Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High‐dose steroid therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome lacking common risk factors: predictors of outcome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life‐threatening lung disease that usually occurs in patients with the underling risk factors that triggers lung inflammation. We sometimes encounter patients with ARDS lacking common risk factors. Recent studies have indicated the effectiveness of corticosteroids for this cohort. However, the characteristics of survivors with ARDS who lack common risk factors, and who received high‐dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy (MPPT), are not known.
ICSV 14 Cairns • Australia 9-12 July , 2007 DIRECT ALGEBRAIC METHOD FOR SOUND SOURCE LOCALIZATION WITH FINEST RESOLUTION BOTH IN TIME AND FREQUENCY

We deal with the problem of direction and distance estimates of sound sources in 3-D space and arrive at a new exact and direct algorithm from finite observations both in space and time. We first derive a partial differential equation (PDE) which we call the sound source constraint (SSC). We show that the general solution of the SSC-PDE is a diverging spherical wave from a point source with arbitrary temporal waveform. The SSC enables the observer to determine the source location (distance R and direction n) from local measurements of the wavefield. For the measurements of wavefield, we consider weighted temporal integrals of arrayed microphone outputs in a finite duration. We obtain exact formulae for localizing a single source from single weight measurements and multiple sources from the combination of differently weighted measurements. We examine the performance by simulating non-stationary complex multi-source environments.
Integrating a Career Planning and Development Program into the Baccalaureate Nursing Curriculum. Part II. Outcomes for New Graduate Nurses 12 Months Post-Graduation

Abstract New graduate nurses’ (NGNs) transition into the nursing workforce is characterized as stressful and challenging. Consequently, a high percentage of them leave their first place of employment or the profession entirely within one year of graduation. Nursing literature describes this complicated shift from student to registered nurse, however, limited attention has focused on strategies that could be implemented during students’ academic programs to prepare them for this difficult transition period. Therefore, a longitudinal intervention study was conducted to examine the influence of a career planning and development (CPD) program on the development of career resilience in baccalaureate nursing students and at 12 months post-graduation (NGN). The findings support including structured and progressive curriculum-based CPD opportunities in academic programs, not only for the positive outcomes that accrue to students, but also because of the benefits they extend to NGNs as they make the transition to their first professional nursing role.
Left atrial appendage closure devices for cardiovascular risk reduction in atrial fibrillation patients

License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Limited. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress. com/permissions.php Research Reports in Clinical Cardiology 2015:6 47–56 Research Reports in Clinical Cardiology Dovepress
Mathematical Modeling using Pure Fractions and Monte Carlo Simulation to Control Thalassemia Disease Transition

Thalassemia disease: An Overview in the recent few decades, Thalassemia has recently become a serious threaten and spread widely worldwide. "Thalassemia", a Greek word that means the Mediterranean basin or Cooley's anemia, it is a form of inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal from of hemoglobin [1, 2]. It is most widespread between people of Middle Eastern countries, Greek, Italian, South Asian, and African descent [1]. Hemoglobinor (Hemoglobin) is the protein molecule in red blood cells which contains iron. It is used that carries oxygen around the human body [3]. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia; anemia is a condition in which your body doesn’t have enough normal, healthy red blood cells [4].
A TM-based hardwood-conifer mixture index for closed canopy forests in the Oregon Coast Range

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a multi-spectral vegetation index for quantifying relative amounts of hardwood and conifer cover from Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery. We focused on closed canopy forests in the Oregon Coast Range, where hardwood, conifer, and mixed stand conditions are prevalent. An approach based on the Gramm-Schmidt orthogonalization process was used to derive three different hardwood-conifer mixture indices (HCMIs). Using correlation and regression analyses, the capacity of these indices to predict closed canopy hardwood percentage was compared with three other groups of spectral variables: (1) the untransformed TM reflectance bands, (2) the Tasseled Cap indices of brightness, greenness, and wetness, and (3) the first three principal components of closed canopy forest reflectance. Results show that while similar amounts of information were explained by HCMI, TM band, Tasseled Cap, and principal component models, only predictions derived from the HCMI1 and HCMI2 variables were unbiased with respect to topographic effects.
Information-Seeking at a Caregiving Website: A Qualitative Analysis

