Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knee-extension exercise's lack of immediate effect on maximal voluntary quadriceps torque and activation in individuals with anterior knee pain.

CONTEXT Weight-bearing (WB) and non-weight-bearing (NWB) exercises are commonly used in rehabilitation programs for patients with anterior knee pain (AKP). OBJECTIVE To determine the immediate effects of isolated WB or NWB knee-extension exercises on quadriceps torque output and activation in individuals with AKP. DESIGN A single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS 30 subjects with self-reported AKP. INTERVENTIONS Subjects performed a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the quadriceps (knee at 90°). Maximal voluntary quadriceps activation was quantified using the central activation ratio (CAR): CAR = MVIC/(MVIC + superimposed burst torque). After baseline testing, subjects were randomized to 1 of 3 intervention groups: WB knee extension, NWB knee extension, or control. WB knee-extension exercise was performed as a sling-based exercise, and NWB knee-extension exercise was performed on the Biodex dynamometer. Exercises were performed in 3 sets of 5 repetitions at approximately 55% MVIC. Measurements were obtained at 4 times: baseline and immediately and 15 and 30 min postexercise. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Quadriceps torque output (MVIC: N·m/Kg) and quadriceps activation (CAR). RESULTS No significant differences in the maximal voluntary quadriceps torque output (F2,27 = 0.592, P = .56) or activation (F2,27 = 0.069, P = .93) were observed among the 3 treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS WB and NWB knee-extension exercises did not acutely change quadriceps torque output or activation. It may be necessary to perform exercises over a number of sessions and incorporate other disinhibitory interventions (eg, cryotherapy) to observe acute changes in quadriceps torque and activation.
Urinary and plasma gonadotropin concentrations in golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus r. rosalia)

This paper describes the development and validation of a plasma and urinary gonadotropin immunoassay for golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia), an endangered New World callitrichid primate. The assay is derived from a macaque chorionic gonadotropin assay and was validated for both plasma and urine samples in L. rosalia. Levels of immunoreactive LH/CG in lion tamarin urine were highly correlated (r = + 0.98) with gonadotropin bioactivity. Immunoreactive LH/CG levels were examined in two contexts: in the urine of adult females and in the plasma of adult males after administration of estrogen. Peaks of gonadotropin excretion were detected in samples collected from nonpregnant adult females. The peaks occurred immediately prior to cyclic elevations in urinary estrogen excretion. Plasma LH/CG concentration in males measured 24 and 48 hours after a single 50 μg injection of estradiol benzoate were significantly lower than levels at these time points measured after control treatment. Together, the results of this study point to the utility of the gonadotropin assay for monitoring reproductive function in both female and male lion tamarins.
Review of an Improved Audio Steganographic Technique over LSB through Random Based Approach

In this digital world, huge amount information exchange takes place due to enhanced facilities of networking. Therefore it is necessary to secure the information which we transmit. The need for secured communication introduces the concept of "Steganography". Steganography, the word itself indicates that information within information; it is the best technique to hide the secret information by using cover objects. Secret information may be a text, image or an audio file. But as per secret information format there are different steganographic techniques are available. This paper proposes a method of audio steganographic system that provides a unique platform to hide the secret information in audio file though the information is in text, image or in an audio format. So there is no need to go for different techniques of steganography as per information format. Many steganographic methods follow the LSB insertion technique to hide the secret information. But there are many statistical techniques available to determine if a stego object has been subjected to LSB Embedding. The proposed system hides secret information in audio file through random based approach and provides security by using PKE algorithm. This paper focuses on combining the strengths of cryptography and steganography for secured communication.
In Situ Intestinal Perfusion in Knockout Mice Demonstrates Inhibition of Intestinal P-Glycoprotein by Ritonavir Causing Increased Darunavir Absorption

