Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Responsiveness and resuscitation of the newborn. The use of the Apgar score.

Introduction Accurate observations at birth are essential for subsequent evaluation of the effects of perinatal events, such as maternal medication, mode of delivery, and resuscitative efforts, upon the infant. Without such observations, evaluation of the role of resuscitation in survival is impossible. Even with their aid, judgment is often difficult. The rare instances in which artificial initiation of breathing is an absolute necessity are usually recognizable, but there is less agreement as to degree of hypopnea and need for treatment in the more numerous slightly or moderately "slow" babies, most of whom receive some so-called resuscitation. It is hoped that the Collaborative Project on Cerebral Palsy and Other Neurological and Sensory Disorders of Infancy and Childhood, recently organized by the National Institute for Neurological Disease and Blindness, will collect and pool records of such accurate observations from 16 medical centers. Before the local division of that study was begun at
Photo inactivation of virus particles in microfluidic capillary systems

It has long been established that UVC light is a very effective method for inactivating pathogens in a fluid, yet the application of UVC irradiation to modern biotechnological processes is limited by the intrinsic short penetration distance of UVC light in optically dense protein solutions. This experimental and numerical study establishes that irradiating a fluid flowing continuously in a microfluidic capillary system, in which the diameter of the capillary is tuned to the depth of penetration of UVC light, uniquely treats the whole volume of the fluid to UVC light, resulting in fast and effective inactivation of pathogens, with particular focus to virus particles. This was demonstrated by inactivating human herpes simplex virus type‐1 (HSV‐1, a large enveloped virus) on a dense 10% fetal calf serum solution in a range of fluoropolymer capillary systems, including a 0.75 mm and 1.50 mm internal diameter capillaries and a high‐throughput MicroCapillary Film with mean hydraulic diameter of 206 μm. Up to 99.96% of HSV‐1 virus particles were effectively inactivated with a mean exposure time of up to 10 s, with undetectable collateral damage to solution proteins. The kinetics of virus inactivation matched well the results from a new mathematical model that considers the parabolic flow profile in the capillaries, and showed the methodology is fully predictable and scalable and avoids both the side effect of UVC light to proteins and the dilution of the fluid in current tubular UVC inactivation systems. This is expected to speed up the industrial adoption of non‐invasive UVC virus inactivation in clinical biotechnology and biomanufacturing of therapeutic molecules. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1481–1492. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimum Power-Performance GPU Configuration Prediction Based on Code Attributes

GPUs have been widely used in the past decade to speed up the execution of general purpose applications with high level of parallelism. The efficiency of running general purpose applications on GPUs depends on how well the processing and memory demands of the application is balanced with the hardware resources available on the target GPU and it can significantly affect the power and performance of the application execution. In this study, we are proposing a model that relates the architectural parameters of the GPU to the characteristics of the application running on it. The model is used to predict the GPU configuration that results in the best power-performance that the application can achieve running on the GPU. We compare the model produced Optimal configurations to actual optimal configurations obtained from simulations and show that the Optimal configurations obtained from the model is very close to the actual ones.
A single-phase PWM inverter controlling based on PLL compensation with nonlinear loads

This paper presents a single phase PWM inverter to be controlled by PLL compensator with non-linear loads. Its measured phase angles of voltage and current for reactive power compensation are performed, which capacitor current and load voltage are feedbacked to PLL compensator. The PLL architecture has two interconnected control loops, a magnitude controller and a phase angle controller, which provide the measures of magnitude, frequency and phase angle of the input signal. Reference voltage for PWM inverter is calculated by estimated capacitor current on the contrary to order control methods of PLL in which two estimations have been performed.
Wealth Inequality , Family Background , and Estate Taxation Mariacristina De Nardi

