Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optical CDMA codes for an indoor localization system using VLC

This paper describes the use of optical Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) codes for an indoor localization system using Visible Light Communication. VLC uses Intensity Modulation and Direct Detection (IM/DD) so the CDMA codes can be used as baseband signals which makes the driving electronics less complex. In order to keep the installation cost low, a backbone network between the LEDs is not present. This makes it an asynchronous CDMA system where the cross- correlation is random and can in some cases introduces large distance errors. There are two groups of Optical CDMA codes namely uni- and bi- polar. When bipolar codes are used, the receiver should be equipped with an appropriated High Pass Filter (HPF). The results show that there is no large difference in cross- correlation between the codes but bipolar codes can reduce the distance error and so the position error even when there is static surrounding light like e.g. sunlight.
Contact heat evoked potentials: Normal values and use in small‐fiber neuropathy

Contact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs) may be an objective, non‐invasive diagnostic tool in small‐fiber neuropathy (SFN). This study establishes normal CHEP values and examines their applicability in SFN patients. Methods: Standardized CHEPs were administered at the wrist and ankle. The N2 and P2 latencies and N2–P2 peak–peak amplitude were recorded by electroencephalography. We examined healthy subjects (n = 97), stratified by age and gender, and SFN patients with abnormal intraepidermal nerve fiber density (n = 42). CHEP reproducibility and interobserver values were also investigated. Results: CHEP normative values were determined. There was a 9–16% increase in latency per centimeter of height with increasing age. Amplitudes were higher in women than men, and decreased (17–71%) with aging. Test‐retest reproducibility and interobserver values were >0.61 and >0.96, respectively. CHEPs were abnormal in 73.8% of the patients. Conclusion: In this study we have established normal values, reliability, and clinical applicability of CHEPs in SFN. Muscle Nerve, 2015 Muscle Nerve 51:743–749, 2015
Risks and benefits of antiarrhythmic therapy.

Drug treatment of cardiac arrhythmias is not uniformly effective and frequently causes side effects. Recently, new data have become available that more clearly delineate the risks of antiarrhythmic-drug therapy. At the same time, establishing a benefit of treatment with these drugs has proved difficult. The potential benefits of antiarrhythmic therapy -- reductions in mortality or in symptoms related to arrhythmias -- as well as the potential risks are outlined in Table 1. In this review I shall consider the available data defining these risks and benefits (which have usually been delineated in specific groups of patients using specific drugs), the risk .
Alteration of glucose-6-phosphatase activity and regenerative, and total DNA concentrations in regenerating and normal rat liver of aqueous extracts of two Nigerian plants.

The effect(s) of an intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of aqueous extracts of two Nigerian medicinal plants, Garcina cola and Vermonia amygdalina on the level of glucose-6-phosphatase activity, total protein content and regenerative and total DNA concentrations, was determined in liver homogenates of partially-hepatectomized and normal albino rat liver. The established control curves for the DNA and microsome syntheses rates after partial hepatectomy showed two waves of synthetic activity; the first occurring at 24 hrs. , and the second at 32 hrs as judged by total regenerative DNA concentration and glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Garcina cola significantly inhibited the first wave of microsome and DNA syntheses by 31% and 24% respectively in a dose-related manner. However, the degree of inhibition of glucose-6-phosphatase activity by Garcina cola was substantially reduced in normal rat liver when administered simultaneously with carbon tetrachloride. Dilute and concentrated extracts of Vermonia amygdalina, on the other hand, elevated the levels of glucose-6-phosphatase activity in normal rat liver by 44% and 54%, respectively over the controls. Total DNA concentration was similarly increased, though to a lesser degree. The implication of these results are discussed in relation to the structural similarity of the furocoumarins contained in these plants to AFB1, and their likely modes of action.
Emerging Significance of NLRs in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract:Pattern recognition receptors are essential mediators of host defense and inflammation in the gastrointestinal system. Recent data have revealed that toll-like receptors and nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins (NLRs) function to maintain homeostasis between the host microbiome and mucosal immunity. The NLR proteins are a diverse class of cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptors. In humans, only about half of the identified NLRs have been adequately characterized. The majority of well-characterized NLRs participate in the formation of a multiprotein complex, termed the inflammasome, which is responsible for the maturation of interleukin-1&bgr; and interleukin-18. However, recent observations have also uncovered the presence of a novel subgroup of NLRs that function as positive or negative regulators of inflammation through modulating critical signaling pathways, including NF-&kgr;B. Dysregulation of specific NLRs from both proinflammatory and inhibitory subgroups have been associated with the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in genetically susceptible human populations. Our own preliminary retrospective data mining efforts have identified a diverse range of NLRs that are significantly altered at the messenger RNA level in colons from patients with IBD. Likewise, studies using genetically modified mouse strains have revealed that multiple NLR family members have the potential to dramatically modulate the immune response during IBD. Targeting NLR signaling represents a promising and novel therapeutic strategy. However, significant effort is necessary to translate the current understanding of NLR biology into effective therapies.
Preoperative terminal ileal and colonic resection histopathology predicts risk of pouchitis in patients after ileoanal pull-through procedure.

