Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crossover trial of analgesic efficacy of glucose and pacifier in very preterm neonates during subcutaneous injections.

OBJECTIVE Very preterm newborns undergo multiple invasive procedures. Nonpharmacological interventions are valuable alternatives for pain relief during minor procedures in neonates. Oral sucrose analgesia has been widely studied in term and preterm neonates during painful procedures. The analgesic effect of oral glucose in very preterm infants has not yet been reported. The objectives of this study were to assess the analgesic effect of orally administered glucose and to determine the synergetic analgesic effect of glucose and pacifiers during subcutaneous injections in very preterm neonates using a validated behavioral acute pain rating scale. DESIGN Two crossover trials. SETTING One neonatal intensive care unit in a community-based general hospital. METHODS A prospective study was conducted in 40 very preterm neonates. Each infant received 2 treatments in a crossover manner during 2 consecutive subcutaneous injections of erythropoietin. The first trial (25 infants) was intended to compare oral 30% glucose (0.3 mL) versus placebo (0.3 mL of sterile water); the second trial (15 infants) compared oral 30% glucose (0.3 mL) versus oral 30% glucose (0.3 mL) followed by sucking a pacifier. The primary outcome measure was the evaluation of pain induced by a subcutaneous injection of erythropoietin, using Douleur Aiguë Nouveau-né scale (0 no pain, 10 maximum pain). RESULTS Twenty-four infants completed the study in the first trial and 15 in the second one. Mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) gestational age, birth weight, postnatal age, and weight at inclusion for neonates in the first and second trial were, respectively, 28.1 (95% CI: 27.3-29.0) and 29.1 (95% CI: 27.8-30.4) weeks, 1036 (95% CI: 944-1128) and 995 (95% CI: 848-1141) g, 26.4 (95% CI: 22.4-30.3) and 26 (95% CI: 22.0-29.9) days, and 1234 (95% CI: 1120-1348) and 1209 (95% CI: 1059-1359) g. In the first trial, median (interquartile) pain scores for placebo and 30% glucose, respectively, were 7 (2.5-9.75) and 4.5 (1-6). In the second trial, median (interquartile) pain scores for 30% glucose and for 30% glucose plus pacifier, respectively, were 4 (2-7) and 4 (1-6). CONCLUSIONS A small dose of 0.3 mL of 30% oral glucose has an analgesic effect in very preterm neonates during subcutaneous injections. This effect is clinically evident because it can be detected by a behavioral pain rating scale. The synergetic analgesic effect of glucose plus sucking a pacifier is less obvious in very preterm neonates as opposed to what other studies have showed in full-term infants.
The Nitech-NAIST HMM-Based Speech Synthesis System for the Blizzard Challenge 2006

We describe a statistical parametric speech synthesis system developed by a joint group from the Nagoya Institute of Technology (Nitech) and the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) for the annual open evaluation of text-to-speech synthesis systems named Blizzard Challenge 2006. To improve our 2005 system (Nitech-HTS 2005), we investigated new features such as mel-generalized cepstrum-based line spectral pairs (MGC-LSPs), maximum likelihood linear transform (MLLT), and a full covariance global variance (GV) probability density function (pdf). A combination of mel-cepstral coefficients, MLLT, and full covariance GV pdf scored highest in subjective listening tests, and the 2006 system performed significantly better than the 2005 system. The Blizzard Challenge 2006 evaluations show that Nitech-NAIST-HTS 2006 is competitive even when working with relatively large speech databases.
Magnetic susceptibility measurements as a probe of spin transfer driven magnetization dynamics

An experimental technique has been developed to characterize spin-transfer driven magnetization dynamics. It was tested on a nanopillar spin valve with perpendicular anisotropy by measuring the nanopillar voltage under ac injected current (dV/dI), and ac magnetic field (dV/dH). Both the amplitude and the sign of the signals are different which reveals the different influences of the current and the field on the magnetization dynamics. Comparison between experiments and macrospin simulation shows that dV/dH measurements reveal the presence of a “canted state” demonstrating that dV/dH and dV/dI measurements are complementary techniques to probe magnetic states and their dynamics.
Technical solutions for the safe utilization of heavy metal‐contaminated farmland in China: A critical review

