Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bidomain Predictions of Virtual Electrode-Induced Make and Break Excitations around Blood Vessels

Introduction and background Virtual electrodes formed by field stimulation during defibrillation of cardiac tissue play an important role in eliciting activations. It has been suggested that the coronary vasculature is an important source of virtual electrodes, especially during low-energy defibrillation. This work aims to further the understanding of how virtual electrodes from the coronary vasculature influence defibrillation outcomes. Methods Using the bidomain model, we investigated how field stimulation elicited activations from virtual electrodes around idealized intramural blood vessels. Strength–interval curves, which quantify the stimulus strength required to elicit wavefront propagation from the vessels at different states of tissue refractoriness, were computed for each idealized geometry. Results Make excitations occurred at late diastolic intervals, originating from regions of depolarization around the vessel. Break excitations occurred at early diastolic intervals, whereby the vessels were able to excite surrounding refractory tissue due to the local restoration of excitability by virtual electrode-induced hyperpolarizations. Overall, strength–interval curves had similar morphologies and underlying excitation mechanisms compared with previous experimental and numerical unipolar stimulation studies of cardiac tissue. Including the presence of the vessel wall increased the field strength required for make excitations but decreased the field strength required for break excitations, and the field strength at which break excitations occurred was generally greater than 5 V/cm. Finally, in a more realistic ventricular slice geometry, the proximity of virtual electrodes around subepicardial vessels was seen to cause break excitations in the form of propagating unstable wavelets to the subepicardial layer. Conclusion Representing the blood vessel wall microstructure in computational bidomain models of defibrillation is recommended as it significantly alters the electrophysiological response of the vessel to field stimulation. Although vessels may facilitate excitation of relatively refractory tissue via break excitations, the field strength required for this is generally greater than those used in the literature on low-energy defibrillation. However, the high-intensity shocks used in standard defibrillation may elicit break excitation propagation from the coronary vasculature.
A model for missense error in protein synthesis : mis-charged cognate tRNA versus misreading of codon

The sequence of amino acid monomers in the primary structure of protein is decided by the corresponding sequence of codons (triplets of nucleic acid monomers) on the template messenger RNA (mRNA). The polymerization of a protein, by incorporation of the successive amino acid monomers, is carried out by a molecular machine called ribosome. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, each species of which is “charged” with a specific amino acid, enters the ribosome and participates in the reading of the codon by the ribosome. Both mis-reading of mRNA codon and prior mis-charging of a tRNA can lead to “mis-sense” error, i.e,. erroneous substitution of a correct amino acid monomer by an incorrect one during the synthesis of a protein. We develop a theoretical model of protein synthesis that allows for both types of contributions to the “mis-sense” error. We report exact analytical formulae for several quantities that characterize the interplay of mis-charging of tRNA and mis-reading of mRNA. The average rate of elongation of a protein is given by a generalized Michaelis-Menten-like formula. We discuss the main implications of these results. These formulae will be very useful in future in analyzing the data collected during experimental investigations of this phenomenon.
Solar Radiation Measurements 2.1 Solar Radiation Components at the Ground Level

In a point at the top of Earth's atmosphere, the beam of nearly parallel incident sunrays is referred to as extraterrestrial radiation (ETR). ETR fluctuates about 6.9 % during a year (from 1412.0 Wm-2 in January to 1321.0 Wm-2 in July) due to the Earth's varying distance from the Sun. Figure 2.1 shows the spectral distribution of ETR at the mean Sun–Earth distance. The graph is plotted at low resolution with data from Gueymard and Myers (2008), which is detailed enough for many engineering applications, like forecasting of PV plants output. The extraterrestrial spectrum is also available online (NREL 2012), along with other reference radiation spectra. The integration of the extraterrestrial spectrum over all wavelengths defines the solar constant G SC. Thus, G SC represents the flux density of incoming solar radiation on a unitary surface perpendicular to the rays at the mean Sun–Earth distance. Since the Sun radiance varies to some extent over short and long periods (Fröhlich 1991), the solar constant does not remain steady over time. There is a variation of about ± 1 Wm-2 around the mean solar constant during a typical Sun cycle of 11 years (Gueymard and Myers 2008). Based on data collected over 25 years from terrestrial to space observations, the actual best estimate of the average solar constant is G SC = 1366.1 Wm-2 (Gueymard 2004). When the solar radiation flux passes through the Earth's atmosphere, its spectral distribution is modified by absorption and scattering processes. The complex effect experienced by solar radiation flux spectral distribution when transiting the Earth's atmosphere is also illustrated in Fig. 2.1, which displays the AM1.5G global spectrum defined by the Commision Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for testing the terrestrial solar cells. The standard assumes the following: the receiving surface is tilted 37° toward the equator, the solar zenith angle is 48°19', the total ozone column content is 0.34 cm atm, the Ångstrom turbidity coefficient at wavelength 0.5 lm is 0.084 and the water vapor column content is 1.42 g cm-2. The Air Mass (AM)
On Data Fusion and Lifetime Constraints in Wireless Sensor Networks

