Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clicks are in the Air: How to Support the Interaction with Floating Objects through Ultrasonic Feedback

Gestural interfaces are increasingly integrated in human-machine interfaces, but they often rely on visual and auditory feedback and neglect the haptic channel. With technologies providing tactile feedback in midair becoming more mature, it is important to investigate their specific properties. In this paper, we focus on pointing gestures and the combination with floating displays, more precisely tapping buttons. We report the results of a user study investigating in detail different parameters of feedback created through ultrasonic transducers. The results show that the feedback is perceived as most suitable when a modulation frequency of about 150--200Hz is used, which confirms the findings on sensitivity for vibro-tactile stimuli on surfaces. The duration of the signal of either 50 or 130ms did not have a significant effect. Moreover, we present a questionnaire consisting of word pairs to rate the subjective perception of haptic characteristics, to provide a basis for future research.
Prediction of hemorrhagic transformation after recanalization therapy using T2*‐permeability magnetic resonance imaging

Predicting hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is critical in the setting of recanalization therapy for acute stroke. Dedicated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences for detection of increased blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability recently have been developed. We evaluated the ability of a novel MRI permeability technique to detect baseline derangements predictive of various forms of HT after recanalization therapy.
Hypoxia‐inducible transcription factor 2α promotes steatohepatitis through augmenting lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis

Oxygen dynamics in the liver is a central signaling mediator controlling hepatic homeostasis, and dysregulation of cellular oxygen is associated with liver injury. Moreover, the transcription factor relaying changes in cellular oxygen levels, hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF), is critical in liver metabolism, and sustained increase in HIF signaling can lead to spontaneous steatosis, inflammation, and liver tumorigenesis. However, the direct responses and genetic networks regulated by HIFs in the liver are unclear. To help define the HIF signal‐transduction pathway, an animal model of HIF overexpression was generated and characterized. In this model, overexpression was achieved by Von Hippel‐Lindau (Vhl) disruption in a liver‐specific temporal fashion. Acute disruption of Vhl induced hepatic lipid accumulation in an HIF‐2α–dependent manner. In addition, HIF‐2α activation rapidly increased liver inflammation and fibrosis, demonstrating that steatosis and inflammation are primary responses of the liver to hypoxia. To identify downstream effectors, a global microarray expression analysis was performed using livers lacking Vhl for 24 hours and 2 weeks, revealing a time‐dependent effect of HIF on gene expression. Increase in genes involved in fatty acid synthesis were followed by an increase in fatty acid uptake‐associated genes, and an inhibition of fatty acid β‐oxidation. A rapid increase in proinflammatory cytokines and fibrogenic gene expression was also observed. In vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed novel direct targets of HIF signaling that may contribute to hypoxia‐mediated steatosis and inflammation. Conclusion: These data suggest that HIF‐2α is a critical mediator in the progression from clinically manageable steatosis to more severe steatohepatitis and liver cancer, and may be a potential therapeutic target. (HEPATOLOGY 2011;)
Heritability of longitudinal changes in coronary-heart-disease risk factors in women twins.

Numerous studies have demonstrated genetic influences on levels of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, but there also may be genetic effects on the intraindividual variation in these risk factors over time. Changes in risk factors are likely to reflect genetic-environmental interactions and may have important implications for understanding CHD risk. The present study examines the heritability of changes in CHD risk factors, using data from the two examinations by the Kaiser Permanente Women Twins Study, performed a decade apart. The sample consisted of 348 pairs of women twins who participated in both examinations, including 203 MZ pairs and 145 DZ pairs. Average ages at the two examinations were 41 and 51 years, respectively. By means of three different statistical analytic approaches, moderate heritability estimates were demonstrated for changes in LDL cholesterol (h2 = .25-.36) and in HDL cholesterol (h2 = .23-.58), some of which were statistically significant. Although small to moderate heritability estimates were found for systolic blood pressure (.18-.37; P < .05 for some estimates), no genetic influence on changes in diastolic blood pressure was detected. Based on longitudinal twin data in women, this study demonstrates a genetic influence on changes in both lipoprotein risk factors and systolic blood pressure over a decade. In addition to environmental factors, which clearly are operating, the effect of various "variability genes" may be acting independently of the genetic influences on the absolute levels of these risk factors. Both mapping the gene(s) underlying intraindividual variations in these CHD risk factors and understanding their function(s) could lead to targeted intervention strategies to reduce CHD risk among genetically susceptible individuals.
Preliminary Intraoperative Validation of the Nociception Level Index: A Noninvasive Nociception Monitor

