Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lead Management The Evolution of Lead Extraction

the Abstract Before the introduction of successful intravascular countertraction techniques, options for lead extraction were limited and dedicated tools were non-existent. The significant morbidity and mortality associated with these early extraction techniques limited their application to life-threatening situations such as infection and sepsis. The past 30 years have witnessed significant advances in lead extraction technology, resulting in safer and more efficacious techniques and tools. This evolution occurred out of necessity, similar to the pressure of natural selection weeding out the ineffective and highly morbid techniques while fostering the development of safe, successful, and more simple methods. Future developments in lead extraction are likely to focus on new tools that will allow us to provide comprehensive device management and the design of new leads conceived to facilitate future extraction. With the development of these new methods and novel tools, the technique of lead extraction will continue to require operators who are well versed in several methods of extraction. Garnering new skills while remembering the lessons of the past will enable extraction technologies to advance without repeating previous mistakes.
Analysis of lift, drag and CX polar graph for a 3D segment rigid sail using CFD analysis

ABSTRACT A rigid sail is an alternative source of propulsive power for marine vessels and they have been installed on ocean-going powered ships in the past. To determine the potential power that could be harnessed by a rigid sail its specific lift and drag characteristics must be known. For this purpose, a segment rigid sail was studied utilising computation fluid dynamics analysis and a virtual wind tunnel. This analysis enabled lift and drag force tables to be produced and based on these data a CX (thrust coefficient) polar graph for the sail was derived. Analysis of velocity magnitude and static pressure contours was also undertaken and the aerodynamic characteristics of the sail including airflow separation and wake size studied.
Frequent hypoxemia found in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia after weaning home oxygen

Parental reports and brief clinical examinations are the primary information used to assist clinicians in weaning home supplemental oxygen in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Recorded nocturnal oximetry provides an objective assessment of hypoxemia; however, it is unknown if it identifies clinically undetected hypoxemia in the home setting. Our objective was to determine if nocturnal oximetry can identify unreported hypoxemia in infants with BPD who appear ready to wean from supplemental oxygen.
Feature-level ensemble approach for COVID-19 detection using chest X-ray images

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), also known as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has threatened many human beings around the world and capsized economies at unprecedented magnitudes. Therefore, the detection of this disease using chest X-ray modalities has played a pivotal role in producing fast and accurate medical diagnoses, especially in countries that are unable to afford laboratory testing kits. However, identifying and distinguishing COVID-19 from virtually similar thoracic abnormalities utilizing medical images is challenging because it is time-consuming, demanding, and susceptible to human-based errors. Therefore, artificial-intelligence-driven automated diagnoses, which excludes direct human intervention, may potentially be used to achieve consistently accurate performances. In this study, we aimed to (i) obtain a customized dataset composed of a relatively small number of images collected from publicly available datasets; (ii) present the efficient integration of the shallow handcrafted features obtained from local descriptors, radiomics features specialized for medical images, and deep features aggregated from pre-trained deep learning architectures; and (iii) distinguish COVID-19 patients from healthy controls and pneumonia patients using a collection of conventional machine learning classifiers. By conducting extensive experiments, we demonstrated that the feature-based ensemble approach provided the best classification metrics, and this approach explicitly outperformed schemes that used only either local, radiomic, or deep features. In addition, our proposed method achieved state-of-the-art multi-class classification results compared to the baseline reference for the currently available COVID-19 datasets.
On the Relationship Between Model Uncertainty and Inferential/predictive Uncertainty

Inference and prediction are usually based on a model relating known and unknown quantities. The model itself typically contains features that are not known with certainty. In good applied work this is often dealt with by expanding a single \best" or standard model in ways that are sensitive to the model uncertainty, in eeect embedding the single model in a larger family of models of which it is a special case. This represents a net gain in model uncertainty, and one might expect that uncertainty about the desired inference or prediction would increase as a result. But this need not be so; inferential/predictive uncertainty can either go up or down as model uncertainty increases. In this note I discuss a common example in which inferential/predictive uncertainty decreases when model uncertainty goes up. 1. Introduction We use models constantly in our inferential and predictive work. Most of the time, one or more features of such models are arrived at after a search (typically guided by the data) among possible modeling choices. Often we deal with the uncertainty in the modeling process implied by this search by ignoring it: we nd the best model (in some sense) and carry out our inferences and predictions conditional on this model, as if it were \correct. " Sometimes this produces well-calibrated answers (for instance, when there is little ambiguity about sensible modeling choices); sometimes it does not. When we follow through to see if our inferential or predictive statements were right about as often as we asserted they would be, we nd most frequently that lack of calibration is in the direction of insuucient conservatism|in other words, we had more uncertainty than we were willing to admit. One possible explanation for this is the underpropagation of modeling uncertainty just mentioned. One would ordinarily expect that acknowledging greater modeling uncertainty|for example, by making a standard modeling choice a special case of a larger family of models and enlisting the help of the data to search among this larger family for a plausible model, rather than just assuming the standard model is \correct"|would lead to an increase in inferential or predictive uncertainty. But this need not be so. In this note I examine a common class of examples in which an increase in modeling uncertainty leads to a decrease in inferential uncertainty.
Long-term Changes in Depressive Symptoms Before and After Stroke

