Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic Pain and Emotional Distress in Children and Adolescents

Pediatric chronic pain continues to be relatively underinvestigated and undertreated. The objective of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the emotional distress hypothesized to be concurrently associated with the chronic pain experience in children and adolescents. One hundred and sixty children and adolescents with chronic pain and their parents completed standardized assessment instruments measuring pain intensity, depressive symptoms, state anxiety, trait anxiety, general self-esteem, and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Consistent with the a priori Biobehavioral Model of Pediatric Pain, higher patient-perceived pain intensity was associated with higher depressive and anxious symptoms, lower general self-esteem, and higher behavior problems. The results are discussed in regard to preventing and treating pain and suffering in children and adolescents with chronic pain. J Dev Behav Pediatr 17:154–161, 1996. Index terms: pain, children, adolescents, distress, adjustment, arthritis.
High-linearity zero-voltage switching current memory cell for measurement applications

In this paper, a high-linearity version of the zero voltage switching (ZVS) current memory cell is presented. The linearity improvement is achieved by using a high-linear differential pair and compensation switch. Higher power efficiency is also obtained by utilizing a Recycling Folded Cascode (RFC). The proposed memory cell is implemented using CMOS 0. 35μm and Cadence Spectre simulations are presented to validate the improvements. The proposed structure is used to implement an integrator which achieved a DC gain of 89.44 dB.
Blood vessels and the kidney in hypertension.

DOI:10.1097/HJH.0000000000001592 S tudies on blood vessels and the kidney in hypertension make up the largest part of the current issue of the Journal of Hypertension and deserve a special mention. A group of articles investigate diagnostic and pathophysiological aspectsof arterial stiffness. In anumberof youngmale individuals, Schroeder et al. (pp. 2454–2461) have found that arterial stiffness, measured as pulse wave velocity (PWV), cardio-ankle vascular index and carotid beta-stiffness index, increases with an increasingly upright body position and conclude carotid beta-stiffness index needs to be calibrated accounting for hydrostatic effects of gravity if measured in a sitting position. In a groupof overweight–obese hypertensive patients, Barone-Gibbs et al. (pp. 2411–2418) report that interrupting prolonged sitting during deskwork with intermittent standing slightly, but significantlydecreasedcarotid-ankle PWV. Osman et al. (pp. 2436–2442) have investigated PWV and augmentation index (AIx) in a number of healthy women in the third trimester of pregnancy at four different time points over a 24-h period and found that PWV and AIx were not significantly different at the four times of the day, concluding that these measurements do not need to be undertaken at a specific time period of the day. In 1307 community participants, Hodson et al. (pp. 2443–2453) report that, beyond baseline blood pressure (BP), pulsatile hemodynamics rather than steady-state pressures account for end-organ effects more consistently across the normotensive than the hypertensive BP range, and suggest that targeting aortic pulsatile hemodynamic changes may best limit BP-related cardiovascular risk within the normotensive BP range. In 3055 participants of the Malmö Diet and Cancer study 2007–2012, carotid–femoral PWV was not associated with prevalent dementia and did not predict incident dementia (Nilsson et al., pp. 2462–2467). Finally, Nie et al. (pp. 2419–2435) have investigated in mice whether a-solanine, a glycoalkaloid known to have antitumor activity indifferent cancers, reverses experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension by activating the tumor suppressor-axis inhibitor protein 2. Their results indicate that an inhibitory effect on pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and pulmonary artery endothelial cell angiogenic action in vivo and in vitro may be responsible fora-solanine-mediatedbeneficial effects on small pulmonary arteries and that a-solanine-induced apoptosis and antiinflammatory action may also contribute to the mitigation of pulmonary artery remodeling. In an accompanying editorial, Cheng et al. (pp. 2377–2379) find the results presented by Nie et al. open an exciting new direction in the therapeutic control of experimental pulmonary artery hypertension by a-solanine, but further studies are necessary to shed light on how a-solanine-mediated antipulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and apoptosis as well as
Knowledge-based support for scientific programming

