Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous infection with Metarhizium anisopliae in a patient with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and immune deficiency.

To the Editors: We describe the clinical case of a premature newborn, born at 26 weeks by cesarean delivery, followed in the neonatal intensive care unit. The mother was diabetic with adequate control during pregnancy. Neonatal weight was 930 g; APGAR score 3 at 1 minute and 8 at 5 minutes. She received forced ventilation by endotracheal tube and parenteral nutrition by a central venous catheter. She was treated with ampicillin for the first 20 days of life. At 25 days, apnea and bradychardia episodes occurred with a progressive increment in severity and frequency. Leukocytes, C-reactive protein, cerebral echography, and echocardiogram were normal. Oral feeding was transiently stopped and ranitidine treatment was started for presumed gastroesophageal reflux. Mechanical ventilation, previously stopped, was reintroduced. Ralstonia pickettii was isolated from the blood cultures of the newborn. There were no other cases of R. pickettii in the same neonatal unit during the same period. Antibiotic therapy with cephalosporins, meropenem, and aminoglycosides was started. No source of the pathogen was identified in material used for care and for drugs or nutritional preparations. Fulminant sepsis occurred and the patient developed disseminated intravascular coagulation and fatal multiorgan failure. Many cases of R. pickettii infection are associated with contaminated solutions, including water for injection, saline solutions, distilled water, sterile drug solutions. R. pickettii can survive in disinfectants, including chlorhexidine. Premature infants are at increased risk for death related to products contaminated with bacteria and the inoculum required to cause severe infections is small. We describe this rare case (only 2 are reported in the international literature) to bring it to the attention of physicians caring for neonates. Salvino M. Vitaliti, MD M. Cristina Maggio, MD Domenico Cipolla, MD Giovanni Corsello, MD Department Materno-Infantile
Systematic Approach to High-Power and Energy-Efficient Industrial Induction Cooker System: Circuit Design, Control Strategy, and Prototype Evaluation

This paper presents a systemic design of induction cooker with convex bottom Chinese wok for commercial applications. The significant impacts of high-power commercial induction cooker to the global environments are first examined. On the basis of analyzing the coil characteristics and performance requirements, the overall power structure of the induction cooker is designed with underlying operation principle explained. In addition, the associated control algorithms for the power regulation are studied in detail. The feasibility of applying each control scheme for the high power induction cooker system is also analyzed. In particular, the loss analysis of switches facilitates comparing the obtained results by adopting different control methods. In order to achieve high electrical and thermal performances, this research proposes an optimized hybrid power regulation strategy. The block diagram of the control strategy is given, with simulation conducted to evaluate the achievable performance of the proposed solution. Finally, comprehensive experiments including thermal pattern examination tests, efficiency tests, as well as electromagnetic interference tests are carried out. The experimental results sufficiently verify the validity and reliability of the presented commercial induction cooker.
The long non-coding RNA CRNDE acts as a ceRNA and promotes glioma malignancy by preventing miR-1365 p-mediated downregulation of Bcl-2 and Wnt 2

The colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) gene encodes a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that is the most unregulated among 129 lncRNAs differentially expressed in gliomas. In this study, we confirmed high CRNDE expression in clinical glioma specimens and observed through experiments in human glioma cell lines a novel molecular mechanism by which CRNDE may contribute to glioma pathogenesis. By inducing or silencing CRNDE expression, we detected a positive correlation between CRNDE levels and the proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities of glioma cells, which were concomitant with a decreased apoptosis rate. Our experiments also suggest that these effects are mediated by downregulation of miR-136-5p, which correlated with the glioma WHO grade. Based on predicted CRNDE/miR-136-5p/mRNA interactions, both the mRNA and protein expression analyses suggested that miR-136-5p-mediated repression of Bcl-2 and Wnt2 underlies the pro-tumoral actions of CRNDE. We therefore propose that CRNDE functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that binds to and negatively regulates miR-1365p, thereby protecting Bcl-2 and Wnt2 from miR-136-5p-mediated inhibition in glioma.
Leader Talk and the Creative Spark

Garden variety creativity has a vital but often overlooked role in business. Garden variety creativity happens whenever someone develops a new way of dealing with a workplace issue. It contrasts with institutional creativity—actions meant to develop radical new business methods and products at an organizational level. Institutional creativity advances a business’ place in an industry. Garden variety creativity makes daily routines more efficient and fulfills employees’ need for expression in the workplace. This article examines how leader communication—as captured by the motivating language framework—influences employee’s perceptions of the creative environment. Structural equation model analysis found a strong, significant, and positive relationship between leader motivating language use and worker perceptions of their creative environment. Motivating language use explained 55% of the variance in creative environment perceptions in a sample of over 140 workers drawn from diverse organizations. Findings also showed a 7% increase in creative environment perceptions for every 10% increase in motivating language use.
Role of tissue stroma in cancer cell invasion

