Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A system for high-speed pattern recognition and image analysis

A mixed analog/digital chip (ANNA) for fast 2-d convolution and matrix-vector multiplication has been developed (peak speed 20,000 MOPS). Two of these chips have been integrated on a 6U VME board, to serve as a high-speed platform for a wide variety of algorithms used in neural-network applications as well as in image analysis. The system has been tested for such tasks as character recognition, noise removal, and text location as well as for emulating cellular neural networks (CNN). A sustained speed of up to 2 billion connections per second (GC/s) and a recognition speed of 1000 characters per second with a sophisticated neural network has been measured.
Effects of ballistic training on preseason preparation of elite volleyball players.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine whether ballistic resistance training would increase the vertical jump (VJ) performance of already highly trained jump athletes. METHODS Sixteen male volleyball players from a NCAA Division I team participated in the study. A Vertec was used to measure standing vertical jump and reach (SJR) and jump and reach from a three-step approach (AJR). Several types of vertical jump tests were also performed on a Plyometric Power System and a forceplate to measure force, velocity, and power production during vertical jumping. The subjects completed the tests and were then randomly divided into two groups, control and treatment. All subjects completed the usual preseason volleyball on-court training combined with a resistance training program. In addition, the treatment group completed 8 wk of squat jump training while the control group completed squat and leg press exercises at a 6RM load. Both groups were retested at the completion of the training period. RESULTS The treatment group produced a significant increase in both SJR and AJR of 5.9+/-3.1% and 6.3+/-5.1%. respectively. These increases were significantly greater than the pre- to postchanges produced by the control group, which were not significant for either jump. Analysis of the data from the various other jump tests suggested increased overall force output during jumping, and in particular increased rate of force development were the main contributors to the increased jump height. CONCLUSIONS These results lend support to the effectiveness of ballistic resistance training for improving vertical jump performance in elite jump athletes.
Cardioprotection During the Final Stage of the Late Phase of Ischemic Preconditioning Is Mediated by Neuronal NO: Synthase in Concert With Cyclooxygenase-2

The infarct-sparing effect of the late phase of ischemic preconditioning (late PC) lasts for 72 hours. Upregulation of both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been shown to be essential to the protection in the initial stage of late PC (24 hours after PC); however, the mechanisms underlying the protection in the final stage of late PC (48 to 72 hours after PC) are unknown. Conscious rabbits were preconditioned with six cycles of 4-minute coronary occlusion/4-minute reperfusion. At 72 hours after PC, powerful protection against infarction was associated with increased myocardial levels of COX-2 mRNA, protein, and cardioprotective prostaglandins (PGI2 and PGE2). The COX-2–selective inhibitor NS-398 completely blocked the protection. Surprisingly, iNOS expression was not increased at 72 hours; instead, upregulation of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) was evident at both the mRNA (+266±20%, P <0.005) and the protein levels (+195±66%, P <0.005), which was accompanied by an increase in myocardial nitrite/nitrate (+20±4%, P <0.05). The nNOS-selective inhibitors N-propyl-L-arginine or S-ethyl N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]isothiourea completely blocked the protection of late PC at 72 hours, whereas the iNOS-selective inhibitor S-methylisothiourea had no effect. In line with these findings, the disappearance of protection at 120 hours after PC was associated with the return of nNOS mRNA, protein, and activity to control levels. Although expression of COX-2 protein was still elevated at 120 hours, only a marginal increase in PGI2 and PGE2 levels was detected. In contrast to 72 hour after PC, nNOS was not upregulated at 24 hour after PC. We conclude that (1) the cardioprotection observed in the final stage of late PC (72 hour) is mediated by nNOS, not by iNOS, in concert with COX-2, and (2) nNOS-derived NO is required to drive COX-2 activity. These data identify, for the first time, a cardioprotective role of nNOS and demonstrate, surprisingly, that the mechanism of late PC differs at 72 hours (nNOS) versus 24 hours (iNOS).
On the fraction of intermediate-mass close binaries that explode as Type Ia supernovae

