Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual fidelity of reconstructed radiographic images using wavelet transform coding and JPEG

The past few years have seen a rapid development in the areas of image compression techniques. This increase is mainly attributed to the current need for efficient storage and fast transmission of data among individuals using the information superhighway. A particular place of interest is in the area of telemedicine, where rapid transmission and effective storage leads to price reduction in medical costs. Thus, in order to achieve maximal storage and transmission parameters, the different compression algorithms should be compared in order to find an optimal technique for medical image compression. In this paper, we compare the performance of the wavelet transform to the current JPEG standard. We performed our comparisons on radiographic images and used criteria such as visual quality, peak signal-to-noise ratio and mean square error, in order to judge the compression capabilities of both techniques. Wavelet reconstructed images outperformed JPEG reconstruction in all the above criteria. <<ETX>>
Impacts of light and temperature on shoot branching gradient and expression of strigolactone synthesis and signalling genes in rose.

Light and temperature are two environmental factors that deeply affect bud outgrowth. However, little is known about their impact on the bud burst gradient along a stem and their interactions with the molecular mechanisms of bud burst control. We investigated this question in two acrotonic rose cultivars. We demonstrated that the darkening of distal buds or exposure to cold (5 °C) prior to transfer to mild temperatures (20 °C) both repress acrotony, allowing the burst of quiescent medial and proximal buds. We sequenced the strigolactone pathway MAX-homologous genes in rose and studied their expression in buds and internodes along the stem. Only expressions of RwMAX1, RwMAX2 and RwMAX4 were detected. Darkening of the distal part of the shoot triggered a strong increase of RwMAX2 expression in darkened buds and bark-phloem samples, whereas it suppressed the acropetal gradient of the expression of RwMAX1 observed in stems fully exposed to light. Cold treatment induced an acropetal gradient of expression of RwMAX1 in internodes and of RwMAX2 in buds along the stem. Our results suggest that the bud burst gradient along the stem cannot be explained by a gradient of expression of RwMAX genes but rather by their local level of expression at each individual position.
AAV-mediated gene therapy for liver diseases: the prime candidate for clinical application?

Introduction: Diseases of the liver represent a major health problem. Often treatments are ineffective, prompting the need for new therapeutic strategies. From extensive preclinical studies, gene therapy in particular mediated by adeno-associated virus (AAV)-derived vectors, has now emerged as the prime candidate for clinical application. AAV-mediated gene therapy for inherited liver diseases has now become a clinical reality, in particular for the treatment of hemophilia B. Areas covered: This review provides a summary of current literature on AAV-mediated gene therapies for both inherited and acquired liver diseases and outlines different strategies to overcome current clinical limitations. The unique properties of AAV over other viral vectors are highlighted as well as the current challenges which are faced for wide-ranging clinical application. Expert opinion: Despite the extensive positive results from animal models, successful application in clinical settings is hampered by immunological barriers. However, immune suppression and other strategies can be employed to overcome these limitations. Given some of their unique advantages, AAV vectors are currently the most obvious candidate for hepatic gene therapy applications, however, serotype-related issues of immune reactivity still represent a formidable barrier for clinical success.
Mechanical Properties Distribution within Polypropylene Injection Molded Samples: Effect of Mold Temperature under Uneven Thermal Conditions

The quality of the polymer parts produced by injection molding is strongly affected by the processing conditions. Uncontrolled deviations from the proper process parameters could significantly affect both internal structure and final material properties. In this work, to mimic an uneven temperature field, a strong asymmetric heating is applied during the production of injection-molded polypropylene samples. The morphology of the samples is characterized by optical and atomic force microscopy (AFM), whereas the distribution of mechanical modulus at different scales is obtained by Indentation and HarmoniX AFM tests. Results clearly show that the temperature differences between the two mold surfaces significantly affect the morphology distributions of the molded parts. This is due to both the uneven temperature field evolutions and to the asymmetric flow field. The final mechanical property distributions are determined by competition between the local molecular stretch and the local structuring achieved during solidification. The cooling rate changes affect internal structures in terms of relaxation/reorganization levels and give rise to an asymmetric distribution of mechanical properties.
Construction and In Vitro Characterization of Attenuated Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Long Terminal Repeat Mutant Viruses

