Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Retinal Microvascular Density Between Open Angle Glaucoma and Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.

Purpose To compare optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) retinal vasculature measurements between nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and open angle glaucoma (OAG) with altitudinal hemifield visual field defects. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included 10 NAION eyes and 16 OAG eyes, both demonstrating hemifield visual field defects, and 27 normal eyes serving as controls. The peripapillary and macular OCT-A scans were acquired. The retinal vessel density data were compared among NAION, glaucomatous, as well as control eyes. Results There was statistically significant difference in peripapillary whole image vessel density (wiVD), circumpapillary vessel density (cpVD), macular wiVD, and perifoveal vessel density (pfVD) between the three groups (P < 0.05 for all). In comparison between OAG and NAION groups, the NAION group demonstrated marked decrease in average cpVD (P = 0.008) and in most sectors of cpVD except the inferior one, while the OAG group demonstrated significant decreased macular wiVD and pfVD (P = 0.03 and 0.003, respectively). Multivariate analysis indicated that average thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer was the only predictor for peripapillary wiVD and cpVD (P = 0.005 for both). By contrast, thickness of ganglion cell complex was the only predictor for macular wiVD (P = 0.007). Conclusions OCT-A detected significant difference in peripapillary and macular retinal vessel densities between OAG and NAION eyes. These differences might provide comparative insight into the pathophysiology of these two diseases.
A novel efficient database encryption scheme

Encryption is often used to protect sensitive data in database applications. However the traditional database encryption schemes cannot well balance the tradeoff between security performance and efficiency because of the efficiency declining due to encryption, besides they did not solve the problem of storing multi-level encrypted elements within a database or a table, also they seldom focus on key management. This paper proposes a novel efficient database encryption scheme so as to solve the problems mentioned above.
Reconfiguration of Web Services Architectures: A model-based approach

Failures during Web service execution may depend on a wide variety of causes, such as network faults, server crashes, or application-related errors, such as unavailability of a requested Web service, errors in the orchestration or choreography of applications, missing data or parameters in an execution flow, or low quality of service (QoS). Providing efficient solutions requires handling of adaptability not only at the behavioral level, but also at the architectural level. Most of existing standard solutions focus on the behavioral level using reconfiguration mechanisms. In this paper, we propose a model-based strategy providing adaptability actions at the architectural level. Typical architectural reconfiguration actions, such as duplication of services or substitution of a faulty service are introduced. An scenario is illustrated and discussed with respect to a running example involving coordinated Web services.
Narratives of the heart: telling the story of children with a cardiac condition through a bead program.

AIMS To present and discuss the significance of a bead program in assisting families to put together the story of a child's journey through cardiac intervention. The main focus of the article is the importance to families of developing a narrative in making sense of the experience of discovering their child has a cardiac condition and how this is enhanced by the bead program. BACKGROUND The Heart Beads Program involved giving families beads related to procedures and processes the children undergo while they are in hospital. Research on narratives related to illness suggests that forming a narrative that incorporates the health condition facilitates the ability to talk about these experiences and helps to make sense of and deal with the stressors related to such traumatic life events. DESIGN A qualitative methodology was used to evaluate the program employing semi-structured interviews and content analysis following a grounded theory approach. METHODS Interviews were undertaken with 11 families to highlight their experiences of being involved in the Heart Beads Program. Themes were identified from the interviews and critical discussion was used to structure and connect the themes. RESULTS The major theme that emerged from the analysis of the interviews was the importance of the beads in enabling the telling of the child's story. Five subthemes were identified in this theme: symbolism, encouraging/uplifting, acknowledgement, connection with others and imagining the future. The themes are outlined and expressed through specific comments from interviews. CONCLUSIONS The Heart Beads are seen as presenting a significant way for children and families to comprehend their time in hospital as part of the child's life story. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The program can offer the opportunity for health care professionals to relate to the child and family's story and to engage with that story in a person centred way.
Evaluation of the pull test technique in assessing postural instability in Parkinson’s disease

Variability in pull test (PT) performance can lead to inadequate evaluation of postural instability in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Assessing 66 PTs by 25 examiners, at least two of four raters agreed that specific items were performed incorrectly for stance in 27.3%, for strength and briskness of the pull in 84.9%, for examiner’s response in 36.4%, and for technique issues in 9.1%. Examiners were consistent in their errors, and only 9% of examinations were error-free.
Variable Electron Transfer Pathways in an Amphibian Cryptochrome

