Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pushbroom hyperspectral imaging system with selectable region of interest for medical imaging

Abstract. A spatial-scanning pushbroom hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system incorporating a video camera (VC) which is not only used for direct video imaging but also for the selection of the region of interest within the VC’s full field-of-view is presented. Using a VC for these two applications brings many benefits to a pushbroom HSI system, such as a minimized data acquisition time and smaller data storage requirement. A detailed description of the system followed by the methods and formulas used for calibration and electronic hardware interfacing were discussed and analyzed using United States Air Force resolution chart, chicken breast tissue, and fluorescent targets as test samples. The proposed concepts and developed system can find potential biomedical imaging applications and can be extended to endoscopic imaging applications as well.
Defining essential elements and genetic interactions of the yeast Lsm2–8 ring and demonstration that essentiality of Lsm2–8 is bypassed via overexpression of U6 snRNA or the U6 snRNP subunit Prp24

A seven-subunit Lsm2–8 protein ring assembles on the U-rich 3′ end of the U6 snRNA. A structure-guided mutational analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Lsm2–8 ring affords new insights to structure–function relations and genetic interactions of the Lsm subunits. Alanine scanning of 39 amino acids comprising the RNA-binding sites or intersubunit interfaces of Lsm2, Lsm3, Lsm4, Lsm5, and Lsm8 identified only one instance of lethality (Lsm3-R69A) and one severe growth defect (Lsm2-R63A), both involving amino acids that bind the 3′-terminal UUU trinucleotide. All other Ala mutations were benign with respect to vegetative growth. Tests of 235 pairwise combinations of benign Lsm mutants identified six instances of inter-Lsm synthetic lethality and 45 cases of nonlethal synthetic growth defects. Thus, Lsm2–8 ring function is buffered by a network of internal genetic redundancies. A salient finding was that otherwise lethal single-gene deletions lsm2Δ, lsm3Δ, lsm4Δ, lsm5, and lsm8Δ were rescued by overexpression of U6 snRNA from a high-copy plasmid. Moreover, U6 overexpression rescued myriad lsmΔ lsmΔ double-deletions and lsmΔ lsmΔ lsmΔ triple-deletions. We find that U6 overexpression also rescues a lethal deletion of the U6 snRNP protein subunit Prp24 and that Prp24 overexpression bypasses the essentiality of the U6-associated Lsm subunits. Our results indicate that abetting U6 snRNA is the only essential function of the yeast Lsm2–8 proteins.
Interactive Task Guidelines TREC 2009 Legal Track

In 2009, the TREC Legal Track will again be featuring an Interactive Task (along with a Batch Task, for more on which see the Legal Track website [1]). This document contains guidelines for this year’s Interactive Task, with particular focus on aspects of task design that are new in 2009; the document also covers specific steps those interested should take to register for and begin the task.
Clostridium difficile in an Urban, University-Affiliated Long-Term Acute-Care Hospital

OBJECTIVES To describe the characteristics and impact of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in a long-term acute-care hospital (LTACH). DESIGN Retrospective matched cohort study. SETTING A 38-bed, urban, university-affiliated LTACH. METHODS The characteristics of LTACH-onset CDI were assessed among patients hospitalized between July 2008 and October 2015. Patients with CDI were matched to concurrently hospitalized patients without a diagnosis of CDI. Severe CDI was defined as CDI with 2 or more of the following criteria: age ≥65 years, serum creatinine ≥2 mg/dL, or peripheral leukocyte count ≥20,000 cells/μL. A conditional Poisson regression model was developed to determine characteristics associated with a composite primary outcome of 30-day readmission to an acute-care hospital, or mortality. RESULTS The overall incidence of CDI was 21.4 cases per 10,000 patient days, with 27% of infections classified as severe. Patients with CDI had a mean age of 70 years (SD, 14 years), a mean Charlson comorbidity index of 3.6 (SD, 2.0), a median length of stay of 33 days (interquartile range [IQR], 24–45 days), and a median time between admission and CDI diagnosis of 16 days (IQR, 9–23 days). The most commonly prescribed antibiotic preceding a CDI diagnosis was a cephalosporin, with median duration of 8 days (IQR, 4–14 days). In multivariate analysis, CDI was not significantly associated with the primary outcome (relative risk, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.59–1.58). CONCLUSIONS Incidence of CDI in an urban, university-affiliated LTACH was high. Future research should focus on infection prevention measures to decrease the burden of CDI in this complex patient population. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:294–299
Parametric Channel Estimation for Massive MIMO