This paper provides two main contributions. First, it provides a new theory of wealth inequality that merges two forces generating inequality: bequest motives and inheritance of ability across generations; and an earnings process that allows for more earnings risk for the richest. Second, it uses a calibrated framework to study the effects of changing estate taxation on inequality, aggregate capital accumulation and output, the economic advantage of being born to a given parental background, and welfare. Our calibrated model generates realistically skewed distributions for wealth, earnings, and bequests and implies that parental background is a crucial determinant of one’s expected lifetime utility. We find that increasing the estate tax rate would significantly reduce wealth concentration in the hands of the richest few and would reduce the economic advantage of being born to a super-rich family, but also would lower aggregate capital and output. Lastly, it would also generate a significant welfare gain from the ex-ante standpoint of a newborn under the veil of ignorance.
Hyponeurotrophinemia in Serum of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as a Low Grade Chronic Inflammation

Introduction: This study aimed to discuss about neuroimmune-pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Nerve growth factor (NGF) as modulator of neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) system plays a critical role in tissue survival and homeostasis maintenance. It is a strong marker for sympathetic nerve activity. Women with PCO have enhanced ovarian NGF production. Over the past few decades, PCOS has been discussed as a low grade chronic inflammatory disease. In this study, we investigated the neuromodulator role of serum NGF and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, β, 17A and TNF-α) in women with PCOS. Material and Methods: 171 patients were investigated in two groups: study (n = 85 PCO) and control (n = 86). Serum levels of NGF-α and interleukins IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-17A and TNFα were determined in both groups by ELISA kit. Results: Data of this study showed that the level of NGF-α and IL-17A in serum of PCO women were lower than control group (p α, IL-1β were higher than control group in PCO women (p α, IL-1β. Reduction of IL-17A and NGF in serum of PCO patients might be under the direct influence of the hyperactivity of sympathetic nervous system (SNS).
The sphingomyelin/ceramide pathway is involved in ERK1/2 phosphorylation, cell proliferation, and uPAR overexpression induced by tissue‐type plasminogen activator

Plasminogen activators (tPA and uPA) are serine proteases that convert the circulating zymogen plasminogen to active plasmin and mediate fibrin degradation. These multifunctional proteins trigger various biological events such as extracellular matrix degradation, cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation, through not yet fully characterized mechanisms. We report that, in smooth muscle cells and ECV‐304 carcinoma cells, tPA and ATF (the N‐terminal catalytically inactive fragment of tPA) elicited DNA synthesis that requires activation of the sphingomyelin/ceramide/sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (Spm/Cer/S1P), signaling pathway and was blocked by D‐erythro‐2‐(N‐myristoylamino)‐1‐phenyl‐propanol (D‐MAPP) and N‐N’‐dimethyl sphingosine (DMS), two classical inhibitors of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate biosynthesis. Binding of tPA to its receptor uPAR triggered the coordinated activation of two key enzymes of the Spm/Cer/S1P pathway, the neutral sphingomyelinase and the sphingosine kinase‐1 that was mediated by a common pertussis toxin (PTX)‐sensitive mechanism. The tPA‐induced sphingosine kinase‐1 activation was mediated by Src, since it was inhibited by herbimycin A and in SrcK‐cells (overexpressing a dominant negative kinase defective form of Src) and by ERK1/2 (early phase peaking at 15 min). Sphingosine kinase‐1 activation was followed by a second phase of ERK1/2 phosphorylation (peaking at 120 min) and subsequent DNA synthesis, which were inhibited by D‐MAPP and DMS, by anti‐EGD‐1 antibodies and in SrcK‐cells (in which the mitogenic signaling was rescued by sphingosine‐1‐phosphate). Altogether, these data underline a pivotal role for the Spm/Cer/S1P pathway in the tPA‐induced mitogenic signaling.
Ethylene Stimulates Nutations That Are Dependent on the ETR1 Receptor1[W][OA]

