Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies on Response of Human Hippocampus to Random Somatosensory Stimuli by a SQUID System in a Superconducting Magnetic Shield

An essential role of a superconducting magnetic shield is described for study of higher function of human brains. The present SQUID has a sensitivity of 0.9 fT/(Hz)1/2 at 100 Hz in a superconducting magnetic shield. SQUID sensors are made of SNS (Superconductor/Normal metal/Superconductor) junctions. Recent theories of beamformer and MUSIC (multiple signal classification) emphasize the importance of SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) of data to locate equivalent current dipoles in brains. For instance, MUSIC uses the noise subspace of the covariant matrix practically calculated by measured magnetic fields. Dynamical responses of hippocampus to novelty or unexpectedness are measured by the SQUID system in a superconducting magnetic shield and visualized by swLORETA-an extension of sLORETA (standardized low-resolution electromagnetic tomography). The SQUID system in a magnetic shield of high-Tc superconductor is yielding new information of deep areas of human brains. The sensitivity of neuromagnetic SQUID measurements is proved to be limited by the system noise temperature of a SQUID hardware system but not so-called “brain noises”.
Synthesis of a Galileo and Wi-Max Three-Band Fractal-Eroded Patch Antenna

In this letter, the synthesis of a three-band patch antenna working in E5-L1 Galileo and Wi-Max frequency bands is described. The geometry of the antenna is defined by performing a Koch-like erosion in a classical rectangular patch structure according to a Particle Swarm strategy to optimize the values of the electrical parameters within given specifications. In order to assess the effectiveness of the antenna design, some results from the numerical synthesis procedure are described and a comparison between simulations and experimental measurements is reported.
Transporters that translocate nucleosides and structural similar drugs: structural requirements for substrate recognition

Nucleoside transporters (NT) are integral membrane proteins implicated in the salvage of natural nucleobases and nucleosides for nucleic acid synthesis. These proteins also play a crucial role as carriers of nucleoside analogs used in anticancer and antiviral therapies. In fact, differential expression patterns of NT subtypes among tissues and individuals as well as the existence of genetic variants affect nucleoside‐derived drug permeation, and consequently, their pharmacokinetic and cytotoxic properties. Thus, NT expression patterns may be effective predictive markers of therapeutic response. While the structures of NT proteins are yet to be solved, specific residues responsible for interaction with substrates and inhibitors have been identified, providing further insights into their structure‐function relationship. In addition to transporter structural features, several experimental approaches have been used to identify the structural requirements of nucleosides for interaction with Concentrative Nucleoside Transporters and Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporters (SLC28 and SLC29 gene families, respectively). Pharmacophore models proposed for both protein families may prove suitable for optimizing drug design. Additional transporter proteins, including Organic Anion Transporters, Organic Cation Transporters (members of the SLC22 gene family), and Peptide Transporters (SLC15 gene family), have been implicated in the uptake of nucleoside‐derived drugs, particularly those currently used in antiviral therapies. In this review, we focus on the pharmacological profiles of these transporter proteins, summarizing the documented studies covering structure‐function and substrate structural requirement properties that determine drug‐carrier interaction and efficient substrate translocation across the plasma membrane of target cells. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev
Analyzing the effectiveness of vocal features in early telediagnosis of Parkinson's disease

The recently proposed Parkinson’s Disease (PD) telediagnosis systems based on detecting dysphonia achieve very high classification rates in discriminating healthy subjects from PD patients. However, in these studies the data used to construct the classification model contain the speech recordings of both early and late PD patients with different severities of speech impairments resulting in unrealistic results. In a more realistic scenario, an early telediagnosis system is expected to be used in suspicious cases by healthy subjects or early PD patients with mild speech impairment. In this paper, considering the critical importance of early diagnosis in the treatment of the disease, we evaluate the ability of vocal features in early telediagnosis of Parkinson's Disease (PD) using machine learning techniques with a two-step approach. In the first step, using only patient data, we aim to determine the patient group with relatively greater severity of speech impairments using Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score as an index of disease progression. For this purpose, we use three supervised and two unsupervised learning techniques. In the second step, we exclude the samples of this group of patients from the dataset, create a new dataset consisting of the samples of PD patients having less severity of speech impairments and healthy subjects, and use three classifiers with various settings to address this binary classification problem. In this classification problem, the highest accuracy of 96.4% and Matthew’s Correlation Coefficient of 0.77 is obtained using support vector machines with third-degree polynomial kernel showing that vocal features can be used to build a decision support system for early telediagnosis of PD.
Analysis of the noise associated to the muscarinic modulation of the mouse perirhinal cortex

