Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Further improvement of the Glowworm Swarm Optimization algorithm by adding a conservation of agent move direction

Cancer is still one of the most deadly diseases. It is a well known fact that the early diagnosis is crucial and allows for the successful treatment while cancers diagnosed in their late stage are almost impossible to treat. For precise and objective diagnosis there is a need for a computerized method for cytological image processing, which is an integral part of a diagnosis process. In this work we present a classification system for grading cancer malignancy. In particular, issues of image processing in the aspect of medical diagnosis presented by prof. R. Tadeusiewicz and Dr. J. Śmietański in [1].
Upper arm elevation and repetitive shoulder movements: a general population job exposure matrix based on expert ratings and technical measurements

Objectives We recently constructed a general population job exposure matrix (JEM), The Shoulder JEM, based on expert ratings. The overall aim of this study was to convert expert-rated job exposures for upper arm elevation and repetitive shoulder movements to measurement scales. Methods The Shoulder JEM covers all Danish occupational titles, divided into 172 job groups. For 36 of these job groups, we obtained technical measurements (inclinometry) of upper arm elevation and repetitive shoulder movements. To validate the expert-rated job exposures against the measured job exposures, we used Spearman rank correlations and the explained variance according to linear regression analyses (36 job groups). We used the linear regression equations to convert the expert-rated job exposures for all 172 job groups into predicted measured job exposures. Bland-Altman analyses were used to assess the agreement between the predicted and measured job exposures. Results The Spearman rank correlations were 0.63 for upper arm elevation and 0.64 for repetitive shoulder movements. The expert-rated job exposures explained 64% and 41% of the variance of the measured job exposures, respectively. The corresponding calibration equations were y=0.5%time+0.16×expert rating and y=27°/s+0.47×expert rating. The mean differences between predicted and measured job exposures were zero due to calibration; the 95% limits of agreement were ±2.9% time for upper arm elevation >90° and ±33°/s for repetitive shoulder movements. Conclusions The updated Shoulder JEM can be used to present exposure–response relationships on measurement scales.
Innovative High Gas Pressure Microscopy Chamber Designed for Biological Cell Observation

Abstract An original high-pressure microscopy chamber has been designed for real-time visualization of biological cell growth during high isostatic (gas or liquid) pressure treatments up to 200 MPa. This new system is highly flexible allowing cell visualization under a wide range of pressure levels as the thickness and the material of the observation window can be easily adapted. Moreover, the design of the observation area allows different microscope objectives to be used as close as possible to the observation window. This chamber can also be temperature controlled. In this study, the resistance and optical properties of this new high-pressure chamber have been tested and characterized. The use of this new chamber was illustrated by a real-time study of the growth of two different yeast strains – Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida viswanathii – under high isostatic gas pressure (30 or 20 MPa, respectively). Using image analysis software, we determined the evolution of the area of colonies as a function of time, and thus calculated colony expansion rates.
Evaluation of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of lung lesions

Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of image guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration cytologyFnAC in various lung lesions both neoplastic and non-neoplastic. Material and Method: Over a period of one year, computerized tomography (Ct)–guided FnAC was performed in forty patients presenting with respiratory symptoms with a localized lung lesion clinically, which was confirmed radiologically. Results: Male preponderance was noted in this study with M:F ratio of 2.08: . Malignancy was the predominant lesion found in this study with twenty-four cases (60%). Among the malignant lesions, adenocarcinoma was the commonest malignancy followed by squamous cell carcinoma. Material in two cases was inadequate for interpretation. Adenocarcinoma was the commonest malignancy seen in females. However, adenocarcinoma was still more common in males overall. squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest malignancy seen in males. squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest malignancy among smokers. The diagnostic accuracy was 95% considering cytological criteria as the standard. Conclusion: transthoracic Ct-guided FnAC is a relatively safe and accurate procedure in the diagnosis of difficult lung lesions. FnAC should be used earlier and more frequently to shorten the diagnostic interval and allow more prompt therapy for persistent lung lesions.
Multi-user multimodulus algorithm in blind source separation and equalization for MIMO systems

