Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Some aspects of blended learning for Tallinn University of Technology and Tallinn Center of Industrial Education

This article describes new directions in the modernization of higher and vocational education courses of automation and mechatronics on the basis of the blended learning. The authors review methodological approaches for the blended technology design of training, their realization in the higher and vocational education. Training courses are being implemented in the regular automation and mechatronics programmes to university and vocational students. In the future we plan to adapt the work results in the industry. The structure and main components of the module for practical training in the laboratory are described. Such an approach to learning can be successfully used in the following courses: sensors and actuators in mechatronics and automation, application of PLC in industrial and building automation.
High-frequency and low-resonance-impedance lamb wave resonators utilizing the S1 mode

In this work, a high-frequency (f<sub>s</sub>) and low-resonance-impedance (Z<sub>min</sub>) Lamb wave resonator utilizing the first-order symmetric (S<sub>1</sub>) mode propagating in highly textured aluminum nitride (AlN) plates is presented. In order to achieve the larger electromechanical coupling coefficient and smooth phase velocity dispersion as well as to avoid the negative group velocity in the S<sub>1</sub> Lamb wave mode, the 4-μm-thick AlN layer and 3-μm-wide finger electrodes are employed in the Lamb wave resonator design. The experimental results show that despite the S<sub>1</sub> mode shows a slightly lower quality factor than the lowest-order symmetric (S<sub>0</sub>) mode, the S<sub>1</sub> mode presents a Z<sub>min</sub> of 94 © at 1.34 GHz, lower than the S<sub>0</sub> mode showing a Z<sub>min</sub> equal to 224 © at 878.3 MHz.
Microporous cell‐laden hydrogels for engineered tissue constructs

In this article, we describe an approach to generate microporous cell‐laden hydrogels for fabricating biomimetic tissue engineered constructs. Micropores at different length scales were fabricated in cell‐laden hydrogels by micromolding fluidic channels and leaching sucrose crystals. Microengineered channels were created within cell‐laden hydrogel precursors containing agarose solution mixed with sucrose crystals. The rapid cooling of the agarose solution was used to gel the solution and form micropores in place of the sucrose crystals. The sucrose leaching process generated homogeneously distributed micropores within the gels, while enabling the direct immobilization of cells within the gels. We also characterized the physical, mechanical, and biological properties (i.e., microporosity, diffusivity, and cell viability) of cell‐laden agarose gels as a function of engineered porosity. The microporosity was controlled from 0% to 40% and the diffusivity of molecules in the porous agarose gels increased as compared to controls. Furthermore, the viability of human hepatic carcinoma cells that were cultured in microporous agarose gels corresponded to the diffusion profile generated away from the microchannels. Based on their enhanced diffusive properties, microporous cell‐laden hydrogels containing a microengineered fluidic channel can be a useful tool for generating tissue structures for regenerative medicine and drug discovery applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 106: 138–148. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Eight-Parameter Adaptive Model for the Single Diode Equivalent Circuit Based on the Photovoltaic Module's Physics

This paper proposes an eight-parameter adaptive electrical model based on the physical behavior of the photovoltaic (PV) module with respect to variations of the environmental conditions. In addition, an accurate parameter estimation technique is proposed for this new model based on the pattern search optimization algorithm. The usual characterization of the I–V curves has five unknown parameters. The majority of the estimation techniques identify those five parameters for a specific irradiance and temperature. This means that different sets of five parameters are found for each environmental condition, i.e., the estimated parameters are based only on a mathematical fitting with lack of physical meaning. In the proposed eight-parameter adaptive model, it is necessary to execute the parameter estimation technique only once, because the model is valid for all ranges of values of the environmental conditions available on datasheets or experimental curves. Moreover, the restrictions imposed on each parameter make the model capable of emulating the physical behavior of the PV module, particularly useful in fault diagnosis and predictive and corrective maintenance of PV systems. Comparison results based on datasheet and experimental curves are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model and parameter estimation technique.
Research gaps in understanding how climate change will affect arboviral diseases

