Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wearable monitoring system for chronic cardio-respiratory diseases

In this paper is presented the study leading to the implementation of an innovative sensing textile platform, based on a wearable monitoring system named Wealthy, where novel piezoresistive sensors have been integrated to increase system capability in the field of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases monitoring. Two different typologies of textile sensors for plethysmograpic measurements have been characterized and compared to evaluate sensors performance, through electro-dynamic laboratory tests and in vivo measurements. The whole system allows continuous remote monitoring of electrocardiogram and impedance pneumography signals through textile electrodes, while piezoresistive fabric sensors placed at the abdominal and thoracic level are able to discriminate between different breathing patterns. All the signals have been acquired simultaneously allowing a comparative control of cardiopulmonary activity and artifact rejection, while a comparative study with standard BIOPAC® MP30 respiratory transducers has been performed in basal condition.
The F Gene of Rodent Brain-Adapted Mumps Virus Is a Major Determinant of Neurovirulence

ABSTRACT Prior to the introduction of live-attenuated vaccines, mumps virus (MuV) was the leading cause of virus-induced meningitis. Although vaccination has been effective at controlling the disease, the use of insufficiently attenuated strains has been associated with high rates of aseptic meningitis in vaccinees. The molecular basis of MuV attenuation is poorly understood, and no reliable molecular markers of virulence have been identified. In this study, reverse genetics has been used to identify molecular determinants of MuV neuropathogenesis. Recombinant viruses, containing the envelope-associated genes from the Kilham (MuVKH) rodent brain-adapted strain of MuV, were generated in the Jeryl Lynn 5 (MuVJL5) vaccine strain background. The syncytium phenotypes of the recombinant viruses on Vero cells differed depending on the source of the fusion (F) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoproteins, with heterologous combinations showing either an increase or a decrease in the level of cell fusion compared to that of the homologous parental combinations. This was confirmed by transiently cotransfecting eukaryotic F and HN glycoprotein expression constructs. A Lewis rat model that discriminates between neurovirulent and nonneurovirulent MuV strains based on the extent of hydrocephalus induced in the rat brain after intracerebral inoculation was used to assess the phenotype of the recombinant viruses. Expression of the matrix (M), small hydrophobic (SH), or HN gene in isolation did not confer a neurovirulent phenotype. Expression of the F gene of the neurovirulent strain alone was sufficient to induce significant levels of hydrocephalus. Coexpression of the homologous HN gene led to a marginal increase in the level of hydrocephalus.
Structural fiscal balances of the UK: a state-space DSGE approach

ABSTRACT This article proposes a new framework to estimate and analyse structural fiscal balances of the UK, by combining the state-space modelling with the Bayesian DSGE modelling. In this way, trends and cycles of aggregate variables can be extracted from data consistently with the macroeconomic theory. A setting of an integrated random walk for the underlying stochastic trends fits the data best. An expansion in government spending can increase nominal fiscal revenue to a certain degree, but the effect is not persistent due to two kinds of crowd-out effects: it crowds out domestic investment; and it pushes up the price of domestic goods and simultaneously crowds out the foreign demand. The shocks to the nominal interest rate, foreign output and the government spending are the three major contributors to the variation of the fiscal revenue cycle.
Pneumonitis and pneumonia after aspiration

Aspiration pneumonitis and aspiration pneumonia are clinical syndromes caused by aspiration. These conditions are clinically significant due to their high morbidity and mortality. However, aspiration as a preceding event are often unwitnessed, particularly in cases of asymptomatic or silent aspiration. Furthermore, despite the difference in treatment approaches for managing aspiration pneumonitis and aspiration pneumonia, these two disease entities are often difficult to discriminate from one another, resulting in inappropriate treatment. The use of unclear terminologies hinders the comparability among different studies, making it difficult to produce evidence-based conclusions and practical guidelines. We reviewed the most recent studies to define aspiration, aspiration pneumonitis, and aspiration pneumonia, and to further assess these conditions in terms of incidence and epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, management and treatment, and prevention.
Multiple hypergraph ranking for video concept detection

