Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of temporal discharge characteristics of dorsal cochlear nucleus neurons of unanesthetized decerebrate cats.

1. We examined the mean and standard deviation (SD) of interspike intervals (ISI) and the coefficient of variation (CV, the ratio of SD of ISI to mean ISI) of ISIs versus time to study discharge regularity of units in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) of decerebrate unanesthetized cats. The units were characterized by the use of both poststimulus time histograms (PSTH) and excitatory-inhibitory area (EI-area) schemes. We present results of a systematic examination of all of 87 DCN pause-build units recorded in this study. In addition, we present examples of chopper subtypes of the DCN. 2. A major finding of this study is that a majority of the pause-build units in the present sample exhibited regular discharges in response to short (50 ms) tone bursts at characteristic frequency (CF), as revealed by CVs less than 0.5. A predominant portion of pause-build units (80% of 44 units with sufficient number of spikes for CV analysis) exhibited mean CVs less than 0.5 in the 20- to 39.9-ms time window in response to 50-ms tone burst at CF at 60 dB SPL re 20 microPa; 39% of the 44 units exhibited highly regular discharges (mean CV less than 0.35). During the onset (2-14.9 ms) time window, 77% (of 53 units with sufficient number of spikes for CV analysis) of the units had mean CVs less than 0.5, and 55% were less than 0.35. 3. In our sample of 87 DCN pause-build units, 59% had spontaneous rates (SR) greater than 15 spikes/s. The pause-build units of the present sample were distributed across four different EI-area types: III (51%), I/III (25%), II (15%), or IV (9%). In the 20- to 39.9-ms time window, the pause-build units with mean CVs less than 0.35 were exclusively of types III and I/III. All of the above EI-area types were represented in the lowest CV group for the 2- to 14.9-ms window. 4. The mean ISIs of DCN pause-build units typically showed a decrease during the first 20-25 ms of the response to 50-ms CF tone bursts, and stable mean ISIs in the latter half, when off-discharges were absent. In the presence of off-discharges, the mean ISIs decreased further in the last 5-10 ms of the response. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Integrated antennas for RF sensing, wireless communications and energy harvesting applications

Silicon-based monolithic integrated millimeterwave circuits today facilitate the realization of millimeterwave communication and sensing systems [1], [2]. Monolithic integration of antennas into transmitter and receiver front ends reduces weight and costs of millimeterwave systems [3]. As the structure size of circuit devices and components is continuously decreasing the same will hold true for antennas and radiation elements used in integrated circuits for on-chip and chip-to-chip communication. An interesting option to overcome the bandwidth limitations for signal transmission on or between monolithic integrated circuits is wireless chip-to-chip and on-chip interconnects via integrated antennas. Instead of dedicating chip area for the antenna, the antenna can make use of the available on-chip metallization. Antenna-coupled thermal sensors offer a unique choice for infrared detection applications. A considerable size reduction of integrated antenna structures may be achieved using carbon nanotubes and graphene as the antenna material. Plasmonic nanostructures allow realizing ultra small antenna structures for detection applications.
Measured physical activity in anorexia nervosa: features and treatment outcome.

OBJECTIVE To assess the role of measured physical activity (PA) in anorexia nervosa treatment outcome, and to compare the PA of patients with anorexia nervosa with age-matched controls. METHOD PA was assessed by means of Sense Wear Armband before and after a cognitive-behavioral inpatient treatment in 53 consecutive females with anorexia nervosa, and in 53 healthy age-matched controls. RESULTS At baseline, patients with anorexia nervosa exhibited a higher duration of moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA≥3 Metabolic Equivalent Tasks (METs)) than controls (t = 2.91; p = .004). Dropouts had higher duration (sec) and expenditure (kcal·day(-1)) of MVPA than completers. At the end of treatment, completers had a higher number of daily steps, MVPA duration, and expenditure than controls. However, PA was not correlated to eating disorder psychopathology either before or after treatment. DISCUSSION PA is higher in patients with anorexia nervosa than age-matched controls both before and after treatment, and is associated with treatment dropout.
Albuminuria as a marker of arterial stiffness in chronic kidney disease patients.

