Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural-network-based adaptive matched filtering for QRS detection

The authors have developed an adaptive matched filtering algorithm based upon an artificial neural network (ANN) for QRS detection. They use an ANN adaptive whitening filter to model the lower frequencies of the electrocardiogram (ECG) which are inherently nonlinear and nonstationary. The residual signal which contains mostly higher frequency QRS complex energy is then passed through a linear matched filter to detect the location of the QRS complex. The authors developed an algorithm to adaptively update the matched filter template from the detected QRS complex in the ECG signal itself so that the template can be customized to an individual subject. This ANN whitening filter is very effective at removing the time-varying, nonlinear noise characteristic of ECG signals. The detection rate for a very noisy patient record in the MIT/BIH arrhythmia database is 99.5% with this approach, which compares favorably to the 97.5% obtained using a linear adaptive whitening filter and the 96.5% achieved with a bandpass filtering method. <<ETX>>
FUZZY RISK ANALYSIS OF A MODERN &ggr;-RAY INDUSTRIAL IRRADIATOR

Fuzzy fault tree analyses were used to investigate accident scenarios that involve radiological exposure to operators working in industrial &ggr;-ray irradiation facilities. The HEART method, a first generation human reliability analysis method, was used to evaluate the probability of adverse human error in these analyses. This technique was modified on the basis of fuzzy set theory to more directly take into account the uncertainties in the error-promoting factors on which the methodology is based. Moreover, with regard to some identified accident scenarios, fuzzy radiological exposure risk, expressed in terms of potential annual death, was evaluated. The calculated fuzzy risks for the examined plant were determined to be well below the reference risk suggested by International Commission on Radiological Protection.
A signed spatial contrast event spike retina chip

Reported AER (Address Event Representation) contrast retinae perform a contrast computation based on the ratio between a pixel's local light intensity and a spatially weighted average of its neighbourhood. This results in compact circuits, but with the penalty of all pixels generating output signals even if they sense no contrast. In this paper we present a spatial contrast retina with bipolar output: contrast is computed as the relative normalized difference (not the ratio) between a pixel's local light and its weighted spatial average, normalized to average light. As a result, contrast includes a sign, is ambient light independent, and the output will be zero if there is no contrast. Furthermore, an adjustable thresholding mechanism has been included, such that pixels remain silent until they sense an absolute contrast above the adjustable threshold. The pixel contrast computation circuit is based on Boahen's Biharmonic operator contrast circuit, which has been improved to include mismatch calibration and adaptive current based biasing. As a result, the contrast computation circuit shows much less mismatch, is almost insensitive to ambient light illumination, and biasing is much less critical than in the original voltage biasing scheme. The retina also includes an optional TFS (Time-to-First-Spike) integration mode. A full AER retina version has been fabricated and tested. In the present paper we provide preliminary experimental results.
Epstein–Barr virus‐related post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease in solid organ transplant recipients, 1988–97: A Canadian multi‐centre experience

Abstract: The aim of this work was to obtain information on the magnitude of the problem, disease characteristics, and clinical practices relating to post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in Canadian institutions. Adult and pediatric Canadian solid organ transplant groups were sent a questionnaire between July and October 1998. Analyzable data were obtained from 33 transplant groups. For the period 1988–97, 90 cases of PTLD were seen among 4283 solid organ transplant recipients. The incidence of PTLD varied from 0 to 14.6%, with the highest rates in children. Lymph nodes were the sites most frequently affected. Among the classifiable lesions, the majority were monoclonal. The lesions were of B‐cell origin in 42.2% and of T‐cell in 15.6%. The lesions were classified as monomorphic in 31.1%, polymorphic 18.9%, and hyperplastic in 1.1%. Tumors were reported as low grade in 26.7% and high grade in 10%. The majority of patients (71.1%) received reduced immunosuppression. Anti‐viral agents were used in 52.2%. Chemotherapy was used in 27.8%, while immune globulin was used in 22.2%. Surgical resection was used in 20.0%, radiotherapy in 14.4%, and interferon‐α therapy in 12.2%. The results showed that 48.9% of the patients had died, while 25.6% and 8.9% were regarded as having complete remission and partial remission, respectively. In conclusion, the incidence of PTLD varies widely across Canadian centres. Children are disproportionately affected and the mortality rate is high. Management practices vary significantly, and the need for information sharing was identified as one way of optimizing management.
Heat shock induces the synthesis of the inflammatory mediator leukotriene B4 in human pulp cells.

