Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atrial systole: its role in normal and diseased hearts.

The importance of atrial systole in cardiac physiology was first recognized by William Harvey in 1628: “ . and if at this time with its auricle alone beating you cut off the apex of the heart with a pair of scissors, you will see the blood flow out of the wound with each beat of the auricle. You will thus realise that the blood gets into the ventricles not through any pull exerted by the distended heart but through the driving force exerted by the beat of the auricles” [ 11. It appears from this quotation, however, that Harvey believed ventricular filling was wholly active and caused by atrial systole. His observations were unsurpassed until the late 19th century when further evidence for the presystolic role of atrial contraction was derived from the intraventricular pressure curve of the horse. Chaveau & Marey in 1863 showed a “small but well defined wave before the sharp systolic rise” [2]. In the early 20th century more exact measurements of cardiac physiology were made and the diastolic filling of the ventricles was studied experimentally. Yandall Henderson [3] in 1906, using an isolated heart preparation and plethysmography to measure volume changes in the ventricle, showed that diastolic ventricular filling was mainly passive and found only a small increase in volume coincident with atrial systole. He concluded that “the contraction of the auricles increases the ventricular volume to the extent of a few drops at most”. Henderson’s results were later criticised by Gesell [2], who felt that the plethysmography equipment used by Henderson was insensitive to rapid changes in volume and that changes in the outer contours of the heart may not represent what was happening inside. This was borne out by the work of Hermann Straub [4], who in 19 10, using isolated mammalian hearts and sensitive plethysmography repeated Henderson’s early experiments. He showed a marked increase in ventricular volume after atrial contraction. Subsequently, Gesell performed a series of experiments [2,5,6] in isolated heart preparations in order to define the role of atrial systole
A novel physical layer spoofing detection based on sparse signal processing

In wireless communication systems, spoofing attack significantly impact the information security, for this attack is not hard to launch with little effort. Although traditional cryptographic authentication can be utilized for node identification, it is not desirable in some low power requirements application scenarios such as Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). In this paper, we formulate this problem as one of sparse signal processing. In order to identify the existence of the spoofing attacker, we explore using the feature extraction and fusion to establish an automatic representative selection algorithm. By examining the correlation between the two selected targets, we can determine the attacking situation. We evaluate our scheme through an experimental system, and the experimental results on real measured data show that our sparse signal processing can reach desired identification performance.
Conference on ‘ PUFA mediators: implications for human health ’ Symposium 3: Cannabinoids in human health Endocannabinoid system and pain: an introduction

The endocannabinoid (EC) system consists of two main receptors: cannabinoid type 1 receptor cannabinoid receptors are found in both the central nervous system (CNS) and periphery, whereas the cannabinoid type 2 receptor cannabinoid receptor is found principally in the immune system and to a lesser extent in the CNS. The EC family consists of two classes of well characterised ligands; the N -acyl ethanolamines, such as N -arachidonoyl ethanolamide or anandamide (AEA), and the monoacylglycerols, such as 2-arachidonoyl glycerol. The various synthetic and catabolic pathways for these enzymes have been (with the exception of AEA synthesis) elucidated. To date, much work has examined the role of EC in nociceptive processing and the potential of targeting the EC system to produce analgesia. Cannabinoid receptors and ligands are found at almost every level of the pain pathway from peripheral sites, such as peripheral nerves and immune cells, to central integration sites such as the spinal cord, and higher brain regions such as the periaqueductal grey and the rostral ventrolateral medulla associated with descending control of pain. EC have been shown to induce analgesia in preclinical models of acute nociception and chronic pain states. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the evidence for the role of EC in the pain pathway and the therapeutic potential of EC to produce analgesia. We also review the present clinical work conducted with EC, and examine whether targeting the EC system might offer a novel target for analgesics, and also potentially disease-modifying interventions for pathophysiological pain states.
Estimating Genetic Conformism of Korean Mulberry Cultivars Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA and Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat Profiling

