Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial activity of some essential oils against oral multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecalis in both planktonic and biofilm state.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate some essential oils in treatment of intractable oral infections, principally caused by biofilm of multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), such as persistent endodontic infections in which their treatment exhibits a real challenge for dentists. METHODS Ten chemically analyzed essential oils by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against sensitive and resistant clinical strains of E. faecalis in both planktonic and biofilm state using two methods, disk diffusion and broth micro-dilution. RESULTS Studied essential oils showed a good antimicrobial activity and high ability in E. faecalis biofilm eradication, whether for sensitive or multidrug-resistant strains, especially those of Origanum glandulosum and Thymbra capitata with interesting minimum inhibitory concentration, biofilm inhibitory concentration, and biofilm eradication concentration values which doesn't exceed 0.063%, 0.75%, and 1.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Findings of this study indicate that essential oils extracted from aromatic plants can be used in treatment of intractable oral infections, especially caused by biofilm of multidrug-resistant E. faecalis.
A Seamless Transition Control of Sensorless PMSM Compressor Drives for Improving Efficiency Based on a Dual-Mode Operation

The sinusoidal-wave and square-wave driving modes have been commonly used in permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives for household refrigerator compressors. In general, the sinusoidal-wave drive performs better in some aspects such as torque ripples, a starting performance, and a flux-weakening capability than the square-wave drive. The square-wave drive, however, has the advantage of higher efficiency at low-output-power conditions because of its relatively lower switching loss than the sinusoidal-wave drive. To selectively utilize the benefits of both driving modes, a seamless transition control between the two driving modes is proposed in this paper. Considering that the overall control structure of the sensorless PMSM drive is quite different according to the driving mode, initialization strategies, necessary for a smooth transition, for the pulse-width modulator of the inverter, speed and current controller, and sensorless position/speed estimator are presented. With the proposed method, a dual-mode operation of the sensorless PMSM drive can be achieved without stopping the compressor. The dynamic performance of the proposed transition scheme is tested using simulations and verified by experiments. Experimental result shows that the efficiency of a refrigerator increases up to 2 [%] using the dual-mode operation in comparison with the sinusoidal-wave only drive.
Combination of Antidepressants in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract The objective was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that assessed the effect of the combination of antidepressants from the beginning of the treatment of major depressive disorder. Studies were retrieved from PubMed (1966 to August 2010), Cochrane Library (August 2010), Embase (1980 to August 2010), PsycINFO (1980 to August 2010), Lilacs (1982 to August 2010), clinical trials registry, thesis database (www.capes.gov.br), and secondary references. All randomized controlled trials that compared a combination of antidepressants with a single antidepressant from the beginning of the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults were included. Data analysis was performed using the Review Manager 5.0. Of 3492 studies retrieved, five satisfied the inclusion criteria. In one study, only data about dropouts were included. Antidepressant combination was shown to be better than a single antidepressant considering remission (relative risk [RR], 2.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.69–4.35) and response (RR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.21–1.97). Mirtazapine plus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) was superior to an isolated SSRI for remission (RR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.06–3.33). Tricyclic antidepressant plus SSRI was superior to SSRI for remission and response (RR, 8.58; 95% CI, 1.70–43.32 and RR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.07–2.93, respectively). There was no difference between combined and monotherapy groups in dropouts owing to adverse effects. The results suggest that antidepressant combination is more efficient than a single antidepressant without a significant decrease in tolerability. However, the small number of clinical trials and methodological problems precludes definitive conclusions.
Psychological dependence on antidepressants in patients with panic disorder: a cross-sectional study

No study has investigated psychological dependence on antidepressants in patients with panic disorder, which was addressed in this study. This study was carried out in four psychiatric clinics in Tokyo, Japan. Individuals were eligible if they were outpatients aged 18 years or older and fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder (ICD-10). Assessments included the Japanese Versions of the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), the Self-Report Version of Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS-SR), and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report. Eighty-four individuals were included; of these, 30 patients (35.7%) showed psychological dependence on antidepressants (i.e. a total score of ≥5 in the SDS). A multiple regression analysis showed that PDSS scores and illness duration were correlated positively with SDS total scores. A binary regression model showed that absence of remission (i.e. a total score of ≥5 in the PDSS) and longer duration of illness increased the risk of dependence on antidepressants. Approximately one-third of the patients with panic disorder, receiving antidepressants, fulfilled the criteria for psychological dependence on these drugs. The results underscore the need for close monitoring, especially for those who present severe symptomatology or have a chronic course of the illness.
On-chip pressure sensing by visualizing PDMS deformation using microbeads

