Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A randomised trial of hypertonic saline during hospitalisation for exacerbation of cystic fibrosis

Background The mucoactive effects of hypertonic saline should promote exacerbation resolution in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Objectives To determine the effects of hypertonic saline inhalation during hospitalisation for exacerbation of CF on length of stay, lung function, symptoms, oxygenation, exercise tolerance, quality of life, bacterial load and time to next hospitalisation. Methods 132 adults with an exacerbation of CF were randomised to inhale three nebulised doses a day of either 4 mL 7% saline or a taste-masked control of 0.12% saline, throughout the hospital admission. The primary outcome measure was length of hospital stay. Results All participants tolerated their allocated saline solution. There was no significant difference in length of stay, which was 12 days in the hypertonic saline group and 13 days in controls, with a mean between-group difference (MD) of 1 day (95% CI 0 to 2). The likelihood of regaining pre-exacerbation FEV1 by discharge was significantly higher in the hypertonic saline group (75% vs 57%), and the number needed to treat was 6 (95% CI 3 to 65). On a 0–100 scale, the hypertonic saline group had significantly greater reduction in symptom severity than the control group at discharge in sleep (MD=13, 95% CI 4 to 23), congestion (MD=10, 95% CI 3 to 18) and dyspnoea (MD=8, 95% CI 1 to 16). No significant difference in time to next hospitalisation for a pulmonary exacerbation was detected between groups (HR=0.86 (CI 0.57 to 1.30), p=0.13). Other outcomes did not significantly differ. Conclusions Addition of hypertonic saline to the management of a CF exacerbation did not reduce the length of hospital stay. Hypertonic saline speeds the resolution of exacerbation symptoms and allows patients to leave hospital with greater symptom resolution. Trial registration number ACTRN12605000780651.
Higher Trophic Levels Overwhelm Climate Change Impacts on Terrestrial Ecosystem Functioning

Forest floor food webs play pivotal roles in carbon cycling, but they are rarely considered in models of carbon fluxes, including soil carbon dioxide emissions (respiration), under climatic warming. The indirect effects of invertebrates on heterotrophic (microbial and invertebrate) respiration through interactions with microbial communities are significant and will be altered by warming. However, the interactive effects of invertebrates and warming on heterotrophic respiration in the field are poorly understood. In this study we combined field and common garden laboratory approaches to examine relationships between warming, forest floor food web structure, and heterotrophic respiration. We found that soil animals can overwhelm the effects of warming (to 5 degrees Celsius above ambient) on heterotrophic respiration. In particular, the presence of higher trophic levels and burrowing detritivores strongly determined heterotrophic respiration rates in temperate forest soils. These effects were, however, context-dependent, with greater effects in a lower-latitude site. Without isolating and including the significant impact of invertebrates, climate models will be incomplete, hindering well-informed policy decisions.
Consensus Analysis for Cooperative-Competitive Multiagent Systems Under False Data Injection Attacks via Dynamic Event-Triggered Observers

Distributed secure control is investigated for cooperative-competitive multiagent systems suffered from false data injection attacks (FDIAs) via event-triggered observers. Attack signals are injected into controller-to-actuator channels. A static event-triggered control is first presented, then an auxiliary-variable-based dynamic event-triggered control is further put forward. The dynamic event-triggered control ensures fewer triggering instants and the dynamic variable plays a significant part in the exclusion of Zeno-behavior. Then based on estimated states and attacks calculated by observers, distributed controllers are proposed to resist attacks. Bipartite consensus is ensured in multiagent systems and corresponding sufficient conditions are obtained. Meanwhile, the Zeno-behaviors are proven to be nonexistent. Finally, theoretical analyses are explained by simulations.
Applied Methods 5 . 1 Tests of normality based on multivariate kurtosis

