Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aalborg Universitet Coordination of EVs Participation for Load Frequency Control in Isolated

Increasing the penetration levels of renewable energy sources (RESs) in microgrids (MGs) may lead to frequency instability issues due to intermittent nature of RESs and low inertia of MG generating units. On the other hand, presence of electric vehicles (EVs), as new high-electricityconsuming appliances, can be a good opportunity to contribute in mitigating the frequency deviations and help the system stability. This paper proposes an optimal charging/discharging scheduling of EVs with the goal of improving frequency stability of MG during autonomous operating condition. To this end, an efficient approach is applied to reschedule the generating units considering the EVs owners’ behaviors. An EV power controller (EVPC) is also designed to determine charge and discharge process of EVs based on the forecasted day-ahead load and renewable generation profiles. The performance of the proposed strategy is tested in different operating scenarios and compared to those from non-optimized methodologies. Numerical simulations indicate that the MG performance improves considerably in terms of economy and stability using the proposed strategy.
Telephone and In-Person Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Major Depression after Traumatic Brain Injury : A Randomized Controlled Trial

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is prevalent after traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, there is a lack of evidence regarding effective treatment approaches. We conducted a choice-stratified randomized controlled trial in 100 adults with MDD within 10 years of complicated mild to severe TBI to test the effectiveness of brief cognitive behavioral therapy administered over the telephone (CBT-T) (n = 40) or in-person (CBT-IP) (n = 18), compared with usual care (UC) (n = 42). Participants were recruited from clinical and community settings throughout the United States. The main outcomes were change in depression severity on the clinician-rated 17 item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the patientreported Symptom Checklist-20 (SCL-20) over 16 weeks. There was no significant difference between the combined CBT and UC groups over 16 weeks on the HAMD-17 (treatment effect = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.5–4.0; p = 0.37) and a nonsignificant trend favoring CBT on the SCL-20 (treatment effect = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.03–0.59; p = 0.074). In follow-up comparisons, the CBT-T group had significantly more improvement on the SCL-20 than the UC group (treatment effect = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.01– 0.70; p = 0.043) and completers of eight or more CBT sessions had significantly improved SCL-20 scores compared with the UC group (treatment effect = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.10–0.76; p = 0.011). CBT participants reported significantly more symptom improvement ( p = 0.010) and greater satisfaction with depression care ( p < 0.001), than did the UC group. In-person and telephone-administered CBT are acceptable and feasible in persons with TBI. Although further research is warranted, telephone CBT holds particular promise for enhancing access and adherence to effective depression treatment.
Epidemiology, Aetiology and Management of Major Depression with Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder-A Review of the Literature

Among the numerous forms of comorbid mental health and substance use disorders, co-morbidity between alcohol use disorders (AUD) and depression has received considerable attention. AUDs and depression co-occur at levels greater than expected by chance in clinical and epidemiological samples. Studies suggest that about 80% of patients with AUD experience depressive symptoms at some stage in their lives including 30% or more who describe significant depression which lasts for weeks and which meets criteria for a major depressive episode. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain why the two disorders co-occur in individuals at higher than expected rates. There is also emerging evidence to suggest that pharmacological treatment of depressive symptomatology as an adjunct to treatment for alcohol dependence may be effective not only in treating depression but also in reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol related harm. This review explores the literature on the epidemiology, etiology and management of depression and co-morbid AUD. It also identifies the areas for further research.
Improving co-located collaboration with show-through techniques

Multi-user virtual reality systems enable natural interaction with shared virtual worlds. Users can talk to each other, gesture and point into the virtual scenery as if it were real. As in reality, referring to objects by pointing, results often in a situation whereon objects are occluded from the other users' viewpoints. While in reality this problem can only be solved by adapting the viewing position, specialized individual views of the shared virtual scene enable various other solutions. As one such solution we propose show-through techniques to make sure that the objects one is pointing to can be seen by others. We analyzed the influence of such augmented viewing techniques on the spatial understanding of the scene, the rapidity of mutual information exchange as well as the social behavior of users. The results of our user study revealed that show-through techniques support spatial understanding on a similar level as walking around to achieve a non-occluded view of specified objects. However, advantages in terms of comfort, user acceptance and compliance to social protocols could be shown, which suggest that virtual reality techniques can in fact be better than 3D reality.
ON ACT-BASED MOBILE APPS Perspectives on the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy related mobile apps : Results from a survey of students and professionals

