Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy of the Human Prostate

Tissue electrical impedance is a function of its architecture and has been used to differentiate normal and cancer tissues in a variety of organs including breast, cervix, skin, and bladder. This paper investigates the possibility of differentiating normal and malignant prostate tissue using bioimpedance spectra. A probe was designed to measure impedance spectra over the range of 10 kHz to 1 MHz. The probe was fully characterized using discrete loads and saline solutions of different concentrations. Impedance spectra of five ex vivo prostates were measured in the operating room immediately following radical prostatectomy. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare the normal and malignant findings. The impedance probe had a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) > 84 dB across the entire spectrum and measured a tissue volume of approximately 46 mm3. At 10 kHz, prostate conductivity (sigma) ranged from 0.232 S/m to 0.310 S/m for tumor and from 0.238 S/m to 0.901 S/m for normal tissue. At 1 MHz the ranges were 0.301 S/m to 0.488 S/m for tumor and 0.337 S/m to 1.149 S/m for normal. Prostate permittivity (epsivr) ranged from 6.64 times104 to 1.25 times105 for tumor and from 9.08 times104 to 4.49 times105 for normal tissues at 10 kHz. And, at 1 MHz the er ranges were 9.23 times102 to 1.88 times103 for tumor and 1.16 times103 to 2.18 times103 for normal tissue. Both sigma and epsivr of tumor tissue were found to be significantly lower than that of normal tissue (P < 0.0001). Conductivity and permittivity are both higher in normal prostate tissues than they are in malignant tissue making them suitable parameters for tissue differentiation. This is in agreement with trends observed in other tissues reported in much of the literature. Expanded studies are needed to further validate this finding and to explore the biological mechanism responsible for generating the results.
Development and Validation of the Brief Folate-Specific Food Frequency Questionnaire for Young Women’s Diet Assessment

The tools enabling brief assessment of folate intake may be of great value for public health purposes. The aim of the presented study was to design a brief folate-specific food frequency questionnaire for Central and Eastern European population of women, as well as to assess the validity and reproducibility of the designed Folate-Intake Calculation-Food Frequency Questionnaire (Fol-IC-FFQ) on a group of Polish women aged 20–30 years. Participants collected 3-day dietary records and completed the Fol-IC-FFQ twice (FFQ1: directly after the dietary record; and FFQ2: six weeks later). The analysis included an assessment of validity (comparison of the results of FFQ1 and 3-day dietary record) and of reproducibility (comparison of the results of FFQ1 and FFQ2). In assessment of validity, a Bland-Altman index of 5.3% was observed. In assessment of reproducibility, a Bland-Altman index of 2.7% was observed, the share of individuals classified into the same intake adequacy category was over 85%, the share of individuals classified into the same tertile was almost 75%, the weighted κ statistic indicated substantial agreement (0.67) and correlation was significant (p = 0.0000; R = 0.7995). Assessment of the Fol-IC-FFQ revealed a satisfactory level of validity and very good level of reproducibility in the population of young Polish women. The Fol-IC-FFQ may be considered a valid tool for the assessment of folate intake in young Polish women and a promising tool for the assessment of folate intake in young women in Central and Eastern Europe.
Duality Between Uplink Local and Downlink Whole-Body Exposures in Operating Networks

The paper deals with the assessment of the exposure to radio-frequency fields induced by mobile networks. The study focuses on the instantaneous relationship between the power transmitted by handsets and that received from the base stations. The power measurements are extrapolated to estimate the exposure. This analysis is based on a set of more than 3.5 million collected samples covering GSM at 900-MHz and 1800-MHz carriers and universal mobile telecommunications system networks at 2100-MHz band. Globally, the study shows that the exchanged powers are much lower than the maximum allowed ones. The duality between the two is highlighted to emphasize that exposure to handsets is higher, whereas exposure to base transceiver station is low and vice versa . In GSM, the exposure from mobiles is shown to be much higher (around 60 dB) than that from base stations. Moreover, although the handset power is adapted depending on the receiving conditions, the analysis shows notable differences between 2G and 3G networks. Indeed, in 3G networks, the highest exposure is not always due to handsets compared to base-station antennas. Based on the presented approach, simple formulations can be derived to take into account real-time public exposure enclosing both devices and base-station contributions.
Characterization of rpoB Mutations in Rifampin-Resistant Clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosisIsolates from Greece

