Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic hypothermia and ischemic stroke: A literature review

Background: Ischemic stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the US. Clinical techniques aimed at helping to reduce the morbidity associated with stroke have been studied extensively, including therapeutic hypothermia. In this study, the authors review the literature regarding the role of therapeutic hypothermia in ischemic stroke to appreciate the evolution of hypothermia technology over several decades and to critically analyze several early clinical studies to validate its use in ischemic stroke. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Search terms included “hypothermia and ischemic stroke” and “therapeutic hypothermia. ” A comprehensive search of the current clinical trials using clinicaltrials.gov was conducted using the keywords “stroke and hypothermia” to evaluate early and ongoing clinical trials utilizing hypothermia in ischemic stroke. Results: A comprehensive review of the evolution of hypothermia in stroke and the current status of this treatment was performed. Clinical studies were critically analyzed to appreciate their strengths and pitfalls. Ongoing and future registered clinical studies were highlighted and analyzed compared to the reported results of previous trials. Conclusion: Although hypothermia has been used for various purposes over several decades, its efficacy in the treatment of ischemic stroke is debatable. Several trials have proven its safety and feasibility; however, more robust, randomized clinical trials with large volumes of patients are needed to fully establish its utility in the clinical setting.
Generating grid chaotic attractors via switching function based on a third-order linear system

This paper proposes a novel system for generating 1-D m-scroll, 2-D m×n-grid multi-scroll, 3-D m×n×l-grid multi-scroll chaotic attractors (GMSCAs) via switching piecewise linear (PWL) function. First, a third-order linear system satisfying certain conditions is introduced as the original system. Then, by adding stair function, saturated function series and hysteresis function series to the third-order linear system, respectively, GMSCAs are generated along a certain line, or plane, or in the whole state space. Besides, some basic dynamical behaviors of the controlled system are investigated and numerical simulations are given to verify the effectiveness of this method.
One-Pass Video Stabilization on Mobile Devices

We study real-time one-pass video stabilization on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. A localized camera path planning framework is proposed, where through maintaining a forward or backward-looking buffer window, the short-term camera trajectory is locally optimized according to cinematographic rules. Also, we propose a hybrid auto-corrective path optimization algorithm, where the system automatically switches among different motion models according to the actual video adaptively. Using a multithreading mechanism, the proposed method can be implemented on mobile devices to achieve real-time one-pass video stabilization. Evaluation on a large variety of consumer videos demonstrates the effectiveness of our system.
A theoretical discussion of factors affecting the acceptance of m-commerce among SMTEs by integrating TTF with TAM

Tourism is an information-based industry and innovative mobile applications are believed to provide new business opportunities for the industry. Most tourism firms throughout the globe consist of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and as such, SMEs utilisation of information systems (IS) is crucial in terms of added efficiency, effectiveness and innovation. However, the acceptance of m-commerce in SMEs remains very low, while the factors impacting the application of IS are still ambiguous. The objective of the current study was to integrate TTF with TAM to investigate the determinants of user acceptance of m-commerce among SMTEs. The study provides advanced knowledge of customer's acceptance of m-commerce in SMTEs, which will help the m-commerce providers in such enterprises to understand the factors that influence the acceptance of m-commerce in SMTEs. This in turn would play an important role in increasing the acceptance level of m-commerce among SMTEs.
Influence of Age, Sex, Technique, and Exercise Program on Movement Patterns after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention Program in Youth Soccer Players

Background Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention programs show promising results with changing movement; however, little information exists regarding whether a program designed for an individual's movements may be effective or how baseline movements may affect outcomes. Hypothesis A program designed to change specific movements would be more effective than a “one-size-fits-all” program. Greatest improvement would be observed among individuals with the most baseline error. Subjects of different ages and sexes respond similarly. Study Design Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods One hundred seventy-three youth soccer players from 27 teams were randomly assigned to a generalized or stratified program. Subjects were videotaped during jump-landing trials before and after the program and were assessed using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), which is a valid clinical movement analysis tool. A high LESS score indicates more errors. Generalized players performed the same exercises, while the stratified players performed exercises to correct their initial movement errors. Change scores were compared between groups of varying baseline errors, ages, sexes, and programs. Results Subjects with the highest baseline LESS score improved the most (95% CI, −3.4 to −2.0). High school subjects (95% CI, −1.7 to −0.98) improved their technique more than pre–high school subjects (95% CI, −1.0 to −0.4). There was no difference between the programs or sexes. Conclusions Players with the greatest amount of movement errors experienced the most improvement. A program's effectiveness may be enhanced if this population is targeted.
Primary versus Nonprimary Cytomegalovirus Infection during Pregnancy, Israel

