Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive Assessment of Atrial Fibrillation Complexity in Relation to Ablation Characteristics and Outcome

Background: The use of surface recordings to assess atrial fibrillation (AF) complexity is still limited in clinical practice. We propose a noninvasive tool to quantify AF complexity from body surface potential maps (BSPMs) that could be used to choose patients who are eligible for AF ablation and assess therapy impact. Methods: BSPMs (mean duration: 7 ± 4 s) were recorded with a 252-lead vest in 97 persistent AF patients (80 male, 64 ± 11 years, duration 9.6 ± 10.4 months) before undergoing catheter ablation. Baseline cycle length (CL) was measured in the left atrial appendage. The procedural endpoint was AF termination. The ablation strategy impact was defined in terms of number of regions ablated, radiofrequency delivery time to achieve AF termination, and acute outcome. The atrial fibrillatory wave signal extracted from BSPMs was divided in 0.5-s consecutive segments, each projected on a 3D subspace determined through principal component analysis (PCA) in the current frame. We introduced the nondipolar component index (NDI) that quantifies the fraction of energy retained after subtracting an equivalent PCA dipolar approximation of heart electrical activity. AF complexity was assessed by the NDI averaged over the entire recording and compared to ablation strategy. Results: AF terminated in 77 patients (79%), whose baseline AF CL was 177 ± 40 ms, whereas it was 157 ± 26 ms in patients with unsuccessful ablation outcome (p = 0.0586). Mean radiofrequency emission duration was 35 ± 21 min; 4 ± 2 regions were targeted. Long-lasting AF patients (≥12 months) exhibited higher complexity, with higher NDI values (≥12 months: 0.12 ± 0.04 vs. <12 months: 0.09 ± 0.03, p < 0.01) and short CLs (<160 ms: 0.12 ± 0.03 vs. between 160 and 180 ms: 0.10 ± 0.03 vs. >180 ms: 0.09 ± 0.03, p < 0.01). More organized AF as measured by lower NDI was associated with successful ablation outcome (termination: 0.10 ± 0.03 vs. no termination: 0.12 ± 0.04, p < 0.01), shorter procedures (<30 min: 0.09 ± 0.04 vs. ≥30 min: 0.11 ± 0.03, p < 0.001) and fewer ablation targets (<4: 0.09 ± 0.03 vs. ≥4: 0.11 ± 0.04, p < 0.01). Conclusions: AF complexity can be noninvasively quantified by PCA in BSPMs and correlates with ablation outcome and AF pathophysiology.
Accumulate Then Transmit: Toward Secure Wireless Powered Communication Networks

This paper considers a wireless powered communication network, where a multiantenna power beacon (PB) is employed to assist an energy constrained source to establish secure communications with a destination in the presence of multiple eavesdroppers. We propose a two-phase communication protocol termed as accumulate then transmit to enhance network secrecy. In the energy harvesting phase, the PB transfers radio frequency energy to charge the source; then in the information transmission phase, the PB acts as a friendly jammer to protect the source transmission against eavesdropping. We study the dynamic energy state transitions at the source using an energy discretization method and a finite-state Markov chain. Closed-form expressions are derived for connection outage probability, secrecy outage probability, and effective secrecy throughput, with the aim to evaluate both reliability and security of the proposed protocol. Furthermore, numerical results reveal the impacts of various system parameters on the secrecy performance and demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed protocol over an existing scheme.
Modelling of a 400-kV MSCDN Reactor for Computation of Voltage and Field Distributions During Switching Transients

