Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Independent Association of Serum Aldosterone Level with Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance in Korean Adults

Background and Objectives A relationship between renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been suggested, but not elucidated clearly. We examined the levels of RAS components in patients with and without MetS and their association with MetS in Korean population. Methods This study was approved by the review boards of the participating institutions and endorsed by the Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis. We screened 892 Koreans aged ≥20 years who underwent evaluation of hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia at 6 tertiary hospitals in 2015–2016. After excluding patients who were taking diuretics, β-blockers, or RAS blockers, or suspected of primary aldosteronism, 829 individuals were enrolled. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters including aldosterone, plasma renin activity (PRA), and aldosterone-to-PRA ratio were evaluated. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were used for evaluating insulin resistance. Results The mean age of the participants was 52.8±12.8 years, 56.3% were male, and their mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 133.9±20.0 and 81.2±14.6 mmHg, respectively. The levels of serum aldosterone, but not PRA, were significantly higher in subjects with MetS than in those without (20.6±33.6 vs. 15.3±12.2 ng/dL, p<0.05), and positively correlated with waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, and glycated hemoglobin. The levels of aldosterone were independently associated with the number of MetS components and HOMA-IR after adjusting for conventional risk factors. Conclusions Serum aldosterone levels were higher in Korean adults with MetS than in those without. This finding suggests that increased aldosterone level might be closely associated with insulin resistance.
Automatic verification of contact states taking into account manipulator constraints

Compliant motion is required or desirable in many robotic tasks, especially assembly tasks. Both planning and execution of autonomous compliant motion requires the knowledge of contact states between parts in contact beforehand. Previous research has addressed automatic generation of contact states between rigid objects. However, not all such contact states can be possibly reached if a rigid object is attached to and moved by a manipulator due to the manipulator constraints. In this paper, we study the problem of finding feasible contact states between a polyhedral part A held by a manipulator with a fixed base and a fixed polyhedral part B. Given a contact state graph between the unattached part A and the fixed part B, our approach then attaches A to the manipulator model and checks the reachability of each contact state and the connection between two neighboring contact states by applying a virtual compliant controller to the manipulator to test possible compliant motions of A. Implementation results validate the effectiveness of our method.
Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Viruses Compensate for Microbial Metabolism in Virus-Host Interactions

ABSTRACT Viruses are believed to be responsible for the mortality of host organisms. However, some recent investigations reveal that viruses may be essential for host survival. To date, it remains unclear whether viruses are beneficial or harmful to their hosts. To reveal the roles of viruses in the virus-host interactions, viromes and microbiomes of sediment samples from three deep-sea hydrothermal vents were explored in this study. To exclude the influence of exogenous DNAs on viromes, the virus particles were purified with nuclease (DNase I and RNase A) treatments and cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation. The metagenomic analysis of viromes without exogenous DNA contamination and microbiomes of vent samples indicated that viruses had compensation effects on the metabolisms of their host microorganisms. Viral genes not only participated in most of the microbial metabolic pathways but also formed branched pathways in microbial metabolisms, including pyrimidine metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; nitrogen metabolism and assimilation pathways of the two-component system; selenocompound metabolism; aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis; and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism. As is well known, deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems exist in relatively isolated environments which are barely influenced by other ecosystems. The metabolic compensation of hosts mediated by viruses might represent a very important aspect of virus-host interactions. IMPORTANCE Viruses are the most abundant biological entities in the oceans and have very important roles in regulating microbial community structure and biogeochemical cycles. The relationship between virus and host microbes is broadly thought to be that of predator and prey. Viruses can lyse host cells to control microbial population sizes and affect community structures of hosts by killing specific microbes. However, viruses also influence their hosts through manipulation of bacterial metabolism. We found that viral genes not only participated in most microbial metabolic pathways but also formed branched pathways in microbial metabolisms. The metabolic compensation of hosts mediated by viruses may help hosts to adapt to extreme environments and may be essential for host survival. IMPORTANCE Viruses are the most abundant biological entities in the oceans and have very important roles in regulating microbial community structure and biogeochemical cycles. The relationship between virus and host microbes is broadly thought to be that of predator and prey. Viruses can lyse host cells to control microbial population sizes and affect community structures of hosts by killing specific microbes. However, viruses also influence their hosts through manipulation of bacterial metabolism. We found that viral genes not only participated in most microbial metabolic pathways but also formed branched pathways in microbial metabolisms. The metabolic compensation of hosts mediated by viruses may help hosts to adapt to extreme environments and may be essential for host survival.
A Multimodal, Full-Surround Vehicular Testbed for Naturalistic Studies and Benchmarking: Design, Calibration and Deployment