Background and Objectives To determine the trajectory of depressive symptoms several years before and after incident stroke. Methods We analyzed data from 10,797 participants from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing without a history of stroke at baseline (wave 1). We matched participants with first‐ever stroke during the 12-year follow-up (waves 2–7) to stroke-free individuals using propensity scores accounting for age, sex, education, ethnicity, and vascular risk factors. Trajectories of depressive symptoms before and after stroke were analyzed using multilevel models. Results Among the 10,797 participants (mean age 64.6 ± 9.9 years, 54.8% women), we identified 425 individuals with incident stroke. At the assessment before stroke, these individuals demonstrated an increase in depressive symptoms when compared with matched controls. There was a further increase in depressive symptoms in stroke survivors after the acute event, which persisted for several years. Symptom-level analyses revealed that differences in depressive symptoms between stroke survivors and stroke-free controls before and after stroke were most pronounced for mood-related and fatigue-related symptoms. Discussion Incident stroke is associated with long-term increases in depressive symptoms. A small part of this increase occurs in the years before stroke, perhaps indicating the incipient pathologic process. Particular attention should be paid to depressive symptoms in the long-term care of patients, and especially to fatigue-related symptoms.
A highly efficient, linear and broadband GaN MMIC power amplifier

This thesis presents a novel 1W high PAE Linear Broadband monolithic microwave Asymmetric Distributed Power Amplifier (ADPA) design, which could be suitable for a wide range of 0.5 GHz 6.5 GHz communication systems, such as LTE, CDMA, WIFI, WiMAX and GPS. This design is based on GaN500 technology, and was fabricated at the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC). The ADPA achieves a broadband performance by employing a distributed topology employing asymmetric tapered lines. The ADPA layout area is 2 mm * 2 mm, and consumes a total peak current of 369 mA from a 15 V voltage supply. Over the entire bandwidth, the device delivers more than 1W output power and higher than 20 % PAE; a peak saturated output power of 33.45 dBm and 38.1 % peak PAE exists at 0.5 GHz. By sweeping the bias voltages together with the input power, 52.69% PAE is achieved when output power is 31.96 dBm at 0.5 GHz. With the same device, 45.96 % PAE is obtained at 1 GHz. In addition, a stage-scaled ADPA is studied in simulation. A 0.17 dBm Pout variation and 1.90 % PAE variation is achieved over the 1 GHz 7.5 GHz bandwidth, while 10 dB-gain and 30 dBm Pout are obtained over 0.5 GHz 10 GHz bandwidth.
Improved detection limits of J‐coupled neurometabolites in the human brain at 7 T with a J‐refocused sLASER sequence

In a standard spin echo, the time evolution due to homonuclear couplings is not reversed, leading to echo time (TE)‐dependent modulation of the signal amplitude and signal loss in the case of overlapping multiplet resonances. This has an adverse effect on quantification of several important metabolites such as glutamate and glutamine. Here, we propose a J‐refocused variant of the sLASER sequence (J‐sLASER) to improve quantification of J‐coupled metabolites at ultrahigh field (UHF). The use of the sLASER sequence is particularly advantageous at UHF as it minimizes chemical shift displacement error and results in relatively homogenous refocusing. We simulated the MRS signal from brain metabolites over a broad range of TE values with sLASER and J‐sLASER, and showed that the signal of J‐coupled metabolites was increased with J‐sLASER with TE values up to ~80 ms. We further simulated “brain‐like” spectra with both sequences at the shortest TE available on our scanner. We showed that, despite the slightly longer TE, the J‐sLASER sequence results in significantly lower Cramer–Rao lower bounds (CRLBs) for J‐coupled metabolites compared with those obtained with sLASER. Following phantom validation, we acquired spectra from two brain regions in 10 healthy volunteers (age 38 ± 15 years) using both sequences. We showed that using J‐sLASER results in a decrease of CRLBs for J‐coupled metabolites. In particular, we measured a robust ~38% decrease in the mean CRLB (glutamine) in parietal white matter and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). We further showed, in 10 additional healthy volunteers (age 34 ± 15 years), that metabolite quantification following two separate acquisitions with J‐sLASER in the PCC was repeatable. The improvement in quantification of glutamine may in turn improve the independent quantification of glutamate, the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and will simultaneously help to track possible modulations of glutamine, which is a key player in the glutamatergic cycle in astrocytes.
Efficacy and safety of multi-kinase inhibitors in patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

