Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wireless Continuous Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring During Surgery: A Pilot Study

Patient monitoring devices supporting wireless transmission can facilitate transport and ambulation of patients in hospitals. To replace wired sensors with wireless sensors, the accuracy and resistance to interference of the wireless sensors have to be documented. We compared the performance of a wireless arterial blood pressure biomedical sensor prototype with standard wired sensors in a clinical setting. Four patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery were recruited for testing of the device. Lines to a wireless arterial blood pressure sensor and standard wired sensor were connected to the same arterial cannula inserted in the right radial artery. Data from both systems were logged for postprocedure statistical comparison. During the procedure, 13 other electric devices were used, either continuously or intermittently. A sample-by-sample comparison was performed for both wired and wireless data. Statistical tests showed mean difference of 0.71, standard deviation of 0.14, and confidence interval of –1.28 to 1.56), indicating no significant electromagnetic interference on invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring caused by biomedical devices used during surgery. The wireless pressure biomedical sensor with Bluetooth wireless transmission of signals did not interfere with biomedical devices used in the operating room or vice versa.
Species-Based Chaotic Hybrid Optimizing Algorithm and its Application in Image Detection

An evolutionary image-detection method based on a novel chaotic hybrid optimizing algorithm (CHOA) is proposed. The method combines the strengths of particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithms (GAs), and chaotic dynamics (CD), and involves the standard velocity and position update rules of PSOs with the ideas of selection, crossover, and mutation from GA. In addition, the notion of species is introduced into the proposed CHOA to enhance its performance in solving multimodal problems. The effectiveness of the species-based chaotic hybrid optimizing algorithm (SCHOA) is proven through simulations and benchmarking, and finally, it is successfully applied to solve a multitemplate matching (MTM) problem in the printed circuit board (PCB) industry, as well as circle-detection problems. To make it more powerful in solving circle-detection problems in complicated circumstances, the notion of “tolerant radius” is proposed and incorporated into the SCHOA method. Simulation tests were undertaken on several hand-drawn sketches and natural photos, and the effectiveness of the proposed method was clearly shown through the test results.
In Vivo Tumor Inhibitory Effects of Nutritional Rice Bran Supplement MGN-3/Biobran on Ehrlich Carcinoma-Bearing Mice

This study was undertaken to investigate the in vivo anti-tumor activity of MGN-3/Biobran, a modified arabinoxylan rice bran. Swiss albino mice were inoculated intramuscularly in the right thigh with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. On Day 8, mice bearing a solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC) tumor were treated with MGN-3 via intraperitoneal injection. Tumor growth, cytokine production, and apoptotic effect of MGN-3 were examined. MGN-3 caused a highly significant delay in both tumor volume (63.27%) and tumor weight (45.2%) as compared to controls (P < 0.01). The mechanisms by which MGN-3 exerts its antitumor effect seem to involve its ability to induce apoptosis and immune modulation. MGN-3 induced a 1.8-fold increase in the percentage of apoptotic SEC cells as determined by flow cytometry and the histopathological examination. In addition, MGN-3 influenced plasma cytokine production by increasing the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ, while downregulating levels of the immune suppressing cytokine interleukin-10. Data also showed that non-tumor-bearing mice intramuscularly injected with MGN-3 resulted in a twofold increase in natural killer activity. No adverse side effects due to MGN-3 treatment were observed; all animals displayed normal feeding/drinking and life activity patterns. These data may have clinical implications for the treatment of solid cancers.
Total biosynthesis of the cyclic AMP booster forskolin from Coleus forskohlii

