Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Suction fixation of the tcPco 2 electrode for fetal monitoring

The fixation ring for suction fixation is made of a soft plastic material and is measuring 24.5 mm in diameter and 5.8 mm in height. The electrode is mounted into the center of the ring and kept in position by the elasticity of the material. A polyethylene catheter is glued into the ring connecting it to the vacuum pump (-20 kPa). The soft plastic material will be deformed by heating, and sterilization should be performed by gamma radiation or by fluid aldehydes. The electrode mounted in the suction ring is attached to the fetal head during vaginal examination without amnioscopy or the use of application tools. The suction fixation technique was evaluated in relation to the glue fixation technique by simultaneous measurements with two electrodes. In adult monitoring no differences in stabilization times and Pco2 values were found. In fetal monitoring a little difference (0.3 kPa) in mean values was found at a cervical dilatation of less than 8 cm, but no difference was found at a cervical dilatation of more than 8 cm. Calibration may be performed by either two-point or one-point calibration. One-point calibration is usually sufficient, but the sensitivity of the electrode should be checked regularly. Electrode sterilization by fluid aldehydes following the calibration does not influence electrode drift. A close correlation was found between the transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension just before delivery and the Pco2 of umbilical artery blood (r = 0.77, n = 64). Stabilization time was short (2.1 min.) and the electrode drift usually low (mean -0.14 kPa or 2.7%) independent of the duration of the monitoring. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Qualitative features selection techniques by profiling statistical features of ECG

The measurement of the electrical activity of the heart can be done with electrocardiogram (ECG). Automatic arrhythmia-diagnosis systems which results in high accuracy rates for inside and outside patient are still an important area of research. The accuracy of such system depends on accuracy of the classification system. All this classification system required qualitative features for classification. This paper proposed a unique method of profiling of statistical features for selection of qualitative features through ECG waveform. The proposed approach for selection of qualitative features can classify and differentiate abnormal heartbeats and normal (NORM). Left bundle branch block (LBBB), right bundle branch block (RBBB), ventricular premature contractions (VPC) and atrial premature contractions (APC) comes under abnormal heart beats.
Effects of Sexually Transmitted Infection Status, Relationship Status, and Disclosure Status on Sexual Self-Concept

Research has indicated that having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as genital herpes and genital human papilloma virus (HPV) can have a negative impact on an individual's sexuality. The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of STI status, relationship status, and disclosure status on various dimensions of sexual self-concept. A questionnaire that evaluated the above variables was completed by 117 individuals with genital herpes, 82 individuals with HPV, and 75 individuals with no STI. The results demonstrated that having herpes or HPV had a significant negative impact on aspects of sexual self-concept. It does not appear that an individual's relationship status is a factor associated with the impact of having an STI on the sexual self-concept. Respondents who had disclosed their STI to their partners, however, had significantly more positive feelings about aspects of their sexual self-concept than those who had not disclosed their STI to their partners. The implications of these research findings for health practitioners are discussed.
Accelerated vaccination schedules provide protection against hepatitis A and B in last-minute travelers.

Hans D. Nothdurft, MD, PhD: Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany; Jane Zuckerman, MD: Academic Centre for Travel Medicine & Vaccines, WHO Collaborating Centre for Travel Medicine, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College London, London, UK; M. Stoffel, MD, and I. Dieussaert, Ir: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals (GSK Bio), Rixensart, Belgium; Pierre Van Damme, MD, PhD: Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, WHO Collaborating Centre for Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
The Natural History of Personality Disorders: Recovery and Residual Symptoms

It used to be thought that personality disorders (PDs) were incurable and untreatable. Both of these assumptions turned out to be wrong. Patients with different types of PD usually improve with time.1 As shown by large-scale prospective research,2 recovery is particularly striking in borderline personality disorder (BPD). There is also good evidence for the efficacy of psychotherapy for many patients with BPD.3 As Biskin4 describes, most patients either recover entirely, or improve to a point when they graduate to a diagnosis of PD, unspecified. And as Black5 describes, even patients with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) show some degree of recovery. Patients with PD have a better prognosis than many patients with mood disorders. This suggests that the practice of targeting mood symptoms, while failing to make PD diagnoses (as so often happens in clinical settings), is profoundly mistaken. This is a particular problem in adolescence, a stage at which most PDs are diagnosable. (The exception is ASPD, but the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, rules to only make this diagnosis after age 18 are arbitrary.) In adolescent BPD, a wide range of impulsive symptoms are associated with unstable mood,4 creating a classical clinical picture. It is also an error to see adolescent PD as a passing phase in development, which it is not. Most patients with ASPD and BPD are young, and, as they age, we see fewer of them. This creates the impression that patients are more chronic, which has been called “The Clinician’s Illusion. ”6 However, people who continue to return to clinical settings still have significant problems. We do not know how to predict these outcomes, and there can be many surprises, both positive and negative, when patients are followed up. The most consistent finding in the literature is that these patients do much better if they can get their substance abuse under control.7 How should clinicians address residual dysfunction in these patients? I have proposed a rehabilitation model,8 but we currently lack firm evidence that such measures would be effective. That could be a subject for the next stage of PD research, on treatment in the context of long-term outcome.
Trichinella pseudospiralis larvae express natural killer (NK) cell-associated asialo-GM1 antigen and stimulate pulmonary NK activity

