Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing a linear time invariant model for skin conductance responses by intraneural recording and stimulation

Abstract Skin conductance responses (SCR) are increasingly analyzed with model‐based approaches that assume a linear and time‐invariant (LTI) mapping from sudomotor nerve (SN) activity to observed SCR. These LTI assumptions have previously been validated indirectly, by quantifying how much variance in SCR elicited by sensory stimulation is explained under an LTI model. This approach, however, collapses sources of variability in the nervous and effector organ systems. Here, we directly focus on the SN/SCR mapping by harnessing two invasive methods. In an intraneural recording experiment, we simultaneously track SN activity and SCR. This allows assessing the SN/SCR relationship but possibly suffers from interfering activity of non‐SN sympathetic fibers. In an intraneural stimulation experiment under regional anesthesia, such influences are removed. In this stimulation experiment, about 95% of SCR variance is explained under LTI assumptions when stimulation frequency is below 0.6 Hz. At higher frequencies, nonlinearities occur. In the intraneural recording experiment, explained SCR variance is lower, possibly indicating interference from non‐SN fibers, but higher than in our previous indirect tests. We conclude that LTI systems may not only be a useful approximation but in fact a rather accurate description of biophysical reality in the SN/SCR system, under conditions of low baseline activity and sporadic external stimuli. Intraneural stimulation under regional anesthesia is the most sensitive method to address this question.
Potential value of circulating microRNA-126 and microRNA-210 as biomarkers for type 2 diabetes with coronary artery disease

Abstract Background: Macrovascular complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality among the diabetic patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a family of small non-coding RNAs, play vital roles in the regulation of blood glucose level and the concurrent cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes. We hypothesized that plasma miR-126 and miR-210 are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) in these diabetes patients. Methods: Fasting blood samples were collected from 20 healthy volunteers and 100 patients with diabetes (54 patients without CAD and 46 patients with CAD). Plasma miR-126 and miR-210 expressions were assessed by quantitative real time PCR. Specificity and sensitivity of miR-126 and miR-210 to discriminate CAD with diabetes was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Correlations between miR-126 and miR-210 and studied characteristics in diabetes patients with and without CAD were compared. Results: Plasma relative expressions of miR-126 and miR-210 were 0.38 ± 0.03 and 5.3 ± 0.56 in diabetes alone vs. 0.08 ± 0.03 and 21.44 ± 0.97 in diabetes with CAD, respectively (both p < 0.0001). Levels of miR-126 and miR-210 significantly correlated with certain glycemic and lipid indices. The miRNAs significantly discriminated between diabetes with and without CAD at cut-off values of 0.055 (sensitivity 91.3%, specificity 100%) for miR-126 and of 17.59 (sensitivity 93.5%, specificity 100%) for miR-210. Conclusion: Plasma miR-126 and miR-210 levels may be biomarkers for diabetes with or without CAD.
The role of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue measurements and their ratio by magnetic resonance imaging in subjects with prediabetes, diabetes and healthy controls from a general population without cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE To study the relationship of area- and volumetric-based visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT) by MRI and their ratio in subjects with impaired glucose metabolism from the general population. METHODS Subjects from a population-based cohort with established prediabetes, diabetes and healthy controls without prior cardiovascular diseases underwent 3 T MRI. VAT and SAT were assessed as total volume and area on a single slice, and their ratio (VAT/SAT) was calculated. Clinical covariates and cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension and glycemic state were assessed in standardized fashion. Univariate and adjusted analyses were conducted. RESULTS Among 384 subjects (age: 56.2 ± 9.2 years, 58.1% male) with complete MRI data available, volumetric and single-slice VAT, SAT and VAT/SAT ratio were strongly correlated (all >r = 0.89). Similarly, VAT/SATvolume ratio was strongly correlated with VATvolume but not with SAT (r = 0.72 and r = -0.21, respectively). Significant higher levels of VAT, SAT and VAT/SAT ratio were found in subjects with impaired glucose metabolism (all p ≤ 0.01). After adjustment for potential cardiovascular confounders, VATvolume and VAT/SATvolume ratio remained significantly higher in subjects with impaired glucose metabolism (VATvolume = 6.9 ± 2.5 l and 3.4 ± 2.3 l; VAT/SATvolume ratio = 0.82 ± 0.34 l and 0.49 ± 0.29 l in patients with diabetes and controls, respectively, all p < 0.02), whereas the association for SATvolume attenuated. Additionally, there was a decreasing effect of glycemic status on VAT/SATvolume ratio with increasing body mass index and waist circumference (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS VATvolume and VAT/SATvolume ratio are associated with impaired glucose metabolism, independent of cardiovascular risk factors or MRI-based quantification technique, with a decreasing effect of VAT/SATvolume ratio in obese subjects. Advances in knowledge: Quantification of VATvolume and VAT/SATvolume ratio by MRI represents a reproducable biomarker associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in subjects with impaired glucose metabolism, while the association of VAT/SATvolume ratio with glycemic state is attenuated in obese subjects.
Effect of salt stress on the biochemical characteristics of selected wheat varieties

