Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kainic acid versus carbachol induced emotional-defensive response in the cat.

The emotional-defensive response (EDR) and accompanied neurotoxic and electroencephalographic (EEG) effects induced by injection of kainic acid (KA, 0.1; 0.2 microgram) into the midbrain periaqueductal grey region (PAG) and antero-medial hypothalamus (AMH) in the cat were examined and compared with EDR and accompanied neurotoxic and EEG effects induced by injection of cholinergic agent, carbachol (CCH), into the same sites. The injections of KA (0.2 microgram) into the PAG induced EDR which closely resembled the defense behavior typically observed after administration of CCH. However, in contrast to CCH-induced EDR, the defensive response induced by KA was found to be accompanied by EEG symptoms of epileptiform activity in the limbic cortex and a massive cell loss in the site of injection. It is proposed that KA-induced EDR and seizure activity may have resulted from the activation of different cell populations localized either in the vicinity of the injection (i.e., PAG region) and in the area remote from the injection loci, the limbic cortex. KA induced activation of PAG neuronal network would trigger the 'local response' (emotional-defensive response) and produce a remote effect-epileptiform activity.
Handwashing With a Water-Efficient Tap and Low-Cost Foaming Soap: The Povu Poa “Cool Foam” System in Kenya

The new handwashing system, designed with end user input, features an economical foaming soap dispenser and a hygienic, water-efficient tap for use in household and institutional settings that lack reliable access to piped water. Cost of the soap and water needed for use is less than US$0.10 per 100 handwash uses, compared with US$0.20–$0.44 for conventional handwashing stations used in Kenya. The new handwashing system, designed with end user input, features an economical foaming soap dispenser and a hygienic, water-efficient tap for use in household and institutional settings that lack reliable access to piped water. Cost of the soap and water needed for use is less than US$0.10 per 100 handwash uses, compared with US$0.20–$0.44 for conventional handwashing stations used in Kenya.
THE CARNEGIE FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF TEACHING.

Data provided: Typically, the data provided in the application should reflect the most recent academic year. Since campuses will be completing the application in academic year 2022-2023, data typically would reflect evidence from AY 2020-2021. Wherever data is requested, please note that COVID has likely impacted data from 2021-2022, 2020-2021, and 2019-2020. Therefore, campuses may use data from the pre-COVID academic year – AY 2018-2019 if you determine that it provides a better representation of your campus’s community engagement. If you do so, please note the academic year that the data represents within the response. If some of your data from COVID years is determined to be an accurate representation of your community engagement, while some is not, then use the best data you have for the question and indicate what AY the data refers to.
The influence of medium elasticity on the prediction of histotripsy-induced bubble expansion and erythrocyte viability

Histotripsy is a form of therapeutic ultrasound that liquefies tissue mechanically via acoustic cavitation. Bubble expansion is paramount in the efficacy of histotripsy therapy, and the cavitation dynamics are strongly influenced by the medium elasticity. In this study, an analytic model to predict histotripsy-induced bubble expansion in a fluid was extended to include the effects of medium elasticity. Good agreement was observed between the predictions of the analytic model and numerical computations utilizing highly nonlinear excitations (shock-scattering histotripsy) and purely tensile pulses (microtripsy). No bubble expansion was computed for either form of histotripsy when the elastic modulus was greater than 20 MPa and the peak negative pressure was less than 50 MPa. Strain in the medium due to the expansion of a single bubble was also tabulated. The viability of red blood cells was calculated as a function of distance from the bubble wall based on empirical data of impulsive stretching of erythrocytes. Red blood cells remained viable at distances further than 44 µm from the bubble wall. As the medium elasticity increased, the distance over which bubble expansion-induced strain influenced red blood cells was found to decrease sigmoidally. These results highlight the relationship between tissue elasticity and the efficacy of histotripsy. In addition, an upper medium elasticity limit was identified, above which histotripsy may not be effective for tissue liquefaction.
SLAMBench2: Multi-Objective Head-to-Head Benchmarking for Visual SLAM

SLAM is becoming a key component of robotics and augmented reality (AR) systems. While a large number of SLAM algorithms have been presented, there has been little effort to unify the interface of such algorithms, or to perform a holistic comparison of their capabilities. This is a problem since different SLAM applications can have different functional and non-functional requirements. For example, a mobile phone-based AR application has a tight energy budget, while a UAV navigation system usually requires high accuracy. SLAMBench2 is a benchmarking framework to evaluate existing and future SLAM systems, both open and close source, over an extensible list of datasets, while using a comparable and clearly specified list of performance metrics. A wide variety of existing SLAM algorithms and datasets is supported, e.g. ElasticFusion, InfiniTAM, ORB-SLAM2, OKVIS, and integrating new ones is straightforward and clearly specified by the framework. SLAMBench2 is a publicly-available software framework which represents a starting point for quantitative, comparable and val-idatable experimental research to investigate trade-offs across SLAM systems.
Prospect of ultrasound-mediated gene delivery in cardiovascular applications