Background The Internet is widely used for health information, yet little is known about the online activity of family caregivers of elders, a rapidly growing group. In order to better understand the online information-seeking activity of “e-caregivers” and other visitors at a caregiving website, we undertook a qualitative analysis of survey data from a website marketed as a comprehensive resource for adults caring for aging parents. Objective The objectives were to better understand what types of information are sought by those visiting a website focused on elder-care issues and to identify overarching themes that might inform future development of Internet resources related to caregiving and aging. Methods From March 2008 to March 2009, a 5-question pop-up survey was offered 9662 times and completed 2161 times. For 1838 respondents, included was a free text answer to the question "What were you looking for? ” and 1467 offered relevant and detailed responses. The survey also asked about satisfaction with the site, gender of the respondent, and relationship to the individual being cared for. Content analysis was used to develop a coding dictionary, to code responses into information-seeking categories, and to identify overarching themes. Results Of the respondents (76% of whom were female), 50% indicated they were caring for parents, 17% for themselves only, and 31% for others. Over half (57%) reported finding what they were looking for, and 46% stated they were extremely likely to recommend the website. Frequently mentioned information-seeking categories included “health information,” “practical caregiving,” and “support. ” Respondents also requested information related to housing, legal, insurance, and financial issues. Many responses referred to multiple comorbid conditions and complex caregiving situations. Overarching themes included (1) a desire for assistance with a wide range of practical skills and information and (2) help interpreting symptoms and behavior, such as knowing what life impacts to expect over the course of a health condition or treatment. Conclusion Visitors to a website targeting adults caring for aging parents reported seeking both general information on caregiving and specific assistance with the complex custodial, medical, emotional, and financial aspects of caregiving. Visitors requested both information to build caregiving skills as well as assistance in interpreting and knowing what to expect from symptoms, health conditions, and changes in behavior and relationships. Many desired communication with and support from other caregivers. Health care providers and eHealth developers should expect that many caregivers of elders are using the Internet as a resource. Further research and development is needed to fully realize the Internet’s potential for education and support of caregivers.
Hepatobiliary Disposition of Atovaquone: A Case of Mechanistically Unusual Biliary Clearance

Atovaquone, an antiprotozoal and antipneumocystic agent, is predominantly cleared by biliary excretion of unchanged parent drug. Atovaquone is ≥10,000-fold concentrated in human bile relative to unbound plasma. Even after correcting for apparent nonspecific binding and incomplete solubility in bile, atovaquone is still concentrated ≥100-fold in bile, consistent with active biliary excretion. Mechanisms of atovaquone hepatobiliary disposition were studied using a multiexperimental in vitro and in vivo approach. Atovaquone uptake was not elevated in HEK293 cells singly overexpressing OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OATP2B1, OCT1, NTCP, or OAT2. Hepatocyte uptake of atovaquone was not impaired by OATP and OCT inhibitor cocktail (rifamycin and imipramine). Atovaquone liver-to-blood ratio at distributional equilibrium was not reduced in Oatp1a/1b and Oct1/2 knockout mice. Atovaquone exhibited efflux ratios of approximately unity in P-gp and BCRP overexpressing MDCK cell monolayers and did not display enhanced uptake in MRP2 vesicles. Biliary and canalicular clearance were not decreased in P-gp, Bcrp, Mrp2, and Bsep knockout rats. In the present study, we rule out the involvement of major known basolateral uptake and bile canalicular efflux transporters in the hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of atovaquone. This is the first known example of a drug cleared by biliary excretion in humans, with extensive biliary concentration, which is not transported by the mechanisms investigated herein.
Early Detection of Autism in the Population

Frequently there is a delay in the diagnosis if autism in children which may result in a lost opportunity toprovide early intervention. Signal detection studieshave suggested that single items havegoodpredictability-forautism which suggestssimplescreeningprocedures maybehelpful in the early detection if an autistic disorder. Studies if autism in the veryyoung havefound that specific social deficits appear to characterize this group. A three stage procedure is presented as a possible approach to detect autism at an early age in thepopulationthereby alloioingforearly intervention
Dossier : Polyunsaturated fatty acids in biology and diseases The importance of the ratio of omega-6 / omega-3 essential fatty acids

Several sources of information suggest that human beings evolved on a diet with a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA) of ∼ 1 whereas in Western diets the ratio is 15/1–16.7/1. Western diets are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and have excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids compared with the diet on which human beings evolved and their genetic patterns were established. Excessive amounts of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and a very high omega-6/omega-3 ratio, as is found in today’s Western diets, promote the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, whereas increased levels of omega-3 PUFA (a low omega-6/omega-3 ratio) exert suppressive effects. In the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, a ratio of 4/1 was associated with a 70% decrease in total mortality. A ratio of 2.5/1 reduced rectal cell proliferation in patients with colorectal cancer, whereas a ratio of 4/1 with the same amount of omega-3 PUFA had no effect. The lower omega-6/omega-3 ratio in women with breast cancer was associated with decreased risk. A ratio of 2–3/1 suppressed inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and a ratio of 5/1 had a beneficial effect on patients with asthma, whereas a ratio of 10/1 had adverse consequences. These studies indicate that the optimal ratio may vary with the disease under consideration. This is consistent with the fact that chronic diseases are multigenic and multifactorial. Therefore, it is quite possible that the therapeutic dose of omega-3 fatty acids will depend on the degree of severity of disease resulting from the genetic predisposition. A lower ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is more desirable in reducing the risk of many of the chronic diseases of high prevalence in Western societies, as well as in the developing countries, that are being exported to the rest of the world. © 2002 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.
Association between anti-apolipoprotein A-1 antibodies and cardiovascular disease in the general population

