Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cost-effective reliability-and energy-based intra-WBAN interference mitigation

This paper considers the problem of intra-interference in a Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN). The problem arises mainly because each bio-sensor collects different parameters with different data rate and alternation. Another source of interference is related to normal patient movement. Proposals in the literature usually assume that the interference can be handled using time multiplexing or by listening before transmission to avoid collision. However, these adaptive approaches, given the high-occupancy channels, bring with them major problems of collision and extra energy consumption. One solution could be a power control mechanism. Nevertheless, techniques of that kind are challenging in that they require periodic information on the condition of the wireless channels, conditions that are difficult to estimate. To address these concerns, a tree-based WBAN topology using a set of relay nodes with stable communication called a "virtual backbone" is proposed. As bio-sensors report data mainly in uplink traffic, it is assumed that they share a small number of wireless channels using the TDMA technique. Relay nodes, on the other hand, share the most number of channels in order to improve the fluidity of data across the WBAN. To mitigate co-channel interference among relays, two techniques from the literature called the adaptive data rate and the adaptive duty cycle are used. Simulation experiments showed that the proposed architecture, when combined with intra-interference mitigation techniques, improves energy efficiency and increases data rate.
Tools for multitemporal analysis and classification of multisource satellite imagery

As acquisition technology progresses, remote sensing data contains an ever increasing amount of information. Future projects in remote sensing will give high repeatability of acquisition like Venμs (CNES1) which may provide data every 2 days with a resolution of 5.3 meters on 12 bands (420nm–900nm) and Sentinel−2 (ESA) 13 bands, 10–60m resolution and 5 days. With such data, process automation appears crucial. For that purpose, we develop several algorithms to automate image processing (classification, segmentation, interpretation, etc.). In this paper, we present an algorithm of automatic analysis which selects the best dataset of dates maximizing classification quality indices. We create two indices to evaluate jointly accuracy and precision. We present tests performed on Formosat-2 images which are similar to Venμs and Sentinel−2 for temporal repetitiveness. These tests allow validating the presented process for temporal discrimination improvement.
Effects of Isoflurane on Vascular Tone and Circulatory Autoregulation in the Feline Small Intestine

The vascular response in autoperfused small intestine was studied in ten cats during basal chloralose anaesthesia and controlled ventilation with either air, nitrous oxide/oxygen (70/30) or 0.7% end‐tidal concentration of isoflurane + nitrous oxide/oxygen (70/30). Intestinal blood flow was measured by the optical drop recording technique, and intestinal perfusion pressure was kept constant at either 100, 75 or 50 mmHg (13.30, 9.98 or 6.65 kPa). At perfusion pressures of 100 and 75 mmHg (13.30 and 9.98 kPa), intestinal blood flow was significantly increased and intestinal vascular resistance decreased during isoflurane + nitrous oxide/oxygen anaesthesia, compared with nitrous oxide/oxygen or air. According to the equation of closed loop gain (Gf), autoregulation was active in the pressure range 100‐75 mmHg (13.30‐9.98 kPa). In the pressure range 75‐50 mmHg (9.98‐6.65 kPa), the autoregulatory capacity was attenuated during air or nitrous oxide/oxygen and absent during isoflurane + nitrous oxide/oxygen. The vasodilator responses and the autoregulatory pattern were not changed by post‐ganglionic intestinal denervation. The intestinal vasodilator effect of isoflurane was further investigated in the denervated intestine, perfused at systemic arterial pressure by local intra‐arterial administration of isoflurane dissolved in a fat emulsion. A dosedependent vasodilator response was hereby observed.
Effect of elapsed time from coronary angiography until off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery on postoperative renal function.

