Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulation studies of mixed traffic on satellite channels using TDMA-reservation protocol

The authors consider a TDMA (time-division multiple-access)-reservation protocol, which is a fully collision-free protocol with submissions of requests for data transmissions in preassigned subchannels, according to synchronous time-division multiplexing. They present the results of simulation studies of this protocol, focusing on its performance in a mixed traffic environment, constituted of classes of users generating different types of messages (from short, typically one-packet-long messages to long multipacket messages). Steady-state throughput-mean-message-delay characteristics for particular classes of users are obtained by applying a specially developed sequential procedure for statistical analysis of simulation output data and using observations collected during a single simulation run rather than a number of independent replications. <<ETX>>
Screening for Intestinal Colonization with Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci and Associated Risk Factors among Patients Admitted to an Adult Intensive Care Unit of a Large Teaching Hospital.

INTRODUCTION Gut colonization with Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) increases the risk of acquiring infection during hospital stay. Patients admitted in the ICU's are the major reservoirs for VRE colonization due to higher antibiotic pressure. AIM To determine the rate of VRE colonization among patients admitted in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and to assess the various risk factors which are associated with VRE colonization. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a prospective study carried out over a period of 18 months from September 2013 to February 2015 in the Jawaharlal Institute of Post graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, South India. After 48 hours of ICU admission rectal swabs were collected from a total of 302 patients, admitted in MICU. The samples were inoculated on to Bile Esculin Sodium Azide agar with 6mg/L of vancomycin. Vancomycin resistance was confirmed by determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) by agar dilution method. Isolates were identified up to species level by standard biochemical tests. Vancomycin resistance genes such as van A, van B and van C, were detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Risk factors were assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The rates of VRE colonization in patients admitted to MICU was 29%. Majority of the isolates were Enterococcus faecium (77.2 %) followed by Enterococcus faecalis (23.8%). All the VRE isolates were positive for van A gene. Increased duration of hospital stay, younger age, consumption of ceftriaxone and vancomycin were found to be significantly associated with VRE colonization in MICU. Among VRE colonized patients, six (4.5%) acquired VRE infection. CONCLUSION The rates of VRE colonization in our ICU were similar to other hospitals worldwide. Educating health care workers on the importance of adherence to hand hygiene is essential to bring down VRE colonization rates.
ACC/AHA guidelines for ambulatory electrocardiography: executive summary and recommendations. A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on practice guidelines (committee to revise the guidelines for ambulatory electrocardiography).

Improvements in solid-state digital technology have enhanced transtelephonic transmission of electrocardiography (ECG) data and increased the accuracy of software-based analysis systems. These advances, in addition to better signal quality and greater computer arrhythmia interpretation capabilities, have opened new potential uses for ambulatory electrocardiography (AECG). Traditional uses of AECG for arrhythmia detection have expanded as the result of increased use of multichannel and telemetered signals. The clinical application of arrhythmia monitoring to assess drug and device efficacy has been further defined by new studies. The analysis of transient ST-segment deviation remains controversial, but considerably more data are now available, especially about the prognostic value of detecting asymptomatic ischemia. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has shown promise for predicting mortality rates in cardiac patients at high risk. Despite these advances, a true automated analysis system has not been perfected and technician/physician participation is still essential. The widespread availability and low cost of personal computers and workstations has allowed for the development of extremely sophisticated and automated signal processing algorithms. Current AECG equipment provides for the detection and analysis of arrhythmias and ST-segment deviation as well as more sophisticated analyses of R-R intervals, QRS-T morphology including late potentials, Q-T dispersion, and T-wave alternans. There are 2 categories of AECG recorders: continuous recorders, typically used for 24 to 48 hours to investigate symptoms and ECG events that are likely to occur within that time frame, and intermittent recorders, which may be used for long periods of time (weeks to months) to provide briefer, intermittent recordings for investigating events that occur infrequently. ### A. Continuous Recorders Rapidly evolving technologies now allow for direct recording of the ECG signal in a digital format using solid-state recording devices. The direct digital recording avoids all of the biases introduced by the mechanical features of tape recording devices and the problems associated with …
Epitope analysis of the T cell response to a complex antigen: Proliferative responses to human rhinovirus capsids

