Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of three natural surfactants according to lung ultrasonography scores in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract Introduction Lung ultrasonography (LUS) is a noninvasive bed-side test and increasingly used by clinicians in the management and follow-up of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. Objective To compare the results of three natural surfactants according to LUS scores in premature infants with RDS. Methods This was a prospective study on 62 preterm infants (25–34 weeks) with RDS and receiving surfactant according to 2016 European guidelines. All patients underwent a clinical evaluation and chest X-ray at three study points; at the first hours of life (presurfactant), and at 6–12th hour (early postsurfactant) and 24th hour (late postsurfactant) of surfactant. Simultaneously fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) need, arterial PaO2 values, Downes and LUS scores were noted. The patients were randomized into three groups; Group 1 (n = 23), poractant alpha; Group 2 (n = 20), beractant; and Group 3 (n = 19), calfactant. The groups were compared according to clinical, laboratory and radiological variables as well as LUS scores. Results Gestational age (p = .05), birthweight (p = .07), and SNAPPE-II scores (p = .57) were similar in three groups. Repeated dose need was the highest in Group 3 (p = .04). FiO2 need (p = .04) was the highest and PaO2 values (p = .03) were the lowest at late postsurfactant point in the same group. LUS scores were also the highest in Group 3 at this period (p = .02). Downes scores were similar in groups at all points (p > .05). NICU stay were similar in groups (p = .53). The durations of total oxygen supplementation, mechanical ventilation, and hospital stay were the same in groups (p > .05). Conclusions In newborns with RDS, poractant alpha and beractant have similarly reduced oxygen need in accordance to the LUS findings. However, they seem to be superior compared to calfactant.
Cytotoxic Spliceostatin Analogs from Pseudomonas sp.

Two new spliceostatin analogs, designed as spliceostatins J and K (1 and 2), were isolated and identified from the culture of Pseudomonas sp. , along with two known ones, FR901464 (3) and spliceostatin E (4). Their structures were elucidated by detailed interpretation of their spectroscopic data, especially 2D‐NMR and HR‐ESI‐MS. Spliceostatin J (1) represented the first example of spliceostatins bearing an unusual hexahydrofuro[3,4‐b]furan moiety. Biological assay showed all the isolated compounds except 1 displayed potent cytotoxic activities against two cancer cell lines (MDA‐MB‐231 and A‐549). Structure‐activity‐relationship studies revealed that the tetrahydropyran ring in spliceostatin analogs was necessary for their bioactive retention.
Decomposition of instruction decoder for low power design

Microprocessors have been used in wide-ranged applications. During the execution of instructions, instruction decoding is a major task for identifying instructions and generating control signals for data-paths. By exploiting program behaviors, we propose a novel instruction-decoding approach for power minimization. Using the proposed instruction-decoding structure, we present a partitioning method that decomposes the instruction-decoding circuit into two sub-circuits according to the execution frequencies of instructions. Using our proposed decoding structure, only one sub-circuit will be activated when executing an instruction. Experimental results have demonstrated that our proposed approach achieves on an average of 26.71% and 15.69% power reductions for the instruction decoder and the control unit, respectively.
A Sliding Mode Control Using Brain Limbic System Control Strategy for a Robotic Manipulator

This paper presents a robust bio-inspired sliding mode control approach, designed to achieve a favourable tracking performance in a class of robotic manipulators with uncertainties. To this end, brain emotional learning-based intelligent control (BELBIC) is applied, to adaptively adjust the control input law in the sliding mode control. The combined form provides an adjustment of the control input law that effectively alleviates the chattering effects of the sliding mode control. Specifically, the online parameters computed from the parameter uncertainties and external disturbances help to improve the system robustness. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed bio-inspired control strategy is very successful at tracking the given trajectories with less chattering as compared to both the conventional and fuzzy sling mode control schemes.
An Electronic Health Intervention for Dutch Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

