Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multifunctional role of the diaphragm : a review

The diaphragm is the primary muscle involved in active inspiration and serves also as an important anatomical landmark that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavity. However, the diaphragm muscle like other structures and organs in the human body has more than one function, and displays many anatomic links throughout the body, thereby forming a ‘network of breathing’. Besides respiratory function, it is important for postural control as it stabilises the lumbar spine during loading tasks. It also plays a vital role in the vascular and lymphatic systems, as well as, is greatly involved in gastroesophageal functions such as swallowing, vomiting, and contributing to the gastroesophageal reflux barrier. In this paper we set out in detail the anatomy and embryology of the diaphragm and attempt to show it serves as both: an important exchange point of information, originating in different areas of the body, and a source of information in itself. The study also discusses all of its functions related to breathing.
Spherocytic shift of red blood cells during storage provides a quantitative whole cell–based marker of the storage lesion

Storage lesion may explain the rapid clearance of up to 25% of transfused red blood cells (RBCs) in recipients. Several alterations affect stored RBC but a quantitative, whole cell–based predictor of transfusion yield is lacking. Because RBCs with reduced surface area are retained by the spleen, we quantified changes in RBC dimensions during storage.
Non-linear modeling of variables relationship in multiple time-series data with extended dynamic interaction network

The challenge of being able to learn and model hidden behavior in time-series data has been investigated extensively in the studies of dynamic systems. Nevertheless, these previous researches have emphasized more on the task to model movement of a solitary time-series in order to forecast their future values and rarely gave interest to further learn about their governing behavior. Therefore, we have previously introduced an adaptive machine learning method, named the Dynamic Interaction Network (DIN) model, to discover and represent dynamic patterns of interaction from multiple time-series data. However, the interactions were modeled only as linear structures which are abridged representations of compound relationships between series collected from real world settings. Consequently, this research aims in extending the previously developed method to enable the modeling of non-linear relationship between collections of variables in multiple time-series data. The objective is realized by incorporating the extended Kalman filter method into the DIN model. Comparative study and results of conducted experiments reveals that the ability to model the dynamic interaction between variables in non-linear forms leads to better understanding of the nature of observed system and in addition helps to increase the prediction accuracy.
Multisensor Online Transfer Learning for 3D LiDAR-Based Human Detection with a Mobile Robot

Human detection and tracking is an essential task for service robots, where the combined use of multiple sensors has potential advantages that are yet to be fully exploited. In this paper, we introduce a framework allowing a robot to learn a new 3D LiDAR-based human classifier from other sensors over time, taking advantage of a multisensor tracking system. The main innovation is the use of different detectors for existing sensors (i.e. RGB-D camera, 2D LiDAR) to train, online, a new 3D LiDAR-based human classifier based on a new “trajectory probability”. Our framework uses this probability to check whether new detection belongs to a human trajectory, estimated by different sensors and/or detectors, and to learn a human classifier in a semi-supervised fashion. The framework has been implemented and tested on a real-world dataset collected by a mobile robot. We present experiments illustrating that our system is able to effectively learn from different sensors and from the environment, and that the performance of the 3D LiDAR-based human classification improves with the number of sensors/detectors used.
A type of lumped-element-based analog filters based on transversal circuit networks

A novel technique to design lumped-element-based analog filters is presented. It exploits the application of signal-interference principles to a class of transversal filtering section made up of two in-parallel discrete-element transmission lines. This circuit network, through destructive and constructive signal-energy interactions, enables high-selectivity filtering actions to be generated. Moreover, this can be done in the same circuit topology independently of the type of transfer function to be synthesized. Design equations and guidelines for this lumped-element analog filter approach are given. Besides, for experimental validation, simulation results of two synthesis examples consisting of a lowpass and a bandpass filter implemented at the layout level are shown.
Nonparametric estimation of low rank matrix valued function

Let $A:[0,1]\rightarrow\mathbb{H}_m$ (the space of Hermitian matrices) be a matrix valued function which is low rank with entries in H\"{o}lder class $\Sigma(\beta,L)$. The goal of this paper is to study statistical estimation of $A$ based on the regression model $\mathbb{E}(Y_j|\tau_j,X_j) = \langle A(\tau_j), X_j \rangle,$ where $\tau_j$ are i.i. d. uniformly distributed in $[0,1]$, $X_j$ are i.i. d. matrix completion sampling matrices, $Y_j$ are independent bounded responses. We propose an innovative nuclear norm penalized local polynomial estimator and establish an upper bound on its point-wise risk measured by Frobenius norm. Then we extend this estimator globally and prove an upper bound on its integrated risk measured by $L_2$-norm. We also propose another new estimator based on bias-reducing kernels to study the case when $A$ is not necessarily low rank and establish an upper bound on its risk measured by $L_{\infty}$-norm. We show that the obtained rates are all optimal up to some logarithmic factor in minimax sense. Finally, we propose an adaptive estimation procedure based on Lepski's method and the penalized data splitting technique which is computationally efficient and can be easily implemented and parallelized.
Use and Utility of Administrative Health Data for Stroke Research and Surveillance

