Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Grip Strength Measuring Device for Detailed Evaluation of Muscle Contraction among the Elderly.

BACKGROUND We developed a new grip strength measuring device, which considers the time axis, for evaluating muscle contraction in detail in elderly people. OBJECTIVES To present the novel device and preliminary results concerning agility in gripping. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis. PARTICIPANTS One hundred and twenty-one older persons (48 men and 73 women, mean age 74.4 years) referring for memory disorders to the outpatient clinic of our institute. MEASUREMENTS A novel device taking advantage of an industrial force-gauge was developed for measuring gripping performance. The instrument graphically described participants' strength production. Nine indices were derived from four points identified by the graph: 1) starting point ("Go signal"), 2) time when gripping starts, 3) turning point (TP) when the inclination of the curve depicting strength production changes, and 4) peak of strength production. Results obtained from the study sample of older persons were compared (as ratios) to a control group of 30 healthy young adults in their thirties in order to calculate age-related decline rates. Differences between right and left side were compared. RESULTS A significant difference was observed between right and left hands concerning the time to reach peak of strength, and time from TP to strength peak in both men and women. For women, the following indices were also significantly different: time to reach TP, strength at TP, time from TP to strength peak, curve inclination from TP to strength peak, and ratio of TP strength divided by peak strength. CONCLUSION Declines in several indices of gripping agility were measured. The parameters which were more closely related to time than strength itself showed significant differences between right and left hands, especially in women.
On-site cytotechnician evaluation of the adequacy of fine needle aspiration in a neck lump clinic.

INTRODUCTION The gold standard for assessing neck lumps is a one-stop clinic with an on-site cytopathologist who can provide an immediate fine needle aspiration (FNA) report. However, this has considerable resource implications and is not available in all units. In our department, surgeons perform FNAs guided by palpation. The FNA is evaluated for specimen adequacy by an on-site cytotechnician. This study evaluated the impact of the cytotechnician on the adequacy of neck lump FNA. METHODS FNA performed between June 2010 and February 2012 was examined. The FNA performed at a neck lump clinic with an assessment of adequacy by an on-site cytotechnician were considered the test group. All other neck lump FNAs from other sources without an assessment of adequacy by an on-site cytotechnician were considered the control group. RESULTS Of the FNAs, 134 met the inclusion criteria for this study. Of these, 87 FNAs (65%) were analysed for adequacy by the on-site cytotechnician and the remaining 47 (35%) were not. The results demonstrated an FNA inadequacy with and without on-site cytotechnician assessment of 29.9% and 40.4% respectively. This is equivalent to an absolute risk reduction of an inadequate FNA of 10.5%, which equates to a number needed to treat of 9.5, ie the cytotechnician needs to assess 9.5 (ie the cytotechnician [.] specimen). CONCLUSIONS In neck lump clinics where on-site cytopathology is not available, an on-site cytotechnician is a compromise measure that does reduce the number of inadequate FNAs.
A distributed cooperative control strategy for improving dynamic response of AC microgrid

Communication bandwidth inconsistency between traditional secondary control and tertiary control may decrease the economic efficiency of a microgrid. To solve the problem, this study proposes a fully distributed cooperative strategy in secondary level to minimize the operation cost in an AC microgrid and achieve the synchronization of the voltage and frequency. The proposed strategy is based on the incremental cost consensus algorithm with a modified droop control algorithm, and it utilizes the first-order discrete consensus algorithm with a virtual leader to optimize the generation cost. In addition, it can effectively deal with communication failures and improve the robustness of the system. Case studies verified the effectiveness of the proposed method by comparing it with traditional methods.
Targeted Chromosomal Translocations and Essential Gene Knockout Using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology in Caenorhabditis elegans