Forskolin is a unique structurally complex labdane-type diterpenoid used in the treatment of glaucoma and heart failure based on its activity as a cyclic AMP booster. Commercial production of forskolin relies exclusively on extraction from its only known natural source, the plant Coleus forskohlii, in which forskolin accumulates in the root cork. Here, we report the discovery of five cytochrome P450s and two acetyltransferases which catalyze a cascade of reactions converting the forskolin precursor 13R-manoyl oxide into forskolin and a diverse array of additional labdane-type diterpenoids. A minimal set of three P450s in combination with a single acetyl transferase was identified that catalyzes the conversion of 13R-manoyl oxide into forskolin as demonstrated by transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. The entire pathway for forskolin production from glucose encompassing expression of nine genes was stably integrated into Saccharomyces cerevisiae and afforded forskolin titers of 40 mg/L. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.23001. 001
Meniscus ascent by thrips (Thysanoptera)

Meniscus climbing using a fixed body posture has been well documented for various aquatic and neustonic insects, but is not known from small flying insects that inadvertently become trapped on water surfaces. Here, we show that thrips (order Thysanoptera) can ascend a meniscus by arching their non-wetting bodies to translate head-first and upward along a water surface; if initially oriented backwards, they can turn by 180° to ascend head-first, and climb upward on a surrounding boundary. Using variable-concentration sucrose solutions, we show that translational and climbing speeds during meniscus ascent vary inversely with fluid viscosity. Becoming trapped in water is a frequent event for flying insects, and given that most of them are very small, dedicated behaviours to escape water may be commonplace among pterygotes.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Helicase-Primase: DNA Binding and Consequent Protein Oligomerization and Primase Activation

ABSTRACT The heterotrimeric helicase-primase complex of herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1), consisting of UL5, UL8, and UL52, possesses 5′ to 3′ helicase, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-dependent ATPase, primase, and DNA binding activities. In this study we confirm that the UL5-UL8-UL52 complex has higher affinity for forked DNA than for ssDNA and fails to bind to fully annealed double-stranded DNA substrates. In addition, we show that a single-stranded overhang of greater than 6 nucleotides is required for efficient enzyme loading and unwinding. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and surface plasmon resonance analysis provide additional quantitative information about how the UL5-UL8-UL52 complex associates with the replication fork. Although it has previously been reported that in the absence of DNA and nucleoside triphosphates the UL5-UL8-UL52 complex exists as a monomer in solution, we now present evidence that in the presence of forked DNA and AMP-PNP, higher-order complexes can form. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays reveal two discrete complexes with different mobilities only when helicase-primase is bound to DNA containing a single-stranded region, and surface plasmon resonance analysis confirms larger amounts of the complex bound to forked substrates than to single-overhang substrates. Furthermore, we show that primase activity exhibits a cooperative dependence on protein concentration while ATPase and helicase activities do not. Taken together, these data suggest that the primase activity of the helicase-primase requires formation of a dimer or higher-order structure while ATPase activity does not. Importantly, this provides a simple mechanism for generating a two-polymerase replisome at the replication fork.
Optimal waveforms design for radar imaging based on atomic decomposition RCS characteristics of target

In this paper, we deals with the radar optimal waveform design problem using the atomic decomposition radar cross section (RCS) characteristics of target for radar imaging. The proposed method utilizes the radar target characteristics to design matched waveforms, For RCS characteristics of the given target, some signals can be obtained to have a better presented RCS characteristics of target by atomic decomposition method. The optimal signals derived from a target and noise environment. We defined a radar imaging performance by minimizing a distance measure between the reconstructed target RCS characteristics and the actual RCS characteristics. In simulation, we find that a approximation RCS characteristics of target can be obtained by a few atoms.
Design of improved fuzzy sliding mode controller for a reduced-order averaged active clamp DC-DC converter

In this paper an improved Mamdani fuzzy sliding mode controller for a reduced-order averaged model of active clamp converter, which is more accurate than the other existing reduced-order models, is presented. The procedure of designing a fuzzy sliding mode controller for an active clamp single-ended primary inductance converter (SEPIC) is described. The Simulation results confirm the performance and robustness of designed controller against the converter parameters variations.
Osteogenic effect of locally applied Pentoxyfilline gel: in vitro and in vivo evaluations

