pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Taking forward the World TB Day 2016 theme ‘Unite to End Tuberculosis’ for the WHO Africa Region

SummaryTuberculosis (TB) remains a global emergency, with an estimated 9.6 million new TB cases worldwide reported in 2014. Twenty-eight percent of these cases were in the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Region, where the annual case detection rate was 281 per 100000 population—more than double the global average of 133 per 100000. Of the 9.6 million people who developed TB, an estimated 1.2 million (12%) were HIV-positive, and the Africa Region accounted for 74% of these cases. Three million people with TB remain undiagnosed and untreated. Globally, an estimated 480000 had multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). Whilst of the African countries, only South Africa has reported a high prevalence of MDR-TB, it is likely that all of Sub-Saharan Africa has an unreported high load of drug-resistant TB. Tragically, in 2014, only 48% of individuals diagnosed with MDR-TB had successful treatment and an estimated 190000 people died of MDR-TB. Of the global TB funding gap of US$ 0.8 billion, the largest funding gap was in the Africa Region, amounting to US$ 0.4 billion in 2015. The MDR-TB pandemic in particular now threatens to devastate entire regions and may fundamentally alter the life-expectancy and demographic profile of many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The theme designated for this year's World TB Day, March 24, 2016, is ‘Unite to End TB’. From the Africa Region, there is an urgent need to seriously address the political, economic, and social factors that influence host–Mycobacterium tuberculosis interactions and result in disease. Recent political and funder initiatives that provide renewed hope for the alleviation of Africa's TB and TB/HIV problems are discussed
Multi-site genetic analysis of diffusion images and voxelwise heritability analysis: A pilot project of the ENIGMA–DTI working group

AbstractThe ENIGMA (Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis) Consortium was set up to analyze brain measures and genotypes from multiple sites across the world to improve the power to detect genetic variants that influence the brain. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) yields quantitative measures sensitive to brain development and degeneration, and some common genetic variants may be associated with white matter integrity or connectivity. DTI measures, such as the fractional anisotropy (FA) of water diffusion, may be useful for identifying genetic variants that influence brain microstructure. However, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) require large populations to obtain sufficient power to detect and replicate significant effects, motivating a multi-site consortium effort. As part of an ENIGMA–DTI working group, we analyzed high-resolution FA images from multiple imaging sites across North America, Australia, and Europe, to address the challenge of harmonizing imaging data collected at multiple sites. Four hundred images of healthy adults aged 18–85 from four sites were used to create a template and corresponding skeletonized FA image as a common reference space. Using twin and pedigree samples of different ethnicities, we used our common template to evaluate the heritability of tract-derived FA measures. We show that our template is reliable for integrating multiple datasets by combining results through meta-analysis and unifying the data through exploratory mega-analyses. Our results may help prioritize regions of the FA map that are consistently influenced by additive genetic factors for future genetic discovery studies. Protocols and templates are publicly available at (http://enigma.loni.ucla.edu/ongoing/dti-working-group/)
Construction of a Test Facility for Demonstration of a Liquid Lead-bismuth-cooled 10kW Thermal Receiver in a Solar Furnace Arrangement - SOMMER

AbstractLiquid metals have been proposed in the past as high temperature heat transfer media in concentrating solar power (CSP) systems. Until the mid 80s test facilities were operated with liquid sodium-cooled central receivers. After a period of reduced interest in that approach, several new efforts have been reported recently, particularly from the US, South Africa and Australia. In addition, several recent publications have highlighted the attractive properties of liquid metals for CSP applications. A new contribution to this topic has been launched by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Solar Institute of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), combining their experience in CSP and liquid metal technology. The overall goals of this project are planning, design, construction and operation of a small concentrating solar power system in the 10kW thermal range (named SOMMER) using liquid metal as heat transfer fluid for re-gaining operation experience and validating design methodology and providing a complete design concept for a large pilot CSP plant based on liquid metal technology, up to evaluation of O&M cost and levelized cost of electricity. This paper describes the current status of the work on the design and setup of SOMMER, the research goals of this facility, first results of numerical activities in view of the liquid metal cooled receiver design and the connection to the design activities for the pilot plant
Immunogenicity of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine and implications for duration of vaccine efficacy: secondary analysis of data from a phase 3 randomised controlled trial