Background Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common problem with a great potential influence on quality of life. Although SUI can be treated effectively with pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), only a minority of women with this complaint seek help. An internet-based electronic health (eHealth) intervention could make care more accessible. The Swedish eHealth intervention Tät-treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence offers PFMT and has shown to be effective in reducing symptoms in women with SUI. This intervention might be helpful for Dutch women too, but its adoption needs to be studied as the Netherlands differs from Sweden in terms of geographical characteristics and health care organization. Objective The objective of this protocol is to investigate the barriers and facilitators to the adoption of an eHealth intervention for Dutch women with SUI and the effects of this intervention. Methods We are conducting an explanatory sequential mixed methods study among 800 Dutch women with SUI who participate in the translated version of Tät-treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence. This eHealth intervention takes 3 months. A pre-post study is conducted using surveys, which are sent at baseline (T0), 3 weeks after baseline (T1), posttreatment (T2), and 3 months posttreatment (T3). After the intervention, semistructured interviews will be held with 15 to 20 participants. The primary outcomes are barriers and facilitators to using the Tät-treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence. This will also be analyzed among groups that differ in age and severity of incontinence. A thematic content analysis of the qualitative data will be performed. The secondary outcomes are: (1) effect on symptoms of urinary incontinence, (2) effect on quality of life, and (3) factors that are potentially associated with success. Effects will be analyzed by a mixed model analysis. Logistic regression analysis will be used to study what patient-related factors are associated with success. Results Enrollment started in July 2018 and will be finished by December 2019. Data analysis will start in March 2020. Conclusions An eHealth intervention for Dutch women with SUI is promising because it can make treatment more accessible. The strength of this study is that it explores the possibilities for an internet-based-only treatment for women with SUI by using both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The study elaborates on existing results by using a previously tested and effective eHealth program. Insight into the barriers and facilitators to using this program can enhance the implementation of the intervention in the Dutch health care system. Trial Registration Netherlands Trial Registry (NTR) NTR6956; https://www.trialregister. nl/trial/6570. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/13164
Automatic Classification Using Machine Learning for Non-Conventional Vessels on Inland Waters

The prevalent methods for monitoring ships are based on automatic identification and radar systems. This applies mainly to large vessels. Additional sensors that are used include video cameras with different resolutions. Such systems feature cameras that capture images and software that analyze the selected video frames. The analysis involves the detection of a ship and the extraction of features to identify it. This article proposes a technique to detect and categorize ships through image processing methods that use convolutional neural networks. Tests to verify the proposed method were carried out on a database containing 200 images of four classes of ships. The advantages and disadvantages of implementing the proposed method are also discussed in light of the results. The system is designed to use multiple existing video streams to identify passing ships on inland waters, especially non-conventional vessels.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging or Endoscopic Ultrasonography for Detection and Surveillance of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms in Patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1?

Abstract Our aim was to compare the clinical utility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS) in identifying Pancreatic Neurondocrine Neoplasms (PanNENs) and monitoring size alterations in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) patients. Thirty-one MEN1 patients with PanNENs and concurrent screening by EUS and abdominal MRI were included and 129 pancreatic lesions were detected in total. MRI detected fewer lesions than EUS (n=73 vs. 110, p=0.006). MRI sensitivity and specificity compared to EUS at 20 and 10 mm cut-offs of maximal lesion diameter were 96 and 88% (20 mm cut-off) and 90 and 82%(10 mm cut-off), respectively (concordance rates of 97 and 87% and Cohen’s kappa=0.912 and 0.718, respectively). Lesions<1 cm were more often detected with EUS (p=0.025). Data from sequential concurrent imaging on lesion growth rate [n=7 (mean±SD: 2 mm/year±3.4 mm vs. 1.9 mm/year±3.6 mm)] over a period of at least two years as well as pathology data in connection to preoperative concurrent imaging were available in a small number of patients (n=7, p=0.933 for mean differences in maximal lesion diameter). MRI of the pancreas was more readily available and less expensive than EUS in an outpatient setting. In conclusion, MRI performs well compared to EUS for the detection and subsequent surveillance of MEN1-related panNENs larger than 10 mm and seems to be cost-effective. Both modalities could be used at initial assessment and MRI alone could be utilized thereafter in patient surveillance. EUS retains its value in surgical planning and the detection of small mostly functional PanNENs.
Befriending Services for Culturally Diverse Older People

ABSTRACT Befriending services may address loneliness and social isolation amongst older people. However social diversity is rarely reported in investigations of befriending services. The views of non-users are also rarely explored. In this research, we explored older adults’ experiences of, and attitudes towards, a befriending service, among service users and non-service users, drawing on interviews and focus groups with 76 older adults, 10 volunteer visitors, and 20 service providers. Participants agreed that the befriending service helped alleviate social isolation and loneliness and that supportive services to foster connection are needed. Barriers to engagement included lack of knowledge, appropriateness of services and feeling undeserving. The befriending service was most successful when a match went beyond a transactional ‘professional-client’ relationship to resemble genuine friendship, underpinned by mutual interests and norms of reciprocity and reliability. We also identified five clear ideas about what characterizes an ideal supportive service; supported opportunities for getting out, genuine and reciprocal relationships, reliability, visitor characteristics, and connecting people to their culture. Befriending adds to social networks, and enhances connectedness to the community. Loneliness is alleviated when mutually beneficial and genuinely reciprocal relationships develop. However, group interventions or connections to community groups may be more appropriate for some.
A Microfacet-Based Model for Photometric Stereo with General Isotropic Reflectance

