Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and fibrinogen concentration of whole blood influences the cellular composition of platelet-rich plasma obtained from centrifugation methods

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which reflects the sedimentation rate of platelets, leukocytes and erythrocytes in response to centrifugal force, may influence the cellular composition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) obtained via centrifugation methods. However, no relevant studies have substantiated this. In the present study, blood was collected from 40 healthy volunteers and used to prepare PRP with two plasma-based preparation systems [YinPRP and Plasma Rich in Growth Factor (PRGF) systems] and two buffy coat-based systems (RegenPRP and WEGOPRP systems) in a single-donor model. Volumes of PRP and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) that were removed in the preparation process were recorded. Analyses of ESR, haematocrit, C-reaction protein, coagulation, serum glucose and serum lipid of the whole blood used for PRP preparation were performed to evaluate the levels of ESR and the factors known to influence it. Whole blood analysis was performed to evaluate the cellular composition of PRP. Results demonstrated that there were marked positive correlations between the ESR of the whole blood used for PRP preparation and PPP removal efficiencies, platelet concentrations, platelet capture efficiencies and platelet enrichment factors of PRP formulations obtained from plasma-based systems, and PRP yield efficiency of RegenPRP and PPP removal efficiency of WEGOPRP. Furthermore, there were marked negative correlations between ESR and concentrations and enrichment factors of platelets, leukocytes and erythrocytes of RegenPRP. Fibrinogen concentration of the whole blood, which had a marked positive correlation with ESR, also influenced the cellular composition of PRP. These findings may increase the understanding of PRP preparation and provide substantial evidence for the individualised optimisation of PRP preparation systems used in clinical practice.
Exact Outage Analysis in Cognitive Two-Way Relay Networks With Opportunistic Relay Selection Under Primary User's Interference

In the current study of cognitive relay networks, most related works focus on the effect of interference from secondary users (SUs) to primary receivers (PRs), while neglecting the links from primary transmitters (PTs) to SUs. In this paper, the interference both from SUs to PRs and from PTs to SUs is considered in the analysis of cognitive two-way relay networks with opportunistic relay selection. The exact closed-form expression for the outage probability of the secondary system is derived over Rayleigh fading channels, which is verified through various Monte Carlo simulations. Meanwhile, an asymptotic expression and diversity order are also derived to reveal additional insights into the effect of the mutual interference between the primary and secondary systems on the diversity. Above all, based on the analysis, the effects of the positions of the PT, the PR, and secondary relays on the outage performance of the secondary system are studied. Our results reveal that network placement planning is desperately necessary to achieve a better outage performance. It is shown that the position of relays has a strong impact on the performance, particularly when the number of relays is large. However, when the relative position between the primary system and secondary systems is fixed, the positions of the PT have a very slight impact on the outage performance, which can be neglected. Hence, in practical deployment, when performing cognitive two-way relaying with opportunistic relay selection, proper network placement planning should be carefully addressed.
Basic Income: A Comparative Study of Brazil and India

Do we know enough about Basic Income (BI) to support or discharge it? In this paper, two studies on the subject are reviewed in order to answer this question. One is the pilot study of Unconditional Basic Income in rural India (conducted by SEWA and UNICEF in 2011-2013) and the other is the Bolsa Escola/ Bolsa Familia program that was launched in Brazil in 1995 and is still ongoing. The aim is to map out different and similar components and results of the two implementations of BI and to compare them to each other, and also to compare the results to the theoretical and empirical expectations. The questions that are answered by this paper are: 1. What were the results of the Indian and Brazilian BI studies, and were they similar to the ones that could be expected from theoretical and empirical experience? 2. Are the results convincing enough to make future policy recommendations in favor of Basic Income in other countries? To examine these two studies a six-principle framework is used, covering different aspects, which aim to determine the successfulness of a policy. Rawls Theory of Justice and classic labor economic theories are used to analyze the results. The analysis shows that the components that were present in both studies were the overall reduction on levels of poverty (school participation rates, health and equality). This despite the Indian study being universal to all within the test villages, and the Brazilian study being selective and conditional, which is not in line with what could be expected from theory. As was expected from the labor supply curve, there was a small drop in labor supply detected in both studies, even if the overall productivity was perceived better in the Indian villages with the BI. In these two cases the impact of a BI was successful, but since the two studies differ largely more research on what role local factors play is relevant in order to make recommendations in other countries for implementing BI policies.
Determinants of in vivo activity of neutral endopeptidase 3.4.24.11 and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