Recent progress in autonomous and semi-autonomous driving has been made possible in part through an assortment of sensors that provide the intelligent agent with an enhanced perception of its surroundings. It has been clear for quite some while now that for intelligent vehicles to function effectively in all situations and conditions, a fusion of different sensor technologies is essential. Consequently, the availability of synchronized multi-sensory data streams are necessary to promote the development of fusion based algorithms for low, mid and high level semantic tasks. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive description of LISA-A: our heavily sensorized, full-surround testbed capable of providing high quality data from a slew of synchronized and calibrated sensors such as cameras, LIDARs, radars, and the IMU/GPS. The vehicle has recorded over 100 hours of real world data for a very diverse set of weather, traffic and daylight conditions. All captured data is accurately calibrated and synchronized using timestamps, and stored safely in high performance servers mounted inside the vehicle itself. Details on the testbed instrumentation, sensor layout, sensor outputs, calibration and synchronization are described in this paper.
FDG-PET for prediction of survival of patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND The current study focuses on the prognostic value of pretreatment metabolic activity in metastases as measured with [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), as an indicator of survival in colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a prospective series of 152 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, of whom 67 were treated with resection of metastases and 85 with chemotherapy, standardized uptake values (SUV) as measured with FDG-PET, were calculated prior to treatment. Survival probabilities were estimated by Cox proportional regression analysis. For Kaplan-Meier analysis SUV was stratified by the median value. Survival differences were assessed using the log-rank test. RESULTS SUV in metastases was a significant predictor for overall survival (hazard ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.30, P = 0.002), independent of the subsequent treatment. According to the median value of the patient population a low (SUV <4.26) and high uptake group (SUV >4.26) was defined. The median survival and the 2- and 3-year survival rates were 32 months, 59% and 45%, respectively, in the low-uptake group and 19 months, 37% and 28%, respectively, in the high-uptake group (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION A significant survival benefit was observed in patients with low FDG uptake in metastases of colorectal cancer.
Deep Learning Lends a Hand to Pediatric Radiology.

1 From the Imaging Biomarkers and Computer-Aided Diagnosis Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging Sciences Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 1C224D, MSC 1182, Bethesda, MD 20892-1182. Received December 11, 2017; accepted December 20. The intramural research programs of the National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, supported this work. Address correspondence to the author (e-mail: rms@nih.gov).
Low-carbon LV networks: Challenges for planning and operation

Many national and local governments have in recent years adopted feed-in-tariffs (i.e., above market price payments for energy produced) to incentivize consumers to install domestic scale generation (e.g., photovoltaic panels) in order to curb CO2 emissions. Electrical vehicles are also being encouraged by tax credits or grants in order to reduce the upfront investment. These incentives and potential future ones that could include more efficient ways of providing heat to households (e.g., electric heat pumps) are paving the way towards a low-carbon future that will make low voltage (LV) networks, particularly urban ones, more active and with an increased demand. This scenario presents Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) with many planning and operational challenges requiring a paradigm shift. This panel presentation will discuss the technical impacts of these low-carbon technologies on urban LV networks, the potential solutions, and how the corresponding planning and operation aspects should be looked at in the future.
Renal biopsy practice in France: results of a nationwide study.

BACKGROUND Although several risk factors associated with complications after renal biopsy (RB) have been identified, the gold standard for RB procedures remains to be defined. Practices vary widely among nephrologists, depending on personal experience and the availability of particular techniques. The purpose of our study was to depict the main aspects of the practice of RB in adults in France. METHODS Members of the Société de Néphrologie in France were asked to participate in a questionnaire survey on RB procedures. RESULTS Eighty-eight nephrologists from 74 units (27 in teaching hospitals, 35 in public general hospitals and 12 in private centres) participated in our study. Native kidney and graft biopsies were performed in 73 and 35 units, respectively. RB activity was highly variable among units, ranging from several hundred to <10 per year. Transjugular renal biopsy was judged to be smoothly accessible in 28 out of 73 units (38.4%). Significant variations in practices were observed regarding patient information before RB, assessment of haemorrhagic risk factors, management of patients with antiplatelet agents and haemorrhagic risk factors, and radiological guidance. Early discharge (<12 h) was the rule in 3 (4.1%) units for native kidney biopsies and in 10 (28.6%) units for graft biopsies. CONCLUSIONS Our study is the first to provide a representative picture of 'everyday' RB practices in a country. Important variations in procedures were observed. Our study may represent a preliminary step for the elaboration of guidelines for all aspects of RB practices.
IEEE Access Special Section Editorial: Mobile Edge Computing for Wireless Networks