Channel state information is crucial to achieving the capacity of multi-antenna (MIMO) wireless communication systems. It requires estimating the channel matrix. This estimation task is studied, considering a sparse physical channel model, as well as a general measurement model taking into account hybrid architectures. The contribution is twofold. First, the Cramér-Rao bound in this context is derived. Second, interpretation of the Fisher Information Matrix structure allows to assess the role of system parameters, as well as to propose asymptotically optimal and computationally efficient estimation algorithms.
Practical Approach to VTE Management in Hospitalized Patients

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a commonly feared life-threatening complication in hospitalized patients. Physicians are frequently consulted to diagnose and manage VTE in obstetrics, neurology, and surgical services. VTE should be treated irrespective of the presentation (incidental or symptomatic), etiology (provoked vs. unprovoked), and location of the venous thrombosis (extremities, abdomen, or cerebral). In patients with high clinical suspicion for VTE, physicians are encouraged to empirically start anticoagulant therapy while awaiting diagnostic testing. Thrombolytic therapy is underused by physicians, which is proven to improve the mortality in hypotensive patients with pulmonary embolism. Retrievable inferior vena cava filters have an important role in the prophylaxis and management of selective groups of VTE patients. Physicians should not hesitate to place retrievable inferior vena cava filters when clinically indicated but also should make every effort to remove them when no longer needed. This article extensively reviews various diagnostic and management options based on several clinical situations.
A toolbox to study epidermal cell types in zebrafish

ABSTRACT Epithelia provide a crucial protective barrier for our organs and are also the sites where the majority of carcinomas form. Most studies on epithelia and carcinomas use cell culture or organisms where high-resolution live imaging is inaccessible without invasive techniques. Here, we introduce the developing zebrafish epidermis as an excellent in vivo model system for studying a living epithelium. We developed tools to fluorescently tag specific epithelial cell types and express genes in a mosaic fashion using five Gal4 lines identified from an enhancer trap screen. When crossed to a variety of UAS effector lines, we can now track, ablate or monitor single cells at sub-cellular resolution. Using photo-cleavable morpholino oligonucleotides that target gal4, we can also express genes in a mosaic fashion at specific times during development. Together, this system provides an excellent in vivo alternative to tissue culture cells, without the intrinsic concerns of culture conditions or transformation, and enables the investigation of distinct cell types within living epithelial tissues. Summary: Here we introduce tools to easily track, ablate or monitor subsets of cells in the developing zebrafish epidermis, providing an excellent in vivo model system to study a living epithelium.
Influence of the Short-term Intake of High Doses of Solifenacin and Trospium on Cognitive Function and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Women With Urinary Incontinence