Abstract Climate change is widely expected to cause the emergence and spread of vector-borne diseases, and predictive models are needed so that we can be prepared. We developed a climate-sensitive, predictive, model that describes the risk of bluetongue, an arboviral disease of ruminants, which has emerged dramatically in Europe. Developing the predictive bluetongue model led to the identification of numerous gaps in both the understanding and the availability of data. These mostly pertain to the vectors and their interaction with hosts. Closing these gaps will allow better models, with more precise predictions, to be produced. These research gaps apply to many other arboviral diseases as well. As a consequence, there needs to be an increase in research on the vectors that transmit arboviral diseases. Priorities are the training of a new generation of taxonomists, studies on the field biology of potential vectors, and increased coordination of vector surveillance and recording between countries facing similar threats.
Atherosclerotic Aortic Arch Plaques in Cryptogenic Stroke: A Microembolic Signal Monitoring Study

Background and Purpose: To find out the prevalence of relevant atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic arch and their potential role as a source of embolism in cryptogenic stroke. Methods: We performed a transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) on 49 patients with cryptogenic stroke from a total series of 212 non-selected patients with acute ischaemic stroke studied prospectively by cranial computed tomography (CT), colour-duplex and transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography with micro-embolic signal (MES) monitoring. Cryptogenic stroke was diagnosed in those patients without carotid or intracranial stenosis >50%, nor lacunar or cardio-embolic strokes. We defined relevant plaques as those ≧4 mm thick located in the ascending aorta or proximal arch. Results: Twenty-three patients (46.9%) had atherosclerotic aortic plaques (AAP): 3 in the ascending aorta (in 1 ≧4 mm), 11 in the proximal aortic arch (in 4 ≧4 mm) and 9 in the descending aorta (in 5 ≧4 mm). Hence, 5 patients (10.2%) had relevant plaques. Aortic plaques were significantly related to older age (p < 0.001) and male gender (p = 0.042). A carotid artery stenosis <50% was found in 39% of patients with AAP and in 8% of those without AAP (p = 0.009). MES were detected in 3 patients with plaques ≧4 mm thick, but not in those without AAP or with AAP <4 mm thick (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Although few patients with cryptogenic stroke had relevant plaques in our non-selected population, our results support the hypothesis that relevant aortic plaques have embolic potential.
MexXY-OprM Efflux Pump Is Required for Antagonism of Aminoglycosides by Divalent Cations inPseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT Antagonism of aminoglycosides by divalent cations is well documented for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and is regarded as one of the problems in aminoglycoside therapy. It is generally considered that divalent cations interfere with uptake of aminoglycosides at both the outer and inner membranes. It has been demonstrated recently that aminoglycosides can be removed from cells ofP. aeruginosa by the three-component multidrug resistance efflux pump MexXY-OprM. We sought to investigate the interplay between efflux and uptake in resistance to aminoglycosides inP. aeruginosa. To do so, we studied the effects of the divalent cations Mg2+ and Ca2+ on susceptibility to aminoglycosides in a wild-type strain of P. aeruginosa and in mutants either overexpressing or lacking the MexXY-OprM efflux pump. MICs of gentamicin, streptomycin, amikacin, apramycin, netilmicin, and arbekacin were determined in Mueller-Hinton broth in the presence of cations added at concentrations that varied from 0.125 to 8 mM. We found, unexpectedly, that while both Mg2+ and Ca2+ antagonized aminoglycosides (up to a 64-fold decrease in susceptibility at 8 mM), antagonism was seen only in the strains of P. aeruginosa that contained the functional MexXY-OprM efflux pump. Our results indicate that inhibition of the MexXY-OprM efflux pump should abolish the antagonism of aminoglycosides by divalent cations, regardless of its precise mechanism. This may significantly increase the therapeutic index of aminoglycosides and improve the clinical utility of this important class of antibiotics.
Use of a perineural coiled catheter at the sciatic nerve in dogs after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy – preliminary observations

