Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Landiolol, an ultra-short-acting β1-blocker, is useful for managing supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in sepsis.

AIM To investigate whether landiolol, an ultra-short-acting β1-antagonist, can safely and effectively control heart rate in septic patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. METHODS We reviewed all patients with sepsis who admitted to our intensive care unit between January 2006 and December 2011. Sixty one septic patients suffered from supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (heart rate ≥ 120 bpm for > 1 h). Among 61 patients, 39 patients were treated with landiolol (landiolol group) and 22 patients were not treated with landiolol (control group). Arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac rhythm, pulmonary arterial pressure and cardiac output (if a pulmonary arterial catheter was inserted) were compared between the 2 groups at 1, 8 and 24 h after the initiation of tachyarrhythmias. RESULTS Mean age and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores were similar between the 2 groups. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (87%), paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (10%), and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (3%) were observed. The initial landiolol dose administered was 6.3 ± 5.8 g/kg per minute. Rapid and substantial reduction of heart rate was observed in the landiolol group without any deterioration of hemodynamics. Landiolol significantly reduced heart rate (from 145 ± 14 bpm to 90 ± 20 bpm) compared to the control group (from 136 ± 21 bpm to 109 ± 18 bpm, P < 0.05). The conversion to sinus rhythm was observed more frequently in the landiolol group than in the control group at every point (P < 0.01 at 8 h; P < 0.05 at 1 and 24 h). CONCLUSION Landiolol safely reduced heart rate and, in part, converted to sinus rhythm in septic patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Extended Abstract: Neural Networks for Limit Order Books

We design and test neural networks for modeling the dynamics of the limit order book. In addition to testing traditional neural networks originally designed for classification, we develop a new neural network architecture for modeling spatial distributions (i.e., distributions on $\mathbb{R}^d$) which takes advantage of local spatial structure. Model performance is tested on 140 S\&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 stocks. The neural networks are trained using information from deep into the limit order book (i.e., many levels beyond the best bid and best ask). Techniques from deep learning such as dropout are employed to improve performance. Due to the computational challenges associated with the large amount of data, the neural networks are trained using GPU parallel computing. The neural networks are shown to outperform simpler models such as the naive empirical model and logistic regression, and the new neural network for spatial distributions outperforms the standard neural network.
Tilted Beam Piezoresistive Displacement Sensor: Design, Modeling, and Characterization

We present a comprehensive study of the design, modeling, and characterization of an on-chip piezoresistive displacement sensor. The design is based on the bulk piezoresistivity of tilted clamped-guided beams without the need for additional steps to generate doped regions. The sensor is implemented in a one-degree-of-freedom microelectromechanical system (MEMS) nanopositioner, where the beams also function as the suspension system. A standard MEMS fabrication process is used to realize the device on single-crystalline silicon as the structural material. The beams are oppositely tilted to develop tensile and compressive axial forces during stage movement, creating a differential sensing feature. An analytical approach is proposed for modeling and design of the tilted clamped-guided beams. The linearity of the sensor in the differential configuration is investigated analytically. The static, dynamic, and noise characteristics of the sensor are presented, followed by a model-based investigation of the measured dynamic feedthrough.
Concordance between cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and [11C]PIB PET in a memory clinic cohort.

BACKGROUND Two approaches are available for measuring Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology in vivo. Biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) include amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ42) and tau. Furthermore, amyloid deposition can be visualized using positron emission tomography (PET) and [11C]Pittsburgh compound-B ([11C]PIB). OBJECTIVE We investigated concordance between CSF biomarkers and [11C]PIB PET as markers for AD pathology in a memory clinic cohort. METHODS We included 64 AD patients, 34 non-AD dementia patients, 22 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 16 controls. [11C]PIB scans were visually rated as positive or negative. CSF biomarkers were considered abnormal based on Aβ42 alone (<550 ng/L), a more lenient Aβ42 cut-off (<640 ng/L) or a combination of both Aβ42 and tau ((373 + 0.82 tau)/Aβ42 > 1). Concordance between CSF biomarkers and [11C]PIB PET was determined. RESULTS Overall, concordance between [11C]PIB PET and CSF Aβ42 (<550 ng/L) was 84%. In discordant cases, [11C]PIB PET was more often AD-positive than Aβ42. When a more lenient Aβ42 cut-point (<640 ng/L) or a combination of Aβ42 and tau was used, concordance with [11C]PIB PET appeared to be even higher (90% and 89%). This difference is explained by a subgroup of mostly MCI and AD patients with Aβ42 levels just above cut-off. Now, in discordant cases, CSF was more often AD-positive than [11C]PIB PET. CONCLUSION Concordance between CSF Aβ42 and [11C]PIB PET was good in all diagnostic groups. Discordance was mostly seen in MCI and AD patients close to the cut-point. These results provide convergent validity for the use of both types of biomarkers as measures of AD pathology.
Magnitude of QT prolongation associated with a higher risk of Torsades de Pointes

Drug induced Torsades de Pointes (TdP) is a major concern for new drugs seeking regulatory approval. Prolongation of QT intervals greater than 60 millisecond or to longer than 500 millisecond in an individual patient has been considered to be associated with a higher risk. The purpose of this study is to identify values inferred from a population that predict a stronger potential for TdP.
Association of periodontal disease and tooth loss with rheumatoid arthritis in the US population.

