Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minimally Invasive Segmental Artery Coil Embolization for Preconditioning of the Spinal Cord Collateral Network before One-Stage Descending and Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm Repair

Objective Paraplegia remains the most devastating complication after thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAA/A) repair. The collateral network (CN) concept of spinal cord perfusion suggests segmental artery (SA) occlusion to mobilize redundant intraspinal and paraspinal arterial sources and ultimately trigger arteriogenesis, leading to spinal cord blood flow restoration within 96 to 120 hours. This principle is used by the two-staged approach to TAA/A-repair—which has lead to an elimination of paraplegia in an experimental model. However, the clinical implementation of a two-staged surgical procedure is challenging, particularly in the absence of an appropriate vascular segment for a “staged” open anastomosis or an appropriate endovascular landing zone. Selective, transfemoral minimally invasive SA coil embolization (MISACE) could provide the solution for one-stage repair of extensive aortic pathologies by triggering arteriogenic CN preconditioning and thereby allowing for recruitment of otherwise redundant arterial collaterals to the spinal cord. Methods The feasibility of MISACE was explored in a single animal using an established piglet model. A 6F sheet was introduced via the femoral artery, and a 4F standard Judkins catheter was used for selective angiography and coil insertion. All thoracic and lumbar aortic SAs (15 pairs; Th4–L5) were successfully identified by dye injection. Pediatric platinum endovascular coils (Trufill Pushable Coils, 3 × 20 mm; Cordis, Waterloo, Belgium) were deployed to serially occlude the SA mimicking a CN preconditioning procedure. Results All intercostal (thoracic) and lumbar aortic SAs (Th4–L5) were successfully identified and occluded by coil embolization. Successful SA coil embolization was verified intraoperatively by selective dye injection on angiography. No intraoperative coil dislodgement occurred. Autopsy revealed complete occlusion of all embolized SAs enhanced by early local thrombus formation. Thrombotic material was found only distally to the coils. No SA dissection was observed at the aortic SA origins. Conclusions The MIS ACE technique allows for rapid serial endovascular occlusion of all thoracic and lumbar SAs. This new innovative approach bares the potential to CN preconditioning at the respective level of aortic pathology—to allow for adequate perioperative spinal cord blood supply—before conventional open or endovascular surgery. Selective, transarterial MISACE might lead to a dramatic reduction of ischemic spinal cord injury after open and endovascular TAA/A repair in the future.
Towards enhancing human experience by affective robots: Experiment and discussion

Many studies have addressed the affective robot, a robot that can express emotion, in the field of human-robot interaction. Really useful applications, however, can only be designed if the effect of such expressions on the user are completely elucidated. In this paper, we propose a new useful application scenario for the affective robot that shares the user's experience and describe an experiment in which the user's experience is altered by the presence of the affective robot. As the stimulus, we use movie scenes to evoke 4 types of emotion: excitement, fright, depression, and relaxation. Twenty four participants watch different movies under three conditions: no robot present, with robot that offers appropriate emotional expression, and with robot that has random emotional expression. The results show that the participants watching with the appropriate emotion robot experienced stronger emotion with exciting and relaxing movies and weaker emotion with scary movies than is true without the robot. These changes in the viewer's experience did not occur when watching with the random emotion robot. From the results, we extract design points of affective robot behavior for enhancing user experience. This research is novel in terms of examining the impact of robot emotion, seen as appropriate by the viewer, on the viewer's experience.
Wang and Nihan 1 FREEWAY TRAFFIC SPEED ESTIMATION USING SINGLE LOOP OUTPUTS