Ethylene influences a number of processes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) through the action of five receptors. In this study, we used high-resolution, time-lapse imaging to examine the long-term effects of ethylene on growing, etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings. These measurements revealed that ethylene stimulates nutations of the hypocotyls with an average delay in onset of over 6 h. The nutation response was constitutive in ctr1-2 mutants maintained in air, whereas ein2-1 mutants failed to nutate when treated with ethylene. Ethylene-stimulated nutations were also eliminated in etr1-7 loss-of-function mutants. Transformation of the etr1-7 mutant with a wild-type genomic ETR1 transgene rescued the nutation phenotype, further supporting a requirement for ETR1. Loss-of-function mutations in the other receptor isoforms had no effect on ethylene-stimulated nutations. However, the double ers1-2 ers2-3 and triple etr2-3 ers2-3 ein4-4 loss-of-function mutants constitutively nutated in air. These results support a model where all the receptors are involved in ethylene-stimulated nutations, but the ETR1 receptor is required and has a contrasting role from the other receptor isoforms in this nutation phenotype. Naphthylphthalamic acid eliminated ethylene-stimulated nutations but had no effect on growth inhibition caused by ethylene, pointing to a role for auxin transport in the nutation phenotype.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Biocompatibility : A Review

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a procedure that takes over the function of the heart and lungs in order to safely perform surgery on the heart and great vessels. The procedure oxygenates blood by pumping it through an extracorporeal perfusion circuit. Blood-material interaction in the perfusion circuit activates the blood and triggers clotting activity as well as an immune inflammatory response within the body. These events have synergistic effects and are not yet fully understood. The morbidity of CPB due to these biological responses has led to tremendous amounts of research into improved biocompatibility for cardiopulmonary bypass. Hemolysis, platelet rupture, and protein adhesion have been identified as the most important blood-material interactions for activating the blood. Surface area, surface roughness, and surface chemistry all can influence the blood-material interactions in the perfusion circuit and successful reduction in blood activation has been experienced in utilizing each of these as a material modification factor. A greater understanding of the biochemical events taking place during and after blood-material interaction must be gained before drastic improvement of biocompatibility can be made for CPB. Inhibition of the earliest activation events of the coagulation and complement pathways through material intervention is the best place to focus future efforts.
Motion Characteristics of the Lumbar Spine in the Normal Population

Study Design The present study investigated the dynamic motion characteristics of the lumbar spine in the normal population using a potentiometric analysis system. Objectives To assess the ability of a triaxial potentiometric analysis system to measure dynamic motion in the lumbar spine, and to use this system to form a database of dynamic motion characteristics from which normal parameters of motion and the factors affecting this motion could be defined. Summary of Background Data Spinal motion has been studied using a variety of different methods, the majority of which have been limited either in terms of reliability, accuracy, or invasiveness and many have been only of a static nature. There has been no previous study into the normal dynamic motion characteristics of the lumbar spine. Methods The accuracy of the system was determined by a series of tests against a callbrated engineering mill, and the reliability of the system was assessed on 10 subjects with repeated measurements over a 3-day period. Values of range of motion and angular velocity were obtained from 203 normal subjects during flexion and extension, lateral flexion, and rotation. Results The results of the calibration testing revealed excellent accuracy, and it was shown that the system was repeatable. Initial analysis of the results indicated that sex differences did exist with men having 58.4° of flexion and women having 53.4°. Age appeared to have an influence on motion, and a gradual reduction was seen with each decade (P < 0.0001), with the 20–29-year age range having 59.5° mean flexion, the 30–39-year group having 58.1°, the 40–49-year group having 53.7°, the 50–60-year group having 57.5°, and the 60–70-year group having 45.9°. Multiple regression techniques revealed that only a few factors are important with respect to motion and that these varied according to the characteristic being defined. Conclusions Range of motion tended to be affected by age and sex, whereas velocity was only affected by distance moved, with occupation and body mass index having little or no influence on the motion. The factors identified could only account for a small proportion of the variation seen, suggesting that it is difficult to predict the motion characteristics with any degree of sensitivity.
Relationship between chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) density and large, fleshy‐fruit tree density: Conservation implications