AIM To measure the synthesis of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in cultures of human dental pulp cells induced by heat shock. METHODOLOGY Primary pulp cells (PC) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) were cultivated under appropriate conditions. For the characterization of PC the expression of dentine sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Thermal stimulation of cell cultures was performed at temperatures of 37, 38, 39, 40, 42 and 45 degrees C for stimulation times of 5 and 30 s. LTB4 was quantified by reversed-phase high-performance chromatography and differences between the LTB4 concentrations of controls and heat stimulated cells were analysed with Friedman analysis of variances by ranks and multiple comparisons (P < 0.05). RESULTS Both cell cultures expressed DSPP under the conditions of the present experiment. The analysis revealed significantly enhanced LTB4 synthesis following thermal stimulations at 38, 39, 40, 42 and 45 degrees C compared with unstimulated controls for both PC and DPSC. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated the capability of pulp cells to synthesize the arachidonic acid mediator LTB4 in response to heat shock. LTB4 has the capacity to induce inflammatory reactions and to sensitise afferent nociceptive nerve endings. LTB4 synthesis is induced by minor temperature changes, which are relevant for various clinical situations.
Efficacy and acceptability of different modes of oxygen administration in children: implications for a community hospital.

Eighty under-five children admitted in the pediatric ward with acute respiratory distress requiring oxygen inhalation were prospectively studied. Oxygen was administered to all the children by head box, face mask, nasopharyngeal catheter, and twin-holed prenasal catheter in a predetermined sequence. Oxygen was delivered at a flow rate of 4 l/min in the head box and by face mask and at a rate of 1 l/min for nasopharyngeal catheter and twin-holed prenasal catheter. There was a significant rise in paO2 and SaO2 values with all the oxygen delivery methods. The number of children who achieved paO2 of > 90 mmHg with oxygen delivered by head box was 53 (69 per cent), with face mask 37 (57 per cent), with nasopharyngeal catheter 13 (26 per cent), and with twin-holed prenasal catheter 18 (25 per cent). In view of high acceptability of twin-holed prenasal catheter, a further pilot study involving 10 children was carried out to compare the efficacy of head box and twin-holed prenasal catheter at an identical oxygen flow rate of 4 l/min. The number of children achieving paO2 of > 90 mmHg were comparable, i.e. seven (70 per cent) and eight (80 per cent) when the oxygen was delivered by head box and twin-holed prenasal catheter, respectively. It is concluded that both head box and twin-holed prenasal catheter are equally effective, acceptable and safe methods for administration of oxygen to children with acute respiratory disorders. In view of the cost-effectiveness, and easy availability and affordability of twin-holed prenasal catheter, it should be popularized in the small hospitals in the community, while head box should be reserved for use in the referral hospitals.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some New N‐Substituted Quinoline Derivatives of 1H‐Pyrazole

A new series of 32 derivatives of 4‐pyrazolyl‐N‐(hetero)arylquinoline 5a–p and 6a–p were synthesized by a one‐pot base‐catalyzed cyclocondensation reaction of 1‐phenyl‐3‐(hetero)aryl‐pyrazole‐4‐carbaldehyde 1a–h, malononitrile 2, and 3‐(hetero)aryl‐5,5‐disubstitutedcyclohex‐2‐enone 3a–b or 4a–b, respectively. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR spectral data. All the synthesized compounds were screened, against six bacterial pathogens, namely Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium tetani, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, and antifungal activity, against two fungal pathogens Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans, using broth microdilution MIC method. Some of the compounds were found to be more or equipotent against most of the employed strains than commercially available drugs as evident from the screening data.
Identification of Lactobacillus Isolates from the Gastrointestinal Tract, Silage, and Yoghurt by 16S-23S rRNA Gene Intergenic Spacer Region Sequence Comparisons

