Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance of respiratory pattern parameters in classifiers for predict weaning process

Weaning trials process of patients in intensive care units is a complex clinical procedure. 153 patients under extubation process (T-tube test) were studied: 94 patients with successful trials (group S), 38 patients who failed to maintain spontaneous breathing and were reconnected (group F), and 21 patients with successful test but that had to be reintubated before 48 hours (group R). The respiratory pattern of each patient was characterized through the following time series: inspiratory time (TI), expiratory time (TE), breathing cycle duration (TTot), tidal volume (VT), inspiratory fraction (TI/TTot), half inspired flow (VT/TI), and rapid shallow index (f/VT), where f is respiratory rate. Using techniques as autoregressive models (AR), autoregressive moving average models (ARMA) and autoregressive models with exogenous input (ARX), the most relevant parameters of the respiratory pattern were obtained. We proposed the evaluation of these parameters using classifiers as logistic regression (LR), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), support vector machines (SVM) and classification and regression tree (CART) to discriminate between patients from groups S, F and R. An accuracy of 93% (98% sensitivity and 82% specificity) has been obtained using CART classification.
Pulmonary and hepatic effects of inhaled ozone in rats.

Nitric oxide is a highly reactive molecule that has been implicated in host defense and in tissue injury. In the present studies we analyzed the effects of brief exposure of rats to inhaled ozone on production of this mediator by lung macrophages and type II epithelial cells. We found that ozone exposure (1-2 ppm, 3 hr) induced a marked increase in spontaneous nitric oxide production by alveolar (AM) and interstitial macrophages, as well as type II cells. These effects were apparently due to increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase protein and mRNA, which was evident in vitro in isolated cells and in situ in histologic sections. Macrophages and epithelial cells from ozone-treated rats were also sensitized to produce increased amounts of nitric oxide in response to inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma, a response that was also mediated by inducible nitric oxide synthase. Unexpectedly, we also discovered that brief inhalation of ozone caused dramatic effects on the liver, including increased production of nitric oxide by hepatocytes and enhanced protein synthesis. These data suggest that this inhaled irritant induces an acute phase response. Additional studies indicate that AM from ozone-treated rats produced significantly more tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 than did cells from control animals. Elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha were also noted immunohistochemically in both lung and liver tissue. These results indicate that the extrapulmonary effects of ozone may be mediated by inflammatory cytokines released by activated lung macrophages. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
p53 Mutation and Mitotic Infidelity

Abstract Chromosome instability (a high frequency of chromosomal loss and gain and genome doubling, often referred to as karyotypic instability) is one of the major characteristics of cancer cells. It facilitates carcinogenesis by increasing the chance of specific mutations responsible for malignant phenotypes. Chromosome instability in most cases reflects the occurrence of defective mitosis, including unequal distribution of chromosomes to daughter cells and failure to undergo cytokinesis, which leads to generation of aneuploid cells. Both in vivo and in vitro, chromosome instability has been shown to correlate with loss or mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor protein, the product of one of the most frequently mutated genes in cancer. The major function of p53 is to prevent cells from proceeding through the cell cycle when cells experience stress, insults, or errors that disturb the preprogrammed cell cycle progression. During the last several years, significant advances have been made in understanding how p53 is involved in the regulation of mitosis and how loss or mutation of p53 affects mitotic fidelity, which will be the subject of this review.
Microstructure characterization and micro- and nanoscale mechanical behaviour of magnesium-aluminum and magnesium-aluminum-calcium alloys.

The application in the automotive industry of the as-cast AM50 alloy (Mg-5.0 wt.%Al-0.3 wt.%Mn) has been limited by its low creep resistance at elevated temperatures. Permanent mold cast (PM) Mg-Al-Ca alloys with calcium additions (0 ~ 2.0 wt.%) were investigated in this study due to their potential for improving the high temperature creep strength. The microstructures of the die cast (DC) or PM AM50 alloys consisted of an intergranular p~Mgi7Ali2 phase surrounded by a region of Al-rich eutectic a-Mg phase, sometimes with attached AlsMns particles. In this study, significant grain refinement was observed in the PM Mg-Al-Ca alloys with Ca addition to the AM50 alloy. The grain refining effect was confirmed by quantitative image analysis through measurement of the secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS). The intergranular phases in Mg-Al-Ca alloys with 0.5 or 1.0 wt. % Ca were p-MgnAlu and (Al, Mg)2Ca phases. As the Ca addition was increased to 1.5 wt. % Ca, the p-Mgi7Ali2 phase was completely replaced by a (Al, Mg)2Ca phase. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the (Al, Mg)2Ca phase was thermally more stable than the p-Mgi7Ali2 phase, which contributed to the better creep strength of the Mg-Al-Ca alloys. The change in heating/cooling rates played an important role in the redistribution of alloying elements and the dissolution or precipitation of the eutectic phases in the as-cast Mg alloys during DSC runs. The micro-and nano-scale hardness and composite modulus of the PM Mg-Al-Ca alloys increased with increasing Ca content, and the indentation size effect (ISE) was also observed in the as-cast Mg-Al and Mg-Al-Ca alloys. PM AC52 alloy (Mg-5.0wt.%A12.0wt.%Ca) was a much more creep resistant alloy than other Mg-Al-Ca alloys with lower
Deanonymizing Users of the SafeWeb Anonymizing Service