The problems of energy efficient sensor network configuration and local fusion of sensed data have been addressed separately in the previous works. In this paper, we propose to analyze the sensing accuracy with the consideration of the node distribution and fusion overhead in terms of the energy consumption. By extending existing sensing model in the literature, we quantify how the sensing ranges and node densities of sensor nodes impact the sensing accuracy, and how it affects the fusion overhead and the sensing lifetime of the network. We identify the tradeoff between sensing accuracy and energy consumption in an analytical framework. It can be used to choose optimal parameters of sensor networks to meet the specified sensing or lifetime requirements.
Vital and dispensable roles of Plasmodium multidrug resistance transporters during blood‐ and mosquito‐stage development

Multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins belong to the B subfamily of the ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporters, which export a wide range of compounds including pharmaceuticals. In this study, we used reverse genetics to study the role of all seven Plasmodium MDR proteins during the life cycle of malaria parasites. Four P. berghei genes (encoding MDR1, 4, 6 and 7) were refractory to deletion, indicating a vital role during blood stage multiplication and validating them as potential targets for antimalarial drugs. Mutants lacking expression of MDR2, MDR3 and MDR5 were generated in both P. berghei and P. falciparum, indicating a dispensable role for blood stage development. Whereas P. berghei mutants lacking MDR3 and MDR5 had a reduced blood stage multiplication in vivo, blood stage growth of P. falciparum mutants in vitro was not significantly different. Oocyst maturation and sporozoite formation in Plasmodium mutants lacking MDR2 or MDR5 was reduced. Sporozoites of these P. berghei mutants were capable of infecting mice and life cycle completion, indicating the absence of vital roles during liver stage development. Our results demonstrate vital and dispensable roles of MDR proteins during blood stages and an important function in sporogony for MDR2 and MDR5 in both Plasmodium species.
Endothelium-Dependent NO-Mediated Vasodilation in Humans is Attenuated by Peripheral α1-Adrenoceptor Activation

Objectives The release of nitric oxide is controlled by cholinergic and adrenergic receptors. Recent observations suggest that activation of β-adrenoceptors can inhibit the release of nitric oxide. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of α1- and α2-adrenoceptor activation on nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation. Methodology In a first set of experiments, the endothelium-dependent vasodilators acetylcholine (ACh), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT), and bradykinin (BK), and the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were administered in a random order in the brachial artery together with saline, or the nonselective α-adrenoceptor agonists norepinephrine or clonidine, or the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). The infusions of saline, norepinephrine, clonidine, and L-NMMA started 10 minutes before the infusions of ACh, BK, 5HT, and SNP. In a second set of experiments, cumulative doses of ACh, BK, and 5HT were infused, in a random order, intra-arterially together with saline or the selective α1-adrenoceptor agonist methoxamine. The infusions of saline and methoxamine started 5 minutes before the infusions of ACh, BK, and 5HT. Forearm blood flow was measured using computerized venous occlusion plethysmography. Results ACh, 5HT, BK, and SNP induced a significant increase in forearm blood flow (p < 0.05 for all). These vasodilator responses were significantly attenuated by norepinephrine, clonidine, and L-NMMA (p < 0.05 for all), except for SNP. In the second set of experiments, all three endothelium-dependent vasodilators induced a dose-dependent vasodilation, which was significantly inhibited by methoxamine (p < 0.05). Conclusion These results show that endothelium-dependent nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation is inhibited by activation of peripheral α1-adrenoceptors.
Experience with the use of Hemopure in the care of a massively burned adult.

OBJECTIVE To report the use of a bovine hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC-201) in an elderly patient sustaining extensive thermal injury unable to receive allogenic transfusion due to religious preference. METHODS Case report and literature review describing steps required for acquisition and safe infusion of HBOC-201. RESULTS Six units of HBOC-201 were infused in the perioperative period for anemia with signs of critically low oxygen delivery without adverse sequelae. The patient ultimately died as a result of multiple organ failure. CONCLUSIONS Despite disappointing results of the use of HBOCs in other patient populations, there is a role for compassionate, emergency use of cell-free hemoglobin in the management of burn patients unable to receive allogenic blood products.
Selective ablation of αv integrins in the central nervous system leads to cerebral hemorrhage, seizures, axonal degeneration and premature death