Maintenance of epithelial tissues needs the stroma. When the epithelium changes, the stroma inevitably follows. In cancer, changes in the stroma drive invasion and metastasis, the hallmarks of malignancy. Stromal changes at the invasion front include the appearance of myofibroblasts, cells sharing characteristics with fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. The main precursors of myofibroblasts are fibroblasts. The transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts is modulated by cancer cell‐derived cytokines, such as transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β). TGF‐β causes cancer progression through paracrine and autocrine effects. Paracrine effects of TGF‐β implicate stimulation of angiogenesis, escape from immunosurveillance and recruitment of myofibroblasts. Autocrine effects of TGF‐β in cancer cells with a functional TGF‐β receptor complex may be caused by a convergence between TGF‐β signalling and β‐catenin or activating Ras mutations. Experimental and clinical observations indicate that myofibroblasts produce pro‐invasive signals. Such signals may also be implicated in cancer pain. N‐Cadherin and its soluble form act as invasion‐promoters. N‐Cadherin is expressed in invasive cancer cells and in host cells such as myofibroblasts, neurons, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. N‐Cadherin‐dependent heterotypic contacts may promote matrix invasion, perineural invasion, muscular invasion, and transendothelial migration; the extracellular, the juxtamembrane and the β‐catenin binding domain of N‐cadherin are implicated in positive invasion signalling pathways. A better understanding of stromal contributions to cancer progression will likely increase our awareness of the importance of the combinatorial signals that support and promote growth, dedifferentiation, invasion, and ectopic survival and eventually result in the identification of new therapeutics targeting the stroma. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention with Internet-integrated CoAP Sensing Applications

End-to-end communications between Internet devices and Internet-integrated constrained wireless sensing platforms promise to contribute to the enabling of many of the envisioned IoT applications. In this context, communication technologies such as 6LoWPAN and CoAP are currently materializing this vision, and we may fairly observe that security in the presence of such devices, and particularly in the context of end-to-end communications with Internet-integrated WSN, will be of prime importance. Considering the constraints of sensing devices in terms of critical resources such as energy, memory and computational capability, it is clear that Internet-integrated WSN will need security against various types of attacks, particularly those originated at devices without the constraints of WSN sensors (e.g. Internet hosts). Existing encryption strategies for communications in IoT environments are unable to protect the WSN for Denial of Service (DoS) and other intrusion attacks, particularly in what regards the usage of CoAP to enable application-layer communications. Therefore, anomaly and intrusion detection will play a major role in the enabling of IoT applications in various areas. In this article, we approach a framework to cope with intrusion detection and reaction in CoAP Internetintegrated WSN, and in the context of this framework we implement and evaluate various complementary detection and prevention mechanisms. Our proposal is evaluated experimentally and ours is, as far as our knowledge goes, the first proposal with the above-mentioned goals.
Autonomous target detection using segmented correlation method and tracking via mean shift algorithm

An autonomous, efficient and effective object tracking algorithm was required to autonomously identify and track incoming targets. Then controlling a pan-tilt mounted with the sensing camera to accommodate the target within the camera's field of view and controlling a weapon mounted on the second mechanical pan tilt to lock the target and follow it efficiently and accurately. A hybrid algorithm is derived that is a combination of an intruder identification and localization technique derived from the normalized cross correlation method. Spatial and dimensional parameters of the target are autonomously retrieved from segmented correlation method, which are then used as the input parameters for the mean shift algorithm.
Patent Licensing and Bargaining with Innovative Complements and Substitutes

Inventors and producers bargain over royalties to license multiple patented inventions. In the first stage of the bargaining game, inventors offer licenses to producers and producers demand licenses. In the second stage of the game, inventors and producers engage in bilateral bargaining over licensing royalties. The analysis shows that there is a unique weakly dominant strategy equilibrium in license offers. The main result is that this bargaining procedure maximizes the joint profits of inventors and producers. Licensing royalties are less than bundled monopoly royalties. The efficiency of the bargaining outcome contrasts with the inefficiency of patent royalties in the Cournot posted prices model. The analysis explores the implications of the main results for antitrust policy concerns including Standard Essential Patent holdup, royalty stacking, patent thickets, the Tragedy of the Anticommons, and justification for patent pools. The discussion also considers how imperfect intellectual property rights affect bargaining over royalties.
Heterologous Expression of Thermolabile Proteins Enhances Thermotolerance in Escherichia coli

