Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tanshinone IIA Sodium Sulfonate Attenuates LPS-Induced Intestinal Injury in Mice

Background Tanshinone IIA sodium sulfonate (TSS) is known to possess anti-inflammatory effects and has exhibited protective effects in various inflammatory conditions; however, its role in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced intestinal injury is still unknown. Objective The present study is designed to explore the role and possible mechanism of TSS in LPS-induced intestinal injury. Methods Male C57BL/6J mice, challenged with intraperitoneal LPS injection, were treated with or without TSS 0.5 h prior to LPS exposure. At 1, 6, and 12 h after LPS injection, mice were sacrificed, and the small intestine was excised. The intestinal tissue injury was analyzed by HE staining. Inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in the intestinal tissue were examined by ELISA and RT-PCR. In addition, expressions of autophagy markers (microtubule-associated light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin-1) were detected by western blot and RT-PCR. A number of autophagosomes were also observed under electron microscopy. Results TSS treatment significantly attenuated small intestinal epithelium injury induced by LPS. LPS-induced release of inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, were markedly inhibited by TSS. Furthermore, TSS treatment could effectively upregulate LPS-induced decrease of autophagy levels, as evidenced by the increased expression of LC3 and Beclin-1, and more autophagosomes. Conclusion The protective effect of TSS on LPS-induced small intestinal injury may be attributed to the inhibition of inflammatory factors and promotion of autophagy levels. The present study may provide novel insight into the molecular mechanisms of TSS on the treatment of intestinal injury.
The relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement among adolescent in South Korea

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between physical fitness level and academic achievement in middle school students. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 236 students aged 13–15 from three middle schools in D city, South Korea, were selected using a random sampling method. Academic achievement was measured by students’ 2014 fall-semester final exam scores and the level of physical fitness was determined according to the PAPS (Physical Activity Promotion System) score administrated by the Korean Ministry of Education. A Pearson correlation test with SPSS 20.0 was employed. [Results] The Pearson correlation test revealed a significant correlation between physical fitness and academic achievement. Specifically, students with higher levels of physical fitness tend to have higher academic performance. In addition, final exam scores of core subjects (e.g., English, mathematics, and science) were significantly related to the PAPS score. [Conclusion] Results of this study can be used to develop more effective physical education curricula. In addition, the data can also be applied to recreation and sport programs for other populations (e.g., children and adult) as well as existing national physical fitness data in various countries.
Experimental tail elongation in male Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica reduces provisioning of young, but only in second broods

At the beginning of the breeding season, the outermost tail feathers of 31 male Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica were either shortened by 20 mm, elongated by 20 mm or left unmanipulated. In first broods, the number of feeding bouts (per nestling per hour) by males and females did not differ significantly among experimental groups. However, in second broods, males with elongated tails fed their nestlings less often than males with shortened or unmanipulated tails. Male tail elongation may have been detrimental to flight, making capture of insects more difficult. Females paired to long-tailed males did not compensate for this reduction in feeding by males and their nestlings received less food. Neither feeding rates nor brood size differed significantly between first and second broods. Variation in abundance of large insects at different times of the day (high around noon and low in the morning and afternoon) matched variation in feeding rates, supporting the importance of large insects in the Barn Swallow diet. Different feeding rate patterns in first and second broods by males with elongated tails could have at least three explanations: (1) such males were able to adjust their parental effort to some extent, temporarily compensating for an imposed handicap; (2) they were more sensitive than males in the other experimental groups to late season food shortage (a decrease in numbers of large insects, the main Barn Swallow prey, was observed as the season progressed); and (3) they were more sensitive than males in the other experimental groups to the deterioration in their physical condition after first broods.
Low Loss Atomic Layer Deposited Al2O3 Waveguides for Applications in On-Chip Optical Amplifiers

We present the growth and optimization of ultralow loss Si-based Al2O3 planar waveguides, which have a high potential to boost the performance of rare-earth ion doped waveguide devices operating at visible and C-band wavelength ranges. The planar waveguide structures are grown using thermal atomic layer deposition. Systematic characterization of the obtained thin films is performed by spectroscopic ellipsometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses, and the optimum parameters are identified. The optical loss measurements for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic polarized light at 633, 829, and 1549 nm are performed. The lowest propagation loss value of 0.04 ± 0.02 dB/cm for the Al 2O3 waveguides for TE polarization at 1549 nm is demonstrated.
Prognostic value of pre-transplant mean pulmonary arterial pressure in lung transplant recipients: a single-institution experience.

