Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reversal of height dimorphism promotes pollen and seed dispersal in a wind-pollinated dioecious plant

Variation in the timing of reproductive functions in dioecious organisms may result in adaptive changes in the direction of sexual dimorphism during the breeding season. For plants in which both pollen and seeds are wind-dispersed, it may be advantageous for male plants to be taller when pollen is dispersed and female plants to be taller when seeds are dispersed. We examined the dynamics of height dimorphism in Rumex hastatulus, an annual, wind-pollinated, dioecious plant from the southern USA. A field survey of seven populations indicated that females were significantly taller than males at seed maturity. However, a glasshouse experiment revealed a more complex pattern of height growth during the life cycle. No dimorphism was evident prior to reproduction for six of seven populations, but at flowering, males were significantly taller than females in all populations. This pattern was reversed at reproductive maturity, consistent with field observations. Males flowered later than females and the degree of height dimorphism was greater in populations with a later onset of male flowering. We discuss the potential adaptive significance of temporal changes in height dimorphism for pollen and seed dispersal, and how this may be optimized for the contrasting reproductive functions of the sexes.
Determining the Coefficients in B-spline Interpolation by Using the Second Derivative

To resolve a problem in the context of generalized spline interpolation the first step is to determine the coefficients from the input samples. The operation is a pre-filtering. This paper offers an alternative to calculate the coefficients using the values of the second derivative for the input signal. Dealing with numerical data the problem is to estimate the derivative values in each point. Two methods are presented and used to obtain the coefficients. With a cubic B-spline function being the basis function is performed the signal reconstruction and interpolation by a factor m=2. The algorithms are implemented for some well known signals and the results are presented.
Risk factors of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: a matched case control study.

BACKGROUND Carbapenems are frequently used to treat infections due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. Thus, the emergence of infections due to carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKp) is a major public health concern. OBJECTIVES To identify risk factors associated with the development of CRKp infections. METHODS We conducted a matched case-control study in two hospitals (Henry Dunant Hospital, Athens, Greece and University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece). The controls were selected among patients with carbapenem-susceptible K. pneumoniae (CSKp) and were matched with CRKp cases for site of infection. RESULTS One hundred and six patients were included in our study (53 cases and 53 controls). Mortality was 30.1% and 33.9% for patients with CRKp and CSKp infections, respectively (P = 0.83). Bivariable analysis showed that exposure to anti-pseudomonas penicillins (P = 0.004), carbapenems (P = 0.01), quinolones (P < 0.001) and glycopeptides (P < 0.001), as well as admission to the intensive care unit (P = 0.002), tracheostomy (P = 0.02), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.04), surgery with use of foreign body (P = 0.04) and mechanical ventilation (P = 0.02) were associated with CRKp infection. The multivariable analysis showed that exposure to fluoroquinolones [odds ratio (OR) 4.54, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 1.78-11.54, P = 0.001] and exposure to antipseudomonal penicillins (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.00-6.71, P = 0.04) were independent risk factors for CRKp infections. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that prior exposure to fluoroquinolones and antipseudomonal penicillins are independent risk factors for the development of CRKp infections.
Attenuation of the Preoperative Stress Response with Midazolam: Effects on Postoperative Outcomes

Background. Previously, effects of preoperative sedatives were assessed mainly with respect to preoperative outcomes such as anxiety and compliance. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of preoperative sedatives on postoperative psychological and clinical recovery. Methods Patients undergoing general anesthesia and outpatient surgery were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects (n = 55) were randomly assigned to receive either 5 mg intramuscular midazolam (n = 26) or a placebo injection (n = 29) at least 30 min before surgery. The anesthetic technique was controlled. Postoperative anxiety, pain, analgesic consumption, clinical recovery parameters, and global health (SF-36) were evaluated up to 1 month after surgery. Results Surgery length did not differ significantly between the treatment and placebo groups (118 ± 45 min vs 129 ± 53 min;P = NS). Throughout the first postoperative week, subjects in the treatment group reported a greater reduction in postoperative pain compared with subjects in the placebo group (F1,50= 3.5;P = 0.035). Moreover, at 1 week, ibuprofen use was reported by less subjects in the treatment group than in the placebo group (0%vs 17.2%;P = 0.026). Subjects in the treatment group also reported a greater reduction in postoperative anxiety throughout the follow-up period (F1,53 = 9.2;P = 0.04). However, global health indexes (SF-36) did not detect any significant differences between the two experimental groups (multivariate F1,45 = 0.44;P = 0.51). Conclusion Subjects treated with midazolam preoperatively self-report improved postoperative psychological and pain recovery. However, the clinical significance of these findings is unclear at the present time.
Direct Evidence by DNA Fingerprinting that Endoscopic Cross-Infection of Helicobacter pylori Is a Cause of Postendoscopic Acute Gastritis

