Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Muscle artifact cancellation in ECG signal using a dynamical model and particle filter

Muscle artifact cancellation from Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal is an important task in the field of signal processing Because of its non-Gaussian non-stationary nature. Hence, in this paper a nonlinear Bayesian filtering Framework for ECG Denoising is proposed. This algorithm has the advantage of handling non-Gaussian non-stationary situations over other conventional Bayesian frameworks such as Exteneded Kalman Filter (EKF) and Extended Kalman Smoother (EKS). A particle weighting strategy is also proposed to automatically control the reliance of the particle filter to the acquired measurements even in low input SNRs in which neither the ECG model nor the obtained measurements are trustworthy. We evaluated the proposed filter on several normal ECG signals selected from MIT-BIH normal sinus rhythm database by artificially adding non-stationary muscle artifact (MA) noise over a range of low SNRs from 10 to -5dB. Owing to its nonlinear framework and particle weighting scheme, our algorithm attained better results in all input SNRs in comparison to EKF and EKS frameworks.
Distinct GAB 2 signaling pathways are essential for myeloid and lymphoid transformation and leukemogenesis by BCR-ABL 1

Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto, ON, Canada; Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA; Program in Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA; Cancer Biology Program, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; and University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair with stent-grafts: experimental models can reproduce endoleaks.

PURPOSE To develop canine aneurysm models that can reproduce type II endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with stent-grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS A fusiform infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm model (AAA) was surgically created with a jugular vein patch, while preserving collateral vessels (n = 3). To allow comparative studies within the same animal, a bilateral iliac aneurysm model was also constructed with venous patches and surgical re-implantation of the sacroiliac trunk (n = 3). Stent-grafts were implanted by femoral approach at least 2 months later in both aortic and iliac models. Follow-up imaging was performed by Doppler ultrasound (US) and angiography until animals were killed 3 months after EVAR. RESULTS Angiography revealed immediate type II leaks in all cases. Leaks were still present at autopsy 3 months after EVAR in all cases, and were revealed at pre-death angiography in all but one case. At autopsy, leaks were characterized by the presence of large endothelialized channels that formed within the thrombus between the stent-graft and the aneurysmal wall. CONCLUSION As shown in this pilot study, persistent type II leaks after EVAR can be reproduced in aortic and iliac animal models. The iliac model can be created bilaterally in the same animal, thus allowing for comparative evaluation of different therapies. These models could be used to better understand the mechanisms of endoleak, and to assess future developments aimed to improve the outcomes after EVAR.
Identification of a Negative Regulator for the Pathogenicity Island of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) forms histological lesions termed attaching and effacing lesions (A/E lesions) on infected large intestine tissue. The major virulence factors involved in A/E lesions reside on a locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), a pathogenicity island. The LEE comprises 41 specific open reading frames, of which most are organized in 5 major operons, LEE1, LEE2, LEE3, LEE4, and tir(LEE5). The expression of LEE genes is regulated in a complicated manner by environmental factors such as temperature, osmolarity, and quorum sensing. Current knowledge is that regulation is hierarchical: a pivotal positive regulator, ler, is first stimulated, which in turn activates the expression of other operons. Herein, we report on the presence of a negative regulation protein located within the LEE. L0044 is 372 bp in length and is located outside of the 5 major operons. An isogenic L0044 deletion mutant displayed loss of the repression phenotype and increased synthesis of several LEE proteins when bacteria were cultured under repressive conditions that disfavor expression of LEE proteins. Reciprocally, trans expression of L0044 suppressed the expression of the LEE. Furthermore, mRNA of ler increased as a result of deleting L0044, and disrupting ler in a L0044-deleted background reversed the loss of the repression phenotype. Thus, L0044 plays a role in regulating the expression of virulence genes in EHEC by modulating the activation of ler.
An application of hierarchical kappa-type statistics in the assessment of majority agreement among multiple observers.