Darunavir is a second-generation protease inhibitor designed to have antiviral efficacy against HIV-1 with multiple resistance mutations to protease inhibitors. It is always coadministered with a subtherapeutic dose of ritonavir. It has been shown that darunavir and ritonavir are substrates of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). We explored the contribution of P-gp to the transport characteristics of darunavir (up to 100 μM) using Caco-2 monolayers and the recently developed in situ intestinal perfusion technique using wild-type and mdr1a/1b(−/−) mice. We observed that, in vitro, P-gp has a modulatory effect on the absorption of darunavir, even at a concentration of 100 μM (efflux ratio = 25). Simulated intestinal fluids partially inhibited P-gp functionality, which was further inhibited by adding the P-gp inhibitors verapamil, 6-[(2S,4R,6E)- 4-methyl-2-(methylamino)-3-oxo-6-octenoic acid]cyclosporine D (PSC833), N-(4-[2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimethoxy-2-isoquinolinyl) ethyl]-phenyl)-9,10-dihydro-5-methoxy-9-oxo-4-acridine carboxamide (GF120918), or ritonavir. Using the in situ intestinal perfusion technique, we demonstrated that coperfusion with ritonavir resulted in a similar apparent permeability coefficient to that observed using P-gp knockout mice, which was 2.7-fold higher than in control mice. We conclude that, in mice, even at a relevant intraluminal concentration of darunavir, P-gp has a modulatory effect on the absorption of darunavir. However, this P-gp-mediated darunavir transport is inhibited when it is combined with ritonavir.
Comparison on TiO2 and TaO2 based bipolar resistive switching devices

Nonvolatile memories have emerged in recent years and have become a leading candidate towards replacing dynamic and static random-access memory devices. In this article, the performance of physical TiO<sub>2</sub> and TaO<sub>2</sub> nonvolatile memristive devices were compared in terms of switching speed, retention and endurance. TaO<sub>2</sub> memristive devices have shown better endurance (10<sup>8</sup> times more switching cycles) and faster switching speed (at least 5 times) than TiO<sub>2</sub> memristive devices. The retention period of TaO<sub>2</sub> memristive devices is expected to exceed 10 years with sufficient experimental evidence. In addition to comparing device performances, the physical and material properties of TiO<sub>2</sub> and TaO<sub>2</sub> memristive devices was studied and the differences in device structure and switching mechanism of TiO<sub>2</sub> and TaO<sub>2</sub> memristive devices were explained. The reasons that give TaO<sub>2</sub> memristive devices the advantage over TiO<sub>2</sub> memristive devices in terms of switching speed, retention and endurance were summarized in this article. Also the methods to improve the performance of physical memristive devices were proposed.
An Enhanced Approach for a Multiagent Distributed Context Using Tree Topology and Transferable Belief Model

This paper makes continuation to add transferable belief model to a Multiagent distributed context using tree topology. Agents act as a node and gather data independently using graph with cycles. The cyclic structure improves better communication among mobile unit. Dynamic scenario is been considered where agents gather data that changes over time. A cyclic graph algorithm has been proposed to merge to basic belief assignment based on transferable belief model. The major utilization of transferable belief model is in sensor networks.
Satisfaction with care in post-stroke patients undergoing a telerehabilitation programme at home

We conducted a pilot telerehabilitation study with post-stroke patients with arm motor impairment. We compared the degree of satisfaction of patients undergoing a virtual reality (VR) therapy programme at home (Tele-VR group) to satisfaction experienced by those undergoing the same VR therapy in a hospital setting (VR-group). The rehabilitation equipment used a 3D motion tracking system to create a virtual environment in which the patient's movement was represented. In tele-therapy, the patient equipment was installed in their homes, connected to the hospital by four ISDN lines at a total bandwidth of 512 kbit/s. Rehabilitation data were transmitted via one line and videoconferencing via the other three. Ten patients with mild to intermediate arm motor impairment due to an ischaemic stroke, were randomized into VR or Tele-VR groups. A questionnaire was used at the end of treatment to measure each patient's degree of satisfaction. Tele-VR treated patients showed median values equal to or higher than the VR group patients in all 12 items investigated, except one. In motor performance, the Tele-VR group improved significantly (P ≤ 0.05), while the VR group showed no significant change. Patients assigned to the Tele-VR group were able to engage in therapy at home and the videoconferencing system ensured a good relationship between the patient and the physical therapist whose physical proximity was not required.
Interactive visualisation of oligomer frequency in DNA

