Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, Detection, Management, and Control of Hypertension in Ashanti, West Africa

Abstract—Hypertension and stroke are important threats to the health of adults in sub-Saharan Africa. Nevertheless, detection of hypertension is haphazard and stroke prevention targets are currently unattainable. Prevalence, detection, management, and control of hypertension were assessed in 1013 men (n=385) and women (n=628), both aged 55 [SD 11] years, living in 12 villages in Ashanti, Ghana. Five hundred thirty two lived in semi-urban and 481 in rural villages. The participants underwent measurements of height, weight, and blood pressure (BP) and answered a detailed questionnaire. Hypertension was defined as BP ≥140 and/or ≥90 mm Hg or being on drug therapy. Women were heavier than men. Participants in semi-urban areas were heavier and had higher BP (129/76 [26/14] versus 121/72 [25/13] mm Hg; P <0.001 for both) than in rural areas. Prevalence of hypertension was 28.7% overall and comparable in men and women, but higher in semi-urban villages (32.9% [95% CI 28.9 to 37.1] versus 24.1% [20.4 to 28.2]), and increased with age. Detection rate was lower in men than women (13.9% versus 27.3%; P =0.007). Treatment and control rates were low in both groups (7.8% and 4.4% versus 13.6% and 1.7%). Detection, treatment, and control rates were higher in semi-urban (25.7%, 14.3%, and 3.4%) than in rural villages (16.4%, 6.9%, and 1.7%). Hypertension is common in adults in central Ghana, particularly in urban areas. Detection rates are suboptimal in both men and women, especially in rural areas. Adequate treatment of high BP is at a very low level. There is an urgent need for preventive strategies on hypertension control in Ghana.
Using AMD-like Simulated Scotomata in Young and Old Healthy Adults: Effects on Eye Movement Patterns and Fixation Efficiency

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of legal blindness, causes irreversible visual impairment within a central scotoma (blind spot). Patients with AMD therefore use extrafoveal (not in the center of vision) locations for fixation, with a cost of increased fixation instability and reduced viewing efficiency. The clinical symptoms of AMD are varied. To investigate the degree to which observers with different types of AMD could retain residual visual functioning but without pathological complications, we studied eye movement (EM) patterns with a shape identification task with 4 types of simulated central scotoma (Relative, Absolute, Distorted, Warped) with young normal observers in Experiment 1. Results showed that the Relative scotoma (reduced contrast) was the least disruptive form. A complete loss or a distortion of central visual input (Absolute, Distorted, Warped) led to greater reduction of response efficiency and more severely altered EM patterns. There was a preferential horizontal fixation shift away from the targets toward the right visual field, with little shift along the vertical. Generally, there was a marked improvement with practice. Larger scotomata always led to larger changes, except for the Relative type. Since AMD affects mostly older people, we compared young and old healthy adults in Experiment 2. The results showed that old adults were less efficient than young adults, tended to have larger fixation shifts along the x- and Y-axes, but with a smaller angular change, and were slower to adapt. Large scotomata were especially disruptive. Our results suggest that when using simulated scotomata, one needs to adjust the properties of the scotoma to the kind of AMD studied. It is also preferable to use old adults, since their response appears to be different in many ways from that of young adults. This novel perspective might suggest new requirements for low vision training.
Assimilation of Biophysical Neuronal Dynamics in Neuromorphic VLSI