This paper presents a general statistical methodology for the anialysis of mnultivariate categorical data involving agreement among nmore than two observers. Since these situations give rise to very large contingency tables in which mi0ost of the observed cell frequencies are zero, procedures based on indicator variables of the raw data for individual subjects are used to genierate first-order margins and main diagonal sums from the conceptual multidinmenisional contingency table. From these quantities, estimates are generated to reflect the strenlgth of'an internlal mlajority decision on each subject. Moreover, a subset of 'observers who demonstrate a high level of interobserver agreement can be identified by using pairwise agreement statistics betweeni each observer and the internal majority standard opinion on each subject. These procedures are all illustrated within the context of'a clinical diagnosis examiiple involving seven pathologists.
Modeling transformers with internal faults based on magnetic circuit. Part I: Models

Internal fault detection in transformers provides early warning of electrical failure and could prevent forced outages with the consequential costs. To detect and diagnose transformer internal faults it is required a model. This paper presents a methodology to model internal transformer faults. The short circuit model was developed on base of the behavior of the windings when this fault occurs. The aging model was developed based on the physical behavior of aging insulation.
Impaired monocyte cytokine production in critically ill patients with acute renal failure.

BACKGROUND Plasma levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are predictive of mortality in patients with acute renal failure (ARF). Anti-inflammatory strategies are postulated to be beneficial in treatment. However, there are few studies simultaneously examining monocyte cytokine production and plasma cytokine levels in patients with ARF. METHODS Study populations consisted of 20 critically ill patients with ARF, 19 critically ill patients without ARF (CRIT ILL), 28 healthy subjects (HS), 19 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and 15 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Monocyte intracellular content of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was determined by flow cytometry in whole blood. Plasma interleukin 6 and TNF-alpha concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS At baseline, there were no differences in intracellular monocyte cytokine levels between groups. After lipopolysaccaride stimulation, monocyte production of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 in ARF patients was reduced by 41%, 84%, and 45%, respectively, compared to healthy subjects (P < 0.01 in each case), and similarly reduced compared to CKD and ESRD patients, and were similar to CRIT ILL patients. Plasma IL-6 levels were significantly higher in ARF patients than healthy subjects, CKD, and ESRD patients (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Critically ill patients with acute renal failure have impaired monocyte cytokine production and elevated plasma cytokine levels in a pattern that closely resembles critically ill patients without ARF, and that is dissimilar to CKD and ESRD patients.
An algorithm for mining strongly correlated pairs in relational table

Given a user-specified minimum correlation threshold and a relational table, the problem of mining all-strong correlated pairs is to find all attribute value pairs with Pearson's correlation coefficients above the minimum correlation threshold. However, algorithms developed for transaction database will generate invalid candidate pairs due to fundamental property of the itemsets in relational table (i.e. 1NF, they cannot contain more that one item per table column) and hence encounter additional and unnecessary computation cost. In this paper, using this property, the join step in the candidate generation phase is adapted to reflect this and to prune candidate set by not taking into itemsets which are not in 1NF. Furthermore, we propose other techniques to reduce the number of candidate pairs that are to be examined in the refinement step, even when the upper bound based pruning technique is useless in case of very low correlation threshold. Experimental results from real data sets exhibit that our algorithm can produce smaller candidate set and be faster than previous algorithms.
Releasing the Genomic RNA Sequestered in the Mumps Virus Nucleocapsid

