Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phase field estimation from single DIC microscopy images using the alternating direction method of multipliers

In this work we discuss total-variation regularized estimation of the phase field from single differential interference contrast microscopy images. The problem is formulated as a convex minimization problem and, resorting to an approximate linear convolution operator, solved by regularized non-circular deconvolution using the alternating directions method of multipliers (ADMM). The solution is derived to allow inversion using a single regularizer. To tackle the problem of ADMM penalty tuning, we further propose the use of a penalty updating strategy that has been shown to be considerably less sensitive to parameter tuning. Results show that, within the limits of the approximate model, the solution is effective, and it can be used to obtain workable estimates of the phase in images of pure-phase biological specimens.
Reliability and Validity of the Dutch Version of the American Burn Association/Shriners Hospital for Children Burn Outcomes Questionnaire (5–18 Years of Age)

The American Burn Association/Shriners Hospital for Children Burn Outcomes Questionnaire (BOQ) is a self-administered questionnaire to monitor functional outcome after burns in children and adolescents. This study aimed to assess feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Dutch BOQ. The BOQ was adapted into Dutch and tested in a population of children and adolescents aged 5 to 15 years who were primary admissions to a Dutch or Belgian burn center (n = 6) during the period of March 2001 through February 2004. To assess validity, the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) were included. Response rate was 53% among parents (n = 145) and 48% among adolescents (n = 52). Internal consistency of the BOQ scales was good (Cronbach’s &agr; >0.7 in all but one scale). Test and retest results were similar; there were no significant differences between parents and adolescents in this respect. Expected high correlations between BOQ scales and conceptually equivalent CHQ and EQ-5D scales were found in eight of 12 comparisons. Eleven scales showed significant differences in the expected direction between children with a long length of stay versus those with a short length of stay. The Dutch BOQ can be used to evaluate functional outcome after burns in children aged 5 years and older. Our study showed that the Dutch BOQ is a feasible instrument with good reliability and validity.
Economic Attainment Patterns of College-Educated Women in Mid-Career: An Objective Indicator of Career Success

The purpose of this study was to identify latent classes of college-educated late-baby-boomer generation women’s economic attainment (income) patterns during mid-career and examine the family and job satisfaction characteristics within each latent class. Longitudinal latent class analysis was used to analyze income data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 for 607 college-educated women in the United States for the years 1990 to 2010. The analysis revealed five distinct patterns of women’s economic attainment. A majority of the sample (72.7%) fell into the sustained growth group in which women’s economic attainment increased continuously and consistently. Approximately one-third of the sample exhibited sporadic (steady decline, early-sustained, and late rebound) or limited (stagnant growth) patterns. Both newly-formed family and family-of-origin factors differed significantly across classes. However no difference in job satisfaction among classes was found.
Insulin Resistance and Prognosis of Nondiabetic Patients With Ischemic Stroke: The ACROSS-China Study (Abnormal Glucose Regulation in Patients With Acute Stroke Across China)

Background and Purpose— Insulin resistance was common in patients with stroke. This study investigated the association between insulin resistance and outcomes in nondiabetic patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke. Methods— Patients with ischemic stroke without history of diabetes mellitus in the ACROSS-China registry (Abnormal Glucose Regulation in Patients With Acute Stroke Across China) were included. Insulin resistance was defined as a homeostatis model assessment–insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index in the top quartile (Q4). HOMA-IR was calculated as fasting insulin (&mgr;U/mL)×fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5. Multivariable logistic regression or Cox regression was performed to estimate the association between HOMA-IR and 1-year prognosis (mortality, stroke recurrence, poor functional outcome [modified Rankin scale score 3–6], and dependence [modified Rankin scale score 3–5]). Results— Among the 1245 patients with acute ischemic stroke enrolled in this study, the median HOMA-IR was 1.9 (interquartile range, 1.1–3.1). Patients with insulin resistance were associated with a higher mortality risk than those without (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.53; P=0.01), stroke recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.57, 95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.19; P=0.008), and poor outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.95; P=0.03) but not dependence after adjustment for potential confounders. Higher HOMA-IR quartile categories were associated with a higher risk of 1-year death, stroke recurrence, and poor outcome (P for trend =0.005, 0.005, and 0.001, respectively). Conclusions— Insulin resistance was associated with an increased risk of death, stroke recurrence, and poor outcome but not dependence in nondiabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Factors Associated With Knowledge, Perception, And Practice Toward Self-Care Among Elderly Patients Suffering From Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Rural Thailand.