China is suffering from farmland heavy metal pollution. Different strategies have been explored in the past decades to address the problem, mainly metal removal, substitute planting, and safe farming. Safe farming aims to produce metal‐safe food crops in heavy metal‐polluted farmland without purposefully removing the excess metals. Safe farming was intended to address the soil‐borne food heavy metal issue and has been advocated as a priority solution for farmland pollution by the government. Many conventional and novel technologies have been tested for safe farming in recent years. Although most reduced heavy metals in grains, none of the technologies alone were found to be sufficient in field practice to meet national food standards. The current best practice is recognized as the combination of several agronomic measures, including pollution‐safe cultivars, optimal water management, liming, and conventional metal immobilizers. Unfortunately, field trials have not achieved a robust technical framework effective for farmland with different soil properties and climatic conditions. We propose that a practical technical framework may be biotechnology centered with a minimal use of chemical immobilizers, particularly liming and phosphate minerals. Foliar sprays and microbial biosorbents seem promising for safe farming. A biotechnology‐centered framework may largely simplify the field practice of safe farming and is more acceptable to governments and farmers.
Collaborative Body Sensor Networks

In this paper we propose reference architectures and SPINE-based middleware for Collaborative Body Sensor Networks (CBSNs) that can enable new smart wearable systems in the context of physical pervasive computing environments. CBSNs are wireless BSNs that are able to cooperate to support a common goal. Cooperation is therefore based on interaction among the CBSNs and distributed computation across the interacting CBSNs. In particular, interaction can be activated when CBSNs are in proximity and based on service-specific protocols that allow for service management between the involved CBSNs. Specifically, the paper presents C-SPINE, an enhancement of the SPINE middleware for CBSN applications. Finally, a collaborative emotion detection system, integrating heart rate sensing with handshake detection, is developed through C-SPINE and experimentally analyzed.
Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures

Background: Population-based incidence rates and trends of acute Achilles tendon ruptures are not known. It is also not known whether recent high-quality randomized controlled trials not favoring surgery have had an effect on treatment protocols. Purpose: To assess the incidence of acute Achilles tendon ruptures in Sweden and to examine the trends in surgical treatment. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: We conducted a nationwide registry-based study including all adult (≥18 years of age) inpatient and outpatient hospital visits because of an acute Achilles tendon rupture in Sweden between 2001 and 2012. Results: We identified a total of 27,702 patients (21,979 men, 79%) with acute Achilles tendon ruptures between 2001 and 2012. In 2001, the sex-specific incidence of acute Achilles tendon ruptures was 47.0 (per 100,000 person-years) in men and 12.0 in women. In 2012, the corresponding values were 55.2 in men and 14.7 in women, with an increase of 17% in men and 22% in women. The proportion of surgically treated patients declined from 43% in 2001 to 28% in 2012 in men and from 34% in 2001 to 22% in 2012 in women. Conclusion: The incidence of acute Achilles tendon ruptures in Sweden is increasing. The most probable reason for this increase is the rise in the number of older adults participating in high-demand sports. The proportion of surgically treated patients is decreasing most likely because of recent high-quality randomized controlled trials and their meta-analyses supporting similar results between surgical and nonsurgical approaches.
Oral motor function and smile degree in the rehabilitation for Parkinson's disease

Patients with a bright expression give the impression that their oral motor function has improved. The association between oral motor function and smile degree was examined in this study. As a result, the oral motor function (lips / tongue) and smile degree were significantly improved after rehabilitation. Also, regarding the oral motor function, smile degree significantly correlated with the tongue motor function. Therefore, it was estimated that improvement of the smile degree contributed to improvement of the oral cavity function through indirect reduction of psychological stress.
Observer-based output feedback robust control of uncertain discrete-time switched systems

The observer-based static output feedback control problem for discrete-time switched systems is investigated. A sufficient condition of stability for the switched systems under arbitrary switching is obtained by using switched Lyapunov function approach. The linear matrix inequality (LMI) of the condition is parameterized by a scalar variable which allows extra degree of freedom for design problems and stability analysis. Thus, the stability condition has less conservative. Finally, a simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the result in this paper.
Teaching Undergraduate Researchers to Theorize and Practice Narrative Inquiry

Narrative inquiry has become a growing part of scholarly work across disciplines and a common part of student writing. I begin this article by proposing that undergraduate students can benefit from a course that teaches them about narrative, a mode of knowing many theorists claim is unique to humans and basic to our understanding. Students who understand the intersections of epistemology and narrative are more likely to avoid the intellectual pratfalls of writing narratives that are static, simple or entirely self-focused. The remainder of the article proposes texts and themes to constitute a course focused on narrative thinking and writing. I suggest that the major topics to take up are the role of narrative in human history, in contemporary scholarship, and in feminist and postmodern theory. Issues of interest include the function of narrative as evidence, the role of the personal and of experience in knowledge building according to feminist and postmodern theorizing, the ethical responsibility of narrative writers and the interactive engagement of readers. Students who make connections amongst examples, theory and personal experience not only gain a better understanding of narrative scholarship but are also more likely to enact its authentic
Multiwavelength Constraints on the Cosmic Star Formation History from Spectroscopy: The Rest-Frame Ultraviolet, Hα, and Infrared Luminosity Functions at Redshifts 1.9 ≲ z ≲ 3.4