ABSTRACT In a negative-strand RNA virus, the genomic RNA is sequestered inside the nucleocapsid when the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase uses it as the template for viral RNA synthesis. It must require a conformational change in the nucleocapsid protein (N) to make the RNA accessible to the viral polymerase during this process. The structure of an empty mumps virus (MuV) nucleocapsid-like particle was determined to 10.4-Å resolution by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) image reconstruction. By modeling the crystal structure of parainfluenza virus 5 into the density, it was shown that the α-helix close to the RNA became flexible when RNA was removed. Point mutations in this helix resulted in loss of polymerase activities. Since the core of N is rigid in the nucleocapsid, we suggest that interactions between this region of the mumps virus N and its polymerase, instead of large N domain rotations, lead to exposure of the sequestered genomic RNA. IMPORTANCE Mumps virus (MuV) infection may cause serious diseases, including hearing loss, orchitis, oophoritis, mastitis, and pancreatitis. MuV is a negative-strand RNA virus, similar to rabies virus or Ebola virus, that has a unique mechanism of viral RNA synthesis. They all make their own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The viral RdRp uses the genomic RNA inside the viral nucleocapsid as the template to synthesize viral RNAs. Since the template RNA is always sequestered in the nucleocapsid, the viral RdRp must find a way to open it up in order to gain access to the covered template. Our work reported here shows that a helix structural element in the MuV nucleocapsid protein becomes open when the sequestered RNA is released. The amino acids related to this helix are required for RdRp to synthesize viral RNA. We propose that the viral RdRp pulls this helix open to release the genomic RNA.
Small single-phase two pole Ferrite-PM-stator double-saliency motor: Optimal design and experimental characterization

Stator-PM small motors are currently proposed for residential, automotive, info gadget actuators to decrease PM temperature effects and keep high performance, for lower cost, by using Ferrite-PMs and (or) aluminum stator windings. Single-phase stator-PM small motors did not receive sufficient attention for powers below 100W in general. The present paper characterizes a single phase two-pole Ferrite-PM stator double saliency, flux reversal motor, in terms of optimal design and detailed experimental validation. Starting from a previous recent paper of same authors, this paper expands the subject and introduces various test results on a subsequently built prototype which lead to higher efficiency than a three phase brushless d.c. counterpart at partial load (50%).
Loss of 'complexity' and aging. Potential applications of fractals and chaos theory to senescence.

The concept of "complexity," derived from the field of nonlinear dynamics, can be adapted to measure the output of physiologic processes that generate highly variable fluctuations resembling "chaos. " We review data suggesting that physiologic aging is associated with a generalized loss of such complexity in the dynamics of healthy organ system function and hypothesize that such loss of complexity leads to an impaired ability to adapt to physiologic stress. This hypothesis is supported by observations showing an age-related loss of complex variability in multiple physiologic processes including cardiovascular control, pulsatile hormone release, and electroencephalographic potentials. If further research supports this hypothesis, measures of complexity based on chaos theory and the related geometric concept of fractals may provide new ways to monitor senescence and test the efficacy of specific interventions to modify the age-related decline in adaptive capacity.
Bias in Conversational Search: The Double-Edged Sword of the Personalized Knowledge Graph

Conversational AI systems are being used in personal devices, providing users with highly personalized content. Personalized knowledge graphs (PKGs) are one of the recently proposed methods to store users' information in a structured form and tailor answers to their liking. Personalization, however, is prone to amplifying bias and contributing to the echo-chamber phenomenon. In this paper, we discuss different types of biases in conversational search systems, with the emphasis on the biases that are related to PKGs. We review existing definitions of bias in the literature: people bias, algorithm bias, and a combination of the two, and further propose different strategies for tackling these biases for conversational search systems. Finally, we discuss methods for measuring bias and evaluating user satisfaction.
Capacitor-less LDR based on flipped voltage follower with dual-feedback loops

This paper presents a flipped voltage follower low dropout regulation with dual-feedback loops (DF-FVF LDR). Compared to other FVF LDRs, the multiple functions of error amplifier in DF-FVF LDR contribute to better regulation capability. The dominant pole is set by a small Miller capacitor leading to stable frequency response. Adaptive bias is further adopted to expand the bandwidth as well. Simulation was performed with 0.35 μm CMOS process and the results show that the gain for the shunt feedback loop is boosted greatly. Load and line regulations are reduced to 5.6 μV/mA and 1.4mV/V. PSRR is maintained −54 dB at 1 kHz and −24 dB at 100 kHz. When the load current varies between 1mA and 100mA within edge time of 1 μs, undershoot and overshoot voltage are 110mA and 89mA, and the settling time is only 1.5 μs.
Pre-operative teaching: how does a group of nurses do it?

