Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Axonal Change in Minor Head Injury

Anterograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in selected cerebral and cerebellar efferents was studied in cats subjected to minor head injury. After trauma, the animals were allowed to survive from one to 24 hours, when they were perfused with aldehydes and processed for the light and electron microscopic visualization of the peroxidase reaction product. By light microscopy, the brain injury elicited an initial intra-axonal peroxidase pooling. With longer post-traumatic survival, HRP pooling increased in size, demonstrated frequent tabulation, and ultimately formed large ball- or club-like swellings which suggested frank axonal separation from the distal axonal segment. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the initial intra-axonal peroxidase pooling was associated with organelle accumulation which occurred without any other form of axonal change or related parenchymal or vascular damage. This accumulation of organelles increased with time and was associated with conspicuous axonal swelling. Ultimately these organelle-laden swellings lost continuity with the distal axonal segment and the axonal swelling was either completely invested by a thin myelin sheath or protruded without myelin investment into the brain parenchyma. This study suggests that axonal change is a consistent feature of minor head injury. Since these axonal changes occurred without any evidence of focal parenchymal or vascular damage, minor brain injury may ultimately disrupt axons without physically shearing or tearing them.
Trajectory-based design of robust stabilizing controllers for polytopic uncertain systems

This paper deals with a design problem of robust controllers for polytopic uncertain systems. The proposed design method is based on computation of the trajectory for the uncertain system and differs from the existing methods based on quadratic stabilization via Lyapunov criterion. In this paper, we show that sufficient conditions for asymptotical stability of the polytopic uncertain system and a LMI-based design algorithm of a robust stabilizing controller. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed design scheme is shown through illustrative examples.
Co-movement among US, Frontier and BRIC Equity Markets after the Financial Crisis

The study attempts to capture static (long-run) as well as short-run time-varying co-movement among the US, frontier and Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) equity markets (Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) indices) in a multivariate framework after the recent global financial crisis, that is, during the easy money policy regime adopted by the emerged nations. The study employs Johansen cointegration and VAR (p) ADCC-MVGARCH (1,1) models ranging from August 2010 to August 2015. Apart from this, efficient tests of causality inspired from Hill (2007, Journal of Applied Econometrics, 22(4), 747–765) are also employed to account for dynamic interactions between the co-movement coefficients. The Johansen cointegration model does not support the existence of a stochastic trend among the variables. However, asymmetric dynamic conditional correlation-multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic model (ADCC-MVGARCH (1,1) model) results indicate time-varying co-movement among the underlying stock markets. The highest level of co-movement has been observed between the US and BRIC equity markets. On the other hand, co-movement between the US and frontier markets is found to be the lowest among others. On an average, 1-dollar long position in the US equity market should be shorted by 0.52 and 0.48 cents in the frontier and BRIC equity markets, respectively, across the sample time period. The efficient causality tests report indirect impact of co-movement between the US-frontier markets on the BRIC-frontier markets’ co-movement. The results critically support construction of a portfolio comprising stocks from the US, frontier and BRIC equity markets considering long-run and short-run co-movement among the variables.
Low-Loss Broadband Package Platform With Surface Passivation and TSV for Wafer-Level Packaging of RF-MEMS Devices

