Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of Secondary Ischemic Events Among Persons With Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

Background and Purpose— Few data exist for large managed care populations on the occurrence of subsequent acute ischemic events in persons with established atherosclerotic vascular disease. We estimated the occurrence of secondary stroke, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and vascular deaths among 2 large, managed care samples. Methods— With the use of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes , patients aged ≥40 years and with stroke, AMI, or peripheral arterial disease (PAD) were identified from administrative data of UnitedHealthcare plans during 1995–1998. Stroke, AMI, and PAD cohorts were identified within a commercial insurance sample and a Medicare sample. Cumulative occurrences of subsequent stroke, AMI, or vascular death were estimated by survival analysis. Results— In the stroke commercial cohort (n=1631; mean age, 62.1 years), cumulative occurrence of subsequent events was 4.2%, 6.5%, 9.8%, and 11.8% at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively; cumulative secondary event occurrence in the AMI commercial cohort (n=6458; mean age, 56.0 years) was 3.5%, 4.8%, 7.3%, and 8.5% and in the PAD commercial cohort (n=5813; mean age, 59.2 years) was 1.5%, 2.8%, 4.8%, and 6.5%, respectively. Cumulative secondary event occurrences were even higher in stroke (n=1518; mean age, 79.5 years), AMI (n=2197; mean age, 76.2 years), and PAD (n=5033; mean age, 76.6 years) cohorts of the Medicare sample: 18.1%, 17.0%, and 8.7%, respectively, at 3 years. More than 75% of each stroke cohort’s secondary events were strokes; more than 75% of each AMI cohort’s secondary events were AMIs. Of the PAD cohorts’ secondary events, 27% to 39% were strokes, 48% to 57% were AMIs, and 13% to 16% were vascular deaths. Conclusions— Among these managed care enrollees with existing atherosclerotic vascular disease, subsequent ischemic events represent a significant symptomatic disease burden. Given these findings, it is very important to determine whether secondary prevention strategies are being effectively used to manage patients with diagnosed atherosclerosis.
Visual Study on Flow Patterns and Heat Transfer during Convective Boiling Inside Horizontal Smooth and Microfin Tubes

Evaporator is an important and widely used heat exchanger in air conditioning and refrigeration industries. Different methods have been used by investigators to increase the heat transfer rates in evaporators. One of the passive techniques to enhance heat transfer coefficient is the application of microfin tubes. The mechanism of heat transfer augmentation in microfin tubes is dependent on the flow regime of two-phase flow. Therefore many investigations of the flow patterns for in-tube evaporation have been reported in literatures. The gravitational force, surface tension and the vapor-liquid interfacial shear stress are known as three dominant factors controlling the vapor and liquid distribution inside the tube. A review of the existing literature reveals that the previous investigations were concerned with the two-phase flow pattern for flow boiling in horizontal tubes [12], [9]. Therefore, the objective of the present investigation is to obtain information about the two-phase flow patterns for evaporation of R-134a inside horizontal smooth and microfin tubes. Also Investigation of heat transfer during flow boiling of R-134a inside horizontal microfin and smooth tube have been carried out experimentally The heat transfer coefficients for annular flow in the smooth tube is shown to agree well with Gungor and Winterton’s correlation [4]. All the flow patterns occurred in the test can be divided into three dominant regimes, i.e., stratified-wavy flow, wavy-annular flow and annular flow. Experimental data are plotted in two kinds of flow maps, i.e., Weber number for the vapor versus weber number for the liquid flow map and mass flux versus vapor quality flow map. The transition from wavy-annular flow to annular or stratified-wavy flow is identified in the flow maps. Keywords—Flow boiling, Flow pattern, Heat transfer, Horizontal, Smooth tube, Microfin tube.
Fault estimation of nonlinear processes using kernel principal component analysis