BACKGROUND Globally, diabetes caused 4.6 million deaths during 2011 and burdened health care systems worldwide with $465 billion. The diabetes prevalence rate in Thailand has risen dramatically in recent years, from just 2.3% in 1991 to 6.9% in 2009. The objective of this study was to explore factors associated with knowledge, perception, and practice toward self-care among elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients aged 50-70 years. METHODS A cross sectional study design was conducted by enrolling 140 aged people of both gender suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus and registered at three clinics of Primary healthcare at Taladnoi, Horathep, and Khokyai, Saraburi, Thailand. Participants whose age was 50-70 were rechecked through laboratory testing like Hba1c, FBS, and BMI were included. Data was analysed by using descriptive statistics and chi-square. RESULTS The participants mean age was 62.11±0.59 years and 69.4% were female, 27.8% belonged to indigenous caste and 82.6% were married. About one-fourth of the participants were housewives, 15.2% government employee and 12.1% were farmer. Participants suffering from diabetes since1-5 years were 48.5%. Among the diabetic patients, 51.5% reported to have family history of diabetes. The mean knowledge score of the respondents was 3.61 (±1.80), perception was 4.34 (±1.41), practice was 12.14 (±4.47). A significant different existed between gender with Hba1c (<0.05), knowledge, and work status with Hba1c (<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Study concluded that the knowledge, perception, and practice about type 2 diabetes mellitus among patient were significantly poor. However, the factors like; gender, work and practice were found significantly correlated with glycated haemoglobin.
Stability inequalities for Lebesgue constants via Markov-like inequalities

We prove that L∞-norming sets for finite-dimensional multivariate function spaces on compact sets are stable under small perturbations. This implies stability of interpolation operator norms (Lebesgue constants), in spaces of algebraic and trigonometric polynomials. 2010 AMS subject classification: 41A10, 41A63, 42A15, 65D05.
Microbes, macrofauna, and methane: A novel seep community fueled by aerobic methanotrophy

During the discovery and description of seven New Zealand methane seep sites, an infaunal assemblage dominated by ampharetid polychaetes was found in association with high seabed methane emission. This ampharetid‐bed assemblage had a mean density of 57,000 ± 7800 macrofaunal individuals m−2 and a maximum wet biomass of 274 g m−2, both being among the greatest recorded from deep‐sea methane seeps. We investigated these questions: Does the species assemblage present within these ampharetid beds form a distinct seep community on the New Zealand margin? and What type of chemoautotrophic microbes fuel this heterotrophic community? Unlike the other macro‐infaunal assemblages, the ampharetid‐bed assemblage composition was homogeneous, independent of location. Based on a mixing model of species‐specific mass and isotopic composition, combined with published respiration measurements, we estimated that this community consumes 29–90 mmol C m−2 d−1 of methane‐fueled biomass; this is > 290 times the carbon fixed by anaerobic methane oxidizers in these ampharetid beds. A fatty acid biomarker approach supported the finding that this community, unlike those previously known, consumes primarily aerobic methanotrophic bacteria. Due to the novel microbial fueling and high methane flux rates, New Zealand's ampharetid beds provide a model system to study the influence of metazoan grazing on microbially mediated biogeochemical cycles, including those that involve greenhouse gas emissions.
Automated classification of appliances using elliptical fourier descriptors