Traffic speed is one of the most important indicators for traffic control and management. Unfortunately, speed can not be measured directly from single inductance loops, the most commonly used detectors. To calculate space-mean speed, a constant g is often adopted to convert lane occupancy to traffic density. However, as will be illustrated by our data in this study, such a formula consistently underestimates speed whenever a significant number of trucks and/or other longer vehicles are present. This is due to the fact that the g value is actually not a constant, but rather a function of vehicle length. To calculate the g value suitably, we need to know the long vehicle (LV) percentage or mean vehicle length in real-time. However, such information is not directly available from single loop outputs. In this paper, we show how the occupancy variance obtained from single loop data can be used to estimate long vehicle percentage, and how a log linear regression model for mean vehicle length estimation based only on single loop outputs can be developed. The estimated mean vehicle length is used to calculate the corresponding g value in real-time in order to estimate speed more accurately. Our speed estimations with corrected g are very close to the speeds observed by the speed trap in the current study.
Chaos and language

Human language is a complex communication system with unlimited expressibility. Children spontaneously develop a native language by exposure to linguistic data from their speech community. Over historical time, languages change dramatically and unpredictably by accumulation of small changes and by interaction with other languages. We have previously developed a mathematical model for the acquisition and evolution of language in heterogeneous populations of speakers. This model is based on game dynamical equations with learning. Here, we show that simple examples of such equations can display complex limit cycles and chaos. Hence, language dynamical equations mimic complicated and unpredictable changes of languages over time. In terms of evolutionary game theory, we note that imperfect learning can induce chaotic switching among strict Nash equilibria.
A 3-D Overbridge-Shaped Micromixer for Fast Mixing Over a Wide Range of Reynolds Numbers

This paper reports the development of a 3-D passive micromixer named the overbridge-shaped micromixer (OBM), which can achieve fast mixing by taking advantage of the splitting, recombination, and chaotic advection mechanisms simultaneously. A scheme with the splitting channels of unequal widths is proposed for tremendously enhancing the mixing uniformity in the regions closing to the side walls. The channel depth-to-width ratio is the key factor to mixing performance. A four-unit OBM has been successfully fabricated via a multilayer polydimethylsiloxane process, and the total length of the OBM is <;2 mm. Up to a 90% efficiency has been achieved within a Reynolds number (Re) range from 0.01 to 200 by numerical analysis, and the same mixing efficiency was also proven experimentally within a Re range from 0.01 to 50. A high efficiency of 90% was also obtained when mixing two fluids with different flow rates at the two inlets ranging from a ratio of 1:9 to 9:1.
Effect of Chronic Hypoxia on Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression in Rat Myocardial Tissue

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of chronic exposure to low cellular oxygen tension (90% N2 and 10% O2 for 14 days) in Inducing apoptosis and activation of transcription and translation of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (INOS) in rat hearts tissue. Rats were divided into four groups: normoxic, hypoxic, rats maintained in normoxic condition for 7 days and subjected to hypoxic conditions for another 7 days, and rats maintained in hypoxic condition for 7 days and subjected to normoxic conditions for another 7 days. At the 7th and 14th days, five rats from each group were sacrificed. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis were performed on myocardial tissue to reveal the presence of INOS. Expression of INOS was determined by RT-PCR. Apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling and by detection of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation by electrophoresis. Electrophoretic analysis of DNA showed oligonucleosomal fragmentation in the hypoxic groups, but no ladder was observed in the other groups. This data was confirmed through end labeling with streptavidin-biotin (biotin d-UTP). INOS expression was evaluated through immunohistochemical techniques (Ab anti-INOS) and Western blotting, and the results were quantified with a computerized imaging analysis. The expression of INOS protein was greater in the hypoxic groups; in the normoxic groups, only a nonspecific background was detected. This data was supported with results obtained through RT-PCR, which showed the specific transcription of mRNA for INOS in the same experimental conditions. In addition, the INOS activity was also evaluated and was found to be more active in the hypoxic groups (0.1 ± 0.01 vs 0.02 ± 0.003). The present study shows that exposure to low oxygen tension is capable of inducing programmed cell death and activating INOS.
Perceptions of undergraduate students not participating in HIV/AIDS prevention activities in Botswana.

