Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long time behavior of Markov processes and beyond

This note provides several recent progresses in the study of long time behavior of Markov processes. The examples presented below are related to other scientific fields as PDE's, physics or biology. The involved mathematical tools as propagation of chaos, coupling, functional inequalities, provide a good picture of the classical methods that furnish quantitative rates of convergence to equilibrium.
Investigation of chemically substituted cobalt ferrite for high magnetostriction based sensor and actuator applications

There has been a recent in terest in high m agnetostriction m aterials for m agnetostriction based stre ss/to rq u e sensor and actuator applications. Several m aterials have been investigated w ith this aim, including Tefenol (Tbo.3Dyo.7Fe2), SmFe2, and Galfanol (FesoGa2o). However, these m aterials have several drawbacks for stress sesnor and actuator applications. Among these are low sensitivity to magnetic field or stress, low chemical stability, high costs and lack of mechanical strength.
An effective method of drainage of puerperal breast abscess by percutaneous placement of suction drain

We present a new minimally invasive method of percutaneous placement of suction catheter in patients of puerperal breast abscess (PBA). 30 patients between 18 and 34 years of age were treated by this novel technique from January 1999 to January 2005 after an informed consent. Among them there were primi­ para 15, 2 para 10 and 3 para 5 lactating mothers. Clinical diagnosis of PBA was based on history and presence of tender fluctuant abscess in the breast. The treatment was carried out on presentation in the outpatient department. Under local, 0.5% lignocaine with adrenaline, infiltration anesthesia 16F suction catheter was placed percutaneously in the abscess cavity for 3-8 days. Results: The abscess healed in 5­ 8 days time. There was no complication of residual or recurrent breast abscess, fistula or sinus formation, induration or distortion of the breast parenchyma. There was no scar formation. Breast-feeding was not interrupted in any patient.
Propensity Scores

Propensity score analysis is a relatively recent statistical innovation that is useful in the analysis of data from quasi-experiments. The goal of propensity score analysis is to balance two non-equivalent groups on observed covariates to get more accurate estimates of the effects of a treatment on which the two groups differ. This article presents a general introduction to propensity score analysis, provides an example using data from a quasi-experiment compared to a benchmark randomized experiment, offers practical advice about how to do such analyses, and discusses some limitations of the approach. It also presents the first detailed instructions to appear in the literature on how to use classification tree analysis and bagging for classification trees in the construction of propensity scores. The latter two examples serve as an introduction for researchers interested in computing propensity scores using more complex classification algorithms known as ensemble methods.
Comprehensive pharmacokinetic model of insulin Glargine and other insulin formulations

In this paper, a comprehensive pharmacokinetic model for different insulin formulations including insulin Glargine is developed based on the model proposed by Trajanoski et al. (1993). Current models show limitations for insulin Glargine due to the appearance of an uncharacteristic peak in the concentration-time evolution of plasma insulin that does not coincide with real experimental data. This important limitation has been solved in this paper by introducing a new virtual insulin state called the bound state, in addition to the dimeric and hexameric ones. Trying to describe the retarded action of insulin Glargine, the modeling idea behind this approach is that immediately after the subcutaneous injection all the insulin resides in the bound state, and only then small amounts of insulin in the hexameric form disengage from the bound state. For the model evaluation different simulation results are compared. Using experimental data published by Lepore et al. (2000), the developed model turned out to be capable of at least qualitatively predicting the concentration-time profile of plasma insulin. Both exogenous insulin flow simulations and spatial diffusion simulations show the plausibility and correct implementation of the derived model. Considering all these simulation results, the here presented new pharmacokinetic model demonstrates to be able to reproduce real patient behavior simulating even complete insulin regimes including long-acting, intermediate and short-acting insulin formulations.
IQ: The Case for Iterative Querying for Knowledge

