Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beta cell protective effects of sodium tungstate in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: glycemic control, blockage of oxidative stress and beta cell histochemistry.

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a major public health problem. The development of new therapies that are able to improve glycemia management and even to cure diabetes is of great interest. In this study, protective effects of sodium tungstate against STZ-induced beta-cell damages were investigated. METHODS Sixty rats were divided into six groups: control, diabetic, sodium tungstate treated diabetic rats from one week before STZ injection (TDB), food-restricted diabetic (FRD), tungstate treated control, sodium tungstate treated diabetic rats from one week after STZ administration (TDA). We evaluated serum insulin, glucose and glucose tolerance; liver glycogen content, glucokinase (GK) activity; blood and pancreas antioxidant power, lipid peroxidation; and fuchsin-aldehyde histochemical staining of beta-cells. RESULTS Blood glucose levels of TDB group were lower than other diabetic groups (P<0.01). Blood insulin levels of all diabetic groups were lower than controls (P<0.01). Glucose intolerance improved in TDB animals. Blood and pancreas antioxidant power, liver glycogen contents and GK activities and granulated beta cells increased in TDB rats in comparison with other diabetic groups (P<0.01). Likewise, lipid peroxidation decreased significantly in TDB rats (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Results suggested that sodium tungstate if administrated before STZ injection improves glycemic state by a direct effect on pancreatic beta-cells and preserves them by reducing the activity of these cells at the time of STZ injection, reducing STZ-induced oxidative stress, reducing insulin secretion, or all of the above mentioned.
Monocular vision based indoor simultaneous localisation and mapping for quadrotor platform

An autonomous robot acting in an unknown dynamic environment requires a detailed understanding of its surroundings. This information is provided by mapping algorithms which are necessary to build a sensory representation of the environment and the vehicle states. This aids the robot to avoid collisions with complex obstacles and to localize in six degrees of freedom i.e. x, y, z, roll, pitch and yaw angle. This process, wherein, a robot builds a sensory representation of the environment while estimating its own position and orientation in relation to those sensory landmarks, is known as Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM). A common method for gauging environments are laser scanners, which enable mobile robots to scan objects in a non-contact way. The use of laser scanners for SLAM has been studied and successfully implemented. In this project, sensor fusion combining laser scanning and real time image processing is investigated. Hence, this project deals with the implementation of a Visual SLAM algorithm followed by design and development of a quadrotor platform which is equipped with a camera, low range laser scanner and an on-board PC for autonomous navigation and mapping of unstructured indoor environments. This report presents a thorough account of the work done within the scope of this project. It presents a brief summary of related work done in the domain of vision based navigation and mapping before presenting a real time monocular vision based SLAM algorithm. A C++ implementation of the visual slam algorithm based on the Extended Kalman Filter is described. This is followed by the design and development of the quadrotor platform. First, the baseline specifications are described followed by component selection, dynamics modelling, simulation and control. The autonomous navigation algorithm is presented along with the simulation results which show its suitability to real time application in dynamic environments. Finally, the complete system architecture along with flight test results are described.
Improving medication knowledge among older adults with heart failure: a patient-centered approach to instruction design.

PURPOSE We investigated whether patient-centered instructions for chronic heart failure medications increase comprehension and memory for medication information in older adults diagnosed with chronic heart failure. DESIGN AND METHODS Patient-centered instructions for familiar and unfamiliar medications were compared with instructions for the same medications from a chain pharmacy (standard pharmacy instructions). Thirty-two adults (age, M = 63.8) read and answered questions about each instruction, recalled medication information (free recall), and then answered questions from memory (cued recall). RESULTS Patient-centered instructions were better recalled and understood more quickly than the standard instructions. Instructions for the familiar medications also were better recalled. Patient-centered instructions were understood more accurately for the unfamiliar medications, but standard instructions were understood more accurately for the familiar medications. However, the recall measures showed that the advantage of the standard format for familiar medications was short lived. IMPLICATIONS The findings suggest that the patient-centered format may improve printed medication instructions available in many pharmacies, which should help older adults to better understand how to take their medications.
Plasma Interferon-Gamma-Inducible Protein-10 Levels Are Associated with Early, but Not Sustained Virological Response during Treatment of Acute or Early Chronic HCV Infection

