Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surfactant treatment before first breath for respiratory distress syndrome in preterm lambs: comparison of a peptide-containing synthetic lung surfactant with porcine-derived surfactant

Background In a recent study utilizing a saline-lavaged adult rabbit model, we described a significant improvement in systemic oxygenation and pulmonary shunt after the instillation of a novel synthetic peptide-containing surfactant, Synsurf. Respiratory distress syndrome in the preterm lamb more closely resembles that of the human infant, as their blood gas, pH values, and lung mechanics deteriorate dramatically from birth despite ventilator support. Moreover, premature lambs have lungs which are mechanically unstable, with the advantage of being able to measure multiple variables over extended periods. Our objective in this study was to investigate if Synsurf leads to improved systemic oxygenation, lung mechanics, and histology in comparison to the commercially available porcine-derived lung surfactant Curosurf® when administered before first breath in a preterm lamb model. Materials and methods A Cesarean section was performed under general anesthesia on 18 time-dated pregnant Dohne Merino ewes at 129–130 days gestation. The premature lambs were delivered and ventilated with an expiratory tidal volume of 6–8 mL/kg for the first 30 minutes and thereafter at 8–10 mL/kg. In a randomized controlled trial, the two surfactants tested were Synsurf and Curosurf®, both at a dose of 100 mg/kg phospholipids (1,2-dipalmitoyl-L-α-phosphatidylcholine; 90% in Synsurf, 40% in Curosurf®). A control group of animals was treated with normal saline. Measurements of physiological variables, blood gases, and lung mechanics were made before and after surfactant and saline replacement and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 300 minutes after treatment. The study continued for 5 hours. Results Surfactant treatment led to a significant improvement in oxygenation within 30 minutes, with the Synsurf group and the Curosurf® group having significantly higher ratios between arterial partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2; P = 0.021) compared to that of the control (saline-treated) animals. Dynamic compliance improved in the three groups over time, with no intergroup differences. All of the surfactant-treated animals survived, and one in the saline group died before the study ended. Histology between groups was not different, showing mild–moderate injury patterns. Discussion: Treatment with surfactants before first breath clearly resulted in improved systemic oxygenation within 30 minutes of instillation. Both Synsurf- and Curosurf®-treated animals experienced similar and more sustained improvement in oxygenation and decreased calculated shunt compared to saline-treated animals.
The Benefit of Recreational Physical Activity to Restore Attentional Fatigue: The Effects of Running Intensity Level on Attention Scores

Abstract The primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of running intensity level and physical activity level on the recovery of attentional fatigue while controlling for duration, environment, and activity type in a sample of recreational runners. Attention Restoration Theory served as the theoretical frame for the study. Relationships among these and related variables were evaluated at the group level in an experimental, between subjects design. The data allowed hypothesis testing about differences between group means at four levels of intensity: self-regulated, low, high, and comparison to a resting control group on the dependent variable attention. High intensity running restored attention significantly more than the control group. Implications for theory, and recreation research and practice are discussed.
Stateless Network Functions: Breaking the Tight Coupling of State and Processing

In this paper we present Stateless Network Functions, a new architecture for network functions virtualization, where we decouple the existing design of network functions into a stateless processing component along with a data store layer. In breaking the tight coupling, we enable a more elastic and resilient network function infrastructure. Our StatelessNF processing instances are architected around efficient pipelines utilizing DPDK for high performance network I/O, packaged as Docker containers for easy deployment, and a data store interface optimized based on the expected request patterns to efficiently access a RAMCloud-based data store. A network-wide orchestrator monitors the instances for load and failure, manages instances to scale and provide resilience, and leverages an OpenFlow-based network to direct traffic to instances. We implemented three example network functions (network address translator, firewall, and load balancer). Our evaluation shows (i) we are able to reach a throughput of 10Gbit/sec, with an added latency overhead of between 100μs and 500μs, (ii) we are able to have a failover which does not disrupt ongoing traffic, and (iii) when scaling out and scaling in we are able to match the ideal performance.
The Corridor Map Method: Real-Time High-Quality Path Planning

A central problem in robotics is planning a collision-free path for a moving object in an environment with obstacles. Contemporary applications require a path planner that is fast (to ensure real-time interaction with the environment) and flexible (to avoid local hazards). In addition, paths need to be smooth and short. We propose a new framework, the corridor map method, which meets these requirements.
The Impact of a Program in Mindful Communication on Primary Care Physicians