BACKGROUND Botswana is one of the countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. Prevalence rates of 22.8% and 38.6% have been reported for age groups 15-19 and 20-24 years respectively. The government has solicited a concerted effort of all individuals and agencies in both the public and private sector in the fight against HIV/AIDS. PURPOSE This report is part of the findings of a study conducted at a university to evaluate students' perceptions of the effectiveness of two HIV/AIDS initiatives put in place and aimed at changing the students' knowledge, attitudes and behaviour. METHODS The study utilized the Rapid Assessment Process (RAP). Four teams interviewed: students who had taken the course; students who had used the centre; students who had taken the course and used the centre; and students who have neither taken the course nor used the centre. Initial steps in data analysis involved coding and theme derivation. Findings reported here were from participants who neither participated in the course nor used the centre. FINDINGS Participants reported the following problems, which were hindering the success of the programmes: problems in the ABC message; permissive campus environment; lack of entertainment; and students' perceptions about HIV/AIDS and their own vulnerability. Participants came up with suggestions for improving the initiatives. The authors discuss implications of the study findings for the university's initiatives.
Massively parallel 454‐sequencing of fungal communities in Quercus spp. ectomycorrhizas indicates seasonal dynamics in urban and rural sites

We analysed two sites within and outside an urban development in a rural background to estimate the fungal richness, diversity and community composition in Quercus spp. ectomycorrhizas using massively parallel 454‐sequencing in combination with DNA‐tagging. Our analyses indicated that shallow sequencing (∼150 sequences) of a large number of samples (192 in total) provided data that allowed identification of seasonal trends within the fungal communities: putative root‐associated antagonists and saprobes that were abundant early in the growing season were replaced by common ectomycorrhizal fungi in the course of the growing season. Ordination analyses identified a number of factors that were correlated with the observed communities including host species as well as soil organic matter, nutrient and heavy metal enrichment. Overall, our application of the high throughput 454 sequencing provided an expedient means for characterization of fungal communities.
Heterotic–type IIA duality with fluxes

In this paper we study a possible non-perturbative dual of the heterotic string compactified on K3 ? T2 in the presence of background fluxes. We show that type IIA string theory compactified on manifolds with SU(3) structure can account for a subset of the possible heterotic fluxes. This extends our previous analysis to a case of a non-perturbative duality with fluxes.
Graphical model approximations to the full Bayes random finite set filter

Random finite sets (RFS) has been a fruitful area of research in recent years, yielding new approximate filters such as the probability hypothesis density (PHD), cardinalised PHD (CPHD), and multiple target multi-Bernoulli (MeMBer). Comparably, little work has been done in developing implementations of the full Bayes RFS filter. In this paper, we assume a structured form for the full multiple target RFS distribution, and show that this structure is maintained by the prediction and update operations. The form involves the union of a Poisson point process (PPP) and a structure similar to a MeMBer distribution, but with a particular form of coupling between the single target components; this suggests a new family of hybrid algorithms combining these components. Subsequently, we show that sum-product loopy belief propagation (LBP) can be used to perform inference on the distribution, approximating it by a MeMBer distribution, the components of which approximately incorporate the impact of data association. We also describe an efficient implementation of the related max-product LBP algorithm, which can be used to implement multiple dimensional assignment (MDA), yielding a closely related multiple hypothesis tracking (MHT) algorithm. Finally, we describe how this points to a hybrid algorithm that uses the MDA solution to fix coalescence, a major problem with the sum-product based filter.
4. Responding to the Challenging Dilemma of Faculty Engagement in Research on Teaching and Learning and Disciplinary Research

Over the past two decades, the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) has received increased attention in academe. Broadly conceptualized as an area which combines the experience of teaching with the scholarship of research, and the dissemination of this knowledge such that the broader academic community can benefit from this scholarly product, SoTL has been regarded as a primary means to increase the quality and value of teaching in higher education. This paper explores five challenges which contribute to the dilemma of faculty engagement in research on teaching and learning: limited expertise, the graduate studies culture, terminology (SoTL is widely misunderstood), reward and recognition, and time constraints. Responses to these challenges are presented in hopes of contributing to a positive dialogue for change, where faculty engagement in research on teaching and learning not only continues to grow, but becomes firmly grounded as an essential scholarly activity within higher education.
Advances in CMOS SoC radar sensor for contactless cardiac monitoring

