Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of speckle on wide band of frequency components of an image

The aim of this paper is to study the effect of speckle on wide frequency components in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. In this study, the presence of speckle in SAR images is analysed using frequency domain techniques. SAR images consists of many features such as lines, edges, point targets, structural boundaries, homogeneous areas. In frequency domain analysis we observe these features occupy wide band of frequency spectra. In formulating the effective speckle reduction techniques, exact knowledge of noise like phenomenon on wide band of frequency spectra in SAR images is necessary. Qualitative and quantitative analysis using fourier transform helps to conclude this study.
Risk factors for acute rejection in renal transplant recipients experiencing delayed graft function

Abstract: Acute rejection (AR) superimposed upon delayed graft function (DGF) following renal transplantation worsens graft outcomes. However, risk factors for AR in patients displaying DGF remain unclear. In this study, 71 patients displaying DGF ≥ 5 d were investigated. All received cyclosporine, adjunctive azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and corticosteroids, with 43 receiving anti‐CD25 monoclonal antibody induction. AR episodes were seen in 20 of 71 (28%) patients. Higher C2 levels at days 3 and 5 and the use of MMF were associated with a reduced incidence of AR, with increased HLA‐DR mismatch associated with an increased risk for AR. C2 levels at days 3 and 5 below 885 and 1096 ng/mL, respectively, showed best discriminatory values for AR. C2 levels showed no correlation with DGF duration. This study suggests that optimizing immunosuppression in patients with DGF (by ensuring adequate calcineurin inhibitor exposure and the use of potent adjunctive immunosuppression) may reduce the incidence of AR without prolonging the duration of dialysis requirement.
An approach to fault location in HVDC lines using mathematical morphology

This paper presents an approach to fault location in HVDC transmission lines. A superimposed signal calculated from voltages and currents sampled in the same terminal is processed by a morphological filter in order to highlight the wavefronts and allow the fault location. The morphological filter was adopted due to its simplicity and low computational cost. A suitable combination of superimposed signal, morphological filter and Structuring Element (SE) enabled developing a simple algorithm to detect the correct wavefronts and, consequently, estimate the fault position. The results were obtained considering data sampled in one or two terminals. The influence of the main fault parameters as well as the approach parameters were evaluated and the results are promising.
Severity of hypertension in familial hyperaldosteronism type I: relationship to gender and degree of biochemical disturbance.

In familial hyperaldosteronism type I (FH-I), inheritance of a hybrid 11beta-hydroxylase/aldosterone synthase gene causes ACTH-regulated aldosterone overproduction. In an attempt to understand the marked variability in hypertension severity in FH-I, we compared clinical and biochemical characteristics of 9 affected individuals with mild hypertension (normotensive or onset of hypertension after 15 yr, blood pressure never >160/100 mm Hg, < or = 1 medication required to control hypertension, no history of stroke, age >18 yr when studied) with those of 17 subjects with severe hypertension (onset before 15 yr, or systolic blood pressure >180 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure >120 mm Hg at least once, or > or = 2 medications, or history of stroke). Severe hypertension was more frequent in males (11 of 13 males vs. 6 of 13 females; P < 0.05). All 4 subjects still normotensive after age 18 yr were females. Of 10 other affected, deceased individuals (7 males and 3 females) from a single family, all six who died before 60 yr of age (4 by stroke) were males. Biochemical studies were conducted in 6 mild and 16 severe subjects. The 2 groups were similar in terms of urinary sodium excretion. Mild subjects tended, although not significantly, to have lower urinary 18-oxo-cortisol (mean +/- SD, 27.4 +/- 9.0 vs. 35.2 +/- 12.9 nmol/mmol creatinine x day), higher plasma potassium (4.0 +/- 0.3 vs. 3.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/L), and lower recumbent (0800 h after overnight recumbency) plasma aldosterone levels (498 +/- 279 vs. 744 +/- 290 pmol/L). Upright (midmorning after 2-3 h of upright posture) plasma aldosterone levels were similar (mild, 485 +/- 150; severe, 474 +/- 188 pmol/L). In 1 normotensive female, upright PRA was much higher, and the upright aldosterone/PRA ratio was much lower than that in the other subjects. The remaining mild subjects had similar upright PRA levels (mild, 2.8 +/- 1.4; severe, 3.7 +/- 3.2 pmol/ L x min) and aldosterone/PRA ratios (mild, 199.5 +/- 133.4; severe, 200.6 +/- 150.9) as severe subjects. During angiotensin II (AII) infusion studies (n = 6 mild and 10 severe), performed during recumbency, aldosterone levels were lower in the mild group both basally (404 +/- 144 vs. 843 +/- 498 pmol/L; P < 0.05) and after 60 min AII (2 ng/kg x min; 261 +/- 130 vs. 520 +/- 330 pmol/L; P < 0.05). Aldosterone was unresponsive (rose by <50%) to AII in all subjects. Day curve studies (blood collected every 2 h for 24 h; n = 2 mild and 7 severe) demonstrated abnormal regulation of aldosterone by ACTH rather than by AII in both groups. In conclusion, in this series of patients with FH-I, males had more severe hypertension, and the degree of hybrid gene-induced aldosterone overproduction may have contributed to the severity of hypertension.
Speeding Up the Double-Base Recoding Algorithm of Scalar Multiplication*

