Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling transcranial DC stimulation

A method to estimate the potential and current density distribution during transcranial DC stimulation (tDCS) is introduced. The volume conductor model consists of a realistic head model (concerning shape as well as conductivity), obtained from T1-, PD- and DT-MR images. The model includes five compartments with different conductivities. For the skull and the white matter compartments, the conductivities are anisotropic. Using this model, the potentials inside the head that are generated by tDCS electrodes positioned on the scalp were computed by using the Finite Element Method. The results show that this is a promising method for the study of the effects of tDCS.
Traffic modeling and performance evaluation of SDN‐based NB‐IoT access network

Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB‐IoT) is a cellular‐based low power wide area network (LPWAN) radio technology, which can provide highly reliable services and wide coverage for IoT devices. Software defined networking (SDN) as an emerging network architecture can realize flexible resource allocation and network management. We introduce SDN into NB‐IoT and investigate the traffic modeling and performance evaluation of SDN‐based NB‐IoT access network. To evaluate the network performance in different environments, we introduce the Beta/D/1, Uniform/D/1, and M/D/1 queuing models, respectively. The proposed queuing models are suitable for different scenarios, in which NB‐IoT devices access the network in a highly synchronized, unsynchronized, or stochastic manner. We use the general solution to the G/G/1 and the M/G/1 queuing model to solve the proposed modeling problems. Through simulations, we investigate the influence of different network parameters. The analysis and simulation results can be used in the SDN controller to dynamically allocate resources and make network management decisions to satisfy different performance requirements of NB‐IoT applications.
The selection of some tissue lines producers of anthocyanins in bilberry (Vaccinium mytillus L.) callus culture.

Our research aimed the obtaining a proliferative tissue at 7 bilberry (Vaccinium mytillus L.) local population, to select some anthocyanins producing tissue lines by in vitro culture. The tissue lines selected from Arie�i eni, Semenic, Retezat, Valea Sebe�i ului, Buces-Vulcan, Vadul Dobrii and Cornereva local population, with good results of callus growth capacity in subculture, produced anthocyanins (646 mgC3GE/100g). These results demonstrated the possibility to elaborate a production system of these metabolites in controlled conditions.
Investigation of the Relationships between Media Characteristics, Presence, Flow, and Learning Effects in Augmented Reality Based Learning

This study’s goal is to examine which factors of augmented reality (AR), the fruit of future technologies, help to improve learning effects, and to reveal the relationships between those factors. To this end, we examined previous studies and selected five factors that can influence learning effects in augmented reality based learning. We discovered the effectiveness structure of media utilization in augmented reality based learning through an investigation of the relationships between those factors. The five factors selected were: sensory immersion, navigation, manipulation, presence, and flow. A questionnaire was formed based on these research questions, and a survey was conducted on 290 fifth-graders at two elementary schools. A total of 272 cases were examined for this study (incomplete and unreliable responses were excluded) and these were analyzed using a structural equation model. The results showed that with the exception of navigation, all factors such as sensory immersion, manipulation, presence, and flow had a meaningful influence on satisfaction, knowledge & understanding, and learning effects of application. In particular, the manipulation factor was proven to have a direct effect on satisfaction and the application aspect of learning effects, indicating that strengthening manipulation through the tangible interface of augmented reality can be an important factor in the areas of learning satisfaction and application. In addition, sensory immersion was proven to have a meaningful influence on immersion in learning and learning effects. In terms of learning effects, the application of augmented reality media was shown to have a greater influence on application factors than on knowledge & understanding.
In vitro and ex vitro seed-based propagation methods of Echinops kebericho Mesfin:A threatened medicinal plant

