Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hyperspectral imaging: a new approach to the diagnosis of hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND Skin color changes and mottling are frequently described signs of hemorrhagic shock (HEM). Based on this, we developed a noninvasive, noncontact hyperspectral imaging system (HSI), which quantifies and depicts the surface tissue saturation of oxygen (SHSIO2) for each pixel in a region of interest (ROI). Our purpose was to assess HSI in a porcine HEM model. We hypothesized that HEM would cause decreases in SHSIO2 of the skin. METHODS The HyperMed HSI system employs a spectral separator to vary the wavelength of light admitted to a digital camera. During image acquisition, a "hypercube" of images, each at a separate wavelength, is generated (at 5-nm intervals, from 500 to 600 nm). Then, the visible light spectrum for each pixel in the hypercube is compared by linear regression to standard spectra for oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) and deoxyhemoglobin (DeoxyHb). The resulting fit coefficients for OxyHb and DeoxyHb are used to calculate SHSIO2 values for each pixel in the ROI. The mean values for OxyHb, DeoxyHb, and SHSIO2 across the ROI are calculated. Grayscale SHSIO2 pictures of the ROI are also generated, in which the brightness of each pixel is proportional to its value. Seventeen pigs, 36.4 +/- 0.11 kg, underwent standard preparation, and were maintained on ketamine and isoflurane. Normothermia was maintained (37 degrees C to 39 degrees C). The hemorrhage group (HEM, n = 9) underwent three blood withdrawals, each 10 mL/kg, with 15 minutes between withdrawals. After the third withdrawal, animals were resuscitated with lactated Ringer's and then shed blood. The control group (CTRL, n = 8) received intravenous fluids at 100 mL/h. HSI images were obtained of the inner hindlimb throughout. RESULTS All HEM animals showed linear decreases in both mean SHSIO2 and OxyHb values with blood loss, which were reversed by resuscitation. These changes were evident on the grayscale SHSIO2 pictures, but not to the naked eye, and paralleled those of invasively obtained arterial base excess and mixed venous oxygen saturation. CONCLUSIONS HSI is a promising noninvasive and noncontact tool for quantifying changes in skin oxygenation during HEM and resuscitation.
Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in kocaeli: an industrialised city in Turkey.

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important cause of mortality worldwide. AIMS The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in residents who were ≥40 years old and living in a heavily industrialised city of Turkey, Kocaeli, using the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease Initiative questionnaire. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS 1035 residents ≥40 years old and living in Kocaeli were surveyed. Spirometry and the basic BOLD questionnaire was performed. RESULTS 946 subjects entered into the analysis. The prevalence of stage I or higher COPD was 13.3% (8.7% for women and 16.5% for men), the prevalence of COPD at GOLD stage II or higher was 7.1% (4.1% for women and 9.2% for men). We also noted a high prevalence of COPD in never-smokers. CONCLUSION Besides cigarette smoking, occupational exposure to fumes, chemicals and dusts might have also contributed to the high prevalence of COPD noted in residents who were ≥40 years old and living in Kocaeli, Turkey.
On modification and variation

Up to a date still comparatively recent the transmission to offspring, in greater or less degree, of those modifications of habit or structure which the parents had acquired in the course of their individual lifetime, was generally accepted. Lamarck is regarded as the intellectual father of the transmissionists. In his ‘Histoire Naturelle’ he said: “The development of organs and their power of action are continually determinedby the use of these organs. ” This is known as his third law. In the fourth he insisted on the hereditary nature of the effects of such use. “All that has been acquired, begun or changed,” he said, “in the course of their life is preserved in reproduction and transmitted to the new individuals which spring from those which have experienced the changes. ”
Robot-arm pick and place behavior programming system using visual perception

This paper presents the programming of a robot-arm system for carrying out flexible pick and place behavior using visual perception. Object manipulation from visual data involves determining the pose of the object with respect to the manipulator. Taking into account that visual positioning is an ill-posed problem due to the perspective projection, this system uses a camera and a sensor distance, and both of them mounted on a robot-arm tool adapter for locating (positioning and orienting) objects. On the other hand, this programming system is modular, composed of different dynamic link libraries to be independent with the hardware and offers a friendly graphic interface where the user can define pick and place object locations on the image space.
Relay by Smart Device: Innovative Communications for Efficient Information Sharing Among Vehicles and Pedestrians