Abstract The aim of this study was to formulate Pentoxyfylline drug (PTX) as a local bioadhesive Carbopol (Cbp) based gels for the aid of bone induction around an endosseus oral implant. The local delivery of the drug will probably avoid most of the problems associated with its systemic use including; disturbances in gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. Two concentrations of 1% and 3% Cbp containing 1% PTX were prepared. The gels were investigated for their physicochemical properties. Cbp based gels were found to be translucent with good homogeneity, uniform distribution of the drug and absence of any lumps. The pH of the gels was within neutrality, 7.1, which is considered to be acceptable to avoid the risk of any possible irritation in the oral cavity. The Cbp gels exhibited satisfactory bioadhesive properties and a pseudo-plastic rheological behavior. Cumulative drug released from the gels showed a controlled-release for more than 24 hours with the order of 3% >1% and the drug was released by diffusion mechanism from both gels. Statistical analysis revealed non-significant difference in drug content, rheological property and release rate of the stored gels for six months compared to the fresh ones. In vivo experimental results in rabbits have shown significant difference in bone depth induction of 3% and 1% Cbp gels with the formation of strong organized bone over the control group. Local administration of Pentoxifylline could be regarded as a valid approach in the management of osseointegration.
Network distance prediction for enabling service-oriented applications over large-scale networks

Knowledge of end-to-end network distances is essential to many service-oriented applications such as distributed content delivery and overlay network multicast, in which the clients have the flexibility to select their servers from among a set of available ones based on network distance. However, due to the high cost of global measurements in large-scale networks, it is infeasible to actively probe end-to-end network distances for all pairs. In order to address this issue, network distance prediction has been proposed by measuring a few pairs and then predicting the other ones without direct measurements, or splicing the path segments between each pair via observation. It is considered important to improve network performance, and enables service- oriented applications over large-scale networks. In this article, we first illustrate the basic ideas behind network distance prediction, and then categorize the current research work based on different criteria. We illustrate how different protocols work, and discuss their merits and drawbacks. Finally, we summarize our findings, and point out potential issues and future directions for further research.
Rectilinear steiner trees: Efficient special-case algorithms

A minimal rectilinear Steiner tree for a set A of points in the plane is a tree which interconnects A using horizontal and vertical lines of shortest possible total length. Such trees have potential application to wire layout for printed circuits. Unfortunately, at present no practical algorithm is known for constructing these trees in general. We present two algorithms, each requiring a number of operations proportional to only a low degree polynomial in the number of points to be interconnected, for the special cases in which all the points of A lie on a small number of parallel lines or on the boundary of a rectangle.
Measuring cerebrovascular reactivity: what stimulus to use?

Abstract Cerebrovascular reactivity is the change in cerebral blood flow in response to a vasodilatory or vasoconstrictive stimulus. Measuring variations of cerebrovascular reactivity between different regions of the brain has the potential to not only advance understanding of how the cerebral vasculature controls the distribution of blood flow but also to detect cerebrovascular pathophysiology. While there are standardized and repeatable methods for estimating the changes in cerebral blood flow in response to a vasoactive stimulus, the same cannot be said for the stimulus itself. Indeed, the wide variety of vasoactive challenges currently employed in these studies impedes comparisons between them. This review therefore critically examines the vasoactive stimuli in current use for their ability to provide a standard repeatable challenge and for the practicality of their implementation. Such challenges include induced reductions in systemic blood pressure, and the administration of vasoactive substances such as acetazolamide and carbon dioxide. We conclude that many of the stimuli in current use do not provide a standard stimulus comparable between individuals and in the same individual over time. We suggest that carbon dioxide is the most suitable vasoactive stimulus. We describe recently developed computer‐controlled MRI compatible gas delivery systems which are capable of administering reliable and repeatable vasoactive CO2 stimuli.
Brightness preserving weight clustering histogram equalization

