Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phytic acid concentration influences iron bioavailability from biofortified beans in Rwandese women with low iron status.

BACKGROUND The common bean is a staple crop in many African and Latin American countries and is the focus of biofortification initiatives. Bean iron concentration has been doubled by selective plant breeding, but the additional iron is reported to be of low bioavailability, most likely due to high phytic acid (PA) concentrations. OBJECTIVE The present study evaluated the impact of PA on iron bioavailability from iron-biofortified beans. METHODS Iron absorption, based on erythrocyte incorporation of stable iron isotopes, was measured in 22 Rwandese women who consumed multiple, composite bean meals with potatoes or rice in a crossover design. Iron absorption from meals containing biofortified beans (8.8 mg Fe, 1320 mg PA/100 g) and control beans (5.4 mg Fe, 980 mg PA/100 g) was measured with beans containing either their native PA concentration or with beans that were ∼50% dephytinized or >95% dephytinized. RESULTS The iron concentration of the cooked composite meals with biofortified beans was 54% higher than in the same meals with control beans. With native PA concentrations, fractional iron absorption from the control bean meals was 9.2%, 30% higher than that from the biofortified bean meals (P < 0.001). The quantity of iron absorbed from the biofortified bean meals (406 μg) was 19% higher (P < 0.05) than that from the control bean meals. With ∼50% and >95% dephytinization, the quantity of iron absorbed from the biofortified bean meals increased to 599 and 746 μg, respectively, which was 37% (P < 0.005) and 51% (P < 0.0001) higher than from the control bean meals. CONCLUSIONS PA strongly decreases iron bioavailability from iron-biofortified beans, and a high PA concentration is an important impediment to the optimal effectiveness of bean iron biofortification. Plant breeders should focus on lowering the PA concentration of high-iron beans. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01521273.
The Lived Experience of Lebanese Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

The purpose of this study was to explore, through in-depth semistructured interviews, the lived experience of Lebanese family caregivers of cancer patients and acquire a better knowledge of the meaning and interpretation of their experience. The study design was based on the Utrecht School of Phenomenology. This study followed purposeful sampling, in which 9 participants with a mean age of 51 years were selected. Data were analyzed using the hermeneutic phenomenological approach based on the Utrecht School of Phenomenology. Eight core themes describing the participants' lived experience emerged from the interviews: living with fears and uncertainty, loss of happiness, feeling of added responsibility, living in a state of emergency, sharing the pain, living the dilemma of truth telling, disturbed by being pitied, and reliance on God. The results of this study challenge nurses to be conscious of the nature and difficulties that family caregivers are encountering.
A Closed-Form Model for the IEEE 802.3az Network and Power Performance

We propose an analytical model able to accurately estimate both power consumption and network performance indexes of Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) links working at the three available speeds under various traffic load patterns and packet size distributions. The model is sufficiently flexible and accurate to consider different traffic parameters; among others, the packet size distribution, the average burst inter-arrival rate, the burst size distribution, etc. With relatively low complexity, since it addresses stationary queue behavior, the analysis allows obtaining the average energy consumption of the link and, unlike previous works, the mean latency time experienced by incoming packets in closed form, without any upper or lower bound approximations. This aspect makes the model suitable to be adopted in optimization frameworks for network design and control purposes. The numerical results of the model are validated against measurements on a real test bench.
Differential Evolution based bucket indexed data deduplication for big data storage

