Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exercise increases arterial stiffness independent of blood pressure in older Veterans

Background: Exercise-induced changes in arterial function could contribute to a hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) in older individuals. We performed the present analysis to define the acute arterial stiffness response to exercise in ambulatory older adults. Methods: Thirty-nine Veterans (>60 years old), without known cardiovascular disease, participated in this study, including 19 Veterans who were hypertensive (70.8 ± 6.8 years, 53% women) and 20 Veterans who were normotensive (72.0 ± 9.3 years, 40% women). Arterial stiffness parameters were measured locally with carotid artery ultrasound and regionally with carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) before and during the 10 min after participants performed a Balke maximal exercise treadmill stress test. Results: The arterial stiffness response to exercise was similar for control and hypertensive participants. At 6 min postexercise, cfPWV was significantly increased (Δ1.5 ± 1.9 m/s, P = 0.004) despite mean blood pressure (BP) having returned to its baseline value (Δ1 ± 8 mmHg, P = 0.79). Arterial mechanics modeling also showed BP-independent increases in arterial stiffness with exercise (P < 0.05). Postexercise cfPWV was correlated with postexercise SBP (r = 0.50, P = 0.004) while baseline cfPWV (r = 0.13, P = 1.00), and postexercise total peripheral resistance (r = −0.18, P = 1.00) were not. Conclusion: In older Veterans, exercise increases arterial stiffness independently of BP and the arterial stiffness increase with exercise is associated with increased postexercise SBP. BP-independent increases in arterial stiffness with exercise could contribute to a HRE in older adults.
The burden of surgical site infections and related antibiotic resistance in two geographic regions of Sierra Leone: a prospective study

Introduction: Despite the prolongation of hospitalization, increase in morbidity, mortality and cost of care associated with both surgical site infections (SSIs) and antibiotic resistance, there are limited data on SSIs and antibiotic resistance to guide prevention strategies in Sierra Leone. Methods: This study assessed the burden of SSIs and related antibiotic resistance in the 34 Military Hospital (MH) and Makeni Government Hospital (MGH) located in two geographic regions of Sierra Leone using a prospective study design to collect data from adults aged 18 years or older. Results: Of the 417 patients, 233 (55.9%) were enrolled in MGH. Most were women 294 (70.5%). The incidence rate of SSI was 5.5 per 1000 patient-days, and the cumulative incidence of SSI was 8.2%. Common bacteria isolated in MH were Escherichia coli (6,33.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3,16.7%) and in MGH were P. aeruginosa (3,42.9%) and Proteus mirabilis (2,28.9%). Of the gram-negative bacteria, 40% were Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, 33% were Carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa and 10% were carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Conclusion: Although the incidence of SSIs in our study is lower than previously reported, the rate of antibiotic resistance reported in this study is high. Urgent action is needed to invest in the microbiology infrastructure to support SSI surveillance and prevention strategies.
Twendee X, a mixed antioxidant supplement, improves cognitive function, coordination, and neurotrophic factor expression in long-term vitamin E-deficient mice

Oxidation products gradually accumulate during senescence, enhancing the risk of onset of many severe diseases. One such disease is dementia, and the number of cases of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, has been increasing world-wide. These diseases can be prevented via attenuation of age-related physiological dysfunction; one preventive approach is the ingestion of antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. Many antioxidants are readily available commercially. Ingestion of mixed antioxidants is expected to provide further beneficial effects for human health. In this study, we used vitamin E-deficient mice as an animal model of increased oxidative stress and assessed the effects of dosing with mixed antioxidants. Administration of a commercial mixed antioxidant formula, Twendee X significantly improved cognitive function and coordination compared to untreated vitamin E-deficient animals. Furthermore, the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor were significantly increased in the cerebral cortex of Twendee X-dosed vitamin E-deficient mice compared to untreated animals. These results indicate that intake of a mixed antioxidant supplement may be beneficial to human health, even after oxidative stress has begun. In the next stage, it will be necessary to compare with other antioxidants and consider whether it is effective in the aged model.
Image halftoning using a visual model in error diffusion

