Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of FK506-mediated functional recovery and neuroprotection in a rat model of spinal cord injury indicates that EGF is modulated in astrocytes

The present study aimed to evaluate whether the application of tacrolimus (FK506) could improve functional recovery in spinal cord injury (SCI) rat models by activating astrocytes, and to further investigate the underlying mechanisms of this action. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=56) were used to establish moderate SCI models, which were induced at the T10 spinal segment by dropping a 10-g weight from a height of 25 mm using a New York University Impactor device. The rats were randomly separated into the FK506 or control group (n=28 per group). Rats were treated with FK506 (0.5 mg/kg) or saline intravenously 30 min after sustaining the injury. Functional recovery was evaluated over 42 days following the injury, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels were detected. The astrocytes were treated with FK506 in vitro, and the EGF mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA, respectively. DNA microarray analysis was also performed to evaluate the genes in astrocytes. Rats in the FK506 group had improved locomotor functional recovery compared with those of control group. Furthermore, FK506 upregulated EGF expression of astrocytes both in vivo and in vitro. Subsequent to treatment with FK506-conditioned medium (CM), the length of neuronal cells increased 61.06% on the first day, and increased 56.4% on the third day compared with those of C-CM group. Furthermore, addition of anti-EGF neutralizing antibodies could interrupt the promotion of neurite outgrowth by FK506-CM. The present study indicates that astrocytes have an important role as mediators of FK506-improved spinal cord function recovery, and this partially clarifies the role of cell-cell interaction through modulating EGF in this process.
Evaluation of the Commercial Electrochemical Gas Sensors for the Monitoring of CO in Ambient Air

Air pollution is a growing concern of civilized world, which has a significant impact on human health and the environment. Recent studies highlight that the exposure to polluted air can increase the incidence of diseases and deteriorate the quality of life. Hence, it is necessary to develop tools for real-time air quality monitoring. For air pollution monitoring a wide range of stationary gas and particulate analysers can be used. However, such instruments are relatively large, heavy and expensive. Only governments, local authorities and major industries can afford to use such devices. Instruments based on low cost gas sensors can be interesting and promising alternative. However, real-life usage of gas sensors in monitoring outdoor air is connected with several challenges, such as temperature or humidity changes affecting sensor response. In this study, a laboratory evaluation of commercially available electrochemical gas sensors for the monitoring of CO in ambient air is presented. Six commercial electrochemical CO sensors were tested simultaneously under controlled gas concentrations and various environmental conditions.
An assessment of applicability of existing approaches to predicting the bioaccumulation of conventional substances in nanomaterials

The experimental determination of bioaccumulation is challenging, and a number of approaches have been developed for its prediction. It is important to assess the applicability of these predictive approaches to nanomaterials (NMs), which have been shown to bioaccumulate. The octanol/water partition coefficient (KOW) may not be applicable to some NMs that are not found in either the octanol or water phases but rather are found at the interface. Thus the KOW values obtained for certain NMs are shown not to correlate well with the experimentally determined bioaccumulation. Implementation of quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSARs) for NMs is also challenging because the bioaccumulation of NMs depends on nano‐specific properties such as shape, size, and surface area. Thus there is a need to develop new QSAR models based on these new nanodescriptors; current efforts appear to focus on digital processing of NM images as well as the conversion of surface chemistry parameters into adsorption indices. Water solubility can be used as a screening tool for the exclusion of NMs with short half‐lives. Adaptation of fugacity/aquivalence models, which include physicochemical properties, may give some insights into the bioaccumulation potential of NMs, especially with the addition of a biota component. The use of kinetic models, including physiologically based pharmacokinetic models, appears to be the most suitable approach for predicting bioaccumulation of NMs. Furthermore, because bioaccumulation of NMs depends on a number of biotic and abiotic factors, it is important to take these factors into account when one is modeling bioaccumulation and interpreting bioaccumulation results. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2972–2988. © 2018 SETAC
Anti-neuropilin-1 monoclonal antibody suppresses the migration and invasion of human gastric cancer cells via Akt dephosphorylation

Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is involved in a range of physiological and pathological processes, including neuronal cell guidance, cardiovascular development, immunity, angiogenesis and the pathogenesis of cancer. Targeting of NRP-1 is considered to be a potential cancer therapy and a number of approaches have been investigated, including the use of small interfering RNA, peptides, soluble NRP antagonists and monoclonal antibodies. The present study used a novel anti-neuropilin-1 monoclonal antibody (anti-NRP-1 mAb) to investigate its potential anti-tumor effects on human gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, as well as its underlying mechanisms of action. Using an MTT assay, it was observed that anti-NRP-1 mAb (<150 µg/ml) had no effects on the viability of gastric cancer cell line BGC-823, while a Boyden chamber assay indicated that treatment with anti-NRP-1 mAb suppressed the migration and invasion of BGC-823 cells. Western blot analysis also demonstrated that phosphorylation of Akt was reduced in BGC-823 cells treated with anti-NRP-1 mAb. Furthermore, anti-NRP-1 mAb suppressed the growth of gastric cancer xenograft tumors and downregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor proteins within tumors in nude mice. These data indicate the potential effects of anti-NRP-1 mAb on malignant tumors and suggest that inhibition of NRP-1 function with anti-NRP-1 mAb may be a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of cancer.
Mottling score and skin temperature in septic shock: Relation and impact on prognosis in ICU

Introduction Mottling score, defined by 5 areas over the knee is developed to evaluate tissue perfusion at bedside. Because of the subjective aspect of the score, we aimed to compare mottling score and skin temperature in septic shock with infrared thermography in ICU and the correlation to survival. Methods We conducted a prospective and observational study in a teaching hospital in France during 8 months in ICU. All patients with sepsis requiring vasoactive drugs were included. We recorded epidemiologic data, hemodynamic parameters, mottling score and skin temperature with a thermic camera of the 5 mottling areas around the knee (temperatures recorded with FLIR™ software) at bedside. Measures were performed at ICU admission (H0) and six hours after initial resuscitation (H6). Results 46 patients were included. Median age was 69 (60–78), SOFA score 11 (8–12) mean SAPS II was 57±20 and 28-day mortality rate was 30%. Patients with mottling (score≥1), had a skin temperature of the knee significantly lower (30.7 vs 33,2°C p = 0.01 at H6) than patients without mottling (score = 0). Skin temperatures of the knee in mottling groups 1 to 5 were similar at H0 and H6. Neither mottling score nor skin temperature of the knee were associated with prognostic regarding day-28 mortality. Conclusions Skin temperature measured with infrared thermography technology around the knee is lower when mottling sign is present and sign microcirculation alterations. This method, compared to standard mottling score is objective and allows data collections. However, this method failed to predict mortality in ICU patients.
Randomization for the direct effect of an infectious disease intervention in a clustered study population

Randomized trials of infectious disease interventions often focus on populations of connected or potentially interacting individuals. When the pathogen of interest is contagious (transmissible) between study subjects, infection outcomes may exhibit dependence, and it can be challenging to define and estimate the causal "direct effect" of the intervention on individuals who receive it. Two very different paradigms guide researchers in conceptualizing this effect: a randomization design-based perspective defines the direct effect as a contrast between the infection risk of a given individual under treatment versus no treatment, averaged over the conditional distribution of randomized assignments to other individuals in the cluster; a structural model-based perspective defines the direct effect as a contrast between the infection risk of a given individual under treatment versus no treatment, with exposure to infectiousness held constant. In this paper, we show that the design- and model-based definitions of the causal direct effect are incompatible under some randomization designs when the outcome is contagious. In particular, design-based average risk differences may not recover the sign of the true individualistic effect of the intervention, even in large samples. The results suggest that widely recommended randomization designs and estimators may provide misleading inferences about the direct effect of an intervention - such as a vaccine - when outcomes are contagious.
Dynamic Resource Allocation and Layer Selection for Scalable Video Streaming in Femtocell Networks: A Twin-Time-Scale Approach

