Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resistive Exercise Blunts LPS-stimulated TNF-α and Il-1β

To examine the influence of acute resistive exercise and "hormone status" on cytokine profile, 35 postmenopausal women (72 +/- 6.2 yr) underwent a moderate-high-intensity resistive exercise bout or rested. There were 4 groups: no hormone replacement (NHR, n = 9), hormone replacement (HRT, n = 12), selective estrogen receptor modulator (SER, n = 7), or resting control (no hormone replacement, CON, n = 7). NHR, HRT, and SER exercised (3 sets, 10 exercises @ 80 % 1RM). Blood was collected pre-exercise (PR), postexercise (PO), and two hours (2H) postexercise (same times for CON). Blood was diluted 1 : 10 in culture medium and incubated (37 degrees C, 5 % CO2, 24 h) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 25 microg . ml (-1)). Serum and supernatant from LPS-stimulated blood were analyzed for IL-6, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha using ELISA. Resistive exercise increased PO serum IL-6, and PO LPS-stimulated IL-6 and IL-1 beta in the exercise groups (HRT, NHR, SER collapsed; EX, n = 28). LPS-stimulated IL-1 beta remained elevated at 2H in EX and was significantly higher than PR in CON at 2H. Expressed per monocyte, EX had significantly lower IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha LPS-stimulated production at PO and 2H compared to CON, indicating an exercise-induced blunting of an apparent diurnal response on cytokine production. In postmenopausal women, acute resistive exercise increased circulating IL-6, but reversed an apparent diurnal increase in LPS-stimulated IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha production with no influence of hormone replacement or raloxifene.
Paediatric health-related quality of life: what is it and why should we measure it?

As a paediatrician, you follow a number of children with chronic health conditions in your practice. You provide them with a variety of therapies and would like to know whether your treatments are having an impact, in particular whether there has been a change in the patient's health-related quality of life (HRQOL). HRQOL measures have the potential to augment the information that clinicians have available, to enhance their clinical decisions and assess the impact of a chronic health condition on a child's life. How should you try to capture this information? ### What is health-related quality of life? The WHO defines quality of life (QOL) as ‘a child's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns’1 and HRQOL) as ‘a child's goals, expectations, standards or concerns about their overall health and health-related domains’. 1 ,2 That being said, many other definitions of HRQOL have been proposed over the years, and a variety of terms are currently used.3 ,4 Although the term QOL is sometimes used interchangeably with HRQOL, QOL is actually a broader construct that encompasses aspects of life that may not be amenable to healthcare services.5 Thus, spirituality and financial resources are, for example, often included in QOL, but are not necessarily included as part of HRQOL. In this paper, we regard QOL in children as a multidimensional subjective concept that includes social, emotional, cognitive and physical functioning as well as cultural aspects of the child and family, while HRQOL incorporates measures of physical symptoms, functional status and disease impact on psychological and social functioning.6 ,7 Children growing up with chronic health conditions (or suffered a severe acute illness and experience late effects) are at greater risk for …
Hypertension in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a meta-analysis

Context Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common disorder that can cause hypertension during childhood, but the true prevalence of hypertension during childhood is not known. Objective We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of hypertension in children with ADPKD. Data sources Systematic review of articles published between 1980 and 2015 in MEDLINE and EMBASE. Study selection Studies selected by two authors independently if reporting data on prevalence of hypertension in children and young persons aged <21 years with a diagnosis of ADPKD. Observational series were included with study populations of >15 children. Articles were excluded if inadequate diagnostic criteria for hypertension were used. Studies with selection bias were included but analysed separately. Data extraction Data extracted on prevalence of hypertension, proteinuria and reduced renal function using standardised form. Meta-analysis was performed to calculate weighted mean prevalence. Results 903 articles were retrieved from our search; 14 studies met the inclusion criteria: 1 prospective randomised controlled trial; 8 prospective observational studies; and 5 retrospective cross-sectional studies. From 928 children with clinically confirmed ADPKD, 20% (95% CI 15% to 27%) were hypertensive. The estimated prevalence of proteinuria in children with ADPKD is 20% (8 studies; 95% CI 9% to 40%) while reduced renal function occurred in 8% (5 studies; 95% CI 2% to 26%). Limitations Studies showed a high degree of methodological heterogeneity (I2=73.4%, τ2=0.3408, p<0.0001). Most studies did not use ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring to diagnose hypertension. Conclusions In this meta-analysis we estimate 20% of children with ADPKD have hypertension. In the population, many children with ADPKD are not under regular follow-up and remain undiagnosed. We recommend that all children at risk of ADPKD have regular BP measurement.
A fast Griffin-Lim algorithm