ABSTRACT Introduction: The field of regenerative medicine has evolved over the years, investigating gene and stem/progenitor cell therapies to help address the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). While the lack of success of gene therapy in clinical trials has dampened enthusiasm, the search continues for a successful and translatable gene therapy strategy for CVD. Ultrasound-mediated gene delivery (UMGD) is a non-invasive technique for gene delivery that utilizes gene-bearing carrier microbubbles and high power ultrasound to facilitate transfection in vivo. Many pre-clinical studies have shown benefit in animal models of CVD, but this has yet to be translated to human applications. Areas covered: In this review, the basic principles of UMGD will be examined along with an overview of pre-clinical studies to date in CVD, focusing on cardiac and vascular applications and key findings. In addition, the potential path to the clinical translation of UMGD is discussed. Expert opinion: Ultrasound-mediated gene delivery holds promise as a non-invasive technique for gene delivery in CVD, with the ability to deliver multiple genes with repeated deliveries over time. If the substantial hurdles to clinical translation can be overcome, UMGD may prove to be a key aspect in the success of cardiovascular gene therapy in the future.
Crowd-Based Programming for Reactive Systems

End-user applications aimed at the public in general (mobile and web applications, games, etc.) are usually developed with feedback from only a tiny fraction of the millions of intended users, and are thus built under significant uncertainty. The developer cannot really tell a priori which features the users will like, which they will dislike, and which ones will help create the desired outcome, such as high usage or increased revenue. In these cases, providing adaptive capabilities can be the key factor in the application's success. Existing self-adaptive techniques can provide some of the needed capabilities, but they too must be planned, and leave the developers, and much of the development process, "out of the loop". We propose a development environment that allows the wisdom of the crowd to influence the very structure and flow of the program being created, by voting upon behavioral choices as they are observed in early versions of the working program. The approach still allows the developers to retain known desired behaviors, and to enforce constraints on crowd-driven changes. The developers can also react to ongoing crowd-programmed feedback throughout the entire lifetime of the application.
You Talkin' to Me?: Recognizing Complex Human Interactions in Unconstrained Videos

Nowadays, due to the exponential growth of the user generated videos and the prevailing videos sharing communities such as YouTube and Hulu, recognizing complex human activities in the wild becomes increasingly important in the research community. These videos are hard to study due to the frequent changes of camera viewpoint, multiple people moving in the scene, fast body movements, and varied lengths of video clips. In this paper, we propose a novel framework to analyze human interactions in TV shows. Firstly, we exploit the motion interchange pattern (MIP) to detect camera viewpoint changes in a video, and extract the salient motion points in the bounding box that covers the region of interest (ROI) in each frame. Then, we compute the large displacement optical flow for the salient pixels in the bounding box, and build the histogram of oriented optical flow as the motion feature vector for each frame. Finally, the self-similarity matrix (SSM) is adopted to capture the global temporal correlation of frames in a video. After extracting the SSM descriptors, the video feature vector can be constructed through different encoding approaches. The proposed framework works well in practice for unconstrained videos. We validate our approach on the TV human interaction (TVHI) dataset, and the experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of our strategy.
Cumulant‐based approach to FIR system identification

In this paper, a non‐recursive approach is developed for estimating the coefficients of a moving average (MA) model from only third‐order cumulant statistics of a finite realization of the observations of the output data. The signal observations may be noisy. The excitation signal is assumed to be zero mean, non‐Gaussian stationary sequence that is not observed. The noise is additive and may be coloured Gaussian or non‐Gaussian. This novel technique is based on forming a third‐order cumulant composite data matrix. The method presented here requires the solution of a system of linear equations, which can be achieved using least‐squares methods. The proposed approach is illustrated via computer simulations and is shown to be consistent. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent Advances in Active Infrared Thermography for Non-Destructive Testing of Aerospace Components

