Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utility of Gastric Lavage for Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Patients who are Unable to Expectorate Sputum

Background: There are number of patients who are unable to expectorate sputum specimens. In this study, we used gastric lavage (GL) test for diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in patients who were unable to produce sputum. Materials and Methods: Patients who were unable to produce sputum specimens were included in the study to confirm TB disease. Gastric lavage sampling was performed and sent for acid fast bacillus smear and culture under special laboratory conditions and sterilized methods. Further bronchoscopy for broncho-alveolar lavage was done on patients with negative GL smear results. Drug susceptibility tests were performed on 48 GL culture positive cases. Results: Eighty-five patients were included in the study; who were hospitalized at our referral center for suspected TB. GL smears were reported to be positive in 37 cases (66.07%) and culture in 85.7%. The total number of smear and culture-positive cases in this study was 48 (85.7%). Forty cases (87%) of drug-sensitive, 1 case (2.2%) of isoniazid and rifampin-resistant TB (multi-drug resistant; MDR), and 5 cases of resistant to one drug were detected. There have not been observed any complications after the GL method. Conclusion: It seems that regarding the high number of positive GL cultures (85.7%), GL can be effective for diagnosis of patients who have suspicious tuberculosis symptoms and are unable to produce sputum especially in resource limited areas.
American dream, Humboldtian nightmare: Reflections on the remodelled values of a neoliberalized academia

While universities now lie between two philosophical poles – idealism and utilitarianism – the Humboldtian ideal primarily serves to give a humanist glaze to a technocratic discourse. Regardless of its autonomy on paper, the University does not control its finances. This guise of autonomy has set a double authoritarian heteronomy of the university: from increased administrative supervision and from market control. While the current debate is strongly permeated by the idea that we should simultaneously compete with and copy the model of elite US universities, this article presents reflections on how detached from Humboldtian ideals we now are, explores the consequences of that transformational logic and encourages debate through critical distance.
Zinc and Health : Current Status and Future Directions The Antioxidant Properties of Zinc 1 , 2

The ability of zinc to retard oxidative processes has been recognized for many years. In general, the mechanism of antioxidation can be divided into acute and chronic effects. Chronic effects involve exposure of an organism to zinc on a long-term basis, resulting in induction of some other substance that is the ultimate antioxidant, such as the metallothioneins. Chronic zinc deprivation generally results in increased sensitivity to some oxidative stress. The acute effects involve two mechanisms: protection of protein sulfhydryls or reduction of OH formation from H2O2 through the antagonism of redox-active transition metals, such as iron and copper. Protection of protein sulfhydryl groups is thought to involve reduction of sulfhydryl reactivity through one of three mechanisms: (1) direct binding of zinc to the sulfhydryl, (2) steric hindrance as a result of binding to some other protein site in close proximity to the sulfhydryl group or (3) a conformational change from binding to some other site on the protein. Antagonism of redox-active, transition metal-catalyzed, site-specific reactions has led to the theory that zinc may be capable of reducing cellular injury that might have a component of site-specific oxidative damage, such as postischemic tissue damage. Zinc is capable of reducing postischemic injury to a variety of tissues and organs through a mechanism that might involve the antagonism of copper reactivity. Although the evidence for the antioxidant properties of zinc is compelling, the mechanisms are still unclear. Future research that probes these mechanisms could potentially develop new antioxidant functions and uses for zinc. J. Nutr. 130: 1447S—1454S,
A Shunt Active Power Filter With Enhanced Performance Using ANN-Based Predictive and Adaptive Controllers

This paper attempts to improve the dynamic performance of a shunt-type active power filter. The predictive and adaptive properties of artificial neural networks (ANNs) are used for fast estimation of the compensating current. The dynamics of the dc-link voltage is utilized in a predictive controller to generate the first estimate followed by convergence of the algorithm by an adaptive ANN (adaline) based network. Weights in adaline are tuned to minimize the total harmonic distortion of the source current. Extensive simulations and experimentations confirm the validity of the proposed scheme for all kinds of load (balanced and unbalanced) for a three-phase three-wire system.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FIRM SIZE AND PROFITABILITY INDICATORS OF SUSTAINABLE CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF LISTED COMPANIES IN TEHRAN STOCK EXCHANGE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between different measures of company's growth and sustainability of the capital structure. This study is a library and analysis – scientific study based on an analysis of panel data. In this study, the financial data of 101 companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange during the period 2006 to 2011 have been reviewed (606 companies -Year). To analyze the results of research, software Spss 20, Eviews7 and Minitab16 is used. Furthermore, the results show that in relation to the first hypothesis confirmation, there is an inverse and significant relationship between profitability index and the ratio of debt changes ratio of companies. Also, according to the analysis made in relation to the second research hypothesis confirmation, we find that there is a direct and significant relationship between firm size and the debt changes ratio of companies. Also in connection with the fourth hypothesis of research, we find that there is an inverse and significant relationship between company's growth opportunities and changes ratio in retained earnings ratio of companies. Finally, results of research in connection with the third and Fourth hypotheses confirmation suggest that is a direct and significant relationship between variables of profitability index and the factor of company's size with changes ratio in retained earnings of companies.
A novel c.1037C > G (p.Ala346Gly) mutation in TP63 as cause of the ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia and cleft lip/palate (EEC) syndrome