Background Currently, lung transplantation (LTX) is considered to be a curative treatment option in patients with end-stage lung disease. Although pulmonary hypertension (PH), confirmed by cardiac catheterization, is a prognostic factor in patients undergoing LTX, the prognostic value of PH in Asian lung transplant recipients remains uncertain. In this study, we aimed to determine whether PH before LTX may serve as a prognostic factor for survival in Asian patients. Methods The medical records of 50 patients [male, 27; female, 23; mean age, 51.0 (41.0-60.0) years], who received preoperative right heart catheterization (RHC) and echocardiography before single or double LTX at Severance Hospital between January 2010 and December 2014, were reviewed. The relationship between 1-year survival after LTX and PH [mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≥25 mmHg at rest] was evaluated. Results The mean right ventricular systolic pressure and mPAP were 48.5 (22.8) and 30.0 (24.0-40.0) mmHg. Of the 50 patients, 17 (34.0%) died within a year after LTX. The 1-year survival rate among patients with mPAP ≥25 mmHg (58.8%) was lower than the survival rate among patients with mPAP <25 mmHg (87.5%). Pre-transplantation mPAP of ≥25 mmHg was associated with post-transplantation survival [hazard ratio (HR), 4.832; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.080-21.608, P=0.039]. The presence of preoperative PH was also associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Conclusions Confirmation of PH via preoperative cardiac catheterization was associated with the prognosis of the patient after LTX. Clinicians should consider the necessity for early transplantation surgery before the mPAP reaches ≥25 mmHg.
Improved Outcomes Associated With the Use of Intravenous Acetaminophen for Management of Acute Post-Surgical Pain in Cesarean Sections and Hysterectomies

Background Post-surgical pain impacts many patient outcomes. Effective pain management increasingly relies on multimodal analgesia regimens in which acetaminophen (APAP) is a key component. The aim of our study was to examine the impact of oral APAP versus intravenous (IV) APAP as a component of post-surgical pain management after Cesarean sections and hysterectomies. Methods A retrospective analysis of the Cerner HealthFacts® database (from January, 2011 to December, 2015) was conducted to compare outcomes of Cesarean section and hysterectomy surgery patients who received oral APAP to those who received IV APAP post-surgically. Length of stay (LOS), daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME) consumption, the presence of potential opioid-related adverse events (ORADEs), and total pharmacy costs were assessed. Adjusted results were derived using inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPW-RA) estimators based on covariates that included demographics, comorbidities, patient clinical characteristics, and hospital characteristics. Results The study identified 29,124 Cesarean section patients (24,612 oral APAP; 4,512 IV APAP) and 9,767 hysterectomy surgery patients (5,586 oral APAP; 4,181 IV APAP). Compared to the oral APAP group, the IV APAP group had reductions in adjusted LOS (Cesarean section: -11.7% days (P < 0.001), hysterectomy: -11.8% days (P = 0.005)), lowered adjusted daily MME consumption from day 0 to day 3 (Cesarean section: -1.6 mg (P < 0.001), hysterectomy: -1.7 mg (P = 0.014)), and reduced risk of ORADEs for Cesarean sections (relative risk of 0.45, P < 0.001). Total pharmacy costs were not significantly different between the two APAP groups. Conclusions Post-surgical pain managed with IV APAP in patients undergoing Cesarean section or hysterectomy was associated with shorter LOS, reduced risk of ORADEs, and lower opioid consumption compared to patients managed with oral APAP, without adversely impacting total pharmacy costs.
A new insular species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from northeastern Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysia

A new species of endemic Cyrtodactylus is described from Pulau Tenggol, Terengganu, off the northeastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It differs from other Sunda Shelf species by having a maximum SVL of 92 mm, enlarged tubercles on body and hind limbs but none on fore limbs, 27–35 ventral scale, a single row of transversely enlarged, median subcaudal scales, 18–20 subdigital lamellae on fourth toe, four precloacal pores, and a single row of enlarged, non porebearing femoral scales beneath each thigh which are not continuous with the precloacal pores.
Optimization of fractal antennas in CST with Chaotic optimization algorithm

The design of electromagnetic structures using numerical analysis software is mainly based on manual adjustments of the dimensions and shapes by the method of trial and error, and mainly depend on the experience of the designer. In recent years, several methods have been developed to optimize electromagnetic structures in software for numerical analysis. However, given the computational time and the complexity, as well as a large number of variables, conventional optimization methods do not achieve good results. In these cases, optimization tools built into commercial software are not effective. It is, therefore, necessary to develop a new technique with an advanced optimization algorithm that will be associated with commercial software. By combining an optimization algorithm and commercial electromagnetic software, these goals could be achieved. In this paper, the proposed Chaotic optimization method was implemented in MATLAB, which was able to control the software for electromagnetics simulation CST through the . m file. All commands, algorithms and Chaotic optimization code that need to be executed in CST are contained in the MATLAB . m file.
Choosing the right friends – predicting success of startup entrepreneurs and innovators through their online social network structure