SummaryBackgroundThe RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine targets the circumsporozoite protein, inducing antibodies associated with the prevention of Plasmodium falciparum infection. We assessed the association between anti-circumsporozoite antibody titres and the magnitude and duration of vaccine efficacy using data from a phase 3 trial done between 2009 and 2014.MethodsUsing data from 8922 African children aged 5–17 months and 6537 African infants aged 6–12 weeks at first vaccination, we analysed the determinants of immunogenicity after RTS,S/AS01 vaccination with or without a booster dose. We assessed the association between the incidence of clinical malaria and anti-circumsporozoite antibody titres using a model of anti-circumsporozoite antibody dynamics and the natural acquisition of protective immunity over time.FindingsRTS,S/AS01-induced anti-circumsporozoite antibody titres were greater in children aged 5–17 months than in those aged 6–12 weeks. Pre-vaccination anti-circumsporozoite titres were associated with lower immunogenicity in children aged 6–12 weeks and higher immunogenicity in those aged 5–17 months. The immunogenicity of the booster dose was strongly associated with immunogenicity after primary vaccination. Anti-circumsporozoite titres wane according to a biphasic exponential distribution. In participants aged 5–17 months, the half-life of the short-lived component of the antibody response was 45 days (95% credible interval 42–48) and that of the long-lived component was 591 days (557–632). After primary vaccination 12% (11–13) of the response was estimated to be long-lived, rising to 30% (28–32%) after a booster dose. An anti-circumsporozoite antibody titre of 121 EU/mL (98–153) was estimated to prevent 50% of infections. Waning anti-circumsporozoite antibody titres predict the duration of efficacy against clinical malaria across different age categories and transmission intensities, and efficacy wanes more rapidly at higher transmission intensity.InterpretationAnti-circumsporozoite antibody titres are a surrogate of protection for the magnitude and duration of RTS,S/AS01 efficacy, with or without a booster dose, providing a valuable surrogate of effectiveness for new RTS,S formulations in the age groups considered.FundingUK Medical Research Council
Effect of quark mass variation on big bang nucleosynthesis

AbstractWe calculate the effect of variation in the light-current quark mass, mq, on standard big bang nucleosynthesis. A change in mq during the era of nucleosynthesis affects nuclear reaction rates, and hence primordial abundances, via changes in the binding energies of light nuclei. It is found that a relative variation of δmq/mq=0.016±0.005 provides better agreement between observed primordial abundances and those predicted by theory. This is largely due to resolution of the existing discrepancies for 7Li. However this method ignores possible changes in the position of resonances in nuclear reactions. The predicted 7Li abundance has a strong dependence on the cross-section of the resonant reactions He3(d,p)He4 and t(d,n)He4. We show that changes in mq at the time of BBN could shift the position of these resonances away from the Gamow window and lead to an increased production of 7Li, exacerbating the lithium problem
Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness based cognitive therapy in vascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on psychological and physical outcomes for people with vascular disease.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.Data sourcesAMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, British Nursing Index, Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Central, Social Sciences Citation Index, Social Policy and Practice, and HMIC from inception to January 2013.Review methodsArticles were screened for inclusion independently by two reviewers. Data extraction and quality appraisal were performed by one reviewer and checked by a second with discrepancies resolved by discussion with a third if necessary. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed.ResultsNine articles (from eight original randomised controlled trials) met eligibility criteria and were included in the final review. In total, 578 participants were enrolled across the trials, with participants presenting with prehypertension/hypertension (n=3 trials), type 1 or 2 diabetes (n=2), heart disease (n=2) and stroke (n=1). Meta-analyses, using standardised mean differences, showed evidence of reductions in stress (−0.36; 95% CI −0.67 to −0.09; p=0.01), depression (−0.35; 95% CI −0.53 to −0.16; p=0.003) and anxiety (−0.50; 95% CI −0.70 to −0.29; p<0.001). Effects on physical outcomes (blood pressure, albuminuria, stress hormones) were mixed.ConclusionWhilst populations with vascular disease appear to derive a range of psychological benefits from MBSR/MBCT intervention, the effects on physical parameters of disease are not yet established. More robust studies, with longer term follow-up, are required to ascertain full effectiveness of such intervention
Molecular beam epitaxy of free-standing wurtzite AlxGa1−xN layers

