Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a Low Cost Printable Chipless RFID Humidity Sensor

A novel low-cost chipless radio frequency identification tag sensor is presented. The tag sensor provides identification data as well as monitors relative humidity (RH) of tagged objects. The tag sensor is made of passive microwave circuit that uses humidity sensitive polymer material for RH sensing. The aim of this paper is to investigate RF sensing properties of moisture absorbing polymer polyvinyl alcohol at microwave frequency. In addition, frequency shifting technique is used to encode data bits for high data capacity. The overall size of the proposed tag sensor is 15 mm × 6.8 mm and has 6 bit data capacity for ID generation and single bit for humidity sensing. Results presented here show ~ 607 MHz frequency deviation for 50% RH increase. The tag sensor has potential to be printed on flexible laminates such as plastic and paper for ultra-low cost item level tagging and ubiquitous sensing.
Long Noncoding RNA as Modular Scaffold of Histone Modification Complexes

A Lot of HOTAIR The roles of several classes of small (<50 nucleotides) noncoding RNAs are beginning to be defined in molecular detail, whereas the function of most of the long (∼200+ nucleotides), intergenic noncoding (linc)RNAs found in most eukaryotic genomes remains something of a mystery. The HOTAIR lincRNA, which is transcribed from the mouse HOXC locus, binds to the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) and recruits it to HOXD and other genes, where its histone methylase activity acts to repress gene transcription. Tsai et al. (p. 689, published online 8 July) now show that HOTAIR also binds to a histone demethylase enzyme, LSD1, part of the CoREST/REST repressor complex. LSD1 acts to remove transcription-activating histone marks, reinforcing the repressive activity of the PRC2 complex. HOTAIR thus functions as a platform for the coordinated binding of PRC2 and LSD1-containing complexes to genes, as revealed in a genome-wide analysis of PRC1/CoREST/REST co-regulated genes. The long noncoding RNA HOTAIR binds two distinct protein complexes that modify chromatin and repress transcription. Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) regulate chromatin states and epigenetic inheritance. Here, we show that the lincRNA HOTAIR serves as a scaffold for at least two distinct histone modification complexes. A 5′ domain of HOTAIR binds polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), whereas a 3′ domain of HOTAIR binds the LSD1/CoREST/REST complex. The ability to tether two distinct complexes enables RNA-mediated assembly of PRC2 and LSD1 and coordinates targeting of PRC2 and LSD1 to chromatin for coupled histone H3 lysine 27 methylation and lysine 4 demethylation. Our results suggest that lincRNAs may serve as scaffolds by providing binding surfaces to assemble select histone modification enzymes, thereby specifying the pattern of histone modifications on target genes.
Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and post-stenting ventricular septal defect in the setting of viral myocarditis.

A 58-year-old hypercholesterolemic male presented to the emergency room (ER) with palpitations, fatigue and shortness of breath. He was afebrile with an irregular heart rate (80–90 bpm), BP of 92/70 mmHg, respirations of 20/min, and an otherwise unremarkable physical examination. ECG showed atrial fibrillation (Afib) with mean heart rate of 80–90 bpm, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and non-ischemic appearing ST elevation diffusely ( Figure 1A ), and he was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Supplemental oxygen and intravenous fluids were given with excellent response. There were no signs or symptoms of infection. Troponin-I was 1,491.30 pg/mL. Transthoracic echo (TTE) showed mild LVH with normal left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and segmental left anterior descending (LAD) territory hypokinesis with a normal pericardium. The working diagnosis was recent onset Afib with unstable angina. As an intermediate risk symptomatic patient, he underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) (1). Despite controlled Afib, a 64-MDCT scan was diagnostic, and a coronary calcium score was 76 [62nd percentile, i.e., low probability of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD)].
[Diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma and asbestosis].

The incidence of malignant mesothelioma, the main consequence of exposure to asbestos, will increase considerably in the Netherlands in the coming decades. In the next 35 year, some 20,000 people will die from malignant mesothelioma. The diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma in practice is based on histological examination in about 80%, on cytological examination in 15% and on other forms of examination, e.g., high resolution computer tomography (HRCT), in 6% of the cases. Using a combination of various noninvasive methods, such as anamnesis, physical and röntgenologic examination, HRCT and spirometry, the diagnosis of asbestosis is made erroneously in 5% of the patients examined. With regard to allowance of financial compensation to patients with pleural mesothelioma and asbestosis, a part is played by the fact that views differ internationally concerning the criteria on which the diagnosis should be based. For mesothelioma cytologic and histologic examination are the most important. For asbestosis, the Health Council considers HRCT as crucial, if necessary supplemented by histological examination, plus a history of exposure to asbestos and pulmonary dysfunction. In mesothelioma cytological and histological examination are the most important.
Development of Sustained-Release Microbeads of Nifedipine and In vitro Characterization

