Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blind Evaluation of Image Scrambling Degree based on the Correlation of Adjacent Pixels

The correlation of adjacent pixels is one of the important parameters for measuring the distribution of adjacent pixels’ gray value. And it is widely used to evaluate the scrambling degree of digital image. Distribution figures are always plotted to show the relation of adjacent pixels’ gray value, but only subjective and qualitative analysis has been applied to explain the uniformity of dots in these figures so far. In order to evaluate their uniformity quantitatively and objectively, two approaches are advanced: average gray difference method and block uniformity method. And, two blind evaluating methods on the image scrambling degree are presented further according to the former. Simulation results show that both of the two approaches can describe the uniformity of distribution figures of adjacent pixels’ gray value quantitatively and objectively. They can be operated with just a little data of a cipher image and without using any data of plain image. These two evaluation methods on image scrambling degree are in a good agreement with the Human Vision System, and they can achieve the goal of objective and fast blind evaluation.
Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter–Related Infections

Background: Although many catheter-related blood-stream infections (CRBSIs) are preventable, measures to reduce these infections are not uniformly implemented. Objective: To update an existing evidenced-based guideline that promotes strategies to prevent CRBSIs. Data Sources: The MEDLINE database, conference proceedings, and bibliographies of review articles and book chapters were searched for relevant articles. Studies Included: Laboratory-based studies, controlled clinical trials, prospective interventional trials, and epidemiologic investigations. Outcome Measures: Reduction in CRBSI, catheter colonization, or catheter-related infection. Synthesis: The recommended preventive strategies with the strongest supportive evidence are education and training of healthcare providers who insert and maintain catheters; maximal sterile barrier precautions during central venous catheter insertion; use of a 2% chlorhexidine preparation for skin antisepsis; no routine replacement of central venous catheters for prevention of infection; and use of antiseptic/antibiotic-impregnated short-term central venous catheters if the rate of infection is high despite adherence to other strategies (ie, education and training, maximal sterile barrier precautions, and 2% chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis). Conclusion: Successful implementation of these evidence-based interventions can reduce the risk for serious catheter-related infection.
Packaging in a yeast double-stranded RNA virus

The yeast virus ScV-L1 has only two genes, cap and pol, which encode the capsid polypeptide and the viral polymerase, respectively. The second gene is translated only as a cap-pol fusion protein. This fusion protein is responsible for recognition of a specific small stem and loop region of the viral plus strands, of 19 to 31 bases in length, ensuring packaging specificity. We have used a related virus, ScV-La, which has about 29% codon identity with ScV-L1 in the most conserved region of the pol gene, to map the region in pol that is responsible for packaging L1. Characterization of a number of chimeric viral proteins that recognize L1 but have the La capsid region delimits the region necessary for recognition of L1 to a 76- to 82-codon portion of pol. In addition, we show that overproduction of the La capsid polypeptide results in curing of the ScV-La virus, analogous to the production of plants resistant to RNA viruses by virtue of systemic production of viral coat protein.
Identification and Characterization of Vitamin A‐Storing Cells in Fetal Liver: Implications for Functional Importance of Hepatic Stellate Cells in Liver Development and Hematopoiesis

Hepatic stellate cells (HpSTCs) are major regulators of hepatic fibrogenesis in adults. However, their early development in fetal liver is largely unknown. To characterize fetal HpSTCs in the liver, in which hepatic development and hematopoiesis occur in parallel, we determined the phenotypic characteristics of HpSTCs from rat fetal livers, using a strategy focused on vitamin A. Storage of vitamin A in the cytoplasm is a unique characteristic of HpSTCs, permitting identification of them by vitamin A‐specific autofluorescence (vA+) when excited with UV light using flow cytometry. A characteristic vA+ cell population was identified in liver as early as 13 days post coitum; it had a surface phenotype of RT1A− intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1+ vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)‐1+ β3‐integrin+. Although nonspecific autofluorescent cells were found with the antigenic profile of RT1A− ICAM‐1+ VCAM‐1+, they were β3‐integrin− and proved to be hepatoblasts, bipotent hepatic parenchymal progenitors. In addition to expression of classic HpSTC markers, the vA+ cells were able to proliferate continuously in a serum‐free hormonally defined medium containing leukemia inhibitory factor, which was found to be a key factor for their replication. These results demonstrated that the vA+ cells are fetal HpSTCs with extensive proliferative activity. Furthermore, the vA+ cells strongly express hepatocyte growth factor, stromal‐derived factor‐1α, and Hlx (homeobox transcription factor), indicating that they play important roles for hepatic development and hematopoiesis. The abilities to isolate and expand fetal HpSTCs enable further investigation into their roles in early liver development and facilitate identification of possibly novel signals of potential relevance for liver diseases.
MAXIMIZACIÓN DE UTILIDAD Y VALUACIÓN DE OPCIONES CON VOLATILIDAD ESTOCÁSTICA