OBJECTIVE This study seeks to compare the histopathology of preoperative terminal ileal and colonic resection specimens with pouch biopsies after the ileoanal pull-through (IAPT) procedure. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Pouchitis is the most frequent complication of transanal continent reservoirs in patients after IAPT. METHODS The authors conducted 751 consecutive pouch biopsies on 73 patients with inflammatory bowel disease or familial adenomatous polyposis who underwent IAPT by a single surgeon over a 10-year period. In this preliminary report, a pathologist, in blinded fashion, has graded 468 of the IAPT pouch biopsies and 67 of the patients' preoperative terminal ileal and colonic resection histopathology to date. Colonic histopathology was graded by the extent and severity of disease, terminal ileal and pouch histopathology by active inflammation, chronic inflammation, lymphocyte aggregates, intraepithelial lymphocytes, eosinophils, and villous blunting. RESULTS Extent of colonic disease (gross and microscopic) was a significant predictor of active inflammation in subsequent IAPT pouch biopsy specimens. Also, the gross extent of colonic disease exhibited a significant linear association with pouch inflammation. However, the severity of colonic disease was not significantly predictive of active inflammation in subsequent IAPT pouch biopsies. Terminal ileal active and chronic inflammation were significant predictors of subsequent IAPT pouch inflammation. Although lymphocyte aggregates and intraepithelial lymphocytes were not predictive, terminal ileum eosinophils and villous blunting were significant predictors of active inflammation in subsequent IAPT pouch biopsy specimens. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative terminal ileal and colonic histopathology predicts active inflammation of pouches after IAPT. Patients who are preoperatively assessed to have extensive disease of the colon, ileal disease ("backwash ileitis"), or both appear to be at greater risk for the development of pouchitis after IAPT.
Sensitivity and specificity of a multi-antigen ELISA test for the serological diagnosis of tuberculosis.

A new serological assay (DETECT-TB, BioChem ImmunoSystems), using three recombinant proteins and two synthetic peptides for the detection of the anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis IgG, was evaluated using a panel of serum specimens collected from 100 tuberculosis (TB) patients and 270 controls, in comparison with a homemade ELISA test using purified protein derivative (PPD) as antigen. DETECT-TB presented a higher sensitivity (75%) compared to PPD-ELISA (56%; P < 0.01), while the specificity of each assay was similar (DETECT-TB 97%; PPD-ELISA 100%; P > 0.80). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis obtained with these data confirmed the higher level of performance of DETECT-TB in comparison with PPD-ELISA. Considering the rapidity, cost-effectiveness and simplicity of this assay, its use may provide useful clinical information aiding in the rapid diagnosis of difficult TB cases.
Who Wants a Hearing Aid? Personality Profiles of Hearing Aid Seekers

Objective: Evidence indicates that elderly hearing-impaired people who use amplification live happier, healthier, and longer lives than those who do not. Nevertheless, only a small fraction (approximately 23%) of hearing-impaired adults actually seek and use hearing aids. This study explored the personalities of hearing aid seekers in an attempt to determine whether those who seek hearing aids are systematically different from the general population. Design: In this cross-sectional survey, self-report data were obtained from 230 older adults with bilateral, symmetrical, sensorineural, mild to moderately severe hearing impairment. Subjects were representative of patients served either in a publicly funded hospital-based system (VA) or in a free-standing private practice system (PP). All subjects were seeking new hearing aids. Subjects completed a comprehensive personality questionnaire (NEO-Five-Factor Inventory) as well as questionnaires determining locus of control and preferred coping strategies. Results: Individuals who seek amplification are not simply a random sample of the general population and presumably not a random sample of the hearing-impaired population. Compared with the typical adult, hearing aid seekers tended to be more pragmatic and routine-oriented and probably less imaginative in coming up with novel approaches to dealing with a complex problem such as hearing impairment. These individuals also were found to feel relatively more personally powerful in dealing with life’s challenges. Further, hearing aid seekers reported using social support coping strategies less frequently than their non–hearing-impaired peers. In addition, there were significant differences in personality patterns between hearing aid seekers in the PP and VA systems. Differences noted in the personality traits of Openness and Neuroticism might be a useful guide to selecting treatment approaches and expectations for patients in each setting. Additional differences in Agreeableness imply that patients in the private practice system were more trusting than those in the general population, whereas this was not seen for patients in the public health VA system. One interpretation of this finding is that hearing-impaired individuals who are more suspicious and cynical are reluctant to try amplification in the PP system. This observation underscores the need to improve the public image of hearing health care to increase the uptake of hearing aids in general. Conclusions: Although individual hearing aid seekers display personality characteristics within the range of normal, this study suggested that they are not simply a random sample of the general population. Possible explanations are offered for significant personality differences, and potential clinical relevance is noted for some effects. The data also point to a need to improve the public image of hearing health care in the PP system.
The Clonal Hierachy in Multiple Myeloma

