Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
cell counting A Comparison of the TC 10 TM Automated Cell Counter and the Hemocytometer for Quantifying Insect Hemocytes

Introduction Hemocytes are an essential component of the invertebrate innate immune system (Strand 2008). Their close similarities to vertebrate white blood cells enable their use as a tractable model for immunological research. The quantification of hemocytes in the hemolymph (invertebrate blood) is one way of assessing the efficacy of the immune response because the absolute number of hemocytes changes during the course of an infection (Bergin et al. 2003, Brayner et al. 2007), and the density of hemocytes in the hemolymph is strongly correlated with the capacity to encapsulate or phagocytose parasites (Prevost and Eslin 1998, Kraaijeveld et al. 2001, Wilson et al. 2003, Costa et al. 2005). Most researchers continue to use cell staining and manual microscopy techniques to enumerate the hemocytes in a given sample. However, given the laborious nature of this method (with a throughput often as low as 6–8 samples/hr), more rapid techniques are required to increase our understanding of the role of hemocytes in invertebrate immunology.
Inductive-boost switched-capacitor DC/DC converter for maximum power point tracking photovoltaic systems

With the advent of the photovoltaic (PV) energy source that has a variable and low dc output voltage, a high step-up dc/dc converter is necessary for grid-connected power conditioning systems. These power conversion systems are required to comply with strict technical and regulatory criteria to ensure a safe, reliable and efficient operation of the overall system. In this regard, this paper proposes an isolated and non-isolated high gain switched capacitor dc/dc conversion system. This converter can offer high efficiency with the possibility of the adjustable impedance matching for PV systems. It can also achieve the high voltage gain without requiring high values of duty cycles. Soft-switching techniques are adopted to achieve minimal switching losses and maximum system efficiency. The presented approach can be applied to switched capacitor converters with any number of modules to improve the functionality of the closed loop control system. Furthermore, a capacitor soft charging function has been taken into account to suppress an inrush current at the start of the operation, as well as to avoid an extra voltage and current stress for power electronic components.
Optimal Representation of Multiple View Video

Multi-view video acquisition is widely used for reconstruction and free-viewpoint rendering of dynamic scenes by directly resampling from the captured images. This paper addresses the problem of optimally resampling and representing multi-view video to obtain a compact representation without loss of the view-dependent dynamic surface appearance. Spatio-temporal optimisation of the multi-view resampling is introduced to extract a coherent multi-layer texture map video. This resampling is combined with a surface-based optical flow alignment between views to correct for errors in geometric reconstruction and camera calibration which result in blurring and ghosting artefacts. The multi-view alignment and optimised resampling results in a compact representation with minimal loss of information allowing high-quality free-viewpoint rendering. Evaluation is performed on multi-view datasets for dynamic sequences of cloth, faces and people. The representation achieves >90% compression without significant loss of visual quality.
Adherence to Quality Indicators and Survival in Patients With Breast Cancer

Background:International initiatives increasingly advocate physician adherence to clinical protocols that have been shown to improve outcomes, yet the process-outcome relationship for adhering to breast cancer care protocol is unknown. Objective:This study explores whether 100% adherence to a set of quality indicators applied to individuals with breast cancer is associated with better survival. Research Design and Subjects:Ten quality indicators (4 diagnosis-related and 6 treatment-related indicators) were used to measure the quality of care in 1378 breast cancer patients treated from 1995 to 2001. Adherence to each indicator was based on the number of procedures performed divided by the number of patients eligible for that procedure. The main analysis of adherence was dichotomous (ie, 100% adherence vs. <100% adherence). Measures:The outcome measures studied were 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival, calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox's proportional hazard regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:Most patients received care that demonstrated good adherence to the quality indicators. Multivariate analysis revealed that 100% adherence to entire set of quality indicators was significantly associated with better overall survival [hazard ratio (HR): 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33–0.63] and progression-free survival (HR 0.51; 95% CI, 0.39–0.67). One hundred percent adherence to treatment indicators alone was also associated with statistically significant improvements in overall and progression-free survivals. Conclusions:Our study strongly supports that 100% adherence to evidence supported quality-of-care indicators is associated with better survival rates for breast cancer patients and should be a priority for practitioners.
Evaluating the impact of treating the optimal subgroup

Suppose we have a binary treatment used to influence an outcome. Given data from an observational or controlled study, we wish to determine whether or not there exists some subset of observed covariates in which the treatment is more effective than the standard practice of no treatment. Furthermore, we wish to quantify the improvement in population mean outcome that will be seen if this subgroup receives treatment and the rest of the population remains untreated. We show that this problem is surprisingly challenging given how often it is an (at least implicit) study objective. Blindly applying standard techniques fails to yield any apparent asymptotic results, while using existing techniques to confront the non-regularity does not necessarily help at distributions where there is no treatment effect. Here, we describe an approach to estimate the impact of treating the subgroup which benefits from treatment that is valid in a nonparametric model and is able to deal with the case where there is no treatment effect. The approach is a slight modification of an approach that recently appeared in the individualized medicine literature.
Mirror Neurons and Mirror-Touch Synesthesia