AIM To access the association between albuminuria levels and arterial stiffness in non-diabetic patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1-2, treated with renin angiotensin blockade agents plus other hypertensive drugs when needed. METHODS One hundred fifteen patients [median age 52 years (68% males)] were consequently enrolled in the study. For each patient, we recorded gender, age, body mass index (BMI), peripheral systolic blood pressure (pSBP), peripheral diastolic blood pressure, peripheral pulse pressure, central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), central diastolic blood pressure (cDBP), central pulse pressure (cPP), hematocrit, hemoglobin, hsCRP, total cholesterol triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-C, low-density lipoprotein-C, calcium, phosphorus, parathormone, and albumin, as well as 24 h urine albumin excretion. According to 24-h urine albumin collection, patients were then classified as those with moderately increased albuminuria (formerly called macroalbuminuria) (≤ 300 mg/d) and those with severely increased albuminuria (formerly called macroaluminuria (> 300 mg/d). We considered aortic stiffness (AS) indices [carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVc-f) and augmentation index (AIx)] as primary outcomes of the study. We explored potential correlations between severely increased albuminuria and AS indices using a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS Fifty-eight patients were included in the moderately increased albuminuria group and 57 in the severely increased albuminuria. Blood pressure measurements of the study population were 138 ± 14/82 ± 1.3 mmHg (systolic/diastolic). There were no significant differences in age, sex, and BP measurements between the two groups. Patients with severely increased albuminuria had higher PWV and AIx than patients with moderately increased albuminuria (P < 0.02, P < 0.004, respectively). In addition these patients exhibited higher BMI (P < 0.03), hsCRP (P < 0.001), and fibrinogen levels (P < 0.02) compared to patients with moderately increased albuminuria. In multivariate linear regression analysis, severely increased albuminuria (β = 1.038, P < 0.010) pSBP (β = 0.028, P < 0.034) and Ht (β = 0.171, P = 0.001) remained independent determinants of the increased PWVc-f. Similarly, severely increased albuminuria (β = 4.385, P < 0.012), cSBP (β = 0.242, P < 0.001), cPP (β = 0.147, P < 0.01) and Ht levels (β = 0.591, P < 0.013) remained independent determinants of increased AIx. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate an independent association between AS indices and severely increased albuminuria in non-diabetic, hypertensive patients with CKD stages 1-2 treated with renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockers.
Probing Novel Roles of the Mitochondrial Uniporter in Ovarian Cancer Cells Using Nanoparticles*♦

Background: The mechanisms underlying resistance of ovarian cancer cells to apoptosis by positively charged gold nanoparticles (+AuNPs) are unknown. Results: MICU1 silencing stimulated mitochondrial membrane depolarization in the presence of +AuNPs, leading to apoptosis. Conclusion: MICU1 confers cellular resistance to apoptosis. Significance: This study suggests that MICU1 may be an important regulator of apoptotic resistance machineries in cancer cells. Nanoparticles provide a potent tool for targeting and understanding disease mechanisms. In this regard, cancer cells are surprisingly resistant to the expected toxic effects of positively charged gold nanoparticles (+AuNPs). Our investigations led to the identification of MICU1, regulator of mitochondrial calcium uniporter, as a key molecule conferring cancer cells with resistance to +AuNPs. The increase in cytosolic [Ca2+]cyto in malignant cells induced by +AuNPs is counteracted by MICU1, preventing cell death. Pharmacological or siRNA-mediated inhibition of mitochondrial Ca+2 entry leads to endoplasmic reticulum stress and sensitizes cancer cells to +AuNP-induced cytotoxicity. Silencing MICU1 decreases Bcl-2 expression and increases caspase-3 activity and cytosolic cytochrome c levels, thus initiating the mitochondrial pathway for apoptosis: effects further enhanced by +AuNPs. This study highlights the potential of nanomaterials as a tool to broaden our understanding of cellular processes, establishes MICU1 as a novel regulator of the machinery in cancer cells that prevents apoptosis, and emphasizes the need to synergize nanoparticle design with understanding of mitochondrial machinery for enhancing targeted cellular toxicity.
Optimized Delay Diversity for Suboptimum Equalization

The optimization of delay diversity (DD) for linear equalization (LE) and decision-feedback equalization (DFE) is presented. The general case of transmission over a correlated multiple-input-multiple-output frequency-selective fading channel is considered. The proposed optimization requires the knowledge of the statistical properties of the wireless channel at the transmitter, but channel state information is only required at the receiver side. Based on an approximation of the bit error rate for LE and DFE, a stochastic gradient algorithm for optimization of the DD transmit filters is derived. Simulation results for the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)/Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution system show significant performance gains of the proposed optimized DD scheme over the DD schemes reported by Gore et al. (Proc. IEEE Inter. Conf. Commun., 2002) and Hehn et al. (IEEE Trans. Wireless Commun., vol. 4, p. 2289, 2005) if LE and DFE are used at the receiver
Validity of Simulation-Based Assessment for Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Milestone Achievement