This paper tackles the problem of video concept detection using the multi-modality fusion method. Motivated by multi-view learning algorithms, multi-modality features of videos can be represented by multiple graphs. And the graph-based semi-supervised learning methods can be extended to multiple graphs to predict the semantic labels for unlabeled video data. However, traditional graphs represent only homogeneous pairwise linking relations, and therefore the high-order correlations inherent in videos, such as high-order visual similarities, are ignored. In this paper we represent heterogeneous features by multiple hypergraphs and then the high-order correlated samples can be associated with hyperedges. Furthermore, the multi-hypergraph ranking (MHR) algorithm is proposed by defining Markov random walk on each hypergraph and then forming the mixture Markov chains so as to perform transductive learning in multiple hypergraphs. In experiments on the TRECVID dataset, a triple-hypergraph consisting of visual, textual features and multiple labeled tags is constructed to predict concept labels for unlabeled video shots by the MHR framework. Experimental results show that our approach is effective.
Situating Structural Violence Within Peace: A Critical Study of Peacebuilding in Rwanda and Cambodia

Situating Structural Violence Within Peace: a Critical Study of Peacebuilding in Rwanda and Cambodia by S.L. Reeder, Master of Arts Utah State University, 2015 Major Professor: Dr. Colin Flint Department: Political Science Many peace agreements fail despite external mediation and intervention, prompting a deconstruction of the predominant conceptions of peace and methods of peacebuilding. Of the weaknesses of these conceptions, the lack of concern for post-conflict structural violence is one of the strongest, and the main focus of this research. Infant mortality rate variations demonstrate the salience of structural violence in post-conflict situations. Further, to look deeper at the weaknesses of the hegemonic ideals on peace and its implementation by external actors, the cases of Rwanda and Cambodia are analyzed using the comparative method, and situated within critical peace literature. The comparison finds that rapid military integration may cause violence to restart, and that non-state entities appear more likely to be disarmed than recognized states during the post-conflict phase. This research also suggests that not disarming rebels in the peace process is an indication of a move towards a more just and inclusive society that will lead to a decrease in both direct and indirect violence, including a decrease in structural violence as indicated by a decline in the infant mortality rate.
TLR4, but Not TLR2, Signals Autoregulatory Apoptosis of Cultured Microglia: A Critical Role of IFN-β as a Decision Maker 1

TLRs mediate diverse signaling after recognition of evolutionary conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns such as LPS and lipopeptides. Both TLR2 and TLR4 are known to trigger a protective immune response as well as cellular apoptosis. In this study, we present evidence that TLR4, but not TLR2, mediates an autoregulatory apoptosis of activated microglia. Brain microglia underwent apoptosis upon stimulation with TLR4 ligand (LPS), but not TLR2 ligands (Pam3Cys-Ser-Lys4, peptidoglycan, and lipoteichoic acid). Based on studies using TLR2-deficient or TLR4 mutant mice and TLR dominant-negative mutants, we also demonstrated that TLR4, but not TLR2, is necessary for microglial apoptosis. The critical difference between TLR2 and TLR4 signalings in microglia was IFN regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3) activation, followed by IFN-β expression: while TLR4 agonist induced the activation of IRF-3/IFN-β pathway, TLR2 did not. Nevertheless, both TLR2 and TLR4 agonists strongly induced NF-κB activation and NO production in microglia. Neutralizing Ab against IFN-β attenuated TLR4-mediated microglial apoptosis. IFN-β alone, however, did not induce a significant cell death. Meanwhile, TLR2 activation induced microglial apoptosis with help of IFN-β, indicating that IFN-β production following IRF-3 activation determines the apoptogenic action of TLR signaling. TLR4-mediated microglial apoptosis was mediated by MyD88 and Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-β, and was associated with caspase-11 and -3 activation rather than Fas-associated death domain protein/caspase-8 pathway. Taken together, TLR4 appears to signal a microglial apoptosis via autocrine/paracrine IFN-β production, which may act as an apoptotic sensitizer.
Diets and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, which is characterized by the presence of abdominal pain or discomfort associated with altered bowel habits. This systematic review aimed to assess the nutritional factors (dietary patterns and food groups) associated with IBS. Methods: Articles were collected via searching in databases such as Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar using relevant keywords and phrases, including irritable bowel syndrome, pattern, intake, behavior, habit, meal, nutrition, food, lifestyle, and prevalence. The articles were confined to the original human studies that were published in English since 2010. Duplicates and unrelated materials were excluded. Results: Consumption of processed meat, fast foods, and legumes has been reported to increase the risk of IBS. However, the correlation between the consumption of milk, fruits, and vegetables has not been conclusive. Moreover, the association between cereal intake and risk of IBS varies depending on the type of cereals. The results also indicated that fast food dietary patterns increased the risk of IBS, while lacto-vegetarian dietary patterns reduced the risk of IBS. Conclusion: According to the results, the effects of some food groups on IBS are unclear. In addition, research in this regard is limited to food patterns, and further investigations are required in order to reach conclusive results.
8 Atopic Dermatitis and Skin Fungal Microorganisms