In this report we evaluated the number and phenotype of blood circulating B-cell subsets at different stages of differentiation in 26 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). In all patients, plasma cells and/or plasma blasts could be identified by flow cytometry with a mean frequency of 1.20% and 0.07%, respectively. In 76.9% of the patients these cells showed aberrant expression mainly of CD56, CD28 and CD117, none of these markers were found on the earlier B-lymphocytes. Clonal B-cells preceding the plasma blast stage were identified by patient specific IgH RT-PCR on sorted B-cell subsets. The clonal cells included the less differentiated CD38+/CD19+ and CD38-/CD19+ subsets, illustrating that the clonal cells are part of an ongoing differentiation process. Further, the presence of CD38-/CD19+
Analyse cinématique de la préhension après tétraplégie : bases neurales et impact de l’imagerie motrice

La prehension modifiee apres tetraplegie repose sur la tenodese. Ses caracteristiques cinematiques sont : un transport poignet flechi, etendant les doigts puis une saisie poignet etendu, flechissant les doigts et produisant les prises palmaires et laterales passives. Les deux phases de la prehension sont realisees successivement apres tetraplegie contrairement au maintien du couplage des deux phases du sujet sain. Les caracteristiques cinematiques des autres mouvements du membre superieur en chaine cinetique ouverte sont la conservation des invariants de precision et d'economie pour la programmation des gestes malgre la reduction du nombre de degres disponibles apres tetraplegie mais au detriment d'une reduction de la vitesse d'execution. Le temps de mouvement augmente probablement pour maintenir la precision finale ou consecutivement au deficit moteur. L'extension du coude sans triceps repose sur l'augmentation des mouvements des articulations proximales de l'epaule. Cependant cette compensation est incomplete comme l'atteste la reduction de l'espace de capture superieur ou le deficit moteur des muscles agonistes, synergiques stabilisateurs de la scapulothoracique et du coude mais egalement la raideur et les douleurs de l'epaule sont impliques. L'imagerie motrice (i) ameliore la prehension par tenodese, (ii) conduit une plasticite d'adaptation, (iii) ameliore qualite et structure temporelle de l'imagerie. Ainsi, la prehension gagne en reproductibilite avec une reduction de la variabilite du temps de mouvement. L'extension du poignet augmente lors de la saisie attestant le renforcement du mecanisme de compensation par tenodese pour realiser les prises. L'imagerie motrice favorise une plasticite cerebrale adaptative avec reduction des activations des cortex premoteur et moteur primaire anormalement augmentees apres tetraplegie. Enfin, les hauts scores de vivacite sont associes a une imagerie ralentie revelant un controle de la qualite de la representation mentale au detriment de sa structure temporelle. Apres imagerie, la qualite de la reconstruction mentale se renforce et la structure temporelle s'ameliore
Women’s Awareness and Attitude toward Epidural Analgesia

