Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of personal protection equipment, occupant body size, and restraint system on the frontal impact responses of Hybrid III ATDs in tactical vehicles

ABSTRACT Objective: Although advanced restraint systems, such as seat belt pretensioners and load limiters, can provide improved occupant protection in crashes, such technologies are currently not utilized in military vehicles. The design and use of military vehicles presents unique challenges to occupant safety—including differences in compartment geometry and occupant clothing and gear—that make direct application of optimal civilian restraint systems to military vehicles inappropriate. For military vehicle environments, finite element (FE) modeling can be used to assess various configurations of restraint systems and determine the optimal configuration that minimizes injury risk to the occupant. The models must, however, be validated against physical tests before implementation. The objective of this study was therefore to provide the data necessary for FE model validation by conducting sled tests using anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs). A secondary objective of this test series was to examine the influence of occupant body size (5th percentile female, 50th percentile male, and 95th percentile male), military gear (helmet/vest/tactical assault panels), seat belt type (3-point and 5-point), and advanced seat belt technologies (pretensioner and load limiter) on occupant kinematics and injury risk in frontal crashes. Methods: In total, 20 frontal sled tests were conducted using a custom sled buck that was reconfigurable to represent both the driver and passenger compartments of a light tactical military vehicle. Tests were performed at a delta-V of 30 mph and a peak acceleration of 25 g. The sled tests used the Hybrid III 5th percentile female, 50th percentile male, and 95th percentile male ATDs outfitted with standard combat boots and advanced combat helmets. In some tests, the ATDs were outfitted with additional military gear, which included an improved outer tactical vest (IOTV), IOTV and squad automatic weapon (SAW) gunner with a tactical assault panel (TAP), or IOTV and rifleman with TAP. ATD kinematics and injury outcomes were determined for each test. Results: Maximum excursions were generally greater in the 95th percentile male compared to the 50th percentile male ATD and in ATDs wearing TAP compared to ATDs without TAP. Pretensioners and load limiters were effective in decreasing excursions and injury measures, even when the ATD was outfitted in military gear. Conclusions: ATD injury response and kinematics are influenced by the size of the ATD, military gear, and restraint system. This study has provided important data for validating FE models of military occupants, which can be used for design optimization of military vehicle restraint systems.
Effect of naloxone on intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the effect of naloxone on intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy under total intravenous anesthesia.A total of 90 patients, who underwent intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy under total intravenous anesthesia, were included into this study. All patients were randomly divided into 3 groups (each group, n=30): naloxone group (naloxone+fentanyl), tropisetron group (tropisetron+fentanyl), and fentanyl group (fentanyl). Patients in each group were given a corresponding dose of naloxone. Postoperative analgesia effect and the incidence of side effects such as nausea and vomiting were observed.Small doses of naloxone or tropisetron combined with fentanyl used for intravenous patient-controlled analgesia can significantly reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting. Six hours after surgery, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were significantly lower in patients that underwent intravenous patient-controlled analgesia using low-dose naloxone combined with fentanyl compared with patients who received fentanyl alone; however, the postoperative analgesic effect of tropisetron was not observed. Compared with the combination of tropisetron and fentanyl, low-dose naloxone combined with fentanyl can obviously reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting in patients who underwent intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and enhance the analgesic effect of fentanyl 6 hours after surgery.Low-dose naloxone can reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting in patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy under total intravenous anesthesia, and exhibits a certain synergic analgesic effect.
'Neural-gas' network for vector quantization and its application to time-series prediction

A neural network algorithm based on a soft-max adaptation rule is presented. This algorithm exhibits good performance in reaching the optimum minimization of a cost function for vector quantization data compression. The soft-max rule employed is an extension of the standard K-means clustering procedure and takes into account a neighborhood ranking of the reference (weight) vectors. It is shown that the dynamics of the reference (weight) vectors during the input-driven adaptation procedure are determined by the gradient of an energy function whose shape can be modulated through a neighborhood determining parameter and resemble the dynamics of Brownian particles moving in a potential determined by the data point density. The network is used to represent the attractor of the Mackey-Glass equation and to predict the Mackey-Glass time series, with additional local linear mappings for generating output values. The results obtained for the time-series prediction compare favorably with the results achieved by backpropagation and radial basis function networks.
Genetic Stability of Micropropagated Ginger Derived from Axillary Bud through Cytophotometric and RAPD Analysis

