Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thought and Language Index: an instrument for assessing thought and language in schizophrenia

Background Subtle formal thought disorders are difficult to quantify. Their relationship to florid thought disorder is unknown. Aims To assess the interrater reliability, sensitivity and factor structure of a new assessment instrument, the Thought and Language Index (TLI), and to determine if minor aberrations detectable in the speech of healthy individuals are related to the more severe formal thought disorders characteristic of schizophrenia. Method Interrater reliability was evaluated by determining the intraclass correlation for the ratings by five assessors. Factor analysis of the TLI scores of 87 patients was performed, and TLI scores in matched patients and controls were compared. Results The intraclass correlation was good for individual TLI items, and excellent for sub-scale scores. Factor analysis identified three groups of approximately orthogonal disorders. Mild speech aberrations were observed in healthy participants and in patients with schizophrenia. The prevalence of mild aberrations was correlated with the prevalence of definite formal thought disorders. Conclusions The TLI is reliable and capable of detecting subtle disorders. Some mild aberrations occurring in the speech of healthy individuals appear to be attenuated forms of the florid disorders characteristic of schizophrenia.
DVFS in loop accelerators using BLADES

Hardware accelerators are common in embedded systems that have high performance requirements but must still operate within stringent energy constraints. To facilitate short time-to-market and reduced non-recurring engineering costs, automatic systems that can rapidly generate hardware bearing both power and performance in mind are extremely attractive. This paper proposes the BLADES (Better-than-worst-case Loop Accelerator Design) system for automatically designing self-tuning hardware accelerators that dynamically select their best operating frequency and voltage based on environmental conditions, silicon variation, and input data characteristics. Errors in operation are detected by Razor flip-flops, and recovery is initiated. The architecture efficiently supports detection, rollback, and recovery to provide a highly adaptable and configurable loop accelerator. The overhead of deploying Razor flip-flops is significantly reduced by automatically chaining primitive computation operations together. Results on a range of loop accelerators show average energy savings of 32% gained by voltage scaling below the nominal supply voltage.
Control of bursting by local inhibition in the rat subiculum in vitro

The subiculum, which provides the major hippocampal output, contains different cell types including weak/strong bursting and regular‐spiking cells, and fast‐spiking interneurons. These cellular populations play different roles in the generation of physiological rhythms and epileptiform activity. However, their intrinsic connectivity and the synaptic regulation of their discharge patterns remain unknown. In the present study, the local synaptic responses of subicular cell types were examined in vitro. To this purpose, slices were prepared at a specific orientation that permitted the antidromic activation of projection cells as a tool to examine local circuits. Patch recordings in cell‐attached and whole‐cell configurations were combined with neurobiotin labelling to classify cell types. Strong (≈75 %), but not weak (≈22 %), bursting cells typically fired bursts in response to local synaptic excitation, whereas the majority of regular‐spiking cells (≈87 %) remained silent. Local excitation evoked single spikes in more than 70 % of fast‐spiking interneurons. This different responsiveness was determined by intrinsic membrane properties and not by the amplitude and pharmacology of synaptic currents. Inhibitory GABAergic responses were also detected in some cells, typically as a component of an excitatory/inhibitory sequence. A positive correlation between the latency of the excitatory and inhibitory responses, together with the glutamatergic control (via non‐NMDA receptors) of inhibition, suggested a local mechanism. The effect of local inhibition on synaptically activated firing of different cell types was evaluated. It is shown that projection bursting cells of the subiculum are strongly controlled by local inhibitory circuits.
Head-worn mixed reality projection display application

The main goal of this research is to develop a mixed reality (MR) application to support motion capture actors. This application allows seeing and exploring a digital environment without occluding the actor's visual field. A prototype is built by combining a retro-reflective screen covering surrounding walls and a headband consisting of a laser scanning projector with a smartphone. Built-in sensors of a smartphone provide navigation capabilities in the digital world. The integrated system has some unique advantages, which are collectively demonstrated for the first time: (i) providing fixed field-of-view (50° in diagonal), fixed retinal images at full-resolution, and distortion-free images that are independent of the screen distance and shape; (ii) presenting different perspectives to the users as they move around or tilt their heads, (iii) allowing a focus-free and calibration-free display even on non-flat surfaces using laser scanning technology, (iv) enabling multiple users to share the same screen without crosstalk due to the use of retro-reflectors, and (v) producing high brightness pictures with a projector of only 15 lm; due to a high-gain retro-reflective screen. We demonstrated a lightweight, comfortable to wear and low cost head-mounted projection display (HMPD) which acts as a stand-a-lone mobile system. Initial informal functionality tests have been successfully performed. The prototype can also be used as a 3D stereo system using the same hardware by additionally mounting polarized glasses and an active polarization rotator, while maintaining all of the advantages listed above.
Success rates of endoscopic-assisted probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children