ABSTRACT AP-1- and ATF-binding sites are cis-acting transcriptional elements within the U3 domain of the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) long terminal repeat (LTR) that serve as targets for cellular activation pathways and may regulate virus replication. We report that FIV LTR mutant proviruses encoding U3 deletions of the ATF-binding sequence exhibited restricted virus expression and replication in both feline lymphocytes and macrophages. In contrast, deletion of the AP-1 site had negligible effects on virus expression and replication. FIV LTR mutant proviruses encoding deletions of both the AP-1 and ATF sites or a 72-bp deletion encompassing the AP-1 site, duplicated C/EBP sites, and ATF sites were severely restricted for virus expression. These results demonstrate that deletion of either the ATF-binding site or multiplecis-acting transcriptional elements attenuates FIV. These attenuated FIV mutants provide opportunities to characterize the role of cis-acting elements in virus replication in vivo and to test LTR mutants as attenuated virus vaccines.
A generalized sequence pattern matching algorithm using complementary dual-seeding

In this work, we define generalized (sequence) patterns, which is based on several real Biological problems, including transcription factors (TFs) binding to transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs), cis-regulatory modules, protein domain analysis, and alternative splicing etc. Simply speaking, a generalized pattern is composed of several substrings with gaps in-between two substrings. We propose a generalized pattern matching algorithm that uses a complementary dualseeding strategy, which is sensitive to errors (both mismatches and indels). We also develop a generalized pattern matching tool1, which is to our knowledge the first ever developed specially for generalized pattern matching. Rather than replacing the existing general purpose matching tools, such as BLAST, BLAT, and PatternHunter etc, our tool provides an alternative and helps users to solve real problems, especially those that can be modeled as generalized patterns. We use data randomly sampled from reference sequences of human genome (NCBI build v18) in experiments, and hit 98.74% generalized patterns on average. The tool runs on both LINUX and Windows platforms, and the memory peak goes to a little bit larger than 1GB only.
Huddle based tenable data communication in wireless mesh networks

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) can be sequenced by itself and adapt themselves to the nodes in the network in order to maintain the default mesh connectivity. WMN compromises of mesh router which is the backbone of the mesh network and mesh client gives access for both mesh and conventional networks. Transaction of data between wireless mesh node results in privacy transgresses. We propose privacy preserved grid based clustering to maintain the privacy and security in various aspects for data communication between the nodes. It can provide the security between the nodes by the following modules (i) cluster formation in the network (ii) node registration (iii) tag generation from trusted authority (VT) and also privacy provide within the network region.
Evolution of Gene Duplication in Plants1[OPEN]

Gene duplicates are prevalent in plants and in some cases contribute to evolutionary novelty. Ancient duplication events and a high rate of retention of extant pairs of duplicate genes have contributed to an abundance of duplicate genes in plant genomes. These duplicates have contributed to the evolution of novel functions, such as the production of floral structures, induction of disease resistance, and adaptation to stress. Additionally, recent whole-genome duplications that have occurred in the lineages of several domesticated crop species, including wheat (Triticum aestivum), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), and soybean (Glycine max), have contributed to important agronomic traits, such as grain quality, fruit shape, and flowering time. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms and impacts of gene duplication will be important to future studies of plants in general and of agronomically important crops in particular. In this review, we survey the current knowledge about gene duplication, including gene duplication mechanisms, the potential fates of duplicate genes, models explaining duplicate gene retention, the properties that distinguish duplicate from singleton genes, and the evolutionary impact of gene duplication.
Clinical Update on the Use of Niacin for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia

Purpose To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with clinical and practical information about the use of niacin in the treatment of dyslipidemia. Data Sources Research‐based and review articles in the medical literature and National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines. Conclusions Niacin provides beneficial effects on all major lipid fractions, particularly high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Niacin also reduces low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol; lipoprotein (a); and the number of highly atherogenic small, dense LDL particles. Niacin promotes angiographic regression when used in combination with other drugs that lower LDL cholesterol and can reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with coronary heart disease. Several niacin formulations are available, but the safety (i.e., from hepato‐toxicity) and tolerability (i.e., severity of flushing) of these niacin formulations may differ. Implications for Practice Niacin therapy is appropriate for many types of lipid abnormalities, including complex dyslipidemias. NPs can take several steps to minimize potential side effects of niacin therapy and to ensure that patients adhere to this important intervention.
How Human Aspects Impress Agile Software Development Transition and Adoption

