Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Romanian version of the UCLA Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Instrument.

OBJECTIVES UCLA Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract (UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0) Instrument is a comprehensive, self-administered survey for the assessment of gastrointestinal involvement in scleroderma patients, developed and validated in English. Our objective was to translate and validate a Romanian version of UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0. METHODS Translation from English into Romanian has been made using the forward-backward method. Sixty-four patients, attending a referral centre as part of an extensively studied cohort, were approached in a consecutive manner over a period of two years for administration of the questionnaire. We evaluated the reproducibility, internal consistency, construct validity and discriminative capacity of the translation (Romanian GIT). RESULTS Fifty-four patients returned completed questionnaires. Internal consistency was demonstrated by Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.931). Construct validity is supported by moderate, but significant correlations of Romanian GIT total score with the Mental Component Summary (MCS) of SF-36 (r=0.541, Spearman correlation) and among subscales, by significant correlations with SHAQ total score (r=0.559, Spearman correlation) and by strong correlations with gastrointestinal subscale of SHAQ (SHAQ GI) (r=0.726, Spearman correlation). Reproducibility was good as well. Divergent validity was supported by significant differences between patients with or without a clinical diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease. Other differences in the Romanian GIT total score were tested among subgroups of patients. CONCLUSIONS The Romanian GIT has acceptable reliability and validity. This questionnaire can be used for the assessment of gastrointestinal involvement in scleroderma patients.
Development and implementation of a validation protocol for crisis maps: reliability and consistency assessment of burnt area maps

Validation is an emerging topic in the field of geospatial information for emergency response. In the framework of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security initiative, the Services and Applications for Emergency Response project seeks to implement and validate the pre-operational version of Emergency Response Core Services. In that context, a dedicated effort has been made in the development and implementation of a comprehensive, product-oriented validation protocol tailored to crisis maps and data sets. This paper presents the approach for validation of crisis maps and its application in the context of rapid mapping of forest fires in Corsica during the summer of 2009. It also discusses the main challenges and the critical aspects of validation of geospatial information in emergency response services.
In your wildest dreams: the language and psychological features of dreams

In this paper, we provide the first quantified exploration of the structure of the language of dreams, their linguistic style and emotional content. We present a collection of digital dream logs as a viable corpus for the growing study of mental health through the lens of language, complementary to the work done examining more traditional social media. This paper is largely exploratory in nature to lay the groundwork for subsequent research in mental health, rather than optimizing a particular text classification task.
Flow‐mediated dilatation, using time course data, shows maturation of the brachial artery from young children to mid‐adolescents

Flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) is a tool widely used to measure arterial responsiveness to sheer stress. However, there is scant literature to show how the peripheral arterial response changes as the vascular system matures. One reason for this is that the feasibility of measuring FMD in younger children has not been established. The aim of the present study was to assess brachial artery function at rest and during the FMD response after 4 min ischaemia of the forearm in children aged 6–15 years. Time to reach maximum FMD (FMDmax) was found to be correlated with age (r = 0.4, P < 0.05), resting brachial artery diameter (r = 0.4, P < 0.05), height (r = 0.4, P < 0.05), body mass index (BMI; r = 0.45, P < 0.05), body surface area (r = 0.44, P < 0.05) and resting blood flow (r = 0.37, P < 0.05). However, there was no correlation between the traditional FMD response at 60 s or FMD maximal dilation and age, resting brachial artery diameter, height, weight, BMI, body surface area and resting blood flow. In conclusion, the time taken to reach the maximal dilation response is related to age, brachial artery luminal diameter and body habitus, but not the traditional measure of FMD response at 60 s or the maximal dilatation percentage.
Development and characterization of surface engineered PPI dendrimers for targeted drug delivery