OBJECTIVE To test for an association of periodontitis and tooth loss with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) is a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of noninstitutionalized civilians. We included participants aged > or = 60 years who had undergone both musculoskeletal and dental examinations. RA was defined based on American College of Rheumatology criteria. Dental examinations quantified decayed and filled surfaces, missing teeth, and periodontitis. Periodontitis was defined as at least 1 site exhibiting both attachment loss and a probing depth of > or = 4 mm. We classified dental health status as (1) no periodontitis, (2) periodontitis, or (3) edentulous (i.e., complete tooth loss). We performed multivariate multinomial logistic regression models with dental health status as the dependent and RA as the independent variables. RESULTS The sample consisted of 4461 participants, of whom 103 were classified as having RA. Participants with RA had more missing teeth (20 vs 16 teeth; p < 0.001), but less decay (2% vs 4%; p < 0.001) than participants without RA. After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and smoking, subjects with RA were more likely to be edentulous [odds ratio (OR) 2.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56 3.31] and have periodontitis (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.04 3.20) compared with non-RA subjects. In participants with seropositive RA there was a stronger association with dental health status, in particular with edentulism (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.2 17). CONCLUSION RA may be associated with tooth loss and periodontitis.
Effect of grounding arrangement on PZT thin film capacitor

This paper reports on a new investigation carried out on the grounding arrangement of monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) thin film capacitors to improve their high frequency behavior. Via holes have been etched on the PZT to create the ground contact. The measurement shows an improvement in the capacitor response compared to direct contact to the exposed Pt area at the film edge.
Image-Based Information Visualization Tutorial

While many data exploration techniques are based on automatic knowledge extraction, other tools exist where the user plays the central role. This tutorial will report actual use-cases where the user interactively explores datasets and extracts relevant information. These techniques must be interactive enough to insure flexibility data exploration, therefore image-based algorithms propose a suitable solution. These algorithms, processed in parallel by the graphic card, are fast and scalable enough to support interactive big data exploration requirements.
Pathobiology of A/Chicken/Hong Kong/220/97 (H5N1) Avian Influenza Virus in Seven Gallinaceous Species

Direct bird-to-human transmission, with the production of severe respiratory disease and human mortality, is unique to the Hong Kong-origin H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, which was originally isolated from a disease outbreak in chickens. The pathobiology of the A/chicken/Hong Kong/ 220/97 (H5N1) (HK/220) HPAI virus was investigated in chickens, turkeys, Japanese and Bobwhite quail, guinea fowl, pheasants, and partridges, where it produced 75-100% mortality within 10 days. Depression, mucoid diarrhea, and neurologic dysfunction were common clinical manifestations of disease. Grossly, the most severe and consistent lesions included splenomegaly, pulmonary edema and congestion, and hemorrhages in enteric lymphoid areas, on serosal surfaces, and in skeletal muscle. Histologic lesions were observed in multiple organs and were characterized by exudation, hemorrhage, necrosis, inflammation, or a combination of these features. The lung, heart, brain, spleen, and adrenal glands were the most consistently affected, and viral antigen was most often detected by immunohistochemistry in the parenchyma of these organs. The pathogenesis of infection with the HK/220 HPAI virus in these species was twofold. Early mortality occurring at 1-2 days postinoculation (DPI) corresponded to severe pulmonary edema and congestion and virus localization within the vascular endothelium. Mortality occurring after 2 DPI was related to systemic biochemical imbalance, multiorgan failure, or a combination of these factors. The pathobiologic features were analogous to those experimentally induced with other HPAI viruses in domestic poultry.
Establishment of a cut‐point value of serum TNF‐α levels in the metabolic syndrome

Cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes are the major causes of mortality in Mexico. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of factors that increase the risk to develop such diseases. Previous studies have shown that MS is associated with high tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) levels. In fact, TNF‐α has been proposed to be a useful marker for clinical diagnosis of inflammation at an early stage. Therefore, we analyzed TNF‐α concentrations in Mexican individuals with or without MS and related these levels to the associated MS components. Clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical data were analyzed in 41 healthy and 39 MS individuals. Individuals were similarly grouped by age and gender.The serum TNF‐α levels measured bya highly sensitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit were increased significantly in MS subjects compared with healthy individuals (P<0.001). The assay showed 78.1% sensitivity and 61.5% specificity with a cut‐point level of 1.36 pg/mL. TNF‐α levels higher than the cut‐point value were correlated with insulin resistance indices. These findings support the hypothesis that serum TNF‐α concentration could be a useful marker for early MS diagnosis. Nevertheless, we suggest the establishment of specific cut‐point values in each studied population to evaluate potential clinical applications. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 23:51–56, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multimodal frequency representations are embedded in modality-defined cortical sensory systems

Sensory information is represented and elaborated in hierarchical cortical systems that are thought to be dedicated to individual sensory modalities. This traditional view of sensory cortex organization has been challenged by recent evidence of multimodal responses in primary and association sensory areas. Although it is indisputable that sensory areas respond to multiple modalities, it remains unclear whether these multimodal responses reflect selective information processing for particular stimulus features. Here, we used fMRI adaptation to identify brain regions that are sensitive to the temporal frequency information contained in auditory, tactile, and audiotactile stimulus sequences. A number of brain regions distributed over the parietal and temporal lobes exhibited frequency-selective temporal response modulation for both auditory and tactile stimulus events, as indexed by repetition suppression effects. A smaller set of regions responded to crossmodal adaptation sequences in a frequency-dependent manner. Despite an extensive overlap of multimodal frequency-selective responses across the parietal and temporal lobes, representational similarity analysis revealed a cortical “regional landscape” that clearly reflected distinct somatosensory and auditory processing systems that converged on modality-invariant areas. These structured relationships between brain regions were also evident in spontaneous signal fluctuation patterns measured at rest. Our results reveal that multimodal processing in human cortex can be feature-specific and that multimodal frequency representations are embedded in the intrinsically hierarchical organization of cortical sensory systems. Significance Statement A hallmark of traditional brain organization models is the segregation of signals from the different senses in modality-dedicated brain regions. Recent evidence showing multimodal activity in brain regions thought to be dedicated to a single modality have challenged the traditional sensory cortex model. Notably, few studies have explored the feature-specificity of multimodal responses found in sensory cortex. Here, we used fMRI adaptation to identify parietal and temporal cortex regions which exhibited sensitivity to both tactile and auditory frequency information. These univariate results demonstrate that multimodal processing in sensory cortex can be feature-specific. Using the same data, though, we found clear evidence of modality-based cortical organization estimated from multivariate response patterns and spontaneous BOLD signal fluctuations. Thus, our results reveal an embedding of feature-specific multimodal processing in traditionally-defined cortical systems.
Biochemical and Temporal Analysis of Events Associated with Apoptosis Induced by Lowering the Extracellular Potassium Concentration in Mouse Cerebellar Granule Neurons

Abstract: We analyzed biochemically and temporally the molecular events that occur in the programmed cell death of mouse cerebellar granule neurons deprived of high potassium levels. An hour after switching the neurons to a low extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o), a significant part of the genomic DNA was already cleaved to high‐molecular‐weight fragments. This phenomenon was intensified with the progression of the death process. Addition of cycloheximide to the neurons 4 h after high [K+]o deprivation resulted in no cell loss and complete recovery of the damaged DNA. DNA margination and nuclear fragmentation as assessed by 4,6‐diaminodiphenyl‐2‐phenylindole staining were observable in a few cells beginning ∼4 h after the removal of high [K+]o and developed to nuclear condensation 4 h later. Six hours after high [K+]o deprivation, the DNA was fragmented into oligonucleosome‐sized fragments. Within 6 h after removal of the extracellular K+, 50% of the neurons were committed to die and lost their ability to be rescued by readministration of 25 mM [K+]o. Similar to high [K+]o deprivation, inhibition of RNA or protein synthesis failed to halt neuronal degeneration of a similar percentage of cells 6 h after the onset of the death process. Mitochondrial function steadily decreased after [K+]o removal. An ∼40% decrease in RNA and protein synthesis was detected by 6 h of [K+]o removal during the period of cell death commitment; rates continued to decline gradually thereafter. The temporal characteristics of the DNA damage and recovery, DNA cleavage to oligonucleosome‐sized fragments, and the reduction in mitochondrial activity—events that occurred within the critical time—may indicate that these processes have an important part in the mechanism that committed the neurons to die.
A decomposition analysis of the EU farm gate milk price