ABSTRACT There is a geographic distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains with various rpoB gene mutations that account for rifampin resistance. We studied 17 rifampin-resistant clinical isolates from patients in Greece to identify rpoBmutations. The aim of our study was the evaluation of a commercially available line probe assay kit (INNO-LiPA Rif. TB) to detectrpoB mutations and rifampin resistance. The results obtained with the commercially available assay were compared to those obtained by automated DNA sequence analysis of amplified PCR products. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses of the isolates were also performed. The overall concordance of the line probe assay with phenotypic rifampin susceptibility test was 94%. Three distinctrpoB mutations in codons Ser531, His526, and Asp516 were correctly identified with the kit, but mutations in external regions and insertions were detected only by automated DNA sequence analysis. The changes in codons Ser531 and His526 accounted for the majority of rifampin resistance, as previously described for isolates from other geographic areas. The results obtained by RAPD analyses of the isolates suggested that clonally related M. tuberculosis strains can have subclones bearing distinct mutant rpoB alleles. We conclude that this line probe assay kit, which is fast and with which tests are easy to perform, can be used for the rapid detection of rifampin resistance in M. tuberculosis before the availability of results by conventional methods and for epidemiological studies but that negative results obtained by this method do not rule out rifampin resistance.
High levels of extra‐pair paternity in an isolated, low‐density, island population of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)

Molecular genetic studies have suggested that apparently nonbreeding males (‘floaters’) may account for a significant proportion of extra‐pair paternity (EPP) in avian populations. Attempts to determine the influence of breeding density on EPP are therefore confounded by the presence of a subpopulation of floaters whose numbers are difficult to estimate. To study EPP in a tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) population with few floaters, we chose a nestbox grid on an island with an excess of available breeding sites and very few floaters. We obtained DNA samples from 13 complete families and performed DNA profiling on them using four microsatellite loci. For comparison, we also obtained a sample of 58 extra‐pair young (EPY) from a mainland population typed at five microsatellite loci. Paternity assignments among resident males in both populations were made using the microsatellite profiles and a likelihood‐based statistical method. Of the 67 island nestlings typed, we found 37 (55%) nestlings from 11 (85%) different nests that were EPY. The proportion of nestlings that were EPY and the proportion of broods containing EPY did not differ significantly between island and mainland populations studied previously. There was no significant difference between island and mainland populations in the proportion of extra‐pair paternities assigned among neighbouring resident males. Male breeding density does not appear to affect the ability of female tree swallows to obtain extra‐pair fertilizations, at least over the range of densities studied so far. The rate of EPP has remained remarkably consistent over many years, studies and populations implying an important role of active female choice in determining EPP.
A 20-300mV transformer-based self-startup flyback converter with MPPT and ZCS control for thermoelectric energy harvesting

A novel high efficiency transformer-based flyback dc-dc converter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and zero current switching (ZCS) control is proposed in this paper. By adding a new primary side, the transformer works in flyback mode and the ordinary n-well process is used rather than twin-well. The startup process is divided into two modes: oscillation mode and constant duty-cycle flyback mode, greatly reduce startup time. The MPPT and ZCS control block work periodically, maximizing the energy delivered to the output capacitors. And the control methods are based on successive approximation digital logic. This converter is implemented in UMC 0. 18μm CMOS process. Simulation results show that the current consumption of controller is only 0. 6μA. Compared to previous work, the efficiency increase from 61% to 91% at VIN=300mV, and from 35% to 75% at VIN=20mV.
Scattering Property and Emissivity of a Periodic Pyramid Array Covered With Absorbing Material

Remote sensing systems must be calibrated before use, so the accuracy of calibration source has a significant effect on the property of the whole remote sensing system. In this paper, calibration sources constructed of a periodic metallic pyramid array covered with absorbing material are studied for remote sensing systems working in the microwave band. The scattering properties of this kind of calibration source are first analyzed by the Floquet theory and the spatial harmonic method. Then, the finite-difference time-domain method is used to simulate the calibration source structure to obtain the scattered field and the corresponding differential scattering coefficient. By integrating the scattering coefficient, the emissivity is finally obtained. The relationships between the emissivity and the pyramid array structural parameters, and the electromagnetic parameters of the covering material are given.
Inappropriately Ordered Echocardiograms Are Related to Socioeconomic Status

Although the appropriateness of ordering tests is increasingly measured, the demographic characteristics of patients receiving inappropriate cardiac tests, such as echocardiograms, have seldom been studied. The authors hypothesized that particular patient characteristics might influence the frequency of inappropriate echocardiogram ordering. Demographics and appropriateness were examined in a consecutive series of 535 inpatients receiving echocardiograms at a metropolitan hospital; inappropriate tests were ordered in 9% of cases. Disabled patients received a significantly higher proportion of inappropriate echocardiograms compared to both retired and employed patients. Among patients receiving repeat echocardiograms, Medicaid patients were significantly more likely to receive inappropriately ordered echocardiograms than patients with either Medicare or private insurance. In conclusion, certain socioeconomic and demographic characteristics are associated with a higher incidence of inappropriate test ordering. Further research into the causal factors behind this association may be useful to reduce inappropriate test ordering.
Accumulation of 125I-tyramine cellobiose-labeled low density lipoprotein is greater in the atherosclerosis-susceptible region of White Carneau pigeon aorta and further enhanced once atherosclerotic lesions develop.