Este trabajo desarrolla un modelo de equilibrio parcial para valuar productos derivados cuando la volatilidad del activo subyacente presenta volatilidad estocastica. El modelo considera una economia poblada por agentes racionales (consumidores-inversionistas) que toman decisiones sobre consumo e inversion en un ambiente de riesgo de mercado. El precio del derivado y el coeficiente de riesgo se caracterizan como las soluciones de un sistema de ecuaciones diferenciales parciales. Varias formas especificas de la funcion de utilidad son analizadas en el proceso de valuacion.
Evidence-based nutritional recommendations for the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults ( FESNAD-SEEDO consensus document ) . The role of diet in obesity treatment ( III / III )

Endocrinología y Nutrición Hospital Virgen de la Torre. Madrid (on behalf of SEEDO). Unidad de Nutrición Clínica y Dietética, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Madrid (on behalf of SEEN). Área de Nutrición Comunitaria. Centro Superior de Investigación en Salud Pública. Unidad de Educación para la Salud. Servicio de Programas, Planes y Estrategias de Salud. Dirección General de Investigación y Salud Pública. Conselleria de Sanitat. Generalitat Valenciana (on behalf of SENC). Grupo de Revisión, Estudio y Posicionamiento de la Asociación Española de Dietistas-Nutricionistas (on behalf of AEDN). President of Fundación SEEDO (on behalf of SEEDO). Unidad de Nutrición Humana. IISPV. Universitat Rovira i Virgili. Reus. CIBER Obesidad y Nutrición. Instituto Carlos III. Madrid (on behalf of FESNAD). Spain.
A computational model of spatial encoding in the hippocampus

In dieser Arbeit wird das Langsamkeitsprinzip (LP) als grundlegendes Verarbeitungskonzept des Hippocampus behandelt. Sechs Tierversuchsstudien werden vorgestellt und in Simulationen reproduziert. Untersucht werden unterschiedliche Aspekte der ortlichen Codierung des Hippocampus: Reaktion auf das Modifizieren visueller Merkmale; richtungsspezifische Aktivitat in linearen und offenen Umgebungen; Reaktion zu skalierten sowie "morphenden" Umgebungen. Simulationen basieren auf der hierarchischen Anwendung des Langsamkeitsprinzips via Slow Feature Analysis (SFA); die Ergebnisse der Studien werden erfolgreich durch das LP nachgestellt. Zusatzlich wird das SFA Model in eine generische Architektur integriert um die Assoziation und Integration verschiedener sensorischer Modalitaten adressieren zu konnen. Dieser Ansatz versucht die Lucke zwischen der Forschung im Menschen und Tieren zu uberbrucken und ist in der Lage ein Gedachtnisexperiment sowie elementare ortliche Codierung zu reproduzieren.
LTE Power Amplifier for envelope tracking polar transmitters