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and the effects of elevated doses of solifenacin and trospium on cognitive function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in elderly women receiving treatment for urinary incontinence. Methods The study included 312 women aged 60–83 years (mean age, 69.4 years). All participants had scored at least 24 points on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale, and all of them had been diagnosed with urge urinary incontinence (UUI) or mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). The women were randomly assigned to 3 groups: group A, individuals who were simultaneously administered solifenacin at a high dosage of 20 mg per day and trospium at a high dosage of 60 mg per day; group B, persons taking solifenacin and trospium at the usual dosage of 10 and 30 mg per day, respectively; and group C, persons who received a placebo. Participants’ cognitive status was assessed by the MMSE, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, Wechsler Memory Scale III, Colour Trails Test, and California Verbal Learning Test scales. The HRQoL assessment was performed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Health Survey. Results The cognitive function parameters did not differ at the start and end of the study across the groups (P>0.05). Additionally, the cognitive function parameters did not differ significantly within each group between the start and end of the study (P>0.05). The values of most HRQoL parameters regarding the functional state of the lower urinary tract (LUT) after the termination of treatment significantly improved in groups A and B (P<0.05). A significant correlation between cognitive status and HRQoL or LUT parameters was absent (r<0.3), while the correlations between HRQoL and LUT parameters were r=0.31–0.83, P<0.05. Conclusions The use of elevated doses of solifenacin and trospium did not increase the risk of cognitive impairment in women with UUI and MUI. The combination of solifenacin and trospium at a double dosage may be recommended to elderly women with treatment-resistant symptoms of UUI and MUI. However, the safety of combining antimuscarinic drugs in women with an increased volume of residual urine requires further study.
Chapter 9 Descending Connections of Auditory Cortex to theMidbrain and Brain Stem

AI primary auditory cortex AC auditory cortex BDA biotinylated dextran amines BF best frequency CNC cochlear nuclear complex CNIC central of the inferior colliculus DCN dorsal cochlear nucleus DCIC dorsal cortex of the inferior colliculus DNLL dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus DSCF Doppler-shifted constant frequency ECIC external cortex of the inferior colliculus ES electrical stimulation GABA g-aminobutyric acid IC inferior colliculus ICH inner hair cell LOC lateral olivocochlear bundle LSO lateral superior olive MGB medial geniculate body MOC medial olivocochlear bundle NB nucleus basalis NLL nuclei of the lateral lemniscus OHC outer hair cell PHA-L Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin PN pontine nuclei SOC superior olivary complex SPO superior paraolivary nucleus VCN ventral cochlear nucleus VNLL ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus VNTB ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body
Controlling the morphology of spin coated polymer blend films.

Thin films of polymer mixtures made by spin-coating can phase separate in two ways - by forming lateral domains, or by separating into two distinct layers. The latter situation - self-stratification or vertical phase separation - could be advantageous in a number of practical applications, such as polymer photovoltaics. In our experiments, we have used time-resolved small-angle light scattering and light reflectivity during spin coating to study the structure development in PS/PMMA and PFB/F8BT blends, solution cast in toluene. A sample cell was designed, made and mounted on the apparatus to manipulate the evaporation rate. Having solved the Meyerhofer equation for thinning rate and by fitting the model to the experimental data, we are able to extract the evaporation rate of toluene during spin coating. We demonstrate that, by controlling the evaporation rate during the spin-coating process, we can obtain either selfstratification or lateral phase separation in the same system. We relate this to a previously hypothesised mechanism for phase separation during spin coating in thin films, according to which a transient wetting layer breaks up due to a Marangoni-type instability driven by a concentration gradient of solvent within the drying film. Our results show that a high evaporation rate leads to a laterally phase separated structure, while reducing the evaporation rate suppresses the interfacial instability and leads to a self-stratified final film. Using the set up we developed to control the morphology through evaporation rate, we made preliminary photovoltaic devices. It is possible to control the efficiency of the polymer photovoltaics by means of process parameters such as evaporation rate.
Approximating the domatic number

A set of vertices in a graph is a dominating set if every vertex outside the set has a neighbor in the set. The domatic number problem is that of partitioning the vertices of a graph into the maximum number of disjoint dominating sets. Let n denote the number of vertices, $\delta$ the minimum degree, and $\Delta$ the maximum degree. We show that every graph has a domatic partition with $(1 - o(1))(\delta + 1)/\ln n$ dominating sets and, moreover, that such a domatic partition can be found in polynomial-time. This implies a $(1 + o(1))\ln n$-approximation algorithm for domatic number, since the domatic number is always at most $\delta + 1$. We also show this to be essentially best possible. Namely, extending the approximation hardness of set cover by combining multiprover protocols with zero-knowledge techniques, we show that for every $\epsilon > 0$, a $(1 - \epsilon)\ln n$-approximation implies that $NP \subseteq DTIME(n^{O(\log\log n)})$. This makes domatic number the first natural maximization problem (known to the authors) that is provably approximable to within polylogarithmic factors but no better. We also show that every graph has a domatic partition with $(1 - o(1))(\delta + 1)/\ln \Delta$ dominating sets, where the "o(1)" term goes to zero as $\Delta$ increases. This can be turned into an efficient algorithm that produces a domatic partition of $\Omega(\delta/\ln \Delta)$ sets.
Synaesthesia and sexuality: the influence of synaesthetic perceptions on sexual experience

