Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Underreporting of Myeloid Malignancies by United States Cancer Registries

Background: The recent decrease in myeloid leukemia incidence may be directly attributed to changes in the population-based cancer registries 2001 guidelines, which required the capture of only one malignancy in the myeloid lineage per person and the simultaneous adoption of myelodysplastic syndrome registration in the United States. Methods: We constructed four claims-based algorithms to assess myeloid leukemia incidence, applied the algorithms to the 1999–2008 Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database, and assessed algorithm validity using SEER-registered cases. Results: Each had moderate sensitivities (75%–94%) and high specificities (>99.0%), with the 2+BCBM algorithm showing the highest specificity. On the basis of the 2+BCBM algorithm, SEER registered only 50% of the acute myelogenous leukemia cases and a third of the chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cases. The annual incidence of myeloid leukemia in 2005 was 26 per 100,000 persons 66 years or older, much higher than the 15 per 100,000 reported by SEER using the same sample. Conclusion: Our findings suggest underreporting of myeloid leukemias in SEER by a magnitude of 50% to 70% as well as validate and support the use of the 2+BCBM claims algorithm in identifying myeloid leukemia cases. Use of this algorithm identified a high number of uncaptured myeloid leukemia cases, particularly CML cases. Impact: Our results call for the commitment of more resources for centralized cancer registries so that they may improve myeloid leukemia case ascertainment, which would empower policy makers with ability to properly allocate limited health care resources. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 474–81. ©2012 AACR.
An assessment of parental satisfaction with mode of delivery of specialist advice for paediatric cardiology: Face-to-face versus videoconference

Comparisons of parental satisfaction were made after specialist paediatric cardiology consultations were conducted either by conventional face-to-face delivery or telemedicine. Satisfaction statements were rated by 100 parents: 20 who experienced telemedicine; 56 with new children seen in the outreach clinics; 24 with children on review whose next appointment was at the specialist centre. There was general satisfaction with both types of consultations, but significant differences were noted. Those who had videoconferences felt that they had received an explanation about how the specialist advice would be obtained, and that they could see the pictures being discussed clearly. Those who had experienced telemedicine believed that teleconsultations could save them travelling time and money and they found the technical aspects of sound and picture quality acceptable. They were not discomforted by the technology and felt reassured by the consultation with the specialist. However, there was some ambivalence towards the statements suggesting that teleconsultations could take the place of conventional face-to-face consultations.
Design of Artificial Neural Networks with a Specified Quality of Functioning

The general approach to development of methods for determination of quality of functioning of artificial neural networks any structure and destination has been formulated. This paper demonstrates complex index of quality (accuracy) of functioning of the artificial neural networks. The index considers values of functional tolerances. The article describes properties of the complex index and its use in examples of designing of artificial neural networks. These networks were used for approximating of basic mathematical functions and estimating of amplitude of harmonic signals containing noise component. Dependence of quality of functioning of artificial neural networks on a chosen training function was shown.
The Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) fredii HH103 Nodulation Outer Protein NopI Is a Determinant for Efficient Nodulation of Soybean and Cowpea Plants