Ectrodactyly – ectodermal dysplasia and cleft lip/palate (EEC) syndrome (OMIM 604292) is a rare disorder determined by mutations in the TP63 gene. Most cases of EEC syndrome are associated to mutations in the DNA binding domain (DBD) region of the p63 protein. Here we report on a three-generation Brazilian family with three individuals (mother, son and grandfather) affected by EEC syndrome, determined by a novel mutation c.1037C > G (p.Ala346Gly). The disorder in this family exhibits a broad spectrum of phenotypes: two individuals were personally examined, one presenting the complete constellation of EEC syndrome manifestations and the other presenting an intermediate phenotype; the third affected, a deceased individual not examined personally and referred to by his daughter, exhibited only the split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM). Our findings contribute to elucidate the complex phenotype-genotype correlations in EEC syndrome and other related TP63-mutation syndromes. The possibility of the mutation c.1037C > G being related both to acro-dermato-ungual-lacrimal-tooth (ADULT) syndrome and SHFM is also raised by the findings here reported.
Accurate Real-time Windowed Time Warping

Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) is used to ﬁnd alignments between two related streams of information and can be used to link data, recognise patterns or ﬁnd similarities. Typically, DTW requires the complete series of both input streams in advance and has quadratic time and space requirements. As such DTW is unsuitable for real-time applications and is inefﬁcient for aligning long sequences. We present Windowed Time Warping (WTW), a variation on DTW that, by dividing the path into a series of DTW windows and making use of path cost estimation, achieves alignments with an accuracy and efﬁciency superior to other leading modiﬁcations and with the capability of synchro-nising in real-time. We demonstrate this method in a score following application. Evaluation of the WTW score following system found 97.0% of audio note onsets were correctly aligned within 2000 ms of the known time. Results also show reductions in execution times over state-of-the-art efﬁcient DTW modiﬁcations.
Predictive Analytics as a Security Management Tool in Virtualised Environment

Despite the many benefits of virtualisation, security remains the main challenge for virtualisation in cloud computing. Even though a number of solutions like intrusion detection, malware introspection among others, have been developed and implemented by many security professionals, monitoring, visibility and infrastructure still pose security threats to virtualisation in cloud computing. In this paper, we propose the use of empirical predictive analytics as a security management tool in virtualised environments, as a novel contribution to security for virtualization in cloud computing. The proposed predictive analytics model is aimed at monitoring and analysing security threats unique to virtualisation in real time, providing us with the ability to mitigate these security threats before they actually happen. Predictive analytics, despite being an information technology process, has been successfully adopted in various disciplines like medicine, but not so much in information technology itself. The aim of this research is to be able to use empirical predictive analytics as a security management tool within a fully virtualised information system. In order for us to achieve empirical predictive analytics in a virtualised environment, a combination of concepts, tools and techniques, ranging from monitoring, machine learning, situation awareness, regression and instance-based learning techniques, among others, will be used. A brief description of what predictive analytics is and how it can be adopted as a security management tool in virtualised cloud computing environments is highlighted in the chapters that follow. The paper also gives a brief description of the proposed framework, the aims and objectives of the research and the methodology that will be used to achieve the objectives of the project.
A magnetic field insensitive graphene transmon qubit

Majorana zero modes have been proposed as building blocks of intrinsically fault-tolerant quantum computers. Currently, externally applied magnetic fields are necessary to induce Majorana zero modes in carefully engineered systems. Topological qubit state readout is realized by parity sensing of Majorana islands. However, fast and high fidelity conventional cQED parity readout is incompatible with the magnetic fields needed for Majorana physics. In this thesis, magnetic field insensitive microwave CPW resonators with artificial Abrikosov vortex pinning sites have tested and implemented in a graphene based transmon qubit. It has been shown that these artificial pinning sites reliably trap vortices and are able to retain their zero field Qi ~ 105 up to perpendicular fields of 35 mT. By application of these resonators, we have described the successful continuous wave qubit spectroscopy of a graphene transmon qubit at B|| = 1 T with a minimal linewidth of 166 MHz and demonstrated manipulation of the qubit frequency between 3.2-7 GHz with electric field. This is the first ever measured superconducting qubit that shows these properties at a magnetic field of 1 T.
Vertex-Based Formulations of Irradiance from Polygonal Sources