The combination of vehicles and mobile computers, such as smartphones and wearable devices, has provided many applications in our daily life. However, it is still limited to the applications in personal use. In fact, by utilizing the device-to-device technologies, which make use of the mobile device resources, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), and pedestrian-to-pedestrian (P2P) communications can be more effective and convenient. In this article, we present a concept of relay by smart device that aims at information dissemination by smart communication devices, which can contribute to efficient information sharing among vehicles and pedestrians. We propose a novel technique for effectively forming and disbanding the groups of vehicles and pedestrians for their communications. The proposed mechanism is based on three criteria, namely, the stability of the group, the activity of the group, and the qualification as a group leader. Procedures for group forming and disbanding are introduced. We develop a prototype as a smartphone application using Wi-Fi technology, referred to as the second generation of relay by smartphone, which is the smartphone type of relay by smart device. The results of the field experiment show that the proposed group-based information sharing technology has a good potential to be utilized in V2P, V2V, and P2P communications.
Stimulate Brillouin Scattering Based Broadband Tunable Slow-Light Conversion in a Highly Nonlinear Photonic Crystal Fiber

An integrated configuration is proposed to convert tunable slow light from signal to another frequency in a wide bandwidth by using a 70 m-long highly nonlinear photonic crystal fiber (HN-PCF). A 10 GHz RZ signal is delayed by a 10 Gbit/s 231-1 pseudo random bit sequence (PRBS) stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) pump, and the slow light is converted to another frequency in a broadband by four-wave mixing (FWM). By this way, not only the slow light is converted, but the idler power is enhanced greatly. In our experiment, all-optical controlled 37.5 ps delay time is converted in a 40 nm bandwidth flatly, and 4.7 dB idler power is enhanced simultaneously. The experimental results are in good agreement with those of the theory.
NILAI-NILAI PENDIDIKAN DALAM KAKAWIN SIWARATRI KALPA PERSPEKTIF ACARA, SUSILA DAN TATTWA

Kakawin Siwaratri Kalpa merupakan salah satu teks yang digunakan sebagai rujukan untuk melakukan pemujaan kepada dewa Siwa pada hari panglong 14, Tilem Kapitu. Pada saat itu, yakni pada malam Siwa (Siwa Ratri) umat Hindu melaksanakan puasa semalam suntuk tidak tidur serta berbhakti dengan sarana daun Bilwa. Nilai-nilai pendidikan yang tertuang di dalam teks tersebut dapat dilihat dari perspektif acara (upacara), susila, dan tattwa. Dalam perspektif acara dapat dilihat bahwa teks tersebut menggambarkan bahwa perayaan Siwaratri didahului oleh mitologi, yakni tentang cerita Lubdaka. Malam Siwaratri dirayakan di berbagai tempat di dunia sesuai dengan budaya setempat. Nilai pendidikan dari perspektif Susila menguraikan tentang dialektika etika deontologi dan konsekuensialis. Dewa Yama adalah sumber dari logika berpikir konsekuensialis di dalam upaya menyelesaikan masalah moral. Sedangkan Siwa menjadi inspirasi untuk berpikir secara deontologi. Sementara perspektif tattwa memandang bahwa kesadaran akan kesia-siaan kehidupan duniawi ini memunculkan kesadaran baru, yakni spiritual yang mengantar seseorang menuju Samadhi. Kata Kunci: Upacara, Etika, Tattwa, Deontologi, Konsekuensialis
Análisis de algunos problemas de optimización no locales.