Abstract Scalar multiplication nP is the core operation of elliptic curve public-key cryptosystems. Double bases representation of n is proposed to speed up scalar multiplication. Avanzi et al. presented a recoding algorithm for Koblitz curves which works in all cases with optimal constants [1]. However, their algorithm may be expensive to implement because it requires many divisions in ℤ[τ]. In this paper, we show that divisions in ℤ[τ] can be replaced by divisions in ℤ. Our improved version of the algorithm runs in about 33% of the time of the Avanzi et al. algorithm on the Koblitz curve K-163, with larger improvements as the size of the curve increases.
Radical Hysterectomy for Carcinoma Cervix: A Clinical Analysis of 160 Cases

Background: In this study an attempt was made to study the following  Advantage and disadvantage of different approaches of radical Hysterectomy with special reference to abdominovaginal approach  Complications and side effects of the procedure with special reference to post CTRT (Chemo Therapy and Radio Therapy treated) cases Method: It is a prospective clinical study. It was conducted between December 1990 and August 2016 in different institutions of Silchar, Guwahati and Barpeta situated in ssam (North East India). It included 160 carcinoma cervix cases of stage Ia to stage IIb, operated by three different approaches of Radical Hysterectomy. Results: Maximum numbers of cases in the series were in stage IIa (51.25%). Most of the cases (50%) were performed by the Abdominovaginal approach wound gapping was the commonest (5%) complications followed by ureteric fistula (0.625%) secondary haemorrhage (2.50%) etc. Out of 90 cases in 5 years follow up there were 20 cases (12.50%) recurrences. Conclusion: Different approaches of radical hysterectomy have their own advantages. Abdominovaginal approach is more useful for stage II a carcinoma cervix where more liberal excision of vagina is helpful. It is also useful in obese patients, where abdominal approach is more difficult for vaginal dissection. In this method damage to the urinary bladder and its innervations is minimum which the reason for less post operative morbidity. Post CTRT cases are technically difficult but if performed carefully give similar result.
Outer membrane proteome of Prevotella intermedia 17: Identification of thioredoxin and iron‐repressible hemin uptake loci

Although hemin is an indispensable nutrient for the oral pathogen Prevotella intermedia, not much is known regarding the molecular mechanisms of hemin acquisition. The availability of the genomic sequence of the bacterium allowed us to apply proteomic approaches to identify proteins that may be mediating the hemin acquisition process. As hemin acquisition mechanisms have been shown to be induced in iron‐depleted conditions, we applied proteomic approaches to detect those proteins whose expressions were affected by iron. We analyzed 40 protein spots and identified 19 such proteins. Interestingly, two proteins drastically upregulated in iron‐depleted conditions, PIN0009 and PINA0611, are homologs of hemin uptake receptors in other bacteria. PIN0009 is predicted to be an outer membrane lipoprotein. It is encoded by a gene that is the first of a seven‐gene genomic locus encoding proteins of a novel hemin acquisition system. The second protein, PINA0611, is a homolog of numerous TonB‐dependent outer membrane receptors including outer membrane iron uptake receptors of various Gram‐negative bacteria. There was also another protein, regulated by iron, that was previously demonstrated to bind hemoglobin in P. intermedia. Finally, we identified a thioredoxin‐like protein that has a novel outer membrane location.
Determination of the principal metabolites of vitamin D in blood by means of on-line solid phase extraction with liquid chromato- graphy-tandem mass spectrometry

