Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Halothane and Isoflurane Do Not Directly Interact with Cardiac Cross-bridge Function

Background:Halogenated anesthetics depress myocardial contractility by altering a number of specific mechanisms. These alterations include decreases in inward calcium current and sarcoplasmic reticulum function and reduced calcium myofilament sensitivity. However, the direct effects of volatile anesthetics on cross-bridge function have yet to be precisely determined. Methods:Myosin monomers and actin filaments were isolated from fresh rat left ventricles and rabbit skeletal muscles, respectively. Halothane or isoflurane was added at concentrations equivalent to 1 and 2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC). Motility of actin filaments over myosin was initiated by adding 2 mm adenosine triphosphate and was analyzed at 30°C. Maximum actomyosin adenosine triphosphatase activity and the association constant of myosin for actin were determined from a double-reciprocal Lineweaver–Burk plot of the adenosine triphosphatase rate versus actin concentration. A known inhibitor of actomyosin function, 2,3-butanedione 2-monoxime (2 mm), was used in positive control experiments. Data are presented as mean ± SD. Results:Motility velocities driven by myosin were not significantly different between baseline and 1 and 2 MAC halothane (2.70 ± 0.33, 2.72 ± 0.36, and 2.70 ± 0.40 &mgr;m/s, respectively). Similarly, motility velocities driven by myosin were not significantly different between baseline and 1 and 2 MAC isoflurane (2.73 ± 0.33, 2.72 ± 0.37, and 2.72 ± 0.40 &mgr;m/s, respectively). Neither of the two halogenated anesthetics, at any concentration tested, significantly modified the maximum actomyosin adenosine triphosphatase activity or the association constant of myosin for actin as compared with baseline. 2,3-Butanedione 2-monoxime induced a drastic reduction in both motility velocity and maximum actomyosin adenosine triphosphatase activity. Conclusion:These results indicate that isoflurane and halothane do not directly depress the mechanical or enzymatic properties of cross-bridges in the heart.
Pulmonary Function Test Using Fiber Bragg Grating Spirometer

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are noninvasive diagnostic tests that evaluate the functionality of the lungs. Spirometry is an established diagnostic tool for the evaluation and management of lung disorders. Pulmonary function testing carried out using a spirometer provides vital information about the functional status of the respiratory system. In this study, a spirometer based on a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor for PFT has been proposed. The proposed fiber Bragg grating spirometer (FBGS) is a novel, noninvasive device that has the ability to convert the rate of air flow into strain variations using an FBG sensor bonded on a cantilever. The FBGS dynamically acquires in real time, the complete breath sequence comprising of inhalation phase, pause phase, and exhalation phase, in terms of the air flow rate along with the time duration of each phase. Fundamental pulmonary parameters such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), the FEV1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow are evaluated from the data obtained from the FBGS, which will aid greatly during clinical tests. The results from the FBGS developed are compared with a standard hospital grade pneumotachograph-based spirometer for a sample size of 16 subjects to prove the efficacy of the proposed device.
Intrusion detection alert management for high-speed networks: current researches and applications

We propose an intrusion detection alert classifier based on a discriminative machine learning approach satisfying high-speed networks constraints. We mainly address the huge number of alerts and the high level rate of false ones produced in such environment. The classifier is based on online-adaptive support vector machine schemes. We demonstrate the utility of the developed method through extensive simulations and experiments against three data sets. Our intrusion alert classifier is crucial for forensics expert alert analysis and security threats understanding. It assists in taking the appropriate defensive and investigative actions, and therefore, it enhances the forensics readiness process. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel fault tolerant power conversion system for hybrid electric vehicles

Recently, the demand for fuel efficient electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) has been growing globally. Due to the increased number of switching devices in the electrified vehicles, the probability of the semiconductor device failure is much higher than in other application areas. A sudden failure in one of the power switches and insufficient power management ability in the systems not only decreases system performance, but also leads to critical safety problems. In this paper, novel fault tolerant power conversion and fault compensation control scheme are proposed. The proposed approach is verified by experiments.
Comparative study of information retrieval models used in search engine