Background High plasma levels of interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10) have been shown to be associated with impaired treatment response in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Whether IP-10 levels predict treatment in acute HCV infection is unknown. Methods Patients with acute or early chronic HCV infection from the Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C (ATAHC) cohort were evaluated. Baseline and on-treatment plasma IP-10 levels were measured by ELISA. IL28B genotype was determined by sequencing. Results Overall, 74 HCV mono-infected and 35 HIV/HCV co-infected patients were treated in ATAHC, of whom 89 were adherent to therapy and were included for analysis. IP-10 levels correlated with HCV RNA levels at baseline (r = 0.48, P<0.001) and during treatment. Baseline IP-10 levels were higher in patients who failed to achieve rapid virological response (RVR). Only one patient with a plasma IP-10 level >600 pg/mL achieved RVR. There was no association with IP-10 levels and early virological response (EVR) or sustained virological response (SVR). Conclusions Baseline IP-10 levels are associated with early viral kinetics but not ultimate treatment outcome in acute HCV infection. Given previous data showing that patients with high baseline IP-10 are unlikely to spontaneously clear acute HCV infection, they should be prioritized for early antiviral therapy.
Validation française du questionnaire de coping « way of coping check-list-revised » (W.C.C.-R.) et analyse des événements stressants du quotidien

Le but de cette etude est de valider la version francaise du questionnaire de coping W.C. C. -R. (Way of Coping Checklist-Revised) a travers une etude des interactions stressantes. Nous avons demande a 177 sujets de choisir une situation stressante recente qu'ils avaient rencontree durant les derniers 15 jours et de dire quelles strategies ils avaient utilise pour y faire face. Nous avons soumis les reponses a une analyse factorielle et retenu 10 facteurs qui expliquent 48,9 % de la variance totale. Nous avons aussi etudie les variables antecedentes ou moderatrices qui pourraient expliquer la variete de l'emploi des strategies de coping.
A simple endoscopic scoring system to differentiate between duodenal adenoma and carcinoma

Abstract Background and study aims Diagnosis of nonampullary duodenal low grade adenoma (Vienna classification category 3, VCL 3) and high grade adenoma/carcinoma (VCL 4 or higher) is important for clinical management decisions. However, there are no criteria based on which endoscopic diagnosis can differentiate between VCL3 and VCL4 or higher. This study aimed to establish simple diagnostic criteria to differentiate between VCL3 and VCL4 or higher. Patients and methods This retrospective study included patients with superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (NADETs) who underwent tumor resection between June 2004 and November 2016 at a single cancer center hospital. Using patient demographics and endoscopic findings from 2004 to 2013, variables related to the final histology of VCL4 or higher were analyzed, and a predictive model was developed. Validation analysis was performed on patients treated between 2014 and 2016. Results A total of 150 lesions in 134 patients were included. Lesion diameter, reddish color, depression, heterogeneous or no nodularity, and mixed or depressed macroscopic types were significantly predictive of VCL4 or higher. A predictive score model was developed and a score of 3 points was defined as an appropriate cutoff for predicting VCL4 or higher. In the validation analysis, the accuracy rate of VCL4 or higher diagnosis was 86 % when the score was ≥ 3 points. Scores between patients with VCL3 and VCL4 or higher were significantly different (P = 0.0004). Conclusions A simple and useful endoscopic scoring system was developed to preoperatively differentiate between VCL3 and VCL4 or higher among superficial NADETs.
Preferential loss of preproenkephalin versus preprotachykinin neurons from the striatum of Huntington's disease patients

Preferential loss of basal ganglia neurons and terminals occurs in Huntington's disease (HD). Terminals of preproen‐kephalin medium‐size spiny neurons are more vulnerable than terminals of preprotachykinin neurons, but the peptidergic neurons of origin have not yet been shown to die preferentially. We sought to determine, in the striatum, whether preproenkephalin neurons were lost to a greater extent than preprotachykinin neurons and to determine whether there were decreases in specific messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of preproenkephalin, preprotachykinin, and calbindin D28k. We found a grade‐related decrease in the number of preprotachykinin‐ and calbindin D28k—labeled neurons per measuring field in the caudate nucleus of patients with HD. Three measures of the neuronal level of preprotachykinin mRNA were all significantly reduced (6–65% of control values) in HD caudate nucleus. No decline in calbindin D28k mRNA levels per neuron were found in HD striata compared to control striata. We found a greater loss of preproenkephalin neurons per field than preprotachykinin neurons per field in the caudate nucleus of HD brains compared to control brains. Preprotachykinin neurons are lost in HD in a grade‐related manner and surviving preprotachykinin neurons are impaired in function. However, preproenkephalin neurons are lost to a greater extent than preprotachykinin neurons, which may explain preferential changes found in projection regions of the striatum. Declines in neuropeptide mRNA may be specific in HD, since calbindin D28k mRNA levels were unchanged. Alterations in the levels of expression of preproenkephalin and preprotachykinin mRNA may be direct or indirect effects of the HD mutation.
Factors Correlated with Unfavorable Outcome after Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

