Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Use of Electrocautery as the Primary Ablation Modality for Malignant and Benign Airway Obstruction

Background: Laser has been the main ablative modality in the airways, but a growing experience with endobronchial electrocautery suggests a comparable efficacy and safety profile. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of electrocautery as the primary heat therapy for malignant and benign airway obstruction. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing endobronchial electrocautery, alone or in combination with other airway tools, at Duke University Medical Center between April 2004 and November 2009. Data on efficacy (luminal patency, symptomatic, radiographic, or physiologic improvement) and safety (complication rate) were collected. Results: Ninety-four patients underwent 117 procedures with endobronchial electrocautery for endobronchial malignant and nonmalignant disease. Endoscopic improvement was seen in 94% of cases. Seventy-one percent of patients reported symptomatic improvement. Radiographic studies demonstrated luminal improvement in 78% of patients on chest computed tomography, improved aeration on chest computed tomography and chest x-ray in 63% and 43% of patients, respectively. The rate of major complications was 0.8%, whereas minor complications occurred in 6.8% of cases. There was no perioperative mortality. Conclusions: Endobronchial electrocautery is effective and safe when used as an ablative modality in malignant and benign airway obstruction and has a comparable profile to laser with the advantage of lower cost.
A hardware-in-the-loop emulation testbed for high fidelity and reproducible network experiments

The transformation of innovative research ideas to production systems is highly dependent on the capability of performing realistic and reproducible network experiments. In this work, we present a network testbed consisting of container-based network emulation and physical devices to advocate high fidelity and reproducible networking experiments. The testbed integrates network emulators (Mininet), a distributed control environment (ONOS), and physical switches (Pica8). The testbed (1) offers functional fidelity through unmodified code execution in emulated networks, (2) supports large-scale network experiments using lightweight OS-level virtualization techniques and capable of running across distributed physical machines, (3) provides the topology flexibility, and (4) enhances the repeatability and reproducibility of network experiments. We validate the testbed fidelity through extensive experiments under different network conditions (e.g., varying topology and traffic pattern). We also use the testbed to reproduce key results from published network experiments, such as Hedera, a scalable and adaptive network traffic flow scheduling system.
Effectiveness of a smartphone-based worry-reduction training for stress reduction: A randomized-controlled trial

Objective: Perseverative cognition (e.g. worry) and unconscious stress are suggested to be important mediators in the relation between stressors and physiological health. We examined whether a smartphone-based worry-reduction training improved a physiological marker of stress (i.e. increased heart rate variability [HRV]) and unconscious stress. Design: Randomised-controlled trial was conducted with individuals reporting work stress (n = 136). Participants were randomised to the experimental, control or waitlist condition (resp. EC, CC, WL). The EC and CC registered emotions five times daily for four weeks. The EC additionally received a worry-reduction training with mindfulness exercises. Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome was 24-h assessments of HRV measured at pre-, mid- and post-intervention. Secondary outcomes were implicit affect and stress. Effects on heart rate and other psychological outcomes were explored. Results: A total of 118 participants completed the study. No change from pre- to post-intervention was observed for the primary or secondary outcomes. The change over time was not different between conditions. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the training was ineffective for improving HRV or psychological stress. Future studies may focus on alternative smartphone-based stress interventions, as stress levels are high in society. There is need for easy interventions and smartphones offer possibilities for this.
FineComb: Measuring Microscopic Latencies and Losses in the Presence of Reordering

Modern trading and cluster applications require microsecond latencies and almost no losses in data centers. This paper introduces an algorithm called FineCombthat can estimate fine-grain loss and latency at monitoring devices between edges of a data center. Such a mechanism can allow managers to distinguish between latencies and loss singularities caused by servers and those caused by the network. Compared to prior work such as LDA that need to be deployed in hardware at every router and link, FineComb can be deployed today using commodity boards. The challenge for FineComb is to deal with persistent reordering that can occur in a data center network using equal cost path splittin g. Without care, a loss estimation algorithm can confound loss and reordering; further, any attempt to aggregate delay est imates in the presence of reordering results in severe errors . FineComb deals with these problems using order-agnostic packet digests and a simple new idea we call stash recovery. Our evaluation demonstrates that FineComb can easily be implemented in software or hardware, and provides significantly more accurate loss and delay estimates in the presenc of reordering than LDA.
Do patients with different psychiatric disorders show altered social decision-making? A systematic review of ultimatum game experiments in clinical populations