The author considers how knowledge-based tools can support scientific computing, with a focus on the support of code generation. Scientific computing traditionally is carried out by mathematical modelers who write their own Fortran programs. As faster machines and new architectures make more complex problems computationally feasible, programming becomes more cost effective. Scientific computing comprises a variety of activities including model formulation, coding, and interpretation. The SINAPSE program synthesis system illustrates the use of knowledge-based techniques in model solution. SINAPSE is designed to be part of a problem-solving environment for forward modeling that includes several additional scientific programming activities. SINAPSE generates code by applying refinements and optimizing transformations, first producing an algorithm description and then an array-based, high-level language program before generating target code. SINAPSE generates implementations targeted toward a specified architecture. <<ETX>>
Epizootiological Investigation of Getah Virus Infection among Racehorses in Japan in 2014

ABSTRACT To clarify the factors causing an outbreak in 2014 of Getah virus infection among racehorses at the Miho training center, Japan, we isolated virus strains and performed an epizootiological investigation of affected horses and related horse populations. Three Getah virus isolates were recovered from clinical samples, and one of them (14-I-605) was used in a virus-neutralizing test. Of the affected horses (n = 33), 20 (60.6%) were 2-year-olds. We investigated the histories of Getah virus vaccination of the affected horses and the whole population at the Miho training center. Among the 2-year-old population, the prevalence of the disease in horses that had been vaccinated once was 14.1%. This was significantly higher than that in horses that had been vaccinated twice or more (1.3%; P < 0.01). Among horses that had entered the training center from farms in Ibaraki Prefecture surrounding the training center and from neighboring Chiba Prefecture, the rate of seropositivity for Getah virus was 13.0% in September 2014 and 42.9% in October 2014; that in the corresponding periods in 2010 and 2013 was 0%. In conclusion, we identified two possible causes of the outbreak of Getah virus infection in the training center in 2014: (i) the existence of susceptible horses that had received only one dose of vaccination before the outbreak and (ii) increased risk of exposure to the virus because of epizootic Getah virus infection among horses on surrounding farms in Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures.
Cytologic diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors by endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration: A review

Precise localization and diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) is important, because pancreatic PETs have different clinical and biological behavior and treatment modalities than do exocrine pancreatic tumors. In contrast to the much more common exocrine adenocarcinomas, cytologic studies of PET are relatively rare and many cytopathologists lack experience with the cytomorphologic features of these tumors.
On reducing response time for VPN traffic

A successful migration from traditional private networks (PNs) to virtual private networks (VPNs) depends on the ability of VPNs to offer similar quality of service (QoS) guarantees. To approach this goal, we propose to use priority scheduling based on flow size differentiation at the edge devices of the VPN. We evaluate the shortest elapsed time (SET) scheduling policy and compare it to different scheduling policies for both, high and low variance flow size distributions. The results show that SET is a more suitable policy than the traditional FIFO policy in terms of minimizing the response time. In particular, SET offers significantly lower mean response time for flow sizes with a high variance than flow sizes with a low variance. We also propose an implementation of SET for VPN customer edge (CE) devices.
The temporal dynamics of the tracheal microbiome in tracheostomised patients with and without lower respiratory infections