Non-intrusive load monitoring methods aim to disaggregate the total power consumption of a household into individual appliances by analysing changes in the voltage and current measured at the grid connection point of the household. The goal is to identify the active appliances, based on their unique fingerprint. This information can be communicated to the electricity provider and the end-user enabling the potential of smart grids. An informative characteristic to attain the appliance classification is the voltage-current trajectory. In this paper, this trajectory is represented as a binary image from which the contours are extracted. From these contours, the elliptic Fourier descriptors are calculated and used as input for several classification algorithms outputting the appliance name. Benchmarking this method on the PLAID dataset shows that the descriptors can yield a prediction accuracy up to 79%, comparable to the state-of-the-art, based on only a very compact representation (12 numbers).
Correlation of American Burn Association Sepsis Criteria With the Presence of Bacteremia in Burned Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

Severe burn injury is accompanied by a systemic inflammatory response, making traditional indicators of sepsis both insensitive and nonspecific. To address this, the American Burn Association (ABA) published diagnostic criteria in 2007 to standardize the definition of sepsis in these patients. These criteria include temperature (>39°C or <36°C), progressive tachycardia (>110 beats per minute), progressive tachypnea (>25 breaths per minute not ventilated or minute ventilation >12 L/minute ventilated), thrombocytopenia (<100,000/&mgr;l; not applied until 3 days after initial resuscitation), hyperglycemia (untreated plasma glucose >200 mg/dl, >7 units of insulin/hr intravenous drip, or >25% increase in insulin requirements over 24 hours), and feed intolerance >24 hours (abdominal distension, residuals two times the feeding rate, or diarrhea >2500 ml/day). Meeting >3 of these criteria should “trigger” concern for infection. In this initial assessment of the ABA sepsis criteria correlation with infection, the authors evaluated the ABA sepsis criteria's correlation with bacteremia because bacteremia is not associated with inherent issues of diagnosis as occurs with pneumonia or soft tissue infections, and blood cultures are typically obtained due to concern for ongoing infections falling within the definition of “septic. ” A retrospective electronic records review was performed to evaluate episodes of bacteremia in the United States Army Institute of Research from 2006 through 2007. A total of 196 patients were admitted during the study period who met inclusion criteria. The first positive and negative cultures, if present, from each patient were evaluated. This totaled 101 positive and 181 negative cultures. Temperature, heart rate, insulin resistance, and feed intolerance criteria were significant on univariate analysis. Only heart rate and temperature were found to significantly correlate with bacteremia on multivariate analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve area for meeting >3 ABA sepsis criteria is 0.638 (95% confidence interval 0.573–0.704; P < .001). Among severe burn patients, the ABA trigger for sepsis did not correlate strongly with bacteremia in this retrospective chart review.
Solving the Paradox of Monetary Profits

Abstract Bruun and Heyn-Johnsen (2009) state the paradox that economics has failed to provide a satisfactory explanation of how monetary profits are generated, even though the generation of a physical surplus is an established aspect of non-neoclassical economics. They emphasise that our ability to explain phenomena like the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) will be limited while ever we are still unable to explain this fundamental aspect of capitalism. In fact this paradox can be solved very simply, using insights from what is known as “Circuit Theory”. In this paper the author shows how monetary profits are generated, and uses a monetary circuit of production model to derive policy conclusions about how to overcome a “credit crunch” that reverse the guidance given by the standard but empirically falsified “money multiplier” model of credit money creation.
Regulator of G‐protein signaling Gβ5‐R7 is a crucial activator of muscarinic M3 receptor‐stimulated insulin secretion