A wide variety of bacteria and fungi are found on the human skin. Although some skin microorganisms produce antibacterial peptides that inhibit invasion by pathogens or promote the integrity of cutaneous defenses by eliciting host immune responses, the normal microbiome can also cause several skin diseases. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic disease that causes pruritus and involves cycles of remission and deterioration. AD is the result of dry hypersensitive skin. When the skin is dry, the protective barrier function of the cutaneous surface horny layer is compromised, and the skin readily develops dermatitis in response to various external stimuli, including skin microorganisms. Serum from almost all AD patients contains IgE antibodies against some skin microorganisms. For example, staphylococcal superantigen-specific IgE is present in the serum of AD patients, but not in the serum of healthy individuals. Normally, the weakly acidic condition of healthy skin prevents colonization by Staphylococcus aureus. However, in patients with AD, the skin pH is shifted toward neutrality, allowing S. aureus to grow and exacerbate AD. In the cutaneous fungal microbiome, lipophilic yeasts of the genus Malassezia are the predominant species on human skin. As Malassezia species require lipids for growth, they preferentially colonize sebum-rich areas such as the head, face, and neck, as opposed to the limbs or trunk. Specific IgE antibody against Malassezia species is found in the serum of AD patients. Antifungal therapy improves the symptoms of AD by decreasing the level of Malassezia colonization, suggesting that these microorganisms also exacerbate AD. Malassezia species, unlike S. aureus, colonize both AD patients and healthy subjects. Currently, the genus Malassezia consists of 14 species. Of these, M. globosa and M. restricta have been detected in almost all AD patients, suggesting that these two Malassezia species play a significant role in AD. The level of specific IgE antibody against both species is greater than that against other Malassezia species. This chapter discusses cutaneous fungi as an exacerbating factor in AD, focusing on: the fungal microbiome in patients with AD. immunological aspects of fungal colonization, and treatment with antifungal agents.
Design of a non-isolated single-switch three-port DC-DC converter for standalone PV-battery power system

This paper proposes a design of a single-switch non-isolated three-port converter for a standalone photovoltaic (PV) power system with energy storage. The three-port converter is obtained by combining the switches of two conventional cascaded DC-DC converters. Pulse-width modulation (PWM) and pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) are utilized to regulate the two converters respectively. The proposed design reduces the components and the size of the converter and maximizes the number of control variables. Then, the topology of the proposed converter is analyzed with its operation modes. Finally, simulation and experimental results are given to verify the proposed design.
Viral Bcl-2 Encoded by the Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Is Vital for Virus Reactivation

