Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intraindividual Comparison of two Extracorporeal LDL Apheresis Methods: Lipidfiltration and HELP

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis is an effective treatment option for patients with severe hypercholesterolemia not adequately responding to diet and drug therapy. Membrane differential filtration (MDF), synonymous with double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP), here named Lipidfiltration, and heparin-induced extracorporeal LDL-precipitation (HELP) are two of the five methods available for extracorporeal LDL apheresis. In this prospective investigation 6 patients with severe LDL-hypercholesterolemia and CAD were treated in a cross-over design with Lipidfiltration at two stages of technical development and HELP to compare the efficacy of these two LDL apheresis methods with respect to lowering and modifying plasma lipids and rheologically relevant plasma proteins, especially fibrinogen. In total, 44 LDL apheresis sessions were investigated. In weekly intervals, patients were treated with consecutive LDL apheresis sessions with either Lipidfiltration and HELP, treating identical plasma volumes. In one part of the investigation Lipidfiltration was performed with the novel Lipidfilter EC-50, combined with a newly developed blood and plasma therapy machine allowing optimized plasma heating. The results showed that the reduction rates of LDL-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) and triglycerides were essentially identical for both methods. Also pretreatment levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were not significantly different in both treatment groups. Both methods lead to a significant reduction of serum lipoproteins, especially for LDL-cholesterol, which was decreased by 61.4% with Lipidfiltration (treated plasma volume: 2998 ml) and 61.3% with HELP (treated plasma volume: 3013 ml). With respect to Lipidfiltration LDL-cholesterol reduction was more efficient with the novel Lipidfilter EC-50. Mean pretreatment HDL cholesterol concentrations remained unchanged. Comparing Cascadeflo AC-1770 with the novel Lipidfilter EC-50 reduction rates of HDL-cholesterol (17.4% versus 6.4%) and total protein (17.9% versus 7.8%) were significantly reduced. Lipidfiltration and HELP both resulted in a reduction of plasma viscosity and hemorheologically relevant plasma proteins, like fibrinogen.
Women’s Experiences with Postpartum Anxiety: Expectations, Relationships, and Sociocultural Influences

Evidence about anxiety in the postpartum is sparse and contradictory. Our research expands this knowledge by using a qualitative methodology, the Feminist Biographical Method, to explore first time mothers’ experiences of postpartum anxiety. Data collection included 1.5 to 2.0 hour interviews with six women about their experiences of anxiety in their transition to motherhood. We transcribed the interviews and used an iterative hermeneutic coding process to develop themes and subthemes over the course of four coding cycles. The findings include five major themes: (a) experiences of anxiety, (b) expectations of a new mother, (c) issues of support, (d) societal scripts of motherhood, and (e) the transition. One conclusion that we draw is the need for healthcare professionals to provide improved support and validation to new mothers facing postpartum anxiety, by expanding the definition of postpartum distress, especially anxiety, and by better understanding women’s anxiety through culturally-embedded contextual and relational lenses.
Direct current distribution grids and the road to its full potential

Electricity consumption worldwide is continuously on the rise due to the load requirements for the electrification of transportation, houses, offices, factories and many other facilities. However, the use of sustainable electricity in urban surroundings is on the rise: for example, solar panels on roofs of buildings. These loads and sustainable electricity sources have one thing in common - Direct Current. Solid State appliances define the new electric world. The introduction of these DC loads and sustainable DC electricity sources to the current grid could contribute to changes in the behavior of the current electricity grid - although not all these effects are beneficial to the grid. The current grid provides a very stable and very reliable supply for all its users. This may not be a certainty in the near future, especially in densely populated areas, such as The Netherlands and Belgium, where AC transportation and distribution grids are facing more and more stability and reliability issues. Their common ground is the rediscovery of Direct Current and its applications. This paper aims primarily to illustrate the need to consider Direct Current Grids in the Netherlands. Additionally, it describes the ensuing research and educational programs being developed around Direct Current Grids to support this need. Finally, it promotes the creation of strong networks to transfer knowledge from knowledge institutes to local and regional operating Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SME's) to improve their innovative capacity and maintain their competitive advantage in the Netherlands and worldwide. The paper will conclude by arguing for the creation of low voltage DC distribution grids to avoid DC-to-AC and AC-to-DC conversions, stressing the perceived advantages of low voltage grids in terms of sustainability.
Reliable All-Pairs Evolving Fuzzy Classifiers

