Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardiac-resynchronization therapy for mild-to-moderate heart failure.

BACKGROUND Cardiac-resynchronization therapy (CRT) benefits patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and a wide QRS complex. Most of these patients are candidates for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). We evaluated whether adding CRT to an ICD and optimal medical therapy might reduce mortality and morbidity among such patients. METHODS We randomly assigned patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or III heart failure, a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30% or less, and an intrinsic QRS duration of 120 msec or more or a paced QRS duration of 200 msec or more to receive either an ICD alone or an ICD plus CRT. The primary outcome was death from any cause or hospitalization for heart failure. RESULTS We followed 1798 patients for a mean of 40 months. The primary outcome occurred in 297 of 894 patients (33.2%) in the ICD-CRT group and 364 of 904 patients (40.3%) in the ICD group (hazard ratio in the ICD-CRT group, 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64 to 0.87; P<0.001). In the ICD-CRT group, 186 patients died, as compared with 236 in the ICD group (hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.91; P = 0.003), and 174 patients were hospitalized for heart failure, as compared with 236 in the ICD group (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.83; P<0.001). However, at 30 days after device implantation, adverse events had occurred in 124 patients in the ICD-CRT group, as compared with 58 in the ICD group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with NYHA class II or III heart failure, a wide QRS complex, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, the addition of CRT to an ICD reduced rates of death and hospitalization for heart failure. This improvement was accompanied by more adverse events. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Medtronic of Canada; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00251251.).
Low-complexity MARG algorithms for increased accuracy in space pointing devices

This paper addresses the accuracy of space pointing devices when using absolute orientation for interaction with multimedia content. Classical accurate fusion algorithms are computationally intensive, therefore their implementation in low-energy consumption devices is a challenging task. To tackle this problem, a performance study of a relevant set of COTS MARG sensor units with low-complexity algorithms, is presented in this study. Performance evaluation tests are carried out under harsh conditions to observe the algorithms response in a non-trivial environment. The results demonstrate that the implementation of low-complexity algorithms using low-cost sensors, can provide acceptable accuracy in comparison with the more complex state-of-the-art sensors/algorithms. These results pave the way for faster adoption of absolute orientation-based pointing devices in interactive multimedia applications.
Cloning of cDNAs Encoding Two Isoforms of 68-kDa Type I Phosphatidylinositol4-phosphate 5-Kinase*

Accumulating evidence suggests that phosphatidylinositol metabolism is essential for membrane traffic in the cell. Of particular importance, phosphatidylinositol transfer protein and the type I phosphatidylinositol- 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PI4P5K) have been identified as cytosolic components required for ATP-dependent, Ca2+-activated secretion. In order to identify PI4P5K isoforms that may play important roles in regulated insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells, we employed the polymerase chain reaction with degenerate primers and screening of a cDNA library of the murine pancreatic β-cell line MIN6. Two novel cDNAs, designated PI4P5K-Iα and PI4P5K-Iβ, were identified, which contained complete coding sequences encoding 539- or 546-amino acid proteins, respectively. These cDNAs were expressed in mammalian cells with an adenoviral expression vector. Proteins of both isoforms migrated at 68 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and exhibited phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase activity, which was activated by phosphatidic acid, indicating that these proteins were type I isoforms. While these isoforms share a marked amino acid sequence homology in their central portion, the amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions differ significantly. Northern blot analysis depicted that tissue distributions differed between the two isoforms. Molecular identification of type I PI4P5K isoforms in insulin-secreting cells should provide insights into the role of phosphatidylinositol metabolism in regulated exocytosis of insulin-containing large dense core vesicles.
Differential Frequency Dependence of P2Y1- and P2Y2- Mediated Ca 2+ Signaling in Astrocytes

ATP is a key extracellular messenger that mediates the propagation of Ca 2+ waves in astrocyte networks in various regions of the CNS. ATP-mediated Ca 2+ signals play critical roles in astrocyte proliferation and differentiation and in modulating neuronal activity. The actions of ATP on astrocytes are via two distinct subtypes of P2Y purinoceptors, P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors (P2Y1Rs and P2Y2Rs), G-protein coupled receptors that stimulate mobilization of intracellular Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+]i) via the phospholipase Cβ-IP3 pathway. We report here that P2Y1R-mediated and P2Y2R-mediated Ca 2+ responses differentially show two forms of activity-dependent negative feedback. First, Ca 2+ responses mediated by either receptor exhibit slow depression that is independent of stimulation frequency. Second, responses mediated by P2Y1Rs, but not those mediated by P2Y2Rs, show rapid oscillations after high-frequency stimulation. We demonstrate that the oscillations are mediated by recruiting negative feedback by protein kinase C, and we map the site responsible for the effect of protein kinase C to Thr339 in the C terminus of P2Y1R. We propose that frequency-dependent changes in ATP-mediated Ca 2+ signaling pathways may modulate astrocyte function and astrocyte–neuron signaling in the CNS.
Fluorescent Heteroduplex Assay for Monitoring Bacillus anthracis and Close Relatives in Environmental Samples