Objectives: Carpal tunnel release surgery has excellent results. The aim of this study was to identify which baseline clinical and demographic factors could predict a good outcome from surgery. Understanding the impact of prognostic factors will enable surgeons to indicate surgical intervention better, provide appropriate preoperative counseling, and manage expectations postoperatively. Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational study included 620 carpal tunnel syndrome patients (age 42.38 ± 11.18 years; mean ± standard deviation). After the diagnosis had been confirmed by electrodiagnostic studies, patients underwent open carpal tunnel release surgery. Patients were evaluated initially after 2 weeks and eventually after 6 months. Surgical outcome was compared with presurgical findings. Results: Response to surgery was good in 89.4% and 94.2% after 2 weeks and 6 months, respectively. Factors correlated significantly with unfavorable outcome of surgery included old age, longer duration of symptoms, negative Phalen's test, abnormal two-point discrimination test, and weakness of abductor pollicis brevis muscle. Gender, retrograde radiation, and nocturnal symptoms did not correlate with surgical outcome. Conclusion: Elderly patients with longstanding disease, neurological deficits, and negative Phalen's test may not respond to surgery as others. This should be kept in mind in preoperative counseling and postoperative expectations.
A robust fault-detection approach with application in a rolling-mill process

This paper proposes a new approach to robust fault detection. The proposed scheme adopts an observer-based fault-detection scheme and is characterized by a structure of two observers. One observer estimates the plant output driven by the plant normal input. The other observer estimates the output driven by the fault. To demonstrate the proposed fault-detection scheme, a rolling mill case study is considered. This task involves the development of models for the most common occurring faults on a rolling mill - the top back-up roll eccentricity, and construction of two observers. Simulation results illustrate the applicability of the fault-detection scheme to the rolling mill example.
Stability of multiagent systems with time-dependent communication links

We study a simple but compelling model of network of agents interacting via time-dependent communication links. The model finds application in a variety of fields including synchronization, swarming and distributed decision making. In the model, each agent updates his current state based upon the current information received from neighboring agents. Necessary and/or sufficient conditions for the convergence of the individual agents' states to a common value are presented, thereby extending recent results reported in the literature. The stability analysis is based upon a blend of graph-theoretic and system-theoretic tools with the notion of convexity playing a central role. The analysis is integrated within a formal framework of set-valued Lyapunov theory, which may be of independent interest. Among others, it is observed that more communication does not necessarily lead to faster convergence and may eventually even lead to a loss of convergence, even for the simple models discussed in the present paper.
Covariance Association Test (CVAT) Identifies Genetic Markers Associated with Schizophrenia in Functionally Associated Biological Processes

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder with large personal and social costs, and understanding the genetic etiology is important. Such knowledge can be obtained by testing the association between a disease phenotype and individual genetic markers; however, such single-marker methods have limited power to detect genetic markers with small effects. Instead, aggregating genetic markers based on biological information might increase the power to identify sets of genetic markers of etiological significance. Several set test methods have been proposed: Here we propose a new set test derived from genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP), the covariance association test (CVAT). We compared the performance of CVAT to other commonly used set tests. The comparison was conducted using a simulated study population having the same genetic parameters as for schizophrenia. We found that CVAT was among the top performers. When extending CVAT to utilize a mixture of SNP effects, we found an increase in power to detect the causal sets. Applying the methods to a Danish schizophrenia case–control data set, we found genomic evidence for association of schizophrenia with vitamin A metabolism and immunological responses, which previously have been implicated with schizophrenia based on experimental and observational studies.
Optimal Power Allocation and Scheduling for Two-Cell Capacity Maximization

We consider the problem of optimally allocating the base station transmit power in two neighboring cells for a TDMA wireless cellular system, to maximize the total system throughput under interference and noise impairments. Employing dynamic reuse of spectral resources, we impose a peak power constraint at each base station and allow for coordination between the base stations. By an analytical derivation we find that the optimal power allocation then has a remarkably simple nature: Depending on the noise and channel gains, transmit at full power only at base station 1 or base station 2, or both. Utilizing the optimal power allocation we study optimal link adaptation, and compare to adaptive transmission without power control. Results show that allowing for power control significantly increases the overall capacity for an average user pair, in addition to considerable power savings. Furthermore, we investigate power adaptation in combination with scheduling of users in a time slotted system. Specifically, the capacity-optimal single-cell scheduler [1] is generalized to the two-cell case. Thus, both power allocation and multiuser diversity are exploited to give substantial network capacity gains.
Women’s Experiences and Preferences for Service Delivery of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing for Aneuploidy in a Public Health Setting: A Mixed Methods Study