The principal component analysis (PCA) is a well-known technique to detect, isolate and estimate faults affecting a system. However, PCA identifies only linear structures in a given dataset. In this paper, we propose a new technique to estimate the fault affecting nonlinear systems, within the frame of kernel machines. To this end, the kernel methods are combined to the PCA, the so-called kernel PCA (KPCA), to diagnose a nonlinear system. As KPCA is applied in a high dimensional feature space, it is necessary to get back to the input space where the estimation can be interpreted. We derived an iterative pre-image technique that minimizes the square prediction error and the distance between the estimation of a new measure and the one just before it. The relevance of the proposed technique is shown on simulated data.
Improving Semi-Supervised Support Vector Machines Through Unlabeled Instances Selection

Semi-supervised support vector machines (S3VMs) are a kind of popular approaches which try to improve learning performance by exploiting unlabeled data. Though S3VMs have been found helpful in many situations, they may degenerate performance and the resultant generalization ability may be even worse than using the labeled data only. In this paper, we try to reduce the chance of performance degeneration of S3VMs. Our basic idea is that, rather than exploiting all unlabeled data, the unlabeled instances should be selected such that only the ones which are very likely to be helpful are exploited, while some highly risky unlabeled instances are avoided. We propose the S3VM-us method by using hierarchical clustering to select the unlabeled instances. Experiments on a broad range of data sets over eighty-eight different settings show that the chance of performance degeneration of S3VM-us is much smaller than that of existing S3VMs.
Synaptic plasticity processes underlying consolidation and reconsolidation of Pavlovian conditioning

In the field of drug addiction, relapse back to drug seeking and taking is the major unmet clinical need. The rate of relapse back to drug-taking is ~70-80% within a year of drug abstinence. Gaining a better understanding of the prolonged neuronal changes that have taken place during drug addiction may lead to the design of better anti-relapse therapies. It is now widely believed that one component of drug addiction is by aberrant learning and memory processes. To study this, we investigated synaptic changes caused by the development of drug-seeking behaviour in C57BL/6J mice. Mice were treated either with non-contingent morphine or trained to exhibit drug-seeking behaviour following morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) training, hippocampal slices were taken from these animals and synaptic changes examined at the CA3-CA1 synapse using electrophysiological methods. Mice that underwent morphine CPP were demonstrated to exhibit a significant preference for the morphine paired compartment before ex vivo electrophysiological analysis. Using field recordings, both non-contingent morphine and morphine CPP treatments resulted in a reduced ability to undergo stimulus-induced LTP compared to their respective controls. Whole cell patch clamp was then utilised to further investigate these effects. Non-contingent morphine treatment resulted in both pre- and post-synaptic changes with an increased AMPA:NMDA receptor ratio, concurrent increases in cell size, and reductions in the release probability of both glutamate and GABA. Morphine CPP treatment resulted in a more variable increase in AMPA:NMDA receptor ratio (presumably by the same mechanism but in a more specific group of neurones) and GABA release probability was also decreased. There were no detected increases in cell size however, or any detected changes in glutamate release probability. These findings therefore reveal a set of synaptic adaptations in the hippocampus unique to morphine-induced behavioural change, and may provide targets for future intervention in drug addiction.
Using Flight Data to Improve Operational Readiness in Naval Aviation

In order to improve the operational readiness of Naval aviation, the Department of the Navy (DON) is implementing a knowledge management process known as Military Flight Operations Quality Assurance (MFOQA). MFOQA utilizes available flight data from existent onboard data collection systems to provide information that can be used to improve efficiencies in aircraft maintenance and operations, flight safety, and aircrew training. The improved efficiencies promote operational excellence which translates to increased operational readiness. A two-year demonstration of prototype MFOQA capabilities involving Fleet operational units was conducted to better understand the potential benefits and challenges associated with the development and implementation of an MFOQA program and evaluate its potential impact on operational readiness. Senior command leadership, aircrews, and maintenance personnel utilized the prototype capabilities during day-to-day operations and provided objective feedback. In some cases potential applications of MFOQA capabilities that had not been previously envisioned were also identified. It was concluded from the demonstration that MFOQA can enhance the operational readiness of Naval aviation. In addition, the impact of MFOQA was assessed to be directly related to the relevance of the capabilities to user needs, the justness of the policies and processes implemented, and the effectiveness of personnel training and motivation. This paper presents an overview of applications of MFOQA capabilities during the demonstration and follow-on activities, and related lessons learned and conclusions specifically pertaining to operational readiness. Similarities and differences between the DON MFOQA concept and civil aviation flight data analysis applications are also presented.
Assessing student achievement in general education

