Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intradialytic complications during hemodialysis

With the advent of developments and advances in hemodialysis machine technology, dialysate water purification, and dialyzers, the clinical spectrum of intradialytic complications has changed over the decades. In the pioneering days of hemodialysis, patients could develop allergic reactions to dialyzer membranes, sterilizing and reprocessing agents, coupled with machines that could not accurately control ultrafiltration rates, and chemically and bacterially contaminated dialysate. Whereas today, although cardiovascular problems remain the most common intradialytic complication, these are mainly due to the time restraints of trying to cope with excessive dialytic weight gains and achieve target dry weight on a thrice weekly schedule, coupled with an aging elderly dialysis population with increasing co‐morbidity.
Content-based indexing and retrieval method of Chinese document images

In Chinese information retrieval, it is easy to index a Chinese text document for retrieval. We just need to segment the text document into phrases. When the document is a Chinese document image (non-ASCII file), we may first convert the document image into the text file by using Chinese optical character recognition (OCR) technology and then index the document by using an information retrieval algorithm. However, OCR needs more time, which can influence retrieval efficiency. This paper proposes an index method based on stroke density code. First segment the document image to get all the Chinese character images, then calculate the stroke density of each Chinese character image, and at last attain the stroke density code of the character image. The index method has the advantage of speed and robustness to noise. In addition, this paper also offers a retrieval method for Chinese document images based on the index technology. We discuss the index and retrieval method for duplicate detection. We have proved the validity of the index method through its application to keyword spotting and duplicate detection.
Near-surface imaging using ambient-noise body waves

AbstractWe have introduced a workflow that allows subsurface imaging using upcoming body-wave arrivals extracted from ambient-noise land seismic data. Rather than using the conventional seismic interferometry approach based on correlation, we have developed a deconvolution technique to extract the earth response from the observed periodicity in the seismic traces. The technique consists of iteratively applying a gapped spiking deconvolution, providing multiple-free images with higher resolution than conventional correlation. We have validated the workflow for zero-offset traces with simple synthetic data and real data recorded during a small point-receiver land seismic survey.
Effect of Hole-Trap Distribution on the Power-Law Time Exponent of NBTI

This letter presents a phenomenological relationship between the energy distribution of stress-induced hole traps and the power-law time exponent of NBTI. Experimental results show that increased generation of deep-level hole traps (DLHTs), i.e., trap-energy levels are near and/or above the Si conduction-band edge, yields a small exponent (< 0.2). Annealing the DLHTs results in the exponent increasing to ~ 0.3. Measurement on the n-MOSFET (in which the effect of DLHTs is suppressed) shows an exponent of ~0.4-0.5 for interface-state generation. This implies that the relatively small exponent (~0.3) of the p-MOSFET is due to remnant DLHTs which charge-up positively again when subjected to negative gate biasing during measurement. This new insight calls for a reexamination of the notion that as-measured exponents of ~0.14-0.17 are experimental proof of H2-diffusion-driven interface-state generation.
Structure optimization of reservoir networks

Reservoir computing originally relies on a random, xed population of recurrently connected neurons, but in practice there is a need for algorithms that tailor this reservoir to problem classes. We propose an evolutionary algorithm to adapt size and topology of the network as well as synaptic strengths of connections within the reservoir. Experiments show that the evolved networks signicantly outperform standard architectures in terms of prediction performance and compare well with the results of alternative neuroevolution approaches. For applications in which both space and execution time complexity are important, we present an evolutionary multi-objective algorithm addressing the trade-o between identifying dynamical systems with maximum accuracy and minimizing reservoir complexity. This vector optimization algorithm utilizes the contributed hypervolume for selection and for online adaptation of operator probabilities, which considerably improves the search process. Analysis of the evolved networks reveals insights about task-dependent macroscopic properties of the adapted reservoirs.
Effects of barley cultivar and growing environment on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef cattle