AbstractRecent developments with group III nitrides present AlxGa1−xN based LEDs as realistic devices for new alternative deep ultra-violet light sources. Because there is a significant difference in the lattice parameters of GaN and AlN, AlxGa1−xN substrates would be preferable to either GaN or AlN for ultraviolet device applications. We have studied the growth of free-standing wurtzite AlxGa1−xN bulk crystals by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE). Thick wurtzite AlxGa1−xN films were grown by PA-MBE on 2-in. GaAs (111)B substrates and were removed from the GaAs substrate after growth to provide free standing AlxGa1−xN samples. X-ray microanalysis measurements confirm that the AlN fraction is uniform across the wafer and mass spectroscopy measurements show that the composition is also uniform in depth. We have demonstrated that free-standing wurtzite AlxGa1−xN wafers can be achieved by PA-MBE for a wide range of AlN fractions. In order to develop a commercially viable process for the growth of wurtzite AlxGa1−xN substrates, we have used a novel Riber plasma source and have demonstrated growth rates of GaN up to 1.8µm/h on 2-in. diameter GaAs and sapphire wafers
Kinetics of growth of thin-films of Co2Si, Ni2Si, WSi2 and VSi2 during a reactive diffusion process

AbstractA theoretical approach is developed which describes the growth kinetics of thin films of near noble metal silicide (especially of cobalt silicide (Co2Si) and nickel silicide (Ni2Si)) and refractory metal silicide (particularly of tungsten disilicide (WSi2) and vanadium disilicide (VSi2)) at the interfaces of metal–silicon system. In this approach, metal species are presented as A-atoms, silicon as B-atoms, and silicide as AB-compound. The AB-compound is formed as a result of chemical transformation between A- and B-atoms at the reaction interfaces A/AB and AB/B. The growth of AB-compound at the interfaces occurs in two stages. The first growth stage is reaction controlled stage which takes place at the interface with excess A or B-atoms and the second stage is diffusion limited stage which occurs at both interfaces. The critical thickness of AB-compound and the corresponding time is determined at the transition point between the two growth stages. The result that follows from this approach shows that the growth kinetics of any growing silicides depends on the number of kinds of dominant diffusing species in the silicide layer and also on their number densities at the reaction interface. This result shows a linear-parabolic growth kinetics for WSi2, VSi2, Co2Si, and Ni2Si and it is in good agreement with experiment
Heavy quark energy loss and D-mesons in RHIC and LHC energies

AbstractWe obtain the radiative energy loss of a heavy quark in a deconfined medium due to radiation of gluons off them using a recently derived generalised gluon emission spectrum. We find that the heavy flavour loses energy almost in a similar fashion like light quarks through this process. With this, we further analyse the nuclear modification factor for D-meson at LHC and RHIC energies. In particular, the obtained result is found to be in close agreement with the most recent data from ALICE collaboration at 2.76 ATeV Pb–Pb collisions. We also discuss the nuclear modification factor due to the collisional energy loss. Furthermore, the result of non-photonic single electron from the decay of both D- and B-mesons is compared with the RHIC data at 200 AGeV Au–Au collisions, which is also in close agreement
Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