Introduction: Women’s awareness and attitudes toward Epidural Analgesia (EA) are not clearly identified. The benefits of EA in relieving labor pain are well recognized. However, women’s preferences in using EA to relieve labor pain differ between cultures. The objective of this study was to assess women’s awareness and attitudes toward EA. Methods: A descriptive correlational cross-sectional design was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 550 women in childbearing age. Women were interviewed face-to-face after they agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected from shopping malls, women’s cafeterias, beauty salons and outpatient clinics in Riyadh, KSA. Demographic profiles, knowledge and attitudes of EA questionnaires were used to collect data for the study. Results : The majority of women were young, married, multigravids, lived in Riyadh, were well educated, unemployed, and had a significant monthly income. Women reported a good level of knowledge regarding most of the items on the EA questionnaire. 42% reported that they know about EA from family members/relatives and friends, 18% from the media or readings, 13% from previous delivery experience and 8% from brochures at antenatal clinics. Women’s attitudes toward using EA in future labor were varied since similar percentages agreed, did not agree and weren’t sure about using EA in their future labor. The reasons for the unclear attitudes were advice from relatives not to use EA, and a desire to experience natural labor pain. There was a significance moderate correlation between knowledge and parity (r = .40**, p = .000), income (r = .39**, p = .001), education (r = .31**, p = .000), and attitude (r = .31**, .000). Conclusion and recommendations : Although women’s awareness regarding EA was relatively high, their attitude toward using EA in future labor was not clear. Culturally sensitive educational programs are needed to improve women’s perception and attitude toward using EA in their future labor and to have a satisfactory labor. Keywords: Awareness, attitude, epidural , labor pain, women
Health-related quality of life in Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis: a cross-cultural study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who live in Tehran and to compare data with evaluations of both the general population and MS patients in other countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred and forty patients with MS, yet without severe comorbidity, were selected according to convenience sampling in a cross-sectional study. Data were collected by means of the SF-36 questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The Expanded Disability Status Scale of Kurtzke (EDSS) and Mini Mental State Examination were recorded for all patients. RESULTS The mean age of the participants was 34.7 years. For all SF-36 scales, MS patients were found to have lower scores, after adjustment for sex and age, compared with the general population. BDI and EDSS scores were significantly and negatively correlated with all of the SF-36 scales. Moreover, the BDI and EDSS were found to be positively correlated with one another (r = 0.415, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The findings strongly confirm that patients with MS suffer from poor HRQoL. Depression had a strong effect on HRQoL and in order to improve HRQoL in MS patients the prevention and treatment of depression is vital.
Community development and its impact on health: South Asian experience

Most South Asian governments have concentrated on emulating a Western style of healthcare service, with the result that an elite few are overmedicalised whereas the majority are neglected. However, community participation in the development of local health services could provide a solution Despite a remarkable improvement during recent decades in many countries' overall health and nutrition statistics and macro-economic indicators,1 some 10.8 million children aged under 5 years still die annually worldwide, of which 34% occur in South Asia alone.2 It is too simplistic to relate improvements in economic indicators with better health because this does not take account of inequality, change in focus of public health priorities, and, most importantly, the involvement of the community in improving health. This article discusses some of the most prominent examples in South Asia of involvement of the community in planning, managing, and evaluating health projects. However, showing a direct relation between community development and improved health remains a challenge. Community development is becoming one of the most popular subjects in the context of public health interventions. Although an accurate definition of community development is problematic, a reasonable description would be the empowerment of a community to obtain self reliance and control over the factors that affect their health. Unfortunately, South Asia, so richly endowed with natural and human resources, has suffered for centuries from poverty and consequent ill health. It has, however, a rich heritage of community initiatives such as the establishment of education facilities, religious institutions, and orphanages and the construction of roads. It is unfortunate that health has remained the responsibility of governments, outside agencies, and, of course, the private sector (both formal and informal) and the provision of medical services has become big business.3 Most of the public and private health services in South Asia have …
A high-voltage level shifter with sub-nano-second propagation delay for switching power converters

A level-shifting circuit with sub-nano-second propagation delay for high input voltage switched-mode power converters is presented. The proposed circuit uses isolated low-voltage NMOS transistors and capacitive coupling to shift the control signal of the high-side power switch from a low-voltage logic domain (VLogic ~ 5V) up to a high-voltage power domain (VIN ~ 65V) with less than 115ps propagation delay. As a result, the non-overlap time inserted between the control signals of the high-side and low-side power switches can be minimized, leading to higher efficiency. Moreover, the control signal is shifted to the high-voltage power domain without reducing its voltage swing, which helps minimizing the on-resistance of the switch and further improves efficiency. The proposed circuit is fully integrated in a 0. 18μm technology with no off-chip components. It occupies less than 0.75mm2 and provides built-in protection for the low-voltage devices with no additional protection circuitry. Transistor level simulations demonstrate the circuit's functionality and performance.
Weighted Regular Tree Grammars with Storage

We introduce weighted regular tree grammars with storage as combination of (a) regular tree grammars with storage and (b) weighted tree automata over multioperator monoids. Each weighted regular tree grammar with storage generates a weighted tree language, which is a mapping from the set of trees to the multioperator monoid. We prove that, for multioperator monoids canonically associated to particular strong bi-monoids, the support of the generated weighted tree languages can be generated by (unweighted) regular tree grammars with storage. We characterize the class of all generated weighted tree languages by the composition of three basic concepts. Moreover, we prove results on the elimination of chain rules and of finite storage types, and we characterize weighted regular tree grammars with storage by a new weighted MSO-logic.