Many genes play essential roles in development and fertility; their disruption leads to growth arrest or sterility. Genetic balancers have been widely used to study essential genes in many organisms. However, it is technically challenging and laborious to generate and maintain the loss-of-function mutations of essential genes. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been successfully applied for gene editing and chromosome engineering. Here, we have developed a method to induce chromosomal translocations and produce genetic balancers using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology and have applied this approach to edit essential genes in Caenorhabditis elegans. The co-injection of dual small guide RNA targeting genes on different chromosomes resulted in reciprocal translocation between nonhomologous chromosomes. These animals with chromosomal translocations were subsequently crossed with animals that contain normal sets of chromosomes. The F1 progeny were subjected to a second round of Cas9-mediated gene editing. Through this method, we successfully produced nematode strains with specified chromosomal translocations and generated a number of loss-of-function alleles of two essential genes (csr-1 and mes-6). Therefore, our method provides an easy and efficient approach to generate and maintain loss-of-function alleles of essential genes with detailed genetic background information.
Influence of coherence between multiple cortical columns on alpha rhythm: A computational modeling study

In electroencephalographic (EEG) and magnetoencephalographic (MEG) signals, stimulus‐induced amplitude increase and decrease in the alpha rhythm, known as event‐related synchronization and desynchronization (ERS/ERD), emerge after a task onset. ERS/ERD is assumed to reflect neural processes relevant to cognitive tasks. Previous studies suggest that several sources of alpha rhythm, each of which can serve as an alpha rhythm generator, exist in the cortex. Since EEG/MEG signals represent spatially summed neural activities, ERS/ERD of the alpha rhythm may reflect the consequence of the interactions between multiple alpha rhythm generators. Two candidates modulate the magnitude of ERS/ERD: (1) coherence between the activities of the alpha rhythm generators and (2) mean amplitude of the activities of the alpha rhythm generators. In this study, we use a computational model of multiple alpha rhythm generators to determine the factor that dominantly causes ERS/ERD. Each alpha rhythm generator is modeled based on local column circuits in the primary visual cortex and made to interact with the neighboring generators through excitatory connections. We observe that the model consistently reproduces spontaneous alpha rhythms, event‐related potentials, phase‐locked alpha rhythms, and ERS/ERD in a specific range of connectivity coefficients. Independent analyses of the coherence and amplitude of multiple alpha rhythm generators reveal that the ERS/ERD in the simulated data is dominantly caused by stimulus‐induced changes in the coherence between multiple alpha rhythm generators. Nonlinear phenomena such as phase‐resetting and entrainment of the alpha rhythm are related to the neural mechanism underlying ERS/ERD. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Amino Acid-Dependent Gcn4p Stability Regulation Occurs Exclusively in the Yeast Nucleus

ABSTRACT The c-Jun-like transcriptional activator Gcn4p controls biosynthesis of translational precursors in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Protein stability is dependent on amino acid limitation and cis signals within Gcn4p which are recognized by cyclin-dependent protein kinases, including Pho85p. The Gcn4p population within unstarved yeast consists of a small relatively stable cytoplasmic fraction and a larger less stable nuclear fraction. Gcn4p contains two nuclear localization signals (NLS) which function independently of the presence or absence of amino acids. Expression of NLS-truncated Gcn4p results in an increased cytoplasmic fraction and an overall stabilization of the protein. The same effect is achieved for the entire Gcn4p in a yrb1 yeast mutant strain impaired in the nuclear import machinery. In the presence of amino acids, controlled destabilization of Gcn4p is triggered by the phosphorylation activity of Pho85p. A pho85Δ mutation stabilizes Gcn4p without affecting nuclear import. Pho85p is localized within the nucleus in the presence or absence of amino acids. Therefore, there is a strict spatial separation of protein synthesis and degradation of Gcn4p in yeast. Control of protein stabilization which antagonizes Gcn4p function is restricted to the nucleus.
An analysis of the predictors of mortality and morbidity in patients admitted after suicidal hanging to an Indian multidisciplinary Intensive Care Unit