Although mobile apps have proliferated as self-help or adjunctive therapy supports, scant research has explored their implementation among mental health practitioners. Little is known about uses and perceptions of mental health apps among applied practitioners, nor are agreedupon criteria for evaluating and choosing apps available. The present survey study examined the uses and perceptions of mental health apps among 356 professionals and students familiar with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as indicated by being a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. The survey found that practitioners are interested in using ACT-related apps, but that use of and familiarity with apps is low. As rated by participants, the most helpful app functions pertained to supporting out-of-session skills practice and the maintenance of therapy gains. The greatest barriers to app use included little guidance as to what apps to choose, app contents that are inconsistent with ACT, and ethical concerns related to app use. Suggested criteria for evaluating apps were consistent with the perceived benefits and barriers to use. Results of this study may be used to increase implementation and improve the development of mental health apps with ACT and other therapeutic communities.
Development of low density azithromycin-loaded polycaprolactone microparticles for pulmonary delivery

Abstract Context: The development of low-density polymeric microparticles may be a useful approach to deliver antibiotics such as azithromycin into the lung. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop azithromycin-loaded low density polycaprolactone microparticles by the double emulsion/solvent evaporation method. Materials and methods: Microparticles were prepared and characterized according to their physicochemical properties, drug loading, and drug release profiles. A full 23 factorial design was used to evaluate the effect of some independent variables on the drug loading and aerodynamic diameter of the particles. An in silico pulmonary deposition model was used to predict the lung deposition profiles for the formulations. Results and discussion: The resulting particles presented drug loading up to 23.1% (wt%) and mean geometric diameters varying from 4.0 µm to 15.4 µm. Bulk and tapped densities were low, resulting in good or excellent flow properties. SEM images showed spherical particles with a smooth surface. However, hollow inner structures were observed, which may explain the low values of bulk density. The estimated aerodynamic diameters ranged from 2.3 µm to 8.9 µm. The in silico pulmonary deposition profiles indicated, for some formulations, that a significant fraction of the particles would be deposited in the deeper lung regions. Conclusions: Statistical analysis demonstrated that not only drug loading but also the aerodynamic diameter of the microparticles is greatly affected by the preparation conditions. Overall, the results indicated that the low-density azithromycin-loaded microparticles with a relatively high respirable fraction may be obtained for the local treatment of lung infections.
Under The Surface: An Examination Of Voice, Space, And Identity In West Virginia University McNair Scholars

Diversity amongst the college campus is a common goal of most American educational institutions of today. However very few are able to achieve this goal. Increasing the diversity of faculty and staff on campus is one way we can address this issue. The McNair Scholars Post Baccalaureate program is a program that provides training and support to those undergraduates from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or underrepresented minority to help them pursue the goal of obtaining a doctoral degree. The qualitative research presented here, provides an overview of the West Virginia University (WVU) McNair scholars’ experiences, and their journey within the McNair program. Using a phenomenological approach, we begin to understand what it is like to be a WVU McNair scholar, and how the WVU McNair program, school, and home culture all play a role in shaping their identity. Findings from this study help to recognize that each scholar’s experiences are unique. As the McNair scholars move toward their goals of attending graduate school, the findings suggest that the WVU McNair program provides a space where the students are able to form an identity. This identity acts as an anchor as they face the new challenges that await in higher education. To address this issue I conducted nine in-depth interviews with the WVU McNair scholars, observations, document analysis and incorporated my own experiences. With this research, I try to present a portrayal of what it is really like to pursue higher education as a member of an underrepresented minority.
Topographic and Temporal Indices of Vowel Spectral Envelope Extraction in the Human Auditory Cortex

Abstract The audirory-evoked neuromagnetic field elicited by single vowel formants and two-formant vowels was recorded under active listening conditions using a 37-channel magnetometer. There were three single formants with formant with a formant frequency of 200, 400, and 800 Hz, another single fromant with a fromant frequency of 2600 Hz, and three vowels that were constructed by linear superimposition of the high-onto one of the low-frequency formants. P50m and N100m latency values were inversely correlated with the formant frequency of single location was obtained along the postero-anterior axiz, which is orthogonal to the well-established latero-medial tonotopic gradient. Regardless of whether single formants or first formants of vowels were considered N100m sources were more anterior and sustained field sources wre more posterior for higher-frequency than for lower-frequency formants. The velocity of the apparent posterior-to-anterior movement across cortical sorface of N100m sources first reported by Rogers et al. [Rogers, R.L. , Papanicolaou, A.C. , Baumann, S.B. , Saydjari,C. , & Eisenberg, H.M. (1990). Neuromagnetic evidence of a dynamic excitation pattern generating the N100 auditory response. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophy-siology,77,237-240] decreased as a function of latency. The amount of deceleration was positively correlated with formant frequency. responses to the vowels were superadditive, indicating that the processes elicited by the constituents of composite stumuli interact at one or more stages of the afferent auditory pathway. Such interaction may account for the absence of a lateral-to-medial tonotopic mapping of first formant frequency. The source topography found may reflect activity in auditory fields adjacent to AI with the strenght of the contribution varying with formant frequency. Altematively, it may reflect sharpness-of-tuning and inhbitory response-area asymmetry gradients along isofrequency stripes within AI. Either alternative may be interpreted in terms of a sprctral blurring mechanism that abstracts spectral envelope information form the details of spectral composition, an important step towards the formation of invariant phonetic percepts.
Methods for Random Modularization of Biological Networks