Conservation efforts to protect chimpanzees in their natural habitat are of the highest priority. Unfortunately, chimpanzee density is notoriously difficult to determine, making it difficult to assess potential chimpanzee conservation areas. The objective of this study was to determine whether chimpanzee density could be predicted from the density of trees that produce large, fleshy fruits. Using chimpanzee nest counts from six sites within Kibale National Park, Uganda, collected during a year‐long study, a predictive trend was found between chimpanzee nest density and large, fleshy‐fruit tree density. This relationship may offer a quick, reasonably reliable method of estimating potential chimpanzee densities in previously unsurveyed habitats and may be used to evaluate the suitability of possible re‐introduction sites. Thus, in conjunction with other survey techniques, such as forest reconnaissance, it may provide an effective and efficient means of determining appropriate chimpanzee habitat in which to allocate conservation efforts. Am. J. Primatol. 51:197–203, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long‐Term Experience With Endoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of Salivary Gland Inflammatory Diseases

Objectives To assess the efficacy of the sialoendoscopic technique for treatment of inflammatory salivary gland diseases. This report documents the authors' long‐term experience with sialoendoscopy and discusses the long‐term results of the procedure, technical issues, and varieties that they have utilized, as well as the advantages and limitations of this modality.
Differential impairment in semantic, phonemic, and action fluency performance in Friedreich's ataxia: Possible evidence of prefrontal dysfunction

This study examined phonemic (letters), semantic (animals) and action verbal fluency cues in twenty-four patients with FRDA, and twenty matched healthy control subjects. The Action Fluency Test (AFT) is a newly-developed verbal fluency cue that consists in asking the subject to rapidly generate verbs. Given the high presence of dysarthria and cognitive slowness in FRDA patients, control tasks were administered in order to dissociate motor/articulatory impairment and cognitive slowness from verbal fluency deficit. Results showed that patients and control subjects performed similarly on the semantic fluency task. In contrast, patients performed significantly poorer on phonemic and action fluency tests. Correlational analyses showed that the deficits cannot be attributed to dysarthria or cognitive slowness. Although executive processes are necessary for initiating and monitoring all verbal fluency tasks, phonemic and action fluency may place a greater burden on strategic processes, given that they require a more unusual type of lexicon search. Thus, the deficits found occur in tasks that require greater executive/prefrontal control. This impairment might be the result of an affectation of cerebellum-prefrontal cortex connections, although the possibility of a primary prefrontal dysfunction remains to be investigated. (JINS, 2007, 13, 944–952.)
Return to: Spirituality and Paranormal Phenomena PSYCHIC AND SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES, HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND MEANING IN LIFE

This screening survey of college students found that 59% of the 105 respondents indicated that they had experienced a psychic and/or transcendent/spiritual experience. Those reporting these anomalous experiences tended to have a greater overall sense of meaning in life. Among different factors that can give meaning and purpose to life, expressing artistic creativity and observing spiritual beliefs were positively related to reports of anomalous experiences, whereas obtaining wealth was negatively related. The survey also confirmed that scales for absorption and temporal lobe symptoms correlate positively with each other and with reports of anomalous experiences. The pattern of correlations among well-being measures, anomalous experiences, and other variables was consistent with previous studies with college students but was different from previous results with nonstudent adults. Research on the relationship between religion and mental health has found similar positive relationships for adult populations and mixed results for college students. Very few respondents considered their anomalous experiences detrimental, and 91 % of those reporting transcendent experiences and 46% of those reporting psychic experiences considered them valuable. If anomalous experiences generally have beneficial effects, the relationships between these experiences and health measures may become more positive over time. This hypothesis appears consistent with the limited available data and offers great research potential. Investigators in the rapidly growing field of mind-body medicine are encountering findings that suggest that an attitude of openness to paranormal experiences may be conducive to health and well-being. For example, Joan Borysenko, cofounder of the Mind/Body Clinic at Harvard Medical School, reports that an encounter with an apparendy psychic person in an airport, followed by a series of past-life regression experiences, helped her overcome a serious psychological problem that extensive therapy had failed to resolve (Borysenko, 1993). She notes that her experiences do not provide scientific evidence for the reality of past lives, but they do provide evidence that anomalous experiences can help
Forming-free nitrogen-doped AlOX RRAM with sub-μA programming current

