Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial activities of some synthetic butenolides and their pyrrolone derivatives

In the present investigation, 17 new synthetic butenolides, i.e. 2-arylidene-4-(4-chloro/ethyl-phenyl)but-3-en-4-olides (3–19) have been synthesized from 3-(4-chloro-benzoyl)propionic acid or 3-(4-ethyl-benzoyl)propionic acid using appropriate reagents. Some of the selected butenolides were reacted with ammonia and benzylamine to give the corresponding pyrrolones (20–31) and N-benzyl-pyrrolones (32–39) respectively. All the compounds were screened for their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Rhizopus oryza. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the compounds are reported. The pyrrolone derivatives discovered in this study may provide valuable therapeutic intervention for the treatment of microbial diseases, especially against fungal species.
Transmission network expansion planning under interval load

The transmission network expansion planning model under interval load is built. This model considers the load uncertainty. Its objective is the minimum of investment and its constraints are the network safety under both normal and NȒ1 conditions. The interval minimum load cutting theory is used and the interval maximum load cutting number is calculated to judge the safety of transmission expansion planning scheme under interval load. The greedy randomized adaptive search procedure algorithm (GRASP) is used to solve the model. The 6-bus and 77-bus system cases prove the rightness and validity of the method proposed in this paper.
Human Amnion Epithelial Cells Modulate Ventilation-Induced White Matter Pathology in Preterm Lambs

Background: Preterm infants can be inadvertently exposed to high tidal volumes (VT) during resuscitation in the delivery room due to limitations of available equipment. High VT ventilation of preterm lambs produces cerebral white matter (WM) pathology similar to that observed in preterm infants who develop cerebral palsy. We hypothesized that human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs), which have anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, would reduce ventilation-induced WM pathology in neonatal late preterm lamb brains. Methods: Two groups of lambs (0.85 gestation) were used, as follows: (1) ventilated lambs (Vent; n = 8) were ventilated using a protocol that induces injury (VT targeting 15 ml/kg for 15 min, with no positive end-expiratory pressure) and were then maintained for another 105 min, and (2) ventilated + hAECs lambs (Vent+hAECs; n = 7) were similarly ventilated but received intravenous and intratracheal administration of 9 × 107 hAECs (18 × 107 hAECs total) at birth. Oxygenation and ventilation parameters were monitored in real time; cerebral oxygenation was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy. qPCR (quantitative real-time PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to assess inflammation, vascular leakage and astrogliosis in both the periventricular and subcortical WM of the frontal and parietal lobes. An unventilated control group (UVC; n = 5) was also used for qPCR analysis of gene expression. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare physiological data. Student's t test and one-way ANOVA were used for immunohistological and qPCR data comparisons, respectively. Results: Respiratory parameters were not different between groups. Interleukin (IL)-6 mRNA levels in subcortical WM were lower in the Vent+hAECs group than the Vent group (p = 0.028). IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA levels in periventricular WM were higher in the Vent+hAECs group than the Vent group (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively). The density of Iba-1-positive microglia was lower in the subcortical WM of the parietal lobes (p = 0.010) in the Vent+hAECs group but not in the periventricular WM. The number of vessels in the WM of the parietal lobe exhibiting protein extravasation was lower (p = 0.046) in the Vent+hAECs group. Claudin-1 mRNA levels were higher in the periventricular WM (p = 0.005). The density of GFAP-positive astrocytes was not different between groups. Conclusions: Administration of hAECs at the time of birth alters the effects of injurious ventilation on the preterm neonatal brain. Further studies are required to understand the regional differences in the effects of hAECs on ventilation-induced WM pathology and their net effect on the developing brain.
High-speed sensing of softness during grasping process by robot hand equipped with tactile sensor

We developed a high-speed telemanipulation system using a high-speed vision system and a high-speed robot hand equipped with a high-speed tactile sensor. This system does not require users to wear sensors. Also, since it has a latency lower than the sampling rate of human visual recognition, the latency is not recognizable by humans. Low-latency telemanipulation systems are needed to perform tasks that require high speed, such as catching falling objects or fast-moving objects. In a telemanipulation system, sensory (visual and tactile) feedback for the user is important to operate the system efficiently. In particular this paper focuses on the measurement of the softness characteristics of the object to be manipulated. We propose a new method of distinguishing target objects at high-speed based on softness information using a high-speed robot hand equipped with a high-speed tactile sensor.
Changing self-reported physical activity using different types of affectively and cognitively framed health messages, in a student population