Irradiance at a point on a receiver due to a uniformly emitting polygon luminaire, or equivalently, the differential area to polygon form factor, is of fundamental interest in computer graphics. An elegant closed-form expression attributed to Lambert, dating from the 18th century, is the most commonly used formula for the problem. This document provides several alternatives to Lambert’s formula, all of which are summations on the vertices of the source polygon rather than the edges. A term in a vertex-based summation is a function of the vertex position and the local behavior of the incident edges. The summations may be evaluated in any order and are therefore suited to algorithms where polygon contours are constructed incrementally.
The basic principles of chimeric antigen receptor design.

UNLABELLED Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) are recombinant receptors that provide both antigen-binding and T-cell-activating functions. A multitude of CARs has been reported over the past decade, targeting an array of cell surface tumor antigens. Their biologic functions have dramatically changed following the introduction of tripartite receptors comprising a costimulatory domain, termed second-generation CARs. These have recently shown clinical benefit in patients treated with CD19-targeted autologous T cells. CARs may be combined with costimulatory ligands, chimeric costimulatory receptors, or cytokines to further enhance T-cell potency, specificity, and safety. CARs represent a new class of drugs with exciting potential for cancer immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE CARs are a new class of drugs with great potential for cancer immunotherapy. Upon their expression in T lymphocytes, CARs direct potent, targeted immune responses that have recently shown encouraging clinical outcomes in a subset of patients with B-cell malignancies. This review focuses on the design of CARs, including the requirements for optimal antigen recognition and different modalities to provide costimulatory support to targeted T cells, which include the use of second- and third generation CARs, costimulatory ligands, chimeric costimulatory receptors, and cytokines.
Biological Changes of Green Pea (Pisum sativum L.) by Selenium Enrichment

Supplement of common fertilizers with selenium (Se) for crop production will be an effective way to produce selenium-rich food and feed. The value of green pea seeds and forages as alternative protein source can be improved by using agronomic biofortification. Therefore, biological changes of green pea ( Pisum sativum L.) and influences of inorganic forms of Se (sodium selenite and sodium selenate) at different concentrations on the accumulation of magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P) were investigated in greenhouse experiment. 3 mg kg^−1 of selenite had positive effects to enhance photosynthetic attributes and decrease lipid peroxidation significantly. At the same time, Se accumulation increased in all parts of plant by increasing Se supply. Moreover, Mg and P accumulations were significantly increased at 3 mg kg^−1 selenite and 1 mg kg^−1 selenate treatments, respectively. By contrast higher selenite concentrations (≥30 mg kg^−1) exerted toxic effects on plants. Relative chlorophyll content, actual photochemical efficiency of PSII (Ф_PSII) and Mg accumulation showed significant decrease while membrane lipid peroxidation increased. Thus, the present findings prove Se biofortification has positive effects on biological traits of green pea to provide it as a proper functional product.
Statistical calibration of CCD imaging process

Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) cameras are widely used imaging sensors in computer vision systems. Many photometric algorithms, such as shape from shading, color constancy and photometric stereo, implicitly assume that the image intensity is proportional to scene radiance. The actual image measurements deviate significantly from this assumption since the transformation from scene radiance to image intensity is non-linear and is a function of various factors including: noise sources in the CCD sensor, as well as various transformations occurring in the camera including: white balancing, gamma correction and automatic gain control. This paper illustrates how careful modeling of the error sources and the various processing steps enable us to accurately estimate the "response function", the inverse mapping from image measurements to scene radiance for a given camera exposure setting. It is shown that the estimation algorithm outperforms the calibration procedures known to us in terms of reduced bias and variance. Further, we demonstrate how the error modelling helps us to obtain uncertainty estimates of the camera irradiance value. The power of this uncertainty modeling is illustrated by a vision task involving High Dynamic Range image generation followed by change detection. Change can be detected reliably even in situation where the two images (the reference scene image and the current image) are taken several hours apart.
Stroke subtype, vascular risk factors, and total MRI brain small-vessel disease burden

