Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The predictive role of small airway dysfunction and airway inflammation biomarkers for asthma in preschool and school-age children: a study protocol for a prospective cohort study

Background Preschool children are at a high risk of developing asthma. Asthma in preschool children could remit in most cases, but could persist into school age, adolescence, or even adulthood in some cases. However, it is difficult to predict which children with preschool asthma will develop into school-age asthma. We present a cohort study protocol to explore the predictive role of small airway dysfunction and airway inflammation biomarkers of asthma in preschool and school-age children. Methods A prospective cohort study will be conducted with at least 205 children with preschool asthma. All patients will be recruited when they consult a pediatric pulmonologist at the Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and will be followed up to 6 years of age. Initially, patients’ demographic information, medical history, physical findings, and questionnaire information will be collected, and baseline small airway function and inflammation biomarkers will be detected. During the follow-up period, medical history, physical findings, and the questionnaire results will be collected every 3 months, and small airway function will be tested by impulse oscillometry (IOS) every 6 months. At the final visit, a definite diagnosis of school-age asthma will be made by a pediatric pulmonologist based on the criteria of the Global Initiative for Asthma 2020. Discussion The study will be the first to be conducted in preschool children assessing whether small airway dysfunction combined with airway eosinophilic biomarkers and club cell secretory protein is associated with school-age asthma. This study may provide new promising predictors of persistent asthma from preschool to school age. Trial Registration The study has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000039583). Registered on November 1, 2020. Protocol version: version 1.0, August 16, 2021.
Performance and reliability of sub-100 nm MOSFETs with ultra thin direct tunneling gate oxides

Summary form only given. In this paper, we report the performance and reliability of sub-100 nm MOSFETs with ultra thin direct tunneling (DT) gate oxides. Both pure oxides and nitrided oxides down to 17 /spl Aring/ were investigated. For a L/sub g/ of about 90 nm (L/sub eff/ of about 50 nm), a drive current of larger than 1.0 mA//spl mu/m and a transconductance of higher than 800 mS/mm were obtained at room temperature. Channel electron transport properties were investigated. High field mobility degradation with decrease of oxide thickness and subsequent improvement with use of nitrided oxides were observed. Reliability characteristics such as gate leakage, stress-induced-leakage, and hot-carrier degradation are described. A new mechanical stress induced leakage phenomenon for ultra thin DT oxides was revealed.
Sopite Syndrome in Operational Flight Training.

Abstract : Sopite Syndrome is a poorly understood response to motion characterized by drowsiness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood changes. It is distinct from "regular" motion sickness or common fatigue, and may affect the performance of motor vehicle as well as aircraft operators. The potential impact Sopite Syndrome may have on military aviation is relatively unknown. Recently, research in situations relevant to aviation training and flight operations has been initiated. The present study is part of that effort. Its goal is to determine the incidence, severity, and association of Sopite Syndrome characteristics in a population of Student Naval Flight Officers (SNFOs). Seventy-eight SNFOs assigned to Training Squadrons Four and Ten located at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida completed a questionnaire designed to capture evidence/incidence of fatigue, motion sickness, drowsiness, and sleep disturbances during days when SNFOs flew versus non-flying days. The questionnaire data was coded/tabulated for entry on a spreadsheet for subsequent analysis. Descriptive and non-parametric statistical techniques were used to analyze the data set obtained. The results show sufficient evidence between the levels of symptomology and their relationships when comparing conditions that support the existence of Sopite Syndrome in operational flight training.
Apodized Coupled Resonator Optical Waveguides: Theory, design and characterization

In this work we propose the apodization or windowing of the coupling coefficients of the unit cells conforming a coupled resonator device as a mean to reduce the level of secondary sidelobes in the case of SCISSOR configuration [7] or reducing the passband ripples in the case of CROW configuration [8]. This technique is regularly employed in the design of digital filters [18] and has been applied as well in the design of other photonic devices such as corrugated waveguide filters [9] and fiber Bragg gratings [19]. We also propose a novel technique for the apodization of coupled resonator structures by applying a longitudinal offset between resonators in order to modify the power coupling constant, which alleviates the technical requirements required for the production of these devices. We will demonstrate the design, fabrication and characterization of CROW structures employing the apodization through the aforementioned technique.
Seasonal Variations in Proton Binding Characteristics of Dissolved Organic Matter Isolated from the Southwest Baltic Sea