ABSTRACT Objectives Radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAI-rDTC) has frequently been associated with poor prognosis. We conducted a meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials to evaluate multi-kinase inhibitors’ efficacy and safety profile treatment. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Medline databases. The quality of literature and trial risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, while the results of progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated using RevMan5.3 software. Results Treatment with MKIs significantly improved PFS and OS, but AEs were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The studies demonstrated the median PFS (HR 0.30, 95% CI: 0.18–0.50, P < 0.00001) and OS (HR 0.70, 95% CI: 0.57–0.88, P = 0.002) in RAI-rDTC patients treated with MKIs, and the median PFS of papillary thyroid carcinoma (HR0.28, 95% CI: 0.22–0.37, P < 0.00001) along with follicular thyroid carcinoma (HR0.14, 95%CI 0.09–0.24, P < 0.00001) were extended. Conclusion MKIs significantly prolonged PFS and OS in patients with RAI-rDTC (P < 0.01). Our recommendation is to use MKIs carefully in patients after evaluating their health status to maximize treatment benefits and minimize adverse effects.
VASP localization to lipid bilayers induces polymerization driven actin bundle formation

Actin bundles constitute important cytoskeleton structures and enable a scaffold for force transmission inside cells. Actin bundles are formed by proteins, with multiple F-actin binding domains cross-linking actin filaments to each other. Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) has mostly been reported as an actin elongator, but it has been shown to be a bundling protein as well and is found in bundled actin structures at filopodia and adhesion sites. Based on in vitro experiments, it remains unclear when and how VASP can act as an actin bundler or elongator. Here we demonstrate that VASP bound to membranes facilitates the formation of large actin bundles during polymerization. The alignment by polymerization requires the fluidity of the lipid bilayers. The mobility within the bilayer enables VASP to bind to filaments and capture and track growing barbed ends. VASP itself phase separates into a protein-enriched phase on the bilayer. This VASP-rich phase nucleates and accumulates at bundles during polymerization, which in turn leads to a reorganization of the underlying lipid bilayer. Our findings demonstrate that the nature of VASP localization is decisive for its function. The up-concentration based on VASP’s affinity to actin during polymerization enables it to simultaneously fulfill the function of an elongator and a bundler.
Repeated colonization of alpine habitats by Arabidopsis arenosa viewed through freezing resistance and ice management strategies

Abstract Success or failure of plants to cope with freezing temperatures can critically influence plant distribution and adaptation to new habitats. Especially in alpine environments, frost is a likely major selective force driving adaptation. In Arabidopsis arenosa (L.) Lawalrée, alpine populations have evolved independently in different mountain ranges, enabling studying mechanisms of acclimation and adaptation to alpine environments. We tested for heritable, parallel differentiation in freezing resistance, cold acclimation potential and ice management strategies using eight alpine and eight foothill populations. Plants from three European mountain ranges (Niedere Tauern, Făgăraș and Tatra Mountains) were grown from seeds of tetraploid populations in four common gardens, together with diploid populations from the Tatra Mountains. Freezing resistance was assessed using controlled freezing treatments and measuring effective quantum yield of photosystem II, and ice management strategies by infrared video thermography and cryomicroscopy. The alpine ecotype had a higher cold acclimation potential than the foothill ecotype, whereby this differentiation was more pronounced in tetraploid than diploid populations. However, no ecotypic differentiation was found in one region (Făgăraș), where the ancient lineage had a different evolutionary history. Upon freezing, an ice lens within a lacuna between the palisade and spongy parenchyma tissues was formed by separation of leaf tissues, a mechanism not previously reported for herbaceous species. The dynamic adjustment of freezing resistance to temperature conditions may be particularly important in alpine environments characterized by large temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, the formation of an extracellular ice lens may be a useful strategy to avoid tissue damage during freezing.
The Large-Scale Structure of the Universe

An instant landmark on its publication, this book remains the essential introduction to this vital area of research. Written by one of the world's most esteemed theoretical cosmologists, it provides an invaluable historical introduction to the subject, and an enduring overview of key methods, statistical measures, and techniques for dealing with cosmic evolution. With characteristic clarity and insight, the author focuses on the largest known structures — galaxy clusters — weighing the empirical evidence of the nature of clustering and the theories of how it evolves in an expanding universe. A must-have reference for students and researchers alike, this edition introduces a new generation of readers to a classic text in modern cosmology.
The protective role of FTY720 in promoting survival of allograft fat in mice