ABSTRACT The type III secretion system (T3SS) is a specialized secretion apparatus that is commonly used by many plant and animal pathogenic bacteria to deliver proteins, termed effectors, to the interior of the host cells. These effectors suppress host defenses and interfere with signal transduction pathways to promote infection. Some rhizobial strains possess a functional T3SS, which is involved in the suppression of host defense responses, host range determination, and symbiotic efficiency. The analysis of the genome of the broad-host-range rhizobial strain Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 identified eight genes that code for putative T3SS effectors. Three of these effectors, NopL, NopP, and NopI, are Rhizobium specific. In this work, we demonstrate that NopI, whose amino acid sequence shows a certain similarity with NopP, is secreted through the S. fredii HH103 T3SS in response to flavonoids. We also determined that NopL can be considered an effector since it is directly secreted to the interior of the host cell as demonstrated by adenylate cyclase assays. Finally, the symbiotic phenotype of single, double, and triple nopI, nopL, and nopP mutants in soybean and cowpea was assayed, showing that NopI plays an important role in determining the number of nodules formed in both legumes and that the absence of both NopL and NopP is highly detrimental for symbiosis. IMPORTANCE The paper is focused on three Rhizobium-specific T3SS effectors of Sinorhizobium fredii HH103, NopL, NopP, and NopI. We demonstrate that S. fredii HH103 is able to secrete through the T3SS in response to flavonoids the nodulation outer protein NopI. Additionally, we determined that NopL can be considered an effector since it is secreted to the interior of the host cell as demonstrated by adenylate cyclase assays. Finally, nodulation assays of soybean and cowpea indicated that NopI is important for the determination of the number of nodules formed and that the absence of both NopL and NopP negatively affected nodulation.
Results with Active Duty OIF / OEF Combatants

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is reported to be caused by traumatic events that are outside the range of usual human experience including military combat, violent personal assault, being kidnapped or taken hostage and terrorist attacks. Reports indicate that at least 1 out of 6 Iraq War veterans are exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Virtual Reality exposure therapy has been previously used for PTSD with reports of positive outcomes. This paper will present a brief description of the USC/ICT Virtual Iraq/Afghanistan PTSD therapy application and present clinical outcome data from active duty patients treated at the Naval Medical Center-San Diego (NMCSD) as of October 2009. Initial outcomes from the first twenty patients to complete treatment indicate that 16 no longer meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD at post treatment. Research and clinical tests using the Virtual Iraq/Afghanistan software are also currently underway at Weill Cornell Medical College, Emory University, Fort Lewis and WRAMC along with 20 other test sites.
The leaders of quality improvement are the ones who are doing the improvement work

In his editorial on the Francis report,1 Halligan makes effective use of famous quotes to illustrate his argument. In seeking to promote the importance of accountability in leadership, he relies upon the words of the Rt. Hon Leo Amery to Neville Chamberlain in the famous Norway debate in Parliament in 1940, which led to the collapse of the then Conservative Government. This in turn paved the way for a national coalition under Winston Churchill. However, it is surely as important to be precise about these matters as when quoting original scientific research. It was precisely because his words were first uttered by Oliver Cromwell in 1653 in an impassioned speech to a parliament that had voted to dissolve but would not stand down, that Amery’s speech was understood by all and so devastating in effect, as acknowledged later by Churchill himself.2 Halligan also drew on the wisdom of Martin Luther King, a man who understood the power of language every bit as much as Churchill. I believe Halligan might have found these words of King to even better reflect the likely consequences to the medical profession of the Mid Staffordshire disaster: ‘We shall have to repent in this generation, not for the hateful actions of the bad, but for the appalling silence of the good’.
Tick Infection of Caiman crocodilus fuscus at the Hidroprado Hydroelectric Dam in Colombia: New Records, Parasite Prevalence, and Blood Loss Rate

Abstract. The main goal of this research was to identify the hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) found in 10 individuals of spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus fuscus) from 349 individuals captured at the Hidroprado hydroelectric dam in the Department of Tolima, Colombia. Parasite prevalence was 2.9%. A total of 40 ticks were collected and two species identified: Amblyomma dissimile (n = 39) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n = 1). This is the second record of A. dissimile in C. crocodilus in Colombia and the first record of R. sanguineus in crocodilians. The natural infection of C. c. fuscus by A. dissimile establishes this species as a host in the life cycle of this tick. Similarly, parasitism by R. sanguineus indicates C. c. fuscus as a potential host for this tick, which is important since it is associated with domestic animals and has a high potential for transmission of zoonotic diseases. Our results highlight the parasitic relationship between ticks and one of the most resistant wild vertebrates: caimans. The prevalence, although not high, establishes the potential of ticks to parasitize different species and to be a vector of diseases for new groups of hosts.
Silicon dioxide nanoparticles increase macrophage atherogenicity: Stimulation of cellular cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and triglycerides accumulation