Summary We aimed to determine the association between autoantibodies against apolipoprotein A-1 (anti-apoA-1 IgG) and prevalent cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) as well as markers of CV risk in the general population. Cross-sectional data were obtained from 6649 subjects (age 52.6 ± 10.7 years, 47.4 % male) of the population-based CoLaus study. CVD was defined as myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, percutaneous revascularisation or bypass grafting for ischaemic heart disease stroke or transient ischaemic attack, and was assessed according to standardised medical records. Anti-apoA-1 IgG and biological markers were measured by ELISA and conventional automated techniques, respectively. Prevalence of high anti-apoA-1 IgG levels in the general population was 19.9 %. Presence of anti-apoA-1 IgG was significantly associated with CVD [odds ratio 1.34, 95 % confidence interval (1.05–1.70), p=0.018], independently of established CV risk factors (CVRFs) including age, sex, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, low and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The n=455 (6.8 %) study participants with a history of CVD (secondary prevention subgroup) presented higher median anti-ApoA-1 IgG values compared with subjects without CVD (p=0.029). Among patients in the secondary prevention subgroup, those with positive anti-apoA-1 IgG levels had lower HDL (p=0.002) and magnesium (p=0.001) levels, but increased uric acid and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (p=0.022, and p<0.001, respectively) compared to patients with negative anti-apoA-1 IgG levels. In conclusion, anti-apoA-1 IgG levels are independently associated with CVD in the general population and also related to CV biomarkers in secondary prevention. These findings indicate that anti-apoA-1 IgG may represent a novel CVRF and need further study in prospective cohorts.
Electrochemical Transduction at Modified Boron Doped Diamond Interfaces

Innovation in nanoscience depends fully on the ability to synthesize nanomaterials as well as to assemble them efficiently into complex architectures. The discovery of graphene and graphene polymer nanocomposites is playing a key role in modern nanoscience and nanotechnology. Graphene oxide (GO), is a derivative of graphene obtained by the use of strong oxidizing agents to obtain graphene oxide, a nonconductive hydrophilic carbon material. Synthesis of graphene oxide was performed using the Hummers method. Graphene oxide was integrated into the polysulfone (PSF) matrix to form polysulfone/graphene oxide nanocomposite. Polysulfone casting suspension was prepared by dissolving polysulfone in N,N-dimethyl acetamide. The polymer composites consisted of homogeneously blended polysulfone and graphene oxide casting solutions and drop coated onto boron-doped diamond electrodes (BDD). Interfacial electrochemical dynamics were characterised using cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy were used to study the morphology and structure of the prepared materials. Modifying with polysulfone blocks electron transfer in the redox reaction of K3Fe(CN)6. PSF /GO enhances electron transfer even when compared to bare BDD. The diffusion coefficient and sensitivity for PSF-GO/BDD electrode was calculated to be 2.660 x10-4 cm2 s-1 and 6.7587 x10-6 mV s-1 / A.
Alcohol consumption is associated with a decreased risk of venous thrombosis

Summary Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lower levels of several coagulation factors. It is an established protective factor for cardiovascular disease; however, the effect on venous thrombosis is unknown. In a large population-based case-control study, we evaluated the association between alcohol consumption and the risk of venous thrombosis. The MEGA study included consecutive patients with a first venous thrombosis between March 1999 and September 2004 from six anticoagulation clinics in the Netherlands. Partners of patients were asked to participate, and additional controls were recruited using a random digit dialling method. All participants completed a standardized questionnaire, and blood samples were collected. A total of 4,423 patients and 5,235 controls were included in the analyses. Alcohol consumption was associated with a reduced risk of venous thrombosis, with 2–4 glasses per day resulting in the largest beneficial effect (odds ratio [OR] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI95] 0.58–0.77) compared to abstainers. The effect was more pronounced in women (OR 0.66, CI95 0.53–0.84) than men (OR 0.82, CI95 0.63–1.07) and also more striking for pulmonary embolism (OR 0.56, CI95 0.46–0.70) than for deep venous thrombosis of the leg (OR 0.74, CI95 0.63–0.88). Compared to abstainers, fibrinogen levels were decreased in individuals who consumed alcohol (maximum decrease: 0.30 g/l). FactorVII and vonWillebrand levels were mildly decreased in these individuals but not consistently over the categories of alcohol consumption. In conclusion, alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of venous thrombosis, which may be in part mediated by decreased fibrinogen levels. Thromb
Sa based power efficient FPGA LUT mapping