In this paper, a model for the reactor of a 400-kV mechanically switched capacitor with damping network (MSCDN) based on an equivalent circuit representation is developed. The model is based on sub-dividing the physical reactor into sections which are sufficiently small to be represented by a lumped-parameter equivalent circuit. The circuit parameters are obtained for each section using analytical formulae based on the physical configuration of the reactor, the winding layout, and the insulation material. The model is then simulated in the ATP/EMTP program for the evaluation of transient voltage and field distributions along of the reactor. This helps in identifying possible failure scenarios which will allow designing measures to mitigate failures effectively during transients arising from switching operations. Further analysis of the results has revealed that there are substantial dielectric stresses imposed on the winding insulation that can be attributed to a combination of three factors. First, the surge arrester operation during the MSCDN energization, which causes steep voltage change at the reactor terminal. Second, the non-uniform voltage distribution, resulting in high stresses across the top inter-turn windings. Third, the rapid rate-of-change of voltage in the assumed worst-case reactor winding location. This is accompanied by a high dielectric (displacement) current through the inter-turn winding insulation. The results of this paper indicate that a synergistic effect of high electric field and high dielectric current occurring at worst energization, followed by the thermal effects of steady state operation may contribute to the failure of air-core reactors used on the 400-kV MSCDN.
Montmorillonite/chitosan nanoparticles as a novel controlled-release topical ophthalmic delivery system for the treatment of glaucoma

Background To date, the rapid clearance from ocular surface has been a huge obstacle for using eye drops to treat glaucoma, since it has led to the short preocular residence time and low bioavailability. Methods The novel nanoparticles (NPs) were designed for topical ophthalmic controlled drug delivery system through intercalating the BH into the interlayer gallery of Na-montmorillonite (Na+Mt) and then further enchasing chitosan nanoparticles. The resulting nanoparticles had a positive charge (+29±0.18 mV) with an average diameter of 460±0.6 nm. Results In vitro study of drug release profiles suggested controlled release pattern. The irritation experiment analysis on both human immortalized cornea epithelial cell (iHCEC) and chorioallantoic membrane-trypan blue staining (CAM-TBS) showed good tolerance for ocular tissues. It was interestingly found that the nanoparticles could enter into iHCEC from the result of cellular uptake experiment measured by confocal layer scan microscopy (CLSM). Meanwhile, multilayered iHCEC was used to simulate the barrier of corneal epithelial cells for in vivo preocular retention capacity study, which suggested that BH-Mt/CS NPs could prolong the retention time in comparison with BH solution. The ocular pharmacokinetics studied by microdialysis sampling technique showed that AUC0−t and MRT0−t of BH-Mt/CS NPs were 1.99-fold and 1.75-fold higher than those of BH solution, indicating higher bioavailability. Moreover, the study of blood drug concentration, few researchers have reported, showed that low level drug could enter into blood, suggesting lower systematic side effect. Importantly, pharmacodynamics studies suggested that BH-Mt/CS NPs could make a significant decreased intraocular pressure on glaucomatous rabbits. Conclusion Inspired by these advance of montmorillonite/chitosan nanoparticles, we envision that the BH-Mt/CS NPs will be a potential carrier for BH, opening up the possible applications in glaucoma therapy.
Current clinical management of gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common malignant subepithelial lesions (SELs) of the gastrointestinal tract. They originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal located within the muscle layer and are characterized by over-expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor KIT. Pathologically, diagnosis of a GIST relies on morphology and immunohistochemistry [KIT and/or discovered on gastrointestinal stromal tumor 1 (DOG1) is generally positive]. The prognosis of this disease is associated with the tumor size and mitotic index. The standard treatment of a GIST without metastasis is surgical resection. A GIST with metastasis is usually only treated by tyrosine kinase inhibitors without radical cure; thus, early diagnosis is the only way to improve its prognosis. However, a GIST is usually detected as a SEL during endoscopy, and many benign and malignant conditions may manifest as SELs. Conventional endoscopic biopsy is difficult for tumors without ulceration. Most SELs have therefore been managed without a histological diagnosis. However, a favorable prognosis of a GIST is associated with early histological diagnosis and R0 resection. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) are critical for an accurate diagnosis of SELs. EUS-FNA is safe and effective in enabling an early histological diagnosis and adequate treatment. This review outlines the current evidence for the diagnosis and management of GISTs, with an emphasis on early management of small SELs.
Enabling Cyber-Physical Systems for 5G Networking: A Case Study on the Automotive Vertical Domain