Abstract In this study, we reported folate-conjugated polypropylene imine dendrimers (FA–PPI) as efficient carrier for model anticancer drug, methotrexate (MTX), for pH-sensitive drug release, selective targeting to cancer cells, and anticancer activity. In the in vitro drug release studies this nanoconjugate of MTX showed initial rapid release followed by gradual slow release, and the drug release was found to be pH sensitive with greater release at acidic pH. The ex vivo investigations with human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7, showed enhanced cytotoxicity of MTX–FA–PPI with significantly enhanced intracellular uptake. The biofate of nanoconjugate was determined in Wistar rat where MTX–FA–PPI showed 37.79-fold increase in the concentration of MTX in liver after 24 h in comparison with free MTX formulation.
Compressive Sensing-Based Detector Design for SM-OFDM Massive MIMO High Speed Train Systems

In this paper, spatial modulation (SM)-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing is introduced to massive multi-input multi-output high speed train systems to reduce the complexity of the receiver. First, the mathematic model of signal detection in frequency domain is formed as a compressive sensing (CS) problem. Based on this model, a novel detector, which exploits the unique group sparsity of the signal, is proposed to improve the accuracy of the nonzero elements localization. On the basis of the channel matrix decomposition, the detector combines the CS algorithms and the iteration process together to overcome the performance deterioration brought by inter-carrier interference. Moreover, theoretical analysis about the performance gain guarantee of our proposed detector is conducted and the complexity of the proposed detector is compared with the related works. Furthermore, we also extend our proposed detector into the special scenario that the train passes the overlapped area of the adjacent two cells and receives the superimposed signal. In order to deal with the inter-cell interference, a generalized SM framework is adopted to model the signal detection. Simulation results verify that the proposed detectors have an apparent performance gain compared to the conventional CS schemes with the same complexity order.
CMOS SoC for irrigation control

A CMOS VLSI system on chip, designed for irrigation control applications was developed. The SoC features include wireless communication capability, data processing, sensor signal acquisition and actuator control. A power saving strategy provides long-term autonomy with standard energy sources. Application software and dedicated software development CAD tools were also implemented in this design effort.
Calcyon is necessary for activity‐dependent AMPA receptor internalization and LTD in CA1 neurons of hippocampus

Calcyon is a single transmembrane endocytic protein that regulates clathrin assembly and clathrin‐mediated endocytosis in the brain. Ultrastructural studies indicate that calcyon localizes to spines, but whether it regulates glutamate neurotransmission is not known. Here, we show that deletion of the calcyon gene in mice inhibits agonist‐stimulated endocytosis of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs), without altering basal surface levels of the GluR1 or GluR2 subunits. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp studies of hippocampal neurons in culture and CA1 synapses in slices revealed that knockout (KO) of calcyon abolishes long‐term synaptic depression (LTD), whereas mini‐analysis in slices indicated basal transmission in the hippocampus is unaffected by the deletion. Further, transfection of green fluorescent protein‐tagged calcyon rescued the ability of KO cultures to undergo LTD. In contrast, intracellular dialysis of a fusion protein containing the clathrin light‐chain‐binding domain of calcyon blocked the induction of LTD in wild‐type hippocampal slices. Taken together, the present studies involving biochemical, immunological and electrophysiological analyses raise the possibility that calcyon plays a specialized role in regulating activity‐dependent removal of synaptic AMPARs.
A consistent physical framework for N and P BTI in HKMG MOSFETs

A common framework of trap generation and trapping is used to explain Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) and Positive Bias Temperature Instability (PBTI) DC and AC stress/recovery data. NBTI is explained using trap generation in Si/SiON (IL) interface and SiON (IL) bulk, together with hole trapping in pre-existing bulk SiON (IL) traps. Interface trap generation and recovery can be fully explained using Reaction-Diffusion (RD) model. PBTI is explained using trap generation in SiON (IL)/HK interface and HK bulk, together with electron trapping in pre-existing bulk HK traps. Important similarities as well as differences between N and P BTI are highlighted.
Langmuir-blodgett assembly of densely aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes from bulk materials.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) exhibit advanced electrical and surface properties useful for high performance nanoelectronics. Important to future manufacturing of nanotube circuits is a large-scale assembly of SWNTs into aligned forms. Despite progress in assembly and oriented synthesis, pristine SWNTs in aligned and close-packed form remain elusive and needed for high-current, -speed, and -density devices through collective operations of parallel SWNTs. Here, we develop a Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) method achieving monolayers of aligned SWNTs with dense packing, central to which is a noncovalent polymer functionalization by poly(m-phenylenevinylene-co-2,5-dioctoxy-p-phenylenevinylene) (PmPV) imparting high solubility and stability of SWNTs in an organic solvent 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE). Pressure cycling or “annealing” during LB film compression reduces hysteresis and facilitates high-degree alignment and packing of SWNTs characterized by microscopy and polarized Raman spectroscopy. The monolayer SWN.
Towards a new paradigm in mayfly phylogeny (Ephemeroptera): combined analysis of morphological and molecular data