Information retrieval is the methods of retrieving all the relevant information from a large collection of information. We will focus on the performance of the different information retrieval model based upon these models properties. Search engines used the property of these models for identifying the users given query for retrieving the information from the World Wide Web and form some specific application domain. If the user query is matched the search engine is able to precede the user query and retrieve the relevant information that is being searched by the user. Search engines which usually allow the information retrieval accuracy by using the Boolean Model, Vector Space Model and Probabilistic Model. In our paper we analyze precision and recall of these three models and compared by using different parameters.
Compact Coplanar Waveguide Metamaterial-Inspired Lines and Its Use in Highly Selective and Tunable Bandpass Filters

During the last years, the metamaterials field has grown rapidly due to the possibility of accomplishing a methodology to achieve negative effective parameters ee f f Pendry et al. (1996) and μe f f Pendry et al. (1999), and their experimental verification Smith et al. (2000) Shelby, Smith & Schultz (2001). The main research work has been concentrated on the theoretical consequences of negative parameters, as well as techniques for practically realizing left-handed media for various optical/microwave concepts and applications. Among recent concepts, properties, and devices based on engineered metamaterials, we can mention frequency selective structures, which have opened the path to a new range of passive devices for guided applications. In this context, split ring resonator (SRR) loaded transmission lines represent the cutting edge of research in the field of one-dimensional (1D) planar left-handed structures. These structures were firstly proposed by Martin et al. in 2003 Martin et al. (2003) by magnetically coupling a shunted coplanar waveguide (CPW) and pairs of SRRs. These planar devices exhibit backward propagation in a narrow frequency band above the resonant frequency of the rings, with the necessary degree of flexibility to design compact low insertion losses filters. Thus, based on this former configuration different approaches have been proposed with the aim of improving performances and overcome possible drawbacks such as asymmetrical response shape or transmission bands with smooth edges. For instance, a combined right/left-handed CPW structure was implemented by cascading SRRs-wire and SRRs-gap stages Bonache et al. (2005), satisfactorily achieving a transmission upper band with a sharp cut-off. Furthermore, new CPW lines with extra loading elements have shown interesting properties in terms of improved out-of-band behavior and response selectivity Borja, Carbonell, Boria, Cascon & Lippens (2010) Borja, Carbonell, Boria & Compact Coplanar Waveguide Metamaterial-Inspired Lines and Its Use in Highly Selective and Tunable Bandpass Filters
Family Membersandrsquo; Perspectives on Patient Participation in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Purpose: To examine the importance and experiences of patient participation in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation from the perspective of family members, and compared with patients’ views. Method: Family members (N=83) and discharged patients with SCI (N=141) completed the Patient Participation in Rehabilitation Questionnaire (PPRQ), assessing the importance and experiences of the domains Respect and integrity; Planning and decision-making; Information and knowledge; Motivation and encouragement; and Involvement of family. Importance ratings were compared between all family members and patients, and experience ratings were compared between patient-family dyads (N=74). Results: Both family members and patients rated all participation domains as very or extremely important (m ≥4.0 of max 5). Family members rated all domains as slightly more important than did patients; however, patients rated Planning and decision-making more important that the family members (Δ=0.20; p<0.01). No significant differences were found between patients and family members regarding experience ratings and agreement was substantial (ICC=0.63-0.80). Conclusions: Current guidelines recommend involvement of family members in SCI care and rehabilitation. This study shows that family members, and patients alike, also considered their involvement as very important and that they were often given opportunities to be involved. Moreover, patients and family members shared perceptions of conditions necessary for facilitating and promoting participation. Although considerable congruence was found between family members’ and patients’ assessments, agreement was not perfect. As incongruence between patients and family members regarding the quality and delivery of care may disturb the rehabilitation process and its outcomes, it is important that differences in perspectives be identified and successfully resolved. The PPRQ may be useful i
Evolution of the F-Box Gene Family in Euarchontoglires: Gene Number Variation and Selection Patterns

