Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of heart rate variability by using wavelet transform and a recurrent neural network

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the physical and mental stress based on the physiological index, and a new evaluation method of heart rate variability is proposed. This method combines the wavelet transform with a recurrent neural network. The features of the proposed method are as follows: 1. The wavelet transform is utilized for the feature extraction so that the local change of heart rate variability in the time-frequency domain can be extracted. 2. In order to learn and evaluate the different patterns of heart rate variability caused by individual variations, body conditions, circadian rhythms and so on, a new recurrent neural network which incorporates a hidden Markov model is used. In the experiments, a mental workload was given to five subjects, and the subjective rating scores of their mental stress were evaluated using heart rate variability. It was confirmed from the experiments that the proposed method could achieve high learning/evaluating performances.
The European Space Software Development Environment Reference Facility Project: a status report

The ESSDE Reference Facility Project, whose goal is to provide a uniform, open environment for software development at the European Space Agency (ESA), has just completed the architectural design phase. A software engineering environment based upon the Portable Common Tool Environment (PCTE) interfaces has been specified, including a complete data model supporting all activities and products in the ESA standard software development life cycle. Several issues of much current interest have been addressed including scalability, configurability and the integration of commercial tools into an existing framework.
Antibiotic Activity against Naive and Induced Streptococcus pneumoniae Biofilms in an In Vitro Pharmacodynamic Model

ABSTRACT Biofilms play a role in the pathogenicity of pneumococcal infections. A pharmacodynamic in vitro model of biofilm was developed that allows characterization of the activity of antibiotics against viability and biomass by using in parallel capsulated (ATCC 49619) and noncapsulated (R6) reference strains. Naive biofilms were obtained by incubating fresh planktonic cultures for 2 to 11 days in 96-well polystyrene plates. Induced biofilms were obtained using planktonic bacteria collected from the supernatant of 6-day-old naive biofilms. Biomass production was more rapid and intense in the induced model, but the levels were similar for both strains. Full concentration responses fitting sigmoidal regressions allowed calculation of maximal efficacies and relative potencies of drugs. All antibiotics tested (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, solithromycin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin) were more effective against young naive biofilms than against old or induced biofilms, except macrolides/ketolides, which were as effective at reducing viability in 2-day-old naive biofilms and in 11-day-old induced biofilms of R6. Macrolides/ketolides, however, were less potent than fluoroquinolones against R6 (approximately 5- to 20-fold-higher concentrations needed to reduction viability of 20%). However, at concentrations obtainable in epithelial lining fluid, the viabilities of mature or induced biofilms were reduced 15 to 45% (amoxicillin), 17 to 44% (macrolides/ketolides), and 12 to 64% (fluoroquinolones), and biomasses were reduced 5 to 45% (amoxicillin), 5 to 60% (macrolides/ketolides), and 10 to 76% (fluoroquinolones), with solithromycin and moxifloxacin being the most effective and the most potent agents (due to lower MICs) in their respective classes. This study allowed the ranking of antibiotics with respect to their potential effectiveness in biofilm-related infections, underlining the need to search for still more effective options.
Quantitative cytoarchitectonic distribution of neurons, glia, and DNA in rat cerebral cortex

A new technique combining microfluorometric DNA assays with differential cell counts was used to quantitate the intralaminar distribution of neuronal and non‐neuronal cells (chiefly glial) in rat somatosensory cortex (Charles River 250 gm males, C D® strain). The intracortical amounts of DNA per unit fresh volume were calculated from the DNA contents of serial frozen slices of known volume sampled serially from the pial surface to white matter in frozen cortical cylinders; respective amounts per unit solids were calculated from predetermined dry weights of the slices. Cell counts were performed on serial horizontal sections from formalin‐fixed cylinders stained by Nissl's method. Neuronal DNA and glial DNA were calculated based on the percentages of the respective cells counted.
A Comparative Study of Glycolic Acid Versus Mixture of Trichloroacetic Acid and Glycolic Acid Peeling for Treatment of Three Benign Epidermal Lesions