Introduction: Assessing Student Achievement in General Education (Trudy W. Banta). Use of Standardized Tests. The National Assessment of College Student Learning: Current and Future Activities (Sal Corrallo). The Washington State Assessment Experience (Robert M. Thorndike). Reliving the History of Large-Scale Assessment in Higher Education (Trudy W. Banta). Use of Locally Designed Instruments. The Role of Assessment in Linking Faculty Teaching to Student Outcomes (Anne G. Scott). Assessing Individual Generic Skills. Assessment Measures (Gary R. Pike). Assessing Information Literacy and Technological Competence (Trudy W. Banta, Howard R. Mzumara). Washington State University Critical Thinking Project: Improving Student Learning Outcomes through Faculty Practice (Diane Kelly-Riley). Assessing Students' Moral Awareness (James JF Forest, Bruce Keith). An Innovative Measurement of Communication Outcomes: Self-Perception (Anne Hummer). Community College Strategies: Using a Capstone Course to Assess General Education Outcomes (Scott Hunt). Assessment Methods Applicable Across Knowledge and Skills Areas. A Multiplicity of Learning: Capstones at Portland State University (Terrel L. Rhodes, Susan Agre-Kippenhan). Closing the Feedback Loop in Classroom-Based Assessment (Barbara E. Walvoord, Barbara Bardes, Janice Denton). Community College Strategies: The Butler County Community College Individualized Student Assessment Pilot Project (Phil Speary). Course-Embedded Assessment: A Teaching Strategy to Improve Student Learning (Donald W. Farmer). Systemwide Assessment of Utah's General Education Courses (Philip I. Kramer).
RACNet: Reliable ACquisition Network for High-Fidelity Data Center Sensing

RACNet is a monitoring sensor network to provide highfidelity visibility, in terms of spatial and temporal resolution, of data center environmental conditions for energy efficiency improvement. RACNet overcomes the high node density and harsh RF environment challenges in data centers to achieve over 99% reliable data yield and short data collection latency. It does so through a novel network architecture that decouples data collection from the construction of the routing tree. This design, coupled with the use of different frequencies along neighboring data collection trees, enables RACNet to support large-scale, dense networks while maintaining perfect data reliability. Results from simulations, testbed, and real world deployments indicate that RACNet outperforms previous data collection systems, especially as node density increases.
Mechanisms involved in differential conduction of potentials at high frequency in a branching axon.

1. The ionic mechanisms involved in block of conduction of action potentials following high frequency stimulation were studied in a branching axon of the lobster Panulirus penicillatus. 2. A 2‐3 mM increase in extracellular K concentration (normal concentration 12 mM) produced block of conduction into both daughter branches. 3. While conduction block induced by high frequency stimulation occurs first into the large daughter branch and only later into the smaller one, propagation into both branches is blocked simultaneously by increased extracellular K concentration. 4. Increasing extracellular K by 2‐3 mM resulted in membrane depolarization, reduction in membrane resistance and reduced excitability. The latter two effects were larger than expected from the small depolarization. It appears that increase of extracellular K has direct effects on membrane excitability. 5. It is suggested that block of conduction after high frequency stimulation results from accumulation of K in the extracellular space. However, in order to account for differential conduction block in the two branches one must assume differential buildup of extracellular K concentration around the two branches during high frequency stimulation. 6. Ultrastructural studies using La and horseradish peroxidase as extracellular markers show that the space around the two branches is similar and is open to the extracellular space. Therefore differences in periaxonal volume cannot account for differential buildup of K around the two branches. 7. It is demonstrated that the lobster axon has a Na+/K+ electrogenic pump. After blocking this pump with ouabain, stimulation at high frequency resulted in a conduction block in the two branches almost at the same time. 8. Injection of Ca2+ intracellularly into the thick branch prevents or delays the appearance of conduction block after high frequency stimulation. 9. A mechanism based on these findings is suggested to explain the differential conduction block seen after high frequency stimulation in a branching axon with almost ideal impedance matching.
Effect of nicotine exposure during gestation on neonatal rat ovaries

