Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Perception with Tactile Object Recognition in Adaptive Grippers for Human–Robot Interaction

The use of tactile perception can help first response robotic teams in disaster scenarios, where visibility conditions are often reduced due to the presence of dust, mud, or smoke, distinguishing human limbs from other objects with similar shapes. Here, the integration of the tactile sensor in adaptive grippers is evaluated, measuring the performance of an object recognition task based on deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) using a flexible sensor mounted in adaptive grippers. A total of 15 classes with 50 tactile images each were trained, including human body parts and common environment objects, in semi-rigid and flexible adaptive grippers based on the fin ray effect. The classifier was compared against the rigid configuration and a support vector machine classifier (SVM). Finally, a two-level output network has been proposed to provide both object-type recognition and human/non-human classification. Sensors in adaptive grippers have a higher number of non-null tactels (up to 37% more), with a lower mean of pressure values (up to 72% less) than when using a rigid sensor, with a softer grip, which is needed in physical human–robot interaction (pHRI). A semi-rigid implementation with 95.13% object recognition rate was chosen, even though the human/non-human classification had better results (98.78%) with a rigid sensor.
Endoscopy is of low yield in the identification of gastrointestinal neoplasia in patients with dermatomyositis: A cross-sectional study

AIM To determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal neoplasia among dermatomyositis patients who underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy and/or colonoscopy. METHODS A cross-sectional study examining the results of upper endoscopy and colonoscopy in adults with dermatomyositis at an urban, university hospital over a ten year period was performed. Chart review was performed to confirm the diagnosis of dermatomyositis. Findings on endoscopy were collected and statistical analyses stratified by age and presence of symptoms were performed. RESULTS Among 373 adult patients identified through a code based search strategy, only 163 patients had dermatomyositis confirmed by chart review. Of the 47 patients who underwent upper endoscopy, two cases of Barrett’s esophagus without dysplasia were identified and there were no cases of malignancy. Of the 67 patients who underwent colonoscopy, no cases of malignancy were identified and an adenoma was identified in 15% of cases. No significant differences were identified in the yield of endoscopy when stratified by age or presence of symptoms. CONCLUSION The yield of endoscopy is low in patients with dermatomyositis and is likely similar to the general population; we identified no cases of malignancy. A code based search strategy is inaccurate for the diagnosis of dermatomyositis, calling into question the results of prior population-based studies. Larger studies with rigorously validated search strategies are necessary to understand the risk of gastrointestinal malignancy in patients with dermatomyositis.
Ischemic tolerance in skeletal muscle: role of nitric oxide.

We tested the hypothesis that ischemic preconditioning (PC) of skeletal muscle provided tolerance to a subsequent ischemic event 24 h later, and that such protection was due to nitric oxide (NO). Male Wistar rats, anesthetized with halothane, were randomly assigned to groups: ischemic (no PC; n = 11), PC ( n = 11), PC + N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 100 μmol/l; n = 5), PC + N-nitro-d-arginine methyl ester (100 μmol/l; n= 4), PC + aminoguanidine (AMG; 100 μmol/l; n = 4), ischemic +l-NAME ( n= 4), or ischemic + AMG ( n = 4). PC consisted of 5× 10 min of ischemia and reperfusion, and, 24 h later, 2 h of ischemia were induced by a tourniquet applied to the limb. With the use of intravital microscopy, the number of perfused capillaries ( N pc) in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle was measured over a 90-min reperfusion period. The ratio of ethidium bromide- to bisbenzimide-labeled nuclei was used to estimate tissue injury. PC preserved N pc(23.6 ± 2.5) following 2 h of ischemia compared with sham muscles (11.5 ± 5.1), significantly elevating inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activity (81% increase), but did not afford protection to the parenchyma.l-NAME and AMG prevented ischemia-reperfusion-induced reduction in N pc in muscles without PC. However, after 90 min of reperfusion,l-NAME ( N pc = 15.0 ± 1.7), but not AMG ( N pc = 22.8 ± 3.1), significantly reduced the microvascular protection afforded by PC. We conclude that PC of the EDL muscle resulted, 24 h later, in protection to microvascular perfusion only, and that such protection was due to NO from sources other than iNOS.
Load response and gap formation in a single‐row cruciate suture rotator cuff repair