A novel pressure sensing technique based on visualizing Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) deformation using microbeads is proposed here for measuring local pressure inside a microfluidic device. By the proposed method, the pressure can be directly “seen” without attaching any wire foils, such as a strain gauge, nor complex fabrication process, such as multilayer design or surface grating. Experimental results are shown and analyzed based on brightness value from captured images of microbeads pattern. The developed sensor is firstly calibrated by a commercial pressure sensor with feedback controlled syringe pump connected externally. According to the experimental results, the proposed sensing method is stable and repeatable in the steady state under dynamic pressure change, and the variation for the same given pressure from time to time is less than 1%. The correlation, R, between the pressure obtained from the proposed method and the reference pressure connected outside is up to 0.9953.
Achievable Rates for the Restricted Half-Duplex Two-Way Relay Channel

The main result of the paper is a new achievable rate region for the two-phase two-way relay channel with half duplex nodes. The new region is obtained using a compress- and-forward like protocol. Even though all information passes the relay, there are channels where decoding at the relay is suboptimal. The proposed protocol establishes a virtual two-way channel by forwarding a good enough version of the MAC output at the relay to both the receivers. In effect, the side information at the receivers can be used for the decoding of the transmission in the first phase.
Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B in the Etiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Japanese Population 1

We conducted case-control studies of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis (l.( ) in relation to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus infection, involving 91 patients with HCC, 75 patients with LC who had no evidence of HCC, and 410 control subjects from the Japanese population. Serum antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) was detected by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and recombinant immunoblot assay in 51, 51, and 3% of HCC, LC, and controls, respectively, whereas the corresponding prevalence of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was 21, 11, and 2%, respectively. The relative risks (and 95% confidence intervals) for the presence of serum anti-HCV were estimated as 52.3 (23.9-114.3) for HCC and 64.4 (27.4-151.4) for LC. These values exceeded the relative risk of HCC (15.3) and that of LC (6.1) for positive serum HBsAg. Among male patients with HCC or LC, anti-HCV rates were very high in blood recipients (about 70%), heavy drinkers (46-62%), and those who had no identifiable risk factors (6575%), indicating possible transmission of HCV via routes other than transfusion. No significant difference in anti-HCV status was observed between the HCC and LC groups. It was notable that anti-HCV was much less prevalent among HBsAg-positive patients with HCC or LC than among HBsAg-negative ones. There was a slight to moderate increase in HCC or LC risk among blood recipients and heavy drinkers after adjustment for anti-HCV status. These results indicate that, in Japan, the possible role of HCV infection in the etiology of HCC and LC is extremely large and seems to be more important than chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Preliminary Evidence of Abnormal Neural Connectivity

Objective: This study indirectly tested the hypothesis that individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have impaired neural connections between the amygdala, fusiform face area, and superior temporal sulcus, key processing nodes of the ‘social brain’. This would be evidenced by abnormalities in the major fibre tracts known to connect these structures, including the inferior longitudinal fasciculus and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus. Method: Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging was performed on 20 right-handed males (ASD = 10, controls = 10) with a mean age 13.5 ± 4.0 years. Subjects were group-matched according to age, full-scale IQ, handedness, and ethnicity. Fractional anisotropy was used to assess structural integrity of major fibre tracts. Voxel-wise comparison of white matter fractional anisotropy was conducted between groups using ANCOVA adjusting for age, full-scale IQ, and brain volume. Volumes of interest were identified using predetermined probability and cluster thresholds. Follow-up tractography was performed to confirm the anatomic location of all volumes of interest which were observed primarily in peri-callosal regions and the temporal lobes. Results: The regions of lower fractional anisotropy, as confirmed by tractography, involved the inferior longitudinal fasciculus/inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculus, and corpus callosum/cingulum. Notably, some volumes of interest were adjacent to the fusiform face area, bilaterally, corresponding to involvement of the inferior longitudinal fasciculus. The largest effect sizes were noted for volumes of interest in the right anterior radiation of the corpus callosum/cingulum and right fusiform face area (inferior longitudinal fasciculus). Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence of impaired neural connectivity in the corpus callosum/cingulum and temporal lobes involving the inferior longitudinal fasciculus/inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and superior longitudinal fasciculus in ASDs. These findings provide preliminary support for aberrant neural connectivity between the amygdala, fusiform face area, and superior temporal sulcus–temporal lobe structures critical for normal social perception and cognition.
A molecular blueprint of gene expression in hippocampal subregions CA1, CA3, and DG is conserved in the brain of the common marmoset