Background and Aims: Hanging is a frequently used method to attempt suicide in India. There is a lack of data in the Indian population regarding clinical features and outcomes of suicidal hanging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting mortality and morbidity in patients admitted with suicidal hanging to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Methods: A 6-year retrospective study of adult patients admitted to the ICU with suicidal hanging was analysed for demographics, mode of hanging, lead time to emergency room (ER) admission, clinical presentation, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, admission Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and neurological outcomes. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality rate. Secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay (LOS), ICU-LOS, time for neurological recovery, organ support and duration of mechanical ventilation. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test for continuous variables and Chi-square test for categorical variables. Results: We analysed data of 106 patients. The median age was 27 years [Interquartile Range (IQR) (22–34)]. The median lead time to ER admission was 1 h [IQR (0.5–1.4)] with median ICU stay of 3 days [IQR (2–4)]. Vasopressors were administered to 27.4% patients. GCS was ≤7 in 65% patients, and 84.9% patients received mechanical ventilation. Mortality rate was 10.3%. Survivors recovered with normal organ function. Conclusion: Suicidal hanging is associated with significant mortality. Admission GCS, APACHE II and 48 h SOFA score were predictors of poor outcome.
Phase 1 Clinical Study of Cyclophilin B Peptide Vaccine for Patients With Lung Cancer

Cyclophilin B (CypB) possesses two antigenic epitopes (CypB84–92 and CypB91–99) recognized by HLA-A24-restricted and tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). To determine the safety of CypB-derived peptides and its ability to generate antitumor immune responses, patients with advanced lung cancer received subcutaneous vaccinations of these peptides or their modified peptides. All 16 patients were vaccinated with CypB91–99 or its modified peptide, whereas only two patients were vaccinated with the modified CypB84–92, as immediate-type hypersensitivity to CypB84–92 or its modified peptide was observed in the remaining patients. No severe adverse events were associated with the vaccination. No significant increase in cellular responses to either peptides or tumor cells was observed in the postvaccination PBMCs by the conventional CTL assays in any patients tested. These results suggest that the vaccination of CypB91–99 peptide was safe, but failed to induce objective immune responses at this regimen.
Stroke and Bleeding Risk in Atrial Fibrillation: Navigating the Alphabet Soup of Risk‐Score Acronyms (CHADS2, CHA2DS2‐VASc, R2CHADS2, HAS‐BLED, ATRIA, and More)

Stroke prevention is central to the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). As effective stroke prophylaxis essentially requires oral anticoagulants, an understanding of the risks and benefits of oral anticoagulant therapy is needed. Although AF increases stroke risk 5‐fold, this risk is not homogeneous. Many stroke risk factors also confer an increased risk of bleeding. Various stroke and bleeding risk‐stratification schemes have been developed to help inform clinical decision‐making. These scores were derived and validated in different study cohorts, ranging from highly selected clinical‐trial cohorts to real‐world populations. Thus, their performance and classification accuracy vary depending on their derivation cohort(s). In the present review, we provide an overview of currently available stroke and bleeding risk‐stratification schemes. We particularly focus on the CHA2DS2‐VASc and HAS‐BLED schemes, as these are recommended by the latest European guidelines on AF management. Other risk‐stratification schemes (eg, CHADS2, R2CHADS2, ATRIA, HEMORR2HAGES, QStroke) and their place in the decision‐making are also considered.
Lend Me a Hand: Auxiliary Image Data Helps Interaction Detection

In social settings, people interact in close proximity. When analyzing such encounters from video, we are typically interested in distinguishing between a large number of different interactions. Here, we address training deformable part models (DPMs) for the detection of such interactions from video, in both space and time. When we consider a large number of interaction classes, we face two challenges. First, we need to distinguish between interactions that are visually more similar. Second, it becomes more difficult to obtain sufficient specific training examples for each interaction class. In this paper, we address both challenges and focus on the latter. Specifically, we introduce a method to train body part detectors from nonspecific images with pose information. Such resources are widely available. We introduce a training scheme and an adapted DPM formulation to allow for the inclusion of this auxiliary data. We perform cross-dataset experiments to evaluate the generalization performance of our method. We demonstrate that our method can still achieve decent performance, from as few as five training examples.
Exploring Meteorology Education in Community College: Lecture-Based Instruction and Dialogue-Based Group Learning