In this paper, we present a new algorithm to estimate a signal from its short-time Fourier transform modulus (STFTM). This algorithm is computationally simple and is obtained by an acceleration of the well-known Griffin-Lim algorithm (GLA). Before deriving the algorithm, we will give a new interpretation of the GLA and formulate the phase recovery problem in an optimization form. We then present some experimental results where the new algorithm is tested on various signals. It shows not only significant improvement in speed of convergence but it does as well recover the signals with a smaller error than the traditional GLA.
Cauchy nonnegative matrix factorization

Nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) is an effective and popular low-rank model for nonnegative data. It enjoys a rich background, both from an optimization and probabilistic signal processing viewpoint. In this study, we propose a new cost-function for NMF fitting, which is introduced as arising naturally when adopting a Cauchy process model for audio waveforms. As we recall, this Cauchy process model is the only probabilistic framework known to date that is compatible with having additive magnitude spectrograms for additive independent audio sources. Similarly to the Gaussian power-spectral density, this Cauchy model features time-frequency nonnegative scale parameters, on which an NMF structure may be imposed. The Cauchy cost function we propose is optimal under that model in a maximum likelihood sense. It thus appears as an interesting newcomer in the inventory of useful cost-functions for NMF in audio. We provide multiplicative updates for Cauchy-NMF and show that they give good performance in audio source separation as well as in extracting nonnegative low-rank structures from data buried in very adverse noise.
THE ABDOMINAL COMPARTMENT SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH BURN INJURY

Abstract Introduction: Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and subsequent abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in burned patients is common. This sequence of events typically occurs in patients with larger burns receiving high volume fluid resuscitation. Methods: A review of the literature was performed. The National Library of Medicine (PUBMED) was queried for “Burn” and “Abdominal Compartment Syndrome”. Twenty-nine articles were retained for study. Results: Abdominal pressure monitoring is appropriate in all patients with burns that require significant volume resuscitation (>30% total burned surface area- TBSA). Prevention of ACS in burns includes limiting fluid resuscitation, burn escharotomy, and percutaneous drainage when abdominal pressures are reaching perilous levels. Treatment includes all of the above and in addition, decompressive laparotomy when needed. However, despite decompressive laparotomy, mortality rates among burn victims with ACS remain unacceptably high. Conclusion: Increasing amounts of volume delivery are associated with an increased risk of IAH. Therefore, intra-abdominal pressure should be monitored in all burn patients requiring massive fluid resuscitation. Escharotomy, paracentesis, and decompressive laparotomy may all be needed to counter the side effects of appropriate fluid resuscitation in the severely burned patient. Nevertheless, the prognosis in burn patients developing ACS is grim.
Community Competence and Violently Acquired Spinal Cord Injury: Employment as a Peer Role Model