Since 1990, bioinformaticians have been exploring applications of the Chaos Game Representation (CGR) for visualisation, statistical characterisation and comparison of DNA sequences. We focus on the development of a new computational algorithm and description of new software tool that enables CGR visualisation of frequencies of K-mers (oligomers) in a flexible way such that it is possible to visualise the whole genome or any of its parts (like genes), and parallel comparison of several sequences, all in real time. User can interactively specify the size and position of visualised region of the DNA sequence, zoom in or out, and change parameters of visualisation. The tool has been written in JAVATM language and is freely available to public.
Bounding the sum of square roots via lattice reduction

Let k and n be positive integers. Define R(n,k) to be the minimum positive value of |ei p s1 + e2 p s2 + ··· + ek p sk t| where s1,s2,··· ,sk are positive integers no larger than n, t is an integer and ei 2 {1,0, 1} for all 1 i k. It is important in computational geometry to determine a good lower and upper bound of R(n,k). In this paper we show that this problem is closely related to the shortest vector problem in certain integral lattices and present an algorithm to find lower bounds based on lattice reduction algorithms. Although we can only prove an exponential time upper bound for the algorithm, it is ecient for large k when an exhaustive search for the minimum value is clearly infeasible. It produces lower bounds much better than the root separation technique does. Based on numerical data, we formulate a conjecture on the length of the shortest nonzero vector in the lattice, whose validation implies that our algorithm runs in polynomial time and the problem of comparing two sums of square roots of small integers can be solved in polynomial time. As a side result, we obtain constructive upper bounds for R(n,k) when n is much smaller than 2 2k .
Effect of Shear Span to Depth Ratio on Shear Strength of Steel Fiber Reinforced High Strength Concrete Deep Beam using ANN

The feasibility of using an artificial neural network (ANN) to estimate the shear capacity of steel fiber reinforced high strength concrete deep beam and its behavior at different shear span to depth ratio for various influencing parameters has been evaluated in this paper. With 98 test results of the experimentations carried by previous researchers on SFRC deep beams, with shear span to depth ratio less than 2.5, have been used to develop the artificial neural network model. The trained model was compared with the empirical equations proposed by previous researchers. The effect of different values of shear span to depth ratio on shear strength of SFRC deep beam, associated with variation in effective depth, fiber volume fraction, fiber aspect ratio, longitudinal steel, compressive strength of concrete, are studied. The developed ANN model was found to be very robust in all situations. Key words—artificial neural network, deep beam, steel fiber, shear span
Liver transplantation in the MELD era--analysis of the OPTN/UNOS registry.