Double‐row rotator cuff tendon repair techniques may provide superior contact area and strength compared with single‐row repairs, but are associated with higher material expenses and prolonged operating time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate gap formation, ultimate tensile strength and stiffness of a single‐row cruciate suture rotator cuff repair construct, and to compare these results with those of the Mason‐Allen and SutureBridge repair constructs.
APPLICATION OF NEAR-INFRARED REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY FOR DETERMINATION OF NUTRIENT CONTENTS IN LIQUID AND SOLID MANURES

Proper application of livestock manure to agricultural land converts waste to fertilizer, but relies on knowing the nutrient content of the manure. Manure samples (111 solid poultry layer, 95 solid poultry broiler litter, 39 swine solid hoop, 72 beef cattle, 85 swine slurry, and 88 swine liquid lagoon) were collected from farms in three states to investigate the feasibility and limitations for using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to analyze manure nutrients. Spectral data in the near-infrared (NIR) region (1100-2500 nm) from manure samples were correlated with chemical analytical data from the same samples using partial least squares regression techniques in conjunction with six mathematical data pretreatments. The best calibration equations were selected on the basis of the smallest standard error of prediction (SEP) and the largest coefficient of determination (R 2 ) of cross-validation. The ratio (abbreviated as RPD) of the standard deviation (SD) of the constituent in the sample population to the SEP was used to evaluate the future prediction performance of calibration models. After using the mathematical pretreatments, the R 2 values of the one-out cross-validation for total solids (TS), volatile solid (VS), total nitrogen (TN), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) were between 0.80 and 0.97 for all manure samples. The R 2 values of the one-out cross-validation for minerals ranged from 0.71 to 0.81, 0.50 to 0.78, 0.74 to 0.94, 0.66 to 0.91, 0.73 to 0.91, and 0.70 to 0.90 in poultry solid layer, poultry broiler litter, swine solid hoop, beef cattle, swine liquid lagoon, and swine slurry manure samples, respectively. The RPD values indicate that NIRS can predict TS, VS, TN, NH3-N, and some minerals in manures. NIRS has potential to predict some nutrient concentrations in manure rapidly and accurately.
Roles of Mitochondrial DNA Mutations in Stem Cell Ageing

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations accumulate in somatic stem cells during ageing and cause mitochondrial dysfunction. In this review, we summarize the studies that link mtDNA mutations to stem cell ageing. We discuss the age-related behaviours of the somatic mtDNA mutations in stem cell populations and how they potentially contribute to stem cell ageing by altering mitochondrial properties in humans and in mtDNA-mutator mice. We also draw attention to the diverse fates of the mtDNA mutations with different origins during ageing, with potential selective pressures on the germline inherited but not the somatic mtDNA mutations.
Particulate Guanylyl Cyclase A/cGMP Signaling Pathway in the Kidney: Physiologic and Therapeutic Indications

The particulate guanylyl cyclase A (pGC-A)/cGMP pathway plays important roles in regulating renal physiological function and as well as in counteracting pathophysiological conditions. Naturally occurring peptide pGC-A activators consist of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), b-type NP (BNP), and urodilatin (URO). These activators bind and activate pGC-A, generating the second messenger cyclic 3′,5′ guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Cyclic GMP binds to downstream pathway effector molecules including protein kinase G (PKG), cGMP-gated ion channels, and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). These mediators result in a variety of physiological actions in the kidney, including diuresis, natriuresis, increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and organ protection, thus, opposing renal cellular injury and remodeling. Downstream proteins regulated by PKG include collagen 1 (Col-1), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and apoptosis-related proteins. In addition to their physiological regulatory effects, pGC-A/cGMP signaling is critical for preserving renal homeostasis in different renal diseases such as acute kidney injury (AKI). Regarding therapeutic options, native pGC-A activators have short half-lives and their activity can be further enhanced by advances in innovative peptide engineering. Thus, novel designer peptide pGC-A activators with enhanced renal activity are under development.
Disruption of TCF/β-Catenin Binding Impairs Wnt Signaling and Induces Apoptosis in Soft Tissue Sarcoma Cells