The growing popularity of smart mobile devices has not only triggered an exponential increase in mobile data traffic, but also boosted the computation demands and requirements to an unprecedented level. Meanwhile, the next generation wireless networks, i.e., 5G networks, are envisioned to provide richer user experience and diversified mobile applications, which calls for more intensive computation at mobile devices. Therefore, the concept of Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) has been recently introduced as a means to bring cloud computing capabilities at the mobile network edge.
The Relationship between Economic Status, Knowledge on Dengue, Risk Perceptions and Practices

The reemergence of dengue as an important public health problem reflects the difficulties in sustaining vertically organized, effective, control programs and the need for community-based strategies for Aedes aegypti control that result in behavioral change. We aimed to disentangle the relationships between underlying determinants of dengue related practices. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 780 households in La Lisa, Havana, Cuba. A questionnaire and an observation guide were administrated to collect information on variables related to economic status, knowledge on dengue, risk perception and practices associated with Aedes aegypti breading sites. To test a conceptual model that hypothesized direct relationships among all these constructs, we first used Exploratory Factor Analysis with Principal Component Analysis to establish the relationship between observed variables and the underlying latent variables. Subsequently, we tested whether the observed data supported the conceptual model through Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Exploratory Factor Analysis indicated that the items measured could be reduced into five factors with an eigenvalue >1.0: Knowledge on dengue, Intradomiciliar risk practices, Peridomiciliar risk practices, Risk perception and Economic status. The proportion of the total variance in the data explained by these five factors was 74.3%. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis model differed from our hypothesized conceptual model. Only Knowledge on dengue had a significant, direct, positive, effect on Practices. There was also a direct association of Economic status with Knowledge on dengue, but not with Risk perception and Practices. Clarifying the relationship between direct and indirect determinants of dengue related practices contributes to a better understanding of the potential effect of Information Education and Communication on practices and on the reduction of Aedes aegypti breeding sites and provides inputs for designing a community based strategy for dengue control.
Human Papillomavirus Infection: Prevention, Barriers to Vaccination, and the Need for Education

While there is no known cure for HPV, prophylactic vaccination provides effective method of primary prevention against HPV related diseases. However, many females and males never receive the HPV vaccine as recommended. There are multiple barriers to vaccination, and these barriers can be identified as parental, provider, or systemlevel. Understanding these barriers and developing strategies that provide accurate information about HPV, its risks, and the need for vaccination are essential in the form of sustained educational campaigns for parents, young adults, and providers.
Interpersonal processes in paranoia: a systematic review

Abstract Paranoid ideation is a core feature of psychosis, and models of paranoia have long proposed that it arises in the context of disturbances in the perception of the self. However, to develop targeted interventions, there is a benefit in clarifying further, which aspects of self-perception are implicated. Interpersonal sensitivity is a personality trait which has been associated with the risk of paranoid thinking in the general population. However, not all studies have found this link. We aimed to review the empirical literature assessing the association between interpersonal sensitivity and paranoia in both general population and clinical samples; and to explore if associations found differed depending on whether state or trait paranoia was assessed. The review followed PRISMA guidelines. Articles were identified through a literature search in OVID (PsychINFO, MEDLINE) and Web of Science up to December 2016. Fourteen studies with a total of 12 138 participants were included. All studies were of ‘fair’ or ‘good’ quality. A robust association was found between interpersonal sensitivity and paranoia in clinical and general population samples alike, regardless of the method of assessment of both paranoia and interpersonal sensitivity. Although this finding was more pronounced in studies of trait paranoia, it is likely that differences in study purpose, measurement, and power explain these differences. Findings from this review support the hypothesis that feelings of personal vulnerability and exaggerated socially evaluative concerns are central for both onset and maintenance of paranoid symptoms, suggesting avenues for future research in targeted interventions.
Which aortic clamp strategy is better to reduce postoperative stroke and death