Introduction The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires biannual evaluation of anesthesiology residents on 25 subcompetency milestones. Some milestone domains are particularly challenging to repeatedly and reliably observe during clinical care. Simulation-Based Milestones Assessment (SBMA) may help overcome these challenges. However, few studies have examined the external validation of simulation assessment scores (ie, the relationships between simulation-based assessment scores and other standard measures of ability) for milestones. This study analyzed whether SBMA scores (1) discriminate by postgraduate year, (2) improve over time, and (3) correlate with traditional measures of performance. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of 55 residents' SBMA data from 30 scenarios for two academic years. Each scenario was evaluated for time-in-training discrimination. Scenarios were then analyzed for SBMA scoring trends over time, and SBMA scores were compared with residents' clinical evaluations. Results Twenty-four SBMA scenarios discriminated by postgraduate year. Repeated measure analysis of variance showed statistically significant between-session score improvements (F (3, 54) = 17.79, P < 0.001). Pearson correlation coefficients demonstrated moderate to strong correlation between SBMA and clinical evaluations: January 2015 r = 0.67, P < 0.01 (n = 27); May 2015 r = 0.43, P = 0.09 (n = 17); November 2015 r = 0.70, P < 0.01 (n = 24); and April 2016 r = 70, P < 0.01 (n = 27). Conclusions The associations between SBMA scores and experience level, time-in-training, and clinical performance evaluations provide evidence that SBMA may be used as metrics of residents' Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education milestone competencies.
Polyhedral studies for minimum-span graph labelling with integer distance constraints

This paper studies the polytope of the minimum-span graph labelling problems with integer distance constraints (DC-MSGL). We first introduce a few classes of new valid inequalities for the DC-MSGL defined on general graphs and briefly discuss the separation problems of some of these inequalities. These are the initial steps of a branch-and-cut algorithm for solving the DC-MSGL. Following that, we present our polyhedral results on the dimension of the DC-MSGL polytope, and that some of the inequalities are facet defining, under reasonable conditions, for the polytope of the DC-MSGL on triangular graphs.
Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor With a Combination of Oxytocin and Misoprostol to Prevent Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of misoprostol administered simultaneously with oxytocin as part of the active management of the third stage of labor. METHODS: This multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial recruited women in the first stage of labor with expected vaginal deliveries at 36–42 weeks of gestation. Exclusion criteria were multiple pregnancies, hypersensitivity to misoprostol, and cesarean delivery. Participants received routine intravenous oxytocin and were randomly allocated to receive 400 micrograms misoprostol or placebo orally immediately after delivery of the newborn. The primary outcome was postpartum hemorrhage (500 mL or greater within 2 hours of birth). Secondary outcomes included severe postpartum hemorrhage (1,000 mL or greater) and adverse maternal events such as fever, shivering, and nausea. Two groups of 1,550 women were required to demonstrate a 33% decrease of postpartum hemorrhage according to a two-tailed &agr; at 0.05 with 80% power. An interim analysis was planned after 50% enrollment. RESULTS: Participant enrollment occurred from April 2010 to September 2013. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. The study was discontinued after the planned interim analysis including 1,721 patients showed that misoprostol was not effective and was associated with significantly more adverse effects. The rate of postpartum hemorrhage was 8.4% (68/806) in the misoprostol and 8.3% (66/797) in the placebo group (P=.98), and rates of severe postpartum hemorrhage were 1.8% and 2.4%, respectively (P=.57). Maternal adverse events occurred significantly more frequently in the misoprostol group (for fever 30.4% in the misoprostol group compared with 6.3% in the placebo group, P<.001; for shivering 10.8% in the misoprostol group compared with 0.6% in the placebo group, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Misoprostol administered with prophylactic routine oxytocin did not reduce the rate of postpartum hemorrhage risk and increased the rate of adverse events. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01113229.
Family transmission and heritability of externalizing disorders: a twin-family study.

BACKGROUND Antisocial behavior and substance dependence disorders exact a heavy financial and human cost on society. A better understanding of the mechanisms of familial transmission for these "externalizing" disorders is necessary to better understand their etiology and to help develop intervention strategies. OBJECTIVES To determine the extent to which the family transmission of externalizing disorders is due to a general vs a disorder-specific vulnerability and, owing to the genetically informative nature of our data, to estimate the heritable vs environmental nature of these transmission effects. DESIGN We used structural equation modeling to simultaneously estimate the general and specific transmission effects of 4 externalizing disorders: conduct disorder, adult antisocial behavior, alcohol dependence, and drug dependence. SETTING Participants were recruited from the community and were interviewed in a university laboratory. PARTICIPANTS The sample consisted of 542 families participating in the Minnesota Twin Family Study. All families included 17-year-old twins and their biological mother and father. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Symptom counts of conduct disorder, the adult criteria for antisocial personality disorder, alcohol dependence, and drug dependence. RESULTS Transmission of a general vulnerability to all the externalizing disorders accounted for most familial resemblance. This general vulnerability was highly heritable (h2 = 0.80). Disorder-specific vulnerabilities were also detected for conduct disorder, alcohol dependence, and drug dependence. CONCLUSIONS The mechanism underlying the familial transmission of externalizing disorders is primarily a highly heritable general vulnerability. This general vulnerability or common risk factor should be the focus of research regarding the etiology and treatment of externalizing disorders.
The Aberdeen Trauma Screening Index: an instrument to predict post-accident psychopathology

