Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Final Opinion on The need for non-human primates in biomedical research , production and testing of products and devices

2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . 3 1 SUMMARY . 7 2 MANDATE . 11 2.1 BACKGROUND . 11 2.2 TERMS OF REFERENCE . 13 3 OPINION . 14 3.1 Overview . 14 3.2 The areas of research (fundamental, translational and applied) and testing of products and devices in which non-human primates continue to be used today . 15 3.3 The currently available possibilities by type of research or testing to replace their use either with methods not entailing the use of animals or by using other species of animals including those genetically altered . 15 3.4 The opportunities for the reduction and refinement of their use in areas where no replacement can be foreseen in medium or long term as per the principles of the Three Rs . 17 3.5 Identification of specific research areas where effort should be made to advance replacement, reduction and refinement of the use of non-human primates in scientific procedures . 19 3.6 The scientific viewpoint on when their use would no longer be necessary, considering the type of research and areas of testing with a view to the establishment of a specific phasing-out time-table where possible . 20 3.7 Potential implications for biomedical research (e.g., immune based diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, infectious diseases and serious diseases) should the use of non-human primates be banned in the EU . 21 4 MINORITY OPINION . 23 5 DATA AND METHODOLOGY. 24 6 SCIENTIFIC RATIONALE . 24 6.
Proof-of-principle experimental realization of a qubit-like qudit-based quantum key distribution scheme

In comparison to qubit-based protocols, qudit-based quantum key distribution ones generally allow two cooperative parties to share unconditionally secure keys under a higher channel noise. However, it is very hard to prepare and measure the required quantum states in qudit-based protocols in general. One exception is the recently proposed highly error tolerant qudit-based protocol known as the Chau15 (Chau 2015 Phys. Rev. A 92 062324). Remarkably, the state preparation and measurement in this protocol can be done relatively easily since the required states are phase encoded almost like the diagonal basis states of a qubit. Here we report the first proof-of-principle demonstration of the Chau15 protocol. One highlight of our experiment is that its post-processing is based on practical one-way manner, while the original proposal in Chau (2015 Phys. Rev. A 92 062324) relies on complicated two-way post-processing, which is a great challenge in experiment. In addition, by manipulating time-bin qudit and measurement with a variable delay interferometer, our realization is extensible to qudit with high-dimensionality and confirms the experimental feasibility of the Chau15 protocol.
Determination of the spatiotemporal dependence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm viability after treatment with NLC-colistin

The emergence of colistin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, particularly after long-term inhalation treatments, has been recently reported. Nanoen-capsulation may enable preparations to overcome the limitations of conventional pharmaceutical forms. We have determined the time-dependent viability of P. aeruginosa biofilms treated with both free and nanoencapsulated colistin. We also examined the relationship between the optimal anti-biofilm activity of nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC)-colistin and the structural organization of the biofilm itself. The results showed the more rapid killing of P. aeruginosa bacterial biofilms by NLC-colistin than by free colistin. However, the two formulations did not differ in terms of the final percentages of living and dead cells, which were higher in the inner than in the outer layers of the treated biofilms. The effective anti-biofilm activity of NLC-colistin and its faster killing effect recommend further studies of its use over free colistin in the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections in CF patients.
On the Response of the Aleutian Low to Greenhouse Warming

AbstractPast and future changes in the Aleutian low are investigated by using observation-based sea level pressure (SLP) datasets and CMIP5 models. It is found that the Aleutian low intensity, measured by the North Pacific Index (NPI), has significantly strengthened during the twentieth century, with the observed centennial trend double the modeled counterpart for the multimodel average of historical simulations, suggesting compound signals of anthropogenic warming and natural variability. As climate warms under the strongest future warming scenario, the climatological-mean Aleutian low will continue to intensify and expand northward, as manifested in the significant decrease (−1.3 hPa) of the multimodel-averaged NPI, which is 1.6 times its unforced internal variability, and the increase in the central area of low pressure (SLP < 999.0 hPa), which expands about 7 times that in the twentieth century. A suite of idealized experiments further demonstrates that the deepening of the Aleutian low can be driven .
A Data-Driven Stochastic Reactive Power Optimization Considering Uncertainties in Active Distribution Networks and Decomposition Method