Continued advances in binary image printers have spurred an increased interest in the use of digital image halftoning to generate low-cost images that have the appearance of gray levels. However, at current print resolutions for desktop applications, i.e., 300–400 dots/in. (dpi), the binary noise resulting from halftoning is clearly visible at normal viewing distances. Halftoning algorithms that reduce the visibility of this noise result in smoother gray levels and higher-quality output images. We introduce a new method of gray-level image halftoning that uses visual modeling within the framework of error diffusion to improve the image quality of halftoned images.
Crystal structure of a pre-chemistry viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase suggests participation of two basic residues in catalysis

Abstract The nucleic acid polymerase-catalyzed nucleotidyl transfer reaction associated with polymerase active site closure is a key step in the nucleotide addition cycle (NAC). Two proton transfer events can occur in such a nucleotidyl transfer: deprotonation of the priming nucleotide 3′-hydroxyl nucleophile and protonation of the pyrophosphate (PPi) leaving group. In viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRPs), whether and how active site residues participate in this two-proton transfer reaction remained to be clarified. Here we report a 2.5 Å resolution crystal structure of enterovirus 71 (EV71) RdRP in a catalytically closed pre-chemistry conformation, with a proposed proton donor candidate K360 in close contact with the NTP γ-phosphate. Enzymology data reveal that K360 mutations not only reduce RdRP catalytic efficiency but also alter pH dependency profiles in both elongation and pre-elongation synthesis modes. Interestingly, mutations at R174, an RdRP-invariant residue in motif F, had similar effects with additional impact on the Michaelis constant of NTP (KM,NTP). However, direct participation in protonation was not evident for K360 or R174. Our data suggest that both K360 and R174 participate in nucleotidyl transfer, while their possible roles in acid–base or positional catalysis are discussed in comparison with other classes of nucleic acid polymerases.
Impact of Amiodarone Therapy on the Ablation Outcome of Ventricular Tachycardia in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

(1) Background: Catheter ablation (CA) is an accepted treatment option for drug-refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). This study investigates the effect of amiodarone on ablation outcomes in ARVC. (2) Methods: The study enrolled patients with ARVC undergoing CA of sustained VT. In all patients, substrate modification was performed to achieve non-inducible VT. The patients were categorized into two groups according to whether they had used amiodarone before CA. Baseline and electrophysiological characteristics, substrate, and outcomes were compared. (3) Results: A total of 72 ARVC patients were studied, including 29 (40.3%) “off” amiodarone and 43 (56.7%) “on” amiodarone. The scar area was similar between the two groups. Patients “off” amiodarone had smaller endocardial and epicardial areas with abnormal electrograms. Twenty of 43 patients (47.5%) “on” amiodarone discontinued it within 3 months after CA. During a mean follow-up period of 43.2 ± 29.5 months, higher VT recurrence was observed in patients “on” amiodarone. Patients “on” amiodarone who discontinued amiodarone after CA had a lower recurrence than those without. (4) Conclusions: Patients with ARVC “on” amiodarone before CA had distinct substrate characteristics and worse ablation outcomes than patients “off” amiodarone, especially in those who had used amiodarone continuously.
Results of route measurements of aerosol and gas impurities in the water area of Lake Baikal

The results of the experimental study of the concentration of small gas impurities and aerosol dispersion composition in the atmosphere under Lake Baikal in September 2021 are presented. Almost all the route observed short bursts in the concentration of gas components and aerosol due to the proximity to the continental sources of emissions. In spite of unfavorable weather conditions, a high share of anthropogenic components in the atmosphere was observed in the area of Listvyanka port. There was a sharp increase in the concentration of ozone and sulfur dioxide in the area of Aya Bay in the night hours due to displacement and destruction of the anticyclone in the adjacent coastal zone.
MÉTODOS DE CÁLCULO DEL VECTOR PAGERANK