Type Ia supernova (SNIa) explosions are thought to result from a thermonuclear runaway in CO white dwarfs (WDs) that approach the Chandrasekhar limit, either through accretion from a companion or through a merger with another WD. However, it is unknown which of these channels operates in reality, and what are the details of the process. I compile from the literature observational estimates of the fraction η of intermediate-mass stars that eventually explode as SNeIa, supplement them with several new estimates, and compare them self-consistently. The estimates are based on five different methods, each utilizing some observable related to the SNIa rate, combined with assumptions regarding the initial mass function (IMF): the ratio of SNIa to core-collapse explosions in star-forming galaxies; the SNIa rate per unit star formation rate; the SNIa rate per unit stellar mass; the iron-to-stellar mass ratio in galaxy clusters; and the abundance ratios in galaxy clusters. The five methods indicate that a fraction in the range η ≈ 2‐40 per cent of all stars with initial masses of 3‐8 M� (the progenitors of the WDs generally thought capable of exploding through the above scenarios) explode as SNeIa. A fraction of η ≈ 15 per cent is consistent with all five methods for a range of plausible IMFs. Considering also the binarity fraction among such stars, the fraction of binaries with the appropriate mass ratios, the fraction in close initial orbits, and duplicity (every binary can produce only one SNIa explosion), this implies that nearly every intermediate-mass close binary ends up as an SNIa, or possibly more SNeIa than progenitor systems. Theoretically expected fractions are generally one to two orders of magnitude lower. The problem could be solved if all the observational estimates are in error, or with a ‘middle-heavy’ IMF, or by some mechanism that strongly enhances the efficiency of binary evolution towards SNIa explosion, or by a non-binary origin for SNeIa.
Network Beamforming Using Relays With Perfect Channel Information

This paper deals with beamforming in wireless relay networks with perfect channel information at the relays, receiver, and transmitter if there is a direct link between the transmitter and receiver. It is assumed that every node in the network has its own power constraint. A two-step amplify-and-forward protocol is used, in which the transmitter and relays not only use match filters to form a beam at the receiver but also adaptively adjust their transmit powers according to the channel strength information. For networks with no direct link, an algorithm is proposed to analytically find the exact solution with linear (in network size) complexity. It is shown that the transmitter should always use its maximal power while the optimal power of a relay ca.n take any value between zero and its maxima. Also, this value depends on the quality of all other channels in addition to the relay's own. Despite this coupling fact, distributive strategies are proposed in which, with the aid of a low-rate receiver broadcast, a relay needs only its own channel information to implement the optimal power control. Then, beamforming in networks with a direct link is considered. When the direct link exists during the first step only, the optimal power control is the same as that of networks with no direct link. For networks with a direct link during the second step only and both steps, recursive numerical algorithms are proposed. Simulation shows that network beamforming achieves the maximal diversity order and outperforms other existing schemes.
Response of COX 2 / PGE 2 Inflammatory Pathway to Brown Seaweed Extract in Rats Exposed to Gamma Radiation

Background: Systemic inflammation due to radiation exposure has been identified in a biological system by certain metabolic and behavioral disorders. These anarchies mostly mediated under a regulation of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) induced production of an inflammatory mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Aim: This study was undertaken to investigate the anti-inflammatory impact of brown sea weed extract (BSWE) against induction of COX2/PGE2 inflammatory pathway in gamma-irradiated rats. Rats were orally administrated with BSWE (27 mg/kg body weight/day) for 7 consecutive days before exposure to 8 Gy fractionated gamma radiation (2 Gy × 4; every 3 days). Treatment with BSWE was extended along with and in-between irradiation doses for another 14 successive days. Our data demonstrated that the administration of BSWE to rats exposed to gamma radiation, following the regimen suggested, significantly neutralize the changes induced in the inflammatory molecules COX2, PGE2, tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO). In addition, it adjusted significantly the cellular redox tone via regulation of changes induced in malondialdehyde (MDA) reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalase (CAT) and xanthine oxidoreductase system (XOR). Credibly, from the results emerged in this study, it could be suggested that BSWE has substantial anti-inflammatory activities and gamma radiation protection capabilities. It is recommended to include BSWE in the treatment strategy of various inflammatory diseases especially cancer as a safe natural anti-inflammatory agent.
Identification and characterization of GRIM-1, a cell-death-associated gene product