Background:The nociception level (NoL) index is an index of nociception based on nonlinear combination of heart rate, heart rate variability, photoplethysmograph wave amplitude, skin conductance, skin conductance fluctuations, and their time derivatives. The authors evaluated the abilities of the NoL index and other measures of nociception to discriminate between noxious and nonnoxious stimuli, to progressively respond to graded stimuli, and to respond to opioid administration. Methods:Intraoperative NoL was compared to heart rate, pulse plethysmograph amplitude, noninvasive blood pressure, and the surgical pleth index around five specific stimuli: tetanic stimulation with and without fentanyl analgesia, intubation, first incision/trocar insertion, and a nonnoxious period. The response around first incision was analyzed at two target plasma concentrations of remifentanil. Results:In 58 patients, the NoL index responded progressively to increased stimulus intensity and remained unchanged in response to nonnoxious stimuli. Compared to other accepted measures of nociception, the NoL index better discriminated noxious from nonnoxious stimuli with an area under the curve of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.89 to 0.97) and a sensitivity of 87% at a specificity of 84%. The NoL index was the only measure that reliably reflected two different analgesic concentrations of remifentanil during initial skin incision or trocar insertion. Conclusions:The NoL index changes proportionately with patients’ response to various clinical and experimental noxious stimuli and discriminates noxious from nonnoxious stimuli with high sensitivity and specificity. The NoL index also responds progressively to increasing stimuli intensity and is appropriately blunted by analgesic administration. The NoL index was superior to other compared measures and appears to accurately characterize nociception during general anesthesia.
Vector Competence of Anopheles kleini and Anopheles sinensis (Diptera: Culicidae) From the Republic of Korea to Vivax Malaria-Infected Blood From Patients From Thailand

Abstract In total, 1,300 each of Anopheles kleini Rueda and Anopheles sinensis Wiedemann sensu stricto (s.s.) females (colonized from the Republic of Korea) and Anopheles dirus Peyton & Harrison (Thai strain) were allowed to feed on blood from Thai malaria patients naturally infected with Plasmodium vivax. The overall oocyst infection rates for An. dirus, An. kleini, and An. sinensis s.s. were 77.4, 46.1, and 45.9%, respectively. The mean number of oocysts was significantly higher for An. dirus (82.7) compared with An. kleini (6.1) and An. sinensis s.s. (8.6), whereas the mean number of oocysts for An. kleini and An. sinensis s.s. was similar. The overall sporozoite infection rates for An. dirus, An. kleini, and An. sinensis s.s. dissected on days 14-15, 21, and 28 days post-feed were significantly higher for An. dirus (90.0%) than An. kleini (5.4%), whereas An. kleini sporozoite rates were significantly higher than An. sinensis s.s. (<0.1%). The overall sporozoite indices for positive females with +3 (100-1,000 sporozoites) and +4 (>1,000 sporozoites) salivary gland indices were significantly higher for An. dirus (85.7%), compared with An. kleini (47.1%). Only one An. sinensis s.s. had sporozoites (+2; >10–100 sporozoites). These results indicate that An. kleini is a competent vector of vivax malaria. Although An. sinensis s.s. develops relatively high numbers of oocysts, it is considered a very poor vector of vivax malaria due to a salivary gland barrier.
Complications after Microvascular Breast Reconstruction: Experience with 1195 Flaps

Background: Reconstruction is an important adjunct to breast cancer management. This study evaluated the frequency of major and minor complications in the largest reported series of consecutive mastectomy patients treated with free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction. Methods: All patients treated with microvascular breast reconstruction at the University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center over an 11-year period were identified using a retrospective analysis. Frequency of complications was assessed. Results: A total of 1195 breast reconstructions were performed in 952 patients. Transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps were used in most cases (81.8 percent), whereas the superior gluteal musculocutaneous flap (10.1 percent) and other free flaps were used in the remaining patients. The overall complication rate was 27.9 percent and consisted primarily of minor complications (21.7 percent). Major complications were noted in 7.7 percent, including six total flap losses (0.5 percent). Obesity was a major predictor of complications. Smoking was not associated with increased rates of overall or microsurgical complications. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was also an independent predictor of complications and was associated with wound-healing problems and fat necrosis. Prior abdominal surgery in transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap patients increased the risk of partial flap loss, fat necrosis, and donor-site complications. Conclusions: Microsurgical breast reconstruction is a safe and highly effective technique. Complications tend to be minor and do not affect postreconstruction adjuvant therapy. Obesity is a major predictor of flap and donor-site complications, and these patients should be appropriately counseled. Similarly, neoadjuvant preoperative chemotherapy and prior abdominal surgery increase the rates of minor complications.
Measurement of lung function in awake 2–4‐year‐old asthmatic children during methacholine challenge and acute asthma: A comparison of the impulse oscillation technique, the interrupter technique, and transcutaneous measurement of oxygen versus whole‐body plethysmography