Purpose: To understand how employment as a peer role model within a rehabilitation hospital affects the development of community competence among young men and women with violently acquired spinal cord injury (VASCI). Design: A mixed-method, multiple case study design was incorporated, in which 2 cases were selected for study, including 10 individuals who were currently employed as peer role models and 10 individuals who were not. Results: Results revealed several differences between the 2 cases, as peer role models demonstrated greater knowledge and use of community resources. Furthermore, results highlighted the processes by which these changes occurred, including that peer role models had more direct exposure to resources, engaged in the act of sharing resources with others, and experienced an increased connection to positive networks. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the experience of employment as a peer role model within a rehabilitation setting may facilitate connections between individuals with VASCI and the community supports and resources necessary for successful postinjury adjustment. Implications for future research and theory are discussed.
Positron emission tomography (PET) in endocrine tumours

Positron emission tomography (PET) has many clinical applications in oncology, neurology and cardiology. PET is widely available in developed countries, and has also become available in a number of middle-income countries, including South Africa. Commonly used PET radionuclides include fluorine-18, carbon-11, nitrogen-13 and oxygen-15, which are commonly found in organic chemistry and biochemistry. Undoubtedly the most important radiopharmaceutical used in PET scanning at present is [F-18]-FDG, which accumulates in many tumour cells. FDG PET imaging has some specific uses in the evaluation of patients with endocrine tumours. These include the detection of recurrent differentiated thyroid carcinoma in patients with a rising thyroglobulin level and negative iodine scan, and cases of recurrent medullary thyroid carcinoma with rising calcitonin levels. In parathyroid adenoma, FDG PET appears useful in cases where conventional nuclear medicine imaging is negative. For adrenal masses, FDG PET appears to be a highly accurate tool to distinguish benign from malignant lesions. The role of FDG PET in phaeochromocytomas, carcinoids and endocrine pancreatic tumours is probably limited to those that are less well differentiated and metabolically active. However, a future role for PET imaging in the detection of endocrine tumours, using more specific substrates, appears very promising.
Enhancing Family Support in Practice through Postgraduate Education

Family Support as a named orientation is a relatively new concept in service provision for children and their families in the Republic of Ireland. Notwithstanding this, there are a number of practitioners across a range of disciplines and agencies within this arena who apply a Family Support approach in their day-to-day work. Furthermore, it is increasingly expected that these practitioners and agencies work together in a collaborative manner with the intention of providing the best possible assistance and support. Practitioners are also required to develop their knowledge and skills on an ongoing basis while in practice. One model of postgraduate education which is responding to such developments is the Master’s Degree in Family Support Studies. This programme is delivered in one University in the Republic of Ireland. In 2011, the programme was reviewed to assess its influence on participants’ understanding and knowledge of Family Support and on their practice. A mixed methods approach was used in this review, the results of which provide the basis for this article. At an overall level the programme is found to have a very positive influence on participants with a growing pool of practitioners who are skilled and confident in their practice.
On-line genetic fuzzy-neural sliding mode controller design

In this paper, a novel online B-spline membership function (BMF) fuzzy-neural sliding mode controller trained by an adaptive bound reduced-form genetic algorithm (ABRGA) is developed to guarantee robust stability and tracking performance for robot manipulators with uncertainties and external disturbances. The general sliding manifold is used to construct the sliding surface and reduce the chattering of the control signal, which can be nonlinear or time varying. For the purpose of identification, the proposed BMF fuzzy-neural network trained by the ABRGA approximates the regressor of the manipulator. An adaptive bound algorithm is used to aid and speed up the searching speed of the RGA. Simulation results show that the proposed on-line ABRGA-based BMF fuzzy-neural sliding mode controller is effective and yields superior tracking performance for robot manipulators.
Dynamic Facial Expression Recognition Using Fuzzy Hidden Markov Models