The perirhinal cortex (PRC) is a polymodal associative area which plays a key role in several memory processes. It has been shown that cholinergic muscarinic modulation plays a crucial role in regulating PRC functions. In this work, changes in the signal noise during muscarinic modulation of the PRC have been observed and analyzed. The relationship between these changes and the information processing performed by neurons of the PRC are inevstigated. In more details, the effects of muscarinic modulation on the membrane potential and on the voltage membrane noise of pyramidal neurons and GABAergic interneurons are inevstigated, both from deep and superficial layers of the PRC.
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins in Conjunction with Thrombolysis for ST-Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Intravenous unfractionated heparin (UFH) is recommended in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI), following thrombolysis with fibrin-specific agents. Subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH), previously proven effective in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes, have been recently investigated in the setting of STEMI. We aimed at evaluating the current level of evidence supporting the use of LMWH in STEMI. Methods: A Medline search of the English language literature between January 1995 and December 2005 was performed and randomized clinical trials comparing LMWH to either placebo or UFH in conjunction with thrombolysis were selected. Results: About 26,800 patients treated with various thrombolytic regimens were included in 12 randomized clinical trials. Dalteparin was superior to placebo on left ventricular thrombosis/arterial thromboembolism, with no significant effect on the early patency rate of the infarct-related artery (IRA). Compared to UFH, dalteparin had no significant effect on clinical events and on the IRA late patency, although less thrombus was present. Enoxaparin was superior to placebo on the medium-term death/reinfarction/angina rate and late IRA patency, and superior also to UFH on in-hospital and medium-term occurrence of death/reinfarction/angina. The effect of enoxaparin on IRA patency rate was not univocal. Compared to placebo, reviparin significantly reduced early and medium-term mortality and reinfarction rates, without a substantial increase in overall stroke rate. As regards safety, bleedings were more frequent than placebo and comparable to UFH in LMWH groups, with the exception of the pre-hospital ASSENT-3 PLUS trial, where in elderly patients, enoxaparin had an incidence of intracranial hemorrhage twice higher than UFH. Conclusions: In-hospital subcutaneous administration of dalteparin, enoxaparin or reviparin, as an adjunct to various thrombolytics in STEMI, appears feasible and at least as effective and safe as intravenous UFH. Before LMWH might be recommended, however, some yet unresolved issues (i.e. use in elderly patients, in severe renal insufficiency, in association with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and during interventional procedures), need to be addressed.
Comparison and implementation of motion detection methods for sperm detection and tracking

Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is one of in-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) method that inseminating embryos and sperms outside of human body. This procedure has very low successful rate, with average of 30%. To improve the success rate of this method, there are many approaches have been done. One of those methods is analyzing sperm morphology and its motility as an attempt to obtain the best sperm. This approach needs detecting and tracking methods to conduct grading step. In this paper we compared a few motion detection methods to detect and track human sperm. Experiment result showed that Gaussian Mixture Model with Hole Filling Algorithm obtains the highest for human sperms detection.
Transvenous Cold Mapping and Cryoablation of the AV Node in Dogs: Observations of Chronic Lesions and Comparison to Those Obtained Using Radiofrequency Ablation

Cryoablation of the Proximal AV Node. Introduction: Radiofrequency (RF) is the most commonly used energy source for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Surgical experience has shown that cryoablation also is effective for ablating arrhythmias. The aims of this study were to (I) investigate the feasibility of inducing permanent complete AV block (CAVB). (2) investigate the value of cold mapping to select the cryoablation site to produce permanent CAVB, (3) study the macro‐ and microscopic lesion characteristics 6 weeks later, and (4) compare them to those produced with RF energy.
Flavobacterium limicola sp. nov., a psychrophilic, organic-polymer-degrading bacterium isolated from freshwater sediments.