Nanoparticle research has focused on their toxicity in general, while increasing evidence points to additional specific adverse effects on atherosclerosis development. Arterial macrophage cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) accumulation and foam cell formation are the hallmark of early atherogenesis, leading to cardiovascular events. To investigate the in vitro atherogenic effects of silicon dioxide (SiO2), J774.1 cultured macrophages (murine cell line) were incubated with SiO2 nanoparticle (SP, d = 12 nm, 0–20 µg/mL), followed by cellular cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, TG and cholesterol metabolism analyses. A significant dose‐dependent increase in oxidative stress (up to 164%), in cytotoxicity (up to 390% measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release), and in TG content (up to 63%) was observed in SiO2 exposed macrophages compared with control cells. A smaller increase in macrophage cholesterol mass (up to 22%) was noted. TG accumulation in macrophages was not due to a decrease in TG cell secretion or to an increased TG biosynthesis rate, but was the result of attenuated TG hydrolysis secondary to decreased lipase activity and both adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) protein expression (by 42 and 25%, respectively). Overall, SPs showed pro‐atherogenic effects on macrophages as observed by cytotoxicity, increased oxidative stress and TG accumulation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 713–723, 2016.
Methane production in ruminants: its effect on the doubly labeled water method.

The doubly labeled water (DLW) technique for measuring CO2 production (rCO2) in free-living animals requires an assessment of the elimination of both 2H and 18O from the body over a long period of time. To calculate rCO2, it is necessary to calculate water turnover (rH2O) from the 2H flux rate. In ruminant animals, the accuracy of this calculation is affected by the loss of 2H in methane. We have quantified the effect of methane production (rCH4) on the 2H flux rate, determined in four sheep given 2H2O. The methane produced was depleted in 2H relative to the urine. A relationship between the enrichment of the methane and urine was established. The ratio of urine to methane enrichment was found on average to be 0.6536, and this value was unaffected by the level of rCH4 but showed some dependence on the absolute concentration of 2H in urine. For this reason, the ratio value obtained from four sheep not given 2H2O was different, a mean of 0.6886 was measured, this ratio was unaffected by changes in the diet supplied to the animals. Computer modeling was used to illustrate the dependence of the isotopically derived value for rCO2 on not only rCH4 but also the magnitude of rCO2 itself. The effect of rCH4 on the DLW method can be predicted from the observed ratio of rCO2 to rCH4 and the value of 0.6536 obtained for the ratio of methane to urine enrichment. With the use of data from several studies at this Institute, a limited range of 10 to 20 was found for rCO2/rCH4 in animals fed at or above maintenance. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
ANALYSIS OF THE DEREVERBERATION PERFORMANCE OF MICROPHONE ARRAYS

Microphone arrays and beamforming have been used extensively for speech and audio acquisition in noisy and reverberant environments. In this paper, our objective is to investigate analytically the dereverberation performance of a beamformer. As an evaluation metric we apply the commonly used direct-toreverberant ratio (DRR). Consequently, we utilize tools from statistical room acoustic theory to derive an expression for the expected DRR in the case of a delay-and-sum beamformer (DSB). Simulation results are provided to demonstrate and validate the theoretical expression.
What causes near-misses and how are they mitigated?