Effects of seed sterilization, storage time, and temperature as well as extent of seeding survival and establishment under glasshouse versus nursery conditions were studied for E. kebericho. Seeds sterilized for 9 and 5 minutes in 70 % ethanol and in 10% sodium hypochlorite, respectively, germinated best (95.2 ± 1.2%) on Murashige and Skoog medium, supplemented with 10 g L-1 phytoagar. Further increases or decreases in sterilization time decreased germination percentage and increased contamination, respectively. Unsterilized seeds (control) were completely contaminated before the emergence of radicle as a result of fungal growth. Seed germination percentage declined with increasing storage time and dropped from 94.6 ± 0.4 % to 32.2 ± 1.2% in 15 months. 25 oC was an optimal temperature for best germination (94.6 ± 2.4%) of seeds. Seeds sown in pots containing a mixture of sand, nursery soil, and animal manure in a ratio of 0.5: 2.5: 0.5 respectively, germinated signifi cantly (P< 0.05) compared to other soil ratios. Increase in sand or animal manure ratios decreased germination, while increase in nursery soil increased percentage and rate of germination. High percentage (96.0 ± 0.5%) germination was obtained with the seeds sown in nursery soil–surface mixed additives compared with the control. Seedlings of nursery bed origin survived best compared to those in vitro or pot origin seedlings. Ultimately, seedlings growth with vigorous and orthotropic developmental pattern was obtained under nursery conditions, compared to those in the glasshouse, which showed stunted and plagiotropic developmental pattern. The study found that seeds stored for less than 5 months, and at 25 oC, were the most suitable for in vitro and ex vitro propagation of E. kebericho.
Fisioterapia respiratória na disfunção pulmonar pós-cirurgia cardíaca

The aim of this work is to make a critical review about the different techniques of respiratory physiotherapy used following cardiac surgery and this effectiveness in reverting pulmonary dysfunction. It has been used as reference publications in English and Portuguese using as key words thoracic surgery, respiratory exercises, physical therapy modalities, postoperative complications and myocardial revascularization, contained in the following databases BIREME, SciELO Brazil, LILACS, PUBMED, from 1997 to 2007. A secondary search of the reference list of identified articles also was made. It has been selected eleven randomized trials (997 patients). For the articles included incentive spirometry was used in three; deep breathing exercises in six; deep breathing exercises added to positive expiratory pressure in four and positive airway pressure added to inspiratory resistance in two. Three trials used intermittent positive pressure breathing. Continuous positive airway pressure and bi-level positive airway pressure has been used in three and two trials. The protocols used in the studies were varied and the co interventions were present in a big part of these. The different analyzed varieties and the time of postoperatory follow up make a comparative analysis difficult. Pulmonary dysfunction is evident in the postoperatory period of cardiac surgery. The use of noninvasive ventilation has been associated with good results in the first postoperatory days. Despite the known importance of postoperatory respiratory physiotherapy, until now, there is no literary consensus about the superiority of one technique over the others.
Moving-table MR angiography in a case with multiple peripheral arterial aneurysms in the lower extremity

SuleymanDemirel Universitesi TIP FAKULTESI DERGISI: 2006 Mart; 13(1) Moving-table MR angiography in a case with multiple peripheral arterial aneurysms in the lower extremity Bahattin Hakyemez, Harun Yildiz, Mert Koroglu, Erol Bozdogan, Selcuk Atasoy, Bahattin Baykal SDU Tip Fak Derg, 2006 Mart; 13(1):35-37 Ozet Birden fazla alt extremite periferik arter anevrizmasi olan vakada hareketli-masa MR anjiografisi Dijital substruksiyon anjiografisi (DSA) alt extremitede normal arteriyel anatominin ve vaskuler lezyonlarin gosterilmesinde ve postoperatif arteriyel yapilarin degerlendirilmesinde altin standarttir. DSA.nin bazi dezavantajlarida bulunmaktadir. Son yillarda vaskuler lezyonlarin tanisi, degerlendirilmesi ve takibinde uc boyutlu, kontrastli hareketli-masa MR anjiografisi (3B K MRA) alternatif bir yontem olarak gelismistir. Biz birden fazla alt extremite anevrizmasi olan bir olgu nedeniyle alt extremite perifer arter anevrizmalarinin preoperatif ve postoperatif degerlendirilmesinde hareketli-masa 3B K MRA bulgularini sunuyoruz. Anahtar kelimeler: Angiografi, Manyetik Rezonans, Anevrizma, Greftler, Periferik Vaskuler Hastaliklar Abstract Moving-table MR angiography in a case with multiple peripheral arterial aneurysms in the lower extremity Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the gold standard method to demonstrate normal arterial anatomy and the vascular lesions and evaluate the arterial structures postoperatively in the lower extremities. DSA has also some disadvantages. In the recent years, moving-table three-dimensional contrast enhanced MR angiography (3D CE MRA) is developed as an alternative method in the diagnosis, evaluation and follow-up of the vascular lesions. We described the moving-table 3D CE MRA findings in the preoperative and post operative evaluation of a case with multiple peripheral arterial aneurysms in the lower extremity. Key words: Angiography, Magnetic Resonance, Aneurysm, Grafts, Peripheral Vascular Diseases
Studies on biodegradation of tanned leather.