Representing the biophysics of neuronal dynamics and behavior offers a principled analysis-by-synthesis approach toward understanding mechanisms of nervous system functions. We report on a set of procedures assimilating and emulating neurobiological data on a neuromorphic very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuit. The analog VLSI chip, NeuroDyn, features 384 digitally programmable parameters specifying for 4 generalized Hodgkin–Huxley neurons coupled through 12 conductance-based chemical synapses. The parameters also describe reversal potentials, maximal conductances, and spline regressed kinetic functions for ion channel gating variables. In one set of experiments, we assimilated membrane potential recorded from one of the neurons on the chip to the model structure upon which NeuroDyn was designed using the known current input sequence. We arrived at the programmed parameters except for model errors due to analog imperfections in the chip fabrication. In a related set of experiments, we replicated songbird individual neuron dynamics on NeuroDyn by estimating and configuring parameters extracted using data assimilation from intracellular neural recordings. Faithful emulation of detailed biophysical neural dynamics will enable the use of NeuroDyn as a tool to probe electrical and molecular properties of functional neural circuits. Neuroscience applications include studying the relationship between molecular properties of neurons and the emergence of different spike patterns or different brain behaviors. Clinical applications include studying and predicting effects of neuromodulators or neurodegenerative diseases on ion channel kinetics.
Regulation of c-fos induction in lens epithelial cells by 12(S)HETE-dependent activation of PKC.

PURPOSE 12(S)-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)HETE), a 12-lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, is required for epidermal growth factor (EGF)-dependent DNA synthesis and c-fos induction in lens epithelial cells. The present study was undertaken to identify signal transduction events upstream of c-fos induction that may be regulated by 12(S)HETE. METHODS The rabbit lens epithelial cell line, N/N1003A, was cultured in serum-free medium, with or without EGF. Activation of PKC and other selected enzymes was examined in the presence of the lipoxygenase inhibitor baicalein and/or exogenous 12(S)HETE. Relative abundance of PKC isoforms in subcellular fractions was determined by immunoblot analysis with isoform-specific antibodies. PKC activity in subcellular fractions was measured by peptide substrate phosphorylation, with and without pseudosubstrate peptide inhibitor. Phosphorylated enzymes were detected by immunoblot analysis. Relative levels of c-fos mRNA were determined by RT/PCR with internal standard. RESULTS Baicalein blocked EGF-dependent translocation and activation of PKC, without affecting phosphorylation of Erk1/2. Of several PKC isoforms investigated (alpha, betaI, betaII, and gamma), only PKCalpha and betaII were significantly activated by EGF and inhibited by baicalein. 12(S)HETE, in combination with EGF, countered the effect of lipoxygenase inhibitors on PKC activation, and 12(S)HETE in the absence of EGF stimulated PKC translocation. Also of note, 12(S)HETE alone activated PKCgamma, an isoform that was not significantly activated by EGF. Inhibiting PKC activation with GF109203X blocked induction of c-fos by EGF but did not affect EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of Erk1/2, indicating that the effect of PKC on c-fos induction is independent of the Erk1/2 pathway. CONCLUSIONS In lens epithelial cells, 12(S)HETE-dependent activation of PKCalpha and betaII acts in concert with other EGF-dependent signals to induce c-fos mRNA.
Packet Level Simulation of Cooperative Distributed Defense against Internet Attacks

Nowadays we see an increasing number of global network attacks. These attacks are realized due to joint efforts of many distributed malicious software components (bots). It is very hard to investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of defense mechanisms against such attacks in practice. However these mechanisms might be simulated with the necessary fidelity. The paper outlines a framework and software tool intended for simulation of the Internet attacks and defense mechanisms against them. They are based on packet-level simulation and agent-oriented approach and intended to evaluate and compare different cooperative distributed defense mechanisms. The paper describes the simulation framework and software tool developed and their usage to analyze cooperative defense mechanisms against DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks. We investigate as mechanisms based on partial cooperation of distributed defense components, including DefCOM (defensive cooperative overlay mesh) and COSSACK (coordinated suppression of simultaneous attacks) as well as the approach based on full cooperation.
The Efficient Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Bi-Functionalized Sarcophagine for 64Cu Radiopharmaceuticals

