Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insulator icing flashover

Atmospheric ice accretion, combined with pollution, has been identified as a significant risk factor in the reliability of line and station insulators in cold climate regions. Flashovers occurring on ice- and snow-covered insulators result from combinations of a number of factors. Electric fields modify the structure of ice, the shape and direction of icicle development, the distribution of liquid water and the geometry of air gaps that break up the continuous ice surface. Electric field strength and voltage polarity as well as corona space charge and ionic wind have demonstrable influences on the flashover process. Insulator icing flashover is also affected by changes in air temperature and several other environmental and meteorological conditions including ice type and structure. The presence of surface pollution and the rejection of ions from solid to liquid layers during the freezing and melting process also play a central role in the icing flashover of insulators, which can occur at normal operating voltage under the most adverse conditions. This lecture presents an overview of these phenomena and describes the interactions that lead to the initiation and development of discharges on the ice surfaces covering the insulators, as well as their evolution to flashover. The lecture also includes the modeling of these phenomena, leading to successful prediction of withstand voltage as well as to insight into the most practical solutions for improved insulator design and mitigating icing flashovers.
Effects of water deprivation on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline and one of its metabolites, 1,3‐dimethyluric acid, after intravenous and oral administration of aminophylline to rats

It has been reported that the expressions of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1/2, 2B1/2 and 3A1/2 were not changed in rats with water deprivation for 72 h (rat model of dehydration) compared with the controls. It has been also reported that 1,3‐dimethyluric acid (1,3‐DMU) was formed from theophylline via CYP1A1/2 in rats. Hence, it could be expected that the formation of 1,3‐DMU could be comparable between the two groups of rats. As expected, after both intravenous and oral administration of theophylline at a dose of 5 mg/kg to the rat model of dehydration, the AUC of 1,3‐DMU was comparable to the controls. After both intravenous and oral administration of theophylline to the rat model of dehydration, the Clr of both theophylline and 1,3‐DMU was significantly slower than the controls. This could be due to significantly smaller urinary excretions of both theophylline and 1,3‐DMU since the AUC of both theophylline and 1,3‐DMU were comparable between the two groups of rats. The smaller urinary excretion of both theophylline and 1,3‐DMU could be due to urine flow rate‐dependent timed‐interval renal clearance of both theophylline and 1,3‐DMU in rats. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability and Change in Affect among Centenarians

Much information is available about physical and functional health among very old adults, but little knowledge exists about the mental health and mental health changes in very late life. This study reports findings concerning positive and negative affect changes among centenarians. Nineteen centenarians from a Midwestern state participated in four assessments over a 6-month period. Positive and negative affect, as well as physical activity, financial resources, mental status, and health were assessed at baseline and during four consecutive time points. Mean individual growth curves suggested mean decreases in positive affect, but no changes were observed in negative affect. Physical activity, financial resources, and self-rated health were associated with growth-curve changes in affect. Centenarians with fewer resources were more likely to show decreases in positive affect. Surprisingly, physical activity and health were associated with increases in negative affect over time. The results suggest that continued activity, high levels of financial resources, and self-rated health are important components in affective states among very old adults.
Kupffer cell structure in the juvenile Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus

The morphology of Kupffer cells was examined in the liver of the juvenile Nile crocodile using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Pleomorphic Kupffer cells were located in the sinusoids, in the space of Disse, in the hepatic parenchyma and often connected adjacent sinusoids. The cell surfaces were irregular due to the presence of filopodia and lamelliapodia with phagocytosis of white blood cells, red blood cells and thrombocytes being evident. The cells were in close contact with endothelial cells and pit cells in the sinusoidal lumen and with stellate cells in the space of Disse. The cytoplasm contained large phagosomes comprising a combination of ceroid pigment, melanosomes and siderosomes. The nuclei were often indented and eccentrically placed due to the presence of the phagosomes. Conspicuous clusters of membrane‐bound tubular organelles with a filamentous or crystalline interior were observed in the cytoplasm. The clusters were sometimes separated into smaller groups around phagosomes. A clear zone existed between the limiting membrane and the interior of these tubular organelles with the electron‐dense interior profiles being, respectively, circular, angular or divided. The tubular organelles have not previously been described in Kupffer cells and possibly represent lysosomes with specialized functions. Mitochondria, microtubules, Golgi profiles, granular and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and a few cytoplasmic lipid droplets were also present. The presence of the tubular organelles and the occurrence of the Kupffer cells in different locations in the liver of the juvenile Nile crocodile are indicative of particularly active and mobile cells. J. Morphol. 275:1–8, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Does Hospitalist Directed Care for Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Improve Adherence to "Get with the Guidelines"?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hospitalist directed care is associated with improved outcomes in several medical conditions. The hospitalist effect has not been studied in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. We compare length of stay (LOS), outcome, and adherence to "Get with the Guidelines" (GWTG) stroke quality measures among AIS patients admitted under a hospitalist with three other specialties (internist, family practice, or specialist). METHODS We collected demographics, risk factors and discharge outcomes (modified Rankin Scale (mRS)) for consecutive AIS patients over 4-year period (2010-2014). We categorized all stroke admissions according to admitting physicians. We compared rates of adherence with all of the GWTG Stroke inpatient quality measures between the four groups. RESULTS A total of 1584 patients [mean age ( ± SD) 68.6 ± 13.7 years; 55.6% men] were admitted with AIS. There was no statistically significant difference in LOS between the four groups (p=0.4). There was significant difference in the GWTG inpatient quality measures with the hospitalist group having lowest rates of any nonadherence observed in 5% of admissions (p=0.03), and the internists had the highest rate of nonadherence observed in 16% of admissions (p=0.01). The most common deficiency was not prescribing statin at discharge (56% of total fallouts). There was no difference in rates of poor outcomes on discharge (mRS 3-6) (p=0.2). CONCLUSIONS There was a significantly higher rate of adherence to GWTG inpatient stroke measures when AIS patients were admitted under the care of a hospitalist. Prospective studies are required to evaluate if higher rates of adherence lead to better long term outcomes.
Abciximab Treatment for Obstructive Prosthetic Aortic and Mitral Valve Thrombosis in the Presence of Large Thrombi, Cardiogenic Shock, and Acute Evolving Embolic Stroke