Mouse embryos genetically null for all αv integrins develop intracerebral hemorrhage owing to defective interactions between blood vessels and brain parenchymal cells. Here, we have used conditional knockout technology to address whether the cerebral hemorrhage is due to primary defects in vascular or neural cell types. We show that ablating αv expression in the vascular endothelium has no detectable effect on cerebral blood vessel development, whereas deletion of αv expression in central nervous system glial cells leads to embryonic and neonatal cerebral hemorrhage. Conditional deletion of αv integrin in both central nervous system glia and neurons also leads to cerebral hemorrhage, but additionally to severe neurological defects. Approximately 30% of these mutants develop seizures and die by 4 weeks of age. The remaining mutants survive for several months, but develop axonal deterioration in the spinal cord and cerebellum, leading to ataxia and loss of hindlimb coordination. Collectively, these data provide evidence that αv integrins on embryonic central nervous system neural cells, particularly glia, are necessary for proper cerebral blood vessel development, and also reveal a novel function for αv integrins expressed on axons in the postnatal central nervous system.
Clustering-Based Joint Feature Selection for Semantic Attribute Prediction

Semantic attributes have been proposed to bridge the semantic gap between low-level feature representation and high-level semantic understanding of visual objects. Obtaining a good representation of semantic attributes usually requires learning from high-dimensional low-level features, which not only significantly increases the time and space requirement but also degrades the performance due to numerous irrelevant features. Since multiattribute prediction can be generalized as an multitask learning problem, sparse-based multi-task feature selection approaches have been introduced, utilizing the relatedness among multiple attributes. However, such approaches either do not investigate the pattern of the relatedness among attributes, or require prior knowledge about the pattern. In this paper, we propose a novel feature selection approach which embeds attribute correlation modeling in multi-attribute joint feature selection. Experiments on both synthetic dataset and multiple public benchmark datasets demonstrate that the proposed approach effectively captures the correlation among multiple attributes and significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches.
Caspase 3-Dependent Cell Death of Neurons Contributes to the Pathogenesis of West Nile Virus Encephalitis

ABSTRACT West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic, arthropod-borne flavivirus that has become a significant global cause of viral encephalitis. To examine the mechanisms of WNV-induced neuronal death and the importance of apoptosis in pathogenesis, we evaluated the role of a key apoptotic regulator, caspase 3. WNV infection induced caspase 3 activation and apoptosis in the brains of wild-type mice. Notably, congenic caspase 3−/− mice were more resistant to lethal WNV infection, although there were no significant differences in the tissue viral burdens or the kinetics of viral spread. Instead, decreased neuronal death was observed in the cerebral cortices, brain stems, and cerebella of caspase 3−/− mice. Analogously, primary central nervous system (CNS)-derived neurons demonstrated caspase 3 activation and apoptosis after WNV infection, and treatment with caspase inhibitors or a genetic deficiency in caspase 3 significantly decreased virus-induced death. These studies establish that caspase 3-dependent apoptosis contributes to the pathogenesis of lethal WNV encephalitis and suggest possible novel therapeutic targets to restrict CNS injury.
Impact of configuration errors on DNS robustness

During the past twenty years the Domain Name System (DNS) has sustained phenomenal growth while maintaining satisfactory user-level performance. However, the original design focused mainly on system robustness against physical failures, and neglected the impact of operational errors such as mis-configurations. Our measurement efforts have revealed a number of mis-configurations in DNS today: delegation inconsistency, lame delegation, diminished server redundancy, and cyclic zone dependency. Zones with configuration errors suffer from reduced availability and increased query delays up to an order of magnitude. The original DNS design assumed that redundant DNS servers fail independently, but our measurements show that operational choices create dependencies between servers. We found that, left unchecked, DNS configuration errors are widespread. Specifically, lame delegation affects 15% of the measured DNS zones, delegation inconsistency appears in 21% of the zones, diminished server redundancy is even more prevalent, and cyclic dependency appears in 2% of the zones. We also noted that the degrees of mis-configuration vary from zone to zone, with the most popular zones having the lowest percentage of errors. Our results indicate that DNS, as well as any other truly robust large-scale system, must include systematic checking mechanisms to cope with operational errors.
Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Dominant and Recessive Kvlqt1 K + Channel Mutations Found in Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmias

The inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS), characterized by a prolonged QT interval in the electrocardiogram and cardiac arrhythmia, is caused by mutations in at least four different genes, three of which have been identified and encode cardiac ion channels. The most common form of LQTS is due to mutations in the potassium channel gene KVLQT1, but their effects on associated currents are still unknown. Different mutations in KVLQT1 cause the dominant Romano-Ward (RW) syndrome and the recessive Jervell and Lange-Nielsen (JLN) syndrome, which, in addition to cardiac abnormalities, includes congenital deafness. Co-expression of K v LQT1 with the IsK protein elicits slowly activating potassium currents resembling the cardiac I ks current. We now show that IsK not only changes the kinetics of K v LQT1 currents, but also its ion selectivity. Several mutations found in RW, including a novel mutation (D222N) in the putative channel pore, abolish channel activity and reduce the activity of wild-type K v LQT1 by a dominant-negative mechanism. By contrast, a JLN mutation truncating the carboxy-terminus of the K v LQT1 channel protein abolishes channel function without having a dominant-negative effect. This fully explains the different patterns of inheritance. Further, we identified a novel splice variant of the KVLQT1 gene, but could not achieve functional expression of this nor of a previously described heart-specific isoform.
How Do Business Analytics and Business Intelligence Contribute to Improving Care Efficiency?