We examined prospectively the outcome of primary and nonprimary maternal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy among 88 and 120 women, respectively. The risk for vertical transmission was 1.83× higher for primary infection than for nonprimary infection. Nonetheless, congenital CMV disease was diagnosed in both infection groups at similar rates.
THE EFFECT OF CROSS-REACTING ANTIGENS ON THE TOLERANT STATE

Rabbits were rendered tolerant to human albumin (HA) and were then injected with azo and oxazolonated derivatives of human albumin. These injections were continued to a time at which all animals would have lost tolerance if they had not been injected. Injection of cross-reacting antigens prolonged the duration of tolerance, as judged by the mode of elimination of lightly iodinated human albumin (HA.131I). Different derivatives of HA differed in their capacity to prolong tolerance. Those neonatally injected rabbits which were immunized with cross-reacting antigens and lost tolerance, responded much more promptly to HA.131I than animals which were not immunized. Animals immunized with cross-reacting antigen which went on to eliminate HA.131I triphasically, usually had responded earlier by making antibodies. These antibodies contained a fraction which was reactive with HA, and which was usually equally well adapted to determinants on HA and on the cross-reacting antigen.
Several approaches to parallel computing in the Boolean domain

Each additional variable doubles the number of function values of a Boolean function. This exponential increase is known as combinational explosion and limits strongly the solvable problems for a given computer. In order to solve larger Boolean problems, it is necessary to exploit each concept that reduces the required efforts. The parallel consideration of all Boolean variables that are assigned to a machine word of the computer, the mapping of an exponential number of Boolean vectors to a single ternary vector, and the distribution of the calculations to several Boolean spaces are some approaches which were realized in the software package XBOOLE. An important further approach is the segmentation of the Boolean tasks and their parallel computation using several connected computers as well as the available processor cores of these computers. In this paper we explore alternative approaches to parallel computations of Boolean problems. Experimental results document the achieved benefits.
Mapping the Subject: Geographies of Cultural Transformation

Rejecting static and reductionist understandings of subjectivity, this book asks how people find their place in the world. Mapping the Subject is an inter-disciplinary exploration of subjectivity, which focuses on the importance of space in the constitution of acting, thinking, feeling individuals. The authors develop their arguments through detailed case studies and clear theoretical expositions. Themes discussed are organised into four parts: constructing the subject, sexuality and subjectivity, the limits of identity, and the politics of the subject. There is, here, a commitment to mapping the subject - a subject which is in some ways fluid, in other ways fixed; which is located in constantly unfolding power, knowledge and social relationships. This book is, moreover, about new maps for the subject.
" DROUGHT AND RETRIBUTION : EVIDENCE FROM A LARGE SCALE RAINFALL INDEX INSURANCE IN MEXICO 1

Weather Index Insurance (WII) has recently gained increased attention as a tool to providing farmers coverage against losses from weather shocks. Despite extensive implementations in African and Latin Amercian countries, there is yet little empirical evidence about the effectiveness of WII. This paper is the first to analyze the economic effects of a large scale WII using new administrative data from Mexico. To study the impacts on productivity, income and risk management, our identification strategy takes advantage of the variation across counties and over time in which the insurance was rolled-out from 2003 to 2008. We find that WII significantly increases yields per hectare by 6% and WII increases income by 8%, pointing towards a positive spillover effect. Exploring the potential mechanisms of this spillover effect, we find that WII decreases the planted area of maize (Mexico’s main crop) by 8%. This allows farmers to use the gained land potentially more effectively by substituting into other cash crops raising overall farm output. Important credit constraints are likely relaxed as well. Generally, we find that most significant benefits occur in ‘medium’ income counties, raising productivity by 8%. WII has instead less affects in the very richest counties. Overall, however, we find that Mexico’s subsidized WII is costinefficient from a societal perspective. JEL: Q11, Q14, O13, G22
Higher plant cells: Gamma‐tubulin and microtubule nucleation in the absence of centrosomes

The assembly of the higher plant cytoskeleton poses several fundamental questions. Since different microtubule arrays are successively assembled during the cell cycle in the absence of centrosomes, we can ask how these arrays are assembled and spatially organized. Two hypotheses are under debate. Either multiple nucleation sites are responsible for the assembly and organization of microtubule arrays or microtubule nucleation takes place at one site, the nuclear surface. In the latter case, microtubule nucleation and organization would be two distinct but coregulated processes. During recent years, novel approaches have provided entirely new insights to understand the assembly and dynamics of the plant cytoskeleton. In the present review, we summarize advances made in microscopy and in molecular biology which lead to novel hypotheses and open up new fields of investigation. From the results obtained, it is clear that the higher plant cell is a powerful model system to investigate cytoskeletal organization in acentrosomal eukaryotic cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 49:487–495, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
What “reflexivity” is really like

L'analyse de la variation et de l'identification des facteurs qui determinent le choix entre les formes referentiellement equivalentes est importante d'une maniere linguistique et cognitive. L'A. propose ici des donnees experimentales latino-americaines en ayant recours aux notions d'anaphore vs. pronom (les formes espagnoles si et el) dans la reference dite reflexive. Leur analyse appuie l'hypothese de leur valeur pragmatique et revele des asymetries qui structurent la variation en termes de direction de choix et de degre de preference et qui fournissent un apercu de la justesse (relative) de chaque alternative a des problemes de communication et de l'accessibilite (relative) des antecedents
The relation of PON1-L55M gene polymorphism and clinical manifestation of Behcet's disease.

