Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Promoting Participatory Research by Family Physicians

In the past, researchers have inadvertently caused stigmatization of various populations, first by not involving community members and then through publishing negative findings. In contrast, participatory research, which is based on a partnership between researchers and those affected by the issue being studied, promotes the voice of those being researched. This essay highlights key principles, processes, complexities, and challenges of participatory research and outlines when participatory research is not appropriate. It also reflects on the training and skills of family physicians that make them especially suited to participatory research. Family physicians have established clinical partnerships with their patients and sometimes entire communities, are trained in patient-centered care—a good basis for community centered research—and are accustomed to working with uncertainty. In addition, they are frequently pragmatic, interested in questions arising from their patients and communities, and likely to respond well to community requests. The main challenges to participatory research are lack of funding, expertise, and time, which may improve as more funding agencies and universities support this approach to research.
Synthesis and use of O-stearoyl polysaccharides in passive hemagglutination and hemolysis.

Lipid-free polysaccharides generally are not attached to the surface of erythrocytes. In contrast O-stearoyl derivatives of polysaccharides show a high affinity for red blood cells. By reaction of polysaccharides with stearoyl chloride in dimethyl formamide as a solvent in the presence of pyridine, derivatives are obtained which exhibit marked erythrocyte-sensitizing activity. The chemical conditions for optimal sensitization of erythrocytes were investigated for a number of polysaccharides, e.g. starch, dextran, and several lipid-free bacterial cell wall polysaccharides. A content of about 5% by weight of O-stearoyl groups has been found most suitable for producing erythrocyte-sensitizing properties without modification of the serological specificity of the polysaccharide.
What impacts of renewable energy consumption on CO2 emissions and the economic and financial development? A panel data vector autoregressive (PVAR) approach

This study employed a PVAR approach due its numerous advantages to investigate the relative effects of renewable energy consumption on CO2 emissions and the economic and financial development in 24 MENA countries from 1980 to 2012. Results highlight that the degree of effect of renewable energy use is not very pronounced, which implies that the renewable energy sector in these economies is in its immaturity. This study shows that the investigated countries should improve the renewable energy sector through providing banking loans for investment on green energy projects not only to reduce environmental damage but also to promote economic growth simultaneously.
TRIZ Future 2011 , Dublin , Ireland Evolution Predictability , Lamarck , Altshuller , Darwin and Chaos

Predicting the future at the system level can be accomplished using the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving‘s (TRIZ‘s) Laws of System Evolution. The problem is that TRIZ‘s theory of evolution is founded upon Jean-Baptiste Lamarck‘s theory of biology evolution, which after being proved inaccurate, was replaced by Darwin‘s theory of evolution. In this article we will claim that it is also possible to explain TRIZ observations using Darwin‘s theory, and that doing so will open the door for further development, and improved accuracy of the laws using Chaos mathematics.
Developmental biology of pterobranch hemichordates: History and perspectives

Hemichordates, like echinoderms and chordates, are deuterostomes, and study of their developmental biology could shed light on chordate origins. To date, molecular developmental studies in hemichordates have been confined to the enteropneusts or acorn worms. Here, we introduce the developmental biology of the other group of hemichordate, the pterobranchs. Pterobranchs generally live in cold, deep waters; this has hampered studies of this group. However, about 40 years ago, the colonial pterobranchs Rhabdopleura compacta and R. normani were discovered from shallow water, which has facilitated their study. Using Rhabdopleura compacta from south‐west England, we have initiated molecular developmental studies in pterobranchs. Here, we outline methods for collecting adults, larvae, and embryos and demonstrate culturing of larvae under laboratory conditions. Given that the larval and adult forms differ from enteropneusts, we suggest that molecular developmental studies of pterobranchs may offer new insights into chordate origins. genesis 46:587–591, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A MATLAB GUI for the Analysis and Exploration of Signal and Image Data of an Ultrasound Computer Tomograph

At Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, a new imaging system for early diagnosis of breast cancer is currently developed. The 3D Ultrasound Computer Tomography (USCT) is based on approx. 2000 ultrasound transducers which produce 20 GB of raw data consisting of 3.5 mio. A-scans (amplitude scans) for one image. The large number of A-scans, the large amount of data and the complex relationship between raw data and reconstructed image makes analysis, understanding and further development difficult for the scientists and especially for new employees and students. For this reason, an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) was developed using MATLAB. It integrates existent analysis methods and is easily extendable with new functionality via a plugin concept. The software provides several visualization functions for the raw data, the reconstructed 3D images, the USCT aperture and the relationships between them. The software shows the capability of MATLAB as programming language for numerical solutions as well as GUIs and complex software systems. It has a large benefit to the working group by integrating analysis methods and sharing them. The GUI and the visualization of the complex relationships of the USCT reduces the training period for new employees and students.
FPGA implementation of the proposed DSI-SLM scheme for PAPR reduction in OFDM systems

High peak to average power ratio (PAPR) is the main drawback of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. Some of the proposed PAPR reduction solutions are dummy insertion (DSI), selected mapping (SLM) and combined DSI-SLM scheme. This paper presents FPGA implementation of DSI-SLM scheme for OFDM signals. The results of the implementation and simulation are compared which show that the PAPR is almost the same as simulation results. The hardware resource consumption of the DSI-SLM method is estimated to be at least 4 times less than conventional SLM (C-SLM) method with comparable PAPR performance.
5-HT1 and 5-HT2 binding characteristics of some quipazine analogues.

Arylpiperazines, such as 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP) and its chloro analogue mCPP, are 5-HT1 agonists, whereas quipazine, i.e., 2-(1-piperazino)quinoline, appears to be a 5-HT2 agonist. Radioligand binding studies using rat cortical membrane homogenates and drug discrimination studies using rats trained to discriminate a 5-HT1 agonist (i.e., TFMPP) or a 5-HT2 agonist (i.e., 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOM)) from saline reveal that quipazine and its 1-deaza analogue 2-naphthylpiperazine (2-NP) bind at 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 sites but produce stimulus effects similar to those of DOM. A structurally related compound, 1-naphthylpiperazine (1-NP), possesses a high affinity for 5-HT1 (Ki = 5 nM) and 5-HT2 (Ki = 18 nM) sites. 1-NP produces stimulus effects similar to those of TFMPP and is able to antagonize the stimulus effects produced by DOM. The present results suggest that the unsubstituted benzene ring of quipazine, and of its 1-deaza analogue 2-naphthylpiperazine, makes a significant contribution to the binding of these agents to 5-HT2 sites and, more importantly, may account for their 5-HT2 agonist properties.
On the heating of inductively coupled resonators (stents) during MRI examinations

Stents that have been implanted to preserve the results of vascular dilatation are frequently affected by in‐stent restenosis, which ideally should be followed up by a noninvasive diagnostic modality. Active MRI stents can enable this kind of follow‐up, while normal metallic stents can not. The prototype stents investigated in this study were designed as electric resonating circuits without a direct connection to the MR imager, and function as inductively coupled transmit coils. The model of a long solenoid coil is used to describe the additional power loss caused by such resonators. The theoretically estimated temperature increase is verified by measurements for different resonators and discussed for worst‐case conditions. The RF power absorption of an active resonator is negligible compared to the total power absorbed during MRI. The local temperature increase observed for prototypes embedded in phantoms is in a range that excludes direct tissue damage. However, ruptures in the conducting structure of a resonator can cause hot spots, which may establish a high local temperature. This hazard can be reduced by designing resonators with a low quality (Q) factor or by setting the circuit slightly off resonance; however, this would lower the nominal amplification for which the resonator was designed. Magn Reson Med, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Turbulence, transport et confinement : des tokamaks au magnétisme des étoiles

