Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The CAVE Score for Predicting Late Seizures After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose— Seizures are a common complication of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We developed a novel tool to quantify this risk in individual patients. Methods— Retrospective analysis of the observational Helsinki ICH Study (n=993; median follow-up, 2.7 years) and the Lille Prognosis of InTra-Cerebral Hemorrhage (n=325; 2.2 years) cohorts of consecutive ICH patients admitted between 2004 and 2010. Helsinki ICH Study patients’ province-wide electronic records were evaluated for early seizures occurring within 7 days of ICH and among 7-day survivors (n=764) for late seizures (LSs) occurring >7 days from ICH. A Cox regression model estimating risk of LSs was used to derive a prognostic score, validated in the Prognosis of InTra-Cerebral Hemorrhage cohort. Results— Of the Helsinki ICH Study patients, 109 (11.0%) had early seizures within 7 days of ICH. Among the 7-day survivors, 70 (9.2%) patients developed LSs. The cumulative risk of LSs was 7.1%, 10.0%, 10.2%, 11.0%, and 11.8% at 1 to 5 years after ICH, respectively. We created the CAVE score (0–4 points) to estimate the risk of LSs, with 1 point for each of cortical involvement, age <65 years, volume >10 mL, and early seizures within 7 days of ICH. The risk of LSs was 0.6%, 3.6%, 9.8%, 34.8%, and 46.2% for CAVE scores 0 to 4, respectively. The c-statistic was 0.81 (0.76–0.86) and 0.69 (0.59–0.78) in the validation cohort. Conclusions— One in 10 patients will develop seizures after ICH. The risk of this adverse outcome can be estimated by a simple score based on baseline variables.
Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors in Blacks and Whites: Dissecting Racial Paradox of Metabolic Syndrome

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain as the leading cause of mortality in the western world and have become a major health threat for developing countries. There are several risk factors that account for the CVD and the associated mortality. These include genetics, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), obesity, physical inactivity, hypertension, and abnormal lipids and lipoproteins. The constellation of these risk factors has been termed metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS varies among racial and ethnic populations. Thus, race and ethnicity account for some of the differences in the MetS and the associated CVD and T2DM. Furthermore, the relationships among traditional metabolic parameters and CVD differ, especially when comparing Black and White populations. In this regard, the greater CVD in Blacks than Whites have been partly attributed to other non-traditional CVD risk factors, such as subclinical inflammation (C-reactive protein), homocysteine, increased low-density lipoprotein oxidation, lipoprotein a, adiponectin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, etc. Thus, to understand CVD and T2DM differences in Blacks and Whites with MetS, it is essential to explore the contributions of both traditional and non-traditional CVD and T2DM risk factors in Blacks of African ancestry and Whites of Europoid ancestry. Therefore, in this mini review, we propose that non-traditional risk factors should be integrated in defining MetS as a predictor of CVD and T2DM in Blacks in the African diaspora in future studies.
A Hybrid Multi‐Agent/Spatial Interaction Model System for Petrol Price Setting

This paper examines the use of multi‐agent simulations (MAS) to model the petrol market. The development of a purely agent based model for petrol prices is presented. Failings within this model are discussed and an alternative strategy for controlling the price of each petrol station based on population of customers is considered. Individual level modelling of customers is too computationally intensive; therefore a spatial interaction model was used to estimate the sales and linked to the agent system to create a hybrid model. To evaluate how effective this hybrid model was, a comparison was made with an existing data set of real petrol prices collected over a two month period. This was achieved both statistically and visually with the use of a Geographical Information System (GIS). Experimentation revealed that the hybrid model outperformed the agent model. Investigation into the behaviour and sensitivity of the system (for example, how prices diffuse spatially) was undertaken by means of idealised simulations.
Membrane Targeting of Ribosomes and Their Release Require Distinct and Separable Functions of FtsY*

The mechanism underlying the interaction of the Escherichia coli signal recognition particle (SRP) receptor FtsY with the cytoplasmic membrane is not fully understood. We investigated this issue by utilizing active (NG+1) and inactive (NG) mutants of FtsY. In solution, the mutants comparably bind and hydrolyze nucleotides and associate with SRP. In contrast, a major difference was observed in the cellular distribution of NG and NG+1. Unlike NG+1, which distributes almost as the wild-type receptor, the inactive NG mutant accumulates on the membrane, together with ribosomes and SRP. The results suggest that NG function is compromised only at a later stage of the targeting pathway and that despite their identical behavior in solution, the membrane-bound NG-SRP complex is less active than NG+1-SRP. This notion is strongly supported by the observation that lipids stimulate the GTPase activity of NG+1-SRP, whereas no stimulation is observed with NG-SRP. In conclusion, we propose that the SRP receptor has two distinct and separable roles in (i) mediating membrane targeting and docking of ribosomes and (ii) promoting their productive release from the docking site.
A Basic Recurrent Neural Network Model