The SafeWeb anonymizing system has been lauded by the press and loved by its users; self-described as “the most widely used online privacy service in the world,” it served over 3,000,000 page views per day at its peak. SafeWeb was designed to defeat content blocking by firewalls and to defeat Web server attempts to identify users, all without degrading Web site behavior or requiring users to install specialized software. In this paper we describe how these fundamentally incompatible requirements were realized in SafeWeb’s architecture, resulting in spectacular failure modes under simple JavaScript attacks. These exploits allow adversaries to turn SafeWeb into a weapon against its users, inflicting more damage on them than would have been possible if they had never relied on SafeWeb technology. By bringing these problems to light, we hope to remind readers of the chasm that continues to separate popular and technical notions of security.
Preservation of the antioxidant status in chemically‐induced diabetes mellitus by melatonin

Oxidant stress is believed to be enhanced in patients with diabetes mellitus, which may lead to endothelial dysfunction and the development of atherosclerosis. In diabetes, hyperglycemia drives non‐enzymatic glycation and oxidation of proteins and lipids which enhances the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular disease. The macrovascular complications of diabetes seem to be due to enhanced cellular oxidant stress by the interaction of AGEs with their receptor. It would be worthwhile to devise methods to reduce this oxidant stress. In alloxan‐induced diabetic rats lipid peroxidation products were increased, while levels of nitric oxide glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were reduced. Melatonin restored these biochemical abnormalities to normalcy independent of hyperglycemia. This model can be used to study the role of oxidant stress in the development of macrovascular complications in diabetes mellitus.
Endometrial osteopontin mRNA expression and plasma osteopontin levels are increased in patients with endometriosis.

PROBLEM The aim of this study was to evaluate osteopontin (OPN) mRNA expression in eutopic endometrium and plasma OPN levels in patients with endometriosis. METHOD OF STUDY A total of 79 patients with histologically confirmed endometriosis and 43 patients without endometriosis participated in this study. OPN mRNA expression in endometrial tissues was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and plasma concentrations of OPN were quantified using a specific commercial sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS Osteopontin mRNA expression in endometrial tissue was significantly higher in women with endometriosis than in controls (P = 0.010). The mean plasma levels of OPN (mean +/- S.E.M.) in patients with endometriosis and controls were 407.31 +/- 37.80 ng/mL and 165.84 +/- 19.29 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for plasma OPN revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.894, with a sensitivity of 93.0%, specificity of 72.4%, positive likelihood ratio of 3.37, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.1 using a cut-off value of 167.68 ng/mL. CONCLUSION Osteopontin may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and plasma OPN may be a useful non-invasive marker for the diagnosis of endometriosis.
Interaction Between COPD Patients and Healthcare Professionals in a Cross-Sector Tele-Rehabilitation Programme

This paper explores how technology affects the interaction between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and healthcare professionals in a cross-sector tele-rehabilitation programme. The qualitative analysis has shown that a community of rehabilitation can be created despite the presence of long-distance technology. In the tele-rehabilitation programme, the interaction between the COPD patients at home and the healthcare professionals at the clinic has evolved with dialogue as the basis for mutual learning processes and new relationships. Managed properly, rehabilitation at a distance can be both effective and satisfying.
The Trypanosomatid-Specific N Terminus of RPA2 Is Required for RNA Polymerase I Assembly, Localization, and Function

ABSTRACT African trypanosomes are the only organisms known to use RNA polymerase I (pol I) to transcribe protein-coding genes. These genes include VSG, which is essential for immune evasion and is transcribed from an extranucleolar expression site body (ESB). Several trypanosome pol I subunits vary compared to their homologues elsewhere, and the question arises as to how these variations relate to pol I function. A clear example is the N-terminal extension found on the second-largest subunit of pol I, RPA2. Here, we identify an essential role for this region. RPA2 truncation leads to nuclear exclusion and a growth defect which phenocopies single-allele knockout. The N terminus is not a general nuclear localization signal (NLS), however, and it fails to accumulate unrelated proteins in the nucleus. An ectopic NLS is sufficient to reinstate nuclear localization of truncated RPA2, but it does not restore function. Moreover, NLS-tagged, truncated RPA2 has a different subnuclear distribution to full-length protein and is unable to build stable pol I complexes. We conclude that the RPA2 N-terminal extension does not have a role exclusive to the expression of protein-coding genes, but it is essential for all pol I functions in trypanosomes because it directs trypanosomatid-specific interactions with RPA1.
Three-dimensional imaging of buried objects in very lossy earth by inversion of VETEM data

