Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Face Recognition Using a Time-of-Flight Camera

This paper presents a novel three-dimensional (3D) method for detecting, tracking and recognising human faces using a time-of-flight camera. The system works by detecting a single central feature point, typically the nose tip, and by intersecting the 3D point data with spheres centred at the central feature point. The resulting spherical intersection profiles are used to perform face recognition and to track the position and orientation of the face. The main benefit of this method is that it is fast and efficient in terms or memory and computational expense. Furthermore, as the system utilises a time-of-flight camera and topographical information, it is not affected by variations in illumination, face orientation or partial occlusion of facial features. Experimental results are provided which show the potential of this method to exceed the real-time performance of existing head-pose tracking and face recognition systems.
Direct renin inhibition improves parasympathetic function in diabetes

The renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) and autonomic nervous system regulate the cardiovascular system. Blockade of the RAAS may slow the progression of end‐organ damage. Direct renin inhibition offers a means for blocking the RAAS. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of direct renin inhibition on cardiovascular autonomic function.
Effectiveness of AGIs in IGT or IFBG : results of a Cochrane Review

Correspondence: Floris van de Laar Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of General Practice, 117 hag, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands Tel +31 24 3614411 Fax +31 24 3541862 Email f.vandelaar@hag.umcn. nl Abstract: Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) are drugs that inhibit the absorption of carbohydrates from the gut and may be used in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. There is currently no evidence that AGIs are benefi cial to prevent or delay mortality or microor macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes. Its benefi cial effects on glycated hemoglobin are comparable to metformin or thiazolidinediones, and probably slightly inferior to sulphonylurea. In view of the total body of evidence metformin seems to be superior to AGIs. More long-term studies are needed to study the effects of AGIs compared to other drugs. For patient with impaired glucose tolerance AGIs may prevent, delay or mask the occurrence of type 2 diabetes. A possible benefi cial effect on cardiovascular events should be confi rmed in new studies.
Xyloglucan Deficiency Disrupts Microtubule Stability and Cellulose Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis, Altering Cell Growth and Morphogenesis1[OPEN]

A mutant lacking xyloglucan in its cell walls has bundled, aligned cellulose and unstable microtubules that uncover new links between cell wall and cytoskeletal integrity. Xyloglucan constitutes most of the hemicellulose in eudicot primary cell walls and functions in cell wall structure and mechanics. Although Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) xxt1 xxt2 mutants lacking detectable xyloglucan are viable, they display growth defects that are suggestive of alterations in wall integrity. To probe the mechanisms underlying these defects, we analyzed cellulose arrangement, microtubule patterning and dynamics, microtubule- and wall-integrity-related gene expression, and cellulose biosynthesis in xxt1 xxt2 plants. We found that cellulose is highly aligned in xxt1 xxt2 cell walls, that its three-dimensional distribution is altered, and that microtubule patterning and stability are aberrant in etiolated xxt1 xxt2 hypocotyls. We also found that the expression levels of microtubule-associated genes, such as MAP70-5 and CLASP, and receptor genes, such as HERK1 and WAK1, were changed in xxt1 xxt2 plants and that cellulose synthase motility is reduced in xxt1 xxt2 cells, corresponding with a reduction in cellulose content. Our results indicate that loss of xyloglucan affects both the stability of the microtubule cytoskeleton and the production and patterning of cellulose in primary cell walls. These findings establish, to our knowledge, new links between wall integrity, cytoskeletal dynamics, and wall synthesis in the regulation of plant morphogenesis.
DHA supplementation during pregnancy as phospholipids or TAG produces different placental uptake but similar fetal brain accretion in neonatal piglets

Abstract The great variety of n-3 long-chain PUFA sources raises the question of the most adequate for using as a DHA supplement during pregnancy. Placental and fetal availability of different DHA sources remains unclear. We investigated DHA availability in maternal lipoproteins, placenta and fetal tissues in pregnant sows fed DHA as phospholipid (PL) or TAG to identify the best DHA source during this period. Pregnant Iberian sows were fed diets containing 0·8 % DHA of total fatty acids as PL from egg yolk or TAG from algae oil during the last third of gestation (40 d). Maternal tissues, placentas and fetal tissues were obtained at delivery and DHA quantified by GC. Major Facilitator Superfamily Domain Containing 2a (MFSD2a) carrier expression was analysed in both placenta and fetal brain by Western blotting. Sows fed the DHA–PL diet showed higher DHA incorporation in plasma LDL but not in plasma total lipids. No differences were found in DHA content between groups in maternal liver, adipose tissue or brain. Placental tissue incorporated more DHA in both total lipids and PL fraction in sows fed DHA–PL. However, this did not lead to an enhanced DHA accretion either in fetal plasma, fetal liver or fetal brain. MFSD2a expression was similar between both experimental groups. Maternal DHA supplementation during pregnancy in sow either as PL or TAG produces similar DHA accretion in fetal tissues but not in placenta. Both fat sources are equally available for fetal brain.
Treatment of premenstrual dysphoria with continuous versus intermittent dosing of oral contraceptives: Results of a three‐arm randomized controlled trial

