Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlation between prefrontal-striatal pathway impairment and cognitive impairment in patients with leukoaraiosis

Abstract Our study aimed to investigate the changes of white matter microstructure of cortico-subcortical pathways using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and to explore the relationship between abnormal parameters of DTI and cognitive function underlying in patients with leukoaraiosis (LA). A total of 42 patients with LA and 42 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited from Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University between January 2012 and December 2012. All the subjects underwent scans of conventional magnetic resonance imaging and DTI, and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery was utilized. The regions of interest (ROIs) were located at the white matter of centrum semiovale, anterior and posterior periventricular white matter, basal ganglia, corpus callosum. The averaged values of mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were quantified both within white matter lesions (WMLs) and normal appearing white matter (NAWM). A linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association between diffusion parameters and decline in cognitive domains. Patients with LA were associated with comprehensive cognitive function deficits. We found that significantly decreased FA and increased MD in WMLs at the 5 ROIs than that of NAWM and controls (P < .05). The values of FA in NAWM were significantly lower and MD in NAWM were significantly higher at centrum semiovale and posterior periventricular white matter than that of controls (P < .05). The values of FA in WMLs at anterior periventricular white matter were positively related to the performances of cognition in patients with LA (P < .05). The values of FA in NAWM located at anterior periventricular white matter were positively related to the score of Digit-symbol test (r = 0.446, P = .002). The values of FA in NAWM located at anterior periventricular white matter correlated inversely with the Z scores of executive function (r = −0.418, P = .03). In our study, patients with LA exhibited significant cognitive impairment especially in the domains of executive function. The technique of DTI revealed that the reduced FA and increased MD at the corresponding regions of cortico-subcortical pathways in patients with LA. DTI may be of great help for an early pathology of white matter microstructure underlying in patients with LA.
Unconstrained and Constrained Mode Expansions for a Flexible Slewing Link

The linear equations of motion of a uniform flexible slewing link which were derived via Hamilton's Extended Principle are considered. These equations account for the coupling between bending and rigid modes. Unconstrained and constrained mode expansions are investigated and a quantitative comparison is made between the frequency equations and associated mode shapes. A finite dimensional model is derived using the assumed modes method and the theoretical frequencies are verified with an experimental counterbalanced aluminum beam.
Genetic characterization of a brangus-ibage cattle population: biochemical polymorphisms and reproductive efficiency

Biochemical techniques were used to investigate the genetic variability in a Brangus-Ibage population by determining allele frequencies of 18 blood protein systems: Hemogloin b-Chain (Hb), Albumin (Alb), Amylase (Am), Transferrin (Tf), Carbonic Anhydrase (CA), Ceruloplasmin (Cp), Malic Enzyme (ME), Diaphorase I and II (Dia I and Dia II), Slow Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (Ap), Acid Phosphatase (ACP), Esterase B and D (EstB and EstD), Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase (PGD), Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), Glucose-Phosphate-Isomerase (GPI), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glyoxalase I (GLO). The percentage of polymorphic loci were estimated at 0.27, the mean number of alleles was 1.33 and the mean heterozygosity was 0.07. There was a good agreement between expected and observed heterozygosity values. The population was in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg expectations in all systems. Reproductive records allowed to estimate three parameters of reproductive efficiency: mean age at first calving (1152.15 ± 166.60 days), mean calving interval (539.23 ± 124.10 days) and mean weight at first calving (391.02 ± 37.59kg). No relationship was found between reproductive efficiency and genetic systems.
Protective effects of enalapril in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rat: studies of DNA damage, apoptosis and expression of CCN2 in the heart, kidney and liver

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia, which induces oxidative stress and perturbs a number of pathways, leading to tissue injury. One of the pathological responses to tissue injury is the development of fibrosis and cell death. Enalapril is a non‐thiol angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor that is commonly used in the treatment of diabetes‐associated hypertension. The present study examines the possible beneficial effects of enalapril on the development of diabetes associated fibrosis and DNA damage in rats. Sprague–Dawley rats (250 ± 10 g) were used in the study. Enalapril (10 mg kg−1 per oral) was administered for four consecutive weeks to the streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats. After 4 weeks, all the animals were sacrificed and comet assay (normal and modified) was performed to detect the normal as well as oxidative DNA damage. Expression of profibrotic marker CCN2 and fibrosis was examined in the heart, kidney and liver of diabetic rats. Enalapril treatment significantly restored the malondialdehyde and glutathione content as well as the DNA damage in the heart, kidney and liver of diabetic rat. Significant decrease in the expression of CCN2 was observed in the heart, kidney and liver of diabetic rat receiving enalapril treatment as compared with the diabetic group. Further, the enalapril treatment led to significant decrease in the fibrosis and CCN2 expression in the diabetic group as compared with control. The results of the present study clearly demonstrate that enalapril ameliorates the DNA damage, cell death and expression of CCN2 in the heart, kidney and liver of the STZ‐induced diabetic rat. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mitigation of Voltage Dips and Voltage Harmonics within a Micro-grid, using a Single Shunt Active Filter with Energy Storage