BACKGROUND A new concern in acute kidney injury (AKI) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the elapsed time from coronary angiography (CAG) until subsequent surgery. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate renal function following elective off-pump CABG (OPCAB). METHODS AND RESULTS Three hundred and seven patients were divided either into group A (elapsed time between CAG and surgery ≤5 days, n=138) or B (elapsed time >5 days, n=169). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was obtained on the 1st, 3rd and 7th day following CABG. The pre-, intra-and postoperative relevant data were analyzed. 51 patients (16.6%) developed postoperative AKI. Patients with shorter elapsed time were more likely to present postoperative AKI than those with a longer elapsed time (23.9% vs. 10.7%, P=0.003). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elapsed time had an independent influence on the development of postoperative AKI (odds ratio 2.35, 95% confidence interval 1.45-5.26, P=0.009). The eGFR reduced gradually after surgery, dropped to a minimum within 3 days, and then increased slowly in both groups. Minimum eGFR following surgery in group B was significantly higher than that in group A (64.3±6.5ml/min vs. 59.2±9.3ml/min, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Beginning OPCAB early after CAG did affect postoperative renal function and increased the incidence of AKI.
Controlled ventilation or spontaneous respiration in anesthesia for tracheobronchial foreign body removal: a meta‐analysis

Either controlled ventilation or spontaneous respiration is commonly used in general anesthesia for inhaled foreign body removal via rigid bronchoscopy. Controversy in the literature exists concerning which form of ventilation is optimally suited for bronchoscopy. We performed a meta‐analysis to compare controlled ventilation and spontaneous respiration with respect to complications, operation time, and anesthesia recovery time.
The role of titanium implant surface modification with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in progressive early bone-implant fixation in vivo.

PURPOSE This study evaluated the biologic effect in vivo of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticle surface modification on commercially pure titanium or titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Miniature cylindric titanium and Ti-6Al-4V implants were pretreated with dual acid etching (DAE), and a subset was further modified with HA nanoparticles using discrete crystalline deposition (DCD). The resultant implant surface topography was characterized by interferometry and scanning electron microscopy. Miniature implants of DAE titanium, DAE Ti-6Al-4V, DCD titanium, and DCD Ti-6Al-4V were surgically placed in the femora of rats. After 4 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks of healing, osseointegration was evaluated by implant push-in tests or microcomputed tomography (microCT). Ti-6Al-4V samples were harvested at week 2 and prepared for nondecalcified histology and subjected to bone-to-implant contact (BIC) measurement. RESULTS DCD treatment generated a complex surface morphology via the bonded HA nanoparticles. However, the amplitude and spatial, hybrid, and functional surface roughness parameters measured at the micron and submicron levels did not depict topographic differences between the DAE and the DCD-modified implants. DAE titanium and DAE Ti-6Al-4V implants showed a sharp increase in push-in values at week 1, followed by a plateau at week 2. DCD titanium and DCD Ti-6Al-4V implants showed similar sharp increases at week 1, but the push-in values continued to increase at week 2. The surrounding bone architecture evaluated by microCT and the BIC ratio did not correlate with the biomechanical implant osseointegration measurement. CONCLUSIONS DCD-derived surface modification with HA nanoparticles on titanium and Ti-6Al-4V implants resulted in progressive osseointegration profiles that were distinctively different from those of DAE controls. Surrogate measurements such as surface roughness parameters and BIC did not predict the biologic effect of the DCD treatment. The data indicate that early osseointegration may be more sensitively regulated by nanoscale surface characteristics.
Hepatic Lipid Peroxidation and Cytochrome P-450 2E1 in Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Its Subtypes