The capacitance between the base and collector terminals of hetero-junction bipolar transistors (HBT) varies with an RF input signal, and degrades linearity and efficiency. A second harmonic control circuit and a feedback inductor between the base and collector terminals are employed to prevent the distortion of the signal, and improve the efficiency and the linearity. The PA circuit is realized in a 1.2 mm by 1.2 mm die using a 2 µm InGaP/GaAs HBT process. For a long term evolution (LTE) signal at a frequency of 2.535 GHz with a 7.42 dB crest factor, 16 QAM, and a 20 MHz bandwidth, the PA with a supply voltage of 4.5 V has an EVM of 2.78% and a PAE of 32.6% at an average output power of 26.9 dBm. The PA is operated in an envelope-tracking mode with a boosted supply modulator from 3.4 V to 4.5 V, and delivers a PAE of 34.2% at an average output power of 26.4 dBm, while meets the LTE spectrum mask.
An Optimized Track Length in Roadway Inductive Power Transfer Systems

Application of inductive power transfer (IPT) to electric vehicles moving along the road can provide more charging flexibility with the reduction of weight and size of charge-storage batteries required in the vehicles. Existing research focuses on the efficiency improvement and alignment tolerance of the IPT transformer. Consideration of the transformer track length and the vehicle speed is rarely discussed. In this paper, an IPT vehicle charging system using a series of sectional tracks is studied. The relationship among various key parameters, such as vehicle speed, system efficiency, and power utilization of the IPT system, is studied in detail. Specifically, the impact on efficiency due to variation of track length and edge correction is reported. The extension of the system from a single pickup to multiple pickups is discussed. The results are verified with finite-element-analysis simulation and a scale-down experimental prototype.
Reconsideration of the role of fibronectin binding in endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus

The adherence characteristics in vivo and virulence of two isogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus differing in fibronectin binding were compared in a rat model of catheter-induced infective endocarditis. No differences were found between the two strains. The results strongly point to the multifactorial nature of bacterial adherence to damaged heart valves and suggest that other binding functions can compensate for the lack of fibronectin binding in S. aureus.
Linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex-mediated actin-dependent nuclear positioning orients centrosomes in migrating myoblasts

Myoblast migration is essential for muscle development and repair; however, the factors that contribute to the polarity of migrating myoblasts are relatively unknown. We find that randomly migrating C2C12 myoblasts orient their centrosomes in the direction of migration. Using wounded monolayers, we further show that centrosome orientation is stimulated by the serum factor lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and involves the rearward movement of the nucleus while the centrosome is maintained at the cell centroid. The rate of nuclear movement correlated with that of actin retrograde flow and both cytochalasin D and blebbistatin prevented nuclear movement and centrosome orientation. Actin-dependent rearward nuclear movement in fibroblasts is mediated by assembly of nuclear membrane nesprin-2G and SUN2 LINC complexes into transmembrane actin-associated nuclear (TAN) lines anchored by A-type lamins and emerin. In C2C12 myoblasts, depletion of nesprin-2G, SUN2 or lamin A/C prevented nuclear movement and endogenous nesprin-2G and a chimeric GFP-mini-nesprin-2G formed TAN lines during nuclear movement. Depleting nesprin-2G strongly interfered with directed cell migration and reduced the efficiency of myoblast fusion into multinucleated myotubes. Our results show that nuclear movement contributes to centrosome orientation and polarity for efficient migration and fusion of myoblasts. Given that mutations in the genes encoding A-type lamins, nesprin-2 and SUN2 cause Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and related myopathies, our results have implications for understanding the mechanism of disease pathogenesis.
Pathoadaptive Conditional Regulation of the Type VI Secretion System in Vibrio cholerae O1 Strains

ABSTRACT The most recently discovered secretion pathway in Gram-negative bacteria, the type VI secretion system (T6SS), is present in many species and is considered important for the survival of non-O1 non-O139 Vibrio cholerae in aquatic environments. Until now, it was not known whether there is a functionally active T6SS in wild-type V. cholerae O1 strains, the cause of cholera disease in humans. Here, we demonstrate the presence of a functionally active T6SS in wild-type V. cholerae O1 strains, as evidenced by the secretion of the T6SS substrate Hcp, which required several gene products encoded within the putative vas gene cluster. Our analyses showed that the T6SS of wild-type V. cholerae O1 strain A1552 was functionally activated when the bacteria were grown under high-osmolarity conditions. The T6SS was also active when the bacteria were grown under low temperature (23°C), suggesting that the system may be important for the survival of the bacterium in the environment. A test of the interbacterial virulence of V. cholerae strain A1552 against an Escherichia coli K-12 strain showed that it was strongly enhanced under high osmolarity and that it depended on the hcp genes. Interestingly, we found that the newly recognized osmoregulatory protein OscR plays a role in the regulation of T6SS gene expression and secretion of Hcp from V. cholerae O1 strains.
Requirement of cell nucleus for African swine fever virus replication in Vero cells