Scalable video streaming over femtocell networks relying on two-tier spectrum-sharing is designed for coping with time-varying channel conditions, stringent video QoS requirements as well as with strong cross-tier interference between the over-sailing macro- and the femtocells. Dynamic video layer selection and resource allocation are invoked to enable the adaptation of the scalable video streaming service to the dynamics of both channel quality and interference price fluctuations. We formulate the design as a constrained stochastic optimization problem, which strikes a compelling compromise between the perceivable quality of experience and the monetary implications of the interference. Since the time scale of resource allocation is more short term than that of the video layer selection, we decompose the original long-term utility optimization problem into a pair of readily tractable subproblems with the aid of two different time-scales by invoking the powerful technique of Lyapunov drift and optimization. By exploiting the specific structure of these subproblems, low-complexity algorithms are derived for dynamic video layer selection and resource allocation, which rely on the near-instantaneously available information rather than on any prior statistical knowledge. Finally, we derive the analytical bounds of the theoretically achievable performance. Experimental results are presented for characterizing the performance attained.
Synthesis and Coordination Behavior of a Flexible Bis(phosphinoferrocene) Ligand

A symmetrical flexible bis(phosphinoferrocene) derivative, viz. bis[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]methane (1), was prepared and studied as a ligand in Pd(II) and Au(I) complexes. The reactions of 1 with [PdCl2(cod)] (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene) and [Pd(μ-Cl)(LNC)]2 (LNC = [2-(dimethylamino-κN)methyl]phenyl-κC1) produced bis(phosphine) complex trans-[PdCl2(1-κ2P,P′)] (4), wherein the ligand spans trans positions in the square-planar coordination sphere of Pd(II) and the tetranuclear, P,P-bridged complex [(μ(P,P′)-1){PdCl(LNC)}2] (5), respectively. In reactions with the Au(I) precursors [AuCl(tht)] and [Au(tht)2][SbF6] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene), ligand 1 gave rise to tetranuclear Au2Fe2 complex [(μ(P,P′)-1)(AuCl)2] (6) and to symmetrical macrocyclic tetramer [Au4(μ(P,P′)-1)4][SbF6]4 (7). All compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods. In addition, the structures of compound 1, its synthetic precursor bis[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]methanone (3), and all aforementioned Pd(II) and Au(I) complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (some in solvated form).
DCASE 2018 Challenge Surrey cross-task convolutional neural network baseline

The Detection and Classiﬁcation of Acoustic Scenes and Events (DCASE) consists of ﬁve audio classiﬁcation and sound event detectiontasks: 1)Acousticsceneclassiﬁcation,2)General-purposeaudio tagging of Freesound, 3) Bird audio detection, 4) Weakly-labeled semi-supervised sound event detection and 5) Multi-channel audio classiﬁcation. In this paper, we create a cross-task baseline system for all ﬁve tasks based on a convlutional neural network (CNN): a “CNN Baseline” system. We implemented CNNs with 4 layers and 8 layers originating from AlexNet and VGG from computer vision. We investigated how the performance varies from task to task with the same conﬁguration of neural networks. Experiments show that deeper CNN with 8 layers performs better than CNN with 4 layers on all tasks except Task 1. Using CNN with 8 layers, we achieve an accuracy of 0.680 on Task 1, an accuracy of 0.895 and a mean average precision (MAP) of 0.928 on Task 2, an accuracy of 0.751 andanareaunderthecurve(AUC)of0.854onTask3,asoundevent detectionF1scoreof20.8%onTask4,andanF1scoreof87.75%on Task 5. We released the Python source code of the baseline systems under the MIT license for further research.
The Analysis of Technology Acceptance Model in Implementing Knowledge Management for Small Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in a Creative Industry Base on Mobile Application