ABSTRACT Background: Impairments in social functioning are a common feature of psychiatric disorders. Game paradigms pose a unique way for studying how people make decisions in interpersonal contexts. In the last decade, researchers have started to use these paradigms to study social decision-making in patients with psychiatric disorders. Purpose: The aim of this systematic literature review is to summarise the currently available evidence on the behaviour of patients with psychiatric disorders in the commonly used Ultimatum Game (UG). Method: A systematic literature search including MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PSYNDEXplus Tests, PSYNDEXPLUS Literature, EBM Reviews—Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase and PASCAL was performed via the Ovid interface. Results: We found evidence for alterations in UG behaviour for patients with frontotemporal dementia, schizophrenia, affective disorders, alcohol, cocaine, heroin and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine consumption, alcohol dependence, anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, autism, Tourette syndrome and oppositional defiant disorder. Conclusion: There is some evidence that different psychiatric disorders might go along with alterations in social decision-making. However, in general, data are currently limited and studies are hard to compare due to differences in methodologies.
Study of Excipients Affecting Dissolution Profile of Drug with Special Emphasis on Co Processed Excipients

The main aim of present work is to study the impact of various excipients and co-processed excipients on dissolution rate. Direct compression is the preferred method for the preparation of tablets. Co processing is the one of the most widely explored and commercially utilized method for the preparation of directly compressible vehicle. The objective of present study is to prepare and characterize various co processed excipients and its application in tablet formulation. Co-processed excipient prepared was characterized by flow properties, solubility, Hardness, Friability, % drug content in tablet formulation. FTIR and SEM show no physical interaction between them with no chemical change. Co processing of excipients was evaluated for Drug release, mean dissolution time and dissolution efficiency Sucrose: MCC (2:1) used to extend the drug release up to 6 hr, we can prepare sustain release tablet of this CO processing by incorporation of sustain release polymer. MCC: Kyron was used to prepare immediate drug release. So based on these properties we was prepared immediate release formulation and sustain release formulation. Co-processing of Sucrose: MCC have been used to achieve sustain release by incorporation of pectin, by using this combination we can achieve sustain release up to 10 hr similarly Kyron: MCC was used in immediate release formulation. Comparison with both IR and SR marketed product and evaluated for F2 test shows there is similarity in dissolution profile between both the batches.
Impaired autonomic function in adolescents born preterm

Preterm birth temporarily disrupts autonomic nervous system (ANS) development, and the long‐term impacts of disrupted fetal development are unclear in children. Abnormal cardiac ANS function is associated with worse health outcomes, and has been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We used heart rate variability (HRV) in the time domain (standard deviation of RR intervals, SDRR; and root means squared of successive differences, RMSSD) and frequency domain (high frequency, HF; and low frequency, LF) at rest, as well as heart rate recovery (HRR) following maximal exercise, to assess autonomic function in adolescent children born preterm. Adolescents born preterm (less than 36 weeks gestation at birth) in 2003 and 2004 and healthy age‐matched full‐term controls participated. Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were used to compare variables between control and preterm groups. Twenty‐one adolescents born preterm and 20 term‐born controls enrolled in the study. Preterm‐born subjects had lower time‐domain HRV, including SDRR (69.1 ± 33.8 vs. 110.1 ± 33.0 msec, respectively, P = 0.008) and RMSSD (58.8 ± 38.2 vs. 101.5 ± 36.2 msec, respectively, P = 0.012), with higher LF variability in preterm subjects. HRR after maximal exercise was slower in preterm‐born subjects at 1 min (30 ± 12 vs. 39 ± 9 bpm, respectively, P = 0.013) and 2 min (52 ± 10 vs. 60 ± 10 bpm, respectively, P = 0.016). This study is the first report of autonomic dysfunction in adolescents born premature. Given prior association of impaired HRV with adult cardiovascular disease, additional investigations into the mechanisms of autonomic dysfunction in this population are warranted.
Covariance and eigenvalue based spectrum sensing using USRP in real environment

Cognitive radio are useful for secondary users to sense spectral environment and opportunistically access licensed spectrum band when unutilized. In this paper, we present an experimental study in real environment using USRP (Universal Software defined Radio Peripheral) to evaluate the detection performance of covariance and Eigenvalue based spectrum sensing techniques for detection of primary users. The detection performance was analyzed with minimum Eigenvalue detection (EME), maximum to minimum Eigenvalue detection (MME), absolute covariance detection (CAV) and energy detection (ED). The detection performance was compared in terms of detection probability (Pd), probability of false alarm (Pfa) and SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio). The maximum to minimum Eigenvalue detection (MME) method outperformed the other methods as shown in theoretical results. The detection performance were analyzed and presented for low SNR value upto −25 dB.
Liver regeneration during the associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy procedure in Sus scrofa is positively modulated by stem cells