2 Acknowledgments.4 List of Tables . 10 Chapter 1: Introduction . 11 Background and Context.12 Research Problem . 15 Research Question and Rationale . 16 Assumptions and Challenges . 18 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 2
On optimizing high‐pressure freezing: from heat transfer theory to a new microbiopsy device

High‐pressure freezing (HPF) is currently the only method which enables adequate cryoimmobilization of biological samples thick enough to describe the bulk of the sample. In the current state of HPF instrumentation and preparation methods, the technique has not yet reached its full potential. While suspensions can be prepared easily for HPF, tissue preparation is restricted by the need to compromise between different requirements and difficulties. (i) In order to achieve optimal freezing quality, very thin samples are required. (ii) There is mechanical difficulty in cutting such thin samples without distorting the organization of the tissue. (iii) The cutting and the succeeding preparation steps of small samples require long handling times (minutes), which may result in physiological and hence structural alterations. Computerized heat transfer simulations are presented which confirm that the efficiency of heat extraction from cylindrical samples contained within thin‐walled metal tubes is higher than from standard flat discoid samples sandwiched between relatively thick aluminium platelets. Based on this fact, we developed a prototype of a new microbiopsy device which enables the quick excision of such cylinders of soft tissues. The device utilizes sharp gold needles of an inner diameter of 200 μm and wall thickness of 50 μm. The frozen sample contained in the soft gold needle permits all the manipulations needed for conventional cryo‐preparation techniques for electron microscopy (e.g. cryo‐sectioning, freeze‐fracturing, freeze‐substitution).
Firms, governance and development in industrial districts

ABSTRACT Firms, governance and development in industrial districts. Regional Studies. This paper explores the link between local governance structures and the ability of local firms to influence the strategic direction (and future development) of their industrial district. In doing so, it utilizes unique survey data from two British industrial districts to examine, first, the extent to which local firms shape local industrial development strategies and, second, the institutional conduits through which their influence is exercised. The empirical results suggest a role for (local) business associations, the building of reciprocal networks among firms, social capital and more heterarchical governance structures to enhance firm engagement in local initiatives and industrial development.
Use of a novel morphometric method and body fat index system for estimation of body composition in overweight and obese dogs.

OBJECTIVE To develop morphometric equations for prediction of body composition and create a body fat index (BFI) to estimate body fat percentage in overweight and obese dogs. DESIGN Prospective evaluation study. ANIMALS 83 overweight or obese dogs ≥ 1 year of age. PROCEDURES Body condition score (BCS) was assessed on a 5-point scale, morphometric measurements were made, and visual and palpation-based assessments and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) were performed. Equations for predicting lean body mass, fat mass, and body fat as a percentage of total body weight (ie, body fat percentage) on the basis of morphometric measurements were generated with best-fit statistical models. Visual and palpation-based descriptors were used to develop a BFI. Predicted values for body composition components were compared with DEXA-measured values. RESULTS For the study population, the developed morphometric equations accounted for 98% of the variation in lean body mass and fat mass and 82% of the variation in body fat percentage. The proportion of dogs with predicted values within 10% of the DEXA values was 66 of 83 (80%) for lean body mass, 56 of 83 (68%) for fat mass, and 56 of 83 (67%) for body fat percentage. The BFI accurately predicted body fat percentage in 25 of 47 (53%) dogs, whereas the value predicted with BCS was accurate in 6 of 47 (13%) dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Morphometric measurements and the BFI appeared to be more accurate than the 5-point BCS method for estimation of body fat percentage in overweight and obese dogs. Further research is needed to assess the applicability of these findings to other populations of dogs.
HTS AMPS-A and AMPS-B filters for cellular receive base stations