Goal To compare hepatic lipid peroxidation and cytochrome P-450 2E1 (CYP2E1) protein content in liver biopsies from children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and 2 control groups. Background Elevated hepatic lipid peroxidation resulting from increased hepatic CYP2E1 enzyme activity is involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in adults, but studies in children are lacking. Study Liver biopsies from 59 children with NAFLD (49 with NASH), 10 children with normal liver histology, and 9 children with mild chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection were examined. Hepatic malondialdehyde (a measure of lipid peroxidation) levels and CYP2E1 protein content were quantitated, as a percentage of the total area, by immunohistochemical staining of liver biopsy material followed by digital image quantitation. Results Lipid peroxidation was significantly greater in NAFLD liver biopsies (46.7±20.8%) compared with biopsies from children with normal liver histology (7.6±9.4%; P<0.001) or HCV infection (7.7±7.6%; P<0.001). However, hepatic CYP2E1 expression was not different across the NAFLD, normal liver histology, and HCV groups (60.7±8.7%, 53.5±10.7%, and 60.0±11.9%, respectively; P=0.116). Among children with NAFLD, lipid peroxidation and CYP2E1 protein content did not differ between biopsies with and without NASH. Body mass index was independently associated with hepatic lipid peroxidation levels (r=0.549; P<0.001). Conclusions Hepatic lipid peroxidation is increased in children with NAFLD but this is not related to hepatic CYP2E1 expression. No difference in lipid peroxidation in pediatric NAFLD versus NASH argues against a role in disease progression.
Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetite Nanoparticles, Activated Carbon and their Composites

Magnetite nanoparticle (MNP), Fe3O4 was prepared via co-precipitation method, activated carbon was produced from coconut coir pith through chemical activation process. As coconut coir showed maximum weight loss at temperatures lower than 500°C, it was carbonized at 400°C in a muffle furnace in the absence of air after which it was cooled and impregnated with H3PO4. The synthesized Fe3O4 was composited with powder activated carbon synthesized from coconut coir pith in two forms. The adsorbents synthesized were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The physicochemical parameter employed include, Brunauer Emmett and Teller (BET) surface area, percentage yield, bulk density, pH, pzc, surface area, iodine value, moisture contents, volatile components, while the spectroscopic methods include Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The surface areas of MAG, ACT, MAG-AC (1:3) and MAG-AC (1:5) composites were found to be 276.956, 833.641, 444.095 and 454.569 m2/g, respectively which falls within the range of their specific surface area with the pore volume and pore sizes of (10.97, 32.86, 17.27 and 15.73 cc/g) and 3.015, 3.148, 3.091 and 3.335 nm respectively. The synthesized adsorbents can be used for a variety of environmental application including treatment of drinking water, removing colour from industrial effluents and removal of heavy metals due to their high surface area and porosity.
Recent Radiation within Y‐chromosomal Haplogroup R‐M269 Resulted in High Y‐STR Haplotype Resemblance

Y‐chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y‐STRs) are often used in addition to Y‐chromosomal single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (Y‐SNP) to detect subtle patterns in a population genetic structure. There are, however, indications for Y‐STR haplotype resemblance across different subhaplogroups within haplogroup R1b1b2 (R‐M269) which may lead to erosion in the observation of the population genetic pattern. Hence the question arises whether Y‐STR haplotypes are still informative beyond high‐resolution Y‐SNP genotyping for population genetic studies. To address this question, we genotyped the Y chromosomes of more than 1000 males originating from the West‐European regions of Flanders (Belgium), North‐Brabant and Limburg (the Netherlands) at the highest resolution of the current Y‐SNP tree together with 38 commonly used Y‐STRs. We observed high resemblance of Y‐STR haplotypes between males belonging to different subhaplogroups of haplogroup R‐M269. Several subhaplogroups within R‐M269 could not be distinguished from each other based on differences in Y‐STR haplotype variation. The most likely hypothesis to explain this similarity of Y‐STR haplotypes within the population of R‐M269 members is a recent radiation where various subhaplogroups originated within a relatively short time period. We conclude that high‐resolution Y‐SNP typing rather than Y‐STR typing might be more useful to study population genetic patterns in (Western) Europe.
Impedance Shaping based on Bilateral Control in Teleoperation System