A protocol was developed for the in vitro propagation of ginger (Zingiber officinale) cv. Suprava using dormant axillary buds from unsprouted rhizomes. The dormant axillary buds embedded in the rhizome nodes were induced to sprout when cultured on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA) alone (1 - 6 mg/l) or with a combination of BA (1 - 6 mg/l) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.5, 1 mg/l). In vitro sprouted buds were transferred to the multiplication medium containing various combinations of auxins and cytokinins. MS basal medium supplemented with BA (1 mg/l), IAA (1 mg/l) and adenine sulfate (100 mg/l) was found optimum for the in vitro multiplication of shoots producing (8.2 ± 0.2) shoots from a single explant within 30 days of culture. The multiplication rate remained unchanged in subsequent subcultures. Rooting of shoots occurred in the same multiplication media. Upon transfer of the in vitro culture to ex vitro in pots, 96% of plants survived and established successfully under natural conditions. Tissue culture-raised plantlets of ginger could be conserved in vitro through subculturing at an interval of 4 months. The genetic stability of micropropagated clones was evaluated at regular intervals of 6 months up to 24 months in culture using cytophotometric estimation of 4C nuclear DNA content and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Cytophotometric analysis revealed a unimodal distribution of the DNA content with a peak corresponding to the 4C value (23.1 pg), and RAPD analysis revealed monomorphic bands showing the absence of polymorphism in all fifty regenerants analyzed, thus confirming the genetic uniformity among in vitro grown somaclones of Z. officinale. This study is of commercial significance as axillary bud explants are available throughout the year for initiating a fresh culture of the elite ginger cv. Suprava to be used as a source of true-to-type disease-free planting material thereby minimizing the adverse effect of repeated subculturing from the same explant source.
A Synthetic Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule Mimetic Peptide Promotes Synaptogenesis, Enhances Presynaptic Function, and Facilitates Memory Consolidation

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) plays a critical role in development and plasticity of the nervous system and is involved in the mechanisms of learning and memory. Here, we show that intracerebroventricular administration of the FG loop (FGL), a synthetic 15 amino acid peptide corresponding to the binding site of NCAM for the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), immediately after training rats in fear conditioning or water maze learning, induced a long-lasting improvement of memory. In primary cultures of hippocampal neurons, FGL enhanced the presynaptic function through activation of FGFR1 and promoted synapse formation. These results provide the first evidence for a memory-facilitating effect resulting from a treatment that mimics NCAM function. They suggest that increased efficacy of synaptic transmission and formation of new synapses probably mediate the cognition-enhancing properties displayed by the peptide.
Aspergillus Infections in Transplant Recipients

SUMMARY Aspergillus infections are occurring with an increasing frequency in transplant recipients. Notable changes in the epidemiologic characteristics of this infection have occurred; these include a change in risk factors and later onset of infection. Management of invasive aspergillosis continues to be challenging, and the mortality rate, despite the use of newer antifungal agents, remains unacceptably high. Performing molecular studies to discern new targets for antifungal activity, identifying signaling pathways that may be amenable to immunologic interventions, assessing combination regimens of antifungal agents or combining antifungal agents with modulation of the host defense mechanisms, and devising diagnostic assays that can rapidly and reliably diagnose infections represent areas for future investigations that may lead to further improvement in outcomes.
The mass and number size distributions of black carbon aerosol over Europe

Abstract. Black carbon-containing aerosol particles play an important role in the direct and indirect radiative forcing of climate. However, the magnitude and sign of the net radiative effect is strongly dependent on the physical properties of the black carbon (BC) component of the particles, such as mass concentration, number size distribution and mixing state. Here we use a global aerosol model combined with aircraft measurements of BC particle number and size from the Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) to assess the realism with which these physical properties are predicted by global models. The comparison reveals a substantial mismatch between the measured and modelled BC size distribution over the size range of the SP2 instrument (90–400 nm BC diameter). The model predicts BC particle number concentrations a factor ~3.5–5.7 higher than measured and a mode diameter that is ~40–65 nm smaller than observed. More than ~90% of the model particles with dry diameters g260 nm contain BC, while the observations suggest only 14% on average. These model–observation biases in the BC properties are considerably greater than for the overall particle distribution, suggesting that the discrepancy is associated with model assumptions about the size and mixing state of the emitted carbonaceous particles. We expect the discrepancy in BC size distribution to be common among most global aerosol models, with implications for model estimates of absorption optical depth and direct radiative forcing.
EVENLY MATCHED COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES : DYNAMIC DIFFICULTY ADAPTATION IN A GAME-BASED LEARNING SYSTEM

Game-based learning is a highly motivational learning approach, with appropriate difficulty level being the key to level of motivation in this type of learning. However, it is not easy to adapt the difficulty of game-based learning for some students. This study proposes two evenly matched competitive strategies to dynamically adapt the difficulty of game-based learning during the game, while matching game progress and maintaining evenly matched game results. The strategies are designed to realize a even opportunity tactic to manipulate perceived performance in game-based learning. This study also proposes three adaptation methods: Adjusting the complexity of learning tasks, uncertain game factors, and virtual characters to realize the strategies. A system was implemented and two preliminary experiments were conducted with a total of 56 participants to validate the strategies and adaptations. The results of the experiments show that adaptations based on strategies can dynamically adjust in order for different students to keep the game evenly matched.
Effects of tailored telemonitoring on heart failure patients’ knowledge, self-care, self-efficacy and adherence: A randomized controlled trial