Background: Chemical peeling is one of the dermatological treatments available for improvement of appearance of skin. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical effects of focal Glycolic acid 70% (GA) peel versus focal mix of Trichloroacetic acid 50% (TCA) and GA 70% peel in epidermal lesions including seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis and solar lentigines. Methods: An analysis was done on 60 adult patients with the previous epidermal lesions. They were divided into two groups, group1 treated by focal GA 70% peel and group 2 treated by focal mix peeling. The peel was repeated every 2 weeks for 6 sessions. Results: In group 1, 50% of seborrheic keratosis showed fair improvement (5/30) and 50% poor improvement (5/30). In actinic keratosis, there were 20% excellent (2/30), 50% good (5/30) and 30% fair improvement (3/30). In solar lentigines, there was 50% fair improvement (5/30) and 50% poor improvement (5/30). While, with group 2 there was 50% excellent (5/30), 40% good (4/30) and 10% fair (1/30) cure of seborrheic keratosis lesions. There was 30% excellent (3/30), 50% good (5/30) and 20% fair (2/30) cure of actinic keratosis lesions. There was 50% fair improvement (5/30) in number and color of solar lentigines and 50% poor improvement (5/30). Conclusion: The focal mix peel method is an effective safer modality for treatment of some epidermal lesions than focal GA peeling.
Subcutaneous unfractionated heparin for the treatment of venous thromboembolism

Purpose of review When unfractionated heparin is used to treat acute venous thromboembolism, it is usually given by intravenous infusion with dose adjustment in response to activated partial thromboplastin time measurements. These two requirements are a barrier to treatment of venous thromboembolism with unfractionated heparin, and it is uncertain if they are necessary. Recent findings Two recent studies compared subcutaneous unfractionated heparin and subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin, each given twice-daily, for the acute treatment of venous thromboembolism. The Galilei study used an initial dose of unfractionated heparin that was partially weight-adjusted, with subsequent dosing based on activated partial thromboplastin time results. The FIDO study treated patients with a first dose of unfractionated heparin of 333 IU/kg, followed by 250 IU/kg twice-daily without dose adjustment in response to the activated partial thromboplastin time or other coagulation tests. There was no difference in either study between the unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin groups at the end of 3 months, for recurrent venous thromboembolism (Galilei: 4.2 vs. 3.9%; relative risk (RR) 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5 to 2.2. FIDO: 3.8 vs. 3.4%; RR 1.1, 95% CI 0.5 to 2.3) or major bleeding (Galilei: 1.4 vs. 1.9%; RR 0.7, 95% CI 0.2 to 2.2. FIDO: 1.7 vs. 3.4%; RR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.3). Summary Recent studies suggest that twice-daily subcutaneous unfractionated heparin is as effective and safe as low-molecular-weight heparin for the acute treatment of venous thromboembolism, and that adjustment of unfractionated heparin dose in response to activated partial thromboplastin time measurements is not necessary with a weight-adjusted dose of unfractionated heparin.
Formulation of Sustained-Release Diltiazem Matrix Tablets Using Hydrophilic Gum Blends

Purpose: To develop sustained release matrix tablets of diltiazem hydrochloride (DTZ) using karaya gum (K) alone or in combination with locust bean gum (LB) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (H). Methods: Matrix tablets of DTZ were prepared at different ratios of drug:gum (1:1, 1:2, and 1:4) and of the gum blends (K, K/LB, K/H and K/LB/H) by direct compression. The matrix tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, in vitro release and drug content. The formulations were also characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A commercial diltiazem hydrochloride product Dilzem SR, was used as a reference for comparison Results: Tablets with only K or K/H had the highest mean dissolution time (MDT), the least dissolution efficiency (DE, 12 %), and released drug by swelling, diffusion and erosion mechanisms. Karaya gum or combinations with locust bean gum sufficiently controlled drug release, while combinations of KH and KLBH exhibited high and low drug release efficiency, respectively. SEM images of the tablets before and after dissolution showed morphological changes on the tablet surface while FTIR and DSC studies indicate that there was no chemical interaction between the drug and the polymers. Three of the formulations compared well with the reference (p < 0.05) in terms of release characteristics. Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate that karaya gum alone or in suitable combination with locust bean gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is suitable for formulating sustained-release matrix tablets of diltiazem.
A new robust face detection in color images