In frequency selective channels, the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system introduces both inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-source interference to the receiver. Existing algorithms, such as the multi-user constant modulus algorithm (MU-CMA), suffer from steady state phase errors (if phase-locked loop is not used) and slow speed in symbol recovery from the above interferences. We propose a new blind source separation and equalization algorithm based on the multimodulus algorithm (MMA) and a cross-correlation function of all equalizer outputs to overcome the above problems. We will refer to our new algorithm as MU-MMA. The results show that MU-MMA can compensate the phase error and converge faster than MU-CMA.
Fault Diagnosis of DC-Link Capacitors in Three-Phase AC/DC PWM Converters by Online Estimation of Equivalent Series Resistance

In this paper, a novel scheme for the estimation of the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the dc-link electrolytic capacitor in three-phase ac/dc pulsewidth-modulation converters is proposed for condition monitoring. First, a controlled ac current component is injected into the input. Then, it induces ac voltage ripples on the dc output. By manipulating these ac voltage and current components with digital filters, the value of the ESR can be calculated, where the recursive least squares algorithm is used for reliable estimation results. In addition, the value of the ESR is corrected by considering the temperature effect, for which a simple temperature-sensing circuit has been designed. The simulation and experimental results show that the estimation error of the ESR is within a reasonable range, thereby enabling the determination of the appropriate time for the replacement of the capacitor.
A Novel Method for Resolving Problem of Tolerance in Radar Signal Sorting

Firstly, the problem of tolerance of radar signal sorting is analyzed in modern electronic warfare that faces even more complex and dense pulses environments. It has become a vital factor to reduce the efficiency of sorting of the conventional multi-parameters signal sorting system. Secondly, a novel radar signal sorting method is to be presented based on support vector clustering (SVC) and cascade coupling according to the idea of statistics learning theory. It prevented tolerance from affecting radar signal sorting. The simulation experiment shows that this method is efficient on high dense pulses and complex signals environments
A Conceptual Framework of Augmented Design

Tec hnology development i nfluences desi gn i n t wo ways. First, i t acc elerates t he emergence of many new products, systems or services that are digitally converged and interactive. New artifacts are becoming complex, intelligent and interactive. There has been more emphasis on creating new user experience which is satisfactory and enjoyable. Second, the introduction of new technologies has also influenced the design activities. New too ls are developed and influence the design activ ities. Th e ch anged activ ities are reflected in the creativ e design process. On e of the emerging techn ologies th at are highly related to d esign is aug mented reality. Au gmented reality (AR) is a fiel d of research which deals with th e co mbination of real-world and v irtual reality. Many researchers try to create tangible virtual worlds or virtually enhance the real world for better human exp erience. The m ain d esign issu e of augmented reality is h ow to ach ieve a seamless integration between the virtual world and the real world. It is also about enriching products and environments for pe ople. A ugmented Des ign is defi ned as enriching t he desi gn act ivity and enriching products and systems by new augmented reality technology for people. This definition is based on the fact that the term design is used as a verb and a noun. In a narrow sense, Augmented Design is considered as an application of augmented real ity. Augmented Design is based on the philosophy that the technology should augment the human mind and ab ility instead of rep lacing human. Augmented reality technologies have been around for some time in the technology domain, but little is stud ied on the value of this in design. Th is paper presen ts preliminary resu lts of t he research focusing on a conceptual framework, a su rvey of rel ated works on Augmented Design and the introduction of case study projects.
Ingenol Mebutate: A Promising Treatment for Actinic Keratoses and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers

Background: A new treatment for actinic keratoses, ingenol mebutate, was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Objective: To review the mechanisms of action, efficacy and safety data, and practical recommendations for ingenol mebutate. Methods: The PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched in March/April 2012 using the terms PEP005, ingenol mebutate, and ingenol 3-angelate. The abstracts from the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian College of Dermatologists (2009–2011) and the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (2009–2012) were also searched. Results: Due to its multiple mechanisms of action, ingenol mebutate treatment resulted in short- and long-term efficacy similar to other topical treatments for actinic keratoses in a shorter period of 2 or 3 days. This short therapy would reduce the duration of adverse events. Premarketing trials for treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers also showed promising results for ingenol mebutate. Conclusion: Ingenol mebutate is a convenient, safe, and effective intervention for precancerous and cancerous skin conditions.
Original article Blood-brain barrier breakdown and cerebellar degeneration in the course of experimental neoplastic disease. Are circulating Cytokine-Induced Neutrophil Chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) and -2α(CINC-2α) the involved mediators?

Cerebellar degeneration belongs to indirect effects of malignancy on the nervous system. Although the involvement of immune system is accepted as a hypothesis of its pathology, the clinical observations of ineffective immunomodulatory therapy suggest complex pathomechanisms, which await elucidation. The aim of this study was to prove the blood-brain barrier integrity, its relation to cerebellar degeneration and the role of circulating Cytokine-Induced Neutrophil Chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) and Cytokine-Induced Neutrophil Chemoattractant-2α (CINC-2α) in indirect effects of experimental malignancy. Two transplantable neoplasms: breast cancer (BC) and Morris hepatoma (MH) in rats were used in the study. The blood-brain barrier breakdown was clearly proved in the course of both malignancies. We observed also morphological signs of cerebellar degeneration in both models, with linear loss of Purkinje cells and homogenization changes more pronounced in breast cancer bearing rats. We have found a significant decrease of CINC-1 concentration in serum of rats with growing MH, however BC had no effect on CINC-1 concentration. Changes in serum CINC-2α concentrations in BC did not reach the level of significance, however in MH bearing rats the concentrations increased three weeks after tumour transplantation. In conclusion, we may state that the development of cerebellar degeneration as an indirect effect of experimental neoplasm can result from blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown and possible passage of neurotoxic factors. The decreased serum concentration of CINC-1 as neuroprotective agent and increased CINC-2α in late stage of MH may be considered for their contribution to cerebellar degeneration.
Cost analysis of metallic ureteral stents with 12 months of follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The metallic ureteral stent was first developed for patients with ureteral obstruction related to malignant disease, but it can be used in all patients needing chronic indwelling ureteral stents, including those with benign disease. The traditional method of polymer stent management often necessitates multiple exchanges per year depending on patient and logistical factors. This has significant direct financial cost and likely a negative effect on patients' overall health. The objective was to analyze and compare the costs associated with chronic indwelling metal and silicone-based ureteral stents. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective database of patients undergoing metal stent placement from February 2008 to June 2010 was reviewed. Mean charges for a single traditional nonmetal and metal stent insertion were calculated. Charges were based on direct hospital charges related to stent cost and surgery. Cost data were based on the fiscal year 2010 cost for polymer or metal stent insertions. RESULTS Twenty-one patients underwent metal stent placement at our institution. Of these, three traditional stent placements were omitted from analysis because of bundled charges for ureteroscopy at the same setting. Mean charges per single traditional and metal stent placement were $6072.75 and $9469.50, respectively. The estimated annual charges for traditional stents (3-6 exchanges) would be $18,218.25 to $36,436.50. Compared with metal stents, this is a potential financial savings of 48% to 74%. The mean direct cost to patients was 21.6% and 25.4% of the charges for metal and polymer stents, respectively. No patient needed early discontinuation of his or her metal stent because of lower urinary tract symptoms or gross hematuria. CONCLUSIONS Metal stents are well tolerated by patients with ureteral obstruction of various etiologies and provide a significant financial benefit compared with polymer ureteral stents. For patients who are not fit for surgical intervention regarding their ureteral occlusive disease, the metal Resonance stent is a financially advantageous and well-tolerated option.
Bordetella pertussis Lipid A Recognition by Toll-like Receptor 4 and MD-2 Is Dependent on Distinct Charged and Uncharged Interfaces*

