Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Flexible, Tendon-Controlled Device for Endoscopy

The high level of skill required to maneuver present-day, flexible endoscopes that are utilized in esophagoscopy and colonoscopy has prompted us to propose a new class of safer, more easily controlled devices. These devices are mechanical teleoperators with few degrees of freedom based on the famil iar bead chain with internal control cables. The study of the physics associated with the flexible control devices is carried out with respect to the design parameters of both the practical system and its envaronment. The suitable geometries for lock ing such a mechanism are presented herein. We introduce the "slide motion" scheme, which provides a smooth movement of the endoscope stem with only three continuously controlled degrees of freedom. Such movement is accomplished by imple menting a series of relative motions between an outer tube and intermittently stiff spines inside. The strength and stability of the locking mechanism, which exhibits intermittent stiffness, is also discussed.
Applying Wave Probabilistic Functions for Dynamic System Modeling

The goal of this paper is to provide an introduction to the application of wave probabilistic functions in the area of dynamic system models. This paper presents dynamic features of wave probabilistic models that are basic principles of quantum cybernetics. These features are mathematically described, and the illustrative examples demonstrate possible applications of the theory.
Role of Salicylic Acid in Tomato Defense against Cotton Bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hubner

We investigated the role of the salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway in defense responses of tomato plants to the herbivore, cotton bollworm. After exposure to the cotton bollworm, tomato leaves rapidly accumulated a high level of SA. The transcription of PR1 and BGL2 genes, the marker genes of SA pathway, was up-regulated. An enhanced endogenous SA level was accompanied by an increase in the endogenous H2O2 level as compared with controls. Spraying tomato plants with a solution containing either SA or methyl salicylic acid (Me-SA), the H2O2 level dramatically increased. These data proved that the SA pathway was involved in the tomato plant defense responses to the herbivore.
Cell-Fate Switch of Synergid to Egg Cell in Arabidopsis eostre Mutant Embryo Sacs Arises from Misexpression of the BEL1-Like Homeodomain Gene BLH1[W]

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the female gametophyte is a highly polarized structure consisting of four cell types: one egg cell and two synergids, one central cell, and three antipodal cells. In this report, we describe the characterization of a novel female gametophyte mutant, eostre, which affects establishment of cell fates in the mature embryo sac. The eostre phenotype is caused by misexpression of the homeodomain gene BEL1-like homeodomain 1 (BLH1) in the embryo sac. It is known that BELL-KNAT proteins function as heterodimers whose activities are regulated by the Arabidopsis ovate family proteins (OFPs). We show that the phenotypic effect of BLH1 overexpression is dependent upon the class II knox gene KNAT3, suggesting that KNAT3 must be expressed and functional during megagametogenesis. Moreover, disruption of At OFP5, a known interactor of KNAT3 and BLH1, partially phenocopies the eostre mutation. Our study indicates that suppression of ectopic activity of BELL-KNOX TALE complexes, which might be mediated by At OFP5, is essential for normal development and cell specification in the Arabidopsis embryo sac. As eostre-1 embryo sacs also show nuclear migration abnormalities, this study suggests that a positional mechanism might be directing establishment of cell fates in early megagametophyte development.
Design of an additive manufactured XY compliant manipulator with spatial redundant constraints

This paper presents an additive manufactured beam flexure-based XY positioning stage with spatial redundant constraints. In order to restrict rotational error motions of the guidance module, a spatial redundant constraint is introduced. An additive manufacturing technique is adopted to monolithically fabricate the proposed positioning stage. Numerical simulation results show that the proposed XY positioning stage is capable to achieve ±2 × 2 mm2 working range. The fabricated prototyping stage shows that the advanced manufactured flexure mechanism can achieve good geometric effect and could be a good alternative to a metal-based flexure mechanism.
A Framework for Automatic Reconstruction of a Semi-Structured Rationale from a Minutes Document