Esta tesis esta dedicada al estudio de problemas de optimizacion asociados a problemas de tipo eliptico, no lineal en general, y con restricciones de tipo integral. Estos problemas estan motivados por cuestiones de gran interes con origen en la fisica y la ingenieria: diseno optimo de materiales compuestos, optimizacion de estructuras elasticas,. El metodo adoptado para tratar estos problemas consiste en introducir un problema de Calculo de Variaciones(que se prueba ser equivalente al problema de optimizacion inicial), para despues aplicar una tecnica clasica del Calculo de Variaciones, el Metodo Directo. Esto permite establecer resultados de existencia de soluciones optimas y analizar la no existencia de estas en el caso en el que el problema carezca de solucion. Este ultimo fenomeno es muy frecuente en este tipo de problemas. El analisis se lleva a cabo en funcion de la dimension, asi los casos unidimensional, bidimensional y tridimensional son analizados separadamente. El principal interes de los resultados obtenidos es que en ellos se permiten ecuaciones de estado no lineales y la dependencia conjunta respecto del control y el gradiente del estado en la funcion objetivo.
Comparative study of antifibrotic activity of some magnesium-containing supplements on experimental liver toxicity. Molecular study

Abstract Introduction: Liver fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins including collagen that occurs in most types of chronic liver diseases. This study aimed to investigate and compare the therapeutic efficacy of different magnesium (Mg)-containing supplements (formulations A, B, and C) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Methods: Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of rats with CCl4 (1:1 in olive oil, 2 mL/kg, three times/week) for 4 weeks, and then rats were orally treated with different Mg-containing supplements (formulations A, B, and C) once daily for another one month. Liver fibrosis was quantified by evaluation of expressions of Collagen I, transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ1), platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C), nuclear factor kappa-β (NF-κβ), and measurement of hepatic collagen (hydroxyproline) level. Also, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were estimated. Results: CCl4 administration significantly elevated expressions of the studied genes, hepatic hydroxyproline, MDA, and NO levels and caused depletion of GSH level, decreased SOD, and GST activities when compared with those of their corresponding control, p < 0.05. All magnesium supplements significantly inhibited expressions of the studied genes and attenuated the hepatic hydroxyproline level as compared with those of CCl4-treated group; p < 0.05; for NF-κβ, the highest inhibition was by formulations B and C. Regarding Collagen I, TGFβ1, and hepatic hydroxyproline content, the highest inhibition was by Formulation C, and Formulation A revealed highest inhibition for PDGF-C. All magnesium supplements revealed normalization of oxidant and antioxidants parameters. Histopathological examination supports the biochemical and molecular findings. Conclusion: Mg supplements were effective in the treatment of hepatic CCl4-induced fibrosis-rat model.
Mitochondrial genome of the tomato clownfish Amphiprion frenatus (Pomacentridae, Amphiprioninae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of the tomato clownfish Amphiprion frenatus was obtained in this study. The circular mtDNA molecule was 16,774 bp in size and the overall nucleotide composition of the H-strand was 29.72% A, 25.81% T, 15.38% G and 29.09% C, with an A + T bias. The complete mitogenome encoded 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs and a control region (D-loop), with the gene arrangement and translation direction basically identical to other typical vertebrate mitogenomes. The D-loop included termination associated sequence (TAS), central conserved domain (CCD) and conserved sequence block (CSB), and was composed of 6 complete continuity tandem repeat units and an imperfect tandem repeat unit.
Group random-access disciplines for multi-access broadcast channels

A group random-access (GILA) control discipline for a multi-access communication channel is presented and studied. A GILA scheme uses only certain channel time periods to allow some network terminals to transmit their information-bearing packets on a random-access basis. The channel can thus be utilized at other times to grant access to other terminals or other message types, by applying as appropriate group random-access, reservation, or fixed access-control procedures. GILA schemes could also be utilized to provide channel access to various network protocol packets. The average packet delay under a GRA discipline is evaluated by a Markov ratio limit theorem. To stabilize the channel, the GRA procedure is controlled dynamically by a control policy that rejects any newly arriving packets within certain time periods. Studying the associated Markov decision problem, the optimal control policy is characterized as yielding a minimal average packet delay under a prescribed maximal packet probability of rejection. This policy is shown to be represented by a single-threshold scheme. For such a scheme, a threshold value that attains the minimum probability of rejection is shown to exist and to yield a desirable control procedure. Performance curves are presented to demonstrate the delay-throughput characteristics induced by GRA procedures.
Translation mismatches in lexically-driven FUDR-based MT Towards standardization of lexicon formalisms for MT