Background: Cryptochrome/photolyase proteins maintain a tryptophan electron transfer pathway allowing for efficient light-induced reduction of the FAD cofactor. Results: When this canonical pathway is blocked, electron transfer in a frog cryptochrome occurs through a tyrosine radical, identified by EPR spectroscopy. Conclusion: Alternative electron transfer pathways provide robust photochemistry in cryptochromes. Significance: Proteins can preserve electron transfer functions through diverse compensatory pathways. Electron transfer reactions play vital roles in many biological processes. Very often the transfer of charge(s) proceeds stepwise over large distances involving several amino acid residues. By using time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance and optical spectroscopy, we have studied the mechanism of light-induced reduction of the FAD cofactor of cryptochrome/photolyase family proteins. In this study, we demonstrate that electron abstraction from a nearby amino acid by the excited FAD triggers further electron transfer steps even if the conserved chain of three tryptophans, known to be an effective electron transfer pathway in these proteins, is blocked. Furthermore, we were able to characterize this secondary electron transfer pathway and identify the amino acid partner of the resulting flavin-amino acid radical pair as a tyrosine located at the protein surface. This alternative electron transfer pathway could explain why interrupting the conserved tryptophan triad does not necessarily alter photoreactions of cryptochromes in vivo. Taken together, our results demonstrate that light-induced electron transfer is a robust property of cryptochromes and more intricate than commonly anticipated.
Effects of concurrent chronic administration of alcohol and nicotine on rat sperm parameters

The prevalence of cigarette and alcohol consumption is high among young adult males during the reproductive period. The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of concurrent chronic administration of nicotine and ethanol on the quality of sperm in the rat. Fifty healthy Wistar male rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10) and were given the following for a period of 50 days: ethanol (E), nicotine (N), ethanol and nicotine (E/N); the control group (C) and an intact (I) group. Body weight as well as the weight, volume and dimensions of the testes and the weight of the cauda epididymidis and vas deference were measured. The concentration, motility, viability and membrane integrity of sperm were also assessed. There were no significant differences between body weight and all testis parameters including weight, volume and dimensions. The concentration and motility of sperm in the E/N group was significantly reduced compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Nevertheless, only a marginally significant decrease in sperm viability was found in the E/N group compared with the control group. The study indicates that concurrent chronic administration of ethanol and nicotine may disturb male reproductive function.
Calpain-dependent Cleavage of N-cadherin Is Involved in the Progression of Post-myocardial Infarction Remodeling*

Background: The consequences of calpain activation after myocardial infarction (MI) are not fully elucidated. Results: Post-MI remodeling was exacerbated in calpastatin-deficient hearts, and calpain activation disrupted N-cadherin-based cell adhesions. Conclusion: Unregulated activation of calpains contributes to progression of post-MI remodeling. Significance: Pharmacological intervention of the calpain-calpastatin system will be a promising strategy in the treatment of post-MI remodeling. Enzymatic proteolysis by calpains, Ca2+-dependent intracellular cysteine proteases, has been implicated in pathological processes such as cellular degeneration or death. Here, we investigated the role of calpain activation in the hearts subjected to myocardial infarction. We produced myocardial infarction in Cast−/− mice deficient for calpastatin, the specific endogenous inhibitory protein for calpains, and Cast+/+ mice. The activity of cardiac calpains in Cast+/+ mice was not elevated within 1 day but showed a gradual elevation after 7 days following myocardial infarction, which was further pronounced in Cast−/− mice. Although the prevalence of cardiomyocyte death was indistinguishable between Cast−/− and Cast+/+ mice, Cast−/− mice exhibited profound contractile dysfunction and chamber dilatation and showed a significant reduction in survival rate after myocardial infarction as compared with Cast+/+ mice. Notably, immunofluorescence revealed that at 28 days after myocardial infarction, calpains were activated in cardiomyocytes exclusively at the border zone and that Cast−/− mice showed higher intensity and a broader extent of calpain activation at the border zone than Cast+/+ mice. In the border zone of Cast−/− mice, pronounced activation of calpains was associated with a decrease in N-cadherin expression and up-regulation of molecular markers for cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. In cultured rat neonatal cardiomyocytes, calpain activation by treatment with ionomycin induced cleavage of N-cadherin and decreased expression levels of β-catenin and connexin 43, which was attenuated by calpain inhibitor. These results thus demonstrate that activation of calpains disassembles cell-cell adhesion at intercalated discs by degrading N-cadherin and thereby promotes left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction.
Modelling feeding, growth, and habitat selection in larval Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua): observations and model predictions in a macrocosm environment

