Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ensemble SVM for imbalanced data and missing values in postoperative risk management

In this work, we propose the ensemble SVM that solves the problem of missing values of attributes and the imbalanced data phenomenon in the domain of postoperative risk management. Contrary to the other approaches the our solution effectively deals with the problems of high percentage of unknown values of the features. The problem of imbalanced data is solved by applying the cost-sensitive SVM as a base classifier of an ensemble, The quality of the proposed classifier is examined on a real-life dataset.
Male prevalent enhancement of leftward asymmetric development of the cerebellar cortex in ferrets (Mustela putorius)

The present study was conducted in MRI-based volumetry to characterize the sexual dimorphism of the cerebellum in young adult ferrets. High spatial resolution 3D anatomical MRI at 7-tesla were acquired ex vivo from fixed cerebella of 90-day-old male and female ferrets. The 3D morphology and topology of cerebellar structures were reproduced well by volume-rendered images obtained from MRI. Volume of the whole cerebellum was significantly larger in males than in females. The cerebellar cortex was further divided into five transverse domains: the anterior zone (AZ; lobules I-V), central zone anterior (lobule VI), central zone posterior (CZp; lobule VII), posterior zone (PZ; lobules VIII-IXa) and nodular zone (NZ; lobules IXb -X). Significantly greater volumes in males than in females were detected bilaterally in the AZ, CZp, and NZ, and leftward in PZ. Notably, the significant volume asymmetry was detected leftward in the CZp of males. By asymmetry quotient analysis, the counterclockwise torque asymmetry of the cerebellum was revealed, and it was more striking in males than in females. The present results suggest that sexual dimorphism of the ferret cerebellum is characterized by enhancing the leftward laterality in the CZp in males, forming the distinctive counterclockwise torque asymmetry.
Dynamic Shifts in Large-Scale Brain Network Balance As a Function of Arousal

The ability to temporarily prioritize rapid and vigilant reactions over slower higher-order cognitive functions is essential for adaptive responding to threat. This reprioritization is believed to reflect shifts in resource allocation between large-scale brain networks that support these cognitive functions, including the salience and executive control networks. However, how changes in communication within and between such networks dynamically unfold as a function of threat-related arousal remains unknown. To address this issue, we collected functional MRI data and continuously assessed the heart rate from 120 healthy human adults as they viewed emotionally arousing and ecologically valid cinematographic material. We then developed an analysis method that tracks dynamic changes in large-scale network cohesion by quantifying the level of within-network and between-network interaction. We found a monotonically increasing relationship between heart rate, a physiological index of arousal, and within-network cohesion in the salience network, indicating that coordination of activity within the salience network dynamically tracks arousal. Strikingly, salience–executive control between-network cohesion peaked at moderate arousal. These findings indicate that at moderate arousal, which has been associated with optimal noradrenergic signaling, the salience network is optimally able to engage the executive control network to coordinate cognitive activity, but is unable to do so at tonically elevated noradrenergic levels associated with acute stress. Our findings extend neurophysiological models of the effects of stress-related neuromodulatory signaling at the cellular level to large-scale neural systems, and thereby explain shifts in cognitive functioning during acute stress, which may play an important role in the development and maintenance of stress-related mental disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT How does brain functioning change in arousing or stressful situations? Extant literature suggests that through global projections, arousal-related neuromodulatory changes can rapidly alter coordination of neural activity across brain-wide neural systems or large-scale networks. Since it is unknown how such processes unfold, we developed a method to dynamically track levels of within-network and between-network interaction. We applied this technique to human neuroimaging data acquired while participants watched realistic and emotionally arousing cinematographic material. Results demonstrate that cohesion within the salience network monotonically increases with arousal, while cohesion of this network with the executive control network peaks at moderate arousal. Our findings explain how cognitive performance shifts as a function of arousal, and provide new insights into vulnerability for stress-related psychopathology.
Mass function of dormant black holes and the evolution of active galactic nuclei

Under the assumption that accretion onto massive black holes powers active galactic nuclei (AGN), the mass function (MF) of the BHs responsible for their past activity is estimated. For this, we take into account not only the activity related to the optically selected AGN, but also that required to produce the Hard X–Ray Background (HRXB). The MF of the Massive Dark Objects (MDOs) in nearby quiescent galaxies is computed by means of the most recent results on their demography. The two mass functions match well under the assumption that the activity is concentrated in a single significant burst with � = L/LEdd being a weakly increasing function of luminosity. This behaviour may be indicative of some level of recurrence and/or of accretion rates insufficient to maintain the Eddington rates in low luminosity/low redshift objects. Our results support the scenario in which the early phase of intense nuclear activity occurred mainly in early type galaxies (E/S0) during the relatively short period in which they had still an abundant interstellar medium. Only recently, with the decline of the QSO luminosities, did the activity in late type galaxies (Sa/Sab) become statistically significant.
A Neural Network-Based Method for Brain Abnormality Detection in MR Images Using Zernike Moments and Geometric Moments