We compare the success of startup entrepreneurs and innovators with their social networking behaviour. In particular, we analyse the LinkedIn, Facebook, and e-mail networks of swissnex Boston, Switzerland’s science and technology outpost in Boston, connecting Swiss and US entrepreneurs and academics. In our analysis, we focus on the participants of two Swiss entrepreneurship-coaching programmes, venture leaders and VentureKick. We find that the more central actors are in the different types of networks, the more successful they are, proximity to key people also correlates with success. In addition, we detect indicators for the key role of ETH Zurich for the creation of new startups. On the theoretical side, we add to emergent research comparing online networks to real-world networks, confirming the value of pre-existing social capital acquired attending a selective university. On the practical side, our results have key implications for entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and organisers of entrepreneurshi.
molbank Communication 1-[ 1-( 4-Chlorobenzenesulfonyl )-1 H-indole-3-yl ]-3-[ 4-( pyridin-2-yl ) piperazin-1-yl ] propan-1-one

The title compound was prepared by an aza-Michael addition reaction between 1-[1-(4chlorobenzenesulfonyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]prop-2-en-1-one and 2-piridylpiperazine catalyzed by SiO2. The structural identity of the title compound was proven by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods (IR, NMR). The compound was assayed in a binding assay at the 5-HT6 receptor, showing poor affinity.
Fixed switching frequency model predictive based controller for sensor-less five-level Packed U-cell (PUC5) single phase inverter

In this paper, a new control design is developed for the Packed U-Cells (PUC) inverter. A fixed-switching frequency Model Predictive-based (MPC) algorithm is introduced for the sensor-less five-level (PUC5) inverter to regulate the current injected to the utility when it operates in grid connection mode. The proposed method generates the candidate vector that minimizes the well-known Finite Set Model Predictive (FS-MPC) cost function. Besides, the sensor-less voltage control of PUC5 takes in action of stabilizing DC capacitor voltages with no need of additional regulator. Less complexity with no sensors, nor required iterations are obtained. Discrete system model has been introduced and developed. Simulation results on MATLAB/Simulink are provided to confirm the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithm.
Exploring Conversational Language Generation for Rich Content about Hotels

Dialogue systems for hotel and tourist information have typically simplified the richness of the domain, focusing system utterances on only a few selected attributes such as price, location and type of rooms. However, much more content is typically available for hotels, often as many as 50 distinct instantiated attributes for an individual entity. New methods are needed to use this content to generate natural dialogues for hotel information, and in general for any domain with such rich complex content. We describe three experiments aimed at collecting data that can inform an NLG for hotels dialogues, and show, not surprisingly, that the sentences in the original written hotel descriptions provided on webpages for each hotel are stylistically not a very good match for conversational interaction. We quantify the stylistic features that characterize the differences between the original textual data and the collected dialogic data. We plan to use these in stylistic models for generation, and for scoring retrieved utterances for use in hotel dialogues
On Geometric Prototype And Applications

In this paper, we propose to study a new geometric optimization problem called "geometric prototype" in Euclidean space. Given a set of patterns, where each pattern is represented by a (weighted or unweighted) point set, the geometric prototype can be viewed as the "mean pattern" minimizing the total matching cost to them. As a general model, the problem finds many applications in the areas like machine learning, data mining, computer vision, etc. The dimensionality could be either constant or high, depending on the applications. To our best knowledge, the general geometric prototype problem has yet to be seriously considered by the theory community. To bridge the gap between theory and practice, we first show that a small core-set can be obtained to substantially reduce the data size. Consequently, any existing heuristic or algorithm can run on the core-set to achieve a great improvement on the efficiency. As a new application of core-set, it needs to tackle a couple of challenges particularly in theory. Finally, we test our method on both 2D image and high dimensional clustering datasets; the experimental results remain stable even if we run the algorithms on the core-sets much smaller than the original datasets, while the running times are reduced significantly.
Threshold Tuning-Based Wearable Sensor Fault Detection for Reliable Medical Monitoring Using Bayesian Network Model