This study represents the first formal morphological and combined (morphological and molecular) phylogenetic analyses of the order Ephemeroptera. Taxonomic sampling comprised 112 species in 107 genera, including 42 recognized families (all major lineages of Ephemeroptera). Morphological data consisted of 101 morphological characters. Molecular data were acquired from DNA sequences of the 12S, 16S, 18S, 28S and H3 genes. The Asian genus Siphluriscus (Siphluriscidae) was supported as sister to all other mayflies. The lineages Carapacea, Furcatergalia, Fossoriae, Pannota, Caenoidea and Ephemerelloidea were supported as monophyletic, as were many of the families. However, some recognized families (for example, Ameletopsidae and Coloburiscidae) and major lineages (such as Setisura, Pisciforma and Ephemeroidea among others) were not supported as monophyletic, mainly due to convergences within nymphal characters. Clade robustness was evaluated by multiple methods and approaches.
Theoretical Prediction of Mass Transfer Coefficients in a Slurry Bubble Column Operated in the Homogeneous Regime

The classical penetration theory was corrected and then applied for the semi-theoretical prediction of mass transfer coefficients k L a in a slurry bubble column operated in the homogeneous regime. The gas-liquid contact time was expressed as a ratio of bubble surface to the rate of surface formation. These terms were defined for the case of oblate ellipsoidal bubbles formed under homogeneous flow conditions. Six different liquid/solid systems (water/activated carbon, water/aluminium oxide, tetralin/aluminium oxide, 0.8 M sodium sulfate solution/kieselguhr (diatomaceous earth), ligroin (petroleum ether)/polyethylene and ligroin/polyvinylchloride) were considered. By means of the same correction factor (a single function of Eotvos number) as derived previously for gas-liquid bubble columns, 85 experimental k L a values were fitted with a mean error of 19 %.
Development of the mammalian axial skeleton requires signaling through the Gαi subfamily of heterotrimeric G proteins

129/SvEv mice with a loss-of-function mutation in the heterotrimeric G protein α-subunit gene Gnai3 have fusions of ribs and lumbar vertebrae, indicating a requirement for Gαi (the “inhibitory” class of α-subunits) in somite derivatives. Mice with mutations of Gnai1 or Gnai2 have neither defect, but loss of both Gnai3 and one of the other two genes increases the number and severity of rib fusions without affecting the lumbar fusions. No myotome defects are observed in Gnai3/Gnai1 double-mutant embryos, and crosses with a conditional allele of Gnai2 indicate that Gαi is specifically required in cartilage precursors. Penetrance and expressivity of the rib fusion phenotype is altered in mice with a mixed C57BL/6 × 129/SvEv genetic background. These phenotypes reveal a previously unknown role for G protein-coupled signaling pathways in development of the axial skeleton.
Bioconversion of solid food wastes to ethanol

Solid food processing wastes and by-products are cofermented with cheese whey to produce ethanol. The experimental procedure involves the use of an enzymatic process to convert starch and lactose into fermentable sugars. These reducing sugars are then fermented to alcohol by distiller’s dried yeast and a high-ethanol tolerant yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cheese whey is used as a wetting agent and provides macro- and micronutrients for the microorganisms. Cofermenting food processing wastes with cheese whey, in the presence of high- and low-temperature enzymes, induces a 33-36% increase in alcohol yield. This procedure also significantly reduces the fermentation time from 60 to 12 h.
Angiogenesis-dependent tumor spread in reinforced fibrin clot culture.