Three novel strains of cold-adapted bacteria, ST-82T, ST-10 and ST-92, were isolated from freshwater sediments. These three isolates were very similar to each other in phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits, as well as in 16S rDNA sequence. The strains were Gram-negative, elongated filament-like rods that formed bright yellow colonies. They showed neither flexirubin pigments nor gliding motility. The strains were able to hydrolyse casein, gelatin, starch, agar, aesculin, urea, uric acid and tyrosine. They also lysed cells of Escherichia coil and Pseudomonas putida. The temperature range for growth was 0-25 degrees C, with optimum growth occurring at 15-20 degrees C. For all isolates, protease secretion increased as temperature decreased. Sodium chloride inhibited their growth, although the strains tolerated up to 1.5% (w/v) NaCl. Menaquinone-6 was the major respiratory quinone. The major cellular fatty acids were C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C15:1, iso-C15:1, C16 : 1omega7cis, iso-C16 : 1, iso-C17 : 1, iso-C15 : 3-OH and iso-C16 : 0 3-OH. The DNA G + C content was 34.0-34.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences suggested that the strains belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and were closely related to Flavobacterium xanthum and Flavobacterium frigidarium, with sequence similarities of 96.9 and 96.3%, respectively. In physiological and biochemical analyses, the isolates were differentiated from all known members of the genus Flavobacterium. The name Flavobacterium limicola is proposed for these novel strains, and the type strain is ST-82T (=JCM 11473T =DSM 15094T).
Document Image Binarization Based on Texture Features

Binarization has been difficult for document images with poor contrast, strong noise, complex patterns, and/or variable modalities in gray-scale histograms. We developed a texture feature based thresholding algorithm to address this problem. Our algorithm consists of three steps: 1) candidate thresholds are produced through iterative use of Otsu's algorithm (1978); 2) texture features associated with each candidate threshold are extracted from the run-length histogram of the accordingly binarized image; 3) the optimal threshold is selected so that desirable document texture features are preserved. Experiments with 9,000 machine printed address blocks from an unconstrained US mail stream demonstrated that over 99.6 percent of the images were successfully binarized by the new thresholding method, appreciably better than those obtained by typical existing thresholding techniques. Also, a system run with 500 troublesome mail address blocks showed that an 8.1 percent higher character recognition rate was achieved with our algorithm as compared with Otsu's algorithm.
Oncogene-mediated Multistep Transformation of C 3 H 10 T 1 / 2 Cells 1

We have examined the response of the mouse embryonic cell line ( 311 IO11/2 to transfection with the activated human c-H-ras oncogene and the gag-myc oncogene from avian myelocytomatosis virus 29. C3H10T1/2 cells are not morphologically transformed following trans fection with the gag-myc oncogene. A low level of focus formation is observed following transfection of the c-H-ras oncogene. When C3H10T1/2 cells are cotransfected with the ras and myc oncogenes, focus formation is increased by an average of 13 fold. In addition, OI110 It/2 ras/myc foci have a distinct, transformed morphology which correlates with an increased potential for anchorage-independent growth. Although morphological transformation in this system is largely a function of ras oncogene expression, our studies demonstrate that it is potentiated by the presence of a functional gag-myc protein. Oncogene-mediated multistep transformation, which was first described in primary embryo cul tures, is not a general property of established cell lines. The ( '311IOTI/ 2 cell line is an exception and provides a model system in which partially transformed phenotypes, in a progression toward malignant transforma tion, can be isolated and studied.
Laboratory implementation of a hybrid series active power filter system part II: Series active filter designing