Although traditionally dosed combined oral contraceptives (COCs) (21 days of active pills, 7 days of inactive pills) have not been demonstrated as superior to placebo for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoria (PMD), some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indicate that oral contraceptives administered with a shortened or eliminated hormone‐free interval are superior to placebo. However, results of such trials are mixed, and no existing studies have directly compared continuous and intermittent dosing schedules of the same oral contraceptive. The present study compared placebo, intermittent dosing of oral contraceptives, and continuous dosing of contraceptives for the treatment of PMD.
Predictors of Mobile Phone and Social Networking Site Dependency in Adulthood

The present study explored social and psychological predictors of social networking site (SNS) and mobile phone dependency in a sample of emerging adults (ages 18-25, n = 159, M = 21.87, SD = 2.08) and young adults (ages 26-40, n = 97, M = 31.21, SD = 4.11). Path analysis revealed that SNS dependency mediated the relationship of social comparison, SNS support, and impulsivity on mobile phone dependency. Impulsivity also showed direct links to mobile phone dependency. The present findings suggest that individuals with a strong orientation toward social comparison, who perceive a strong sense of support through SNS networks, or who show difficulty with self-regulation may be at risk for SNS and mobile phone dependency.
Biochemical Properties of Two Cinnamoyl Esterases Purified from a Lactobacillus johnsonii Strain Isolated from Stool Samples of Diabetes-Resistant Rats

ABSTRACT Cinnamic acids (i.e., ferulic and caffeic acids) that are esterified to the vegetable cell walls should be enzymatically released to be absorbed in a mammal's intestines. A low dosage of ferulic acid in rodent diets stimulates insulin production and alleviates symptoms caused by diabetes (M. Sri Balasubashini, R. Rukkumani, and V. P. Menon, Acta Diabetol. 40:118-122, 2003). Several lactic acid bacteria are able to display ferulic acid esterase (FAE) activity, suggesting that their probiotic activity could be, in part, mediated by the slow release of ferulic acid. In the present work, we describe the isolation of one strain identified as being Lactobacillus johnsonii that displayed strong FAE activity in stool samples from diabetes-resistant biobreeding rats. These animals are genetically susceptible to becoming diabetic but do not develop the disease. By using genomic analysis coupled to protein purification and catalytic screening, we were able to purify two proteins with FAE activity. The enzymes displayed 42% sequence identity and a broad range of substrate preferences. High affinities and catalytic efficiencies toward aromatic compounds such as ethyl ferulate (Km = 20 to 60 μM) and chlorogenic acid (Km = 10 to 50 μM) were observed. The strain isolated herein as well as the enzymes studied could be potentially useful for the formulation of probiotics to ameliorate diabetes symptoms.
Psychometric validation of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS). Design, setting, and participants: In total, 2636 cardiac inpatients from 11 hospitals completed a survey. One year later, participants completed a follow-up survey, which included the CRBS. A subsample of patients also completed a third survey which included the CRBS, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Enrolment Obstacles scale, and the Beliefs About Cardiac Rehabilitation scale three weeks later. The CRBS asked participants to rate 21 cardiac rehabilitation barriers on a five-point Likert scale regardless of cardiac rehabilitation referral or enrolment. Results: Maximum likelihood factor analysis with oblique rotation resulted in a four-factor solution: perceived need/healthcare factors (eigenvalue = 6.13, Cronbach’s α = .89), logistical factors (eigenvalue = 5.83, Cronbach’s α = .88), work/time conflicts (eigenvalue = 3.78, Cronbach’s α = .71), and comorbidities/functional status (eigenvalue = 4.85, Cronbach’s α = .83). Mean total perceived barriers were significantly greater among non-enrollees than cardiac rehabilitation enrollees (P < .001). Convergent validity with the Beliefs About Cardiac Rehabilitation and Cardiac Rehabilitation Enrolment Obstacles scales was also demonstrated. Test-retest reliability of the CRBS was acceptable (intraclass correlation coefficient = .64). Conclusion: The CRBS consists of four subscales and has sound psychometric properties. The extent to which identified barriers can be addressed to facilitate greater cardiac rehabilitation utilization warrants future study.
Development of a novel nano-sized anti-VEGFA nanobody with enhanced physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties

Abstract Since physiological and pathological processes occur at nano-environments, nanotechnology has considered as an efficient tool for designing of next generation specific biomolecules with enhanced pharmacodynamic and pharmacodynamic properties. In the current investigation, by control of the size and hydrodynamic volume at the nanoscale, for the first time, physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of an anti-VEGFA nanobody was remarkably improved by attachment of a Proline-Alanine-Serine (PAS) rich sequence. The results elucidated unexpected impressive effects of PAS sequence on physicochemical properties especially on size, hydrodynamics radius, and even solubility of nanobody. CD analysis revealed an increment in random coil structure of the PASylated protein in comparison to native one without any change in charge state or binding kinetic parameters of nanobody assessed by isoelectric focusing and surface plasmon resonance measurements, respectively. In vitro biological activities of nanobody were not affected by coupling of the PAS sequence. In contrast, the terminal half-life was significantly increased by a factor of 14 for the nanobody-PAS after single dose IV injection to the mice. Our study demonstrated that the control of size in the design of small therapeutic proteins has a promising effect on the stability and solubility, in addition to their physiochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. The designed new anti-VEGFA nanobody could promise a better therapeutic agent with a long administration intervals and lower dose, which in turn leads to a better patient compliance. Size adjustment of an anti-VEGF nanobody at the nanoscale by the attachment of a natural PAS polymer remarkably improves physicochemical properties, as well as a pharmacokinetic profile without any change in biological activity of the miniaturized antibody. Graphical Abstract
Sorafenib: Where do we go from here?

The approval of sorafenib as the first effective drug for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a milestone in the treatment of this disease. A better understanding of HCC pathogenesis has led to the development of several novel targeted treatments. HCC is treated in a uniquely multidisciplinary way requiring surgeons, hepatologists, interventional radiologists, and oncologists. This review describes the molecular pathogenesis of HCC, explores current and future treatments based on these pathways, and describes how these new therapies may augment existing approaches to HCC treatment. (HHEPATOLOGY 2010;)
Dynamic Transformation during the Simulated Plate Rolling of a 0.09% Nb Steel

The dynamic transformation (DT) of austenite into ferrite was first reported by Yada and co-workers in the 1980`s.1–3) In their work, they carried out compression as well as torsion tests on plain carbon steels at temperatures above the Ae3. Fine grains of ferrite were produced and their volume fractions increased with strain but decreased with temperature.1) In the torsion experiments, interpass times of 0.2 to 5.0 s were employed as well as various holding times after deformation. The volume fraction of ferrite formed and retained above the Ae3 temperature decreased as the holding time was increased.2) They later provided direct evidence of dynamic transformation by means of in situ X-ray diffraction experiments in which the ferrite being formed during straining was detected in real time.3) Somewhat later, reverse transformation, i.e. of ferrite back into austenite, was investigated by Chen and Chen using laser dilatometry.4) Still later, Sun et al.5) performed Gleeble tests on a low carbon steel and concluded that the grain size of the dynamically formed ferrite increased on holding after deformation and that finally the ferrite vanished completely on holding for 7 200 s. More recently, it has been shown that austenite can undergo dynamic transformation (DT) everywhere within the austenite phase field as long as it is being strained, see Fig. 1.6) This takes place when the driving force for DT overcomes the total barrier preventing its formation. Dynamic Transformation during the Simulated Plate Rolling of a 0.09% Nb Steel
A 90nm CMOS SoC UWB pulse radar for respiratory rate monitoring

UWB technology (3.1 to 10.6GHz) allows new applications for both data communication and sensing (FCC, reference in [1]). Due to their potential in terms of resolution and extremely low level of EIRP spectral density (< −41.3dBm/MHz, see mask in Fig. 2.4.1) [1], UWB radars are very attractive for a large set of civil and military sensing applications, as ground penetrating, surveillance, localization, intra-wall and through-wall detections and biomedical imaging. Moreover, with respect to continuous-wave (CW) radars [2], UWB radar transceivers present a lower circuit complexity since no frequency conversions are required, leading to lower power consumption (PC) for longer battery autonomy.
A review of root fractures: diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

UNLABELLED Tooth fractures (crown or root fractures) are commonly encountered emergencies in a dental clinic. Root fractures are defined as fractures involving the dentine, cementum and pulp. They are broadly classified as horizontal and vertical root fractures. They may be clinically challenging cases to treat as, usually, treatment of such cases requires an interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary approach for complete rehabilitation of teeth. For a successful outcome, it is imperative to arrive at an appropriate diagnosis and design a treatment plan accordingly as soon as possible.This review article discusses the various types of root fractures, their diagnosis and treatment, along with the factors affecting their healing and prognosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Treatment of root fractures depends on a number of factors such as, position of fracture line, mobility of tooth and pulpal status. Thus clinicians must have thorough knowledge and adequate clinical experience to treat them properly.
Bond-graph-based fault detection and isolation for hybrid system models