Summary The determination of metabolites of vitamin D is very important in bone metabolism, in coronary disease, cancer, innate immunology, etc. Unfortunately, variation in methods for determining the metabolites of vitamin D limits the ability of clinicians to monitor the status, supplementation and toxicity of vitamin D. In this work, an automatic method of determining the most important metabolites of vitamin D is presented. 0.2 ml of serum is injected into an XLC-MS/MS (eXtraction Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry) platform to be cleaned and preconcentrated through extraction in the solid phase (SPE). The analytes retained in the SPE cartridge are eluated directly by the mobile chromatographic phase containing 10% water in methanol, with 5 mM of ammonium formate as ionizing agent, at a flow of 0.3 ml/min for the separation of the analytes, and their later detection through triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The limits of detection varied between 3.5 and 8.2 pg/ml. The coefficients of variation within the trial varied between 1.5 and 2.3% during the same day, and between 2.5-3.9% over a week. The recuperation varied between 97 and 99.7% for all analytes. The total time taken for the analysis was 20 minutes. Thus, the proposed method is robust, cheap and appropriate for use in clinical and research laboratories.
Thyroid Testing and Thyroid Hormone Replacement in Patients with Sleep Disordered Breathing

The current literature recommends that patients who have symptoms of sleep disordered breathing should be evaluated for hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy has been reported by some authors to be effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea in hypothyroid patients. The present study prospectively evaluated the prevalence of hypothyroidism in 1,000 consecutively presenting patients who came to the office for evaluation of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The authors also examined the efficacy of treatment for hypothyroidism on sleep apnea in patients with both disorders. Of the 1,000 patients, routine thyroid testing was performed on 834; only 10 of these patients (1.2%) were discovered to have previously undiagnosed clinical hypothyroidism. Four of the 10 patients with newly diagnosed clinical hypothyroidism had obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and they received thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Once these four patients achieved a euthyroid state, repeat polysomnography showed that there was no significant difference between their pre- and posttreatment respiratoiy disturbance index. Based on the results of our study, we conclude the following: 1) The prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients who are evaluated for sleep disordered breathing is no greater than that of the general population. 2) Thyroid replacement therapy results in little or no improvement in sleep apnea in patients with clinical hypothyroidism. 3) Routine thyroid function screening is not indicated for patients who are being evaluated for sleep disordered breathing.
Chemical Denaturation of Ovalbumin Abrogates the Induction of Oral Tolerance of Specific IgG Antibody and DTH Responses in Mice

We have examined the effects of ingestion of chemically denatured ovalbumin (OVA) in mice. Both 8 M urea‐denatured OVA (UD‐OVA) and carboxymethylated UD‐OVA (CM‐OVA) were purified by gel filtration. Specific IgG antibody and systemic delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to OVA were not suppressed by CM‐OVA fed prior to or after immunization with OVA in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). When CM‐OVA was used instead of OVA for immunization, serum IgG and DTH responses to CM‐OVA were orally tolerized by OVA, but not by UD‐OVA or CM‐OVA. Studies of antigen uptake in mice using sandwich ELISA tests showed that OVA, but not CM‐OVA, was absorbed after antigen ingestion. In vitro studies further demonstrated that CM‐OVA was digested much more rapidly than OVA. Moreover, studies using bovine serum albumin (BSA) demonstrated that both IgG and DTH responses to BSA were orally tolerant to BSA, but not to denatured BSA. Finally, studies using human gamma‐globulin (HGG), a well‐known tolerogen, also found that the IgG antibody response to HGG was not orally tolerized by denatured HGG. These results suggest that complete denaturation of globular proteins may affect their processing and absorption in the gut and thus abrogates oral tolerance induction.
Receptive field characteristics of superior colliculus neurons and visually guided behavior in dark‐reared hamsters