Background: The education of patients with heart failure (HF) is an essential part of disease management. The perspectives of an increasing number of patients and a shortage of professionals force healthcare to explore new strategies in supporting patients to be better informed and more active. Methods: Three hundred and eighty-two patients with HF (age 71±SD 11.2 years) were randomly assigned to either a telemonitoring or a usual care group. Patients received four postal questionnaires to assess their levels of self-reported knowledge, self-care, self-efficacy and adherence. Generalized estimating equations analysis was performed to assess the effects of telemonitoring during the 1-year follow-up. Corrections for baseline were performed if needed. Results: Baseline differences between groups were found for self-care (p=0.001) and self-efficacy (p=0.024). Knowledge of patients in the telemonitoring group significantly improved with 0.9 point on a 15-points scale (p<0.001). Their self-care abilities improved with 1.5 point on a 10-item scale whereas no changes were found in patients receiving usual care (p<0.001). Self-efficacy of patients in the intervention group improved significantly after 6 months yet was not significantly different after 3 months and 1 year. For patients in the intervention group adherence improved for daily weighing (p<0.001) during the whole follow-up and for fluid intake (p=0.019) after 3 months and after 12 months (p=0.086). Adherence for activity recommendations improved (p=0.023) after 3 months and importance of medication adherence increased after 6 (p=0.012) and 12 months (p=0.037). No effects were found regarding appointments, diet, smoking and use of alcohol. Conclusions: Tailored telemonitoring was found to educate patients with HF and to improve their self-care abilities and sense of self-efficacy.
Ultrasonic guided waves in bone

Recent progress in quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has shown increasing interest toward measuring long bones by ultrasonic guided waves. This technology is widely used in the field of nondestructive testing and evaluation of different waveguide structures. Cortical bone provides such an elastic waveguide and its ability to sustain loading and resist fractures is known to be related to its mechanical properties at different length scales. Because guided waves could yield diverse characterizations of the bone's mechanical properties at the macroscopic level, the method of guided waves has a strong potential over the standardized bone densitometry as a tool for bone assessment. Despite this, development of guided wave methods is challenging, e.g., due to interferences and rnultiparametric inversion problems. This paper discusses the promises and challenges related to bone characterization by ultrasonic guided waves.
Identification of highly influential individuals in a rural social network

The purpose of this paper is to gain insights to improve effectiveness of an intervention. This is achieved by visualizing the flow of information through a social network constructed in order to motivate behavior change. Early adopters in this social network are identified by computing an F-score[2] for individuals, which corresponds to their influence within their communities. This influence decays with distance across the network. Thus, highly influential individuals in communities are identified. This information can potentially be used to improve the efficiency of this intervention.
Risk factors for malaria and adverse birth outcomes in a prospective cohort of pregnant women resident in a high malaria transmission area of Papua New Guinea.

BACKGROUND Low birth weight (LBW), anaemia and malaria are common in Papua New Guinean women. METHODS To identify risk factors for LBW, anaemia and preterm delivery (PTD), pregnant women recruited into a cohort study in Madang, Papua New Guinea, were followed to delivery. RESULTS Of 470 women enrolled, delivery data were available for 328 (69.7%). By microscopy, 34.4% (113/328) of women had malaria parasitaemia at enrolment and 12.5% (41/328) at delivery; at each time point, PCR detected sub-microscopic parasitaemia in substantially more. Most infections were with Plasmodium falciparum; the remainder being predominantly P. vivax. Anaemia and smoking were associated with lower birth weight, and LBW (16.7%; 51/305) and PTD (21.8%; 63/290) were common. Histopathologically diagnosed chronic placental malaria was associated with LBW (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.3; p=0.048) and PTD (aOR 4.2; p=0.01). Lack of maternal education predisposed to PTD. Sub-microscopic parasitaemia at delivery appeared to increase the risk of LBW. Of the genetic polymorphisms, Southeast Asian ovalocytosis, α(+)-thalassaemia and complement receptor 1 (CR1) deficiency, a CR1 heterozygous genotype was associated with decreased risk of anaemia and substantial but non-significant effects were noted in other comparisons. CONCLUSIONS In coastal Papua New Guinea, malaria and anaemia are important causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
STUDIES ON INDUCED RESISTANCE AGAINST ISOTRANSPLANTS OF VIRUS-INDUCED LEUKEMIA.