Packaging of radio frequency (RF) microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices requires a good electrical performance, and thus requires the parasitic effects of packaging to be minimal. This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of improved low-loss wafer-level packaging (WLP) platform with through-silicon-via (TSV) interposer for RF-MEMS packaging. The insertion loss because of parasitic effects is reduced using optimized grounding configuration and surface passivation. The coplanar waveguide (CPW) test vehicle, high-frequency antenna, RF tuner, and film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) filter are fabricated and characterized using the developed WLP platform with TSV. To determine the RF performance of the package, the CPW transmission lines are fabricated on high-resistivity Si substrates, and the grounding configuration is optimized. The fabrication of the RF-MEMS WLP involves the process of a TSV cap wafer and CPW transmission lines or RF MEMS on the substrate wafer. TSV cap process includes TSV etching, void-free TSV plating, and redistribution layer postprocess on thin TSV wafer. The electrical characterization of the fabricated devices is performed. The optimized model has a wide bandwidth of 26.5 GHz and a packaging loss of 0.1 dB at 10 GHz. This implies that the effect of packaging on the performance of RF device is expected to be minor. The developed WLP platform is used for the 94-GHz antenna, RF tuner, and FBAR filter packaging and the characterization of RF-MEMS devices is presented.
Paracetamol Fails to Positively Modulate and Directly Activate Chloride Currents in Human α1-Glycine Receptors

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a widely used antipyretic and analgesic drug for mild or moderate pain states. As the primary site of action of paracetamol is still the subject of ongoing discussion, the focus of this study is the investigation of a potential mechanism which might contribute to its beneficial effects in the therapy of pain. Loss of inhibitory synaptic transmission within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord plays a key role in the development of pain following inflammation or nerve injury. Inhibitory postsynaptic transmission in the adult spinal cord involves mainly glycine. In this study we investigated the interaction of paracetamol with strychnine-sensitive α1-glycine receptors (α1-GlyR). α1-GlyR subunits transiently expressed in HEK-293 cells were studied using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique and a piezo-controlled liquid filament fast application system. Paracetamol fails to show a positive allosteric modulatory effect in low nano- to micromolar concentrations and lacks direct activation in micromolar concentrations at the α1-GlyR. Consequently, the analgesic actions of paracetamol leading to pain relief appear to be mediated via other mechanisms, but not via activation of spinal glycinergic pathways.
Stress Management in Medical Education: A Review of the Literature

Purpose To review systematically clinical studies providing empirical data on stress-management programs in medical training. Method The authors searched Medline and PSYCHINFO from 1966 to 1999. Studies were included if they evaluated stress-management programs for medical trainees (medical students, interns, or residents); reported empirical data; and had been conducted at allopathic medical schools. Results Although the search yielded over 600 articles discussing the importance of addressing the stress of medical education, only 24 studies reported intervention programs, and only six of those used rigorous scientific method. Results revealed that medical trainees participating in stress-management programs demonstrated (1) improved immunologic functioning, (2) decreases in depression and anxiety, (3) increased spirituality and empathy, (4) enhanced knowledge of alternative therapies for future referrals, (5) improved knowledge of the effects of stress, (6) greater use of positive coping skills, and (7) the ability to resolve role conflicts. Despite these promising results, the studies had many limitations. Conclusion The following considerations should be incorporated into future research: (1) rigorous study design, including randomization and control (comparison) groups, (2) measurement of moderator variables to determine which intervention works best for whom, (3) specificity of outcome measures, and (4) follow-up assessment, including effectiveness of future patient care.
Comparison of Activities of the Host-Specific Toxin of Helminthosporium maydis, Race T, and a Synthetic C(41) Analog.

It previously had been proposed that the host-selective toxin of Helminthosporium maydis race T consists of a series of unusual linear (C(35) to C(45))polyketols, of equal toxicity on a weight or molar (10(-8)-10(-9)) basis. Previous laboratory synthesis of T-toxin analogs was limited to shorter (C(15) to C(26)) versions which possessed the requisite specificity for susceptible corn (Zea mays) but were less toxic on a weight or molar (10(-6)-10(-7)) basis. In the present study, a C(41) analog with four beta-ketol units spaced by CH(2) bridges as in native toxin has been synthesized. On a weight or molar basis, it is as effective as native toxin or its purified components in stimulating NADH oxidation of mitochondria from susceptible corn, thus providing firm evidence for the correctness of the proposed structures of T-toxin. Additional support derives from the observation that C(24) and C(26) analogs with -(CH(2))(4)- and -(CH(2))(6)- bridges between ketol groups are not as effective in stimulating NADH oxidation as are C(23) and C(25) analogs with the -(CH(2))(3)- and -(CH(2))(5)- bridges of native T-toxin.It was calculated that a single molecule of the C(41) analog is at least 300 times more effective in stimulating mitochondrial oxidation than a molecule of the C(23) or C(25) analogs. This emphasizes the importance of chain length for toxicity, perhaps through perturbation of membrane functions of mitochondria and/or chloroplasts.
Proanthocyanidin content, antioxidant capacity and scavenger activity of Portuguese sparkling wines (Bairrada Appellation of Origin).

BACKGROUND The main object of the present study was to investigate the different proanthocyanidin fraction (monomeric, oligomeric and polymeric fraction) contents, antioxidant capacity and scavenger activity of the most important and representative commercial sparkling wines available in Bairrada Portuguese Appellation of Origin. RESULTS The white commercial sparkling wines tested had much less total phenolic, proanthocyanidin content, antioxidant capacity and scavenger activity than the sparkling red wines. For all white and red sparkling wines the polymeric fraction of proanthocyanidins was the most abundant fraction quantified. The antioxidant capacity was positively correlated with the different proanthocyanidin fractions studied. However, in general, higher correlations between total polyphenols, different proanthocyanidin fractions and antioxidant capacity were found only for red sparkling wines. CONCLUSION The results confirm that Portuguese sparkling wines from Bairrada Appellation of Origin are good sources of antioxidants when compared with other wines elaborated from other grapes varieties and from other regions. At same time, good linear correlations between the levels of each different proanthocyanidin fractions and total polyphenols with antioxidant capacity were found for the commercial sparkling wines analysed.
Decentralized Deep Scheduling for Interference Channels

In this paper, we study the problem of decentralized scheduling in Interference Channels (IC). In this setting, each Transmitter (TX) receives an arbitrary amount of feedback regarding the global multi-user channel state based on which it decides whether to transmit or to stay silent without any form of communication with the other TXs. While many methods have been proposed to tackle the problem of link scheduling in the presence of reliable Channel State Information (CSI), finding the optimally robust transmission strategy in the presence of arbitrary channel uncertainties at each TX has remained elusive for the past years. In this work, we recast the link scheduling problem as a decentralized classification problem and we propose the use of Collaborative Deep Neural Networks (C-DNNs) to solve this problem. After adequate training, the scheduling obtained using the C-DNNs flexibly adapts to the decentralized CSI configuration to outperform other scheduling algorithms.
Arterial pulse wave analysis: An accurate means of determining cardiac output in children*

Objective: Cardiac output is a useful measure of myocardial performance. Standard methods of determining cardiac output are not without risk and can be problematic in children. Arterial pulse wave analysis (PulseCO), a novel, minimally invasive cardiac output determination technique, offers the advantage of continuous monitoring, convenience, and low risk. This technique has not been validated in children. The purpose of this study was to validate PulseCO as an accurate means of noninvasively determining real-time cardiac output in children. Design: Prospective, single-center evaluation. Setting: Children’s hospital. Patients: Any child with a structurally normal heart, undergoing hemodynamic evaluation in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, was included. Interventions: A prograde right heart catheterization was performed, and cardiac output was determined using the thermodilution technique, via placement of a pulmonary arterial catheter. Measurements and Main Results: Thermodilution results were compared with continuous real-time cardiac output measurements obtained with the PulseCO system, and they were then analyzed by standard correlation techniques and Bland-Altman analysis. Twenty patients were evaluated with a median age of 10.5 yrs and a median weight of 25 kg. The mean thermodilution cardiac index was 3.3 ± 0.9 L/min/m2, whereas the mean PulseCO cardiac index was 3.1 ± 0.9 L/min/m2. Standard Pearson correlation tests revealed a correlation coefficient of . 94 (p < .001). Bland-Altman analysis revealed excellent clinical agreement with a mean difference of 0.19 L/min/m2 and a precision of 0.28 L/min/m2 at 2 sd. Conclusions: Arterial pulse wave analysis by the PulseCO system provides a novel, minimally invasive method of determining real-time cardiac output in children.
Comparison of physical, chemical and cellular responses to nano- and micro-sized calcium silicate/poly(ϵ-caprolactone) bioactive composites

In this study, we fabricated nano-sized calcium silicate/poly(ϵ-caprolactone) composite (n-CPC) and micro-sized calcium silicate/poly(ϵ-caprolactone) composite (m-CPC). The composition, mechanical properties, hydrophilicity and degradability of both n-CPC and m-CPC were determined, and in vitro bioactivity was evaluated by investigating apatite forming on their surfaces in simulated body fluid (SBF). In addition, cell responses to the two kinds of composites were comparably investigated. The results indicated that n-CPC has superior hydrophilicity, compressive strength and elastic modulus properties compared with m-CPC. Both n-CPC and m-CPC exhibited good in vitro bioactivity, with different morphologies of apatite formation on their surfaces. The apatite layer on n-CPC was more homogeneous and compact than on m-CPC, due to the elevated levels of calcium and silicon concentrations in SBF from n-CPC throughout the 14-day soaking period. Significantly higher levels of attachment and proliferation of MG63 cells were observed on n-CPC than on m-CPC, and significantly higher levels of alkaline phosphatase activity were observed in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on n-CPC than on m-CPC after 7 days. Scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that hMSCs were in intimate contact with both n-CPC and m-CPC surfaces, and significantly cell adhesion, spread and growth were observed on n-CPC and m-CPC. These results indicated that both n-CPC and m-CPC have the ability to support cell attachment, growth, proliferation and differentiation, and also yield good bioactivity and biocompatibility.
An Overview of American Higher Education

This overview of postsecondary education in the United States reviews the dramatic changes over the past fifty years in the students who go to college, the institutions that produce higher education, and the ways it is financed. The article, by Sandy Baum, Charles Kurose, and Michael McPherson, creates the context for the articles that follow on timely issues facing the higher education community and policy makers. The authors begin by observing that even the meaning of college has changed. The term that once referred primarily to a four-year period of academic study now applies to virtually any postsecondary study—academic or occupational, public or private, two-year or four-year—that can result in a certificate or degree. They survey the factors underlying the expansion of postsecondary school enrollments; the substantial increases in female, minority, disadvantaged, and older students; the development of public community colleges; and the rise of for-profit colleges. They discuss the changing ways in which federal and state governments help students and schools defray the costs of higher education as well as more recent budget tensions that are now reducing state support to public colleges. And they review the forces that have contributed to the costs of producing higher education and thus rising tuitions. The authors also cite evidence on broad measures of college persistence and outcomes, including low completion rates at community and for-profit colleges, the increasing need for remedial education for poorly prepared high school students, and a growing gap between the earnings of those with a bachelor’s degree and those with less education. They disagree with critics who say that investments in higher education, particularly for students at the margin, no longer pay off. A sustained investment in effective education at all levels is vital to the nation’s future, they argue. But they caution that the American public no longer seems willing to pay more for more students to get more education. They therefore urge the higher education community to make every effort to find innovations, including creative uses of information technology, that can hold down costs while producing quality education.
Secondary prevention by raising HDL cholesterol and reducing triglycerides in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND Coronary heart disease patients with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, high triglyceride levels, or both are at an increased risk of cardiovascular events, but the clinical impact of raising HDL-C or decreasing triglycerides remains to be confirmed. METHODS AND RESULTS In a double-blind trial, 3090 patients with a previous myocardial infarction or stable angina, total cholesterol of 180 to 250 mg/dL, HDL-C < or =45 mg/dL, triglycerides < or =300 mg/dL, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol < or =180 mg/dL were randomized to receive either 400 mg of bezafibrate per day or a placebo; they were followed for a mean of 6.2 years. The primary end point was fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction or sudden death. Bezafibrate increased HDL-C by 18% and reduced triglycerides by 21%. The frequency of the primary end point was 13. 6% on bezafibrate versus 15.0% on placebo (P=0.26). After 6.2 years, the reduction in the cumulative probability of the primary end point was 7.3%, (P=0.24). In a post hoc analysis in the subgroup with high baseline triglycerides (> or =200 mg/dL), the reduction in the cumulative probability of the primary end point by bezafibrate was 39.5% (P=0.02). Total and noncardiac mortality rates were similar, and adverse events and cancer were equally distributed. CONCLUSIONS Bezafibrate was safe and effective in elevating HDL-C levels and lowering triglycerides. An overall trend in a reduction of the incidence of primary end points was observed. The reduction in the primary end point in patients with high baseline triglycerides (> or =200 mg/dL) requires further confirmation.
A Novel Homogeneous Mesh Grouping Scheme for Broadcast Cognitive Pilot Channel in Cognitive Wireless Networks

With the irreversible trend of the convergence and cooperation among heterogeneous wireless networks, the need for network information awareness of user equipments (UEs) becomes increasingly imperative in the Cognitive Wireless Networks (CWN). As one of the candidate solutions for network information delivery for UEs, the Cognitive Pilot Channel (CPC) concept has been brought forward recently, providing UEs with the necessary network information for network selection by using the public signaling channel. Besides, both broadcast and on-demand CPC modes have been proposed for the network information delivery under the assumption that the geographical region is divided into meshes. In this paper, a novel homogeneous mesh grouping (HoMGP) scheme based broadcast CPC mode is designed to improve the efficiency of broadcast CPC mode in the CWN. The homogeneous meshes are selected and grouped based on the frequency occupancy graph, which is obtained by using the image processing techniques. By grouping the homogeneous meshes together, both the frame format and flow of the HoMGP broadcast CPC mode are designed to deliver heterogeneous network information to the UEs efficiently, which is verified by numerous simulation results.
Low systemic vascular resistance state in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence, hemodynamic characteristics, and risk factors for the low systemic vascular resistance (SVR) state in patients who have undergone cardiopulmonary bypass. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING The intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS Seventy-nine consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft, mitral valve, or aortic valve procedures. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Low SVR was defined as an indexed systemic vascular resistance (SVRi) of <1800 dyne x sec/cm5 x m2 at two consecutive times postoperatively. SVRi, cardiac index, mean arterial pressure, temperature, and central venous pressure were recorded before bypass and at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 hrs after bypass. We recorded age, gender, urgency of operation, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers, ejection fraction, pump time, cross-clamp time, use of antifibrinolytics, type of oxygenator, amrinone use, postoperative biochemical and hematologic values, medication use, fluid balance, intensive care unit admission duration, and hospital admission duration. We assessed the role of diabetes mellitus, current smoking, and systemic hypertension. The incidence of the low-SVR state was 35 of 79 patients during a 3-month period (44%). At 8 hrs postoperatively, the SVRi in low-SVR and non-low-SVR patients was 1594+/-50 (SEM) and 2103+/-56 (SEM) dyne x sec/cm5 x m2, respectively (p < .001). In low-SVR patients, there was an initial and sustained increase in cardiac index and central venous pressure that preceded the decrease in mean arterial pressure. The decrease in mean arterial pressure was maximal at 8 hrs postoperatively. Patients with low SVR were more likely to have longer cross-clamp times, to be male, and to have lower postoperative platelet counts (p < .05 for all). Low-SVR patients were less likely to require dobutamine in the first 4 hrs postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS Low SVR, a probable manifestation of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, is common in patients after cardiopulmonary bypass. These patients may respond better to a vasopressor to restore vascular tone than to volume loading to further increase cardiac index.