Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RC models of a constant phase element

The paper describes models of a constant‐phase element consisting of passive R and C components. The models offer any input impedance argument (phase) between −90° and 0° over a selectable frequency band covering several decades. The design procedure makes it possible to choose values of average phase, phase ripple, frequency bandwidth, and total number of R and C elements. The model can cover three frequency decades with as few as five resistors and five capacitors. The models can be used for practical realization of fractional analog differentiators and integrators, fractional oscillators, chaotic networks or for analog simulation of fractional control systems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rehabilitation of reinforced concrete beams with sprayed glass fiber reinforced polymers

Worldwide, a great deal of research is currently being conducted concerning the use of fibre reinforced plastic wraps or laminates in the repair and strengthening of reinforced concrete members. It has been shown that such techniques can be both effective and economical when compared to the existing practice of retrofitting with steel plates. One of the most significant advantages of such systems is the labour cost savings achieved through their ease of application. A novel technique which further simplifies the application procedure is to apply the fibre using a spraying process. By spraying the fibres onto the member surface concurrently with a suitable matrix resin, a two dimensional random distribution of discontinuous fibres is obtained. This work reports the first usage of a sprayed glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) retrofit system on reinforced concrete beams. Using E-glass fibres embedded in a polyester matrix, it was shown that significant increases in load carrying capacity, member stiffness and fracture energy can be achieved with such a system. A comparison of results obtained from small scale specimens with those available from current literature was performed. The sprayed glass FRP procedure produced results similar to those obtained with FRP fabric wraps or plate bonding techniques for flexural strengthening. When used for shear strengthening, the sprayed FRP outperformed all of the other techniques. An analysis technique was developed to predict the ultimate load carrying ability of FRP retrofitted beams as well as their loaddeflection behaviour up to failure.
VEGF may contribute to macrophage recruitment and M2 polarization in the decidua

It is increasingly evident that cytokines and growth factors produced in the decidua play a pivotal role in the regulation of the local immune microenvironment and the establishment of pregnancy. One of the major growth factors produced in the decidua is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which acts not only on endothelial cells, but also on multiple other cell types, including macrophages. We sought to determine whether decidua-derived VEGF affects macrophage recruitment and polarization using human endometrial/decidual tissue samples, primary human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), and the human monocyte cell line THP1. In situ hybridization was used for assessment of local VEGF expression and immunohistochemistry was used for identification and localization of CD68-positive endometrial macrophages. Macrophage migration in culture was assessed using a transwell migration assay, and the various M1/M2 phenotypic markers and VEGF expression were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). We found dramatic increases in both VEGF levels and macrophage numbers in the decidua during early pregnancy compared to the secretory phase endometrium (non-pregnant), with a significant increase in M2 macrophage markers, suggesting that M2 is the predominant macrophage phenotype in the decidua. However, decidual samples from preeclamptic pregnancies showed a significant shift in macrophage phenotype markers, with upregulation of M1 and downregulation of M2 markers. In THP1 cultures, VEGF treatment significantly enhanced macrophage migration and induced M1 macrophages to shift to an M2 phenotype. Moreover, treatment with conditioned media from decidualized ESCs induced changes in macrophage migration and polarization similar to that of VEGF treatment. These effects were abrogated by the addition of a potent VEGF inhibitor. Together these results suggest that decidual VEGF plays a significant role in macrophage recruitment and M2 polarization, and that inhibition of VEGF signaling may contribute to the shift in macrophage polarity observed in different pregnancy disorders, including preeclampsia.
Chronic Vortioxetine Treatment Reduces Exaggerated Expression of Conditioned Fear Memory and Restores Active Coping Behavior in Chronically Stressed Rats

Abstract Background: Stress is a risk factor for depression and anxiety disorders, disrupting neuronal processes leading to exaggerated fear and compromised coping behaviors. Current antidepressants are only partially effective. Vortioxetine, a novel multimodal antidepressant, is a serotonin transporter inhibitor; 5-HT3, 5-HT7, and 5-HT1D receptor antagonist; 5-HT1B partial agonist; and 5-HT1A agonist. We have shown that chronic dietary vortioxetine administration reversed stress-induced deficits in cognitive flexibility. In the present studies, we investigated the generality of vortioxetine’s effects on other stress-related behavioral changes after different types of chronic stress. Methods: In experiment 1, rats were fear-conditioned by pairing a tone with footshock, then exposed to chronic plus acute prolonged stress. In experiment 2, rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable stress. In both experiments, beginning on day 4 of chronic stress, vortioxetine was given in the diet (24 mg/kg/d). In experiment 1, effects of vortioxetine were tested on stress-induced changes in retention and extinction of cue-conditioned fear, and in experiment 2, on coping behavior on the shock probe defensive burying test after chronic stress. Results: Chronic stress exaggerated the expression of conditioned fear memory. Vortioxetine restored fear memory to control levels and rendered extinction in stressed rats comparable with that in controls. In experiment 2, chronic unpredictable stress caused a shift from active to passive coping behavior, and vortioxetine restored active coping. Conclusions: Vortioxetine reduced exaggerated expression of conditioned fear and restored adaptive coping behavior following 2 different types of chronic stress, adding to the evidence of its therapeutic potential in the management of depression and anxiety disorders.
Trajectories of End of Life: A Systematic Review