Background: Glucosamine modification of Bordetella pertussis lipid A stimulates host-specific immunity. Results: Charged amino acids mediate host-specific responses to glucosamine modification, whereas uncharged amino acids are critical for responses to B. pertussis lipid A. Conclusion: Multiple sites of interaction, both conserved and unique, are utilized for discrimination of lipid A variants. Significance: This is the first study to systematically dissect penta-acylated lipid A recognition. Lipid A in LPS activates innate immunity through the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-MD-2 complex on host cells. Variation in lipid A has significant consequences for TLR4 activation and thus may be a means by which Gram-negative bacteria modulate host immunity. However, although even minor changes in lipid A structure have been shown to affect downstream immune responses, the mechanism by which the TLR4-MD-2 receptor complex recognizes these changes is not well understood. We previously showed that strain BP338 of the human pathogen Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, modifies its lipid A by the addition of glucosamine moieties that promote TLR4 activation in human, but not mouse, macrophages. Using site-directed mutagenesis and an NFκB reporter assay screen, we have identified several charged amino acid residues in TLR4 and MD-2 that are important for these species-specific responses; some of these are novel for responses to penta-acyl B. pertussis LPS, and their mutation does not affect the response to hexa-acylated Escherichia coli LPS or tetra-acylated lipid IVA. We additionally show evidence that suggests that recognition of penta-acylated B. pertussis lipid A is dependent on uncharged amino acids in TLR4 and MD-2 and that this is true for both human and mouse TLR4-MD-2 receptors. Taken together, we have demonstrated that the TLR4-MD-2 receptor complex recognizes variation in lipid A molecules using multiple sites for receptor-ligand interaction and propose that host-specific immunity to a particular Gram-negative bacterium is, at least in part, mediated by very subtle tuning of one of the earliest interactions at the host-pathogen interface.
Is age a risk factor for hypothyroidism in pregnancy? An analysis of 5223 pregnant women.

CONTEXT The guidelines of American Thyroid Association from 2011 include age over 30 as one of the risk factors for hypothyroidism in pregnancy. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to verify whether age increases the risk of autoimmune thyroid disease in pregnancy. DESIGN We performed a cross-sectional study in 2006-2008 with laboratory assessment in a single center using primary care gynecological ambulances in cooperation with a referral center. PATIENTS The study included 5223 consecutive pregnant women in gestational wk 9-12. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE We assessed the occurrence of pathological serum concentrations of TSH and/or antibodies against thyroperoxidase (TPOAb) with regard to age. Reference interval for TSH was 0.06-3.67 mU/liter; the upper cutoff value for TPOAb was 143 kU/liter. RESULTS Overall, 857 women (16.4%) were positively screened. Of these, 294 (5.63%) had TSH elevation, 146 (2.79%) had TSH suppression, 561 (10.74%) were TPOAb positive, and 417 (7.98%) were euthyroid and TPOAb positive. The average age of women was 31.1 yr. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 5.5 and 5.8% in women aged 30 or older and those under 30 yr, respectively (P value nonsignificant). Using a logistic regression model, we didn't find any significant association between age and serum TSH suppression, TSH elevation, or TPOAb positivity (P = 0.553, P = 0.680, and P = 0.056, respectively) or between age and TSH elevation with TPOAb positivity (P = 0.967). In a subgroup analysis of risk factors for hypothyroidism in 132 hypothyroid women, addition of age 30 or older increased the proportion of women identified in a case-finding screening strategy from 55.3 to 85.6%. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease does not increase with age in pregnant women; however, addition of age 30 or over to the case-finding screening strategy may substantially improve its efficiency due to a larger number of women screened.
Higher-Degree Orthogonal Graph Drawing with Flexibility Constraints