Nous proposons un formalisme lexical pour des architectures de transfert co-descriptives dirigees par le lexique qui definissent le niveau analytique des structures superficielles sous-specifiees de la representation discursive (FUDRS) comme le niveau de transfert. Nous examinerons quelques exemples de non-concordance structurelle entre source et cible dont on sait que la representation est extremement difficile et nous demontrerons ainsi que ce formalisme permet de traiter un grand nombre de divergences structurelles dans le lexique. Par consequent, cette approche permet de developper et d’entretenir le systeme de traduction d’une facon economique. En effet, les modules de transfert proprement dits peuvent rester simples et faciles a entretenir, etant donne qu’ils ne portent que sur les routines de transfert (et de generation) globales qui sont independantes des singularites du lexique.
Cell culture as a test system for toxicity

Appropriate cell culture systems provide a useful additional method of screening for toxicity, in spite of the obvious problems of relating in vitro effects of test compounds at the cellular level to their effects in the whole animal. It is shown that a wide range of chemically disimilar molecules have a reversible inhibitory activity on the growth of primary cultures of monkey kidney cells. The potency of these compounds correlates with their lipid solubility, suggesting that the cell membranes may be their main site of action. Support for this is obtained by the correlation of inhibitory activity and the ability of the same compounds to stabilize the erythrocyte membrane against hypotonic haemolysis which is known to be a direct effect of interaction with the erythrocyte membrane. It is suggested that the ability of the food additive butylated hydroxytoluene to act as a potent inhibitor of cellular growth may account for its reported ability to prolong the life span of mice.
Energy Homeostasis and Metabolic Diseases High-fat diet induces site-specific unresponsiveness to LPS-stimulated STAT 3 activation in the hypothalamus

Beatriz de Carvalho Borges, Rodrigo Rorato, Ernane Torres Uchoa, Paula Marangon, Glauber S. F. da Silva, Francisco José de Paula, Luiz G. S. Branco, José Antunes-Rodrigues, and Lucila Leico Kagohara Elias Department of Physiology and Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Department of Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology, Dental School of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Unit commitment and operating reserves with probabilistic wind power forecasts

In this paper we discuss how probabilistic wind power forecasts can serve as an important tool to efficiently address wind power uncertainty in power system operations. We compare different probabilistic forecasting and scenario reduction methods, and test the resulting forecasts on a stochastic unit commitment model. The results are compared to deterministic unit commitment, where dynamic operating reserve requirements can also be derived from the probabilistic forecasts. In both cases, the use of probabilistic forecasts contributes to improve the system performance in terms of cost and reliability.
A Frequent Thrombomodulin Amino Acid Dimorphism Is not Associated with Thrombophilia

Summary We report a C/T dimorphism in the thrombomodulin (TM) gene that predicts an Ala455 → Val replacement in the sixth EGF-like domain of TM. This dimorphism has allelic frequencies of 82 (Ala) and 18% (Val) in a normal population. In a group of protein C deficient patients and in a group of subjects with unexplained thrombophilia the allelic frequencies were found to be the same as in the normal population. This indicates that with respect to thrombophilia the dimorphism is essentially neutral.
Technology-Mediated ELT Writing: Acceptance and Engagement in an Online Moodle Course.

In the past fifteen years, Web 2.0 social networking technologies have ushered in a new era of information production, distribution and consumption with significant implications for language teaching and learning. An example of such technology is Moodle, which is a learning management system with several useful features that can transform the learning environment into a site for interactivity, connectivity and great amounts of extensive learning. With this in mind, the present case study aims to investigate tertiary education students’ acceptance of and engagement in a Moodle-hosted writing course. Using case study methodology, qualitative data were elicited from 24 semester-two students on the basis of focus group interviews constructed in line with Technology Acceptance Model 2. Another source of data is Moodle log reports, which offered a detailed account of students’ contributions and activities in the online writing course. The results showed that almost all the students perceived Moodle as a useful tool for sharing, collaboration and learning. The results also uncovered three different categories of students in terms of level of engagement; namely, highly engaged, moderately engaged and poorly engaged. The implications of these results for an effective implementation of Moodle are discussed.
Lmx1a is an activator of Rgs4 and Grb10 and is responsible for the correct specification of rostral and medial mdDA neurons