The advances in the implementation of the wearable system-on-chip pulse radar sensor for contact-less cardiac monitoring, designed and fabricated in 90nm CMOS technology, are presented. The LNA, pulse generator and delay generator have been measured and their performances have demonstrated a good agreement with the simulation results. A review of the feasibility study based on building-block measurement results and system simulations confirm at this stage the results of the preliminary feasibility study.
Influence of several uropathogenic microorganisms on human sperm motility parameters in vitro.

AIM The effects of certain uropathogenic microorganisms (Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis) on human sperm motility characteristics were studied in vitro. METHODS In 10 healthy fertile men, ejaculates were aseptically obtained by masturbation and with a swim-up technique, a sperm suspension of high motility and purity was obtained. Several uropathogenic bacteria were obtained from outpatients with genitourinary tract infections. The sperm suspension was incubated with the pathogens at a bacteria: sperm ratio of 50:1 at 37deg. The sperm mobility parameters were estimated with a computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) provided with a multiple-exposure photography system (Madi Corp., Zhejiang, China). Measurements were carried out at 0, 2 and 4 hours of incubation. RESULTS Staphylococcus aureus significantly decreased the sperm motility and viability, but Staphylococcus epidermidis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae did not. CONCLUSION Staphylococcus aureus has an inhibitory effect on human sperm motility in vitro.
The synthetic TLR2 agonist BPPcysMPEG leads to efficient cross‐priming against co‐administered and linked antigens

The property of DC to generate effective CTL responses is influenced by TLR signaling. TLR ligands contain molecular signatures associated with pathogens, have an impact on the antigen processing and presentation by DC, and are being exploited as potential adjuvants. We hypothesized that the TLR2/6 heterodimer agonist S‐[2,3‐bispalmitoyiloxy‐(2R)‐propyl]‐R‐cysteinyl‐amido‐monomethoxyl polyethylene glycol (BPP), a synthetic derivative of the Mycoplasma macrophage activating lipopeptide‐2, is a potent adjuvant for cross‐priming against cellular antigens. Systemic administration of BPP‐induced maturation of CD8α+ DC and CD8α− DC in the spleen and resulted in enhanced cross‐presentation of intravenously co‐administered antigen in mice. In addition, administration of BPP and cell‐associated OVA generated an effective CTL response against OVA in vivo in a CD4+ T helper cell‐dependent manner, but independent of IFN‐α. Delivering antigenic peptides directly linked to BPP led to superior CTL immunity as compared to giving antigens and adjuvants admixed. In contrast to other TLR ligands, such as CpG, systemic activation of DC with BPP did not result in shut‐down of antigen presentation by splenic DC subsets, although cross‐priming against subsequently encountered antigens was reduced. Together, our data provide evidence that BPP is a potent stimulus to generate CTL via cross‐priming.
Pulsed dye laser vs. photodynamic therapy in the treatment of refractory nail psoriasis: a comparative pilot study

Background Nail psoriasis is often refractory to traditional treatments, and patients with nail psoriasis usually demand a therapeutic option. Both photodynamic therapy (PDT) and pulse dye laser (PDL) have proved effective for plaque‐type psoriasis, but they have not been evaluated in nail psoriasis. On the other hand, delta‐aminolaevulinic acic has been shown to penetrate into the nail matrix and nail bed occluded with bioadhesive patches.
Nitric oxide‐mediated metabolic regulation during exercise: effects of training in health and cardiovascular disease