5 Applied Methods 5.1 Tests of normality based on multivariate kurtosis Kurtosis evaluated using a population p.d. f. β 2,d = E{(x − µ) T Σ −1 (x − µ)} 2 , (1) where µ, Σ denote the expected value (mean) and covariance matrix of the r.v. x appropriately. The symbol d denotes the dimensionality of the vector (= to the number of its components). One may see from eq. [1] that this is the expected value of the Mahalanobis distance evaluated for a random vector x with a general p.d. f. β 2,d = d(d + 2). In this context the population excess kurtosis is defined as γ 2,d = β 2,d − d(d + 2). (2) Sample kurtosis Suppose now, we have a sample x i = (x i1 , x i2 , · · · , x id) T The sample counterpart of β 2,d determined by eq. [1] is the sample kurtosis b 2,d defined as b 2,d = 1 N N i=1 {(x i − ¯ x) T S −1 (x i − ¯ x)} 2 , (3) where ¯ x = (¯ T denotes the sample mean, and S the sample covariance matrix. The sample counterpart of γ 2,d defined by eq. [2], is the sample excess kurtosis G 2,d , is defined as G 2,d = b 2,d − d(d + 2). (4) Tests of multivariate kurtosis Mardia [6, 7] has derived two asymptotic statistics for testing, whether the sample kurtosis differs significantly from that characterizing multivariate normal distributions. The test statistics are given as statistics u and u defined by formulae [5] and [6] below: u * = b 2,d − d(d + 2) [8d(d + 2)/N ] 1/2. Under multivariate normality, both statistics are distributed N (0, 1).
Suppressing Unwanted Memories Reduces Their Unintended Influences

The ability to control unwanted memories is critical for maintaining cognitive function and mental health. Prior research has shown that suppressing the retrieval of unwanted memories impairs their retention, as measured using intentional (direct) memory tests. Here, we review emerging evidence revealing that retrieval suppression can also reduce the unintended influence of suppressed traces. In particular, retrieval suppression (a) gradually diminishes the tendency for memories to intrude into awareness and (b) reduces memories’ unintended expressions on indirect memory tests. We present a neural account in which, during suppression, retrieval cues elicit hippocampally triggered neocortical activity that briefly reinstates features of the original event, which, in turn, are suppressed by targeted neocortical and hippocampal inhibition. This reactivation-dependent reinstatement principle could provide a broad mechanism by which suppressing retrieval of intrusive memories limits their indirect influences.
Cooperative and heterogeneous indoor localization experiments

In this paper we present the results of real-life localization experiments performed in an unprecedented cooperative and heterogeneous wireless context. These measurements are based on ZigBee and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) devices, respectively endowed with received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and round trip delay (RTD) estimation capabilities. More particularly we emulate a multi-standard terminal, moving in a typical indoor environment, while communicating with fixed OFDM-based femto-base stations (Femto-BSs) and with other mobiles or fixed anchor nodes (through peer-to-peer links) forming a wireless sensor network (WSN). We introduce the measurement functionalities and metrics, the scenario and set-up, providing realistic connectivity and obstruction conditions. Out of the experimental data, preliminary positioning results based on cooperative and geometric algorithms are finally discussed, showing benefits through mobile-to-mobile cooperation, selective hybrid data fusion and detection of unreliable nodes.
Serum levels of prostate-specific antigen among Japanese-American and native Japanese men.