The present research focused upon the power of different messages to increase self-reported physical activity (PA). Five hundered and ninety six participants were randomised to one of five conditions that varied in the content of message: short-term affective, short-term cognitive, long-term affective, long-term cognitive and a no message control. PA was measured at baseline and follow-up (seven days later) was done using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire over the subsequent seven day period. The affective short-term message (ASM) was shown to be equally effective at increasing self-reported PA as a cognitive long-term message. Furthermore, when controlling for baseline activity levels, the ASM emerged as being the message that produced the highest levels of self-reported PA at follow-up. The findings point to the value of distinguishing between health messages in terms of the focus on affective and cognitive outcomes and the temporal nature of the outcomes (short-term or long-term).
A learning based approach for social force model parameter estimation

Understanding human behavior is crucial for planning evacuation strategies when an emergency occurs. The social force model, which is a successful quantitative model, has been widely used in investigating human behavior. In this paper, we propose a gradient descent based parameter optimization method to learn the parameters of the social force model from experimental data. Although the original social force model has achieved great success, it does not consider the fact that the response of humans to that happening in front of them is stronger than that happening behind them. In order to model the directional dependency of the interactive force, we propose a modified social force model. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the modified model.
Mechanical thrombectomy using the AngioJect in a child with congenital heart disease

Acute thrombosis of a vascular channel can be a serious and perhaps fatal complication. We describe a patient who developed complete thrombosis of the left pulmonary artery following catheter placement of a stent in this vessel shortly after open heart surgery. The thrombosis was successfully removed using the Possis AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy catheter. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;61:253–255. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Model-based iterative reconstruction and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction techniques in abdominal CT: comparison of image quality in the detection of colorectal liver metastases.

PURPOSE To prospectively evaluate dose reduction and image quality characteristics of abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scans reconstructed with model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) compared with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) in oncology patients with colorectal liver metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study complied with HIPAA guidelines and was approved by the ethics committee of the institutional review board. All patients gave written informed consent. Fifty-one patients with colorectal liver metastases underwent body CT (thorax and abdomen) with a 64-section multidetector unit. With a radiation dose reduction by 2.36 mGy compared to standard of care CT with ASIR 50% (radiation dose, 7.54 mGy), MBIR can provide diagnostically acceptable CT scans without compromising image quality. Two radiologists independently assessed randomized images in a blinded manner. Imaging sets were compared for lesion detection, lesion conspicuity, overall image quality, and signal-to-noise ratio with a paired sample t test. Inter- and intraobserver agreement was assessed with the Cohen κ. RESULTS The mean volume CT dose index was 5.18 mGy ± 0.76, mean dose-length product 374 mGy · cm ± 63.47, mean effective diameter 29.38 cm ± 3.46, and mean size-specific dose estimate 6.52 mGy ± 0.73. In small liver lesions (<10 mm), detection and conspicuity were significantly higher with MBIR than with ASIR for both right (t = 3.245, P = .004 and t = 2.696, P = .013, respectively) and left (t = 2.390, P = .038 and t = 2.283, P = .046) liver lobes. Subjective image noise (t = 4.506, P < .001), artifacts (t = 3.479, P = .001), and diagnostic confidence (t = 2.643, P = .011) were significantly better with MBIR than with ASIR. CONCLUSION MBIR performed better than ASIR 50% at providing diagnostically acceptable CT scans without compromising image quality and in the detection of colorectal liver metastases.
Paravertebral Blocks Provide Superior Same-Day Recovery over General Anesthesia for Patients Undergoing Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal herniorrhaphy is commonly performed on an outpatient basis under nerve blocks or local or general anesthesia (GA). Our hypothesis is that use of paravertebral blocks (PVB) as the sole anesthetic technique will result in shorter time to achieve home readiness and improved same-day recovery over a ‘fast-track‘ GA. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to receive either PVB or GA under standardized protocols (PVB = 0.75% ropivacaine, followed by propofol sedation; GA = dolasetron 12.5 mg, propofol induction, rocuronium, endotracheal intubation; desflurane; bupivacaine 0.25% for field block). Eligibility for postanesthetic care unit (PACU) bypass and data on time-to-postoperative pain, ambulation, home readiness, and incidence of adverse events were collected. More patients in the PVB group (71%) met the criteria to bypass the postanesthetic care unit compared with patients in the GA group (8%; P < 0.001). Only 3 (13%) of patients in the PVB group requested treatment for pain while in the hospital, compared with 12 (50%) patients in the GA group, despite infiltration with local anesthetic (P = 0.005). Patients in the PVB group were able to ambulate earlier (102 ± 55 minutes) than those in the GA group (213 ± 108 minutes; P < 0.001). Time-to-home readiness and discharge times were shorter for patients in the PVB group (156 ± 60 and 253 ± 37 minutes) compared with those in the GA group (203 ± 91 and 218 ± 93 minutes) (P < 0.001). Adverse events (e.g., nausea, vomiting, sore throat) and pain requiring treatment in the first 24 hours occurred less frequently in patients who had received PVB than in those who had received GA. In outpatients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy, PVB resulted in faster time to home readiness and was associated with fewer adverse events and better analgesia before discharge than GA.
Genetic evaluation of dairy goat does for milk and fat as an extension of buck evaluation.