Visual response properties of single neurons in the superior colliculus of golden hamsters reared from birth to adulthood in total darkness were compared to those of normal hamsters. Directional selectivity, speed preferences, and receptive field organization in dark‐reared hamsters were essentially the same as those found in normally reared animals. Subtle neurophysiological effects of visual deprivation were indicated by the longer latencies of “on” responses to flashed spots of light in the dark‐reared animals. Also, in the visually deprived animals three cells were encountered which changed their responses from phasic to tonic as the size of the visual stimulus was increased. In normally reared animals all cells responding to stationary stimuli showed only phasic responses regardless of spot size. Behaviorally, dark‐reared animals could not be distinguished from normal animals on the basis of visual orienting and following tests. It was concluded that in the golden hamster visual experience during development has a minimal role in the induction or maintenance of the normal functional development of the superior colliculus.
Ultrahigh-Speed 0 . 5 V Supply Voltage In 0 . 7 Ga 0 . 3 As Quantum-Well Transistors on Silicon Substrate

The direct epitaxial growth of ultrahigh-mobility InGaAs/InAlAs quantum-well (QW) device layers onto silicon substrates using metamorphic buffer layers is demonstrated for the first time. In this letter, 80 nm physical gate length depletionmode InGaAs QW transistors with saturated transconductance gm of 930 μS/μm and fT of 260 GHz at VDS = 0.5 V are achieved on 3.2 μm thick buffers. We expect that compound semiconductor-based advanced QW transistors could become available in the future as very high-speed and ultralow-power device technology for heterogeneous integration with the mainstream silicon CMOS.
Infrared laser light reduces loading time of dental implants: a Raman spectroscopic study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess, through near-infrared Raman spectroscopy (NIRS), the incorporation of hydroxyapatite of calcium (CHA; approximately 960 cm(1))--on the healing bone around dental implants submitted or not to low-level laser therapy (LLLT) (lambda830 nm). BACKGROUND DATA The process of maturation of the bone is important for the success of dental implants, as it improves the fixation of the implant to the bone, allowing the wearing of a prosthesis. LLLT has been suggested as a mean of improving bone healing because of its biomodulatory capabilities. METHODS Fourteen rabbits received a titanium implant on the tibia; eight of them were irradiated with lambda830-nm laser (seven sessions at 48-h intervals, 21.5 J/cm(2) per session, 10 mW, phi approximately 0.0028 cm(2), 85 J/cm(2) treatment dose), and six acted as control. The animals were sacrificed at 15, 30, and 45 days after surgery. Specimens were routinely prepared for Raman spectroscopy. Twelve readings were taken on the bone around the implant. RESULTS The results showed significant differences in the concentration of CHA on irradiated and control specimens at both 30 and 45 days after surgery (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION It is concluded that LLLT does improve bone healing, and this can be safely assessed by Raman spectroscopy.
From Density to Structure: Growing Up and Growing Old on the Surfaces of Bone

THE REASON FOR comparing ethnic and gender differences in skeletal mass, size, and architecture is to define the structural basis underlying the differences in fracture rates seen between these groups. Han et al. have examined histomorphometric and biochemical measurements of bone turnover in premenopausal and postmenopausal white and black women in this, and the December 1996, edition of the Journal. The authors take us on a journey across ethnic groups, across age, and across menopause, exploring the static and dynamic parameters of bone resorption and formation on the surfaces of the iliac crest—on the endosteal surface of its trabeculae, and on the endocortical, intracortical, and periosteal surfaces of its cortex. The studies are a contribution because they answer and raise questions concerning ethnic differences in bone fragility and show us a way of thinking about the skeleton that is a little different. The main observations presented in these two manuscripts are: (i) the higher trabecular bone density in blacks is due to greater trabecular thickness not trabecular numbers; (ii) the lower bone turnover in blacks is likely to be due to the lower bone surface-to-volume ratio of their cancellous bone; (iii) the increase in bone remodeling associated with aging is similar in blacks and whites; (iv) despite the thicker trabeculae and lower bone turnover, blacks are not spared the loss of bone and the architectural disruption that accompanies advancing age. The work of Han et al. is a contribution in the broader context of the study of bone remodeling: the surface phenomenon that forms the morphological basis of bone turnover and bone loss. These studies, and a great deal of research by the senior investigator of the group, Michael Parfitt, emphasize the need to study the surfaces of the skeleton. The purpose of this review is to amplify this message by (i) drawing attention to several misconceptions regarding the earlier gain and later loss of bone that have developed because of reliance on bone densitometry as the investigative method of choice or convenience in the study of skeletal health and disease, and by (ii) demonstrating that the behavior of each of the surfaces of the skeleton, during both growth and aging, differ from one ethnic group to another and in men and women. The comparison of the remodeling behavior of these surfaces during growth and aging in women of different ethnic groups, in men of different ethnic groups, and women and men of the same ethnic group may be a step toward identifying the structural components responsible for the differing fracture patterns seen in the groups.
Gene Expression Profile in the Early Stage of Angiotensin II-induced Cardiac Remodeling: a Time Series Microarray Study in a Mouse Model