Obstructive thrombosis of left‐sided mechanical prosthetic valves is a life‐threatening complication. Intravenous thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated due to risk of clot embolization and surgical treatment is often required for hemodynamically unstable patients. We report for the first time the successful use of abciximab in the management of a patient in cardiogenic shock with multiple prosthetic valve obstructive thrombosis and evolving embolic stroke. Serial Doppler echocardiography and cinefluoroscopy demonstrated resolution of thrombi, improvements in transvalvular gradients and improvement in leaflet motion. This observation suggests abciximab should be considered as a therapeutic option in the treatment of obstructed prosthetic heart valves. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 21, January 2004)
Ocular Morbidity among Children of Government Schools of Kathmandu Valley: A Follow-up Study.

INTRODUCTION Ocular and vision defects are common among school going children. Vision disorders, especially refractive errors are the main disabilities of children and the leading cause of handicapping conditions of childhood. The present study was conducted to find out ocular morbidity among students of government schools of Kathmandu valley. METHODS In the descriptive and cross-sectional study, 2412 students, comprising of 1114 (46.2%) males and 1298 (53.8%) females were enrolled in to the study from the five government schools of Kathmandu valley from 2012 to 2013. Detailed eye examination included distance visual acuity testing, anterior and posterior segment examinations, retinoscopy and refraction, cover test, near point of convergence, amplitude of accommodation and color vision test. The Chi-square test was performed to analyze the association between ocular morbidity, age and sex. P value was considered significant at 0.05 for 95% confidence interval. RESULTS Majority of children were age group between 11 and 13 years (n= 783, 32.5%). A male to female ratio was 0.85. Presenting and best spectacle corrected visual acuity of 6/6 was present in 2257 (93.6%) and 2380 (98.7%) respectively. Total ocular morbidity was observed in 515 (21.4%) subjects. The most common types of ocular morbidity were refractive error in 241 (10%), conjunctivitis in 104 (4.3%) and convergence insufficiency in 82 (3.4%). CONCLUSIONS Refractive error, conjunctivitis and convergence insufficiency represent the most common ocular morbidities among students of government schools.
Reliability of rectal biopsy in distinguishing between chronic inflammatory bowel disease and acute self‐limiting colitis

Aims: In order to assess the validity of previously proposed criteria for the differentiation of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (CIBD) from acute self‐limiting colitis (ASLC) all rectal biopsies were reported by a single histopathologist with a long‐term gastrointestinal interest over a 4.5‐year period. Methods and results: The presence or absence of distorted crypt architecture, increased lymphocytes and plasma cells, villous mucosal architecture, granulomata, basal lymphoid aggregates, basal giant cells and Paneth cell metaplasia was noted for each biopsy. The definite presence of any of the above features, with the exception of intramucosal granulomata, was regarded as indicative of CIBD. Eighteen months later all available case notes were examined and the presenting clinical symptoms and working clinical diagnosis extracted. The final diagnosis, histopathological diagnosis and the presence or absence of any of the above histopathological features were correlated and the positive predictive value of each histopathological feature was calculated. A correct diagnosis of either CIBD or ASLC was made in 80 of 84 and 29 of 31 cases, respectively. Conclusions: Villous mucosal architecture and Paneth cell metaplasia were found to be specific features of CIBD. Distorted crypt architecture, basal lymphoid aggregates and plasma cell infiltration of the lamina propria were also useful features but strict definition of these features is required and discussed. Intramucosal epithelioid granulomas were identified in eight cases of CIBD and four cases of ASLC. In association with ruptured crypts intramucosal granulomas are not specific features of Crohn’s colitis.
Composition of nasal airway surface liquid in cystic fibrosis and other airway diseases determined by X‐ray microanalysis