Abstract Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the reasons hospital RNs attribute to near-misses and the techniques they used to mitigate these near-misses to prevent serious reportable events. Background: Our health system developed this definition for the study: A near-miss is a variation in a normal process that, if continued, could have a negative impact on patients. Methods: Study participants were RNs who completed a survey about a self-reported near-miss or another RN's near-miss they'd witnessed. Data collected included participant demographics, near-miss occurrence by day of week and time, near-miss type, and attributed causes. Results: A total of 144 near-miss types were self-reported or witnessed by 123 respondents; of these, 43 (35%) self-reported a near-miss event and 80 (65%) witnessed a near-miss event. The respondents identified medication administration (19%) and transcription errors (10%) as the most frequent types of near-misses (N = 144). Selecting from 412 factors related to near-misses, more RNs attributed near-misses to personal factors than institutional factors. Top personal factors were not following policy and inappropriate decision making or critical assumptions. Top institutional factors were work-related interruptions and distractions, and poor communication about a patient. A total of 400 techniques were used to mitigate the near-misses, nearly one per causative factor identified. Top techniques used were stop, think, act, review (STAR) and verification of proper procedures or actions. Conclusions: Hospital administrators should consider both personal and institutional factors when evaluating patient-safety programs. Education about mitigating techniques for near-misses is imperative for RNs.
Détection visuelle d'anomalies de conception

Résumé. De nos jours, les logiciels doivent être flexibles pour pouvoir accommoder d’éventuels changements. Les anomalies de conception introduites durant l’évolution du logiciel causent souvent des difficultés de maintenance. Cependant, la détection d’anomalies de conception n’est pas triviale. La détection manuelle est coûteuse en temps et en ressources, alors que la détection automatique génère trop de faux positifs. Dans cet article, nous proposons une approche semiautomatique pour la détection visuelle d’anomalies de conception. Pour aider la détection visuelle, nous utilisons un générateur qui transforme une tâche d’analyse décrite dans un langage de haut niveau en un scénario d’utilisation pour un environnement de visualisation. Finalement, nous illustrons notre approche avec un problème particulier de détection d’anomalies en utilisant la visualisation et les métriques de code.
An Automated Planning Approach to User Interface Model Checking

User interface is an important component of business application. We present a new model to design user interface. The model is creative in that it is elicited from business requirement. Then we want to check the user interface model whether it is valid to user requirement of interface. As the state space of user interface model testing is large, the large number of possible states makes the user interface model testing a challenge work. We introduce an automated planning approach to simplify the work. We present the planning domain of the user interface model checking. Given an initial interface and a goal interface in the model, a plan is a series of interface transition to the goal interface. Some constraints of interface requirement have been added to the plan domain, each step of the plan must satisfy the constraints. If the goal interface is reached, the user interface mode is valid. If not, the model has some faults according to the requirement. The model is automatically checked during the plan. The result of model checking is achieved by the result of the plan problem.
Juxtamembrane mutant V560GKit is more sensitive to Imatinib (STI571) compared with wild-type c-kit whereas the kinase domain mutant D816VKit is resistant.

Imatinib (Glivec; STI571) is an ATP-competitive kinase inhibitor of c-Abl, BCR/ABL, c-Kit, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor. Overexpression or constitutive activation of Kit by mutations have been associated with various malignancies. Mutations in the intracellular juxtamembrane region of Kit (e.g., V560G) are common in gastrointestinal stromal tumors and have been linked to poor prognosis. Mutations in the kinase domain of Kit (e.g., D816V) have been detected in mastocytosis, acute myeloid leukemia, and germ-cell tumors. To determine the sensitivity of Kit mutants to Imatinib in the same cellular background, wild-type Kit (WTKit), V560GKit and D816VKit were expressed in FDC-P1 cells. Growth of FDC(WTKit) was inhibited by Imatinib with GI50 (a concentration of drug at which 50% inhibition of growth occurs) of 0.1-0.2 microM but FDC(V560GKit) were more sensitive to Imatinib with a GI50 of 0.01-0.025 microM and FDC(D816VKit) were resistant to Imatinib with a GI50 greater than 5 microM. The naturally occurring isoforms of c-Kit did not differ in their sensitivity to Imatinib. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis indicated that 1 microM Imatinib reduced phosphorylation of WTKit and completely blocked phosphorylation of V560GKit but did not affect D816VKit phosphorylation. In signaling studies, addition of stem cell factor (SCF) induced phosphorylation of ERK and Akt by WTKit, and ERK, Akt and STAT3 by V560GKit, which were all blocked by Imatinib. Imatinib also blocked the constitutive activation of Akt and STAT3 by V560GKit but had no affect on the constitutive activation of ERK, Akt, and STAT3 by D816VKit. Overall, these findings demonstrate the increased susceptibility of the Kit juxtamembrane mutant, V560G, and the resistance of the kinase domain mutant, D816V, to Imatinib compared with WTKit.
Serological diagnostics of myocardium diseases based on multivariate analysis of cardiotrophic autoantibodies' profiles