This paper discusses Tracker, a framework for meeting management. Many meeting support tools and groupware tools now implement the second generation DR protocols characterized by cheap capture and rich multimedia content. Managing such content requires the manual introduction of annotations to support efficient retrieval. However, to do this in a truly useful manner, the capture and management of these documents (decisions rationale) should encompass not only the annotation of the multimedia content for playback, but should support the extraction of relevant information at the level of semantics and pragmatics: i.e. they should be able to automatically extract information such as what subjects were discussed, what decisions were made, what tasks were assigned. We demonstrate how to achieve such an endeavor in this paper.
Title On H-infinity model reduction using LMIs

In this note, we deal with the problem of approximating a given th-order linear time-invariant system by an th-order system where . It is shown that lower bounds of the norm of the associated error system can be analyzed by using linear matrix ineqaulity (LMI)-related techniques. These lower bounds are given in terms of the Hankel singular values of the system and coincide with those obtained in the previous studies where the analysis of the Hankel operators plays a central role. Thus, this note provides an alternative proof for those lower bounds via simple algebraic manipulations related to LMIs. Moreover, when we reduce the system order by the multiplicity of the smallest Hankel singular value, we show that the problem is essentially convex and the optimal reduced-order models can be constructed via LMI optimization.
A Low-Complexity Decision-Directed Channel-Estimation Scheme for OFDM Systems With Space–Frequency Diversity in Doubly Selective Fading Channels

In this paper, we propose a low-complexity decision-directed channel-estimation scheme, which offers improved performance for space-frequency-block-coded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (SFBC-OFDM) systems under doubly selective (i.e., frequency selective and fast fading) channels. First, we propose a square-root-free inverse-QR-decomposition-based groupwise recursive (SIQR-GR) channel-estimation algorithm employing sequences of scaled Givens rotations. The proposed SIQR-GR scheme recursively processes data decisions corresponding to the SFBC groups within each OFDM block to improve system performance under doubly selective channels. Furthermore, the avoidance of square roots and the utilization of scaled Givens rotations ensure that the proposed SIQR-GR scheme is computationally efficient. Second, we derive semianalytical expressions for the normalized mean square error (NMSE) performance of SIQR-GR and verify the accuracy of the NMSE analysis via numerical simulations. Finally, we provide performance and complexity comparisons between SIQR-GR and previously proposed schemes. These comparisons show an excellent performance-complexity tradeoff achieved by SIQR-GR over the previous solutions under various channel conditions.
Diagnostic Fail Data Minimization Using an  $N$ -Cover Algorithm

With the increasing transistor count and design complexity of modern integrated circuits, a large volume of fail data is collected by the tester for a failing die. This fail data is analyzed by a diagnosis procedure to obtain information about the defects in the die that caused it to fail. However, large portions of the fail data are not necessary for diagnosis. As a result, the diagnosis procedure spends time analyzing unnecessary data, thus decreasing its speed and throughput. We present a methodology to minimize the amount of fail data that is provided to the diagnosis procedure without compromising the diagnosis accuracy (DA). Our methodology evaluates the outputs at which the tests failed to eliminate noncontributing failing tests. The efficacy of our algorithm is demonstrated using fail data from industry fabricated chips. The experimental results show that, on average, our algorithm achieves fail data minimization of 40% while maintaining an average DA of 95%. The speed of the diagnosis procedure is increased by 39%.
Impact of palm olein in infant formulas on stool consistency and frequency: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