Abstract Studies have revealed that adequate pre-operative instructions alleviate anxiety, increase patient participation in their care and minimize the development of post-operative complications. However, other researches have found that there are discrepancies between nurses’ perceptions of patient’s pre-operative needs and patients’ actual needs. The aim of this study is to gain insight into how a group of surgical ward nurses organize and implement their pre-operative teaching, and the difficulties they have encountered. It explores how a group of surgical ward nurses conduct pre-operative teaching to their patients. It has found that their training, rote learning, and the timing of patient admissions have all affected how participating nurses organize and implement their pre-operative teaching to their patients. This case study acts as an exemplar to other nurses, to stimulate reflection on their own practice.
Rare Homologous Gene Targeting in Histoplasma capsulatum: Disruption of the URA5Hc Gene by Allelic Replacement

ABSTRACT URA5 genes encode orotidine-5′-monophosphate pyrophosphorylase (OMPpase), an enzyme involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis. We cloned the Histoplasma capsulatum URA5gene (URA5Hc) by using a probe generated by PCR with inosine-rich primers based on relatively conserved sequences in OMPpases from other organisms. Transformation with this gene restored uracil prototrophy and OMPpase activity to UV-mutagenizedura5 strains of H. capsulatum. We attempted to target the genomic URA5 locus in this haploid organism to demonstrate homologous allelic replacement with transforming DNA, which has not been previously done in H. capsulatum and has been challenging in some other pathogenic fungi. Several strategies commonly used in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other eukaryotes were unsuccessful, due to the frequent occurrence of ectopic integration, linear plasmid formation, and spontaneous resistance to 5-fluoroorotic acid, which is a selective agent for URA5 gene inactivation. Recent development of an efficient electrotransformation system and of a second selectable marker (hph, conferring hygromycin B resistance) for this fungus enabled us to achieve allelic replacement by using transformation with an insertionally inactivated Δura5Hc::hph plasmid, followed by dual selection with hygromycin B and 5-fluoroorotic acid, or by screening hygromycin B-resistant transformants for uracil auxotrophy. The relative frequency of homologous gene targeting was approximately one allelic replacement event per thousand transformants. This work demonstrates the feasibility but also the potential challenge of gene disruption in this organism. To our knowledge, it represents the first example of experimentally directed allelic replacement inH. capsulatum, or in any dimorphic systemic fungal pathogen of humans.
Variance stabilization of noncentral-chi data: Application to noise estimation in MRI

A variance-stabilizing transformation (VST) specifically designed for noncentral-chi (nc-x) data is presented. The VST is derived to generate Gaussian-like distributed variates from nc-x data. Two methods are proposed: (1) an analytic asymptotic model for high SNR; and (2) a robust numerical model to improve the performance for low SNR. As an application and proof of concept, the VST is used for the estimation of non-stationary noise fields in multiple coil MRI acquisitions. It is validated over accelerated data reconstructed using GRAPPA. The method is compared to the main state-of-the-art methods. Numerical results confirm the robustness of the method and its better performance for the whole range of SNRs.
Mammalian Adaptive Mutations of the PA Protein of Highly Pathogenic Avian H5N1 Influenza Virus