Nowadays, automatic defects detection in MR images is very important in many diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Because of high quantity data in MR images and blurred boundaries, tumor segmentation and classification is very hard. This paper has introduced one automatic brain tumor detection method to increase the accuracy and yield and decrease the diagnosis time. The goal is classifying the tissues to two classes of normal and abnormal. MR images that have been used here are MR images from normal and abnormal brain tissues. Here, it is tried to give clear description from brain tissues using Zernike Moments , Geometric Moment Invariants, energy, entropy, contrast and some other statistic features such as mean, median, variance, correlation, values of maximum and minimum intensity . It is used from a feature selection method to reduce the feature space too. this method uses from neural network to do this classification. The purpose of this project is to classify the brain tissues to normal and abnormal classes automatically, that saves the radiologist time, increases accuracy and yield of diagnosis.
Mobile Peer-to-Peer Spreading of Content

In areas where Internet access is only sporadically available, or not available at all, delivering content (text, image, video, audio, application, etc.) to the people is not easy. In this paper, we introduce a novel method to spread content in such areas in a mobile peer-to-peer way. First we describe the architecture of the system along with the proposed communication protocol among the nodes. Then we discuss the advantages for the users and some scenarios where such a system may be useful. Finally, we examine the cooperation among the nodes and how users may be motivated to share their resources with others.
Ca2+-Dependent Regulations and Signaling in Skeletal Muscle: From Electro-Mechanical Coupling to Adaptation

Calcium (Ca2+) plays a pivotal role in almost all cellular processes and ensures the functionality of an organism. In skeletal muscle fibers, Ca2+ is critically involved in the innervation of skeletal muscle fibers that results in the exertion of an action potential along the muscle fiber membrane, the prerequisite for skeletal muscle contraction. Furthermore and among others, Ca2+ regulates also intracellular processes, such as myosin-actin cross bridging, protein synthesis, protein degradation and fiber type shifting by the control of Ca2+-sensitive proteases and transcription factors, as well as mitochondrial adaptations, plasticity and respiration. These data highlight the overwhelming significance of Ca2+ ions for the integrity of skeletal muscle tissue. In this review, we address the major functions of Ca2+ ions in adult muscle but also highlight recent findings of critical Ca2+-dependent mechanisms essential for skeletal muscle-regulation and maintenance.
Effects of change in fatigue and depression on physical activity over time in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

This prospective, observational study examined the effects of change in the symptoms of fatigue and depression on physical activity over time in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Adults with a confirmed diagnosis of RRMS completed a battery of questionnaires at baseline (n = 269) and six-month follow-up (n = 263). The data were analyzed using linear panel analysis and covariance modeling in Mplus 3.0. The panel model fit the data (χ2 = 24.00, df = 15, p = 0.07, SRMR = 0.04, CFI = 0.98) and demonstrated that changes in both fatigue (path coefficient = −0.09) and depressive symptoms (path coefficient = −0.12) were significantly associated with residual change in physical activity. Such findings support the importance of fatigue and depression for predicting longitudinal changes in physical activity in adults with RRMS.
Wound Healing Is Accelerated by Agonists of Adenosine A2 (Gα s-linked) Receptors

The complete healing of wounds is the final step in a highly regulated response to injury. Although many of the molecular mediators and cellular events of healing are known, their manipulation for the enhancement and acceleration of wound closure has not proven practical as yet. We and others have established that adenosine is a potent regulator of the inflammatory response, which is a component of wound healing. We now report that ligation of the Gαs-linked adenosine receptors on the cells of an artificial wound dramatically alters the kinetics of wound closure. Excisional wound closure in normal, healthy mice was significantly accelerated by topical application of the specific A2A receptor agonist CGS-21680 (50% closure by day 2 in A2 receptor antagonists. In rats rendered diabetic (streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus) wound healing was impaired as compared to nondiabetic rats; CGS-21680 significantly increased the rate of wound healing in both nondiabetic and diabetic rats. Indeed, the rate of wound healing in the CGS-21680–treated diabetic rats was greater than or equal to that observed in untreated normal rats. These results appear to constitute the first evidence that a small molecule, such as an adenosine receptor agonist, accelerates wound healing in both normal animals and in animals with impaired wound healing.
Enuresis in sickle cell anemia.