In this paper, we propose a novel design of evolving fuzzy classifiers (EFCs) to handle online multiclass classification problems in a data-streaming context. Therefore, we exploit the concept of all-pairs (AP), a.k. a. all-versus-all, classification using binary classifiers for each pair of classes. This benefits from less complex decision boundaries to be learned, as opposed to a direct multiclass approach, and achieves a higher efficiency in terms of incremental training time than one-versus-rest classification techniques. For the binary classifiers, we apply fuzzy classifiers with singleton class labels in the consequences, as well as Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy models to conduct regression on [0, 1] for each class pair. Both are evolved and incrementally trained in a data-streaming context, yielding a permanent update of the whole AP collection of classifiers, thus being able to properly react to dynamic changes in the streams. The classification phase considers a novel strategy by using the preference levels of each pair of classes that are collected in a preference relation matrix and performing a weighted voting scheme on this matrix. This is done by investigating the reliability of the classifiers in their predictions: 1) integrating the degree of ignorance on samples to be classified as weights for the preference levels and 2) new conflict models used in the single binary classifiers and when calculating the final class response based on the preference relation matrix. The advantage of the new EFC concept over the single model (using a direct multiclass classification concept) and multimodel architectures (using a one-versus-rest classification concept) will be underlined by empirical evaluations and comparisons at the end of this paper based on high-dimensional real-world multiclass classification problems. The results also show that integrating conflict and ignorance concepts into the preference relations can boost classifier accuracies.
Abnormal illness behaviour in rehabilitation from stroke

Objective: To examine the effect of abnormal illness behaviour (AIB) on rehabilitation outcome following stroke. Design: A longitudinal design, with assessments on admission to and discharge from rehabilitation, and six and 12 months after discharge. Setting: The study was undertaken in the rehabilitation unit at Repatriation General Hospital, in Adelaide, South Australia. Subjects: Ninety-four 12-month stroke survivors who had undergone an inpatient rehabilitation programme. Main outcome measures: AIB was assessed using the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire. Additional psychological measurements comprised the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, General Health Questionnaire, and a visual analogue mood scale. Functional ability was assessed with the Australian ADL Index, and lifestyle activities with the Frenchay Activities Index. Results: Cluster analysis of discharge data was used to define a rule for identifying patients with AIB. AIB was apparent in nearly 30% of patients at discharge, and persisted for 12 months. Patients with AIB scored more poorly than non-AIB patients on functional, social and psychological indicators. Conclusions: AIB emerged as a key determinant of long-term disability. It is important to consider why AIB develops during rehabilitation, and how to identify patients at risk.
Energy momentum tensor of particles created in an expanding universe