We use a sample of rest-frame UV-selected and spectroscopically observed galaxies at redshifts 1.9 ⩽ z < 3.4, combined with ground-based spectroscopic Hα and Spitzer MIPS 24 μm data, to derive the most robust measurements of the rest-frame UV, Hα, and infrared (IR) luminosity functions (LFs) at these redshifts. Our sample is by far the largest of its kind, with over 2000 spectroscopic redshifts in the range 1.9 ⩽ z < 3.4 and ~15,000 photometric candidates in 29 independent fields covering a total area of almost a square degree. Our method for computing the LFs takes into account a number of systematic effects, including photometric scatter, Lyα line perturbations to the observed optical colors of galaxies, and contaminants. Taking into account the latter, we find no evidence for an excess of UV-bright galaxies over what was inferred in early z ∼ 3 LBG studies. The UV LF appears to undergo little evolution between z ∼ 4 and z ∼ 2. Corrected for extinction, the UV luminosity density (LD) at z ∼ 2 is at least as large as the value at z ∼ 3 and a factor of ~9 larger than the value at z ∼ 6, primarily reflecting an increase in the number density of bright galaxies between z ∼ 6 and z ∼ 2. Our analysis yields the first constraints anchored by extensive spectroscopy on the infrared and bolometric LFs for faint and moderately luminous (Lbol≲ 1012 L☉) galaxies. Adding the IR to the emergent UV luminosity, incorporating independent measurements of the LD from ULIRGs, and assuming realistic dust attenuation values for UV-faint galaxies, indicates that galaxies with Lbol < 1012 L☉ account for ≈80% of the bolometric LD and SFRD at z ∼ 2–3. This suggests that previous estimates of the faint end of the Lbol LF may have underestimated the steepness of the faint-end slope at Lbol < 1012 L☉. Our multiwavelength constraints on the global SFRD indicate that approximately one-third of the present-day stellar mass density was formed in subultraluminous galaxies between redshifts z = 1.9–3.4.
Basic Regulatory Principles of Escherichia coli's Electron Transport Chain for Varying Oxygen Conditions

For adaptation between anaerobic, micro-aerobic and aerobic conditions Escherichia coli's metabolism and in particular its electron transport chain (ETC) is highly regulated. Although it is known that the global transcriptional regulators FNR and ArcA are involved in oxygen response it is unclear how they interplay in the regulation of ETC enzymes under micro-aerobic chemostat conditions. Also, there are diverse results which and how quinones (oxidised/reduced, ubiquinone/other quinones) are controlling the ArcBA two-component system. In the following a mathematical model of the E. coli ETC linked to basic modules for substrate uptake, fermentation product excretion and biomass formation is introduced. The kinetic modelling focusses on regulatory principles of the ETC for varying oxygen conditions in glucose-limited continuous cultures. The model is based on the balance of electron donation (glucose) and acceptance (oxygen or other acceptors). Also, it is able to account for different chemostat conditions due to changed substrate concentrations and dilution rates. The parameter identification process is divided into an estimation and a validation step based on previously published and new experimental data. The model shows that experimentally observed, qualitatively different behaviour of the ubiquinone redox state and the ArcA activity profile in the micro-aerobic range for different experimental conditions can emerge from a single network structure. The network structure features a strong feed-forward effect from the FNR regulatory system to the ArcBA regulatory system via a common control of the dehydrogenases of the ETC. The model supports the hypothesis that ubiquinone but not ubiquinol plays a key role in determining the activity of ArcBA in a glucose-limited chemostat at micro-aerobic conditions.
Sampling Based Path Planning and Vector Fields for Curve Tracking by UAVs

This paper describes the combination of artificial, circulating vector fields based on implicit curves as proposed in Gonçalves et al. (2010) with a sampling based navigation technique in the same spirit of VFRRT (vector field rapidly exploring random tree) from Ko et al. (2014). The resulting two stage strategy outputs feasible paths considering a Dubins airplane model from Owen et al. (2015), that avoids known static obstacles in the three dimensional space. In simulations the proposed algorithm outperforms a pure sampling based approach.
Cognitive Eects on the Neurophysiology and Biomechanics of Stroke Recovery

Motor function recovery after stroke typically plateaus after six months. Case reports suggest that hypnosis has the potential to stimulate further recovery of function beyond this period. A pilot clinical investigation of hypnosis-aided recovery of motor function after stroke is presented. Baseline hand motor performance was quantified for six stroke subjects with a force-following task. Brain activity during the task was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). After cognitive training with hypnosis for improved motor performance, subjects performed the task again. Reaction times and muscle contraction and relaxation rates improved significantly after hypnosis and changes persisted during follow up testing at two weeks. Hypnosis versus baseline fMRI results show increased activation extent in bilateral sensorimotor cortex with an ipsilateral shift in laterality. No significant differences were found in motor performance or fMRI results when the unaffected hand performed the task as a control condition. The autonomic physiology of hypnosis was studied by correlating heart rate variability (HRV) model parameters with hypnotic depth and motor performance changes. Modeling the low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) components in HRV as
Histochemical mapping of NADPH-diaphorase in monkey and human eyes.

PURPOSE To localize nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) in normal human and monkey eyes. METHODS NADPH-d activity in ocular tissue sections was revealed by histochemical staining. RESULTS NADPH-d staining was found in the anterior and posterior ocular segment of both species. In the anterior segment, reaction product was present in the corneal epithelium and endothelium, iris dilator and sphincter, lens capsule, ciliary muscle, and non-pigmented epithelial cells and stroma of the ciliary processes. Staining density in the longitudinal ciliary muscle was higher than in the other ciliary muscle regions in the human; such regionalization was less apparent in the monkey. The trabecular meshwork stained minimally if at all in both species. In the posterior segment, staining was seen around choroidal blood vessels and choroidal nerves, and in the retinal pigment epithelial, photoreceptor, bipolar, inner plexiform and ganglion cell layers. CONCLUSIONS NADPH-d is widespread in human and monkey eyes, indicating significant and presumably functionally relevant NO production in the various ocular structures.
Salt Stress Effects on Secondary Metabolites of Cotton in Relation to Gene Expression Responsible for Aphid Development

Many secondary metabolites have insecticidal efficacy against pests and may be affected by abiotic stress. However, little is known of how plants may respond to such stress as pertains the growth and development of pests. The objective of this study was to determine if and how salt stress on cotton plants affects the population dynamics of aphids. The NaCl treatment (50mM, 100mM, 150mM and 200mM) increased contents of gossypol in cotton by 26.8–51.4%, flavonoids by 22.5–37.6% and tannic by 15.1–24.3% at 7–28 d after salt stress. Compared with non-stressed plants, the population of aphids on 150 and 200 mM NaCl stressed plants was reduced by 46.4 and 65.4% at 7d and by 97.3 and 100% at 14 days after infestation. Reductions in aphid population were possibly attributed to the elevated secondary metabolism under salt stress. A total of 796 clones for aphids transcriptome, 412 clones in the positive- library (TEST) and 384 clones in the reverse-library (Ck), were obtained from subtracted cDNA libraries and sequenced. Gene ontology (GO) functional classification and KEGG pathway analysis showed more genes related to fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis, and fewer genes related to carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism and cell motility pathways in TEST than in Ck library, which might be the reason of aphids population reduction. A comparative analysis with qRT-PCR indicated high expression of transcripts CYP6A14, CYP6A13, CYP303A1, NADH dehydrogenase and fatty acid synthase in the TEST group. However, CYP307A1 and two ecdysone-induced protein genes were down regulated. The results indicate that genes of aphids related to growth and development can express at a higher level in reaction to the enhanced secondary metabolism in cotton under salinity stress. The expression of CYP307A1 was positively correlated with the population dynamics of aphids since it was involved in ecdysone synthesis.
The Divide-and-Conquer Deployment Algorithm Based on Triangles for Wireless Sensor Networks

In order to monitor environmental conditions, a large quality of static sensors normally are deployed randomly in large monitored area. Obviously, there are coverage holes distributed over the monitored area, and the coverage hole can be polygonal. Each coverage hole is evaluated collaboratively by static sensors surrounding the hole, while all coverage holes are evaluated in parallel. Because a polygon can be divided triangularly, exactly how to deploy sensors on a triangle is a priority. Three static sensors are located individually on the three nodes of triangles following random deployment. This work presents a novel divide-and-conquer deployment algorithm based on the triangular form that is executed on the three static sensors. The triangle can be cut into smaller ones that contain at least one interior angle equal to 60°. The small triangles with a 60° angle can be ensured full coverage, while the remaining area is still a triangle. The cutting is repeated until the triangle is sufficiently small so that the sensors on the three nodes can fully cover the area. Ultimately, the coverage hole of a triangle can be full coverage. Moreover, the x -y coordinates of each deployed sensor can be deduced. The proposed algorithm can conquer the coverage hole of each triangle of the polygon. The number of sensors and x- y coordinates of all sensors deployed in the coverage hole of the polygon can be evaluated as well.