The growth in volume, variety, and velocity of data has created new challenges and opportunities for healthcare contexts. Although Business Analytics (BA) technologies, techniques and tools are becoming recognised to improve the ability to analyse multi-spectral healthcare data, in and of themselves they are not sufficient to realise the full potential and benefits possible which can lead to optimal patient outcomes. In fact, it becomes a strategic necessity to develop a systematic and organising framework to apply BA technologies to a specific clinical context. Hence, this exploratory study is designed to investigate and thereby develop an appropriate organising framework and then a prototype to apply the benefits of the Business Analytics techniques to Healthcare contexts. The chosen clinical context is oncology and the study site is one of the largest private tertiary hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. Given the importance of cancer care, the cost of cancer treatments and the quantity and range of data elements that are generated during the care process, this case study is significant and important.
Evaluation and Management of Pain in Patients with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome: A Review

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare disorder that consists of a triad of capillary vascular malformation, venous malformations and/or varicose veins, and soft tissue and/or bony hypertrophy. Pain is a real and debilitating problem in these patients. We have observed 9 common causes of pain in KTS: (1) chronic venous insufficiency, (2) cellulitis, (3) superficial thrombophlebitis, (4) deep vein thrombosis, (5) calcification of vascular malformations, (6) growing pains, (7) intraosseous vascular malformation, (8) arthritis, and (9) neuropathic pain. The management of pain in patients with KTS depends on its cause. These patients are best evaluated initially in a center with an experienced multidisciplinary team that includes a primary health care provider, surgeons, and ancillary staff. The ongoing care of a patient with KTS often depends on a local provider who is more readily accessible to the patient but may not have the expertise of a large center to manage the complications of KTS. The purpose of this communication is to review the common causes of pain in these patients to provide local health care providers and patients and their families with appropriate management strategies.
Three-Stage Design Analysis and Multicriteria Optimization of a Parallel Ankle Rehabilitation Robot Using Genetic Algorithm

This paper describes the design analysis and optimization of a novel 3-degrees of freedom (DOF) wearable parallel robot developed for ankle rehabilitation treatments. To address the challenges arising from the use of a parallel mechanism, flexible actuators, and the constraints imposed by the ankle rehabilitation treatment, a complete robot design analysis is performed. Three design stages of the robot, namely, kinematic design, actuation design, and structural design are identified and investigated, and, in the process, six important performance objectives are identified which are vital to achieve design goals. Initially, the optimization is performed by considering only a single objective. Further analysis revealed that some of these objectives are conflicting, and hence these are required to be simultaneously optimized. To investigate a further improvement in the optimal values of design objectives, a preference-based approach and evolutionary-algorithm-based nondominated sorting algorithm (NSGA II) are adapted to the present design optimization problem. Results from NSGA II are compared with the results obtained from the single objective optimization and preference-based optimization approaches. It is found that NSGA II is able to provide better design solutions and is adequate to optimize all of the objective functions concurrently. Finally, a fuzzy-based ranking method has been devised and implemented in order to select the final design solution from the set of nondominated solutions obtained through NSGA II. The proposed design analysis of parallel robots together with the multiobjective optimization and subsequent fuzzy-based ranking can be generalized with modest efforts for the development of all of the classes of parallel robots.
Modifying the learning rate of FLNG dealing with imbalanced datasets

There are several successful approaches dealing with imbalanced datasets. In this paper, the Fuzzy Labeled Neural Gas (FLNG) is extended to work with this type of data. The proposed approach is based on assigning two different values in the learning rate depending on the data vector membership of the class. The technique is tested with several datasets and compared with other approaches. The results seem to prove that FLNG with different rates is a suitable tool for classification with a high degree of accuracy using g-means metric.
Feature-based object identification for web automation

In this paper, we address automatic identification of common functional structures on web pages, a fundamental problem for web automation applications and graphical user interface testing. In contrast to other approaches, we aim to identify relevant patterns without relying on the source code of a web page or keywords, utilizing mostly geometrical and visually perceptible properties. We achieve this by transforming pages into an independent geometrical representation, on top of which we extract a set of features that allows us to employ traditional machine learning techniques for the identification task. We evaluate this approach by analyzing three typical scenarios, reviewing the obtained information retrieval key metrics and estimating the relevance of the chosen features. Our initial results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.