ABSTRACT A fluorescent heteroduplex method was developed to assess the presence of 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) sequences from Bacillus anthracis and close relatives in PCR-amplified 16S rDNA sequence mixtures from environmental samples. The method uses a single-stranded, fluorescent DNA probe, 464 nucleotides in length, derived from a B. anthracis 16S rRNA gene. The probe contains a unique, engineered deletion such that all probe-target duplexes are heteroduplexes with an unpaired G at position 343 (ΔG343). Heteroduplex profiles of sequences ≥85% similar to the probe were produced using an ABI 377 sequencer in less than 3 h. The method divides strains of the Bacillus cereus-Bacillus thuringiensis-B. anthracis group into two subgroups. Each subgroup is defined by a specific 16S rRNA gene sequence type. Sequence type A, containing one mismatch with the probe, occurs in B. anthracis and a small number of closely related clonal lineages represented mostly by food-borne pathogenic isolates of B. cereus and B. thuringiensis. Sequence type B, containing two mismatches with the probe, is found in the majority of B. cereus and B. thuringiensis strains examined to date. Sequence types A and B, when hybridized to the probe, generate two easily differentiated heteroduplexes. Thus, from heteroduplex profiles, the presence of B. cereus-B. thuringiensis-B. anthracis subgroups in environmental samples can be inferred unambiguously. The results show that fluorescent heteroduplex analysis is an effective profiling technique for detection and differentiation of sequences representing small phylogenetic or functional groups in environmental samples.
Classical, Avoidance and Backward Conditioning Treatments of Homosexuality

Previous studies (McConaghy, 1969, 1970a; McConaghy et al., 1972) evaluated the efficacy of three widely different forms of aversion therapy in treating homosexuality. The methods investigated were aversion-relief, apomorphine therapy, and avoidance conditioning.
Quality factor and eigen frequency analysis of micromirrors

Micromirrors are used in numerous applications such as optical switching, projection displays, biomedical imaging and adaptive optics. In this paper, eigen frequency and Q-factor analysis of a piezoelectrically actuated micromirror is performed. The mirror structure consists of an Aluminium mirror plate and cantilever on each side of the plate for piezoelectric actuation. Q-factor analysis is done for micromirror with different piezoelectric materials and the highest value is obtained for Lead Zirconate Titanate or PZT. Eigen frequency Analysis was also conducted and identified the modes of the micromirror. The mirror works in piston mode and bending mode at 12.478 KHz and 20.034 KHz respectively. The modeling and analysis are done using COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3b.
Albumin stimulates cell growth, l-arginine transport, and metabolism to polyamines in human proximal tubular cells.

BACKGROUND Pure albumin stimulates proximal tubular epithelial cell (PTEC) proliferation, and may have a role in homeostasis in health, as well as in disrupted PTEC turnover in proteinuric nephropathies. We investigated a role for arginine and its metabolites, the polyamines, in this process, given the ability of polyamines to trigger proliferation in other mammalian cells. METHODS [(3)H]-L-arginine uptake was examined after incubation with 20 mg/mL recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) in HK-2 PTEC monolayers. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and arginase activity was measured; NOS, arginase, and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) expression was identified by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Polyamine synthesis and intracellular amino acid concentrations were compared using high-performance liquid chromatography, and cell growth measured by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. RESULTS In HK-2 PTEC exposed to 20 mg/mL rHSA for 24 hours, cell proliferation as determined by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation was increased. In parallel, L-arginine transport capacity was increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This effect was specific to rHSA, and was not seen with transferrin or immunoglobulin G. The intracellular concentration of L-arginine remained unchanged, although L-ornithine was increased with rHSA incubation. rHSA up-regulated type II arginase mRNA, and increased arginase activity, although no difference in nitric oxide synthase expression or activity was seen. ODC mRNA was increased, as were intracellular polyamine concentrations. alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an ODC inhibitor, reduced intracellular polyamine concentrations and rHSA-induced cell proliferation to control levels. CONCLUSION The arginine-ornithine-polyamine pathway appears enhanced in PTEC incubated with rHSA and is involved in cellular proliferation; this may offer novel approaches to understanding progressive proteinuric nephropathies.
Challenging the gold standard: critical limitations in clinical detection of drug- resistant tuberculosis