ABSTRACT The Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) open reading frame 16 (orf16) encodes a viral Bcl-2 (vBcl-2) protein which shares sequence and functional homology with the Bcl-2 family. Like its cellular homologs, vBcl-2 protects various cell types from apoptosis and can also negatively regulate autophagy. vBcl-2 is transcribed during lytic infection; however, its exact function has not been determined to date. By using bacterial artificial chromosome 16 (BAC16) clone carrying the full-length KSHV genome, we have generated recombinant KSHV mutants that fail to express vBcl-2 or express mCherry-tagged vBcl-2. We show that the vBcl-2 protein is expressed at relatively low levels during lytic induction and that a lack of vBcl-2 largely reduces the efficiency of KSHV reactivation in terms of lytic gene expression, viral DNA replication, and production of infectious particles. In contrast, the establishment of latency was not affected by the absence of vBcl-2. Our findings suggest an important role for vBcl-2 during initial phases of lytic reactivation and/or during subsequent viral propagation. Given the known functions of vBcl-2 in regulating apoptosis and autophagy, which involve its direct interaction with cellular proteins and thus require high levels of protein expression, it appears that vBcl-2 may have additional regulatory functions that do not depend on high levels of protein expression. IMPORTANCE The present study shows for the first time the expression of endogenous vBcl-2 protein in KSHV-infected cell lines and demonstrates the importance of vBcl-2 during the initial phases of lytic reactivation and/or during its subsequent propagation. It is suggested that vBcl-2 has additional regulatory functions beyond apoptosis and autophagy repression that do not depend on high levels of protein expression.
Tripartite motif-containing 55 identified as functional candidate for spontaneous cardiac hypertrophy in the rat locus cardiac mass 22

Background: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is a risk factor for cardiovascular death, but the genetic factors determining LV size and predisposition to hypertrophy are not well understood. We have previously linked the quantitative trait locus cardiac mass 22 (Cm22) on chromosome 2 with cardiac hypertrophy independent of blood pressure in the spontaneously hypertensive rat. From an original cross of spontaneously hypertensive rat with F344 rats, we derived a normotensive polygenic model of spontaneous cardiac hypertrophy, the hypertrophic heart rat (HHR) and its control strain, the normal heart rat (NHR). Methods and results: To identify the genes and molecular mechanisms underlying spontaneous LV hypertrophy we sequenced the HHR genome with special focus on quantitative trait locus Cm22. For correlative analyses of function, we measured global RNA transcripts in LV of neonatal HHR and NHR and 198 neonatal rats of an HHR × NHR F2 crossbred population. Only one gene within locus Cm22 was differentially expressed in the parental generation: tripartite motif-containing 55 (Trim55), with mRNA downregulation in HHR (P < 0.05) and reduced protein expression. Trim55 mRNA levels were negatively correlated with LV mass in the F2 cross (r = −0.16, P = 0.025). In exon nine of Trim55 in HHR, we found one missense mutation that functionally alters protein structure. This mutation was strongly associated with Trim55 mRNA expression in F2 rats (F = 10.35, P < 0.0001). Similarly, in humans, we found reduced Trim55 expression in hearts of subjects with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the Trim55 gene, located in Cm22, is a novel candidate gene for polygenic LV hypertrophy independent of blood pressure.
Subsidiary autonomy in transition economies: Italian SMEs in Central and Eastern European countries *

This paper aims at shedding new light on the variables that indicate the level of autonomy of subsidiaries of internationalizing companies. Specifically, we examine subsidiaries located in the transition economies of Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs). We identified a sample of 72 subsidiaries of micro, small and medium-sized Italian companies, and we assessed the impact of three variables on the subsidiary’s autonomy: the size; the strategic aim in the local market (market seeking or cost reduction); and the degree of economic development of the local country. Our results suggest that subsidiary's autonomy reflects local country characteristics, but not the economic development. Our findings also show that subsidiaries looking for penetrating the local market are generally more autonomous than the ones pursuing cost-cutting strategies.
Activation and circuitry of uterine‐cervix‐related neurons in the lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord at parturition