In pancreatic β cells, muscarinic cholinergic receptor M3 (M3R) stimulates glucose‐induced secretion of insulin. Regulator of G‐protein signaling (RGS) proteins are critical modulators of GPCR activity, yet their role in β cells remains largely unknown. R7 subfamily RGS proteins are stabilized by the G‐protein subunit Gβ5, such that the knockout of the Gnb5 gene results in degradation of all R7 subunits. We found that Gnb5 knockout in mice or in the insulin‐secreting MIN6 cell line almost completely eliminates insulinotropic activity of M3R. Moreover, over‐expression of Gβ5‐RGS7 strongly promotes M3R‐stimulated insulin secretion. Examination of this noncanonical mechanism in Gnb5−/− MIN6 cells showed that cAMP, diacylglycerol, or Ca2+ levels were not significantly affected. There was no reduction in the amplitude of free Ca2+ responses in islets from the Gnb5−/− mice, but the frequency of Ca2+ oscillations induced by cholinergic agonist was lowered by more than 30%. Ablation of Gnb5 impaired M3R‐stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Stimulation of the ERK pathway in Gnb5−/− cells by epidermal growth factor restored M3R‐stimulated insulin release to near normal levels. Identification of the novel role of Gβ5‐R7 in insulin secretion may lead to a new therapeutic approach for improving pancreatic β‐cell function. —Wang, Q. , Pronin, A. N. , Levay, K. , Almaca, J., Fornoni, A. , Caicedo, A. , Slepak, V. Z. Regulator of G‐protein signaling Gβ5‐R7 is a crucial activator of muscarinic M3 receptor‐stimulated insulin secretion. FASEB J. 31, 4734–4744 (2017). www.fasebj. org
Interventions to increase physical activity among aging adults: A meta-analysis

Objectives: This review applied meta-analytic procedures to integrate primary research findings that test interventions to increase activity among aging adults. Methods: We performed extensive literature searching strategies and located published and unpublished intervention studies that measured the activity behavior of at least five participants with a mean age of 60 years or greater. Primary study results were coded, and meta-analytic procedures were conducted. Results: The overall effect size, weighted by sample size, was dw = . 26 ± . 05. Effect sizes were larger when interventions targeted only activity behavior, excluded general health education, incorporated self-monitoring, used center-based exercise, recommended moderate intensity activity, were delivered in groups, used intense contact between interventionists and participants, and targeted patient populations. Effect sizes were larger for studies that measured exercise duration and studies with a time interval of less than 90 days between intervention and behavior measurement. Conclusions: These findings suggest that group-delivered interventions should encourage moderate activity, incorporate self-monitoring, target only activity, and encourage center-based activity. Findings also suggest that patient populations may be especially receptive to activity interventions. Primary research testing interventions in randomized trials to confirm causal relationships would be constructive.
Evaluation of spatial and frequency domain corneal endothelium cell segmentation schemes for corneal diagnosis

In order to determine the health of cornea, different automated process of corneal endothelial cell segmentation is evaluated for the Alizarine database. Different image processing segmentation schemes using spatial domain and frequency domains are analysed here. All the cell images in the given database are automatically segmented without any human intervention for accurate cell count/density. Some of the important parameters like segmented cell area, density, size and its statistics are analysed better result.
Water absorption, hydrophobicity characteristics and surface change of polymer

This paper describes the weight change of alumina trihydrate filled silicone rubbers during a water absorption process and the surface changes involved. The weight changes for some samples were particularly examined after being dipped in warm water (20/spl sim/80/spl deg/C). Worthwhile results are obtained as follows. For the individual samples, it was found that the rates of weight change increased with increasing temperature. It is understood that silicone oil in the samples soaked in hot water of 80/spl deg/C for 500 hours begins to be dissolved from basic silicone polymers. Thus the rate of the change in weight decreases in comparison with the virgin sample with time. Because the binding energy of Si-C (4.5 eV) is lower than that of Si-O (8.3 eV), Si-C is broken more easily due to heating, and a remarkable decrease of Si-CH/sub 3/ was observed after being dipped in warm water.
Sarcopenia and physical function are associated with inflammation and arteriosclerosis in community-dwelling people: The Yakumo study