OVERVIEW OF THE MODEL FOR END-STAGE LIVER DISEASE (MELD): MELD has been successful in its initial aim of reducing pre-transplant mortality by better organ allocation; at the same time, it generated a new challenge of achieving better posttransplant outcomes by adjusting the hierarchy of allocation to sicker patients. Our analysis of 49,867 adult patients in the MELD era (2002 through 2011) showed a change in the dynamics of the transplant population: the number of patients with higher priority (MELD-exception patients and high-MELD patients) has been progressively increasing while the number of those without priority has remained constant or has been decreasing depending on their disease. The re-transplantation rate has been increasing for high-MELD patients. An increase in number has also observed of major racial groups other than Whites. Overall graft survival-including that for re-transplant-has improved, regardless of MELD levels, during the decade since MELD implementation in 2002. 2. MELD WITH PRIMARY DISEASES: Over the past two decades, the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been increasing, and after the inception of MELD, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and non-alcoholic liver disease (NASH) have been progressively increasing. There appears to be a general tendency toward lower graft survival in high-MELD patients in both deceased- and living-donor transplantation. However, this trend differed among the 12 primary diseases, in which significantly lower graft survival was observed in high-MELD patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD), NASH, autoimmune disorders (AI), HCV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) or non-HCC cancers. Overall, HCV seropositive patients had lower graft survival than HCV seronegative patients. This was also true in each high- and low-MELD group. However, analysis of the primary diseases showed four patterns for the impact of HCV seropositivity related to MELD levels: lower graft survival with anti-HCV regardless of MELD level (with acute hepatic failure, metabolic disorders and HBV); no correlation between the impact of HCV antibodies and MELD levels (with primary biliary cirrhosis [PBC], primary sclerosing cholangitis [PSC] and HCC); lowest graft survival with high MELD scores in the presence of HCV antibodies (with AI, ALD and NASH); and worse survival without HCV (non-HCC cancers). 3. MELD EXCEPTION: Among the primary diseases, the five with a high rate of HCC exception (> 70%) were HCC, HCV, HBV, ALD and AI; the four with a high rate of non-HCC exception (> 60%) were non-HCC cancers, PSC, PBC, and "Others. " HCC patients with HCC-exception appear to have derived a greater benefit from transplantation, with better graft survival, than HCC patients without exception. The same beneficial effect of non-HCC exception has been observed with non-HCC cancers, the majority of them cholangiocarcinoma.
BLADE in Sagittal T2-Weighted MR Imaging of the Cervical Spine

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Image quality and diagnostic reliability of T2-weighted MR images of the cervical spine are often impaired by several kinds of artifacts, even in cooperative patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate if BLADE sequences might solve these problems in a routine patient collective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TSE and BLADE sequences were compared in 60 patients for T2-weighted sagittal imaging of the cervical spine. Image sharpness, motion artifacts, truncation artifacts, metal artifacts, CSF flow phenomena, contrast of anatomic structures (vertebral body/disk, spinal cord/CSF), and diagnostic reliability of spinal cord depiction were evaluated by 2 independent readers. Another 2 readers selected the sequence they would prefer for diagnostic purposes. Statistical evaluations were performed by using the Wilcoxon and the χ2 test; differences with P < . 05 were regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS: BLADE was significantly superior to TSE regarding image sharpness, image contrast, diagnostic reliability of spinal cord depiction, motion artifacts, CSF flow phenomena, and truncation artifacts; for metal artifacts no significant improvements were found. In 50 of 60 patients, BLADE was preferred for diagnostic purposes, and TSE was favored in 3 patients. The number of examinations that were nondiagnostic due to impaired spinal cord depiction was reduced from 12 in TSE to 3 in BLADE, and nondiagnostic examinations due to overall motion artifacts were reduced from 2 to 1. CONCLUSIONS: Using the BLADE sequence for sagittal T2-weighted imaging of the cervical spine proved to be advantageous to reduce various kinds of artifacts.
Using public displays to stimulate passive engagement, active engagement, and discovery in public spaces

In their influential book "Public space" Carr et al. describe essential human needs that public spaces fulfill: (1) passive engagement with the environment, where we observe what others are doing; (2) active engagement through intellectual challenges posed by the space, or through engagement with the people in it; and (3) excitement of novel discoveries within the space. An often underused resource in public spaces -- public displays -- can be used to stimulate these needs. In this paper we argue for a new research direction that explores how public displays can stimulate such essential needs in public spaces. We describe and conceptualize related processes that occur around public displays, based on in-depth observations of people interacting with a publicly fielded display application in a city center. Our conceptualization is meant to lay the foundations for designing engaging public display systems that stimulate PACD, and for supporting the analysis of existing deployments.
A stigmergy-based algorithm for black-box optimization: noisy function testbed