Histogram equalization (GHE) is a simple and widely accepted method for contrast enhancement. Although there are extensions of GHE that can preserve the brightness of the original image better than the original method, these extensions sometimes fail to enhance the visualization of the original image. Therefore, we propose a new method called "Brightness Preserving Weight Clustering Histogram Equalization" (BPWCHE) that can simultaneously preserve the brightness of the original image and enhance visualization of the original image. BPWCHE assigns each non-zero bin of the original image's histogram to a separate cluster, and computes each cluster's weight. Then, to reduce the number of clusters, we use three criteria (cluster weight, weight ratio and widths of two neighboring clusters) to merge pairs of neighboring clusters. The clusters acquire the same partitions as the result image histogram. Finally, transformation functions for each cluster's sub-histogram are calculated based on the traditional GHE method in the new acquired partitions of the result image histogram, and the sub-histogram's gray levels are mapped to the result image by the corresponding transformation functions. We showed experimentally that BPWCHE can preserve image brightness and enhance visualization of images more effectively than GHE and other brightness preserving methods.
Emerging fluoroquinolone and macrolide resistance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates and their serotypes in Thai children from 1991 to 2000

SUMMARY This study investigated fluoroquinolone, macrolide resistances and serotype distributions among Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from children in Bangkok and rural settings during 1991–2000. Phenotypic identification, serotyping, and susceptibility testing were performed by standard microbiological procedures. The predominant serotypes of C. jejuni were Lior 36, 2 and 4 and of C. coli were Lior 8, 29 and 55. Resistance to nalidixic acid increased significantly during 1991–2000 and the frequency of isolates resistant to both nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin in Bangkok was significantly greater than in rural settings. In 1996–2000, a significant trend was observed in C. jejuni isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin from Bangkok but not for macrolide resistance from both settings. In summary, fluoroquinolone resistance among C. jejuni and C. coli isolates became widespread in both Bangkok and rural settings in Thailand in the 1990s while widespread resistance to macrolides was undetected.
Title Performance analysis of slotted fiber-optic code-divisionmultiple-access ( CDMA ) packet networks

This paper examines code-division multiple-access (CDMA) techniques used in slotted fiber-optic packet networks. Since the inherent properties and signal processing of the conventional communication channels are different from those of the fiber-optic channels, new code sequences must be constructed for fiber-optic applications. The goal of our research is to analyze the performance of fiber-optic CDMA packet networks using code sequences with given orthogonality properties.
Kanban policy improvement thanks to a (max,+)-algebra analysis

This article deals with a possible improvement of a Kanban policy due to a (max,+)-algebra analysis. We show that for a given Kanban system, it is possible to change the original feedback loop by a (max,+)-linear controller which keeps the same quality of service but reduces the work in process. This new control policy contains a (max,+)-linear dynamic behaviour for the recycling of Kanban cards.
Scatter Search algorithm for Protein Structure Prediction

In this paper, we present a Scatter Search (SS) algorithm for predicting 3D structures of proteins based on torsion angles representation. Given the protein's sequence of Amino Acids (AAs), our algorithm produces a 3D structure that aims to minimise the energy function associated with the structure. SS is an evolutionary approach that is based on a population of candidate solutions. These candidates undergo evolutionary operations that combine search intensification and diversification over a number of iterations. We evaluate our algorithm on three proteins taken from a Protein Data Bank (PDB). The results show that our algorithm is able to produce 3D structures with good sub-optimal energy values. Also, the Root Mean Square Deviations (RMSD) of these structures from the reference proteins are promising within limits imposed by the assumptions made.
EMOTEO: A Smartphone Application for Monitoring and Reducing Aversive Tension in Borderline Personality Disorder Patients, a Pilot Study

PURPOSE We developed a smartphone application (App; EMOTEO: emotion-meteo [weather forecast]) to help borderline personality disorder (BPD) patients to monitor and regulate their inner tension. The App proposes targeted mindfulness-based exercises. DESIGN AND METHODS We assessed the usability and efficiency of this App for monitoring and reduction of aversive tension in 16 BPD participants over a 6-month period. FINDINGS We recorded a mean of 318.1 sessions (SD = 166.7) per participants, with a high level of satisfaction. There was a significant decrease in aversive tension (p < .05) and the App was mainly used around 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS EMOTEO was user-friendly and efficient in reducing aversive tension in BPD patients.
Does sea level influence mid‐ocean ridge magmatism on Milankovitch timescales?