Natural killer (NK) cell function was evaluated in mice infected with either Trichinella pseudospiralis or T. spiralis larvae. T. pseudospiralis-infected mice consistently demonstrated augmented pulmonary NK cell-mediated clearance of YAC-1 tumor cells in vivo but failed to display enhanced splenic NK cell-mediated lysis of the same tumor cells in vitro. Attempts to alter NK cell function in vivo by the injection of anti-asialo-GM1 antibody resulted in anaphylaxis and death of the hosts infected with T. pseudospiralis but not of mice infected with T. spiralis. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that larvae of both species bound large quantities of anti-asialo-GM1 antibody but did not react with another NK-associated antibody, anti-NK-1.1. Even though anti-asialo-GM1 antibody reacted with larvae of both species, intravenous injection of antibody elicited anaphylaxis only in hosts that were infected with T. pseudospiralis.
Randomized, Controlled Trial of Diabetic Patient Education: Improved Knowledge Without Improved Metabolic Status

We randomized 749 insulin-treated patients on the rolls of the Mount Sinai Medical Center Diabetes Clinic in a controlled trial of diabetic patient education; 345 agreed to participate, of whom 165 were assigned to the education group and 180 to the control group. Cognitive scores increased from 5.3 ± 1.6 to 5.8 ± 1.6 in the education group, but there was no change in the control group, whose score was 5.3 ± 1.7 before and after the intervention (P = .0073). HbA1c fell from 6.8 ± 2.1 to 6.1 ± 2.0% in the education group and from 6.6 ± 2.0 to 6.3 ± 2.0% in the control group, an insignificant difference (P = . 1995). The fasting blood glucose decreased from 223 ± 94 to 179 ± 73 mg/dl in the education group and from 199 ± 81 to 185 ± 76 mg/dl in the controls (P = .1983). Triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and insulin dosage also failed to show significant variation among groups.
Effects of meclofenoxate and Extr. Rhodiolae roseae L. on electroconvulsive shock-impaired learning and memory in rats.

In experiments on albino rats, the authors studied the effects of meclofenoxate and Extr. Rhodiolae roseae on the memory-impairing action of convulsant electroshock. "Step-down" passive avoidance training with negative reinforcement was used to trace the changes in memory. Meclofenoxate administered i.p. in a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight for five days prevented the retrograde amnesia observed after convulsant electroshock upon retention testing on the 3rd and 24th hr after the end of the training session. The Rhodiola extract administered orally in a dose of 0.10 ml/rat for 10 days, which in other experimental approaches improved learning and memory, remained ineffective here. The role of biogenic monoamines in the learning- and memory-improving effects of meclofenoxate is considered on the basis of earlier studies by the authors.
Regulation of dihydrodipicolinate synthase during growth and sporulation of Bacillus cereus

A four- to sixfold increase in specific activity of dihydrodipicolinic acid synthase was observed during sporulation of Bacillus cereus. The enzyme from cells harvested before and after the increase in specific activity appeared to be very similar as judged by pH optima, heat denaturation kinetics, apparent Michaelis constants, chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose and Sephadex G-200, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Studies with various combinations of amino acids and one of the enzyme substrates, pyruvate, failed to give evidence for control of the enzyme by activation, inhibition, repression, induction, or stabilization. Omission of calcium from the sporulation medium had no significant effect on the specific activity pattern of the enzyme as a function of age of culture.
Analysis of different image-based biofeedback models for improving cycling performances

Sport practice can take advantage from the quantitative assessment of task execution, which is strictly connected to the implementation of optimized training procedures. To this aim, it is interesting to explore the effectiveness of biofeedback training techniques. This implies a complete chain for information extraction containing instrumented devices, processing algorithms and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to extract valuable information (i.e. kinematics, dynamics, and electrophysiology) to be presented in real-time to the athlete. In cycling, performance indexes displayed in a simple and perceivable way can help the cyclist optimize the pedaling. To this purpose, in this study four different GUIs have been designed and used in order to understand if and how a graphical biofeedback can influence the cycling performance. In particular, information related to the mechanical efficiency of pedaling is represented in each of the designed interfaces and then displayed to the user. This index is real-time calculated on the basis of the force signals exerted on the pedals during cycling. Instrumented pedals for bikes, already designed and implemented in our laboratory, have been used to measure those force components. A group of subjects underwent an experimental protocol and pedaled with (the interfaces have been used in a randomized order) and without graphical biofeedback. Preliminary results show how the effective perception of the biofeedback influences the motor performance.
A novel speed-sensorless adaptive hill climbing algorithm for fast and efficient maximum power point tracking of wind energy conversion systems