Abstract The analgesic effects of peripheral nerve blocks can be prolonged with the placement of perineural catheters allowing repeated injections of local anaesthetics in humans. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical suitability of a perineural coiled catheter (PCC) at the sciatic nerve and to evaluate pain during the early post‐operative period in dogs after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy. Pre‐operatively, a combined block of the sciatic and the femoral nerves was performed under sonographic guidance (ropivacaine 0.5%; 0.3 mL kg−1 per nerve). Thereafter, a PCC was placed near the sciatic nerve. Carprofen (4 mg kg−1 intravenously) was administered at the end of anaesthesia. After surgery, all dogs were randomly assigned to receive four injections of ropivacaine (group R; 0.25%, 0.3 mL kg−1) or NaCl 0.9% (group C; 0.3 mL kg−1) every 6 h through the PCC. Pain was assessed by use of a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a multi‐dimensional pain score (4Avet) before surgery (T‐1), for 390 min (T0, T30, T60, T120, T180, T240, T300, T360 and T390) as well as 1 day after surgery (Day 1). Methadone (0.1 mg kg−1) was administered each time the VAS was ≥40 mm or the 4Avet was ≥5. At T390 dogs received buprenorphine (0.02 mg kg−1). Data were compared using Mann–Whitney rank sum tests and repeated measures analysis of variance. Regardless of group allocation, 55% of dogs required methadone. VAS was significantly lower at T390 (P = 0.003), and at Day 1 (P = 0.002) and so was 4Avet at Day 1 (P = 0.012) in group R than in group C. Bleeding occurred in one dog at PCC placement and PCC dislodged six times of 47 PCCs placed. Minor complications occurred with PCC but allowed four repeated administrations of ropivacaine or saline over 24 h in 91.5% of the cases.
Damage trajectory analysis based prognostic

To obtain high availability with reduced life cycle total ownership costs, classical maintenance policies are not sufficient. Indeed these polices do not allow us to maintain just when its necessary because they are not available to plan the current system damage state in the future. To predict accurately and precisely the future system damage state, it is necessary to take into account how and where the system is used in order to analyze the damage trajectory. The paper presents a methodology based on the system decomposition in three levels: environment, mission and process, to predict the future damage state by tracking its various damage trajectories and thus to know whether the system is able to accomplish its mission in time by using system current damage state and its future use.
Parental Perspectives of Diabetes Management in Alabama Public Schools

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess parental perceptions of the current state of care for children with diabetes in the Alabama public school system, identify existing disparities, and determine what resources would most improve diabetes management in this setting. There is a significant need for such information because of the paucity of published data on the current state of diabetes care in Alabama public schools. Methods We based our survey on the American Diabetes Association guidelines and collected responses on the Internet via SurveyMonkey and by paper surveys. We distributed surveys to parents of children with diabetes through the Children’s Hospital endocrinology clinic, a diabetes camp, and through the Alabama Association of School Nurses e-mail listserv. Results A majority of children had type 1 diabetes mellitus. Students who could conveniently check their blood glucose levels (BGLs) at school were significantly more likely to participate in all school activities and their parents were significantly more likely to be satisfied with their child’s diabetes care at school. Compared with minority students (defined as all races other than white), white students were more likely to be able to conveniently check their BGLs at school. Conclusions The accommodation and care for children with diabetes is highly variable within much of the Alabama public school system. The ability to conveniently check BGLs at school is key for participation in all school activities and for parental satisfaction with diabetes care at school. Institution of a uniform, statewide diabetes training protocol for school personnel could improve care and parental satisfaction.
Automated organelle‐based colocalization in whole‐cell imaging

