Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new device to relieve venipuncture pain can affect haematology test results.

BACKGROUND In vitro diagnostic tests play a key role in patients' management (e.g., guiding red blood cell transfusions). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an innovative device (Buzzy®) which is claimed to be able to relieve venipuncture pain by means of cold and vibration. This device was applied during collection of venous blood by venipuncture for conventional haematology testing. MATERIALS AND METHODS Blood was drawn from 100 volunteers by a single, expert phlebotomist. A vein was located in the left forearm without applying a tourniquet but using a subcutaneous tissue transilluminator device, so that venous stasis was avoided. Blood samples were collected with a 20G straight needle directly into 4 mL K3EDTA vacuum tubes. In sequence, external cold and vibration was established by Buzzy® on the right forearm -5 cm above the venipuncture site- for 1 minute before venipuncture and continued until the end of the same procedure already performed in the left forearm. Conventional haematological tests were performed using the same instrument (Sysmex® XE-2100D) in all cases. RESULTS When Buzzy® was applied before drawing blood, erythrocyte counts and associated parameters (i.e., haemoglobin and haematocrit) were higher, whereas platelet number, leucocyte count and differential were lower. Statistically and clinically significant differences (P<0.001) were observed for erythrocytes, haemoglobin and haematocrit. DISCUSSION From a practical perspective, cold-induced haemoconcentration promotes the efflux of water, diffusible ions and low molecular weight molecules from the vessel, thus increasing the concentration of other blood analytes at the puncture site. These variations may influence test results, especially for erythrocytes, haemoglobin and haematocrit. The novel Buzzy® device should, therefore, be used with caution when collecting blood for conventional haematological testing because of the observed bias introduced in some parameters.
BP1 overexpression is associated with adverse prognosis in de novo acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract To investigate DLX4 isoforms expression and their clinical significance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). DLX4 transcript variant 1 (BP1) expression was significantly up-regulated in AML patients compared with normal controls. However, DLX4 transcript variant 2 (DLX7) was significantly down-regulated in AML patients. Both in the overall AML and the non-M3 AML cohorts, those patients with high BP1 expression (BP1high) showed significantly lower rates of complete remission than those with low BP1 expression (BP1low). BP1high cases had significantly shorter overall survival than BP1low cases in the overall AML cohort, non-M3 AML, and cytogenetically normal AML (CN-AML). Multivariate analysis confirmed the independent prognostic value of BP1 expression among both the overall AML cohort and non-M3 AML as well as CN-AML patients. However, we did not observe the impact of DLX7 expression on prognosis in AML patients. Our study reveals that BP1 overexpression serves as an independent risk factor in de novo AML patients.
Communication and migration energy aware design space exploration for multicore systems with intermittent faults

Shrinking transistor geometries, aggressive voltage scaling and higher operating frequencies have negatively impacted the dependability of embedded multicore systems. Most existing research works on fault-tolerance have focused on transient and permanent faults of cores. Intermittent faults are a separate class of defects resulting from on-chip temperature, pressure and voltage variations and lasting for a few cycles to several seconds or more. Operations of cores impacted by intermittent faults are suspended during these cycles but come back alive when conditions become favorable. This paper proposes a technique to model the availability of multiprocessor systems-on-chip (MPSoCs) with intermittent and reparable device defects. This model is based on Markov chain with stochastic fault distribution and can be applied even for permanent faults. Based on this model, a design space pruning technique is proposed to select a set of task mappings (with variable resource usage), which minimizes the task communication energy while satisfying the MPSoC availability constraint. Moreover, task migration overhead is also minimized, which is an important consideration for frequently occurring intermittent and temperature related faults, where prolonged system downtime during task re-mapping is not desired. Experiments conducted with real-life and synthetic application task graphs demonstrate that the proposed technique minimizes communication energy by 30% and reduces migration overhead by 50% as compared to the existing approaches.
Theoretical assessment of influence of deformation induced heating on mechanical behaviour at elevated temperatures

Abstract When a material is deformed, most of the work done by the applied stress is dissipated as heat. For low rates of deformation or for small blocks of material, the loss of heat to the surroundings is rapid relative to the rate of heat generation and the temperature rise is therefore minimal. Under the opposite conditions however, a significant temperature profile can develop within the material. For thermally activated deformation at elevated temperatures, this can have a significant effect on the mechanical response. This is investigated theoretically in the present work. It is evident that the creep of materials in the presence of a temperature profile is central to the understanding and an analysis of this forms the first part of the paper, where creep under uniaxial stress, in bending and in torsion are treated. In the next section, deformation heating under adiabatic conditions is considered and finally, numerical analyses are given for cases where deformation heating occurs with concurrent conduction to the surroundings. Some examples where deformation self-heating is likely to be important are discussed. These include superplastic behaviour, thermal fatigue, rapid stress rupture tests, depressurisation of nuclear reactors, and the deformation of planetary material.
A Novel Technique for PID Tuning by Linearized Biogeography-Based Optimization

Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller is commonly used in process control systems. Tuning PID controller parameters are a very challenging problem to improve performance and stability of a process. This paper presents a novel method for PID controller tuning problem using Linearized Biogeography-Based Optimization (LBBO) algorithm. Biogeography-Based Optimization (BBO) is an evolutionary optimization algorithm based on mathematical model of Biogeography, it permits of sharing the features among candidate solutions (habitats) represented by emigration and immigration. By using Matlab/Simulink and the squared error integral criterion as objective function. The algorithm is applied to benchmarks functions optimization design, and is then compared with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), BBO, and Modified Biogeography-Based Optimization (MBBO). Simulation results shown that the LBBO is an effective tuning method and has better performance compared with PSO, BBO, and MBBO.
Assessment and Interpretation of Bacterial Viability by Using the LIVE/DEAD BacLight Kit in Combination with Flow Cytometry

ABSTRACT The commercially available LIVE/DEAD BacLight kit is enjoying increased popularity among researchers in various fields of microbiology. Its use in combination with flow cytometry brought up new questions about how to interpret LIVE/DEAD staining results. Intermediate states, normally difficult to detect with epifluorescence microscopy, are a common phenomenon when the assay is used in flow cytometry and still lack rationale. It is shown here that the application of propidium iodide in combination with a green fluorescent total nucleic acid stain on UVA-irradiated cells of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Shigella flexneri, and a community of freshwater bacteria resulted in a clear and distinctive flow cytometric staining pattern. In the gram-negative bacterium E. coli as well as in the two enteric pathogens, the pattern can be related to the presence of intermediate cellular states characterized by the degree of damage afflicted specifically on the bacterial outer membrane. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that EDTA-treated nonirradiated cells exhibit the same staining properties. On the contrary, this pattern was not observed in gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis, which lacks an outer membrane. Our observations add a new aspect to the LIVE/DEAD stain, which so far was believed to be dependent only on cytoplasmic membrane permeability.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance: an update

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the development of insulin resistance (IR); however, a large variety of association and intervention studies as well as genetic manipulations in rodents have reported contrasting results. Indeed, even 39 years after the first publication describing a relationship between IR and diminished mitochondrial function, it is still unclear whether a direct relationship exists, and more importantly if changes in mitochondrial capacity are a cause or consequence of IR. This review will take a journey through the past and summarise the debate about the occurrence of mitochondrial dysfunction and its possible role in causing decreased insulin action in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Evidence is presented from studies in various human populations, as well as rodents with genetic manipulations of pathways known to affect mitochondrial function and insulin action. Finally, we have discussed whether mitochondria are a potential target for the treatment of IR.
A Geometric Approach to Color Image Regularization

We present a new vectorial total variation method that addresses the problem of color consistent image filtering. Our approach is inspired from the double-opponent cell representation in the human visual cortex. Existing methods of vectorial total variation regularizers have insufficient (or no) coupling between the color channels and thus may introduce color artifacts. We address this problem by introducing a novel coupling between the color channels related to a pullback-metric from the opponent space to the data (RGB color) space. Our energy is a non-convex, non-smooth higher-order vectorial total variation approach and promotes color consistent image filtering via a coupling term. For a convex variant, we show well-posedness and existence of a solution in the space of vectorial bounded variation. For the higher-order scheme we employ a half-quadratic strategy, which model the non-convex energy terms as the infimum of a sequence of quadratic functions. In experiments, we elaborate on traditional image restoration applications of inpainting, deblurring and denoising. Regarding the latter, we demonstrate state of the art restoration quality with respect to structure coherence and color consistency.
The Effects of Femoral Derotation Osteotomy in Children With Cerebral Palsy: An Evaluation Using Energy Cost and Functional Mobility

Background: The effect of femoral derotation osteotomy (FDO) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) has hitherto been examined using various outcome measures including range of motion of lower extremity joints and gait parameters. However, functional ambulation following this procedure has been scarcely investigated. Objective: To evaluate the effect of FDO on energy cost during stair climbing and functional mobility in children with CP. Method: A prospective case series study was conducted on 18 children with CP, 11 at Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) II and 7 with GMFCS III, aged 8.5 ± 1.24 years (range, 6.9-11 years) who underwent FDO to correct hip internal rotation. The energy cost was measured using the heart beat cost index (HBCI) during stair climbing test, whereas functional mobility was assessed using the Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ). Tests were administered before surgery (P0), 6 months (P1), and at approximately a year postoperatively (P2). Results: Compared with P0, significant changes in hip rotation were observed at P1 and P2. There was a significant improvement in HBCI from P0 to P2, whereas FAQ improved significantly from P1 to P2. A moderate correlation was found between HBCI and GMFCS at all times (r = 0.61-0.78). Negative correlations were found between the HBCI and FAQ and between GMFCS and FAQ at all times (r = −0.5). Conclusion: This study indicates that children with CP may benefit functionally from FDO as judged by HBCI and functional mobility rating.
Use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay performed directly on fixed infected cell monolayers for evaluating drugs against varicella-zoster virus

