Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impedance cardiography and heart rate variability for long-term cardiovascular outcome prediction after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to evaluate the predictive power of a combined assessment of heart rate variability (HRV) and impedance cardiography (ICG) measures in order to better identify the patients at risk of serious adverse events after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): all-cause or cardiac mortality (primary outcomes) and in-hospital recurrent ischemia, recurrent nonfatal MI, and need for revascularization (secondary outcomes). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 213 study patients underwent 24-hour electrocardiogram (used for HRV analysis) and thoracic bioimpedance monitoring (used for calculation of hemodynamic measures) immediately after admission. The patients were examined on discharge and contacted after 1 and 5 years. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of selected outcomes. RESULTS. The standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) and cardiac power output (CPO) were found to be the significant determinants of 5-year all-cause mortality (SDNN ≤ 100.42 ms and CPO ≤ 1.43 W vs. others: hazard ratio [HR], 11.1; 95% CI, 4.48-27.51; P<0.001). The standard deviation of the averages of NN intervals (SDANN) and CPO were the significant predictors of 5-year cardiac mortality (SDANN ≤ 85.41 ms and CPO ≤ 1.43 W vs. others: HR, 11.05; 95% CI, 3.75-32.56; P<0.001). None of the ICG measures was significant in predicting any secondary outcome. CONCLUSIONS The patients with both impaired autonomic heart regulation and systolic function demonstrated by decreased heart rate variability and impedance hemodynamic measures were found to be at greater risk of all-cause and cardiac death within a 5-year period after STEMI. An integrated analysis of electrocardiogram and impedance cardiogram helps estimate patient's risk of adverse outcomes after STEMI.
Metabolic GHB precursor succinate binds to γ‐hydroxybutyrate receptors: Characterization of human basal ganglia areas nucleus accumbens and globus pallidus

Binding of the metabolic γ‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB) precursor succinate to NCS‐382‐sensitive [3H]GHB‐labeled sites in crude synaptosomal or purified synaptic membrane fractions prepared from the human nucleus accumbens (NA), globus pallidus (GP) and rat forebrain has been shown. This site can be characterized by binding of ethyl hemisuccinate and gap‐junction blockers, including carbenoxolone hemisuccinate and β‐GRA. There was no significant binding interaction between GABAB receptor ligands (CGP 55845, (R)‐baclofen) and these [3H]GHB‐labeled sites. GHB, NCS‐382 and succinate binding profile of [3H]GHB‐labeled sites in rat forebrain, human NA or GP synaptic membranes were similar. The synaptic fraction isolated from the rat forebrain was characterized by GHB binding inhibition constants: Ki,NCS‐382 = 1.2 ± 0.2 μM, Ki,GHB = 1.6 ± 0.3 μM and Ki,SUCCINATE = 212 ± 66 μM. In crude membranes containing mainly extrasynaptic membranes, distinct GHB and GABAB receptor sites were found in the NA. By contrast, extrasynaptic GABAB receptor sites of rat forebrain and GP were GHB‐ and succinate‐sensitive, respectively. The heterogeneity of GABAB sites found in native membranes indicates GABAB receptor‐dependent differences in GHB action. Based on these findings, we suggest that succinate (and possibly drugs available as succinate salt derivatives) can mimic some of the actions of GHB. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parallel-Plate Slot Array Antenna for Deployable SAR Antenna Onboard Small Satellite

Parallel-plate slot array antenna fed by rectangular waveguides at its lower-edge sides has been proposed. This antenna panel can be applied for dual circularly polarized deployable synthetic aperture radar (SAR) antenna onboard small satellite. As to confirm the feasibility of the antenna implementation, a development of one panel antenna system with single polarization (RHCP) has been conducted. The antenna design with simplified model by high-frequency structure simulator (HFSS) and antenna measurement results are explained in this paper. It is shown that antenna with gain and efficiency of 34.9 dBic and 54%, respectively, are achieved at the targeted center frequency (9.65 GHz).
Direct Manipulation and Interactive Sculpting of PDE Surfaces