Simultaneous inhibition of neutral endopeptidase EC 3.4. 24.11 (NEP) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) by equimolar doses (100 mumol/kg i.v.) of SQ 28603 (N-[2-(mercaptomethyl)-1-oxo-3- phenylpropyl]-beta-alanine) and captopril increased sodium excretion by 888 +/- 377 microEq/3 hr and significantly lowered blood pressure by -6 +/- 2 mm Hg in conscious cynomolgus monkeys. This rate of sodium excretion was not significantly different from that elicited by 100 mumol/kg i.v. of SQ 28603 alone (1453 +/- 315 microEq/3 hr). In addition, the natriuretic response to captopril plus SQ 28603 was potentiated by infusion of 10 pmol/kg/min of human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP 99-126) despite a reduction in renal perfusion pressure from 100 +/- 2 to 86 +/- 2 mm Hg. Lower doses (0.3 to 3 mumol/kg i.v.) of SQ 28603 that had no effect on blood pressure or renal function potentiated the natriuretic, urinary cyclic guanosine monophosphate and atrial natriuretic peptide responses without affecting the depressor activity of 0.3 nmol/kg i.v. of hANP 99-126. The potentiation of the natriuretic activity of 0.3 nmol/kg of hANP 99-126 by 1 or 3 mumol/kg of SQ 28603 was not significantly affected by the addition of equimolar doses of captopril. These results confirmed that the renal responses to the combined inhibitors resulted from NEP inhibition. In contrast, the depressor activity of the combined inhibitors was dependent on the level of ACE inhibition and was not significantly affected by either infusion of hANP 99-126 or prior sodium loading. Therefore, the vascular responses to combined NEP and ACE inhibitors did not necessarily depend upon increases in circulating atrial natriuretic peptide or reductions in angiotensin II levels. The unique profile of renal and vascular responses to combined NEP and ACE inhibition suggested that dual NEP/ACE inhibitors may be useful for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
High Frequency of Mutations in the PIK3CA Gene Helical and Kinase Coding Regions in a Group of Iranian Patients with High-Grade Glioblastomas: Five Novel Mutations

Abstract: Glioblastoma multiform (GBM; World Health Organization (WHO) grade IV) and anaplastic astrocytomas (AA; WHO grade III) are highly aggressive and lethal astrocytic brain tumors. To detect cancer-specific somatic mutations in two hot-spot regions of PIK3CA gene, the helical and kinase domains (encoded by exons 9 and 20, respectively) in GBM and AA, the authors examined the respective sequences 31 paraffin-embedded samples (23 GBM and 8 AA). The samples were obtained from a group of Iranian patients affected with high-grade glioblastoma (HGG). The overall prevalence of PIK3CA mutations was 23% (7/31) for both tumor types (22% in GBM, and 25% in AA). Five mutations were detected in exon 20, p.Arg992Gln (c.2976G→A), p.Met1005Val (c.3014A→G), p.Ile1019→Val (c.3056A→G), p.Ser1008Cys (c.3024C→G), and p.Asn1044Asp (c.3130A→G), and one mutation in exon 9, p.Glu545Ala (c.1634A→C). Additionally exons 4–8 of P53 gene in four unrelated young patients, who showed no mutations in PIK3CA exons 9 and 20, were analyzed. Three mutations were identified: p.Pro72Ala (c.214C→G), g.11608G→T (homozygote splice mutation), and p.Thr170Thr (c.510G→A silent mutation). In conclusion, mutation detection in PIK3CA in patients with a high degree of malignancy and early age at diagnosis should be included in molecular diagnostic protocols, also with regard to possible upcoming therapies.
Local Bundling of Disparity Maps for Improved Dense 3D Visual Reconstruction

This thesis presents a new method for improved resolution of stereoscopic 3D terrain mapping by local dense bundling of disparity maps. The Unmanned Systems Lab (USL) at Virginia Tech is designing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) first-response system capable of 3D terrain mapping in the wake of a nuclear event. The UAV is a helicopter, and is equipped with a stereo boom imaging system, GPS, and an inertial measurement system (IMU) for low-altitude aerial mapping. Previous 3D reconstruction algorithms on the project used two-frame rectified stereo correspondence to create a local 3D map, which was geo-located by raw GPS and IMU data. The new local dense bundling algorithm combines multiple pairs of stereo images by SURF feature point matching, image rectification, matching of dense points with semi-global block matching, and optimization of camera pose and dense 3D point location using a stereo-constrained local bundle adjustment. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated numerically on synthetic imagery and qualitatively on real aerial flight data. Results indicate the algorithm produces marked improvement in accuracy and vertical resolution, given a proper helicopter flight path and sufficient image overlap. With synthetic imagery and precise pose supplied, the algorithm shows a 1.2x to 6x reduction in vertical error.
Integrating Human Health into Environmental Impact Assessment: Review of Health Impact Assessment in Thailand

