Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-invasive ventilation for acute exacerbation of COPD with very high PaCO2: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To assess the role of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) for management of Indian patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Materials and Methods: Forty patients (mean age 57.6 ± 10.8 years; M:F 31:9) with AECOPD with pH <7.35, admitted to the intensive care unit were included. Patients were randomized to receive NIPPV (N, n = 20) with conventional therapy or conventional therapy (C, n = 20) alone at admission. NIPPV was given through the nasal mask. Incidence of need of endotracheal intubation (ETI) was the primary efficacy variable. Hospital mortality, duration of hospital stay and change in clinical and blood gas parameters were the secondary outcome variables. Results: Mean pH at baseline for N and C groups were similar (7.23 ± 0.07) whereas PaCO2 was 85.4 ± 14.8 and 81.1 ± 11.6 mm of Hg, respectively. At one hour, patients in N group had greater improvement in pH (P = 0.017) as well as PaCO2 (P = 0.04) which corroborated with clinical improvement. Whereas need of ETI was reduced in patients who received NIPPV (3/20 vs 12/20, P = 0.003), in-hospital mortality was similar (3/20 and 2/20, P = NS). The mean duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in N group (9.4 ± 4.3 days) as compared to C group (17.8 ± 2.6 days); P = 0.001. Conclusions: In patients with AECOPD, NIPPV leads to rapid improvement in blood gas parameters and reduces the need for ETI
Running Max/Min Filters Using 1+o(1) Comparisons per Sample

A running max (or min) filter asks for the maximum or (minimum) elements within a fixed-length sliding window. The previous best deterministic algorithm (developed by Gil and Kimmel, and refined by Coltuc) can compute the 1D max filter using 1.5+o(1) comparisons per sample in the worst case. The best-known algorithm for independent and identically distributed input uses 1.25+o(1) expected comparisons per sample (by Gil and Kimmel). In this work, we show that the number of comparisons can be reduced to 1+o(1) comparisons per sample in the worst case. As a consequence of the new max/min filters, the opening (or closing) filter can also be computed using 1+o(1) comparisons per sample in the worst case, where the previous best work requires 1.5+o(1) comparisons per sample (by Gil and Kimmel); and computing the max and min filters simultaneously can be done in 2+o(1) comparisons per sample in the worst case, where the previous best work (by Lemire) requires three comparisons per sample. Our improvements over the previous work are asymptotic, that is, the number of comparisons is reduced only when the window size is large.
Making sense of e-commerce as social action

Purpose – To provide a social‐theoretic framework which explains how e‐commerce affects social conditions, such as availability of information and equality of access to information, influences actors' behavior, shapes e‐commerce business models, and in turn impacts industry structure.Design/methodology/approach – Empirical investigation based on one‐hour interviews with owners/managers of nine vehicle dealerships and six vehicle buyers in a large US metropolitan region. The hermeneutic method of understanding was used, involving a circular process from research design and attentiveness to data, to data collection and interpretation. This circular process exemplified the dialectic relationship between the theoretical framework (derived from Habermas's Theory of Communicative Action) and empirical data, through which interpretation and theoretical explanations grounded in the data emerged.Findings – Demonstrates that e‐commerce gives rise to increasing competition among the dealers, decreasing prices and mi.
Migrant Mobilization for Homeland Politics: A Social Movement Approach