The purpose of present study was to investigate effects of nicotine on follicular development in the neonatal rats. In this study, 14 adult Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 230-260 g (±10 g) were used as experimental animal. After detecting pregnancies with vaginal smear method, pregnant rats were two equal groups were separated.The pregnant females were treated with the nicotine for 21 days and litters were sacrificed at first day of birth. The ovaries of litters were processed through routine paraffin embedding method, serially sectioned by microtome, stained with hematoxylin-Eosin and immunohistochemical technique investigated by light microscope.In the ovary of group treated nicotine, Preventing follicular development was observed in granular degeneration and luteal cells. It was also observed in inflammation and bleeding vessels. Immunohistochemical localization of vimentin was restricted to the granulosa cells and stromal area. Nicotine treatment group in granular cells and luteal cells in E-cadherin expression was weak. We concluded that nicotine might affect the cellular junctions in the ovarian follicular development. The high intensity in the staining with vimentin observed in the granulosa cells of the follicles is probably due to functional changes that occur during the process of cystogenesis.
Multiple Escherichia coli RecQ Helicase Monomers Cooperate to Unwind Long DNA Substrates

The RecQ family helicases catalyze the DNA unwinding reaction in an ATP hydrolysis-dependent manner. We investigated the mechanism of DNA unwinding by the Escherichia coli RecQ helicase using a new sensitive helicase assay based on fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) with two-photon excitation. The FCCS-based assay can be used to measure the unwinding activity under both single and multiple turnover conditions with no limitation related to the size of the DNA strands constituting the DNA substrate. We found that the monomeric helicase was sufficient to perform the unwinding of short DNA substrates. However, a significant increase in the activity was observed using longer DNA substrates, under single turnover conditions, originating from the simultaneous binding of multiple helicase monomers to the same DNA molecule. This functional cooperativity was strongly dependent on several factors, including DNA substrate length, the number and size of single-stranded 3′-tails, and the temperature. Regarding the latter parameter, a strong cooperativity was observed at 37 °C, whereas only modest or no cooperativity was observed at 25 °C regardless of the nature of the DNA substrate. Consistently, the functional cooperativity was found to be tightly associated with a cooperative DNA binding mode. We also showed that the cooperative binding of helicase to the DNA substrate indirectly accounts for the sigmoidal dependence of unwinding activity on ATP concentration, which also occurs only at 37 °C but not at 25 °C. Finally, we further examined the influences of spontaneous DNA rehybridization (after helicase translocation) and the single-stranded DNA binding property of helicase on the unwinding activity as detected in the FCCS assay.
Preference for Sensory Consonance in 2- and 4-Month-Old Infants

The preferences of 2- and 4-month-old infants for consonant versus dissonant two-tone intervals was tested by using a looking-time preference procedure. Infants of both ages preferred to listen to consonant over dissonant intervals and found it difficult to recover interest after a sequence of dissonant trials. Thus, sensitivity to consonance and dissonance is found before knowledge of scale structure and may be based on the innate structure of the inner ear and the firing characteristics of the auditory nerve. It is likely that consonance perception provides a bootstrap into the task of learning the pitch structure of the musical system to which the infant is exposed.
Effect of a metatarsal pad on the forefoot during gait.