5G is the next generation networking infrastructure with a strong focus on requirements of various vertical domains. 5G brings improvements on networking performance but also introduces new services for deploying software involving networking aspects in an end-to-end manner from the edge to the cloud, affecting the way we will deploy software. One of the most promising verticals is the Automotive Vertical, where 5G will bring characteristics such as low delays and high bandwidth, enabling complex V2X scenarios. This paper reports experiments made using a popular 5G technology, called NFV Management and Orchestration platform, the Open Source MANO (OSM), by remotely placing Virtual Network Functions to Vehicles containing a smart Edge Device for: i) remotely monitoring through the OBD-II interface and ii) video streaming between V2V for assisted overtaking. The described process can be applied to other types of systems containing a smart Edge Device, enabling them as networking resources of future 5G network deployments, demonstrating how future CPSs could be engineered and benefit from emerging 5G services.
Stimulation of wound healing using bioinspired hydrogels with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)

Introduction The objective of this study is to stimulate wound healing using bioinspired hydrogels with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Materials and methods Inspired by the crosslinking mechanism in algae-based adhesives, hydrogels were fabricated with gum arabic, pectin, and Ca2+. The physical properties of the bioinspired hydrogels were characterized, and the in vitro release of bFGF was investigated. Then, the in vitro scratch assay for wound healing and in vivo wound healing experiment in a full-thickness excision wound model were performed for the bioinspired hydrogels with bFGF. Finally, histological examinations and organ toxicity tests were conducted to investigate the wound healing applications of the bioinspired hydrogels with bFGF. Results The in vitro and in vivo results showed that the bioinspired hydrogels with bFGF could significantly enhance cell proliferation, wound re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and contraction without any noticeable toxicity and inflammation compared with the hydrogels without bFGF and commercial wound healing products. Conclusion These results suggest the potential application of bioinspired hydrogels with bFGF for wound healing.
Cruise Missile Target Trajectory Movement Prediction based on Optimal 3D Kalman Filter with Firefly Algorithm

It is hoped that there will never be a war in the world, but one of the defensive requirements of any country during the war is the missiles used for destruction and defense. Todays, missiles movement from origin to destination is an important problem due to abundant application of missiles in wars. This is important because of the range of some missiles is low and other are very high. Parametric indeterminacy are several factors in missile movement prediction and trajectory such as speed, movement angle, accuracy, movement time, and situation and direct control. So this research trying to provide a method based on LQR controller with 3d Kalman filter and then set motion and specify path without deviations based on Firefly Algorithm. It is expected that the results of an appropriate evaluation can be obtained by simulating the MATLAB environment and graphic display of a cruise missile.
Compounds Released by the Biocontrol Yeast Hanseniaspora opuntiae Protect Plants Against Corynespora cassiicola and Botrytis cinerea

Plant diseases induced by fungi are among the most important limiting factors during pre- and post-harvest food production. For decades, synthetic chemical fungicides have been used to control these diseases, however, increase on worldwide regulatory policies and the demand to reduce their application, have led to searching for new ecofriendly alternatives such as the biostimulants. The commercial application of yeasts as biocontrol agents, has shown low efficacy compared to synthetic fungicides, mostly due to the limited knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of yeast-induced responses. To date, only two genome-wide transcriptomic analyses have characterized the mode of action of biocontrols using the plant model Arabidopsis thaliana, missing, in our point of view, all its molecular and genomic potential. Here we describe that compounds released by the biocontrol yeast Hanseniaspora opuntiae (HoFs) can protect Glycine max and Arabidopsis thaliana plants against the broad host-range necrotrophic fungi Corynespora cassiicola and Botrytis cinerea. We show that HoFs have a long-lasting, dose-dependent local, and systemic effect against Botrytis cinerea. Additionally, we performed a genome-wide transcriptomic analysis to identify genes differentially expressed after application of HoFs in Arabidopsis thaliana. Our work provides novel and valuable information that can help researchers to improve HoFs efficacy in order for it to become an ecofriendly alternative to synthetic fungicides.
Loss of Trust May Never Heal. Institutional Trust in Disaster Victims in a Long-Term Perspective: Associations With Social Support and Mental Health