ABSTRACT Lactobacillus isolates were identified by PCR amplification and sequencing of the region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes (spacer region). The sequences obtained from the isolates were compared to those of reference strains held in GenBank. A similarity of 97.5% or greater was considered to provide identification. To check the reliability of the method, the V2-V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced in the case of isolates whose spacer region sequences were less than 99% similar to that of a reference strain. Confirmation of identity was obtained in all instances. Spacer region sequencing provided rapid and accurate identification ofLactobacillus isolates obtained from gastrointestinal, yoghurt, and silage samples. It had an advantage over 16S V2-V3 sequence comparisons because it distinguished between isolates ofLactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus.
Posttranscriptional repression of Escherichia coli OmpF protein in response to redox stress: positive control of the micF antisense RNA by the soxRS locus

The soxRS regulon is a cornerstone of the adaptive defense systems of Escherichia coli against oxidative stress. Unexpectedly, activation of this regulon also enhances bacterial resistance to multiple antibiotics that seem unrelated to oxygen radicals. We previously correlated this multiple antibiotic resistance with a reduced rate of synthesis of the OmpF outer membrane porin that does not affect the OmpC or OmpA porins. Studies presented here, with operon and gene fusions of ompF to lacZ, show that the soxRS-dependent repression of OmpF is achieved posttranscriptionally. We also show posttranscriptional repression of OmpF mediated by the soxQ1 mutation, which maps to the marA locus. These repressions are dependent on the micF gene, which encodes a small RNA partially complementary to the 5' end of the ompF message. Northern (RNA) blotting experiments show that micF transcription is strongly inducible by the superoxide-generating agent paraquat in a manner that depends completely on the soxRS locus. The soxR-constitutive and soxQ1 mutations elevate the expression of micF in the absence of redox stress. However, the antibiotic resistance mediated by a soxR-constitutive mutation was only partially reversed upon deletion of micF. The soxRS regulon therefore includes other components that contribute to general antibiotic resistance, although the relation of this phenotype to oxidative stress remains to be established.
Histologic and Immunohistochemical Analyses of &agr;-Fetoprotein—Producing Cancer of the Stomach

Background and Aim:As the histogenesis and development of &agr;-fetoprotein–producing gastric cancer (AFPGC) have not yet been elucidated, we analyzed the histologic and immunologic relationship between the histologic type of the mucosal lesion considered to be the primary lesion, and that of its invasive lesion, in 36 cases of AFPGC. Patients and Methods:We reviewed 23 AFPGCs with mucosal lesions (1 mucosal and 22 submucosal or deeper invasive tumors) among 36 AFPGCs that had been resected endoscopically or surgically between 1970 and 2005. AFPGC was defined as a tumor showing immunohistochemical positivity for either &agr;-fetoprotein (AFP) or glypican-3. Histologic types were divided into hepatoid (HPT), enteroblastic (ENT), yolk sac tumor, and common (COM) adenocarcinoma type. The tumor phenotypes were classified into gastric, gastrointestinal, and intestinal types on the basis of immunohistochemical analysis. Results:Among the histologic types of mucosal lesions, the COM and ENT mixed type was observed in 65.2% of cases (15/23 patients), COM alone in 26.1% (6/23), and ENT alone in 8.7% (2/23) of cases. Among the invasive lesions, 16 cases (72.7%) were HPT. Both AFP and glypican-3 were positive in 60.9% (14/23) of mucosal lesions and in 90.9% (20/22) of invasive lesions. With regard to phenotypic expression, 82.6% (19/23) of mucosal lesions were the intestinal type, compared with 95.5% (21/22) of invasive lesions. Conclusions:These findings suggest that many cases of AFPGC develop as COM or ENT in the mucosa, which differentiate into ENT and HPT during the process of tumor invasion and proliferation, acquiring AFP production ability.
Versican G3 Domain Promotes Blood Coagulation through Suppressing the Activity of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-1*