Salt stress is one of the vital stresses consequential in decrease the yield and component of various crops including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Current practical was conducted to determine best variety of wheat (T. aestivum L.) for Charsadda under saline condition. The consequence caused by salt stress on the biochemical constituent (moisture, ash, crude fiber, crude fat, carbohydrates and protein) of five different varieties of wheat seeds grown under high artificial NaCl stress. During time period of sowing-harvesting different doses of NaCl were given to the plant. Result of approximate analysis showed reduction in moisture, ash, crude fiber and fat contents with increase in NaCl stress, while protein and carbohydrates contents increased with increase in salinity. On the base of percentage difference between control and 58g (higher concentration) Sahar and Siran varieties were less effected by NaCl stress in 4 out of 6 constituent even at 58g (higher concentration) as compare to the Ta-Habib , galaxy 2013 and Janbaz. Keywords: Salinity; Wheat; Proximate http://dx.doi. org/10.19045/bspab.2017. 60073
N-terminal-pro-B-type-natriuretic peptide associated with 2-year mortality from both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular origins in prevalent chronic hemodialysis patients

Abstract N-terminal-pro-B-type-natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was a predictive marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related death in chronic dialysis patients. NT-proBNP was also correlated with markers of inflammation, malnutrition and protein-energy wasting. We hypothesized whether NT-proBNP was also associated with non-CVD death in chronic dialysis patients. A prospective observational study for incidence of death in chronic dialysis patients was conducted. Prevalent chronic dialysis patients (n = 1310) were enrolled and followed for 24 months. One hundred forty-four deaths were recorded. Area under the curve using ROC analysis for NT-proBNP showed: all causes of death (0.761), CVD-related (0.750), infection and malignancy-related (0.702) and others and unknown (0.745). After adjusting for age, sex, hemodialysis vintage, cardiothoracic ratio, mean pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure, dry weight and basal kidney disease, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) per 1-log NT-proBNP calculated using multivariate Cox analysis were: all causes of death, 3.83 (2.51–5.85); CVD-related, 4.30 (2.12–8.75); infection and malignancy-related, 2.41 (1.17-4.93); and others and unknown origin, 5.63 (2.57–12.37). NT-proBNP was significantly associated not only with CVD-relate but also with non-CVD-related deaths in this population of prevalent chronic dialysis patients.
Practical outpatient pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is commonly encountered in clinical practice. A combination of psychosocial intervention and pharmacotherapy is the cornerstone of AUD treatment. Despite their efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness, clinicians are reluctant to prescribe medications to treat individuals with AUD. Given the high rate of relapse with psychosocial intervention alone, increasing patient access to this underutilized treatment has the potential to improve clinical outcome in this difficult-to-treat population. Herein, we provide practical pharmacotherapy strategies to improve treatment outcome for AUD. We review the efficacy and side effects of both on- and off-label agents with a particular focus on clinical applicability. Recommendations are supported by findings from randomized controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analyses selected to be representative, where possible, of current treatment guidelines. The goal of this paper is to help readers use pharmacotherapy with greater confidence when treating patients with AUD.
Mixed-Initiative Resource Management: The AMC Barrel Allocator