We present a model of a basic recurrent neural network (or bRNN) that includes a separate linear term with a slightly "stable" fixed matrix to guarantee bounded solutions and fast dynamic response. We formulate a state space viewpoint and adapt the constrained optimization Lagrange Multiplier (CLM) technique and the vector Calculus of Variations (CoV) to derive the (stochastic) gradient descent. In this process, one avoids the commonly used re-application of the circular chain-rule and identifies the error back-propagation with the co-state backward dynamic equations. We assert that this bRNN can successfully perform regression tracking of time-series. Moreover, the "vanishing and exploding" gradients are explicitly quantified and explained through the co-state dynamics and the update laws. The adapted CoV framework, in addition, can correctly and principally integrate new loss functions in the network on any variable and for varied goals, e.g., for supervised learning on the outputs and unsupervised learning on the internal (hidden) states.
Dynamic switching-based reliable flooding in low-duty-cycle wireless sensor networks

Reliable flooding in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is desirable for a broad range of applications and network operations, and has been extensively investigated. However, relatively little work has been done for reliable flooding in lowduty-cycle WSNs with unreliable wireless links. It is a challenging problem to efficiently ensure 100% flooding coverage considering the combined effects of low-duty-cycle operation and unreliable wireless transmission. In this work, we propose a novel dynamic switching-based reliable flooding (DSRF) framework, which is designed as an enhancement layer to provide efficient and reliable delivery for a variety of existing flooding tree structures in lowduty-cycle WSNs. The key novelty of DSRF lies in the dynamic switching decision making when encountering a transmission failure, where a flooding tree structure is dynamically adjusted based on the packet reception results for energy saving and delay reduction. DSRF is distinctive from existing works in that it explores both poor links and good links on demand. Through comprehensive performance comparisons, we demonstrate that, compared with the flooding protocol without DSRF enhancement, DSRF effectively reduces the flooding delay and the total number of packet transmission by 12% 25% and 10% 15%, respectively. Remarkably, the achieved performance is close to the theoretical lower bound.
Can visual function be restored in patients with homonymous hemianopia?

It can be argued that vision is the major sensory input into the human brain, by virtue of the fact that about half of all afferent fibres projecting to the brain are from the eye and by the sophistication of the neural systems controlling visual processing. Brain damage disrupts these complicated processes, resulting in severe visual impairments including hemianopia. Patients with hemianopia complain mainly of difficulties with reading and scanning scenes fast enough to make sense of things as a whole. Consequently, they fail to notice relevant objects or avoid obstacles on their affected side and may collide with approaching people or cars. This has far reaching repercussions on their vocational and private lives. A small group are unaware of their defects until they are picked up on routine ophthalmic examination.1 Given the relative importance of vision as a sense, the treatment of hemianopia should assume a priority role for neurological rehabilitation programmes. In clinical practice, however, this has not been the case. Forty per cent of homonymous hemianopias involve lesions in the occipital lobe, 30% the parietal lobe, 25% the temporal lobe, and 5% the optic tract and lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). 2 3The presence or absence of macular sparing is of no use in defining the site of the lesion and there is recent evidence to suggest that it simply represents a perimetric artefact.4 5 Patients with additional temporo-parietal dysfunction, especially neglect, are particularly difficult to rehabilitate from the point of view of their hemianopia. Data concerning the pathogenesis of lesions causing homonymous hemianopia must be interpreted with caution because they are influenced by the way patients are selected.6 Allowing for this, 70% of lesions are arterial infarctions, 15% tumours, and 5% haemorrhages.1 2 Males aged 50–70 are most frequently affected, reflecting the …
Modeling the Impact of Cracking in Low Permeability Layers in a Groundwater Contamination Source Zone on Dissolved Contaminant Fate and Transport

Abstract : The storage and transport of a dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) was evaluated using a numerical model. Many DNAPLs are used as solvents by the DoD and industry. The improper disposal and handling of these chemicals has led to long term contamination of groundwater. When spilled, a DNAPL will pool atop low permeability layers and slowly dissolve creating a contaminant plume. The dissolved contaminant within a low permeability layer serves as long-term sources of contamination once the source is removed. In this study, cracks are hypothesized to exist in the low permeability layers, allowing for enhanced transport. A numerical model is employed using a dual domain construct (high and low permeability layers) to investigate the impact of cracking on DNAPL and CAH movement. Three scenarios were modeled to evaluate the impact of cracks: (1) CAH diffusion into an uncracked low permeability clay layer; (2) CAH advection-dispersion into cracks, and (3) separate phase DNAPL movement into the cracks. This study found cracking will cause an increase in transport and storage of TCE into low permeability layers, and that this increased transport will sustain down gradient concentrations for decades. Further, DNAPL phase TCE within cracks can significantly contribute to down gradient concentrations.
Which and How Many Patients Should Be Included in Randomised Controlled Trials to Demonstrate the Efficacy of Biologics in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome?