Purpose In addition to structural transformations, deeper changes are needed to enhance physicians’ sense of meaning and satisfaction with their work and their ability to respond creatively to a dynamically changing practice environment. The purpose of this research was to understand what aspects of a successful continuing education program in mindful communication contributed to physicians’ well-being and the care they provide. Method In 2008, the authors conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews with primary care physicians who had recently completed a 52-hour mindful communication program demonstrated to reduce psychological distress and burnout while improving empathy. Interviews with a random sample of 20 of the 46 physicians in the Rochester, New York, area who attended at least four of eight weekly sessions and four of eight monthly sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed qualitatively. The authors identified salient themes from the interviews. Results Participants reported three main themes: (1) sharing personal experiences from medical practice with colleagues reduced professional isolation, (2) mindfulness skills improved the participants’ ability to be attentive and listen deeply to patients’ concerns, respond to patients more effectively, and develop adaptive reserve, and (3) developing greater self-awareness was positive and transformative, yet participants struggled to give themselves permission to attend to their own personal growth. Conclusions Interventions to improve the quality of primary care practice and practitioner well-being should promote a sense of community, specific mindfulness skills, and permission and time devoted to personal growth.
Advantages and applications of the centerline method for characterizing regional ventricular function.

We sought to identify theoretical advantages and applications of the centerline method for quantitative assessment of regional ventricular function. Motion was measured along 100 chords constructed perpendicular to a centerline drawn midway between the end-diastolic and end-systolic contours, and normalized for heart size. Abnormality was expressed in units of standard deviations from the mean motion in a normal reference population to indicate both the severity and significance of the wall motion abnormality. The mean abnormality averaged over 100 chords correlated highly with the area ejection fraction (r = .97). The centerline method uses a "sliding window" to measure motion where it is abnormal, because assessment of wall motion in predefined regions of the ventricular contour underestimates abnormality. From the 100 data points, the extent (% of contour) of regional abnormalities can also be determined. The severity of hypokinesis at the site of acute myocardial infarction correlated better with infarct size estimated from creatine kinase release (r = -.78) than did the ejection fraction or the circumferential extent of hypokinesis. Because the centerline method measures motion along locally determined vectors, and requires no apex, origin, coordinate system, or geometric reference figure, it can be applied to contours as dissimilar as the 60 degree left anterior oblique projection of the left ventricle and the 75 degree left anterior oblique projection of the right ventricle.
A distributed control for active power curtailment within a wind farm based on ratio consensus algorithms

Power networks with renewable energy always encounter the imbalance between supply and demand. One case is that during the peak load, generation is normally low or zero and other generation plants adjust more to meet with requirement. The other is during peak generation period, the generated power will exceed the load and be injected to the grid, which will cause the voltage rise and extra power curtailment is essential. To solve the latter problem, this paper proposes a ratio consensus based distributed control scheme to dispatch the curtailment power within a wind farm. Detailed distributed control scheme with ratio consensus algorithms is theoretically illustrated. System was developed in MATLAB software. The result of case study on the proposed system demonstrated the effectiveness of the curtailment strategy.
Approximate analysis of short circuited ring patch antenna working at TM/sub 01/ mode

This paper presents a study of the short circuited ring patch antenna based on the cavity model. Special attention has been paid to the fundamental mode in this geometry: the TM/sub 01/ mode. Analytical expressions for resonant frequency, fields, radiation pattern and input impedance based on this model have been developed. Simulations based on this theoretical model and experimental results show good agreement. The interesting radiation characteristics and resonant frequency of this mode are presented.
Quantum Energy Regression using Scattering Transforms

We present a novel approach to the regression of quantum mechanical energies based on a scatter- ing transform of an intermediate electron den- sity representation. A scattering transform is a deep convolution network computed with a cas- cade of multiscale wavelet transforms. It pos- sesses appropriate invariant and stability prop- erties for quantum energy regression. This new framework removes fundamental limitations of Coulomb matrix based energy regressions, and numerical experiments give state-of-the-art accu- racy over planar molecules.
Frequency-Dependent 3-D LOD-FDTD Method for the Analysis of Plasmonic Devices