Stimulation of the uterine cervix at parturition activates neural circuits involving primary sensory nerves and supraspinally projecting neurons of the lumbosacral spinal cord, resulting in output of hypothalamic neurohormones. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal neurons of these circuits are not well‐characterized. The objectives of this study were to detail the activation of DRG and spinal neurons of the L6/S1 levels that are stimulated at late pregnancy, verify hypothalamic projections of activated spinal neurons, and determine whether activated neurons express estrogen receptor‐α (ERα). Expression of phosphorylated cyclic‐AMP response element‐binding protein (PCREB) and Fos immunohistochemistry were used to “mark” activated DRG and spinal neurons, respectively. Retrograde tracing identified uterine‐cervix‐related and spinohypothalamic neurons. Baseline PCREB expression in the DRG increased during pregnancy and peaked during the last trimester. Some PCREB‐expressing neurons contained retrograde tracer identifying them as cervix‐related neurons. Fos‐expressing neurons were few in spinal cords of nonpregnant and day 22 pregnant rats but were numerous in parturient animals. Some Fos‐expressing neurons located in the dorsal half of the spinal cord contained retrograde tracer identifying them as spinohypothalamic neurons. Some DRG neurons expressing PCREB also expressed ERα, and some spinal neurons activated at parturition projected axons to the hypothalamus and expressed ERα. These results indicate that DRG and spinal cord neurons are activated at parturition; that those in the spinal cord are present in areas involved in autonomic and sensory processing; that some spinal neurons project axons to the hypothalamus, ostensibly part of a neuroendocrine reflex; and that sensory and spinal neurons can respond to estrogens. Moreover, some activated sensory neurons may be involved in the animal's perception of labor pain. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Performance in Specular Reflection and Slit-Imaging Corneal Topography

Purpose. Assessment of the relative performance in measuring corneal shape and corneal aberrations for two specular reflection topographers: Keratron Placido Ring Topographer, VU Topographer, and two slit-lamp imaging instruments: Orbscan II and Topcon SL-45 Scheimpflug. Methods. Corneal height maps of the anterior corneal surface were obtained from a group of 34 subjects with all four instruments; posterior corneal surface height maps were only obtained with the two slit-lamp imaging instruments. Corneal surface shapes are calculated in terms of radius of curvature and asphericity fitting an aspheric model. Wave aberrations for the anterior corneal surface and the total cornea are determined up to and including sixth order Zernike convention by means of ray tracing. Results. Clinical relevant differences were observed for radius of curvature of the anterior corneal surface, where the slit-imaging instruments measure higher values (mean difference = 0.05 mm, p < 0.05) and anterior corneal astigmatism for which the Orbscan II measures higher values than the VU Topographer [mean difference = 0.174 &mgr;m (0.134 Equivalent Diopters), p < 0.01]. Small significant differences were observed for asphericity and spherical aberration of the anterior corneal surface; however, these are not clinically relevant. Clinically relevant differences were also observed for posterior radius (difference = 0.135 mm p < 0.001), total corneal astigmatism (difference = 0.207 &mgr;m (0.159 Equivalent Diopters), p = 0.001), and central corneal thickness (CCT) (difference = −18.6 &mgr;m, p < 0.001). The differences found for total corneal coma and trefoil were not clinical relevant. Furthermore, the precision of the specular reflection topographers is superior to that of the slit-lamp instruments by at least a factor of two. Conclusions. For traditional spectacle and contact lens applications, the corneal topographers are interchangeable except for measuring anterior radius of curvature. However, for more modern techniques as customized corneal refractive surgery, the subtle differences (e.g., total corneal astigmatism and CCT) between the instruments are clinically relevant.