The objective of this paper was to review the health impact assessment (HIA) into environmental health assessment (EIA) or EHIA, existing legal requirements of health risk analyses, and the lessons –learned for integrating HIA within EIA process. The authors reviewed the literature searches for EHIA practices through the publications, reports, and the website of public organizations and related agencies in Thailand. We examined and synthesized the HIA system development, regulations, and examples of integrated EHIA. In conclusions, the implementation of EHIA still faces many obstacles, especially in such complex policy sectors. The uncertainties, lacks of evidence base, difficulty to implement EHIA in political and cultural contexts are contributed to decision making and remain developed. Methodologies and tools have to fit with the available data and resources. The EHIA evaluation requires analytical validity, relevance, stakeholder engagement, and public involvement. The recommendations for increasing EHIA capacity buildings are including 1) the developing tools and guidelines for implementations in each project types, 2) training HIA experts and conducting HIA courses, 3) participating of private agencies and companies, 4) integrating all parties and community participation and environmental justice including HIA communication, and 5) participating of public and political engagement.
WITHDRAWN: Periconceptional supplementation with folate and/or multivitamins for preventing neural tube defects.

BACKGROUND Neural tube defects arise during the development of the brain and spinal cord. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to assess the effects of increased consumption of folate or multivitamins on the prevalence of neural tube defects periconceptionally (that is before pregnancy and in the first two months of pregnancy). SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register. Date of last search: April 2001. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing periconceptional supplementation by multivitamins with placebo, folate with placebo, or multivitamins with folate; different dosages of multivitamins or folate; prepregnancy dietary advice and counselling in primary care settings to increase the consumption of folate-rich foods, or folate-fortified foods, with standard care; increased intensity of information provision with standard public health dissemination. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers assessed trial quality and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS Four trials of supplementation involving 6425 women were included. The trials all addressed the question of supplementation and they were of variable quality. Periconceptional folate supplementation reduced the incidence of neural tube defects (relative risk 0.28, 95% confidence interval 0.13 to 0.58). Folate supplementation did not significantly increase miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or stillbirth, although there was a possible increase in multiple gestation. Multivitamins alone were not associated with prevention of neural tube defects and did not produce additional preventive effects when given with folate.One dissemination trial, a community randomised trial, was identified involving six communities, matched in pairs, and where 1206 women of child-bearing age were interviewed following the dissemination intervention. This showed that the provision of printed material increased the awareness of the folate/neural tube defects association by 4%, (odds ratio 1.37, 95% confidence interval 1.33 to 1.42). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Periconceptional folate supplementation has a strong protective effect against neural tube defects. Information about folate should be made more widely available throughout the health and education systems. Women whose fetuses or babies have neural tube defects should be advised of the risk of recurrence in a subsequent pregnancy and offered continuing folate supplementation. The benefits and risks of fortifying basic food stuffs, such as flour, with added folate remain unresolved.
Transcriptional attenuation control of ermK, a macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance determinant from Bacillus licheniformis

ermK instructs bacteria to synthesize an erythromycin-inducible 23S rRNA methylase that confers resistance to the macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B antibiotics. Expression of ermK is regulated by transcriptional attenuation, in contrast to other inducible erm genes, previously described, which are regulated translationally. The ermK mRNA leader sequence has a total length of 357 nucleotides and encodes a 14-amino-acid leader peptide together with its ribosome binding site. Additionally, the mRNA leader sequence can fold in either of two mutually exclusive conformations, one of which is postulated to form in the absence of induction and to contain two rho factor-independent terminators. Truncated transcription products ca. 210 and 333 nucleotides long were synthesized in the absence of induction, both in vivo and in vitro, as predicted by the transcriptional attenuation model; run-off transcription in vitro with rITP favored the synthesis of the full-length run-off transcript over that of the 210- and 333-nucleotide truncated products. Northern (RNA) blot analysis of transcripts synthesized in vivo in the absence of erythromycin indicated that transcription terminated at either of the two inverted complementary repeat sequences in the leader that were postulated to serve as rho factor-independent terminators; moreover, no full-length transcripts were detectable in the uninduced samples. In contrast, full-length (ca. 1,200-nucleotide) transcripts were only detected in RNA samples synthesized in vivo in the presence of erythromycin. Full-length transcripts formed in the absence of induction from transcriptional readthrough past the two proposed transcription terminators would fold in a way that would sequester the ribosome binding site together with the first two codons of the ErmK methylase, reducing its efficiency in translation. This feature could therefore provide additional control of expression in the absence of induction; however, such regulation, if operative, would act only secondarily, both in time and place, relative to transcriptional control. Analysis by reverse transcriptase mapping of in vivo transcripts from two primers that bracket the transcription terminator responsible for the 210-nucleotide truncated fragment supports the transcriptional attenuation model proposed and suggests further that the synthesis of the ermK message is initiated constitutively upstream of the proposed terminator but completed inductively downstream of this site.
Innovative STRoke Interactive Virtual thErapy (STRIVE) online platform for community-dwelling stroke survivors: a randomised controlled trial protocol