We analyzed profiles of IgG autoantibodies to 16 cardiac specific proteins and their main immunogenic region B-epitopes, in the groups of already verified cardiac pathology: acute and chronic lymphocytic myocarditis, ST elevation myocardial infarction, postinfarction remodeling of myocardium, dilated cardiomyopathy and in healthy controls along with patients, suffered from gastritis (to evaluate immune response against cross-reactive B-epitopes). AAB specific patterns allowed us to distinguish cases among themselves by means of multiparametrical canonical discriminant analysis in approximately 95% of cases. Positive predictive value in the group of MYO reached 95%, in the STEMI—89%, in the PIR—99%, in the DCM—99%, in the group of gastritis—88%. Principal component analysis of mentioned cardiac pathologies extended current clinical knowledge of their immunopathogenesis. Obtained data markedly proved a usability of serum AAB profiling for non invasive screening, differential diagnostics and working hypothesis composition.
Characterization of Thrombin-Induced Leukocyte Rolling and Adherence: A Potential Proinflammatory Role for Proteinase-Activated Receptor-41

It is commonly accepted that thrombin exerts its proinflammatory properties through the activation of proteinase-activated receptor (PAR)-1, although two other thrombin receptors have been discovered: PAR-3 and PAR-4. In this study, we have investigated the mechanisms and the receptors involved in thrombin-induced leukocyte/endothelial cell interactions by using selective agonists and antagonists of thrombin receptors in an in vivo intravital microscopy system. Topical addition of selective PAR-1 agonists to rat mesenteric venules failed to reproduce the increased leukocyte rolling and adhesion observed after thrombin topical addition. When added together with the selective PAR-1 antagonist RWJ-56110, thrombin was still able to provoke increased leukocyte rolling and adherence. The thrombin-induced leukocyte rolling and adherence was not affected by pretreatment of rats with an anti-platelet serum. Selective PAR-4-activating peptide was able to reproduce the effects of thrombin on leukocyte rolling and adhesion. Intraperitoneal injection of PAR-4-activating peptide also caused a significant increase in leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity. In rat tissues, PAR-4 expression was detected both on endothelium and isolated leukocytes. Taken together, these results showed that in rat mesenteric venules, thrombin exerts proinflammatory properties inducing leukocyte rolling and adherence, by a mechanism independent of PAR-1 activation or platelet activation. However, PAR-4 activation either on endothelial cells or on leukocytes might be responsible for the thrombin-induced effects. These findings suggest that PAR-4 activation could contribute to several early events in the inflammatory reaction, including leukocyte rolling, adherence and recruitment, and that in addition to PAR-1, PAR-4 could be involved in proinflammatory properties of thrombin.
Fast Watermarking of Traffic Images Secure Transmission in Effective Representation Mode

A static image secure transmission in effective representation mode for tr ansportation systems was advanced based on fast watermarking theory. Firstly, the characteristics of image stream re cognition in intelligent transportation system were analyzed and traffic image stream reorganization model was constructed. Then, according to effective representation mode, fast watermarking algorithms of image stream for intelligent transportation system were proposed, such as feature extraction-, compressive sensing- and sparse representation-based algorithms and detailed introduction of the fi rst algorithm was given. Finally, referring to the evaluation criterion of digital watermarking and features of traffic static image, the pe rformance of the above three algorithms are evaluated. The study shows that these three algorithms can satisfy different feature de mands for traffic image secure transmission.