Objectives Because End of life (EOL) is becoming an increasingly long life stage, this paper aims to describe the delineation of EOL by reviewing studies which examine (a) terminal decline (TD), the timing of change in slope of decline in specific abilities; and (b) trajectories of decline in areas such as function, health care expenditures, and well-being according to cause of death. Methods Studies were identified through Google Scholar, PsycNET, and PubMed. Results TD was identified in diverse domains. Most findings focused on decline of cognitive abilities, and they reported this to occur 3-7 years prior to death. TD in wellbeing was found to begin 3-5 years prior to death. Trajectories by cause of death generally examined sudden death, terminal illness, organ failure, and frailty, and findings described differences in costs, function, and wellbeing, though examining a shorter predeath period than the TD literature. Discussion Further research is needed to combine methods of investigation in order to assist the health care system in personalizing services to the trajectories of decline, and in enabling caregivers to prepare for the EOL experience.
A Comparative Pre-Phase I Study of the Impact of Gel Vehicle Volume on Distal Colon Distribution, User Experience, and Acceptability.

For persons at risk of HIV infection who practice receptive anal intercourse (RAI), topical rectal microbicides represent a promising option for coitally dependent protection. The study compared colorectal distribution and user sensory experiences of two different volumes of rectal gel for suitability as rectal microbicide. Eight HIV-negative men with a history of recent RAI were enrolled into a two-period, sequence-randomized dosing study comparing 3.5 and 10 ml of radiolabeled (1 mCi 99mTc-DTPA) universal placebo, hydroxyethyl cellulose gel. Each participant received two doses in the research unit, one of each volume, separated by a washout period of at least 2 weeks. Each research unit dose was followed by a self-administered take-home dose in the context of preparing for RAI. Safety and gastrointestinal distribution were assessed after the research unit doses, safety, perceptibility, and acceptability, were assessed after take-home doses. There were no adverse effects of Grade 2 or higher and all resolved spontaneously. Both volumes were well tolerated and received high acceptability scores. Perceptibility scores showed meaningful effect size differences ranging from Cohen's d = 0.5 to d = 1.2. The 3.5 and 10 ml gel volumes distributed similarly (p > .2) within the rectosigmoid, ranging from 0.69 to 18.84 cm and 1.21 to 19.01 cm from the anorectal junction, respectively. Both volumes covered the typical gastrointestinal distribution of ejaculate following simulated intercourse based on other studies. Either of these gel volumes could reasonably be pursued for the next phase of development of rectal microbicides.
The missing mechanical circuit element

In 2008, two articles in Autosport revealed details of a new mechanical suspension component with the name "J-damper" which had entered Formula One Racing and which was delivering significant performance gains in handling and grip. From its first mention in the 2007 Formula One "spy scandal" there was much speculation about what the J-damper actually was. The Autosport articles revealed that the J-damper was in fact an "inerter" and that its origin lay in academic work on mechanical and electrical circuits at Cambridge University. This article aims to provide an overview of the background and origin of the inerter, its application, and its intimate connection with the classical theory of network synthesis.
Unaffected Perceptual Thresholds for Biological and Non-Biological Form-from-Motion Perception in Autism Spectrum Conditions