ABSTRACT Background: Meta-analysis studies have documented that palm olein (PALM) predominant formulas reduce calcium and fat absorption, and bone mineralization in infants, but none have been documented for stool consistency and frequency. Objective: The study objective was to conduct a meta-analysis of published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the effect of PALM-based formulas on stool consistency and frequency in infants. Design: A literature search was conducted in BIOSIS Previews®, Embase®, Embase® Alert, MEDLINE® and Cochrane databases. PALM-based RCTs with available stool outcomes were selected and meta-analyzed. Mean rank stool consistency (MRSC, primary outcome) and stool frequency (secondary outcome) were compared between infants fed PALM-based and PALM-free formulas (NoPALM), using random effects model. Results: Nine out of identified16 studies were meta-analyzed. The mean MRSC (scale of 1 = watery to 5 = hard) in the NoPALM-fed infants was lower (softer stools) compared to the PALM-fed infants (mean difference ‒0.355, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] of ‒0.472 to ‒0.239, p < 0.001). Difference for stool frequency was not significant (p = 0.613). Conclusion: Meta-analysis of RCTs indicated that NoPALM-fed infants have significantly softer stools but similar stool frequencies versus PALM-fed infants, despite differences in study types and design. Future meta-analysis could benefit from including comparison with human milk-fed infants.
Feasibility and Effectiveness of Circuit Training in Acute Stroke Rehabilitation

Background: Task-specificity, repetition and progression are key variables in the acquisition of motor skill however they have not been consistently implemented in post-stroke rehabilitation. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a stroke rehabilitation plan of care that incorporated task-specific practice, repetition and progression to facilitate functional gain compared to standard physical therapy for individuals admitted to an inpatient stroke unit. Methods: Individuals participated in either a circuit training (CTPT) model (n = 72) or a standard (SPT) model (n = 108) of physical therapy, 5 days/week. Each 60 minute circuit training session, delivered according to severity level, consisted of four functional mobility tasks. Daily exercise logs documented both task repetition and progression. Results: The CTPT model was successfully implemented in an acute rehabilitation setting. The CTPT group showed a significantly greater improved change in gait speed from hospital admission to discharge than the SPT group (0.21± 0.25 m/sec vs. 0.13± 0.22 m/sec; p = 0.03). The difference between groups occurred primarily among those who were ambulatory upon admission. There were no significant differences between the two cohorts at 90 days post-stroke as measured by the FONE-FIM, SF-36 and living location. Conclusions: Therapy focused on systematically progressed functional tasks can be successfully implemented in an inpatient rehabilitation stroke program. This circuit-training model resulted in greater gains in gait velocity over the course of inpatient rehabilitation compared to the standard model of care. Community-based services following hospital discharge to maintain these gains should be included in the continuum of post-stroke care.
Stathmin and Interfacial Microtubule Inhibitors Recognize a Naturally Curved Conformation of Tubulin Dimers*

Tubulin is able to switch between a straight microtubule-like structure and a curved structure in complex with the stathmin-like domain of the RB3 protein (T2RB3). GTP hydrolysis following microtubule assembly induces protofilament curvature and disassembly. The conformation of the labile tubulin heterodimers is unknown. One important question is whether free GDP-tubulin dimers are straightened by GTP binding or if GTP-tubulin is also curved and switches into a straight conformation upon assembly. We have obtained insight into the bending flexibility of tubulin by analyzing the interplay of tubulin-stathmin association with the binding of several small molecule inhibitors to the colchicine domain at the tubulin intradimer interface, combining structural and biochemical approaches. The crystal structures of T2RB3 complexes with the chiral R and S isomers of ethyl-5-amino-2-methyl-1,2-dihydro-3-phenylpyrido[3,4-b]pyrazin-7-yl-carbamate, show that their binding site overlaps with colchicine ring A and that both complexes have the same curvature as unliganded T2RB3. The binding of these ligands is incompatible with a straight tubulin structure in microtubules. Analytical ultracentrifugation and binding measurements show that tubulin-stathmin associations (T2RB3, T2Stath) and binding of ligands (R, S, TN-16, or the colchicine analogue MTC) are thermodynamically independent from one another, irrespective of tubulin being bound to GTP or GDP. The fact that the interfacial ligands bind equally well to tubulin dimers or stathmin complexes supports a bent conformation of the free tubulin dimers. It is tempting to speculate that stathmin evolved to recognize curved structures in unassembled and disassembling tubulin, thus regulating microtubule assembly.
A homozygous nonsense mutation (c.214C→A) in the biliverdin reductase alpha gene (BLVRA) results in accumulation of biliverdin during episodes of cholestasis

