Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro susceptibilities of human and wild-type isolates of Basidiobolus and Conidiobolus species

The in vitro activities of amphotericin B, miconazole, ketoconazole, 5-fluorocytosine, and potassium iodide (KI) were studied on human and wild-type isolates of Basidiobolus and Conidiobolus species. Of the antifungal agents tested, the imidazole derivatives, especially ketoconazole, were the most active against the agents of entomophthoromycosis. Transmission electron microscopy showed severe morphological alteration of Basidiobolus sp. exposed to 0.78 micrograms of ketoconazole per ml. The MIC and minimal fungicidal concentration of ketoconazole was often lowered in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum or antibiotic medium no. 3. Half of the Basidiobolus isolates and all Conidiobolus isolates were inhibited by amphotericin B at 0.39 micrograms/ml. None of the strains tested were inhibited or killed at maximum concentrations of 5-fluorocytosine and KI. The in vitro resistance of these fungi to KI at high concentrations suggests that the reported favorable treatment with KI may not be due to its direct effect on these fungi but rather to other, undefined factors in combination with KI. These data suggest that ketoconazole may be of use in the treatment of entomophthoromycosis, particularly in cases which are not responsive to KI.
Thoracic Trauma

Both blunt and penetrating traumas commonly affect the thorax, blunt trauma occurring predominantly as the result of motor vehicle collisions. The thorax is the fourth most injured area in unrestrained motor vehicle passengers but is the most commonly injured area in individuals who are restrained by a seat belt [1]. Other common causes of blunt thoracic trauma include falls from heights of greater than 10 feet and motor vehicle collisions involving pedestrians/ bicyclists. While not as common as blunt thoracic injury, penetrating thoracic trauma is not rare. Records from the Centers for Disease control (CDC) show that in 2016, the deaths from gunshot wounds in the United States were comparable to the number of deaths from motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). Tissue damage from these injuries may be complex and is dependent not only on the trajectory of the projectile but upon the pressure gradient that radiates laterally from the tract causing temporary cavitation within adjacent tissue [2]. In both blunt and penetrating trauma, radiologists’ familiarity with typical injury patterns assists with rapid diagnosis and treatment. While the initial screening test in thoracic trauma is the frontal chest radiograph obtained in the trauma bay, in many emergency rooms, this is accompanied by E-FAST (extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma) performed by non-radiologists. In addition to detecting intraabdominal trauma, this study can detect important thoracic injuries, specifically pneumothoraces, hemothoraces, and hemopericardium. Patients with large hemothoraces or hemopericardium can be directed to emergent surgery, while the remaining patients with significant trauma mechanism should usually be further evaluated by CT [3]. Among patients with penetrating trauma, CT with multiplanar reconstructions is particularly useful to determine the trajectory of a bullet through the chest and identify injured organs. Used in hemodynamically stable patients, CT can accurately identify those patients that can be managed nonoperatively, reported negative predictive values as high as 99% [4].
Association between gp120 envelope V1V2 and V4V5 variable loop profiles in a defined HIV-1 transmission cluster