Natural disasters, technological disasters, and terrorist attacks have an extensive aftermath, often involving society’s institutions such as the legal system and the police. Victims’ perceptions of institutional trustworthiness may impact their potential for healing. This cross-sectional study investigates institutional trust, health, and social support in victims of a disaster that occurred in 1990. We conducted face-to-face interviews with 184 survivors and bereaved, with a 60% response rate 26 years after the disaster. Levels of trust in the police and in the justice system were compared with general population data. We assessed the relationships between institutional trust and current psychological distress, social support, and life satisfaction. The levels of trust in the police and in the justice system were notably lower in survivors and bereaved than in the general population. Among the victims, low institutional trust was associated with more mental health problems, poorer social support, more barriers to seeking social support, and a lower life satisfaction. Lost trust in the aftermath of a disaster may perhaps never be restored and the lack of trust may act to strengthen or maintain health problems. An exclusively individualistic approach to trauma and disaster may miss out on the opportunities for promoting health and well-being that lies within the larger societal structures. Decision-makers should take this information into account, and acknowledge the potential long-term consequences of institutional performance in the aftermath of a disaster.
The Influence of Medical Professional Knowledge on Empathy for Pain: Evidence From fNIRS

Empathy is a mental ability that allows one person to understand the mental and emotional state of another and determines how to effectively respond to that person. When a person receives cues that another person is in pain, neural pain circuits within the brain are activated. Studies have shown that compared with non-medical staff, medical practitioners present lower empathy for pain in medical scenarios, but the mechanism of this phenomenon remains in dispute. This work investigates whether the neural correlates of empathic processes of pain are altered by professional medical knowledge. The participants were 16 medical students who were enrolled at a Chinese medical college and 16 non-medical students who were enrolled at a normal university. Participants were scanned by functional near-infrared spectroscopy while watching pictures of medical scenarios that were either painful or neutral situations. Subjects were asked to evaluate the pain intensity supposedly felt by the model in the stimulus displays, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index-C (IRI-C) questionnaire was used to measure the empathic ability of participants. The results showed that there is no significant difference between medical professional and non-medical professional subjects in IRI-C questionnaire scores. The subjects of medical professions rated the pain degree of medical pictures significantly lower than those of non-medical professions. The activation areas in non-medical subjects were mainly located in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, frontal polar regions, posterior part of the inferior frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, supplementary somatosensory cortex and angular gyrus, whereas there was a wide range of activation in the prefrontal lobe region in addition to the somatosensory cortex in medical professionals. These results indicate that the process of pain empathy in medical settings is influenced by medical professional knowledge.
On the Feasibility of Automatically Detecting and Recovering from SEUs in Cyber-Physical Space Systems

The past decade has seen explosive growth in the use of small satellites. As these small, typically short-lived and risk-tolerant platforms are increasingly adopted for spaceflight missions, there has been a growing trend to place more responsibility on the flight software (versus hardware) and an increasing adoption of consumer-grade microprocessors to satisfy this desire for increased processing capability while still minimizing size, weight, and power parameters. These consumer-grade processors, however, are more susceptible to cosmic radiation and the occurrence of single event upsets (SEUs). In this paper, we present an initial exploration into the feasibility of implementing automated detection and recovery mechanisms to mitigate SEUs within these cyber-physical spaceflight systems.
Search-based detection of deviation failures in the migration of legacy spreadsheet applications