Background Green jaundice is a rare finding usually associated with end-stage liver disease. Objective The authors investigated two unrelated Inuit women from different geographical areas in Greenland who had episodes of green jaundice associated with biliary obstruction. Methods and results The crises were accompanied by increased biochemical markers of cholestasis, together with absent or moderate hyperbilirubinaemia. In contrast, high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry showed hypercholanaemia and high concentrations of biliverdin IXα in serum, urine, bile and milk. Hyperbiliverdinaemia disappeared after surgical correction of the cholestasis. Analysis of the coding sequence of the biliverdin reductase alpha (BVRα) gene (BLVRA) detected three single-nucleotide polymorphisms: c.90G→A, c.214C→A and c.743A→C, which result in p.Ala3Thr, p.Ser44X and p.Gly220Gly, respectively. With the use of TaqMan probes, homozygosity for c.214C→A was found in both patients. Both parents of one of these patients were heterozygous for the inactivating mutation. Her brother was homozygous for normal alleles. Although her sister was also homozygous for the c.214C→A mutation, she had never had hyperbiliverdinaemia or cholestasis. With the use of human liver RNA, the BVRα coding sequence was cloned, and the variant containing c.214C→A was generated by site-directed mutagenesis. Both proteins were expressed in human hepatoma liver cells and Xenopus laevis oocytes. Immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and functional assays of BVRα activity revealed that the mutated sequence generates a truncated protein with no catalytic activity. Conclusion This is the first report of a homozygous BLVRA inactivating mutation indicating that the complete absence of BVRα activity is a non-lethal condition, the most evident phenotypic characteristic of which is the appearance of green jaundice accompanying cholestasis episodes.
Preparation of naproxen–ethyl cellulose microparticles by spray-drying technique and their application to textile materials

Abstract The objective of this study is to develop a new textile-based drug delivery system containing naproxen (NAP) microparticles and to evaluate the potential of the system as the carrier of NAP for topical delivery. Microparticles were prepared by spray-drying using an aqueous ethyl cellulose dispersion. The drug content and entrapment efficiency, particle size and distribution, particle morphology and in vitro drug release characteristics of microparticles were optimized for the application of microparticles onto the textile fabrics. Microparticles had spherical shape in the range of 10–15 μm and a narrow particle size distribution. NAP encapsulated in microparticles was in the amorphous or partially crystalline nature. Microparticles were tightly fixed onto the textile fabrics. In vitro drug release exhibited biphasic release profile with an initial burst followed by a very slow release. Skin permeation profiles were observed to follow near zero-order release kinetics.
Deciphering critical amino acid residues to modify and enhance the binding affinity of ankyrin scaffold specific to capsid protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

BACKGROUND AnkGAG1D4 is an artificial ankyrin repeat protein which recognizes the capsid protein (CA) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and exhibits the intracellular antiviral activity on the viral assembly process. Improving the binding affinity of AnkGAG1D4 would potentially enhance the AnkGAG1D4-mediated antiviral activity. OBJECTIVE To augment the affinity of AnkGAG1D4 scaffold towards its CA target, through computational predictions and experimental designs. METHOD Three dimensional structure of the binary complex formed by AnkGAG1D4 docked to the CA was used as a model for van der Waals (vdW) binding energy calculation. The results generated a simple guideline to select the amino acids for modifications. Following the predictions, modified AnkGAG1D4 proteins were produced and further evaluated for their CA-binding activity, using ELISA-modified method and bio-layer interferometry (BLI). RESULTS Tyrosine at position 56 (Y56) in AnkGAG1D4 was experimentally identified as the most critical residue for CA binding. Rational substitutions of this residue diminished the binding affinity. However, vdW calculation preconized to substitute serine for tyrosine at position 45. Remarkably, the affinity for the viral CA was significantly enhanced in AnkGAG1D4-S45Y mutant, with no alteration of the target specificity. CONCLUSIONS The S-to-Y mutation at position 45, based on the prediction of interacting amino acids and on vdW binding energy calculation, resulted in a significant enhancement of the affinity of AnkGAG1D4 ankyrin for its CA target. AnkGAG1D4-S45Y mutant represented the starting point for further construction of variants with even higher affinity towards the viral CA, and higher therapeutic potential in the future.
Building public health capacity in Madhya Pradesh through academic partnership