Humans are immersed in a high-tech computing environment. Dependence on the pervasiveness of modern devices encompasses even simple everyday tasks. Unfortunately, the rapidly increasing expectations on the intelligence of these devices often exceeds their abilities. Devices are expected to perceive their environment, understand our intent, and autonomously carry out appropriate tasks. This paper presents an approach to bring device perception one step closer to meeting the high user expectations. A novel application of fuzzy hidden Markov models to automatically identify dynamic facial expressions is proposed in a human-device interaction context. A low-complexity vision based facial feature tracker is integrated with a hidden Markov model adapted to take advantage of fuzzy measures. Benefits over traditional hidden Markov mode Is for facial expression recognition include a reduction in training time, and improved flexibility for use as a valuable part of a larger multimodal system for natural human-device interaction
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A MALIGNANT CELL

The best method of ascertaining the properties that characterize a malignant tissue would be to transform in vitro a strain of cells of a known type into cells capable of producing sarcoma or carcinoma, and to study the changes undergone by the strain. The comparison of the normal and the malignant strains would show what characteristics are specific of the state of malignancy. As we possess pure cultures of normal cells of several types, and as the contaminating agent of Rous sarcoma renders feasible the transformation in vivo of a normal cell into a malignant one, an attempt could be made to change in vitro normal cells into sarcoma cells. The first experiments consisted in determining the nature of the cells that are susceptible to the agent of Rous sarcoma. It was obvious that the strain selected for the attempt at contamination must be of the same type as the
IgG autoantibodies bound to surfaces of necrotic cells and complement C4 comprise the phagocytosis promoting activity for necrotic cells of systemic lupus erythaematosus sera

Objective: Accumulation of dying and dead cells is thought to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythaematosus (SLE). Clearance has been described mainly for apoptotic cells; however, the knowledge of serum factors participating in the phagocytosis of necrotic cells is limited. Patients and methods: Sera from 18 patients with SLE and 10 normal healthy donors (NHD), and macrophages from 3 NHD were included. Autoantibodies and complement were measured by ELISA and phagocytosis by flow cytometry. Binding of serum IgG to necrotic cells was assessed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Results: Sera from patients with SLE and NHD generally promoted the phagocytosis of necrotic cells by macrophages isolated from NHD. Five independent experiments with macrophages from three different NHD led to similar results. The sera from healthy controls displayed a homogeneous activity, whereas sera from patients with SLE showed a dichotomic behaviour. Only sera containing autoantibodies binding to the surfaces of necrotic cells and sufficient complement showed increased phagocytosis promoting activities. In SLE sera, C4 turned out to be the critical complement component in this process. Sera de-complemented by heat treatment strongly reduced phagocytosis of necrotic cells. Conclusions: Serum components influence the uptake of necrotic cells by phagocytosis competent macrophages from NHD. Complement is required for this process and autoantibodies binding to the surfaces of necrotic cells additionally promote their phagocytosis.
Study of Japanese Sign Language Semantic Process based on N400 Analysis

We study efficient automatic generation and communication of the Japanese sign language image. Therefore, it is necessary to study language processing mechanism of the sign language of the deaf people. This study describes the method for examining semantic analysis process of sign language using N400 which is a component of event related potentials. From two experiments, N400 amplitude was high in a specific semantic processing. Moreover, it was higher in the character presentation than in the sign language presentation. It is considerated that the the acceptance or the set are different according to type of language or modality though the same content is presented.
Anti-PDGFR-α antibodies measured by non-bioactivity assays are not specific for systemic sclerosis

Objective: To evaluate the presence of anti-PDGFR-α antibodies by immunological methods in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods: Fifty-eight women diagnosed with SSc and 36 healthy women controls were included. IgG anti-PDGFR-α were measured by ELISA and immunoblot. Associations with clinical and immunological findings were also studied. Results: Non-significant differences were detected between patients with SSc and controls: median value 0.287 (range 0–2.06) versus median value 0.226 (range 0–2.94), respectively (p = 0.583). No correlation between the presence of anti-PDGFR-α antibodies and clinical and serological features was found. Serum samples from patients with SSc and healthy people who had high titres of anti-PDGFR-α antibodies by ELISA recognised the same band corresponding to PDGFR-α by immunoblot. Conclusion: Although anti-PDGFR-α antibodies seem to be disease-specific when determined by bioactivity assays, these antibodies are also detected in normal subjects when immunological methods are used. Thus, anti-PDGFR-α antibodies may arise from natural autoantibodies. Possibly, SSc autoantibodies recognise a different epitope on the PDGFR-α molecule which triggers its stimulatory effect when analysed by functional assays. Alternatively, naturally occurring autoantibodies may even become pathogenic after affinity maturation and class switching in genetically susceptible subjects.
FH-SCMA: Frequency-Hopping Based Sparse Code Multiple Access for Next Generation Internet of Things