This paper presents an integrated approach and a unified algorithm that combine the benefits of PDE surfaces and powerful physics‐based modeling techniques within one single modeling framework, in order to realize the full potential of PDE surfaces. We have developed a novel system that allows direct manipulation and interactive sculpting of PDE surfaces at arbitrary location, hence supporting various interactive techniques beyond the conventional boundary control. Our prototype software affords users to interactively modify point, normal, curvature, and arbitrary region of PDE surfaces in a predictable way. We employ several simple, yet effective numerical techniques including the finite‐difference discretization of the PDE surface, the multigrid‐like subdivision on the PDE surface, the mass‐spring approximation of the elastic PDE surface, etc. to achieve real‐time performance. In addition, our dynamic PDE surfaces can also be approximated using standard bivariate B‐spline finite elements, which can subsequently be sculpted and deformed directly in real‐time subject to intrinsic PDE constraints. Our experiments demonstrate many attractive advantages of our dynamic PDE formulation such as intuitive control, real‐time feedback, and usability to the general public.
Coherent patterns in bacterial growth, growth efficiency, and leucine metabolism along a northeastern Pacific inshore‐offshore transect

We investigated the patterns in bacterial growth, production, respiration, growth efficiency (BGE), and bacterial leucine respiration and C‐to‐leucine yield (i.e., conversion factor [CF]) along a transect off the coast of Oregon. Plankton respiration along the transect averaged 1.15 ± 0.16 mg C L−1 h−1, peaking in the coastal upwelling region. The respiration in the filtered fraction, which was dominated by bacterial biomass, accounted for 79% of the total respiration. The different approaches that we used converged to an average BGE of 13% ± 1%, with peaks of over 20% in the more productive coastal areas and values declining to below 5% toward the oligotrophic gyre waters. There was overall coherence between the various aspects of bacterial C metabolism: communities with low BGE also tended to have low growth rates and high leucine‐to‐thymidine incorporation ratios. The patterns in BGE were mirrored at the single compound level, and in the most oligotrophic sites, bacteria tended to quickly respire a large fraction (20–75%) of the leucine that was taken up and had the lowest C‐to‐leucine yield, suggesting that the patterns in bulk BGE and growth also apply to individual substrates. Bacterial growth was a function of both C consumption and BGE; these two aspects of bacterial C metabolism do not necessarily covary, and they are regulated differently. The patterns in C consumption, growth, BGE, and leucine metabolism all reflect the basic physiological response of bacteria to energy limitation due to high maintenance costs associated with life in oligotrophy.
Myoclonus‐dystonia due to genomic deletions in the epsilon‐sarcoglycan gene

Direct genomic DNA sequencing fails to detect epsilon‐sarcoglycan (SGCE) mutations in up to 30% of familial myoclonus‐dystonia (M‐D) cases. We identified novel large heterozygous deletions of SGCE exon 5 or exon 6 in two M‐D pedigrees. Like nonsense mutations, exon rearrangements result in the generation of premature stop codons downstream of the deleted exon. SGCE exon dosage assays may identify additional families with SGCE mutation and thus reduce “genetic heterogeneity. ” Ann Neurol 2005;58:792–797
Spillover effects of the uninsured

