Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of Human Brain Tumor Infiltration With Quantitative Stimulated Raman Scattering Microscopy.

One Sentence Summary: Quantitative SRS microscopy can detect human brain tumor infiltration with high sensitivity and specificity, even in tissues appearing grossly normal. ABSTRACT Differentiating tumor from normal brain is a major barrier to achieving optimal outcome in brain tumor surgery. New imaging techniques for visualizing tumor margins during surgery are needed to improve surgical results. We recently demonstrated the ability of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy, a non-destructive, label-free optical method, to reveal glioma infiltration in animal models. Here we show that SRS reveals human brain tumor infiltration in fresh, unprocessed surgical specimens from 22 neurosurgical patients. SRS detects tumor infiltration in near-perfect agreement with standard hematoxylin and eosin light microscopy ( κ =0.86). The unique chemical contrast specific to SRS microscopy enables tumor detection by revealing quantifiable alterations in tissue cellularity, axonal density and protein:lipid ratio in tumor-infiltrated tissues. To ensure that SRS microscopic data can be easily used in brain tumor surgery, without the need for expert interpretation, we created a classifier based on cellularity, axonal density and protein:lipid ratio in SRS images capable of detecting tumor infiltration with 97.5% sensitivity and 98.5% specificity. Importantly, quantitative SRS microscopy detects the spread of tumor cells, even in brain tissue surrounding a tumor that appears grossly normal. By accurately revealing tumor infiltration, quantitative SRS microscopy holds potential for improving the accuracy of brain tumor surgery.
Molecular Analysis of Tn 1546 in Enterococcus faecium Isolated from Animals and Humans

The internal areas and the position of integration of the glycopeptide resistance element Tn1546 were characterized by using PCR fragment length polymorphism, sequencing, and DNA hybridization techniques with 38 high-level vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolates of human and animal origins from Europe and the United States. Only minor variations in the coding regions within Tn1546 were found, suggesting high genetic stability. The isolates originated from broilers (n 5 5), a chicken (n 5 1), a duck (n 5 1), a turkey (n 5 1), pigs (n 5 8), a pony (n 5 1), and humans (n 5 23). A total of 13 different types were defined based on a single-nucleotide difference in the vanX gene, the presence of insertion sequences, and hybridization patterns. For some types more than one isolate were found. For type 1, 10 isolates of both human and animal origins were 1found. All were indistinguishable from the reference strain, BM4147. For type 2, 11 isolates of human and animal origins were found. Six human isolates from England were all of type 3. Two human isolates from the United States, indistinguishable from each other, were type 9. These results showed that vancomycin-resistant E. faecium of animal and human origins can contain indistinguishable genetic elements coding for vancomycin resistance, indicating either horizontal gene transfer between E. faecium organisms of human and animal origins or the existence of a common reservoir for glycopeptide resistance.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Probiotic Yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus fragilis B0399

ABSTRACT Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Kluyveromyces marxianus fragilis B0399, the first yeast approved as a probiotic for human consumption not belonging to the genus Saccharomyces. The genome is composed of 8 chromosomes, with a total size of 11.44 Mb, including mitochondrial DNA.
The mechanism of passage of endogenous urea through the rumen wall and the role of ureolytic epithelial bacteria in the urea flux

1. The rumen urea concentration in gnotobiotic lambs lacking ureolytic bacteria was equal to that of blood. 2. Bacterial urease (EC 3.5.1.5.) activity in sheep fed by intraruminal and intra-abomasal infusion was inversely related to rumen ammonia concentration. 3. A model is proposed for the facilitation and control of urea flux by wall-bound ureolytic bacteria.
Treatment with Chlorhexidine Modifies the Healing of Colon Anastomosis in Rats

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effects of chlorhexidine on the healing of colon anastomosis in the presence of peritonitis. Methods: Peritonitis was induced in male Wistar rats by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The abdominal cavities of experimental animals were irrigated with warm solutions containing 0.9% saline (SAL group; n = 8) or 0.05% chlorhexidine (CHD group; n = 8), following which colon anastomosis was performed. Rats of the control group (n = 8) were submitted to colon anastomosis but not to CLP. Animals were euthanized seven days after surgery, and healing was assessed by histopathological examination and by measuring anastomotic burst pressure. Results: Post-operative survival rates were 100, 87.5 and 75% for the control, SAL, and CHD groups, respectively. The degree of inflammation was significantly lower (ρ = 0.01) in the CHD group compared with the other groups, whilst the anastomotic burst pressure within the CHD group (156.7 ± 53.2 mmHg) was lower than, but not significantly different from, those of the control and SAL groups (196.3 ± 49.8, 208.6 ± 72.7 mmHg, respectively). Conclusions: Peritoneal irrigation with chlorhexidine solution is effective in the control of inflammation promoted by peritonitis but does not improve healing of colon anastomosis in rats.
The Influence of Uncertainty Avoidance on Consumer Perceptions of Global E-Commerce Sites