Background Airway microbiota dynamics during lower respiratory infection (LRI) are still poorly understood due, in part, to insufficient longitudinal studies and lack of uncontaminated lower airways samples. Furthermore, the similarity between upper and lower airway microbiomes is still under debate. Here we compare the diversity and temporal dynamics of microbiotas directly sampled from the trachea via tracheostomy in patients with (YLRI) and without (NLRI) lower respiratory infections. Methods We prospectively collected 127 tracheal aspirates across four consecutive meteorological seasons (quarters) from 40 patients, of whom 20 developed LRIs and 20 remained healthy. All aspirates were collected when patients had no LRI. We generated 16S rRNA-based microbial profiles (~250 bp) in a MiSeq platform and analyzed them using Mothur and the SILVAv123 database. Differences in microbial diversity and taxon normalized (via negative binomial distribution) abundances were assessed using linear mixed effects models and multivariate analysis of variance. Results and discussion Alpha-diversity (ACE, Fisher and phylogenetic diversity) and beta-diversity (Bray-Curtis, Jaccard and Unifrac distances) indices varied significantly (P<0.05) between NLRI and YLRI microbiotas from tracheostomised patients. Additionally, Haemophilus was significantly (P = 0.009) more abundant in YLRI patients than in NLRI patients, while Acinetobacter, Corynebacterium and Pseudomonas (P<0.05) showed the inverse relationship. We did not detect significant differences in diversity and bacterial abundance among seasons. This result disagrees with previous evidence suggesting seasonal variation in airway microbiotas. Further study is needed to address the interaction between microbes and LRI during times of health and disease.
Unit Cell for Frequency-Tunable Beamscanning Reflectarrays

A reflectarray cell able to dynamically control the reflection phase at a variable frequency is presented. This capability enables beam-scanning reflectarrays with frequency reconfigurability, which is a novel capability with applications in frequency-hopping systems, cognitive radio and satellite communications. The proposed cell combines switching and variable impedance loading techniques to maximize the frequency range over which a large dynamic phase range can be obtained. Analytical and numerical approaches are used to design and optimize the reflecting cell, which uses two semiconductor RF-switches and one varactor. An analog phase range above 270 ° is achieved over a 50% frequency range, from 1.88 GHz to 3.07 GHz, with flat losses of 0.8 dB. For an analog phase range of 180 ° the cell achieves a 1:2 frequency reconfiguration range. It is also verified that the cell preserves good performance, and in particular low crosspolarization, under oblique incidence as well. A fully operational cell was fabricated and measured, demonstrating good agreement with simulation results.
The Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register 1975-1997: An update with special emphasis on 41,223 knees operated on in 1988-1997

From 1975, when the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register (SKAR) started, until the end of 1997, 57,533 primary arthroplasties and revisions have been registered. Recently, the register underwent a comprehensive validation and update regarding revisions. We now report on general demographic and epidemiological data for the whole period and on the survivorship of arthroplasties performed in Sweden during 1988-1997. During this 10-year period, 41,223 primary knee arthroplasties were performed on 34,877 patients. We found, as in our earlier reports, that survivorship was affected by patient-, time-, implant- and method-related factors but, apart from an overall higher cumulative revision rate, general conclusions reported from the register in recent years appeared to be unaffected.
Large-area dielectric breakdown performance of polymer films – Part II: Interdependence of filler content, processing and breakdown performance in polypropylene-silica nanocomposites

In this study, large-area dielectric breakdown performances of various bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP)-silica nanocomposite films are studied by utilizing the self-healing multi-breakdown method presented in the Part I of this publication. In particular, the effects of silica filler content, pre-mixing method, co-stabilizer content and film processing on the large-area breakdown performance are analyzed. Nanostructural and film cross-sectional analyses are correlated to the breakdown responses. The optimum silica filler content is found to reside at the low fill fraction level (~1 wt-%) and automatic pre-mixing of the raw materials and the optimization of the orientation temperature are found to be preferable. The co-stabilizer Irgafos 168 is found to have a significant effect on the breakdown distribution homogeneity of the reference BOPP films. The breakdown response of the silica nanocomposites is found to be not only dependent on the active measurement area but also on the voltage ramp rate, indicating that the silica nanocomposites exhibit altered internal charge behavior under DC electric field. The area- and ramp-rate-dependence results exemplify the importance of careful breakdown strength evaluation of dielectric polymer nanocomposites. Above all, the results emphasize the fact that a thorough understanding and the optimization of the film processing parameters are crucial for achieving improved breakdown response in dielectric polymer nanocomposite films.
Hepatic portal vein infusion of glucose and sodium solutions on the control of saline drinking in the rat.