We present a general formulation of the time-dependent initial value problem for a quantum scalar field of arbitrary mass and curvature coupling in a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) cosmological model. We introduce an adiabatic number basis which has the virtue that the divergent parts of the quantum expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor $〈{T}_{\mathrm{ab}}〉$ are isolated in the vacuum piece of $〈{T}_{\mathrm{ab}}〉,$ and may be removed using adiabatic subtraction. The resulting renormalized $〈{T}_{\mathrm{ab}}〉$ is conserved, independent of the cutoff, and has a physically transparent, quasiclassical form in terms of the average number of created adiabatic ``particles. '' By analyzing the evolution of the adiabatic particle number in de Sitter spacetime we exhibit the time structure of the particle creation process, which can be understood in terms of the time at which different momentum scales enter the horizon. A numerical scheme to compute $〈{T}_{\mathrm{ab}}〉$ as a function of time with arbitrary adiabatic initial states (not necessarily de Sitter invariant) is described. For minimally coupled, massless fields, at late times the renormalized $〈{T}_{\mathrm{ab}}〉$ goes asymptotically to the de Sitter invariant state previously found by Allen and Folacci, and not to the zero mass limit of the Bunch-Davies vacuum. If the mass m and the curvature coupling $\ensuremath{\xi}$ differ from zero, but satisfy ${m}^{2}+\ensuremath{\xi}R=0,$ the energy density and pressure of the scalar field grow linearly in cosmic time demonstrating that, at least in this case, back reaction effects become significant and cannot be neglected in de Sitter spacetime.
PV-fed single phase single stage boost inverter

The aim of this paper is to model and simulate a boost inverter and its control method for implementing DC to AC power conversion method. The photovoltaic based load connected system depends up on the number of components and stages involved in the power conversion . The proposed scheme is applicable to any single -stage, single- phase grid connected inverter operating in continuous conduction mode. Only one current sensor is used for shaping the boost inductor current with a simple structure. In this present work a solar energy system with boost inverter is presented by controlling the inductor current excess current is released to the load. Simulation is carried out using MATLAB/SIMULINK software and the result are presented for the boost inverter and the output voltage is increased effectively.
Performance Improvement of Face Recognition System by Decomposition of Local Features Using Discrete Wavelet Transforms

As one of the most sought after applications of image analysis, face recognition has received significant attention, especially during the past two decades. Automatic human face recognition has received substantial attention in the recent few years, from researchers in biometrics, pattern recognition and computer vision communities, owing to the high demand for advanced security and authentication needs. Although the existing automated machine recognition systems have certain level of maturity but their accomplishments are limited due to real time challenges. For example, face recognition for the images which are acquired in high contrast with different levels of illumination is a critical problem. Various applications in defense and commercial areas demand real time and high level precision face recognition systems. In turn accuracy involves many floating point operations which will be costly as well as complex in terms of implementation. The major metric in modeling the performance of a face recognition system is its accuracy of recognition. This paper proposes a novel method of face recognition using de-correlation of local features using Discrete Wavelet Transforms (DWT) which improves the recognition accuracy. It also avoids generalizability problem which is caused due to subspace discriminant analysis or statistical learning procedure by using a non-statistical procedure which avoids training step for face samples. This proposed method performs well with images with partial occlusion and images with lighting variations as the local patch of the face is divided into several different patches.
Influence of modified work on return to work for employees on sick leave due to musculoskeletal complaints.

OBJECTIVE To determine which individual and work-related factors are associated with performing modified work and to evaluate the influence of modified work on the duration of sick leave and health-related outcomes among employees with musculoskeletal complaints. STUDY DESIGN A prospective study with 12 months follow-up. METHODS In this prospective study a total of 164 employees on sick leave for 2-6 weeks due to musculoskeletal complaints completed 2 questionnaires. At baseline we gathered information about individual characteristics, physical and psychosocial workload, and disease specific and general health. The follow-up questionnaire, sent to respondents who returned to their original job on full duty, collected information about having performed modified work, and disease-specific and general health. RESULTS Employees were less likely to perform modified work when their regular work was characterized by frequent lifting and their relationship with colleagues was less than good. Employees were more likely to return to modified work when they had a better mental health, had prolonged periods of standing in their regular job and had less skill discretion. Duration of sick leave was influenced by chronicity of complaints and disability, but not by modified work. CONCLUSION Modified work, as the only advice given by a occupational health physician, did not influence the total duration of sick leave nor the improvement in health during sick leave for employees on sick leave due to musculoskeletal complaints.
The EH and SH3 domain Ese proteins regulate endocytosis by linking to dynamin and Eps15