F-box proteins are substrate adaptors used by the SKP1–CUL1–F-box protein (SCF) complex, a type of E3 ubiquitin ligase complex in the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). SCF-mediated ubiquitylation regulates proteolysis of hundreds of cellular proteins involved in key signaling and disease systems. However, our knowledge of the evolution of the F-box gene family in Euarchontoglires is limited. In the present study, 559 F-box genes and nine related pseudogenes were identified in eight genomes. Lineage-specific gene gain and loss events occurred during the evolution of Euarchontoglires, resulting in varying F-box gene numbers ranging from 66 to 81 among the eight species. Both tandem duplication and retrotransposition were found to have contributed to the increase of F-box gene number, whereas mutation in the F-box domain was the main mechanism responsible for reduction in the number of F-box genes, resulting in a balance of expansion and contraction in the F-box gene family. Thus, the Euarchontoglire F-box gene family evolved under a birth-and-death model. Signatures of positive selection were detected in substrate-recognizing domains of multiple F-box proteins, and adaptive changes played a role in evolution of the Euarchontoglire F-box gene family. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) distributions were found to be highly non-random among different regions of F-box genes in 1092 human individuals, with domain regions having a significantly lower number of non-synonymous SNPs.
Managing Complex Work Systems via Crowdworking Platforms: How Intel and Hyve Explore Future Technological Innovations

Crowdsourcing has the potential to change the way how companies and other organizations are working currently. Numerous companies are already exploiting this new form of work organization and are utilising the “wisdom of crowds”. Crowdworking platforms as intermediaries that manage the work system including customer companies and crowd workers play an important role in this context. Nevertheless, they currently mostly manage rather simple work systems that process rather plain work. In this summary for the HICSS 2018 Doctoral Consortium, we depict our current work in progress that aims at investigating how such platforms could also manage more complex work systems – a question that is crucial for the future success of this business model. Using the case of Intel and the crowdworking platform Hyve, we investigate one successful approach to tackle this challenge, elaborate on our method used as well as the theoretical background and communicate our first, preliminary findings.
Meditation's Impact on Chronic Illness

Meditation is becoming widely popular as an adjunct to conventional medical therapies. This article reviews the literature regarding the experience of chronic illness, theories about meditation, and clinical effects of this self-care practice. Eastern theories of meditation include Buddhist psychology. The word Buddha means the awakened one, and Buddhist meditators have been called the first scientists, alluding to more than 2500 years of precise, detailed observation of inner experience. The knowledge that comprises Buddhist psychology was derived inductively from the historical figure's (Prince Siddhartha Gautama) diligent self-inquiry. Western theories of meditation include Jungian, Benson's relaxation response, and transpersonal psychology. Clinical effects of meditation impact a broad spectrum of physical and psychological symptoms and syndromes, including reduced anxiety, pain, and depression, enhanced mood and self-esteem, and decreased stress. Meditation has been studied in populations with fibromyalgia, cancer, hypertension, and psoriasis. While earlier studies were small and lacked experimental controls, the quality and quantity of valid research is growing. Meditation practice can positively influence the experience of chronic illness and can serve as a primary, secondary, and/or tertiary prevention strategy. Health professionals demonstrate commitment to holistic practice by asking patients about use of meditation, and can encourage this self-care activity. Simple techniques for mindfulness can be taught in the clinical setting. Living mindfully with chronic illness is a fruitful area for research, and it can be predicted that evidence will grow to support the role of consciousness in the human experience of disease.
Detection of land cover and thermal environment change in Beijing from TM images