PURPOSE Behçet's disease is a multisystem disease characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, relapsing uveitis, mucocutaneous, articular, gastrointestinal, neurologic, and vascular manifestations. Paraoxonase is believed to play an important role in protection of LDL and HDL particles from oxidation, in antioxidant effect against lipid peroxidation on cellular membranes, and in anti-inflammatory process. Lipid peroxidation and free oxygen radicals have been thought to play a role in pathogenesis of BD. The association of paraoxonase gene polymorphisms with Behçet's Disease in a group of Turkish patients with clinical manifestations and healthy controls has been investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS Paraoxonase (PON-1-L55M) gene polymorphism was investigated in 50 Behcet patients and 50 healthy individuals with a PCR/RFLP method. RESULTS There were significant differences between patients and the control group in allele frequencies of the PON1 L55M polymorphism (p=0.04). Also, when patients were compared with the control group according to clinical manifestations, this statistical significance was getting sharper. Compared with the PON55 L allele, the M allele was associated with greater than 3.5 fold (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.3-8.9) increased risk of ocular (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.3), 2.4 fold joint and 3.1 fold (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1-8.4) central nervous system manifestations of BD. CONCLUSION The PON L55M gene polymorphism seemed to play a role in the pathogenesis of BD.
Towards long-range prosodic attribute modeling for language recognition

As a high-level feature, prosody may be an effective feature when it is modeled over longer ranges than the typical range of a syllable. This paper is about language recognition with the high-level prosodic attributes. It studies two important issues of long-range modeling, namely the data scarcity handling method, and the model which properly describes prosodic boundary events. Illustrated by NIST language recognition evaluation (LRE) 2009, long-range modeling is shown to bring a 7.2% relative improvement to a prosodic language detector. Score fusion between the long-range prosodic system and a phonotactic system gives an EER of 3.07%. Exploiting boundary N -grams is the main contributing factor to global EER reduction, while different long-range prosodic modeling factors benefit the detection of different languages. Analysis reveals the evidence of language-specific long-range prosodic attributes, which sheds light on robust long-range modeling methods for language recognition. Index Terms: language recognition, prosody, long-range modeling
Sin3B: An essential regulator of chromatin modifications at E2F target promoters during cell cycle withdrawal

Efficient and accurate cell cycle exit is intimately linked to cellular differentiation, and by inference, to the prevention of tumorigenesis. Perhaps the most important axis of control for this process involves the interactions of the E2F family of DNA binding proteins with the retinoblastoma (Rb) and Rb-related “pocket protein” (p107 and p130) family of tumor suppressors. Not surprisingly, alterations in this pathway are present in a large number of human malignancies. The molecular basis for the controls exercised by the Rb family of proteins has been widely investigated, but is still not completely understood. Elegant in vitro studies had previously suggested the participation of histone deacetylase (HDAC)-associated Sin3B in E2F-mediated repression. Using genetically modified mice, we have recently uncovered a role for the Sin3B protein as a specific and essential actor in promoting cell cycle exit via the E2F-Rb pathway. We demonstrated its absolute requirement not only for cell cycle exit in vitro and in vivo, but also for biological processes linked to cellular differentiation. These observations strongly suggest that Sin3B plays an essential role in coordinating the chromatin modifying activities required for the transient repression of pro-proliferation genes in quiescence, as well as stable silencing of these genes upon terminal differentiation.
School Belonging and the African American Adolescent: What do We Know and Where Should We Go?

Research shows, for African American adolescents, issues of school belonging, identification, and engagement are critical to academic performance and successful completion of high school. In the existing literature, school belonging has been significantly linked with teacher support, peer relations, motivation, engagement, and academic performance. This paper reviews major findings on school belonging for this group of students, and offers future directions for research.
Retrospective and Prospective Cognitions in Anxiety and Depression

A study is reported that examined memory for past experiences and anticipation of future experiences within panic disorder patients (N = 17), depressed patients (N = 16), and controls (N = 17). Anticipation and recall of positive and negative experiences were examined by administering an adapted verbal fluency paradigm. Participants were asked to generate future and past, positive and negative experiences in response to various time-frame cues. Anxiety was associated with generating more negative experiences but not fewer positive experiences; depression was associated with generating fewer positive experiences but not more negative experiences. The patterns for recall of past experiences and anticipation of future experiences were very similar.
Bin-packing using genetic algorithms