Despite declining age-standardized stroke incidence in high-income countries, stroke incidence is rising in low- and middle-income countries.1 Globally, the absolute burden of stroke was high in 2010 with 16.9 million first-ever strokes, 5.9 million stroke-related deaths, and 102 million disability-adjusted life-years lost.1 These numbers are projected to increase. Surveillance provides an understanding of stroke frequency, burden, distribution, and determinants. These data are essential for monitoring trends over time, guiding judicious resource allocation, and for the design, implementation, and evaluation of interventions aimed at stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.2 Collecting data specifically for research purposes can be costly and time-consuming, limiting the sample size, period of follow-up, and geographical distribution of subjects. Surveillance requires continuous data collection in large geographic areas over years; therefore, attention has been paid to secondary use data. Health services utilization data, or administrative health data, provide a wealth of information for health services researchers and for stroke surveillance. However, the information collected and ascertainment methods are heterogeneous between countries and even between jurisdictions within a country, making the data vulnerable to selection and measurement bias. Comparing international data is also challenging.3 In this review, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of administrative health data for stroke surveillance. Administrative health data are routinely generated through interactions with healthcare systems. They are collected for payment, monitoring, planning, priority setting, and evaluation of health services provision. Sources include, but are not limited to, hospitalizations, emergency department and ambulatory care visits, and physician billings. Unlike prospective clinical research data collection, administrative health data are accumulated in a distributed manner over a prolonged period of time. As a result, these data capture a large number of individuals and a wide range of demographic information, including race/ethnicities, geographical areas (eg, rural versus urban), and institutions (eg, community versus …
Identification and characterization of a histamine‐binding lipocalin‐like molecule from the relapsing fever tick Ornithodoros turicata

Lipocalins are low molecular weight membrane transporters that are abundantly expressed in the salivary glands and other tissues of ticks. In this study, we identified a lipocalin‐like molecule, designated as otlip, from the soft ticks Ornithodoros turicata, the vector for the relapsing fever causing spirochete Borrelia turicatae. We noted that the expression of otlip was developmentally regulated, with adult ticks expressing significantly higher levels in comparison to the larvae or nymphal ticks. Expression of otlip was evident in both fed and unfed O. turicata ticks, with significantly increased expression in the salivary glands in comparison to the midgut or ovary tissues. High conservation of the biogenic amine‐binding motif was evident in the deduced primary amino acid sequence of Otlip. Protein modelling of Otlip revealed conservation of most of the residues involved in binding histamine or serotonin ligand. In vitro assays demonstrated binding of recombinant Otlip with histamine. Furthermore, prediction of post‐translational modifications revealed that Otlip contained phosphorylation and myristoylation sites. Taken together, our study not only provides evidence for the presence of a lipocalin‐like molecule in O. turicata ticks but also suggests a role for this molecule in the salivary glands of this medically important vector.
Tracking Non–Burn Center Care: What You Don’t Know May Surprise You

The American Burn Association publishes a list of defined criteria for patients who require admission or transfer to a burn center. This study examines the extent to which those criteria are observed within a regional burn network. Hospital discharge data for 2008 were obtained for all hospitals within the South Florida regional burn network. Patients with International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision discharge diagnoses for burns were reviewed, and their triage destination was compared with the burn triage referral criteria to determine whether patients were inappropriately triaged. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Four hundred ninety-eight burn admissions were documented to non–burn center center hospitals, 269 (54%) of which were deemed inappropriate by burn triage referral criteria. Burn center patients had greater length of stay when compared with non–burn center patients (14 vs 7 days), but a greater percentage were discharged home for self-care (88 vs 57%). Thirty-three percent of the inappropriate admissions were in a neighboring county, whereas 27% were in the same county where the burn center is located. Inappropriate burn patient triage may be occurring to more than half of the burn patients within our regional burn network despite better functional outcomes at the burn center. This may be because of a lack of knowledge regarding triage criteria, patient insurance status, or other factors. Further studies are necessary to fully characterize the problem and implement education or incentives to encourage appropriate burn patient triage.
PrepPrint Yttrium Iron Garnet / Barium Titanate Multiferroic Composites