Previous studies have suggested that greater arterial concentrations of undegraded low density lipoprotein (LDL) and/or greater arterial rates of LDL degradation may play role(s) in determining regional differences in arterial susceptibility to atherosclerosis in rabbits (Schwenke and Carew, Arteriosclerosis 1989;9:895-918). The White Carneau (WC) pigeon is also useful for investigating potential mechanism(s) that might account for regional variation in arterial susceptibility to atherosclerosis because atherosclerosis develops predictably in the aorta at the level of the celiac bifurcation (atherosclerosis-susceptible celiac site). In this study we sought to determine whether the 125I-tyramine cellobiose (125I-TC) content 1 day after injecting 125I-TC-LDL ("125I-TC-LDL accumulation") would be greater in the celiac site in arteries of WC pigeons and whether 125I-TC-LDL accumulation would be exaggerated by cholesterol feeding. Because 125I-TC remains trapped in cells after cellular degradation, arterial sites that either degrade LDL at higher rates or contain higher concentrations of undegraded LDL or both will demonstrate greater 125I-TC-LDL accumulation. Young WC pigeons were studied while consuming a cholesterol-free diet and after consuming a cholesterol-containing diet for 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks. In pigeons fed a cholesterol-free diet, 125I-TC-LDL accumulation in the celiac site was equivalent to 0.24 +/- 0.02 micrograms LDL cholesterol/cm2 aortic surface/day compared with only 0.14 +/- 0.02 micrograms LDL cholesterol/cm2/day for the adjacent aorta, which is resistant to atherosclerosis (atherosclerosis-resistant site) (p less than 0.025). In atherosclerotic lesions excised from the celiac site, 125I-TC-LDL accumulation was equivalent to 21 +/- 10 micrograms LDL cholesterol/cm2 aortic surface/day compared with 0.66 +/- 0.17 micrograms LDL cholesterol/cm2/day for the adjacent atherosclerosis-resistant site (p less than 0.001). During cholesterol feeding, 125I-TC-LDL cholesterol accumulation in the celiac site as a whole increased 30-fold compared with a fivefold increase in plasma LDL cholesterol. In comparison, 125I-TC-LDL cholesterol accumulation in the adjacent atherosclerosis-resistant arterial site increased at the same rate as the plasma LDL cholesterol, while 125I-TC-LDL cholesterol accumulation in two other relatively atherosclerosis-resistant arterial sites that we studied increased relatively little during cholesterol feeding. The results of this study suggest that differences in arterial 125I-TC-LDL accumulation, both those present in normal animals and those induced by cholesterol feeding, may contribute to the characteristic regional variation in arterial susceptibility to atherosclerosis in WC pigeons. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Protective effects of angiotensin‐(1–7) administrated with an angiotensin‐receptor blocker in a rat model of chronic kidney disease

Angiotensin‐(1–7) (Ang‐(1–7)) opposes angiotensin‐II‐induced cell growth, matrix accumulation and fibrosis in cardiac tissue. However, the role of Ang‐(1–7) in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis is uncertain. This study observed the effects of Ang‐(1–7), on its own or in combination with losartan, an angiotensin‐receptor blocker, on five‐sixths nephrectomized rats.
Feasibility of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Detect and to Quantify Adulterants in Cow Milk

Cow milk adulteration involves the dilution of milk with a less-expensive component, such as water or whey. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was employed to detect the adulterations of milk, non-destructively. Two adulteration types of cow milk with water and whey were prepared, respectively. NIR spectra of milk adulterations and natural milk samples in the region of 1100 - 2500 nm were collected. The classification of milk adulterations and natural milk were conducted by using discriminant partial least squares (DPLS) and soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) methods. PLS calibration models for the determination of water and whey contents in milk adulteration were also developed, individually. Comparisons of the classification methods, wavelength regions and data pretreatments were investigated, and are reported in this study. This study showed that NIR spectroscopy can be used to detect water or whey adulterants and their contents in milk samples.
Design of fifth-order LF 0.05° equiripple linear phase lowpass filter with gain boost using nauta transcondutor

In this paper a leapfrog feedback filter architecture that uses only single-ended input and single-ended output (SISO) transconductors and grounded capacitors is described. The filter structure has all circuit nodes containing a grounded capacitor and requires only simple transconductors, thus suitable for higher frequency applications. To show the high frequency capability, a fifth-order linear phase UHF filter with gain boost has been designed using Nauta transconductor. This may be the first time that Nauta transcodunctors are used in HDD read channels.
Multiplexed Activity-based Protein Profiling of the Human Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus Reveals Large Functional Changes upon Exposure to Human Serum*