This paper is a development of the previous paper. The primary objective of this investigation is to analyze the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in the implementation of knowledge management for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) via a mobile application. The research method used an explanatory research. Surveys were used to collect the data. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to analysis the data. The result of this study observes the influence of the perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), attitude towards usage (ATU), and perceived behavioural intentions to use the mobile app (ITU), were reveal that PU, PEU, ITU, and ATU variable have a positive effect on implementing knowledge management for SMEs. Hence, if users believe that the new technology is beneficial, they are more likely to use it and benefit from it.
$\mathscr{H}_{2}$ and $\mathscr{H}_{\infty}$ mode-independent state-feedback control of generalized Bernoulli jump systems with uncertain probabilities*

Many practical problems arising in networked control systems can be suitably modeled by linear stochastic systems described in terms of discrete-time generalized Bernoulli models, that are a particular case of the so called Markov jump linear systems. Motivated by real world applications where the transition probability matrix is uncertain, this paper proposes a general framework to deal with the problem of control design for Bernoulli systems, providing synthesis conditions for $\mathscr{H}_{2}$ and $\mathscr{H}_{\infty}$ state-feedback controllers that are sufficient in the uncertain case and also necessary (optimal) for precisely known models. The conditions can be solved in terms of LMI relaxations of increasing accuracy, allowing the user to tradeoff precision and computational cost in the search for better solutions. The networked control of a mechanical plant is presented to illustrate the applicability of the method.
Efficacy of Vancomycin on Gram-Positive Bacterial Infection in Elderly Critical Patients and Risk Factors Associated With Nephrotoxicity.

BACKGROUND Vancomycin is widely used for infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, but little attention has been paid to vancomycin in the treatment of critically ill patients aged ≥80 years. The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of vancomycin and risk factors associated with nephrotoxicity of vancomycin in elderly critically ill patients. METHODS A retrospective study was performed in a 14-bed medical-surgical geriatric ICU between January 2007 and June 2014. The patients (aged ≥80 years) were included if they received ≥4 doses of vancomycin and the therapy duration was ≥ 2 hours. RESULTS The clinical efficacy was 74.0% (37/50). The 28-day mortality was 26.0% (13/50). Of the patients, 24% (12/50) had nephrotoxicity during vancomycin treatment period. The clinical efficacy was 60%, 86.7%, 58.3%, and 33.3%, and the 28-day mortality rate was 20%, 23.3%, 33.3%, and 33.3%, respectively, when the trough concentrations were ≤10 μg/mL, 10-15 μg/mL, 15-20 μg/mL, and ≥20 μg/mL. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score ≥25 points, vancomycin trough concentrations ≥15 μg/mL, and the combined use of diuretics (furosemide ≥40 mg/d) were independent risk factors leading to nephrotoxicity. CONCLUSION We did not find that higher vancomycin trough concentrations lead to better clinical outcomes in elderly critically ill patients. Increased vancomycin trough concentrations, high APACHE II scores, and the combined use of diuretics may increase the risks of nephrotoxicity in elderly critically ill patients.
A blind spectrum sensing based on low-rank and sparse matrix decomposition

As a crucial component in Cognitive Radio (CR) networks, spectrum sensing has been attracting lots of attention. Some conventional methods for spectrum sensing are sensitive to uncertain signal and noise, its applicability is limited thereof. In this paper, a novel blind spectrum sensing method is proposed, where low-rank and sparse matrix decomposition is applied to the observation signal of a CR in the frequency domain. Then the ratio of the energy of the sparse part and the received signal in the time domain is considered as the criterion to decide whether the radio frequency band is idle by means of a comparison with a predefined threshold. The proposed method is independent of prior knowledge of signal and white noise, and has a better detection performance. Simulation experiments verify the performance of the proposed method in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), Rayleighand Rician channels.
Iterative $\mathcal{H}_{2}$-Conic Controller Synthesis

