Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new device to quantify tactile sensation in neuropathy

Objective: To devise a rapid, sensitive method to quantify tactile threshold of finger pads for early detection and staging of peripheral neuropathy and for use in clinical trials. Methods: Subjects were 166 healthy controls and 103 patients with, or at risk for, peripheral neuropathy. Subjects were screened by questionnaire. The test device, the Bumps, is a checkerboard-like smooth surface with 12 squares; each square encloses 5 colored circles. The subject explores the circles of each square with the index finger pad to locate the one circle containing a small bump. Bumps in different squares have different heights. Detection threshold is defined as the smallest bump height detected. In some subjects, a 3-mm skin biopsy from the tested finger pad was taken to compare density of Meissner corpuscles (MCs) to bump detection thresholds. Results: The mean (±SEM) bump detection threshold for control subjects was 3.3 ± 0.10 μm. Threshold and test time were age related, older subjects having slightly higher thresholds and using more time. Mean detection threshold of patients with neuropathy (6.2 ± 0.35 μm) differed from controls (p < 0.001). A proposed threshold for identifying impaired sensation had a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 74%. Detection threshold was higher when MC density was decreased. Conclusions: These preliminary studies suggest that the Bumps test is a rapid, sensitive, inexpensive method to quantify tactile sensation of finger pads. It has potential for early diagnosis of tactile deficiency in subjects suspected of having neuropathy, for staging degree of tactile deficit, and for monitoring change over time.
Tert expression and telomerase activity in gonads and somatic cells of the Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

A telomerase reverse transcriptase (Tert) encoding gene was cloned from the testis of the teleost fish Oryzias latipes. The expression pattern of Japanese medaka tert (Ola_tert) was analyzed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. Ola_tert was expressed in embryonic stages as well as in differentiated adult tissues. In tissues of adult medakas the highest tert expression was found in gonads and brain. Furthermore, two different splice variants were described and an Ola_tert antisense transcript was identified. The enzyme activity of Tert was determined using a non‐radioactive telomeric amplification protocol and the telomerase activity in various tissues was shown to correlate with the tert expression. The telomerase activity was found to be high in contrast to the generally low activity in differentiated human tissues.
Animal modelling of traumatic brain injury in preclinical drug development: where do we go from here?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in young adults. Survivors of TBI frequently suffer from long‐term personality changes and deficits in cognitive and motor performance, urgently calling for novel pharmacological treatment options. To date, all clinical trials evaluating neuroprotective compounds have failed in demonstrating clinical efficacy in cohorts of severely injured TBI patients. The purpose of the present review is to describe the utility of animal models of TBI for preclinical evaluation of pharmacological compounds. No single animal model can adequately mimic all aspects of human TBI owing to the heterogeneity of clinical TBI. To successfully develop compounds for clinical TBI, a thorough evaluation in several TBI models and injury severities is crucial. Additionally, brain pharmacokinetics and the time window must be carefully evaluated. Although the search for a single‐compound, ‘silver bullet’ therapy is ongoing, a combination of drugs targeting various aspects of neuroprotection, neuroinflammation and regeneration may be needed. In summary, finding drugs and prove clinical efficacy in TBI is a major challenge ahead for the research community and the drug industry. For a successful translation of basic science knowledge to the clinic to occur we believe that a further refinement of animal models and functional outcome methods is important. In the clinical setting, improved patient classification, more homogenous patient cohorts in clinical trials, standardized treatment strategies, improved central nervous system drug delivery systems and monitoring of target drug levels and drug effects is warranted.
Coordinated allocation and control of voltage regulators based on reactive tabu search

This paper present a coordinated allocation and control of Step voltage regulators (SVRs) and Static Var Compensators (SVCs) for voltage deviations in case distributed generations are installed in distribution networks. In the proposed method, the reactive tabu search (RTS) with multiple structures and functions has been applied to the coordination. Firstly, the locations of SVRs are selected optimally and secondly the tap positions of SVRs are optimized by the RTS. Finally, the locations of SVC are decided to brash up the voltage profile in the distribution network. The proposed method enables us to take account of the installation cost of both SVR and SVC as an economic criterion, the upper and lower limit of voltage at each node and also the upper limit of line currents as constraints. By applying the proposed method to a practical distribution test system, it is verified that this method is efficient to allocate SVRs and SVCs at the minimum cost and regulate the system voltages within an appropriate value after introducing distributed generations into the distribution system.
Modern Coding Theory

Having trouble deciding which coding scheme to employ, how to design a new scheme, or how to improve an existing system? This summary of the state-of-the-art in iterative coding makes this decision more straightforward. With emphasis on the underlying theory, techniques to analyse and design practical iterative coding systems are presented. Using Gallager's original ensemble of LDPC codes, the basic concepts are extended for several general codes, including the practically important class of turbo codes. The simplicity of the binary erasure channel is exploited to develop analytical techniques and intuition, which are then applied to general channel models. A chapter on factor graphs helps to unify the important topics of information theory, coding and communication theory. Covering the most recent advances, this text is ideal for graduate students in electrical engineering and computer science, and practitioners. Additional resources, including instructor's solutions and figures, available online: www.cambridge. org/9780521852296.
Hormonal and metabolic response in elite female gymnasts undergoing strenuous training and supplementation with SUPRO Brand Isolated Soy Protein.