Abstract Objective: To determine the success rate of initial probing in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction at different ages, using nasal endoscopy. Methods: Fifty eyes of 38 consecutive children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent endoscopic nasolacrimal duct probing under general anaesthesia. Patients were followed up for at least three months. Probing success was defined as complete remission of symptoms and a normal fluorescein dye disappearance test result. Results: The age range of patients was 17–109 months. The success rates of probing were: 100 per cent (29 out of 29) for cases of stenosis at the lower nasolacrimal duct, 100 per cent (7 out of 7) for functional epiphora cases and 92.86 per cent (13 out of 14) for nasolacrimal atresia cases. Overall, there was only one child for whom the probing treatment for nasolacrimal duct obstruction was not successful; this child had Down's syndrome and a more complex developmental abnormality of the nasolacrimal duct. Age and site of obstruction were not found to significantly affect the outcome of probing. Conclusion: Probing of the nasolacrimal system using an endoscopic approach allows direct visualisation of the nasolacrimal duct. This can facilitate diagnosis of the anomaly and significantly increase the procedure success rate.
Morphologic Sequelae to Contrast Medium Deposits in the Kidney

Various doses of Pantopaque and Vascoray were injected percutaneously into the kidneys in 17 rabbits. Histologic examination of the kidneys at different time intervals following the injection demonstrated only slight injury to the renal parenchyma which could be related to the contrast media. Therefore, it seems reasonable to assume that the risk of causing renal damage by using Pantopaque in connection with renal cyst puncture is small.
IDPredictor: predict database links in biomedical database.

Knowledge found in biomedical databases, in particular in Web information systems, is a major bioinformatics resource. In general, this biological knowledge is worldwide represented in a network of databases. These data is spread among thousands of databases, which overlap in content, but differ substantially with respect to content detail, interface, formats and data structure. To support a functional annotation of lab data, such as protein sequences, metabolites or DNA sequences as well as a semi-automated data exploration in information retrieval environments, an integrated view to databases is essential. Search engines have the potential of assisting in data retrieval from these structured sources, but fall short of providing a comprehensive knowledge except out of the interlinked databases. A prerequisite of supporting the concept of an integrated data view is to acquire insights into cross-references among database entities. This issue is being hampered by the fact, that only a fraction of all possible cross-references are explicitely tagged in the particular biomedical informations systems. In this work, we investigate to what extend an automated construction of an integrated data network is possible. We propose a method that predicts and extracts cross-references from multiple life science databases and possible referenced data targets. We study the retrieval quality of our method and report on first, promising results. The method is implemented as the tool IDPredictor, which is published under the DOI 10.5447/IPK/2012/4 and is freely available using the URL: http://dx.doi. org/10.5447/IPK/2012/4.
In Vivo Glucose Monitoring: Sense and Sensorbility

For lovers of anniversaries, the year 1992 has some special significance where glucose sensors are concerned. It was exactly 30 years ago that designs for a glucose sensor were first proposed based on an enzyme electrode (1). About 20 years ago (at the Fiftieth Anniversary Insulin Symposium), implantable glucose sensors were beginning trials and devices to mimic normal glucose— insulin control system were thought to be feasible in the near future (2). Then, 10 years ago, the first reports appeared of a subcutaneously implanted needle-type glucose sensor coupled to an insulin or glucagon infusion pump. Such devices were being successfully used in research studies as portable artificial endocrine pancreases (3). Unfortunately, these milestones have not been a countdown to the introduction of in vivo glucose sensors into routine clinical practice; indeed, many fear that such devices are still many years away from becoming a clinical reality. Perhaps then this is an appropriate time to reflect on why progress with in vivo sensing might seem slow, and to discuss which directions might be taken in the future that will accelerate developments. One may start by considering the fact that the development of most new medical technologies is (or should be) associated with four basic assumptions: J) that there is an established clinical need for the device or test, 2) that the development is economically (and ethically) justified, 3) that the available technology has reached the stage where the approach is scientifically possible, and 4) that the technological approach is matched by biological feasibility. If any of these assumptions proves to be incorrect, the introduction of the technology into routine use is likely to be substantially delayed. For example, we need to know that continuous measurement of glucose would be clinically helpful in diabetes, that significant costs (not necessarily monetary) could be saved by glucose sensing, that such a device would be safe and acceptable to patients and that, say, sensing in an accessible site such as the subcutaneous tissues, would be indicative of glucose concentrations in the blood.
Structural analysis of the human SYCE2–TEX12 complex provides molecular insights into synaptonemal complex assembly