The physicochemical characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) strongly influence its interactions with inorganic species such as protons and trace elements in natural waters. We collected water samples at Boknis Eck, a time series station in the Baltic Sea with a low exposure to freshwater inputs, to investigate how seasonal fluctuations impact the proton binding properties of the isolated DOM. We used potentiometric titrations to assess the binding properties of solid-phase extracted DOM (SPE–DOM) over a seasonal cycle. We report and critically analyze the first NICA parameters estimates of carboxylic-like and phenolic-like sites for brackish water SPE–DOM. The total amount of functional groups (QmaxH,tot) showed no seasonal fluctuations and an average value of 136 ± 5.2 mmol·mol C–1. The average proton affinity (logKH) and binding site heterogeneity (m) showed a relatively minor variability for samples obtained between April and September, when the water remained stratified. These results contribute to a better understanding of the ion binding characteristics of DOM in natural brackish waters.
Molecular investigation of the tandem Tudor domain and plant homeodomain histone binding domains of the epigenetic regulator UHRF2

Ubiquitin‐like containing PHD and ring finger (UHRF)1 and UHRF2 are multidomain epigenetic proteins that play a critical role in bridging crosstalk between histone modifications and DNA methylation. Both proteins contain two histone reader domains, called tandem Tudor domain (TTD) and plant homeodomain (PHD), which read the modification status on histone H3 to regulate DNA methylation and gene expression. To shed light on the mechanism of histone binding by UHRF2, we have undergone a detailed molecular investigation with the TTD, PHD and TTD‐PHD domains and compared the binding activity to its UHRF1 counterpart. We found that unlike UHRF1 where the PHD is the primary binding contributor, the TTD of UHRF2 has modestly higher affinity toward the H3 tail, while the PHD has a weaker binding interaction. We also demonstrated that like UHRF1, the aromatic amino acids within the TTD are important for binding to H3K9me3 and a conserved aspartic acid within the PHD forms an ionic interaction with R2 of H3. However, while the aromatic amino acids in the TTD of UHRF1 contribute to selectivity, the analogous residues in UHRF2 contribute to both selectivity and affinity. We also discovered that the PHD of UHRF2 contains a distinct asparagine in the H3R2 binding pocket that lowers the binding affinity of the PHD by reducing a potential electrostatic interaction with the H3 tail. Furthermore, we demonstrate the PHD and TTD of UHRF2 cooperate to interact with the H3 tail and that dual domain engagement with the H3 tail relies on specific amino acids. Lastly, our data indicate that the unique stretch region in the TTD of UHRF2 can decrease the melting temperature of the TTD‐PHD and represents a disordered region. Thus, these subtle but important mechanistic differences are potential avenues for selectively targeting the histone binding interactions of UHRF1 and UHRF2 with small molecules.
Deep learning-based facial image analysis in medical research: a systematic review protocol

Introduction Deep learning techniques are gaining momentum in medical research. Evidence shows that deep learning has advantages over humans in image identification and classification, such as facial image analysis in detecting people’s medical conditions. While positive findings are available, little is known about the state-of-the-art of deep learning-based facial image analysis in the medical context. For the consideration of patients’ welfare and the development of the practice, a timely understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by research on deep-learning-based facial image analysis is needed. To address this gap, we aim to conduct a systematic review to identify the characteristics and effects of deep learning-based facial image analysis in medical research. Insights gained from this systematic review will provide a much-needed understanding of the characteristics, challenges, as well as opportunities in deep learning-based facial image analysis applied in the contexts of disease detection, diagnosis and prognosis. Methods Databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, IEEEXplore and Scopus will be searched for relevant studies published in English in September, 2021. Titles, abstracts and full-text articles will be screened to identify eligible articles. A manual search of the reference lists of the included articles will also be conducted. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework was adopted to guide the systematic review process. Two reviewers will independently examine the citations and select studies for inclusion. Discrepancies will be resolved by group discussions till a consensus is reached. Data will be extracted based on the research objective and selection criteria adopted in this study. Ethics and dissemination As the study is a protocol for a systematic review, ethical approval is not required. The study findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020196473.
Effects of berberine on the pharmacokinetics of florfenicol and levels of cytochrome P450 3A37, multidrug resistance 1, and chicken xenobiotic‐sensing orphan nuclear receptor mRNA expression in broilers