We examine the effect of Hofstede’s (2001) cultural dimension of uncertainty avoidance (UA) on consumer perceptions of eloyalty. Viewing information quality, trust, and system quality as uncertainty reduction mechanisms, UA is hypothesized to moderate relationships involving these constructs in a recognized model of IS success. Using data drawn from over 3,500 actual consumers from 38 different countries, and controlling for the impact of other cultural dimensions, results suggest that UA moderates the effects of information quality on perceived usefulness, and of trust on e-loyalty, but not system quality relationships. The moderating effect of UA on the information quality-satisfaction relationship was non-significant, indicating uncertainty reduction effects may operate via a cognitive rather than an affective route. We close with implications.
Effects of an Acute Dose of L-Arginine during Coronary Angiography in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Background: Contrast media (CM) are nephrotoxic and might further worsen renal function in patients with chronic renal failure. L-Arginine, the substrate of nitric oxide, protects kidney function and may improve endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease. Hypothesis: Acute administration of L-arginine in a subset of patients with combined coronary artery disease and impaired kidney function during coronary angiography might prevent superimposed acute renal failure. Methods: A double-blind study of patients with mild/moderate chronic renal failure (Cr >1.7 mg/dl) undergoing coronary angiography (meglumine ioxaglate) was conducted. Patients received either L-arginine (300 mg/kg) or placebo and were followed for 48 h. Cardiac hemodynamic parameters, renal function and nitric oxide production were sequentially recorded. Results – Primary and Secondary: Both groups experienced a decrease of creatinine clearance 48 h following the procedure (p < 0.05). Creatinine levels slightly increased following the administration of L-arginine (p < 0.05) but not in the placebo treated group. No changes of systemic and cardiac pressures, total peripheral resistance or cardiac output were recorded within and between the treatment and placebo groups. Conclusion: CM injection causes an impairment of renal function. Addition of intravenous L-arginine during cardiac catheterizations in patients with chronic renal failure does not prevent CM-induced nephrotoxicity and does not affect endothelial dysfunction in the particular population studied by the authors, i.e. patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) of various degrees, or suspicion of CAD and chronic mild renal failure.
Legal Aid Service Interventions and Women Empowerment: A Case of Morogoro Rural and Kongwa Districts, Tanzania

Legal Aid Service (LAS) intervention is considered to have an influence on women empowerment through raising awareness of women towards their rights. Using Kongwa and Morogoro Rural districts as study areas, a study was conducted involving 240 women (120 beneficiaries and 120 non-beneficiaries of LAS). A cross-sectional research design was used, whereby random selection of respondents was done. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. A Composite Empowerment Index (CEI) was used to measure the extent of women empowerment among beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of LAS interventions. Women in the study areas were categorized at medium level of empowerment. Beneficiaries of LAS interventions were found to be more empowered relative to their counterparts. Ordinal logistic regression analysis results showed that involvement of women in LAS interventions, awareness of women legal rights, marital status and age at first marriage were the most determinant factors that influence women empowerment in Morogoro Rural and Kongwa district. Hence persistent sensitization of women about their rights is critical for reducing violence against them and ultimately achieving high levels of empowerment. Also, rigorous enforcement of existing laws and policies is required to discourage and ultimately eliminate the practice of early marriage.
Angiopoietin-related growth factor (AGF) promotes epidermal proliferation, remodeling, and regeneration

We report here the identification of an angiopoietin-related growth factor (AGF). To examine the biological function of AGF in vivo, we created transgenic mice expressing AGF in epidermal keratinocytes (K14-AGF). K14-AGF mice exhibited swollen and reddish ears, nose and eyelids. Histological analyses of K14-AGF mice revealed significantly thickened epidermis and a marked increase in proliferating epidermal cells as well as vascular cells in the skin compared with nontransgenic controls. In addition, we found rapid wound closure in the healing process and an unusual closure of holes punched in the ears of K14-AGF mice. Furthermore, we observed that AGF is expressed in platelets and mast cells, and detected at wounded skin, whereas there was no expression of AGF detected in normal skin tissues, suggesting that AGF derived from these infiltrated cells affects epidermal proliferation and thereby plays a role in the wound healing process. These findings demonstrate that biological functions of AGF in epidermal keratinocytes could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for wound care and epidermal regenerative medicine.
If Channel as an Emerging Therapeutic Target for Cardiovascular Diseases: A Review of Current Evidence and Controversies