Wastes from the leather industry as well as insoluble and hard-to-degrade animal proteins are currently eliminated by incineration, method with high ecological disadvantages. In order to avoid these inconvenients, microbiological and/or enzymatic methods are examined. Leather degradation was performed in two trials: one enzymatic-assisted and the other microbial-assisted. Enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen, the representative protein of leather, was performed with collagenase type IA, with six enzyme concentrations, for up to 10 days. The hydrolysis yield was evaluated by free amino acids determination. Microbial hydrolysis involved 35 bacterial strains belonging to various genera (Streptomyces, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia etc), screened for their ability of growth in minimal medium containing bovine leather, ovine leather or wool as unique carbon or nitrogen sources. Three of these strains: Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 14580, Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 13525 and a new bacterial isolate, designated BN7, were able to grow in the presence of treated leather or wool, visible differences being observed after 10 days of incubation. The best results were obtained with the strain BN7, the level of free amino acids and of the extracellular proteins (as a measure of organic substrate degradation) was rather high (2.22 µmoles amino acids and 61 µg protein respectively). Amino acids release and extracellular protein synthesis indicates both collagenase and keratinase activity. The degradation of tanned leather was examined microscopically: significant disorganization of leather fibres was observed.
Prevalence of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV infection among patients undergoing hemodialysis in Argentina

Background and Aim: Blood-borne infections are a major cause of damage in individuals on hemodialysis (HD). In particular, knowledge about the viral status of hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in HD patients is gold data to face medical challenges. Related information is scarce in Argentina. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV infections in HD patients from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Methods: Seven hundred and forty-eight HD patients were included in a retrospective cross-sectional study. Laboratories assays were performed to determine virological status. HCV genotyping was carried out by phylogenetic analysis of NS5B partial gene. Results: Infection with one of the viruses was detected in 31.1% of patients [HBV in 82 (11.0%), HCV in 179 (23.9%), and HIV in 6 (0.8%)]. Thirty-two (4.3%) patients had two virus markers [27 (3.6%) with HCV/HBV, 4 (0.5%) with HCV/HIV and 1 (0.13%) with HBV/HIV]. Finally, one single patient (0.13%) presented all three markers. Time on dialysis was correlated with HCV infection but no with HBV. Distribution of HCV subtypes was inverted respect to the observed in general population [HCV-1a (73.2%) and HCV-1b (26.8%) in HD vs. HCV-1a (26.5%) and HCV-1b (73.5%) in general population, p<0.001]. Conclusions: These infections, mainly HCV, continue to occur at a very high rate in HD patients. Results emphasize the need to consider a priority the HCV infected patients in dialysis treatment and to vaccine against HBV in order to decrease its morbidity and mortality.
Virtual Machines Scheduling in Mobile Edge Computing: A Formal Concept Analysis Approach

Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) is providing cloud computing capabilities within the radio access networks and offering a new paradigm to liberate the mobile devices from heavy computational workloads. Importantly, MEC can effectively reduce latency, avoid congestion, and prolong the battery lifetime of mobile devices by offloading the computation tasks from the mobile devices to a physically proximal MEC servers. Particularly, Virtual Machines (VMs) scheduling is a critical issue for tasks offloading and computation in MEC. Regarding to the VMs scheduling problem in MEC environmnet, this paper pioneers the use of Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) methodology for identifying the mapping from tasks to VMs. Specifically, the VMs profile and tasks descriptions are initially characterized as the formal contexts, respectively. With the constructed formal contexts, the corresponding formal concepts which refer to the rules set, are then generated. To better infuse the rules set of VMs and tasks, this paper defines a similarity measurement between formal concepts of VMs and tasks. Consequently, the matching problem from a given task to a virtual machine is to return the expected virtual machine according to the principle of maximum similarity degree between formal concepts of virtual machine and task. Extensive simulations are conducted with a real dataset for the validation of feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach. Specifically, the proposed approach can significantly reduce the energy consumption around 28 percent comparing to the approach without consideration of energy consumption. Overall, It is demonstrated that FCA-based VMs scheduling is a novel solution for a sustainable VMs scheduling in MEC environment.
Accelerated stability testing of celecoxib nanoemulsion containing Cremophor-EL

Celecoxib (CXB), a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor has been recommended for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis upon oral administration. However, long term oral administration of celecoxib cause serious gastrointestinal adverse effects. Therefore the aim of the present study was to enhance CXB’s physical and chemical stability using nanoemulsion formulation in order to eliminate gastrointestinal adverse effects of its oral administration. Optimized nanoemulsion formulation was prepared by spontaneous emulsification method. Nanoemulsion was characterized by droplet size, viscosity and refractive index. Stability studies were performed for the period of 3 months. Droplet size, viscosity and refractive index were determined every month. Shelf-life of nanoemulsion formulation was also determined by accelerated stability testing. It was found that droplet size, viscosity and refractive index were slightly increased at refrigerator and room temperature in 3 months period. However, the changes in these parameters were not statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05). The shelf-life of optimized nanoemulsion formulation was found to be 2.38 years at room temperature. These results indicated that both physical as well as chemical stability of celecoxib can be enhanced in nanoemulsion formulation using Cremophor-EL as surfactant. Key words: Nanoemulsion, celecoxib, shelf life, cremophor-EL.
On the stability of inverse dynamics control of flexible-joint parallel manipulators in the presence of modeling error and disturbances

Inverse dynamics control is considered for flexible-joint parallel manipulators in order to obtain a good trajectory tracking performance in the case of modeling error and disturbances. It is known that, in the absence of modeling error and disturbance, inverse dynamics control leads to linear fourth-order error dynamics, which is asymptotically stable if the feedback gains are chosen to make the real part of the eigenvalues of the system negative. However, when there are modeling errors and disturbances, a linear time-varying error dynamics is obtained whose stability is not assured only by keeping the real parts of the frozen-time eigenvalues of the system negative. In this paper, the stability of such systems is investigated and it is proved that the linear time-varying system can be rendered stable by selecting the feedback gains such that the variation of the system becomes sufficiently slow. To illustrate the performance of the control method, deployment motion of a 3-RPR planar parallel manipulator subject to impact is simulated. For the impact model, the impulse-momentum and the coefficient of restitution equations for the system are derived.
Maintainability Test Method of Army Armored Equipment based on Small Sample Size

In view of the large manpower and financial resources required for the maintenance test of the armored equipment of the army, as well as the long acquisition period of the maintenance test data, this paper focuses on the maintenance test method based on small sample size and establishes the maintenance test verification based on the Bayes small sample theory. Assessing the model and proposing an equipment maintenance test based on this method effectively reduces the number of samples needed to validate the indicators. At the same time, it is validated with the aid of model equipment maintainability tests. The accuracy is high, and maintenance and verification are reduced. The proposed method is of great reference value for reducing the cost of equipment testing and shortening the equipment development cycle in the development of army equipment.
T-helper epitope peptide improves immunological effects of the B cell epitopes of human heparanase protein