Heteroresistant infections - defined as infections in which minority drug-resistant (DR) populations are present - are a challenge in infectious disease control. In Mycobacterium tuberculosis, heteroresistance poses challenges in diagnosis and has been linked with poor treatment outcomes. We compared the analytic sensitivity of molecular methods, such as GeneXpert and whole genome sequencing (WGS) in detecting heteroresistance when compared to the "gold standard" phenotypic assay: the agar proportion method (APM). Using defined mono- resisitant BCG strains we determined the limit of detection (LOD) of rifampin-R (RIF-R) detection was 1% using APM, 60% using Xpert MTB/RIF and 10% using Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra. To evaluate clinical WGS pipelines, a blinded panel of BCG mixtures was sent to 3 clinical labs. These were composed of either a) RIF-R plus isoniazid-R (INH-R) BCG or b) fluoroquinolone-R(FQ-R) plus clofazimine-R/bedaquiline-R (CLZ/BDQ-R) BCG. No labs called resistance at 1%; all labs called RIF-R at 10% or greater and two out of three labs reported FQ-R at 10%. Two labs were able to detect the majority population (either INH-R or CLZ/BDQ-R) at 50%. Importantly, where labs did not report resistance in the majority population, the mutations were present in the raw data but excluded from the final analysis. In conclusion, the gold standard APM more reliably detects minority resistant populations than molecular tests. Further research is required to determine whether the higher LOD of molecular tests is associated with deleterious patient outcomes and the potential effects on transmission of resistance at the population level.
A 6.3 mW high-SNR frame-rate scalable touch screen panel readout IC with column-parallel Σ-Δ ADC structure for mobile devices

This paper presents a capacitive touch screen panel (TSP) readout IC that provides highly enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and scalable frame rate. To increase touch sensitivity and noise immunity, the proposed readout IC employs a differential sensing method. A column-parallel incremental sigma-delta (Σ-Δ) ADC structure is adopted to obtain high frame rate and its scalability. The readout IC is fabricated in 0.18-μm CMOS process and its active area is 2.2 mm2. The measured results show that the readout IC achieves 60-dB SNR and 200-Hz frame rate with 12 × 8 mutual capacitive TSP. The frame rate and SNR can be adjusted from 50 Hz to 1.6 kHz and from 50 dB to 67 dB, respectively. The power consumption is 6.3 mW with 3.3-V supply.
Physichemical property and morphology of 5-fluorouracil loaded chitosan nanoparticles

5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a hydrophilic anticancer drug, was successfully encapsulated into biodegradable chitosan (CS) to form CS/5-FU nanoparticles (NPs) by ionic crosslinking technology. The surface morphology of the pure CS NPs and 5-FU loaded NPs was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); the interaction between CS and 5-florouracil (5-FU) was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR); the physical state of 5-FU in NPs matrix was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). SEM image shows that the CS NPs are smooth on surface and spherical in shape, and the size is about 300 nm, while drug loaded CS NPs are less regular in shape when compared with pure CS NPs; the FTIR results confirm the strong interaction between polymer matrix and 5-FU; XRD and DSC results demonstrate that 5-FU exists in the NPs in amorphous or solid solution status.
Reconciling Teleseismic and Regional Estimates of Seismic Energy

Estimates of the radiated seismic energy based on teleseismic and regional data often differ by up to an order of magnitude, with a tendency for regional estimates to be larger than teleseismic estimates for the same event. In this study we compare the velocity spectrum determined from teleseismic data after correction for radiation pattern and propagation effects, with the velocity spectrum determined from regional data, after the corresponding corrections, for nine earthquakes in the Middle America subduction zone of Mexico. This comparison of the corrected spectra is used to identify and reduce the sources of the regional versus teleseismic energy discrepancy, which is about an order of magnitude for these events. We find that the teleseismic attenuation operator needs to be calibrated. In our case, for the tectonic environment of the Mexican subduction zone, we need a teleseismic attenuation operator that is stronger at high frequencies than the global average. A larger factor, however, is the correction needed to account for site amplification. This correction has an impact on both regional and teleseismic data, but it has a larger influence on the regional estimates because the angle of incidence for teleseismic waves is steep and the stations are located on more competent rock. By modifying the teleseismic attenuation operator and applying site corrections based on a generic site model, we essentially eliminate the order-of-magnitude discrepancy between teleseismic and regional estimates of the radiated seismic energy for these events.
Automatic Fuzzy Segmentation of Images with Differential Evolution

In this paper we propose a novel fuzzy clustering algorithm for automatically grouping the pixels of an image into different homogeneous regions when the number of clusters is not known a-priori. A soft clustering task in the intensity space of an image is formulated as an optimization problem. We use an improved differential evolution (DE) algorithm to automatically determine the number of naturally occurring clusters in the image as well as to refine the cluster centers. We report extensive performance comparisons among the new method, a recently developed genetic-fuzzy clustering technique and the classical fuzzy c-means algorithm over a test suite comprising ordinary gray scale images and remote sensing satellite images. Such comparisons show, in a statistically meaningful way, the superiority of the proposed technique in terms of speed, accuracy and robustness.
The GRIP Domain is a Specific Targeting Sequence for a Population of trans‐Golgi Network Derived Tubulo‐Vesicular Carriers