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are malignant tumors of mesenchymal origin and represent around 1% of adult cancers, being a very heterogeneous group of tumors with more than 50 different subtypes. The Wnt signaling pathway is involved in the development and in the regulation, self-renewal, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, and plays a role in sarcomagenesis. In this study, we have tested pharmacologic inhibition of Wnt signaling mediated by disruption of TCF/β-catenin binding and AXIN stabilization, being the first strategy more efficient in reducing cell viability and downstream effects. We have shown that disruption of TCF/β-catenin binding with PKF118-310 produces in vitro antitumor activity in a panel of prevalent representative STS cell lines and primary cultures. At the molecular level, PKF118-310 treatment reduced β-catenin nuclear localization, reporter activity, and target genes, resulting in an increase in apoptosis. Importantly, combination of PKF118-310 with doxorubicin resulted in enhanced reduction of cell viability, suggesting that Wnt inhibition could be a new combination regime in these patients. Our findings support the usefulness of Wnt inhibitors as new therapeutic strategies for the prevalent STS. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(6); 1166–76. ©2017 AACR.
Reduced insulin receptor signaling in the obese spontaneously hypertensive Koletsky rat.

Insulin resistance is associated with both obesity and hypertension. However, the cellular mechanisms of insulin resistance in genetic models of obese-hypertension have not been identified. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of genetic obesity on a background of inherited hypertension on initial components of the insulin signal transduction pathway and glucose transport in skeletal muscle and liver. Oral glucose tolerance testing in SHROB demonstrated a sustained postchallenge elevation in plasma glucose at 180 and 240 min compared with lean spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) littermates, which is suggestive of glucose intolerance. Fasting plasma insulin levels were elevated 18-fold in SHROB. The rate of insulin-stimulated 3- O-methylglucose transport was reduced 68% in isolated epitrochlearis muscles from the SHROB compared with SHR. Insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor β-subunit and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) in intact skeletal muscle of SHROB was reduced by 36 and 23%, respectively, compared with SHR, due primarily to 32 and 60% decreases in insulin receptor and IRS-1 protein expression, respectively. The amounts of p85α regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and GLUT-4 protein were reduced by 28 and 25% in SHROB muscle compared with SHR. In the liver of SHROB, the effect of insulin on tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 was not changed, but insulin receptor phosphorylation was decreased by 41%, compared with SHR, due to a 30% reduction in insulin receptor levels. Our observations suggest that the leptin receptor mutation fak imposed on a hypertensive background results in extreme hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, and decreased expression of postreceptor insulin signaling proteins in skeletal muscle. Despite these changes, hypertension is not exacerbated in SHROB compared with SHR, suggesting these metabolic abnormalities may not contribute to hypertension in this model of Syndrome X.
Comparisons of Risk Factors for Intracerebral Hemorrhage versus Ischemic Stroke in Chinese Patients

