Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Respiratory gymnastics , an opportunity for the exercise capacity optimization in people with essential hypertension ( Note II )

Background. A respiratory gymnastics program introduced in subjects with essential arterial hypertension is assumed to improve their cardiorespiratory parameters. Also, respiratory gymnastics could increase the exercise capacity of hypertensive persons. Aims. Designing a respiratory gymnastics program applied to subjects with essential arterial hypertension, which can improve their blood pressure, heart rate and breathing and ultimately, increase maximal exercise capacity. Methods. This application type study, performed between September 2012 October 2012 on a number of 6 subjects diagnosed with essential arterial hypertension, is based on the experiment and case study methods. Results. From the results obtained, it appears that thoracic elasticity increased slightly in all patients (average 0.6 cm). Comparing the initial and final values of functional parameters measured at rest showed sensitive decreases. The results of exercise testing specific to each subject showed a slightly higher exercise capacity. In all subjects who performed the 6-minute walk test, the covered distance increased on average by 26 meters ± 12 after 4 weeks of respiratory gymnastics. Conclusions. The values of the anthropometric and functional parameters obtained after 4 weeks of performing the respiratory gymnastics program highlighted the importance of respiratory gymnastics for the cardiorespiratory recovery of hypertensive subjects.
2D Gels and bioinformatics - An eye at the future

2-D Gel Technology has had profound impact on proteomic research over the years. Informatics support brought a new dimension to 2D gels and associated technologies. But with advent of new and emerging technologies, it will be interesting to observe the trends of 2D gel technology in the years to come. Here we review 2D gel technology and its applications besides looking at the future scope of 2D gels in the post genome era.
Link prediction based on dynamic weighted social attribute network

Social networks are highly dynamic objects; they grow and change quickly over time through the addition of new edges, signifying the appearance of new interactions in the underlying social structure. In present online social networks have become necessary communication tools in peoples' daily life. Links prediction of social network can not only recommend future friends to a user, but also can predict large scale social trends. In this paper, the link prediction problem is treated as a binary classification problem. We propose the method for constructing dynamic weighted social attribute network, and then extract different features from the weighted social attribute network, which are used to train a classifier for link prediction. Moreover, we discuss how to design the node weight and edge weight. The experiments show that when compared with the original social attribute network graph, the weighted social attribute network has better performance for link prediction, and the method for designing the weight of the node and edge weight of the social attribute network is feasible.
Experiences in Implementing Large-Scale Biomedical Workflows on the Cloud: Challenges in Transitioning to the Clinical Domain

The sequencing of the human genome has brought about many opportunities and challenges for the realisation of personalised health. Whilst researchers are able to analyse and derive results that can be published in journals, the rigor required in moving from a research setting to a clinical setting increases dramatically. Workflows represent one way in which analysis can be defined reflecting the many steps involved in analysing genomics data that in principle can be repeated by others. The Cloud also provides ways to re-establish the software environment for enactment of workflows required for data-intensive genomic analysis. However the challenge of what is the best analytical workflow remains. This paper explores this issue through systematic exploration of a range of biomedical workflows on the NeCTAR Research Cloud and the resultant evidence in diversity of possible workflows and their results. The challenges for the future acceptance of genomics workflows in the clinical domain are discussed.
DNA-Protein Immunization Using Leishmania Peroxidoxin-1 Induces a Strong CD4+ T Cell Response and Partially Protects Mice from Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Role of Fusion Murine Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor DNA Adjuvant

Background To date, no universally effective and safe vaccine has been developed for general human use. Leishmania donovani Peroxidoxin-1 (LdPxn-1) is a member of the antioxidant family of proteins and is predominantly expressed in the amastigote stage of the parasite. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of LdPxn-1 in BALB/c mice in heterologous DNA-Protein immunization regimen in the presence of fusion murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (mGMCSF) DNA adjuvant. Methodology and Principal Findings A fusion DNA of LdPxn1 and mGMCSF was cloned into a modified pcDNA vector. To confirm the expression in mammalian system, Chinese hamster ovary cells were transfected with the plasmid vector containing LdPxn1 gene. BALB/c mice were immunized twice with pcDNA-mGMCSF-LdPxn-1 or pcDNA-LdPxn1 DNA and boosted once with recombinant LdPxn-1 protein. Three weeks after the last immunization, mice were infected with Leishmania major promastigotes. The result showed that immunization with pcDNA-mGMCSF-LdPxn1 elicited a mixed Th-1/Th-2 immune response with significantly higher production of IFN-γ than controls. Intracellular cytokine staining of antigen-stimulated spleen cells showed that immunization with this antigen elicited significantly higher proportion of CD4+ T cells that express IFN-γ, TNF-α, or IL-2. The antigen also induced significantly higher proportion of multipotent CD4+ cells that simultaneously express the three Th-1 cytokines. Moreover, a significant reduction in the footpad swelling was seen in mice immunized with pcDNA-mGMCSF-LdPxn1 antigen. Expression study in CHO cells demonstrated that pcDNA-mGMCSF-LdPxn-1 was expressed in mammalian system. Conclusion The result demonstrates that immunization of BALB/c mice with a plasmid expressing LdPxn1 in the presence of mGMCSF adjuvant elicits a strong specific immune response with high level induction of multipotent CD4+ cells that mediate protection of the mice from Leishmania major infection. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing the vaccine potential of Leishmania peroxidoxin -1.
A low cost wireless sensor system for monitoring the Air Handling Unit of the University building