This present study investigated the impact of the application of stem cells to liver regeneration following the first stage of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS). The experiment was conducted on a pig model (n=6, 3 that did not receive application of stem cells, 3 that received application stem cells). Collected samples of liver (day 0 and 9 following surgery) were subjected to complete transcriptome sequencing. In total, 39 differentially expressed genes were found in the group without the application of the stem cells (genes of unwanted processes such as fibrosis and inflammation). In the group that did receive application of stem cells, no significantly differentially expressed genes were found, indicating a properly regenerated liver remnant. The present study therefore demonstrated, to the best of our knowledge for the first time, the positive effect of stem cells application in the liver regeneration process during ALPPS procedure in the pig model.
Fatigue properties of longitudinal attachments welded using low transformation temperature filler

Abstract In welded structures, fatigue properties are normally considered to be independent of mean stress owing to the presence of tensile residual stresses with a magnitude close to yield level. Introduction of compressive residual stresses by use of low transformation temperature welding consumables has been reported in the literature to have a positive influence on the fatigue strength. In this investigation new low transformation temperature welding consumables have been evaluated with respect to static strength, impact toughness, residual stresses and fatigue properties. Welds were produced in the base material Domex 700 MC, an extra high strength cold forming steel with minimum yield strength of 700 MPa. The improvement of fatigue strength was found to be 25 - 90% at 2 × 106 cycles.
Role of Caspase-8 and Fas in Cell Death After Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes the death of neurons and glial cells due to the initial mechanical forces (i.e., primary injury) and through a cascade of secondary molecular events (e.g., inflammation or excitotoxicity) that exacerbate cell death. The loss of neurons and glial cells that are not replaced after the injury is one of the main causes of disability after SCI. Evidence accumulated in last decades has shown that the activation of apoptotic mechanisms is one of the factors causing the death of intrinsic spinal cord (SC) cells following SCI. Although this is not as clear for brain descending neurons, some studies have also shown that apoptosis can be activated in the brain following SCI. There are two main apoptotic pathways, the extrinsic and the intrinsic pathways. Activation of caspase-8 is an important step in the initiation of the extrinsic pathway. Studies in rodents have shown that caspase-8 is activated in SC glial cells and neurons and that the Fas receptor plays a key role in its activation following a traumatic SCI. Recent work in the lamprey model of SCI has also shown the retrograde activation of caspase-8 in brain descending neurons following SCI. Here, we review our current knowledge on the role of caspase-8 and the Fas pathway in cell death following SCI. We also provide a perspective for future work on this process, like the importance of studying the possible contribution of Fas/caspase-8 signaling in the degeneration of brain neurons after SCI in mammals.
Effects of different shaped gold nanoparticles on the photoelectrode of dye-sensitized solar cells

In this study, we prepared different shapes of gold nanoparticles by the seed-mediated growth method to apply on the photoelectrode of dye-sensitized solar cells. Analyses of field emission scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectra show that the average diameter of spherical gold nanoparticles is 66 nm and gold nanorods in aspect ratio is 2. The best conversion efficiencies of dye-sensitized solar cell with spherical gold nanoparticles and gold nanorods added in are 6.77 and 7.08%, and are higher than that without gold nanoparticles. These results indicate that the effect of gold nanoparticles on the photoelectrode can increase the conductivity and reduce the recombination of charges in the photoelectrode, resulting in the increase of conversion efficiency for dye-sensitized solar cells. Futhermore, gold nanorods have stronger surface plasmon resonance intensity than spherical gold nanoparticles at long wavelength. This may be the reason why conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells with gold nanorods is higher than that of spherical gold nanoparticles.
A wireless system for continuous in-mouth pH monitoring

A first prototype of a Smart Orthodontic Bracket (SOB) for continuous in-mouth pH monitoring is presented in this paper. The SOB system uses an Iridium Oxide (IrOx) pH sensor with 68.8 mV/pH measured sensitivity. It is powered through Near Field Communications (NFC) using a smartphone from a distance of 3.5 cm. The system resolves pH variations as small as 0.15 within a wide range of pH. The system is encapsulated in bio-compatible epoxy resin and successfully used to measure the pH in saliva.
Dielectric and physicomechanical properties of electrical porcelain bodies

On etudie les proprietes physico-mecaniques, la permittivite et les pertes dielectriques de porcelaines pour isolateurs dans la zone de frequence 0,06 a 100 KHz, a differentes temperatures et sous de faibles pressions de moulage
Multifunctional, self-assembled oxide nanocomposite thin films and devices

Complex oxides provide an ideal playground for exploring the interplay among the fundamental degrees of freedom: structural (lattice), electronic (orbital and charge), and magnetic (spin). In thin films and heterostructures, new states of matter can emerge as a consequence of such interactions. Over the past decade, the ability to synthesize self-assembled nanocomposite thin films of metal oxides has provided another pathway for creating new interfaces and, thus, new physical phenomena. In this article, we describe examples of such materials systems explored to date and highlight the fascinating multifunctional properties achieved. These include enhanced flux pinning in superconductors, strain-enhanced ferroelectricity, strain- and charge-coupled magnetoelectrics, tunable magnetotransport, novel electrical/ionic transport, memristors, and tunable dielectrics.
Genetic Control of Genomic Alterations Induced in Yeast by Interstitial Telomeric Sequences