This study evaluated three techniques for testing of lung function in young awake children. We compared measurements by the forced or impulse oscillation technique (IOS), the interrupter technique (IT), and transcutaneous measurements of oxygen (tcPO2) with concomitant measurements of specific airway resistance (sRaw) during methacholine challenge in 20 stable asthmatic children, 2–4 years old. Measurements were performed with all techniques after each dose of methacholine and after inhalation of a bronchodilator. Measurements were carried out during tidal breathing using a face‐mask with a built‐in mouthpiece. The ranking of sensitivity was as follows: sRaw > IOS, respiratory reactance at 5 Hz (Xrs5) > tcPO2 > interrupter resistance (Rint) > IOS, respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (Rrs5). The sensitivity of sRaw and Xrs5 was not significantly different, but both were significantly more sensitive than Rint and Rrs5; the sensitivity of tcPO2, Rint, and Rrs5 was not significantly different. Measurements in eight of the subjects performed during an episode of acute asthma yielded comparable results in regard to the sensitivity of the techniques. Measurements improved significantly after bronchodilator administration; however, the response to bronchodilator tended to be less during acute asthma and was best demonstrated by a deterioration of tcPO2. All the evaluated techniques reliably reflect short‐term changes in respiratory function and can provide clinically useful estimates of airway function. The techniques are non‐invasive, are not dependent on the active co‐operation or sedation of the subjects, and therefore are well suited for routine use in young children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1996; 21:290–300. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decreased platelet inhibition by P2Y12 receptor blockers in anaemia

Anaemic patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting are at an increased risk of ischaemic events, which may be caused by an inadequate response to antiplatelet therapy with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) P2Y12 inhibitors. In the current study, we investigated the associations between anaemia and on‐treatment platelet reactivity in clopidogrel‐treated (group 1, n = 306) and prasugrel‐/ticagrelor‐treated (group 2, n = 109) patients undergoing elective and acute angioplasty with stent implantation, respectively.
Are Environmental Social Governance Equity Indices a Better Choice for Investors? An Asian Perspective

This article examines the risk and return profiles of stock indices composed of companies meeting environmental, social and governance (ESG) screening criteria [such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI)] and conventional composite indices of eight Asian countries from 2002 to 2014. The results indicate that there are no significant differences in the returns or risk‐adjusted returns between the ESG indices and the composite indices within countries. The results do reveal that the market volatility of the ESG indices is higher than the market volatility of the conventional indices. Market betas of DJSI and ESG equity indices are significantly lower than betas of the composite equity indices. The overall results indicate that the performance of ESG equity indices of many Asian countries is similar to the performance of conventional indices, suggesting that investors can pursue socially responsible investing objectives without a material difference in portfolio performance from conventional investing.
Theses cluster based on bilingual and synonymous keyword sets using mutual information

Searching published papers is a required activity for the researching process. Since articles are presented in various languages, it makes precise queries hard to achieve. In this paper, we propose an automatic theses clustering method based on bilingual and synonymous keyword sets which includes Chinese and English keywords. We also provide a clustering computation to speedup operation. First, the system automatically generates bilingual and synonymous keyword sets, and then based on bilingual and synonymous keyword sets, clustering the theses. The method not only solves the weakness of using digital dictionaries to solve clustering problems, but also makes error problem, the query by bilingual and synonymous keywords, be restricted. The system was implemented by a clustering computation technology to solve traditional documents clustering system's performance problems. Through many computer processes, the system not only can save a lot of time, but also can attain high availability and load balancing effectiveness. Primary experiments prove that the system makes the theses clustering work effectively.
Position/force control of grinding robot by using real-time presumption of constrained condition

Based on the analysis of the interaction between a manipulator for grinding process and a working object in the task space, a model representing the constrained dynamics of the robot is first presented. In the model, the constrained forces are denoted as an algebraic function of states and input generalized forces by using the equation of constraints. Using the result, a new sensorless force control law is proposed based on the redundancy of the input generalized forces to the constrained ones. A controller for a grinding robot, including a estimation mechanism for changable constraints by grinding, is constructed according to the control law not to involve any force sensor. Simulations have been done for evaluating the feasibility of the controller by fitting respectively the constraint surface with linear function, quadratic function and spline curve. Simulated results indicate that the spline curve fitting is the closest to the real constraint surface.
The full benefits of adult pneumococcal vaccination: A systematic review