Dense multiferroic 0-3 composites encompassing BaTiO3 and Y3Fe5O12 were fabricated by the solid state reaction method. X-ray diffraction data combined with Scanning Electron Microscopy imaging show virtual immiscibility between the two phases, with the Y3Fe5O12 ferrimagnetic phase well dispersed in the tetragonal BaTiO3 ferroelectric matrix. Raman spectroscopy analyses corroborate the polar nature of the BaTiO3 matrix in composites with a Y3Fe5O12 content as great as 40 wt%. Ferrimagnetism is detected in all composites and no additional magnetic phases are distinguished. Finally, these dense ceramics can be electrically poled, after which they exhibit a distinctive magnetoelectric response that increases with the Y3Fe5O12 content, as expected.
Lipid-Based Particles: Versatile Delivery Systems for Mucosal Vaccination against Infection

Vaccination is the process of administering immunogenic formulations in order to induce or harness antigen (Ag)-specific antibody and T cell responses in order to protect against infections. Important successes have been obtained in protecting individuals against many deleterious pathological situations after parenteral vaccination. However, one of the major limitations of the current vaccination strategies is the administration route that may not be optimal for the induction of immunity at the site of pathogen entry, i.e., mucosal surfaces. It is now well documented that immune responses along the genital, respiratory, or gastrointestinal tracts have to be elicited locally to ensure efficient trafficking of effector and memory B and T cells to mucosal tissues. Moreover, needle-free mucosal delivery of vaccines is advantageous in terms of safety, compliance, and ease of administration. However, the quest for mucosal vaccines is challenging due to (1) the fact that Ag sampling has to be performed across the epithelium through a relatively limited number of portals of entry; (2) the deleterious acidic and proteolytic environment of the mucosae that affect the stability, integrity, and retention time of the applied Ags; and (3) the tolerogenic environment of mucosae, which requires the addition of adjuvants to elicit efficient effector immune responses. Until now, only few mucosally applicable vaccine formulations have been developed and successfully tested. In animal models and clinical trials, the use of lipidic structures such as liposomes, virosomes, immune stimulating complexes, gas-filled microbubbles and emulsions has proven efficient for the mucosal delivery of associated Ags and the induction of local and systemic immune reponses. Such particles are suitable for mucosal delivery because they protect the associated payload from degradation and deliver concentrated amounts of Ags via specialized sampling cells (microfold cells) within the mucosal epithelium to underlying antigen-presenting cells. The review aims at summarizing recent development in the field of mucosal vaccination using lipid-based particles. The modularity ensured by tailoring the lipidic design and content of particles, and their known safety as already established in humans, make the continuing appraisal of these vaccine candidates a promising development in the field of targeted mucosal vaccination.
Proteomic analyses of corneal tissue subjected to alkali exposure.

PURPOSE To determine whether exposure to alkaline chemicals results in predictable changes in corneal protein profile. To determine whether protein profile changes are indicative of severity and duration of alkali exposure. METHODS Enucleated bovine and porcine (n = 59 each) eyes were used for exposure to sodium, ammonium, and calcium hydroxide, respectively. Eyes were subjected to fluorescein staining, 5-bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) labeling. Excised cornea was subjected to protein extraction, spectrophotometric determination of protein amount, dynamic light scattering and SDS-PAGE profiling, mass spectrometric protein identification, and iTRAQ-labeled quantification. Select identified proteins were subjected to Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS Alkali exposure resulted in lower protein extractability from corneal tissue. Elevated aggregate formation was found with strong alkali exposure (sodium hydroxide>ammonium, calcium hydroxide), even with a short duration of exposure compared with controls. The protein yield after exposure varied as a function of postexposure time. Protein profiles changed because of alkali exposure. Concentration and strength of the alkali affected the profile change significantly. Mass spectrometry identified 15 proteins from different bands with relative quantification. Plexin D1 was identified for the first time in the cornea at a protein level that was further confirmed by Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to alkaline chemicals results in predictable and reproducible changes in corneal protein profile. Stronger alkali, longer durations, or both, of exposure resulted in lower yields and significant protein profile changes compared with controls.
Use of two test methods to ensure accurate surface firmness and stability measurements for accessibility