Recent studies in rodents have shown that there are significant differences in gene expression profiles between the hippocampal subregions CA1, CA3, and DG. These differences in molecular make‐up within the hippocampus most likely underlie the differences in morphology, physiology, and vulnerability to insults that exist between the subregions of the hippocampus and are as such part of the basic molecular architecture of the hippocampus. The aim of this study was to investigate at large scale whether these subregional differences in gene expression are conserved in the hippocampus of a nonhuman primate, the common marmoset. This study is very timely, given the recent development of the first marmoset‐specific DNA microarray, exclusively containing sequences targeting transcripts derived from the marmoset hippocampus. Hippocampal subregions CA1, CA3, and DG were isolated by laser microdissection and RNA was isolated, amplifed, and hybridized to the marmoset‐specific microarray (EUMAMA) containing more than 1,500 transcripts expressed in the adult marmoset hippocampus. Large differences in expression were observed in particular between the DG region and both pyramidal subregions. Moreover, the subregion‐specific patterns of gene expression showed a remarkable conservation with the rodent brain both in terms of individual genes and degree of differential expression. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating large scale hippocampal gene expression in a nonhuman primate. The obtained expression profiles not only provide novel data on the expression of more than 1,500 transcripts per hippocampal subregion but also are of potential interest to neuroscientists interested in the role of the different subregions in learning and memory in the nonhuman primate brain. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Review of the literature regarding early intervention for children and adolescents aged 0–15 experiencing a first‐episode psychiatric disturbance

Aim: The purpose of this review is to report on existing literature regarding children and adolescents younger than 16 years of age experiencing a first‐episode psychiatric disturbance. Rather than providing a comprehensive list of service implications, this paper identifies some of the gaps in knowledge and practice to encourage ongoing analysis regarding better practices for early intervention for children and adolescents experiencing a first‐episode psychiatric disturbance.
The effects of anticipatory fatigue and emotional symptomatology on perceived physical and cognitive fatigue

espanolEl objetivo de este estudio fue doble, primero, analizar los efectos de la fatiga anticipatoria, la sintomatologia emocional y la pertenencia a un grupo clinico sobre la percepcion de fatiga fisica y mental; segundo, explorar el potencial efecto moderador de la anticipacion de la fatiga en las relaciones entre la sintomatologia o la condicion clinica y la sensacion percibida de fatiga. Se analiza mediante un diseno ex post facto y correlacional los efectos parciales y condicionados de las variables predictivas mediante diferentes analisis de regresion jerarquica. Participaron 317 sujetos (29% procedentes de poblacion clinica). Se evaluo la fatiga anticipatoria (Escala elaborada ad hoc), la experiencia percibida de fatiga (Escala de Fatiga de Chalder et al., 1993), y la sintomatologia emocional (GHQ-28 de Goldberg, 1996). Los resultados mostraron efectos significativos de la fatiga anticipatoria y la sintomatologia emocional, predominantemente de la sintomatologia depresiva sobre la percepcion de fatiga fisica y mental. La pertenencia a un grupo clinico predecia de forma significativa y exclusiva la fatiga cognitiva. Ademas, la fatiga anticipatoria moderaba el efecto del grupo (clinico versus general) sobre la fatiga cognitiva. En conclusion, la sintomatologia, principalmente la depresiva, y la fatiga anticipatoria, tienen un valor predictivo significativo en la experiencia percibida de la fatiga fisica y mental. La anticipacion de fatiga moderaba el efecto del grupo clinico sobre la experiencia de fatiga cognitiva una vez controlada la sintomatologia depresiva. EnglishThe two fold aim of this study was first, to analyze the effects of anticipatory fatigue, emotional symptomatology and belonging to a clinical group on the physical and cognitive perception of fatigue, and second, to explore the potential moderating effect of anticipatory fatigue on the relationship between symptomatology or clinical condition and perceived fatigue. The conditional and partial effects of independent variables were analyzed by hierarchical regression in an ex-post-facto correlational design. The sample was composed of 317 participants (29% from a clinical population). Anticipatory fatigue (by an ad hoc scale), and perception of fatigue (by the Chalder Fatigue Scale) were measured. Emotional symptoms were assessed by Goldberg’s GHQ-28 questionnaire. Anticipatory fatigue and emotional symptoms (mainly depressive) had significant effects on cognitive and physical fatigue. Belonging to the clinical group significantly and exclusively predicted cognitive fatigue. Furthermore, anticipatory fatigue moderated between-group effects (clinical versus general) and cognitive fatigue. In brief, emotional symptoms (mainly depressive) and anticipatory fatigue significantly predicted perceived cognitive and physical fatigue. Anticipation of fatigue moderated the effect of clinical group on cognitive fatigue after controlling for depressive symptomatology
Theoretical analysis of the duality principle applied to interleaved topologies