This research paper proposes a novel solution to the problems that exists in the normal hill climb searching (HCS) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm for wind energy conversion systems (WECS). The solution presented not only solves the tracking speed vs. control efficiency tradeoff problem of HCS but also makes sure that the changing wind conditions shouldnpsilat lead HCS in the wrong direction. It intelligently adapts the variable step size to keep up with the rapid changes in the wind. Plus it has a self tuning capability to copes with the non constant efficiencies of the generator-converter subsystem. The new control law requires neither mechanical sensors nor any prior knowledge of the system and thus it can work with any kind of WECS. The experimental results obtained confirm that the proposed algorithm is remarkably faster and efficient than the normal one.
Silymarin, a naturally occurring polyphenolic antioxidant flavonoid, inhibits azoxymethane‐induced colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats

The modifying effect of dietary administration of the polyphenolic antioxidant flavonoid silymarin, isolated from milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertneri], on AOM‐induced colon carcinogenesis was investigated in male F344 rats. In the short‐term study, the effects of silymarin on the development of AOM‐induced colonic ACF, being putative precursor lesions for colonic adenocarcinoma, were assayed to predict the modifying effects of dietary silymarin on colon tumorigenesis. Also, the activity of detoxifying enzymes (GST and QR) in liver and colonic mucosa was determined in rats gavaged with silymarin. Subsequently, the possible inhibitory effects of dietary feeding of silymarin on AOM‐induced colon carcinogenesis were evaluated using a long‐term animal experiment. In the short‐term study, dietary administration of silymarin (100, 500 and 1,000 ppm in diet), either during or after carcinogen exposure, for 4 weeks caused significant reduction in the frequency of colonic ACF in a dose‐dependent manner. Silymarin given by gavage elevated the activity of detoxifying enzymes in both organs. In the long‐term experiment, dietary feeding of silymarin (100 and 500 ppm) during the initiation or postinitiation phase of AOM‐induced colon carcinogenesis reduced the incidence and multiplicity of colonic adenocarcinoma. The inhibition by feeding with 500 ppm silymarin was significant (p < 0.05 by initiation feeding and p < 0.01 by postinitiation feeding). Also, silymarin administration in the diet lowered the PCNA labeling index and increased the number of apoptotic cells in adenocarcinoma. β‐Glucuronidase activity, PGE2 level and polyamine content were decreased in colonic mucosa. These results clearly indicate a chemopreventive ability of dietary silymarin against chemically induced colon tumorigenesis and will provide a scientific basis for progression to clinical trials of the chemoprevention of human colon cancer. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Duplicable and effective — A new drop test for BGA assemblies

Drop test performance is a key parameter for electronic packages such as ball-grid array (BGA) used for mobile and handheld applications. To get a repeatable and reliable test result, this paper introduced a modified method based on the currently widely used drop test method, JESD22B111. This method includes a totally symmetric layout so that all BGAs are at the same stress level and same failure probability during the drop. In order to get a consistent reliability result, the drop shock pulse was also clearly defined after analyzing all test results from different test labs with different drop testers. It was found that key parameters to define the failure are acceleration amplitude and velocity change or Delta-V. Delta-V represents energy dissipation during the drop cycle and plays a key role but is often neglected. This study has demonstrated that delta-V needs to be the same to get the same characteristic life of BGA solder joints for a given acceleration amplitude. Furthermore, the calculation of delta-V has been discussed which is critical for the shock pulse using profile other than half-sine shape.
Polyproline II helical structure in protein unfolded states: Lysine peptides revisited

The left‐handed polyproline II (PPII) helix gives rise to a circular dichroism spectrum that is remarkably similar to that of unfolded proteins. This similarity has been used as the basis for the hypothesis that unfolded proteins possess considerable PPII helical content. It has long been known that homopolymers of lysine adopt the PPII helical conformation at neutral pH, presumably a result of electrostatic repulsion between side chains. It is shown here that a seven‐residue lysine peptide also adopts the PPII conformation. In contrast with homopolymers of lysine, this short peptide is shown to retain PPII helical character under conditions in which side‐chain charges are heavily screened or even neutralized. The most plausible explanation for these observations is that the peptide backbone favors the PPII conformation to maximize favorable interactions with solvent. These data are evidence that unfolded proteins do indeed possess PPII content, indicating that the ensemble of unfolded states is significantly smaller than is commonly assumed.
Beta-glucuronidase activity in Sezary cells.