We have detected versican, a member of the large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, and its degraded C-terminal G3 fragments in human plasma and observed that the versican G3 domain promoted blood coagulation. Silencing G3 expression with small interfering RNA reduced the effect of G3 on coagulation. Plasma coagulation assays suggest that G3 enhances coagulation irrespective of its actions on platelets and white blood cells. To examine how versican affected blood coagulation, we used normal human plasma and different types of coagulation factor-deficient plasmas. The experiments indicated that versican enhanced coagulation through the extrinsic pathway, and that Factor VII was the target molecule. FVII activity assays showed that G3 activated FVII in the presence of plasma but not with purified FVII directly. Yeast two-hybrid, immunoprecipitation, and gel co-migration assays showed that G3 interacted with the tissue factor pathway inhibitor-1 (TFPI-1). TFPI-1 activity assays suggested that G3 inhibited TFPI-1 activity, allowing FVIIa and FXa to facilitate the coagulation process. G3-induced blood coagulation was further confirmed with a mouse model in a real-time manner. Taken together, these results indicate that versican may represent a new target for the development of therapies against atherosclerosis.
Reliability and validity of the Children's Dietary Questionnaire; a new tool to measure children's dietary patterns.

OBJECTIVE To assess the reliability and validity of a new parent report measure of children's dietary patterns, allowing assessment against national guidelines. METHODS The 28-item Children's Dietary Questionnaire (CDQ) was developed based on Australian healthy eating guidelines and knowledge of current dietary intake of Australian children. It assesses intake patterns in either the previous week or 24 hours of foods for which intake is recommended (positive indicators - fruit, vegetables, water, reduced fat products) and foods for which intake is discouraged (negative indicators - high fat/sugar foods [non-core foods], sweetened beverages and full fat dairy products). Four food group subscales are generated: fruit and vegetable, fat from dairy, sweetened beverages and non-core foods. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, relative validity and the ability to detect change were tested in five separate study samples of children, totalling 706 children aged 4 to 16 years. RESULTS The fruit and vegetable and non-core foods subscales demonstrated good internal consistency (alpha 0.76 and 0.62, respectively) and item:total correlations greater than 0.2. The fat from dairy and the sweetened beverages subscales consistently performed poorly. All subscales demonstrated satisfactory test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.51 to 0.90) and ability to detect change in the expected direction following a weight management intervention. Relative validity suggests ability to distinguish positive or negative dietary risk based on CDQ scores at the group but not individual level. CONCLUSION The CDQ shows acceptable reliability and relative validity for assessing group level child dietary patterns with key aspects of healthy eating guidelines.
Intraspecific variations in seedling emergence and survival of Potentilla matsumurae (Rosaceae) between alpine fellfield and snowbed habitats.

Potentilla matsumurae has a wide distribution from wind-blown fellfields to snowbeds in alpine regions of Japan. The environmental factors influencing seedling establishment differ between the fellfield and snowbed habitats; plants growing in each habitat may therefore have different germination strategies. Using a reciprocal sowing experiment, patterns of seedling emergence and survivorship were examined in both habitat types in the Taisetsu Mountains, Japan. Seeds derived from a fellfield population germinated earlier than did those derived from a snowbed population at both habitats, and the germination of fellfield seeds continued throughout the growing season. The timing of seedling emergence greatly affected subsequent survival at the fellfield. Seedlings that emerged in the first half of the growing season had low survivorship during the first year because of frost and drought damage, but the remaining seedlings had high survivorship during the winter; seedlings that emerged in the latter half of the growing season showed the opposite trend. At the snowbed, seedling survival was high throughout the growing season. Germination experiments in the laboratory highlighted a difference in the sensitivity of seeds from the fellfield and snowbed populations to fluctuating temperatures. These results indicate that intraspecific variation in emergence and survivorship may occur over a small scale in an alpine environment.
In Utero Exposure to Antiretroviral Drugs: Effect on Birth Weight and Growth Among HIV-exposed Uninfected Children in Brazil