From the campaign of Chilean exiles all over the world to overthrow the regime of Augusto Pinochet in the 1970s to the contemporary mobilization of the Kurdish diaspora in Western Europe, various cases demonstrate the persistence of homeland ties among migrants, especially those who experienced repression and displacement by the government in their countries of origin. Diverse frameworks and concepts in both the humanities and the social sciences have been deployed to explain the involvement of migrants in politics in their home countries, from “long-distance nationalism” to “transnational activism. ” Each points to different dynamic processes and causal mechanisms. In recent years, scholars have advocated the use of a social movement framework in the analysis of migrant mobilization, despite the marginalization of such studies in theory development. In this article, I examine the concepts put forward by the political process model (PPM) as they apply to the analysis of migrants' involvement in politics in their native land. I propose ways for PPM to be useful in the explanation of the dynamics and processes of homeland-oriented migrant mobilization.
Low-grade Glioma Surgery in Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Results of a Multicenter Retrospective Assessment of the German Study Group for Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND The ideal treatment strategy for low-grade gliomas (LGGs) is a controversial topic. Additionally, only smaller single-center series dealing with the concept of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) have been published. OBJECTIVE To investigate determinants for patient outcome and progression-free-survival (PFS) after iMRI-guided surgery for LGGs in a multicenter retrospective study initiated by the German Study Group for Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging. METHODS A retrospective consecutive assessment of patients treated for LGGs (World Health Organization grade II) with iMRI-guided resection at 6 neurosurgical centers was performed. Eloquent location, extent of resection, first-line adjuvant treatment, neurophysiological monitoring, awake brain surgery, intraoperative ultrasound, and field-strength of iMRI were analyzed, as well as progression-free survival (PFS), new permanent neurological deficits, and complications. Multivariate binary logistic and Cox regression models were calculated to evaluate determinants of PFS, gross total resection (GTR), and adjuvant treatment. RESULTS A total of 288 patients met the inclusion criteria. On multivariate analysis, GTR significantly increased PFS (hazard ratio, 0.44; P < .01), whereas "failed" GTR did not differ significantly from intended subtotal-resection. Combined radiochemotherapy as adjuvant therapy was a negative prognostic factor (hazard ratio: 2.84, P < .01). Field strength of iMRI was not associated with PFS. In the binary logistic regression model, use of high-field iMRI (odds ratio: 0.51, P < .01) was positively and eloquent location (odds ratio: 1.99, P < .01) was negatively associated with GTR. GTR was not associated with increased rates of new permanent neurological deficits. CONCLUSION GTR was an independent positive prognostic factor for PFS in LGG surgery. Patients with accidentally left tumor remnants showed a similar prognosis compared with patients harboring only partially resectable tumors. Use of high-field iMRI was significantly associated with GTR. However, the field strength of iMRI did not affect PFS. ABBREVIATIONS EoR, extent of resectionFLAIR, fluid-attenuated inversion recoveryGTR, gross total resectionIDH1, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1iMRI, intraoperative magnetic resonance imagingLGG, low-grade gliomaMGMT, methylguanine-deoxyribonucleic acid methyltransferasenPND, new permanent neurological deficitOS, overall survivalPFS, progression-free survivalSTR, subtotal resectionWHO, World Health Organization.
Linking Adolescents' Problem Behaviors and Parents' Divorce Proneness

The present study examined the relationship between adolescents' problem behaviors and parents' divorce proneness with a sample of 416 families. Over three years, participants completed measures of internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, parental divorce proneness, and parental efficacy. Three hypotheses were examined. The first hypothesis examined the association between adolescents' problem behaviors and parents' divorce proneness. Controlling for initial levels of divorce proneness, the second hypothesis addressed whether adolescents' problem behaviors predicted changes in parents' divorce proneness over two and three years. The third hypothesis examined parental efficacy as a mediator of this relationship. Results of regression analyses indicated that adolescents' problem behaviors were related significantly to wives' reports of divorce proneness over two and three years. Controlling for initial levels of divorce proneness, adolescents' internalizing problem behaviors were related significantly to increases in wives' divorce proneness over two but not over three years. Adolescents' externalizing problem behaviors were related significantly to increases in wives' reports of divorce proneness over three years. Although parental efficacy did not mediate this relationship, indirect effects were found. Adolescents' problem behaviors were not related to husbands' divorce proneness.
Theoretical analysis of TCP throughput in adhoc wireless networks

Researchers have used extensive simulation and experimental studies to understand TCP performance in adhoc wireless networks. In contrast, the objective of this paper is to theoretically analyze TCP performance in this environment. By examining the case of running one TCP session over a string topology, a system model for analyzing TCP performance in adhoc wireless networks is proposed, which considers packet buffering, nodes' contention for access to the wireless channel, and spatial reuse of the wireless channel. Markov chain modelling is applied to analyze this system model. Analytical results show that when the number of hops that the TCP session crosses is fixed, the TCP throughput is independent of the TCP congestion window size. When the number of hops increases from one, the TCP throughput decreases first, and then stabilizes when the number of hops becomes large. The analysis is validated by comparing the numerical and simulation results
Ionic modulation of atrial fibrillation dynamics in a human 3D atrial model

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and is mainly sustained by reentrant circuits and rapid ectopic activity. In the present study, we performed computer simulations using a 3D human atrial model including fibre orientation, electrophysiological heterogeneities and tissue anisotropy. Membrane kinetics were described as in the human atrial action potential model by Maleckar et al., including AF-induced ionic remodeling. The impact of ionic changes on reentrant activity was investigated by characterizing arrhythmia stability, rotor dynamics and dominant frequency (DF). Our simulations show that reentrant circuits tend to organize around the pulmonary veins and the right atrial appendage. Simulated IK1 and INa blocks lead to slower DF in the whole atria, expanded wave meandering and reduction of secondary wavelets. INaK block slightly reduces DF and does not notably change the propagation pattern. Regularity and coupling indices of electrograms are usually higher in the right atrium than in the left atrium, entailing a higher likelihood of arrhythmia generation in the latter, as occurs in AF patients.
Incorporating Powtoon as a Learning Activity into a Course on Technological Innovations as Didactic Resources for Pedagogy Programs