Since mirror neurons were introduced to the neuroscientific community more than 20 years ago, they have become an elegant and intuitive account for different cognitive mechanisms (e.g., empathy, goal understanding) and conditions (e.g., autism spectrum disorders). Recently, mirror neurons were suggested to be the mechanism underlying a specific type of synesthesia. Mirror-touch synesthesia is a phenomenon in which individuals experience somatosensory sensations when seeing someone else being touched. Appealing as it is, careful delineation is required when applying this mechanism. Using the mirror-touch synesthesia case, we put forward theoretical and methodological issues that should be addressed before relying on the mirror-neurons account.
Hiv/Aids prevalence at the accident & emergency centre of a tertiary and referral health institution in Ghana

Background : Ghana has an estimated HIV prevalence of 1.4%, but the HIV prevalence of patients presenting at emergency departments in Ghana is not well documented in published literature. This study evaluated the prevalence of HIV infection at the Accident & Emergency Department, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH AE consenting patients were screened for HIV using rapid HIV finger-stick testing with HIV 1-2 STAT-PAK. Sero-positivity was confirmed by OraQuick HIV 1-2 test. Data was analysed using multivariate logistic regression. Results : 1125 patients presenting at the KATH AE HIV Screening; Prevalence, Diagnosis, Emergency Department
Habitat use patterns of the invasive red lionfish Pterois volitans: a comparison between mangrove and reef systems in San Salvador, Bahamas

The Indo-Pacific red lionfish Pterois volitans is widespread both in its native and its non-native habitats. The rapid invasion of this top predator has had a marked negative effect on fish populations in the Western Atlantic and the Caribbean. It is now well documented that lionfish are invading many tropical and sub-tropical habitats. However, there are fewer data available on the change in lionfish abundance over time and the variation of body size and diet across habitats. A recent study in San Salvador, Bahamas, found body size differences between individuals from mangrove and reef systems. That study further suggested that ontogenetic investigation of habitat use patterns could help clarify whether lionfish are using the mangrove areas of San Salvador as nurseries. The aim of the present study is to determine temporal trends in lionfish relative abundance in mangrove and reef systems in San Salvador, and to further assess whether there is evidence suggesting an ontogenetic shift from mangroves to reef areas. Accordingly, we collected lionfish from mangrove and reef habitats and calculated catch per unit effort (a proxy for relative abundance), compared body size distributions across these two systems, and employed a combination of stable isotope, stomach content, and genetic analyses of prey, to evaluate differences in lionfish trophic interactions and habitat use patterns. Our results show that populations may have increased in San Salvador during the last 4 years, and that there is a strong similarity in body size between habitats, stark differences in prey items, and no apparent overlap in the use of habitat and/or food resources. These results suggest that there is not evidence an for ontogenetic shift from mangroves to reefs, and support other studies that propose lionfish are opportunistic forages with little movement across habitats.
A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF LOW‐DOSE VERSUS HIGH‐DOSE STEROIDS IN CADAVERIC RENAL TRANSPLANTATION

Low-dose steroid regimens, in combination with azathioprine, have become increasingly common for immunosuppression of renal transplant recipients. The change from conventional high-dose steroid regimens was prompted by the results of several prospective trials that showed similar graft survivals with high-dose and low-dose steroids, but a lower incidence of steroid-induced complications in low-dose-steroid-treated patients. However, the number of patients entered into the trials was small, and consequently there remained a possibility that a clinically relevant difference in graft survival could have remained undetected. A multi-center prospective trial was performed to compare graft survival with high-dose (91 patients) and low-dose (98 patients) oral steroids in combination with azathioprine. There was significantly worse graft survival in the low-dose group. The difference was largely due to a poor graft survival in patients receiving low-dose steroids and azathioprine <1.75 mg/kg/day. Graft survivals were similar in the high-dose and low-dose steroid patients who received azathioprine doses of >1.75 mg/kg/ day. The results indicate that the combination of low doses of both steroids and azathioprine provides inadequate immunosuppression in renal transplantation, although higher doses of azathioprine allow the use of low-dose steroids without significantly more graft losses than with high-dose steroids.
Roles of bond orientational ordering in glass transition and crystallization