Background/Aims: Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a critical role in the cardiac remodeling contributing to heart failure. However, the gene expression profiles induced by Ang II in the early stage of cardiac remodeling remain unknown. Methods: Wild-type male mice (C57BL/6 background, 10-weeek-old) were infused with Ang II (1500 ng/kg/min) for 7 days. Blood pressure was measured. Cardiac function and remodeling were examined by echocardiography, H&E and Masson staining. The time series microarrays were then conducted to detected gene expression profiles. Results: Microarray results identified that 1,489 genes were differentially expressed in the hearts at day 1, 3 and 7 of Ang II injection. These genes were further classified into 26 profiles by hierarchical cluster analysis. Of them, 4 profiles were significant (No. 19, 8, 21 and 22) and contained 904 genes. Gene Ontology showed that these genes mainly participate in metabolic process, oxidation-reduction process, extracellular matrix organization, apoptotic process, immune response, and others. Significant pathways included focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, MAPK and insulin signaling pathways, which were known to play important roles in Ang II-induced cardiac remodeling. Moreover, gene co-expression networks analysis suggested that serine/cysteine peptidase inhibitor, member 1 (Serpine1, also known as PAI-1) localized in the core of the network. Conclusions: Our results indicate that many genes are mainly involved in metabolism, inflammation, cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy. Serpine1 may play a central role in the development of Ang II-induced cardiac remodeling at the early stage.
A cost-efficient 12-Bit 20Msamples/s pipelined ADC

A 12-bit 20 MS/s cost-efficient pipelined analog-digital converter is presented. A dedicated first stage is proposed to eliminate the need of front-end SHA. Passive capacitor error-averaging technique (PCEA) and opamp sharing scheme are employed to achieve high resolutions and low power and area. The offset and 1/f noise of Opamp is reduced by interchanging the polarity of input and output of Opamp during different clock phases. Simulated with 0.5 ¿m CMOS technology, the ADC dissipates 65 mw from a 5 V supply, and achieves a peak SNDR of 70.1 dB with a 1 MHz full-scale sine input at 20 MS/s.
Helix 8 of leukotriene B4 receptor 1 inhibits ligand‐induced internalization

Recent crystallographic studies revealed that G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) possess a putative cytoplasmic helical domain, termed helix 8, at the proximal region of the C‐terminal tail. However, the significance of helix 8 in GPCR functions and signaling is not fully understood. Helix 8 mutants of leukotriene B4 receptor type 1 (BLT1) exhibit prolonged activation after ligand stimulation, suggesting some regulatory roles of helix 8 in GPCR signaling. Here, we report the inhibitory role of BLT1 helix 8 on ligand‐dependent internalization using BLT1 and platelet‐activating factor receptor as model GPCRs. Mutating the dileucine motif in helix 8 of BLT1 to alanines (BLT1 LLAA) enhanced LTB4‐dependent internalization of BLT1, whereas wild‐type (WT) BLT1 exhibited minimal internalization. Mutational studies revealed that phosphorylation of 5 serine/threonine residues between amino acids 308 and 319 of BLT1 was responsible for enhanced ligand‐dependent internalization of BLT1 LLAA. BLT1 LLAA showed enhanced basal and ligand‐dependent phosphorylation compared to WT BLT1. Taken together, helix 8 of BLT1 inhibits receptor internalization by suppressing the excessive phosphorylation of the C‐terminal tail. —Aratake, Y. , Okuno, T. , Matsunobu, T. , Saeki, K. , Takayanagi, R. , Furuya, S. , Yokomizo, T. Helix 8 of leukotriene B4 receptor 1 inhibits ligand‐induced internalization. FASEB J. 26, 4068–4078 (2012). www.fasebj. org