β-glucuronidase activity was estimated semi-quantitatively by a cytochemical method. Strong granular enzyme activity was found to be present in lymphocytes of healthy controls with a pleiomorphic pattern of positivity. In 18 out of 20 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), the lymphocyte score was low as previously described. In the remaining 2 CLL cases, the β-glucuronidase activity showed a value higher than the normal mean score. In erythrodermic patients with ‘Sezary cells’ in the peripheral blood, these abnormal lymphocytic cells had a very strong granular positivity in almost all cases. Since CLL is recognized as a B-cell type proliferation, and Sezary-syndrome as a T-cell counterpart, it is worthy of note that two strikingly different cytochemical patterns are found in these abnormal cells. The significance of the CLL with high β-glucuronidase activity remains as yet unsolved.
340 GHz On-Chip 3-D Antenna With 10 dBi Gain and 80% Radiation Efficiency

This paper discusses the design methodologies of a 340 GHz on-chip 3-D antenna. Firstly, a high-gain and high-radiation efficiency substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity backed on-chip antenna is designed using a standard 0.13- μm SiGe BiCMOS technology. Then, a low-permittivity supporter and a dielectric resonator (DR) are vertically stacked on the proposed on-chip antenna, forming a 3-D Yagi-like antenna to further enhance the gain and radiation efficiency. The measurements showed that the proposed antenna achieved a peak gain of ~10 dBi and radiation efficiency of ~80% at 340 GHz; the impedance bandwidth is ~12% with the use of dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) and the Yagi-like structure. The antenna size is ~0.7×0.7 mm2.
Effects of vitamin E and HMG‐CoA reductase inhibition on cholesteryl ester transfer protein and lecithin‐cholesterol acyltransferase in hypercholesterolemia

BackgroundThe enzyme lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) esterifies free cholesterol on highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) and the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers cholesteryl esters to very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Using statins, contradictory findings have been made regarding CETP activity in normolipidemic individuals and in those with familial dysbetatlipoproteinemia. In contrast, LCAT activity appears to be unaffected by simvastatin. Antioxidants have also been proposed for use in anti-atherosclerotic treatment, because the oxidation of LDL may have a key role in the pathophysiology of atherogenesis. ObjectiveTo investigate, in hypercholesterolemic patients, whether a combination of pravastatin with the antioxidant, vitamin E, has greater effects on the activity of CETP and of LCAT than does pravastatin alone. MethodsThis placebo-diet-controlled multicenter trial included 220 hypercholesterolemic patients who were assigned randomly to groups to receive: diet and 20–40 mg pravastatin (n = 52), diet and pravastatin in combination with 100 mg/day vitamin E (100 IU) as DL-α-tocopherol (n = 56), diet and α-tocopherol (n = 60), or diet associated with placebo (n = 52). Plasma LCAT activity was determined using excess exogenous substrate, containing [3H]cholesterol. Plasma CETP activity was measured in the supernatant fraction after precipitation of endogenous apo B-containing lipoproteins with phosphotungstate-Mg2+. The exchange of cholesteryl esters between [14C]cholesteryl esterlabeled LDL and unlabeled HDL was measured during a 16-h incubation, while LCAT was inhibited. ResultsThe addition of pravastatin to the diet induced a significant decrease in plasma CETP activity (P< 0.05); this effect was less evident in the group cotreated with vitamin E. For the first time, it was shown that CETP concentrations increased significantly after vitamin E alone (P< 0.05). No significant differences in the plasma activity of LCAT were observed among the groups. ConclusionsPravastatin reduced CETP activity, but not that of LCAT. Addition of vitamin E prevented the decrease in CETP activity and had no effect on LCAT activity. The mechanism responsible for these effects is unknown, but could involve the prevention of radical-induced damage to CETP by vitamin E. Coronary Artery Dis 9:257–264
Geometry-Based Tunability Enhancement of Flexible Thin-Film Varactors

In this letter, flexible voltage-controlled capacitors (varactors) based on an amorphous Indium–Gallium–Zinc–Oxide (a-IGZO) semiconductor are presented. Two different varactor designs and their influence on the capacitance tuning characteristics are investigated. The first design consists of a top electrode finger structure which yields a maximum capacitance tunability of 6.9 at 10 kHz. Second, a novel interdigitated varactor structure results in a maximum tunability of 93.7 at 100 kHz. The design- and frequency-dependencies of the devices are evaluated through C–V measurements. Furthermore, we show bending stability of the devices down to a tensile radius of 6 mm without altering the performance. Finally, a varactor is combined with a thin-film resistor to demonstrate a tunable RC-circuit for impedance matching and low-pass filtering applications. The device fabrication flow and material stack are compatible with standard flexible thin-film transistor fabrication which enables parallel implementation of analog or logic circuitry and varactor devices.