Apart from being fed to silkworms in sericulture, the ecologically important Mulberry plant has been used for traditional medicine in Asian countries as well as in manufacturing wine, food, and beverages. Germplasm analysis among Mulberry cultivars originating from South Korea is crucial in the plant breeding program for cultivar development. Hence, the genetic deviations and relations among 8 Morus alba plants, and one Morus lhou plant, of different cultivars collected from South Korea were investigated using 10 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and 10 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers in the present study. The ISSR markers exhibited a higher polymorphism (63.42%) among mulberry genotypes in comparison to RAPD markers. Furthermore, the similarity coefficient was estimated for both markers and found to be varying between 0.183 and 0.814 for combined pooled data of ISSR and RAPD. The phenogram drawn using the UPGMA cluster method based on combined pooled data of RAPD and ISSR markers divided the nine mulberry genotypes into two divergent major groups and the two individual independent accessions. The distant relationship between Dae-Saug (SM1) and SangchonJo Sang Saeng (SM5) offers a possibility of utilizing them in mulberry cultivar improvement of Morus species of South Korea.
Simultaneous Multibeam Resource Allocation Scheme for Multiple Target Tracking

A colocated multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar system has the ability to address multiple beam information. However, the simultaneous multibeam working mode has two finite working resources: the number of beams and the total transmit power of the multiple beams. In this scenario, a resource allocation strategy for the multibeam working mode with the task of tracking multiple targets is developed in this paper. The basis of our technique is to adjust the number of beams and their directions and the transmit power of each beam through feedback, with the purpose of improving the worst tracking performance among the multiple targets. The Bayesian Cramér-Rao lower bound (BCRLB) provides us with a lower bound on the estimated mean square error (MSE) of the target state. Hence, it is derived and utilized as an optimization criterion for the resource allocation scheme. We prove that the resulting resource optimization problem is nonconvex but can be reformulated as a set of convex problems. Therefore, optimal solutions can be obtained easily, which greatly aids real-time resource management. Numerical results show that the worst case tracking accuracy can be efficiently improved by the proposed simultaneous multibeam resource allocation (SMRA) algorithm.
Association of Shiny White Blotches and Strands With Nonpigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma: Evaluation of an Additional Dermoscopic Diagnostic Criterion.

IMPORTANCE Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer and is usually nonpigmented. Shiny white structures (SWSs) are frequently present in BCC. OBJECTIVE To determine the diagnostic accuracy of various morphologies of SWSs for diagnosis of nonpigmented BCC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Nonpigmented skin tumors, determined clinically and dermoscopically, were identified from a database of lesions consecutively biopsied over a 3-year period (January 2, 2009, to December 31, 2012) from a single dermatology practice. Data analysis was conducted from October 9, 2014, to November 15, 2015. Investigators blinded to histopathologic diagnosis evaluated the polarized dermoscopic images for the presence of SWSs, which were categorized as blotches, strands, short white lines, and rosettes. Measures of diagnostic accuracy for BCC were estimated. Participants included 2375 patients from a dermatologic clinic in Plantation, Florida. Review of the medical records identified 2891 biopsied skin lesions; 457 of these were nonpigmented neoplasms. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Diagnosis of BCC with dermoscopy compared with all other diagnoses combined was the primary outcome; the secondary outcome was diagnosis of BCC compared with amelanotic melanoma. We calculated diagnostic accuracy measured as odds ratios (ORs), sensitivity, and specificity of shiny white blotches and/or strands for the diagnosis of BCC. RESULTS Of the 457 nonpigmented neoplasms evaluated, 287 (62.8%) were BCCs, 106 (23.2%) were squamous cell carcinoma, 39 (8.5%) were lichen planus-like keratosis, 21 (4.6%) were melanomas, and 4 (0.9%) were nevi. The prevalence of SWSs was 49.0% (n = 224). In multivariate analysis (reported as OR [95% CI]) controlling for age, sex, and anatomical location, the presence of any SWS was associated with a diagnosis of BCC (2.3 [1.5-3.6]; P < .001). Blotches (6.3 [3.6-10.9]; P < .001), strands (4.9 [2.9-8.4]; P < .001), and blotches and strands together (6.1 [3.3-11.3]; P < .001) were positively associated with BCC. Shiny white blotches and strands together had a diagnostic sensitivity of 30% and specificity of 91%. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The combined presence of shiny white blotches and strands is associated with high diagnostic specificity for nonpigmented BCC.
Phylogenomic Analyses of Nuclear Genes Reveal the Evolutionary Relationships within the BEP Clade and the Evidence of Positive Selection in Poaceae