Introduction: Synaesthesia is a phenomenon in which a certain stimulus induces a concurrent sensory perception; it has an estimated prevalence of 4%. Sexual arousal as an inducer for synaesthetic perceptions is rarely mentioned in the literature but can be found sometimes in case reports about subjective orgasmic experiences. Aims: To examine whether synaesthetic perceptions during sexual intercourse have an impact on the sexual experience and the extent of sexual trance compared to non-synaesthetes. Methods: In total, 19 synaesthetes with sexual forms of synaesthesia (17 female; 2 male) were included as well as corresponding control data of 36 non-synaesthetic subjects (n = 55). Two questionnaires were used to assess relevant aspects of sexual function and dysfunction (a German adaption of the Brief Index of Sexual Functioning, KFSP) as well as the occurrence and extent of sexual trance (German version of the Altered States of Consciousness Questionnaire, OAVAV). Additionally qualitative interviews were conducted in some subjects to further explore the nature of sexual experiences in synaesthetes. Main Outcome Measures: Sexual experience and extent of sexual trance during intercourse. Results: Synaesthetes depicted significantly better overall sexual function on the KFSP with increased scores for the subscale “sexual appetence” but coevally significant lower subscale scores for “sexual satisfaction. ” Sexual dysfunction was not detected in this sample. Synaesthetes depicted significantly higher levels of the subscales “oceanic boundlessness” and “visionary restructuralization” than controls using the OAVAV. Qualitative interviews revealed varying synaesthetic perceptions during the different states of arousal. Furthermore, synaesthetes reported an unsatisfactory feeling of isolation caused by the idiosyncratic perceptions. Conclusions: Synaesthetes with sexual forms of synaesthesia seem to experience a deeper state of sexual trance without, however, enhanced satisfaction during sexual intercourse.
A 5.9 GHz DSRC transmitter IC for vehicle wireless communication system

This paper present a 5.9 GHz dedicated short range communication (DSRC) transmitter for wireless vehicular communication that satisfies specification of IEEE 802.11p standard mask c. The proposed transmitter consists of programmable gain amplifier (PGA), up-conversion mixer, drive amplifier, and synthesizer. Passive mixer, push-pull local oscillator (LO) buffer, and intermodulation distortion (IMD) canceller are applied to achieve high linearity and low power consumption. The transmitter is designed and fabricated on CMOS 0.18 μm process. The total power consumption is 63 mA at 1.8 V. A phase noise of synthesizer is −109.4 dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset. The transmitter total noise figure (NF) and adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) are 14.2 dB and − 53.6 dBc, respectively.
Definitions of incremental stability for hybrid systems