An in situ enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), performed directly on fixed varicella-zoster virus-infected monolayers, was used to quantitate viral antigen, and by color reduction it was used to evaluate the activity of drugs against varicella-zoster virus. Color production in the ELISA (optical density) was directly related to the dose of input virus. Antigen representing 5 to 10 plaques could be detected 3 days after infection. The ELISA was specific and reproducible, as shown by absorption and repeat experiments, respectively. A color-reduction test by ELISA was compared with the conventional plaque-reduction assay for its ability to measure the antiviral activity of acyclovir, bromovinyldeoxyuridine, trifluorothymidine, and vidarabine against four strains of varicella-zoster virus. In all cases but one the 50% inhibitory doses were lower when measured by ELISA than by the plaque-reduction assay. This in situ ELISA color reduction method had the following advantages over the conventional plaque-reduction assay: the endpoint was an objective measurement; there was less well-to-well variation; the assay was sensitive to changes in plaque size as well as plaque number; it was less labor intensive.
Prevalence and virulence properties of Vibrio cholerae non‐O1, Aeromonas spp. and Plesiomonas shigelloides isolated from Cambé Stream (State of Paraná, Brazil)

The incidence of Vibrio cholerae, Aeromonas spp. and Plesiomonas shigelloides was determined in water samples from Cambé Stream. The samples were collected from seven different sites. The serogroups, virulence markers and drug resistance profiles were also evaluated. Twelve Aer. hydrophila, 12 Aer. caviae, eight Aer. sobria, seven Ple shigelloides and two V. cholerae non‐O1 were isolated. They belonged to different serogroups and all produced haemolysis in different assays. Five of the Aeromonas strains and one of V. cholerae non‐O1 were positive for enterotoxin activity. Haemagglutination and its inhibition, using erythrocytes of different origins, was variable for Aeromonas spp. and V. cholerae, while none of the Ple. shigelloides haemagglutinated in association with any type of erythrocyte. All isolates exhibited multiple drug resistance. These results indicate that the occurrence of V. cholerae non‐O1, Aeromonas spp. and Ple. shigelloides, in water used for vegetable irrigation, human recreation and animal consumption, among others, represents a potential risk for humans.
A Large Scale Experiment for Mood-Based Classification of TV Programmes

We present results from a large study with 200 participants who watched short excerpts from TV programmes and assigned mood labels. The agreement between labellers was evaluated, showing that an overall consensus exists. Multiple mood terms could be reduced to two principal dimensions, the first relating to the seriousness or light-heartedness of programmes, the second describing the perceived pace. Automatic classification of both mood dimensions was possible to a high degree of accuracy, reaching more than 95% for programmes with very clear moods. The influence of existing human generated genre labels was evaluated, showing that they were closely related to the first mood dimension and helped to distinguish serious form humorous programmes. The pace of programmes however could be more accurately classified when features based on audio and video signal processing were used.
Analysis of regulated exocytosis in adrenal chromaffin cells: insights into NSF/SNAP/SNARE function

Many of the proteins that function in regulated exocytosis have now been identified. Several proteins form part of a conserved core machinery that acts in many intracellular vesicular fusion steps and their essential roles confirmed by molecular genetic analysis. In addition, studies with adrenal chromaffin and PC12 cells have demonstrated the function of various proteins in regulated exocytosis and have permitted dissection of the stages of exocytosis in which they act. N‐Ethylmaleimide‐sensitive fusion protein (NSF) and soluble NSF attachment proteins (SNAPs) are key proteins in exocytosis. Examination of their function has indicated that they have a predocking role most likely as molecular chaperones to prepare the docking/fusion machinery. The exact site and time of action in exocytosis of many of the other identified proteins are unknown. A major emphasis for the future will be analysis of the molecular physiology of regulated exocytosis to permit the assignment of functions to identified proteins in particular stages of the regulated exocytotic pathway. BioEssays 20:328‐335, 1998. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Factors associated with mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 despite a maternal viral load <500 copies/ml at delivery: a case-control study nested in the French perinatal cohort (EPF-ANRS CO1).