In this paper, we propose a novel approach for robust skin segmentation and face similarity measurement. The proposed skin segmentation is a method for integrating the chrominance components of any color model. The goal of the skin detection method is to select the appropriate color model for verifying the skin pixels under different lighting conditions and various types of skin color. An enhanced Hausdorff distance, called the robust automatic minimum Hausdorff distance (RAMHD), is used to measure the similarity between the face edge and an elliptical model in the skin area. This method is very robust to occlusions of the face edge. Finally, the results of face similarity measurements are improved by updating the elliptical model. We show the performance of skin segmentation and face similarity measurements with real images.
A new homogeneous assay system for specific nucleic acid sequences: poly-dA and poly-A detection.

Homogeneous assay systems for specific nucleic acid sequences are performed in a single reaction phase requiring no washing steps to eliminate unbound probe (1). Current homogeneous fluorescence-based assay geometries generally involve the interaction of two or more separately labelled molecules for DNA/RNA target detection (2,3,4,5). In the presence of target, the labels are close to each other and can affect the fluorescence intensity via collisional or resonance energy transfer mechanisms. This report describes a single molecule, homogeneous assay system that has the advantages of simplicity and rapidity. The UniFluor probe is a two-hairpin oligonucleotide that when in contact with specific sequences, changes its conformation with resultant increase in fluorescence. The probe's fluorescence increases because of an induced separation of conjugated fluorochromes with subsequent release from a geometry which quenches fluorescence (see Fig. 1).
Gadolinium-Enhanced MR Imaging of Normal Renal Transplants

Purpose: To evaluate the potential usefulness of dynamic MR with echo-planar imaging (EPI) in assessing the renal function in patients with renal allografts. Material and Methods: Using a T1-weighted sequence, EPI was performed after injection of a Gd-chelate in 17 patients with normally functioning renal allografts. Time-intensity curves were plotted from the signal intensity (SI) measurements of the cortex and the medulla. Results: the pattern of corticomedullar differentiation (CMD) observed after contrast enhancement was divided into four phases using the T1-EPI. After a rapid decrease in the SI of cortical structures, and a subsequent return to precontrast levels, a gradual fall in the SI of the medulla was observed. the average time between the two periods of signal loss was 60 s. Conclusion: This study illustrated the potential use of dynamic T1-EPI to demonstrate contrast-induced CMD in renal allografts.
An in vitro method for estimating biologically available vitamin B6 in processed foods

1. An in vitro method which used enzymic digestion of the food matrix to release biologically available vitamin B6 is described. 2. Vitamin B6-fortified liquid model foods were thermally processed. After these foods had been freeze-dried, one part was subjected to enzymic hydrolysis at pH 2.0 with pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1) followed by a hydrolysis at pH 8.0 with pancreatin. The vitamins that were found in the supernatant fraction, after an acidified methanol treatment of the hydrolysate, were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The other part was given to rats who were kept on a vitamin B6-depleted diet. 3. The biologically available vitamin B6 content of the processed model foods, as determined by rat bioassay, showed good correlation with the vitamin B6 determined by HPLC. 4. It has proved possible to use this in vitro, two-stage enzymic digestion system followed by HPLC determination to determine biologically available vitamin B6 in vitamin B6-fortified processed model foods.
Applying graph-theoretic approach for time-frequency resource allocation in 5G MmWave backhaul network

The article deals with the options of building a 5G backbone network based on a millimeter-wave E-band mesh network. The possibility of the use of MIMO technology for the formation of simultaneous several divergent beams is described, as well as the possibility of frequency duplexing, which allows each mesh-network station to perform simultaneous reception and transmission. The super-frame structure and STDMA media access scheme are considered for the developing mesh-network. The solution of the problem of distribution of time-frequency resources in the backbone E-band networks using the graph approach is described and a heuristic algorithm to improve the efficiency of distribution is presented.
Control of a SiC-based Cascaded Multilevel Converter cell for solar applications