Biological networks are formalized summaries of our knowledge about interactions among biological system components, like genes, proteins, or metabolites. From their global topology and organization one can learn nontrivial, systemic properties of organisms. In studies of biological network organization empirical networks are typically compared to random network models, and features are identified as important if they are statistically "unusual," i.e. occur surprisingly often or seldom. Naturally, more representative random models result in better feature identification. Since biological networks exhibit a modular structure (mostly pertaining to their hierarchical functional organization), random network models need be modular similarly. In this work we consider the problem of generating random network models that incorporate network modularity. Theoretically, the problem is equivalent to generating random decompositions of a graph into a given number of connected components. Here we describe two methods we have developed to do that and illustrate their utility on pertinent systems biology problems of feature scaling
CyberKnife with Tumor Tracking: An Effective Treatment for High-Risk Surgical Patients with Single Peripheral Lung Metastases

Standard treatment for operable patients with single peripheral lung metastases is metastasectomy. We report mature CyberKnife outcomes for high-risk surgical patients with biopsy proven single peripheral lung metastases. Twenty-four patients (median age 73 years) with a mean maximum tumor diameter of 2.5 cm (range, 0.8–4.5 cm) were treated over a 6-year period extending from September 2004 to September 2010 and followed for a minimum of 1 year or until death. A mean dose of 52 Gy (range, 45–60 Gy) was delivered to the prescription isodose line in three fractions over a 3–11 day period (mean, 7 days). At a median follow-up of 20 months, the 2-year Kaplan–Meier local control and overall survival rates were 87 and 50%, respectively. CyberKnife with fiducial tracking is an effective treatment for high-risk surgical patients with single small peripheral lung metastases. Trials comparing CyberKnife with metastasectomy for operable patients are necessary to confirm equivalence.
The use of recombinant activated factor VII to reverse warfarin-induced anticoagulation in patients with hemorrhages in the central nervous system: preliminary findings.

OBJECT In this report the authors describe the use of the hemostatic agent recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) in the perioperative treatment of hemorrhages in the central nervous system that are associated with warfarin therapy. METHODS Two patients sustained hemorrhages within the spinal canal, and the other two had acute intracranial subdural hematomas. All patients had normal platelet counts, activated partial thromboplastin times, and fibrinogen levels, and all received fresh frozen plasma in conjunction with rFVIIa. The initial international normalized ratios (INRs) ranged from 1.9 to 5.6. Each dose of rFVIIa was 1200 microg, ranging from 16 to 22 microg/kg of body weight. Two patients received two perioperative doses of rFVIIa; the others required just one dose before surgery. The INR normalized within 2 hours of administration of rFVIIa in all patients. There were no thromboembolic complications, and surgical blood loss was less than 100 ml for all operations. CONCLUSIONS This clinical experience indicates that rFVIIa may be safe and effective as the initial hemostatic agent for rapid reversal of orally administered anticoagulation medications in patients who require urgent neurosurgical intervention.
Evaluation of fatigue and its correlation with quality of life index, anxiety symptoms, depression and activity of disease in patients with psoriatic arthritis

Background Psoriatic arthritis is associated with psychosocial morbidity and decrease in quality of life. Psychiatric comorbidity also plays an important role in the impairment of quality of life and onset of fatigue. Objectives This study aimed to assess the prevalence of fatigue in psoriatic arthritis patients and to correlate it to quality of life indexes, functional capacity, anxiety, depression and disease activity. Patients and methods This cross-sectional study was performed on outpatients with psoriatic arthritis. Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue (FACIT-F; version 4) was used to measure fatigue; 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI) to measure quality of life; Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) to assess functional capacity; Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale to measure anxiety and depression symptoms; Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) to evaluate clinical activity. Results In all, 101 patients with mean age of 50.77 years were included. The mean PDI score was 8.01; PASI score, 9.88; BASDAI score, 3.59; HAQ score, 0.85; HAD – Anxiety (HAD A) score, 7.39; HAD Depression (HAD D) score, 5.93; FACIT–Fatigue Scale (FACIT-FS) score, 38.3 and CDAI score, 2.65. FACIT-FS was statistically associated with PASI (rs −0.345, p<0.001), PDI (rs −0.299, p<0.002), HAQ (rs −0.460, p<0.001), HAD A (rs −0.306, p=0.002) and HAD D (rs −0.339, p<0.001). The correlations with CDAI and BASDAI were not confirmed. There was statistically significant correlation with all of the domains of SF-36 and FACIT-F (version 4). Conclusion Prevalence of fatigue was moderate to intense in <25% of patients with psoriatic arthritis. Fatigue seems to be more related to the emotional and social aspects of the disease than to joint inflammatory aspects, confirming that the disease’s visibility is the most disturbing aspect for the patient and that “skin pain” is more intense than the joint pain.
Activation of MAPK Cascades by GnRH: ERK and Jun N-Terminal Kinase Are Involved in Basal and GnRH-Stimulated Activity of the Glycoprotein Hormone LHβ-Subunit Promoter.