Practical and simulation studies of a hybrid system of series active power filter and shunt passive filter is presented in this two-part paper. Whereas part 1 concerns dimensioning, designing and starting up of the shunt passive filter, this second part is dedicated to dimensioning, conceiving and implementing of the series active filter. The works consist mainly to realize a two-level full bridge voltage inverter based on IGBT's. The respective overvoltage circuit and average control circuit are also conceived. The control is conducted in an open loop, the reference signals are identified using the p-q theory concept, and for launching the gating signals, the carrier-based PWM method is employed. The implementation of the whole system gave satisfactory results and improved the quality of power in the main utility side.
The interactive motion control for a small humanoid robot

We have been developing a small biped entertainment robot and expanding its capabilities for the adaptability and interactivity with human in home environment. SDR-4X III is the refused and enhanced model that has capabilities by adaptive functions for physical interaction with human. We proposed the creative motion planning framework, the motion planning system for SBR-4X III to enable adaptive drawing performance in 3D world. It is realized by the motion control under kinematic constraints and the position-based impedance control. In order to explore and evaluate she physically interactive capabilities by human and SDR-4X III, we proposed and demonstrated the handguided interaction by human manipulation and interactive performance through the physical interface of the holding object under she both limbs' coordinated motion control of SDR-4X III
Cellular Mechanisms of L-arginine induced experimental acute Pancreatitis

AbstractThe University Of ManchesterOmar MasoodMD Thesis 2013Cellular Mechanisms of L-arginine Induced Experimental Acute Pancreatitis. IntroductionImpairment of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) signaling and in particular calcium overload has emerged as a possible unifying mechanism for precipitating acute pancreatitis (AP.)In the L-arginine (L-arg) experimental model of AP, nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated however the disease progression is largely unaffected by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors (8). Additionally, L-ornithine (L-orn), a NOS-independent metabolite of L-arg, has been shown to be potent at inducing AP (28). Both L-arg and L-orn activate calcium-sensing like receptors (CaSR) (31) such as the GPRC6a which may be responsible for initiating the [Ca2+]i overload.The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of L-arg and L-orn on pancreatic acinar cells that maybe linked to the pathophysiology of AP. Furthermore to provide an alternative theory to the NO mediated ones, in particular that L-arg induces toxic changes in [Ca2+]i via a GPRC6a like receptor.MethodsWhole pancreata were harvested from male Sprague Dawley rats. Pancreatic acinar cells were isolated by collagenase digestion. [Ca2+]i was measured using fura-2 imaging, and cell viability assessed using physiological CCK. Oxidative stress was measured using dichlorofluorescein (DCF) and cell death was quantified using trypan blue exclusion.Results L-arg and L-orn (100mM) induced spike-like, reversible increases in [Ca2+]i in 46% and 74% of cells and Ca2+ overload in 11% and 26% respectively. At 500 mM both induced Ca2+ overload in all cells however this was also seen with the osmotic control, mannitol. Isosmotic L-arg and L-orn (100mM) induced only reversible increases in [Ca2+]i. Neither L-arg nor L-orn had significant effects on CCK-evoked [Ca2+]i oscillations. Both L-arg and L-orn induced significant oxidative stress responses (22% and 37% of a maximum response seen with 3mM H202, respectively). Both L-arg and L-orn caused cell death in 76% +/- 4 and 89% +/- 7 at 3hours respectively, compared to 35% +/- 4 and 40% +/- 3 with controls (Hepes, Glycine). ConclusionThe data suggests that the L-arg and L-orn causes significant increase in oxidative stress and cell death. The data suggests that although changes in [Ca2+]i were induced by both L-arg and L-orn the large concentrations used experimentally are likely to induce significant osmotic effects.
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Ligand Pioglitazone Alters Neointimal Composition in a Balloon-Denuded and Radiated Hypercholesterolemic Rabbit