Nowadays, teleoperation is utilized in many areas such as medical care and space exploration. Teleoperation system enables an operator to undertake precise work in such inaccessible or hazardous environment. In bilateral teleoperation, the transmission of force sensation is important. In other words, the impedance transmitted to an operator should be equal to environmental impedance. That is the goal of bilateral teleoperation and defined as transparency. Also, it is possible to alter force sensation by using bilateral control. This idea is valuable when the characteristics of task impedance are different from those of human world, such as micro world. In case of tele-manipulating the objects which are in the place where the characteristics are different from those in human world, work performance would be improved if an operator can manipulate the objects as they are in human world. In this paper, we propose the impedance shaping based on bilateral control. The validity and stability of the proposed control system is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally.
Functional characterization in vivo of mutant p53 molecules derived from squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck

Loss of wild‐type p53, either through deletion or mutation, has been demonstrated in most squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC). Whether these mutant molecules contribute to tumor progression purely through loss of wild‐type functions or by growth‐promoting mechanisms, however, remains unclear. To begin to address these issues, we isolated a series of p53 cDNAs from HNSCC cell lines that contain missense or nonsense point mutations, insertions, or deletions. The ability of each of these molecules to transform NIH/3T3 cells to a malignant phenotype was assessed by stable transfection and expression under the control of a strong heterologous promoter. NIH/3T3 cells transfected with pLTR6p53, which harbors an H179L missense mutation, formed large tumors rapidly (in less than 4 wk) when transplanted to athymic mice, as did cells expressing pLTR13p53, which had undergone a V173F missense mutation and an in‐frame deletion of 48 bp between codons 208 and 223. Cells transfected with pLTR17p53, predicted from the nucleotide sequence to encode a severely truncated p53 corresponding to the N‐terminal 56 amino acids, also formed tumors. Cells transfected with pLTR15p53, which was predicted to encode a less severely truncated molecule, formed much smaller tumors and at lower frequencies. NIH/3T3 cells transfected with pLTR12p53 (exon 7 splice donor mutant), pLTRwtp53 (wild‐type p53), or vector alone failed to form tumors for up to 2 mo after transplantation. pLTR6p53‐transfected cells exhibited a highly malignant phenotype with invasion of regional lymph nodes, mediastinal and lung metastases, invasion of the abdominal wall, and dissemination throughout the peritoneal cavity. Histological asssessment of the tumors revealed intensely vascularized fibrosarcomas with numerous cellular atypia, including frequent and aberrant mitoses. Tumor explants were recultured, and northern blot analysis of cellular RNA confirmed that the expression of exogenous p53 was maintained in each case. These data indicate that different p53 mutants contribute to tumorigenesis by specific mechanisms. Furthermore, the results obtained by using the pLTR17p53 transfectants imply that some truncated molecules may overcome the effects of wild‐type p53 to contribute to malignancy. Mol. Carcinog. 18:78–88, 1997. © 1977 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Last Step of Syringyl Monolignol Biosynthesis in Angiosperms Is Regulated by a Novel Gene Encoding Sinapyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase

Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD; EC 1.1.1.195) has been thought to mediate the reduction of both coniferaldehyde and sinapaldehyde into guaiacyl and syringyl monolignols in angiosperms. Here, we report the isolation of a novel aspen gene (PtSAD) encoding sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase (SAD), which is phylogenetically distinct from aspen CAD (PtCAD). Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based enzyme functional analysis and substrate level–controlled enzyme kinetics consistently demonstrated that PtSAD is sinapaldehyde specific and that PtCAD is coniferaldehyde specific. The enzymatic efficiency of PtSAD for sinapaldehyde was ∼60 times greater than that of PtCAD. These data suggest that in addition to CAD, discrete SAD function is essential to the biosynthesis of syringyl monolignol in angiosperms. In aspen stem primary tissues, PtCAD was immunolocalized exclusively to xylem elements in which only guaiacyl lignin was deposited, whereas PtSAD was abundant in syringyl lignin–enriched phloem fiber cells. In the developing secondary stem xylem, PtCAD was most conspicuous in guaiacyl lignin–enriched vessels, but PtSAD was nearly absent from these elements and was conspicuous in fiber cells. In the context of additional protein immunolocalization and lignin histochemistry, these results suggest that the distinct CAD and SAD functions are linked spatiotemporally to the differential biosynthesis of guaiacyl and syringyl lignins in different cell types. SAD is required for the biosynthesis of syringyl lignin in angiosperms.
The Epidemiology of Needlestick and Sharp Instrument Accidents in a Nigerian Hospital