BACKGROUND This study evaluates the metabolic and hormonal response in elite female gymnasts undergoing strenuous training and supplementation with SUPRO Brand Isolated Soy Protein. METHODS. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN 14 top female gymnasts (Romanian Olympic Team), took part in a study to examine their hormonal metabolic profile and to investigate any possible changes resulting from a 4-month program of strenuous training and daily supplementation with soy protein at a level of 1 g/kg body weight. Gymnasts wtare randomly assigned to one of two groups seven to the Supplemented Group (A) and seven to the Non-Supplemented Group (B). Both groups took part in the same program, which consisted of strenuous training for 4-6 hours/day (except on Sunday, controlled food intake and supplements including vitamins and minerals. Group A received a supplement of Sports Beverage Protein Mix with SUPRO Isolated Soy Protein (ISP) twice daily. Group B received a placebo identical in appearance and flavour. Selected parameters were measured before and after the 4-month training program (lean body mass, fat mass, serum hemoglobin, protein, fats, urea and creatinine, liver enzymes, serum total calcium and magnesium, immunoglobulins, urinary mucoproteins, serum T3 and T4, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, testosterone and urinary 17-ketosteroids). RESULTS Results demonstrated that the Supplemented Group (A) had an increase in lean body mass and serum levels of prolactin (p < 0.01) and T4 and a decrease in serum alkaline phosphetases (p < 0.01). The Non-Supplemented Group (B) had a decreased level of serum T4 and an increased level of urinary mucoproteins (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our preliminary conclusions might suggest lower metabolic-hormonal stress in elite female gymnasts undergoing strenuous training and who received daily supplementation with isolated soy protein.
Screening for fragile X syndrome: results from a school for mentally retarded children

Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of familial mental retardation. The purpose of this study was to identify yet unrecognized fragile X individuals and to estimate the frequency of both the FRAXA and FRAXE forms of the disease in a population of mentally retarded children attending a special school in Croatia. The results are reported of molecular screening of 114 children with mild to severe mental retardation. Three individuals (2.6%) with the FRAXA form of the fragile X syndrome and one boy (0.9%) with FRAXE mental retardation were detected; a total of four newly diagnosed fragile X families were identified. Closer clinical examination revealed that behavioural and speech disturbances were clearly present among all fragile X cases (both FRAXA and FRAXE), indicating that these features could be additional diagnostic criteria for the preselection of individuals at risk.
Capturing Uncertainties in Source-Specific Station Corrections Derived from a 3-D Model

Abstract : Uncertainties in Source-Specific Station Corrections (SSSCs) arise from several sources. If the SSSCs are constructed directly from empirical travel times, there are errors caused by origin time and hypocenter location errors, measurement errors, and phase misidentification. If a 3-D model is used either to interpolate an empirical surface or to compute the SSSC directly, then uncertainties in the 3-D model will also introduce errors in the SSSC. In order to capture the uncertainties in the SSSC that arise solely from the 3-D model, we trace rays through a large number of random model realizations and catalogue the fluctuations in the computed SSSCs. Each random realization of the 3-D model should fit the data used to construct the model and be drawn from information about the uncertainties at each point in the 3-D model, including both the vertical and horizontal correlation of the model uncertainties. We have made progress in estimating point-wise model uncertainties by performing a Monte-Carlo inversion of broad-band surface wave dispersion. The spatial correlation of uncertainties is more poorly known than the point-wise uncertainties, but we suggest that it is governed largely by the spatial correlation of the Earth itself. Therefore, with reasonable confidence we identify the correlation of the errors with the spatial correlation of the model. We describe the method used to generate the set of random models and report the first results of the application of this method to the CU-Boulder 3D model. Our results show that theoretical estimates of uncertainties are similar to those obtained using empirical information. We also demonstrate that the uncertainties in SSSCs depend strongly on the model properties, in particular the vertical velocity gradient and the horizontal correlation of the model errors.
The kindling hypothesis: further evidence from a U.S. national study of alcoholic men.