ABSTRACT The DNA fingerprinting of Helicobacter pylori strains in two cases of acute gastritis that occurred after endoscopy was examined. H. pylori was isolated from the stomachs of two patients with acute gastritis and from the stomachs of the patients in whom the same gastrofiberscope had previously been used. The genomic DNA digested with HaeIII was subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The corresponding paired electrophoretic patterns were completely identical. These findings provide direct evidence that postendoscopic acute gastritis can be caused by cross-infection withH. pylori via endoscopy.
Keeping chaff minutiae in fingerprint templates (Extended abstract)

Fingerprint minutiae based biometric systems attract significant amount of attention as a secure user authentication method. In these systems, protecting the privacy of fingerprint templates plays a very important role in improving user’s acceptance upon providing the ir fingerprint information. However, due to the non-exact reproducible problem fingerprint minutiae templates can’t be protected with one-way hash function, such as SHA -1, as in password based authentication systems. Other methods have to be applied to reduce the ri sk of misuse of biometric data. In this paper we propose using chaff minutiae genera ted with pseudorandom number generator to protect fingerprint templates. Our testing shows tha t fingerprint template containing large number of chaff minutiae can still matc h the original template with great accuracy.
The Effects of Platelet Transfusions Evaluated Using Rotational Thromboelastometry

BACKGROUND: In this study, we assessed the immediate effects of platelet transfusion on whole blood coagulation. METHODS: Ten thrombocytopenic patients given a single unit platelet transfusion of 200–300 × 109 platelets had their coagulation status assessed before and immediately after transfusion using rotational thromboelastometry. RESULTS: Transfusion increased the median platelet count from 31.5 to 43.5 × 109/L. Clot formation time decreased by 32% (P = 0.005), whereas maximum clot strength increased by 47% (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Statistically significant improvements in rotational thromboelastometry-measured parameters were observed in association with a mean increase of 12 × 109/L in platelet count after platelet transfusion in these patients.
Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging during transsphenoidal surgery.

OBJECT The aim of this study was to evaluate whether intraoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can increase the efficacy of transsphenoidal microsurgery, primarily in non-hormone-secreting intra- and suprasellar pituitary macroadenomas. METHODS Intraoperative imaging was performed using a 0.2-tesla MR imager, which was located in a specially designed operating room. The patient was placed supine on the sliding table of the MR imager, with the head placed near the 5-gauss line. A standard flexible coil was placed around the patient's forehead. Microsurgery was performed using MR-compatible instruments. Image acquisition was started after the sliding table had been moved into the center of the magnet. Coronal and sagittal T1-weighted images each required over 8 minutes to acquire, and T2-weighted images were obtained optionally. To assess the reliability of intraoperative evaluation of tumor resection, the intraoperative findings were compared with those on conventional postoperative 1.5-tesla MR images, which were obtained 2 to 3 months after surgery. Among 44 patients with large intra- and suprasellar pituitary adenomas that were mainly hormonally inactive, intraoperative MR imaging allowed an ultra-early evaluation of tumor resection in 73% of cases; such an evaluation is normally only possible 2 to 3 months after surgery. A second intraoperative examination of 24 patients for suspected tumor remnants led to additional resection in 15 patients (34%). CONCLUSIONS Intraoperative MR imaging undoubtedly offers the option of a second look within the same surgical procedure, if incomplete tumor resection is suspected. Thus, the rate of procedures during which complete tumor removal is achieved can be improved. Furthermore, additional treatments for those patients in whom tumor removal was incomplete can be planned at an early stage, namely just after surgery.
Privacy-supporting cloud computing by in-browser key translation

Cloud computing means entrusting data to information systems that are managed by external parties on remote servers, in the “cloud”, raising new privacy and confidentiality concerns. We propose a general technique for designing cloud services that allows the cloud to see only encrypted data, while still facilitating some data-dependent computations. The technique is based on key translations and mixes in web browsers.We focus on a particular kind of software-as-a-service, namely, services that support applications, evaluations and decisions. Such services include job application management, public tender management e.g., for civil construction, and conference management. We identify the specific security and privacy risks that existing systems pose. We propose a protocol that addresses them, and forms the basis of a system that offers strong security and privacy guarantees.We express the protocol and its properties in the language of ProVerif, and prove that it does provide the intended properties. We describe an implementation of a particular instance of the protocol called ConfiChair, which is geared to the evaluation of papers submitted to conferences.
Active surveillance culturing impacts methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus acquisition in a pediatric intensive care unit*