As the medical body sensor network (BSN) is usually resource limited and vulnerable to environmental effects and malicious attacks, faulty sensor data arise inevitably which may result in false alarms, faulty medical diagnosis, and even serious misjudgment. Thus, faulty sensory data should be detected and removed as much as possible before being utilized for medical diagnosis-making. Most available works directly employed fault detection schemes developed in traditional wireless sensor network (WSN) for body sensor fault detection. However, BSNs adopt a very limited number of sensors for vital information collection, lacking the information redundancy provided by densely deployed sensor nodes in traditional WSNs. In light of this, a Bayesian network model-based sensor fault detection scheme is proposed in this paper, which relies on historical training data for establishing the conditional probability distribution of body sensor readings, rather than the redundant information collected from a large number of sensors. Furthermore, the Bayesian network-based scheme enables us to minimize the inaccuracy rate by optimally tuning the threshold for fault detection. Extensive online dataset has been adopted to evaluate the performance of our fault detection scheme, which shows that our scheme possesses a good fault detection accuracy and a low false alarm rate.
Stack-U-Net: refinement network for improved optic disc and cup image segmentation

In this work, we propose a special cascade network for image segmentation, which is based on the U-Net networks as building blocks and the idea of the iterative refinement. The model was mainly applied to achieve higher recognition quality for the task of finding borders of the optic disc and cup, which are relevant to the presence of glaucoma. Compared to a single U-Net and the state-of-the-art methods for the investigated tasks, very high segmentation quality has been achieved without a need for increasing the volume of datasets. Our experiments include comparison with the best-known methods on publicly available databases DRIONS-DB, RIM-ONE v.3, DRISHTI-GS, and evaluation on a private data set collected in collaboration with University of California San Francisco Medical School. The analysis of the architecture details is presented, and it is argued that the model can be employed for a broad scope of image segmentation problems of similar nature.
Complex-valued support vector machines based on multi-valued neurons

In this paper, we propose complex-valued support vector machines (CVSVMs) which are a new type of support vector machines (SVMs) based on multi-valued neurons (MVNs). An MVN which is a type of complex-valued neurons is a component of the proposed CVSVM. The features of the proposed CVSVM are: 1) it has a multi-valued complex output; 2) it provides the generalization ability by a decision boundary with the maximal margin; 3) it can deal with non-linear classification by using a kernel function. Experimental results for some famous benchmark problems show the effectiveness of the proposed CVSVM.
Certified Graph View Maintenance with Regular Datalog

Abstract We employ the Coq proof assistant to develop a mechanically-certified framework for evaluating graph queries and incrementally maintaining materialized graph instances, also called views. The language we use for defining queries and views is Regular Datalog (RD) – a notable fragment of non-recursive Datalog that can express complex navigational queries, with transitive closure as native operator. We first design and encode the theory of RD and then mechanize a RD-specific evaluation algorithm capable of fine-grained, incremental graph view computation, which we prove sound with respect to the declarative RD semantics. By using the Coq extraction mechanism, we test an OCaml version of the verified engine on a set of preliminary benchmarks. Our development is particularly focused on leveraging existing verification and notational techniques to: a) define mechanized properties that can be easily understood by logicians and database researchers and b) attain formal verification with limited effort. Our work is the first step towards a unified, machine-verified, formal framework for dynamic graph query languages and their evaluation engines.
An Interactive Multi-Label Consensus Labeling Model for Multiple Labeler Judgments

Multi-label classification is crucial to several practical applications including document categorization, video tagging, targeted advertising etc. Training a multi-label classifier requires a large amount of labeled data which is often unavailable or scarce. Labeled data is then acquired by consulting multiple labelers---both human and machine. Inspired by ensemble methods, our premise is that labels inferred with high consensus among labelers, might be closer to the ground truth. We propose strategies based on interaction and active learning to obtain higher quality labels that potentially lead to greater consensus. We propose a novel formulation that aims to collectively optimize the cost of labeling, labeler reliability, label-label correlation and inter-labeler consensus. Evaluation on data labeled by multiple labelers (both human and machine) shows that our consensus output is closer to the ground truth when compared to the "majority" baseline. We present illustrative cases where it even improves over the existing ground truth. We also present active learning strategies to leverage our consensus model in interactive learning settings. Experiments on several real-world datasets (publicly available) demonstrate the efficacy of our approach in achieving promising classification results with fewer labeled data.
The Psychological Basis of Bilingual Education

The relationship between bilingual education and cognition development and its influence to foreign language teaching is the focus of psychologists and linguists. This article introduces the cognition process of bilingual acquisition and its relation with foreign language teaching from the perspective of psycholinguistics . It shows that different bilingual learners have different effects and language abilities at the stage of preschool, teenage and adulthood. It also shows bilingual learners' cognitive privilege.