Objectives: In this cross-sectional study, we tested the construct validity of a “total SVD score,” which combines individual MRI features of small-vessel disease (SVD) in one measure, by testing associations with vascular risk factors and stroke subtype. Methods: We analyzed data from patients with lacunar or nondisabling cortical stroke from 2 prospective stroke studies. Brain MRI was rated for the presence of lacunes, white matter hyperintensities, cerebral microbleeds, and perivascular spaces independently. The presence of each SVD feature was summed in an ordinal “SVD score” (range 0–4). We tested associations with vascular risk factors, stroke subtype, and cerebral atrophy using ordinal regression analysis. Results: In 461 patients, multivariable analysis found that age (odds ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.12), male sex (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.10–2.29), hypertension (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.02–2.20), smoking (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.59–3.63), and lacunar stroke subtype (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.70–3.54) were significantly and independently associated with the total SVD score. The score was not associated with cerebral atrophy. Conclusions: The total SVD score may provide a more complete estimate of the full impact of SVD on the brain, in a simple and pragmatic way. It could have potential for patient or risk stratification or early efficacy assessment in clinical trials of interventions to prevent SVD progression and may (after further testing) have a useful role in clinical practice.
Prolonged Positive Modulation of α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid (AMPA) Receptors Induces Calpain-Mediated PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 Protein Degradation and AMPA Receptor Down-Regulation in Cultured Hippocampal Slices

Prolonged exposure of cultured hippocampal slices to CX614 [2H,3H,6aH-pyrrolidino[2″,1″-3′,2′]1,3-oxazino[6′,5′-5,4]-benzo[e]1,4-dioxan 10-one], a positive α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor (AMPAr) modulator, decreases receptor response to synaptic stimulation, an effect that could reflect reduced receptor expression. The present study investigates this down-regulation and its underlying mechanisms using cultured rat hippocampal slices. Chronic treatment with CX614 gradually reduced levels of glutamate receptor (GluR)1 and GluR2/3 AMPAr subunits and of their anchoring proteins synapse-associated protein 97 (SAP97) and glutamate receptor interacting protein 1 (GRIP1) through 48 h. Decline in SAP97 and GRIP1 levels was associated with increased abundance of lower molecular weight bands, suggesting degradation of these proteins. CX614 effects were partially reversible after drug removal. GluR1 and GluR2/3 down-regulation and their slow recovery were associated with similar changes in SAP97 and GRIP1 levels. Treatment with CX614 for 48 h significantly reduced AMPAr mRNA levels in hippocampus, whereas 8-h exposure did not. Blockade of ionotropic glutamate receptors prevented CX614-induced decrease in AMPAr subunits and mRNA, with regional selectivity, although an AMPAr blocker was more efficacious than an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor blocker. Blockade of calpain activity reduced CX614-induced degradation of SAP97 and GRIP1 and prevented decreases in AMPAr subunit but not mRNA levels. Treatment with CX614 alone or in combination with glutamate receptor blockers or calpain inhibitor III did not modify lactate dehydrogenase release into culture medium, implying the absence of cell toxicity. We conclude that CX614-induced AMPAr protein loss is primarily mediated by AMPAr activation and involves calpain-dependent proteolysis of SAP97 and GRIP1. CX614-induced suppression of AMPAr gene expression is, however, calpain-independent, and all these effects are not associated with cell damage.
COMPARISON OF POWER QUALITY SOLUTIONS USING ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECTIFICATION FOR MORE ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT

This paper presents various three phase active and passive rectification schemes and compares them for more electric aircraft applications. The passive topologies involve multi-pulse transformer rectification systems while the active topologies look into active rectification. Passive rectification systems are to be used for the ac-to-dc conversion that comprises the first stage of the ac-to-ac conversion for applications such as motor drives in aircraft systems. Particular emphases are given to comparison of dc bus regulation, electromagnetic interface (EMI) filtering, current harmonic cancellation, power factor, size, weight, cost and reliability among the schemes. Results are summarized qualitatively in a table.
A role for midline and intralaminar thalamus in the associative blocking of Pavlovian fear conditioning

Fear learning occurs in response to positive prediction error, when the expected outcome of a conditioning trial exceeds that predicted by the conditioned stimuli present. This role for error in Pavlovian association formation is best exemplified by the phenomenon of associative blocking, whereby prior fear conditioning of conditioned stimulus (CS) A is able to prevent learning to CSB when they are conditioned in compound. The midline and intralaminar thalamic nuclei (MIT) are well-placed to contribute to fear prediction error because they receive extensive projections from the midbrain periaqueductal gray—which has a key role in fear prediction error—and project extensively to prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Here we used an associative blocking design to study the role of MIT in fear learning. In Stage I rats were trained to fear CSA via pairings with shock. In Stage II rats received compound fear conditioning of CSAB paired with shock. On test, rats that received Stage I training expressed less fear to CSB relative to control rats that did not receive this training. Microinjection of bupivacaine into MIT prior to Stage II training had no effect on the expression of fear during Stage II and had no effect on fear learning in controls, but prevented associative blocking and so enabled fear learning to CSB. These results show an important role for MIT in predictive fear learning and are discussed with reference to previous findings implicating the midline and posterior intralaminar thalamus in fear learning and fear responding.