Focus of this research work is optimizing the deduplication system by adjusting the pertinent factors in content defined chunking (CDC) to identify as the key ingredients by declaring chunk cut-points and efficient fingerprint lookup using bucket based index partitioning. For efficient chunking, proposed Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm based approach is optimized Two Thresholds Two Divisors (TTTD-P) CDC algorithm where significantly it reduces the number of computing operations by using single dynamic optimal parameter divisor D with optimal threshold value exploiting the multi-operations nature of TTTD. Therefore, proposed DE based TTTD-P optimize chunking to maximize chunking throughput with increased deduplication ratio (DR); and bucket indexing approach reduces hash values judgment time to identify and declare redundant chunk about 16 times faster than Rabin CDC, 5 times than Asymmetric Extremum (AE) CDC, 1.6 times than FAST CDC. Experimental results comparative analysis reveal that TTTD-P using fast BUZ rolling hash function with bucket indexing on Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) provide a comparatively maximum redundancy detection with higher throughput, higher deduplication ratio, lesser computation time and very low hash values comparison time as being best distributed deduplication for big data storage systems.
Role of Ficus deltoidea extract in the enhancement of wound healing in experimental rats

The aqueous extract of Ficus deltoidea whole plant was investigated to evaluate the rate of wound healing enclosure and the histology of healed wounds in rats. Five groups of adult male Sprague Dawley rats were experimentally wounded in the posterior neck area. Group 1 animals were treated with sterile deionized water as a negative control. Thin layer of blank placebo was applied topically to the wounds of Group 2 rats. Group 3 and 4 rats were dressed topically with thin layer of placebo containing 5% and 10% F. deltoidea extracts, respectively. Thin layer of Intrasite gel was applied topically to wounds of Group 5 as a positive control. Grossly, wounds treated with placebo containing 5%, 10% F. deltoidea extract or Intrasite gel significantly accelerated the rate of wound healing compared to wounds treated with sterile deionized water or dressed with blank placebo. Histological analyses of healed wounds were consistent with the results of gross evaluations. Healed wounds dressed with placebo containing 5%, 10% F. deltoidea extracts or Intrasite gel showed significantly lesser scar width at the wound enclosure and more fibroblast proliferation, collagen fibers accompanied with angiogenesis in the granulation tissue than blank placebo-treated wounds. Additionally, no macrophages were seen in the extract-treated wounds compared to the wounds dressed with sterile demonized water or blank placebo. These results strongly document the beneficial and significant effects of F. deltoidea extract to accelerate the rate of wound healing enclosure in the experimentally-induced wounds in rats.
Nitric oxide protects against pathological ventricular remodeling: reconsideration of the role of NO in the failing heart.

Nitric oxide (NO) is generated by NO synthases (NOSs) that convert l-arginine to l-citrulline in the presence of molecular oxygen, nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate, calmodulin, and several cofactors.1 Three NOS isoforms have been identified: NOS1 (neuronal NOS), NOS2 (inducible NOS), and NOS3 (endothelial NOS). The constitutive isoforms NOS1 and NOS3 display Ca2+-dependent calmodulin binding and are compartmentalized in cardiomyocytes, with NOS1 localizing to the ryanodine receptor of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), and NOS3 localizing to the caveolae of the sarcolemma (SL) in close proximity to β-adrenergic receptors and the L-type Ca2+-channel.2 NOS2 expression in cardiomyocytes requires induction in response to inflammatory cytokines or biological stress (eg, ischemia and reperfusion). 3,4 NOS2 is expressed primarily in the cytosol, displays Ca2+-independent activity because of its high calmodulin-binding affinity, and has high capacity for generating NO.1,3,4 Modulation of cardiac function by NO is complex and multifaceted5,6 and is mediated by at least 2 mechanisms: activation of soluble guanylate cyclase with production of the second messenger cGMP and direct protein thiol nitrosylation. NO affects myocardial contraction in a dose-dependent biphasic fashion, with low NO concentrations (as occurs under normal, unstressed conditions) exerting positive inotropic effects and high concentrations exerting negative inotropic effects. Antecedent β-adrenergic stimulation shifts the descending limb of this bimodal curve to the left, such that the negative inotropic effects become more prominent.5 NO hastens relaxation, shortens contraction duration, and improves diastolic distensibility,7,8 and also depresses mitochondrial respiration, thereby altering mechanoenergetic coupling.5,6,9 NO-mediated contractile effects are significantly impacted by spatial confinement and localization of NOS isoforms. Studies in NOS1 and NOS3 null mice have demonstrated that by virtue of isoform-dependent localization of NO release and attendant divergent effects on SR and SL Ca2+ flux, each isoform exerts …
Decreased postoperative C-reactive protein production in dogs with pyometra through the use of low-dose ketamine.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of subanesthetic ketamine in dogs with pyometra on C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations following surgery. DESIGN Prospective, nonconcealed, alternating allocation controlled trial. SETTING Veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS Sixteen dogs diagnosed with pyometra. INTERVENTIONS The tentative diagnosis of canine pyometra was based on compatible history, physical examination findings, ultrasonographic findings, and hematological evaluation. Two different anesthesia and analgesic protocols with and without low-dose ketamine were used during and following ovariohysterectomy in 16 female dogs (n = 8 per group) that were diagnosed with naturally occurring pyometra. Dogs were sequentially allocated to treatment groups in an alternating fashion without concealment. Serum was collected before, 24, and 48 hours after surgery for CRP measurement. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Perioperative physical parameters in the 2 groups of dogs were similar. The serum concentrations of CRP in both groups were essentially the same before surgery, but significantly increased in the control group and decreased in ketamine group at 48 hours after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Low-dose ketamine attenuated the postoperative concentration of serum CRP in dogs with pyometra compared with dogs that did not receive ketamine in the perioperative period. Further studies are warranted to determine the clinical implications of these findings.
Aspiration during anaesthesia: a review of 133 cases from the Australian Anaesthetic Incident Monitoring Study (AIMS)