This paper presents the application of a controller based on state space design for a shunt active filter with energy storage (SAFES) within a local power supply network in the presence of distributed generation. The aim is to guarantee voltage regulation and harmonic cancellation at the load site caused by a load step change or harmonic distortion. To achieve this objective, the SAFES is controlled to inject the appropriate current to the line. The reference fundamental current for the SAFES is calculated such that in the presence of voltage sags, it works in conjunction with local distributed generation, (which usually has slow dynamic response) to control the voltage at the point of common connection (PCC). The multivariable controller employs a full state observer to provide the SAFES reference voltage. This paper provides a theoretical analysis of the controller behaviour in presence of plant variations. Simulation results show that the proposed method makes it possible to regulate the grid voltage at its nominal value and can also provide harmonic injection if required
Exploring the use of design pattern maps for aligning new technical support to new clinical team meeting routines

We propose the collaborative activity of mapping design patterns against stakeholder values as a viable method for grounding conceptual design of information and communication technology (ICT) services for heterogeneous sets of stakeholders. Preliminary experiences from designing a case book service for video-mediated gastro-medical team meetings are presented. A diverse set of stakeholders and the challenge to apply novel technologies in a demanding environment have placed more responsibility on the Human Computer Interaction (HCI) team to conceptualise new work practices and their expected effects than what traditional participatory design projects typically entail. By combining the methodologies of genre analysis and pattern languages, design pattern maps have been used to conceptualise solutions that span both work and interface aspects of the solution and that match declared values of the stakeholders concerned. A series of mapping sessions with different stakeholders helped the inter-disciplinary project team to better define, what stakeholder values called for what new work patterns and what kind of supporting interaction design patterns these new work patterns in turn called for.
Mesoporous titania-coated Love wave sensors and FEM model applied to viscosity micro-measurements

This paper presents the interest of a Love wave sensor coated with a TiO2 mesoporous film as sensitive layer. The main novelty is related to the modelling of the device and simulation by using Finite Element Method with COMSOL Multiphysics software, which is a good way to take into account the physical properties of porous 3D-layers. Experimental devices have shown a good agreement with simulated results. Furthermore, experimental results with several Newtonian liquids, viscosities from 1 to 7 cP, are investigated. The sensitivity with a 300 nm thick porous sensing layer was 30 times that of the bare device, with interesting dynamical issues to be further studied, giving rise to the great potentialities of such architectures for microrheological measurements.
Altered renin-angiotensin-aldosterone relationships in normal renin essential hypertension.

SUMMARY Aldosterone responsiveness to angiotensin II (A II) was evaluated in 64 subjects with "normal renin" hypertension. Plasma aldosterone (PA) and plasma renin activity (PRA) levels were determined with the subjects supine and after 2 72 hours in the upright position while they were in metabolic balance on a 10 mEq of sodium/100 mEq of potassium diet. The increment in PA between supine and upright postures divided by the increment in PRA (APA/APRA) was used as an estimate of adrenal sensitivity to A II. Under identical conditions, the APA/APRA ratio in 11 normal controls was >3.8 . Although 52 of the hypertensive subjects had normal APA/APRA, 12 had low APA/APRA. Supine PA and PRA were similar in both groups, but the upright PA was lower (41 vs. 69 ng/dl) and the upright PRA higher (11.1 vs. 7 ng/ml per hr) in the group with the subnormal APA/APRA. The low APA/APRA ratios indirectly suggest subnormal aldosterone responsiveness to A II. To test this hypothesis directly, A II was infused into 19 of the 64 subjects (0.1,0.3,1.0 , and 3.0 ng/kg per min). PA and A II levels were measured before and 20 and 30 min after each dose was begun. Blood pressure was monitored at 2-min intervals. In 14 hypertensives with normal APA/APRA, PA rose significantly during the 0.3,1.0, and 3.0 ng/kg per min doses. In five subjects with low APA/APRA, PA did not rise significantly at any dose of A II. Plasma A II levels and blood pressure rose comparably in both groups. These data demonstrate that, in the sodium-depleted state, some "normal renin" hypertensive subjects have decreased aldosterone but normal pressor responsiveness to angiotensin II.
All-optical microwave mixing and bandpass filtering in a radio-over-fiber link

An all-optical signal processor that performs both microwave mixing and bandpass filtering in a radio-over-fiber link is proposed and demonstrated. The key device in the processor is an electrooptic phase modulator which performs all-optical microwave mixing. The microwave bandpass filtering is realized by passing the mixed microwave signals through a length of single-mode fiber, acting as a dispersive device. An up- or down-converted microwave signal is obtained and other unwanted frequency components are rejected at the end of the fiber span. The use of the proposed signal processor to perform an up-conversion of a microwave signal from 3 to 11.8 GHz in a 25-km fiber link is demonstrated.
Evolution of methods for measurement of HDL-cholesterol: from ultracentrifugation to homogeneous assays.