Background: Chinese populations have a higher stroke incidence, a higher proportion of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and a lower proportion of ischemic stroke (IS) as compared with white populations. The reasons are not fully understood. Methods: To evaluate the differences of major risk factors between ICH and IS in Chinese stroke patients, we analysed acute ICH and IS patients consecutively recruited in National Taiwan University Hospital Stroke Registry from 2006 to 2011. We used multiple logistic regression models to examine the associations of risk factors with ICH vs. IS. Also, we conducted subgroup analyses when a strongly significant interaction was detected. Results: We included a total of 1,373 ICH and 4,953 IS patients. ICH patients were younger than IS patients (mean age 61 vs. 68 years, p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in gender (males 62 vs. 59%, p = 0.064). A logistic regression model adjusted for age, gender, and other major risk factors showed that both hypertension (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.74-2.87) and alcohol intake (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.16-1.77) had significantly stronger associations with ICH than IS, whereas diabetes, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and transient ischemic attack were less associated with ICH than IS. In subgroup analyses, the association of hypertension with ICH vs. IS was more marked in younger patients. Conclusion: Hypertension and alcohol intake are more strongly associated with ICH than IS in Chinese stroke patients, especially in younger patients.
Clinical Survey of Dengue Virus Circulation in the Republic of Djibouti between 2011 and 2014 Identifies Serotype 3 Epidemic and Recommends Clinical Diagnosis Guidelines for Resource Limited Settings

Dengue virus is endemic globally, throughout tropical and sub-tropical regions. While the number of epidemics due to the four DENV serotypes is pronounced in East Africa, the total number of cases reported in Africa (16 million infections) remained at low levels compared to Asia (70 million infections). The French Armed forces Health Service provides epidemiological surveillance support in the Republic of Djibouti through the Bouffard Military hospital. Between 2011 and 2014, clinical and biological data of suspected dengue syndromes were collected at the Bouffard Military hospital and analyzed to improve Dengue clinical diagnosis and evaluate its circulation in East Africa. Examining samples from patients that presented one or more Dengue-like symptoms the study evidenced 128 Dengue cases among 354 suspected cases (36.2% of the non-malarial Dengue-like syndromes). It also demonstrated the circulation of serotypes 1 and 2 and reports the first epidemic of serotype 3 infections in Djibouti which was found in all of the hospitalized patients in this study. Based on these results we have determined that screening for Malaria and the presence of the arthralgia, gastro-intestinal symptoms and lymphopenia < 1,000cell/ mm3 allows for negative predictive value and specificity of diagnosis in isolated areas superior to 80% up to day 6. This study also provides evidence for an epidemic of Dengue virus serotype 3 previously not detected in Djibouti.
A preventative lifestyle intervention for older adults (lifestyle matters): a randomised controlled trial

Abstract Objectives to test whether an occupation-based lifestyle intervention can sustain and improve the mental well-being of adults aged 65 years or over compared to usual care, using an individually randomised controlled trial. Participants 288 independently living adults aged 65 years or over, with normal cognition, were recruited from two UK sites between December 2011 and November 2015. Interventions lifestyle Matters is a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended multi-component preventive intervention designed to improve the mental well-being of community living older people at risk of decline. It involves weekly group sessions over 4 months and one to one sessions. Main outcome measures the primary outcome was mental well-being at 6 months (mental health (MH) dimension of the SF-36). Secondary outcomes included physical health dimensions of the SF-36, extent of depression (PHQ-9), quality of life (EQ-5D) and loneliness (de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale), assessed at 6 and 24 months. Results data on 262 (intervention = 136; usual care = 126) participants were analysed using intention to treat analysis. Mean SF-36 MH scores at 6 months differed by 2.3 points (95 CI: −1.3 to 5.9; P = 0.209) after adjustments. Conclusions analysis shows little evidence of clinical or cost-effectiveness in the recruited population with analysis of the primary outcome revealing that the study participants were mentally well at baseline. The results pose questions regarding how preventive interventions to promote well-being in older adults can be effectively targeted in the absence of proactive mechanisms to identify those who at risk of decline. Trial Registration ISRCTN67209155.
Restoration of insulin-like growth factor I action in skeletal muscle of old mice.