In this work, we propose the development of monitoring system for the Air Handling Unit of a particular building of the University via Zigbee network. The proposed system will provide all the essential information required for the thermal modeling of the building using Dynamic Thermal Simulation. Furthermore, this will allow us to accomplish autonomous building management and also to study the thermal behaviour of the building and their interaction with the external environment.
Characterizing Overlay Multicast Networks and Their Costs

Overlay networks among cooperating hosts have recently emerged as a viable solution to several challenging problems, including multicasting, routing, content distribution, and peer-to-peer services. Application-level overlays, however, incur a performance penalty over router-level solutions. This paper quantifies and explains this performance penalty for overlay multicast trees via: 1) Internet experimental data; 2) simulations; and 3) theoretical models. We compare a number of overlay multicast protocols with respect to overlay tree structure, and underlying network characteristics. Experimental data and simulations illustrate that the mean number of hops and mean per-hop delay between parent and child hosts in overlay trees generally decrease as the level of the host in the overlay tree increases. Overlay multicast routing strategies, overlay host distribution, and Internet topology characteristics are identified as three primary causes of the observed phenomenon. We show that this phenomenon yields overlay tree cost savings: Our results reveal that the normalized cost L(n)/U(n) is propn0.9 for small n, where L(n) is the total number of hops in all overlay links, U(n) is the average number of hops on the source to receiver unicast paths, and n is the number of members in the overlay multicast session. This can be compared to an IP multicast cost proportional to n0.6 to n0.8
Phenotypes of pseudohypoaldosteronism type II caused by the WNK4 D561A missense mutation are dependent on the WNK-OSR1/SPAK kinase cascade

We recently reported increased phosphorylation of the NaCl cotransporter (NCC) in Wnk4D561A/+ knock-in mice, an ideal model of the human hereditary hypertensive disease pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII). Although previous in vitro studies had suggested the existence of a phosphorylation cascade involving the WNK, OSR1 and SPAK kinases, whether the WNK-OSR1/SPAK cascade is in fact fully responsible for NCC phosphorylation in vivo and whether the activation of this cascade is the sole mediator of PHAII remained to be determined. To clarify these issues, we mated the Wnk4D561A/+ knock-in mice with Spak and Osr1 knock-in mice in which the T-loop threonine residues in SPAK and OSR1 (243 and 185, respectively) were mutated to alanine to prevent activation by WNK kinases. We found that NCC phosphorylation was almost completely abolished in Wnk4D561A/+SpakT243A/T243AOsr1T185A/+ triple knock-in mice, clearly demonstrating that NCC phosphorylation in vivo is dependent on the WNK-OSR1/SPAK cascade. In addition, the high blood pressure, hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis observed in Wnk4D561A/+ mice were corrected in the triple knock-in mice. These results clearly establish that PHAII caused by the WNK4 D561A mutation is dependent on the activation of the WNK-OSR1/SPAK-NCC cascade and that the contribution of other mechanisms to PHAII (independent of the WNK-OSR1/SPAK cascade) could be minimal.
The antimycotic ciclopirox olamine induces HIF‐1α stability, VEGF expression, and angiogenesis

The heterodimeric hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1 is a master regulator of oxygen homeostasis. Protein stability and transactivation function of the α subunit are controlled by iron‐ and oxygen‐dependent hydroxylation of proline and asparagine residues. The anti‐mycotic ciclopirox olamine (CPX) is a lipophilic bidentate iron chelator that stabilizes HIF‐1α under normoxic conditions at lower concentrations than other iron chelators, probably by inhibiting HIF‐1α hydroxylation. As shown by the inhibition of iron‐dependent quenching of FITC‐labeled deferoxamine (DFX) fluorescence, CPX appears to have an even higher affinity for iron than DFX. Initial observations that treatment with 1% CPX, but not with placebo, occasionally caused reddening of wound margins in a mouse skin wound model prompted us to investigate the capability of CPX to induce angiogenesis. CPX‐induced HIF‐1‐mediated reporter gene activity and endogenous HIF‐1 target gene expression, including elevation of transcription, mRNA, and protein levels of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay, inert polymer disks containing CPX but not the solvent alone induced angiogenesis. In summary, these results suggest that CPX induces angiogenesis in vivo via HIF‐1 and VEGF induction. Therefore, CPX might serve as an alternative to recombinant VEGF treatment or to VEGF gene therapy for therapeutic angiogenesis.
Actual microstructure-based numerical method for mesomechanics of concrete