The very early time electromagnetic system (VETEM) is an efficient tool for the detection of buried objects in very lossy earth, which allows a deeper penetration depth compared to the ground-penetrating radar. In this paper, the inversion of VETEM data is investigated using three-dimensional (3-D) inverse scattering techniques, where multiple frequencies are applied in the frequency range from 0-5 MHz. For small and moderately sized problems, the Born approximation and/or the Born iterative method have been used with the aid of the singular value decomposition and/or the conjugate gradient method in solving the linearized integral equations. For large-scale problems, a localized 3-D inversion method based on the Born approximation has been proposed for the inversion of VETEM data over a large measurement domain. Ways to process and to calibrate the experimental VETEM data are discussed to capture the real physics of buried objects. Reconstruction examples using synthesized VETEM data and real-world VETEM data are given to test the validity and efficiency of the proposed approach.
Ultrasound imaging in vascular access

Physicians spend a considerable amount of time and effort inserting catheters and needles into patients. Central venous catheters are the mainstay of measuring hemodynamic variables that cannot be assessed by noninvasive procedures. These catheters also allow hemodialysis, parenteral nutritional support, delivery of medications, and catecholamine administration. Arterial pressure catheters are frequently used for hemodynamic monitoring and for obtaining arterial blood gases in critically ill patients. Such use of arterial and central venous catheters, however, is potentially associated with severe complications that can be injurious to patients and expensive to treat. Techniques involving the use of anatomic landmarks have been the traditional mainstay of accessing the central venous system for decades. With the development and refinement of portable and affordable high-resolution ultrasound devices, imaging vascular access has changed the role of the traditional landmark techniques. In this article, we explain the use of ultrasound for vascular access to reduce complications associated with cannulation of veins and arteries. We will also provide a brief overview of the current literature regarding ultrasound-guided vascular access.
Neuroprotection : The 2002 Thomas Willis Lecture Adventures in the Pathophysiology of Brain Ischemia : Penumbra , Gene Expression

Neuroprotection : The 2002 Thomas Willis Lecture Adventures in the Pathophysiology of Brain Ischemia: Penumbra, Gene Expression, Print ISSN: 0039-2499. Online ISSN: 1524-4628 Copyright © 2002 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. is published by the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231 Stroke doi: 10.1161/01.STR. 0000048846.09677. 62 2003;34:214-223; originally published online December 12, 2002; Stroke. http://stroke.ahajournals. org/content/34/1/214 World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is located on the
Routing in Ad Hoc Networks of Mobile Hosts

An ad hoc network is a collection of wireless mobile hosts forming a temporary network without the aid of any centralized administration or standard support services. In such an environment, it may be necessary for one mobile host to enlist the aid of others in forwarding a packet to its destination, due to the limited propagation range of each mobile host's wireless transmissions. Some previous attempts have been made to use conventional routing protocols for routing in ad hoc networks, treating each mobile host as a router This position paper points out a number of problems with this design and suggests a new approach based on separate route discovery and route maintenance protocols.
Wideband limit study of a GaN power amplifier using two-tone measurements

This paper studies the wideband limit (WBL) of a GaN RF power amplifier (PA). The WBL study is achieved by a PA characterization using two-tone measurements. The characterization method allows to identify the dependency of PA memory effects on the two-tone frequency spacing. PA memory effects (MEs) are measured using the opening in the AM/AM and AM/PM curves and they were found to be located in a limited range of tone spacings. The outcome of this characterization procedure is the identification of the PA wideband limit defined as the upper limit of the MEs frequency range. The most interesting phenomenon related to the WBL is that for all tone spacings beyond the WBL the AM/AM curves of the PA collapse to a quasi-static case, which is different from the static case. The presence of the wideband limit is not so evident from AM/PM curves, where the phase loop is not collapsing beyond WBL. The wideband limit is an important aspect of the DUT behaviour and can be used to improve the accuracy of the DUT behavioral model identifying its memory range.
Trust in Electronic Commerce: A New Model for Building Online Trust in B2C