The Conic Sector Theorem is a versatile input-output stability result that can be used to ensure closed-loop, input-output stability where better-known results, such as the Passivity and Small Gain Theorems, cannot. This paper proposes a linear-matrix-inequality-based approach to the synthesis of conic controllers that minimizes an upper bound on the closed-loop $\mathcal{H}_{2}$-norm. The upper bound is iteratively improved, providing controllers that successively decrease an upper bound on the closed-loop $\mathcal{H}_{2}$-norm. This provides a valuable tool for robust and optimal control by combining the utility of conic sectors and the Conic Sector Theorem with $\mathcal{H}_{2}$-optimal control. The effectiveness of this method is compared to an existing conic controller synthesis method in a numerical example.
Optimal Strategies for Disjunctive Sensing and Control

A disjunctive sensing and actuation problem is considered in which the actuators and the sensors are prevented from operating together over any given time step. This problem is motivated by practical applications in the area of spacecraft control. Assuming a linear system model with stochastic process disturbance and measurement noise, a procedure to construct a periodic sequence that ensures bounded states and estimation error covariance is described along with supporting analysis results. The procedure is also extended to ensure eventual satisfaction of probabilistic chance constraints on the state. The proposed scheme demonstrates good performance in simulations for spacecraft relative motion control.
Offering support to the general public by building CBT-based life skills: lessons learnt from an initial evaluation

Aims Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective for symptoms of mild to moderate depression yet access to such therapy is frequently limited. An alternative to traditional ways of delivering CBT is lower intensity methods based on self-help principles, using written CBT resources, in a group or class setting. Aware, the Irish National charity providing support to people experiencing depression, has implemented a 6-week CBT-based group programme which has been independently evaluated to demonstrate its effectiveness using quantitative and qualitative measures. Method Two outcome measures (the Patient Health Questionnaire – PHQ-9, and Generalised Anxiety Disorder – GAD-7) were completed and analysed using a matched pairs t-test in respect of all participants at three intervals across the programme. Qualitative feedback was also sought upon completion of the course and offered insight into significant change and individual impact of the programme. Results A total of 2289 individuals nationwide registered for the programme through the Aware website with 1885 completing the 6 weeks. There was an average attendance of 67% for the 6-week programme. Statistically significant reductions in terms of scores of depression and anxiety were seen upon completion but earlier trends towards improvement were noted. Conclusion Completion of a 6-week Life Skills Programme has been associated with a reduction from moderately severe to mild scores in relation to both depressive and anxiety symptoms. Longitudinal follow-up will be required to determine if the effectiveness of the intervention is maintained but CBT-based group programmes may represent a useful alternative to traditional services to treat clinically significant depression.
Hepatoprotective Effects of MHY3200 on High-Fat, Diet-Induced, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rats

This study investigated the effects of 2-(4-(5-chlorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)phenoxy)-2,2-difluoroacetic acid (MHY3200) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation. The measurement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α activity by using a luciferase assay indicated that MHY3200 was more potent than a known PPARα agonist, WY14643, in AC2F cells. Six-month-old male SD rats were fed chow or HFD for 1 month, and after, with or without added MHY3200 (1 or 2 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. The oral administration of MHY3200 caused a significant decrease in serum triglyceride (TG), glucose, alanine aminotransferase, and insulin, as well as a slight decrease in the level of free fatty acid and aspartate transaminase. No weight gain was detected when compared with HFD rats, and hepatic TG content was also attenuated by the administration of MHY3200. Furthermore, phosphorylation of the ER stress marker, inositol-requiring kinase 1 and its downstream gene, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, in addition to serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 were suppressed by MHY3200. Consistent with these results, MHY3200 administration reduced the levels of activation of protein-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Our results suggested that MHY3200 ameliorated HFD-induced hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation, and improved insulin resistance through PPARα activation.