Objective:Variations in the HIV-1 gp120 Env variable loop sequences correlate with virus phenotypes associated with transmission and/or disease progression. We aimed to identify whether signature sequences could be identified in the gp120 Env between acute infection and chronic infection viruses obtained from a group of individuals infected with closely related viruses. Methods:To analyse acute infection versus chronic infection viruses, we studied a transmission cluster of 11 individuals, in which six presented during acute infection and five during chronic infection. Multiple HIV-1 gp120 Env clones were sequenced from each patient with predicted amino acid sequences compared between the groups. Results:Cluster analysis of V1V5 Env sequences (n = 215) identified that acute infection viruses had lower potential N-linked glycosylation site (PNGS) densities than viruses from chronic infection, with a higher amino acid length/PNGS ratio. We found a negative correlation between the V1V2 and V4V5 regions for both amino acid length (Pearson P < 0.01) and PNGS numbers (Pearson P < 0.01) during HIV-1 transmission. This association was lost following seroconversion. These findings were confirmed by analysing sequences from the Los Alamos database that were selected and grouped according to timing of transmission. This included acute infection sequences collected 0–10 days (n = 400) and chronic infection sequences 0.5–3 years postseroconversion (n = 394). Conclusion:Our observations are consistent with a structural association between the V1V2 and V4V5 gp120 regions that is lost following viral transmission. These structural considerations should be taken into consideration when devising HIV-1 immunogens aimed at inducing protective antibody responses targeting transmitted viruses.
enhanced n europrotective effects of Co-Administration of G-CSF with Simvastatin on Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Rats Siçanlarda İntraserebral Kanama için G-CSF ile Simvastatinin Birlikte Uygulanmasinin Artmiş Nöroprotektif Etkisi

aIM: Based on the neuroprotective effect of either G-CSF or statins in various neurological disease models, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the superiority of combined therapy G-CSF with simvastatin in experimental intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). MaterIaL and MetHOds: Primary ICH was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats. G-CSF (50μg/kg), simvastatin (2 mg/kg), combined G-CSF and simvastatin, or phosphate buffered saline was given at 24 hours post-ICH. Neurobehavioral outcomes were assessed in all rats. The pathological changes of neuronal ultrastructure were examined with transmission electron microscopy at the given time. Simultaneously, immunohistochemical labeling and TUNEL assay were performed. resuL ts: Co-administration of G-CSF with simvastatin significantly promoted functional recovery and expedited the recovery time. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that combination treatment significantly improved ultrastructural outcomes. Histological examination showed that the expressions of Brdu co-labeled with NSE and GFAP, Factor VIII were higher in combined treatment than in control group. Additionally, the number of cell apoptosis was higher in control group than in experimental groups and lowest in combination group. cOncLusIOn: Our results indicated that combination treatment of stroke with G-CSF and simvastatin augments the neuroprotective effect in rats after ICH. keyw Ords: Hematoma, Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, Simvastatin, Rat
A NOVEL HIGH-POWER AMPLIFIER USING A GENERALIZED COUPLED-LINE TRANSFORMER WITH INHERENT DC-BLOCK FUNCTION

Abstract—The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel generalized single-band transformer for two arbitrary complex load and source impedances and a novel high-power amplifier using this new transformer. By adding two reactive parts at across terminals, the coupled line with flexible electrical length has practical evenand odd-mode characteristic impedances. Thus, the total circuit layout can be realized on common printed circuit board without any restriction. The synthesis theory of this proposed transformer is complete and analytical. Furthermore, unlike conventional quarterwavelength transformers, this structure exhibits four main features such as effective matching for extremely low-resistive load impedance, effective matching for extremely high-resistive load impedance, tunable characteristic for equivalent electrical length and inherent DC-block function. For theoretical verification, several impedance transformers, which include some fixed operating-frequency cases and a tunable case, for smaller than 7Ohm or larger than 1500 Ohm, are presented. As a typical experimental example, this analyzed transformer with inherent DC-block function has been applied in a 4-Watt power amplifier as output matching structure.
Impaired 11-&bgr; Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 Activity in Sweat Gland Ducts in Human Essential Hypertension