Active infrared thermography is a fast and accurate non-destructive evaluation technique that is of particular relevance to the aerospace industry for the inspection of aircraft and helicopters’ primary and secondary structures, aero-engine parts, spacecraft components and its subsystems. This review provides an exhaustive summary of most recent active thermographic methods used for aerospace applications according to their physical principle and thermal excitation sources. Besides traditional optically stimulated thermography, which uses external optical radiation such as flashes, heaters and laser systems, novel hybrid thermographic techniques are also investigated. These include ultrasonic stimulated thermography, which uses ultrasonic waves and the local damage resonance effect to enhance the reliability and sensitivity to micro-cracks, eddy current stimulated thermography, which uses cost-effective eddy current excitation to generate induction heating, and microwave thermography, which uses electromagnetic radiation at the microwave frequency bands to provide rapid detection of cracks and delamination. All these techniques are here analysed and numerous examples are provided for different damage scenarios and aerospace components in order to identify the strength and limitations of each thermographic technique. Moreover, alternative strategies to current external thermal excitation sources, here named as material-based thermography methods, are examined in this paper. These novel thermographic techniques rely on thermoresistive internal heating and offer a fast, low power, accurate and reliable assessment of damage in aerospace composites.
Structural and functional role of lipids in yeast and mycelial forms of Candida albicans.

The levels of total lipids, sterols and phospholipids were found to be significantly higher in the mycelial form (log phase) of Candida albicans than in the yeast form. Increased phospholipid levels in the mycelial form were due to higher levels of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol. Analyses of fatty acid composition also revealed higher levels of myristic acid (40%) in the yeast form, resulting in higher levels of saturated lipids than in the mycelial form. The changes in the lipid composition were also manifested in altered thermotropic phase behavior as gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transitions were observed at 36 and 27 degrees C for the lipids of the yeast and mycelial forms, respectively. These changes coincided with higher uptake rate, i.e., Km and Vmax values, for the transport of L-proline and with a higher sensitivity of the mycelial form against antifungal drugs.
An E-voting Protocol Based on Blockchain

Because of the properties such as transparency, decentralization, irreversibility, nonrepudiation, etc., blockchain is not only a fundamental technology of great interest in its own right, but also has large potential when integrated into many other areas. In this paper, based on the blockchain technology, we propose a decentralized e-voting protocol, without the existence of a trusted third party. Furthermore, we provide several possible extensions and improvements that meet the requirements in some specific voting scenarios.
Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) as a superfood: Review of the scientific evidence behind the statement

ABSTRACT Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) is a cruciferous vegetable, characterized by leaves along the stem, which, in recent years, have gained a great popularity as a ´superfood´. Consequently, in a popular culture it is listed in many ´lists of the healthiest vegetables´. Without the doubt, a scientific evidences support the fact that cruciferous vegetables included in human diet can positively affect health and well-being, but remains unclear why kale is declared superior in comparison with other cruciferous. It is questionable if this statement about kale is triggered by scientific evidence or by some other factors. Our review aims to bring an overview of kale's botanical characteristics, agronomic requirements, contemporary and traditional use, macronutrient and phytochemical content and biological activity, in order to point out the reasons for tremendous kale popularity.
Dietary Inflammatory Index and Cardiovascular Risk and Mortality—A Meta-Analysis

Diet and chronic inflammation have been suggested to be risk factors in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related mortality. The possible link between the inflammatory potential of diet measured through the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and CVD has been investigated in several populations across the world. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis on studies exploring this association. Data from 14 studies were eligible, of which two were case-control, eleven were cohort, and one was cross-sectional. Results from the random-effects meta-analysis showed a positive association between increasing DII, indicating a pro-inflammatory diet, and CVD. Individuals in the highest versus the lowest (reference) DII category showed a 36% increased risk of CVD incidence and mortality, with moderate evidence of heterogeneity (relative risk (RR) = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19, 1.57; heterogeneity index I2 = 69%, p < 0.001). When analyzed as a continuous variable, results showed an increased risk of CVD risk and mortality of 8% for each one-point increase in the DII score. Results remained unchanged when analyses were restricted to the prospective studies. Results of our meta-analysis support the importance of adopting a healthier anti-inflammatory diet for preventing CVD incidence and related mortality. In conclusion, a pro-inflammatory diet is associated with increased risk of CVD and CVD mortality. These results further substantiate the utility of DII as tool to characterize the inflammatory potential of diet and to predict CVD incidence and mortality.
Socioecological factors and positive aspects of caregiving: findings from the REACH II intervention