Abstract Background Berberine (BBR) is always used in combination with florfenicol for treating avian in China. Objective This study aims to investigate the effects of BBR on the pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in broilers. Methods Male broilers were randomly divided into the control group and the BBR group (BG). Note that 50 mg/kg BBR or sterile water was orally administrated to broilers. On the 8th day, florfenicol [30 mg/kg body weight (BW)] was orally administered to broilers in both groups. The plasma concentrations of florfenicol were determined by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A37, multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1), and chicken xenobiotic‐sensing orphan nuclear receptor (CXR) mRNA expression in the liver and jejunum were determined by the real‐time PCR. Results The results showed that the Cmax, t1/2z, MRT(0‐∞), and AUC(0‐∞) of florfenicol in BG were significantly increased (by 55.71%, 28.32%, 35.19%, and 55.62%, respectively), while the Tmax and CLz/F of florfenicol were significantly decreased (by 52.13% and 35.82%, respectively). In BG, the levels of CYP3A37, MDR1, and CXR mRNA expression in the liver were significantly decreased to 0.72‐fold, 0.67‐fold, and 0.59‐fold, respectively, and the corresponding mRNA expression in the jejunum were significantly decreased to 0.66‐fold, 0.55‐fold, and 0.64‐fold levels, respectively, relative to their levels in the control group. Conclusions BBR altered the pharmacokinetics of florfenicol, probably related to its inhibition of CYP3A37, MDR1, and CXR mRNA expression in the jejunum and liver.
Electronics integration for the GE 2 / 1 and ME 0 GEM 2 detector systems for the CMS Phase-2 Muon System 3 Upgrade

The Large Hadron Collider is currently undergoing its High Luminosity upgrade, which 9 is set to increase the instantaneous luminosity by about a factor of five. Consequently, the Compact 10 Muon Solenoid experiment is upgrading its muon spectrometer to cope with the increased muon 11 flux in the forward region. The GE2/1 triple-Gas Electron Multiplier detector, which has recently 12 entered the mass production phase, and the ME0 triple-GEM detector system, which is in the late 13 prototyping phase, are undergoing electronics integration. These proceedings briefly discuss the 14 frontend electronics for the GE2/1 and ME0 detector systems, the electronics integration testing 15 process, and the future plans for the frontend electronics of these two detector systems by the CMS 16 GEM Collaboration. 17
Vehicle detection and localization in infra-red images

This paper presents an algorithm for detecting vehicles in FIX images. Initially the attention is focused on portions of the image that contains hot objects only. These areas are then selected and refined using aspect ratio and size constraints about vehicles; even situations with overlapping vehicles are considered. The result Is further investigated exploiting specific vehicle thermal characteristics. A simple tracking phase is performed to improve the detection results. Thanks to the knowledge of camera intrinsic parameters the distance of vehicles is computed using an assumption about vehicles width. The system proved to be effective in different scenarios, but further tests are required to validate it in a wider range of weather conditions. It is able detect vehicles in front of the vision system in the range 25 m-100 m at a 12 Hz processing rate.
A framework and methodology for enhancing operational requirements development : United States Coast Guard cutter project case study

Within any major United States Coast Guard cutter acquisition project, developing the operational requirements in the early phases of acquisition is difficult as the complexity of the system is not easily understood until the detailed design is completed. This can lead to requirements that are too broad or analysis efforts strategically focused on sections that are not at high risk to future design efforts or within sections that are decoupled from the major design parameters. This is often experienced when analysis studies are conducted independently and not evaluated from a total systems perspective. In order to improve the requirements generation methodology within United States Coast Guard acquisition, this thesis introduces a process focused Operational Requirements Framework. This framework synthesizes program, sponsor, and technical authority requirements a generic framework that focuses on a high-level systems engineering viewpoint to ensure that all requirements processes and their interactions are understood simultaneously. Within this framework, stakeholder analysis, operations and missions, and the design effects of "ilities" and interfaces are added to enhance the requirements development process. These new processes provide a better understanding of how the operational requirements meet value for all stakeholders and how the interaction of these requirements over the life cycle affects the acquisition project. This thesis also establishes a methodology, adapted from Responsive Systems Comparison (RSC), and practical application of this methodology in a current Coast Guard acquisition project. This 5-process method provides a diverse group of stakeholders key insight into the overall interaction of value, design variables, and contextual life cycle changes and their impact to the overall project. This can improve the coordination of the operational requirements generation and provide prioritization into analysis work necessary to establish a total systems approach towards requirements generation.
A Narrative Review of Slow Medicine Outcomes

Background: Primary care practice in the United States suffers from short consultation duration and distracting electronic health record tasks. This leads to patient and physician dissatisfaction and physician burnout, as well as potentially unnecessary referrals and interventions. Slow medicine – providing longer and higher-quality consultations – has been proposed to improve medical care quality and patient outcomes. However, definitive outcome data for US settings are lacking. Methods: Following a structured narrative approach, we identified, reviewed, and synthesized existing reports (peer-reviewed and grey) to determine if there is sufficient evidence to support systematic evaluation of slow medicine in the US. We assessed whether longer versus shorter face-to-face primary care consultations were associated with quantitative patient outcomes including utilization; prevention; visit elements; medication adherence and prescription volume; mortality; and costs. Results: We found suggestive evidence of substantial savings in hospital use and costs in varied geographic and clinical settings. However, this evidence lacks investigative rigor such as convincing prospective or natural randomization. Conclusions: With potentially significant health and financial benefits from slow medicine and little risk to subjects, randomized trials, natural experiments, and mixed methods evaluations are strongly indicated. We discuss the need for modified payment practices to facilitate a slow medicine approach.
Treatment Burden in People with Hypertension is Correlated with Patient Experience with Self-Management