This paper focuses on the detection of land cover and thermal environmental change over 20 years in Beijing using TM data collected on 17 June, 1991, and 8 June, 2011, respectively. For observing the urban expansion and thermal environment change in the whole Beijing governmental region, the central urban area and satellite towns were firstly recognized and detected, and then the central urban areas was divided into 5 areas based on the ring roads. After image mosaicking, masking and clipping, sample data of land cover types as water bodies, green land, bare land, construction land, farm land, and forest were collected and trained. Classification was performed using object-based support vector machine algorithm. Accuracy assessment of the classification results was conducted according to ground truth of regions of interest. The conversion matrix and band math were used to detect the land cover and thermal environment change respectively from 1991 to 2011. The results showed that, over the last 20 years, the central urban size was 5 times larger than before, construction land increased, and farm land and water bodies decreased, especially for areas outside the third ring road. Besides, UHI intensity in nearly 60% of the areas within the sixth ring road increased by more than 4 degree, and only 2% of the areas decreased. Both are consistent with the real status of the rapid development of economy and urbanization in Beijing.
A 60-GHz single-ended-to-differential vector sum phase shifter in CMOS for phased-array receiver

A 60-GHz vector sum phase shifter with single-ended-to-differential function for phased array receiver using 90-nm LP CMOS technology is presented. This phase shifter incorporates a four-way quadrature power divider as a vector generator with two variable gain amplifiers and a vector modulator to achieve full-360° phase synthesizing. For 4-bit operation (22.5° phase resolution) from 57–64 GHz, this phase shifter exhibits a gain error and a phase error for all the 16 states of within 2.5 dB and 11°, respectively. The RMS gain error at the two output ports are both under 1.2 dB, and the RMS phase error is under 10.5°. The RMS gain imbalance and phase imbalance between the differential outputs are under 0.8 dB and 5.2°, respectively. The average gain of one of the differential outputs at 60 GHz is −5.4 dB, and the input and output return losses are both over 10 dB. This chip consumes 34 mW from a 1.2-V supply. The chip size including all the pads is 0.96 × 0.69 mm2.
Induction of Interleukin-8 in T84 Cells by Vibrio cholerae

ABSTRACT The induction of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in vitro has been suggested to correlate with the reactogenicity of Vibrio cholerae vaccine candidates. V. cholerae vaccine candidate 638, a hemagglutinin protease/hap-defective strain, was recently reported to be well tolerated in human volunteers, suggesting a role for Hap in reactogenicity. We examined the role of hap in the induction of IL-8 in intestinal epithelial T84 cells. Wild-type V. cholerae strains 3038 and C7258 and a vaccine candidate strain, JBK70, induced levels of IL-8 similar to those of their isogenic hap mutants. Supernatant containing Hap did not stimulate IL-8 production at a variety of concentrations tested, suggesting that Hap itself does not induce IL-8 production. Furthermore, supernatant from CVD115, which had deletions of hap and rtxA (encoding repeats in toxin) and was derived from a reactogenic strain, CVD110, induced IL-8 production in T84 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The IL-8-stimulating activity of CVD115 culture supernatants was growth phase dependent and was strongest in stationary phase cultures. This IL-8 stimulator(s) was resistant to heat treatment but sensitive to proteinase. Protease activity in vitro did not correlate with the reactogenicity of V. cholerae vaccine candidates. Our data suggest that Hap is not an IL-8 inducer in T84 cells and that the IL-8 stimulator in the supernatant of V. cholerae culture may play a role in reactogenicity.
Intraneuronal amyloid‐β1‐42 production triggered by sustained increase of cytosolic calcium concentration induces neuronal death