Using a genome-wide technical knockout, we isolated a newly identified set of GRIM (genes associated with retinoid-interferon-induced mortality) genes; GRIM genes mediate IFN- and retinoic-acid (RA)-induced cell death. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of one such gene, GRIM-1. Three proteins, with identical C-termini, were produced from the GRIM-1 open reading frame when this gene was transcribed and translated in vitro. These protein isoforms, designated GRIM-1α, GRIM-1β and GRIM-1γ, differentially suppressed growth via apoptosis in various cell lines. We also show that a caspase-dependent mechanism generates the proapoptotic GRIM-1 isoforms. Lastly, GRIM-1 isoforms differentially blocked maturation of 18S ribosomal RNA, consistent with their respective growth-suppressive ability. Together, these studies identified a novel protein involved in growth suppression and cell death.
University of Birmingham Mathematical modelling reveals properties of TcdC required for it to be a negative regulator of toxin production in Clostridium difficile

The role of the protein TcdC in pathogenicity of the bacterium Clostridium difﬁcile is currently unclear: conﬂicting reports suggest it is either a negative regulator of toxin production or, on the other hand, has no effect on virulence at all. We exploit a theoretical approach by taking what is known about the network of proteins surrounding toxin production by C. difﬁcile and translating this into a mathematical model. From there it is possible to investigate a range of possible interactions (using numerical and asymptotic analyses), identifying properties of TcdC which would make it a realistic candidate as a toxin inhibitor. Our ﬁndings imply that if TcdC is really an inhibitor of toxin production then TcdC production should be at least as fast as that of the protein TcdR and TcdC should remain in the cells throughout growth. These are experimentally-testable hypotheses and are equally applicable to alternative candidates for toxin production inhibition.
Comparison of optical coherence tomography and ultrasound biomicroscopy for detection of narrow anterior chamber angles.

OBJECTIVE To assess the accuracy of classification of narrow anterior chamber (AC) angles using quantitative imaging by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). DESIGN Observational comparative study. METHODS A high-speed (4000 axial scans/s) anterior segment OCT prototype was developed using a 1.3-microm light source. Seventeen normal subjects (17 eyes) and 7 subjects (14 eyes) with narrow angle glaucoma were enrolled. All subjects underwent gonioscopy, OCT, and UBM. Quantitative AC angle parameters (angle opening distance, angle recess area, and the trabecular-iris space area [a new parameter we have defined]) were measured from OCT and UBM images using proprietary processing software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Specificity and sensitivity in identifying narrow angles with image-derived AC angle parameters. RESULTS Eight of 31 eyes were classified as having narrow angles (Shaffer grade < or =1 in all quadrants). The AC angle parameters measured by both OCT and UBM had similar mean values, reproducibility, and sensitivity-specificity profiles. Both OCT and UBM showed excellent performance in identifying eyes with narrow angles. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for these parameters were all in the range of 0.96 to 0.98. CONCLUSIONS Optical coherence tomography was similar to UBM in quantitative AC angle measurement and detection of narrow angles. In addition, it was easier to use and did not require contact with the eye. Optical coherence tomography is a promising method for screening individuals at risk for narrow angle glaucoma.
WiMAX ’ s technology for LOS and NLOS environments