Large knowledge bases, the Linked Data cloud, and Web 2.0 communities open up new opportunities for deep question answering to support the advanced information needs of knowledge workers like students, journalists, or business analysts. This calls for going beyond keyword search, towards more expressive ways of entity-relationship-oriented querying with graph constraints or even full-edged languages like SPARQL (over graph-structured, schema-less data). However, a neglected aspect of this active research direction is the need to support also query renements, relaxations, and interactive exploration, as single-shot queries are often insucient for the users’ tasks. This paper addresses this issue by discussing the paradigm of Iterative Querying, IQ for short. We present two instantiations for IQ, one based on keyword search over labeled graphs combined with structural constraints, and another one based on extensions of the SPARQL language. We discuss the suitability of these approaches for knowledge-centric search tasks, and we identify open research problems that deserve greater attention.
Modeling Pinus strobus mortality following prescribed fire in Quetico Provincial Park, northwestern Ontario

In forest ecosystems where ecologically beneficial fire impacts are promoted through the use of prescribed fire, predictive models of fire effects, such as tree mortality, are essential for assessing the ecological consequences of fire management options. Impact of tree size, fire intensity, and fuel characteristics on postfire eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) mortality was evaluated 10 months following a prescribed fire in Quetico Provincial Park, northwestern Ontario. A logistic regression model was developed to predict white pine mortality following an intense surface fire (1200 kW/m). Overall fire-caused mortality was relatively low (17.0%). Probability of mortality increased with increasing height of stem blackening, a surrogate measure of fire intensity, and decreased with increasing tree diameter at 1.3 m (DBH). White pine with 20 cm DBH were found to be highly resistant to intense surface fire. The model can be used to predict postfire mortality in white pine stands with a mixedwood understor.
Effects of Blood Collection Methods on Gelatin Zymography of Matrix Metalloproteinases

1. Tanumihardjo SA, Cheng JC, Permaesih D, Mu-herdiyantiningsih, Rustan E, Muhilal, et al. Re-finement of the modified-relative-dose-re-sponse test as a method for assessing vitaminA status in a field setting: experience withIndonesian children. Am J Clin Nutr 1996;64:966–71.2. de Pee S, Yuniar Y, West CE, Muhilal. Evalua-tion of biochemical indicators of vitamin Astatus in breast-feeding and non-breast-feedingIndonesian women. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;66:190–1.
Developing serious games to promote cognitive abilities for the elderly

This paper presents the design of a computerized serious game suite called the “Smart Thinker”, which is used to enhance core cognitive skills. The focus is specifically on memory and attention skills. Smart Thinker empowers older adults to exercise their brains and achieve their maximum cognitive performance. To achieve this objective, a thorough study was completed on 59 older adults who were randomly separated as participants of a controlled group or an intervention group. The 20 participants within the controlled group did not play Smart Thinker and were not surveyed. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was administered to both groups at the beginning and ending of the six week period. The measuring tool was administered under the guidance of licensed clinical social workers of the Alzheimer's Project and was used to determine whether Smart Thinker had an effect on the participants' cognitive functioning. This game research revealed a significant improvement in the cognitive skills of the intervention group who used Smart Thinker Game compared to the controlled group who did not play Smart Thinker.
Effectiveness using higher inhaled corticosteroid dosage in patients with COPD by different blood eosinophilic counts