1. Rats were prepared under anaesthesia with non‐occlusive catheters in hepatic portal vein (HP) and inferior vena cava (VC) and maintained under standard conditions. 2. Each rat received a series (3 day intervals) of 30 min infusions of different solutions or sham into HP or VC. Oral intake of 0.15 M‐NaCl and water were measured for 30 min. Significant change in drinking behaviour was assumed when the response to HP infusion differed from both sham and VC infusion. 3. Saline drinking was inhibited by HP infusion of 1 M‐ or 2M‐NaCl, an effect blocked by right vagotomy or by addition of 16 mM‐KCl to the infusate. 4. Saline drinking was increased and water drinking decreased by HP infusion of 2 M‐glucose but not sucrose or fructose. 5. Saline drinking was decreased by HP infusion of deoxy‐D‐glucose to inhibit glucose utilization or ouabain to inhibit (Na4‐K+) ATPase. 6. Results are consistent with the presence of afferent nerve terminals in hepatic portal vessels which are sensitive to change in NaCl or glucose concentration and which, in response thereto, alter drinking behaviour. The effects of NaCl and glucose on the discharge rate of the nerve terminals may be interpreted in terms of changing activity or electrogenicity of a Na pump but changes in membrane conductance or Na influx cannot be ruled out.
COAGULASE-NEGATIVE MUTANTS OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS: GENETIC STUDIES

Korman, Ruth Z. (Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.). Coagulase-negative mutants of Staphylococcus aureus: genetic studies. J. Bacteriol. 86:363–369. 1963. —The behavior in mutation and transduction of pleiotropic coagulase-negative mutants of Staphylococcus aureus PS 53 (NCTC 8511) was analyzed. Coagulase-positive colonies were recovered, as well as a novel phenotype resistant to some cell-wall inhibitors and differing in sugar fermentation pattern. The hypothesis that the coagulase-negative strains differ from the original propagating strain in the structure or organization of the cell wall is discussed.
Veterinarni Medicina , 56 , 2011 ( 9 ) : 430 – 452 430 Bluetongue : a review

Bluetongue is a non-contagious disease of domestic and wild ruminants caused by a virus within the Orbivirus genus of the family Reoviridae and transmitted by Culicoides biting midges. It is a reportable disease of considerable socioeconomic concern and of major importance for the international trade of animals and animal products. In the past, bluetongue endemic areas were found between latitudes 40°N and 35°S; however, bluetongue has recently spread far beyond this traditional range. This is in accordance with the extension of areas in which the biting midge Culicoides imicola, the major vector of the virus in the “Old World”, is active. After 1998 new serotypes of bluetongue virus (BTV) were discovered in Southern European and Mediterranean countries. Since 2006 BTV-serotype 8 has also been reported from the countries in Northern and Western Europe where Culicoides imicola has not been found. In such cases, BTV is transmitted by Palearctic biting midges, such as C. obsoletus or C. dewulfi, and the disease has thus spread much further north than BTV has ever previously been detected. New BTV serotypes have recently been identified also in Israel, Australia and the USA. This review presents comprehensive information on this dangerous disease including its history, spread, routes of transmission and host range, as well as the causative agent and pathogenesis and diagnosis of the disease. It also deals with relevant preventive and control measures to be implemented in areas with bluetongue outbreaks.
Low quiescent current LDO with improved load transient

Design analysis of CMOS low dropout regulator (LDO)focusing on low quiescent current and load transient improvement methodologies and structures are discussed in this paper.Low quiescent current in battery-operated systems is an intrinsic performance parameter because it partially determines battery life. Load transient improvement helps avoiding malfunction, reset, latch up or fail of microprocessor which is supplied from the LDO. Some low quiescent current LDOs witmicroprocessh improved load transient are included and analysed.
Cyclic-Clustering: A Compromise between Tree-Clustering and Cycle-Cutset Method for Improving Search Efficiency