Abstract—The enzyme 11-&bgr; hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 plays a major role in blood pressure regulation. It metabolizes glucocorticoid hormones into derivatives with low affinity for the mineralocorticoid receptor, preventing its permanent occupancy by circulating cortisol, which is 100- to 1000-fold more abundant than aldosterone in the plasma. Inactivating mutations of the enzyme result in severe hypertension, as seen in children with apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndrome. In patients with essential hypertension, however, attempts to evidence enzyme deficiency have been inconclusive. In this pilot study, its catalytic activity was measured directly in aldosterone-sensitive sweat gland ducts collected from skin biopsy samples of 10 male normotensive subjects and 10 subjects with essential hypertension (more than 140 to 90 mm Hg) with no sign of hypermineralocorticism. Isolated ducts were assayed for nicotinamide-dinucleotide-dependent dehydrogenase activity (transformation of tritiated corticosterone into tritiated-11 dehydrocorticosterone, as measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography). Hypertensive patients exhibited significantly lower 11-&bgr; hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity (9.7±4.7 femtomoles per 3 mm length of duct and per 10 minutes incubation, median±SD) than did normotensive subjects (15.9±2.6). Such defect was undetectable using the classical urinary corticosteroid metabolism indexes, probably because of compensatory mechanisms. Relations between these findings and blood pressure levels should benefit from direct enzyme measurements in the vasculature. In conclusion, this cross-sectional study points to partial 11-&bgr; hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 deficiency as a novel feature of essential hypertension, which should stimulate search for new signaling pathways and therapeutical targets.
Proof-based Verification of Software Defined Networks

Software defined network (SDN) eases the task of programming and managing computer networks. The conceptually centralized nature of the control plane provides a holistic view of the network, thereby making it feasible to verify SDN’s functionalities. Verification of SDN is gaining attention in the last few years [1, 5]. There are two main challenges of SDN: (1) SDNs are often programmed in general-purpose programming languages (e.g. Java, Python), which makes it tedious and error-prone to apply formal methods over controller applications; (2) the sheer scale of modern networks makes state explosion problem an insurmountable challenge for model checking. Model checking techniques combined with limiting the expressiveness of the programming language have demonstrated as an effective approach to verifying basic properties. However, due to the highly dynamic nature of SDN, verification of more complex security properties is still challenging. To address the above challenges, we propose a unified framework for programming and verification of SDNs. Our framework relies on the use of a declarative language, Network Datalog (NDLog) [4], which provides compact encoding of SDN functionalities and serves as a basis for formal analysis. As a preliminary step, we demonstrate that NDLog can encode basic openflow applications succinctly, and preserve well-formed logical structure. Based on the semantics of NDLog, we develop a sound program logic for verifying invariant properties of NDLog program. The approach of static analysis avoids the state explosion problem. Also, properties of the system can be verified in a compositional manner by dividing them into smaller invariants of different components. Compared to existing proposals such as Frenetic [3], NDLog has a tighter connection to first-order logic and therefore makes the verification tasks easier.
Measurement on Modulation Transfer Function Under Different Contrasts

Aiming at the effect of environment to MTF measurement, the MTF measurent at different contrasts is presented. In order to get different contrasts, two integrating spheres are used to illuminate the face and back of the test target uniformly. The target luminance and background luminance of the test target are regulated by luminance control parts conveniently. The MTF measurement system is designed and developed. Many experimental results of show that the luminance differences between the values by the system and those by L88 standard level luminance meter are within ±0.3 cd/m 2 so that the MTF measurement precision can be ensured. MTFs of Sony camera and Cannon camera at different contrasts are measured. The measurement values imply that MTFs at different contrasts can evaluate the imaging quality fully and objectively. This study provides an effective method to assess the imaging quality of visible imaging systems. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.11591/telkomnika.v11i2. 1996
Non-orthogonal multiple access with buffer-aided cooperative relaying

In this paper, we propose a transmitter-selection based scheme in non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) network with buffer-aid relaying. We apply the buffer-aided tool in the user, which have better network condition, to increase the reliability of the NOMA network. Our proposed scheme selects a transmitter based on the channel quality and the buffer state of the relay. The Markov Chain (MC) model is adopted to analyze the buffer state transition properties. The average packet delay and the outage probability of the system is analyzed. Numerical results show that the NOMA relay system with buffering significantly outperform the system without buffering in the throughput analysis.
Self-determination of maximum supportable receiver wakeup intervals in Energy Harvesting WSN nodes