BACKGROUND The rate of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 is as low as 0.5% in non-breast-feeding mothers who delivered at term while receiving antiretroviral therapy with a plasma viral load <500 copies/mL. This situation accounted for 20% of the infected children born during the period 1997-2006 in the French Perinatal Cohort. We aimed to identify factors associated with such residual transmission risk. METHODS We performed a case-control study nested in the aforementioned subpopulation of the French Perinatal Cohort. RESULTS Nineteen case patients (transmitters) and 60 control subjects (nontransmitters) were included. Case patients and control subjects did not differ by geographical origin, gestational age at HIV diagnosis, type of antiretroviral therapy received, or elective Cesarean delivery. Case patients were less often receiving treatment at the time that they conceived pregnancy than control subjects (16% vs 45%; P=.017). A lower proportion of case patients had a viral load <500 copies/mL, compared with control subjects, at 14 weeks (0% vs 38.1%; P=.02), 28 weeks (7.7% vs 62.1%; P=.005), and 32 weeks: (21.4% vs 71.1%; P=.004). The difference remained significant when we restricted analysis to the 10 of 16 intrapartum transmission cases. In a multivariate analysis at 30+/-4 weeks adjusted for viral load, CD4(+) T cell count, and time at antiretroviral therapy initiation, viral load was the only factor independently associated with MTCT of HIV (adjusted odds ratio, 23.2; 95% confidence interval, 3.5-553; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Early and sustained control of viral load is associated with a decreasing residual risk of MTCT of HIV-1. Guidelines should take into account not only CD4(+) T cell count and risk of preterm delivery, but also baseline HIV-1 load for deciding when to start antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy.
Detecting concealed information using brain-imaging technology

Many conventional techniques for revealing concealed information have focused on detecting whether a person is responding truthfully to specific questions, typically using some form of lie detector. However, lie detection has faced a number of criticisms and it is still unclear to what degree conventional lie detectors can be used to reveal concealed knowledge in applied real-world settings. Here, we review the key problems with conventional lie-detection technology and critically discuss the potential of novel techniques that aim to directly read concealed mental states out of patterns of brain activity.
Detection of signaling pathways in human brain during arousal of specific emotion

Neuroscientists usually determine similarity between EEG electrode signals, by a measure of pairwise linear dependence among them. However, recent research indicates the drawbacks of analyzing the pairwise dependence of signals instead of analyzing the simultaneous joint interdependence among them. To overcome this problem we propose a novel similarity measure known as probabilistic relative correlation. Our approach is unique because our similarity measure allows the electrodes to have probabilistic similarity measures and recognizes emotion dependent structures even from mismatched sequences of correlation. We further validate our proposed similarity measure by testing it on the well-known emotion recognition problem. Our experiments have noteworthy implications towards realizing the neural signatures of discrete emotions and will allow for the better understanding of neurological pathways associated with different emotional states. To identify the most active neurological pathways in brain during an emotion, we adapt the minimal spanning tree algorithm.
Mutations in the csgD Promoter Associated with Variations in Curli Expression in Certain Strains ofEscherichia coli O157:H7

ABSTRACT Single-base-pair csgD promoter mutations in human outbreak Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains ATCC 43894 and ATCC 43895 coincided with differential Congo red dye binding from curli fiber expression. Red phenotypecsgD::lacZ promoter fusions had fourfold-greater expression than white promoter fusions. Cloning the red variant csgDEFG operon into white variants induced the red phenotype. Substrate utilization differed between red and white variants.
A multiobjective genetic algorithm based hybrid recommendation approach

Personalized recommendation approaches have received much attention over the years. In this paper, we propose a hybrid recommendation approach that integrates an item-based collaborative filtering, a user-based collaborative filtering and a matrix factorization method. The approach considers the two objectives of recommendation's accuracy and diversity simultaneously. First, a set of items is created separately by each of the three methods. Then, items produced by the three methods are combined into a set of candidate items. Finally, a multiobjective genetic algorithm is adopted to choose a set of Pareto recommendation lists from the set. Experimental results show that the proposed approach is very effective and is able to produce better Pareto solutions than those comparative approaches.
Discipline Decision Tree Classification Algorithm and Application based on Weighted Information Gain Ratio

Discipline evaluation is an important part in higher education evaluation. It plays a significant role in discipline construction in universities and colleges. It is challenging how to use scientific discipline evaluation to classify disciplines, such as advantageous disciplines and newly-emerging ones. This paper proposes an algorithm of discipline decision tree classification based on weighted information gain ratio. It determines evaluation attributes and creates decision tree according to weighted information gain ratio. Discipline classification rules are deduced by decision tree. An automatic classification system is developed, implementing the algorithm and analysing data from universities and colleges in Shanghai. Experimental results show that our scheme can achieve about 83.33% accuracy in forecasts. It provides advice and guidance for discipline evaluation, and establishes foundation for discipline development strategy.