Fat transplantation is widely used for soft‐tissue filling and wound repair. Owing to the biological changes in adipocytes in some metabolic diseases, allograft fat can provide a better source of donor fat than autologous fat. Fingolimod (FTY720) possesses a powerful immunomodulatory function. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of FTY720 in allogeneic fat transplantation. C57BL/6J mice that received allografts were randomly divided into two groups and treated with saline and FTY720, respectively. Fat graft samples were obtained at 1, 6, and 20 weeks posttransplantation. Graft volumes, graft structure, and immune cells were estimated using histological examination, immunohistochemistry, staining immunofluorescence (IF), and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression in grafts was detected by qRT‐PCR. FTY720 treatment significantly enhanced allograft retention, structural integrity, and neovascularization, thereby demonstrating the potential of FTY720 in improving graft survival. Further IF staining showed that FTY720 increased regulatory T cell infiltration and reduced macrophage infiltration to some extent. FTY720 treatment also enhanced the expression of the anti‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐10 and weakened the expression of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α and IL‐6. Furthermore, FTY720 treatment upregulated the expression of CD31 positive cells. This study demonstrated the potential efficacy of FTY720 in improving the graft survival rate of syngeneic fat allograft models, possibly by suppressing immune rejection and promoting angiogenesis. Therefore, this study offers key insights into the potential application of a drug‐assisted strategy to prolong allograft fat survival.
Social determinants of health associated with attitudes towards hearing loss and hearing aids in older adults fitted in a Latin American country: validation of the ALHQ questionnaire into Spanish

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the association between certain social determinants of health (i.e. educational level, income, and social support) and attitudes towards hearing loss and hearing aids among older adults with hearing loss fitted in a Latin American country. Design Older adults were asked about their attitudes towards hearing loss and hearing aids, years of formal education, income, social support, perception of having a hearing disability, and social pressure when using the hearing aid. To do so, we adapted the Attitudes towards Loss of Hearing Questionnaire (S-ALHQ) into Spanish. All the questionnaires were conducted as structured interview. Study sample Two hundred fifty-two older hearing aids users were recruited from a public hospital in Chile. Results The S-ALHQ showed adequate validity, along with good reliability. The multivariate models showed that educational level and social support were the social determinants of health negatively associated with the attitudes. Aided hearing disability and social pressure to use hearing aids were the co-variables associated with S-ALHQ scores. Conclusions The study showed a significant relationship between specific social determinants of health and attitudes towards hearing loss and hearing aids. These attitudes should be considered when implementing rehabilitation programs for older adults with hearing loss.
All-Atom Simulations of Human ACE2-Spike Protein RBD Complexes for SARS-CoV-2 and Some of its Variants: Nature of Interactions and Free Energy Diagrams for Dissociation of the Protein Complexes

The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is known to interact with the human ACE2 protein via its receptor binding domain (RBD). We have investigated the molecular nature of this interprotein interaction and the associated free energy diagrams for the unbinding of the two proteins for SARS-CoV-2 and some of its known variants through all-atom simulations. The present work involves generation and analysis of 2.5 μs of unbiased and 4.2 μs of biased molecular dynamics trajectories in total for five explicitly solvated RBD-ACE2 systems at full atomic level. First, we have made a comparative analysis of the details of residue-wise specific interactions of the spike protein with ACE2 for SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. It is found that the average numbers of both direct interprotein and water-bridged hydrogen bonds between the RBD and ACE2 are higher for SARS-CoV-2 than SARS-CoV-1. These higher hydrogen bonded interactions are further aided by enhanced nonspecific electrostatic attractions between the two protein surfaces for SARS-CoV-2. The free energy calculations reveal that there is an increase in the free energy barrier by ∼1.5 kcal/mol for the unbinding of RBD from ACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 compared to that for SARS-CoV-1. Subsequently, we considered the RBDs of three variants of SARS-CoV-2, namely N501Y, E484Q/L452R, and N440K. The free energy barrier of protein unbinding for the N501Y variant is found to be ∼4 kcal/mol higher than the wild type SARS-CoV-2 which can be attributed to additional specific interactions involving Tyr501 of RBD and Lys353 and Tyr42 of ACE2 and also enhanced nonspecific electrostatic interaction between the protein surfaces. For the other two mutant variants of E484Q/L452R and N440K, the free energy barrier for protein unbinding increases by ∼2 and ∼1 kcal/mol, respectively, compared with the wild type SARS-CoV-2, which can be attributed to an increase in the number of interprotein hydrogen bonds for the former and also to enhanced positive electrostatic potential on the RBD surfaces for both of the variants. The successive breaking of interprotein hydrogen bonds along the free energy pathway of the unbinding process is also found out for all five systems studied here.