Introduction The STRoke Interactive Virtual thErapy (STRIVE) intervention provides community-dwelling stroke survivors access to individualised, remotely supervised progressive exercise training via an online platform. This trial aims to determine the clinical efficacy of the STRIVE intervention and its effect on brain activity in community-dwelling stroke survivors. Methods and analysis In a multisite, assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial, 60 stroke survivors >3 months poststroke with mild-to-moderate upper extremity impairment will be recruited and equally randomised by location (Melbourne, Victoria or Launceston, Tasmania) to receive 8 weeks of virtual therapy (VT) at a local exercise training facility or usual care. Participants allocated to VT will perform 3–5 upper limb exercises individualised to their impairment severity and preference, while participants allocated to usual care will be asked to maintain their usual daily activities. The primary outcome measures will be upper limb motor function and impairment, which will be assessed using the Action Research Arm Test and Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer, respectively. Secondary outcome measures include upper extremity function and spasticity, as measured by the box and block test and Modified AshworthScale, respectively, and task-related changes in bilateral sensorimotor cortex haemodynamics during hand reaching and wrist extension movements as measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Quality of life will be measured using the Euro-Quality of Life-5 Dimension-5 Level Scale, and the Motor Activity Log-28 will be used to measure use of the hemiparetic arm. All measures will be assessed at baseline and immediately postintervention. Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee in May 2017 (No. 2017–087). The results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and presented at major international stroke meetings. Trial registration number ACTRN12617000745347; Pre-results.
94 GHz Dual-Reflector Antenna With Reflectarray Subreflector

The design, construction and measured performance is described of an offset parabolic reflector antenna which employs a reflectarray subreflector to tilt the focused beam from the boresight direction at 94 GHz. An analysis technique based on the method of moments (MoM) is used to design the dual-reflector antenna. Numerical simulations were employed to demonstrate that the high gain pattern of the antenna can be tilted to a predetermined angle by introducing a progressive phase shift across the aperture of the reflectarray. Experimental validation of the approach was made by constructing a 28 times 28 element patch reflectarray which was designed to deflect the beam 5deg from the boresight direction in the azimuth plane. The array was printed on a 115 mum thick metal backed quartz wafer and the radiation patterns of the dual reflector antenna were measured from 92.6-95.5 GHz. The experimental results are used to validate the analysis technique by comparing the radiation patterns and the reduction in the peak gain due to beam deflection from the boresight direction. Moreover the results demonstrate that this design concept can be developed further to create an electronically scanned dual reflector antenna by using a tunable reflectarray subreflector.
Transgenic medaka enables easy oocytes detection in live fish

Easy oocyte detection in living specimens benefits various developmental biology and environmental toxicology studies. One of the earliest markers of sex differentiation in medaka (Oryzias latipes) is oocyte development. Within the field of toxicology, a simple detection method for induced oocyte in the testis (testis‐ova) as a result of endocrine disruption is necessary. In this study we produced transgenic medaka whose oocytes were labeled with fluorescent proteins using the regulatory region of the 42Sp50 gene, an isoform of polypeptide elongation 1‐alpha. Short (201 nt) 5′‐ and 3′‐flanking regions were sufficient for reporter gene expression. GFP expression was first observed in female germ cells approximately 5 days post‐hatching. In the mature ovaries, germ cells showed such intense fluorescence that the fluorescence was observed from outside the body wall. In contrast, very faint fluorescence was observed in the mature testes. Testis‐ova, oocytes artificially induced in the testes, were also labeled with GFP. These findings indicate through the use of transgenic medaka, that detection of female germ cells was straightforward and this transgenic medaka model proves useful for tracking female germ cells in developmental and toxicological studies. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 202–207, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flying probe test systems: capabilities for effective testing

The circuit board manufacturing community is now ready to embrace the concept of moving probe in-circuit test systems, also known as Flying Probers. This is due not only to the ability of Flying Probers to eliminate the cost of fixturing, but also to their new ability to satisfy the overall test requirements. This opens up the opportunity to test a new class of boards that are not cost effective to test on fixture based systems, and were not able to be tested on previous Flying Probe test systems. Requirements such as prototype development, low to medium volume manufacturing, high net count boards, and field returns are examples of prime targets for Flying Probers. What then are the capabilities a user should look for in a Flying Prober that will insure its most effective overall use as a quick-turn around, highly flexible test tool? An attempt is made to answer this question.
Sato two factor models for multivariate option pricing

This paper provides a multivariate Sato model for multivariate option pricing where the asset log-returns are expressed as Sato time changed Brownian motions and where the time change is the weighted sum of a common and an idiosyncratic component. This model presents the main advantage that it allows to replicate univariate option prices in both the strike and time to maturity dimensions. In particular it is able to t both the univariate option surfaces and the asset log-return dependence structure with high precision for a period ranging from June 2008 until October 2009 including therefore the credit crisis period.