The use of fluorescence microscopy to investigate protein colocalization is an invaluable tool for understanding subcellular structures and their associated proteins. However, current techniques are largely limited to two‐dimensional (2D) imaging and often require manual segmentation. Here, we present OBCOL, a methodology to automatically segment and quantify protein colocalization not within an image as a whole but on all individual punctuate organelles within a 3D multichannel image. A wide variety of colocalization statistics may then be calculated on the objects found, and features reported for each such as position, degree of overlap between channels, and number of component objects. OBCOL was validated on imaging of two fluorescent markers (Dextran, EGF) in 3D microscopy imaging. OBCOL's application was then exemplified by investigating the colocalization of three fluorescently tagged proteins (VAMP3, Rab11, and transferrin) on recycling endosomes in mammalian cells. The methodology showed for the first time the diversity of endosomes labeled with one or more of these proteins and quantitatively demonstrated the degree of overlap among these proteins in individual recycling endosomes. The consistent segregation of these markers provides novel evidence for the subcompartmentalization of recycling endosomes. OBCOL is a flexible methodology for 3D multifluorophore image analysis. This study clearly demonstrated its value for investigating subcellular structures and their constituent proteins. © 2009 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Alzheimer’s disease can be accurately diagnosed in very mildly impaired individuals

BackgroundThe growing propensity to diagnose AD in individuals with very mild cognitive impairment increases the danger of false-positive diagnostic errors. Unfortunately, there is little systematically acquired information about the accuracy of the AD diagnosis in very mildly impaired patients. Objective To determine the accuracy of the diagnosis of AD in very mildly impaired patients and to identify objective measures that effectively distinguish these patients from elderly normal controls (NC). Methods Consecutive patients with Mini-Mental State Examination scores of ≥24 who received a clinical diagnosis of AD were evaluated annually for at least 3 years. The initial diagnosis was verified or refuted by autopsy or by information obtained in subsequent evaluations. Initial neuropsychological test scores of verified AD patients were compared with those of NC subjects to identify effective diagnostic measures. Results The diagnosis of AD was confirmed in 98 of 110 (89%) very mildly impaired patients (33/36 by autopsy, 65/74 by disease progression). The diagnosis was inaccurate in 12 patients (11%): Seven were subsequently diagnosed with other neurologic disorders, and five were ultimately found to be normal. Neuropsychological measures of delayed recall, verbal fluency, and global cognitive status (i.e., Mattis Dementia Rating Scale) provided excellent sensitivity (≥96%) and specificity (≥93%) for differentiating between very mildly impaired AD patients and NC subjects. Conclusions When comprehensive assessment procedures are employed, AD can be diagnosed with reasonably high accuracy in very mildly impaired individuals. However, the dementia evaluation should be repeated after approximately 1 year to ensure the accuracy of the initial diagnosis.
Synergistic Effect of Baicalin and Adriamycin in Resistant HL-60/ADM Leukaemia Cells

Background/Aims: The present study was designed to investigate the expression of multidrug resistance (MDR)-related genes, verify the synergistic effects of baicalin and Adriamycin (ADM) and investigate the related mechanisms in ADM-resistant leukaemic HL-60/ADM cells. Methods: We used a HL-60/ADM cell line. Cytotoxicity and flow cytometry assays were employed to verify the cytotoxic effects of baicalin. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting assays were used to assess the expression of MDR-related genes and the changes in gene expression (both MDR-related and PI3K/Akt pathway-related) induced by administration of baicalin. Results: We found that only multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), lung resistance-related protein (LRP) and Bcl-2 genes were expressed in both HL-60 and HL-60/ADM cells. HL-60/ADM cells exhibited significantly higher expression (p < 0.05). We also observed that low-dose baicalin (5 and 10 µmol/L) can induce growth inhibition and apoptotic effects on HL-60/ADM cells by increasing the intracellular accumulation of ADM. The synergistic effect of baicalin and ADM was verified. Concerning the potential mechanisms involved in this process, we showed that baicalin down-regulated the expression of several MDR-related and PI3K/Akt pathway-related genes. Conclusions: We confirmed the increased expression of MRP1, LRP and Bcl-2 genes in HL-60/ADM cells compared to regular HL-60 cells, which are recommended for future investigation on MDR. The present study provided evidence of the synergistic effect of baicalin and ADM in HL-60/ADM cells. Therefore, baicalin may be considered as a potential therapeutic agent against resistant leukaemia. Suppression of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, followed by inhibition of the expression of MDR-related genes may be a common mechanism in combination treatments with ADM for the reduction of resistance to ADM.
Isolation of a cDNA clone and localization of the human glutathione S‐transferase 3 genes to chromosome bands 11q13 and 12q13‐14