Vesicular carriers for intracellular transport associate with unique sets of accessory molecules that dictate budding and docking on specific membrane domains. Although many of these accessory molecules are peripheral membrane proteins, in most cases the targeting sequences responsible for their membrane recruitment have yet to be identified. We have previously defined a novel Golgi targeting domain (GRIP) shared by a family of coiled‐coil peripheral membrane Golgi proteins implicated in membrane trafficking. We show here that the docking site for the GRIP motif of p230 is a specific domain of Golgi membranes. By immuno‐electron microscopy of HeLa cells stably expressing a green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐p230GRIP fusion protein, we show binding specifically to a subset of membranes of the trans‐Golgi network (TGN). Real‐time imaging of live HeLa cells revealed that the GFP‐p230GRIP was associated with highly dynamic tubular extensions of the TGN, which have the appearance and behaviour of transport carriers. To further define the nature of the GRIP membrane binding site, in vitro budding assays were performed using purified rat liver Golgi membranes and cytosol from GFP‐p230GRIP‐transfected cells. Analysis of Golgi‐derived vesicles by sucrose gradient fractionation demonstrated that GFP‐p230GRIP binds to a specific population of vesicles distinct from those labelled for β‐COP or γ‐adaptin. The GFP‐p230GRIP fusion protein is recruited to the same vesicle population as full‐length p230, demonstrating that the GRIP domain is solely proficient as a targeting signal for membrane binding of the native molecule. Therefore, p230 GRIP is a targeting signal for recruitment to a highly selective membrane attachment site on a specific population of trans‐Golgi network tubulo‐vesicular carriers.
Game theoretic distributed waveform design for multistatic radar networks

We examine the interaction of multiple-input multiple-output based clusters of radars within a game theoretic framework, using potential games. The objective is to maximise the signal-to-disturbance ratio of the clusters of radars by selecting the most appropriate waveforms. We prove that the proposed game theoretic algorithm converges to a unique Nash equilibrium using discrete concavity and the larger midpoint property. As a result, each cluster can determine the best waveform for illumination (equilibrium) by strategising the actions of the other clusters.
Debye-Hückel theory for spin ice at low temperature

At low temperatures, spin ice is populated by a finite density of magnetic monopoles---pointlike topological defects with a mutual magnetic Coulomb interaction. We discuss the properties of the resulting magnetic Coulomb liquid in the framework of Debye-H\"uckel theory, for which we provide a detailed context-specific account. We discuss both thermodynamical and dynamical signatures and compare Debye-H\"uckel theory to experiment as well as numerics, including data for specific heat and AC susceptibility. We also evaluate the entropic Coulomb interaction that is present in addition to the magnetic one and show that it is quantitatively unimportant in the current compounds. Finally, we address the role of bound monopole anti-monopole pairs and derive an expression for the monopole mobility.
Fracture of disordered, elastic lattices in two dimensions.

We study via simulation how a lattice breaks if each bond is an elastic beam having longitudinal and flexural breaking thresholds randomly selected according to various probability distributions. We observe scaling of force, displacement, and number of broken beams in the controlled regime. The distribution of local forces just before breaking is characterized by a multifractal spectrum f(\ensuremath{\alpha}).
Solving multitrip vehicle routing under order incompatibilities: A VRP arising in supply chain management

In this study, we introduce a new class of vehicle routing problems (VRP): the multidepot multitrip VRP with order incompatibilities. The problem is motivated by a specific two‐echelon distribution system arising in supply chain management, where products come to the depots from different factories by semitrailers and these semitrailers are also used for short‐haul distribution, that is, the load from different factories is not consolidated at the depots. This VRP is rather challenging as it combines several synchronisation constraints occurring in other well‐known standard VRP. In this article, we describe several problem variants, we model the problem as a set partitioning problem, and we show how the heuristic concept of concurrent (LS/LNS) neighborhood search which has shown to be rather effective for other complex VRP‐classes can be customized. Our computational study shows that this approach is effective and efficient for this VRP‐class, too. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 64(1), 29–39 2014
A Complete Characterization of the Maximal Contractively Invariant Ellipsoids of Linear Systems Under Saturated Linear Feedback

As level sets of quadratic Lyapunov functions, ellipsoids have been extensively used as estimates of the domain of attraction of a linear system under saturated linear feedback. For a linear system with a single input subject to actuator saturation, based on a convex hull representation of saturation functions, a necessary and sufficient condition for an ellipsoid to be contractively invariant was previously established, which, through the solution of an LMI problem, leads to the maximal ellipsoidal invariant set. In this technical note, for a linear system with multiple inputs subject to actuator saturation, we develop a complete characterization of the maximal ellipsoidal invariant set by algebraic computation. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our results.