1. Abstract While many technologies currently available for fixed broadband wireless can only provide line of sight (LOS) coverage, the technology behind WiMAX has been optimized to provide excellent non line of sight (NLOS) coverage. WiMAX’s advanced technology provides the best of both worlds – large coverage distances of up to 50 kilometers under LOS conditions and typical cell radii of up to 5 miles/8 km under NLOS conditions.
Constructing an orthonormal set of eigenvectors for DFT matrix using Gramians and determinants

The problem of constructing an orthogonal set of eigenvectors for a DFT matrix is well studied. An elegant solution is mentioned by Matveev in his paper "Interwining relations between the Fourier transfom and discrete Fourier transform, the related functional identities and beyond". In this paper, we present a distilled form of his solution including some steps unexplained in his paper, along with correction of typos and errors using more consistent notation. Then we compare the computational complexity of his method with the more traditional method involving direct application of the Gram-Schmidt process. Finally, we present our implementation of Matveev's method as a Mathematica module.
Near 5-Day Nonisostatic Response to Atmospheric Surface Pressure and Coastal-Trapped Waves Observed in the Northern South China Sea

AbstractOceanic, nonisostatic responses to near 5-day Rossby–Haurwitz atmospheric pressure waves have been observed in open oceans; however, such responses based on observations in marginal seas such as the South China Sea have not been reported, owing to the limited ocean bottom pressure Pbot records. The Pbot measurements from pressure recording inverted echo sounders (PIESs) at sites in the northern South China Sea revealed a nonisostatic-like response near 5 days, although the coastal-trapped waves (CTWs) appeared to obscure it because their broadband periods include the near 5-day band. Cross-spectral analysis revealed that the PIES Pbot records and the sea level (SL) records of Hong Kong all correlate strongly with the atmospheric pressure and winds over the East China Sea. This is indicative of remotely forced CTWs. The PIES Pbot records showed higher coherence near 5 days with the zonal low-pass wavelength filters applied to the atmospheric pressure, and the phase analysis results strongly suggest.
Evaluation of a rehabilitative pedorthic: plantar pressure alterations with scaphoid pad application.

Scaphoid or longitudinal arch pads are frequently prescribed pedorthics for foot and ankle rehabilitation. These pedorthics are reported to be effective in mechanically supporting the medial longitudinal arch while reducing plantar and medial soft tissue strain. The objective of this study was to measure alterations in ambulatory plantar pressure metrics in a group of adults secondary to scaphoid pad application. The biomechanical rationale of this study was that the geometry of foot contact would be altered secondary to foot inversion. Ten adult male subjects with biomechanically normal feet were evaluated during multiple trials. A Holter type microprocessor-based portable in-shoe plantar pressure data acquisition system was used to record the dynamic data. Pressures were recorded from eight discrete plantar locations at the hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot regions of the insole. Statistically significant (p < or = 0.05) increases in peak pressures were seen laterally with scaphoid pad application, while significant decreases in peak pressures with pad usage occurred at the hallux and the calcaneal region of the foot. At the medial longitudinal arch, peak pressures increased from near 0 to 115.3 kPa, contact durations increased from near 0 to 438 ms, and pressure-time integrals increased from near 0 to 33.4 kPa.s.
Recurrent convolutional neural network for video classification

Video classification is more difficult than image classification since additional motion feature between image frames and amount of redundancy in videos should be taken into account. In this work, we proposed a new deep learning architecture called recurrent convolutional neural network (RCNN) which combines convolution operation and recurrent links for video classification tasks. Our architecture can extract the local and dense features from image frames as well as learning the temporal features between consecutive frames. We also explore the effectiveness of sequential sampling and random sampling when training our models, and find out that random sampling is necessary for video classification. The feature maps from our learned model preserve motion from image frames, which is analogous to the persistence of vision in human visual system. We achieved 81.0% classification accuracy without optical flow and 86.3% with optical flow on the UCF-101 dataset, both are competitive to the state-of-the-art methods.
Peritoneal Dialysis in Patients with Primary Cardiac Failure Complicated by Renal Failure