This paper presents an actual microstructure-based numerical method to investigate the mechanical properties of concrete at mesoscopic level. Digital image processing technique is used to capture the concrete surface image and generate the actual 3-phase microstructure of the concrete, which consists of aggregate, matrix and interfacial transition zones. The microstructure so generated is then transformed into a mesh or grid for numerical analysis. A finite difference code FLAC2D is used for the numerical analysis to simulate the mechanical responses and failure patterns of the concrete. Several cases of concrete with different degrees of material heterogeneity and under different compression loading conditions have been analysed. From the numerical results, the effects of the internal material heterogeneities as well as the external confining stresses are studied. It is shown that the material heterogeneities arising from the presence of different phases and the existence of interfacial transition zones have great influence on the overall mechanical behaviour of concrete and that the numerically simulated behaviour of concrete with or without confining stresses applied agrees quite well with the general observations reported in the literature.
Radiofrequency ablation for hepatic hemangiomas: A consensus from a Chinese panel of experts

Recent studies have shown that radiofrequency (RF) ablation therapy is a safe, feasible, and effective procedure for hepatic hemangiomas, even huge hepatic hemangiomas. RF ablation has the following advantages in the treatment of hepatic hemangiomas: minimal invasiveness, definite efficacy, high safety, fast recovery, relatively simple operation, and wide applicability. It is necessary to formulate a widely accepted consensus among the experts in China who have extensive expertise and experience in the treatment of hepatic hemangiomas using RF ablation, which is important to standardize the application of RF ablation for the management of hepatic hemangiomas, regarding the selection of patients with suitable indications to receive RF ablation treatment, the technical details of the techniques, therapeutic effect evaluations, management of complications, etc. A final consensus by a Chinese panel of experts who have the expertise of using RF ablation to treat hepatic hemangiomas was reached by means of literature review, comprehensive discussion, and draft approval.
Synthesis and Characterization of pH Responsive Conductive Composites of Poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide) Impregnated with Polyaniline by Interfacial Polymerization

Electrically conducting composite hydrogels of poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) and polyaniline were prepared by a simple two-step synthesis process using an aqueous polymerization technique at room temperature and interfacial polymerization of aniline at a water/organic-solvent interface. The structures of the hydrogels so prepared were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared, UV–vis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy methods. The tensile strengths of the hydrogels were determined using a standard method (universal testing machine), whereas the electrical conductivities of composite hydrogels of varying compositions were evaluated using a four-probe method. The bending behavior of the conducting hydrogels was investigated by using the effective bending angle method. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 32: E520–E530, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21298
High-resolution wide-swath SAR processing with compressed sensing

This paper derives a signal processing method based on compressed sensing (CS) for multi-channel high-resolution wide-swath (HRWS) synthetic aperture radars (SARs) and discusses the applicability of CS for reconstructing the SAR image from undersampled SAR signals. The performance of the proposed CS reconstruction method is investigated for an exemplary HRWS SAR system and compared with the imaging performances achieved with conventional processing methods.
Targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs by MS2 virus-like particles