Background Blood eosinophil counts have been documented as a good biomarker for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy. However, the effectiveness and safety of prescribing high or medium dose of ICS for patients with different eosinophil counts are unknown. Methods A post hoc analysis of a previous prospective randomized study was performed for COPD patients using higher dose (HD: Fluticasone 1,000 μg/day) or medium dose (MD: Fluticasone 500 μg/day) of ICS combined with Salmeterol (100 μg/day). Patients were classified into two groups: those with high eosinophil counts (HE ≥3%) and those with low eosinophil counts (LE <3%). Lung function was evaluated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity, and COPD assessment test. Frequencies of acute exacerbation and pneumonia were also measured. Results Two hundred and forty-eight patients were studied and classified into higher eosinophil (HE) (n=85, 34.3%) and lower eosinophil (LE) groups (n=163, 65.7%). The levels of forced expiratory volume in 1 second were significantly increased in patients of HE group treated with HD therapy, compared with the other groups (HE/HD: 125.9±27.2 mL vs HE/MD: 94.3±23.7 mL, vs LE/HD: 70.4±20.5 mL, vs LE/MD: 49.8±16.7 mL; P<0.05) at the end of the study. Quality of life (COPD assessment test) markedly improved in HE/HD group than in MD/LE group (HE/HD: 9±5 vs LE/MD: 16±7, P=0.02). The frequency of acute exacerbation was more decreased in HE/HD group patients, compared with that in LE/MD group (HE/HD: 13.5% vs LE/MD: 28.7%, P<0.01). Pneumonia incidence was similar in the treatment groups (HE/HD: 3.2%, HE/MD: 2.6%, LE/HD: 3.5%, LE/MD 2.8%; P=0.38). Conclusion The study results support using blood eosinophil counts as a biomarker of ICS response and show the benefits of greater improvement of lung function, quality of life, and decreased exacerbation frequency in COPD patients with blood eosinophil counts higher than 3%, especially treated with higher dose of ICS.
Effects of Simulated Viewpoint Jitter on Visually Induced Postural Sway

In this study we examined the effects of simulated horizontal and vertical viewpoint jitter on the vection and postural sway induced by radial patterns of optic flow. During each trial, observers were exposed sequentially to 20 s periods of radially expanding flow, radially contracting flow, and static visual scenes. For half the trials, simulated viewpoint jitter was added to the radially expanding/contracting optic flow patterns. In experiment 1, we found that, while this jitter increased the backward postural sway induced by radial expansion, it actually decreased forward postural sway induced by radial contraction. However, in experiment 2 we found that jitter increased both the forward and backward vection induced by radially expanding and contracting flow patterns. We conclude that the processes involved in postural control are more sensitive to the sensory conflicts generated by viewpoint jitter than those involved in the perception of self-motion, and that the observed asymmetries in forward and backward sway are ecological in origin.
Evaluation of a multi‐target direct thrombin inhibitor dosing and titration guideline for patients with suspected heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia

To the Editor: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an antibody-mediated adverse drug reaction that can occur in patients receiving heparinoid therapy [1,2]. Management of HIT consists of discontinuation of the heparinoid and anticoagulation using a direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI), such as argatroban and bivalirudin. Institutions have implemented dosing guidelines for initial DTI dosing and titration. Standardization of DTI dosing and titration using a nursing driven guideline titrating to an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) goal of 50–80 has been shown to reduce time and number of titrations to therapeutic aPTT [3]. An analysis of two dosing guidelines for argatroban achieved an aPTT goal of 50–70 [4]. To our knowledge, currently no published bivalirudin dosing guideline exists that allows for a more stringent aPTT goal. Brigham and Women’s Hospital instituted a dosing and titration guideline for argatroban and bivalirudin that allowed the prescriber to select between three therapeutic aPTT goals: 50–80, 50–70, or 60–80 (Table 1). The protocol provided guidance for agent selection and dosing strategy based on age, organ function, and clinical condition. We hypothesized that a standardized dosing and titration guideline for DTIs improve achievement of therapeutic goals in patients with proven or suspected HIT. We conducted a single center, prospective, observational evaluation of patients treated with a DTI according to a dosing and titration guideline compared to a historic control
Quasi Stationary Distributions and Fleming-Viot Processes in Countable Spaces