The rapid growth in the electronic commerce over the internet has fuelled predictions and speculations about what makes a business to consumer (B2C) web site effective. Increasing use of the World Wide Web as a B2C commercial tool raises interest in understanding the key issues in building relationships with customers on the internet. Trust is believed to be the key to these relationships. In this paper, an overall model has presented for building online trust in this context. This model outlines some of the key factors that are related in this area and suggests a framework based on these factors. With respect to the position and importance of the trust in online commerce, this model helps businesses in order to capture, sustain and construct long-term relationships with their consumers. Keywords: E-Trust, Reverse engineering, Business-consumer web sites, online shopping, Web design
ZnO Thin Film Deposition for TCO Application in Solar Cell

ZnO is a well-known suitable candidate for the Transparent Conducting Oxide (TCO) layer of thin film compound solar cells. In this paper we have discussed the deposition of ZnO thin film on glass substrate by reactive DC magnetron sputtering using oxygen as a reactive gas. Samples are prepared by varying oxygen flow rates during the deposition process. After deposition, samples are annealed at 300°C for 2 hours in vacuum environment. All the properties of the film are measured before and after annealing. All the samples are tested for the optical transparency, band gap, and electrical resistivity before and after annealing. Band gap of film is observed to be 3.2 eV. XRD and SEM measurements of the samples show the variation in the crystal structure and surface morphology of the film with varying oxygen flow rate and annealing also. Around 600 nm thick ZnO film with Ω·cm resistivity and 80% transparency without any doping is achieved.
Microbubbles as novel pressure‐sensitive MR contrast agents

Magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents that are sensitive to pressure would be useful for evaluating cardiovascular function. One such potential contrast agent conslsts of gas‐filtod liposome microbubbles. The magnetic susceptibility of the microbubbles locally perturb the statte magnetic field, which influences the transverse‐relaxation properties of the surrounding medium. Changes in the pressure atter the bubble dimensions, which affects the magnetic field perturbations and, hence, the transverserelaxation. The effect of these microbubbles on the T2 relaxation times of a water‐based medium was measured for liposomes filled with different gases—nitrogen, argon, air, oxygen, xenon, neon, perflu‐oropentane, perfluorobutane, and sulfur hexafluoride. The air‐filled, perfluoropentane‐fllled and the oxygen‐filted liposomes demonstrated the largest effect on transverse‐relaxation. The influence of pressure on both gradient‐echo and spin‐echo signal intenstties for air‐filled microbubbles was also evaluated. Pressure‐induced changes in signal intensity were consistently observed for both the spin‐echo and gradient‐echo pulses sequences.
An Air Texturing Process for Hybridization of Different Reinforcement Filament Yarns by Commingling Process

Carbon, aramid and glass fibers are inherently superior to conventional textile fibers in terms of mechanical properties and other characteristics. However, each material has its inherent advantages and disadvantages and it is usually recommended to hybridize them to fully benefit of their high performance in practical applications to many products. This paper is concerned with an air texturing process for hybridization of different reinforcement filament yarns. A normal air texturing machine was selected for process development and modified to suit testing purposes. The modified process for hybridization was introduced mainly in terms of air-jet nozzles employed in experiments. With the proposed air texturing process machine, three types of air-nozzle were applied to the experimental work. Three different filament materials were employed in experiments and they are carbon (CF), aramid (AF), and glass (GF). As matrix materials, polyether-ether (PEEK), polyester (PES), and polypropylene (PP) were selected and experimented. Hybrid yarns produced form the proposed process was evaluated optically in terms of bulkiness, arranging, breaking, and mixing, respectively. The experimental results were also summarized in terms of relationships between applied air pressure and yarn count, and variation in count. As a whole, it was concluded from the experiments that the proposed texturing process could be successfully applied to the practical hybridization of different reinforcement filament yarns. It was also revealed from the experiments that the air pressure in the proposed process is not a significant parameter on the pressing in terms of yarn count.
Patient on-line access to medical records in general practice.

Many patients want more information about health and the computer offers tremendous potential for interactive patient education. However, patient education and the provision of information to patients will be most effective if it can be tailored to the individual patient by linkage to the medical record. Furthermore the Data Protection Act requires that patients can have access to explained versions of their computer-held medical record. We have examined the practicality and possible benefits of giving patients on-line access to their medical records in general practice. Seventy patients (20 males; 50 females) took part in the study. Sixty five of these used the computer to obtain information. The section on medical history was most popular, with 52 people accessing it. More than one in four of the problems were not understood until the further explanation screen had been seen. One in four also queried items or thought that something was incorrect. Most patients obviously enjoyed the opportunity to use the computer to see their own medical record and talk to the researcher. Many patients commented that because the General Practitioner (GP) didn't have enough time, the computer would be useful. Sixty one (87%) (95% CI: 79-95%) thought the computer easy to use and 59 (84%) would use it again. This is despite the fact that 43 (61%) thought they obtained enough information from their GP. This small study has shown that patients find this computer interface easy to use, and would use the computer to look at explanations of their medical record if it was routinely available. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)