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play important roles in the mechanism of cellular protection against various environmental stresses. It is well known that accumulation of misfolded proteins in a cell triggers the HSPs expression in prokaryotes as well as eukaryotes. In this study, we heterologously expressed two proteins in E. coli, namely, citrate synthase (CpCSY) and malate dehydrogenase (CpMDH) from a psychrophilic bacterium Colwellia psychrerythraea 34H (optimal growth temperature 8°C). Our analyses using circular dichromism along with temperature-dependant enzyme activities measured in purified or direct cell extracts confirmed that the CpCSY and CpMDH are thermolabile and present in misfolded form even at physiological growth temperature. We observed that the cellular levels of HSPs, both GroEL and DnaK cheperonins were increased. Similarly, higher levels were observed for sigma factor s32 which is specific to heat-shock protein expression. These results suggest that the misfolded-thermolabile proteins expressed in E. coli induced the heat shock response. Furthermore, heat treatment (53°C) to wild type E. coli noticeably delayed their growth recovery but cells expressing CpCSY and CpMDH recovered their growth much faster than that of wild type E. coli. This reveals that the HSPs expressed in response to misfolded-thermolabile proteins protected E. coli against heat-induced damage. This novel approach may be a useful tool for investigating stress-tolerance mechanisms of E. coli.
Analysis of phospholipids by NACE with on‐line ESI‐MS

A hyphenated method of nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (NACE‐ESI‐MS) is described for the simultaneous analysis of phospholipids. The best results were obtained with a mixed solution of methanol/ACN (40:60 v/v) containing 20 mM ammonium acetate and 0.5% acetic acid, under the applied voltage of 30 kV and capillary temperature of 25°C. ESI‐MS measurements were performed in the negative mode with methanol/ACN (40:60 v/v) containing 50 mM ammonium acetate as sheath liquid at a flow rate of 2 μL/min. Different phospholipid classes have been successfully separated within 16 min, and the molecular species of every single class have been identified by using MS2 or MS3, which generates characteristic fragments through CID. The developed method has been applied to analyze the phospholipids extracted from rat peritoneal surface and the molecular species of phospholipid classes are presented.
Negotiated Bank Finance, Earning Quality and Firm Characteristics: Indian Evidence

Based on ‘ agency theory’ the present study argues that in a negotiated and collateral security based debt financing system where the need for debt financing of the firms is largely met by the banks in absence of active and liquid corporate debt market , there should be a two way relationship between debt and earning quality. More specifically, we argue that banks, in the interest of better credit risk management, should extend finance to firms with reliable earning quality, and as the debt monitors the managerial behavior of the firms, earning quality of the firms should also get impacted by debt through closer scrutiny by lenders. To our knowledge no prior study has covered the relation between debt and earning quality from this angle so extensively in a bank dominated finance system of an emerging market. Lending policy is set by banks on the basis of overall Reserve Bank of India’s ( the central Bank) circulars and directives. In this framework earning quality may not appear to play any direct role in granting and enhancing credit limit, though the asset quality of banks is contingent upon ‘true and fair’ reflection of earning and cash flow generation of the borrowing firms. The empirical evidence seems to suggest that the firms might report ‘abnormal accrual’ to enjoy higher credit limit. Consistent with the result we find that tangible assets as ‘collateral security’ plays a more decisive role in mitigating credit risk rather than earning quality (being essentially a qualitative attribute).
Becoming a Co-operative with Self-Organizing Process : The case of Happy Bridge Co-operative

The purpose of the research is to explicate self-organization process in the organizational conversion from a corporation to a co-operative. We conducted a case study focusing on selforganization through the participant observation of Happy-Bridge Co-operative (hereafter HBC). The results are as follows: First, converting a corporation to a co-operative is the outcome of highly complex interactions. It is a very dynamic process of conflict between two different organizational principles, i.e., association and business, and is also a strategic choice for the organization renewal. Second, after conversion to co-operative, the new dynamics has been created in the process of adaption to co-operative principles and systems. Third, the hidden conflicts within the organization have been gradually emerged and materialized. In this process, HBC has been able to find the new opportunities for innovation; nevertheless it is likely to face further conflicts and contradiction promoting innovation. Becoming a co-operative is not only the changes of ownership structure, but also the fundamental transformation of organization. The management of HBC cannot lead new innovations, and the members cannot completely learn new routines. Theoretically, this study explains how self-organizing process makes cooperative conversion viable by means of continuous change. Also we can suggest practical implications that converting process of co-operative provides new chances of innovation through the self-organizing process.
Leadership, entrepreneurship and collective action: A case study from the Colombian Pacific Region