Much work on orthogonal graph drawing has focused on 4-planar graphs, that is planar graphs where all vertices have maximum degree 4. In this work, we study aspects of the Kandinsky model, which is a model for orthogonal graph drawings of higher-degree graphs. First, we examine the decision problem β-Embeddability, which asks whether for a given planar graph with a fixed or variable embedding, a drawing in the Kandinsky model exists where every edge has at most β bends. We show that 0-Embeddability in the Kandinsky model is equivalent to 0-Embeddability in the lower-degree case. We show that 1-Embeddability for multigraphs with variable planar embeddings is NP-complete. Then, we show that any simple graph is 1-embeddable, even if it has a fixed planar embedding, and we present a linear-time algorithm for finding a corresponding 1-bend drawing. Furthermore, we show to find a 2-bend Kandinsky drawing of any plane graph in linear time. Next, we study some restrictions of the bend minimization problem OptimalKandinskyDraw, which finds a Kandinsky drawing with the minimum number of bends for a plane graph. We present a lineartime algorithm solving OptimalKandinskyDraw for biconnected, outerplanar, inner-triangulated graphs. Then, we give an O(n3) time algorithm for finding bend-minimal 1-bend Kandinsky drawings of series-parallel graphs. Finally, we inquire into new ways to solve OptimalKandinskyDraw using linear programming. We show that for any constant c ∈ R a graph exists so that the difference between the real solution and the integer solution of the corresponding linear program is greater than c.
The Soluble NAD+-Reducing [NiFe]-Hydrogenase from Ralstonia eutropha H16 Consists of Six Subunits and Can Be Specifically Activated by NADPH

ABSTRACT The soluble [NiFe]-hydrogenase (SH) of the facultative lithoautotrophic proteobacterium Ralstonia eutropha H16 has up to now been described as a heterotetrameric enzyme. The purified protein consists of two functionally distinct heterodimeric moieties. The HoxHY dimer represents the hydrogenase module, and the HoxFU dimer constitutes an NADH-dehydrogenase. In the bimodular form, the SH mediates reduction of NAD+ at the expense of H2. We have purified a new high-molecular-weight form of the SH which contains an additional subunit. This extra subunit was identified as the product of hoxI, a member of the SH gene cluster (hoxFUYHWI). Edman degradation, in combination with protein sequencing of the SH high-molecular-weight complex, established a subunit stoichiometry of HoxFUYHI2. Cross-linking experiments indicated that the two HoxI subunits are the closest neighbors. The stability of the hexameric SH depended on the pH and the ionic strength of the buffer. The tetrameric form of the SH can be instantaneously activated with small amounts of NADH but not with NADPH. The hexameric form, however, was also activated by adding small amounts of NADPH. This suggests that HoxI provides a binding domain for NADPH. A specific reaction site for NADPH adds to the list of similarities between the SH and mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I).
Radial Distribution System Analysis using Data Structure in MATLAB Environment

This paper presents a new approach to the radial distribution system (RDS) analysis. The proposed algorithm makes use of data structure (DS) in a MATLAB programming environment. It avoids the use of unique lateral node and branch numbering process that is otherwise required. The proposed method forms a Bus Incidence Matrix (BIM) which is then processed to create a DS. The DS and MATLAB code for its formulation and the analysis of a RDS is presented. A number of examples have been considered which have been successfully solved. The performance of this method is detailed. Additionally, as this DS is dynamically declared and alterable, it can handle rapidly changing topology of RDS.
Quantitative MRI of spinal cord injury in a rat model

Sequential in vivo MRI studies of experimental spinal cord injuries (SCI) were performed using a three‐dimensional implementation of the FATE (Fast low‐Angle spin echo sequence with short TE) sequence. MRI‐observed pathology was quantified using a multispectral segmentation algorithm. Neurological analysis was performed on the same animals concurrently, in addition to end‐point histology, for comparison with quantitative MRI results. These studies suggest that it is possible to use MRI to detect the onset of secondary injury in the spinal cord. The data also indicate that early detection of MRI‐visible pathology may provide the necessary markers for predicting the long‐term level of neurologic deficit.