The neutral-point clamped, flying-capacitor and cascaded H-bridge converter topologies are examples of multilevel topologies in which switch devices are connected in series. One of the advantages of this series connection is that the supply voltage is distributed over the switch devices, reducing its stress. Although the topologies are creating a multilevel waveform at the output side, at the dc input-voltage side, however, these series-type converter topologies are still creating a two-level rectangular-wave input current producing harmonic distortion which is undesired in applications where the converter is directly connected to a dc grid. Interleaved topologies, on the other hand, are characterized by switches connected in parallel, resulting in the property that current is equally distributed over the switch devices. Additionally, the interleaved topology has the advantage of creating multilevel output voltage as well as creating multilevel input current. Therefore, a circuit which has this property of the interleaved converter and is characterized by switch devices in series will result in a desirable topology and may be useful in many applications. This paper performs a theoretical analysis of the duality principle and applies it to the interleaved topology, resulting in the interleaved-dual topology, a series topology with the same property as the interleaved topology. Simulation results are presented to show the dual multilevel behavior.
The faeA genes from Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus tubingensis encode ferulic acid esterases involved in degradation of complex cell wall polysaccharides

We report the cloning and characterization of a gene encoding a ferulic acid esterase, faeA, from Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus tubingensis. The A. niger and A. tubingensis genes have a high degree of sequence identity and contain one conserved intron. The gene product, FAEA, was overexpressed in wild-type A. tubingensis and a protease-deficient A. niger mutant. Overexpression of both genes in wild-type A. tubingensis and an A. niger protease-deficient mutant showed that the A. tubingensis gene product is more sensitive to degradation than the equivalent gene product from A. niger. FAEA from A. niger was identical to A. niger FAE-III (C. B. Faulds and G. Williamson, Microbiology 140:779-787, 1994), as assessed by molecular mass, pH and temperature optima, pI, N-terminal sequence, and activity on methyl ferulate. The faeA gene was induced by growth on wheat arabinoxylan and sugar beet pectin, and its gene product (FAEA) released ferulic acid from wheat arabinoxylan. The rate of release was enhanced by the presence of a xylanase. FAEA also hydrolyzed smaller amounts of ferulic acid from sugar beet pectin, but the rate was hardly affected by addition of an endo-pectin lyase.
Weighing Distress: Decision-Making Surrounding Management of the Pregnancy Experience Among HIV-Infected Thai Women

The researchers conducted this grounded theory study in order to describe the decision making surrounding management of the pregnancy experience of 38 pregnant, HIV-infected Thai women. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and an open-ended questionnaire, and they were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. We found that “weighing distress” was the core category of the decision-making process. The supporting categories were being ambivalent about continuing the pregnancy, exploring alternative options, and selecting the appropriate choice. Health care providers should encourage family members to participate and be involved in the women's decision-making processes.
Oxygen transport and in vivo parameters of artificial red cells (ARC).

Artificial red cells (ARC) are prepared by encapsulating Hb with a polymerizable phospholipid. Their physical stability is very high and long-term preservation is possible in the frozen state. We examined the effect of blood parameters on the hematological and biochemical findings in transfused rats. The oxygen transport capacity of ARC in vivo were also tested by exchange transfusion in beagles. The oxygen binding parameters were almost the same as those of red blood cells (i.e., P50, Hill's coefficient, and oxygen transport efficiency (OTE) were 30 mmHg, 2.5, and 30%, respectively). The blood parameters after transfusion showed no significant changes when compared with the control. The oxygen transport capacity was of the same efficiency as red blood cells.
Natural Programming of a Social Robot by Dialogs

This paper aims at bringing social robots closer to naive users. A Natural Programming System that allows the end-user to give instructions to a Social Robot has been developed. The instructions derive in a sequence of actions and conditions, that can be executed while the own sequence verbal edition continues. A Dialogue Manager System (DMS) has been developed in a Social Robot. The dialog is described in a voiceXML structure, where a set of information slots is defined. These slots are related to the necessary attributes for the construction of the sequence in execution time. The robot can make specific requests on encountering unfilled slots. Temporal aspects of dialog such as barge-in property, mixed-initiative, or speech intonation control are also considered. Dialog flow is based on Dialog Acts. The dialog specification has also been extended for multimodality management. The presented DMS has been used as a part of a Natural Programming System but can also be used for other multimodal humanrobot interactive skills.
Three new Scandinavian species of Culicoides (Culicoides): Culicoides boyi sp. nov., Culicoides selandicus sp. nov. and Culicoides kalix sp. nov. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Abstract Background In the context of a major monitoring program of Culicoides in Denmark and Sweden due to the appearance of bluetongue disease in 2007–2008, a large number of specimens were collected by light traps and sorted morphologically, with COI barcodes generated for selected specimens. New information Three species are described as new to science based on both morphological and molecular data: Culicoides (Culicoides) boyi sp. nov. (Denmark: Jutland), C. (C.) selandicus sp. nov. (Denmark: Zealand) and C. (C.) kalix sp. nov. (Sweden: Norrbotten). All are diagnosed morphologically as well as by molecular barcoding. A key to slide-mounted females of all Scandinavian species of Culicoides (Culicoides) is presented.