Energy harvesting wireless sensor network nodes would not be able to operate without duty cycling. In TinyOS, duty cycling is supported through Low Power Listening or LPL. LPL is sender-centric: the longer the wakeup interval, the more power a receiver saves, at the cost of more energy per transmission for the sender. Due to the limitations of energy storage technologies, there is a limit to the sender wakeup interval which energy harvesting senders could support. Currently, the limit could be derived computationally or experimentally. Computational derivation is overly conservative, while manual experimentation is labour intensive. In this paper, we present a protocol which enables sensor nodes to determine the wakeup interval limit experimentally without human intervention or the aid of other nodes. Not only does the protocol allow for easier determination of the said limit, it also allows network nodes to adjust to environmental changes that nodes encounter while in deployment, such as capacitor ageing.
Kappa Distribution Function Effects on Landau Damping in Electrostatic Vlasov Simulation

The non-thermal high-energy electron effects on Langmuir wave-particle interaction are investigated using an initial value approach. A Vlasov-Poisson simulation is employed based on the splitting scheme by Cheng and Knorr (1976). The kappa distribution function is taken as an example of non-thermal electrons. The modification is manifested as an increase in the Landau damping rate and a decrease in the real frequency for a long wavelength limit. A part of the analyses using the modified plasma dispersion function (Summers and Thorne 1991) is reproduced for l = 2, 3 and 6. The dispersion relation from the initial value simulation and the plasma dispersion function compare favorably. (PACS numbers: 52.35.Fp, 52.35.Sb, 52.65.Ff).
INTERFACIAL SHEAR STRENGTH OF MWNT / EPOXY COMPOSITES AND COMPARISON WITH MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATION

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted much attention because of their unique structure and remarkable mechanical, electrical, thermal and chemical properties. In particular, it has been believed that CNTs are ideal fillers for polymers to enhance their mechanical properties. Numerous efforts have been devoted to the application of SWNTs and MWNTs to polymers for the last decade [1]. However, it has been revealed that mechanical properties of CNT-dispersed polymers are generally inferior to the theoretical values. It has been understood that the mechanical properties of CNT-dispersed polymer matrix composites are dominated mainly by dispersion, alignment, and interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between CNT and the polymer. In particular, weak IFSS between CNT and polymer is thought to be a critical problem [2]. From this perspective, many analytical studies have been conducted. However, it is not hard to anticipate that traditional methods are difficult to apply for measurements because of the extremely small size of CNTs, so direct comparison with analytical results and experimental results was not conducted. From this point of view, we proposed simple and easy method to evaluate the IFSS of CNT-dispersed thermoplastic polymer composites (so-called Nanopullout system [3]) for obtaining reasonable experimental results. In this study, the interfacial shear strengths of MWNT/ epoxy composites were evaluated using a nano-pullout method. Furthermore numerical simulations based on molecular dynamics (MD) were carried out. The experimental results were compared with the numerical results.
Novel adaptive power gating strategy of TSV-based multi-layer 3D IC