BEP clade of the grass family (Poaceae) is composed of three subfamilies, i.e. Bambusoideae, Ehrhartoideae, and Pooideae. Controversies on the phylogenetic relationships among three subfamilies still persist in spite of great efforts. However, previous evidence was mainly provided from plastid genes with only a few nuclear genes utilized. Given different evolutionary histories recorded by plastid and nuclear genes, it is indispensable to uncover their relationships based on nuclear genes. Here, eleven species with whole-sequenced genome and six species with transcriptomic data were included in this study. A total of 121 one-to-one orthologous groups (OGs) were identified and phylogenetic trees were reconstructed by different tree-building methods. Genes which might have undergone positive selection and played important roles in adaptive evolution were also investigated from 314 and 173 one-to-one OGs in two bamboo species and 14 grass species, respectively. Our results support the ((B, P) E) topology with high supporting values. Besides, our findings also indicate that 24 and nine orthologs with statistically significant evidence of positive selection are mainly involved in abiotic and biotic stress response, reproduction and development, plant metabolism and enzyme etc. from two bamboo species and 14 grass species, respectively. In summary, this study demonstrates the power of phylogenomic approach to shed lights on the evolutionary relationships within the BEP clade, and offers valuable insights into adaptive evolution of the grass family.
Incidence of Respiratory Virus-Associated Pneumonia in Urban Poor Young Children of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2009–2011

Background Pneumonia is the leading cause of childhood death in Bangladesh. We conducted a longitudinal study to estimate the incidence of virus-associated pneumonia in children aged <2 years in a low-income urban community in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods We followed a cohort of children for two years. We collected nasal washes when children presented with respiratory symptoms. Study physicians diagnosed children with cough and age-specific tachypnea and positive lung findings as pneumonia case-patients. We tested respiratory samples for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinoviruses, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), influenza viruses, human parainfluenza viruses (HPIV 1, 2, 3), and adenoviruses using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. Results Between April 2009–March 2011, we followed 515 children for 730 child-years. We identified a total of 378 pneumonia episodes, 77% of the episodes were associated with a respiratory viral pathogen. The overall incidence of pneumonia associated with a respiratory virus infection was 40/100 child-years. The annual incidence of pneumonia/100 child-years associated with a specific respiratory virus in children aged <2years was 12.5 for RSV, 6 for rhinoviruses, 6 for HMPV, 4 for influenza viruses, 3 for HPIV and 2 for adenoviruses. Conclusion Young children in Dhaka are at high risk of childhood pneumonia and the majority of these episodes are associated with viral pathogens. Developing effective low-cost strategies for prevention are a high priority.
TO STUDY THE APPLICATION OF NANOREFRIGERANT IN REFRIGERATION SYSTEM: A REVIEW