To investigate the role played by developing microvessels in the spread of tumors, segments of rat aorta were cultured with aggregates of NBT-II-81, a cell line derived from squamous cell carcinoma of rat bladder. Aortic rings cultured in plasma clot gave rise to microvascular networks composed of branching endothelial channels. Aggregates of carcinoma in contract with fibrin clot alone grew slowly and by expansion. When the proliferating branching endothelial sprouts and channels contacted the tumor aggregates, the pattern of neoplastic growth changes abruptly, as carcinoma cells infiltrated the fibrin clot, migrating and proliferating in periendothelial location. Some vascular channels were disrupted and permeated by cords of invading tumor cells. Ultrastructural studies revealed intimate associated between invading epithelial cells and endothelial cells. Focal fusion of the endothelial basal lamina with the basal lamina of the tumor cells was observed. Our results demonstrate that angiogenesis in vitro, ie. , in absence of active circulation, markedly enhanced the spread of a carcinoma in plasma clot and modified its pattern of growth. This indicates that other vascular-related factors beside nutritional gradients from the circulation attract tumor cells along endothelial paths.
Polarisation-sensitive terahertz detectors

We have developed a detector of coherent terahertz (THz) radiation that can recover the full polarisation state of a THz transient. The device is a three-contact photoconductive receiver, which is capable of recording two time-varying electric field components of a THz pulse simultaneously. Our receiver was fabricated on Fe/sup +/ implanted InP and showed a cross-polarised extinction ratio greater than 100:1. The detector will be useful for spectroscopy of birefringent and optically active materials.
JOINT JPEG 2000 / LDPC CODE SYSTEM DESIGN FOR IMAGE TELEMETRY Undergraduate Students :

This paper considers the joint selection of the source code rate and channel code rate in an image telemetry system. Specifically considered is the JPEG2000 image coder and an LDPC code family. The goal is to determine the optimum apportioning of bits between the source and channel codes for a given channel signal-to-noise ratio and total bit rate, Rtotal. Optimality is in the sense of maximum peak image SNR and the tradeoff is between the JPEG2000 bit rate Rsource and the LDPC code rate Rchannel. For comparison, results are included for the industry standard rate-1/2, memory-6 convolutional code.
Snake Method Enhanced using Canny Approach Implementation for Cancer Cells Detection in Real Time

Optical microscopy is widely used for cancer cell detection via biopsy. Unfortunately this technique requires a large number of samples to determine the grade of the cancer cells. Because time is critical in this operation, a search for a method to reduce the length of this process is important. One such method showing promise is the implementation of the snake method for cancer cell detection. Ideally, this method will aim toward minimizing cost while maximizing efficiency. Using optical microscopy at LCOMS, we performed a proof-of-concept study to distinguish between normal and abnormal cells. We developed a snake/active contour method by which several curves move within images in order to find normal/abnormal cell boundaries. Abnormal cell identification typically takes more than one hour; however. The implementation of field programmable gate array (FPGA) technology solves this problem. A novel embedded architecture of the snake method is developed for an efficient and fast computation of active contour used in high throughput image analysis applications, where time performance is critical. This architecture allows for a scalable and a totally embedded processing on FPGA of a large number of images. The architecture of the snake method is able to detect objects from images which have irregular shapes, such as carcinoma cell types. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach, the architecture is implemented on Xilinx ISE 12.3-FPGA technology using Verilog hardware description language (VHDL). The very promising results using Snake method implementation and real cancer cell images from optical microscopy demonstrate the potentials of our approach.
Measurement of Net Fluxes of Ammonium and Nitrate at the Surface of Barley Roots Using Ion-Selective Microelectrodes : II. Patterns of Uptake Along the Root Axis and Evaluation of the Microelectrode Flux Estimation Technique.

