Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iron Oxide Nanozyme: A Multifunctional Enzyme Mimetic for Biomedical Applications

Iron oxide nanoparticles have been widely used in many important fields due to their excellent nanoscale physical properties, such as magnetism/superparamagnetism. They are usually assumed to be biologically inert in biomedical applications. However, iron oxide nanoparticles were recently found to also possess intrinsic enzyme-like activities, and are now regarded as novel enzyme mimetics. A special term, “Nanozyme”, has thus been coined to highlight the intrinsic enzymatic properties of such nanomaterials. Since then, iron oxide nanoparticles have been used as nanozymes to facilitate biomedical applications. In this review, we will introduce the enzymatic features of iron oxide nanozyme (IONzyme), and summarize its novel applications in biomedicine.
Environmental Endocrine Disrupters

Androgens, anti-Müllerian hormone, and insulin-like factor 3 are testis-derived hormones that regulate male sexual differentiation. Correct timing of secretion and action of these hormones is critical for normal development. Endocrine disrupters are exogenous substances that cause adverse effects in the endocrine system. They can impair the synthesis, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and action of hormones. Male sexual differentiation can be disrupted by antiandrogens and synthetic estrogens such as diethylstilbestrol. The number of identified environmental antiandrogens keeps growing and these compounds show clear dose-additive effects causing worry that a mixture of these chemicals can cause adverse effects even when each compound is present at a low concentration. This is also a demanding research task for endocrinologists working with disorders of sex differentiation.
Prevention of Vulnerabilities on Location- based Geocasting and Forwarding Routing Protocol in Mobile Ad-hoc Network

In this paper the intention is to prevent potential types of vulnerabilities like blackhole and flooding attack on location- based geocasting and forwarding (LGF) routing protocol in Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET). The LGF protocol has proposed to the implemented by Global Positioning System (GPS)- free covered location tracking system with Geocast-enhanced Ad-hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (GAODV). In addition backhole and flooding attack will be generating the prevention techniques in LGF protocol and also find the impact of vulnerabilities to overcome the attacks. Simulation of LGF protocol and attacks has been work done by GloMoSim2.03 network simulator.
Serologic, Virologic and Pathologic Features of Cats with Naturally Occurring Feline Infectious Peritonitis Enrolled in Antiviral Clinical Trials

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a multisystemic, generally lethal immuno-inflammatory disease of domestic cats caused by an infection with a genetic variant of feline coronavirus, referred to as the FIP virus (FIPV). We leveraged data from four different antiviral clinical trials performed at the University of California, Davis. Collectively, a total of 60 client-owned domestic cats, each with a confirmed diagnosis of naturally occurring FIP, were treated with a variety of antiviral compounds. The tested therapies included the antiviral compounds GS-441524, remdesivir, molnupiravir and allogeneic feline mesenchymal stem/stroma cell transfusions. Four client-owned cats with FIP did not meet the inclusion criteria for the trials and were not treated with antiviral therapies; these cats were included in the data set as untreated FIP control cats. ELISA and Western blot assays were performed using feline serum/plasma or ascites effusions obtained from a subset of the FIP cats. Normalized tissue/effusion viral loads were determined in 34 cats by a quantitative RT-PCR of nucleic acids isolated from either effusions or abdominal lymph node tissue. Twenty-one cats were PCR “serotyped” (genotyped) and had the S1/S2 region of the coronaviral spike gene amplified, cloned and sequenced from effusions or abdominal lymph node tissue. In total, 3 untreated control cats and 14 (23.3%) of the 60 antiviral-treated cats died or were euthanized during (13) or after the completion of (1) antiviral treatment. Of these 17 cats, 13 had complete necropsies performed (10 cats treated with antivirals and 3 untreated control cats). We found that anticoronaviral serologic responses were persistent and robust throughout the treatment period, primarily the IgG isotype, and focused on the viral structural Nucleocapsid and Membrane proteins. Coronavirus serologic patterns were similar for the effusions and serum/plasma of cats with FIP and in cats entering remission or that died. Viral RNA was readily detectable in the majority of the cats in either abdominal lymph node tissue or ascites effusions, and all of the viral isolates were determined to be serotype I FIPV. Viral nucleic acids in cats treated with antiviral compounds became undetectable in ascites or abdominal lymph node tissue by 11 days post-treatment using a sensitive quantitative RT-PCR assay. The most common pathologic lesions identified in the necropsied cats were hepatitis, abdominal effusion (ascites), serositis, pancreatitis, lymphadenitis, icterus and perivasculitis. In cats treated with antiviral compounds, gross and histological lesions characteristic of FIP persisted for several weeks, while the viral antigen became progressively less detectable.
A Novel Segmentation Technique for Printed Malayalam Characters