Objective To explore available immune strategy to improve immunological effects of the B cell epitopes of human heparanase protein.Methods Based on predicted potential B cell epitopes of human heparanase protein,three candidates of multiple antigenic peptides(MAP)with 8-branches were synthesized and identified by conjugation to antibody against full human heparanase protein.C57BL/6 mice were immunized with the 8-branch MAPs mixed with or without the universal human T-helper IL-1β peptide.The antibody titers of immune serum was assayed by ELISA.Results Most potential epitopes of human heparanase protein were predicted as No.1-15(MAP1),279-293(MAP2)and 175-189(MAP3)in large subunit of human heparanase protein.All three synthesized MAPs mixed with the T-helper epitope induced higher titers of antibodies than them without the T-helper epitope.Conclusion The three B cell epitopes of human heparanase protein could he its B cell preponderant epitopes.The 8-branch MAPs mixed TH cell epitope may be an available and optimizing immune strategy. Key words: Heparanase; B cell epitope; Immune enhancement
Improving Human-Computer Interaction by Developing Culture-sensitive Applications based on Common Sense Knowledge

The advent of Web 3.0, claiming for personalization in interactive systems (Lassila & Hendler, 2007), and the need for systems capable of interacting in a more natural way in the future society flooded with computer systems and devices (Harper et al., 2008) show that great advances in HCI should be done. This chapter presents some contributions of LIA for the future of HCI, defending that using common sense knowledge is a possibility for improving HCI, especially because people assign meaning to their messages based on their common sense and, therefore, the use of this knowledge in developing user interfaces can make them more intuitive to the end-user. Moreover, as common sense knowledge varies from group to group of people, it can be used for developing applications capable of giving different feedback for different target groups, as the applications presented along this chapter illustrate, allowing, in this way, interface personalization taking into account cultural issues. For the purpose of using common sense knowledge in the development and design of computer systems, it is necessary to provide an architecture that allows it. This chapter presents LIAs approaches for common sense knowledge acquisition, representation and use, as well as for natural language processing, contributing with those ones who intent to get into this challenging world to get started.
Shelf Life of Fresh Beef Stored in Master Packages with Carbon Monoxide and High Levels of Carbon Dioxide

Beef steaks from Gluteus medius, Longissimus dorsi, Psoas major and ground beef from Triceps brachii were packed in master packages containing expanded polystyrene trays overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride film under an anoxic atmosphere containing 0.2% CO, 60.0% CO2 and 39.8% N2 (T1) or 0.2% CO/99.8% CO2 plus oxygen scavengers. After 28 days of storage at 1 and 4°C, the meat quality was evaluated. The visual and instrumental colour of the beef steaks and ground beef were similar to that of fresh meat. Pathogenic bacteria were not detected, and psychrotrophic bacterial counts were lower than 7.5 log CFU/g. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diel variability in nitrogenous nutrient uptake at photic and subphotic depths

Diel patterns in nitrogen uptake were investigated at three positions along an offshore orientated transect in the Southern Benguela Upwelling System. Both photic and sub-photic depths were targeted in the 15 N tracer experiments. An appreciable proportion of nitrogen uptake was found to occur at sub-photic depths during both the day and the night. The importance of sub-photic uptake decreased offshore but remained non-trivial at all locations. Although NH4 dominated this uptake, NO3 removal at depth did account for an important fraction of the total water column NO 3 uptake, particularly over the shelf at night. For example, sub-photic NO 3 uptake at night for the inshore stations averaged 68% of the total for the water column declining to 3% offshore. The impact of sub-photic NO3 uptake on new production will depend on whether the NO 3 is incorporated into primary assimilation pathways or is transported to the sediments in inorganic form. Whereas sub-photic/photic uptake decreased offshore, night/day uptake ratios increased with distance from the coast, approaching unity at the offshore location. This effect was most obvious for the photic com-munities. This finding supports the belief that dark nitrogen uptake assumes increased importance as nutrients become less available. Photic zone/-ratios were smaller at night (mean = 0.14) than during the day (mean = 0.28) indicating a greater importance of reduced nitrogen uptake during the dark hours. This emphasis on NH4 utilization at night can be explained purely in terms of energy efficiency. Such diel phasing in /-ratios needs to be accounted for in scaling total production to new production.