Engaging in partnerships is a strategic means of achieving objectives common to each partner. The Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health Management (PGDPHM) partners in consultation with the government and aims to strengthen the public health managerial capacity. This case study examines the PGDPHM program conducted jointly by the Public Health Foundation of India and the Government of Madhya Pradesh (GoMP) at the State Institute of Health Management and Communication, Gwalior, which is the apex training and research institute of the state government for health professionals. This is an example of collaborative partnership between an academic institution and the Department of Public Health and Family Welfare, GoMP. PGDPHM is a 1-year, fully residential course with a strong component of field-based project work, and aims to bridge the gap in public health managerial capacity of the health system through training of health professionals. The program is uniquely designed in the context of the National Rural Health Mission and uses a multidisciplinary approach with a focus on inter-professional education. The curriculum is competency driven and health systems connected and the pedagogy uses a problem-solving approach with multidisciplinary faculty from different programs and practice backgrounds that bring rich field experience to the classroom. This case study presents the successful example of the interface between academia and the health system and of common goals achieved through this partnership for building capacity of health professionals in the state of Madhya Pradesh over the past 3 years.
An Efficient Method for Reliability Evaluation of a General Network

This paper presents a method for finding the terminal-pair reliability expression of a general network. First, the system success function S is found, beginning from the connection matrix for the logic diagram of the network. Second, using the concept of Exclusive operator, S is changed to its equivalent S (disjoint) form, and the reliability expression has been derived. The method has the advantage of not requiring step by step testing for disjointness. Examples illustrate the method.
Structure–activity relationship studies of 4-methylcoumarin derivatives as anticancer agents

Abstract Context: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and novel chemotherapeutic agents with better efficacy and safety profiles are much needed. Coumarins are natural polyphenolic compounds with important pharmacological activities, which are present in many dietary plants and herbal remedies. Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate natural and synthetic coumarin derivatives with considerable anticancer capacity against three human cancer cell lines. Materials and methods: We synthesized 27 coumarin derivatives (mostly having 4-methyl moiety) and examined their cytotoxic effect on three human cancer cell lines, K562 (chronic myelogenous leukemia), LS180 (colon adenocarcinoma), and MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) by MTT reduction assay. Screened compounds included 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarins (7-HMCs), 7-acetoxy-4-methylcoumarins (7-AMCs), and different dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (DHMC) and diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin (DAMC) derivatives. Some compounds with methoxy, amine, and bromine substitutions were also examined. Results: 7,8-DHMCs bearing alkyl groups at C3 position were the most effective subgroup, and of which, the most potent is compound 11, with an n-decyl chain at C3, which had IC50 values of 42.4, 25.2, and 25.1 µM against K562, LS180, and MCF-7 cells, respectively. The second most active subgroup was 7,8-DAMCs containing ethoxycarbonylmethyl and ethoxycarbonylethyl moieties at C3 position. Compound 27 (6-bromo-4-bromomethyl-7-hydroxycoumarin), the only derivative containing bromine also showed reasonable cytotoxic activities (IC50 range: 32.7–45.8 µM). Discussion and conclusion: This structure–activity relationship (SAR) study of 4-methylcoumarins shows that further investigation of these derivatives may lead to the discovery of novel anticancer agents.