AbstractReliable, noninvasive methods for diagnosing and prognosing sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) early after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are needed. We used a quantitative mass spectrometry–based proteomics approach to identify candidate biomarkers of SOS by comparing plasma pooled from 20 patients with and 20 patients without SOS. Of 494 proteins quantified, we selected 6 proteins (L-Ficolin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM1], tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, von Willebrand factor, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and CD97) based on a differential heavy/light isotope ratio of at least 2 fold, information from the literature, and immunoassay availability. Next, we evaluated the diagnostic potential of these 6 proteins and 5 selected from the literature (suppression of tumorigenicity-2 [ST2], angiopoietin-2 (ANG2), hyaluronic acid [HA], thrombomodulin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) in samples from 80 patients. The results demonstrate that together ST2, ANG2, L-Ficolin, HA, and VCAM1 compose a biomarker panel for diagnosis of SOS. L-Ficolin, HA, and VCAM1 also stratified patients at risk for SOS as early as the day of HCT. Prognostic Bayesian modeling for SOS onset based on L-Ficolin, HA, and VCAM1 levels on the day of HCT and clinical characteristics showed >80% correct prognosis of SOS onset. These biomarkers may provide opportunities for preemptive intervention to minimize SOS incidence and/or severity
Nuclear structure corrections to the Lamb shift in μHe+3 and μH3

AbstractMeasuring the 2S–2P Lamb shift in a hydrogen-like muonic atom allows one to extract its nuclear charge radius with a high precision that is limited by the uncertainty in the nuclear structure corrections. The charge radius of the proton thus extracted was found to be 7σ away from the CODATA value, in what has become the yet unsolved “proton radius puzzle”. Further experiments currently aim at the isotopes of hydrogen and helium: the precise extraction of their radii may provide a hint at the solution of the puzzle. We present the first ab initio calculation of nuclear structure corrections, including the nuclear polarization correction, to the 2S–2P transition in μHe+3 and μH3, and assess solid theoretical error bars. Our predictions reduce the uncertainty in the nuclear structure corrections to the level of a few percent and will be instrumental to the on-going μHe+3 experiment. We also support the mirror μH3 system as a candidate for further probing of the nucleon polarizabilities and shedding more light on the puzzle
The k-in-a-tree problem for graphs of girth at least k

AbstractFor all integers k≥3, we give an O(n4)-time algorithm for the problem whose instance is a graph G of girth at least k together with k vertices and whose question is “Does G contains an induced subgraph containing the k vertices and isomorphic to a tree?”.This directly follows for k=3 from the three-in-a-tree algorithm of Chudnovsky and Seymour and for k=4 from a result of Derhy, Picouleau and Trotignon. Here we solve the problem for k≥5. Our algorithm relies on a structural description of graphs of girth at least k that do not contain an induced tree covering k given vertices (k≥5)
Trade linkages of inward and outward FDI: Evidence from Malaysia

AbstractDeveloping and transition economies are an increasingly important source of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). The objective of this paper is to fill the gap in the literature regarding outward foreign direct investment by adopting the well known gravity model to examine the relationship between trade (export and import), inward and outward FDI using Malaysia as a case. This contributes to the literature as previous studies on OFDI in Malaysia have focused primarily on the determinants of these outward flows, and there are no studies examining the impact of OFDI on trade. Based on Hausman–Taylor estimation method, our findings reveal that inward foreign direct investment (IFDI) conforms to the observed pattern of a complementary relationship between FDI and trade, while OFDI and trade linkages are not significant as OFDI is dominated by the services sector, which generally is non-tradable. However, intra-firm trade in services could be increased through the process of fragmentation or outsourcing
Fuzzy-based Temperature and Humidity Control for HV AC of Electric Vehicle