Objective: To determine whether active surveillance culturing for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decreases nosocomial MRSA acquisition in the pediatric intensive care unit. Design: Before and after observational study. Setting: A tertiary care, 20-bed, pediatric intensive care unit. Patients: All patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Interventions: Anterior nares cultures for MRSA were obtained on admission and weekly in the pediatric intensive care unit from January 2007 to December 2009 as part of a hospital quality improvement project. Measurements and Main Results: MRSA admission prevalence and nosocomial incidence density were determined retrospectively for 2006 and prospectively for 2007–2009. Nosocomial MRSA incidence density during the intervention period was determined monthly and analyzed by trend analysis by using a general linear model. The correlation of active surveillance culturing compliance with nosocomial acquisition of MRSA was analyzed. Possible confounding by healthcare worker hand hygiene compliance observed during the intervention period was also analyzed by multivariate linear regression analysis. The yearly MRSA incidence density significantly decreased from 2006 to 2009 (6.88 per 1,000 patient days to 1.45 per 1,000 patient days, p < .001) and from 2007 to 2009 (7.32 per 1,000 patient days to 1.45 per 1,000 patient days, p < .001). Trend analysis demonstrated a significant decline in MRSA acquisition over time following the introduction of active surveillance culturing (p < .001). Surveillance culturing was significantly associated with the decline in MRSA acquisition observed in the pediatric intensive care unit by multivariate regression analysis when controlling for hand hygiene (p = .01). Conclusions: Active surveillance culturing resulted in significantly decreased nosocomial acquisition of MRSA in a pediatric intensive care unit setting. Admission and weekly active surveillance culturing appears to be an effective tool to decrease the spread of MRSA in the pediatric intensive care unit, independent of improvement in hand hygiene compliance. The impact on hospital-acquired MRSA infections and the cost benefit of active surveillance culturing require further study.
The impact of maternal age over forty years on the caesarean section rate: Six year experience at a busy District General Hospital

Abstract A retrospective study over a 6-year period was undertaken to determine the trend in age at booking for antenatal care at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust and to investigate the relationship between maternal age at booking for antenatal care and mode of delivery. Between 2006 and 2011, there was an 80% increase in the number of women over the age of 40 years booking for antenatal care. The overall caesarean section rate in this cohort of women increased from 34.6% in 2006 to 53.7% in 2011, comprising of an increase in both elective and emergency caesarean sections. It appears that increasing maternal age may explain a significant proportion of the rising caesarean section rate in our unit.
The effect of electrode geometry on electrochemical properties measured in saline

The impedance, cyclic voltammetry, and charge-injection properties of rectangular, sputtered iridium oxide (SIROF) electrodes have been measured in buffered physiological saline over a range of geometric surface areas (GSA) and perimeter-to-area ratios (P/A). Electrodes with a higher P/A are expected to have a lower impedance and higher charge injection capacity (Qinj), and both these effects were evident for SIROF electrodes with a GSA in the range 0.0023-0.0031 mm2. However, the magnitude of the effect was modest. The increase in Qinj for rectangular electrodes with a P/A ranging from 94 to 255 mm-1 was 21-26% depending on pulse width. There was a corresponding decrease in impedance (0.1 to 105 Hz) with increasing P/A and an increase in the SIROF charge storage capacity calculated from cyclic voltammetry. To assess the full usefulness of high P/A electrodes for increasing the reversible Qinj of an electrode, measurements should now be extended to chronic in vivo preparations.
The importance of oxide morphology for the oxidation rate of zirconium alloys

The oxide growth rate of zirconium alloys, e.g., Zircaloy-2 and Zircaloy-4, has been proposed to be controlled mainly by the transformation of the zirconium oxide from tetragonal to monoclinic structure at some distance from the metal-oxide interface, leading to cracking. This oxide growth rate model is inconsistent with the results. Zirconium alloys of varying chemical composition but with identical manufacturing process had markedly different oxide growth and hydriding properties in autoclave testing (400 C steam). The materials were characterized by several methods, e.g., electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical impedance (EIS). The SEM and some of the XRD investigations of the oxide were performed on the metal-oxide interface after dissolution of the metal. The oxide growth developed through three different stages with an altered oxide morphology at the metal-oxide interface at each stage. The developments of the stages were correlated with the oxide growth rate. Impedance measurements suggested that the oxide film had three layers, the outermost being extensively porous. Relaxation of the oxide film stress showed that the compressive stress in the oxide was not essential for retention of a significant amount of the tetragonal phase.
A current-mode 64&#215;1 programmable gabor filter for early vision systems