This study examined the effects of long-term chronic voluntary wheel exercise on the ability of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) to stimulate rates of protein synthesis in the soleus muscle of old C57Bl/6 mice. Factors contributing to any changes in hormone action were analyzed at the level of hormone receptor binding, protein content, and gene expression. Chronic exercise resulted in an increased skeletal muscle mass (10-22%) and a 56% increase in IGF-I-stimulated rates of protein synthesis ( P < 0.05). IGF-I receptor mRNA was increased 46%, IGF-Ireceptor protein was increased 65%, and the binding capacity of the IGF-I high-affinity site was increased sixfold ( P < 0.05) with chronic wheel exercise. Insulin receptor protein content was decreased 35% ( P < 0.05), whereas GLUT-4 content was increased 47% with chronic exercise ( P < 0.05). This study demonstrates that old animals retain a plasticity for IGF I receptor and glucose transporter expression that may have valuable physiological consequences.
Microstructure of vanadium-, niobium- and titanium-alloyed high-chromium white cast irons

In the present work, additions of 2% vanadium, 2% niobium and 2% titanium were respectively made to a high-chromium white iron (17% Cr) to analyse the effect of these elements on the as-cast structure of the alloy, and their influence on the material's hardness. This study was carried out for different solidification rates, so the alloys were cast into wedge-shaped copper moulds. The recorded solidification rates for the ingots ranged from 1.5 K sec−1 for a 2 mm thickness section, to 35 K sec−1 for a 40 mm section. It was found that the addition of these carbide forming elements considerably increased the alloy's hardness by different mechanisms. Vanadium was shown to partition completely to the eutectic carbide phase which increased hardness and the volume fraction of this phase. Niobium and titanium formed extremely hard NbC and TiC respectively, which in turn produced a refinement in the structure and contributed to the increase in hardness of the iron. There was no evidence that these elements influenced the size and morphology of the eutectic carbide M7C3 for the experienced solidification rates.
Evaluation of a Silver-Embedded Ceramic Tablet as a Primary and Secondary Point-of-Use Water Purification Technology in Limpopo Province, S. Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes point-of-use water treatment (PoUWT) technologies as effective means to improve water quality. This paper investigates long-term performance and social acceptance of a novel PoUWT technology, a silver-infused ceramic tablet, in Limpopo Province, South Africa. When placed in a water storage container, the silver-embedded ceramic tablet releases silver ions into water, thereby disinfecting microbial pathogens and leaving the water safe for human consumption. As a result of its simplicity and efficiency, the silver-embedded ceramic tablet can serve as a stand-alone PoUWT method and as a secondary PoUWT to improve exisitng PoUWT methods, such as ceramic water filters. In this paper, three PoUWT interventions were conducted to evaluate the silver-embedded ceramic tablet: (1) the silver-embedded ceramic tablet as a stand-alone PoUWT method, (2) ceramic water filters stand-alone, and (3) a filter-tablet combination. The filter-tablet combination evaluates the silver-embedded ceramic tablet as a secondary PoUWT method when placed in the lower reservoir of the ceramic water filter system to provide residual disinfection post-filtration. Samples were collected from 79 households over one year and analyzed for turbidity, total silver levels and coliform bacteria. Results show that the silver-embedded ceramic tablet effectively reduced total coliform bacteria (TC) and E. coli when used as a stand-alone PoUWT method and when used in combination with ceramic water filters. The silver-embedded ceramic tablet’s performance as a stand-alone PoUWT method was comparable to current inexpensive, single-use PoUWT methods, demonstrating 100% and 75% median reduction in E. coli and TC, respectively, after two months of use. Overall, the the filter-tablet combination performed the best of the three interventions, providing a 100% average percent reduction in E. coli over one year. User surveys were also conducted and indicated that the silver-embedded ceramic tablet was simple to use and culturally appropriate. Also, silver levels in all treated water samples remained below 20 μg/L, significantly lower than the drinking water standard of 100 μg/L, making it safe for consumption. Long-term data demonstrates that the silver-embedded ceramic tablet has beneficial effects even after one year of use. This study demonstrates that the silver-embedded ceramic tablet can effectively improve water quality when used alone, or with ceramic water filters, to reduce rates of recontamination. Therefore, the tablet has the potential to provide a low-cost means to purify water in resource-limited settings.