It is widely believed that crystallization in three dimensions is primarily controlled by positional ordering, and not by bond orientational ordering. In other words, bond orientational ordering is usually considered to be merely a consequence of positional ordering and thus has often been ignored. This one-order-parameter (density) description may be reasonable when we consider an equilibrium liquid–solid transition, but may not be enough to describe a metastable state and the kinetics of the transition. Here we propose that bond orientational ordering can play a key role in (i) crystallization, (ii) the ordering to quasi-crystal and (iii) vitrification, which occurs under rather weak frustration against crystallization. In a metastable supercooled state before crystallization, a system generally tends to have bond orientational order at least locally as a result of a constraint of dense packing. For a system interacting with hard-core repulsions, the constraint is intrinsically of geometrical origin and thus the basic physics is the same as nematic ordering of rod-like particles upon densification. Furthermore, positional ordering is easily destroyed even by weak frustration such as polydispersity and anisotropic interactions which favour a symmetry not consistent with that of the equilibrium crystal. Thus we may say that vitrification can be achieved by disturbing and prohibiting long-range positional ordering. Even in such a situation, bond orientational ordering still survives, accompanying its critical-like fluctuations, which are the origin of dynamic heterogeneity for this case. This scenario naturally explains both the absence of positional order and the development of bond orientational order upon cooling in a supercooled state. Although our argument is speculative in nature, we emphasize that this physical picture can coherently explain crystallization, vitrification, quasi-crystallization and their relationship in a natural manner. For a strongly frustrated system, even bond orientational order can be destroyed. Even in such a case there may still appear a structural signature of dense packing, which is linked to slow dynamics.
VEGF-Targeted RNA Interference Suppresses Angiogenesis and Tumor Growth of Retinoblastoma

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important angiogenic growth factors for tumor angiogenesis which has been verified to be involved in neovascularization of retinoblastoma. Here, we sought to explore whether RNA interference (RNAi) targeting VEGF could inhibit retinoblastoma angiogenesis and tumor growth. Stable transfection of the two human retinoblastoma cell lines SO-RB50 and HXO-RB44 with VEGF-targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA) expression plasmid significantly inhibited VEGF expression determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot, whereas the control transfection showed no effects. The chemically synthesized VEGF siRNA dramatically suppressed tumor angiogenesis (CD34 immunohistochemistry) and tumor growth in the SO-RB50 subcutaneous xenograft model. Significant downregulation of VEGF expression both on messenger RNA and protein levels in VEGF-siRNA-treated SO-RB50 subcutaneous xenograft was confirmed by real-time PCR and Western blot compared to control. Our data demonstrate the suppression function on angiogenesis and tumor growth of retinoblastoma by VEGF-targeted RNAi. This novel therapeutic strategy promises to play a part in the clinical management of retinoblastoma.
One-loop radiative corrections to the charged-Higgs-boson mass of the minimal supersymmetric model.

In the minimal supersymmetric model (MSSM), the tree-level value of the charged-Higgs-boson mass must be larger than {ital m}{sub {ital W}}. When one-loop radiative corrections are incorporated, we find that {ital m}{sub {ital H}}{sup +}{lt}{ital m}{sub {ital W}} is possible over a limited range of parameter space if the top-quark mass is large and the mass of the {ital CP}-odd neutral scalar is small. Nonobservation of the charged Higgs boson at the CERN {ital e}{sup +}{ital e{minus}} collider LEP can be used to restrict the allowed region of MSSM parameter space.
Transversal Signal Interaction: Overview of High-Performance Wideband Bandpass Filters

This article presents an introduction of recently wideband bandpass filters based on transversal signal interaction concepts. Different resonant structures are reported on, including branch-line coupler/ring resonator, interdigital coupled lines, DSPSL 180° phase-shifting structure, Marchand balun, open/shorted coupled lines, T-shaped structures, and open/shorted stubs. Detailed comparisons of out-of-band transmission zeros, effective circuit size, 3-dB bandwidth, upper stopband, and group delay for the wideband/UWB filters discussed in this article are presented. Different bandwidth of wideband bandpass filters can be realized based on transversal signal interaction concepts, branch-line coupler/ring resonator can be easy to realize wide bandwidth with narrow upper stopbands due to their harmonic response. The filter structures using different 180° phase-shifting structures such as DSPSL, shorted coupled lines, and Marchand balun can meet UWB bandwidth/band demand, and the circuit size can be further reduced, while the selectivity and upper stopband should be further improved. The integrated applications of shorted/open coupled lines and shorted/open stubs can increase the numbers of the transmission zeros out-of-band, besides the circuit size reduction, the upper stopband can be also extended to over 4.7 f0 . Moreover, the transversal signal-interaction concepts have been also extended to the design of differential wideband//UWB balanced bandpass filters with broadband common-mode suppression in our former works.
Strong cosmic censorship in the case of T3-Gowdy vacuum spacetimes