Purpose We and others have reported that Sarcophagine-based bifunctional chelators could be effectively used in the syntheses of 64Cu radiopharmaceuticals. The resulted 64Cu-Sarcophagine complexes demonstrated great in vivo stability. The goal of this study was to further derivatize Sarcophagine cage with amino and maleimide functional groups for conjugation with bioligands. Methods Starting from DiAmSar, three novel chelators (AnAnSar, BaMalSar, and Mal2Sar) with two functional groups have been synthesized. Among those, BaMalSar and Mal2Sar have been conjugated with cyclic peptide c(RGDyC) (denoted as RGD) and the resulted conjugates, BaMalSar-RGD and Mal2Sar-RGD2 have been labeled with 64Cu. The tumor targeting efficacy of 64Cu-labeled RGD peptides were evaluated in a subcutaneous U87MG glioblastoma xenograft model. Results The conjugates, BaMalSar-RGD and Mal2Sar-RGD2 could be labeled with 64CuCl2 in 10 min with high purity (>98%) and high radiochemical yield (>90%). Both 64Cu-BaMalSar-RGD and 64Cu-Mal2Sar-RGD2 exhibited high tumor uptake and tumor-to-normal tissue ratios. Conclusion Three novel chelators with two functional groups have been developed based on Sarcophagine cage. The platform developed in this study could have broad applications in the design and synthesis of 64Cu-radiopharmaceuticals.
The ABCD ’ s of Paxos 1

We explain how consensus is used to implement replicated state machines, the general mechanism for fault-tolerance. We describe an abstract version of Lamport’s Paxos algorithm for asynchronous consensus. Then we derive the Byzantine, classic, and disk versions of Paxos from the abstract one, show how they are related to each other, discuss the safety, liveness, and performance of each one, and give the abstraction functions and invariants for simulation proofs of safety.
Generalized Regularized Least-Squares Learning with Predefined Features in a Hilbert Space

Kernel-based regularized learning seeks a model in a hypothesis space by minimizing the empirical error and the model's complexity. Based on the representer theorem, the solution consists of a linear combination of translates of a kernel. This paper investigates a generalized form of representer theorem for kernel-based learning. After mapping predefined features and translates of a kernel simultaneously onto a hypothesis space by a specific way of constructing kernels, we proposed a new algorithm by utilizing a generalized regularizer which leaves part of the space unregularized. Using a squared-loss function in calculating the empirical error, a simple convex solution is obtained which combines predefined features with translates of the kernel. Empirical evaluations have confirmed the effectiveness of the algorithm for supervised learning tasks.
Early impressions and performance feedback in entrepreneurial search: An experimental study

This paper reports the preliminary findings from an experiment of entrepreneurial search in complex opportunity spaces. The results support behavioural accounts of entrepreneurial risk taking by showing that performance feedback influences entrepreneurial search behaviour. We find that performance feedback influences where and for how long human subjects search in the opportunity space. Importantly, early performance feedback is critical, since it establishes the frame of reference with which later feedback is processed and evaluated. Early impressions create heterogeneity in experiences and this initial heterogeneity imprints the dynamics of entrepreneurial search. Our results also point to an interesting puzzle: Initial positive feedback leads to an earlier stopping of entrepreneurial search, while at the same time
Understanding the Long-Term Benefits of a Latino Financial Literacy Education Program

The long-term impact of a Latino financial literacy program was evaluated with a sample of relatively recent immigrant populations in southern Minnesota. Telephone and face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants 6 months post program completion. Results indicate that improvements in knowledge and skills were retained and that these learning were applied to make improvements in participants' financial situations. Participants acknowledged that more important than gaining knowledge was learning how to apply what they have learned. Implications for Extension are offered in terms of those factors that promoted the effectiveness of the financial literacy education.
Robust H∞ Filtering For Uncertain Stochastic Time‐Delay Systems