Background: A. fumigatus is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for pulmonary invasive aspergillosis. Results: Multiplexed ABPP revealed significant changes in A. fumigatus metabolism and stress response during culture with human serum over time. Conclusion: Changes in functional pathways indicate robust adaptation to environmental change. Significance: A. fumigatus grows under stress by altering metabolism, energy production, and protein biosynthesis, which is relevant for lung colonization. Environmental adaptability is critical for survival of the fungal human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus in the immunocompromised host lung. We hypothesized that exposure of the fungal pathogen to human serum would lead to significant alterations to the organism's physiology, including metabolic activity and stress response. Shifts in functional pathway and corresponding enzyme reactivity of A. fumigatus upon exposure to the human host may represent much needed prognostic indicators of fungal infection. To address this, we employed a multiplexed activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) approach coupled to quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to measure broad enzyme reactivity of the fungus cultured with and without human serum. ABPP showed a shift from aerobic respiration to ethanol fermentation and utilization over time in the presence of human serum, which was not observed in serum-free culture. Our approach provides direct insight into this pathogen's ability to survive, adapt, and proliferate. Additionally, our multiplexed ABPP approach captured a broad swath of enzyme reactivity and functional pathways and provides a method for rapid assessment of the A. fumigatus response to external stimuli.
Behavioural changes and occlusal splints are effective in the management of masticatory myofascial pain: a short-term evaluation.

The aim of this research was to test the hypothesis that treatment with intra-oral appliances with different occlusal designs was beneficial in the management of pain of masticatory muscles compared with a control group. A total of 51 patients were analysed according to the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) to obtain the diagnosis of masticatory myofascial pain (MMP). The sample was then randomly divided into three groups: group I (n = 21) wore a full coverage acrylic stabilisation occlusal splint; group II (n = 16) wore an anterior device nociceptive trigeminal inhibitory (NTI) system; and group III (n = 14) only received counselling for behavioural changes and self-care (the control group). The first two groups also received counselling. Follow-ups were performed after 2 and 6 weeks and 3 months. In these sessions, patients were evaluated by means of a visual analogue scale (VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the masticatory muscles. Possible adverse effects were also recorded, such as discomfort while using the appliance and occlusal changes. The results were analysed with Kruskal-Wallis, anova, Tukey's and Friedman tests, with a significance level of 5%. Group I showed improvement in the reported pain at the first follow-up (2 weeks), whereas for groups II and III, this progress was detected only after 6 weeks and 3 months, respectively. The PPT values did not change significantly. It was concluded that behavioural changes are effective in the management of pain in MMP patients. However, the simultaneous use of occlusal devices appears to produce an earlier improvement.
Price Movements in Futures and Spot Markets: Evidence from the S&P CNX Nifty Index

This paper is examined the price discovery and causality between spot and futures markets. Then, it forecasts spot prices using in NIFTY futures markets. Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), Impulse Response Function analysis and Variance Decomposition analysis are used to examine the price discovery process between spot and futures prices. This paper compares the forecast ability of futures prices on spot prices using Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and VEC model. The results find that there exists a bi-directional causality between Nifty spot and futures markets and the spot markets disseminate new information stronger than futures prices. The forecast performance of VEC model is better than ARIMA model on post-sample periods. Because, VEC model incorporates the importance of taking into account the long-run relationship between the futures and the spot prices in forecasting future spot prices.
Viewpoint - IWRM and I: A reflexive travelogue of the Flows and Practices research team

This viewpoint article critically discusses how IWRM travelled to each of the researchers of the Flows and Practices team, through which networks they personally engaged with IWRM, what opportunities the IWRM saga offered these researchers and how they tried to translate the concept and policy idea of IWRM into something more aligned with their concerns. By providing this self-reflection we aim to apply the conceptual framework used for the study of the travel and transformation of IWRM as a policy idea to ourselves, as a group of water professionals, realising that we ourselves have actively attempted to influence, transform, promote or resist the IWRM policy agenda. The viewpoint calls for enhancing transparency, self-reflection and appreciating the role (and power) of researchers and practitioners both as individuals and groups in shaping concepts and ideas.
Credit models and the crisis: default cluster dynamics and the generalized Poisson loss model

We consider collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), analyzing their valuation (both pre-crisis and in-crisis) with the generalized Poisson loss model. GeneralizedPoissonlossisanarbitrage-freedynamiclossmodelcapableofcalibratingall tranches for all maturities simultaneously. Alternative tranche analysis using the implied copula framework or using historical estimation techniques highlights a multimodal tail in the loss distribution underlying the CDO. An effective description of loss dynamics in terms of the generalized Poisson loss model explains how the multimodal loss-probability distribution can be considered to arise from explicitly modeling the default of subsets of names within the CDO’s pool of names. Such default clusters may in turn be interpreted as sectors of the economy. Our discussion is supported by abundant market examples through history, both pre-crisis and in-crisis.