Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Population Pharmacokinetics of Digoxin in Jordanian Patients

Therapeutic monitoring of digoxin and the population pharmacokinetic parameters in Jordanian patients were done. Fifty three patients visited cardiac department of Jordan University hospital participated in this study, thirty two patients had congestive heart failure (CHF), while twenty one patients had atrial fibrillation (AF). Ninety three blood samples were collected from those patients for the measurement of digoxin level using AxSYM digoxin II assay method. Serum creatinine and potassium levels were also measured, in addition to blood pressure and heart rate. Microsoft Excel and Statistica programs were used for kinetic and statistical analysis. NONMEM computer program ADVAN 4 and 2 compartment model was used for population analysis of digoxin parameters. The serum digoxin level ranged from 0.11-4 ng/ml. The percentage of all patients enrolled in this study that were out of therapeutic range was 49.05%. Serum digoxin levels were out of therapeutic range in 53.12% of patients with CHF and 42.85% in those with AF. The pharmacokinetic parameters for digoxin obtained in this study using traditional methods were: creatinine clearance CLcr (89.78 ± 45.61 ml/min), digoxin actual clearance CL (200.57 ± 154.52 L/day), volume of distribution V (541.57 ± 149.87L), t1/2(2.98 ± 2.05 day), elimination rate constant (0.41± 0.396 day-1). A strong correlation was also found between actual digoxin clearance with log dose normalized (R2=0.999), and t1/2 (R2= 0.875). No correlations were found between the log of the normalized dose and other pharmacokinetic parameters or potassium levels. The population pharmacokinetic parameter for digoxin obtained in this study were: CL (3.34L/h), Vc (3.27L), Vt (123L), inter-compartment clearance Q (72L/h), absorption rate constant KA (1.25h-1). In Jordanian patients with either AF or CHF digoxin dose adjustment based on therapeutic drug monitoring principles is recommended. Digoxin pharmacokinetics were similar to those reported in non-Jordanian patients; estimated population pharmacokinetic parameters were in agreement with literature values.
Data Mining Based Establishment and Evaluation of Porcine Model for Syndrome in Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Context of Unstable Angina (Myocardial Ischemia)

Building an animal model for a disease is a better avenue not only to investigate the disease state in ways which would be inaccessible in human patients with the disease, but also to test new drug for the treatment of the disease. Unstable angina (UA) is a serious disease that causing more than 1 million deaths annually in China. It accounts for heavy burden not only on patients and their families but also on society. Therefore, an increasing number of UA patients pose a major challenge to the entire medical community. The animal model for UA is usually simulated by animal model for myocardial ischemia since the core pathology of UA is myocardial ischemia. There are three widely used methods to reproduce myocardial ischemia animal models: An occlusion of the coronary artery by microembolization, coronary artery ligation and Ameroid constrictor or coling/gelefoam [Monnet & Chachques, 2005]. Among them, Ameroid constrictor is best fit to induce chronic myocardial ischemia when compared with other methods due to its progressive occlusion. Ameroid constrictors have been used in many species of animals. However, porcine hearts have a coronary anatomy most similar to the counterpart of human hearts. They seem to develop much less collateral circulation than dogs after induction of coronary occlusion, which makes them more attractive for the reproduction of chronic myocardial ischemia [Weaver et al., 1986].
A Novel Design of CAVLC Decoder With Low Power and High Throughput Considerations

This paper proposes a novel algorithm and its very large scale integration design for context-based adaptive variable length code (CAVLC) decoding. In order to improve through put of CAVLC decoder, we propose two new methods, which are multiple level decoding (MLD) and nonzero skipping for run_before decoding (NZS). By performing parallel operations on the level decoder, MLD can decode two levels in one cycle at most situations, and NZS can produce several values of run_ before in the same cycle. These two methods have the advantages of low complexity and regularity. The proposed architecture needs 141 cycles/macroblock. Moreover, the proposed CAVLC decoder can run at 33.5 MHz to meet the real time requirement for 1920 × 1088 resolution. The power consumption for the 1920 × 1088 resolution is about 1.83 mW. The operation frequency can be reduced about 29.1% to 71.5% compared with other architectures. With an aid on a lower operation frequency, it is suitable for many low power applications. The synthesis result shows that the gate count is 13175 gates, and the maximum frequency can archive 160 MHz.
Adaptive rateless coding for constant bit rate data-partitioned wireless IPTV