A sample of 6818 alcoholic men participating in a short in-patient detoxification episode was studied to examine the kindling effect of repeated prior alcohol withdrawals on occurrence of seizures or severe withdrawal problems observed during the hospitalization. Subjects studied were hospitalized in one of 172 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Patients with seizures and withdrawal problems had more prior detoxifications and other alcohol-specific hospitalizations. They were also more likely to be later readmitted for an alcoholism diagnosis. Patients with withdrawal problems during the detoxification episode studied were more likely to have such problems again as well as seizures during the readmission; those with seizures during the index detoxification were more likely to have repeated seizures during the readmission. These results confirm the kindling effect in a large, multi-site patient sample and suggest that alcohol detoxification programs may need to consider anticonvulsant therapy in patients with many prior detoxifications or withdrawals.
Formation of Isoprostanes in Children with Type IIa Hypercholesterolemia

Summary: F2‐isoprostanes are stable lipid peroxidation products of arachidonic acid and their quantification provides a novel approach to the assessment of oxidative stress in vivo. F2‐isoprostanes are present in increased amounts in adult hypercholesterolemia, but no data exist concerning children. We investigated urinary isoprostaglandin F2&agr; type III production as an index of lipid peroxidation in 15 children presenting with type IIa hypercholesterolemia (serum total cholesterol, 290 [SD ± 70] mg/dl; low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, 210 [SD ± 90] mg/dl) compared with 15 sex‐ and age‐paired control children (serum total cholesterol, 160 [SD ± 20] mg/dl). Urinary levels of isoprostaglandin F2&agr; type III were measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Urinary concentrations did not differ significantly in hypercholesterolemic children compared with control children (84.7 [SD ± 37] vs. 96 [SD ± 35] pmol/mmol creatinine, respectively). No significant correlation was found with total cholesterol, low‐density‐lipoprotein and high‐densitylipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B and A1 serum levels. F2‐isoprostane urinary levels in children with type IIa hypercholesterolemia do not differ from those of age‐ and sex‐matched control children and are not correlated to blood lipid parameters, suggesting that hypercholesterolemia is not associated with increased lipid peroxidation in childhood.
Self‐efficacy beliefs mediate the relationship between subjective cognitive functioning and physical and mental well‐being after hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Cognitive problems are commonly reported by hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors and are associated with poorer physical and mental well‐being. It was hypothesized that adverse effects of subjective cognitive impairment occur because cognitive difficulties reduce survivors' confidence that they can manage HSCT‐related symptoms—that is, self‐efficacy for symptom management.
Novel approaches to the problem of latency jitter.

This paper deals with the issue of variable latencies of single potentials. A new method is proposed for obtaining estimates of single latency shifts, which allows furthermore a statistical test on the presence of latency jitter. In the Appendix, we give a precise description of the algorithmic procedure in order to allow an implementation of the new approach. A simulation study using real data from 41 children demonstrated that the procedure performed much better than the familiar Woody algorithm which produced highly unstable estimates. The new statistical test on presence of latency jitter was validated and also evaluated using simulations. The test was specifically sensitive to latency jitter but not to other types of variation of single potentials. In an application of real flashevoked potentials evidence for the presence of variable latencies was found.
A Dynamic Transform Noise Resistant Uniform Local Binary Pattern (DTNR-ULBP) for Age Classification

Local binary pattern (LBP) captures the local information of a texture effectively and thus plays a dominant role in many image processing applications. A LBP with (8, 1) or (8, 2) derives 2 8 = 256 different patterns, to reduce this dimensionality uniform local binary patterns (ULBP) are derived and it has been proved that they capture fundamental properties of texture. The major disadvantage of LBP is they are prone to noise and this noise may convert a ULBP into Non-ULBP (NULBP) and this degrades the overall performance. To overcome noise problem in NULBP windows the present paper proposes Dynamic transform noise resistant ULBP (DTNR-ULBP). The DTNR-ULBP identifies floating NULBP windows. A NULBP window falls into floating window, if the absolute difference of one or more neighboring pixels with central pixel falls within the range of threshold. A floating window is considered as a noisy window. The DTNRULBP complements one or more floating bits to transforms the floating window into ULBP. The proposed model is dynamic because it transforms one or more floating bits depending on the need instead of all floating bits thus reduces the variation of LBP code. The proposed DTNR-ULBP recovers from the distorted image patterns. The proposed DTNR-ULBP overcomes the noise effect and improves overall age classification rate, and it is tested on FG-NET aging database.
Simulating Process Limitations in Microbial Cultivation: A Parallel Two-Compartment Scale-Down Approach

In large-scale industrial bioprocesses, the presence of gradients in critical process parameters, such as dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and substrate concentration, can be observed. They result in inhomogeneous growth conditions within the bioreactor/fermentor and can affect cell yield and/or productivity. Scale-down approaches at the laboratory scale are a tool to analyze the effects of the inhomogeneity. Scientists at the Forschungszentrum Julich have been using a cultivation set-up consisting of two connected stirred-tank reactors (STRs) to simulate inhomogeneous cultivation conditions as they can occur in production scale. In this application note, we describe the effects of oscillating DO and substrate concentation. This study exemplifies the benefits of flexible benchscale bioreactor solutions and advanced bioprocess control software. Individual control of parallel operated bioreactors allowed different vessel sizes, individual parameter set-points, and multiple cultivation phases to be implemented easily.
Adaptive blind equalization based on the minimum entropy principle

In this article, we introduce the principle of minimum entropy in the context of blindly equalizing a digital communication channel. We discuss how to use this principle to design an inter-symbol-interference sensitive cost for an exemplary amplitude-phase shift-keying signaling. We also discuss the admissibility of the proposed cost and the stability of the derived adaptive algorithm.
Resource Curse or Debt Overhang?