Many software companies are interested in using Agile methods in their software projects. Contrary to traditional software development methods, Agile methods are people oriented. This fact shows the significant role of individuals in these methods. Increasing prevalence of Agile methods forces software companies to consider people related factors as critical issues in adoption and transition to Agile methods and practices. This article focused on human aspects of Agile transformation process by conducting a Grounded Theory study involving 32 Agile experts. The main contribution of this article is identification and classification of diverse human aspects of Agile transformation process. Analyzing collected data showed that human aspects of Agile transformation process can be classified in several categories. While some of them are impediments to change, some others act as change accelerators. At the same time people’s perceptions about change process and incentive factors can shape and form human aspects during the Agile transformation process. Each of these categories encompasses its own factors which have negative or positive effect on change process.
Thickness and surface flaws detection using EMAT&ECT for medium plate rolling in intermediate cooling process

It is significant for improving the quality of medium plate to detect the thickness and surface flaws in intermediate cooling process in real time. A novel EMAT&ECT fusion method is proposed to realize three dimensional (3D) imaging for the surface flaws and thickness of medium plate in this paper. EMAT is used for the medium plate thickness measurement, and ECT for surface defects detection. We designed a scanning method for 3D imaging of medium plate, which combines EMAT and ECT. At the same time, the 3D imaging principle of EMAT&ECT fusion testing method is introduced. Results by simulation and experiments showed that the method is feasible using EMAT&ECT for medium plate quality detection in intermediate cooling process.
Central haemodynamics and clinical outcomes: going beyond brachial blood pressure?

This editorial refers to ‘Prediction of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality with central haemodynamics: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, by C. Vlachopoulos et al. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehq024 It is remarkable that despite considerable advances in methods and technologies to assess the function and integrity of the cardiovascular (CV) system, the technique for measuring blood pressure (BP) has changed little over 100 years. We still rely on routine brachial BP recordings via sphygmomanometry for much of our clinical decision making with regard to circulatory pressures. There is good reason for this—the measurement of brachial BP has stood the test of time as a robust predictor of CV risk and the benefits of treatment. Moreover, the recording of brachial BP is a familiar and relatively simple procedure, albeit often performed badly. It is noteworthy that before blood pressure was ever routinely measured, in the 19th century the sphygmograph was used non-invasively to record the characteristics of the arterial pulse wave to gain information about the health of the circulation.1 There has been much recent interest in pulse wave analysis, reinvigorating the concept of ‘pulsology’ in an endeavour to go beyond conventional BP measurement in the assessment of arterial disease and central aortic pressures and haemodynamics. The word ‘central’ in this context is used to emphasize the estimation of aortic root pressures and haemodynamic indices as opposed to ‘peripheral’, i.e. brachial, pressures. This is important because brachial pressures are not always a perfect surrogate for central aortic pressures because of a variable degree of amplification of the pulse pressure wave from the aortic root to the peripheral circulation. This amplification process can be profoundly influenced by many factors, including the effects of ageing and disease on aortic stiffness, heart rate, height, gender, and, importantly, drug therapies.2 This has led to the hypothesis that … *Corresponding author. Tel: +44 (0)116 252 3182, Fax: +44 (0)116 252 5847, Email: bw17{at}le.ac. uk
A memristor based binary multiplier

Memristor is a two-terminal nanodevice that has recently attracted the attention of many researchers due to its simple structure, non-volatility behaviour, high-density integration, and low-power consumption. This paper presents and evaluates a novel binary multiplier composed of memristive devices and nanowire crossbar arrays. Using the proposed multiplier instead of usual digital circuits, the number of digital gates are a major challenge for implementing combinational logic in hybrid circuits can be reduced. The proposed memristor-based multiplier requires 20 memristor devices and it performs multiplication with 8 computational steps.
MPEG-4-based 3D video contents creation method using time-of-flight sensor for 3DTV

Three-dimensional (3D) TV is considered as the next-generation broadcasting service. In this paper, we propose a new scheme to generate 3D video contents using a time-of-flight (TOF) range sensor for the 3DTV service. TOF sensors are a relatively novel technology allowing for the real-time capture of both photometric and geometric scene information. In this work, in order to generate natural 3D video, we develop a practical pipeline including TOF data processing and MPEG- 4-based data transmission and reception. First, we acquire color and depth videos from a TOF range sensor. Then, alpha matting and depth map enhancement are performed to handle fuzzy and hairy objects that are traditionally difficult in image processing. Thereafter, the generated video-plus-depth data are combined with interactive computer graphic models in the MPEG-4 multimedia framework. Since we represent the depth video with a newly designed MPEG-4 Binary Format for Scene (BIFS) node and describe a dynamic 3D scene in the multimedia framework, the 3D video contents can be streamed to the client side through a network.
Control of standalone solar PV system in varying operating conditions for DC loads