This paper presents a precise, stable, and invertible reflectance model for photometric stereo. This microfacet-based model is applicable to all types of isotropic surface reflectance, covering cases from diffusion to specular reflections. We introduce a single variable to physically quantify the surface smoothness, and by monotonically sliding this variable between 0 and 1, our model enables a versatile representation that can smoothly transform between an ellipsoid of revolution and the equation for Lambertian reflectance. In the inverse domain, this model offers a compact and physically interpretable formulation, for which we introduce a fast and lightweight solver that allows accurate estimations for both surface smoothness and surface shape. Finally, extensive experiments on the appearances of synthesized and real objects evidence that this model is state-of-the-art in our off-the-shelf solution.
Nonlinear analysis of heart rate variability for evaluating the growing pig stress response to an acute heat episode.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a proxy measure of autonomic function and can be used as an indicator of swine stress. While traditional linear measures are used to distinguish between stressed and unstressed treatments, inclusion of nonlinear HRV measures that evaluate data structure and organization shows promise for improving HRV interpretation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of nonlinear HRV measures in response to an acute heat episode. Twenty 12- to 14-week-old growing pigs were individually housed for 7 days and acclimated to thermoneutral conditions (20.35°C ± 0.01°C; 67.6% ± 0.2% RH) before undergoing one of the two treatments: (1) thermoneutral control (TN; n = 10 pigs) or (2) acute heat stress (HS; n = 10 pigs; 32.6°C ± 0.1°C; 26.2% ± 0.1% RH). In Phase 1 of the experimental procedure (P1; 60 min), pigs underwent a baseline HRV measurement period in thermoneutral conditions before treatment [Phase 2; P2; 60 min once gastrointestinal temperature (Tg ) reached 40.6°C], where HS pigs were exposed to heated conditions and TN pigs remained in thermoneutral conditions. After P2, all pigs were moved back to thermoneutral conditions (Phase 3; P3; 60 min). During each phase, Tg data were collected every 5 min and behavioural data were collected to evaluate the amount of time each pig spent in an active posture. Additionally, linear (time and frequency domain) and nonlinear [sample entropy (SampEn), de-trended fluctuation analysis, percentage recurrence, percentage determinism (%DET), mean diagonal line length in a recurrence plot] HRV measures were quantified. Heat stressed pigs exhibited greater Tg (P = 0.002) and spent less time in an active posture compared to TN pigs during P2 (P = 0.0003). Additionally, low frequency to high frequency ratio was greater in HS pigs during P3 compared to TN pigs (P = 0.02). SampEn was reduced in HS pigs during P2 (P = 0.01) and P3 (P = 0.03) compared to TN pigs. Heat stressed pigs exhibited greater %DET during P3 (P = 0.03) and tended to have greater %DET (P = 0.09) during P2 than TN pigs. No differences between treatments were detected for the remaining HRV measures. In conclusion, linear HRV measures were largely unchanged during P2. However, changes to SampEn and %DET suggest increased heat stress as a result of the acute heat episode. Future work should continue to evaluate the benefits of including nonlinear HRV measures in HRV analysis of swine heat stress.
Changing NAFLD Epidemiology in China

In Factfulness, the late Dr. Hans Rosling illustrated how most people grossly underestimated education, income, life expectancy, and vaccination rates in low-income countries. (1) It is natural human psychology to have fixed images about the developing world. Nonetheless, the world is changing. According to the latest World Bank figures, 184 of 218 (84%) countries or regions are now classified as middle-income or high-income economies. (2) Many countries previously labeled as developing countries (such as Armenia, Colombia, Malaysia, and Serbia) are now classified as upper-middle-income economies. Although many problems remain and deserve our attention, Dr. Rosling emphasized that it is equally important to recognize that there is progress and many policies do work. Otherwise, we risk dismissing useful strategies and impeding their implementation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Guideline-Based Referral for Septal Reduction Therapy in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Is Associated With Excellent Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND The outcome of medically refractory patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy treated according to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association consensus guideline recommendations is not known. The objectives of this study were to define the short- and long-term outcomes of medically refractory obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients undergoing alcohol septal ablation (ASA) and surgical septal myectomy (SM) with patient management in accordance with these consensus guidelines, as well as to quantify procedural risk and burden of comorbid conditions at the time of treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy referred for either ASA or SM from 2004 to 2015 were followed for the primary end point of short- and long-term mortality and compared with respective age- and sex-matched US populations. Of 477 consecutive severely symptomatic patients, 99 underwent ASA and 378 SM. Compared with SM, ASA patients were older ( P<0.001), had a higher burden of comorbid conditions ( P<0.01), and significantly higher predicted surgical mortality ( P<0.005). Procedure-related mortality was 0.3% and similarly low in both groups (0% in ASA and 0.8% in SM). Over 4.0±2.9 years of follow-up, 95% of patients had substantial improvement in heart failure symptoms to New York Heart Association class I/II (96% in SM and 90% in ASA). Long-term mortality was similar between the 2 groups with no difference compared with age- and sex-matched US populations. CONCLUSIONS Guideline-based referral for ASA and SM leads to excellent outcomes with low procedural mortality, excellent long-term survival, and improvement in symptoms. These outcomes occur in ASA patients despite being an older cohort with significantly more comorbidities.
The load-velocity profiles of three upper-body pushing exercises in men and women