It has been widely believed that resource abundant economies grow less than other economies. In a very influential paper, Sachs and Warner (1997), point out that there is a negative relationship between resource abundance and growth. Two important econometric problems are present in the traditional empirical literature: First, the result might depend on factors that are correlated with primary exports but that have been excluded from the regression. Second, total GDP includes the production in the resource sector that has been declining in the last 30 years. We correct for those issues. Our results indicate that the so called 'Natural Resource Curse' might be related to a debt overhang. In the 70's when commodities' prices were high, natural resource abundant countries used them as collateral for debt. The 80's witnessed an important fall in the prices that drove these countries to debt crises. When we estimate the model taking these into account, we found that the effect of resource abundance disappears.
Development of a liquid chromatographic method based on ultraviolet-visible and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection for the identification of nitrocatechols and related tracers in biomass burning atmospheric organic aerosol.

RATIONALE Studying the chemical composition of biomass burning aerosol (BBA) is very important in order to assess their impact on the climate and the biosphere. In the present study, we focus on the characterization of some newly recognized biomass burning aerosol tracers including methyl nitrocatechols, nitroguaiacols and 4-nitrocatechol, but also on nitrophenols, methyl nitrophenols and nitrosalicylic acids, using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. METHODS For the purpose of their separation and detection in atmospheric aerosol, a new chromatographic method was initially developed based on reversed-phase chromatography coupled with ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) detection. The method was afterwards transferred to a liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-LITMS) system in order to identify the targeted analytes in winter aerosol from the city of Maribor, Slovenia, using their chromatographic retention times and characteristic (-)ESI product ion (MS(2) ) spectra. RESULTS The fragmentation patterns of analytes obtained with LITMS are presented. Additional nitro-aromatic compounds (m/z 168 and 182) closely related to the targeted nitrocatechols and nitroguaiacols were detected in the aerosol. According to their MS(2) spectra these compounds could be attributed to methyl homologues of methyl nitrocatechols and nitroguaiacols. CONCLUSIONS The proposed LC/MS method results in a better separation and specificity for the targeted analytes. Several nitro-aromatic compounds were detected in urban BBA. The LC/MS peak intensity of the newly detected methyl nitrocatechols and nitroguaiacols is comparable to that of the methyl nitrocatechols, which also qualifies them as suitable molecular tracers for secondary biomass burning aerosol.
Transparent memory testing for pattern sensitive faults

This paper presents a new methodology for RAM testing based on PS(n, k) fault model (the k out of n pattern sensitive fault model). According to the model the contents of any memory cell which belongs to an n-bit memory block, or ability to change the contents, is influenced by the contents of any k-1 cells from this block. This paper includes the investigation of memory testing approaches based on the transparent pseudoexhaustive testing and its approximations by pseudorandom circular tests, which can be used for periodic and manufacturing testing and require lower hardware and time overheads than the standard approaches.
Catastrophes, Phase Shifts, and Large-Scale Degradation of a Caribbean Coral Reef

Many coral reefs have been degraded over the past two to three decades through a combination of human and natural disturbances. In Jamaica, the effects of overfishing, hurricane damage, and disease have combined to destroy most corals, whose abundance has declined from more than 50 percent in the late 1970s to less than 5 percent today. A dramatic phase shift has occurred, producing a system dominated by fleshy macroalgae (more than 90 percent cover). Immediate implementation of management procedures is necessary to avoid further catastrophic damage.
A Unified Fuzzy Data Model: Representation and Processing

A novel fuzzy data representation model which enables data mining with standard tools is introduced. Many data elements in the world are fuzzy in nature. There is an obvious need to represent and process such data effectively and efficiently, using the same standard tools for crisp data that are popular with researchers and practitioners alike. Currently, however, standard tools cannot process or analyze data that are not adequately represented. The comprehensive data representation model put forward here extends principles of binary databases and provides a unified approach to all types of data: discrete and continuous, crisp and fuzzy. The model is illustrated on a baseline dataset and tested in clustering experiments matched against controlled groupings and a real dataset. The tests confirm that the implementation of the model not only enables the use of standard tools but also yields better results as regards segmentation and clustering of fuzzy datasets.