The LIM homeodomain transcription factor Lmx1a is a very potent inducer of stem cells towards dopaminergic neurons. Despite several studies on the function of this gene, the exact in vivo role of Lmx1a in mesodiencephalic dopamine (mdDA) neuronal specification is still not understood. To analyse the genes functioning downstream of Lmx1a, we performed expression microarray analysis of LMX1A‐overexpressing MN9D dopaminergic cells. Several interesting regulated genes were identified, based on their regulation in other previously generated expression arrays and on their expression pattern in the developing mdDA neuronal field. Post analysis through in vivo expression analysis in Lmx1a mouse mutant (dr/dr) embryos demonstrated a clear decrease in expression of the genes Grb10 and Rgs4, in and adjacent to the rostral and dorsal mdDA neuronal field and within the Lmx1a expression domain. Interestingly, the DA marker Vmat2 was significantly up‐regulated as a consequence of increased LMX1A dose, and subsequent analysis on Lmx1a‐mutant E14.5 and adult tissue revealed a significant decrease in Vmat2 expression in mdDA neurons. Taken together, microarray analysis of an LMX1A‐overexpression cell system resulted in the identification of novel direct or indirect downstream targets of Lmx1a in mdDA neurons: Grb10, Rgs4 and Vmat2.
Clonotype Analysis of Human Alloreactive T Cells: A Novel Approach to Studying Peripheral Tolerance in a Transplant Recipient1

The recognition of allo-MHC and associated peptides on the surface of graft-derived APC by host T cells (direct pathway allorecognition) plays an important role in acute rejection after organ transplantation. However, the status of the direct pathway T cells in stable long term transplants remains unclear. To detect alloreactive T cell clones in PBL and the allograft during the transplant tolerance, we utilized RT-PCR instead of functional assays, which tend to underestimate their in vivo frequencies. We established alloreactive CD4+ and CD8+ T cell clones from peripheral blood sampled during the stable tolerance phase of a patient whose graft maintained good function for 9 years, 7 without immunosuppression. We analyzed the sequence of TCR Vβ and Vα genes and made clonotype-specific probes that allowed us to detect each clone in peripheral blood or biopsy specimens obtained during a 1-year period before and after the rapid onset of chronic rejection. We found an unexpectedly high level of donor HLA-specific T cell clonotype mRNA in peripheral blood during the late tolerance phase. Strong signals for two CD4+ clonotypes were detected in association with focal T cell infiltrates in the biopsy. Chronic rejection was associated with a reduction in direct pathway T cell clonotype mRNA in peripheral blood and the graft. Our data are inconsistent with the hypothesis that direct pathway T cells are involved only in early acute rejection events and suggest the possibility that some such T cells may contribute to the maintenance of peripheral tolerance to an allograft.
Arterial stents: modelling drug release and restenosis

Artery walls have three layers. The inner layer is the intima; this contains the endothelium, a layer of cells directly next to the blood which play an important role in controlling vascular tone, regulating transport into the wall and inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration (Corti and Badimon, 2002). The middle layer is the media which is the muscular part of the wall, containing smooth muscle cells, collagen and elastin. The outer layer is the adventitia which contains fibrous tissue (making it much stiffer than the media) and tethers the artery to the perivascular tissue. When atherosclerosis occurs, a plaque consisting of lipid and fibrous tissue forms inside the intima layer of the artery wall (Libby, 2000; Yuan et al., 2000). Atherosclerosis is the most common arterial disease and can lead to heart attacks and strokes, making it the leading cause of death in the Western world. As the plaque grows the artery wall thickens; a large plaque may greatly reduce the lumenal area, reducing the blood flow and resulting in insufficient oxygen being obtained by the tissues downstream (ischemia).