Abstract Purpose: The firmness and stability of indoor and outdoor surfacing are critical to the accessibility and safety of all environments for people with mobility impairments and/or who use mobility devices. ASTM F1951 laboratory test procedures include pass/fail criteria for determining playground surface accessibility by comparing the work to propel up a 1:14 (7.1%) grade ramp to that of the test surface in a wheelchair. A portable instrumented surface indenter (ISI) was developed to validate that accessibility results obtained in the laboratory are maintained in the field where the surface is installed and used. Methods: Accessibility measurements have been made on indoor and outdoor surfaces tested in the laboratory using both the ASTM F1951 and the ISI over 13 years. Correlations between these two methods were calculated. Results: A strong correlation has been demonstrated for the sum of the ISI firmness and stability results compared to the sum of the ASTM F1951 straight propulsion and turning results (R2=0.9006). Conclusions: The portable ISI can be used to verify that the firmness and stability of an installed surface in the field correlates to the accessibility results of the surface tested in the laboratory concurrently according to ASTM F1951 and the ISI. Implications for Rehabilitation The Instrumented Surface Indenter (ISI) allows for surfaces in all environments to be tested for firmness and stability, which is critical for wheelchair user safety, especially during rehabilitation when learning to use a wheelchair. The ISI allows for surfaces in all environments to be tested for firmness and stability, which increases access to all indoor and outdoor surfaces, thereby improving the quality of life for people who have mobility impairments and/or use mobility devices, such as canes, crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs. Using the ISI to test the firmness and stability of installed playground surfaces increases access to playgrounds for children with mobility impairments, facilitating developmentally critical peer-play opportunities for children who use mobility devices. Using the ISI to test the firmness and stability of installed playground surfaces increases access to playgrounds for people with mobility impairments, allowing adults who use a mobility device to supervise and play with children in their lives.
Time Intervals in Sequence Sampling, Not Data Modifications, Have a Major Impact on Estimates of HIV Escape Rates

The ability of HIV to avoid recognition by humoral and cellular immunity (viral escape) is well documented but the strength of the immune response needed to cause such a viral escape remains poorly quantified. Several previous studies observed a more rapid escape of HIV from CD8 T cell responses in the acute phase of infection as compared to the chronic infection. With the help of simple mathematical models the rate of HIV escape was estimated and results were interpreted to suggest that CD8 T cell responses causing escape in acute HIV infection may be more efficient at killing virus-infected cells than responses that cause escape in chronic infection, or alternatively, early escapes occur in epitopes mutations in which there is minimal fitness cost to the virus. These conclusions, however, were challenged on several grounds, including linkage and interference of multiple escape mutations due to a low population size and because of potential issues associated with modifying the data to estimate escape rates. Here we use a parametric resampling method which does not require data modification to show that previous results on the decline of the viral escape rate with time since infection remain unchanged. However, using this method we also show that estimates of the escape rate are highly sensitive to the time interval between measurements with longer intervals biasing estimates of the escape rate downwards. Our results thus suggest that data modifications for early and late escapes were not the primary reason for the observed decline in the escape rate with time since infection. However, longer sampling periods for escapes in chronic infection strongly influence estimates of the escape rate. More frequent sampling of viral sequences in the chronic infection may improve our understanding of factors influencing the rate of HIV escape from CD8 T cell responses.
AJNA: Anti-phishing JS-based Visual Analysis, to Mitigate Users' Excessive Trust in SSL/TLS

HTTPS websites are often considered safe by the users, due to the use of the SSL/TLS protocol. As a consequence phishing web pages delivered via this protocol benefit from that higher level of trust as well. In this paper, we assessed the relevance of heuristics such as the certificate information, the SSL/TLS protocol version and cipher-suite chosen by the servers, in the identification of phishing websites. We concluded that they were not discriminant enough, due to the close profiles of phishing and legitimate sites. Moreover, considering phishing pages hosted on cloud service platform or hacked domains, we identified that the users could easily be fooled by the certificate presented, since it would belong to the rightful owner of the website. Hence, we further examined HTTPS phishing websites hosted on hacked domains, in order to propose a detection method based on their visual identities. Indeed, the presence of a parasitic page on a domain is a disruption to the overall visual coherence of the original site. By designing an intelligent perception system responsible for extracting and comparing these divergent renderings, we were able to spot phishing pages with an accuracy of 87% to 92%.
A NEW ANALYTICAL MODEL FOR STRESS CONCENTRATION AROUND HARD SPHERICAL PARTICLES IN METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

A New Analytical Model for Stress Concentration around Hard Spherical Particles in Metal Matrix Composites (April 2007) Matthew Wade Harris Department of Mechanical Engineering Texas A&M University Research Advisor: Dr. Xin-Lin Gao Department of Mechanical Engineering This analytical model predicts the stress concentration around an elastic, spherical particle in an elastic-plastic metal matrix using strain gradient plasticity theory and a finite unit cell. The model reduces to the special case with a spherical particle in an infinite matrix. It simplifies to models based on classical elasticity and plasticity, also. The solution explains the particle size effect and accounts for composites with dilute and non-dilute particle distributions. Numerical results show that the stress concentration factor is small when the particle size is tens of microns. The stress concentration factor approaches a constant when the particle size is greater than 200 microns.