Background/Aims: Clinical outcome in cardiorenal syndrome type II and treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: Retrospective analysis over a period of 10 years. Results: Twenty-four patients with mean age at start of dialysis of 67 ± 10 years had mean survival on dialysis of 1.03 ± 0.84 years (median survival 1.0 year). The number of hospitalizations for cardiovascular causes were reduced (13.7 ± 26.5 predialysis vs. 3.5 ± 8.8 days/patient/month postdialysis, p = 0.001). Patients who survived longer than the median survival time (n = 12) also had a reduced number of hospitalizations for all causes (3.7 ± 3.8 predialysis vs. 1.4 ± 2.1 days/patient/month postdialysis, p = 0.041), a lower age (62 ± 10 vs. 71 ± 8 years, p = 0.013) and fewer had diabetes (2 vs. 7 patients, p = 0.039), but left ventricular ejection fraction was not different. Conclusion: After starting PD for cardiorenal syndrome, hospitalizations for cardiovascular causes were reduced for all patients. Survival after starting PD is highly variable. Age and diabetes seem to be significant prognostic factors, but not left ventricular ejection fraction.
Striatal beta-amyloid deposition in Parkinson disease with dementia.

In a recent article, Kalaitzakis et al (1) reported a significantly greater amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) burden in the striatum of cases of Parkinson disease (PD) with dementia (PDD) than in nondemented PD patients, whereas α-synuclein (αSN) and tau deposition were similarly rare in both groups. Because neuritic Braak stages were rather low in both groups, it was concluded that Aβ deposition in the striatum, which was type independent of Alzheimer disease (AD) changes, strongly correlates with dementia in PD. These data can, at least in part, be confirmed from the results of a personal autopsy series of 64 cases of Lewy body disease (21 PD, 23 PDD, and 20 dementia with Lewy bodies [DLB]). Neuropathologic assessment was performed according to standardized methods. Multiple paraffin-embedded blocks were examined using routine stains and immunohistochemistry for tau, Aβ (clone 4G8), and αSN. …
Functional characterization of active transport of progesterone to adrenal cells

The characterization of the transport mechanism of progesterone, which is one of the neutral steroids in the adrenal cells, has been studied by the examination of progesterone uptake into the monolayers of SW‐13 cells (a human adrenal adenocarcinoma cell line). The uptake of [3H]progesterone at a tracer concentration (1 nM) exhibited temperature, pH and sodium dependency. According to kinetic analysis of the concentration dependence, the uptake of progesterone involves saturable and non‐saturable processes. The uptake for the saturable process, which gave Kt values (half‐saturation concentration) of 4.7 ± 8.7 μM, was inhibited by metabolic inhibitors and amino‐acid modifiers but not by endocytosis inhibitors or substrates for known transporters. The uptake of progesterone was also inhibited by several neutral steroids but not by anionic steroids. The inhibition by both β‐estradiol and estriol was competitive. The uptake of progesterone by the adrenal cells might be at least partially accounted for by a specific carrier‐mediated transport mechanism generated by sodium ions and an electrochemical mechanism.
Enhancement of Risk of Tick-Borne Infection: Environmental and Parasitological Aspects of the Problem

Abstract The appearance of phenotypic (and probably genetic) exoskeleton anomalies in Ixodes ticks, first discovered and described elsewhere, seems to be a global phenomenon clearly related to environment pollution by heavy metal ions. These external markers of cadmium accumulation in the tick indicate an enhanced risk of tick-borne infection related to an increased vectorial capacity. This manifests itself in the ability of infected ticks both to quest longer and to show increased locomotory activity (hunting) compared with normal ticks. Ticks with exoskeleton anomalies show a greater susceptibility to different microorganisms, including tick-borne pathogens, and more intense pathogen replication with a higher prevalence of multi-infection.