BACKGROUND Adoption of automated homogeneous assays for HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) is increasing, driven by the need of clinical laboratories to cope with increasing workloads while containing costs. However, performance characteristics of homogeneous assays often differ in important aspects from those of the earlier precipitation methods. This review provides an overview of the new generation of homogeneous assays for HDL-C within the historical context of the evolution of methods and the efforts to standardize measurements of the lipoproteins. APPROACH This is a narrative review based on method evaluations conducted in the laboratories of the authors as well as on relevant publications, especially comparative evaluation studies, from the literature. Publications considered here have been collected by the authors over the past 30 years of involvement as methods for HDL-C made the transition from their early use in lipid research laboratories to clinical laboratories and the recent emergence of homogeneous assays. CONTENT The presentation includes descriptions of methodologies, including homogeneous, precipitation, electrophoresis, and ultracentrifugation assays. Reference methods and recommended approaches for assessing accuracy are described. Accuracy and imprecision are summarized in the context of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) standards for analytical performance. The effects of interfering substances and preanalytical sources of variation are presented. SUMMARY Homogeneous assays have been shown to be reasonably well suited for use in routine clinical laboratories, generally meeting the NCEP criteria for precision, accuracy, and total error. However, discrepant results compared with the reference methods have been observed with some of the assays, and the sources of discrepancies are not well characterized. Some homogeneous reagents have not been thoroughly evaluated. At least three of the reagents have experienced successive adjustments in formulation; hence, the reagents may not yet be fully optimized. For these reasons, the homogeneous assays cannot be confidently recommended for use in long-term clinical trials and other research applications without thorough validation.
Isolation and analysis of Escherichia coli mutants that allow increased replication of bacteriophage lambda

Escherichia coli mutants were isolated that supported the growth of a lambda Ots and, in at least one case, a lambda Bts phage at the normally nonpermissive temperature of 39 degrees C. In one such strain, Ots and Bts suppression ability appeared to be a function of the guaB gene. Ots suppression by the mutant guaB strain was prevented if high levels of guanine or xanthine were present in the medium. No other base had any effect on Ots suppression in this strain. Other strains carrying spontaneous mutations resulting in guanine or xanthine auxotrophy (guaA or guaB lesions, respectively) all allowed lambda Ots replication at 39 degrees C; Ots suppression in these strains was also abolished by addition of guanine to the medium. Thus, reduced intracellular guanine levels resulting from guaA or guaB mutations appeared to suppress the inability of lambda Ots and, at least in some cases, Bts bacteriophage to form plaques at 39 degrees C. In burst size experiments, a guaB mutant produced a larger phage yield per infected cell of both lambda Ots and lambda O+ phage at 39 degrees C than did a similar guaB+ strain. It appeared that a lower-than-normal level of guanine (or a guanine derivative) in these cells may permit unusually efficient lambda replication. The fact that O+ and lambda Ots bursts in the guaB mutant were reduced significantly by addition of exogenous guanine to the medium is consistent with this suggestion. Another strain that suppresses the Ots allele has no known auxotrophic requirements, and suppression in this strain was unaffected by addition of guanine to the medium; however, addition of cytidine to the medium specifically eliminated Ots suppression in this strain. The mutation responsible for allowing Ots replication in this strain is unknown.
Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Frontal White Matter in Late-Life Depression: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

This study was conducted to elucidate the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on frontal white matter in late-life depressed patients. Diffusion tensor imaging was performed on 8 late-life depressed patients and 12 healthy age-matched controls. The patients were scanned before and after a course of ECT. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was determined in the frontal and temporal regions and the corpus callosum. A significant white matter FA reduction was found in widespread frontal and temporal brain regions in patients with depression before ECT treatment compared with controls. A significant increase in frontal white matter FA was seen following ECT treatment. A course of bilateral ECT ameliorated white matter integrity in frontal brain regions. This suggests a strong relationship with the antidepressant action of ECT.
The effect of two exercise regimes; motor control versus endurance/strength training for patients with whiplash-associated disorders: a randomized controlled pilot study