The increased price variability of the EU farm gate milk price in recent times makes it necessary for farmers as well as policy makers to analyze which factors attribute to this variability. In this study the EU, German and Irish farm gate milk price is therefore decomposed into its trend, seasonal and cyclical components using state space models. The decomposition results are used to analyze which components attribute to the huge price variability observed in recent times and how the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) changed the price dynamics. They show that the dynamics of the EU, German and Irish series converged after the CAP 2003 reform. The dynamics are also compared to the US market. Another main result is that most of the observed price volatility in recent times is attributed to the cyclical component. Price volatility is therefore to some degree predictable and intrinsic to the dairy industry.
A high-throughput and low-power design for bitmap indexing on 65-nm SOTB CMOS process

Massive amounts of data generated from Internet-of-Thing and mobile devices bring a lot of challenges to big data analytics nowadays. In this paper, we propose the high-throughput architecture of a bitmap index creation (BIC) that can greatly accelerate data analytics tasks. BIC is implemented in a low-power 65-nm SOTB CMOS technology to minimize the leakage current in standby mode as well as total power consumption in active mode. By exploiting the hardware parallelism, the indexing throughput surpasses 1.7 times and 2.8 times as high as that of GPU-based and CPU-based designs, respectively. Furthermore, by applying the back bias voltage of -1.5 V, the leakage current significantly reduces approximately 89.2 times, as compared to that at VBB =0.4 V. The power consumption is 4.69 mW, or approximately 27.1 times as low as that of 180-nm bulk CMOS.
Increased cortical inhibition in depression: a prolonged silent period with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Background. Motor slowing in depression may be associated with a relative dopaminergic (DA) deficit. Bradykinesia in Parkinson's syndrome is associated with an abnormally short silent period (SP) using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We hypothesized that depression would also be associated with a short SP. Methods. Sixteen patients with DSM-IV depression and 19 matched controls participated. SPs were elicited by exercising the contralateral abductor policis brevis (APB) during TMS. Results. The SP was significantly increased in the patient group. No correlation was found between SP and depression score. Conclusion. A long SP suggests increased motor cortical inhibition in depression. This finding is inconsistent with the hypothesis of behavioural motor slowing in depression being associated with Parkinsonian-like mechanisms including the dopaminergic deficit. There is a need for studies incorporating larger patient groups to investigate potential correlations between SP and depression indices.
Inhibition of CFTR Cl− channel function caused by enzymatic hydrolysis of sphingomyelin

Numerous mutations in the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR, a Cl− channel) disrupt salt and fluid transport and lead to the formation of thick mucus in patients' airways. Obstruction by mucus predisposes CF patients to chronic infections and inflammation, which become gradually harder to control and eventually fatal. Aggressive antibiotic therapy and supportive measures have dramatically lengthened CF patients' lives. Here, we report that sphingomyelinases (SMase) from human respiratory pathogens strongly inhibit CFTR function. The hydrolysis of sphingomyelin by SMase makes it more difficult to activate CFTR by phosphorylation of its regulatory domain. By inhibiting CFTR currents, SMase-producing respiratory tract bacteria may not only aggravate pulmonary infection in some CF patients but may also elicit a condition, analogous to CFTR deficiency, in non-CF patients suffering from bacterial lung infection.
Same-day Bowel Cleansing Regimen is Superior to a Split-dose Regimen Over Two Days for Afternoon Colonoscopy: Results From a Large Prospective Series

Goals and Background: Conventional bowel preparation for afternoon colonoscopy requires an oral agent the day before the procedure. Bowel cleansing given only on the day of the colonoscopy has never been attempted. The aims of this study were to compare the efficacy of bowel cleansing, impact on activities of daily living (ADLs), side effects, and patient preference of a same-day regimen with a 2-day regimen. Study: A single-blinded, prospective cohort study. Patients were block recruited into 2 groups with the endoscopist blinded to the regimen. Group A: 3 sachets of sodium picosulphate given at 12:00 noon and at 05:00 PM the day before and at 8:00 AM on the morning of the procedure. Group B: 2 sachets of sodium picosulphate on the morning of the procedure at 07:00 and 10:00 AM. Patients completed a quality-of-life questionnaire investigating the side effects, impact on ADLs, and regimen preference. The main outcome measures were mucosal cleansing, impact on ADLs, side effects, and patient preference of the regimen. Results: A total of 227 patients underwent screening colonoscopy. There were 95 patients in group A and 132 in group B, all of whom were age and sex matched. Same-day preparation produced better mucosal cleansing (P=0.0046) with fewer side effects (P=0.002). Impact on ADLs was less with the same-day regimen (P<0.0001). Significantly more number of patients preferred the same-day preparation compared with the 2-day regimen (P=0.0147). Conclusions: Same-day bowel preparation is feasible, safe, and more effective than a split-dose regimen. It has fewer adverse events and is preferred by patients.