The multiple, interleaved pass band nature of the AMPS cellular system provides an excellent opportunity for high performance HTS filter technology for base station reverse link applications. The 25 MHz spectrum is divided into 4 unequal bands, 2 each for the A and B operators. For AMPS-A, the two band pass filters are connected in parallel, while for AMPS-B a band pass filter is cascaded with a band reject filter. All band pass filters have finite transmission zeros and the band reject filter is designed to have an equal ripple stop band. The design and performance of high selectivity filters for this application is described.
Effect of penetration enhancers and iontophoresis on the ultrastructure and cholecystokinin-8 permeability through porcine skin.

The present study explores the effect of chemical penetration enhancers and iontophoresis on the in vitro permeability of cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) through porcine epidermis and on the ultrastructural changes in stratum corneum as observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Enhancer [i.e., ethanol (EtOH), and 10% oleic acid in combination with ethanol (OA/EtOH)] pretreatment significantly increased (p < 0.01) the permeability coefficient of CCK-8 in comparison with the control (pretreated epidermis without enhancer). Iontophoresis further increased the permeability of CCK-8 (p < 0.01) through the enhancer-pretreated epidermis in comparison with the control. These results showed the synergistic effect of iontophoresis and enhancers such as OA/EtOH that provides an additional driving force to maintain and control the target flux of CCK-8. The ultrastructure of stratum corneum treated with ethanol demonstrated a loss of structural components in the superficial stratum corneum cell layers. OA/EtOH transformed the highly compact cells of stratum corneum into a looser network of filaments, creating an increased free volume and greater intracellular surface area. Treatment of stratum corneum with OA/EtOH followed by iontophoresis resulted in further swelling of stratum corneum cell layers. In conclusion, OA/EtOH in combination with iontophoresis increased the permeability of CCK-8 by loosening and swelling of stratum corneum cell layers.
Electrical model and characterization of Through Silicon Capacitors (TSC) in silicon interposer

Inspired from Through Silicon Vias (TSVs), Through Silicon Capacitors (TSCs) are newly developed capacitors integrated throughout the silicon interposer. This paper deals with a demonstrator which investigates the first process steps of TSCs. A predictive modeling method of the impedance of large matrices of such components is proposed. The modeling method makes use of 2D/3D parasitic extraction software for the modeling of each parts of the structure. The resulting lumped RLCG parameters are used to generate a global equivalent circuit composed of segments of coupled distributed cells. The modeling method is validated by experimental results on the whole frequency range of use (up to 10 GHz). Such components demonstrate simultaneously high capacitance density (up to 23 nF/mm2), low parasitic equivalent series resistance and inductance and high serial resonance frequency (in GHz range for a capacitance value of 10 nF).
Expression and clinical significance of nestin in astrocytic tumors.

PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of nestin in human astrocytic tumors. METHODS Indirect immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry were used to quantitatively detect the nestin content in 35 specimens, including 3 normal brain tissues, 29 astrocytic tumor (AT) tissues, and 3 peritumoral tissues. RESULTS In normal brain tissues, nestin expression was extremely low. Nestin expression was significantly positively correlated with the histological grade of astrocytic tumors (p<0.05, rs=0.83). Nestin content in the peritumoral tissues was between the levels of nestin in tumor tissue and in normal brain tissue (p<0.01). Nestin expression was unrelated to the patient's gender, age, tumor location, size, etc. (p>0.05). CONCLUSION The application of flow cytometry in the determination of nestin content could improve the accuracy of early cancer diagnosis. This method would be helpful for developing a reference range that is closely related to the pathological grading of ATs through routine assessments of nestin in many patients. Additionally, through examining nestin levels in peritumoral tissues, the invasiveness of ATs can be clarified.