Background. A key challenge in trauma care is the prevention of psychopathology. However, no definitive method of identifying individuals at risk of developing psychopathology exists. The Aberdeen Trauma Screening Index (ATSI) is a brief screening tool developed for use in a clinical setting by non-mental health professionals to facilitate the early identification of individuals most at risk of psychopathology 3-months post-accident. Methods. The ATSI derived from a prospective study of a 150 out of an initial pool of 213 consecutive admissions to the Orthopaedic Trauma Unit and the Accident and Emergency Department of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Potential predictors were identified by a comprehensive assessment conducted within 1-week post-accident. Outcome at 3-months post-accident was measured using ‘caseness’ according to the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Results. The ATSI is based on a final model comprising only seven variables with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 65%. A predictive index score (0–100) was produced to ensure the practical utility of the ATSI in a clinical setting. A ROC curve was constructed to illustrate the relationship between sensitivity and the specificity values with their corresponding threshold scores. On the basis of a prevalence rate of 55% ‘caseness’, as identified in the present study, a cut-off point of 45 provides the optimal outcome with a sensitivity value of 70% and a specificity value of 71%. Conclusions. The ATSI can accurately identify those most at risk of developing psychopathology 3-months post-accident in a sample of accidentally injured adult subjects recruited as consecutive admissions to an urban hospital in the North East of Scotland. However, to establish the generalizability of these findings, it is important that the ATSI be validated in both similar and diverse populations.
Relationship between the pivot shift and Lachman tests: a cadaver study.

BACKGROUND While the Lachman and pivot shift tests have been used clinically for decades to assess the anterior cruciate ligament, the relationship between the two has undergone limited experimental study. The goal of this study was to evaluate biomechanical relationships between the Lachman and pivot shift tests in anterior cruciate ligament-deficient and reconstructed knees. METHODS Knee kinematics during simulated pivot-shift testing and anteroposterior knee laxities were measured in seventeen knees in the intact condition, in the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient condition, and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Pivot shift magnitude was plotted against laxity for all knees with the grafts unfixed (the cruciate ligament-deficient condition). The grafts were then tensioned to match the laxities of the intact knees, and the change in pivot shift magnitude was plotted versus the change in laxity for all knees. In a separate series of tests for individual specimens, pivot shift magnitude was plotted versus laxity for each knee by incrementally loosening the anterior cruciate ligament graft. RESULTS Linear correlations between pivot shift magnitude and absolute laxity for anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees were weak. When the unfixed grafts were tensioned to match anteroposterior laxities of the intact knees, changes in pivot shift were better correlated with corresponding changes in anteroposterior laxity (r(2) = 0.53 for tibial rotation and 0.73 for lateral tibial plateau displacement). When graft fixation was progressively loosened for each reconstructed knee, pivot shift magnitude increased linearly from the laxity of the intact knee up to an end point of the linear range, at which point the slope decreased abruptly. Between this end point and the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient condition, further increases in pivot shift were relatively small. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the magnitude of laxity of an injured knee, when considered alone, may not accurately predict the magnitude of the pivot shift, but the difference in laxity between the injured knee and the normal knee (the injured-normal difference) could be a good clinical predictor of the injured-normal difference in the pivot shift. We demonstrated that an insufficiently tensioned anterior cruciate ligament graft could substantially reduce anterior laxity, while leaving the pivot shift evaluation virtually unchanged.
Reducing Dimensionality Using NMF Based Cholesky Decomposition

This paper aims to resolve the problem associated with increased data dimensionality in datasets using modified Non-integer Matrix Factorization (NMF). Further, the increased dimensionality arising due to non-orthogonally from NMF is resolved using Cholesky decomposition (cd-NMF). The cd-NMF is used to extract the feature vector from the dataset and the data vector is linearly mapped from upper triangular matrix obtained from the Cholesky decomposition. The experiment is validated in terms of accuracy and normalized mutual information metrics again three different text databases with varied patterns. Further, the results proves that the proposed technique fits well with larger instances in finding the documents as per the query, than NMF, NPNMF, MM-NMF, RNMF, GNMF, HNMF and cd-NMF.