Individual-based models (IBMs) integrate behavioural, physiological, and developmental features and differ- ences among individuals. Building on previous process-based models, we developed an IBM of larval Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) that included foraging, size-, temperature-, and food-limited growth, and environmental factors such as prey-field, turbulence, and light. Direct comparison between larval fish IBMs and experimental studies is lacking. Using data from a macrocosm study on growth and feeding of larval cod, we forced the model with observed tempera- ture and prey-field and compared model predictions with observed distribution, diet, size-at-age, and specific growth rates. We explored implications of habitat selection rules on predicted growth rates. We analyze the sensitivity of model predictions by the Latin Hypercube Sampling method and individual parameter perturbation. Food limitation pre- vented larvae from growing at their physiological maximum, especially in the period 5-17 days post hatch (DPH). Ac- tive habitat selection had the potential to enhance larval growth rates. The model predicted temperature-limited growth rates for first-feeding larvae (5-20 DPH) when prey density is >5 nauplii·L -1 . After age 20 DPH, maximum modelled growth required a diet of copepodites. Simulated growth rates were close to observed values except for the period just after the start of exogenous feeding when prey density was low.
Retinoic acid receptor: a simulation analysis of retinoic acid binding and the resulting conformational changes.

The binding/escape mechanism of all- trans retinoic acid with respect to the ligand-binding domain of the nuclear receptor RARgamma has been studied by molecular dynamic simulations. The entry/exit channel was shown to be on the side of the activation helix by the use of multiple copy dynamics. Three independent minimum energy paths from the liganded structure to a model for the unliganded structure were calculated with the conjugate peak refinement method. Ligand escape takes place in the early steps of the transition during rearrangement of the binding pocket; the latter involves inward motion of the beta-sheet and outward motions of the Omega-loop and helix H6. The correlated rearrangements involved in the escape phase are similar and occur in the same order for the different paths. After the escape phase, the conformational changes affect primarily the C-terminal helices H11-H12 and the Omega-loop. The three paths are significantly different for this reorganization phase and reveal a multiplicity of possibilities, in agreement with the idea that the apo state is structurally less constrained. The present calculations extend the crystallographic results, confirming the "mouse trap" mechanism and stressing the importance of the helix H3 conformation and of the contacts between the Omega-loop and helices H11 and H6. They are in good agreement with known mutants and point to other functionally important residues, especially in helices H3 and H11, suggesting mutations that may affect the ligand-binding function and the associated conformational changes.
Varying-energy CT imaging method based on EM-TV

For complicated structural components with wide x-ray attenuation ranges, conventional fixed-energy computed tomography (CT) imaging cannot obtain all the structural information. This limitation results in a shortage of CT information because the effective thickness of the components along the direction of x-ray penetration exceeds the limit of the dynamic range of the x-ray imaging system. To address this problem, a varying-energy x-ray CT imaging method is proposed. In this new method, the tube voltage is adjusted several times with the fixed lesser interval. Next, the fusion of grey consistency and logarithm demodulation are applied to obtain full and lower noise projection with a high dynamic range (HDR). In addition, for the noise suppression problem of the analytical method, EM-TV (expectation maximization-total Jvariation) iteration reconstruction is used. In the process of iteration, the reconstruction result obtained at one x-ray energy is used as the initial condition of the next iteration. An accompanying experiment demonstrates that this EM-TV reconstruction can also extend the dynamic range of x-ray imaging systems and provide a higher reconstruction quality relative to the fusion reconstruction method.
On equation of arm gait of Huntington Disease patient

Huntington's Disease (HD) is a progressive autosomal dominant trait, which usually begins in middle age; it is characterised by choreiform movements. The genetic defect that results in HD has been traced to an unstable expanded CAG trinucleotide repeat mutation in a novel gene on the short arm of chromosome 4. In this work, an attempt is made to promote a better understanding of the physiological chorea associated with human health hazard of HD origin by proposing a mathematical model which describes the arm gait of HD patient.
Canceling and Selecting Partials from Musical Tones Using Fractional-Delay Filters

Using Fractional-Delay Filters Heidi-Maria Lehtonen,* Vesa Valimaki,* and Timo I. Laakso*f * Helsinki University of Technology (TKK) Department of Signal Processing and Acoustics P.O. Box 3000, FI-02015 TKK, Espoo, Finland +National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland Patents and Innovations Line P.O. Box 1140, FI-00101, Helsinki, Finland (heidi-maria.lehtonen, vesa.valimaki, timo.laakso}® tkk.fi
Interpretative phenomenological analysis for LIS research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview and evaluation of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) for the library and information science (LIS) community, as this method has only recently been used for exploring experiences of various phenomena related to LIS. Design/methodology/approach – IPA is discussed within the phenomenological tradition. Two examples of recent IPA studies are examined in parallel to show application of the IPA method. Issues and challenges of applying IPA to LIS research questions are discussed. Findings – IPA is an alternative phenomenological method, adding to the repertoire of qualitative methods used for LIS research. It was an effective method for exploring experience among information professionals: it was equally suitable for studying reference and information service work for academic library professionals and burnout experience for information and communication technology workers. Originality/value – Only a few LIS studies have used IPA and no .
Attenuation-Based Dual-Fluorescent-Protein Reporter for Screening Translation Inhibitors