A partial cDNA clone of the glutathione S‐transferase 3 gene (GST3) was obtained by screening a Agtll human lung cDNA library with antiserum to human lung GST3. The sequence of this cDNA showed two base differences from the coding sequence of a GST3 cDNA isolated from a human placental cDNA library.
Absorption, metabolism and excretion of 3-acetyl don in pigs

The absorption, metabolism and excretion of 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-aDON) in pigs were studied. Pigs with a faecal microflora known to be able to de-epoxidate trichothecenes were used in the experiment. The pigs were fed a commercial diet with 3-aDON added in a concentration of 2.5 mg/kg feed for 2.5 days. No traces of 3-aDON or its de-epoxide metabolite were found in plasma, urine or faeces. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was detected in plasma as soon as 20 min after start of the feeding. The maximum concentration of DON in plasma was reached after 3 h and decreased rapidly thereafter. Only low concentrations close to the detection limit were found in plasma 8 h after start of the feeding. A significant part of the DON in plasma was in a glucuronide-conjugated form (42 ± 7%). No accumulation of DON occurred in plasma during the 60 h of exposure. The excretion of DON was mainly in urine (45 ± 26% of the toxin ingested by the pigs) and only low amounts of metabolites of 3-aDON (2 ± 0.4%) were recovered in faeces. De-epoxide DON constituted 52 ± 15% of the total amount of 3-aDON-metabolites detected in faeces. The remaining part in faeces was DON. DON was still present in the urine and faeces at the end of the sampling period 48 h after the last exposure. The results show that no de-epoxides are found in plasma or urine in pigs after trichothecene exposure, even in pigs having a faecal microflora with a de-epoxidation activity. The acetylated form of the toxin is deacetylated in vivo. Furthermore, the experiment shows that the main part of DON is rapidly excreted and does not accumulate in plasma, but a minor part of the toxin is retained and slowly excreted from the pigs.
Physiological responses to ball-drills in regional level male basketball players

Abstract The main aim of this study was to assess the physiological responses of male basketball players during usual basketball ball-drills. Fourteen male basketball players (age 18.9 ± 2.3 years) performed the following full-court (28 × 15 m) basketball ball-drills (3 × 4-min with 3-min passive rest): five-a-side (5v5), three-a-side (3v3) and two-a-side (2v2). A main effect (P < 0.0001) for ball-drills modes was evident for all variables (5v5 < 3v3 < 2v2). Mean [Vdot]O2 during the 5v5, 3v3 and 2v2 were 39.0 ± 7.2, 42.0 ± 7.5 and 45.0 ± 6.5 ml · kg−1 · min−1 (69 ± 11, 74 ± 12 and 79 ± 11% of [Vdot]O2peak) respectively (5v5 = 3v3 < 2v2, P < 0.001). Mean blood-lactate concentrations for 5v5, 3v3 and 2v2 were 4.2 ± 1.8, 6.2 ± 2.3 and 7.8 ± 1.2 mmol (l−1 respectively (5v5 < 3v3 < 2v2, P < 0.01). During the 5v5, 3v3 and 2v2 mean heart-rate (HR) was 84.0 ± 9.2, 88.0 ± 8.4 and 92.0 ± 5.6% of the individual peak respectively (5v5 < 3v3 < 2v2; P < 0.001). No significant differences were found between the regression-line slope (P = 0.86) and intercept (P = 0.45) of the HR-[Vdot]O2 relationships of the multistage maximal fitness test (r2 from 0.80 to 0.96, P < 0.001) and ball-drills (r2 from 0.70 to 0.95, P < 0.001) conditions. Reducing the number of players over the same playing court resulted in increments in physiological demands. The 2v2 condition provided responses in the range of those reported to improve aerobic and anaerobic fitness. The aerobic demands of ball-drills can be accurately assessed using heart-rate monitoring in basketball.