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for aneuploidy is currently only available in the UK through the private sector outside of the research arena. As part of an implementation study in the UK National Health Service we conducted a mixed methods study to assess women’s experience of being offered NIPT using validated measures of decisional conflict, decisional regret and anxiety. Clinical service preferences were also explored. Women with a Down syndrome screening risk >1:1000 were invited to take part in the study and offered NIPT, NIPT and invasive testing (for women with a risk above 1:150) or no further testing. A cross-sectional survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted at two time points; at the time of testing and one month following receipt of results (or equivalent for NIPT decliners). In total, 845 questionnaires and 81 interviews were analysed. The main motivation to accept NIPT was for reassurance (30.8%). Decisional conflict occurred in a minimal number of cases (3.8%), however, none of the participants experienced decisional regret. Around a third (29.9%) of women had elevated anxiety at the time of testing, including intermediate risk women who traditionally would not be offered further testing (54.4% high risk; 20.1% medium risk), a finding supported through the qualitative interviews where prolonged or additional anxiety was found to occur in some medium risk cases. Women were overwhelmingly positive about the opportunity to have a test that was procedurally safe, accurate, reduced the need for invasive testing and identified cases of Down syndrome that might otherwise have been missed. Reassurance was identified as the main motivator for accepting NIPT, particularly amongst medium risk women, with high risk women inclined to accept NIPT to inform decisions around invasive testing. The current turnaround time for test result was identified as a key limitation. All the women interviewed thought NIPT should be adopted as part of NHS clinical practice, with the majority favouring NIPT offered as a first-line test. Our study highlights the potential that NIPT has to positively impact women’s experience of prenatal testing for aneuploidy.
Brazilian Portuguese version of the Iowa Gambling Task: transcultural adaptation and discriminant validity.

OBJECTIVE The Iowa Gambling Task is a neuropsychological task developed in English, most widely used to assess decision-making. The aim of this work was to adapt the Iowa Gambling Task to Brazilian Portuguese, compare it with the original version and assess its validity. METHOD We assessed 75 Brazilian adults divided into three groups: 1) 25 healthy volunteers holding the Proficiency Certificate in English tested using the English version of the Iowa Gambling Task; 2) 25 healthy volunteers who did not speak or read English tested using the Iowa Gambling Task-Portuguese; 3) 25 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder subjects tested with the Iowa Gambling Task-Portuguese. RESULTS No difference between groups 1 and 2 was observed. Nonetheless, we found significant differences between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder subjects and the other 2 groups on blocks 3, 4, 5, and on net score. CONCLUSION Our results are similar to those previously described in the literature concerning adults without neuropsychiatric diseases. Since those two versions were equivalent and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder subjects performed significantly worse than healthy volunteers we can conclude that the adaptation of the Iowa Gambling Task to Brazilian Portuguese is valid and can be used for research purposes in the Brazilian context.
Trustworthy Distributed Computing on Social Networks

In this paper we investigate a new computing paradigm, called SocialCloud, in which computing nodes are governed by social ties driven from a bootstrapping trust-possessing social graph. We investigate how this paradigm differs from existing computing paradigms, such as grid computing and the conventional cloud computing paradigms. We show that incentives to adopt this paradigm are intuitive and natural, and security and trust guarantees provided by it are solid. We propose metrics for measuring the utility and advantage of this computing paradigm, and using real-world social graphs and structures of social traces; we investigate the potential of this paradigm for ordinary users. We study several design options and trade-offs, such as scheduling algorithms, centralization, and straggler handling, and show how they affect the utility of the paradigm. Interestingly, we conclude that whereas graphs known in the literature for high trust properties do not serve distributed trusted computing algorithms, such as Sybil defenses-for their weak algorithmic properties, such graphs are good candidates for our paradigm for their self-load-balancing features.
Identification and Characterization of a Functional Nuclear Localization Signal in the HIV-1 Integrase Interactor LEDGF/p75*

Human lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF)/p75 protein forms a specific nuclear complex with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase and is essential for nuclear localization and chromosomal association of the viral protein. We now studied nuclear import of LEDGF/p75 in live and semipermeabilized cells. We show that nuclear import of LEDGF/p75 is GTP-, Ran-, importin-α/β-, and energy-dependent and that the protein competes with the canonical SV40 large T antigen nuclear localization signal (NLS) for nuclear import receptors. We identified the NLS of LEDGF/p75 through deletion analysis and site-directed mutagenesis. The LEDGF/p75 NLS, 148GRKRKAEKQ156, belongs to the canonical SV40-like family. Fusion of this short peptide to the amino terminus of Escherichia coli β-galactosidase rendered the fusion protein nuclear, confirming that the LEDGF/p75 NLS is transferable. Moreover, a single amino acid change in the NLS was sufficient to exclude the mutant LEDGF/p75 protein from the nucleus and abolish nuclear import of HIV-1 integrase.