The current procedure for calculating genetic evaluations of dairy goat bucks provides easily accessible information for constructing genetic evaluations for dairy goat does (doe indexes). Relationships among sires are accounted for by using the additive genetic relationship matrix among sires if the doe's sire was evaluated. The sire evaluation plus a portion of residual doe effect is the basis of doe evaluation. Although direct incorporation of maternal relationships among does may be accomplished, it requires extensive computations for large data sets. An approximate procedure based on selection index principles includes information from a doe's dam with only a modest increase in computing expense over that for genetic evaluations of bucks. Doe indexes were computed and adjusted to separate breed bases. Trend in doe indexes was positive for all breeds and ranged from . 54 to 1.37 kg/yr for milk yield and from . 021 to . 052 kg/yr for fat yield.
Asymmetrical Voltage-Cancellation control for LCL resonant converters in Inductive Power Transfer systems

This paper presents the first conceptual description of a fixed frequency soft switched LCL load-resonant converter for Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) systems. By using Asymmetric Voltage Cancellation (AVC) control to avoid diode reverse recovery loss (DRRL), ZVS operation over a wide load range becomes possible. The circuit was solved using a time domain analysis method and the optimal control trajectory was determined using a greedy salesperson algorithm. Experiments on a 60W prototype were carried out to validate the regions for which DRRL is avoided and were used to compare the improved performance against previous fixed frequency control strategies. It has been shown that the efficiency can be improved up to 5% and the THD can be reduced up to a factor of 7 compared to phase shift and Asymmetric Duty Cycle control, respectively.
Ecological-economic Analysis of Wetlands: Science and Social Science Integration

Wetlands provide many important services to human society, but are at the same time ecologically sensitive systems. This explains why in recent years much attention has been focused on sustainable management strategies for wetlands. Both natural and social sciences can jointly contribute to an increased understanding of relevant processes and problems associated with such strategies. Starting from this observation, the present paper considers the potential integration of insights and methods from natural or social sciences to better understand the interactions between economies and wetlands. A multidisciplinary approach can contribute to the formulation of management and institutional measures to mitigate the pressures and impacts on wetlands. To this end, attention is paid to concepts and terminology such as functions and values, frameworks and theories, and methods and models. Opportunities for cooperation and intergrated research as well as alternative viewpoints and problems associated with integration will be highlighted.
Comparative Study of Chemical, Mechanical, Thermal, and Barrier Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid) Plasticized with Epoxidized Soybean Oil and Epoxidized Palm Oil

To investigate epoxidized palm oil’s (EPO) potential as plasticizer for poly(lactic acid) (PLA), its plasticizing effect was compared with commercialized epoxidized soybean oil (ESO). The plasticizers were respectively melt-compounded into PLA at 3, 5, 10, and 15 wt. %. As it was aimed for the blends to be characterized towards packaging appropriate for food products, they were hot-pressed into ~0.3-mm sheets, which is the approximate thickness of clamshell packaging. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the plasticizers’ compatibility with PLA. At similar loadings, EPO was superior in reinforcing elongation at break (EAB), thermal, and barrier properties of PLA. The ductility of PLA was notably improved to 50.0% with addition of 3 wt. % of EPO. From thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), PLA/EPO5 improved PLA’s thermal stability, while all PLA/ESO blends reported reduced thermal stability. From differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the increase in crystallinity and the shifts in enthalpy of fusions in all plasticized blends denoted facilitation of PLA to form thermally stable α-form crystals. The addition of EPO enabled PLA to become highly impermeable to oxygen, which can extend its potential in packaging extensive range of oxygen sensitive food.
Keypoints Detection in RGB-D Space - A Hybrid Approach

Features detection is an important technique of image processing which aim is to find a subset, often discrete, of a query image satisfying uniqueness and discrimination criteria so that an image can be abstracted to the computed features. Detected features are then used in video indexing, registration, object and scene reconstruction, structure from motion, etc. In this article we discuss the definition and implementation of such features in the RGB-Depth space RGB-D. We focus on the corners as they are the most used features in image processing. We show the advantage of using 3D data over image only techniques and the power of combining geometric and colorimetric information to find corners in a scene.
Functional brain imaging in irritable bowel syndrome with rectal balloon-distention by using fMRI.