AbstractVehicles are the people's main means of transportation and thermal comfort in the vehicle cabin plays an important role. The heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) operation system in the vehicle cabin decides the degree of comfort, traffic safety as well as health of the occupants. The challenge of designing the HVAC control is to automatically achieve the thermal comfort, regardless of time varying weather conditions. Since most HVAC systems are complex with nonlinearity, distributed parameters, and multivariable therefore many classical controls do not necessarily yield a satisfactory control performance. This paper presents the development of temperature and humidity control strategy for HVAC based on Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC). The goal of the FLC-based temperature control is to satisfy the convergence and equilibrium property. The simulation test results have been shown a satisfactory to control the temperature and humidity
Optic Nerve Head Development in Healthy Infants and Children Using Handheld Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PurposeTo determine feasibility of optic nerve head (ONH) imaging and to characterize ONH development in full-term infants without sedation using handheld spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT).DesignProspective cross-sectional study.ParticipantsThree hundred fifty-two children aged between 1 day and 13 years.MethodsAll participants were imaged using handheld SD OCT without sedation during a single scan session. The percentage of successful scans was calculated. Interexaminer reproducibility and differences between right and left eyes were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Images were analyzed using ImageJ software. The developmental trajectories over time for ONH parameters were calculated using fractional polynomial modelling.Main Outcome MeasuresDisc and cup diameter (expressed as distance in micrometers and visual angle in degrees), cup depth, Bruch's membrane opening–minimum rim width (BMO-MRW), retinal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL; 1700 μm and 6° from the disc center).ResultsOn average, 70% of participants were imaged successfully. Interexaminer reliability was excellent (ICC, >0.89) for diametric and retinal thickness parameters. Right and left eyes were similar for diametric measurements (ICC, >0.79), but more variable for nasal BMO-MRW, RNFL, and retinal thickness. The mean disc and cup diameter increase by 30% and 40%, respectively, between birth and 13 years of age when expressed as a distance measure, but remained constant (at 5°–5.5° and 2°, respectively) when expressed as a visual angle with reference to the eye nodal point. The peripapillary temporal RNFL demonstrated a marked initial decrease of nearly 35% between birth and approximately 18 months of age. This was followed by a slow increase up to 12 years of age when measured at 1700 μm from the disc center, although there was little change when measured at 6° from the disc center.ConclusionsWe demonstrated feasibility of handheld SD OCT imaging of the ONH in full-term infants and children without anaesthesia or sedation. This is the first in vivo handheld SD OCT study to describe the development of ONH parameters during the critical early years of visual maturation. Our results provide a normative database for use in routine practice and further studies of ONH pathologic features
Incidence of human herpesvirus 6 in clinical samples from Swedish patients with demyelinating diseases

BackgroundHuman herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) has been reported to be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS).MethodsWe analyzed cell-free HHV-6 DNA as an indication of active infection in the peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Swedish patients with GBS, patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, treatment-naïve patients with possible MS, interferon-β treated MS patients [with or without neutralizing antibodies (NAbs)], and control patients with headache.ResultsOne of 14 GBS patients and one of eight patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy were positive for HHV-6 DNA in serum. Of the 27 treatment-naïve possible MS patients, two were positive in plasma and one in CSF. HHV-6 DNA was detected in the serum of three of 79 NAb+ patients and one of 102 NAb-interferon-β treated MS patients. HHV-6 DNA could not be detected in the plasma or CSF of any of the 33 controls, although the differences were not statistically significant.ConclusionOur results do not suggest active HHV-6 infection to be a common phenomenon in any of the patient groups studied
Holography of asymmetrically warped space–times

AbstractWe study the holographic dual of asymmetrically warped space–times, which are asymptotically AdS. The self-tuning of the cosmological constant is reinterpreted as a cancellation of the visible sector stress-energy tensor by the contribution of a hidden CFT, charged under a spontaneously broken global symmetry. The apparent violation of 4D causality due to bulk geodesics is justified by considering that the CFT feels the background metric as smeared out over a length of the order of the AdS radius