Cette these s'inscrit dans le contexte de l'etude de l'auto-organisation des plasmas chauds magnetises. Nous nous interessons en particulier aux deux objets que sont les etoiles et les tokamaks. Nous les etudions a l'aide de simulations numeriques en utilisant des codes premiers principes dans le contexte des phenomenes de turbulence, de transport et de confinement dans les plasmas. La premiere partie de cette these s'attache a donner une introduction sur les caracteristiques des plasmas des etoiles et des tokamaks, ainsi que sur les raisons qui nous ont pousse a les etudier conjointement. Puis, nous developpons en deuxieme partie des travaux appliques aux etoiles. A l'aide de simulations numeriques, nous etudions pour la premiere fois en geometrie spherique et en 3D l'interaction des mouvements turbulents avec un champ magnetique interne dans le Soleil, dans la region de la tachocline qui agit comme une barriere de transport du moment cinetique. Nous montrons qu'un tel champ magnetique ne peut expliquer l'epaisseur de la tachocline que nous observons, et donnons des pistes de reflexion pour comprendre cette epaisseur. Nous explorons egalement dans cette partie les implications que l'environnement d'une etoile (en particulier le vent de l'etoile, et les planetes gravitant autour) peut avoir sur son organisation interne. Cette etude nous permet aussi d'etudier l'interaction des vents stellaires avec les magnetospheres planetaires qui agissent comme des barrieres de transport pour la matiere. Des travaux specifiques aux tokamaks sont ensuite presentes dans une troisieme partie. Nous y developpons une etude numerique des mecanismes experimentaux conduisant a la creation de barrieres de transport dans les tokamaks. Ces barrieres de transport permettent l'acces a des regimes de fusion nucleaire performants. Pour la premiere fois, nous montrons theoriquement comment declencher la formation de ces barrieres dans des simulations turbulentes de codes premiers principes. Enfin, la derniere partie presente les resultats des reflexions communes issue de cette these fai- sant le pont entre deux communautes scientifiques. L'utilisation d'une methode spectrale originale pour l'analyse de phenomenes multi-echelles y est exposee. Elle est successivement developpee puis appliquee pour mettre en evidence les mecanismes de saturation de la dynamo stellaire et de l'instabilite du gradient de temperature ionique dans les tokamaks. Un modele unique traitant de l'interaction entre la turbulence et les ecoulements de grande echelle est ensuite developpe a la fois dans le contexte de la tachocline solaire et dans celui des tokamaks, formalisant l'analogie qui existe entre les deux objets de notre etude.
Barium titanate nanoparticles: promising multitasking vectors in nanomedicine

Ceramic materials based on perovskite-like oxides have traditionally been the object of intense interest for their applicability in electrical and electronic devices. Due to its high dielectric constant and piezoelectric features, barium titanate (BaTiO3) is probably one of the most studied compounds of this family. Recently, an increasing number of studies have been focused on the exploitation of barium titanate nanoparticles (BTNPs) in the biomedical field, owing to the high biocompatibility of BTNPs and their peculiar non-linear optical properties that have encouraged their use as nanocarriers for drug delivery and as label-free imaging probes. In this review, we summarize all the recent findings about these ‘smart’ nanoparticles, including the latest, most promising potential as nanotransducers for cell stimulation.
Secure Transmission in Downlink Cellular Network with a Cooperative Jammer

In this paper, a novel transmission scheme is proposed to improve the security of downlink cellular network. The confidential message intended to one of K mobile users (MUs) should be securely kept from the undesired recipients. In this work, the K-1 remaining users are regarded as potential eavesdroppers and called as internal eavesdroppers. For the security enhancement, we propose an adaptation of a single cooperative jammer (CJ) to increase the ambiguity at all malicious users by distracting them with artificial interference. With the help of CJ, we derive the optimal joint transmission scheme by beamforming solution to maximize the secrecy rate of the intended user. Numerical results show the performance improvement of the proposed scheme.
Incidence of the endothelin receptor B mutation that causes lethal white foal syndrome in white-patterned horses.