Segmentation of whole characters in Indian scripts is a rather tricky problem. This is because in Indian scripts the characters have modifiers which could be subscripts, superscripts, attached or nonattached vowel signs to the front or following the character forming a complex composite character. Often a character is composed of several sub-characters. Unlike other South Indian scripts like Kannada, Telugu and Tamil, in the Malayalam script the space between the sub-characters of the character is same as the space between the characters within a word rendering the character segmentation process quite complex as conventional profiling methods fail. This paper presents a novel segmentation algorithm for segmentation of character in such complex cases taking Malayalam as a typical example. The success of the algorithm is demonstrated by application of feature extraction on segmented characters and subjected to classification. Segmentation efficiency of 98.8 % is achieved which is very encouraging.
Optimizing amino acid groupings for GPCR classification

MOTIVATION There is much interest in reducing the complexity inherent in the representation of the 20 standard amino acids within bioinformatics algorithms by developing a so-called reduced alphabet. Although there is no universally applicable residue grouping, there are numerous physiochemical criteria upon which one can base groupings. Local descriptors are a form of alignment-free analysis, the efficiency of which is dependent upon the correct selection of amino acid groupings. RESULTS Within the context of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) classification, an optimization algorithm was developed, which was able to identify the most efficient grouping when used to generate local descriptors. The algorithm was inspired by the relatively new computational intelligence paradigm of artificial immune systems. A number of amino acid groupings produced by this algorithm were evaluated with respect to their ability to generate local descriptors capable of providing an accurate classification algorithm for GPCRs.
On the average pairwise connectivity of wireless multihop networks

A new metric -average pairwise connectivity- is proposed to measure the fault tolerance of wireless multihop networks. Two types of random graphs, Poisson random graph and geometric random graph, are adopted to model wireless multihop networks and are used in experimental studies. By investigating the upper bound and lower bound of the average pairwise connectivity for different types of random graphs and the distribution of the difference between the upper bounds and lower bounds, we conclude that the average pairwise connectivity of wireless multihop networks can be very well approximated by its upper bound, a quantity that is easily computed.
Effect of yogic bellows on cardiovascular autonomic reactivity

Context: Yoga is an ancient science, which originated in India. Pranayama has been assigned a very important role in yogic system of exercises. It is known that regular practice of breathing exercises (pranayama) increases parasympathetic tone, decreases sympathetic activity, and improves cardiovascular functions. Different types of breathing exercises alter autonomic balance for good by either decrease in sympathetic or increase in parasympathetic activity. Mukh Bhastrika (yogic bellows), a type of pranayama breathing when practiced alone, has demonstrated increase in sympathetic activity and load on heart, but when practiced along with other types of pranayama has showed improved cardiac performance. Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of long term practice of fast pranayama (Mukh Bhastrika) on autonomic balance on individuals with stable cardiac function. Settings and Design: This interventional study was conducted in the department of physiology. Materials and Methods: 50 healthy male subjects of 18 - 25 years age group, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria underwent Mukh Bhastrika training for 12 weeks. Cardiovascular autonomic reactivity tests were performed before and after the training. Statistical Analysis Used: The parameters were analyzed by Student t test. Results: This study showed an increase in parasympathetic activity i.e., reduced basal heart rate, increase in valsalva ratio and deep breathing difference in heart rate; and reduction in sympathetic activity i.e., reduction in fall of systolic blood pressure on posture variation. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Mukh Bhastrika has beneficial effect on cardiac autonomic reactivity, if practiced for a longer duration.
Disturbed Monitoring and Response Inhibition in patients with Gilles De La Tourette Syndrome and Co-Morbid Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Objective: Fronto-striatal dysfunction has been discussed as underlying symptoms of Tourette syndrome (TS) with co-morbid Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This suggests possible impairments of executive functions in this disorder, which were therefore targeted in the present study. Results: A comprehensive series of neuropsychological tests examining attention, memory and executive functions was performed in a group of 14 TS/OCD in co-occurrence with OCD patients and a matched control group. Results: While attentional and memory mechanisms were not altered, TS/OCS patients showed deficits in executive functions predominately in the areas of response inhibition and action monitoring. Conclusions: These findings provide further evidence for a substantial impairment of the frontal-striatal-thalamic-frontal circuit. We propose that the deficits in monitoring, error detection and response inhibition constitute the major impairment of TS/OCD patients in the cognitive domain.
Iterative Implementations for Linear MultiuserDetectorsAlex