This paper describes the use of PowToon in a curricular activity in the Technological Innovations as Didactic Resources course in two pedagogy programs at the Catholic University of Maule (UCM) in Chile. This activity has been designed from the ‘learning by doing’ paradigm, supported by the existing resources available in The Cloud. The perceptions of the students about the use of the program were collected using an open and closed question survey. The data analysis was carried out using a mixed methodology (qualitative/quantitative). In general terms, the results showed a positive opinion about the motivation as well as the contribution of using PowToon to learn new contents and develop ICT-related abilities. Opinions are divided about the level of complexity for users.
Urinary incontinence in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics: urodynamic findings and therapeutic perspectives

Objective The present study was a urodynamic evaluation of schizophrenic patients with urinary incontinence occurring during treatment with atypical antipsychotics Methods A total of 12 schizophrenic patients (mean age = 30.7 years, SD = 6.5) presenting urinary incontinence during treatment with atypical antipsychotics at stable doses underwent urodynamic evaluations. Clinical assessment included the administration of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Results Four patients out of 12 presented urodynamic patterns consistent with an overactive bladder, while five patients presented reduced bladder compliance; only three patients showed normal urodynamic patterns Conclusion Detrusor overactivity is a condition associated with urinary incontinence in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. Urodynamic evaluations can improve our knowledge of the mechanisms that subtend atypical antipsychotic-induced incontinence, an invalidating side-effect with strong repercussion on compliance and rehabilitation in schizophrenic patients
Image Restoration: A Data-Driven Perspective

We are living in the era of big data. The discovery, interpretation and usage of the information, knowledge and resources hidden in all sorts of data to benefit human beings and to improve everyone's day to day life is a challenge to all of us. The huge amount of data we collect nowadays is so complicated, and yet what we expect from it is so much. It is hard to imagine that one can characterize these complicated data sets and solve real life problems by solving merely a few mathematical equations. However, generic mathematical models can be used to obtain a coarse level approximation (or low accuracy solution) to the answers we are seeking. The first question is how to use generic prior knowledge of the underlying solutions of the problem in hand and to set up a proper model for a good low level approximation? The second question is whether we are able to use the knowledge and information from the approximate solution derived from the given data to further improve the model itself so that more accurate solutions can be obtained? That is: how to engage an interactive data-driven approach to solve complex problems? As images are one of the most useful and commonly used types of data, in this article, we review the development of the wavelet frame (or more general redundant system) based approach for image restoration from a data-driven perspective. We will observe that a good system for approximating any function, including images, should be capable of e! ectively capturing both global patterns and local features of the function. A wavelet frame is one of the examples of such system. We will show how algorithms of wavelet frame based image restoration are developed via the generic knowledge of images. Then, we will show how specific information of ag iven image can be used to further improve the models and algorithms. Through this process, we shall reveal some insights and understandings of the wavelet frame based approach for image restoration. We hope that this also leads to new ideas on how to analyze more complex data set sg enerated from other real life problems.
NRAMP1 and VDR Gene Polymorphisms in Susceptibility to Tuberculosis in Venezuelan Population

Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (Nramp1) and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) are central components of the innate and adaptive immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and associations between susceptibility to tuberculosis and polymorphisms in the genes NRAMP and VDR have been sought in geographically diverse populations. We investigated associations of NRAMP1 and VDR gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to TB in the Venezuelan population. The results suggest the absence of any association between VDR variants FokI, ApaI, and TaqI and susceptibility to tuberculosis. In contrast, the NRAMP1 3′UTR variants were associated with susceptibility to M. tuberculosis infection, as seen in the comparisons between TST+ and TST− controls, and also with progression to TB disease, as shown in the comparisons between TB patients and TST+ controls. This study confirms the previously described association of the NRAMP1 3′UTR polymorphism with M. tuberculosis infection and disease progression.
Cigarette smoke extract induced rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation via PKCα‐mediated cyclin D1 expression