Abstract Objectives: To characterize the epidemiology of percutaneous injuries of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Design: A cross-sectional survey of a randorn sample of HCWs regarding details of needle-stick and sharp instrument injuries within the previous year Setting: University hospital and clinics in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Participants: Hospital personnel with potential occupational exposure to patients' blood. Results: Needlestick accidents during the previous year were reported by 27% of 474 HCWs, including 100% of dentists, 81% of surgeons, 32% of nonsurgical physicians, and 31% of nursing staff. The rate of needlestick injuries was 0.6 per person-year overall: 2.3 for dentists, 2.3 for surgeons, 0.4 for nonsurgical physicians, and 0.6 for nursing staff. Circumstances associated with needlestick injuries included unexpected patient movement in 29%, handling or disposal of used needles in 23%, needle recapping in 18%, accidental stick by a colleague in and needle disassembly in 10%. Sharp instrument injuries were reported by 15% of and most commonly involved broken glass patient specimen containers (39%). Almost all were aware of the potential risk of HIV transmission through percutaneous injuries, and 91% considered themselves very concerned about their occupational risk of HIV acquisition. Conclusions: The high frequency of percutaneous exposure to blood among HCWs in this Nigerian hospital potentially could be reduced by simple interventions at modest cost.
Impairment of Hepatitis B Virus Virion Secretion by Single-Amino-Acid Substitutions in the Small Envelope Protein and Rescue by a Novel Glycosylation Site

ABSTRACT Mutations in the S region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope gene are associated with immune escape, occult infection, and resistance to therapy. We previously identified naturally occurring mutations in the S gene that alter HBV virion secretion. Here we used transcomplementation assay to confirm that the I110M, G119E, and R169P mutations in the S domain of viral envelope proteins impair virion secretion and that an M133T mutation rescues virion secretion of the I110M and G119E mutants. The G119E mutation impaired detection of secreted hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), suggesting immune escape. The R169P mutant protein is defective in HBsAg secretion as well and has a dominant negative effect when it is coexpressed with wild-type envelope proteins. Although the S domain is present in all three envelope proteins, the I110M, G119E, and R169P mutations impair virion secretion through the small envelope protein. Conversely, coexpression of just the small envelope protein of the M133T mutant could rescue virion secretion. The M133T mutation could also overcome the secretion defect caused by the G145R immune-escape mutation or mutation at N146, the site of N-linked glycosylation. In fact, the M133T mutation creates a novel N-linked glycosylation site (131NST133). Destroying this site by N131Q/T mutation or preventing glycosylation by tunicamycin treatment of transfected cells abrogated the effect of the M133T mutation. Our findings demonstrate that N-linked glycosylation of HBV envelope proteins is critical for virion secretion and that the secretion defect caused by mutations in the S protein can be rescued by an extra glycosylation site.
Increasing Heat Tolerance in Broiler by Using Thermal Manipulation During Embryonic Development

There has been a great increase in the demand, during the past years, for poultry production including meat and egg production associated with its low cost, good nutritional profile and suitability for further processing. This growing demand in poultry products has led to progressive increases in genetic selection not only for producing fast-growing birds [1,2] and increase egg production from egg type chicken [3] but also to use of poultry and chick embryos in medical research and pharmaceutical industry [4]. Therefore, it is necessary to know the environmental factors that affect poultry production efficiency and growth performance.