We consider the convergence properties of several iterative implementations of linear multiuser receivers, under the assumption of long random spreading sequences. We nd that parallel interference cancellation diverges for systems loads of greater than 17%. Using known results from the theory of iterative solutions for linear systems, we derive optimal or near optimal relaxation parameters for parallel ((rst and second order stationary, Chebyshev) and serial cancellation (successive relaxation) methods. An analytic comparison of the asymptotic convergence factor for the various methods is given. Simulations are used to verify results for nite size systems.
Complications following laryngeal sacculectomy in brachycephalic dogs

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of sacculectomy on the immediate postoperative complication rate in dogs affected with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective review of clinical records of brachycephalic dogs with everted saccules that underwent surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome between 2009 and 2014. Dogs were grouped as those having nares resection and staphylectomy only and those having nares resection, staphylectomy and laryngeal sacculectomy. Complications were scored as mild, moderate or severe. RESULTS In total, 37 dogs were included in the sacculectomy group and 44 in the comparator group. Dogs that had undergone sacculectomy were more likely to develop postoperative complications, with 18 of 37 developing complications, nine of which were moderate to severe. In the group without sacculectomy, nine of 44 dogs developed complications, of which one was severe. Different breed distribution between groups might also impact this outcome. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The results suggest that sacculectomy might increase morbidity following brachycephalic airway surgery, but repeat studies are required to confirm this result. Further information is also required to determine whether the short-term risks of sacculectomy are outweighed by superior long-term functional outcome.
Cotton plant cultivar delta opal behavior under water stress with or without biostimulant.

This work was aimed at evaluating the effect of biostimulant Stimulate® applied or not at different development stages of cotton plant cv Delta Opal, (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivated in greenhouse, subjected or not to water stress. Applications of 25, 60 and 100% of total volume of pores (VTP) filled up with water were conducted, and then Stimulate® was sprinkled over the seed and on the flower bud stage, without biostimulant application 69 days after sowing. The water stress time period was that of 15, 30 and 45 days after water stress application. The cotton plant cv Delta Opal did not tolerate hydric deficit of 25% VTP on the flower bud set off, where smaller heights as well as smaller colon diameters and flower number were observed, all of which also endanger reproductive structure formation. The use of biostimulant on the dosage and the type of application did not render any improvement on plant development when submitted to lack of water; nevertheless there was a colon diameter increase on plants subjected to water excess.
Disguise detection and face recognition in visible and thermal spectrums

Face verification, though for humans seems to be an easy task, is a long-standing research area. With challenging covariates such as disguise or face obfuscation, automatically verifying the identity of a person is assumed to be very hard. This paper explores the feasibility of face verification under disguise variations using multi-spectrum (visible and thermal) face images. We propose a framework, termed as Aravrta1, which classifies the local facial regions of both visible and thermal face images into biometric (regions without disguise) and non-biometric (regions with disguise) classes. The biometric patches are then used for facial feature extraction and matching. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated on the IHTD In and Beyond Visible Spectrum Disguise database that is prepared by the authors and contains images pertaining to 75 subjects with different kinds of disguise variations. The experimental results suggest that the proposed framework improves the performance compared to existing algorithms, however there is a need for more research to address this important covariate.
An energy-efficient task scheduler for mobile web browsing

In this paper, we propose an energy-efficient task scheduler for mobile web browsing, which provides lower CPU resources for non-critical web browser threads. In experiments on an off-the-shelf mobile device, our proposed task scheduler saves average system-wide (not just CPU) energy consumption by 8.2%, compared to the conventional task scheduler, without performance degradation.
Left ventricular global longitudinal strain is associated with exercise capacity in failing hearts with preserved and reduced ejection fraction