For the case when the abstraction of instantaneous state transitions is adopted, this paper proposes to start fault detection and isolation in an engineering system from a single time-invariant causality bond graph representation of a hybrid model. To that end, the paper picks up on a long-known proposal to model switching devices by a transformer modulated by a Boolean variable and a resistor in fixed conductance causality accounting for its ON resistance. Bond graph representations of hybrid system models developed in this way have been used so far mainly for the purpose of simulation. The paper shows that they can well constitute an approach to the bond-graph-based quantitative fault detection and isolation of hybrid models. Advantages are that the standard sequential causality assignment procedure can be a used without modification. A single set of analytical redundancy relations valid for all physically feasible system modes can be (automatically) derived from the bond graph. Stiff model equations due to small values of the ON resistance in the switch model may be avoided by symbolic reformulation of equations and letting the ON resistance of some switches tend to zero, turning them into ideal switches. First, for two examples considered in the literature, it is shown that the approach proposed in this paper can produce the same analytical redundancy relations as were obtained from a hybrid bond graph with controlled junctions and the use of a sequential causality assignment procedure especially for fault detection and isolation purpose. Moreover, the usefulness of the proposed approach is illustrated in two case studies by its application to standard switching circuits extensively used in power electronic systems and by simulation of some fault scenarios. The approach, however, is not confined to the fault detection and isolation of such systems. Analytically validated simulation results obtained by means of the program Scilab give confidence in the approach.
Changes in the two‐dimensional electrophoresis pattern of the Parkinson's disease related protein DJ‐1 in human SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells after dopamine treatment

DJ‐1 is a mitochondrial protein linked to Parkinson's disease. DJ‐1 has been suggested to have several possible functions, although it has been mainly associated to oxidative stress defence. Changes in the two‐dimensional electrophoresis pattern have been thoroughly described as a consequence of oxidative modification of the Cys106 residue. There is accumulating evidence supporting a specific role of DJ‐1 in protecting dopaminergic neurons from dopamine itself. By exposing SH‐SY5Y human neuroblastoma catecholaminergic cells to dopamine, we observed a specific increase in the most acidic forms in the DJ‐1 two‐dimensional electrophoresis pattern together with a significant decrease of the most basic spot. Unlike cells exposed to generic oxidative conditions, no additional shift was observed. The results are corroborated by a meta‐analysis of the literature showing that in the absence of dopamine treatment the specific acidic form is underrepresented. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(9): 688–692, 2010
Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Polymorphism among Brazilian Enterococcus faecalis Strains

ABSTRACT Multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) for seven genomic loci was developed for Enterococcus faecalis. MLVA and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) resulted in 37 and 31 genotypes among 83 strains, respectively. Both typing schemes were highly concordant (90.4%). MLVA is an excellent alternative to PFGE.
Genistein synergizes centchroman action in human breast cancer cells

Objectives: Despite the progress in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, it remains a major health problem in women. Natural flavones along with chemotherapeutic agents enhance therapeutic response and minimize toxicity of chemical agents. Centchroman (CC) colloquially called as ormeloxifene, is a nonsteroidal oral contraceptive categorized as selective estrogen receptor modulator with anti-breast cancer activity. Genistein (GN), an isoflavone found mainly in soy products possesses anti-cancerous potential against a number of cancers including breast. The present study aims at investigating the combination of CC and GN in human breast cancer cell lines (HBCCs). Materials and Methods: Cytotoxic effect of CC and GN separately and in combination were assessed by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay in MDA MB-231, MDA MB-468, MCF-7, T-47D HBCCs, and nontumorigenic human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) MCF-10A. The drug interaction was analyzed using CompuSyn software through which combination index and dose reduction index were generated. Results: Combination of CC plus GN exerts significantly higher cytotoxicity compared to each drug per se in HBCCs, whereas HMEC-MCF-10A remains unaffected. Conclusion: On an overall basis, the drugs in combination enhanced cell killing in malignant cells. Therefore, the combination of CC with GN may offer a novel approach for the breast cancer.
A Rod Matrix Compensator for Small-Field Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy: A Preliminary Phantom Study

A compensator made of a tungsten-based rod matrix has been proposed for small-field intensity modulated radiation therapy. The compensator was attached to a 6 MV linac gantry head. The proposed compensator could modulate the X-ray intensity with a step of 10% and a minimum transmission of 2.5%
Understanding Peer Effects in Financial Decisions: Evidence from a Field Experiment

Using a high-stakes field experiment conducted with a financial brokerage, we implement a novel design to separately identify two channels of social influence in financial decisions, both widely studied theoretically. When someone purchases an asset, his peers may also want to purchase it, both because they learn from his choice ("social learning") and because his possession of the asset directly affects others' utility of owning the same asset ("social utility"). We find that both channels have statistically and economically significant effects on investment decisions. These results can help shed light on the mechanisms underlying herding behavior in financial markets.