ABSTRACT A reporter construct was created on the basis of the transcription attenuator region of the Escherichia coli tryptophan operon. Dual-fluorescent-protein genes for red fluorescent protein and cerulean fluorescent protein were used as a sensor and internal control of gene expression. The sequence of the attenuator was modified to avoid tryptophan sensitivity while preserving sensitivity to ribosome stalling. Antimicrobial compounds which cause translation arrest at the stage of elongation induce the reporter both in liquid culture and on an agar plate. This reporter could be used for high-throughput screening of translation inhibitors.
Guidelines for Classification and Interpretation of Group Blood and Urine Data Collected as Part of the National Nutrition Survey

During the past few months interest in the nutritional health status of United States populations has increased by several magnitudes. This interest has resulted in a number of studies designed to objectively ascertain the current status of nutritional health in this country. One portion of such objective evaluations usually consists of a number of biochemical determinations on blood and urine that are related to intake, excretion or storage, or both, of specific nutrients. To relate data obtained from such biochemical measurements to nutritional health status, they must be compared with biochemical values deemed to reflect various degrees
Miniaturized high gain slot antenna with single-layer director

In this paper, a three-layered slot antenna with compact size and high gain is proposed at 5.4 GHz for Wi-MAX (5.2~5.8 GHz) applications. Simulated gain of 12dBi and measured gain of 10.48dBi are achieved and the impedance bandwidth is 22.59%. The efficiency is measured of 97.23%. Measured and simulated results are in good agreement. The overall size of the antenna is 100×100 ×21.5 mm3.
TERRAIN SYNTHESIS : AN INTERACTIVE APPROACH

In this paper, we propose an interactive approach to synthesize macroscopic terrain using real terrain elevation data effectively and realistically. Users construct terrain primitives in the interactive environment by specifying terrain microscopic features. The features are then used to obtain a real terrain unit, one of the best matched terrain units, from terrain unit database where all units are segmented from terrain elevation maps of real world. Each matched terrain unit is then oriented and/or translated to substitute its corresponding terrain primitive for synthesizing macroscopic terrain. As experimental results show, the resultant synthesized terrain is realistic and reasonable, and fits to users’ intuition.
Acceptability of Sexually Explicit Images in HIV Prevention Messages Targeting Men Who Have Sex With Men

Sexually explicit media (SEM) have been used in HIV-prevention advertisements to engage men who have sex with men (MSM) and to communicate content. These advertisements exist within larger discourses, including a dominant heteronormative culture and a growing homonormative culture. Cognizant of these hegemonic cultures, this analysis examined the acceptable level of sexual explicitness in prevention advertisements. Seventy-nine MSM participated in 13 online focus groups, which were part of a larger study of SEM. Three macro themes—audience, location, and community representation—emerged from the analysis, as did the influence of homonormativity on the acceptability of SEM in HIV-prevention messages.
Hybrid bidirectional rapidly-exploring random trees algorithm with heuristic target graviton

Aiming at the lack of stability and slow convergence of rapidly random-exploring trees (RRT) algorithm, an improved RRT path planning algorithm is proposed. Firstly, based on bidirectional search path planning algorithm, an improved combination strategy is proposed. The combination strategy combines target point search strategy with random search strategy, which not only improve the efficiency of searching but also guarantees the fast speed and obstacle avoidance. Finally, the algorithm smooths the redundant points and creates a new smooth route. The simulation experiment results demonstrate the effectiveness and stability of the proposed algorithm.
Non-Beijing Strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in China

ABSTRACT In a 2-year prospective study of tuberculosis (TB) patients in China, the prevalences of non-Beijing strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis varied between Shandong Province (20.6%), Shanghai (27.6%), and Sichuan Province (45.9%) (P < 0.005). These differences may be due to factors such as human migration, transmission, or diversification and adaptation of the mycobacteria to different hosts.
High-dynamic-range image rendering using hybrid tone mapping and automatic k factor decision

Abstract. High-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging has become more and more popular in recent years, and a number of methods for the realistic representation of natural scenes have been proposed. Gradient domain HDR compression is one of the most popular approaches; however, their results are not satisfactory due to the parameter setting. Motivated by perceptual studies on image quality, we propose a novel HDR compression method to achieve better image quality. In the proposed method, we combine global and local tone-mapping operators, and manipulate the HDR compression in both luminance and gradient domains to improve the appearance and naturalness of results. Moreover, we deal with the parameter setting problem effectively in HDR compression by automatic k factor decision. Extensive experiments on various test images demonstrate that the proposed method is very effective in enhancing the overall quality of the image as well as maintaining the details without the loss of naturalness.