Abstract Objectives: Sarcopenia reduces physical function, while chronic inflammation causes arteriosclerosis and decreases skeletal muscle. We conducted a cross-sectional study to elucidate the associations among sarcopenia, physical function, arteriosclerosis, and inflammation in community-dwelling people. Methods: We recruited 335 participants in an annual health checkup. We diagnosed sarcopenia based on appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (aSMI) assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. We measured several physical function tests, blood pressure, and serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Results: After controlling for age, sex, and BMI, participants in the sarcopenia group showed lower performance in all measured physical tests than the normal group. Arteriosclerosis risk factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and hs-CRP, were significantly higher in the sarcopenia group than in the normal group. hs-CRP and total cholesterol levels were significant risk factors of sarcopenia. The aSMI, grip strength, and maximum stride length were negatively related to hs-CRP level. Conclusions: Community-dwelling people with sarcopenia had higher levels of hs-CRP and a higher risk for arteriosclerosis. The serum level of hs-CRP was an independent risk factor for sarcopenia and was associated with physical function. These findings indicate that chronic inflammation may relate arteriosclerosis and sarcopenia simultaneously.
Transport and Mixing Induced by Beating Cilia in Human Airways

The fluid transport and mixing induced by beating cilia, present in the bronchial airways, are studied using a coupled lattice Boltzmann—Immersed Boundary solver. This solver allows the simulation of both single and multi-component fluid flows around moving solid boundaries. The cilia are modeled by a set of Lagrangian points, and Immersed Boundary forces are computed onto these points in order to ensure the no-slip velocity conditions between the cilia and the fluids. The cilia are immersed in a two-layer environment: the periciliary layer (PCL) and the mucus above it. The motion of the cilia is prescribed, as well as the phase lag between two cilia in order to obtain a typical collective motion of cilia, known as metachronal waves. The results obtained from a parametric study show that antiplectic metachronal waves are the most efficient regarding the fluid transport. A specific value of phase lag, which generates the larger mucus transport, is identified. The mixing is studied using several populations of tracers initially seeded into the pericilary liquid, in the mucus just above the PCL-mucus interface, and in the mucus far away from the interface. We observe that each zone exhibits different chaotic mixing properties. The larger mixing is obtained in the PCL layer where only a few beating cycles of the cilia are required to obtain a full mixing, while above the interface, the mixing is weaker and takes more time. Almost no mixing is observed within the mucus, and almost all the tracers do not penetrate the PCL layer. Lyapunov exponents are also computed for specific locations to assess how the mixing is performed locally. Two time scales are introduced to allow a comparison between mixing induced by fluid advection and by molecular diffusion. These results are relevant in the context of respiratory flows to investigate the transport of drugs for patients suffering from chronic respiratory diseases.
Treatment Options for Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Current Recommendations and Unmet Needs

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is common, often seen in primary care daily practice, and places a substantial burden on patients, their families, and society. [1][1]–[4][2] Although dyspnea, cough, wheezing, chest tightness, and/or sputum production are typical symptoms of COPD, some
Autonomic Nervous System and Stress to Predict Secondary Ischemic Events after Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Stroke: Possible Implications of Heart Rate Variability

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke have high risks of recurrence and deterioration into severe ischemic strokes. Risk stratification of TIA and minor stroke is essential for early effective treatment. Traditional tools have only moderate predictive value, likely due to their inclusion of the limited number of stroke risk factors. Our review follows Hans Selye’s fundamental work on stress theory and the progressive shift of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) from adaptation to disease when stress becomes chronic. We will first show that traditional risk factors and acute triggers of ischemic stroke are chronic and acute stress factors or “stressors,” respectively. Our first review shows solid evidence of the relationship between chronic stress and stroke occurrence. The stress response is tightly regulated by the ANS whose function can be assessed with heart rate variability (HRV). Our second review demonstrates that stress-related risk factors of ischemic stroke are correlated with ANS dysfunction and impaired HRV. Our conclusions support the idea that HRV parameters may represent the combined effects of all body stressors that are risk factors for ischemic stroke and, thus, may be of important predictive value for the risk of subsequent ischemic events after TIA or minor stroke.