The ionic composition of the airway surface liquid (ASL) in healthy individuals and in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been debated. Ion transport properties of the upper airway epithelium are similar to those of the lower airways and it is easier to collect nasal ASL from the nose. ASL was collected with ion exchange beads, and the elemental composition of nasal fluid was determined by X‐ray microanalysis in healthy subjects, CF patients, CF heterozygotes, patients with rhinitis, and with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). In healthy subjects, the ionic concentrations were approximately isotonic. In CF patients, CF heterozygotes, rhinitis, and PCD patients, [Na] and [Cl] were significantly higher compared when compared with those in controls. [K] was significantly higher in CF and PCD patients compared with that in controls. Severely affected CF patients had higher ionic concentrations in their nasal ASL than in patients with mild or moderate symptoms. Female CF patients had higher levels of Na, Cl, and K than male patients. As higher salt concentrations in the ASL are also found in other patients with airway diseases involving chronic inflammation, it appears likely that inflammation‐induced epithelial damage is important in determining the ionic composition of the ASL. Microsc. Res. Tech. 69:271–276, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cortical and subcortical networks underlying syncopated and synchronized coordination revealed using fMRI. Functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Inherent differences in difficulty between on the beat (synchronization) and off the beat (syncopation) coordination modes are well known. Synchronization is typically quite easy and, once begun, may be carried out with little apparent attention demand. Syncopation tends to be difficult, even though it has been described as a simple, phase-shifted version of a synchronized pattern. We hypothesize that syncopation, unlike synchronization, is organized on a cycle-by-cycle basis, thereby imposing much greater preparatory and attentional demands on the central nervous system. To test this hypothesis we used fMRI to measure the BOLD response during syncopation and synchronization to an auditory stimulus. We found that the distribution of cortical and subcortical areas involved in intentionally coordinating movement with an external metronome depends on the timing pattern employed. Both synchronized and syncopated patterns require activation of contralateral sensorimotor and caudal supplementary motor cortices as well as the (primarily ipsilateral) cerebellum. Moving off the beat, however, requires not only additional activation of the cerebellum but also the recruitment of another network comprised of the basal ganglia, dorsolateral premotor, rostral supplementary motor, prefrontal, and temporal association cortices. No areas were found to be more active during synchronization than syncopation. The functional role of the cortical and subcortical regions areas involved in syncopation supports the hypothesis that whereas synchronization requires little preparation and monitoring, syncopated movements are planned and executed individually on each perception-action cycle.
Spatiotemporal organization of α‐motoneuron activity in the human spinal cord during different gaits and gait transitions

Here we studied the spatiotemporal organization of motoneuron (MN) activity during different human gaits. We recorded the electromyographic (EMG) activity patterns in 32 ipsilateral limb and trunk muscles from normal subjects while running and walking on a treadmill (3–12 km/h). In addition, we recorded backward walking and skipping, a distinct human gait that comprises the features of both walking and running. We mapped the recorded EMG activity patterns onto the spinal cord in approximate rostrocaudal locations of the MN pools. The activation of MNs tends to occur in bursts and be segregated by spinal segment in a gait‐specific manner. In particular, sacral and cervical activation timings were clearly gait‐dependent. Swing‐related activity constituted an appreciable fraction (> 30%) of the total MN activity of leg muscles. Locomoting at non‐preferred speeds (running and walking at 5 and 9 km/h, respectively) showed clear differences relative to preferred speeds. Running at low speeds was characterized by wider sacral activation. Walking at high non‐preferred speeds was accompanied by an ‘atypical’ locus of activation in the upper lumbar spinal cord during late stance and by a drastically increased activation of lumbosacral segments. The latter findings suggest that the optimal speed of gait transitions may be related to an optimal intensity of the total MN activity, in addition to other factors previously described. The results overall support the idea of flexibility and adaptability of spatiotemporal activity in the spinal circuitry with constraints on the temporal functional connectivity of hypothetical pulsatile burst generators.
‘Smoker's paradox’ in young patients with acute myocardial infarction