Nitrogen-doped AlO<inf>X</inf> Resistive RAM has been integrated on CMOS. The memory cell requires no forming, and sub-μA programming currents. The cell is capable of multi-bit storage, reliable for over 10<sup>5</sup> switching cycles and 10 years retention at 125°C.
RNA‐based mutation analysis identifies an unusual MSH6 splicing defect and circumvents PMS2 pseudogene interference

Heterozygous germline mutations in one of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 cause hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or Lynch syndrome, a dominantly inherited cancer susceptibility syndrome. Recent reports provide evidence for a novel recessively inherited cancer syndrome with constitutive MMR deficiency due to biallelic germline mutations in one of the MMR genes. MMR‐deficiency (MMR‐D) syndrome is characterized by childhood brain tumors, hematological and/or gastrointestinal malignancies, and signs of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We established an RNA‐based mutation detection assay for the four MMR genes, since 1) a number of splicing defects may escape detection by the analysis of genomic DNA, and 2) DNA‐based mutation detection in the PMS2 gene is severely hampered by the presence of multiple highly similar pseudogenes, including PMS2CL. Using this assay, which is based on direct cDNA sequencing of RT‐PCR products, we investigated two families with children suspected to suffer from MMR‐D syndrome. We identified a homozygous complex MSH6 splicing alteration in the index patients of the first family and a novel homozygous PMS2 mutation (c.182delA) in the index patient of the second family. Furthermore, we demonstrate, by the analysis of a PMS2/PMS2CL “hybrid” allele carrier, that RNA‐based PMS2 testing effectively avoids the caveats of genomic DNA amplification approaches; i.e., pseudogene coamplification as well as allelic dropout, and will, thus, allow more sensitive mutation analysis in MMR deficiency and in HNPCC patients with PMS2 defects. Hum Mutat 29(2), 299–305, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Desaturases: Emerging Models for Understanding Functional Diversification of Diiron-containing Enzymes*

Desaturases and related enzymes perform O2-dependent dehydrogenations initiated at unactivated C-H groups with the use of a diiron active site. Determination of the long-sought oxidized desaturase crystal structure facilitated structural comparison of the active sites of disparate diiron enzymes. Experiments on the castor desaturase are discussed that provide experimental support for a hypothesized ancestral oxidase enzyme in the context of the evolution of the diiron enzyme diverse functionality. We also summarize recent analysis of a castor mutant desaturase that provides valuable insights into the relationship of proposed substrate-binding modes with respect to a range of catalytic outcomes.
Predicting success in the tactical air combat party training pipeline.

OBJECTIVES To develop a statistical model that predicts the likelihood of success or failure of military training candidates using tests administered before initial skill training as inputs. METHODS Data were acquired from candidates before the start of U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party training, including (1) demographic, (2) psychological composition evaluated using Emotional Quotient Inventory, (3) physical performance capability, (4) a physical activity questionnaire, and (5) salivary fatigue biomarker index. A total of 126 candidates were tracked until they either passed or failed the training, and a total of 55 variables were used as inputs for creation of the model. RESULTS Clustering analysis of the data revealed that only 4 of 55 variables were useful for predicting success or failure. The variables in the order of their importance are as follows: run time, number of miles run per week in the last year, level of salivary fatigue biomarker, and height. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that simple testing methods can identify candidates at high risk of failure.