Understanding the factors which regulate the repertoire of a T cell response is important when selecting T helper cell epitopes for inclusion in synthetic viral vaccines. In this study we have examined the T cell response to human rhinovirus (HRV) type 1A in a mouse model system, using a comprehensive set of synthetic peptides which span all four of the proteins which make up the HRV capsid. This constitutes the first study to use a set of peptides covering the entire sequence of all structural proteins of any virus. This study identifies the major proliferative (CD4) T cell epitopes within the minor receptor group HRV 1 A, and analyzes these epitopes with relation to their location within the three‐dimensional structure of the virus. The proliferative response to HRV is highly selective, with strong responses to only a very small number of epitopes, many of which are grouped together within restricted areas of the primary structure of the HRV proteins. The repertoire of the response is almost entirely specific to the major histocompatibility complex haplotype of the host. The major T cell epitopes are spatially distinct from the sites of the major antibody recognition sites, and are buried within the viral capsid. In striking contrast to the antibody responses, the T cell responses are highly cross‐reactive against a wide variety of viral serotypes.
Hybrid Forecasting Model for Short-Term Electricity Market Prices with Renewable Integration

In recent years, there have been notable commitments and obligations by the electricity sector for more sustainable generation and delivery processes to reduce the environmental footprint. However, there is still a long way to go to achieve necessary sustainability goals while ensuring standards of robustness and the quality of power grids. One of the main challenges hindering this progress are uncertainties and stochasticity associated with the electricity sector and especially renewable generation. In this paradigm shift, forecasting tools are indispensable, and their utilization can significantly improve system operation and minimize costs associated with all related activities. Thus, forecasting tools have an essential key role in all decision-making stages. In this work, a hybrid probabilistic forecasting model (HPFM) was developed for short-term electricity market prices (EMP) combining wavelet transforms (WT), hybrid particle swarm optimization (DEEPSO), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). The proposed hybrid probabilistic forecasting model (HPFM) was tested and validated with real data from the Spanish and Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland (PJM) markets. The proposed model exhibited favorable results and performance in comparison with previously published work considering electricity market prices (EMP) data, which is notable.
Redefining the Corporation: Stakeholder Management and Organizational Wealth

This book shows how the modern corporation must meet the expectations of diverse constiutents who contribute to its existence and success, the stakeholders: resource providers, customers, suppliers, alliance partners, and social and political actors. It argues that the corporation must be seen as an institution engaged in mobilizing resources to create wealth and benefits for all its stakeholders.
Effects of early blood pressure reduction on cognitive function in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Background The effect of early blood pressure reduction on cognitive function in patients with acute ischemic stroke remains unknown. Aim We tested whether antihypertensive treatment would reduce cognitive impairment in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods In the China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke, patients with elevated blood pressure were randomly assigned to receive antihypertensive treatment or to discontinue all hypertensive medications within 48 h of onset. Cognitive function was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment at 3 months after randomization in a subsample of 638 participants. Results Mean systolic blood pressure was reduced by 21.5 mmHg in the antihypertensive treatment group and 13.9 mmHg in the control group within 24 h after randomization (P < 0.001). Mean systolic blood pressure was 134.9 mmHg in the antihypertensive treatment group and 141.6 mmHg in the control group at day 14 after randomization (P < 0.001). Median Mini-Mental State Examination score was 26 and Montreal Cognitive Assessment score was 22 in both the antihypertensive treatment and control groups at 3 months. An Mini-Mental State Examination < 24 was present in 30.9% of patients in the antihypertensive treatment group compared with 29.7% in the control group (odds ratio = 1.06; 95% confidence interval 0.75–1.48; P = 0.75). Likewise, proportions of patients with Montreal Cognitive Assessment < 26 were similar between the antihypertensive treatment (70.6%) and control (70.7%) groups (odds ratio = 0.99; 95% confidence interval 0.70–1.40; P = 0.96). Conclusions These data indicated that early blood pressure reduction with antihypertensive medication in patients with acute ischemic stroke had no effect on cognitive impairment at 3 months.
Host Software Stack Optimizations to Maximize Aggregate Fabric Throughput

Scientific HPC applications along with the emerging class of Big Data and Machine Learning workloads are rapidly driving the fabric scale both on premises and in the cloud. Achieving high aggregate fabric throughput is paramount to the overall performance of the application. However, achieving high fabric throughput at scale can be challenging - that is, the application communication pattern will need to map well on to the target fabric architecture, and the multi-layered host software stack in the middle will need to orchestrate that mapping optimally to unleash the full performance.In this paper, we investigate low-level optimizations to the host software stack with the goal of improving the aggregate fabric throughput, and hence, application performance. We develop and present a number of optimization and tuning techniques that are key driving factors to the fabric performance at scale - such as, Fine-grained interleaving, improved pipelining, and careful resource utilization and management. We believe that these low-level optimizations can be commonly leveraged by several programming models and their runtime implementations making these optimizations broadly applicable. Using a set of well-known MPI-based scientific applications, we demonstrate that these optimizations can significantly improve the overall fabric throughput and the application performance. Interestingly, we also observe that some of these optimizations are inter-related and can additively contribute to the overall performance.
Aged endothelial nitric oxide synthase knockout mice exhibit higher mortality concomitant with impaired open‐field habituation and alterations in forebrain neurotransmitter levels