Los algoritmos de busqueda de informacion en internet, como el PageRank de Google, constituyen un ejemplo excelente de aplicacion de las herramientas basicas del analisis matricial, las cadenas de Markov y el algebra lineal numerica. En este trabajo se ilustran los metodos de solucion que se usan para el calculo del vector PageRank: el metodo de la potencia y sus derivados (extrapolacion, adaptativo, Arnoldi y BlockRank), y los basados en la resolucion de un sistema lineal por metodos iterativos (Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel, Schwarz aditivo, metodos de subespacios de Krylov). Palabras clave: Motores de busqueda, PageRank, procesos de Markov, matrices no negativas, sistemas lineales, metodos iterativos, calculo cientifico. Clasificacion por materias AMS: 15A06, 65C40, 65F10, 65F15, 65F50
An Empirical Examination of the Impact of Initial Capital, Prior Experience, and R&D on SMEs’ Survival and Economic Performance: Moderating Role of Innovation Culture

SMEs’ survival and performance continue to be a central concern for strategy experts. Numerous factors affect the SMEs’ survival for new entrants in the industry. This study incorporates research on the survival and performance of new entrant SMEs in a relationship with initial capital investment, experience, R&D, and innovation culture. We examined the influence of the SMEs’ initial investment, experience, R&D, and innovation culture on their survival and performance guided by the evolutionary model of entry and exit to conclude whether these are positively related to each other. Further, we investigated moderated role of innovation culture between initial capital, experience, R&D, and firm performance. The outcomes of this study established on a large size sample of 337 SMEs suggest that firms with a large initial investment, prior experience, and R&D have higher probabilities of survival and economic performance, and innovation culture strengthens the relationship between predictor and outcome constructs.
Spin dynamics of triangular lattice antiferromagnet CuFeO 2 : Crossover from spin-liquid to paramagnetic phase

We have investigated the spin dynamics of triangular lattice antiferromagnet ${\text{CuFeO}}_{2}$ by measuring powder neutron inelastic-scattering spectra. A quasielastic component whose half-width oscillates with the magnitude of the scattering vector appears in the spectra above N\'eel temperature. A dynamics model representing the shape of quasielastic components and oscillatory behaviors changes from spin jump diffusion to Heisenberg paramagnetic (PM) scattering with increasing temperature. These findings demonstrate that ${\text{CuFeO}}_{2}$ shows a gradual transition from a spin-liquid phase to the Heisenberg PM phase. The origin of the spin-liquid phase is discussed in terms of incommensurate short-range spin correlation.
Fundamental oscillations up to 200 GHz in resonant tunneling diodes and new estimates of their maximum oscillation frequency from stationary‐state tunneling theory

Fundamental oscillations have been measured up to 200 GHz in resonant‐tunneling diodes at room temperature. Oscillations in the range 102–112 GHz were achieved with diodes mounted in a WR‐6 waveguide resonator, and the peak output power in this range was approximately 5 μW. The same diodes oscillated between 192 and 201 GHz and generated about 0.2 μW when mounted in a WR‐3 resonator. The estimated maximum oscillation frequency ( fmax) for these devices is 244 GHz, assuming the average drift velocity across the depletion layer to be 4×107 cm s−1. This estimate has been obtained from a new phenomenological theory of the negative differential conductance which accounts for the frequency‐dependent spreading resistance and transit‐time delay. The theory is also used to show that diodes having fmax exceeding 600 GHz are feasible simply by modifying the doping profile in the regions on either side of the double‐barrier structure.
21 centimeter observations of supercluster galaxies: The bridge between Coma and A1367

We present 21 cm observations of galaxies in the region of the Coma-A1367 supercluster. It is shown that galaxies near the cluster center are hydrogen deficient while galaxies which are in between the two clusters have a normal hydrogen content. A crossing time of about 1.7 x 10/sup 9/ yr is defined by the radius of the region of transition between deficient and nondeficient galaxies and the cluster's velocity dispersion. The gas removed by stripping is a small fraction of the gas observed in the X-ray region.
SAPPHIRE-FIBER THERMOMETER RANGING FROM 20 TO 1800 C