Objective The goal of this study was to determine how the choice of the primary endpoint influenced sample size estimates in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of treatments for primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Methods We reviewed all studies evaluating biotechnological therapies in pSS to identify their inclusion criteria and primary endpoints. Then, in a large cohort (ASSESS), we determined the proportion of patients who would be included in RCTs using various inclusion criteria sets. Finally, we used the population of a large randomised therapeutic trial in pSS (TEARS) to assess the impact of various primary objectives and endpoints on estimated sample sizes. These analyses were performed only for the endpoints indicating greater efficacy of rituximab compared to the placebo. Results We identified 18 studies. The most common inclusion criteria were short disease duration; systemic involvement; high mean visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for dryness, pain, and fatigue; and biological evidence of activity. In the ASSESS cohort, 35 percent of patients had recent-onset disease (lower than 4 years), 68 percent systemic manifestations, 68 percent high scores on two of three VASs, and 52 percent biological evidence of activity. The primary endpoints associated with the smallest sample sizes (nlower than 200) were a VAS dryness score improvement higher to 20 mm by week 24 or variable improvements (10, 20, or 30 mm) in fatigue VAS by week 6 or 16. For patients with systemic manifestations, the ESSDAI change may be the most logical endpoint, as it reflects all domains of disease activity. However, the ESSDAI did not improve significantly with rituximab therapy in the TEARS study. Ultrasound score improvement produced the smallest sample size estimate in the TEARS study. Conclusion This study provides valuable information for designing future RCTs on the basis of previously published studies. Previous RCTs used inclusion criteria that selected a small part of the entire pSS population. The endpoint was usually based on VASs assessing patient complaints. In contrast to VAS dryness cut-offs, VAS fatigue cut-offs did not affect estimated sample sizes. SGUS improvement produced the smallest estimated sample size. Further studies are required to validate standardised SGUS modalities and assessment criteria. Thus, researchers should strive to develop a composite primary endpoint and to determine its best cut-off and assessment time point.
The adaptation and well-being of adolescent immigrants in Greek schools: A multilevel, longitudinal study of risks and resources

Abstract This study examined growth patterns in adaptation of immigrant youth from a risk and resilience perspective. Students from first- and second-generation immigrant families living in Greece and their nonimmigrant classmates (N = 1,057) were assessed over the first 3 years of secondary school (ages 13–15). Three-level hierarchical linear models were used to disentangle individual and classroom-level effects on initial level and change in academic achievement, conduct, peer popularity, and psychological well-being. At the individual level, adaptation was more related to self-efficacy and parental school involvement (resources) than immigrant status and social adversity (risks). Only for academic achievement did risks explain variance when resources were controlled. Parental school involvement moderated the effect of immigrant status for initial level and growth in achievement. For all students, achievement and conduct worsened over time. At the classroom level, socioeconomic and ethnic composition of the classroom moderated the effects of self-efficacy and immigrant status on academic achievement and peer popularity, respectively. Second-generation immigrants were more popular than first-generation immigrants, but showed a larger decrease over time in school achievement. Results support a developmental, differentiated, and contextualized approach to the study of immigrant youth adaptation.
Effect of Multiple Extrusions on the Impact Properties of Polypropylene/Clay Nanocomposites

Polypropylene (PP)-based polymer nanocomposites containing organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) with and without maleic anhydride grafted PP, were compounded by twin-screw extrusion. The extrusion process was repeated various numbers of times to increase the extruder residence time (TR) and, through that, the particle dispersion. Rheological measurements fitted to a modified Carreau–Yasuda model defining a melt yield stress were used to indicate changes in the particle dispersion with regard to TR. This analysis showed a monotonically increased dispersion of clay particles in the PP matrix with increasing extruder TR. The small-strain tensile properties were tested at both ambient (20°C) and elevated (90°C) temperatures, and no significant changes were observed in the tensile strength or modulus as a function of TR. Instrumented Izod impact tests showed that the nanocomposite impact strength (σi) increased monotonically with increased TR by 70% from least dispersed to best dispersed, which was still 20% below the level for neat PP. Both the fracture initiation energy and propagation energy increased with TR, but the primary effect on σi came from the fracture propagation energy, which delivered 80% of the improvement. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Energy Efficient Programmable MIMO Decoder Accelerator Chip in 65-nm CMOS