With exhausting fossil fuels and concerns relating environment degradation the use of renewable sources has become statutory. Solar PV being easily and freely available is propitious for various applications. Thus a standalone PV system with novel control is proposed for dc applications. It consists of DC-DC converters in forward power stage, one for boosting PV voltage and bidirectional interface for the battery. The system control is such that it allows the Desired Power Control (DPC) of PV power whenever needed along with MPPT according to the existing irradiance and load requirements. This also offer advantage of elimination of dump loads reducing system control and complexity. More over the DPC also maintains Battery State Of Charge (SOC) and prevents the battery overcharge or deep discharge increasing battery life and efficiency. The control of converters is done analytically. The performance of the controllers and system algorithms with changing conditions is evaluated and the results are presented using MATLAB/Simulink.
Partners in Time: EARLY BIRD Associates with ZEITLUPE and Regulates the Speed of the Arabidopsis Clock1[W][OA]

The circadian clock of the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is made up of a complex series of interacting feedback loops whereby proteins regulate their own expression across day and night. early bird (ebi) is a circadian mutation that causes the clock to speed up: ebi plants have short circadian periods, early phase of clock gene expression, and are early flowering. We show that EBI associates with ZEITLUPE (ZTL), known to act in the plant clock as a posttranslational mediator of protein degradation. However, EBI is not degraded by its interaction with ZTL. Instead, ZTL counteracts the effect of EBI during the day and increases it at night, modulating the expression of key circadian components. The partnership of EBI with ZTL reveals a novel mechanism involved in controlling the complex transcription-translation feedback loops of the clock. This work highlights the importance of cross talk between the ubiquitination pathway and transcriptional control for regulation of the plant clock.
Effect of temozolomide on survival in elderly patients with glioblastoma and impaired performance status: a propensity score-matching analysis

Objective At present, there is no consensus regarding the standard treatment for glioblastoma (GBM) in elderly patients with impaired Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores. This study aimed to determine the effects of temozolomide (TMZ) versus best supportive care (BSC) in this population. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients aged ≥65 years with histologically confirmed GBM and KPS scores ≤70 who were treated at our institution between January 2006 and July 2014. Demographic data, treatments, and outcomes were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the independent prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The impact of TMZ on survival was analyzed by the application of propensity score matching of clinicopathological factors among patients who received TMZ vs BSC. Results There were 153 patients (86 men, 56.2%) in this study. The median patient age was 70 years (range: 65–83 years). The median KPS score was 60 (range: 30–70). Seventy-eight patients (51.0%) received TMZ, whereas 75 (49.0%) received BSC. Median OS and PFS were 6.0 and 4.5 months, respectively. Compared with BSC, TMZ was associated with improved OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.17–0.70; P=0.002) and PFS (HR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21–0.76; P=0.003) after propensity score matching. Factors independently associated with OS were KPS score (HR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.48–7.67; P=0.016), extent of resection (HR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.45–5.14; P=0.026), and treatment group (HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.23–0.87; P=0.019). The most frequent toxicity in the TMZ group was myelosuppression. Conclusion Compared with BSC, TMZ increased survival with acceptable toxicity in elderly GBM patients with KPS scores ≤70.
COMPARING THE ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY OF INTRACANAL MEDICAMENTS IN COMBINATION WITH CLOVE OIL AGAINST ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS

Objective: To demonstrate whether clove oil enhances the antibacterial effect of intracanal medicaments. 2 Methods: Materials used include clove oil, Enterococcus faecalis microorganism, intracanal medicaments (metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, and calcium hydroxide), agar plates, motor, pestle, weighing machine, propylene glycol, glass slab, scale. Agar well diffusion method is employed to study the antibacterial effects of intra canal medicaments with and without clove oil against E. faecalis. Results: From the obtained results it can be concluded that intra canal medicaments combined with clove oil showed greater antibacterial effects against the microorganism, E. faecalis, than those intracanal medicaments without clove oil. Conclusion: The ultimate goals of intracanal medicaments are complete elimination of bacteria, their by-products and pulpal remnants from infected root canals and the complete seal of disinfected root canals. Clove oil can be attributed to its antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, and stimulating properties. Eugenol in clove essential oil has an inhibitory effect on various bacteria and should be used in minimum inhibitory concentration for safe and effective results. It is used to treat patients with pain from a dry socket, as well as used in a number of temporary restorative materials. Intracanal medicaments when combined with other substances may produce additive or synergistic effects. In this study, the synergistic effect of clove oil when mixed with other intracanal medicaments is tested and found to be more effective. Keywords: Intracanal medicaments, Eugenol, Clove, Intra canal infection.