ABSTRACT Highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza A viruses continue to circulate among avian species and cause sporadic cases of human infection. Therefore, the threat of a pandemic persists. However, the human cases of H5N1 infection have been limited mainly to individuals in close contact with infected poultry. These findings suggest that the H5N1 viruses need to acquire adaptive mutations to gain a replicative advantage in mammalian cells to break through the species barrier. Many amino acid mutations of the polymerase complex have been reported to enhance H5N1 virus growth in mammalian cells; however, the mechanism for H5N1 virus of adaptation to humans remains unclear. Here, we propose that the PA of an H5N1 influenza virus isolated from a human in Vietnam (A/Vietnam/UT36285/2010 [36285]) increased the ability of an avian H5N1 virus (A/chicken/Vietnam/TY31/2005 [Ck/TY31]) to grow in human lung epithelial A549 cells. The five PA amino acid substitutions V44I, V127A, C241Y, A343T, and I573V, which are rare in H5N1 viruses from human and avian sources, enhanced the growth capability of this virus in A549 cells. Moreover, these mutations increased the pathogenicity of the virus in mice, suggesting that they contribute to adaptation to mammalian hosts. Intriguingly, PA-241Y, which 36285 encodes, is conserved in more than 90% of human seasonal H1N1 viruses, suggesting that PA-241Y contributes to virus adaptation to human lung cells and mammalian hosts. IMPORTANCE Many amino acid substitutions in highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses have been shown to contribute to adaptation to mammalian hosts. However, no naturally isolated H5N1 virus has caused extensive human-to-human transmission, suggesting that additional, as-yet unidentified amino acid mutations are needed for adaptation to humans. Here, we report that five amino acid substitutions in PA (V44I, V127A, C241Y, A343T, and I573V) contribute to the replicative efficiency of H5N1 viruses in human lung cells and to high virulence in mice. These results are helpful for assessing the pandemic risk of isolates and further our understanding of the mechanism of H5N1 virus adaptation to mammalian hosts.
Novel Method for Fabrication of Samples for Cell Testing of Bioceramics in Granular form

Background Bioceramic granules are a widely studied material for regeneration of human tissues, and their biological assessment with in vitro cell cultures plays a fundamental role in the development of bioceramics. Design of samples for cell testing represents an important aspect of the biological evaluation, as it dictates how cells will interact with the biomaterial. The aim of this study was to develop samples for cell testing of bioceramic granules with a novel design that would enable direct physical contacts between cells and bioceramic and improved handling properties for efficient laboratory work. The goal was to produce a bilayered polycaprolactone-bioceramic composite with polycaprolactone serving as a bottom layer and support for a uniform and dense layer of bioceramic granules (upper layer), which would be only partly embedded and physically stabilized in the polymer with at least one face of granules still free of any polymer residues and available for direct attachment of cells. Methods A novel method for preparation of samples in six steps was developed. A bilayered design of samples with exposed bioceramic particles was accomplished by the application of a water-soluble alginate as a sacrificial polymer in the method protocol. Samples were analyzed with SEM/EDX and ToF-SIMS. Results Bioceramic granules had a uniform and dense morphology and were partly embedded in the polycaprolactone support. Detailed ToF-SIMS study showed that granules were clean and free of any polymer residues. Conclusions The developed samples enable direct exposure of bioceramic granules to cells and surrounding physiological solution during cell testing, and possess improved handling characteristics.
Primary sepsis in a university hospital in northern Sweden: A retrospective study

Background: Severe sepsis and septic shock are associated with high mortality rates. Data on sepsis outcome from Scandinavian countries are sparse. The aim of this study was to examine the length of stay (LOS) in the ICU, ICU mortality and costs of care for adult patients with primary sepsis in a university hospital in northern Sweden.
An Explicit Euler Scheme with Strong Rate of Convergence for Financial SDEs with Non-Lipschitz Coefficients

We consider the approximation of stochastic differential equations (SDEs) with non-Lipschitz drift or diffusion coefficients. We present a modified explicit Euler-Maruyama discretisation scheme that allows us to prove strong convergence, with a rate. Under some regularity and integrability conditions, we obtain the optimal strong error rate. We apply this scheme to SDEs widely used in the mathematical finance literature, including the Cox-Ingersoll-Ross~(CIR), the 3/2 and the Ait-Sahalia models, as well as a family of mean-reverting processes with locally smooth coefficients. We numerically illustrate the strong convergence of the scheme and demonstrate its efficiency in a multilevel Monte Carlo setting.