Central inverters based on conventional topologies are the current preferred solution in solar farms because of their low cost and simplicity. However, such topologies have some disadvantages: poor Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), and the use of bulky filters and Low Frequency (LF) transformers. An attractive alternative in this case is the Cascaded Multilevel Converter (CMC), which can provide a distributed MPPT control, allied with overall reduced footprint and high flexibility. A CMC cell using silicon carbide devices has been proposed and designed in previous works to incorporate three main functions: MPPT control of a Photovoltaic (PV) array, galvanic isolation through a Solid-State Transformer (SST) and control of grid power flow. This work proposes a closed-loop control strategy for each stage of the CMC cell and shows its validation thorough simulations. Experimental results are performed and presented in a single-phase 6.2 kW prototype cell. These results lead to the conclusion that the applied control techniques are suitable to the PV application.
Strukturelle und elektrische Charakterisierungen ferroelektrischer Feldeffekttransistoren auf Silizium

In heutigen Computersystemen mit stetig steigender Leistung, nehmen Speichermedien eine zunehmend wichtigere Funktion ein. Seitens der Halbleiter-Industrie wird ein erheblicher Aufwand betrieben, um neue Speichermedien zu entwickeln, welche den gestiegenen Anforderungen an ein Speicherelement gerecht werden. Der FeFET � der ferroelektrische Feldeffekttransistor � besitzt ein hohes Anwendungspotential und konnte als nichtfluchtiger-Speicher die bisher in Computern verwendeten Arbeitsspeicher ersetzten. Im Gegensatz zu FeRAMs, bei denen die Information in einem ferroelektrischen Kondensator gespeichert werden (1T1C), wird in einem FeFET eine ferroelektrische Schicht in den Gateschichtstapel eines Feldeffekttransistors integriert; es entsteht eine ein-Transistor- Speicherzelle (1T). Die Integration einer ferroelektrischen Schicht, wie PbZrxTi(1-x)O3 (PZT), in einen Siliziumbasierten Transistor, kann nur mit Hilfe einer zusatzlichen Buffer-Schicht zwischen Ferroelektrikum und dem Silizium-Substrat erfolgen. Diese Arbeit behandelt einerseits die Herstellung und Charakterisierung dielektrischer Bufferschichten auf Silizium, andererseits die Charakterisierung ferroelektrischer Gateschichten unter Verwendung der untersuchten Bufferschichten. Als dielektrische Bufferschichten wurden einkristalline SrTiO3(STO)-, polykristalline CeO2(CeO) und amorphe DyScO3-Schichten auf Silizium abgeschieden und in Form von MOS-Dioden und Transistoren elektrisch charakterisiert. CeO2- und DyScO3- Schichten zeigten geringe Leckstrome, eine Dielektrizitatskonstante von epsilon = 25 und eine geringe Anzahl fester Ladungen in der Schicht. DyScO3-Schichten eignen sich, aufgrund der amorphen Struktur, nur bedingt als Buffer fur ferroelektrische Schichten, konnten aber als Austauschmaterial fur SiO2 in FETs benutzt werden (hoch-epsilon-Material). Unter Verwendung des ferroelektrischen Co-Polymers P(VDF-TrFE) konnten MFIS-Dioden und ferroelektrische Transistoren, mit Operationsspannungen unterhalb von 10V auf Basis von SiO2- und DyScO3-Buffer-Schichten hergestellt werden.
Operating point setting method for wireless power transfer with constant voltage load

Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) has been widely researched in many application fields. Typical application to vehicle field is wireless charging for electric vehicles while parking and driving. Some power conversion circuit structures and its control method have been proposed in previous researches, for example, transmitting power control and efficiency maximizing control using a secondary-side DC-DC converter. However, selection method of optimal circuit structure for desired control is not clear. In this research, we propose generalized power conversion circuit structure on Series-Series compensated WPT circuit. Load current and power transfer efficiency are analyzed using equivalent AC resistance model about WPT circuit with constant voltage load. Then, we formulate operation points for desired control with consideration for operating condition.
Experimental study on robot personality for humanoid head robot