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence in the brain of senile plaques which contain an amyloid core made of β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ). Aβ is produced by the cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Since impairment of neuronal calcium signalling has been causally implicated in ageing and AD, we have investigated the influence of an influx of extracellular calcium on the metabolism of human APP in rat cortical neurones. We report that a high cytosolic calcium concentration, induced by neuronal depolarization, inhibits the α‐secretase cleavage of APP and triggers the accumulation of intraneuronal C‐terminal fragments produced by the β‐cleavage of the protein (CTFβ). Increase in cytosolic calcium concentration specifically induces the production of large amounts of intraneuronal Aβ1‐42, which is inhibited by nimodipine, a specific antagonist of l‐type calcium channels. Moreover, calcium release from endoplasmic reticulum is not sufficient to induce the production of intraneuronal Aβ, which requires influx of extracellular calcium mediated by the capacitative calcium entry mechanism. Therefore, a sustained high concentration of cytosolic calcium is needed to induce the production of intraneuronal Aβ1‐42 from human APP. Our results show that this accumulation of intraneuronal Aβ1‐42 induces neuronal death, which is prevented by a functional γ‐secretase inhibitor.
Printed Loop Antenna With a U-Shaped Tuning Element for Hepta-Band Laptop Applications

A simple printed-loop antenna with wideband characteristics is presented for laptop computer applications. The proposed rectangular loop pattern generates four resonant modes below 4 GHz. The excited modes, two unbalance and two balance, are analyzed and discussed. A novel U-shaped tuning element printed on the back side of the circuit board adjusts the resonant modes to cover GSM850/GSM900/DCS/PCS/UMTS/WLAN and WiMAX bands. Using HFSS software, this study conducted a simulation to optimize the antenna design and fabricate a practical structure to investigate its performance and characteristics. This study also measures various antenna parameters to validate the proposed antenna.
Quantification des mouvements de la mimique faciale par motion capture sur une population de volontaires sains

La prise en charge des deficits moteurs de la mimique faciale est complexe et necessite un suivi sur le long terme. Il existe de nombreuses techniques d’evaluation de la mimique faciale deficitaire avec des degres variables de sensibilite. Cependant, la plupart de ces techniques sont manuelles et qualitatives (testing musculaire et scores cliniques). Elles conduisent donc a des mesures subjectives et peu reproductibles dans le temps. Ces techniques d’evaluation reposent en outre sur l’appreciation de l’evaluateur qui est une source importante de biais. Ainsi, l’apport d’un outil de mesure objectif pour quantifier un deficit et optimiser le suivi et la prise en charge medicale, chirurgicale et reeducative des patients apparait comme necessaire. L’objectif de ce travail de these etait donc de developper un outil quantitatif permettant d’evaluer les troubles de la mimique faciale. Dans cette perspective, nous avons mis en place un protocole d’analyse du mouvement par motion capture et avons realise des mesures sur une population de reference. Une etude descriptive utilisant un systeme de capture de mouvement en 3 dimensions a ete realisee sur des volontaires sains (n = 30) âges de 20 a 30 ans. Le systeme de capture du mouvement etait constitue de 17 cameras optoelectroniques T160 et de 2 cameras video Bonita (Vicon™). Les mouvements etudies etaient : la fermeture « simple » (non forcee) des paupieres, la fermeture forcee des paupieres, la protrusion labiale sur le son « o » [o], la protrusion labiale sur le son « pou » [pμ], et un sourire volontaire decouvrant les dents. Lors de ces mouvements, nous avons enregistre et analyse le deplacement de 111 marqueurs reflechissants de 1.5mm places sur la face des sujets. Pour les cinq mouvements realises, nous avons obtenu des donnees quantitatives. Celles-ci nous ont permis d’identifier les zones d’action pour chacun des mouvements, de mesurer l’amplitude des deplacements et d’obtenir des donnees comparables dans le temps. Par ailleurs, le protocole mis en place a ete evalue et sa realisation est compatible avec une application clinique. L’analyse de la cinematique de la face est donc une technique appropriee a la clinique qui pourrait faciliter le diagnostic, le suivi et la reeducation des patients. Ce travail a permis de definir des mesures de reference qui constitueront la base d’un outil diagnostic, qu’il convient desormais de mettre en œuvre sur des patients.