IT IS WELL recognized that patients with sickle cell disease have hyposthenuria. 1 This hyposthenuria results in the excretion of increased volumes of urine during a 24-hour period. It has been our impression that this polyuria results in an increased incidence of enuresis among children with sickle cell anemia. This report deals with a survey that confirms that impression. Materials and Methods The parents of all patients, or former patients, in the pediatric hematology clinics of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania or the Philadelphia General Hospital with a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia (SS) that had been confirmed by hemoglobin electrophoresis were interviewed either in the clinic or by telephone. During the same period of time 50 Negro children ranging in age from 4 to 12 years were similarly interviewed. These children were selected at random from the pediatric medical clinics. Results Twenty-nine children with sickle cell anemia
Comparison of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy versus Ureteroscopy Holmium Laser Lithotripsy in the Management of Ureteral Stones: A Cost-effectiveness Analysis

Objective: To determine the better cost-effective treatment strategy for ureteral stones in a health district of Eastern Spain. Methods: A total of 180 patients were treated between June 2012 and December 2013 for ureteral stones using two different strategies (SWL as initial treatment and URS as rescue technique vs URS and laser lithotripsy (up to 2 procedures). We performed an economic evaluation through a cost effectiveness analysis comparing costs and outcome. We performed a differentiating model in patients with lithiasis less than 1 cm or equal to or larger than 1 cm. The effectiveness parameter was the stone free rate (SFR), defined as the absence of lithiasis fragments or the presence of clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRFs) - less than 3 mm at the 3 month follow up. A decision tree was developed and a Monte Carlo simulation was performed to establish uncertainty. Results: The SWL as first line was equally or more effective and cheaper than URS as first line of treatment for ureteral stones regardless of location or size. The overall cost for SWL (plus URS as second line) was 1,445,86 € and its SFR was 99.7%, and 2,369,21 and 97.62% for URS group. After the Montecarlo sensitivity analysis, the SWL showed dominance or cost-effectiveness in the vast majority of times, for each position and size. Conclusions: SWL as first line of treatment was more efficient in terms of cost effectiveness than first line URS with Ho: YAG laser lithotripsy for ureteral stones. Given its level of stone clearance, a non-invasive, outpatient based treatment like lithotripsy should remain the first-line treatment option for ureteral stones
Effects of Citrus Fruit Juices on Organic Cation Transporter 2 Function and Expression in Vitro

Organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) plays an important role in the renal clearance of endogenous and exogenous organic cations, including drugs and their metabolites. Citrus fruit juice interactions with the P-gp efflux transporter are well-established, but there is to date no study on the effects of citrus fruit juice on OCT2 function and expression. This paper evaluates the modulating activities of grapefruit, pummelo, orange, lime and lemon juices on porcine OCT2 (pOCT2) in LLC-PK1 cells. pOCT2-mediated transport of rhodamine-123 (R-123) across confluent LLC-PK1 cell monolayers in the apical-to-basal direction was confirmed by transport and uptake data in the presence of tetraethylammonium (TEA) and verapamil (OCT2 and P-gp inhibitors, respectively). Grapefruit juice at 10%, and pummelo and orange juices at 10 to 30%, produced R-123 transport and cellular accumulation profiles consistent with the OCT2inhibitory effects of TEA. Cellular pOCT2 expression was up-regulated by pummelo, orange and lime juices at 5, 30 and 10%, respectively. The effect of lime juice on pOCT2 transport activity could not be verified due to its overriding influence on the paracellular transport pathway, while lemon juice at 10 to 30% did not appear to affect the function and expression of the pOCT2 transporter. Given that grapefruit, pummelo and orange share the same taxonomic classification, it may well be that common components in these citrus fruit juices are potent modulators of the function and/or expression of the OCT2 transporter. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Alterations in the Atlantic COD (Gadus morhua) Hepatic Thiol-Proteome After Methylmercury Exposure

Proteomic studies in general have demonstrated that the most effective and thorough analysis of biological samples requires subfractionation and/or enrichment prior to downstream processing. In the present study, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) liver samples were fractionated using activated thiol sepharose to isolate hepatic proteins containing free/reactive cysteines. This subset of proteins is of special interest when studying the physiological effects attributed to methylmercury (MeHg) exposure. Methylmercury is a persistent environmental contaminant that has a potent affinity toward thiol groups, and can directly bind proteins via available cysteine residues. Further, alterations in the cod thiol-proteome following MeHg exposure (2 mg/kg body weight) were explored with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with downstream mass spectrometry analyses for protein identifications. Thirty-five protein spots were found to respond to MeHg exposure, and 13 of these were identified when searching cod-specific databases with acquired mass spectrometry data. Among the identified thiol-containing proteins, some are known to respond to MeHg treatment, including constituents of the cytoskeleton, and proteins involved in oxidative stress responses, protein synthesis, protein folding, and energy metabolism. Methylmercury also appeared to affect cod heme metabolism/turnover, producing significantly altered levels of hemoglobin and hemopexin in liver following metal exposure. The latter finding suggests that MeHg may also affect the hematological system in Atlantic cod.
Electromagnetic fields: mechanism, cell signaling, other bioprocesses, toxicity, radicals, antioxidants and beneficial effects