Of the patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI), smokers are younger than non‐smokers, which may be a major confounding factor causing ‘smoker's paradox’. Therefore, in the present study we evaluated the ‘smoker's paradox’ in young patients with AMI. In all, 1218 young AMI patients (≤ 45 years of age), comprising 990 smokers and 228 non‐smokers, were enrolled in the present study. In‐hospital and 8 months clinical outcomes were compared between the smokers and non‐smokers. Baseline clinical characteristics showed that smokers were more likely to be male (97.9% vs 72.4%; P < 0.001) and had a higher rate of ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (71.3% vs 59.5%; P = 0.001) than non‐smokers. Clinical outcomes showed that smokers had lower rates of in‐hospital cardiac death (0.8% vs 3.5%; P = 0.004), total death (0.8% vs 3.5%; P = 0.004) and 8 months cardiac death (1.1% vs 3.9%; P = 0.006) and total death (1.3% vs 4.4%; P = 0.005) than non‐smokers. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that current smoking was an independent protective predictor of 8 months cardiac death (odds ratio (OR) 0.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07–0.92; P = 0.037) and total death (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.09–0.82; P = 0.021). Subgroup analysis in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention after AMI showed that current smoking was an independent protective predictor of 8 months total major adverse cardiac events (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.23–0.97; P = 0.041). Current smoking seems to be associated with better clinical outcomes in young patients with AMI, suggesting the existence of the ‘smoker's paradox’ in this particular subset of patients.
HPV vaccine against anal HPV infection and anal intraepithelial neoplasia.

BACKGROUND The rate of anal cancer is increasing among both women and men, particularly men who have sex with men. Caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), primarily HPV type 16 or 18, anal cancer is preceded by high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (grade 2 or 3). We studied the safety and efficacy of quadrivalent HPV vaccine (qHPV) against anal intraepithelial neoplasia associated with HPV-6, 11, 16, or 18 infection in men who have sex with men. METHODS In a substudy of a larger double-blind study, we randomly assigned 602 healthy men who have sex with men, 16 to 26 years of age, to receive either qHPV or placebo. The primary efficacy objective was prevention of anal intraepithelial neoplasia or anal cancer related to infection with HPV-6, 11, 16, or 18. Efficacy analyses were performed in intention-to-treat and per-protocol efficacy populations. The rates of adverse events were documented. RESULTS Efficacy of the qHPV vaccine against anal intraepithelial neoplasia associated with HPV-6, 11, 16, or 18 was 50.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25.7 to 67.2) in the intention-to-treat population and 77.5% (95% CI, 39.6 to 93.3) in the per-protocol efficacy population; the corresponding efficacies against anal intraepithelial neoplasia associated with HPV of any type were 25.7% (95% CI, -1.1 to 45.6) and 54.9% (95% CI, 8.4 to 79.1), respectively. Rates of anal intraepithelial neoplasia per 100 person-years were 17.5 in the placebo group and 13.0 in the vaccine group in the intention-to-treat population and 8.9 in the placebo group and 4.0 in the vaccine group in the per-protocol efficacy population. The rate of grade 2 or 3 anal intraepithelial neoplasia related to infection with HPV-6, 11, 16, or 18 was reduced by 54.2% (95% CI, 18.0 to 75.3) in the intention-to-treat population and by 74.9% (95% CI, 8.8 to 95.4) in the per-protocol efficacy population. The corresponding risks of persistent anal infection with HPV-6, 11, 16, or 18 were reduced by 59.4% (95% CI, 43.0 to 71.4) and 94.9% (95% CI, 80.4 to 99.4), respectively. No vaccine-related serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS Use of the qHPV vaccine reduced the rates of anal intraepithelial neoplasia, including of grade 2 or 3, among men who have sex with men. The vaccine had a favorable safety profile and may help to reduce the risk of anal cancer. (Funded by Merck and the National Institutes of Health; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00090285.).
Constellation Design Enhancement for Color-Shift Keying Modulation of Quadrichromatic LEDs in Visible Light Communications

Quadrichromatic light-emitting diode (QLED) cluster is a four-color solid-state apparatus suitable for simultaneous illumination and communications. Unlike traditional red/green/blue (RGB) LEDs, its extra color provides not only one new wavelength-division multiplexing data channel but also better color quality in illumination. Taking full consideration of the high quality of color rendering index (CRI) requirement with tunable color temperature (CT), this paper investigates the constellation design of color shift keying (CSK) to maximize the minimum pairwise Euclidean distance (MED) for communication performance optimization. Beyond existing works, maintaining a high-level CRI with a specified CT complicates our design optimization problem. We propose to transform the CRI requirement into a set of linear constraints on one of the LED source composition while jointly incorporating the CT constraints. Both simulation results and prototype CSK communication testbed measurements based on commercial multicolor LEDs (LUMILEDS Luxeon C) illustrate that, under the same luminous flux and CT conditions, our proposed flux independent CSK constellation for QLEDs can significantly enhance the MED, bit error rate, and illumination color qualities.