Thirty-two crossbreed beef heifers (initial weight 349 kg ± 2.21 kg) were individually fed finishing diets for 84 d in a 2 X 2 factorial experiment examining the effects of barley cultivar (Harrington vs. Valier) and growing environment (irrigated vs. dryland) on animal performance, carcass characteristics, and nutrient digestibility. No differences in ADG (P = 0.46; average 1.78 kg/d) or final weight (P = 0.23; average 498 kg) were detected due to cultivar. Barley cultivar did not affect DMI (P = 0.80; average 9.8 kg/d), or feed efficiency (P = 0.63; average 18.3 kg gain/100 kg of feed). Growing environment did not influence ADG (P = 0.17; average 1.77 kg/d), or final weight (P = 0.20; average 498 kg). Heifers fed diets containing irrigated barley had lower (P = 0.009) DMI than heifers fed diets containing dryland barley (9.3 vs. 10.3 kg/d, respectively). Feed efficiency was higher (P = 0.001) for heifers fed diets containing irrigated barley than for those fed dryland barley (19.8 vs. 16.8 kg gain/100 kg of feed). Barley NEm (P = 0.38; average 2.15 Mcal/kg) or NEg (P = 0.38; average 1.46 Mcal/kg) were not affected by cultivar. Irrigated barley NEm and NEg (2.31 and 1.61 Mcal/kg, respectively) contents were higher (P = 0.001) than dryland barley NEm and NEg (1.98 and 1.32 Mcal/kg, respectively) content. No differences (P > 0.06) in carcass characteristics were detected due to barley cultivar, growing environment or their interaction. Dry matter digestibility was higher (P = 0.02) for diets containing Valier barley than for diets containing Harrington barley (77.6 vs. 74.9 %, respectively). Starch digestibility was not affected (P = 0.13) by cultivar. Growing environment did not affect (P > 0.06) nutrient digestibility. In summary, irrigated barley had higher starch content and lower ADF content than dryland barley. The higher starch content of the irrigated barley resulted in the irrigated barley having higher energy content than dryland barley, which resulted in the irrigated barley being a more efficient feed source.
Multi-model simulations of aerosol and ozone radiative forcing due to anthropogenic emission changes during the period 1990-2015

Abstract. Over the past few decades, the geographical distribution of emissions of substances that alter the atmospheric energy balance has changed due to economic growth and air pollution regulations. Here, we show the resulting changes to aerosol and ozone abundances and their radiative forcing using recently updated emission data for the period 1990–2015, as simulated by seven global atmospheric composition models. The models broadly reproduce large-scale changes in surface aerosol and ozone based on observations (e.g. −1 to −3 % yr−1 in aerosols over the USA and Europe). The global mean radiative forcing due to ozone and aerosol changes over the 1990–2015 period increased by +0.17 ± 0.08 W m−2, with approximately one-third due to ozone. This increase is more strongly positive than that reported in IPCC AR5. The main reasons for the increased positive radiative forcing of aerosols over this period are the substantial reduction of global mean SO2 emissions, which is stronger in the new emission inventory compared to that used in the IPCC analysis, and higher black carbon emissions.
Endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the cat as revealed by various staining methods.

Various parts in the gastrointestinal tract of the cat was investigated utilizing the several methods for light microscopy to estimate the frequency of occurrence of the gastrointestinal endocrine cells. Grimelius-positive endocrine cells were numerous in the fondus, the cranial flexure of the duodenum and the rectum. Hellerstrom-Hellman-positive endocrine cells were the most numerous in the pyloric area. Masson-Hamperland lead-hematoxylin-positive endocrine cells were numerous in the cranial ftexure of the duodenum and the rectum. Significantly high frequency of occurrence of endocrine cells were found in the rectum with all four methods.
The Role of CAX 1 and CAX 3 in Elemental Distribution and Abundance in Arabidopsis Seed 1 [ W ] [ OA ]

Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755 (T.P., M.L.G.); Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Houston, Texas 77030 (K.H., J.Y.); Consortium for Advanced Radiation Sources, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637 (A.L.); and Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (B.L.)
Outcome Measures and Rehabilitation Treatment in Patients Affected by Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth Neuropathy: A Pilot Study