We consider an irreducible pure jump Markov process with rates $Q=(q(x,y))$ on $\Lambda\cup\{0\}$ with $\Lambda$ countable and $0$ an absorbing state. A {\em quasi stationary distribution \rm} (QSD) is a probability measure $\nu$ on $\Lambda$ that satisfies: starting with $\nu$, the conditional distribution at time $t$, given that at time $t$ the process has not been absorbed, is still $\nu$. That is, $\nu(x) = \nu P_t(x)/(\sum_{y\in\Lambda}\nu P_t(y))$, with $P_t$ the transition probabilities for the process with rates $Q$. A Fleming-Viot (FV) process is a system of $N$ particles moving in $\Lambda$. Each particle moves independently with rates $Q$ until it hits the absorbing state $0$; but then instantaneously chooses one of the $N-1$ particles remaining in $\Lambda$ and jumps to its position. Between absorptions each particle moves with rates $Q$ independently. Under the condition $\alpha:=\sum_{x\in\Lambda}\inf Q(\cdot,x) > \sup Q(\cdot,0):=C$ we prove existence of QSD for $Q$; uniqueness has been proven by Jacka and Roberts. When $\alpha>0$ the FV process is ergodic for each $N$. Under $\alpha>C$ the mean normalized densities of the FV unique stationary measure converge to the QSD of $Q$, as $N \to \infty$; in this limit the variances vanish.
3D bioprinting of methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) hydrogel with intrinsic osteogenicity

In bone regenerative medicine there is a need for suitable bone substitutes. Hydrogels have excellent biocompatible and biodegradable characteristics, but their visco-elastic properties limit their applicability, especially with respect to 3D bioprinting. In this study, we modified the naturally occurring extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan hyaluronic acid (HA), in order to yield photo-crosslinkable hydrogels with increased mechanical stiffness and long-term stability, and with minimal decrease in cytocompatibility. Application of these tailor-made methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) gels for bone tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting was the subject of investigation. Visco-elastic properties of MeHA gels, measured by rheology and dynamic mechanical analysis, showed that irradiation of the hydrogels with UV light led to increased storage moduli and elastic moduli, indicating increasing gel rigidity. Subsequently, human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were incorporated into MeHA hydrogels, and cell viability remained 64.4% after 21 days of culture. Osteogenic differentiation of MSCs occurred spontaneously in hydrogels with high concentrations of MeHA polymer, in absence of additional osteogenic stimuli. Addition of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) to the culture medium further increased osteogenic differentiation, as evidenced by increased matrix mineralisation. MeHA hydrogels demonstrated to be suitable for 3D bioprinting, and were printed into porous and anatomically shaped scaffolds. Taken together, photosensitive MeHA-based hydrogels fulfilled our criteria for cellular bioprinted bone constructs within a narrow window of concentration.
Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers Are Associated With Improved Outcome but Do Not Prevent New‐Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background Treatment with renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors might restrain the structural/electrical remodeling associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). Limited evidence exists regarding the potential benefits of RAS inhibition post‐acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with AF. This study sought to assess the association between RAS inhibition and all‐cause mortality and new‐onset AF in patients with/without congestive heart failure (CHF) post‐AMI. Methods and Results Patients hospitalized for AMI between 2006 and 2012 were identified in Swedish registries. Patients were stratified in 4 subgroups; patients with CHF and AF (n=11 489); patients with CHF without AF (n=31 676); patients with AF without CHF (n=10 066); and patients without both CHF and AF (n=59 417). Patients exposed to RAS inhibition were compared to nontreated. Three‐year risk of all‐cause mortality and new‐onset AF was assessed using adjusted Cox regression analyses. At discharge, 83 291 (73.9%) patients received RAS inhibition. RAS inhibition was associated with lower 3‐year risk of all‐cause mortality in CHF patients with AF, adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI 0.75 (0.70–0.81), CHF patients without AF, HR 0.65 (0.60–0.69), AF patients without CHF, HR 0.82 (0.75–0.90), and in patients without CHF and AF, HR 0.76 (0.72–0.81), respectively. RAS inhibition was not associated with lower 3‐year risk of new‐onset AF in patients without AF but with/without CHF; HR 0.96 (0.84–1.10) and 1.12 (1.02–1.22), respectively. Conclusions RAS inhibition post‐AMI was associated with lower risk of all‐cause mortality. In patients with/without CHF, RAS inhibition was not associated with lower incidence of new‐onset AF.
The effect of low dose ketamine and priming of cisatracurium on the intubating condition and onset time of cisatracurium