The analysis of incremental stability properties typically involves measuring the distance between any pair of solutions of a given dynamical system, corresponding to different initial conditions, at the same time instant. This approach is not directly applicable for hybrid systems in general. Indeed, hybrid systems generate solutions that are defined with respect to hybrid times, which consist of both the continuous time elapsed and the discrete time, that is the number of jumps the solution has experienced. Two solutions of a hybrid system do not a priori have the same time domain, and we may therefore not be able to compare them at the same hybrid time instant. To overcome this issue, we invoke graphical closeness concepts. We present definitions for incremental stability depending on whether incremental asymptotic stability properties hold with respect to the hybrid time, the continuous time, or the discrete time, respectively. Examples are provided throughout the paper to illustrate these definitions, and the relations between these three incremental stability notions are investigated. The definitions are shown to be consistent with those available in the literature for continuous-time and discrete-time systems.
Gentamicin-loaded nanoparticles show improved antimicrobial effects towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic commonly used for treating Pseudomonas infections, but its use is limited by a relatively short half-life. In this investigation, developed a controlled-release gentamicin formulation using poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles. We demonstrate that entrapment of the hydrophilic drug into a hydrophobic PLGA polymer can be improved by increasing the pH of the formulation, reducing the hydrophilicity of the drug and thus enhancing entrapment, achieving levels of up to 22.4 μg/mg PLGA. Under standard incubation conditions, these particles exhibited controlled release of gentamicin for up to 16 days. These particles were tested against both planktonic and biofilm cultures of P. aeruginosa PA01 in vitro, as well as in a 96-hour peritoneal murine infection model. In this model, the particles elicited significantly improved antimicrobial effects as determined by lower plasma and peritoneal lavage colony-forming units and corresponding reductions of the surrogate inflammatory indicators interleukin-6 and myeloperoxidase compared to free drug administration by 96 hours. These data highlight that the controlled release of gentamicin may be applicable for treating Pseudomonas infections.
Reducing Endogenous α-Synuclein Mitigates the Degeneration of Selective Neuronal Populations in an Alzheimer's Disease Transgenic Mouse Model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the progressive accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) and microtubule associate protein tau, leading to the selective degeneration of neurons in the neocortex, limbic system, and nucleus basalis, among others. Recent studies have shown that α-synuclein (α-syn) also accumulates in the brains of patients with AD and interacts with Aβ and tau, forming toxic hetero-oligomers. Although the involvement of α-syn has been investigated extensively in Lewy body disease, less is known about the role of this synaptic protein in AD. Here, we found that reducing endogenous α-syn in an APP transgenic mouse model of AD prevented the degeneration of cholinergic neurons, ameliorated corresponding deficits, and recovered the levels of Rab3a and Rab5 proteins involved in intracellular transport and sorting of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Together, these results suggest that α-syn might participate in mechanisms of vulnerability of selected neuronal populations in AD and that reducing α-syn might be a potential approach to protecting these populations from the toxic effects of Aβ. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Reducing endogenous α-synuclein (α-syn) in an APP transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevented the degeneration of cholinergic neurons, ameliorated corresponding deficits, and recovered the levels of Rab3a and Rab5 proteins involved in intracellular transport and sorting of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. These results suggest that α-syn might participate in mechanisms of vulnerability of selected neuronal populations in AD and that reducing α-syn might be a potential approach to protecting these populations from the toxic effects of amyloid β.
Transformational leadership in nursing: a concept analysis.

AIM To analyse the concept of transformational leadership in the nursing context. BACKGROUND Tasked with improving patient outcomes while decreasing the cost of care provision, nurses need strategies for implementing reform in health care and one promising strategy is transformational leadership. Exploration and greater understanding of transformational leadership and the potential it holds is integral to performance improvement and patient safety. DESIGN Concept analysis using Walker and Avant's (2005) concept analysis method. DATA SOURCES PubMed, CINAHL and PsychINFO. METHODS This report draws on extant literature on transformational leadership, management, and nursing to effectively analyze the concept of transformational leadership in the nursing context. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING This report proposes a new operational definition for transformational leadership and identifies model cases and defining attributes that are specific to the nursing context. The influence of transformational leadership on organizational culture and patient outcomes is evident. Of particular interest is the finding that transformational leadership can be defined as a set of teachable competencies. However, the mechanism by which transformational leadership influences patient outcomes remains unclear. CONCLUSION Transformational leadership in nursing has been associated with high-performing teams and improved patient care, but rarely has it been considered as a set of competencies that can be taught. Also, further research is warranted to strengthen empirical referents; this can be done by improving the operational definition, reducing ambiguity in key constructs and exploring the specific mechanisms by which transformational leadership influences healthcare outcomes to validate subscale measures.