Background Perception of biological motion is linked to the action perception system in the human brain, abnormalities within which have been suggested to underlie impairments in social domains observed in autism spectrum conditions (ASC). However, the literature on biological motion perception in ASC is heterogeneous and it is unclear whether deficits are specific to biological motion, or might generalize to form-from-motion perception. Methodology and Principal Findings We compared psychophysical thresholds for both biological and non-biological form-from-motion perception in adults with ASC and controls. Participants viewed point-light displays depicting a walking person (Biological Motion), a translating rectangle (Structured Object) or a translating unfamiliar shape (Unstructured Object). The figures were embedded in noise dots that moved similarly and the task was to determine direction of movement. The number of noise dots varied on each trial and perceptual thresholds were estimated adaptively. We found no evidence for an impairment in biological or non-biological object motion perception in individuals with ASC. Perceptual thresholds in the three conditions were almost identical between the ASC and control groups. Discussion and Conclusions Impairments in biological motion and non-biological form-from-motion perception are not across the board in ASC, and are only found for some stimuli and tasks. We discuss our results in relation to other findings in the literature, the heterogeneity of which likely relates to the different tasks performed. It appears that individuals with ASC are unaffected in perceptual processing of form-from-motion, but may exhibit impairments in higher order judgments such as emotion processing. It is important to identify more specifically which processes of motion perception are impacted in ASC before a link can be made between perceptual deficits and the higher-level features of the disorder.
Cervicofacial lymphadenitis in children caused by Mycobacterium haemophilum.

BACKGROUND Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lymphadenitis in children is most often caused by Mycobacterium avium. In a prospective, multicenter trial of the optimal treatment, 23.7% of the NTM cervicofacial lymphadenitis cases in children were caused by Mycobacterium haemophilum. In this article, we describe the epidemiological and clinical features of M. haemophilum cervicofacial lymphadenitis. METHODS The diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium or M. haemophilum infection was established by culture or polymerase chain reaction. Demographic characteristics and data regarding clinical presentation and possible environmental exposure were compared for patients infected with M. avium and those infected with M. haemophilum. RESULTS Ninety-four (69.9%) of 135 infections were caused by M. avium, 32 (23.7%) by M. haemophilum, and 9 (6.4%) by other NTM species. The median age of the M. haemophilum-infected children was 72 months, compared with 41 months for the M. avium-infected children (P < .001), with an equal distribution for both sexes. Involvement of multiple lymph nodes was frequently observed among the M. haemophilum-infected patients (56% of patients). Extranodal localizations were only observed in M. haemophilum-infected patients. Children with M. haemophilum infection were more likely to have a non-Dutch background (P = .001), and in most cases, they had a history of contact with swimming water (P = .03), whereas M. avium-infected patients were more likely to have a history of playing in sandpits (P = .01). In a multivariate analysis, only older age and a non-Dutch background were predisposing risk factors for M. haemophilum infection, compared with M. avium infection. CONCLUSION Higher age, non-Dutch background, and involvement of multiple cervicofacial lymph nodes with extranodal localizations distinguished M. haemophilum infection from M. avium infection.
Negative Symptom Interventions in Youth at Risk of Psychosis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

Objective Youth at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis often demonstrate significant negative symptoms, which have been reported to be predictive of conversion to psychosis and a reduced quality of life but treatment options for negative symptoms remain inadequate. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of all intervention studies examining negative symptom outcomes in youth at CHR for psychosis. Method The authors searched PsycINFO, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and EBM from inception to December 2016. Studies were selected if they included any intervention that reported follow-up negative symptoms in youth at CHR for psychosis. Treatment comparisons were evaluated using both pairwise and network meta-analyses. Due to the differences in negative symptom scales the effect sizes were reported as the standardized mean difference (SMD). Results Of 3027 citations, 32 studies met our inclusion criteria, including a total of 2463 CHR participants. The null hypothesis was not rejected for any of the 11 treatments. N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor (NMDAR) modulators trended toward a significant reduction in negative symptoms compared to placebo (SMD = -0.54; 95% CI = -1.09 to 0.02; I2 = 0%, P = .06). In respective order of descending effectiveness as per the treatment hierarchy, NMDAR modulators were more effective than family therapy, need-based interventions, risperidone, amisulpride, cognitive behavioral therapy, omega-3, olanzapine, supportive therapy, and integrated psychological interventions. Conclusions Efficacy and effectiveness were not confirmed for any negative symptom treatment. Many studies had small samples and the majority were not designed to target negative symptoms.
Anesthesia-Related Outcomes for Endovascular Stroke Revascularization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Purpose— There is currently controversy on the ideal anesthesia strategy during mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients undergoing general anesthesia (GA group) and those receiving either local anesthesia or conscious sedation (non-GA group). Methods— A literature search on anesthesia and endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke was performed. Using random-effects meta-analysis, we evaluated the following outcomes: recanalization rate, good functional outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Score⩽2), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, death, vascular complications, respiratory complications, procedure time, and time to groin puncture. Results— Twenty-two studies (3 randomized controlled trials and 19 observational studies), including 4716 patients (1819 GA and 2897 non-GA) were included. In the nonadjusted analysis, patients in the GA group had higher odds of death (odds ratio [OR], 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.66–2.45) and respiratory complications (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.22–2.37) and lower odds of good functional outcome (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.48–0.64) compared with the non-GA group. There was no difference in procedure time between the 2 primary comparison groups. When adjusting for baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, GA was still associated with lower odds of good functional outcome (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.29–0.94). When considering studies performed in the stent-retriever/aspiration era, there was no significant difference in good neurological outcome rates (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.67–1.06). Conclusions— Acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing intra-arterial therapy may have worse outcomes when treated with GA as compared with conscious sedation/local anesthesia. However, major limitations of current evidence (ie, retrospective studies and selection bias) indicate a need for adequately powered, multicenter randomized controlled trials to answer this question.
Crystal Structure and Morphology Analysis of Nd1+xBa2−xCu3O7 Oxide Alloy Surface Developed by Solid State Reaction Method