This paper deals with the problem of robust H∞ filtering for uncertain stochastic systems. The system under consideration is subject to time‐varying norm‐bounded parameter uncertainties and unknown time delays in both the state and measurement equations. The problem we address is the design of a stable filter that ensures the robust stochastic stability and a prescribed H∞ performance level for the filtering error system irrespective of all admissible uncertainties and time delays. A suffient condition for the solvability of this problem is proposed and a linear matrix inequality approach is developed for the design of the robust H∞ filters. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the effctiveness of the proposed approach.
Aspects of Entrepreneurial Opportunities in the Field of Construction, Case Study: The Tehran Metropolitan Area

The industry of construction is a main job in Iran and it is a job high income at present. Some jobs (high income) of Construction are including: The architect, designer, Seller Construction equipment and Construction materials production. The built environment is typically a country’s most important asset, both economically and socially [1]. For advanced countries around 95% of people work in the built environment, where they generate around 80% of GDP [1].
Technical, Anatomical, and Functional Study after Removal of a Symptomatic Cavernous Angioma Located in Deep Wernicke's Territories with Cortico-Subcortical Awake Mapping

Introduction. The subcortical region underneath Wernicke's area (WA) is a critical crossing of the eloquent language pathways involved in all semantic, phonological, syntactic, and working memory elaboration. We report the resection of a CA located underneath the dominant WA discussing the functional and anatomical evidence provided by fMRI, dissections with Klingler's technique, and intraoperative mapping during awake surgery. Case Report. A 64-year-old right-handed female affected by daily complex focal seizures underwent f-MRI, showing language activations in the middle and inferior temporal gyri and an unusual free entry zone in the “classical” WA. The cortical intraoperative mapping partially confirmed the f-MRI results, and we approached the lesion directly through WA. Subcortical DES allowed the identification of the eloquent language pathways and the radical resection of the perilesional gliotic rim. The patient did not report deficits and she is seizures and drug free after 1-year surgery. Discussion. Cortical DES demonstrated the variability of the eloquent areas within the cortex of the dominant temporal lobe. The subcortical DES confirmed the crucial role in language elaboration and the anatomical course of the bundles underneath WA. Conclusions. Awake surgery with DES represents a reliable and dynamic technique also for safer and functional-customized resection of CAs.
Controlling the Unconscious

Are unconscious processes susceptible to attentional influences? In two subliminal priming experiments, we investigated whether task sets differentially modulate the sensitivity of unconscious processing pathways. We developed a novel procedure for masked semantic priming of words (Experiment 1) and masked visuomotor priming of geometrical shapes (Experiment 2). Before presentation of the masked prime, participants performed an induction task in which they attended to either semantic or perceptual object features designed to activate a semantic or perceptual task set, respectively. Behavioral and electrophysiological effects showed that the induction tasks differentially modulated subliminal priming: Semantic priming, which involves access to conceptual meaning, was found after the semantic induction task but not after the perceptual induction task. Visuomotor priming was observed after the perceptual induction task but not after the semantic induction task. These results demonstrate that unconscious cognition is influenced by attentional control. Unconscious processes in perceptual and semantic processing streams are coordinated congruently with higher-level action goals.
Ischemic Preconditioning Attenuates Pulmonary Dysfunction After Unilateral Thigh Tourniquet–Induced Ischemia–Reperfusion