In past time only refrigerants were used in refrigeration process and they were having a global warming coefficient at high level. Now, as time change the modern techniques are coming into existence with the help of them the refrigeration process become more efficient and safe as compare to previous in atmospheric prospective. This review paper is based on the nanotechnologies used in present time in refrigeration system like vapour compression refrigeration system, domestic refrigerator and air conditioner etc. The nano refrigerant is nothing but the combined form of nano particle with the refrigerant. The nanorefrigerant can be formed by two ways (1) by mixing nano particles with refrigerant in gaseous form, (2) by mixing nano particles to lubricant. We will combine different nano particles having the same diameter and same volume fraction with the lubricant to study the nature of thermo-physical properties in refrigeration process. There would be some parameters that can be studied by this experiment like energy consumption, heat transfer, cop etc.
Quantifying the Spatial Dimension of Dengue Virus Epidemic Spread within a Tropical Urban Environment

Background Dengue infection spread in naive populations occurs in an explosive and widespread fashion primarily due to the absence of population herd immunity, the population dynamics and dispersal of Ae. aegypti, and the movement of individuals within the urban space. Knowledge on the relative contribution of such factors to the spatial dimension of dengue virus spread has been limited. In the present study we analyzed the spatio-temporal pattern of a large dengue virus-2 (DENV-2) outbreak that affected the Australian city of Cairns (north Queensland) in 2003, quantified the relationship between dengue transmission and distance to the epidemic's index case (IC), evaluated the effects of indoor residual spraying (IRS) on the odds of dengue infection, and generated recommendations for city-wide dengue surveillance and control. Methods and Findings We retrospectively analyzed data from 383 DENV-2 confirmed cases and 1,163 IRS applications performed during the 25-week epidemic period. Spatial (local k-function, angular wavelets) and space-time (Knox test) analyses quantified the intensity and directionality of clustering of dengue cases, whereas a semi-parametric Bayesian space-time regression assessed the impact of IRS and spatial autocorrelation in the odds of weekly dengue infection. About 63% of the cases clustered up to 800 m around the IC's house. Most cases were distributed in the NW-SE axis as a consequence of the spatial arrangement of blocks within the city and, possibly, the prevailing winds. Space-time analysis showed that DENV-2 infection spread rapidly, generating 18 clusters (comprising 65% of all cases), and that these clusters varied in extent as a function of their distance to the IC's residence. IRS applications had a significant protective effect in the further occurrence of dengue cases, but only when they reached coverage of 60% or more of the neighboring premises of a house. Conclusion By applying sound statistical analysis to a very detailed dataset from one of the largest outbreaks that affected the city of Cairns in recent times, we not only described the spread of dengue virus with high detail but also quantified the spatio-temporal dimension of dengue virus transmission within this complex urban environment. In areas susceptible to non-periodic dengue epidemics, effective disease prevention and control would depend on the prompt response to introduced cases. We foresee that some of the results and recommendations derived from our study may also be applicable to other areas currently affected or potentially subject to dengue epidemics.
Insulin Resistance Improves More in Women than In Men in Association with a Weight Loss Intervention

Background Fasting glucose and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) are important measures of the risk for metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Weight loss interventions are considered part of the first line of therapy for those who develop disease states associated with insulin resistance, such as pre-diabetes, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome. Sex differences in insulin resistance have been extensively reported, but sex differences in the ability to improve insulin sensitivity are not well-established. This study sought to identify factors that predict change in HOMA-IR in response to weight loss. Methods Non-diabetic subjects who were overweight/obese (n=100) were randomly assigned to a walnut-enriched reduced-energy diet or a standard reduced-energy-density diet in a 6-month weight loss intervention. There were no significant differences in weight change, glucose, insulin, or HOMA-IR between the two diet groups. These subjects were combined into a single cohort and analyzed with multivariate analysis. Results The combined groups lost an average of 8.7 kg (p<0.0001), decreased serum glucose by an average 0.2 mmol/L (p<0.001), and decreased HOMA-IR by an average of 1.4 (p<0.0001). Change in HOMA-IR (R2=0.69) was positively associated with weight change (p<0.0001) and male sex (p<0.01), and negatively associated with baseline HOMA-IR (p<0.0001). Conclusion Findings from this study suggest that men may have a more difficult time improving insulin sensitivity as compared with women with an equivalent weight loss and baseline HOMA-IR. One hypothesis to explain the differences across sexes may be due to sex differences in visceral adipose fat (VAT). This may mean that insulin resistant men require more aggressive intervention than women to prevent progression to metabolic syndrome or diabetes.
Thresholds in Songbird Occurrence in Relation to Landscape Structure