This study seeks to determine the effects of the local uninsurance rate on the quality of care delivered to Medicare beneficiaries. While a great deal of research exists on the negative consequences of uninsurance for the uninsured, few studies have attempted to address the spillover effects of this population to the health care system in a local market. Theory suggests that a high local uninsurance rate in a market has the potential to cause a decrease in the shared quality of care provided to Medicare beneficiaries. It also suggests however that a higher uninsurance rate may result in increases in access to care by Medicare beneficiaries as well as improvements in the unique quality provided to these individuals. The implications of a high uninsurance rate on outcomes are therefore ambiguous. These concepts are tested using data on hospitals and Medicare beneficiaries in 100 large MSAs. The effects on outcomes of care are examined by exploring the relationship between local uninsurance rates and mortality from a variety of specific conditions. The results are mixed. In smaller markets, the spillover effects of the uninsured are more likely to be negative. In larger markets however, the effects are more likely to be positive. The mechanisms behind these results are examined by looking at the effects on shared and unique quality. The effects on shared quality are tested by examining the availability of specialized hospital services in markets with varying levels of uninsurance. The results show that hospitals in markets with high levels of uninsurance provide fewer unprofitable services. The effects on unique quality and access are tested by examining the relationship between local uninsurance rates and utilization by Medicare beneficiaries. The results exhibit weak evidence that Medicare beneficiaries in areas with higher uninsurance rates use more care. The study concludes that while local uninsurance rates do not appear to have strong negative consequences for Medicare beneficiaries, spillover effects at the market level do exist and warrant further exploration. In controlling for Medicaid rates in the models, stronger relationships are evident between Medicaid and Medicare which may be an important avenue for future research. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Managerial Science and Applied Economics First Advisor Mark V Pauly
Addition of purified exopolysaccharides from lactic acid bacteria affects the rheological behaviour of acid milk gels

The exact mechanism behind the structure-function interaction between exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced from lactic acid bacteria during fermentation and milk proteins are still elusive. Yogurt productions with various starter cultures revealed large differences in gel stiffness, viscosity and EPS amount. To eliminate the impact of starter and fermentation parameters on texture properties, EPS from two strains (one ropy, one capsular) were purified and added to milk. Subsequent gelation experiments with a chemical acidifier clearly demonstrated that both EPS increased gel stiffness, but that lower amounts of ropy EPS were necessary for comparable gel stiffness.
Psychosocial and demographic correlates of the discontinuation of in vitro fertilization

Abstract In this study, we investigated the relationship between psychosocial factors assessed pre-treatment and the discontinuation of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment after one year. A cohort study was performed in a Dutch fertility clinic and included 667 couples. Demographic characteristics, scores for psychosocial factors, discontinuation rates, reasons for discontinuation and outcome data of the treatment were measured. Discontinuation due to personal reasons was differentiated from discontinuation because of changing a clinic or physicians’ advice. The results showed that 37.5% of the couples became pregnant, while 40 (6%) discontinued IVF treatment because of personal reasons. A sample size of 288 women remained for analysis. A longer duration of infertility, less perceived social support in women and higher scores on acceptance of infertility in both men and women were significantly correlated with discontinuation. Multivariate analysis, using these variables including the age of the women, showed that these factors could explain 29% of the discontinuation. These results point to a differentiation between couples who choose positively choose to discontinue treatment and those discontinuing from a more negative perspective. Opportunities to tailor interventions to this second group of couples need to be investigated.
Biomechanical Aspects of Bone-Level Diameter Shifting at Implant-Abutment Interface

Purpose:To evaluate the effect of diameter shifting at implant-abutment interface on load distribution at periimplant bone and within implant-abutment complex. Materials:Eight different implant-abutment connections were designed and simulated numerically. Implant-abutment microgap at bone level was hypothetically set-off inward toward the central axis of implant to create “diameter shifting” or “platform switching” concept. The conceptual design was further characterized with horizontal set-off distance, emergence angle, and restorative height. A control model of conventional implant-abutment connection with restorative relation was also involved for comparison of developed stresses in periimplant bone and within implant-abutment complex. A 14 mm × 16 mm acrylic cylinder with vertically placed implant-abutment complex was considered for all designs. Principal and Von Mises stresses under vertical and oblique static loading conditions were evaluated numerically and presented descriptively. Results:Stress distribution at periimplant bone was almost identical with similar magnitudes for all designs. Increase in the horizontal set-off distance generated higher stress magnitudes and increased stress intensity within the implant-abutment complex. Discussion:Platform switching based designs of implant-abutment connections need more mechanical studies to identify the optimum design for long-term mechanical stability. Conclusions:Relocation of microgap and redefinition implant-abutment connection at bone level does not influence the stress characterization at periimplant marginal bone but may noticeably affect the mechanical properties of the implant-abutment connection.
Flow birefringence of T7 phage DNA: Dependence on salt concentration