The role of the cell nucleus in the development of African swine fever virus in Vero cells has been studied. No viral growth could be detected in enucleated cells under conditions that allow normal development of Sindbis virus. Furthermore, African swine fever virus DNA synthesis was inhibited more than 95% after infection of enucleated Vero cells as compared with normal cells.
Different periodicity and time structure of leg movements during sleep in narcolepsy/cataplexy and restless legs syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To analyze periodic leg movements (PLM) during sleep in patients with narcolepsy and compare the results with those obtained in normal controls and subjects with restless legs syndrome (RLS). METHODS We recruited 40 HLA DQB1*0602-positive patients with narcolepsy/cataplexy, 22 with RLS, and 22 controls. The time structure of their polysomnographically recorded LMs was analyzed by means of an approach particularly able to consider their periodicity. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Nineteen patients with narcolepsy had a PLM index greater than 15. The distribution of inter-LM intervals was clearly bimodal in RLS and narcoleptics, with 1 peak at 2 to 4 seconds and another at around 22 to 26 seconds; in the range 22 to 40 seconds, patients with RLS had values significantly higher than patients with narcolepsy. All periodicity parameters were significantly lower in the narcolepsy group. Finally, the distribution of the number of PLM per hour of sleep was bell shaped in normal controls and patients with narcolepsy, whereas patients with RLS showed a progressive decrease throughout the night. CONCLUSION Most narcoleptic patients show a high number of LMs that are significantly less periodic than those of patients with RLS. PLM are in functional interrelationship with the cyclic alternating pattern, which is reduced in patients with narcolepsy; decreased arousal fluctuations during sleep may be one of the factors influencing the reduction in periodicity of LMs during sleep in narcolepsy.
Changes in outcomes (1996–2004) for pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation*

Objective: To assess the following hypotheses regarding mechanically ventilated pediatric oncology patients, including those receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and those not receiving HSCT: 1) outcomes are more favorable for nontransplant oncology patients than for those requiring HSCT; 2) outcomes have improved for both populations over time; and 3) there are factors available during the time of mechanical ventilation that identify patients with a higher likelihood of dying. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Free-standing, tertiary care, pediatric hematology oncology hospital. Patients: All patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation with a diagnosis of cancer or following HSCT from January 1996 to December 2004. Interventions: Bivariate and multivariate analysis. Dates of admission were grouped into time periods for analysis: 1996–1998, 1999–2001, and 2002–2004. Measurements and Main Results: There were 401 courses of mechanical ventilation (329 patients) analyzed. Forty-five percent of HSCT admissions (92 of 206) vs. 75% of non-HSCT oncology admissions (146 of 195) were extubated and discharged from the pediatric intensive care unit (p < .0001). Twenty-five percent of HSCT vs. 60% of non-HSCT admissions survived 6 months (p < .0001). Among admissions with an abnormal chest radiograph and a Pao2/Fio2 ratio <200, pediatric intensive care unit survival increased for each successive time period, with 45% of HSCT and 83% of non-HSCT admissions surviving during 2002–2004. In multivariate analysis of all study patients, Pediatric Risk of Mortality scores on the day of intubation, allogeneic HSCT, cardiovascular failure, hepatic failure, neurologic failure, a previous course of mechanical ventilation within 6 months, and the time period intubated were associated with mortality. With the exception of time period, these same variables were associated with mortality in multivariate analysis of only HSCT patients. Conclusions: HSCT patients who require mechanical ventilation have worse outcomes than non-HSCT oncology patients. Outcomes for both groups have improved over time. Allogeneic transplant, higher Pediatric Risk of Mortality scores, need for repeated mechanical ventilation, and concomitant organ system dysfunction are risk factors for death.
Scale registration based on descriptor analysis and B-spline matching