A novel, to our knowledge, sapphire-fiber thermometer ranging from 20° to 1800 °C is presented that combines the radiance detection and the fluorescent lifetime detection schemes into one system. The thermal probe is a sapphire fiber grown from the laser-heated pedestal growth method. Its end part is doped with Cr3+ ion and coated with some radiance material to constitute a minifiber cavity. The sapphire fiber is coupled with a Y-shaped silica fiber bundle for signal transmission. Radiance and fluorescence signal processing schemes are also set up within one thermometer system. A sandwich two-band p-i-n detector is used that may respond to both the radiation and the fluorescence. Preliminary experimental results show that the thermometer is suitable for practical application with potential long-term stability and a high-temperature resolution.
K-Wigner Distribution: Definition, Uncertainty Principles and Time-Frequency Analysis

To tackle a challenge in high-dimensional complex features information processing, this study extends the permanent scale Wigner distribution and the single scale <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$k$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-Wigner distribution (kWD, formerly known as <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\tau $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-Wigner distribution) to a novel multiscale parameterized Wigner distribution. That is the so-called <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbf {K}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-Wigner distribution (KWD) which is able to use different scales to extract different types of features at different dimensions. Heisenberg-type uncertainty inequalities of the KWD are established, giving rise to the tightest universal attainable lower bound for all functions on the uncertainty product in time-KWD and Fouier transform-KWD domains, and two versions of attainable lower bounds for complex-valued functions. The obtained results solve an important concern regarding the limit of the KWD’s time-frequency resolution influenced by the parameter matrix. As an application, the derived uncertainty inequalities are applied to estimate the bandwidth in KWD domains. The time-frequency resolution performance of the multiscale KWD, as compared with that of the single scale kWD, is investigated in details. The optimal parameter matrix of the KWD achieving the best performance is then generated, which solves an important concern regarding the KWD’s parameter matrix selection. Examples are also carried out to demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Use of waste biomass of common mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) as a sorbent for the removal of Reactive Black 5 and Basic Violet 10 dyes from aqueous solutions

The research investigated the sorption efficiency of two dyes: Reactive Black 5 (RB5) and Basic Violet 10 (BV10), on the waste biomass of common mushroom ( Agaricus bisporus ). The scope of the study included: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of mushroom biomass, study on the effect of pH (pH 2–11) on the sorption efficiency of RB5 and BV10 on mushroom biomass, determination of the sorbent’s pH PZC point, study on sorption kinetics (sorption equilib- rium time, pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order, intramolecular diffusion model) as well as determination of the maximum sorption capacity of the tested sorbents (description of experi- mental data with Langmuir 1, Langmuir 2, and Freundlich isotherms). Sorption of RB5 and BV10 on mushroom biomass was most effective at pH 2. The sorption equilibrium time for RB5 ranged from 150 to 180 min, and for BV10 it reached 210 min. The data from the sorption kinetics studies were best described by the pseudo-second-order model. The intramolecular diffusion model indicated that the sorption of both RB5 and BV10 on mushroom biomass took place in three main phases, differing in sorption intensity and duration. The sorption capacity of mushroom biomass in relation to the anionic dye RB5 was – q max = 180.6 mg/g and was several times greater than in relation to the cationic dye BV10 – q max = 4.0 mg/g.
Where Is All the Deviance? Liminal Prescribing and the Social Networks Underlying the Prescription Drug Crisis