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) has been implicated in various brain and peripheral pathologies such as renal failure, heart failure or stroke. Consequently, the mortality rate of aged eNOS knockout mice (eNOS–/–) was higher than that of age‐matched (18–22 months old) controls. Only seven of the original 14 eNOS–/– animals that participated in the study reached the age of 18 months or older, whereas no control mice died during this life span. In order to assess the behavioral and neurochemical consequences of chronic eNOS deficiency we examined whether the surviving aged eNOS–/– mice showed changes in terms of motor, emotional, exploratory and neurochemical parameters. Aged eNOS–/– mice showed reduced exploratory activity in the open‐field with no habituation observable neither within sessions nor after repeated exposures. Pole test performance of eNOS–/– mice was comparable to controls. In the elevated plus‐maze eNOS–/– mice did not differ from controls in terms of time spent in and entries into arms, but showed less locomotion on the open arms. The most prominent neurochemical alterations in the forebrains of aged eNOS–/– mice were: (a) increased acetylcholine levels in the neostriatum; (b) decreased noradrenaline concentrations in the ventral striatum; and (c) lower serotonin levels in the frontal cortex and ventral striatum. The present findings suggest that mice which survived chronic eNOS‐deficiency into old age, show some behavioral and neurochemical phenotypes distinct from adult eNOS–/– mice.
The cell wall of the filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium Oscillochloris trichoides.

The filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium Oscillochloris trichoides DG-6 has been studied, and it has been shown that there are no lipopolysaccharides on the cell surface. Fatty acids hydroxylated at the C3 position, amino sugars and phosphate-containing compounds characteristic of lipid A have also not been found. The genes encoding for proteins responsible for the synthesis of lipopolysaccharides and the genes for the transport system, usually localized in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, have not been detected in the genome. The rigid layer of the cell wall contains a peptidoglycan consisting of alanine, glutamine, ornithine and glycine, in the respective ratio 1.8 : 1.5 : 1.0 : 0.6. Thus, the investigated bacterium, Osc. trichoides, is a monoderm. The cell wall also contains a branched α-1,4-d-glucan with a repeating unit consisting of glucose residues linked by α-1→4 bonds (α-1→6 at the branching sites). Such polymers have not previously been reported in phototrophic bacteria.
A cluster-randomized trial determining the efficacy of caterpillar cereal as a locally available and sustainable complementary food to prevent stunting and anaemia

Abstract Objective We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of a cereal made from caterpillars, a micronutrient-rich, locally available alternative animal-source food, on reducing stunting and anaemia in infants in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Design Six-month-old infants were cluster randomized to receive either caterpillar cereal daily until 18 months of age or the usual diet. At 18 months of age, anthropometric measurements and biological samples were collected. Setting The rural Equateur Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Subjects One hundred and seventy-five infants followed from 6 to 18 months of age. Results Stunting was common at 6 months (35 %) and the prevalence increased until 18 months (69 %). There was no difference in stunting prevalence at 18 months between the intervention and control groups (67 % v. 71 %, P=0·69). Infants in the cereal group had higher Hb concentration than infants in the control group (10·7 v. 10·1 g/dl, P=0·03) and fewer were anaemic (26 v. 50 %, P=0·006), although there was no difference in estimates of body Fe stores (6·7 v. 7·2 mg/kg body weight, P=0·44). Conclusions Supplementation of complementary foods with caterpillar cereal did not reduce the prevalence of stunting at 18 months of age. However, infants who consumed caterpillar cereal had higher Hb concentration and fewer were anaemic, suggesting that caterpillar cereal might have some beneficial effect. The high prevalence of stunting at 6 months and the lack of response to this micronutrient-rich supplement suggest that factors other than dietary deficiencies also contribute to stunting.
Quantities of Yersinia pestis in Fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae, Ceratophyllidae, and Hystrichopsyllidae) Collected from Areas of Known or Suspected Plague Activity

Abstract We used a quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (QC-PCR) to determine bacterial loads in 669 fleas collected in areas of confirmed and suspected plague epizootics. Fleas were collected out of rodent burrows (67.9%) and off of captured animals (24.1%) and rodent carcasses (8.1%). An initial PCR screening assay indicated that 12.1% (81/669) of all fleas were positive for Yersinia pestis. Fleas collected from burrows had significantly lower (χ2 = 264.9, P < 0.0001) infection rates (6.8%) but significantly higher (Student t-test, P < 0.0001) bacterial loads (mean = 105.6 Y. pestis per flea) than fleas collected off of rodent carcasses (infection rate = 92.6%; mean bacterial load = 104.8 Y. pestis per flea). None of the fleas collected off of captured animals were positive for Y. pestis by PCR, although seven of the 176 captured animals were serologically positive for Y. pestis.
Investigation on Consistency Problem between Two ISAR Imaging Methods: Minimum Entropy Auto-focusing and Phase Compensation

Inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging is a powerful tool for acquiring two-dimensional scattering characteristics of moving target. However, some problems are still not solved well yet in minimum entropy method up now. One of them is in the lack of theory base on the inherent consistency between two-dimensional ISAR image entropy minimization and optimal phase compensation. In this paper, it is verified through mathematic deduction and simulation test that the solution corresponding to the residual translational phase being equal to zero should not be the relevant extreme points of ISAR image entropy, so as to demonstrate the fact that there is a definite difference between minimization of two-dimensional ISAR image entropy and optimal phase compensation
A high normal ankle-brachial index is associated with proteinuria in a screened cohort of Japanese: the Okinawa Peripheral Arterial Disease Study

Objectives: We hypothesized that ankle-brachial index (ABI) increased with age as a result of arterial stiffness, and decreased when flow-limiting atherosclerotic stenosis occurred in the lower limbs. As arterial stiffness is associated with proteinuria, we investigated the relationship between ABI and prevalence of proteinuria. Methods: A cross-sectional study of ABI and proteinuria with 13 193 participants aged 21–89 years (53% women) from health checkups between July 2003 and March 2010 was conducted. ABI was measured using the automatic oscillometric method, and stratified into four groups: ABI ⩽0.9 (low); 0.9< ABI <1.0 (borderline low); 1.0⩽ ABI <1.2 (normal); and 1.2⩽ ABI <1.4 (high normal). Results: In participants with ABI at least 1.0, ABI was positively correlated with SBP, pulse pressure, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. In participants with ABI less than 1.0, all indices were negatively correlated with ABI. The prevalence of proteinuria, defined as ≥1+ by dipstick, was significantly higher in low (23%) and high normal ABI (10%) compared with borderline low (6%) and normal ABI (7%). In participants at least 60 years, proteinuria was significantly associated with only low ABI [odds ratio (OR) 3.22, 95% confidence interval 1.34–7.41] compared with normal ABI before and after multivariable adjustment. In participants less than 60 years, adjusted OR for proteinuria was only significantly associated with high normal ABI (OR 1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.74). Conclusion: High normal ABI in younger participants may be a result of arterial stiffness and associated with proteinuria.
Visuomotor functions of central thalamus in monkey. II. Unit activity related to visual events, targeting, and fixation.

In alert monkeys, single-unit responses to visual stimuli were recorded in the central thalamic region where eye movement-related activity has been observed (33). Usually, the stimuli were 1 degree annulus patterns of dim light presented at unpredictable locations on a tangent screen. The animals were trained on two tasks: one in which they delivered the stimulus themselves by pressing a panel that they had to release immediately when the stimulus shape changed to a square, and another one in which the stimulus was turned on by the experimenter and the monkeys were rewarded for fixating this target for a predetermined length of time. In both tasks, continuous stimulus fixation was required. Receptive fields were tested with and without a fixation point. Retinal coordinates of stimuli were obtained by subtracting eye-position coordinates from stimulus coordinates in space, the monkey's head being fixed. Unit responses in the cases where targeting occurred or did not occur were analyzed separately. Transient responses were observed in 63 units and sustained responses in 44 units. Among the 63 units responding transiently, 42 did so irrespective of targeting. Their receptive fields were very large, generally including the fovea, and predominantly contralateral when the fields were asymmetric. The responses of the other 21 units depended on the occurrence of targeting. They were called visually triggered eye movement-related responses (VTEM). VTEM units were further subdivided in 9 units active only with targeting and 12 units showing the classical phenomenon of "response enhancement" under this condition. VTEM units were contrasted to six units that were both passively visually responsive and bursting with saccades, either spontaneous or visually triggered. The latencies of passive visual and VTEM responses to stimulus onset were comprised between 77 and 135 ms in 80% of the units. VTEM units also fired prior to retargeting saccades. Presaccadic units active with spontaneous saccades also discharged with visually elicited saccades. The earliest sign of activation after stimulus onset eliciting a saccade appeared between 80 and 100 ms, that is, in the same range of latencies as passive visual and VTEM units. Sustained visual responses consisted of activation in 18 units and inactivation in 26 units. The occurrence of these patterns of firing was related to stimulus fixation. In the majority of cases, the changes in discharge frequency started before fixation was achieved by a targeting saccade. They terminated before fixation was broken by a saccade away from the stimulus. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)