In 2015, non-communicable diseases accounted for 39.5 million (70%) of the total 56.4 million deaths that occurred globally, of which 17.7 million (45%) were due to cardiovascular diseases. An elevated heart rate is considered to be one of the independent predictors and markers of future cardiovascular diseases. A variety of experimental and epidemiological studies have found that atherosclerosis, heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, and arrhythmia are linked to elevated heart rate. Although there are established drugs to reduce the heart rate, these drugs have undesirable side effects. Hence, the development of new drugs that selectively inhibit the heart rate is considered necessary. In the search for such drugs, almost four decades ago the If channel, also known as the “funny channel,” emerged as a novel site for the selective inhibition of heart rate. These If channels, with a mixed sodium and potassium inward current, have been identified in the sinoatrial node of the heart, which mediates the slow diastolic depolarization of the pacemaker of the spontaneous rhythmic cells. The hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) subfamily is primarily articulated in the heart and neurons that are encoded by a family of four genes (HCN1-4) and they identify the funny channel. Of these, HCN-4 is the principal protein in the sinoatrial node. Currently, funny channel inhibition is being targeted for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and stroke. A selective If channel inhibitor named ivabradine was discovered for clinical use in treating heart failure and coronary artery disease. However, inconsistencies regarding the clinical effects of ivabradine have been reported in the literature, suggesting the need for a rigorous analysis of the available evidence. The objective of this review is therefore to assess the current advances in targeting the If channel associated with ivabradine and related challenges.
Capturing Value from Mobile Business Models: Design Issues That Matter

Designing viable mobile business models that capture value for all organizations involved is challenging. A range of design issues could be considered, and it is often not clear how they ultimately impact the performance of the business model. This paper tests causal relations between design issues and success factors in the organization and finance domain of mobile business models, by analyzing a survey among 120 practitioners and experts in the mobile Internet services domain using structural equation modeling. We find that organizational design issues lead to more acceptable division of roles among actors, and that financial design issues impact more acceptable risks. However, profitability is influenced only indirectly by these design issues, as the relations are mediated through acceptable risks and role division. Our findings imply specific clues to organizations in the mobile domain on what design issues to address in order to satisfy specific success factors.
New Method of Moving Control for Wireless Endoscopic Capsule Using Electrical Stimuli

In order to control the moving speed of an endoscopic capsule in the human intestine, electrical stimulation method is proposed in this paper. The miniaturized endoscopic capsule with the function of various electrical stimulations has been designed and implemented. An in-vivo animal experiment has been performed to show the ability of controlling the movement speed of the endoscopic capsule according to the level of electrical stimulation. In-vivo experiments were performed by inserting the implemented capsule into a pig's intestinal tract. From the experimental results, the activation of peristaltic movement and the relationship between the moving speed of capsule and the stimulation amplitude could be found. It is shown that the moving speed of capsule in the intestine can be controlled by adjustment of the stimulation level applied in the capsule electrodes. The results of the in-vivo experiment verify that the degree of contraction in the intestinal tract is closely related with the level of stimulating electrical voltage, suggesting that the moving speed of capsule in the human gastrointestinal tract can be controlled by externally adjusting the amplitude of stimulating pulse signal.
Comparing the treatment response of great saphenous and small saphenous vein incompetence following surgery and endovenous laser ablation: a retrospective cohort study

Objective Many venous trials mix patients with great saphenous vein (GSV) and small saphenous vein (SSV) diseases. There is no evidence that both respond similarly to treatment and our aim was to test this assumption. Method This cohort study compares patients with isolated GSV and SSV incompetence following treatment with open surgical ligation or endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). Outcomes included: quality of life (QoL; Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire [AVVQ]; Short Form 36 [SF36]; Euroqol [EQ5D]; and Venous Clinical Severity Score [VCSS]). Results A total of 370 patients with no differences in baseline QoL, underwent treatment. Despite equivalent morbidity, SSV sufferers had a lower VCSS (P < 0.001). Following surgery, SSV patients scored higher (worse) on AVVQ (P = 0.045) than GSV sufferers, but lower (better) following EVLA (P = 0.042). Conclusion The morbidity associated with SSV incompetence is greater than suggested by its clinical severity and responds differently following treatment to that of the GSV. Trials should consider patients with GSV and SSV reflux separately. EVLA may offer additional benefits to SSV sufferers.
A fully integrated DC-DC converter for dynamic voltage scaling applications