In this paper, we describe the Barrel Allocator, a scheduling tool developed for day-to-day allocation and management of airlift and tanker resources at the USAF Air Mobility Command (AMC). The system utilizes an incremental and configurable constraint-based search framework to provide a range of automated and semi-automated scheduling capabilities, including generating an initial solution to the fleet assignment problem, selective re-optimization of resource allocations to incorporate new higher priority missions while minimizing solution change, merging of previously planned missions to reduce non-productive flying time, and generation and synchronization of tanker missions to satisfy air refueling requirements. In situations where all mission requirements cannot be met, the system can generate and compare alternative constraint relaxation options. The current, version of Barrel Allocator will go into operational use at AMC as a module of Release 2.0 of AMC's Consolidated Air Mobility Planning System (CAMPS) in early 2000.
Cumulative Risk and Physiological Stress Responses in African American Adolescents

Objective: To investigate associations between components of cumulative risk (CR) and physiological stress responses in African American adolescents and evaluate emotion regulation as a mediator and sex as a moderator of these associations. Methods: Cortisol and salivary alpha amylase (sAA) were collected in adolescents (N = 205; 55% female; 12.1 ± 1.6 years at baseline) as part of a longitudinal study of stress and adjustment in families. CR was assessed at baseline and emotion regulation was assessed at baseline and 2 years later at Wave 3 (W3) using caregiver and adolescent reports. Cortisol and sAA responses to the social competence interview were assessed at W3. Results: Repeated-measures analyses of variance predicting cortisol and controlling for time of day, adolescent age, medication usage, and pubertal status revealed significant interactions of time with both psychosocial and sociodemographic risk. In both analyses, youths with higher levels of risk showed a steeper decline in cortisol than youths with lower levels of risk. In parallel analyses predicting sAA, time interacted with psychosocial but not with sociodemographic risk. There were no interactions with sex in any of the analyses. Although CR was associated with changes in emotion regulation, there was no evidence that these changes accounted for the observed CR–stress response associations. Conclusions: These findings illustrate the potential importance of disentangling CR and suggest that additional work is needed to help explicate why and how CR is associated with specific physiological responses to stress.
Vibrio tapetis Displays an Original Type IV Secretion System in Strains Pathogenic for Bivalve Molluscs

The Brown Ring Disease (BRD) caused high mortality rates since 1986 in the Manila clam Venerupis philippinarum introduced and cultured in Western Europe from the 1970s. The causative agent of BRD is a Gram-Negative bacterium, Vibrio tapetis, which is also pathogenic to fish. Here we report the first assembly of the complete genome of V. tapetis CECT4600T, together with the genome sequences of 16 additional strains isolated across a broad host and geographic range. Our extensive genome dataset allowed us to describe the pathogen pan- and core genomes and to identify putative virulence factors. The V. tapetis core genome consists of 3,352 genes, including multiple potential virulence factors represented by haemolysins, transcriptional regulators, Type I restriction modification system, GGDEF domain proteins, several conjugative plasmids, and a Type IV secretion system. Future research on the coevolutionary arms race between V. tapetis virulence factors and host resistance mechanisms will improve our understanding of how pathogenicity develops in this emerging pathogen.
Performance of Reinforced Concrete T-Girders Strengthened in Shear with Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Fabric