Constant Bit-Rate (CBR) video is often preferred by broadcasters, as it allows resources to be reserved. This paper applies an adaptive channel coding scheme to CBR video. Compared to some existing schemes advantages include: the coding rate is changed according to the channel conditions; it is byte-based rather than block-based, for reduced latency; and a single retransmission allows a further attempt at reconstruction. The scheme is demonstrated on data-partitioned video, resulting in a number of trade-offs between: frame sequence structure; inclusion of intra-refresh macroblocks; and partition coding isolation. With an appropriate choice of bit-rate reasonable video quality is achieve, including for a temporally active video sequence.
Major Liver Resection for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Between 1968 and 1984 liver resection with curative attempt was performed in 22 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Right lobectomy was performed in 4 patients, extended right lobectomy in 7, left lobectomy in 8, and excision of the median segment segment of the left lobe (segment IV) in 3. Bilio-en-teric continuity was restored by hepatocholedochostomy in 17 patients and hepatojejunostomy in 4. (One patient had external transhepatic catheter drainage and no internal bile drainage.) Operative mortality rate was 27% and caused by excessive intraoperative bleeding, sepsis, or liver insufficiency. Postoperative complications occurred in 57% of patients surviving the operation and were due mainly to leakage from the hepatocholedochostomy. Median survival was 6 months, and one third of the patients survived 1 year. Three patients survived 10 years and were among the four patients in whom a tumor-free resection margin was obtained (one of them died in the postoperative phase). It is concluded that resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma may give long-term survival if a free resection margin is obtained. The importance of a free resection margin indicates that surgery should be aggressive and include liver resection.
Transition from Persistent to Anti-Persistent Correlations in Postural Sway Indicates Velocity-Based Control

The displacement of the center-of-pressure (COP) during quiet stance has often been accounted for by the control of COP position dynamics. In this paper, we discuss the conclusions drawn from previous analyses of COP dynamics using fractal-related methods. On the basis of some methodological clarification and the analysis of experimental data using stabilogram diffusion analysis, detrended fluctuation analysis, and an improved version of spectral analysis, we show that COP velocity is typically bounded between upper and lower limits. We argue that the hypothesis of an intermittent velocity-based control of posture is more relevant than position-based control. A simple model for COP velocity dynamics, based on a bounded correlated random walk, reproduces the main statistical signatures evidenced in the experimental series. The implications of these results are discussed.
Using Formative Research to Design a Behavior Change Strategy to Increase the Use of Improved Cookstoves in Peri-Urban Kampala, Uganda

Household air pollution from cooking with biomass fuels negatively impacts maternal and child health and the environment, and contributes to the global burden of disease. In Uganda, nearly 20,000 young children die of household air pollution-related pneumonia every year. Qualitative research was used to identify behavioral determinants related to the acquisition and use of improved cookstoves in peri-urban Uganda. Results were used to design a behavior change strategy for the introduction of a locally-fabricated top-lit updraft gasifier (TLUD) stove in Wakiso district. A theoretical framework—opportunity, ability, and motivation—was used to guide the research and behavior change strategy development. Participants consistently cited financial considerations as the most influential factor related to improved cookstove acquisition and use. In contrast, participants did not prioritize the potential health benefits of improved cookstoves. The theoretical framework, research methodology, and behavior change strategy design process can be useful for program planners and researchers interested in identifying behavioral determinants and designing and evaluating improved cookstove interventions.
Systems genetic analysis of hippocampal neuroanatomy and spatial learning in mice

Variation in hippocampal neuroanatomy correlates well with spatial learning ability in mice. Here, we have studied both hippocampal neuroanatomy and behavior in 53 isogenic BXD recombinant strains derived from C57BL/6J and DBA/2J parents. A combination of experimental, neuroinformatic and systems genetics methods was used to test the genetic bases of variation and covariation among traits. Data were collected on seven hippocampal subregions in CA3 and CA4 after testing spatial memory in an eight‐arm radial maze task. Quantitative trait loci were identified for hippocampal structure, including the areas of the intra‐ and infrapyramidal mossy fibers (IIPMFs), stratum radiatum and stratum pyramidale, and for a spatial learning parameter, error rate. We identified multiple loci and gene variants linked to either structural differences or behavior. Gpc4 and Tenm2 are strong candidate genes that may modulate IIPMF areas. Analysis of gene expression networks and trait correlations highlight several processes influencing morphometrical variation and spatial learning.
A Cryptographic Coarse Grain Reconfigurable Architecture Robust Against DPA

This work addresses the problem of information leakage of cryptographic devices, by using the reconfiguration technique allied to an RNS based arithmetic. The information leaked by circuits, like power consumption, electromagnetic emissions and time to compute may be used to find cryptographic secrets. The results issue of prototyping shows that our coarse grained reconfigurable architecture is robust against power analysis attacks.
EMG pattern recognition by neural networks for multi fingers control

This paper proposes that EMG patterns can be analyzed and classified by neural networks. Through experiments and on-line simulations, it Is demonstrated that recognition of not only finger movement but also joint angles in continuously finger movement, based on EMG patterns, can be successfully accomplished. We also demonstrate a EMG controlled 5 fingers 10 joints robot hand.
Accurate Height Change Estimation Method Using Phase Interferometry of Multiple Band-Divided SAR Images