This paper presents a fully integrated DC-DC converter using TSMC 0. 18μm & GIPD (tMt Glass Substrate Integrated Passive Device Process) process, which are combined with the 3D IC technology. The sizes of capacitors and inductors are reduced to nano-scale so that they can be integrated into a single chip. The voltage control Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is used in this paper to obtain a fast transient response. Besides, the converter can be utilized for dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) applications that it can change its output voltage with different voltage requirements from the loading. The voltage conversion is from 1.8V down to 1.3V ~ 0.6V. The maximum voltage conversion efficiency is 78.5% and the maximum load current is 150mA.
XML and the art of code maintenance

This paper examines the benefits of using XML to represent source code, with a particular focus on the extensibility and processability aspects. Using as a basis for the discussion o:XML, a general-purpose object-oriented language expressed in XML, it is demonstrated how code can be developed, processed and repurposed using standard XML tools. Vocabularies for Extreme Programming, Design By Contract, source code documentation and Aspect Oriented Programming are introduced through examples, and their use is examined in some detail. A method for layering information using XML namespaces is presented. Implementations of the extensions using code transformations are also provided. The paper demonstrates how the often cited separation of content from presentation achieved in XML publishing has a parallel in software development with the separation of logic from implementation. Using XML, software developers are no longer limited by the programming language in what tools and abstraction mechanisms are available. The source code and the development process itself can be customised to individual needs by combining elements from different methods and methodologies. XML and the art of code maintenance Table of
Analyzing the Benefits of Mobile Enterprise Solutions Using the Example of Dispatching Processes

The major benefit of mobile technology for enterprises is the potential to integrate their field service in the electronic value chain. The most prominent example are dispatching processes of mobile workers where mobile-integrated business processes support the mo-bile workforce as well as the stationary dispatchers, resulting in significant efficiency gains. In this contribution we identify the benefits arising from mobile solutions at the example of dispatching processes. In our exploratory study we examine three indepth case studies and derive a set of hypotheses on the cause-effect relationship of these mobile enterprise solutions. The outcome of the paper is a framework which unites the hypotheses and provides a basis for understanding the organizational impacts of mobile technologies.
Results from DROXO - IV. EXTraS discovery of an X-ray flare from the Class I protostar candidate ISO-Oph 85

X-ray emission from young stellar objects (YSOs) is a key ingredient in understanding star formation. For the early, protostellar (Class I) phase, a very limited (and controversial) quantity of X-ray results is available to date. Within the EXTraS (Exploring the X-ray Transient and variable Sky) project, we have discovered transient X-ray emission from a source whose counterpart is ISO-Oph 85, a strongly embedded YSO in the ρ Ophiuchi star-forming region. We extract an X-ray light curve for the flaring state, and determine the spectral parameters for the flare from XMM-Newton/EPIC data with a method based upon quantile analysis. We combine photometry from infrared to millimeter wavelengths from the literature with mid-IR Spitzer and unpublished submm Herschel photometry that we analysed for this work, and we describe the resulting spectral energy distribution (SED) with a set of precomputed models. The X-ray flare of ISO-Oph 85 lasted ~2500 s and is consistent with a highly-absorbed one-component thermal model (N_H = 1.0_(-0.5)^(+1.2) × 10^(23) cm^(-2) and kT= 1. 15_(-0.65)^(+2.35) keV). The X-ray luminosity during the flare is log L_X [erg/s] = 31.1^(+2.0)_(-1.2); during quiescence we set an upper limit of log L_X [erg/s] < 29.5. We do not detect other flares from this source. The submillimeter fluxes suggest that the object is a Class I protostar. We caution, however, that the offset between the Herschel and optical/infrared position is larger than that for other YSOs in the region, leaving some doubt on this association. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first X-ray flare from a YSO that has been recognised as a candidate Class I protostar via the analysis of its complete SED, including the submm bands that are crucial for detecting the protostellar envelope. This work shows how the analysis of the whole SED is fundamental to the classification of YSOs, and how the X-ray source detection techniques we have developed can open a new era in time-resolved analysis of the X-ray emission from stars.
ECC with increased hard error correction capability for memory reliability improvement

Emerging non-volatile memories such as PCRAMs, MRAMs/STT-MRAMs, FRAMs, and RRAMs are promising candidates for embedded memories in upcoming digital systems. Due to their non-volatility, low-power consumption, and scalability potential, they are best suited in applications like smartphones, tablets, wearable electronics, and sensor nodes. Unfortunately, despite all advantages they offer, emerging non-volatile memories pose some peculiar characteristics like limited endurance and/or variable data retention time. This paper proposes repair mechanism based on a well-known SEC-DED code which can significantly increase the reliability of embedded non-volatile memories.