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore the differences in the load-velocity profile between three upper-body pushing exercises in men and women. The load-velocity profiles (from 20% to 100% of the one-repetition maximum [1RM] in 5% increments) of 24 sport sciences students (12 men) were randomly tested during the horizontal bench press (HBP), inclined bench press (IBP) and seated military press (SMP) exercises. The 1RM was higher for the HBP (men: 94.2 ± 14.6 kg; women: 45.4 ± 10.1 kg), followed by the IBP (men: 87.7 ± 11.6 kg; women: 41.6 ± 6.6 kg), and finally the SMP (men: 67.4 ± 7.8 kg; women: 37.3 ± 6.3 kg). The mean test velocity (i.e., averaged velocity of all loads) and the slope of the load-velocity profile were significantly different between exercises (SMP > IBP > HBP) and sexes (men > women). The correlations between the exercises were very high for the individual 1RM values (r range = 0.714–0.982), but lower correlations were observed for the mean test velocity (r range = 0.237–0.766) slope of the load-velocity profile (r range = 0.018–0.721), and velocity of the 1RM (r range = 0.004–0.446). These results confirm that men present higher velocities at low relative loads (i.e., %1RM) compared to women during upper-body pushing exercises.
A systematic review on the triggers and clinical features of type 2 myocardial infarction

Little is known about the correlation between triggering factors, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and prognosis of patients with type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI). The triggers and features of T2MI are linked to its diagnosis and prognosis. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. A structured search of three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Medline) was undertaken to identify peer‐reviewed articles related to the triggers and clinical features of T2MI published between January 2012 and August 2018. Seven retrospective cohort studies and seven prospective cohort studies involving 3867 patients with T2MI were included. All selected studies were rated as being of high or acceptable quality. Nine studies revealed that the leading trigger of T2MI was arrhythmia, especially tachyarrhythmia. Six studies revealed that the proportion of single‐trigger T2MIs was higher than that of multiple triggers and two studies showed that two‐trigger cases formed the majority of multiple trigger cases. All included studies found that a greater prevalence of T2MI in the older population. Thirteen studies revealed that the patients with T2MI often had a previous relevant medical history. The leading trigger of T2MI is arrhythmia, especially tachyarrhythmia, and the majority of cases arise from a single trigger. Two‐trigger is the most common form of multiple‐trigger T2MI, which often occurs in older patients with cardiovascular risk factors or comorbidities. Non‐cardiovascular causes may be the triggering factors and are strongly associated with the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of T2MI.
The Predictive Value of Hyperuricemia on Renal Outcome after Contrast-Enhanced Computerized Tomography

The aim of this study was to determine whether elevated serum level of uric acid (sUA) could predict renal outcome after contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CCT). We used a historical cohort of 58,106 non-dialysis adult patients who received non-ionic iso-osmolar CCT from 1 June 2008 to 31 March 2015 to evaluate the association of sUA and renal outcome. The exclusion criteria were patients with pre-existing acute kidney injury (AKI), multiple exposure, non-standard volume of contrast, and missing data for analysis. A total of 1440 patients were enrolled. Post-contrast-AKI (PC-AKI), defined by the increase in serum creatinine ≥ 0.3 mg/dL within 48 h or ≥50% within seven days after CCT, occurred in 180 (12.5%) patients and the need of hemodialysis within 30 days developed in 90 (6.3%) patients, both incidences were increased in patients with higher sUA. sUA ≥ 8.0 mg/dL was associated with an increased risk of PC-AKI (odds ratio (OR) of 2.62; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27~5.38, p = 0.009) and the need of hemodialysis (OR, 5.40; 95% CI, 1.39~21.04, p = 0.015). Comparing with sUA < 8.0 mg/dL, patients with sUA ≥ 8.0 mg/dL had higher incidence of PC-AKI (16.7% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.012) and higher incidence of hemodialysis (12.1% vs. 4.3%, p < 0.001). We concluded that sUA ≥ 8.0 mg/dL is associated with worse renal outcome after CCT. We suggest that hyperuricemia may have potential as an independent risk factor for PC-AKI in patients receiving contrast-enhanced image study.