Problems associated with poor pharmacokinetics and biodistribution, as well as toxic off-target effects, limit the curative potential of most anti-cancer drugs. This has prompted the development of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems to impart both more favourable pharmacological properties and precise tumour targeting. The vast number of formulations, ranging from fully synthetic delivery systems to ones derived from natural sources, currently undergoing clinical trials or preclinical testing underlines the significance of this field. This project is a proof-of-concept investigation into the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel drug delivery system, based on virus-like particles (VLPs) of the MS2 bacteriophage. Doxorubicin (Dox) and an anti-BCL2 siRNA were used as model drug cargos. They were packaged inside MS2 VLPs either by chemical infusion, or via covalent attachment to an MS2 packaging signal, TR, respectively. An average loading of ~10 molecules of siRNA or ~110 molecules of Dox per VLP was achieved. Packaged cargos remained stably encapsidated; the siRNA was protected from nuclease degradation. VLPs were surface decorated with polyethylene glycol (PEG), and tumour-targeting ligands, human transferrin (Tf) or A9L, an RNA aptamer that targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Extensive PEGylation was achieved (~97% of coat proteins), and each VLP displayed on average ~7 molecules of Tf or ~16 molecules of A9L. PEGylation significantly reduced the non-specific cellular uptake of VLPs, and antibody binding. Further addition of tumour-targeting ligands facilitated the specific delivery of drug cargos to targeted cancer cells in culture, likely via receptor-mediated endocytosis, and induced significant cytotoxicity with an LC50 of ~10 nM for siRNA and ~800 nM for Dox. Importantly, negligible toxic effects were observed in the presence of excess free targeting ligands, or with non-targeted control cell lines. Furthermore, the cellular uptake of VLPs did not appear to induce any off-target effects. MS2 VLPs continue to show promise as a robust, flexible and effective drug delivery system. This project highlights the versatility of VLPs for displaying a range of useful ligands on their surface, as well as packaging various therapeutic cargos, and demonstrated their ability to specifically deliver drugs to targeted cancer cells. Though further studies are required, the work presented here is an important step towards fully realising the potential of this drug delivery system.
Scattering-induced downstream beam modulation by plasma scalded mirrors

Previous work concluded that plasma scalds on laser-conditioned multilayer dielectric mirror coatings are a stable, benign damage morphology. Recent large-aperture measurements indicate that plasma scalds may lead to fratricide of down-stream optics by increasing beam contrast. This paper describes the results of measurements performed to examine the effect of quasi-periodic plasma scalds covering the entire clear aperture on downstream beam modulation. A collimated, linearly-polarized 1053-nm beamline was constructed that irradiated approximately 5 cm2 of the plasma scalded region. This beam was propagated ~8 meters and sampled with a 10-bit, megapixel CCD camera and analyzed for contrast (peak/average intensity). A lineout across the sample was built up by translating the optic across the beam. The contrast results were compared to a baseline wedged flat with surface figure of λ/100 and a contrast adder for the plasma scalds calculated. This was defined by. In all, optics with average plasma scald fractions of 0.9, 2.3, 4 and 14% were measured. Preliminary results indicate that plasma scald fractions of 4% and below contribute a contrast adder of less than 2.5%.
Measuring aberrations in lithographic projection systems with phase wheel targets

A significant factor in the degradation of nanolithographic image fidelity is optical wavefront aberration. Aerial image sensitivity to aberrations is currently much greater than in earlier lithographic technologies, a consequence of increased resolution requirements. Optical wavefront tolerances are dictated by the dimensional tolerances of features printed, which require lens designs with a high degree of aberration correction. In order to increase lithographic resolution, lens numerical aperture (NA) must continue to increase and imaging wavelength must decrease. Not only do aberration magnitudes scale inversely with wavelength, but high-order aberrations increase at a rate proportional to NA or greater, as do aberrations across the image field. Achieving lithographic-quality diffraction limited performance from an optical system, where the
Robust Resource Allocation for OFDM-based Cognitive Radio in the Presence of Primary User Emulation Attack

Cognitive radio (CR) is a promising solution to improve the spectrum efficiency in which some unlicensed users are allowed to exploit frequency bands which are not used by licensed network. However, CR technology imposes some threats to the network. One of these threats is primary user emulation attack where some malicious users try to send fake signals similar to the primary user (PU) and prevent secondary users from accessing vacant bands. Moreover, the presence of a primary user emulation attacker (PUEA) leads to additional interference to the CR and consequently, the efficiency of conventional power loading algorithms will be degraded. In this paper, we propose a power alloca- tion scheme in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplex- ing (OFDM) based CR in the presence of PUEA. Power al- location is performed with the aim of maximizing the down- link transmission capacity achieved by the cognitive user, while keeping the interference level at the PU below a pre- defined threshold. Simulation results confirm the efficiency of our proposed power loading scheme, compared to clas- sical loading algorithms that do not consider the activity of malicious users in the radio environment.
Supersymmetric Dark Matter

A review of supersymmetric dark matter in minimal supergravity unification with R-parity invariance and with radiative breaking of the electro-weak symmetry is given. The analysis shows the lightest neutralino is the LSP over most of the parameter space of the supergravity model. The event rates in neutralino- nucleus scattering in dark matter detectors are also discussed.It is found that the event rates are sensititive to the constraint from the $b\rightarrow s\gamma$ experiment.It is also found that the event rates are sensitive to the constraints of relic density and in our analysis we have used the accurate method for the computation of the neutralino relic density. Finally,the effect of the new results on quark polarizabilities, from the data of the Spin Muon Collaboration, on event rates is also discussed.The analysis shows that the event rates for the Ge detectors and for other detectors which use heavy targets are only negligibly affected.