BACKGROUND Fourfold to sixfold higher prostate cancer rates in Japanese-American men in the United States compared with Japanese men in Japan have been cited to support a role for environmental risk factors in the etiology of the disease. To examine the hypothesis that part or all of the elevated prostate cancer rates in Japanese-American men may reflect more intensive prostate cancer screening in the United States than in Japan, we compared prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in community-based samples of serum from men without prostate cancer. METHODS Japanese-American men aged 40-85 years and native Japanese men aged 40-89 years with no history of prostate cancer provided sera, respectively, in the United States from March 1990 through March 1992 (n = 237) or in Japan from January 1992 through December 1993 (n = 3522). Age-specific PSA levels were used to estimate the prevalences of undetected prostate cancer in the two populations. RESULTS Age-specific mean PSA levels were significantly lower in Japanese-Americans than in native Japanese (two-sided P<.001). The prevalence of an elevated PSA level increased with age in both populations and exceeded 5% among men aged 60 years or more. Combined with data on prevalence of detected prostate cancer in the two populations, our data suggest that some 10.0% of Japanese-Americans aged 75 years have prostate cancer, with 31% of that fraction remaining undiagnosed. The corresponding estimates in Japan are a total cancer prevalence of 5.4%, of which 81% has not been detected clinically. CONCLUSIONS The total cancer prevalence ratio 10.0/5.4 = 1.9 (95% confidence interval = 1.5-2.3) in Japanese-American men compared with Japanese men in Japan suggests an increased risk for Japanese-American men, but of less magnitude than the fourfold to sixfold increase indicated by the incidence data.
Anaemia, prenatal iron use, and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives To summarise evidence on the associations of maternal anaemia and prenatal iron use with maternal haematological and adverse pregnancy outcomes; and to evaluate potential exposure-response relations of dose of iron, duration of use, and haemoglobin concentration in prenatal period with pregnancy outcomes. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis Data sources Searches of PubMed and Embase for studies published up to May 2012 and references of review articles. Study selection criteria Randomised trials of prenatal iron use and prospective cohort studies of prenatal anaemia; cross sectional and case-control studies were excluded. Results 48 randomised trials (17 793 women) and 44 cohort studies (1 851 682 women) were included. Iron use increased maternal mean haemoglobin concentration by 4.59 (95% confidence interval 3.72 to 5.46) g/L compared with controls and significantly reduced the risk of anaemia (relative risk 0.50, 0.42 to 0.59), iron deficiency (0.59, 0.46 to 0.79), iron deficiency anaemia (0.40, 0.26 to 0.60), and low birth weight (0.81, 0.71 to 0.93). The effect of iron on preterm birth was not significant (relative risk 0.84, 0.68 to 1.03). Analysis of cohort studies showed a significantly higher risk of low birth weight (adjusted odds ratio 1.29, 1.09 to 1.53) and preterm birth (1.21, 1.13 to 1.30) with anaemia in the first or second trimester. Exposure-response analysis indicated that for every 10 mg increase in iron dose/day, up to 66 mg/day, the relative risk of maternal anaemia was 0.88 (0.84 to 0.92) (P for linear trend<0.001). Birth weight increased by 15.1 (6.0 to 24.2) g (P for linear trend=0.005) and risk of low birth weight decreased by 3% (relative risk 0.97, 0.95 to 0.98) for every 10 mg increase in dose/day (P for linear trend<0.001). Duration of use was not significantly associated with the outcomes after adjustment for dose. Furthermore, for each 1 g/L increase in mean haemoglobin, birth weight increased by 14.0 (6.8 to 21.8) g (P for linear trend=0.002); however, mean haemoglobin was not associated with the risk of low birth weight and preterm birth. No evidence of a significant effect on duration of gestation, small for gestational age births, and birth length was noted. Conclusions Daily prenatal use of iron substantially improved birth weight in a linear dose-response fashion, probably leading to a reduction in risk of low birth weight. An improvement in prenatal mean haemoglobin concentration linearly increased birth weight.
Multiple Glycolytic Enzymes Are Tightly Bound to the Fibrous Sheath of Mouse Spermatozoa1