Results are presented from an experimental investigation into the performance of 20-ft-long reinforced concrete (RC) T-girders strengthened in shear using epoxy-bonded bidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) fabric. The aim was to evaluate and gain insight into the effectiveness of shear strengthening of large-scale girders with externally bonded CFRP under a low shear span condition. Four series of tests, corresponding to stirrup spacings of 5.5, 8, 16, and 24 in, were considered. Each series of girders included control specimens with no CFRP wrap and specimens retrofitted in shear with 1, 2, and 3 layers of CFRP wrap. Results indicate that for unwrapped specimens, values for nominal shear predicted by ACI underestimated, by 40-80%, the shear resistance of beams developing arch action, such as those considered herein. For wrapped specimens, the maximum shear force as well as the midspan deflection generally increased with the number of CFRP layers. The optimum number of layers to achieve the maximum gain in shear resistance was found to depend on the internal shear steel reinforcement provided. The effective CFRP strain used to calculate the contribution of the CFRP to the shear capacity was correlated to the total shear reinforcement ratio consisting of steel stirrups and CFRP wrap. Retrofitting RC girders in shear with CFRP wrap also increased the ductility. Experimental evidence shows an optimum combination of CFRP layers and steel stirrups exists for a maximum increase in ductility.
The thermal aging of Parylene and the effect of antioxidant

AbstractThe thermal oxidation of Parylene N and Parylene C has been studied in connection with the use of these polymers in conservation. The results of previous investigations have been compared, confirmed and expanded. On the basis of measurements of degradation at temperatures between 125°C and 200°C, the useful lifetime of Parylene as a consolidant at 25°C (in the absence of light) is estimated as 2,200 years for N and 130,000 years for C. Incorporation of the antioxidant 4,4′-methylene-bis-(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol) increases the stability substantially but, in view of the very high stability of the pure film, its use in conservation is regarded as non-essential. The effect of light is not considered in this work.
Pediatricians lack knowledge for the diagnosis and management of functional constipation in children over 6 mo of age

AIM To assess the knowledge of general pediatricians througout Indonesia about the diagnosis and treatment of childhood constipation. METHODS A comprehensive questionnaire was distributed to general pediatricians from several teaching hospitals and government hospitals all over Indonesia. RESULTS Data were obtained from 100 pediatricians, with a mean of 78.34 ± 18.00 mo clinical practice, from 20 cities throughout Indonesia. Suspicion of constipation in a child over 6 mo of age arises when the child presents with a decreased frequency of bowel movements (according to 87% of participants) with a mean of one bowel movement per 3.59 ± 1.0 d, hard stools (83%), blood in the stools (36%), fecal incontinence (33%), and/or difficulty in defecating (47%). Only 26 pediatricians prescribe pharmacologic treatment as first therapeutic approach, while the vast majority prefers nonpharmacologic treatment, mostly (according to 68%) The preferred nonpharmacologic treatment are high-fiber diet (96%), increased fluid intake (90%), toilet training (74%), and abdominal massage (49%). Duration of non-pharmacological treatment was limited to 1 to 2 wk. Seventy percent of the pediatricians recommending toilet training could only mention some elements of the technique, and only 15% was able to explain it fully and correctly. Lactulose is the most frequent pharmacologic intervention used (87% of the participants), and rectal treatment with sodium citrate, sodium lauryl sulfo acetate, and sorbitol is the most frequent rectal treatment (85%). Only 51% will prescribe rectal treatment for fecal impaction. The majority of the pediatricians (69%) expect a positive response during the first week with a mean (± SD) of 4.1 (± 2.56) d. Most participants (86%) treat during one month or even less. And the majority (67%) stops treatment when the frequency and/or consistency of the stools have become normal, or if the patient had no longer complaints. CONCLUSION These data provide an insight on the diagnosis and management of constipation in childhood in Indonesia. Although general pediatricians are aware of some important aspects of the diagnosis and mangement of constipation, overall knowledge is limited. Efforts should be made to improve the distribution of existing guidelines. These findings highlight and confirm the difficulties in spreading existing information from guidelines to general pediatricians.
Nordic Walking Training Causes a Decrease in Blood Cholesterol in Elderly Women Supplemented with Vitamin D