Two‐hundred and forty incidents of vomiting/regurgitation and aspiration were reported to the Anaesthetic Incident Monitoring Study database consisting of 5000 reports. Of these, 133 cases of aspiration were recorded. Passive regurgitation occurred three times more commonly than active vomiting. Aspiration was reported twice as often in elective compared with emergency surgery, with 56% of incidents taking place during induction of anaesthesia. Anti‐aspiration prophylaxis was prescribed in 14% of patients who subsequently aspirated; however, the majority of cases had at least one predisposing factor for regurgitation, vomiting or aspiration evident peri‐operatively. While a major immediate physiological disturbance was common, long‐term morbidity was not. Death ensued in five cases, all of whom had significant co‐morbidities. Factors reported as contributing to the incident included error of judgement and fault of technique, while clinical experience and anaesthetic assistance tended to minimise the incident. Aspiration remains an important anaesthetic‐related morbidity. The application of simple guidelines may have prevented the incident in 60% of all cases of aspiration. Ensuring airway security may be as important as chemoprophylaxis in its prevention.
Energy efficient microgrid management using Model Predictive Control

Microgrids are subsystems of the distribution grid which comprises small generation capacities, storage devices and controllable loads, operating as a single controllable system that can operate either connected or isolated from the utility grid. In this paper we present a preliminary study on applying a Model Predictive Control (MPC) approach to the problem of efficiently optimizing microgrid operations while satisfying a time-varying request and operation constraints. The overall problem is formulated using Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP), which can be solved in an efficient way by using commercial solvers without resorting to complex heuristics or decompositions techniques. Then the MILP formulation leads to significant improvements in solution quality and computational burden. A case study of a typical microgrid is employed to assess the performance of the on-line optimization-based control strategy: simulation results show the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Antibiotic treatment for Burkholderia cepacia complex in people with cystic fibrosis experiencing a pulmonary exacerbation.