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury is a recognized complication of lower limb ischemia–reperfusion that has been demonstrated experimentally and in the clinical setting of aortic surgery. The application of a tourniquet can cause lower limb ischemia–reperfusion in orthopedic surgery. We studied the effect of unilateral thigh tourniquet–induced lower limb ischemia–reperfusion on pulmonary function, and the role of ischemic preconditioning in attenuating pulmonary dysfunction. METHODS: Thirty ASA I or II patients scheduled for lower extremity surgery were randomized into 2 groups: a limb ischemia–reperfusion group with tourniquet application (ischemia–reperfusion group, n = 15) and an ischemia preconditioning group (preconditioning group, n = 15), in which patients received 3 cycles of 5 minutes of ischemia, alternating with 5 minutes of reperfusion before extended use of the tourniquet. Blood gas, plasma malondialdehyde, and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, and IL-10 levels were measured just before tourniquet inflation, 1 hour after inflation and 2 hours, 6 hours, and 24 hours after tourniquet deflation. Arterial–alveolar oxygen tension ratio, alveolar–arterial oxygen tension difference, and respiratory index also were calculated. RESULTS: In comparison with the baseline values, arterial PO2 and arterial–alveolar oxygen tension ratio were decreased, while alveolar–arterial oxygen tension difference and respiratory index were increased significantly 6 hours after tourniquet deflation in both groups (P < 0.01). However, these changes were less significant in the ischemic preconditioning group than those in the lower limb ischemia-reperfusion group (P < 0.01). Similarly, the increases in the malondialdehyde, IL-6, and IL-8 from 2 hours to 24 hours after release of the tourniquet in the lower limb ischemia–reperfusion group were attenuated by ischemic preconditioning. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary gas exchange is impaired after lower limb ischemia–reperfusion associated with the clinical use of a tourniquet for lower limb surgery. Ischemic preconditioning preceding tourniquet-induced ischemia attenuates lipid peroxidation and systemic inflammatory response and mitigates pulmonary dysfunction.
Draft Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter sp. Strain BMW17, a Cellulolytic and Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium Isolated from the Rhizospheric Region of Phragmites karka of Chilika Lake, India

ABSTRACT We report the 3.16 Mb draft genome of Acinetobacter sp. strain BMW17, a Gram-negative bacterium in the class of Gammaproteobacteria, isolated from the rhizospheric region of Phragmites karka, an invasive weed in Chilika Lake, Odisha, India. The strain BMW17T is capable of degrading cellulose and is also an efficient plant growth promoter that can be useful for various phytoremedial and commercial applications.
Molecules in intense laser fields: Enhanced ionization in a one-dimensional model of H2.

A one-dimensional model of H{sub 2} is used to examine the nonlinear behavior of a pair of electrons in the presence of intense laser fields and fixed nuclei. We present ionization rates of H{sub 2} at different frequencies and intensities of short intense electromagnetic pulses by solving exactly the time-dependent Schr{umlt o}dinger equation for the above system as a function of internuclear distance. Anomalously high ionization rates are found at large critical internuclear separations, akin to similar results found previously in the one-electron molecule {ital H}{sub 2}{sup +}. Independent one-electron and simultaneous two-electron ionizations are identified from the numerical simulations to occur at different intensities and frequencies. Field-induced barrier suppression models are shown to explain qualitatively the numerical results. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society. }
1-HKUST: Object Detection in ILSVRC 2014

The Imagenet Large Scale Visual Recognition Challenge (ILSVRC) is the one of the most important big data challenges to date. We participated in the object detection track of ILSVRC 2014 and received the fourth place among the 38 teams. We introduce in our object detection system a number of novel techniques in localization and recognition. For localization, initial candidate proposals are generated using selective search, and a novel bounding boxes regression method is used for better object localization. For recognition, to represent a candidate proposal, we adopt three features, namely, RCNN feature, IFV feature, and DPM feature. Given these features, category-specific combination functions are learned to improve the object recognition accuracy. In addition, object context in the form of background priors and object interaction priors are learned and applied in our system. Our ILSVRC 2014 results are reported alongside with the results of other participating teams.
A method of sift feature points matching for image mosaic

This paper presents a approach of SIFT feature points matching for image mosaic. This method combines improved K-means clustering and simulated annealing algorithm to match SIFT feature points. Firstly, high robust points are extracted by SIFT algorithm; Secondly, cluster with the initial centers obtained by density function, and then optimize the results of clustering which are used as initial results of simulated annealing algorithm by perturbation; Thirdly, match feature points according to Nearest Neighbor algorithm; Finally, calculate the homography and realize image mosaic. This method does not need to traverse all feature points and avoid trapping in a local extremum. Experimental results prove that the method is only relative to geometric position of feature points, and is robust on scale invariant, arbitrary rotation and scaling.