Objective: We evaluated the sensitivity of various rehabilitation and lung function scales to detect differences between people with Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth (CMT) disease and healthy controls. We also studied whether these measurements are sensitive to disclose changes in patients with CMT disease after rehabilitative treatment. Design: Eight patients with different types of CMT participated in the study. Data were gathered at baseline; at the end of the treadmill training, stretching, respiratory, and proprioceptive exercise (TreSPE) treatment period; and after a washout period of 6 mos. The following instruments were used for data collection: Medical Research Council scale for lower limb strength; Tinetti Balance Scale; Physical Performance Battery; ankle angle, oxygen consumption, and lung function tests; peak treadmill velocity and slope; time to walk 6 m; and CMT Neuropathy Score. The participants underwent TreSPE treatment twice every week for 8 wks. Results: All rehabilitative measures were significantly worse in subjects with CMT disease than in healthy controls. Lung function was always normal except for the maximum expiratory pressure and maximum inspiratory pressure. No dropouts or worsening in any of the different outcome measures were observed after TreSPE. The ankle angle and the time to walk 6 m were the only measures that significantly improved after treatment. Conclusions: The rehabilitative outcome measures used in this protocol are useful in detecting clinical impairment in people with CMT disease. Lung function tests were confirmed to be minimally abnormal in patients with CMT disease. The TreSPE treatment, besides being safe and well tolerated, induced some training effects in CMT neuropathy, in the absence of lung function amelioration and effort tolerance. Follow‐up showed that CMT patients should be treated at least twice every year because a regression of all outcome measures to the baseline state was found after a 6‐mo washout period.
Intertemporal CAPM with Conditioning Variables

This paper derives and tests an intertemporal capital asset pricing model ICAPM based on a conditional version of the Campbell--Vuolteenaho two-beta ICAPM bad beta, good beta BBGB. The novel factor is a scaled cash-flow factor that results from the interaction between cash-flow news and a lagged state variable market dividend yield or consumer price index inflation. The cross-sectional tests over 10 portfolios sorted on size, 10 portfolios sorted on book-to-market, and 10 portfolios sorted on momentum show that the scaled ICAPM explains relatively well the dispersion in excess returns on the 30 portfolios. The results for an alternative set of equity portfolios 25 portfolios sorted on size and momentum show that the scaled ICAPM prices particularly well the momentum portfolios. Moreover, the scaled ICAPM compares favorably with alternative asset pricing models in pricing both sets of equity portfolios. The scaled factor is decisive to account for the dispersion in average excess returns between past winner and past loser stocks. More specifically, past winners are riskier than past losers in times of high price of risk. Therefore, a time-varying cash-flow beta/price of risk provides a rational explanation for momentum. This paper was accepted by Wei Xiong, finance.
Transfer schemes for deep learning in image classification : Esquemas de transferência para aprendizado profundo em classificação de imagens

Em Visao Computacional, a tarefa de classificacao e complexa, pois visa a deteccao da presenca de categorias em imagens, dependendo criticamente da habilidade de aprender modelos computacionais generalistas a partir de amostras de treinamento. Aprendizado Profundo (AP) para tarefas visuais geralmente envolve o aprendizado de todos os passos deste processo, da extracao de caracteristicas ate a atribuicao de rotulos. Este tipo pervasivo de aprendizado garante aos modelos de AP maior capacidade de generalizacao, mas tambem traz novos desafios: um modelo de AP devera estimar um grande numero de parâmetros, exigindo um imenso conjunto de dados anotados e grandes quantidades de recursos computacionais. Neste contexto, a Transferencia de Aprendizado emerge como uma solucao promissora, permitindo a reciclagem de parâmetros aprendidos por modelos diferentes. Motivados pela crescente quantidade de evidencias para o potencial de tais tecnicas, estudamos de maneira abrangente a transferencia de conhecimento de arquiteturas profundas aplicada ao reconhecimento de imagens. Nossos experimentos foram desenvolvidos para explorar representacoes internas de uma arquitetura profunda, testando sua robustez, redundância e precisao, com aplicacoes nos problemas de rastreio automatico de melanoma, reconhecimento de cenas (MIT Indoors) e deteccao de objetos (Pascal VOC). Tambem levamos a transferencia a extremos, introduzindo a Transferencia de Aprendizado Completa, que preserva a maior parte do modelo original, mostrando que esquemas agressivos de transferencia podem atingir resultados competitivos. Abstract
Hepatocyte Growth Factor Is a Mouse Fetal Leydig Cell Terminal Differentiation Factor1