OBJECTIVE To determine incidence of the Ile118Lys endothelin receptor B (EDNRB) mutation responsible for overo lethal white syndrome (OLWS) and its association with specific types of white patterning. ANIMALS 945 horses of white-patterned bloodlines and 55 solid-colored horses of other breeds. PROCEDURE Horses were genotyped by use of allele-specific polymerase chain reaction to determine incidence of the Ile118Lys EDNRB mutation. RESULTS Genotypes detected were homozygous Ile118, homozygous Lys118, and heterozygous. All foals with OLWS were homozygous for the Ile118Lys EDNRB mutation, and adults that were homozygous were not found. White patterning was strongly associated with EDNRB genotype. Color patterns with highest incidence (> 94%) of heterozygotes were frame overo, highly white calico overo, and frame blend overo. White-patterned bloodlines with lowest incidence of heterozygotes (< 21 %) were tobiano, sabino, minimally white calico overo, splashed white overo, nonframe blend overo, and breeding-stock solid. The mutation was not detected in solid-colored horses from breeds without white patterning. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In homozygotes, the Ile118Lys EDNRB mutation causes OLWS. In heterozygotes, the mutation is usually responsible for a frame overo phenotype. The frame pattern can be combined with other white patterns, making accurate estimation of EDNRB genotype by visual inspection difficult. Wide range of incidence of heterozygotes in various subtypes of white-patterned horses indicates different genetic control of these color patterns. Determination of EDNRB genotype by use of a DNA-based test is the only way to determine with certainty whether white-patterned horses can produce a foal affected with OLWS.
Head‐Free Gaze Control in Humans with Chronic Loss of Vestibular Function

Healthy subjects use the vestibulo‐ocular reflex (VOR) to stabilize gaze. Labyrinthine‐defective humans without VOR still are, to some extent, able to maintain gaze stability during active eye–head movements. Here it is investigated whether this stabilization is due to anticipatory mechanisms or proprioceptive feedback. The head inertia was increased in humans who have undergone bilateral vestibulectomy (vestibular subjects) and in healthy controls during large gaze shifts. This leads to head oscillations in both groups. Whereas controls compensate for head oscillations and maintain gaze stability, vestibular subjects display gaze oscillations along with head oscillations. This indicates that vestibular subjects mainly use learned, anticipatory mechanisms, and not proprioception, to stabilize gaze.
The Yap family and its role in stress response

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses a very flexible and complex programme of gene expression when exposed to several environmental challenges. Homeostasis is achieved through a highly coordinated mechanism of transcription regulation involving several transcription factors, each one acting singly or in combination to perform specific functions. Here, we review our current knowledge of the function of the Yap transcription factors in stress response. They belong to b‐ZIP proteins comprising eight members with specificity at the DNA‐binding domain distinct from that of the conventional yeast AP‐1 factor, Gcn4. We finish with new insights into the links of transcriptional networks controlling several cellular processes. The data reviewed in this article illustrate how much our comprehension of the biology of Yap family involved in stress response has advanced, and how much research is still needed to unravel the complexity of the role of these transcriptional factors. The complexities of these regulatory interactions, as well as the dynamics of these processes, are important to understand in order to elucidate the control of stress response, a highly conserved process in eukaryotes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The prognostic value of CD38 expression in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients studied prospectively at diagnosis: a single institute experience