Accumulating data suggest that nitric oxide (NO) is important for both coronary and peripheral hemodynamic control and metabolic regulation during exercise. Although still controversial, NO of endothelial origin may potentiate exercise‐induced hyperemia. Mechanisms of release include both acetylcholine derived from the neuromuscular junction and elevation in vascular shear stress. A splice variant of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS), nNOSμ, is expressed in human skeletal muscle. In addition to being a potential modulator of blood flow, NO from skeletal muscle regulates muscle contraction and metabolism. In particular, recent human data indicate that NO plays a role in muscle glucose uptake during exercise independently of blood flow. Exercise training in healthy individuals elevates NO bioavailability through a variety of mechanisms including increased NOS enzyme expression and activity. Such adaptations likely contribute to increased exercise capacity and cardiovascular protection. Cardiovascular risk factors including hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking as well as established disease are associated with impairment of the various NO systems. Given that NO is an important signaling mechanism during exercise, such impairment may contribute to limitations in exercise capacity through inadequate coronary or peripheral perfusion and via metabolic effects. Exercise training in individuals with elevated cardiovascular risk or established disease can increase NO bioavailability and may represent an important mechanism by which exercise training conveys benefit in the setting of secondary prevention. — Kingwell, B. A. Nitric oxide‐mediated metabolic regulation during exercise: effects of training in health and cardiovascular disease. FASEB J. 14, 1685–1696 (2000)
Cloud Computing: An Operational Framework in the Implementation of ERP

The present scenario for ERP is the shift from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud environment through utilization of cloud computing technologies. The characteristics of cloud computing offers many promises to cloud-based ERP systems. Cloud based ERP is an alternative to on-premises ERP systems. To implement ERP system with the help of cloud based technology faces many challenges. ERP system implementation is very painful, complex and time consuming and generate the necessity of a massive change in ERP framework to enhance ERP systems infrastructure and functionality. Cloud Computing (CC) platform possess the ability to overcome ERP systems discrepancies with cost-effective, customized and highly available computing resources. Cloud computing is a set of services that provide infrastructure resources using internet media and data storage on a third party server. The research presented in this paper, proposes a framework which is the sandwich of Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory and Technological-Organizational-Environmental (TOE) framework. The various components of DOI and TOE are integrated in such a manner that gives the flavour of ERP. All the constituents of DOI and TOE are spindled with the concept of Cloud computing. The present framework is a generic framework which is in favour of SMEs. Keywords— Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP); Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); Cloud Computing (CC); Diffusion of Innovation (DOI); Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE).
Long‐term follow‐up of chronic hepatitis B after the emergence of mutations in the hepatitis B virus polymerase region

Summary. Treatment of chronic hepatitis B has been greatly improved by the use of lamivudine, but mutations occur in the polymerase region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and lamivudine‐resistant mutants frequently develop. The emergence of lamivudine‐resistant strains of HBV is a problem for treating chronic hepatitis B using lamivudine. We observed biochemical and virological changes in 15 patients with chronic hepatitis B for a median period of 29 months (range: 4–42 months) after the emergence of lamivudine‐resistant mutants of HBV. Patterns of mutation of the polymerase gene were examined by sequencing the LLAQ motif in domain B and the YMDD motif in domain C. Exacerbation of liver dysfunction occurred in 14 (93.3%) of the 15 patients at a median of 4 months after the emergence of mutations. However, exacerbation of liver dysfunction was observed only in four patients (26.7%) at the time of appearance of the first mutations and in 80.0% of the patients at the time of appearance of the second mutations. Increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels was significantly greater at the time of appearance of second mutations (P = 0.0096). In most cases, wild‐type HBV was mutated with the substitution of only rtM204I at first, and rtL180M/M204I mutations and then rtL180M/M204V mutations subsequently appeared. Further mutations of the polymerase region caused clinical deterioration. Thus as mutations emerge in the polymerase region, the clinical outcome deteriorates. Thus, monitoring the patterns of mutation of the polymerase gene is useful when using lamivudine for treating HBV.