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is an indispensable tool for low visibility ground surface measurement owing to its robustness against optically harsh environments such as adverse weather or darkness. As a leading-edge approach for SAR image processing, the coherent change detection (CCD) technique has been recently established; it detects a temporal change in the same region according to the phase interferometry of two complex SAR images. However, in the case of general damage assessment following an earthquake or mudslide, the technique requires not only the detection of surface change but also an assessment for height change quantity, such as occurs with a building collapse or road subsidence. While the interferometric SAR (InSAR) approach is suitable for height assessment, it is basically unable to detect change if only a single observation is made. To address this issue, we previously proposed a method of estimating height change according to phase interferometry of the coherence function obtained by dual band-divided SAR images. However, the accuracy of this method significantly degrades in noisy situations owing to the use of the phase difference. To resolve this problem, this paper proposes a novel height estimation method by exploiting the frequency characteristic of coherence phases obtained by each SAR image multiply band-divided. The results obtained from numerical simulations and experimental data demonstrate that our proposed method offers accurate height change estimation while avoiding degradation in the spatial resolution. key words: synthetic aperture radar (SAR), coherent change detection (CCD), multiply band-divided SAR images, height change estimation
Developing an Agent Model of a Missing Person in the Wilderness

In this paper, we consider the problem of developing a model of the behaviour of a Missing Person (MP) who is lost in the wilderness. Traditional models have treated the movement of an MP as a type of diffusion process, without regard for the MP's internal state or goals. However, this fails to include many important factors, including the effects of fatigue or the use of reorienting strategies, which are known to be important from empirical studies of actual lost person behaviour. To overcome these limitations, we develop a novel agent-based model of MP behaviour. This model incorporates the effects of the environment, perception and goals on the MP's movement and uses them to model the continuous switching of short and medium term goals by missing people. To validate the model, we compared the trajectories simulated by it with actual recordings of movements of participants in an unfamiliar wilderness environment. By comparing the predicted and actual trajectories, we show that the generated trajectories much more faithfully represent the actual movements of the participants than state-of-the-art diffusion models.
Dual-Modality Monitoring of Targeted Intraarterial Delivery of Mesenchymal Stem Cells After Transient Ischemia

Background and Purpose— In animal models of stroke, functional improvement has been obtained after stem cell transplantation. Successful therapy depends largely on achieving a robust and targeted cell engraftment, with intraarterial (IA) injection being a potentially attractive route of administration. We assessed the suitability of laser Doppler flow (LDF) signal measurements and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for noninvasive dual monitoring of targeted IA cell delivery. Methods— Transient cerebral ischemia was induced in adult Wistar rats (n=25) followed by IA or intravenous (IV) injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide. Cell infusion was monitored in real time with transcranial laser Doppler flowmetry while cellular delivery was assessed with MRI in vivo (4.7T) and ex vivo (9.4T). Results— Successful delivery of magnetically labeled MSCs could be readily visualized with MRI after IA but not IV injection. IA stem cell injection during acute stroke resulted in a high variability of cerebral engraftment. The amount of LDF reduction during cell infusion (up to 80%) was found to correlate well with the degree of intracerebral engraftment, with low LDF values being associated with significant morbidity. Conclusions— High cerebral engraftment rates are associated with impeded cerebral blood flow. Noninvasive dual-modality imaging enables monitoring of targeted cell delivery, and through interactive adjustment may improve the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy.
Semi-analytical finite-element modeling approach for guided wave assessment of mechanical degradation in bones

Abstract Numerical models based on the Semi Analytical Finite-Element method are used to study the characteristics of guided wave modes supported by bone-like multi-layered tubular structures. The method is first validated using previous literature and experimental studies on phantoms mimicking healthy and osteoporotic conditions of cortical bone, and later used to study a trilayer marrow–bone–tissue system at varying mechanical degradation levels. The results show that bone condition strongly affects the modal properties of axially propagating guided waves and indicates that L(0,3) and F(1,6) are suitable modes for assessing the mechanical condition of the bone. The work here reports suitable modal selection and their dispersion properties which would the aid in development of a transduction mechanism for mechanical assessment of bones.
Comparative Transcriptome Profiling of the Early Response to Magnaporthe oryzae in Durable Resistant vs Susceptible Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes

Durable resistance to blast, the most significant fungal disease of rice, represents an agronomically relevant character. Gigante Vercelli (GV) and Vialone Nano (VN) are two old temperate japonica Italian rice cultivars with contrasting response to blast infection: GV displays durable and broad resistance while VN is highly susceptible. RNA-seq was used to dissect the early molecular processes deployed during the resistance response of GV at 24 h after blast inoculation. Differential gene expression analysis identified 1,070 and 1,484 modulated genes, of which 726 and 699 were up regulated in response to infection in GV and VN, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses revealed a set of GO terms enriched in both varieties but, despite this commonality, the gene sets contributing to common GO enriched terms were dissimilar. The expression patterns of genes grouped in GV-specific enriched GO terms were examined in detail including at the transcript isoform level. GV exhibited a dramatic up-regulation of genes encoding diterpene phytoalexin biosynthetic enzymes, flavin-containing monooxygenase, class I chitinase and glycosyl hydrolase 17. The sensitivity and high dynamic range of RNA-seq allowed the identification of genes critically involved in conferring GV resistance during the early steps of defence perception-signalling. These included chitin oligosaccharides sensing factors, wall associated kinases, MAPK cascades and WRKY transcription factors. Candidate genes with expression patterns consistent with a potential role as GV-specific functional resistance (R) gene(s) were also identified. This first application of RNA-seq to dissect durable blast resistance supports a crucial role of the prompt induction of a battery of responses including defence-related genes as well as members of gene families involved in signalling and pathogen-related gene expression regulation.
QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube Performance for Diagnosing Active Tuberculosis in Children and Adults in a High Burden Setting

Aim To determine whether QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) can contribute to the diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB) in children in a high-burden setting and to assess the performance of QFT and tuberculin skin test (TST) in a prospective cohort of TB suspect children compared to adults with confirmed TB in Tanzania. Methods Sensitivity and specificity of QFT and TST for diagnosing active TB as well as indeterminate QFT rates and IFN-γ levels were assessed in 211 TB suspect children in a Tanzanian district hospital and contrasted in 90 adults with confirmed pulmonary TB. Results Sensitivity of QFT and TST in children with confirmed TB was 19% (5/27) and 6% (2/31) respectively. In adults sensitivity of QFT and TST was 84% (73/87) and 85% (63/74). The QFT indeterminate rate in children and adults was 27% and 3%. Median levels of IFN-γ were lower in children than adults, particularly children <2 years and HIV infected. An indeterminate result was associated with age <2 years but not malnutrition or HIV status. Overall childhood mortality was 19% and associated with an indeterminate QFT result at baseline. Conclusion QFT and TST showed poor performance and a surprisingly low sensitivity in children. In contrast the performance in Tanzanian adults was good and comparable to performance in high-income countries. Indeterminate results in children were associated with young age and increased mortality. Neither test can be recommended for diagnosing active TB in children with immature or impaired immunity in a high-burden setting.
AN IMPROVED FAIR GUARD BAND ALLOCATION SCHEME IN COGNITIVE NETWORKS

In this paper, an improved fair dynamic channel algorithm allocation based on guard band scheme is presented. The adoption of the channel strategy in wireless communication has been ensuring the normal communication of important systems, such as coal mine wireless emergency support entity. But future study shows that the secondary users' blocking probability is relatively higher than that of primary user in original 1D Markov states model, which is not conducive to the fairness of network access. Based on deep analysis of model parameters, this paper presents mathematical model of an improved guard channel scheme in wireless communications, simulation results show that users’ access performance has been improved significantly.
IMSI-catch me if you can: IMSI-catcher-catchers

IMSI Catchers are used in mobile networks to identify and eavesdrop on phones. When, the number of vendors increased and prices dropped, the device became available to much larger audiences. Self-made devices based on open source software are available for about US$ 1,500. In this paper, we identify and describe multiple methods of detecting artifacts in the mobile network produced by such devices. We present two independent novel implementations of an IMSI Catcher Catcher (ICC) to detect this threat against everyone's privacy. The first one employs a network of stationary (sICC) measurement units installed in a geographical area and constantly scanning all frequency bands for cell announcements and fingerprinting the cell network parameters. These rooftop-mounted devices can cover large areas. The second implementation is an app for standard consumer grade mobile phones (mICC), without the need to root or jailbreak them. Its core principle is based upon geographical network topology correlation, facilitating the ubiquitous built-in GPS receiver in today's phones and a network cell capabilities fingerprinting technique. The latter works for the vicinity of the phone by first learning the cell landscape and than matching it against the learned data. We implemented and evaluated both solutions for digital self-defense and deployed several of the stationary units for a long term field-test. Finally, we describe how to detect recently published denial of service attacks.
A slick control plane for network middleboxes

There is an increasing desire for programs running at a controller to be able to invoke a rich set of matches and actions that span both the control and data planes. Yet, there is no holistic means to do so. While OpenFlow provides a rich, programmable control plane, it has a fixed/narrow data plane; conversely, although middleboxes, a common way to augment the data plane, provide a sophisticated data plane, they do not integrate well with the control plane in that they do not support a similar match/action interface and they do not inform the controller of in-network events. We envision three broad ways to provide richer matches and actions: