Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous coronary intervention for variant angina: Balloon vs. stent

Since its original description by Prinzmetal et al. [1] in 1959, the syndrome of variant angina caused by coronary artery spasm continued to interest both internists and cardiologists from both the diagnostic and the therapeutic standpoints. A spectrum of coronary arteriographic findings had been described in patients with variant angina, ranging from normal coronary arteries (“variant of the variant” [2]) to severe multivessel disease [3]. Variant angina can usually be controlled medically with the use of long-acting nitrates and calcium channel blockers. MacAlpin [4] reasoned that coronary vasomotion within the normal physiologic range could theoretically obstruct a pliable vessel at the site of a severe organic stenosis. Under these conditions, reduction or elimination of the organic stenosis would prevent intermittent vasospasm. Thus, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has been considered as a therapeutic modality for treatment of some patients with variant angina with a variable degree of success [5–7]. The reason for the variable success rate of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in variant angina seems obvious. As Grüntzig said, coronary spasm and balloon do not mix [8]. Therefore, if the coronary artery is spastic in a specific segment, one should not tempt fate by manipulating the vessel in a manner that might produce more intense vasospasm. Even if the procedure might be successful initially, the restenosis rate is much higher than usual [5,6,9]. With the advent of stents, the ideal solution seems to be at hand. Stents prevent elastic recoil and thus should be superior to balloon. Stents have been used for both patients with an underlying fixed stenosis [10–12] and patients with normal coronary arteries [13]. Khatri et al. [14] in this issue reported another series of nine patients with good results. Although the immediate and intermediate results of stenting for coronary spasm are quite good, the long-term prognosis is not known at this time. Before coronary stenting can be advocated as an established treatment for variant angina resistant to medical therapy, a randomized trial should be carried out. In the absence of randomized trials, an international registry collecting prospective data on all such patients may be able to address such an important issue.
LC-TOF/MS determination of phthalates in edible salts from food markets in Korea

Residual quantities of 12 phthalates have been monitored in edible salts (raw salts, refined salts, refined salts with additives and baked salts) available in Korean food markets. Liquid–liquid extraction followed by liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF/MS) was used to analyse the samples. The method was validated and showed linear correlation (R 2 > 0.996) in the range 0.5–100 ng g−1 for all target analytes. Recoveries were 85.9–108.4%, except for diethyl phthalate (DEP). Relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 2.7–6.0% and the limits of detection (LODs) were 1.2–2.8 ng g−1. Although the contamination of phthalates in salt would be trivial in comparison to those of other main foods and below the reference dose of the Chronic Oral Exposure recommended by US-EPA, the availability of reference data could be valuable for food chemists and salt manufacturers.
STRESSES AND DEFORMATION OF COMPRESSED ELASTOMERIC O-RING SEALS

The sealing capability of an elastomeric O-ring seal depends upon the c on act stresses that develop between the O-ring and the surfaces with which it come s into contact. It has been suggested in the literature that leakage will occur when the pre ssure differential across the seal just exceeds the initial (or static) peak contact st ress. The stresses that develop in compressed O-rings, in common cases of restrained and unrestrained ge ometries (grooved and ungrooved), are investigated using the finite element method. The analysi s includes material hyperelasticity and axisymmetry. Contact stress profile s, and peak contact stresses are plotted versus squeeze, up to 32 percent. The contact width, which is t e length of the O-ring that touches the retaining surfaces when viewed from the cr oss-section, is also determined. Expressions are derived empirically to predict the peak contact stress and the contact width. These expressions are also compared to those obtained by ot her researchers (who assumed plain strain conditions) and conclusions to their validity are drawn.
Proposal of follow user recommendation system on Twitter based on interest domain

In recent years, with the rapid spread of SNS, communication via social networks has become very active. Twitter users transmit information by posting messages, called Tweets, of fewer than 140 characters. Using a feature called Follow, users can obtain information posted by follow user according to their own interests. When using Twitter, it is difficult for users to find appropriate users to follow among the vastly numerous users. To solve this problem, we propose a follow user recommendation system on Twitter based on an interest domain. Moreover, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method through experimentation.
Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/r, dasabuvir and ribavirin for cirrhotic HCV patients with thrombocytopaenia and hypoalbuminaemia

Thrombocytopaenia and hypoalbuminaemia are surrogate markers for portal hypertension and hepatic synthetic dysfunction respectively. Patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) with these surrogates have reduced likelihood of sustained virologic response and increased risk for hepatic decompensation or death when treated with peginterferon/ribavirin plus either telaprevir or boceprevir.
Chiller plant optimization - an integrated optimization approach for chiller sequencing and control

We present an integrated approach for optimizing the set-points and sequencing multiple chillers in a centrifugal chiller plant. For a certain duration of time where the cooling load can be predicted, we use the predicted values as an input to determine the optimal choice of the various set-points in the chiller plant model, together with finding a sequencing strategy by taking into account the minimum up-time/down-time constraints. We model the mass and energy balance in the various components of the chiller plant, including the condenser, compressor, evaporator and fans, and use this model for the underlying set-point optimization. We use a graph based minimum path algorithm for determining the optimal sequencing strategy. Simulation results show the proposed algorithm achieves approximately 25% savings in cost of operation when compared to the default chiller sequencing strategy [4]. At the same time, the proposed sequencing and control strategy satisfies the daily cooling demand curve during the entire cycle.
Estrogenic effect of Ginsenoside Rg1 on APP processing in post-menopausal platelets

Ginsenoside Rg1, an active component of high abundance in ginseng, has recently been reported to possess neuroprotective properties and also identified as a potent phytoestrogen. However, it is unknown whether Rg1 intervenes in amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, and whether such intervention is associated with its estrogenic activity. Using human platelets, this study demonstrated that Rg1 promoted α-secretase cleavage of APP via estrogenic activity. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) pathway may be involved in the effect of Rg1 on APP metabolism as a downstream effector of estrogen receptor (ER) extranuclear signaling. Estrogen withdrawal is a risk factor for the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Rg1 exerts estrogenic activity in APP processing in platelets supporting the use of this compound in the prevention of AD, in particular in postmenopausal females.
Disulphide trapping of an in vivo energy‐dependent conformation of Escherichia coli TonB protein

In Escherichia coli, the TonB system transduces the protonmotive force (pmf) of the cytoplasmic membrane to support a variety of transport events across the outer membrane. Cytoplasmic membrane proteins ExbB and ExbD appear to harvest pmf and transduce it to TonB. Experimental evidence suggests that TonB shuttles to the outer membrane, apparently to deliver conformationally stored potential energy to outer membrane transporters. In the most recent model, discharged TonB is then recycled to the cytoplasmic membrane to be re‐energized by the energy coupling proteins, ExbB/D. It has been suggested that the carboxy‐terminal 75 amino acids of active TonB could be represented by the rigid, strand‐exchanged, dimeric crystal structure of the corresponding fragment. In contrast, recent genetic studies of alanine substitutions have suggested instead that in vivo the carboxy‐terminus of intact TonB is dynamic and flexible. The biochemical studies presented here confirm and extend those results by demonstrating that individual cys substitution at aromatic residues in one monomeric subunit can form spontaneous dimers in vivo with the identical residue in the other monomeric subunit. Two energized TonBs appear to form a single cluster of 8–10 aromatic amino acids, including those found at opposite ends of the crystal structure. The aromatic cluster requires both the amino‐terminal energy coupling domain of TonB, and ExbB/D (and cross‐talk analogues TolQ/R) for in vivo formation. The large aromatic cluster is detected in cytoplasmic membrane‐, but not outer membrane‐associated TonB. Consistent with those observations, the aromatic cluster can form in the first half of the energy transduction cycle, before release of conformationally stored potential energy to ligand‐loaded outer membrane transporters. The model that emerges is one in which, after input of pmf mediated through ExbB/D and the TonB transmembrane domain, the TonB carboxy‐terminus can form a meta‐stable high‐energy conformation that is not represented by the crystal structure of the carboxy‐terminus.
Combining subpopulation tables, non-dominated solutions and Strength Pareto of MOEAs to treat service restoration problem in large-scale distribution systems

The network reconfiguration for service restoration (SR) in distribution systems is a combinatorial complex optimization problem since it involves multiple non-linear constraints and objectives. For large networks, no exact algorithm has found adequate SR plans in real-time. On the other hand, methods combining Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs) with the Node-depth encoding (NDE) have shown to be able to efficiently generate adequate SR plans for large distribution systems (with thousands of buses and switches). This paper presents a new method that combining NDE with three MOEAs: (i) NSGA-II; (iii) SPEA 2; and (iii) a MOEA based on subpopulation tables. The idea is to obtain a method that cannot-only obtain adequate SR plans for large scale distribution systems, but can also find plans for small or large networks with similar quality. The proposed method, called MEA2N-STR, explores the space of the objectives solutions better than the other MOEAs with NDE, approximating better the Pareto-optimal front. This statement has been demonstrated by several simulations with DSs ranging from 632 to 1,277 switches.
A Validation Study of Administrative Data Algorithms to Identify Patients with Parkinsonism with Prevalence and Incidence Trends

Background: Epidemiological studies for identifying patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) or Parkinsonism (PKM) have been limited by their nonrandom sampling techniques and mainly veteran populations. This reduces their use for health services planning. The purpose of this study was to validate algorithms for the case ascertainment of PKM from administrative databases using primary care patients as the reference standard. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart abstraction using a random sample of 73,003 adults aged ≥20 years from a primary care Electronic Medical Record Administrative data Linked Database (EMRALD) in Ontario, Canada. Physician diagnosis in the EMR was used as the reference standard and population-based administrative databases were used to identify patients with PKM from the derivation of algorithms. We calculated algorithm performance using sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values and then determined the population-level prevalence and incidence trends with the most accurate algorithms. Results: We selected, ‘2 physician billing codes in 1 year' as the optimal administrative data algorithm in adults and seniors (≥65 years) due to its sensitivity (70.6-72.3%), specificity (99.9-99.8%), positive predictive value (79.5-82.8%), negative predictive value (99.9-99.7%), and prevalence (0.28-1.20%), respectively. Conclusions: Algorithms using administrative databases can reliably identify patients with PKM with a high degree of accuracy.
Applying machine learning techniques to recognize arc in vehicle 48 electrical systems

Implementing higher voltages in vehicles like 48V mild hybrid or full-hybrid enables CO2 reduction and weight savings. However, the increase in the voltage demands an accurate and robust protection system again potential fault conditions. Series arc is one of the fault conditions which needs to be detected and addressed before the benefits of using higher voltages in vehicle can be fully realized. In this paper, an efficient arc detection algorithm is presented based on advanced machine learning algorithms to recognize series arcs in the electrical systems of 48V vehicles. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm recognizes the arcs in the signal with accuracy of more than 99% detection. The algorithm only uses measured current and therefore, no additional wiring will be added to the system.
Trends and Determinants of Unmet Need for Family Planning in Bihar (India): Evidence from National Family Health Surveys

Using data from all three rounds of the National Family Health Survey, this study examines the trends and determinants of unmet need for family planning in the state of Bihar. Bivariate analysis was carried out to examine the level and trends of unmet need for family. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the factor affecting unmet need for family planning. About 25% of the currently married women, aged 15 - 49 years, in Bihar at present have an unmet need for family planning services, 11% for spacing and 12% for limiting. Only 18% of total demand for spacing methods is met compared to about 72% of total demand for limiting methods. The unmet need for family planning among Muslim (32%), rural (24%) and adolescent (36%) and poor women (26%) is relatively higher than other groups. “Religious prohibition” and “husband opposed” were the main reasons for not using contraception. A considerable proportion of older women (45 - 49 years) and those living in urban areas cited method-related reasons. About 86% of Muslim women cited opposition to use as the main reason for not using family planning. The same is also substantiated by logistic regression analysis where the odds of unmet need were significantly higher among Muslim women (OR = 1.88; p < 0.05). Women from Other Backward Castes (OR = 0.74; p = 0.05) and rich households (OR = 0.55; p = 0.00) had lower odds of unmet need for family planning. The results highlight the need of an effective implementation of information, education and communication activities in the communities and improvement in the quality of advice and care services related to family planning. Family planning policies and programs in Bihar should focus on reaching out to the women from disadvantaged groups such as adolescent, Muslim, poor and Scheduled Caste.
Glutathione‐S‐transferase‐oxidative stress relationship in the internal spermatic vein blood of infertile men with varicocele

This study aimed to assess glutathione‐S–transferase (GST) enzyme‐ oxidative stress (OS) relationship in the internal spermatic vein (ISV) of infertile men associated with varicocele (Vx). Ninety five infertile oligoasthenoteratozoospemic (OAT) men associated with Vx were subjected to history taking, clinical examination and semen analysis. During inguinal varicocelectomy, GST, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were estimated in the blood samples drawn from ISV and median cubital veins. The mean levels of GST, GPx were significantly decreased and the mean level of GPx was significantly increased in the ISV compared with the peripheral blood. The mean level of GST and GPx in the ISV was significantly decreased, and the mean level of MDA was significantly increased in Vx grade III compared with Vx grade II cases. There was nonsignificant difference in the mean level of GST in the ISV in unilateral Vx cases compared with bilateral Vx cases. There was significant positive correlation of GST with sperm count, sperm motility, GPx and significant negative correlation with sperm abnormal forms, MDA. It is concluded that ISV of infertile men associated with Vx has decreased levels of GST compared with peripheral venous circulation that is correlated with both OS and Vx grade.
Video error concealment using Speeded Up Robust Features and affine transformation