Abstract The fibrous sheath is a cytoskeletal structure located in the principal piece of mammalian sperm flagella. Previous studies showed that glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, spermatogenic (GAPDHS), a germ cell-specific glycolytic isozyme that is required for sperm motility, is tightly bound to the fibrous sheath. To determine if other glycolytic enzymes are also bound to this cytoskeletal structure, we isolated highly purified fibrous sheath preparations from mouse epididymal sperm using a sequential extraction procedure. The isolated fibrous sheaths retain typical ultrastructural features and exhibit little contamination by axonemal or outer dense fiber proteins in Western blot analyses. Proteomic analysis using peptide-mass fingerprinting and MS/MS peptide fragment ion matching identified GAPDHS and two additional glycolytic enzyme subunits, the A isoform of aldolase 1 (ALDOA) and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), in isolated fibrous sheaths. The presence of glycolytic enzymes in the fibrous sheath was also examined by Western blotting. In addition to GAPDHS, ALDOA, and LDHA, this method determined that pyruvate kinase is also tightly bound to the fibrous sheath. These data support a role for the fibrous sheath as a scaffold for anchoring multiple glycolytic enzymes along the length of the flagellum to provide a localized source of ATP that is essential for sperm motility.
Temperature Prediction for Ultra-Low Temperature Measurement System Based on Improved Extreme Learning Machine Algorithm

Temperature monitoring is essential to ensure the operational safety of fusion devices in the ultra-low temperature liquid helium region. However, the unavoidable errors caused by environmental effects severely hinder the accuracy of its temperature measurement. Considering that traditional methods are not accurate enough to predict the temperature at low temperatures, for the first time, this work proposes an algorithm based on the SSA-PSO-ELM network for constructing a prediction model of the cryogenic measurement system. By this method, the initial number of hidden layer nodes is first randomly generated, then the network is trained with weight thresholds, and finally a quadratic optimization search is performed to determine the best network prediction model. Compared with the traditional algorithm, our algorithm effectively reduces the prediction error, improve the accuracy, and realize more accurate temperature monitoring in ultra-low temperature environment.
Multi-agent reinforcement learning for shared resource scheduling conflict resolution

Transportation operations especially in railroad domain are time critical. Scheduling conflicts driven by disruptions and delays in any one zone significantly affect the overall network operations. In this work applicability of multi agent reinforcement learning approach to resolve scheduling conflicts and improve the railroad network operations was explored. Based on a custom 2D grid environment here we attempt to learn ideal coordinated agent actions based on simulated schedule conflict by introducing stochastic delays in train arrival. We were able to achieve converges for multi-agent simulation based setup with 30% malfunction rate. The focus of work is to presents the problem setup in mobility domain and simulation design for the multi-agent reinforcement learning. With respect to real world application this approach is promising as it reduces the requirement of a highly customized solution by experts and if a high-performance simulation-based reinforcement learning solution is reached this would provide an opportunity to build generalized interoperable control techniques for transit systems across the world.
Investigation of the Symbolic Self Using the Concentric Circles Method and Animal Metaphor

An exploratory investigation having persons conceptualize themselves as a series of concentric circles (each circle representing a layer of personality) was used to investigate the self concept. Measurements of the diameters of the outer and inner self could be done with high reliability. Further, the use of the animal as a metaphor to symbolize further the various layers of the self was explored and appears satisfactory for further research. Some speculations as to the direction of future research with this method and the animal metaphor technique were discussed.
Advances in Tumor Screening, Imaging, and Avatar Technologies for High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