Cigarette smoke could induce pulmonary smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation. Although our previous study had implied the involvement of protein kinase Cα (PKCα), the molecular mechanism underlying PKCα pathway in this process is still unknown. In this study, rat PASMCs were stimulated by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) or PMA (a special activator to PKCα). Two percent CSE and PMA significantly enhanced cyclin D1 expression and cells proliferation. But cyclin D1‐specific siRNA successfully inhibited DNA synthesis in CSE‐treated or PMA‐treated cells. On the other hand, PKCα‐specific siRNA significantly suppressed cyclin D1 expression in CSE‐treated cells. Moreover, PKCα‐specific siRNA resulted in a cell‐cycle arrest in G0/G1 and decreased cells number significantly. We conclude that CSE induced rat PASMCs proliferation at least partly via PKCα‐mediated cyclin D1 expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 2082–2088, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of lipid-based nutrient supplement provision to pregnant women on newborn size in rural Malawi: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Small birth size, often associated with insufficient maternal nutrition, contributes to a large share of global child undernutrition, morbidity, and mortality. We developed a small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (SQ-LNS) to enrich the diets of pregnant women. OBJECTIVE The objective was to test a hypothesis that home fortification of pregnant women's diets with SQ-LNS would increase birth size in an African community. DESIGN We enrolled 1391 women with uncomplicated pregnancies (<20 gestational weeks) in a randomized controlled trial in Malawi. The women were provided with one daily iron-folic acid (IFA) capsule, one capsule containing multiple micronutrients (MMNs), or one 20-g sachet of SQ-LNS (LNS, containing 118 kcal, protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, and 21 micronutrients). Primary outcomes were birth weight and newborn length. Secondary outcomes included newborn weight, head and arm circumference, and pregnancy duration. Analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS The mean ± SD birth weight and newborn length were 2948 ± 432, 2964 ± 460, and 3000 ± 447 g (P = 0.258) and 49.5 ± 2.4, 49.7 ± 2.2, and 49.9 ± 2.1 cm (P = 0.104) in the IFA, MMN, and LNS groups, respectively. For newborn weight-for-age, head circumference, and arm circumference, the point estimate for the mean was also highest in the LNS group, intermediate in the MMN group, and lowest in the IFA group, but except for midupper arm circumference (P = 0.024), the differences were not statistically significant. The prevalence of low birth weight (<2500 g) was 12.7%, 13.5%, and 12.1% (P = 0.856), respectively; newborn stunting (length-for-age z score < -2) was 19.2%, 14.0%, and 14.9% (P = 0.130), respectively; and newborn small head circumference (head circumference-for-age z score < -2) was 5.8%, 3.0%, and 3.1% (P = 0.099), respectively. The associations between the intervention and the outcomes were not modified by maternal parity, age, or nutritional status (P > 0.100). CONCLUSION The study findings do not support a hypothesis that provision of SQ-LNS to all pregnant women would increase the mean birth size in rural Malawi. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01239693.
Preventive Therapy of Migraine

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews the preventive therapy of migraine, including indications, strategies for use, and available treatments. RECENT FINDINGS Lifestyle modifications and migraine trigger avoidance are recommended as preventive measures for all individuals with migraine. The decision to recommend additional migraine preventive therapy should consider the frequency of migraine attacks and headaches, extent of migraine-associated disability, frequency of using acute migraine treatments and the responsiveness to such treatments, and patient preferences. Additional therapies include prescription medications, nutraceuticals, neurostimulation, and behavioral therapy. Considering evidence for efficacy and the risk of potential side effects and adverse events, treatments with the most favorable profiles include (in alphabetical order): amitriptyline, beta-blockers (several), biofeedback, candesartan, coenzyme Q10, cognitive-behavioral therapy, magnesium citrate, onabotulinumtoxinA (for chronic migraine only), relaxation therapy, riboflavin, and topiramate. In addition, erenumab, a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor monoclonal antibody, received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of migraine in May 2018. SUMMARY Successful migraine preventive therapy reduces the frequency and burden of attacks while causing limited side effects. Individual treatment recommendations are determined based upon evidence for efficacy, side effect and adverse event profiles, medication interactions, patient comorbidity, costs, and patient preferences. Patients must be counseled on reasonable expectations for their preventive therapy and the importance of adhering to the recommended treatment plan for a period of time that is sufficient to determine outcomes.
Athletes’ Perceptions of Coaching Behavior, Relation-Inferred Self-Efficacy (RISE), and Self-Efficacy in Youth Sport

Research implies that athletes’ perceptions of how coaches view their abilities (relation-inferred self-efficacy [RISE]) stems from verbal and nonverbal interactions. We investigated relationships between youth athletes’ perceptions of RISE-relevant coaching behavior, RISE, and self-efficacy. A RISE-relevant behavior measure was developed in Phase 1. In Phase 2, youth athletes (N = 277) completed questionnaires designed to measure the target variables. All of the variables were positively correlated, and RISE was found to mediate the relationship between coaching behavior and self-efficacy.