Background Both ketamine and priming may accelerate the onset time of neuromuscular blocking agents. We investigate the effect of low dose ketamine and cisatracurium priming on the intubating condition and onset time of cisatracurium. Methods After Institutional Review Board approval, 120 consecutive patients undergoing general anesthesia were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups. All patients were injected one of normal saline (group C), cisatracurium 0.01 mg/kg (group P), ketamine 0.5 mg/kg (group K) and combination of cisatracurium 0.01 mg/kg, and ketamine 0.5 mg/kg (group PK) diluted into a 5 ml solution, followed 3 minutes later by cisatracurium 0.15 mg/kg in group C and K, and 0.14 mg/kg cisatracurium in priming group. Onset time was recorded the electromyographical responses using single twitch and intubating conditions were evaluated at 60 seconds after cisatracurium administration. Results The mean onset time was most significantly accelerated in Group PK and was also significantly more accelerated in Group P and K compared with Group C (P < 0.008). It was 112.7 ± 13.2, 91.4 ± 17.9, 84.9 ± 12.7 and 76.4 ± 8.3 seconds in Group C, P, K, and PK, respectively. Intubating conditions were significantly improved in Group P, K and PK than Group C (P < 0.008). Especially, Group PK showed most significant improvement of intubating conditions. Conclusions The combination of the low dose ketamine and cisatracurium priming accelerated the onset time and was improved the intubating conditions.
Concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in dogs with naturally developing and experimentally induced arthropathy.

OBJECTIVE To assay concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in canine sera and synovial fluid (SF), to compare COMP concentrations in clinically normal dogs and dogs with joint disease, and to analyze changes in COMP concentrations in dogs with experimentally induced acute synovitis. ANIMALS 69 control dogs without joint disease, 23 dogs with naturally occurring aseptic arthropathy, and 6 dogs with experimentally induced synovitis. PROCEDURE Serum (n = 69) and SF (36) were obtained from control dogs. Samples of serum (n = 23) and SF (13) were obtained from dogs with naturally occurring aseptic arthropathy with or without radiographic features of osteoarthritis (OA). Serum and SF were obtained before and 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after induction of synovitis. The COMP concentrations were determined by use of an inhibition ELISA that had canine cartilage COMP and monoclonal antibody against human COMP. RESULTS Concentrations of COMP in serum and SF of control dogs were 31.3+/-15.3 and 298.7+/-124.7 microg/ml, respectively. In naturally occurring OA, COMP concentrations in serum (44.9+/-177 microg/ml) and SF (401.7+/-74.3 microg/ml) were significantly higher than corresponding concentrations in control dogs. The COMP concentration in SF peaked 24 and 48 hours after induction of synovitis, whereas concentration in serum peaked on day 3. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE These results supported the hypothesis that COMP concentration in serum and SF of dogs may be altered after cartilage degradation or synovitis. Measurement of COMP concentrations can be useful when differentiating arthropathies in dogs.
Individual differences in the activation and control of affective race bias as assessed by startle eyeblink response and self-report.

The activation and control of affective race bias were measured using startle eyeblink responses (Study 1) and self-reports (Study 2) as White American participants viewed White and Black faces. Individual differences in levels of bias were predicted using E. A. Plant and P. G. Devine's (1998) Internal and External Motivation to Respond Without Prejudice scales (IMS/EMS). Among high-IMS participants, those low in EMS exhibited less affective race bias in their blink responses than other participants. In contrast, both groups of high-IMS participants exhibited less affective race bias in self-reported responses compared with low-IMS participants. Results demonstrate individual differences in implicit affective race bias and suggest that controlled, belief-based processes are more effectively implemented in deliberative responses (e.g., self-reports).