BACKGROUND Chronic pulmonary infection is a hallmark of lung disease in cystic fibrosis. Infections dominated by organisms of the Burkholderia cepacia complex, a group of at least 18 closely-related species of gram-negative bacteria, are particularly difficult to treat. These infections may be associated with a fulminant necrotising pneumonia. Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria are resistant to many common antibiotics and able to acquire resistance against many more. Following patient segregation in cystic fibrosis medical care, the more virulent epidemic strains are not as frequent, and new infections are more likely to be with less virulent environmentally-acquired strains. Although evidence-based guidelines exist for treating respiratory exacerbations involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa, these cannot be extended to Burkholderia cepacia complex infections. This review, which is an update of a previous review, aims to assess the available trial evidence for the choice and application of treatments for these infections. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness and safety of different antibiotic regimens in people with cystic fibrosis experiencing an exacerbation and chronically infected with organisms of the Burkholderia cepacia complex. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis Trials Register, compiled from electronic database searches and handsearching of journals and conference abstract books. We also searched the reference lists of relevant articles and reviews.Date of latest search: 28 August 2015. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of treatments for exacerbations of pulmonary symptoms in people with cystic fibrosis chronically infected with organisms of the Burkholderia cepacia complex. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS No relevant trials were identified. MAIN RESULTS No trials were included in this review. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Burkholderia cepacia complex infections present a significant challenge for people with cystic fibrosis and their clinicians. The incidence is likely to increase as the cystic fibrosis population ages; and managing and treating these infections will become more important. There is a lack of trial evidence to guide decision making and no conclusions can be drawn from this review about the optimal antibiotic regimens for people with cystic fibrosis who have chronic Burkholderia cepacia complex infections. Clinicians must continue to assess each person individually, taking into account in vitro antibiotic susceptibility data, previous clinical responses and their own experience. Multicentre randomised clinical trials are needed to assess the effectiveness of different antibiotic regimens in people with cystic fibrosis infected with organisms of the Burkholderia cepacia complex.
Associações entre o índice de massa corporal e a agilidade em crianças e adolescentes

Introducao: as associacoes entre o indice de massa corporal e a agilidade na infância, nao estao bem esclarecidas na literatura. Objetivo: analisar a associacao entre os niveis do indice de massa coporal e a agilidade em criancas e adolescentes. Metodo: estudo transversal com voluntarios de 10 a 14 anos. Separados em: grupo com peso normal (PN= 22), grupo com excesso de peso/obesidade (EP/OB= 22). Todos passaram por medidas de antropometria e agilidade. A estatura e massa corporal foram aferidas para determinar o indice de massa corporal utilizando a sugestao da Organizacao Mundial da Saude. Para medir a agilidade foi utilizado o teste Shutle Run por exigir pouca habilidade motra e ter uma boa confiabilidade. Na semana que antecedeu as medidas definitivas, os voluntarios foram familiarizados com os procedimentos e com a execucao dos testes. Para todos os calculos estatisticos adotou o nivel de significância de (p≤ 0,05). Resultados: houve uma correlacao significativamente positiva e moderada entre o indice de massa corporal e os niveis de agilidade no grupo como um todo ( r = 0,46; p= 0,03). Ja os resultados do teste t, confirmou-se a existencia de diferenca significativa entre o nivel de agilidade do grupo com excesso de peso e obesidade e o grupo com peso normal (p< 0,05). Conclusao: houve correlacao significativa entre o indice de massa corporal e os niveis de agilidade na amostra analisada; e que o grupo classificado pelo indice de massa corporal como EP/OB apresentou um nivel de agilidade significativamente menor do que o grupo classificado como peso normal.
Determination of Load Transmission and Contact Force at Facet Joints of L2-L3 Motion Segment using FE Method

In the human spine, it is well known that facet joints play a significant role in load transmission and providing stability. It has also been hypothesized to be one of most probable sources of low back pain. Experimental determination of the load-bearing role of lumbar intervertebral joints, such as the facets joints, under axial compression has not been a straightforward task. In this study, the role of the facets in load transmission through a L2–L3 motion segment under axial compression is investigated using a L2–L3 finite element (FE) model, incorporated with an accurate three-dimensional geometry of facet joints with the inclusion of surface-to-surface continuum contact representation. The effects of osteoarthritis on facet force and biomechanical behaviors are also investigated by assuming friction at the facet joints. The study shows that the facet joints resisted 8% more in load for joints with osteoarthritics as compared with the normal joints. High percentage increase in contact facet force was also predicted for joint with osteoarthritics deformity. The use of the analytical FE model provided yet another efficient alternative for predicting the load transmission and contact force for degenerative joints, so as to provide a better understanding of the biomechanics of the spine as well as the pathophysiology of the various spinal disorders and degenerative conditions.
Mechanism for epitaxial breakdown during low-temperature Ge(001) molecular beam epitaxy