We have determined extinction angles and flow birefringence of T7 bacteriophage DNA over a wide range of shear, polymer concentration, and solvent ionic strength. From these data, information on the simple salt dependence of coil permeability to solvent and on short‐range intrachain interactions (persistence length) was obtained. At all ionic strengths, our results are consistent with a partially draining coil in the Gaussian subchain dynamical theory of Rouse‐Zimm‐Tschoegl‐Bloomfield. Salt dependence of persistence length is comparable to, although somewhat less than, that obtained previously using similar methods with a fivefold higher‐molecular‐weight DNA (T2 bacteriophage DNA). Possible reasons for observed discrepancies are analyzed, and the results of this work are compared in detail to other current studies of solvent ionic strength dependence in persistence length and hydrodynamic properties of DNA.
Investment Fables: Exposing the Myths of "Can't Miss" Investment Strategies

The truth about 13 of today's most widely touted investment strategies. 10 powerful lessons for every investor Overcoming the enduring myths about markets High dividend stocks: better and safer than bonds--or not? Cheap stocks: cheap for a reason? Should you invest in quality? Momentum? The next big thing? Or what? You've heard 'em. (Maybe even from your broker! ) They're the "can't lose" investment stories that promise you a no-risk path to profits . "Buy companies trading below book value. " "Follow the momentum. " "Buy stocks with low P/Es. " "Stick with quality. " "Buy after bad news. " "Buy after good news. " "Follow the insiders. " "Do whatever Warren Buffett's doing. "And on, and on, and on . They sound good. But do they really work? You're about to find out.In Investment Fables, one of the world's leading investment researchers runs the numbers on 13 of today's most widely touted strategies, objectively answering the questions your broker can't answer. Has it worked over the long term? Over the short term? If it made sense once, does it still make sense? Are the promised benefits a statistical mirage? Could it work, as one part of your investment strategy? What are the downsides-and how can you mitigate them? If you want to make smarter investment decisions, you'll find this book utterly indispensable.
Syntax Aware LSTM model for Semantic Role Labeling

In Semantic Role Labeling (SRL) task, the tree structured dependency relation is rich in syntax information, but it is not well handled by existing models. In this paper, we propose Syntax Aware Long Short Time Memory (SA-LSTM). The structure of SA-LSTM changes according to dependency structure of each sentence, so that SA-LSTM can model the whole tree structure of dependency relation in an architecture engineering way. Experiments demonstrate that on Chinese Proposition Bank (CPB) 1.0, SA-LSTM improves F1 by 2.06% than ordinary bi-LSTM with feature engineered dependency relation information, and gives state-of-the-art F1 of 79.92%. On English CoNLL 2005 dataset, SA-LSTM brings improvement (2.1%) to bi-LSTM model and also brings slight improvement (0.3%) when added to the state-of-the-art model.
[Physiotherapy of children with cystic fibrosis].

Cystic fibrosis is a systemic disease, progressive. The length and quality of life of the patient strongly affected mainly the changes in the respiratory system. Therefore, to alleviate disease, to provide the child the correct or close to normal psychomotor development is important for early diagnosis and as soon as possible to implement a comprehensive and individualized therapy. Comprehensive basis of dealing with a child with cystic fibrosis is a combination of drug therapy, physiotherapy and nutritional treatment. Always concerned physiotherapy cover all children, even those whose disease is usually mild and do not show symptoms of the respiratory system. Physiotherapy should be continued throughout life, and the patient must be treated as a mandatory procedure to facilitate evacuation of the retained secretions in the bronchial tree and improving the physical fitness of the patient. Physiotherapy is a long-term, must be planned and modified. In the planning of physiotherapy should attend a child doctor, physical therapist, nurse, dietitian, patient, parents / guardians of the child. When planning physical therapy should take into account elements such as the child's age, the severity of the disease, varying with the age of the child opportunities to acquire knowledge and new skills, motivation of the child and his caregivers to perform the treatments and exercises, performance and care - caring custodians of the child and their situation social - pastoral care.
EDG1 receptor stimulation leads to cardiac hypertrophy in rat neonatal myocytes.

Sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P), an aminophospholipid, acts extracellularly as a ligand via the specific G protein-coupled receptors of the endothelial differentiation gene (EDG) 1, 3, 5, 6 and 8 receptors family and intracellularly as a second messenger in various cellular types. The aim of this work was to investigate biological activity of S1P in cardiomyocytes with respect to related sphingolipids. S1P was applied for 48 h on rat neonatal cardiomyocytes at 10 nM, 100 nM and 1 microM. S1P induced a concentration-dependent cellular hypertrophy evidenced by an increase in cell size, [3H]-phenylalanine incorporation, protein content and Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) secretion. Among the lipids tested S1P exhibits the lower EC50 (67 nM) followed by dihydro-S1P (107 nM) and sphingosylphosphorylcholine (1.6 microM). The effect of S1P could be related to a stimulation of the EDG1 receptor since we showed that the EDG1 receptor is predominantly expressed at the mRNA and protein levels in rat cardiomyocytes and that specific anti-EDG1 antibodies inhibited the hypertrophic effect induced by S1P. Furthermore the expression level of most other EDG receptors for S1P appeared very low in cardiac myocytes. S1P (100 nM) increased the phosphorylation of p42/44MAPK, p38MAPK, JNK, Akt and p70(S6K), this effect being reversed by inhibitors of their respective phosphorylation which also rescue the hypertrophic phenotype. Finally, S1P stimulated actin stress fibre formation reverted by the Rho inhibitor, the C3 exoenzyme. Altogether, our results show that S1P induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy mainly via the EDG1 receptor and subsequently via Gi through ERKs, p38 MAPK, JNK, PI3K and via Rho pathway.
Monitoring of aphid flight activities in seed potato crops in Serbia

Abstract Aphid flight activities in seed potato fields have been studied by the yellow water traps. It is a good method for monitoring aphids as vectors of viruses, but this study also showed it is a suitable method for insect-diversity research. During the four-year studies, over 11.500 specimens were collected and a total of 107 different taxa of aphids were identified. The most abundant species were polyphagous species, such as: Acyrthosiphon pisum (Haris), Aphis fabae Scopoli, Aphis gossypii Gloverand Brachycaudus helichrysi (Kaltenbach). The results of the studies show that diversity of aphids in different regions of Serbia is similar regardless of the altitude and the diversity of terrain. At most sites it ranged from 2 to 3. The highest value was recorded in Begeč, locality in northern part of Serbia, in year 2008, and it was 2.92. The maximum values of the Shannon-Weaver diversity index at all sites were recorded in the first weeks of the monitoring of aphid flight activities. Morisita-Horn similarity index shows no significant differences between sites regardless of altitudes. The sites are grouped by year, not by similarity of relief. In spite of these results, the Chi-square analysis showed highly significant difference in vector frequencies among seasons and sites with more pronounced differences for PVY. As a consequence of differences in vector frequencies, the vector pressure index in some regions was different also. The number of vectors and vector pressure index vary depending on the altitude of localities. At localities at altitudes under 1000 m, they were high. The highest index was at Kotraža, locality in central part of Serbia, in 2007, when PVY index exceeded the value of 180, while for PLRV it was 60. At high altitudes on mountain Golija, above 1100 m, the number of aphids was low, as well as the vector pressure index which indicates that these regions are suitable for producing virus-free seed potato.
Paper on Electromagnetic BandGap ( EBG ) Structure Antenna

This paper gives an overview of recent research on new application of Electromagnetic Band-Gap (EBG) structure antenna to integrate circuits and antennas. An important part of EBG antenna is the control of electromagnetic wave propagation and surface wave distribution over EBG substrate or board with periodic structure. Many compact and small periodic EBG’s structures have been design to solve antenna design problems such as Mushroom like EBG’s, Hair pin like EBG’s etc. In simple Microstrip Patch Antenna (MPA) have low gain, efficiency and bandwidth. This resolved by using MPA with EBG structure antenna and this antenna properties is to reducing the back radiation for better performance of antennas.