Background: There are concerns about the effects of in utero exposure to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) on the development of HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) children. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether in utero exposure to ARVs is associated with lower birth weight/height and reduced growth during the first 2 years of life. Methods: This cohort study was conducted among HEU infants born between 1996 and 2010 in Tertiary children’s hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Weight was measured by mechanical scale, and height was measured by measuring board. Z-scores for weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ) and weight-for-length were calculated. We modeled trajectories by mixed-effects models and adjusted for mother’s age, CD4 cell count, viral load, year of birth and family income. Results: A total of 588 HEU infants were included of whom 155 (26%) were not exposed to ARVs, 114 (19%) were exposed early (first trimester) and 319 (54%) later. WAZ were lower among infants exposed early compared with infants exposed later: adjusted differences were −0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.99 to −0.04, P = 0.02) at birth and −0.22 (95% CI: −0.47 to 0.04, P = 0.10) during follow-up. LAZ were lower during follow-up: −0.35 (95% CI: −0.63 to −0.08, P = 0.01). There were no differences in weight-for-length scores. Z-scores of infants exposed late during pregnancy were similar to unexposed infants. Conclusions: In HEU children, early exposure to ARVs was associated with lower WAZ at birth and lower LAZ up to 2 years of life. Growth of HEU children needs to be monitored closely.
PEMBINAAN METRIKS EKUITI JENAMA UNIVERSITI

Pembinaan metriks ekuiti jenama bagi universiti adalah penting kerana sehingga kini masih tiada metriks khusus bagi mengukur ekuiti jenama yang dimiliki oleh sesebuah universiti. Metriks ekuiti jenama untuk mengukur ekuiti jenama produk serta perkhidmatan didapati tidak menepati keperluan pengukuran ekuiti jenama universiti. Maka, kajian ini dibuat untuk mengenalpasti dimensidimensi metriks yang penting dalam mengukur ekuiti jenama universiti. Dalam membina metriks ekuiti jenama universiti ini, metriks pengukuran produk dan perkhidmatan berdasarkan kajian lepas telah diubahsuai untuk memenuhi keperluan pengukuran ekuiti jenama universiti. Analisis faktor terhadap 27 dimensi dari kajian lepas telah menghasilkan 12 dimensi dalam pengukuran ekuiti jenama universiti yang penting dan harus dititikberatkan oleh sesebuah universiti dalam membangunkan ekuiti jenama mereka. Antaranya adalah kualiti, kepercayaan, penerimaan dan warisan. Kajian ini juga telah menemui dimensi kepimpinan sebagai satu dimensi penting dalam mengukur ekuiti jenama universiti.
Impact of the time rate of blood pressure variation on left ventricular mass

Objectives Blood pressure (BP) changes are steeper in hypertensive than in normotensive individuals, whereas an increased rate of BP fluctuations is associated with medial hypertrophy of the carotid arteries. We evaluated the association between the rate of BP variation derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) data analysis and left ventricular mass (LVM). Methods ABPM and echocardiographic measurements of LVM were performed in 365 normotensive, 185 white-coat hypertensive (WCH) and 448 uncomplicated hypertensive individuals. Results The daytime and night-time rate of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic BP variation were significantly higher in hypertensive than in normotensive (P < 0.001) and WCH (P < 0.05) individuals. In the entire study population multiple linear regression models revealed independent determinants of LVM in the following rank order: body mass index (β + 0.266, P < 0.001), daytime SBP (β + 0.264, P < 0.001), male sex (β +0.220, P < 0.001), age (β + 0.203, P < 0.001), daytime heart rate (HR; β − 0.191, P < 0.001), daytime rate of SBP variation (β + 0.167, P < 0.001), and SBP dipping (β − 0.132, P < 0.001). A 0.1 mmHg/min increase in the daytime rate of SBP variation correlated with an increment of 7.087 g (95% confidence interval 4.775–9.399) in the LVM. The addition of the daytime rate of SBP variation in the multiple regression model for the prediction of LVM significantly increased the adjusted model R2 [R2 change 0.024 (2.4%); P for change < 0.001]. Conclusion Steeper BP variations may produce a greater stress on the left ventricular wall and may have an additive role to body habitus, BP and HR levels in the detection of cardiac hypertrophy. Target-organ damage in hypertensive patients, in addition to BP levels, dipping status and BP variability, may also be related to a steeper rate of BP oscillations.