In many organisms, telomeric sequences can be located internally on the chromosome in addition to their usual positions at the ends of the chromosome. In humans, such interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) are nonrandomly associated with translocation breakpoints in tumor cells and with chromosome fragile sites (regions of the chromosome that break in response to perturbed DNA replication). We previously showed that ITSs in yeast generated several different types of instability, including terminal inversions (recombination between the ITS and the “true” chromosome telomere) and point mutations in DNA sequences adjacent to the ITS. In the current study, we examine the genetic control of these events. We show that the terminal inversions occur by the single-strand annealing pathway of DNA repair following the formation of a double-stranded DNA break within the ITS. The point mutations induced by the ITS require the error-prone DNA polymerase ζ. Unlike the terminal inversions, these events are not initiated by a double-stranded DNA break, but likely result from the error-prone repair of a single-stranded DNA gap or recruitment of DNA polymerase ζ in the absence of DNA damage.
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Comorbidity among Methamphetamine-Using Men Who have Sex with Men

ABSTRACT Men who have sex with men (MSM) exhibit elevated rates of mental health and substance use disorder relative to their non-MSM male counterparts. Methamphetamine use in particular has been associated with both neuronal damage and mental health disorders among MSM, and this study reports on the prevalence and comorbidity of DSM-5 mental health and substance use disorders in a sample of methamphetamine-using MSM. From March 2014 through January 2015, 286 methamphetamine-using MSM enrolled in a study to reduce methamphetamine use and sexual risk behaviors. At baseline, participants demonstrated high rates of current major depressive episode (35.8%), antisocial personality disorder (23.9%), suicide risk (23.2%), obsessive-compulsive disorder (23.2%), and social phobia (20.4%), as well as methamphetamine use disorder (89.1%), marijuana use disorder (41.0%), alcohol use disorder (39.6%), cocaine use disorder (30.9%), and inhalants use disorder (15.4%). Analyses revealed significant (p < 0.05) associations between methamphetamine use disorder severity and all listed mental health disorders, as well as between alcohol use disorder and all listed mental health disorders. Mental health disorder prevalence and substance use disorder severity were both elevated, and both methamphetamine and alcohol use disorder severity were associated with increased likelihood of comorbid mental health disorder.
Prospective Memory Is a Key Predictor of Functional Independence in Older Adults

Abstract Objectives: Prospective memory (PM), the ability to execute delayed intentions, has received increasing attention in neuropsychology and gerontology. Most of this research is motivated by the claim that PM is critical for maintaining functional independence; yet, there is a dearth of empirical evidence to back up the claims. Thus, the present study tested whether PM predicts functional independence in older adults using validated behavioral performance measures for both PM and functional independence. Methods: Fifty-eight healthy older adults performed a computerized PM paradigm, the Virtual Week task, as well as a timed version of an instrumental activities of daily living (TIADL) task. Furthermore, we assessed vocabulary, processing speed, and self-reported prospective remembering. Results: TIADL scores correlated significantly with performance in the Virtual Week task, vocabulary, and processing speed. Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that vocabulary and Virtual Week performance were significant predictors for TIADL. However, self-reported PM scores did not predict everyday functioning. Conclusions: The findings indicate that PM is an important cognitive ability for successful and independent everyday life beyond vocabulary. Moreover, the results show a substantial incremental contribution of intact PM performance for the prediction of everyday functioning by using objective PM measures. (JINS, 2018, 24, 640–645)
Generator Model Extension for Higher Accuracy Simulation of Power System Transients in OpenModelica

Mathematical modeling is a key step in the analysis of power system stability. In view of model accuracy, this process should include all relevant details that affect the transient behavior of the power system and hence influence the electrical and mechanical torques in the system. To this aim, this paper describes the extension of the generator subsystem model details in OpenModelica by adding a turbine-governor model to the existing generator subsystem. Taking advantage of the multi-domain modeling property of OpenModelica, two libraries are coupled to interconnect the mechanical and electrical domains of the generator subsystem. The new generator subsystem is beneficially tested using the standard IEEE 9-Bus test feeder by comparing its response to network disturbances to that of the previously existing OpenModelica generator model. The simulation results in OpenModelica are furthermore successfully compared to respective results in DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Hence, the new generator subsystem model is integrated into the validated 20 kV power grid model of Campus North of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and respective results are presented for abrupt load changes.