This paper presents an energy efficient programmable hardware accelerator that targets multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) decoding tasks of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The work is motivated by the adoption of MIMO and OFDM by almost all existing and emerging high-speed wireless data communication systems. The accelerator was fabricated in 65-nm CMOS technology and occupies a core area of 2.48 mm2. It delivers full programmability across different wireless standards (i.e., WiFi, 3G-long term evolution, and WiMax) as well as different MIMO decoding algorithms (i.e., minimum mean square error, singular value decomposition, and maximum likelihood) with extreme energy efficiency. The energy efficiency of our MIMO accelerator chip was compared against dedicated application specific integrated circuits for 4 × 4 QR decomposition, 4 × 4 singular value decomposition, and 2 × 2 minimum mean square error decoding. Despite the programmable nature of our design, it delivered energy efficiencies that were 18% to 28% better than the dedicated solutions reported in the literature. This paper presents the VLSI implementation of the architecture discussed in [14]-[16]. It discusses the implementation decisions and tradeoffs used to ensure minimum overall energy consumption of the resulting accelerator chip without sacrificing programmability. Given its programmability and extreme energy efficiency, the accelerator is an ideal solution for today's smart phones that implement multiple MIMO-OFDM waveforms on the same platform.
Immunoproteomics of extracellular proteins of Chinese virulent strains of Streptococcus suis type 2

Streptococcus suis type 2 (SS2) is a porcine zoonotic pathogen with worldwide distribution, and lacking suitable vaccine and virulent maker were bottleneck to control this infection. An immunoproteomic assay was used to identify antigenic proteins from the total extracellular proteins of the virulent Chinese SS2 strain ZY05719. The convalescent serum of a specific pathogen free (SPF) mini‐pig recognized nine protein spots on PVDF membrane. Antigenic proteins on a duplicate gel, as well as those with a similar placement of extracellular proteins from another virulent strain (HA9801) and an avirulent strain (T15) on 2‐D gels, were excised and identified by MALDI‐TOF‐MS. PMF of the protein spots were performed using the MASCOT server. Two proteins were found in all three strains. Comparative proteomic analysis between the two virulent strains and the avirulent strain revealed nine differential proteins, eight of which were successfully identified. Genes for six of the differentially expressed proteins were found in both virulent strains, and of those were present in the avirulent stain.
Translating weight loss into agency: Men's experiences 5 years after bariatric surgery

Fewer men than women with severe obesity undergo bariatric surgery for weight loss, and knowledge about men's situation after surgery, beyond medical status, is lacking. Our aim was to explore men's experiences with life after bariatric surgery from a long-term perspective. We conducted in-depth interviews with 13 men, aged 28–60 years, between 5 and 7 years after surgery. The analysis was inspired by Giorgi's phenomenological method. We found that agency was pivotal for how the men understood themselves and their lives after surgery. Weight loss meant regaining opportunities for living and acting in unrestricted and independent daily lives, yet surgery remained a radical treatment with complex consequences. Turning to surgery had involved conceptualizing their own body size as illness, which the men had resisted doing for years. After surgery, the rapid and major weight loss and the feelings of being exhausted, weak, and helpless were intertwined. The profound intensity of the weight loss process took the men by surprise. Embodying weight loss and change involved an inevitable renegotiating of experiences connected to the large body. Having bariatric surgery was a long-term process that seemed unfinished 5 years after surgery. Restrictions and insecurity connected to health and illness persist, despite successful weight loss and embodied change. Bariatric surgery initiated a complex and long-lasting life-changing process, involving both increased capacity for agency and illness-like experiences.
Effects of STN lesions on simple vs choice reaction time tasks in the rat: preserved motor readiness, but impaired response selection

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a key structure within the basal ganglia, inactivation of which is a current strategy for treating parkinsonism. We have previously shown that bilateral lesions of the STN or pharmacological inactivation of this structure in the rat induce multiple deficits in serial reaction time tasks. The aim of the present study was to investigate further a possible role for the STN in response preparatory processes by using simple (SRT) and choice (CRT) reaction time tasks. In contrast to the CRT procedure, the information related to the location of where the response had to be made was given in advance in the SRT procedure. Accurate performance on these tasks requires not only the selection of the correct response (i.e. which response), but also preparation in order to perform when required. A comparison between the two tasks allows assessment of whether STN lesions affect which response (‘which’) or when to perform it (‘when’). As previously observed in these procedures, the responses were faster as a function of the variable foreperiod preceding the trigger stimulus. This well‐known effect, termed ‘motor readiness’, was maintained after STN lesions, suggesting that STN lesions did not affect the ‘when’ phase of action preparation. However, while performance on the SRT was faster than on the CRT task preoperatively, STN lesions slowed RTs and abolished the beneficial effect of advance information, suggesting a deficit in the selection (‘which’) phase of response preparation. This deficit in the selection phase was further supported by deficits in accuracy of responding after STN lesions, as well as increases in mislocated premature responding in the SRT condition. Together, these results suggest that the STN plays an important role in response preparatory processes, including response selection and inhibitory control processes.