An automatic speed ratio control system of the integration servo mechanism type for a stepless transmission of an automotive vehicle. Speed ratio is controlled by a hydraulic pump motor of variable displacement type, which in turn is controlled by an actuator having a piston and a cylinder to which hydraulic oil is supplied. The system comprises a target value generator which produces a target value for an engine speed corresponding to a throttle opening or an output torque of an engine, or which produces a target value for an engine output torque corresponding to a throttle opening or an engine speed; a detector for producing a signal indicative of an engine speed or an output torque of an engine; a control signal generator for comparing the signal from the detector against the signal from the target value generator to produce a control signal in accordance with a deviation therebetween; and a controller responsive to the control signal to drive the actuator to change a speed ratio of the stepless transmission. The system is characterized by further comprising means for controlling a gain of the alteration rate of the speed ratio in response to a rotational speed of an output shaft of the stepless transmission to increase the alteration rate when the rotational speed of the output shaft is low and decrease the alteration rate when the rotational speed of the output shaft is high.
Genetic Modification of T Cells

Gene transfer technology and its application to human gene therapy greatly expanded in the last decade. One area of investigation that appears particularly promising is the transfer of new genetic material into T cells for the potential treatment of cancer. Herein, we describe several core technologies that now yield high-efficiency gene transfer into primary human T cells. These gene transfer techniques include viral-based gene transfer methods based on modified Retroviridae and non-viral methods such as DNA-based transposons and direct transfer of mRNA by electroporation. Where specific examples are cited, we emphasize the transfer of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to T cells, which permits engineered T cells to recognize potential tumor antigens.
Test Efficiency Analysis and Improvement of SOC Test Platforms

Employing a test platform in an SOC design has been shown to be an effective method for SOC testing. However the test efficiency problem of a test platform has not been addressed. In this paper, we formally analyze the test efficiency of test platforms and seek for its optimization. We formulate the required numbers of test cycles for test platforms implemented with different test structures and/or executed with different test procedures. It is shown that up to 24X test time difference for platforms with different test structures/procedures is possible. Based on the derived formula, an appropriate test platform that can achieve best test efficiency with minimal area overhead can be determined.
Bearing data association in the presence of clutter using a fictitious antenna array

We propose a novel approach to solve the bearing data association problem in the presence of clutter. The key idea is to interpret the azimuth measurements as being generated by an antenna array. In contrast to the traditional Hough transform approach, this direct estimator requires, in principle, no additional parameters like bearing variances. Furthermore, we present an improvement of both approaches using a peakpicking strategy. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations are carried out to evaluate the performance of the two bearing data association approaches. In the considered cases of large bearing errors and high clutter density, the fictitious array approach outperforms the Hough transform approach.
Ultra-Wideband Band-Pass Filter with controllable arbitrary notched bands using CRLH-TL

An UWB (Ultra WideBand) BPF(Band-Pass Filter) with two notched bands is presented, using the lumped elements and microstrip lines. The proposed filter has two parts that are a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter. The high-pass filter consists of the microstrip and lumped elements for controllable arbitrary notched bands. In addition, the low-pass filter is designed on the ground plane using DGS structure. So the proposed filter is very compact. And it can control each notched band easily by changing lumped element values. The performance is predicted using simulations and verified experimentally. The fabricated filter has FBW of 115% at a center frequency 6.7GHz, insertion loss less than 0.6dB and return loss more than 14dB.
A Review on Discrete-event Simulation and System Dynamics Studies for Healthcare Problems

Modeling is the major necessity to enhance the existing systems. Healthcare systems also need to model for advancing delivered services without compromising any other objectives. Thus, simulation techniques are frequently preferred in healthcare problems. As was to be expected, simulation has various applications which yields result in different perspectives. This study discusses two popular simulation techniques; discrete event simulation and system dynamics techniques in healthcare system applications. The applications are examined under four main branches based on their scopes. As a result, this paper evaluates which of these simulation techniques is more practical for different natured healthcare problems.