Magma production at mid‐ocean ridges is driven by seafloor spreading and decompression melting of the upper mantle. In the special case of Iceland, mantle melting may have been amplified by ice sheet retreat during the last deglaciation, yielding anomalously high rates of subaerial volcanism. For the remainder of the global mid‐ocean ridge system, the ocean may play an analogous role, with lowering of sea level during glacial maxima producing greater magma flux to ridge crests. Here we show that the mantle decompression rate associated with changes in sea level is a substantial fraction of that from plate spreading. Modeled peaks in magma flux occur after sea level drops rapidly, including the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5/4 and 3/2 transitions. The minimum in simulated flux occurs during the mid‐Holocene, due to the rapid sea level rise at the MIS 2/1 boundary. The model results are highly sensitive to melt migration rate; rates of ∼1 m/yr produce small signals, while those >5 m/yr yield substantial anomalies. In the latter case, sea level‐driven magma flux varies by 15–100% relative to the long‐term average, with the largest effect occurring at slow‐spreading ridges. We suggest that sedimentary time series of hydrothermal particle flux, oceanic Os isotopic ratio, and oceanic radiocarbon may serve as proxies for magma‐flux variations at mid‐ocean ridges. Although well‐dated records are rare, preliminary data from the Pacific and Atlantic suggest hydrothermal metal flux was elevated during MIS 2 and 4, broadly consistent with our modeling results.
Visualization Recording and Storage of Pressure Distribution through a Smart Matrix Based on the Piezotronic Effect

Pressure sensors that can both directly visualize and record applied pressure/stress are essential for e‐skin and medical/health monitoring. Here, using a WO3‐film electrochromic device (ECD) array (10 × 10 pixels) and a ZnO‐nanowire‐matrix pressure sensor (ZPS), a pressure visualization and recording (PVR) system with a spatial resolution of 500 µm is developed. The distribution of external pressures can be recorded through the piezotronic effect from the ZPS and directly expressed by color changes in the ECD. Applying a local pressure can generate piezoelectric polarization charges at the two ends of the ZnO nanowires, which leads to the tuning of the current to be transported through the system and thus the color of the WO3 film. The coloration and bleaching process in the ECD component show good cyclic stability, and over 85% of the color contrast is maintained after 300 cycles. In this PVR system, the applied pressure can be recorded without the assistance of a computer because of the color memory effect of the WO3 material. Such systems are promising for applications in human‐electronic interfaces, military applications, and smart robots.
The Relationship between Grandiose and Vulnerable (Hypersensitive) Narcissism

Narcissistic grandiosity is characterized by overt expressions of feelings of superiority and entitlement, while narcissistic vulnerability reflects hypersensitivity and introversive self-absorbedness. Clinical evidence suggests that grandiosity is accompanied by vulnerable aspects, pointing to a common foundation. Subclinical personality research, however, views grandiose and vulnerable narcissism as independent traits. Grandiose narcissism displays substantial correlation with extraversion, while vulnerable narcissism correlates highly with introversion. We investigated if (1) controlling for intro-/extraversion might reveal a “common core” of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, and if (2) the correlation between both aspects might be higher at higher levels of narcissism. Latent variable structural equation modeling and segmented regression analysis confirmed these hypotheses in a large non-clinical sample (N = 1,006). Interindividual differences in intro-/extraversion mask the common core of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. The association between both aspects increases at high levels (upper 10%) of grandiose narcissism, which suggests a possible transition to clinically relevant (pathological) narcissism.