Net fluxes of NH(4) (+) and NO(3) (-) into roots of 7-day-old barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Prato) seedlings varied both with position along the root axis and with time. These variations were not consistent between replicate plants; different roots showed unique temporal and spatial patterns of uptake. Axial scans of NH(4) (+) and NO(3) (-) net fluxes were conducted along the apical 7 centimeters of seminal roots of intact barley seedlings in solution culture using ion-selective microelectrodes in the unstirred layer immediately external to the root surface. Theoretically derived relationships between uptake and concentration gradients, combined with experimental observations of the conditions existing in our experimental system, permitted evaluation of the contribution of bulk water flow to ion movement in the unstirred layer, as well as a measure of the spatial resolution of the microelectrode flux estimation technique. Finally, a method was adopted to assess the accuracy of this technique.
Non-simple geodesics in hyperbolic 3-manifolds

Abstract Chinburg and Reid have recently constructed examples of hyperbolic 3-manifolds in which every closed geodesic is simple. These examples are constructed in a highly non-generic way and it is of interest to understand in the general case the geometry of and structure of the set of closed geodesics in hyperbolic 3-manifolds. For hyperbolic 3-manifolds which contain immersed totally geodesic surfaces there are always non-simple closed geodesics. Here we construct examples of manifolds with non-simple closed geodesics and no totally geodesic surfaces.
Targeted areas for improving health literacy after traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACT Objective: To develop a framework to identify targeted areas for improving health literacy for caregivers after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Method: Qualitative study using inductive and deductive qualitative content analysis was conducted in a large, urban, level I trauma centre. Interviews were conducted with 23 caregivers of persons with TBI. Participants’ perspectives on communication and preparation for discharge were explored and understanding of commonly used words and discharge instructions were assessed. Results: Four types of communication patterns were identified: formal, informal, indirect and caregiver-initiated. Informal and caregiver-initiated communication were the most common. All caregivers reported confusion about their family member’s condition, care plan or discharge plan. Caregivers were not able to define commonly used terms in discharge instructions, and were confused by formatting and medical language. Caregivers were not aware of expected caregiving roles upon discharge. Conceptualizing findings within a family-centred care model, we offer specific strategies to improve health communication and caregiver capacity building to enhance health literacy. Conclusions: Health literacy and caregiver capacity to care for loved ones with TBI after hospital discharge is low. We offer specific target areas for improvement in verbal and written communication and capacity building that take into account provider, patient and family characteristics.
A Robust Architectural Framework for Big Data Stream Computing in Personal Healthcare Real Time Analytics

The healthcare industry is growing at a faster pace. There are many processes that are going on inside the healthcare segment. These processes not only impact the care of individual persons but also help medical practitioners for the better delivery of care and services. These processes evolve at a much larger extent which makes the data that is taken out from them is exorbitant in its attributes. However, unprecedented growth in growth in the field of Big data analytics has proven to be a boon for the healthcare sector as the hidden pattern in that databases are identified and put to correct usage. The purpose of this study is to discuss the current developments in the area of Big data Analytics with healthcare domain. A comprehensive suggestive architecture using open sources, including Hadoop, Apache Storm, Kafka and NoSQL Cassandra is discussed with the approach to offer better healthcare services. The healthcare industry is growing at a faster pace. There are many processes that are going on inside the healthcare segment. These processes not only impact the care of individual persons but also help medical practitioners for the better delivery of care and services. These processes evolve at a much larger extent which makes the data that is taken out from them is exorbitant in its attributes. However, unprecedented growth in growth in the field of Big data analytics has proven to be a boon for the healthcare sector as the hidden pattern in that databases are identified and put to correct usage. The purpose of this study is to discuss the current developments in the area of Big data Analytics with healthcare domain. A comprehensive suggestive architecture using open sources, including Hadoop, Apache Storm, Kafka and NoSQL Cassandra is discussed with the approach to offer better healthcare services.