In this paper, we present a stigmergy-based algorithm for solving optimization problems with continuous variables, labeled Differential Ant-Stigmergy Algorithm (DASA). The performance of the DASA is evaluated on the set of benchmark problems provided for Black-Box Optimization Benchmarking (BBOB) 2009, a GECCO Workshop for Real-Parameter Optimization. Benchmarking for noisy function testbed is presented.
Urinary Tract Infection in Children With Nephrotic Syndrome

Background: The occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in nephrotic syndrome has been reported. However, the only causes for the infection reported to date are bacteria and prior reported series did not identify yeast or fungi as causative organisms. Methods: A retrospective study of 2880 children with nephrotic syndrome was made to determine the incidence of UTI, predisposing factor and bacterial and fungal etiologies. Results: Between January 2000 and November 2016, we identified that 15% of the children developed UTI. Within this group, bacterial UTI and fungal UTI were 84.0% and 16.0%, respectively. The genus Klebsiella (25.33%) predominates among bacteria, while Candida cruzi (26.08%) predominates among fungal etiologies. Statistical analysis was performed for biochemical indices and UTI and was found significant for low serum albumin and high serum cholesterol (P ⩽ 0.05). Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of UTI in children and can be underdiagnosed in children with nephrotic syndrome because steroid therapy is anti-inflammatory and can mask the symptoms of UTI.
Performance Analysis of Sleep Mode Operation in IEEE 802.16e Mobile Broadband Wireless Access Systems

In this paper, we analytically evaluate the sleep mode operation of the IEEE 802.16e, defined for the power saving. In the sleep mode, an mobile subscribe station (MSS) sleeps for a sleep window and wakes up at the end of the sleep window in order to check pending download packet(s) destined to itself. If there is no such a packet, the MSS doubles the sleep window up to the maximum value and sleeps again. For a quantitative analysis, we model the sleep mode operation as a semi-Markov chain. Then, the average packet delay and average power consumption are analytically derived. Based on the performance analysis, we discuss selecting the proper set of operational parameter values for a given traffic arrival pattern
Answering Queries Using Views.

We consider the problem of computing answers to queries by using materialized views. Aside from its potential in optimizing query evaluation, the problem also arises in applications such as Global Information Systems, Mobile Computing and maintaining physical data independence. We consider the problem of nding a rewriting of a query that uses the materialized views, the problem of nding minimal rewritings, and nding complete rewritings (i.e., rewritings that use only the views). We show that all the possible rewritings can be obtained by considering containment mappings from the views to the query, and that the problems we consider are NP-complete when both the query and the views are conjunctive and don't involve builtin comparison predicates. We show that the problem has two independent sources of complexity (the number of possible containment mappings, and the complexity of deciding which literals from the original query can be deleted). We describe a polynomial time algorithm for nding rewritings, and show that under certain conditions, it will nd the minimal rewriting. Finally, we analyze the complexity of the problems when the queries and views may be disjunctive and involve built-in comparison predicates.
Hepatitis E Virus in Pork Liver Sausage, France

We investigated viability of hepatitis E virus (HEV) identified in contaminated pork liver sausages obtained from France. HEV replication was demonstrated in 1 of 4 samples by using a 3-dimensional cell culture system. The risk for human infection with HEV by consumption of these sausages should be considered to be high.
Distributed localization for anisotropic sensor networks

In this article, we address the issue of localization in anisotropic sensor networks. Anisotropic networks differ from isotropic networks in that they possess properties that vary according to the direction of measurement. Anisotropic characteristics result from various factors such as the geographic shape of the region (nonconvex region), different node densities, irregular radio patterns, and anisotropic terrain conditions. In order to characterize anisotropic features, we devise a linear mapping method that projects one embedding space built upon proximity measures into geographic distance space by using the truncated singular value decomposition (SVD) pseudo-inverse technique. This transformation retains as much topological information as possible and reduces the effect of measurement noise on the estimates of geographic distances. We show via simulation that the proposed localization method outperforms DV-hop, DV-distance, and MDS-MAP, and makes robust and accurate estimates of sensor locations in both isotropic and anisotropic sensor networks.