Clathrin‐mediated endocytosis is a multistep process which requires interaction between a number of conserved proteins. We have cloned two mammalian genes which code for a number of endocytic adaptor proteins. Two of these proteins, termed Ese1 and Ese2, contain two N‐terminal EH domains, a central coiled‐coil domain and five C‐terminal SH3 domains. Ese1 is constitutively associated with Eps15 proteins to form a complex with at least 14 protein–protein interaction surfaces. Yeast two‐hybrid assays have revealed that Ese1 EH and SH3 domains bind epsin family proteins and dynamin, respectively. Overexpression of Ese1 is sufficient to block clathrin‐mediated endocytosis in cultured cells, presumably through disruption of higher order protein complexes, which are assembled on the endogenous Ese1–Eps15 scaffold. The Ese1–Eps15 scaffold therefore links dynamin, epsin and other endocytic pathway components.
Manual de laboratorio

Este manual es fruto del proyecto Monitoreo del Aire y parte del programa Aire Puro para Centro America. El documento recopila los metodos de muestreo y analisis que han sido adaptados y puestos en practica para la evaluacion de la calidad del aire en las zonas metropolitanas de las capitales de Centro America. La aplicacion y adaptacion de estos metodos parte de la base de que las emisiones vehiculares representan la principal causa de contaminacion del aire en las grandes zonas urbanas de la region
A Breakthrough in Tumor Localization: Combining Tactile Sensing and Ultrasound to Improve Tumor Localization in Robotics-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery

Robotics-assisted minimally invasive surgery (RAMIS) helps surgeons to avoid manually palpating organs to locate subsurface tumors. One solution has been to use ultrasound, but it is not always reliable. Tactile sensing, however, has the potential to augment ultrasound to improve tumor localization, but there are no existing RAMIS instruments that employ both modalities.
Variations of bacterial-specific activity with cell size and nucleic acid content assessed by flow cytometry

In most aquatic bacterial communities, it is possible to discriminate bacterial cells with a high nucleic acid content (HNA) from those with a low nucleic acid content (LNA) by flow cytometry. The distribution of leucine incorporation rate per cell (specific activity) within the fraction of bacteria with a high apparent nucleic acid content was investigated in coastal seawater using flow cytometry and cell sorting techniques. Bacterial cells from a natural seawater sample were first labeled with tritiated leucine, stained with a fluorescent nucleic acid stain and then sorted based on their fluorescence and scatter signals, assuming that fluorescence was proportional to the cellular nucleic acid content and scatter signals to biovolume. Our results clearly demonstrated that specific activity was heterogeneously distributed within the group of HNA cells and increased with both scatter and fluorescence signals. This shows that important differences in terms of cell-specific rates of activity exist within the HNA group and that specific activity is positively correlated with both the nucleic acid content of cells and their biovolume. We hypothesized that this heterogeneity may be partly due to the structure of bacterial communities. Therefore, further investigations were made by analyzing the nucleic acid content and scatter properties of a set of 10 species isolated from the same coastal area. Our results confirm that both fluorescence and scatter values vary greatly between species at a given growth stage and between growth stages for a given species. Variations reported at different growth stages suggest that both parameters are sensitive to the metabolic activity of individual cells and confirm the positive relationship reported in this study between scatter and fluorescence parameters and specific activity within the HNA cellular fraction of natural communities. Interestingly, it was shown that HNA and LNA cells were present in late stationary phase cultures. This suggests that LNA cells found in natural communities may be dead or dying cells.
Comparison of the effects of Sindbis virus and Sindbis virus replicons on host cell protein synthesis and cytopathogenicity in BHK cells