Abstract: Theory predicts the occurrence of threshold levels of habitat in landscapes, below which ecological processes change abruptly. Simulation models indicate that below critical thresholds, fragmentation of habitat influences patch occupancy by decreasing colonization rates and increasing rates of local extinction. Uncovering such putative relationships is important for understanding the demography of species and in developing sound conservation strategies. Using segmented logistic regression, we tested for thresholds in occurrence of 15 bird species as a function of the amount of suitable habitat at multiple scales (150–2000‐m radii). Suitable habitat was defined quantitatively based on previously derived, spatially explicit distribution models for each species. The occurrence of 10 out of 15 species was influenced by the amount of habitat at a landscape scale (≥500‐m radius). Of these species all but one were best predicted by threshold models. Six out of nine species exhibited asymptotic thresholds; the effects of habitat loss intensified at low amounts of habitat in a landscape. Landscape thresholds ranged from 8.6% habitat to 28.7% ( = 18.5 ± 2.6%[95% CI]). For two species landscape thresholds coincided with sensitivity to fragmentation; both species were more likely to occur in large patches, but only when the amount of habitat in a landscape was low. This supports the fragmentation threshold hypothesis. Nevertheless, the occurrence of most species appeared to be unaffected by fragmentation, regardless of the amount of habitat present at landscape extents. The thresholds we identified may be useful to managers in establishing conservation targets. Our results indicate that findings of landscape‐scale studies conducted in regions with relatively high proportions of habitat and low fragmentation may not be applicable in regions with low habitat proportions and high fragmentation.
Activity in a Premotor Cortical Nucleus of Zebra Finches Is Locally Organized and Exhibits Auditory Selectivity in Neurons but Not in Glia

Motor functions are often guided by sensory experience, most convincingly illustrated by complex learned behaviors. Key to sensory guidance in motor areas may be the structural and functional organization of sensory inputs and their evoked responses. We study sensory responses in large populations of neurons and neuron-assistive cells in the songbird motor area HVC, an auditory-vocal brain area involved in sensory learning and in adult song production. HVC spike responses to auditory stimulation display remarkable preference for the bird's own song (BOS) compared to other stimuli. Using two-photon calcium imaging in anesthetized zebra finches we measure the spatio-temporal structure of baseline activity and of auditory evoked responses in identified populations of HVC cells. We find strong correlations between calcium signal fluctuations in nearby cells of a given type, both in identified neurons and in astroglia. In identified HVC neurons only, auditory stimulation decorrelates ongoing calcium signals, less for BOS than for other sound stimuli. Overall, calcium transients show strong preference for BOS in identified HVC neurons but not in astroglia, showing diversity in local functional organization among identified neuron and astroglia populations.
Pre-registration for Improved Latent Fingerprint Identification

Comparing a latent fingerprint minutiae set against a ten print fingerprint minutiae set using an automated fingerprint identification system is a challenging problem. This is mainly because latent fingerprints obtained from crime scenes are mostly partial fingerprints, and most automated systems expect approximately the same number of minutiae between query and the reference fingerprint under comparison for good performance. In this work, we propose a methodology to reduce the minutiae set of ten print with respect to that of query latent minutiae set by registering the orientation field of latent fingerprint with the ten print orientation field. By reducing the search space of minutiae from the ten print, we can improve the performance of automated identification systems for latent fingerprints. We report the performance of our registration algorithm on the NIST-SD27 database as well as the improvement in the Rank Identification accuracy of a standard minutiae-based automated system.