SUMMARY The antigenicity of several well established Moloney virus-induced transplantable leukemias was studied. Resistance was developed by pretreatment of isologous mice with x-radiated tumor tissue. In general, the neoplasms grew more rapidly in preirradiated mice (400 r) than in normal mice, and at low inoculum concentrations a higher percentage of tumors was observed in the pre-irradiated animals. Different Moloney virus-induced leukemias were shown to cross-react. The resistance devel oped by pretreatment with x-radiated tumor suspensions of Moloney virus-induced leukemias did not inhibit the growth of a leukemia induced by the Rauscher virus. In BALB/c mice infected with Moloney virus transient interference with the growth of an isologous Moloney virus-induced leukemia was observed.
Wireless tactile sensing element using stress-sensitive resonator

Robots that work with humans require a soft sensor skin to cover the entire body. In this paper, we propose a new method to realize such a skin. By implanting wireless sensing elements in an elastic body, we obtain an elastic and tough sensor skin which is able to be shaped freely. The element is a passive resonator chip whose resonant frequency reflects the stress around the chip. The resonant frequency is read out by a ground coil located at the bottom of the skin. The chip is simply composed of three functional parts: a coil for receiving and transmitting electrical power with wireless coupling, capacitance sensitive to stress, and ceramic resonator to provide high-Q resonance. The high quality factor brought by the ceramic resonator enables one to distinguish a large number of chips, and to sense the stress with high accuracy. The structure, the method of wireless signal detection, and basic experiments of tactile sensing are presented.
Left ventricular remodelling in the year after myocardial infarction: an echocardiographic, haemodynamic, and radionuclide angiographie study

BackgroundThe factors that influence infarct expansion early after myocardial infarction have been identified; however, there is less information about late-phase left ventricular enlargement. This study was designed to identify the clinical, haemodynamic, echocardiographic. and radionuclide angiographie criteria that predict the progress of left ventricular dilation after discharge for a first-anterior myocardial infarction. MethodsSixty-seven patients with first Q-wave acute anterior myocardial infarction not treated with thrombolytic agents underwent baseline echocardiographic, haemodynamic, and radionuclide angiographie evaluation 4–7 days after the onset of symptoms. The echocardiographic and radionuclide evaluations were repeated after 1 year in the 55 patients who completed the follow-up. By multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis, left ventricular end-diastolic volume after 1 year and change from baseline were modelled as a function of baseline left ventricular end-diastolic volume and other potential predictors. ResultsA model including left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, global wall motion score, baseline left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIM! ) score of 0–1 was able to predict 84% of the left ventricular end—diastolic volume at the follow-up; a TIMI score of 0–1, the transverse end-diastolic diameter, global wall motion score, and the number of coronary vessels with 70% stenosis accounted for 81% of the variation in left ventricular end-diastolic volume from baseline, while the transverse end-diastolic diameter was inversely related to this parameter. ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate that after an anterior myocardial infarction, the patency of the infarct-related artery is the major determinant of late left ventricular dilation, while left ventricular end-diastolic pressure influences early left ventricular dilation and baseline end-diastolic volume. Therefore, to improve left ventricular remodelling, it appears necessary to increase the patency of the infarct-related artery and improve the diastolic loading of the left ventricle at an early stage in the infarction. The inverse relationship between baseline left ventricular transverse diameter and the change in left ventricular volume after discharge indicates that the higher the baseline left ventricular volume, the less it changed during the follow-up. The global wall motion score appears to be a non-invasive parameter that is useful for identifying patients with a high risk of progressive left ventricular dilation.
Model Predictive Direct Slope Control for Power Converters

Model predictive control (MPC) schemes have become popular in the field of power electronics due to their intuitive formulation, flexibility, and ease of implementation. Typically, these schemes have been implemented with the prediction horizon limited to one time-step, and extension of the prediction horizon over multiple time-steps remains an ongoing area of research. In this paper, a variant of the MPC strategy is proposed wherein the slope of the output trajectories is used to emulate long prediction horizons. Each of the outputs, e.g., current, voltage, torque, or flux, is regulated within a set of symmetrical bounds. When switching is necessitated due to collision with a bound, the switching state that yields the set of output trajectories with the minimum slope, relative to the reference trajectory, is applied to the converter. The key benefit of this approach is its ability to achieve low switching frequencies with a minimal level of computational burden. The feasibility of the scheme, which can be adapted easily to different case studies, is demonstrated through simulations of both a medium-voltage induction machine drive and a grid-connected converter. Experimental results, which are presented for a 1.68 kVA prototype grid-connected neutral-point-clamped converter, further demonstrate the practical viability of the proposed strategy.