This research has successfully prepared Nd1+xBa2−xCu3O7 oxide alloy which was developed using solid state reaction method with varying molar ratio x = 0.1 to x = 0,3. The process parameter observed was various synthesis routes that were different calcinations temperatures and sintering. In order to acquire the quality of the alloy, the homogeneity of the alloy were analyzed based on the result of EDAX (Energy dispersive X-ray). The composition of the material was analyzed in every variation of synthesis. Last, the crystal and morphology of Nd1+xBa2−xCu−3O−7 oxide alloy were analyzed based on the result of XRD (x-ray Diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope). The XRD measurements showed that crystal NdBaCuO has been formed. From the results of SEM images also showed that the greater the molar ratio x the particle size will be smaller.
Mitral regurgitation in heart failure: insights from CPET combined with exercise echocardiography

Aims In heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), exercise‐induced functional mitral regurgitation (MR) may affect functional capacity and outcome. We sought to study functional and cardiac phenotypes of HFrEF patients according to the MR degree. Methods and results We performed rest and exercise echocardiography (Ex‐Echo), simultaneously combined with cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), in 102 HFrEF patients, identifying 3 groups: non‐severe (ERO <20 mm2) MR (group A), exercise‐induced severe (ERO ≥20 mm2) MR (group B), and rest severe MR (group C). Patients were tracked for the composite end point of death and heart failure hospitalization. Group B (ERO: rest= 14 ± 5 mm2, Ex= 28 ± 6 mm2; P = < 0.001) had a functional impairment (workload = 56 ± 21 vs. 50 ± 17 watts, P = 0.42; peak VO2 = 11.8 ± 3.2 vs. 11.5 ± 3.0 mL/Kg/min, P = 0.70) similar to Group C (ERO: rest = 29 ± 7 mm2, Ex = 42 ± 7 mm2, P = < 0.001), associated with comparable advanced left ventricle remodelling (end diastolic indexed volume = 107 ± 34 vs. 115 ± 30 mL/m2, P = 0.27), characterized by exercise‐induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) (Ex systolic pulmonary pressures = 63 ± 16 mmHg). Group C showed the worse cardiac phenotype (right ventricle dilatation, dysfunction, and rest PH) with severe ventilatory impairment (VE/VCO2 = 41.2 ± 11) compared with Groups A and B. Moreover, Group C had the higher rate of death and HF hospitalization. Conclusions In HFrEF patients, severe dynamic MR produces functional limitation similar to rest severe MR, characterized by dynamic PH. Rest severe MR reflects the most advanced bi‐ventricular remodelling associated with rest PH, the most unfavourable ventilatory profile, and the worst mid‐term outcome.
Gaussian Half-Wavelength Progressive Decomposition Method for Waveform Processing of Airborne Laser Bathymetry

In an airborne laser bathymetry system, the full-waveform echo signal is usually recorded by discrete sampling. The accuracy of signal recognition and the amount of effective information that can be extracted by conventional methods are limited. To improve the validity and reliability of airborne laser bathymetry data and to extract more information to better understand the water reflection characteristics, we select the effective portion of the original waveform for further research, suppress random noise, and decompose the selected portion progressively using the half-wavelength Gaussian function with the time sequence of the received echo signals. After parameter optimization, a reasonable and effective reflection component selection mechanism is established to obtain accurate parameters for the reflected components. The processing strategy proposed in this paper reduces the problems of unreasonable decomposition and the reflected pulse peak-position shift caused by echo waveform superposition and offers good precision for waveform decomposition and peak detection. In another experiment, the regional processing result shows an obvious improvement in the shallow water area, and the bottom point cloud is as accurate as the intelligent waveform digitizer (IWD), a subsystem of airborne laser terrain mapping (ALTM). These findings confirm that the proposed method has high potential for application.