Background: Stroke is severe complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) which may be associated with clamp strategy, there are 2 strategies to clamp aorta including single aortic clamp (SAC) and partial aortic clamp (PAC). It is controversial that which clamping strategy is better to reduce the postoperative stroke and death, so this study aims to investigate which is better for reducing postoperative stroke and death within 30 days. Methods: We collected 469 patients who had on-pump CABG in Fuwai Hospital during January 2014 to July 2015. The SAC group consisted of 265 patients while the PAC group included 204 patients. We compared the 2 group patient difference. At the same time, 12 studies were identified by systematic search. The odds ratio (OR) was used as effect index to compare SAC and PAC strategy by fix-effect modeling. We also tested heterogeneity and publication bias. The primary end point of study was occurrence of postoperative stroke within 30 days of operation, the second end point of study was the incidence of 30-day mortality. Results: The single center retrospective study showed that the patients in the SAC group were older than those in the PAC group (62.5 ± 8.1 vs 60.3 ± 8.0 years, P = .01). The proportions of peripheral vascular disease and hypertension of SAC were higher than PAC (71 (26.8%) versus 36 (17.6%), P = . 02; 183 (69.1%) versus 115 (56.4%), P = . 01, respectively). Besides, the number of vascular anastomosis was more in the SAC group (3.29 ± 0.74 versus 2.97 ± 0.974, P < .001). The linear-regression analysis suggested that the time of cardiopulmonary bypass of SAC was shorter than the PAC group (93.2 ± 22.4 vs.103.4 ± 26.8 minutes, P-regression < .001) and postoperative death within 30-days was similar (1 (0.4%) vs. 2 (1.0%), P-regression = . 47). There was no stroke occurring in both the groups. And the meta-analysis suggested the postoperative stroke and death within 30-days were similar between SAC group and PAC group (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.58–1.06; OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.61–1.10; respectively). Moreover, subgroup meta-analysis also had the same results. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between SAC and PAC clamping strategy on postoperative stroke and death within 30-days; however, SAC can reduce the usage time of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Integrating High Spatial Resolution Imager Observations to improve Cloud-cleared Radiances from Hyperspectral Infrared Sounders

Today, most Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) centers are assimilating cloud-free radiances. Radiances from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder have been directly assimilated in NWP models with modest positive impacts. However, since only 5% percentage of AIRS fields of view (fovs) are cloud-free, only very small amounts of the data in the lower troposphere are assimilated. (Note that channels in the mid-upper stratosphere are always assimilated since they are never contaminated by clouds.) The highest vertical resolving power of AIRS is in the lower troposphere. To further improve forecast skill, there is a need to increase the number of channels in the lower troposphere. This can be accomplished by assimilating cloud-cleared radiances, which has a yield of about 50%. Since cloud-cleared radiance may have residual cloud contamination and forecast accuracy is very sensitive to the accuracy of the input observations, a technique has been developed to use the 1 km infrared channels on the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to quality control the cloud-cleared radiances derived from an array of 3 x 3 high spectral infrared sounder AIRS 14 km fovs. This is accomplished by finding MODIS clear radiances values within the AIRS field of view. The MODIS clear radiances are compared to cloud-cleared AIRS radiances that have been convolved to the MODIS spectral resolution. Our studies have found that the cloud-cleared radiances error statistics are very similar to cloud-free (clear) when MODIS data are used to remove potential outliers in the population of AIRS cloud-cleared radiances. At NOAA/NESDIS we provide AIRS products to the operational NWP community. Our processing system is currently being modified to provide the same service for the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) and the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS).
Semantic Role Labeling of Clinical Text: Comparing Syntactic Parsers and Features

Semantic role labeling (SRL), which extracts shallow semantic relation representation from different surface textual forms of free text sentences, is important for understanding clinical narratives. Since semantic roles are formed by syntactic constituents in the sentence, an effective parser, as well as an effective syntactic feature set are essential to build a practical SRL system. Our study initiates a formal evaluation and comparison of SRL performance on a clinical text corpus MiPACQ, using three state-of-the-art parsers, the Stanford parser, the Berkeley parser, and the Charniak parser. First, the original parsers trained on the open domain syntactic corpus Penn Treebank were employed. Next, those parsers were retrained on the clinical Treebank of MiPACQ for further comparison. Additionally, state-of-the-art syntactic features from open domain SRL were also examined for clinical text. Experimental results showed that retraining the parsers on clinical Treebank improved the performance significantly, with an optimal F1 measure of 71.41% achieved by the Berkeley parser.