Infection of BHK cells by Sindbis virus leads to rapid inhibition of host cell protein synthesis and cytopathic effects (CPE). We have been studying these events to determine whether the expression of a specific viral gene is required and, in the present study, have focused our attention on the role of the structural proteins--the capsid protein and the two membrane glycoproteins. We tested a variety of Sindbis viruses and Sindbis virus replicons (virus particles containing an RNA that is self-replicating but with some or all of the viral structural protein genes deleted) for their abilities to inhibit host cell protein synthesis and cause CPE in infected BHK cells. Our results show that shutoff of host cell protein synthesis occurred in infected BHK cells when no viral structural proteins were synthesized and also under conditions in which the level of the viral subgenomic RNA was too low to be detected. These results support the conclusion that the early steps in viral gene expression are the ones required for the inhibition of host cell protein synthesis in BHK cells. In contrast, the Sindbis viruses and Sindbis virus replicons were clearly distinguished by the time at which CPE became evident. Viruses that synthesized high levels of the two membrane glycoproteins on the surface of the infected cells caused a rapid (12 to 16 h postinfection) appearance of CPE, and those that did not synthesize the glycoprotein spikes showed delayed (30 to 40 h) CPE.
Scheduling framework for real-time dependable NoC-based systems

Technology scaling into subnanometer range will create process variations which have impact on the overall manufacturing yield and quality. At the same time System-on-Chip (SoC) complexity and communication requirements are increasing which will make a SoC designer goal to design a fault-free system a very difficult task. The dependability will be an important measure of System-on-Chip design process. As a result we see a shift from bus based systems into networked systems and from traditional Register Transfer Level (RTL) design paradigm into higher abstraction levels — High Level Synthesis (HLS) and system-level design. In real-time networked systems the dependability cannot be reached effectively without predictable contention free communication synthesis. In this paper, an approach that takes into account flow control unit(s) transmission latencies over actual links, is extended to cover, in addition to virtual cut-through, also wormhole switching and wormhole switching with virtual channels. The communication synthesis results are used in our proposed system-level design methodology for dependable realtime Systems-on-Chip.
Murine intestinal disaccharidases: identification of structural variants of sucrase-isomaltase complex.

This study was directed to determine the extent of variability in structure or expression of intestinal disaccharidase [gamma-glucoamylase (gamma-GA), sucrase-isomaltase (SI), and lactase] between different strains of mice. Reduced levels of sucrase activity (approximately 20 U/g of protein) were observed in three strains of mice belonging to the CBA/Ca lineage. Four other strains of mice analyzed exhibited higher levels of sucrase activity (approximately 50 U/g of protein). Decreased levels of sucrase in CBA/Ca mice were not associated with decreased levels of activity associated with the isomaltase subunit or with decreased levels of SI mRNA expression. High-performance liquid chromatographic gel filtration, heat inactivation, and kinetic analysis indicated that the differences between strains in sucrase activity might be attributed to structural differences in the sucrase subunit of the SI complex, thus rendering it more susceptible to cleavage and inactivation. However, no differences in kinetic properties of the sucrase subunit were observed between strains. Murine gamma-GA was found to account for a greater proportion of maltase activity (approximately 70%) than that observed in other species (i.e., approximately 20%). In addition, CBA/Ca mice were found to be deficient in intestinal maltase activity (approximately 60 U/g) compared with the other strains studied (approximately 300 U/g).
Suicide, Big Five Personality Factors, and Depression at the American State Level

The research determined the relation of the 2004–2005 American state suicide rates to state means on neuroticism, agreeableness, extraversion, openness, and conscientiousness as assessed by Rentfrow, Gosling, and Potter (2008). Multiple regression strategies were used to analyze relations between state suicide rates and state personality means with state socioeconomic status, White population percent, urban population percent, and depression rates controlled. Multiple regression analysis showed that neuroticism accounted for 32.0% and agreeableness another 16.3% of the variance in suicide rates when demographics and depression were controlled. Lower neuroticism and lower agreeableness were associated with higher suicide rates. Lower neuroticism and lower agreeableness may be important risk factors for completed suicide but not suicidal ideation or attempted suicide.