The successful completion of meiosis is essential for all sexually reproducing organisms. The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a large proteinaceous structure that holds together homologous chromosomes during meiosis, providing the structural framework for meiotic recombination and crossover formation. Errors in SC formation are associated with infertility, recurrent miscarriage and aneuploidy. The current lack of molecular information about the dynamic process of SC assembly severely restricts our understanding of its function in meiosis. Here, we provide the first biochemical and structural analysis of an SC protein component and propose a structural basis for its function in SC assembly. We show that human SC proteins SYCE2 and TEX12 form a highly stable, constitutive complex, and define the regions responsible for their homotypic and heterotypic interactions. Biophysical analysis reveals that the SYCE2–TEX12 complex is an equimolar hetero-octamer, formed from the association of an SYCE2 tetramer and two TEX12 dimers. Electron microscopy shows that biochemically reconstituted SYCE2–TEX12 complexes assemble spontaneously into filamentous structures that resemble the known physical features of the SC central element (CE). Our findings can be combined with existing biological data in a model of chromosome synapsis driven by growth of SYCE2–TEX12 higher-order structures within the CE of the SC.
A new common integration region (int-3) for mouse mammary tumor virus on mouse chromosome 17

Mus musculus subsp. musculus (Czech II) mammary tumor DNA frequently contains an integrated proviral genome of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) within a specific 0.5-kilobase-pair region of the cellular genome (designated int-3). Viral integration at this site results in activation of expression of an adjacent cellular gene. We mapped int-3 to mouse chromosome 17 by analysis of PstI-restricted cellular DNAs from mouse-hamster somatic cell hybrids. Restriction analysis of cellular DNA from (C3H/OuJ X Czech II) X Czech II backcross mice established the gene order T-H-2-int-3. These results demonstrated that the int-3 locus is distinct from two other common integration regions for mouse mammary tumor virus (designated int-1 and int-2) in mammary tumor DNA and suggest that several cellular genes may be at risk for virally induced activation during mammary tumor development.
Protection in an information processing utility

In this paper we will define and discuss a solution to some of the problems concerned with protection and security in an information processing utility. This paper is not intended to be an exhaustive study of all aspects of protection in such a system. Instead, we concentrate our attention on the problems of protecting both user and system information (procedures and data) during the execution of a process. We will give special attention to this problem when shared procedures and data are permitted.
Parametric T-Spline Face Morphable Model for Detailed Fitting in Shape Subspace

Pre-learnt subspace methods, e.g., 3DMMs, are significant exploration for the synthesis of 3D faces by assuming that faces are in a linear class. However, the human face is in a nonlinear manifold, and a new test are always not in the pre-learnt subspace accurately because of the disparity brought by ethnicity, age, gender, etc. In the paper, we propose a parametric T-spline morphable model (T-splineMM) for 3D face representation, which has great advantages of fitting data from an unknown source accurately. In the model, we describe a face by C^2 T-spline surface, and divide the face surface into several shape units (SUs), according to facial action coding system (FACS), on T-mesh instead of on the surface directly. A fitting algorithm is proposed to optimize coefficients of T-spline control point components along pre-learnt identity and expression subspaces, as well as to optimize the details in refinement progress. As any pre-learnt subspace is not complete to handle the variety and details of faces and expressions, it covers a limited span of morphing. SUs division and detail refinement make the model fitting the facial muscle deformation in a larger span of morphing subspace. We conduct experiments on face scan data, kinect data as well as the space-time data to test the performance of detail fitting, robustness to missing data and noise, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of our model. Convincing results are illustrated to demonstrate the effectiveness of our model compared with the popular methods.
Real-Time Path Planning for Coordinated Transport of Multiple Particles Using Optical Tweezers

Automated transport of multiple particles using optical tweezers requires real-time path planning to move them in coordination by avoiding collisions among themselves and with randomly moving obstacles. This paper develops a decoupled and prioritized path planning approach by sequentially applying a partially observable Markov decision process algorithm on every particle that needs to be transported. We use an iterative version of a maximum bipartite graph matching algorithm to assign given goal locations to such particles. We then employ a three-step method consisting of clustering, classification, and branch and bound optimization to determine the final collision-free paths. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed approach via experiments using silica beads in a holographic tweezers setup. We also discuss the applicability of our approach and challenges in manipulating biological cells indirectly by using the transported particles as grippers.
TouchOver map: audio-tactile exploration of interactive maps