The role of ERK and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in basal- and GnRH-stimulated LHβ-promoter activity was examined in the gonadotroph cell line LβT-2. GnRH agonist (GnRH-A) stimulates the MAPK cascades ERK, JNK, and p38MAPK, with a peak at 7 min for ERK and at 60 min for JNK and p38MAPK. The rat glycoprotein hormone LHβ-subunit promoter, linked to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene, was used to follow its activation. Addition of GnRH-A (10 nm) to LβT-2 cells resulted in a 6-fold increase in LHβ-CAT activity at 8 h, which was markedly reduced by a GnRH antagonist. The PKC activator 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), but not the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin, stimulated LHβ-CAT activity. Addition of GnRH-A and TPA together did not produce an additive response. Down-regulation of PKC, but not removal of Ca2+, abolished the GnRH-A and the TPA response. Cotransfection of the LHβ-promoter and the constitutively active form of Raf-1 stimulated basal and GnRH-A-induced LHβ-CAT activity.
Effects of Adrenergic Antihypertensive Drugs on Sterol Synthesis in Freshly Isolated Human Mononuclear Leukocytes

Summary: The effects of the adrenergic antihypertensive drugs propranolol, clonidine, α-methyldopa, urapidil, indoramin, and prazosin on the relative rate of sterol synthesis were studied in freshly isolated human mononuclear leukocytes. Incubation of cells for 6 h in a medium containing lipid-depleted serum led to a threefold increase in the incorporation of [14C]acetate or tritiated water into sterols. (−)-Epinephrine added at zero time to the incubation medium inhibited the relative rate of sterol synthesis by 32% at a concentration of 1 μmol/L. The nonspecific β-blocker propranolol, added at equimolar concentrations, almost abolished the epinephrine-induced suppression. The β-blocker per se had no effect on the incorporation of [14C]acetate into sterols up to a concentration of 1 μmol/L. The α2-agonist clonidine and α-methyldopa, added in increasing concentrations at zero time, inhibited the relative rate of sterol synthesis, yielding a sigmoidal log dose–effect curve. The suppression was 43 and 24%, respectively, at a concentration of 0.1 mmol/L. The α1-antagonists indoramin, prazosin, and urapidil, up to a concentration of 10 μmol/L, had no effect per se, or on the epinephrine-induced suppression of the relative synthesis rate of sterols. The results give evidence that various antihypertensive adrenergic drugs, depending on their action on β- or α-adrenergic receptors, have different effects on cholesterol biosynthesis and therefore may affect cellular cholesterol homeostasis.
Metabolism of xenobiotics by strains of intestinal bacteria.

: The metabolism of some xenobiotic compounds when incubated with strains of intestinal bacteria has been studied. The reactions included: 1) glucuronide hydrolysis, 2) glucoside hydrolysis, 3) sulphate ester hydrolysis, 4) glycine conjugate hydrolysis, 5) N-acetyl derivative hydrolysis, 6) amide hydrolysis, 7) ester hydrolysis, 8) dehydroxylation, 9) decarboxylation, 10) double bond reduction, 11) nitro reduction, 12) azo reduction and 13) heterocyclic ring scission. The results showed that strains of the following test microorganisms were able to carry out the indicated reactions to varying degrees: Str. faecalis (4, 11, 12), E. coli (1, 11, 12), Lactobacillus (2, 10, 11, 12), Bacillus (9, 11, 12), Ps. aeruginosa (12), Pr. vulgaris (2, 10, 11, 12), A. aerogenes (2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13), Clostridium (10, 11, 12) and Bacteroides (1, 11, 12). These results are discussed in relation to earlier findings on the metabolism of xenobiotics by members of the intestinal microflora.