Error concealment techniques try to mitigate the effect of channel error, using spatially and/or temporally neighboring macroblocks. This paper proposes a novel method for temporal error concealment. The change from one frame to the next frame is modelled as an affine transformation and Speeded Up Robust Features (SURF) algorithm is used to find correspondence between present and past frame. The set of matching points between the two frames is used to find an affine transformation. Random Sample and Consensus (RANSAC) algorithm is used to effectively remove outliers. The past frame is then affine transformed using the transformation matrix obtained. Corrupted regions are concealed using Temporal Replacement (TR) in the current frame with the transformed past frame as reference. Experimental results established the efficacy of the proposed algorithm over other temporal error concealment scheme in terms of both objective and subjective measurements.
Seasonal Expression of Avian and Mammalian Daily Torpor and Hibernation: Not a Simple Summer-Winter Affair†

Daily torpor and hibernation (multiday torpor) are the most efficient means for energy conservation in endothermic birds and mammals and are used by many small species to deal with a number of challenges. These include seasonal adverse environmental conditions and low food/water availability, periods of high energetic demands, but also reduced foraging options because of high predation pressure. Because such challenges differ among regions, habitats and food consumed by animals, the seasonal expression of torpor also varies, but the seasonality of torpor is often not as clear-cut as is commonly assumed and differs between hibernators and daily heterotherms expressing daily torpor exclusively. Hibernation is found in mammals from all three subclasses from the arctic to the tropics, but is known for only one bird. Several hibernators can hibernate for an entire year or express torpor throughout the year (8% of species) and more hibernate from late summer to spring (14%). The most typical hibernation season is the cold season from fall to spring (48%), whereas hibernation is rarely restricted to winter (6%). In hibernators, torpor expression changes significantly with season, with strong seasonality mainly found in the sciurid and cricetid rodents, but seasonality is less pronounced in the marsupials, bats and dormice. Daily torpor is diverse in both mammals and birds, typically is not as seasonal as hibernation and torpor expression does not change significantly with season. Torpor in spring/summer has several selective advantages including: energy and water conservation, facilitation of reproduction or growth during development with limited resources, or minimisation of foraging and thus exposure to predators. When torpor is expressed in spring/summer it is usually not as deep and long as in winter, because of higher ambient temperatures, but also due to seasonal functional plasticity. Unlike many other species, subtropical nectarivorous blossom-bats and desert spiny mice use more frequent and pronounced torpor in summer than in winter, which is related to seasonal availability of nectar or water. Thus, seasonal use of torpor is complex and differs among species and habitats.
Activity alterations in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and amygdala during threat anticipation in generalized anxiety disorder

Abstract Sustained anticipatory anxiety is central to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). During anticipatory anxiety, phasic threat responding appears to be mediated by the amygdala, while sustained threat responding seems related to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Although sustained anticipatory anxiety in GAD patients was proposed to be associated with BNST activity alterations, firm evidence is lacking. We aimed to explore temporal characteristics of BNST and amygdala activity during threat anticipation in GAD patients. Nineteen GAD patients and nineteen healthy controls (HC) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a temporally unpredictable threat anticipation paradigm. We defined phasic and a systematic variation of sustained response models for blood oxygen level-dependent responses during threat anticipation, to disentangle temporally dissociable involvement of the BNST and the amygdala. GAD patients relative to HC responded with increased phasic amygdala activity to onset of threat anticipation and with elevated sustained BNST activity that was delayed relative to the onset of threat anticipation. Both the amygdala and the BNST displayed altered responses during threat anticipation in GAD patients, albeit with different time courses. The results for the BNST activation hint towards its role in sustained threat responding, and contribute to a deeper understanding of pathological sustained anticipatory anxiety in GAD.
Panic Disorder as Unthinkable Emotions: Alexithymia in Panic Disorder, a Croatian Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives Previous research on alexithymia has led to controversy over its prevalence in panic disorder. The aim of this study was to assess the difference in the prevalence of alexithymia in panic disorder and other anxiety disorders. Design and Methods We performed a cross-sectional study on a sample of 71 patients diagnosed with panic disorder and 113 patients diagnosed with other anxiety disorders; both groups were 18–50 years old. Primary outcome was the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) score. Secondary outcome was the prevalence of alexithymia defined as a TAS score ≥61. Results Patients diagnosed with panic disorder had a 25% higher score on the TAS subscale of difficulty identifying feelings than patients diagnosed with other anxiety disorders. The prevalence of alexithymia was 27% in patients with panic disorder and 13% in patients with other anxiety disorders. Patients diagnosed with panic disorder had significantly higher odds for alexithymia. Conclusions The results of our study support the hypothesis of higher prevalence of alexithymia in individuals with panic disorder than in individuals with other anxiety disorders. In addition, difficulty identifying feelings as a salient feature of alexithymia is higher in panic disorder than in other anxiety disorders.