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) played a role in the initiation of living systems, as well as subsequent evolution. The more recent literature on electrochemistry is documented, as well as magnetism. The large numbers of reports on interaction with living systems and the consequences are presented. An important aspect is involvement with cell signaling and resultant effects in which numerous signaling pathways participate. Much research has been devoted to the influence of man-made EMFs, e.g., from cell phones and electrical lines, on human health. The degree of seriousness is unresolved at present. The relationship of EMFs to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress (OS) is discussed. There is evidence that indicates a relationship involving EMFs, ROS, and OS with toxic effects. Various articles deal with the beneficial aspects of antioxidants (AOs) in countering the harmful influence from ROS-OS associated with EMFs. EMFs are useful in medicine, as indicated by healing bone fractures. Beneficial effects are recorded from electrical treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease, depression, and cancer.
Antioxidant, Biomolecule Oxidation Protective Activities of Nardostachys jatamansi DC and Its Phytochemical Analysis by RP-HPLC and GC-MS

The study aimed at analyzing the metabolite profile of Nardostachys jatamansi using RP-HPLC, GC-MS and also its antioxidant, biomolecule protective and cytoprotective properties. The 70% ethanolic extract of Nardostachys jatamansi (NJE) showed the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids (gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, homovanillin, epicatechin, rutin hydrate and quercetin-3-rhamnoside) analyzed by RP-HPLC, whereas hexane extract revealed an array of metabolites (fatty acids, sesquiterpenes, alkane hydrocarbons and esters) by GC-MS analysis. The antioxidant assays showed the enhanced potency of NJE with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 222.22 ± 7.4 μg/mL for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 13.90 ± 0.5 μg/mL for 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), 113.81 ± 4.2 μg/mL for superoxide, 948 ± 21.1 μg/mL for metal chelating and 12.3 ± 0.43 mg FeSO4 equivalent/g of extract for ferric reducing antioxidant power assays and was more potent than hexane extract. NJE effectively inhibited 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidation of biomolecules analyzed by pBR322 plasmid DNA damage, protein oxidation of bovine serum albumin and lipid peroxidation assays. The observed effects might be due to the high content of polyphenols, 53.06 ± 2.2 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, and flavonoids, 25.303 ± 0.9 mg catechin equivalents/g, of NJE compared to the hexane fraction. Additionally, the extract abrogated the protein, carbonyl, and ROS formation, and NJE showed cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells above 75 μg/mL. Thus, the study suggests that the herb unequivocally is a potential source of antioxidants and could aid in alleviating oxidative stress-mediated disorders.
NS-3 Simulation of WiMAX Networks

Simulation is a powerful tool for analysis and improvement of networking technologies, and many simulation packages are available. One that is growing in popularity is NS-3, the successor to the popular NS-2. It is a significant departure from NS-2, and offers many advantages and disadvantages. In this thesis, we translate and update a sophisticated WiMAX simulation model from NS-2 to NS-3, and use this experience to investigate the major differences between NS-2 and NS-3, and the relative strengths of each package. We then use the NS-3 simulation model to provide analysis on a new WiMAX OFDMA downlink subframe mapping algorithm. iii Acknowledgments
Sensor Node for Remote Monitoring of Waterborne Disease-Causing Bacteria

A sensor node for sampling water and checking for the presence of harmful bacteria such as E. coli in water sources was developed in this research. A chromogenic enzyme substrate assay method was used to easily detect coliform bacteria by monitoring the color change of the sampled water mixed with a reagent. Live webcam image streaming to the web browser of the end user with a Wi-Fi connected sensor node shows the water color changes in real time. The liquid can be manipulated on the web-based user interface, and also can be observed by webcam feeds. Image streaming and web console servers run on an embedded processor with an expansion board. The UART channel of the expansion board is connected to an external Arduino board and a motor driver to control self-priming water pumps to sample the water, mix the reagent, and remove the water sample after the test is completed. The sensor node can repeat water testing until the test reagent is depleted. The authors anticipate that the use of the sensor node developed in this research can decrease the cost and required labor for testing samples in a factory environment and checking the water quality of local water sources in developing countries.