Background Pneumococcal disease causes substantial morbidity and mortality, including among adults. Adult pneumococcal vaccines help to prevent these burdens, but they are underused. Accounting for the full benefits of adult pneumococcal vaccination may promote more rational resource allocation decisions with respect to adult pneumococcal vaccines. Objectives Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a systematic review to assess the extent to which the literature has empirically captured (e.g., through measurement or modeling) the full benefits of adult pneumococcal vaccination. Methods We systematically searched PubMed and Embase to identify studies published between January 1, 2010 and April 10, 2016 that examine adult pneumococcal vaccination. We included articles if they captured any health or economic benefit of an adult pneumococcal vaccine administered to adults age ≥ 50 or ≥ 18 in risk groups. Finally, we summarized the literature by categorizing the types of benefits captured, the perspective taken, and the strength of the evidence presented. Our protocol is number 42016038335 in the PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews. Results We identified 5,857 papers and included 150 studies for analysis. While most capture health gains and healthcare cost savings, far fewer studies consider additional benefit categories, such as productivity gains. However, the studies with a broader approach still exhibit significant limitations; for example, many present only abstracts, while others offer no new measurements. Studies that examine the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine focus more on broad economic benefits, but still have limitations. Conclusions This review highlights the need for more robust empirical accounting of the full benefits of adult pneumococcal vaccination. Literature outside this realm indicates that these broad benefits may be substantial. Failing to investigate the full benefits may lead society to undervalue vaccines' contributions and therefore underinvest in their development and adoption.
Hypertension in early alcohol withdrawal in chronic alcoholics.

AIMS Hypertension is an established risk factor in chronic alcoholics, but little is known about the relationship between blood pressure (BP), severity of their alcohol abuse, and severity of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). METHOD BP was assessed daily for 18 days in a series of chronic alcoholics on early alcohol withdrawal (AW), while also assessing the severity of their AWS on the CIWA-Ar scale. RESULTS A sharp and sustained decrease in BP was observed after AW; at T0, BP had increased in 55% of patients, and at T18 in 21%. The variation of BP is partially explained by years of at-risk drinking and AWS severity, but other factors may play a role in hypertension in alcoholics, as a large amount of BP variation was not explained by the alcohol-abuse-related parameters that we studied. BP values were not correlated with cigarette smoking, anxiety, or depression. Hypertension found in 'detoxified' alcoholics (approximately 20%) may be related to alcohol-independent hypertension or to a long-lasting alcohol-induced derangement of the BP regulating mechanisms. Further research is needed in these patients to elucidate the mechanisms of persistent hypertension and to set up a treatment protocol. At present, careful monitoring is advisable, as well as pharmacological treatment for moderate or severe hypertension; often a modification of life-style is needed which includes physical activity and possibly sodium (Na) restriction, since hypertension in detoxified alcoholics seems to be Na sensitive. CONCLUSION Complete alcohol abstinence must be recommended to all hypertensive alcoholics, as AW-induced transient hypertension was found to be harmless in all our subjects, and abstinence leads to a complete recovery from hypertension in most cases.
Introduction of unmarked mutations in the Helicobacter pylori vacA gene with a sucrose sensitivity marker

Research on Helicobacter pylori has been hindered by the lack of useful genetic tools. Using the sacB gene of Bacillus subtilis, we developed a sucrose-based counterselection system that allows introduction of unmarked mutations in H. pylori. A kan-sacB cassette, consisting of the sacB gene expressed from the H. pylori flagellin promoter and the kanamycin resistance module, was introduced by homologous recombination into a target H. pylori gene. The resultant strains were sucrose sensitive and kanamycin resistant. Following transformation with a mutated allele, growth in sucrose-containing medium allowed the selection of strains that had lost the kan-sacB module and had integrated the unmarked allele. We have used this cassette to perform a site-directed modification of two histidine residues encoded by the vacA gene in a two-step procedure. This system should prove useful in the site-directed mutagenesis of H. pylori genes.
Improvements to Train Support Vector Machines Based on Convex Set Conception

Support Vector Machines have been widely used in pattern recognition, regression estimation, and operator inversion. Optimization algorithm is the bottleneck of Support Vector Machines, determining its performance, affecting its practical applications in various fields widely. Ordinary algorithm cannot predict which vectors the Support Vector Machines will be sensitive to. This paper introduces a method that selects possible vectors from sample vectors. It is based on the conception of convex set. On linear separable case this method can exactly find promising vectors and reserve them in the training set. On linear inseparable cases this method finds the vectors that will have effect on the final hyper plane. On both cases it can simplify the training process by greatly reducing the number of training vectors just as shown in the examples.
Real time simulation of a current flow controller for HVDC grid applications

Interconnecting several offshore wind farms using High Voltage dc (HVDC) connections and forming multi terminal HVDC grid are some of the targets set by industry leaders to be achieved in the near future. Researchers have introduced a few methods of power flow control based on either the control of AC/DC converter stations or the connection of new power electronic equipment to the grid. In this paper, the operation and control of an extended three-port IGBT based current flow control (CFC) device suitable for multi terminal HVDC systems is presented. Features and functionalities of the proposed controller including the balancing of cable currents, limiting the magnitude of cable current and current nulling are demonstrated. The proposed three-port CFC is real time simulated using OP4510 real time simulator. Real time simulation studies explore fast dynamic response and the results show that the CFC studied may have a significant role to play in the control a of power flows in multi terminal high voltage DC systems.