The authors have been developing human-like head robots in order to develop new head mechanisms and functions for a humanoid robot that has the ability to communicate naturally with a human by expressing human-like emotions. We think that the personality of the robot is extremely important in attaining smooth and effective communication. We introduced a robot personality that consists of the sensing personality and the expression personality. The sensing personality determines how a stimulus works for a robot's mental state. A 3D mental space was defined in the robot. Seven emotions were mapped out in the 3D mental space. After the robot determines its emotion, it expresses its emotion by the expression personality. We expressed the expression personality using a matrix. Moreover, we assigned and loaded six robot personalities into the robot. The robot can express various personalities.
Robust control of uncertain nonlinear systems: a new higher order sliding mode based solution

A new robust higher order sliding mode controller for a class of uncertain minimum-phase nonlinear systems is designed. The controller is built in three steps: a) the higher order sliding mode problem is formulated in input-output term; b) it is viewed in uncertain linear context by considering uncertain nonlinear functions as bounded non structured parametric uncertainties; c) a time varying sliding manifold is designed through the computation of state trajectories ensuring the finite-time convergence. The control law which engenders the sliding on the time varying manifold allows the establishment of an rth order sliding mode
Modelling efficiency with farm-produced inputs: dairying in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract This paper models dairy farms in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, emphasising the complexities unique to this multi-product industry. Net and gross output approaches to measuring production are discussed and then tested using panel data from 37 dairy farms in KwaZulu-Natal from 1999 and 2007. Production functions for the three outputs: milk production, animals and farm-produced feed, are fitted as a simultaneous system to model the farms’ production activities. This simultaneous model is complemented by a single equation reduced form that is fitted as a frontier, which allows estimation of the relative efficiencies of the individual farms. The results show that, with data this detailed, it is possible to refine the model until it fits very tightly. Indeed, in the gross output model that includes cows there is nothing left to call inefficiency and what was clearly a frontier becomes a mean response function.
Impact of the N-terminal amino acid on targeted protein degradation

Abstract The N-terminus of any protein may be used as a destabilization signal for targeted protein degradation. In the eukaryotic cytosol, the signal – the so-called N-degron – is recognized for degradation by (i) the N-end rule, a well-described degradation process involving ɛ-ubiquitination; or (ii) N-terminal ubiquitination, a more recently described pathway. Dedicated E3 ubiquitin ligases known as N-recognins then act on the protein. The proteolytic pathways involve ATP-dependent chambered proteases, such as the 26S proteasome in the cytosol, which generate short oligopeptides. The N-terminus of the polypeptide chain is also important for post-proteasome degradation by specific aminopeptidases, which complete peptide cleavage to generate free amino acids. Finally, in each compartment of the eukaryotic cell, N-terminal methionine excision creates a variety of N-termini for mature proteins. It has recently been shown that the N-terminal methionine excision pathway has a major impact early in targeted protein degradation.
Ab initio calculation of structural and lattice-dynamical properties of silicon carbide.

The plane-wave pseudopotential approach to density-functional theory (DFT) in the local-density approximation has been applied to investigate a variety of ground-state properties of the 3C, 2H, and 4H polytypes of silicon carbide. The linear-response theory within DFT has been used to obtain lattice-dynamical properties of cubic SiC such as the phonon-dispersion curves, phonon eigenvectors, elastic and Gr\"uneisen constants, as well as the thermal expansion coefficient and specific heat within the quasiharmonic approximation. Finally, we present some results for phonon-dispersion curves in the hexagonal 2H (wurtzite) and 4H structure. These results are analyzed and discussed in view of further applications to temperature-dependent properties.
Tourism Policy Challenges in Post-Soviet Georgia

Within the framework of this research, the regulatory documents, which are in force in relation to this industry, were analyzed. The main attention is turned to their modernization and necessity of their compliance with European standards. It is a current issue to direct the efforts of state policy on support of business by implementing infrastructural projects, as well as by development of human resources, which may be possible by supporting the relevant higher and vocational studying-educational programs. Keywords—Regional Development, Tourism Industry, Tourism Policy, Transition.