This paper presents a current-mode 64×1 early vision chip, including integrated photodiodes and a programmable "perceptual engine", which can implement various perceptual algorithms, such as Gabor filters. The proposed chip can be used for early vision tasks as edge detection, texture analysis, depth estimation and motion analysis. The perceptual engine exploits the properties of MOS transistors to achieve widely programmable coefficients for the distributed lattice network which implements the perceptual operators. The 8.9 × 1.8 mm2chip, fabricated in a conventional 0.8 µm CMOS process, consumes 56 mW from a 5 V supply.
Using Social Conversational Context For Detecting Users Interactions on Microblogging Sites

In the current era, microblogging services like Twitter, gives people the ability to communicate, interact, collaborate with each other, reply to messages from others and create conversations. These services can be seen as very large information repository containing millions of text messages usually organized into complex networks involving users interacting with each other at specific times. Several works have proposed tools for tweets search focused only to retrieve relevant tweets. Therefore, users are unable to explore the results or retrieve more relevant tweets based on the content, and may get lost or become frustrated by the information overload. In this paper, we propose a new method to retrieve conversation on microblog-ging sites particularly Twitter. It's based on content analysis and content enrichment. The goal of our method is to present a more informative result compared to conventional search engine. The proposed method has been implemented and evaluated by comparing it to Google and Twitter Search engines and we obtained very promising results.
A survey about databases of children's speech

In this paper we survey databases of children’s speech. A current trend in research is the investigation of children’s automatic speech recognition (ASR). Therefore, databases of children’s speech are needed for testing but also for training of ASR systems. However, unlike adult speech corpora, databases for children are rarely available, and in current literature there is no overview of existing databases to be found. Most children’s speech databases contain recorded speech in English of children aged between 6 and 18 years. They are described in the ﬁrst part of this paper. Subsequently databases for German and other languages are mentioned. They are even more rarely available than English databases. In particular, recordings of preschool children are very rare and therefore regarded separately. Due to the fact that preschool children are not able to read, traditional recording methods cannot be applied, which makes recording of their speech complex. Some ideas covering the difﬁculties of recordings for speech databases of preschool children are mentioned. Utilizing these methods a small database of German children’s speech has been created. Furthermore some statistics about children’s speech data are presented.
Synthesis of shape memory polyurethane using bulk polymerization

In this paper, a series of shape memory polyurethanes (SMPUs) containing polycaprolactone diol (PCL4000), 1,4-butanediol (BDO), and 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) were synthesized using bulk polymerization. Their thermal properties, thermomechanical properties were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and the shape memory effect was also investigated. Moreover, one kind of shape memory polyurethane fiber was spinned by melting method from these prepared SMPUs and its shape memory properties were also investigated. The results showed that synthesis of shape memory polyurethane using bulk polymerization can effectively enhance the properties of polyurethanes, save cost and improve efficiency compared with solution polymerization.
Stock Market Prediction Using Data Mining

- Data mining is well founded on the theory that the historic data holds the essential memory for predicting the future direction. This technology is designed to help investors discover hidden patterns from the historic data that have probable predictive capability in their investment decisions. The prediction of stock markets is regarded as a challenging task of financial time series prediction. Data analysis is one way of predicting if future stocks prices will increase or decrease. Also, it investigated various global events and their issues predicting on stock markets. The stock market can be viewed as a particular data mining problem. Text mining approach is also used for measuring the effect of real time news on stock. It uses different techniques and strategies to predict ups and downs in stock market. In this paper, we present a model that predicts the changes of stock trend by analyzing the influence of non-quantifiable information namely the news articles which are rich in information and superior to numeric data.
Boundary lubrication by macromolecular layers and its relevance to synovial joints

We review here two recent works on boundary lubrication by macromolecules with the aim of obtaining an insight into the extremely efficient lubrication of mammalian joints. The first work emulates the structure of the cartilage superficial layer by reconstructing films of hyaluronan (HA) and of HA/aggrecan complexes stabilized by cartilage link protein and studies normal and shear interactions between two atomically smooth mica surfaces coated with such molecules using a surface force balance. These molecules have been conjectured to act as boundary lubricants while sliding past each other at the interface between the articular cartilage surfaces and the synovial fluid. It was discovered that the HA/aggrecan/link protein macromolecular complexes provide better boundary lubrication compared with HA alone, most likely as a result of the higher charge density allowing a more efficient hydration lubrication effect. However, the results suggest that such complexes by themselves cannot be responsible for the very efficient lubrication of synovial joints. On the other hand, in the second work, phosphatidylcholine vesicles were shown to provide extremely efficient lubrication at physiological pressures as long as the robustness of the layer is maintained. Normal and shear interactions between two surfaces bearing different phosphatidylcholine vesicles, having the same head group but varying acyl chain length, were studied systematically. In addition to hydration, robustness of the surface layer plays a major role in the lubrication efficiency of the system. Implications of the results of these studies to the lubrication mechanism of synovial joints are suggested. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.