This article reports on a preliminary study, which investigates if vibration and speech feedback can be used in order to make a digital map on a touch screen device more accessible. We test if vibration feedback combined with speech, triggered as the finger moves over relevant map objects, works to make sense of the map content. The study results indicate that it is indeed possible to get a basic overview of the map layout even if a person does not have access to the visual presentation. In the conclusions the interaction problems are indentified and suggestions for future improvements are given.
Simultaneous fMRI and local field potential measurements during epileptic seizures in medetomidine‐sedated rats using raser pulse sequence

Simultaneous electrophysiological and functional magnetic resonance imaging measurements of animal models of epilepsy are methodologically challenging, but essential to better understand abnormal brain activity and hemodynamics during seizures. In this study, functional magnetic resonance imaging of medetomidine‐sedated rats was performed using novel rapid acquisition by sequential excitation and refocusing (RASER) fast imaging pulse sequence and simultaneous local field potential measurements during kainic acid‐induced seizures. The image distortion caused by the hippocampal‐measuring electrode was clearly seen in echo planar imaging images, whereas no artifact was seen in RASER images. Robust blood oxygenation level–dependent responses were observed in the hippocampus during kainic acid‐induced seizures. The recurrent epileptic seizures were detected in the local field potential signal after kainic acid injection. The presented combination of deep electrode local field potential measurements and functional magnetic resonance imaging under medetomidine anesthesia, which does not significantly suppress kainic acid‐induced seizures, provides a unique tool for studying abnormal brain activity in rats. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Valvular Heart Disease in Four Patients With Maroteaux‐Lamy Syndrome

BackgroundMaroteaux-Lamy syndrome is a lysosomal storage disease of mucopolysaccharide metabolism (MPS type VI) that may involve the mitral and aortic valves. Affected patients have other skeletal and oropharyngeal malformations that complicate anesthetic and surgical management. Methods and ResultsThe present report describes the clinical, echocardiographic, and pathological findings in four patients with Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome. Two of three siblings underwent successful double-valve replacement for aortic and mitral valve stenoses. The third sibling, whose aortic and mitral valves were thick and fibrotic, died from septicemia after hip surgery. A fourth, unrelated patient also had successful double-valve replacement ConclusionsOur experience emphasizes the potential difficulties in preoperative assessment and surgical treatment as well as the unique problems related to airway management in patients with this syndrome.
Candida prosthetic infections: Case series and literature review

Abstract Candida prosthetic joint infections are considered to be rare. We retrospectively studied patients treated for Candida prosthetic infections between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2007 in our infectious diseases department, a tertiary referral centre. We identified 7 patients, 4 with knee and 3 with hip prosthetic infections. The most frequent fungal agent was Candida albicans (4 cases), followed by Candida parapsilosis (2 cases) and Candida guillermondii (1 case). All the patients received antifungal treatment for a prolonged period. Five patients had their prosthesis removed and 3 had reimplantation, 1 patient was treated with debridement and prosthetic retention, and the last patient refused surgery. The mean follow-up time was 2.5 y. At the last evaluation, 3 patients were considered as cured, 3 patients presented a secondary bacterial infection leading to amputation for 2 of them, and 1 patient died from heart failure. During Candida prosthetic joint infections, the epidemiological characteristics and the location of the prosthesis are very similar to bacterial prosthetic infections. The benchmark antifungal therapies remain amphotericin B and/or fluconazole.
A Cooperative Sensing Based Cognitive Relay Transmission Scheme Without a Dedicated Sensing Relay Channel in Cognitive Radio Networks

In this correspondence, we investigate a selective relay spectrum sensing and best relay data transmission (SRSS-BRDT) scheme for multiple-relay cognitive radio networks. Specifically, in the spectrum sensing phase, only selected cognitive relays are utilized to transmit/forward their initial detection results (without a dedicated sensing relay channel) to a cognitive source for fusion, where the dedicated sensing channel refers to the channel transmitting initial spectrum sensing results from cognitive relays to the cognitive source. In the data transmission phase, only the best relay is selected to assist the cognitive source for its data transmissions. By jointly considering the two phases, we derive a closed-form expression of the outage probability for the SRSS-BRDT scheme over Rayleigh fading channels. We show that the SRSS-BRDT scheme outperforms the traditional cognitive transmission scheme (with a limited dedicated sensing channel) in terms of the outage probability performance. In addition, numerical results illustrate that the outage probability of the SRSS-BRDT scheme can be minimized through an optimal allocation of the time durations between the spectrum sensing and data transmission phases.
Computation of Induced Fields Into the Human Body by Dual Finite Element Formulations

In this work we present two dual finite element formulations to compute extremely low frequency (ELF) induced fields into the human body. This allows to estimate the numerical error, as well as rigorously bound the (global) co-energy. This method is herein applied to the classical case of the exposure to a homogeneous magnetic field, and to the field generated by an infinite wire.