To address the uncertain output of distributed generators for reactive power optimization in active distribution networks, the stochastic programming model is widely used. The model is employed to find an optimal control strategy with minimum expected network loss while satisfying all the physical constraints. Therein, the probability distribution of uncertainties in the stochastic model is always pre-defined by the historical data. However, the empirical distribution can be biased due to a limited amount of historical data and thus result in a suboptimal control decision. Therefore, in this paper, a data-driven modeling approach is introduced to assume that the probability distribution from the historical data is uncertain within a confidence set. Furthermore, a data-driven stochastic programming model is formulated as a two-stage problem, where the first-stage variables find the optimal control for discrete reactive power compensation equipment under the worst probability distribution of the second stage recourse. The second-stage variables are adjusted to uncertain probability distribution. In particular, this two-stage problem has a special structure so that the second-stage problem can be directly decomposed into several small-scale sub-problems, which can be handled in parallel without the information of dual problems. Numerical study on two distribution systems has been performed. Comparisons with the two-stage stochastic and robust approaches demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposal.
Mycobacteriosis and Tuberculosis: Laboratory Diagnosis

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the most important infectious diseases that has claimed its victims throughout much of known human history. With Koch's discovery of the tubercle bacillus as the etiologic agent of the disease, his sanitary and hygienic measures, which were based on his discovery and the development of a vaccine against tuberculosis by Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin in 1921, an attenuated Mycobacterium bovis strain, bacilli Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and the discovery of the first antibiotic against tuberculosis, streptomycin by Selman Waksman in 1943, soon led to the opinion that appropriate control measures had become available for tuberculosis and it had been assumed that the disease could ultimately be eradicated. The emergence of resistant strains of this bacteria and widespread distribution of the disease in the world, and the emergence of the AIDS epidemic destroyed any possibility of global control of tuberculosis in the foreseeable future. Objectives: The purpose of this review is to highlight the current scientific literature on mycobacterial infections and provide an overview on the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis and non-tuberculosis infections based on conventional phenotypic and modern molecular assays. Method: In this study, a number of 65 papers comprising 20 reviews, 9 case reports, and 36 original research in association with mycobacteriosis and the laboratory diagnosis of mycobacterial infections, were reviewed. Results: Based on our analysis on the published documents methods applied for the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis are continually assessed and developed in order to achieve more rapid, less expensive, and accurate results. Acid-fast staining and culture for mycobacteria remain at the core of any diagnostic algorithm with the sensitivity of 20-70% and specificity of 95-98% for AFB microscopy and the sensitivity of 95% and the specificity of 98% for culture based diagnosis. Following growth in culture, molecular tests such as nucleic acid hybridization probes and DNA sequencing may be used for definitive species identification. Nucleic acid amplification methods provide the means for direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory specimens without the prerequisite to isolate or culture the organism, leading to more rapid diagnosis and better patient care. Conclusion: As the researchers in a developing country, we strongly believe that despite significant advances in laboratory capacity, in many countries reliable confirmation of suspected mycobacterial diseases is hindered by a lack of knowledge on proper standardized methods, sufficient funds, suitably trained staff and laboratory supplies.
Improving Diabetes Management With a Patient Portal: Qualitative Study of a Diabetes Self-Management Portal

Background Effective management and care of diabetes is crucial to reducing associated risks such as heart disease and kidney failure. With increasing access and use of the Internet, online chronic disease management is being explored as a means of providing patients with support and the necessary tools to monitor and manage their disease. Objective The objective of our study was to evaluate the experience of patients and providers using an online diabetes management portal for patients. Methods Participants were recruited from a large sample population of 887 for a follow-up questionnaire to be completed after 6 months of using the patient portal. Participants were presented with the option to participate in an additional interview and, if the participant agreed, a time and date was scheduled for the interview. A 5-item, open-ended questionnaire was used to capture providers' opinions of the patient portal. Providers included general practitioners (GPs), nurses, nurse practitioners (NPs), dieticians, diabetes educators (DECs), and other clinical staff. Results A total of 854 patients were consented for the questionnaire. Seventeen (8 male, 9 female) patients agreed to participate in a telephone interview. Sixty-four health care providers completed the five open-ended questions; however, an average of 48.2 responses were recorded per question. Four major themes were identified and will be discussed in this paper. These themes have been classified as: facilitators of disease management, barriers to portal use, patient-provider communication and relationship, and recommendations for portal improvements. Conclusions This qualitative study shows that online chronic disease management portals increase patient access to information and engagement in their health care, but improvements in the portal itself may improve usability and reduce attrition. Furthermore, this study identifies a grey area that exists in the roles that GPs and AHPs should play in the facilitation of online disease management.
Cannabis and Cannabis Extracts: Greater Than the Sum of Their Parts?