AIM Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal pain and changes in stool habits. Visceral hypersensitivity is a key factor in the pathophysiology of IBS. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of rectal balloon-distention stimulus by blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI) in visceral pain center and to compare the distribution, extent, and intensity of activated areas between IBS patients and normal controls. METHODS Twenty-six patients with IBS and eleven normal controls were tested for rectal sensation, and the subjective pain intensity at 90 ml and 120 ml rectal balloon-distention was reported by using Visual Analogue Scale. Then, BOLD-fMRI was performed at 30 ml, 60 ml, 90 ml, and 120 ml rectal balloon-distention in all subjects. RESULTS Rectal distention stimulation increased the activity of anterior cingulate cortex (35/37), insular cortex (37/37), prefrontal cortex (37/37), and thalamus (35/37) in most cases. At 120 ml of rectal balloon-distention, the activation area and percentage change in MR signal intensity of the regions of interest (ROI) at IC, PFC, and THAL were significantly greater in patients with IBS than that in controls. Score of pain sensation at 90 ml and 120 ml rectal balloon-distention was significantly higher in patients with IBS than that in controls. CONCLUSION Using fMRI, some patients with IBS can be detected having visceral hypersensitivity in response to painful rectal balloon-distention. fMRI is an objective brain imaging technique to measure the change in regional cerebral activation more precisely. In this study, IC and PFC of the IBS patients were the major loci of the CNS processing of visceral perception.
Intrinsic ellipticity correlations of galaxies: models, likelihoods and interplay with weak lensing

Subject of this paper are the statistical properties of ellipticity alignments between galaxies evoked by their coupled angular momenta. Starting from physical angular momentum models, we bridge the gap towards ellipticity correlations, ellipticity spectra and derived quantities such as aperture moments, comparing the intrinsic signals with those generated by gravitational lensing, with the projected galaxy sample of EUCLID in mind. We investigate the dependence of intrinsic ellipticity correlations on cosmological parameters and show that intrinsic ellipticity correlations give rise to non-Gaussian likelihoods as a result of nonlinear functional dependencies. Comparing intrinsic ellipticity spectra to weak lensing spectra we quantify the magnitude of their contaminating effect on the estimation of cosmological parameters and find that biases on dark energy parameters are very small in an angular-momentum based model in contrast to the linear alignment model commonly used. Finally, we quantify whether intrinsic ellipticities can be measured in the presence of the much stronger weak lensing induced ellipticity correlations, if prior knowledge on a cosmological model is assumed.
Using Civil Representation to Reduce Delinquency among Troubled Youth

Team Child is designed to provide civil legal representation for very troubled delinquent youth to improve their access to needed education programs, mental health services, and family services. Better provision of these services is intended to reduce delinquency and potentially avoid the long-term incarceration of these youth. This article uses an incidental truncation model to evaluate two Team Child programs in Florida. The authors find the programs not to be effective in reducing recidivism among the youth but to be effective in reducing the arrest rate of the recidivating juveniles. The results indicate a reduction of 11% to 23% of arrests after treatment for the Team Child group.
Aging and cumulative inequality: how does inequality get under the skin?

PURPOSE This article draws from cumulative disadvantage and life course theories to develop a new theory for the social scientific study of aging. DESIGN AND METHODS Five axioms of cumulative inequality (CI) theory are articulated to identify how life course trajectories are influenced by early and accumulated inequalities but can be modified by available resources, perceived trajectories, and human agency. RESULTS Although the concept of CI has attracted considerable attention among social scientists, it holds promise for integrating additional disciplinary approaches to the study of aging including, but not limited to, biology, epidemiology, and immunology. The applicability of CI theory to gerontology is illustrated in research on the early origins of adult health. IMPLICATIONS Primary contributions of the theory to gerontology include greater attention to family lineage as a source of inequality; genes, gestation, and childhood as critical to early and enduring inequalities; the onset, duration, and magnitude of exposures to risk and opportunity; and constraints on generalizations arising from cohort-centric studies.
Photodynamic inactivation induced by carboxypterin: a novel non-toxic bactericidal strategy against planktonic cells and biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus

Microbial related contamination is of major concern and can cause substantial economic losses. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) has emerged as a suitable approach to inhibit microorganism proliferation. In this work, PDI induced by 6-carboxypterin (Cap), a biocompatible photosensitizer (PS), was analyzed. The growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus exposed to artificial UV-A radiation and sunlight in the presence of Cap was investigated. After UV-A irradiation, 50 μM Cap was able to decrease by three orders (with respect to the initial value) the number of S. aureus cells in early biofilms. However, this concentration was 500 times higher than that needed for eradicating planktonic cells. Importantly, under solar exposure, 100 μM Cap was able to suppress sessile bacterial growth. Thus, this strategy is able to exert a bactericidal effect on sessile bacteria and to eradicate planktonic cells by exposing the Cap-containing sample to sunlight.