Many legacy financial applications exist as a collection of formulas implemented in spreadsheets. Migration of these spreadsheets to a full-fledged system, written in a language such as Java, is an error- prone process. While small differences in the outputs of numerical calculations from the two systems are inevitable and tolerable, large discrepancies can have serious financial implications. Such discrepancies are likely due to faults in the migrated implementation, and are referred to as deviation failures. In this paper, we present a search-based technique that seeks to reveal deviation failures automatically. We evaluate different variants of this approach on two financial applications involving 40 formulas. These applications were produced by SEB Life & Pension Holding AB, who migrated their Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to a Java application. While traditional random and branch coverage-based test generation techniques were only able to detect approximately 25% and 32% of known faults in the migrated code respectively, our search-based approach detected up to 70% of faults with the same test generation budget. Without restriction of the search budget, up to 90% of known deviation failures were detected. In addition, three previously unknown faults were detected by this method that were confirmed by SEB experts.
Effects of pulse ultrasound and kneading massage in managing individual with incessant pain at lower region of back using random allocation

The study examined the effect of pulsed therapeutic ultrasound in management of patients with incessant pain at lower region of the back (PWIPLB) in comparison with kneading massage (KM). Fifty PWIPLB recruited purposively were randomly assigned into ultrasound group (USG) and KM group (KMG) equally. Subjects received back extension exercises as baseline treatment. USG received pulse ultrasound (PUS) while KMG was treated using KM. The treatments were administered 2 times weekly for a 6-week period. Severity of pain (SP) and inability of patient (IoP) were evaluated at baseline, 3rd week and 6th week of treatment. Values of the variables obtained were classified and the implications were summarised. A significant change was observed in precompared with posttreatment SP (F=32.6, P=0.000) and IoP (F=2.5, P<0.021) in USG. A significant change was observed in precompared with posttreatment IoP (F=4.1, P<0.05) but not in SP (F=2.9, P<0.086). In the 6th week, there was a significant reduction of SP in the USG relative to SP in the KMG (F=11.98, P=0.000), and there was improvement significantly in the IoP in the KMG relative to that in the USG (F=2.58, P=0.05). PUS may be better than KM in management of SP but KM is better than PUS in IoP with PWCPLB.
Reflection for the undergraduate on writing in the portfolio: where are we now and where are we going?

Introduction: The portfolio can be seen as a tool for assessment of a variety of learning activities that differ in content, usage, and assessment. The portfolio not only meets the learner’s educational needs but also the political and public reassurance demand that the health professional has achieved the required competency of the curriculum that allows him or her to practice safely with or without supervision in the health organization. Methods: An in-depth search on Google Scholar, Medline and PubMed was conducted using the terms “reflection and portfolio” with especial emphasis on undergraduates. All the manuscripts collected were critically reviewed regardless of the date of publication. Results: Even though the systematic review showed the limited effect of the educational impact of the portfolio on the undergraduate, numerous benefits can be seen, e.g. improvement in the relationship between students and tutors, an increase in general knowledge, awareness and reflection. Reflection for medical undergraduates in portfolio per se was associated with improvement in communications skills, professionalism and better achievement in postgraduate studies and increase in experiential learning. Interestingly, the portfolio was shown to be useful for undergraduate and tutors in filling the gaps of learning in clinical surgery, urology and geriatric medicine. In addition, for dental and nursing students it was associated with an increase in professionalism, clinical competency, and self-confidence. Lack of integration of reflection throughout the curriculum of the medical school was considered one of the main problems. Conclusion: Further research is needed to address the following questions (i) it will be of interest to assess if there is any difference in reflective portfolio between students from problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum and those from traditional curriculum. (ii) Assess the difference in reflective portfolio between community-oriented and PBL curriculum and PBL and traditional curriculum (iii) if there is any difference in the reflective portfolio in these three curriculums, it will be of interest how this can alter the evidence base of the educational effects of the portfolio. In other words, is there any curriculum that will consistently produce evidence based educational effects of the portfolio?