Introduction: New hypertension guidelines in the United States may require more people to take multiple medications or implement lifestyle changes. Increased treatment burden may be an unintended consequence and lead to worse health outcomes. Our study examined whether treatment burden is associated with factors related to self-management in those with hypertension. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional mailed survey of patients from 2 medical centers in Minnesota. Participants with 2 or more medical conditions completed the Patient Experience with Treatment and Self-management (PETS), a validated treatment burden questionnaire, as well as measures of confidence in self-management ability, health literacy, health care-related financial difficulties, and perception of provider interpersonal skills. We used partial correlation analyses, controlling for age, sex, race, and education, to test relationships among study variables. Results: Of 254 respondents who had a diagnosis of hypertension, 54% were female, 74% were non-Hispanic White, and the mean age was 67 years. People with hypertension who reported having lower confidence in self-management ability, lower health literacy, more financial difficulties, and health care providers with poorer interpersonal skills reported higher treatment burden scores (PETS scales correlation magnitude range 0.09 to 0.62, P < .05 on all but 4). The strongest associations were observed for medical information and physical/mental exhaustion with self-management (correlation magnitudes from 0.25 to 0.54, P < .01). Discussion: Hypertension treatment guideline stringent blood pressure criteria may lead to more interventions—medical or lifestyle—creating strains on populations already challenged by abstract disease self-management and at risk of experiencing disparities in cardiovascular health outcomes.
How to exploit sparsity in RNNs on event-driven architectures

Event-driven architectures have been shown to provide low-power, low-latency artificial neural network (ANN) inference. This is especially beneficial on Edge devices, particularly when combined with sparse execution. Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) are ANNs that emulate memory. Their recurrent connection enables the reuse of previous output for the generation of new output. However, when trying to use RNNs in a sparse context on event-driven architectures, novel challenges in synchronization and the usage of sparse data are encountered. In this work, these challenges are systematically analyzed, and mechanisms to overcome them are proposed. Experimental results of a monocular depth estimation use case on the NeuronFlow architecture show that sparsity in RNNs can be exploited effectively on event-driven architectures.
Sentiment analysis of Chinese Weibo combining BERT model and Hawkes process

In order to effectively monitor the changes in the user's emotional state and perform sentiment analysis on their Weibo, this paper proposes a Chinese Weibo sentiment analysis algorithm that combines the BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) model and the Hawkes process for sentiment prediction. The algorithm first uses the BERT model to calculate the sentiment score of the user's microblog, and then uses the Hawkes process function to predict the sentiment using the score obtained. Experimental analysis and comparison show that the algorithm has achieved good experimental results in sentiment analysis and prediction of Chinese Weibo.
So Far So Good: Self-Adaptive Dynamic Checkpointing for Intermittent Computation based on Self-Modifying Code

Recently, different software and hardware based checkpointing strategies have been proposed to ensure forward progress toward execution for energy harvesting IoT devices. In this work, inspired by the idea used in dynamic compilers, we propose SFSG: a dynamic strategy, which shifts checkpoint placement and specialization to the runtime and takes decisions based on the past power failures and execution paths taken before each power failure. The goal of SFSG is to provide forward progress and to avoid facing non-termination without using hardware features or programmer intervention. We evaluate SFSG on a TI MSP430 device, with different types of benchmarks as well as different uninterrupted intervals, and we evaluate it in terms of the number of checkpoints and its runtime overhead.
Engaging Emotions in Teacher Education Research

Questions this chapter addresses include: What changes have teacher education programs attempted in the past in order to ameliorate the emotional struggles that prospective and new teachers undergo? What successes have been realized in these programs, and what criticisms have been made? How may teacher educators avoid what some scholars have called “false empathy” and encourage real compassion and knowledge of their students’ families, homes, and cultures so they may be more knowledgeable and skillful in communicating with students? How might future programs be improved in course work, field experiences, and other ongoing experiences of viewing, reading, and interacting with others? How can emotion be used as a mechanism for critical reflection about teachers’ identities and their understandings of youth identities?
Treatment with the monoclonal calcitonin gene‐related peptide receptor antibody erenumab: A real‐life study

New prophylactics for migraine, targeting calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), have recently emerged. Real‐world data are important for a comprehensive understanding of treatment response. We assessed the consistency of response to erenumab, a monoclonal CGRP receptor antibody, in a real‐world setting, in order to determine which patients may be considered responders in clinical practice.