The majority of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma cases are detected in advanced stages when treatment options are limited. Surgery is less effective at eradicating the disease when it is widespread, resulting in high rates of disease relapse and chemoresistance. Current screening techniques are ineffective for early tumor detection and consequently, BRCA mutations carriers, with an increased risk for developing high-grade serous ovarian cancer, elect to undergo risk-reducing surgery. While prophylactic surgery is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of cancer development, it also results in surgical menopause and significant adverse side effects. The development of efficient early-stage screening protocols and imaging technologies is critical to improving the outcome and quality of life for current patients and women at increased risk. In addition, more accurate animal models are necessary in order to provide relevant in vivo testing systems and advance our understanding of the disease origin and progression. Moreover, both genetically engineered and tumor xenograft animal models enable the preclinical testing of novel imaging techniques and molecularly targeted therapies as they become available. Recent advances in xenograft technologies have made possible the creation of avatar mice, personalized tumorgrafts, which can be used as therapy testing surrogates for individual patients prior to or during treatment. High-grade serous ovarian cancer may be an ideal candidate for use with avatar models based on key characteristics of the tumorgraft platform. This review explores multiple strategies, including novel imaging and screening technologies in both patients and animal models, aimed at detecting cancer in the early-stages and improving the disease prognosis.
Progression in acute stroke: value of the initial NIH stroke scale score on patient stratification in future trials.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The objective was to determine the occurrence of neurological changes during the first 48 hours after acute stroke as it relates to initial stroke severity. METHODS The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was performed serially for the first 48 hours on 127 consecutive ischemic stroke patients (129 strokes) admitted to the neuroscience intensive care unit. Incidence of stroke progression (a >/=3-point increase on the NIHSS) was recorded and analysis performed to determine its association with initial stroke severity and other demographic and physiological variables. Deficit resolution by 48 hours, defined as an NIHSS score of 0 or 1, measured the frequency of functional recovery predicted by the initial deficit. RESULTS Overall progression was noted in 31% of events (40/129). Applying Bayes' solution to the observed frequency of worsening, the greatest likelihood of predicting future patient progression occurs with stratification at NIHSS scores of </=7 and >7. Patients with an initial NIHSS of </=7 experienced a 14.8% (13/88) worsening rate versus a those with a score of >7 with a 65.9% (27/41) worsening rate (P<0.000005). Forty-five percent (40/88) of those with an initial score of </=7 were functionally normal at 48 hours, whereas only 2.4% (1/41) of those with scores of >7 returned to a normal examination within this period (chi2, P<0.000005). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the early clinical course of the neurological deficit after acute stroke is dependent on the initial stroke severity and that a dichotomy in early outcome exists surrounding an initial NIHSS score of 7. These findings may have significant implications for the design and patient stratification in treatment protocols with respect to primary clinical outcome.
Health literacy in the pharmacy setting: defining pharmacotherapy literacy

Objective All currently available definitions of health literacy may be considered quite general. Given the complex nature of the patient-pharmacy encounter and the varying tasks required to properly and successfully consume or administer medication or to adhere to a pharmaceutical care regimen, these available definitions may describe inadequately a patient’s health literacy for the purpose of pharmacotherapy and pharmacist intervention. Therefore, the objective of this research was to conceptualize the Pharmacotherapy Literacy construct. Methods Licensed pharmacists (n=2,368) were mailed a questionnaire providing them with the Healthy People 2010 definition of health literacy and asked, “Given this definition, how would you define Pharmacotherapy Literacy? ” A total of 420 usable surveys were returned of which 176 (42%) included responses to the open-ended question concerning pharmacotherapy literacy. Responses were reviewed independently and collectively by the authors. Common themes were identified, compared and discussed until consensus was reached. An initial definition was formulated and distributed to six doctoral-trained academicians and practicing pharmacists who were asked to offer their opinions of the definition as well as suggestions for its improvement. The definition was modified and subjected to further review from 15 additional doctoral-trained academicians and practicing pharmacists who provided feedback concerning its improvement. Results Based on the recommendations received from the academicians and pharmacists, the following, final definition was formulated by the authors: Pharmacotherapy Literacy - An individual’s capacity to obtain, evaluate, calculate, and comprehend basic information about pharmacotherapy and pharmacy related services necessary to make appropriate medication-related decisions, regardless of the mode of content delivery (e.g. written, oral, visual images and symbols). Conclusions As the ever-changing pharmacy environment continues to advance and become more complex in nature, a definition of health literacy specific to the pharmacy setting - thereby providing a name and a focus - may improve medication consumption, medication safety, and the patient-pharmacist relationship.
Properties of Random Graphs via Boltzmann Samplers

This work is devoted to the understanding of properties of random graphs from graph classes with structural constraints. We propose a method that is based on the analysis of the behaviour of Boltzmann sampler algorithms, and may be used to obtain precise estimates for the maximum degree and maximum size of a biconnected block of a "typical'' member of the class in question. We illustrate how our method works on several graph classes, namely dissections and triangulations of convex polygons, embedded trees, and block and cactus graphs.