The next generation Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to support extremely diverse applications and terminals, which requires the massive connectivity. Unfortunately, current mobile communication systems with orthogonal multiple access technique can hardly satisfy this demand. On the other hand, the narrow band property has become the trend of the next generation IoT, however, the problem of interference alleviation in the narrow band system is difficult to be resolved. Recently, the sparse code multiple access (SCMA), a non- orthogonal multiple access technique for 5G, shows the obvious improvement in user connectivity and system capacity. After carrier aggregation brought into the future network, The IoT could offer the frequency hopping mechanism larger bandwidth resources. In this paper, by introducing frequency hopping mechanism to the SCMA, a frequency-hopping based sparse code multiple access (FH-SCMA) multiple access technique is proposed to meet the demand of both massive connectivity and the improvement in the interference alleviation. Simulation results show that the FH-SCMA obtains a spectrum efficiency gain of almost 300% compared with the frequency division multiple access (FDMA) based IoT system with frequency-hopping, and the performance of interference alleviation can also be significantly improved by about 2 to 5 times over the FDMA with frequency hopping.
Joint Task Offloading Scheduling and Transmit Power Allocation for Mobile-Edge Computing Systems

Mobile-edge computing (MEC) has emerged as a prominent technique to provide mobile services with high computation requirement, by migrating the computation- intensive tasks from the mobile devices to the nearby MEC servers. To reduce the execution latency and device energy consumption, in this paper, we jointly optimize task offloading scheduling and transmit power allocation for MEC systems with multiple independent tasks. A low-complexity sub-optimal algorithm is proposed to minimize the weighted sum of the execution delay and device energy consumption based on alternating minimization. Specifically, given the transmit power allocation, the optimal task offloading scheduling, i.e., to determine the order of offloading, is obtained with the help of flow shop scheduling theory. Besides, the optimal transmit power allocation with a given task offloading scheduling decision will be determined using convex optimization techniques. Simulation results show that task offloading scheduling is more critical when the available radio and computational resources in MEC systems are relatively balanced. In addition, it is shown that the proposed algorithm achieves near-optimal execution delay along with a substantial device energy saving.
Frequency-Domain Hammerstein Self-Interference Canceller for In-Band Full-Duplex OFDM Systems

In-band full-duplex communications have been spotlighted because they can double the spectral efficiency of the current wireless communication systems. However, it is necessary to mitigate the self-interference (SI). Currently, several time-domain and frequency-domain SI cancellers have been proposed. Time-domain SI cancellers are based on the parallel Hammerstein (PH) model, and they have good flexibility with high computational cost. In contrast, frequency-domain SI cancellers can achieve high cancellation performance with low computational cost but they have less flexibility than time-domain PH based SI cancellers. In this paper, we propose a frequency-domain SI canceller based on the PH model. The proposed scheme estimates the frequency response of the SI channel and regenerates SI signals by the overlap- save method. Therefore, the computational complexity of the proposed scheme is less than time-domain PH based SI canceller. The performance of the proposed scheme is assessed by equivalent baseband signal simulations of a full-duplex transceiver. As a result, the proposed scheme achieves high SI cancellation as the time-domain PH based SI canceller with low computational cost. In addition, the convergence performance of the proposed scheme is faster than the time-domain scheme.