Objective Different studies have demonstrated that regular exercise can induce changes in the lipid profile, but results remain inconclusive. Available data suggest that correction of vitamin D deficiency can improve the lipid profile. In this study, we have hypothesized that Nordic Walking training will improve lipid profile in elderly women supplemented with vitamin D. Methods A total of 109 elderly women (68 ± 5.12 years old) took part in the study. First group [experimental group (EG): 35 women] underwent 12 weeks of Nordic Walking (NW) training combined with vitamin D supplementation (4,000 IU/day), second group [supplementation group (SG): 48 women] was only supplemented with vitamin D (4,000 IU/day), and third group [control group (CG): 31 women] was not subject to any interventions. Blood analysis of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and 25-OH-D3 was performed at baseline and after the 12 weeks of NW training. Additionally, a battery of field tests specifically developed for older adults was used to assess the components of functional fitness. The same blood analysis was repeated for the EG 6 months after the main experiment. Results After 12 weeks of NW training and vitamin D supplementation, in the EG a decrease in TC, LDL-C, and TG was observed. In the SG, no changes in the lipid profile were observed, whereas in the CG an increase in the HDL-C level was noticed. Positive physical fitness changes were only observed in the EG. Conclusion Our obtained data confirmed baseline assumption that regular exercise induces positive alternations in lipid profile in elderly women supported by supplementation of vitamin D.
Prevalence and patterns of antidepressant switching amongst primary care patients in the UK

Objective: Non-response to antidepressant treatment is a substantial problem in primary care, and many patients with depression require additional second-line treatments. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and patterns of antidepressant switching in the UK, and identify associated demographic and clinical factors. Method: Cohort analysis of antidepressant prescribing data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, a large, anonymised UK primary care database. The sample included 262,844 patients who initiated antidepressant therapy between 1 January 2005 and 31 June 2011. Results: 9.3% of patients switched to a different antidepressant product, with most switches (60%) occurring within 8 weeks of the index date. The proportion switching was similar for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants and other antidepressants (9.3%, 9.8% and 9.2%, respectively). Most switches were to an SSRI (64.5%), and this was the preferred option regardless of initial antidepressant class. Factors predictive of switching included male gender, age, and history of self-harm and psychiatric illness. Conclusion: Over one in every 11 patients who initiates antidepressant therapy will switch medication, suggesting that initial antidepressant treatment has been unsatisfactory. Evidence to guide choice of second-line treatment for individual patients is currently limited. Additional research comparing different pharmacological and psychological second-line treatment strategies is required in order to inform guidelines and improve patient outcomes.
A Class of Randomized Primal-Dual Algorithms for Distributed Optimization

Based on a preconditioned version of the randomized block-coordinate forward-backward algorithm recently proposed in [Combettes,Pesquet,2014], several variants of block-coordinate primal-dual algorithms are designed in order to solve a wide array of monotone inclusion problems. These methods rely on a sweep of blocks of variables which are activated at each iteration according to a random rule, and they allow stochastic errors in the evaluation of the involved operators. Then, this framework is employed to derive block-coordinate primal-dual proximal algorithms for solving composite convex variational problems. The resulting algorithm implementations may be useful for reducing computational complexity and memory requirements. Furthermore, we show that the proposed approach can be used to develop novel asynchronous distributed primal-dual algorithms in a multi-agent context.
Neural correlates of the self‐concept in adolescence—A focus on the significance of friends

The formation of a coherent and unified self‐concept represents a key developmental stage during adolescence. Imaging studies on self‐referential processing in adolescents are rare, and it is not clear whether neural structures involved in self‐reflection are also involved in reflections of familiar others. In the current study, 41 adolescents were asked to make judgments about trait adjectives during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI): they had to indicate whether the word describes themselves, their friends, their teachers or politicians. Findings indicate a greater overlap in neural networks for responses to self‐ and friend‐related judgments compared to teachers and politicians. In particular, classic self‐reference structures such as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and medial posterior parietal cortex also exhibited higher activation to judgments about friends. In contrast, brain responses towards judgments of teachers (familiar others) compared to politicians (unfamiliar others) did not significantly differ. Results support behavioral findings of a greater relevance of friends for the development of a self‐concept during adolescence and indicate underlying functional brain processes. Hum Brain Mapp 38:987–996, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.