Objective: To compare the effect of exercise regimes with focus on either motor control training or endurance/strength training for patients with whiplash-associated disorders in subacute phase. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: An outpatient spine clinic in Norway. Participants: Twenty-five subjects with a whiplash-associated disorder still having symptoms or disability six weeks after injury. Interventions: The participants received 6—10 sessions of physiotherapy for six weeks with focus on either motor control or endurance and strength of neck muscles. Measurements: The primary outcome measure was the Neck Disability Index. Secondary outcome measures were pain intensity, neck functioning and sick leave. Results: No statistical significant differences concerning primary and secondary outcome measures were demonstrated between the groups. Approximately half of the participants in both groups obtained a clinically important change (improvement) on perceived disability assessed by Neck Disability Index at six weeks and one-year follow-up. The changes within both groups were statistically significant at six weeks, but not at one-year follow-up. For most pain-related variables clinical significant improvement was demonstrated in both groups at six weeks, but for fewer participants at one year. There was also statistical significant improvement within groups in some of the physical performance tests at one-year follow-up. Conclusion: The changes associated with motor control training and endurance/ strength training of neck muscles were similar for reduced disability, pain and for improving physical performance. With a low number of participants and no control group, however, we cannot be sure whether the improvements are due to interventions or other reasons.
Recognition of complex human activities in multimedia streams using machine learning and computer vision

Modelling human activities observed in multimedia streams as temporal sequences of their constituent actions has been the object of much research effort in recent years. However, most of this work concentrates on tasks where the action vocabulary is relatively small and/or each activity can be performed in a limited number of ways. In this Thesis, a novel and robust framework for modelling and analysing composite, prolonged activities arising in tasks which can be effectively executed in a variety of ways is proposed. Additionally, the proposed framework is designed to handle cognitive tasks, which cannot be captured using conventional types of sensors. It is shown that the proposed methodology is able to efficiently analyse and recognise complex activities arising in such tasks and also detect potential errors in their execution. To achieve this, a novel activity classification method comprising a feature selection stage based on the novel Key Actions Discovery method and a classification stage based on the combination of Random Forests and Hierarchical Hidden Markov Models is introduced. Experimental results captured in several scenarios arising from real-life applications, including a novel application to a bridge design problem, show that the proposed framework offers higher classification accuracy compared to current activity identification schemes.
FCMS: A fuzzy controller for CPU and memory consolidation under SLA constraints

Cloud providers (CPs) rely on server consolidation (the allocation of several virtual machines [VMs] on the same physical server) to minimize their costs. Maximizing the consolidation level is thus become 1 of the major goals of cloud providers. This is a challenging task because it requires the ability of estimating, in a resource contention scenario, multidimensional resource demands for multitier cloud applications that must meet service‐level agreements (SLAs) in face of nonstationary workloads. In this paper, we cope with the problem of jointly allocating CPU and memory capacity to (a) precisely estimate their capacity required by each VM to meet its SLAs and (b) coordinate their allocation to limit the negative effects due to the interactions of dynamic allocation mechanisms, which, if ignored, can lead to SLA violations. We tackle this problem by devising FCMS, a feedback fuzzy controller that is able to dynamically adjust the CPU and memory capacity allocated to each VM in a coordinated way, to precisely match the needs induced by the incoming workload. By means of an extensive experimental evaluation, we show that FCMS is able to achieve the above goals and works better than existing state‐of‐the‐art alternative solution in all the considered experimental scenarios.
Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK1/2) Contributes to Endotoxin-Induced Hyporeactivity via Nitric Oxide and Prostacyclin Production in Rat Aorta

This study was conducted to determine if mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) contribute to endotoxin-induced vascular hyporeactivity via nitric oxide (NO) and/or prostacyclin (PGI2) production in the rat isolated thoracic aorta. Incubation of endothelium-intact rings with endotoxin (100 µg/ml) for 4 h decreased the Emax value and increased the EC50 value of norepinephrine. The endotoxin-induced increase in the EC50 value of norepinephrine was decreased by phenylene-1,3-bis[ethane-2-isothiourea] dihydrobromide (1,3-PBIT), a selective inducible NO synthase inhibitor, and U0126, a selective inhibitor of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by MAPK kinase. The endotoxin-induced decrease in the Emax value of norepinephrine was reversed by 1,3-PBIT and further decreased by U0126. 1,3-PBIT and U0126 decreased the endotoxin-induced increase in the tissue nitrite and 6-keto-PGF1α levels. These data suggest that events related to the activation of ERK1/2 contribute to the endotoxin-induced hyporeactivity by increasing NO and PGI2 production.