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ activation suppresses inflammatory response, monocyte recruitment, and vascular cell proliferation. Because inflammation, deregulated growth, and migration of monocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) play important roles in the development of neointima, we tested the effect of pioglitazone, a high-affinity ligand, for PPAR-γ on neointima formation in the iliac arteries of a balloon-denuded and radiated hypercholesterolemic rabbit. Rabbits were fed a 1.0% cholesterol diet for 7 days followed by denudation of endothelial layer and continued on a 0.15% cholesterol diet. On day 32, animals were divided into 2 groups. One group received a 0.15% cholesterol diet (n = 7) and the other group received a 0.15% cholesterol diet supplemented with 400 mg of pioglitazone per kilogram. On day 35, the balloon-denuded area was radiated. Four weeks after radiation, animals were sacrificed and arterial segments were processed for morphometry and immunohistochemistry. Data analysis showed that the pioglitazone group had smaller neointima (0.85 ± 0.36 vs. 1.41 ± 0.56, P < 0.05), with more cells positive for VSMC (23.07 ± 6.16 vs. 18.33 ± 5.19, P = 0.04), less for monocytes (16.01 ± 5.33 vs. 21.29 ± 4.33, P < 0.05), and fewer cells expressing metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-9 (3.69 ± 0.47 vs. 4.82 ± 0.93, P < 0.05 and 3.24 ± 0.71 vs. 4.29 ± 0.74, P < 0.05, respectively). Pioglitazone reduced neointimal area and modified its composition in a balloon-denuded and radiated hypercholesterolemic rabbit model.
Sum-Rate Based Coordinated Beamforming in Multicell Multi-Antenna Wireless Networks

This paper is concerned with sum rate maximization problem (program) of coordinated downlink beamforming in multicell multi-antenna wireless networks, which has never been adequately considered in literature due to its computational difficulty. It is shown to be efficiently solved by means of d.c. (difference of two convex functions/sets) programming. The important advantages of our proposed algorithm are: guaranteed convergence, low computational complexity, and excellent performance.
Comparison of Nonoriented and Grain-Oriented Material in an Axial Flux Permanent-Magnet Machine

The performance and iron losses of an axial flux permanent-magnet synchronous machine (AFPMSM) using nonoriented (NO) steel are compared with the performance and iron losses of an AFPMSM using grain-oriented (GO) material. The machine is modeled by several 2-D finite element models in circumferential direction, at different radii. The material model for the GO material is an anhysteretic anisotropic model based on the magnetic energy. The magnetic energy is computed by using several measured quasi-static BH-loops on an Epstein frame in seven directions starting from the rolling direction to the transverse direction. The losses are calculated a posteriori, based on the principles of loss separation and dynamic loop measurements. A loss model was made for each of the seven directions, assuming unidirectional fields. In comparison with the more usual NO material, both the saturation induction and the torque are higher with GO material. The magnetic field in the GO material is lower than for NO material in the major part of the iron, but higher in the tooth tips where the field is not in the rolling direction. The stator iron losses are about 7 times lower for the considered GO compared to the NO material.
Distributed channel selection for hierarchical cognitive radio networks

The most common way to ensure reliable wireless communications is an efficient frequency allocation plan. However, during rapid deployment missions or rescue operations, one can observe all limitations of traditional approach to spectrum planning. In such scenarios the solution is to use dynamic spectrum access (DSA) technology, which requires operational spectrum environment information and spectrum awareness. In practice, such information can be obtained through the use of cognitive radio (CR) nodes. Assuming that the Mobile Ad hoc Networking (MANET) network is hierarchical and contains a number of cluster heads (CH), the CHs can be used to prepare a Channel Ranking List (CRL) based on spectrum sensing information. CRL is a set of frequencies arranged by CH in a specific order, indicating their usefulness as an alternative channels in case of interference. Unfortunately, the downside of this opportunistic approach is that each CH handles only of its own regular nodes (RN) and itself. It means that any CRL in specific cluster is prepared regardless to the environments of neighboring CHs. To avoid interferences between clusters, CHs should send their CRLs to a network management point, which would enable CRL analysis and coordination. In this paper we focused on the assessment of whether the lack of such coordination has a significant influence on operational capabilities of the CR network and its ability to meet the information exchange requirement, as it is a part of military radio system, and therefore must ensure command services with required quality. To evaluate operational performance of the radio network, we propose to use a command capability factor (C2F).