A combination of in situ and post-deposition experiments were designed to probe surface roughening pathways leading to epitaxial breakdown during low-temperature (T s =95-190°C) growth of Ge(001) by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). We demonstrate that epitaxial breakdown in these experiments is not controlled by background hydrogen adsorption or gradual defect accumulation as previously suggested, but is a growth-mode transition driven by kinetic surface roughening. Ge(001) layers grown at T s ≥170°C remain fully epitaxial to thicknesses h>1.6 μm, while deposition at T s 115 °C, transform to a pyramidal shape with square bases having edges aligned along directions. Surface widths w and in-plane coherence lengths d increase monotonically with film thickness h at a temperature-dependent rate. As h →h 1 (T s ), defined as the onset of epitaxial breakdown, deep cusps bounded by {111} facets form at the base of interisland trenches and we show that epitaxial breakdown is initiated on these facets as the surface roughness reaches a critical T s -independent aspect ratio w/d≃0.02. h 1 (T s ) and h 2 (T s ) follow relationships h 1 ( 2 ) exp(-E 1 ( 2 ) /kT N ), where E 1 is 0.61 eV and E 2 =0.48 eV. E 1 is approximately equal to the Ge adatom diffusion barrier on Ge(001) while ( E 1 - E 2 ) = 0.13 eV is the free energy difference between crystalline and amorphous Ge. We summarize our results in a microstructural phase map vs T s and h, and propose an atomistic growth model to explain the epitaxial to amorphous phase transition.
Shape-Based Traffic Sign Recognition Using Biologically Motivated Features

This paper presents a shape-based biologically motivated research study to recognize the Iranian traffic signs. A biological model called HMAX is used as feature extractor to deal with traffic sign images, taken in real scenes. The extracted feature vectors are simply classified using a K-Nearest Neighbor classifier. Proposed model is implemented using a self collected dataset to evaluate its effectiveness. Three experiments have been implemented to evaluate performance of the proposed model, compared to some conventional models such as PCA, DCT and 2DPCA. The experiments have been done in cases in which the position, scale and the viewing-angle of objects in images are variable. The difference in recognition rate of the proposed model in comparison with other forging methods was impressive in all implementations. In each experiment the difference in performance of proposed model compared to conventional models was about 60% on the same database. The high model’s recognition rate will increase system stability and reliability on real time application.
Large On-Current Enhancement in Hetero-Junction Tunnel-FETs via Molar Fraction Grading

We propose to employ a grading of the molar fraction in the source region of III-V hetero-junction tunnel-FETs as a means to improve the on-current without degrading the subthreshold swing. Our full quantum simulations show that the molar-fraction grading increases the on-current by enlarging the hole wave function penetration from the source to the channel region. We also compare the performance of graded AlGaSb/InAs tunnel FETs and InAs MOSFETs and show that at VDS=0.3 V, the tunnel device can outperform the MOSFET in terms of both on-current and subthreshold slope.
1/F noise and superimposed RTS noise in Ti-Au/n-type GaAs Schottky barrier diodes

Low frequency noise characteristics of Schottky diodes are investigated. Two noise components were found in experimental noise records: RTS, caused by burst noise, and 1/f Gaussian noise. Extraction of burst noise component from Gaussian noise background was performed using standard signal detection theory and advanced signal-processing techniques. It is concluded that the RTS noise and 1/f noise have different physical origins in Schottky diodes.