Building upon case-based evidence this paper explores the role of leaders in Ecomanglar, a community-based enterprise in the Black collective territory of La Plata-Bahia Malaga in the Colombian Pacific Basin, whose purpose is to provide eco and ethno-tourism services. This purpose is inextricably bound up with the region’s biophysical and institutional characteristics, both of which make management of common-pool resources a key strategic task for Ecomanglar. We propose an analytical framework to understand the role of these leaders based on the interaction of two dimensions: institutional transfer channels and operational capacity. We further analyse the role of leaders as essential ‘brokers’ to initialise and sustain collective action, a role that brings about entrepreneurial solutions for sustainable development but also creates, or exacerbates, conflicts within the community. Our findings challenge approaches which view collective action as an emergent decentralised group-oriented outcome. The paper contributes to the literature on leadership, entrepreneurship and collective action by identifying missing links and potential points of convergence. It also sheds light on some of the challenges in promoting entrepreneurship as a means to advance sustainable development in rural communities.
Joint source channel coding with Hermitian symmetric DFT codes

This paper considers the joint source channel coding using a new class of DFT codes which we refer to as Hermitian symmetric DFT (HSDFT) codes. A new decoding algorithm for decoding of HSDFT codes is presented. With this new decoding algorithm and an appropriate transmission scheme, HSDFT codes are capable of correcting more burst errors than the capacity of any maximum distance separable (MDS) code. Experimental results obtained by transmission of image over binary symmetric channel and Gilbert-Elliot channel are also presented, which show that HSDFT codes perform similar to the existing DFT class of codes on a binary symmetric channel while it performs consistently better (by around 2dB) on a Gilbert-Elliot like channel.
Analysis of the electric field and force in an arrangement of a conducting sphere and a plane electrode with a dielectric barrier

This paper presents an analysis of the electric field and dielectrophoretic force in an arrangement consisting of an uncharged conducting sphere and a plane electrode with a dielectric barrier. The electric field is calculated by using the method of multipole images using an iterative algorithm proposed for calculating the images of the dielectric barrier of finite thickness. The calculation results show electric field intensification due to the presence of the dielectric barrier having higher permittivity, /spl epsiv//sub S/, than that of the surrounding medium, /spl epsiv//sub E/; however, if the barrier is separated from the conducting sphere by at least the sphere radius, its influence is negligible. Inside the dielectric barrier, the electric field on the axis of symmetry becomes more uniform and the average field significantly increases with decreasing its thickness. For a case where dielectric barrier is sufficiently thin, the electric field at the contact point and the force on the conducting sphere vary approximately as power functions of /spl epsiv//sub S///spl epsiv//sub E/.
Effects of Intramuscular Trunk Stimulation on Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Mechanics in Six Subjects with Spinal Cord Injury

Objective— To quantify the effects of stabilizing the paralyzed trunk and pelvis with electrical stimulation on manual wheelchair propulsion. Design— Single-subject design case series with subjects acting as their own concurrent controls. Setting— Hospital-based clinical biomechanics laboratory. Participants— Six (4M, 2F age 46±10.8yrs) long-time users (6.1±3.9yrs) of implanted neuroprostheses for lower extremity function with chronic (8.6±2.8yrs) mid-cervical or thoracic level injuries (C6-T10). Interventions— Continuous low level stimulation to the hip (gluteus maximus, posterior adductor or hamstrings) and trunk extensor (lumbar erector spinae and/or quadratus lumborum) muscles with implanted intramuscular electrodes. Measure(s)— kinematics and maximum forward lean), and peak at preferred speed over 10m level speed, pushrim kinetics and subjective ratings of effort for level 100m sprints and up a 30.5m ramp of approximately 5% grade. Results— Three out of five subjects demonstrated reduced peak resultant pushrim forces (p≤0.014) and improved efficiency, (p≤0.048) with stimulation during self-paced level propulsion. Peak sagittal shoulder moment remained unchanged in three subjects and increased in two others (p<0.001). Maximal forward trunk lean also increased by 19-26% (p<0.001) with stimulation in these three subjects. Stroke lengths were unchanged by stimulation in all subjects, and two showed extremely small (5%) but statistically significant increases in cadence (p≤0.021). Performance measures for sprints and inclines were generally unchanged with stimulation, however subjects consistently rated propulsion with stimulation to be easier for both surfaces. Conclusions— Stabilizing the pelvis and trunk with low levels of continuous electrical stimulation to the lumbar trunk and hip extensors can positively impact the mechanics of manual wheelchair propulsion and reduce both perceived and physical measures of effort. determined during 100m sprint and 30.5m ramp ascent maneuvers. Statistical significance of changes due to stimulation to the kinematic and kinetic variables were determined by two-tailed Student t-test (p<0.05) for repeated measures from each individual for each maneuver (self-paced 10m, 100m sprint and 30.5m ramp). Overall effects of stimulation on all kinematic and kinetic variables were assessed by MANOVA. Significant differences in ordinal URS values with and without stimulation for the group were determined by the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Sum test. Positive changes indicated that maneuvers were perceived to be easier with stimulation. The same number of trials with and without stimulation was included in the analyses for each outcome variable.