The misuse of prescription drugs is a pressing public health crisis in the United States that is fueled by high-risk prescribing. We show that high-risk prescribing comprises two distinct practices: (1) routinely overprescribing to patients whose prescription-fill patterns are consistent with misuse or abuse, which conforms to the definition of deviance in sociology, and (2) routinely overprescribing to patients whose prescription-fill patterns are within possible bounds of medical use, which does not. We call the second practice “liminal prescribing,” a term that indicates it is legally and morally ambiguous. Using 213.9 million prescriptions to construct a four-year panel of the patient-sharing networks of 500,472 physicians, we find that deviant and liminal prescribers have starkly different social network structures and social influence processes; larger and more cohesive networks among prescribers are associated with more deviance but less liminality. Physicians’ ties to liminal prescribers increase liminal prescribing but do not increase deviance. Our results suggest that liminal prescribing is distinct from deviant prescribing and is not a milder form of deviant prescribing. Liminal prescribing is far more prevalent than deviance and accounts for most of the oversupplied benzodiazepines in our dataset (55.8 versus 8.7 percent, respectively). Our study highlights that the social structures supporting liminal practices differ from those that support either rule-abiding practices or deviance.
Energy Efficient Path Analysis and Research in Ad Hoc Networks

Energy Conservation has been the focus in the ad hoc wireless network study. As the capacity of battery is limited, node will lose its function once its energy is exhausted. This thesis is aiming to calculate among the multiple transmission paths and find out a path which consumes the least energy. Previous studies are focused on finding the minimum hop path in transmission. In this study we propose to use the square of the distance between nodes as a proxy to the power consumption as the transmission power is proportional to the square of the distance between the nodes. We simulate the node transmission by limiting node out-degree in broadcasting and calculate the minimum sum of the square of distance between nodes in the path to find a path which has the least energy consumption.
Mixing, structure and scaling of the jet in crossflow

The mixing of the round jet normal to a uniform crossflow is studied for a range of jet-to-crossflow velocity ratios, r, from 5 to 25. Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of acetone vapour seeded into the jet is used to acquire quantitative two-dimensional images of the scalar concentration field. Emphasis is placed on r=10 and r=20 and a few select images are acquired up to r=200. The Reynolds number based on the jet exit diameter, d, and the exit velocity varies from 8400 to 41 500. Images are acquired for conditions in which the product rd is held constant, requiring decreasing d for increasing r. Results from this experimental study concern structural events of the vortex interaction region, and mixing and mean centreline concentration decay in the near and far fields. The results cover all three regions of the transverse jet, and suggest that the jet scales with three length scales: d, rd and r2d. Events within the vortex interaction region display d-scaling, including the crossflow boundary layer separation and roll-up. Over the range of velocity ratios studied, the vortex interaction region shows r-dependent variations in the flow field, including the emergence of jet fluid in the wake structures for r>10 and a slower development of the counter-rotating vortex pair (CVP) in higher-r jets. The trajectory and physical dimension of the jet in both the near and far field display rd-scaling. The near field is characterized by a centreline concentration decay along the centreline coordinate s of s−1.3, different from the decay rate (s−1) of the free jet. When normalized by rd, the decay of each velocity-ratio jet branches away from the s−1.3 decay, approaching a decay of s−2/3, a rate predicted by modelling efforts. The branch points represent a transition in the flow field from enhanced mixing to reduced mixing compared to the free jet. When normalized by r2d, the branch points occur at a uniform jet position, s/r2d=0.3, which is viewed to be the division between the near and far fields. Self-similarity is not seen in the near field, but may be present in the far field. The view of the branch points as a place of transition in the flow is supported by the probability density function (p.d.f.) of concentration along the upper edge of the jet. Before the branch points, the p.d. f.s are non-marching in character, and after the branch points, they are tilted in character. Instantaneously, the CVP is asymmetric in shape and concentration. End views reveal extensive motion of the CVP and plan views show this motion can occur in both axisymmetric and sinusoidal motion. Ensemble-averaged images show the jet concentration is asymmetric about the centreline plane.
Analysis of turbulence model effect on the position of the combustion zone in a swirling flow

The influence of the turbulent combustion model on the position of the flame zone in a swirling flow is analyzed. Three models of turbulent combustion were analyzed: a model of volumetric combustion, a model of turbulent pulsations, and a model of vortex decay. The research results show that the data of the combustion model controlled by turbulent mixing are in the best agreement with the experimental data.