SUMMARY. A central tenet underlying the use of botanical remedies is that herbs contain many active ingredients. Primary active ingredients may be enhanced by secondary compounds, which act in beneficial synergy. Other herbal constituents may mitigate the side effects of dominant active ingredients. We reviewed the literature concerning medical cannabis and its primary active ingredient, ∆ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Good evidence shows that secondary compounds in cannabis may enhance the beneficial effects of THC. Other cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid compounds in herbal cannabis or its extracts may reduce THC-induced anxiety, cholinergic deficits, and immunosuppression. Cannabis terpenoids and flavonoids may also increase cerebral blood flow, enhance cortical activity, kill respiratory pathogens, and provide anti-inflammatory activity. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: Website: 2001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved. ]
Ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients assisted by veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: Epidemiology and risk factors of treatment failure

Introduction Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is frequent in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. In the specific case of patients treated with Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support (VA-ECMO), VAP treatment failures (VAP-TF) have been incompletely investigated. Methods To investigate the risk factors of treatment failure (VAP-TF) in a large cohort of ICU patients treated with VA-ECMO, we conducted a retrospective study in a Surgical ICU about patients assisted with VA-ECMO between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014. Diagnosis of VAP was confirmed by a positive quantitative culture of a respiratory sample. VAP-TF was defined as composite of death attributable to pneumonia and relapse within 28 days of the first episode. Results In total, 152 patients underwent ECMO support for > 48h. During the VA-ECMO support, 85 (55.9%) patients developed a VAP, for a rate of 60.6 per 1000 ECMO days. The main pathogens identified were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae. VAP-TF occurred in 37.2% of patients and was associated with an increased 28-day mortality (Hazard Ratio 3.05 [1.66; 5.63], P<0.001), and VA-ECMO assistance duration (HR 1.47 [1.05–2.05], P = 0.025). Risk factors for VAP-TF were renal replacement therapy (HR 13.05 [1.73; 98.56], P = 0.013) and documentation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (HR 2.36 [1.04; 5.35], P = 0.04). Conclusions VAP in patients treated with VA-ECMO is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. RRT and infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa appear as strong risks factors of treatment failure. Further studies seem necessary to precise the best antibiotic management in these patients.
MICROSTRUCTURAL FEATURES OF Cr-V LEDEBURITIC STEEL SATURATED WITH NITROGEN ZNA^ILOSTNI MIKROSTRUKTURE LEDEBURITNEGA JEKLA Cr-V,NASI^ENEGA Z DU(IKOM

This paper reports on the microstructure,the hardness and microhardness,the nitrogen-concentration depth profiles and the phase constitution of plasma-nitrided P/M VANADIS 6 cold-worked steel. The initial microstructure of the steel consists of a matrix with twinned and dislocated martensite and particles of the carbides,MC and M 7C3. After plasma nitriding the surface hardness and microhardness increased as a result of the nitrogen that diffused into the near-surface region. During the first stage the martensite is saturated with nitrogen,and after the solid-solubility limit is exceeded,nitrides like Fe 4N and Fe3N are formed.
Effectiveness of a Web-Based Intervention in Reducing Depression and Sickness Absence: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Depression is highly prevalent in the working population and is associated with significant loss of workdays; however, access to evidence-based treatment is limited. Objective This study evaluated the effectiveness of a Web-based intervention in reducing mild to moderate depression and sickness absence. Methods In an open-label randomized controlled trial, participants were recruited from a large-scale statutory health insurance and were assigned to two groups. The intervention group had access to a 12 week Web-based program consisting of structured interactive sessions and therapist support upon request. The wait-list control group had access to unguided Web-based psycho-education. Depressive symptoms were self-assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up (12 weeks after treatment) using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) as primary outcome measures. Data on sickness absence was retrieved from health insurance records. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis and per-protocol (PP) analysis were performed. Results Of the 180 participants who were randomized, 88 completed the post-assessment (retention rate: 48.8%, 88/180). ITT analysis showed a significant between-group difference in depressive symptoms during post-treatment in favor of the intervention group, corresponding to a moderate effect size (PHQ-9: d=0.55, 95% CI 0.25-0.85, P<.001, and BDI-II: d=0.41, CI 0.11-0.70, P=.004). PP analysis partially supported this result, but showed a non-significant effect on one primary outcome (PHQ-9: d=0.61, 95% CI 0.15-1.07, P=.04, and BDI-II: d=0.25 95% CI −0.18 to 0.65, P=.37). Analysis of clinical significance using reliable change index revealed that significantly more participants who used the Web-based intervention (63%, 63/100) responded to the treatment versus the control group (33%, 27/80; P<.001). The number needed to treat (NNT) was 4.08. Within both groups, there was a reduction in work absence frequency (IG: −67.23%, P<.001, CG: −82.61%, P<.001), but no statistical difference in sickness absence between groups was found (P=.07). Conclusions The Web-based intervention was effective in reducing depressive symptoms among adults with sickness absence. As this trial achieved a lower power than calculated, its results should be replicated in a larger sample. Further validation of health insurance records as an outcome measure for eHealth trials is needed. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 02446836; http://www.isrctn. com/ISRCTN02446836 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6jx4SObnw)
Effect of Nintendo WiiTM-based motor and cognitive training on activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson ’ s disease : A randomised clinical trial