Look up Table (LUT) based Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are commonly used in mobile devices due to their efficient signal processing capabilities and flexibility to be reprogrammed in situ. However the mechanisms which enable a FPGA to be re-programmable make it require more power than an Application Specific Integrated Circuit. In this paper we consider the power reduction of a FPGA by optimising the mapping the underlying boolean circuit onto the LUT based FPGA with respect to cumulative switching. We formulate the power minimisation problem as a combinatorial optimisation problem. To tackle this NP hard problem we propose the application of a local search method. Here we introduce a complete a neighborhood function and apply heuristic simulated annealing in conjunction with the objective function from [20] 'cumulative switching'. Our experimental results show a 42.96% average reduction in power consumption compared to SIS based mapping and 27.44% average reduction in power consumption compared to a genetic algorithm.
Photolithography of 3D Scaffolds for Artificial Tissue

The present study is focused on the design and fabrication of novel functional 3D-hydrogel scaffolds for regenerative medicine. In order to critically analyzing the effect of the microarchitecture of 3D scaffolds for driving the cellular fate and diffusion of progenitor stem cells we have fabricate a number of scaffolds with different geometry, stiffness and composition. The physical characteristics of the scaffold determine indeed, as well the biochemical factors, the fate of the cells. We use an innovative composite material consisting of hydrogel with different molecular weight and with suitable accordion-like and woodpile structures in order to tailor stiffness and elasticity conferred to the final structure.These novel 3D bioinspired scaffolds were obtained by both single- (1PP) and two-photon polymerization (2PP) processing. In particular, 2PP scaffolds represent a great advantage with respect to previous achievements based on traditional methods. 3D-structures were fabricated with lateral resolution of some microns, allowing an advanced control of pore microarchitecture of defined tensile strength, and the inclusion of albumin microspheres with various functionalities. The morphological, biochemical and functional characteristics are discussed. Moreover, the effects of the structured hydrogel scaffolds on the proliferation and differentiation of adult stem cells is analyzed in view of the fabrication of portion of contractile cardiac muscle to be obtained In Vitro.
Paleoseismic evidence of great surface rupture earthquakes along the Indian Himalaya

[1] Toward understanding the relationship between strain accumulation and strain release in the context of the mechanics of the earthquake and mountain building process and quantifying the seismic hazard associated with the globes largest continental thrust system, we describe the late Quaternary expression and paleoseismic evidence for great surface rupture earthquakes at six sites along the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) system of India. Our observations span a distance of ∼250 km along strike of the HFT. Uplifted and truncated fluvial terrace deposits resulting from the Holocene displacements on the HFT are preserved along canyons of the Ghaggar, Markanda, Shajahanpur, and Kosi Rivers. Dividing the elevation of the bedrock straths at each site by their ages yields estimates of the vertical uplift rate of ∼4–6 mm/yr, which when assumed to be the result of slip on an underlying thrust dipping at ∼20°–45° are equivalent to fault slip rates of ∼6–18 mm/yr or shortening rates of ∼4–16 mm/yr. Trench exposures reveal the HFT to fold and break late Holocene surface sediments near the cities and villages of Chandigarh, Kala Amb, Rampur Ganda, Lal Dhang, and Ramnagar. Radiocarbon ages of samples obtained from the displaced sediments indicate surface rupture at each site took place after ∼A.D. 1200 and before ∼A.D. 1700. Uncertainties attendant to the radiocarbon dating currently do not allow an unambiguous definition of the capping bound on the age of the displacement at each site and hence whether or not the displacements at all sites were contemporaneous. Trench exposures and vertical separations measured across scarps at Rampur Ganda, Lal Dhang, and Ramnagar are interpreted to indicate single-event displacements of ∼11–38 m. Dividing the observed single-event vertical components of displacement by the estimated longer-term uplift rates indicates ∼1330–3250 or more years should be required to accumulate the slip sufficient to produce similar sized displacements. Surface rupture appears to not have occurred during the historical 1905 Kangra (Mw = 7.7), 1934 Bihar-Nepal (Mw = 8.1), and 1950 Assam (Mw = 8.4) earthquakes, which also occurred along the Himalayan front. Yet we observe clear evidence of fault scarps and displacements in young alluvium and progressive and continued offset of fluvial terrace deposits along the HFT. We suggest on this basis and the size and possible synchroneity of displacements recorded in the trenches that there exists the potential for earthquakes larger than recorded in the historical record and with the potential to rupture lengths of the HFT greater than the ∼250 km we have studied.