We present in this paper a genetic algorithm (GA) approach to solve 2D bin packing problems of polygonal shapes on a rectangular canvas. We present the way to encode shape parameters and a fitness function based on a the medial axis transform (MAT) to evaluate individuals of a genetic algorithm population. Some test and results of our experimentation are presented.
Real-time microdamage and strain detection during micromechanical testing of single trabeculae

For the assessment of local deformations, we recently combined mechanical testing of trabecular bone with high-speed photography. In a previous study on cuboids of human vertebral trabecular bone we found strained trabeculae to whiten, and scanning electron microscopy showed excessive microdamage in whitened zones. In the presented study we tested single trabeculae from bovine femur and tibia in a three-point-bending geometry. Whitening was detected in the form of an ellipsoid zone on the tension side on tested trabeculae. Upon crack formation the whitening fades and a whitened zone following the propagating crack tip can be seen In addition to whitening/microdamage assessment we use ink marks applied to the samples and a modified digital image correlation to obtain the local strains involved in whitening and formation. In the presented loading case the tensile strain along the long axis of the trabecula qualitatively correlates best with the whitening zones seen. Whitening and thus microdamage initiates around a local tensile strain of 3%, whereas crack initiation occurs at strains around 13%. Our results allow for the first time to correlate microdamage and local strains directly, which is direly needed for the development of realistic damage models used in finite element analyses.
Signal Transduction by Tga3, a Novel G Protein α Subunit of Trichoderma atroviride

ABSTRACT Trichoderma species are used commercially as biocontrol agents against a number of phytopathogenic fungi due to their mycoparasitic characterisitics. The mycoparasitic response is induced when Trichoderma specifically recognizes the presence of the host fungus and transduces the host-derived signals to their respective regulatory targets. We made deletion mutants of the tga3 gene of Trichoderma atroviride, which encodes a novel G protein α subunit that belongs to subgroup III of fungal Gα proteins. Δtga3 mutants had changes in vegetative growth, conidiation, and conidial germination and reduced intracellular cyclic AMP levels. These mutants were avirulent in direct confrontation assays with Rhizoctonia solani or Botrytis cinerea, and mycoparasitism-related infection structures were not formed. When induced with colloidal chitin or N-acetylglucosamine in liquid culture, the mutants had reduced extracellular chitinase activity even though the chitinase-encoding genes ech42 and nag1 were transcribed at a significantly higher rate than they were in the wild type. Addition of exogenous cyclic AMP did not suppress the altered phenotype or restore mycoparasitic overgrowth, although it did restore the ability to produce the infection structures. Thus, T. atroviride Tga3 has a general role in vegetative growth and can alter mycoparasitism-related characteristics, such as infection structure formation and chitinase gene expression.
Comparative outcomes of β-lactam antibiotics in outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy: treatment success, readmissions and antibiotic switches.

OBJECTIVES β-Lactam antibiotics are commonly used in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT), but data regarding outcomes of long-term therapy are limited. The purpose of this study was to compare treatment success, readmission and antibiotic switch rates in patients treated with β-lactam antibiotics as OPAT. METHODS We carried out a retrospective review of all patients, discharged from Tufts Medical Center with cefazolin, ceftriaxone, ertapenem or oxacillin, between January 2009 and June 2013. A competing risks analysis was used to compare the cumulative incidence of first occurrence of treatment success, antibiotic switch and 30 day readmission for each drug. RESULTS Four hundred patients were identified (cefazolin n = 38, ceftriaxone n = 104, ertapenem n = 128 and oxacillin n = 130). Baseline demographics were similar. Treatment success rates were higher for ceftriaxone and ertapenem (cefazolin 61%, ceftriaxone 81%, ertapenem 73% and oxacillin 58%; P < 0.001). Thirty-day all-cause readmissions were similar (cefazolin 21%, ceftriaxone 14%, ertapenem 20% and oxacillin 15%; P = 0.46). In 400 OPAT courses, 37 out of 50 antibiotic switches were accomplished without readmission. Adverse drug events (ADEs) were the most common reason for outpatient antibiotic switches (31/37, 84%). The ADE rate was higher for the oxacillin group (cefazolin 2.0 versus ceftriaxone 1.5 versus ertapenem 2.9 versus oxacillin 8.4 per 1000 OPAT days; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS OPAT with β-lactam antibiotics is effective, but antibiotic switches for adverse events were more frequent with oxacillin use. Clinicians should be cognizant of the risk of readmissions and ADEs in OPAT patients, as the value of OPAT lies in reducing patient morbidity and readmissions by managing ADEs and preventing clinical failures.