bjectives To investigate the effect of Nintendo WiiTM-based motor cognitive training versus balance exercise therapy on activities of daily iving in patients with Parkinson’s disease. esign Parallel, prospective, single-blind, randomised clinical trial. etting Brazilian Parkinson Association. articipants Thirty-two patients with Parkinson’s disease (Hoehn and Yahr stages 1 and 2). nterventions Fourteen training sessions consisting of 30 minutes of stretching, strengthening and axial mobility exercises, plus 30 minutes f balance training. The control group performed balance exercises without feedback or cognitive stimulation, and the experimental group erformed 10 Wii FitTM games. ain outcome measure Section II of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-II). andomisation Participants were randomised into a control group (n = 16) and an experimental group (n = 16) through blinded drawing of ames. tatistical analysis Repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA). esults Both groups showed improvement in the UPDRS-II with assessment effect (RM-ANOVA P < 0.001, observed power = 0.999). There as no difference between the control group and the experimental group before training {8.9 [standard deviation (SD) 2.9] vs 10.1 (SD 3.8)}, fter training [7.6 (SD 2.9) vs 8.1 (SD 3.5)] or 60 days after training [8.1 (SD 3.2) vs 8.3 (SD 3.6)]. The mean difference of the whole group etween before training and after training was −0.9 (SD 2.3, 95% confidence interval −1.7 to −0.6). onclusion Patients with Parkinson’s disease showed improved performance in activities of daily living after 14 sessions of balance training, ith no additional advantages associated with the Wii-based motor and cognitive training. Registered on http://www.clinicaltrials. gov (identifier: NCT01580787). 2012 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Analysis of length of hospital stay using electronic health records: A statistical and data mining approach

Background The length of stay (LOS) is an important indicator of the efficiency of hospital management. Reduction in the number of inpatient days results in decreased risk of infection and medication side effects, improvement in the quality of treatment, and increased hospital profit with more efficient bed management. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors are associated with length of hospital stay, based on electronic health records, in order to manage hospital stay more efficiently. Materials and methods Research subjects were retrieved from a database of patients admitted to a tertiary general university hospital in South Korea between January and December 2013. Patients were analyzed according to the following three categories: descriptive and exploratory analysis, process pattern analysis using process mining techniques, and statistical analysis and prediction of LOS. Results Overall, 55% (25,228) of inpatients were discharged within 4 days. The department of rehabilitation medicine (RH) had the highest average LOS at 15.9 days. Of all the conditions diagnosed over 250 times, diagnoses of I63.8 (cerebral infarction, middle cerebral artery), I63.9 (infarction of middle cerebral artery territory) and I21.9 (myocardial infarction) were associated with the longest average hospital stay and high standard deviation. Patients with these conditions were also more likely to be transferred to the RH department for rehabilitation. A range of variables, such as transfer, discharge delay time, operation frequency, frequency of diagnosis, severity, bed grade, and insurance type was significantly correlated with the LOS. Conclusions Accurate understanding of the factors associating with the LOS and progressive improvements in processing and monitoring may allow more efficient management of the LOS of inpatients.
On the dynamic computation of the model constant in delayed detached eddy simulation

The current work puts forth an implementation of a dynamic procedure to locally compute the value of the model constant CDES, as used in the eddy simulation branch of Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES). Former DDES formulations [P. R. Spalart et al., “A new version of detached-eddy simulation, resistant to ambiguous grid densities,” Theor. Comput. Fluid Dyn. 20, 181 (2006); M. S. Gritskevich et al., “Development of DDES and IDDES formulations for the k- ω shear stress transport model,” Flow, Turbul. Combust. 88, 431 (2012)] are not conducive to the implementation of a dynamic procedure due to uncertainty as to what form the eddy viscosity expression takes in the eddy simulation branch. However, a recent, alternate formulation [K. R. Reddy et al., “A DDES model with a Smagorinsky-type eddy viscosity formulation and log-layer mismatch correction,” Int. J. Heat Fluid Flow 50, 103 (2014)] casts the eddy viscosity in a form that is similar to the Smagorinsky, LES (Large Eddy Simulation) sub-grid viscosity.