The purpose of this study was to assess in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients the prevalence and clinical impact of CD38 expression, evaluated prospectively at disease presentation, and to verify whether this parameter changes over time. In 242 consecutive and untreated CLL patients, the percentage of CD38+ cases, according to the 7%, 20% and 30% cut‐off points, was 21%, 17% and 14%, respectively. Using the 7% threshold, CD38 positivity correlated with male sex, intermediate and high‐risk (Rai I–IV) disease, lower Hb and platelet levels, and higher lymphocyte count. Furthermore, patients with a CD38 expression ≥7% showed a significantly lower 3‐year probability of treatment‐free survival (TFS) than CD38− patients (P < 0·0001). At multivariate analysis, CD38 expression remained significantly associated to TFS, together with stage, lymphocyte count and morphology. Also, in the 146 patients with stage 0 CLL a CD38 expression ≥7% identified a subgroup of patients with a significantly lower 3‐year probability of TFS (P = 0·0005). Furthermore, this parameter did not change in 30 of 31 (97%) re‐evaluated patients. In conclusion, this study indicates that, when tested at diagnosis and on fresh material, a CD38 expression ≥7% is an important parameter for the identification of early CLL patients with more aggressive disease and that its expression remains stable over time.
SNPlice: variants that modulate Intron retention from RNA-sequencing data

RATIONALE The growing recognition of the importance of splicing, together with rapidly accumulating RNA-sequencing data, demand robust high-throughput approaches, which efficiently analyze experimentally derived whole-transcriptome splice profiles. RESULTS We have developed a computational approach, called SNPlice, for identifying cis-acting, splice-modulating variants from RNA-seq datasets. SNPlice mines RNA-seq datasets to find reads that span single-nucleotide variant (SNV) loci and nearby splice junctions, assessing the co-occurrence of variants and molecules that remain unspliced at nearby exon-intron boundaries. Hence, SNPlice highlights variants preferentially occurring on intron-containing molecules, possibly resulting from altered splicing. To illustrate co-occurrence of variant nucleotide and exon-intron boundary, allele-specific sequencing was used. SNPlice results are generally consistent with splice-prediction tools, but also indicate splice-modulating elements missed by other algorithms. SNPlice can be applied to identify variants that correlate with unexpected splicing events, and to measure the splice-modulating potential of canonical splice-site SNVs. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION SNPlice is freely available for download from https://code.google. com/p/snplice/ as a self-contained binary package for 64-bit Linux computers and as python source-code. CONTACT pmudvari@gwu.edu or horvatha@gwu.edu SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Factoring Semi-primes using Cluster Computing

: Prime-factorization has long been a difficult problem to solve. Factoring semi-primes (numbers that have only two non-trivial prime factors) is considered much more difficult and hence used in a number of cryptography applications. However, it is still to be proven that no efficient practical algorithm exists. The best known algorithms are known to take exponential or sub-exponential time. Well known algorithms are Pollard-Rho [1] and its variants[2], quadratic sieve[6] and Elliptic curve methods(ECM)[3]. Few approaches for parallelizing Pollard-Rho and other algorithms have been discussed briefly in [4], [5] and [6]. In this project, we implement a crude parallel version of Pollard-Rho and ECM factorization techniques (discussed in [4], [5] and [6]) and compare them with each other in terms of efficiency, speedup and scaling.
Fluoxetine Is a Potent Inhibitor of Coxsackievirus Replication

ABSTRACT No antiviral drugs currently exist for the treatment of enterovirus infections, which are often severe and potentially life threatening. Molecular screening of small molecule libraries identified fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, as a potent inhibitor of coxsackievirus replication. Fluoxetine did not interfere with either viral entry or translation of the viral genome. Instead, fluoxetine and its metabolite norfluoxetine markedly reduced the synthesis of viral RNA and protein. In view of its favorable pharmacokinetics and safety profile, fluoxetine warrants additional study as a potential antiviral agent for enterovirus infections.
Intelligent control for wall climbing robot

An intelligent control system is presented in this paper for a wall climbing robot. After the introduction of robot system design, a task reference method is proposed which is based on a fuzzy multi-sensor data fusion scheme. The method provides a novel mechanism to efficiently integrate task scheduling, action planning and motion control in a unified framework. A robot gait generation method is described which switches the robot locomotion between different motion modes with the help of a finite state machine driven by sensory information. Experimental results prove the validity of the proposed methods.