ABSTRACT The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine and a well-known regulator of mouse embryonic organogenesis. In previous papers, we have shown the expression pattern of HGF and its receptor, C-MET, during the different stages of testis prenatal development. We demonstrated that C-MET is expressed in fetal Leydig cells (FLCs) and that HGF stimulates testosterone secretion in organ culture of late fetal testes. In the present study, we analyzed the proliferation rate, apoptotic index, and differentiation of FLCs in testicular organ culture of 17.5 days postcoitum (17.5 dpc) embryos to clarify the physiological role of HGF in late testis organogenesis. Based on our data, we conclude the following: 1) HGF acts as an antiapoptotic factor that is able to reduce the number of apoptotic FLCs and testicular caspase-3 active fragment; 2) HGF does not affect FLC proliferation; 3) HGF significantly increases expression of insulin-like 3 (INSL3), a marker of Leydig cell terminal differentiation, without affecting 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3betaHSD) expression; 4) HGF significantly decreases the expression of nestin, a marker of Leydig cell progenitors; and 5) HGF significantly increases the number of fully developed FLCs. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that HGF is able to act in vitro as a survival and differentiation factor in FLC population.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (Hbsag) Decrease and Serum Interferon-Inducible Protein-10 Levels as Predictive Markers for Hbsag Loss during Treatment with Nucleoside/Nucleotide Analogues

Background Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is the ultimate goal of antiviral therapy and its prediction may be important for treatment individualization. Quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg) has been shown to predict response to interferon-α, but few studies have analysed qHBsAg during treatment with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs). Serum interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) has been associated with treatment response in hepatitis C, but data in chronic hepatitis B are lacking. Here, we aimed to investigate potential factors predictive for HBsAg loss. Methods HBsAg was quantified at multiple time points in 126 patients with chronic HBV infection; 95 received NA treatment for 6–107 months. At an early time point (first 6 months of therapy) and late time point after virological response (VR; HBV DNA<100 IU/ ml), we distinguished three patterns of HBsAg decrease: strong decrease (>0.5 log10), moderate decrease (10% to 0.5 log10) and no decrease (<10%). In addition to conventional biochemical and virological parameters, we analysed serum IP-10 levels in 55 patients. Results Early and late HBsAg kinetics did not correlate. Overall, 42% of patients with a strong HBsAg decrease 2 years after VR cleared HBsAg. Importantly, no patient without a late HBsAg decrease >0.5 log10 cleared HBsAg. By contrast, early HBsAg decrease after 6 months of NA therapy was not associated with HBsAg loss. Baseline serum IP-10 levels were associated with late but not early HBsAg kinetics and were highest in patients with HBsAg loss. Conclusions Monitoring qHBsAg after successful HBV DNA suppression might be useful to identify patients who clear HBsAg, implicating finite NA treatment. The role of IP-10 as predictive marker for HBsAg loss should be further evaluated.
Reliability of panoramic ultrasound imaging to simultaneously examine muscle size and quality of the medial gastrocnemius

