found that the addition of capacitance positively influences the thermal stability of the system, and can improve the quality factor of the microwave power spectrum even in the presence of thermal fluctuation. The results of I-V phase shift under different conditions suggest that there may exist an optimum capacitance for which the thermal stability of the system can be most enhanced.
Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in Pennsylvania state prisons, 2004-2012: limitations of 1945-1965 birth cohort screening in correctional settings.

OBJECTIVES We described hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) prevalence in a state prison system and retrospectively evaluated the case-finding performance of targeted testing of the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort in this population. METHODS We used observational data from universal testing of Pennsylvania state prison entrants (June 2004-December 2012) to determine anti-HCV prevalence by birth cohort. We compared anti-HCV prevalence and the burden of anti-HCV in the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort with that in all other birth years. RESULTS Anti-HCV prevalence among 101,727 adults entering prison was 18.1%. Prevalence was highest among those born from 1945 to 1965, but most anti-HCV cases were in people born after 1965. Targeted testing of the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort would have identified a decreasing proportion of cases with time. CONCLUSIONS HCV is endemic in correctional populations. Targeted testing of the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort would produce a high yield of positive test results but would identify only a minority of cases. We recommend universal anti-HCV screening in correctional settings to allow for maximum case identification, secondary prevention, and treatment of affected prisoners.
Improved Digit Span in Children after a 6-Week Intervention of Playing a Musical Instrument: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial

Previous studies have reported that music training not only improves children's musical skills, but also enhances their cognitive functions. However, there is a disagreement about what domain(s) might be affected. Moreover, effects of short-term (<several months) instrumental training have not been examined, although more basic studies have suggested neuroplasticity within several weeks. Consequently, the present exploratory pilot study investigated the effect of a six-week instrumental practice program (i.e., playing the keyboard harmonica) on children's cognitive functions using a randomized controlled trial. Forty children (aged 6–8 years) were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 20), which received a 6-week (12-session) keyboard harmonica curriculum, or an untrained control group (n = 20). Different from traditional instrumental training, the curriculum did not use musical scores to emphasize creating association between sound (auditory modality) and finger movement (somato-motor system). Cognitive measurements included verbal ability, processing speed, working memory, and inhibitory control, which were administered before and after the curriculum in both groups. After the 6-week training, only the experimental group showed a significant improvement in the Digit Span test (especially in the Digit Span Backward) that measures working memory. However, no significant influences were found on the other cognitive tests. The result suggests that several weeks of instrumental music training may be beneficial to improving children's working memory. In addition, we used an inexpensive and portable keyboard harmonica; therefore, our instructional method is easy to apply in classrooms or other circumstances. If the method is applied to music lessons in schools or in the community, it may help improve children's working memory.