Aims Heart failure patients with reduced and preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) show reduced exercise capacity. We explored the relationship between exercise capacity and systolic and diastolic myocardial function in heart failure patients. Methods and results Exercise capacity, by peak oxygen uptake (VO2), was assessed in 100 patients (56 ± 12 years, NYHA functional class: 2.5 ± 0.9, EF: 42 ± 19%). LV systolic function, as EF and global longitudinal strain (GLS), and right ventricular function were assessed by echocardiography. Left atrial volume index and the ratio of peak early diastolic filling velocity (E) to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e′) were measures of diastolic function. Thirty-seven patients had heart failure with preserved EF (HFpEF), defined as EF ≥50% and echocardiographic diastolic dysfunction. LV GLS and peak pulmonary arterial systolic pressure were independently correlated to peak VO2 in the total study population and in HFpEF separately. LV GLS was superior to EF in identifying patients with impaired peak VO2 <20 mL/kg/min as shown by receiver operating characteristic analyses [areas under curves 0.93 (0.89–0.98) vs. 0.85 (0.77–0.93), P < 0.05]. In patients with HFpEF, GLS was reduced below normal (−17.5 ± 3.2%) and correlated to E/e′ (R = 0.45, P = 0.005) and left atrial volume index (R = 0.48, P = 0.003), while EF did not. Conclusion GLS correlated independently to peak VO2 in patients with reduced and preserved EF and was superior in identifying patients with reduced exercise capacity. In HFpEF, systolic function by GLS was impaired. There was a significant relationship between diastolic function and GLS, confirming a coupling between diastolic and longitudinal systolic function in HFpEF.
Children's appraisals of maternal involvement in coping with diabetes: enhancing our understanding of adherence, metabolic control, and quality of life across adolescence.

OBJECTIVE To examine how children's appraisals of maternal involvement in coping with diabetes are associated with adherence, metabolic control, and quality of life across adolescence. METHODS Children (N = 127, ages 10-15 years) with type 1 diabetes completed measures of adherence, quality of life, and appraisals of mothers' involvement in dealing with diabetes problems (i.e., mother appraised as uninvolved, controlling, or collaborative). Metabolic control was indexed through medical records. RESULTS Regardless of age or sex of child, appraised maternal uninvolvement was associated with poorer adherence and quality of life, while appraised collaboration was associated with better adherence and metabolic control. There was evidence that the association between appraised collaboration and metabolic control was partially mediated by adherence. Appraised control was associated with poorer adherence among older, but not younger, children and with poorer quality of life among older females but not among older males or younger children of either sex. CONCLUSIONS Maintaining maternal involvement in diabetes care is important across ages 10 to 15, but the optimal form of this involvement may need to be adjusted to be consistent with the child's level of development. The present findings suggest that better adherence is seen across age when mothers are viewed as collaborating with, as opposed to controlling, their child when dealing with diabetes problems.
University of Groningen Relationship between drug burden and physical and cognitive functions in a sample of nursing home patients with dementia

Purpose The Drug Burden Index (DBI) is a tool to quantify the anticholinergic and sedative load of drugs. Establishing functional correlates of the DBI could optimize drug prescribing in patients with dementia. In this cross-sectional study, we determined the relationship between DBI and cognitive and physical functions in a sample of patients with dementia. Methods Using performance-based tests, we measured physical and cognitive functions in 140 nursing home patients aged over 70 with all-cause dementia. We also determined anticholinergic DBI (AChDBI) and sedative DBI (SDBI) separately and in combination as total drug burden (TDB). Results Nearly one half of patients (48%) used at least one DBI-contributing drug. In 33% of the patients, drug burden Key statements What is already known about this subject The Drug Burden Index (DBI) is considered as a broadly applicable tool to quantify anticholinergic and sedative drug burden. In healthy older adults, the DBI is associated with physical and cognitive impairments. In older patients with dementia, this has not yet been investigated. What this study adds We found that DBI is unrelated to cognitive and physical functions in a sample of 140 nursing home patients with dementia. These results may imply that drug prescribing is more optimal for patients with dementia compared with healthy older populations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-017-2319-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. * L. M. J. Sanders l.m. j.sanders@umcg.nl 1 Center for Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands 2 Emergency Department, Medical Center Leeuwarden, Henri Dunantweg 2, 8934 AD Leeuwarden, The Netherlands 3 Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands 4 Department of General Practice, Elderly Care Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands 5 Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands 6 Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Lentis, Hereweg 80, 9725 AG Groningen, The Netherlands 7 Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorstraat 1, 1081 BTAmsterdam, The Netherlands 8 Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands Eur J Clin Pharmacol (2017) 73:1633–1642 DOI 10.1007/s00228-017-2319-y