In 1952, Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat demonstrated that it makes sense to consider Einstein's vacuum equations from an initial value point of view; given initial data, there is a globally hyperbolic development. Since there are many developments, one does, however, not obtain uniqueness. This was remedied in 1969 when Choquet-Bruhat and Robert Geroch demonstrated that there is a unique maximal globally hyperbolic development (MGHD). Unfortunately, there are examples of initial data for which the MGHD is extendible, and, what is worse, extendible in inequivalent ways. Thus it is not possible to predict what spacetime one is in simply by looking at initial data and, in this sense, Einstein's equations are not deterministic. Since the examples exhibiting this behaviour are rather special, it is natural to conjecture that for generic initial data, the MGHD is inextendible. This conjecture is referred to as the strong cosmic censorship conjecture and is of central importance in mathematical relativity. In this paper, we shall describe this conjecture in detail, as well as its resolution in the special case of T3-Gowdy spacetimes.
The predictive value of M30 and oxidative stress for left ventricular remodeling in patients with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention

BackgroundLeft ventricular (LV) remodeling is an important pathophysiological event that develops following acute myocardial infarction and causes LV systolic dysfunction. Mechanisms such as apoptosis, necrosis, and oxidative stress play an important role in LV remodeling. ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the relationship between the development of LV remodeling and the apoptosis marker M30 in patients with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Materials and methodsThis retrospective study included 255 consecutive patients (210 men, 45 women, mean age 54.9±11.8 years) with anterior STEMI who were treated with primary PCI. Blood samples were obtained from each patient at admission and 24 h after admission for measurements of M30, M65, oxidative parameters, and biochemical parameters. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in each patient within 24 h of infarction and 6 months after infarction. LV remodeling was defined as greater than or equal to 20% increase in end-diastolic volume 6 months after primary PCI. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of 6 months of post-primary PCI follow-up findings: LV remodeling group and non-LV remodeling group. ResultsIn all, 60 patients received LV remodeling and 195 did not receive LV remodeling at 6 months after primary PCI. Total oxidative stress, M30 and M65 levels, and the oxidative stress index were significantly higher and the total antioxidant capacity and M65/M30 ratio were lower in the LV remodeling group (P<0.05, for all). Brain natriuretic peptide, M30, and oxidative stress index were independent predictors of LV remodeling (P<0.05 for all). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the M30 cut-off value for predicting LV remodeling was 144.9 U/l (80% sensitivity and 77% specificity, P<0.001). ConclusionIn patients with anterior STEMI treated with primary PCI, the apoptosis marker M30 might be useful for predicting LV remodeling and subsequent LV systolic dysfunction.
Effects of Lifestyle Physical Activity in Adults With Fibromyalgia: Results at Follow-Up

Background:In a 12-week randomized controlled trial of the effects of lifestyle physical activity (LPA) on symptoms and function among adults with fibromyalgia, we found that LPA participants increased their average daily step count by 54%, improved their self-reported functioning by 18%, and reduced their pain by 35%. Objectives:The objective of the study was to evaluate the intermediate (6 months) and long-term (12 months) effects of the LPA intervention on outcomes. Methods:Participants completed follow-up assessments of physical activity, pain, fibromyalgia-related function, fatigue, depression, number of tender points, 6-minute walk test, and perceived improvement at 6 and 12 months after intervention. Results:Of the 73 participants who completed the 12-week trial, 53 (73%) completed both the 6- and 12-month follow-up. Although the LPA participants reported greater perceived improvement at each follow-up, they did not differ from controls on pain, physical activity, tenderness, fatigue, depression, or the 6-minute walk test. Self-reported functioning declined markedly at follow-up for the LPA participants. Conclusions:Although participants reported greater perceived improvement at each assessment, the beneficial effects of LPA on physical activity, function, and pain found after the 12-week intervention were not sustained over time. This recidivism is seen in studies of activity and exercise in nearly any condition, and innovative methods that may prevent this are a focus of future studies.
Preoperative irradiation in carcinoma of the pancreas

Seventeen patients with carcinoma confined to the pancreas and the peripancreatic area received preoperative radiation therapy in an attempt to increase the resectability rate and to reduce the incidence of recurrence. The tumors were considered either unresectable or of borderline resectability. The radiation dose ranged between 4000–5000 rads, the majority of patients (75%) receiving 4400–4600 rads in 4 1/2–5 weeks. After a period averaging six weeks the patients were reevaluated for surgery. Eleven patients were explored and six underwent radical resection. Two patients remained disease free after five years. Pancreatic resection is feasible following a course of preoperative radiotherapy to a moderately high dose. It is suggested that the response of the primary tumor to radiotherapy he used as a criterion for selecting patients for reexploration and resection.