A simple trapezoidal recursive convolution technique is utilized to develop a frequency-dependent locally one-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for the three-dimensional analysis of dispersive media. A gap plasmonic waveguide is analyzed and the numerical results are compared with those of the traditional explicit FDTD. A time step ten times as large as that determined from the stability criterion can be allowed to reduce computational time by 40%, offering acceptable numerical results. A plasmonic grating is analyzed as an application.
The Effect of Limited Perioperative Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs on Patients Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: The administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is controversial because it may impair tissue healing and clinical outcomes. Purpose: To assess the effect of NSAID administration on patients undergoing ACLR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Included patients were aged >15 years and were registered in the Norwegian Knee Ligament Registry from 2008 until 2013 after the primary ACLR. Patients with insufficient data regarding administration of NSAIDs and those with associated knee ligament injuries requiring surgical treatment were excluded from this study. Graft survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and hazard ratios (HRs) for revision were evaluated using Cox regression analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for a Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)–quality of life (QOL) subscale score <44 at 2-year follow-up. Results: A total of 7822 patients were included in the analysis for graft survival and assessment for risk of revision. Of these, 4144 patients were administered NSAIDs postoperatively. The mean duration of follow-up was 2.8 years (range, 0-5.9 years). Administration of NSAIDs did not influence graft survival (P = .568). Adjusted Cox regression analyses demonstrated the same finding regarding risk of revision (HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.8-1.3). ACLR using a bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft showed a reduced risk of revision (HR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.8) among patients administered NSAIDs. In subgroup analyses of 3144 patients, administration of NSAIDs demonstrated a beneficial effect on the risk of a KOOS-QOL score <44 at 2-year follow-up (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.6-0.9). Conclusion: Administration of NSAIDs to patients after ACLR does not have a negative effect on graft survival, risk of revision, or risk of a KOOS-QOL score <44 at 2-year follow-up. We emphasize using caution when administering NSAIDs by keeping the duration and dosage of NSAIDs as short and low as possible to ensure sufficient pain relief while limiting unwanted exposure to any known and unknown adverse effects of these drugs.
Serum Pro-hepcidin Could Reflect Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between serum pro-hepcidin concentration and the anemia profiles of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to estimate the pro-hepcidin could reflect the disease activity of RA. RA disease activities were measured using Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), tender/swollen joint counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Anemia profiles such as hemoglobin, iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, and transferrin levels were measured. Serum concentration of pro-hepcidin, the prohormone of hepcidin, was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mean concentration of serum pro-hepcidin was 237.6±67.9 ng/mL in 40 RA patients. The pro-hepcidin concentration was correlated with rheumatoid factor, CRP, ESR, and DAS28. There was a significant correlation between pro-hepcidin with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. The pro-hepcidin concentration was significantly higher in the patients with active RA (DAS28>5.1) than those with inactive to moderate RA (DAS28≤5.1). However, the pro-hepcidin concentration did not correlate with the anemia profiles except hemoglobin level. There was no difference of pro-hepcidin concentration between the patients with anemia of chronic disease and those without. In conclusion, serum concentration of pro-hepcidin reflects the disease activity, regardless of the anemia states in RA patients, thus it may be another potential marker for disease activity of RA.
Optimal Voltage Regulation and Profile Control for Maximum Distributed Generation Penetration

Significant increase in the adoption of intermittent, inertia-less distributed generation technologies has begun to pose noteworthy challenges to the operation of the conventional grid, and hence this necessitates a more active approach to control of equipment in the distribution layer, especially in high-penetration cases. In this paper, a voltage droop control scheme applied to a back-to-back converter architecture is proposed. The control objectives are to regulate secondary circuit/feeder voltage, internal dc-link voltage and feed-in current so as to maximize active power penetration and to maintain an optimal voltage profile. The converters and their controllers are designed and modelled as a stage in cascade with a typical benchmark LV feeder, and simulated using MATLAB. Basing on the simulated cases, it is observed that this concept can be applied as a means of increasing the maximum permissible active power penetration, with optimal voltage profile, in the LV reticulation.
Azithromycin Inhibits Mucus Hypersecretion from Airway Epithelial Cells

To examine the in vivo effects of the 15-member macrolide, azithromycin (AZM), on mucus hypersecretion, we induced hypertrophic and metaplastic changes of goblet cells in rat nasal epithelium by intranasal instillation of ovalbumin (OVA) in OVA-sensitized rats, or by intranasal lipopolysaccharides (LPS) instillation. Oral administration of AZM (5–10 mg/kg) or clarithromycin (CAM, 5–10 mg/kg) significantly inhibited OVA- and LPS-induced mucus production, whereas josamycin (JM) or ampicillin (ABPC) showed no effect. In vitro effects of AZM on airway epithelial cells were examined using NCI-H292 cells and human nasal epithelial cells cultured in air-liquid interface. Mucus secretion was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using an anti-MUC5AC monoclonal antibody. AZM or CAM significantly inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (20 ng/mL)-induced MUC5AC secretion from NCI-H292 cells at 10−6–10−7 M, whereas JM or ABPC showed no effect. AZM significantly inhibited TNF-α (20 ng/mL)-induced MUC5AC secretion from human nasal epithelial cells at 10−4 M. MUC5AC mRNA expression was also significantly inhibited. These results indicate that the 15-member macrolide, AZM, exerts direct inhibitory effects on mucus secretion from airway epithelial cells and that it may be useful for the treatment of mucus hypersecretion caused by allergic inflammation and LPS stimulation.
Colocalization of F-actin and talin during Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis in mouse macrophages