Objective: Taking a socioecological perspective, this study assessed the relationship of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational factors to positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) for 642 dementia caregivers by racial/ethnic group from the baseline data of the multisite Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health II (REACH II) intervention. Methods: Nine intrapersonal indicators, 4 interpersonal indicators, and 12 organizational indicators were used. Blocked-multiple regression analyses by three racial/ethnic groups were computed to examine significant factors related to PAC among caregivers after controlling for memory and behavioral problems. Results: Data showed a significant difference in PAC and significantly different indicators of PAC by racial/ethnic group. Hispanic caregivers reported the highest level of PAC while White participants showed the lowest scores on the measure of PAC. Education, marital status, and using formal transportation services were significant predictors for PAC among Hispanic caregivers; age, education, caregiving duration, and received social support were significant for PAC among African American caregivers; and sex, education, being a spousal caregiver, satisfaction with social support, using help from homemaker and visiting nurse services, and participating in support groups were significant among White caregivers. Conclusion: Findings indicate that PAC varies significantly across the three studied racial/ethnic groups of family caregivers and that intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational factors relate uniquely to PAC. Additional investigations of PAC could serve an important role in the development of family caregiving supports and services.
FEATURE SELECTION AND BROAD BAND BITUMEN CONTENT ESTIMATION OF ATHABASCA OIL SAND FROM INFRARED

ABS TRACT The estimation of bitumen content in oil sands in feed stock is critical to improve the processability of ore and for effective bitumen extraction. Broad band reflectance spectroscopy has the potential to achieve this goal in a nondestructive manner but spectral variability is known to be influenced by the water content and mineralogy of oil sands. This study addresses these issues and defines spectral features sensitive to bitumen and water content using wavelet analysis. A reliable model is then established to predict bitumen content based on spectral indices that minimize the influence of these factors.
Mineral fibre carcinogenesis: experimental data relating to the importance of fibre type, size, deposition, dissolution and migration.

: Fibre type, fibre size, deposition, dissolution and migration are all factors of importance in mineral fibre carcinogenesis. These factors are, however, so interrelated that only fibre size can be considered on its own to any extent. When dusts are injected into the pleural or peritoneal cavities, the most carcinogenic samples, producing the most mesotheliomas, are those containing the most long, thin fibres. When very short fibre samples of both amosite and chrysotile recently became available for comparison with long fibre preparations of the same materials, short fibres were found to be much less fibrogenic and carcinogenic than long fibres. The same studies provided important information on fibre deposition and dissolution. Short fibre samples of both asbestos varieties penetrated to the pulmonary parenchyma more easily than long ones but, after deposition, short fibres were cleared more quickly. Very much less chrysotile was present in lung tissue at the end of one year's dusting and clearance during the following 6 months was very much faster. The long fibre chrysotile, which would be expected to be resistant to mechanical clearance, was removed from the lungs much more quickly than short fibre amosite, which was easily phagocytosed by macrophages. This indicates that rapid chrysotile removal from lung tissue is due at least in part to fibre dissolution. The phenomenon of chrysotile dissolution probably explains why this asbestos type has been shown to be extremely carcinogenic in rats but seems less carcinogenic than the amphiboles in humans. Fibres may remain in lung tissue for the 1-2 years necessary to cause tumours in rats but this is too short a time for the much longer lived humans. Only very few fibres penetrate the walls of the gut following massive asbestos ingestion, although a few of these can subsequently be found disseminated to other organs. Fibres are disseminated to other organs much more effectively after inhalation. One area where fibre dissemination has been suggested as being very important is that of transport from the lung tissue to the pleural cavity, but in rats, direct fibre penetration to the pleura occurs very rarely and the exact mechanism by which inhaled fibres reach the sites where they can produce mesotheliomas remains one of the most important subjects for future research.
Perioperative Coagulation Management in Liver Transplant Recipients

Abstract We review contemporary coagulation management for patients undergoing liver transplantation. A better understanding of the complex physiologic changes that occur in patients with end-stage liver disease has resulted in significant advances in anesthetic and coagulation management. A group of internationally recognized experts have critically evaluated current approaches for coagulopathy detection and management. Strategies for blood component and factor replacement have been evaluated and recommended therapies proposed. Pharmacologic treatment and prevention of coagulopathy, management of patients receiving antiplatelet medications, and the role of transesophageal echocardiography for early detection and management of thromboses are presented.
A 128-ch Δ-Σ ADC based mixed signal IC for full digital beamforming Wireless handheld Ultrasound imaging system

This paper reports a massively integrated Δ-Σ ADC based mixed signal chipset for a handheld Wireless Ultrasound imaging system. The IC has been fabricated in a standard 0.13 μm 1.5V 7M2F CMOS process with 128 parallel channels containing Delta-Sigma (Δ-Σ) ADCs, Anti-aliasing filter, Decimation filters, Serializers and LVDS drivers. The entire chip is SPI controlled and allows group-level power control through an FPGA. The IC measures 15 × 15 mm and dissipates around ~ 4.6 W of power, with 12-bit resolution at 20 Msps sample rate. The chip was packaged in a thermally stable BGA package and demonstrated in a handheld ultrasound battery operated system with complete digital beamforming.