Introduction: In this study we examined the test–retest reliability of panoramic brightness‐mode ultrasound (US) imaging to simultaneously measure both muscle size and quality from a single US image. Methods: Sixteen healthy, recreationally active men (age = 20.9 ± 2.5 years) volunteered for this investigation. Test–retest reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the standard error of measurement as a percentage of the mean (SEM%). Muscle size [cross‐sectional area (CSA)], and muscle quality [echo intensity (EI)] of the medial gastrocnemius were examined on 2 separate days. Results: These measures demonstrated acceptable reliability between assessment days with ICCs and SEM% of 0.914 and 0.720 and 5.830 and 3.680 for CSA and EI, respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that panoramic US imaging may be a reliable technique for simultaneous assessment of both muscle size and quality from a single US scan. Muscle Nerve 49: 736–740, 2014
Interaction between cyclooxygenase and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system: rationale and clinical relevance

Increased understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases has shown that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is activated in this setting and suggests a central role for the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). ACE transforms angiotensin I (Ang I) to angiotensin II (Ang II), and also promotes the degradation of bradykinin into inactive metabolites. These bradykinins stimulate nitric oxide synthesis and vasodilatator prostaglandin synthesis via a cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway. COX inhibitors may therefore be deleterious in cardiovascular disease and/or counteract part of ACE inhibitor (ACE-I) efficacy. This has been clearly demonstrated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including high-dose aspirin, in avoiding their use in such patients. hypertension, coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure (CHF); most guidelines recommend avoiding their use in such patients. Theoretically, this effect is dose-mediated and the existence of an identical deleterious effect with low-dose aspirin has been an area of intense debate. In this article, we review studies, most of them conducted in CHF, that pointed out such a possible deleterious effect and a counteraction of ACE-Is with low-dose aspirin , using various criteria of assessment. However, there are no prospective long-term studies that have validated such an effect, and the role of other anti-aggregating agents has not been evaluated. Until such studies are published, the use of low-dose aspirin (100 mg/day) in such patients can be recommended.
Characterization of Nonmotile Neutrophil Subpopulations in Neonates and Adults

ABSTRACT: Previous studies have demonstrated that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are not a homogeneous population of cells but differ significantly in their structure and function. PMN move at varying rates, and a fraction estimated from 20 to 70% do not move at all in response to chemotactic stimuli. To characterize this PMN subpopulation better, we studied PMN motility in neonates and adults using a polycarbonate micropore filter chemotactic assay and the 31D8 MAb. Most PMN strongly bind 31D8 MAb (31D8 “bright”), but a minority (31D8 “dull”) weakly bind the antibody and in this respect are similar to immature PMN precursors. The 31D8 “dull” PMN have impaired function compared with 31D8 “bright” PMN. In the present study, a PMN subpopulation that failed to migrate using the micropore filter assay accounted for 58 ± 7% of adult PMN and was similar to the migrating subpopulation in regard to viability and phagocytic function. The nonmotile subpopulation had a higher percentage of bands (5 ± 3% versus 1 ± 2%, p<0.01) and decreased binding of 31D8 MAb compared with the motile subpopulation. Neonates had a larger nonmigrating PMN subpopulation and 31D8 “dull” PMN subpopulation than those of adults (76 ± 3% versus 58 ± 7%, p=0.04 and 26 ± 11% versus 8 ± 2%, p<0.01, respectively). These data indicate that although PMN appear morphologically as a homogeneous population of cells, there exists a viable, nonmotile PMN subpopulation that may be less mature than the motile PMN subpopulation. They also indicate that impaired neonatal PMN motility may be attributable in part to an increased size of the nonmotile PMN subpopulation.
Management of side effects of BCR/ABL-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm therapies. Focus on anagrelide

Although hydroxyurea is considered the first-line cytoreductive therapy in high-risk patients with polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia, approximately 20–25% of patients develop resistance or intolerance and they need an alternative therapy. Anagrelide is the treatment of choice in patients with essential thrombocythemia intolerant or with resistance to hydroxyurea. Anagrelide is usually well tolerated. Although there is concern about the increased risk of cardiac side effects, in most cases these are mild, and easily manageable. In this paper, the available evidence about the management of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, with a special focus on the side effects of drug therapies is reviewed.