BACKGROUND Metatarsal pads are frequently prescribed for patients with metatarsalgia to reduce pain under the distal metatarsal heads. Several studies showed reduced pain and reduced plantar pressure just distal to the metatarsal pad. However, only part of the pain reduction could be explained by the decrease in plantar pressure under the forefoot. Therefore, an alternative hypothesis is proposed that pain relief is related to a widening of the foot and the creation of extra space between the metatarsal heads. This study focused on the effect of a metatarsal pad on the geometry of the forefoot by studying forefoot width and the height of the second metatarsal head. METHODS Using a motion analysis system, 16 primary metatarsalgia feet and 12 control feet were measured when walking with and without a metatarsal pad. RESULTS A significant mean increase of 0.60 mm in forefoot width during the stance phase was found when a metatarsal pad was worn. During midstance, the mean increase in forefoot width was 0.74 mm. In addition, walking with a metatarsal pad revealed an increase in the height of the second metatarsal head (mean, 0.62 mm). No differences were found between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS The combination of increased forefoot width and the height of the second metatarsal head produced by the metatarsal pad results in an increase in space between the metatarsal heads. This extra space could play a role in pain reduction produced by a metatarsal pad.
Identification and differential subcellular localization of the neuronal class C and class D L-type calcium channel alpha 1 subunits

To identify and localize the protein products of genes encoding distinct L-type calcium channels in central neurons, anti-peptide antibodies specific for the class C and class D alpha 1 subunits were produced. Anti-CNC1 directed against class C immunoprecipitated 75% of the L-type channels solubilized from rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Anti-CND1 directed against class D immunoprecipitated only 20% of the L-type calcium channels. Immunoblotting revealed two size forms of the class C L-type alpha 1 subunit, LC1 and LC2, and two size forms of the class D L-type alpha 1 subunit, LD1 and LD2. The larger isoforms had apparent molecular masses of approximately 200-210 kD while the smaller isoforms were 180-190 kD, as estimated from electrophoresis in gels polymerized from 5% acrylamide. Immunocytochemical studies using CNC1 and CND1 antibodies revealed that the alpha 1 subunits of both L-type calcium channel subtypes are localized mainly in neuronal cell bodies and proximal dendrites. Relatively dense labeling was observed at the base of major dendrites in many neurons. Staining in more distal dendritic regions was faint or undetectable with CND1, while a more significant level of staining of distal dendrites was observed with CNC1, particularly in the dentate gyrus and the CA2 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus. Class C calcium channels were concentrated in clusters, while class D calcium channels were generally distributed in the cell surface membrane of cell bodies and proximal dendrites. Our results demonstrate multiple size forms and differential localization of two subtypes of L-type calcium channels in the cell bodies and proximal dendrites of central neurons. The differential localization and multiple size forms may allow these two channel subtypes to participate in distinct aspects of electrical signal integration and intracellular calcium signaling in neuronal cell bodies. The preferential localization of these calcium channels in cell bodies and proximal dendrites implies their involvement in regulation of calcium-dependent functions occurring in those cellular compartments such as protein phosphorylation, enzyme activity, and gene expression.
Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Magnetron Sputtered CuO Thin Films Deposited on Low Temperature Cofired Ceramics Substrates for Gas Sensor Applications

The cupric oxide (CuO) thin films are promising materials in gas sensor applications. The CuO exhibits the highest sensitivity for hydrogen sulfide, but it may be also used as a sensor for carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide. The sensitivity and long-term stability are the critical issues in such applications. The author presents the investigation results on amorphous films of the CuO and nanocrystalline CuO doped with Au, Pd, and Cr. The films have been deposited in magnetron sputtering technology on low temperature cofired ceramics substrates. The results of gas sensors' response are as well presented and discussed. The long-term stability test has been performed. The films phase composition, microstructure, and surface topography have been assessed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy methods.