Among power dissipation components, the leakage power has become more dominant with each successive technology node. A power gating technique has been widely used to reduce the standby leakage energy. In this work, we investigate the power gating strategy of TSV-based 3D IC stacking structures. Power gating control is becoming more complicated as more dies are stacked. We combine the on-chip PDN and TSV in a multilayered 3D IC for a power gating analysis of the static and dynamic voltage drops and in-rush current. Then, we propose a novel power gating strategy that optimizes the inrush current profile, subject to the voltage-drop constraints. Our power gating strategy provides a minimal wake-up latency such that the voltage noise safety margins are not violated. In addition, the layer dependency of the 3D IC on the power gating in terms of the wake-up time reduction is analyzed. We achieve an average wake-up time reduction of 28% for all cases with our adaptive power gating method that exploits location (or layer) information of the aggressors in a 3D IC.
Treatment of anterior vaginal wall prolapse with and without polypropylene mesh: a prospective, randomized and controlled trial - Part II.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of two surgical procedures for the correction of anterior vaginal wall prolapse (AVWP) on the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) using symptom questionnaires and quality of life (QoL). MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred women with Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification stage (POP-Q) ≥ 2 were randomly distributed in two preoperatory groups. The first group (mesh) (n = 45) received a polypropylene mesh (PM) implant and the control group (n = 55) was submitted to anterior colporraphy with or without synthetic sling. Postoperatory follow-up was done after 12 months. The primary objective was to compare the effect of the surgeries on LUTS using the final scores of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-V8), as well as the analysis of the incapacitating urinary symptoms and ″de novo″ urinary symptoms after 12 months of surgery in both groups. RESULTS Although there was a different number of women in each group, randomization was adequate, resulted in homogeneous groups that could be compared regarding socio demographic, clinical and gynecological (POP-Q) variables. Patients of both groups showed improvements regarding LUTS and QoL, whether using polypropylene mesh or not, based on the final scores of the ICIQ-UI SF and OAB-V8 questionnaires after 12-month follow-up. There were few incapacitating and ″de novo ″ urinary symptoms, without any significant statistical difference between both groups after 12 months of surgery. CONCLUSION There was a general improvement of LUTS and QoL in both groups after 12-month follow-up. However, there was no significant difference of LUTS, as well as the more incapacitating and ″de novo ″ urinary symptoms between both groups after 12 months of surgery.
Monitoring depth of sedation: evaluating the agreement between the Bispectral Index, qCON and the Entropy Module's State Entropy during flexible bronchoscopy.

BACKGROUND We investigated the correlation and agreement of three depth of anesthesia indices, Bispectral Index (BIS), qCON and state entropy (SE) during propofol sedation, because there is extensive literature that deals with the comparability of these indices during general anesthesia, but not during sedation. METHODS We recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) and SE trend data, using the Entropy Module from 21 patients who underwent elective bronchoscopy with target-controlled infusion of propofol. EEG data were replayed to BIS and qCON with an EEG player. We calculated the Spearman correlation to evaluate similarities in index trend behavior and estimated the general index agreement of displaying the same anesthetic level, i.e., wakefulness, sedation and anesthesia. We used coughing episodes and the bronchoscope placement to investigate the index for possible arousal reactions. RESULTS We found a high to very high correlation of the indices' trend during the procedure. Furthermore, qCON was significantly lower than BIS and SE. All indices increased significantly after bronchoscope placement and coughing. The agreement of BIS/SE was 68% and around 50% for BIS/qCON and qCON/SE. The median duration of disagreement by >10 points was 39 s for BIS/SE and around 75 s for qCON with BIS and SE. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate a high probability of similar index performance between SE, BIS and qCON with the caveat of a different index scaling for qCON. These results can help the user of these monitoring devices to translate findings from one index to the other.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE , LEADER-MEMBER EXCHANGE , ORGANIZATIONAL JUSTICE , AND OUTCOME VARIABLES : A CONCEPTUAL MODEL

The purpose of this study was to test a model of relations among emotional intelligence (EI), LeaderMember Exchange (LMX), organizational justice perceptions, and work-related attitudinal outcomes. The model postulated that EI is related positively to LMX. The LMX was postulated as positive predictor of both distributive and procedural justice. Organizational justice was posited as a positive predictor of job satisfaction and organizational commitment, but a negative predictor of turnover intentions. A total of 106 participants voluntarily participated in the study. Hypothesized relationships were examined using Partial Least Squares (PLS) Structural Equation Modeling. As predicted, EI was a positive predictor of LMX. LMX was a positive predictor of both distributive and procedural justice. Distributive justice was a positive predictor of job satisfaction and a negative predictor of turnover intentions. Finally, procedural justice was a positive predictor of both job satisfaction and organizational commitment and was a negative predictor of turnover intentions.