By adopting different reconstruction techniques, 3D sensors generate different point clouds of various scales for the same object. This paper presents a new algorithm to align point clouds of different scales. First, shape descriptors based on different neighboring sizes are calculated on each point. Secondly, for each neighboring size, principle components analysis is applied on all descriptors to generate the cumulative contribution rates, which are fitted by B-spline curves. Then, finding scale different between two 3D point clouds in 3D space, is reduced to finding scale difference between two sets of 2D B-spline curves in 2D space. Finally, a numerical solution is presented to find the unknown scale, which is experimentally proved to have higher accuracy than existing methods.
Alexithymia and health-related quality of life in a general population.

BACKGROUND Alexithymia is thought to reflect a deficit in the cognitive processing of emotion, and, therefore, it may predispose individuals to both psychological and somatic symptoms. OBJECTIVE The authors investigated the relationship between alexithymia and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a nationally representative population sample of 5,418 subjects, age 30 to 97 years. METHOD Alexithymia was measured with the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and HRQoL measured with the 15D, a generic HRQoL measure. RESULTS Alexithymia was significantly associated with lower HRQoL independently of other variables. The TAS-20 subfactor Difficulties Identifying Feelings was the strongest common denominator between alexithymia and HRQoL. CONCLUSION Alexithymia may be a predisposing factor to poorer HRQoL.
Super-twisting sliding mode observer based speed sensorless torque control for PMSG used in wind turbines

A speed sensorless torque control method for permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) based on super-twisting sliding mode observer (STSMO) is proposed in this paper. Active back electromotive force (BEMF) can be obtained based on the STSMO. With the observed active BEMF, the rotor position angle and the speed are estimated by a phase-locked loop. Besides, a stator flux and electromagnetic torque (EMT) observation method is proposed based on the observed active BEMF. Compared to the traditional method, the robustness of the proposed one to the parameters of PMSG is improved. Then a speed sensorless EMT closed-loop control system is established. The simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
THESE DE DOCTORAT D'ETAT

THESES DE DOCTORAT D'ETAT Oussedik-Oumehdi Habiba (17 Decembre 2007) . « Effet de l'irradiation gamma sur les proprietes biochimiques et immunologiques du venin de Cerastes cerastes : Apport dans l'immunotherapie ophidienne ». (FSB-USTHB) Hammoudi-Triki Djelila (08/06/04). Effets physiopathologiques et pharmacologiques du venin d'Androctonus australis hector avant et apres immunotherapie (FSB-USTHB) LARABA-DJEBARI Fatima (1995). Etude de polypetides pharmacologiquement actifs isoles a partir des (.)
Stress Degradation Behavior of a Polypill and Development of Stability Indicating UHPLC Method for the Simultaneous Estimation of Aspirin, Atorvastatin, Ramipril and Metoprolol Succinate

A novel, sensitive and precise UHPLC method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of the all the active components of a Polypill viz Zycad, i.e., Aspirin (ASP) Atorvastatin (ATV), Ramipril (RMP) and Metoprolol (MTP) in Zycad tablet dosage form in the presence of degradation products. Forced degradation of individual as well as combination of all the drug substances components of Polypill was conducted in accordance with ICH guidelines. Acidic, basic, neutral, and oxidative hydrolysis, thermal stress, and photolytic degradation were used to assess the stability-indicating power of the method. Use of 100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm stationary phases with simple mobile phase combination buffer consisting of 0.1% Perchloric acid (adjusted to pH 2.5) and Acetonitrile, delivered in a gradient mode and quantitation was carried out using ultraviolet detection at 215 nm with a flow rate of 0.6 mL? min–1. The method was optimized using samples generated by forced degradation studies. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy (recovery), precision, Specificity and robustness. The method was linear in the range of 37.5 to 150.0 µg? mL–1 for ASP, 5.0 to 20.0 µg? mL–1 for ATV and 2.5 to 10.0 µg? mL–1 for RMP and 25.0 to 100.0 µg? mL–1 for MTP.