We have studied the distribution of talin in J774 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages undergoing Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis. At early stages of phagocytosis, talin accumulates in the cells' cortical cytoplasm adjacent to the forming phagosome and extends into pseudopods that are encircling the particle. Talin colocalizes with F-actin at these sites. After particle ingestion is completed, F-actin and talin are no longer concentrated adjacent to phagosomes. Thus, talin and F- actin undergo dynamic and coordinate changes in their cytoplasmic location during Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis.
A Vision based system for attitude estimation of UAVS

This paper describes a technique for estimating the attitude of a UAV by monitoring the visual horizon. An algorithm is developed that makes the best use of color and intensity information in an image to determine the position and orientation of the horizon, and infer the aircraft's attitude. The technique is accurate, reliable, and fully capable of real-time operation. Furthermore, it can be incorporated into any existing vision system, irrespective of the way in which the environment is imaged (e.g. through lenses or mirrors).
Computation of minimal counterexamples by using black box techniques and symbolic methods

Computing counterexamples is a crucial task for error diagnosis and debugging of sequential systems. If an implementation does not fulfill its specification, counterexamples are used to explain the error effect to the designer. In order to be understood by the designer, counterexamples should be simple, i.e. they should be as general as possible and assign values to a minimal number of input signals. Here we use the concept of Black Boxes - parts of the design with unknown behavior - to mask out components for counterexample computation. By doing so, the resulting counterexample will argue about a reduced number of components in the system to facilitate the task of understanding and correcting the error. We introduce the notion of 'uniform counterexamples' to provide an exact formalization of simplified counterexamples arguing only about components which were not masked out. Our computation of counterexamples is based on symbolic methods using AIGs (And-Inverter-Graphs). Experimental results using a VLIW processor as a case study clearly demonstrate our capability of providing simplified counterexamples.
Ordinal characteristics of transparency.

Figure 1 shows an example of visual transparency. The image could arise from a number of different physical causes. For example, a square of tissue paper could be in front of a dark grey circle; or a circular shadow could be cast on a plane containing a light grey square; or a dark circular filter could be lying on top of a light grey square. Although the physics is uncertain, one can perceive the image as a combination of two more primitive images.
Quadrature Bridge for R-C Comparisons based on Polyphase Digital Synthesis

A coaxial quadrature bridge based on digital synthesis has been developed. The bridge compares two resistance standards (having nominal resistance R), with two capacitance standards (nominal capacitance C), at an angular frequency omega(such that omegaRC ~ 1). All standards are defined as two terminal-pair impedances. All voltages and currents employed in the bridge are generated by a multiphase direct digital synthesizer, constructed around a personal computer DAC board and a set of integrated amplifiers; the number of electromagnetic devices has been kept to a minimum. The bridge is made to be employed in the realization of the farad unit, starting from the representation of ohm given by the quantum Hall effect. Relative bridge accuracy during the calibration of 1000 pF capacitors in terms of 100 kOmega resistors at omega =10 kradmiddots-1 has been verified to be less than 10-6; preliminary uncertainty assignment give a transfer uncertainty of a few parts in 10_ .
Data Quality Management in a Database Cluster with Lazy Replication

Abstract We consider the use of a database cluster with lazy replication. In this context, controlling the quality of replicated data based on users’ requirements is important to improve performance. However, existing approaches are limited to a particular aspect of data quality. In this paper, we propose a general model of data quality which makes the difference between “freshness” and “validity” of data. Data quality is expressed through divergence measures from the data with perfect quality. Users can thus specify the minimum level of quality for their queries. This information can be exploited to optimize query load balancing. We implemented our approach in our Refresco prototype. The results show that freshness control can help increase query throughput significantly. They also show significant improvement when freshness requirements are specified at the relation level rather than at the database level.