Purpose: To formulate and evaluate sustained-release microbeads of nifedipine for prolonged delivery. Methods: Nifedipine microbeads were prepared using sodium alginate and pectin in different ratios by ionic-gelation method. The microbeads were evaluated for surface morphology and shape by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), micromeritic properties, microencapsulation efficiency and in vitro drug release. The microbeads were also assessed by Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine drug-polymer interaction, if any. Results: FTIR and DSC results indicate absence of interaction between the drug and polymers used. Good rheological behavior was demonstrated with an angle of repose < 30o, and Carr’s index and Hausner’s ratio of < 10% and < 1.12, respectively Microbead size, yield and entrapment efficiency were in the range of 695 to 733 um, 69 to 75% and 54 to 63%, respectively. SEM revealed that the microbeads were discrete, largely spherical and free-flowing. Higuchi model was the best fit for the dissolution data and followed non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. Conclusion: The microbead formulation would be suitable for sustained release of nifedipine.
Efficacy of Octreotide and Sclerotherapy in the Treatment of Acute Variceal Bleeding in Cirrhotic Patients: A Prospective, Multicentric, and Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Sclerotherapy is the most widely used method for treatment of acute variceal bleeding. Previous reports have suggested that octreotide infusion is as effective as sclerotherapy. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy and safety of octreotide in comparison with sclerotherapy in controlling variceal bleeding. Methods: Seventy-six cirrhotic patients were randomized to receive either sclerotherapy (n = 37) or octreotide (n
Bisphosphonates promote apoptosis in murine osteoclasts in vitro and in vivo

Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption and are therapeutically effective in diseases of increased bone turnover, such as Paget's disease and hypercalcemia of malignancy. The mechanisms by which they act remain unclear. Proposed mechanisms include inhibition of osteoclast formation from precursors and inhibitory or toxic effects on mature osteoclasts. We have developed a new in vitro model to study osteoclast survival and in this paper present in vitro and in vivo evidence that may explain both the observed reduction in osteoclast numbers and in bone resorption by mature osteoclasts, namely that bisphosphonates induce programmed cell death (apoptosis). Three bisphosphonates (risedronate, pamidronate, and clodronate) caused a 4‐ to 24‐fold increase in the proportion of osteoclasts showing the characteristic morphology of apoptosis in vitro. This observation was confirmed in vivo in normal mice, in mice with increased bone resorption, and in nude mice with osteolytic cancer metastases, with similar‐fold increases to those observed in vitro. Of the three compounds, risedronate, the most potent inhibitor of bone resorption in vivo, was the strongest inducer of osteoclast apoptosis in vitro. Osteoclast apoptosis may therefore be a major mechanism whereby bisphosphonates reduce osteoclast numbers and activity, and induction of apoptosis could be a therapeutic goal for new antiosteoclast drugs.
Do we need new therapeutic strategies for depression?

Depression is a frequent, recurrent and chronic condition with high levels of functional disability (Mueller et al. 1999, Kessler et al. 2003, Posternak 2006.). Depression is also associated with excess allcause mortality (reviewed in: Lepine and Briley 2011). Despite of growing number of different antidepressants, still less than 50% of all patients treated with the currently available antidepressants show full remission and that treatment resistant depression (TRD) occurs frequently in clinical practice (Crisafulli et al. 2011, Fornaro & Giosue 2010). Before starting new strategies for the treatment, we recommend to consider: clinical diagnostic and recognition of relevant features of depression; definition of an adequate treatment; definitions of TRD; our knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanisms of depression and understanding the antidepressant (AD) mechanisms of action.
On bounded treewidth duality of graphs

For a graph H , the H-coloring problem is to decide whether or not an instance graph G is homomorphic to H . The H-coloring problem is said to have bounded treewidth duality if there is an integer k such that for any graph G which is not homomorphic to H , there is a graph F of treewidth k which is homomorphic to G but not homomorphic to H. It is known that if the H-coloring problem has bounded treewidth duality then it is polynomial time decidable. We shall prove in this paper that for any integers m, k, there is an integer no such that if G is a graph of girth 2 no then any graph F of treewidth k homomorphic to G is also homomorphic to C2m+l. It follows from this result that for non-bipartite graphs H , the H-coloring problems do not have bounded treewidth duality. We also present some classes of directed graphs H for which the H-coloring problems do not have bounded treewidth duality. In particular, there are oriented cycles H for which the H-coloring problems do not have bounded treewidth duality. This answers a question of Hell and Zhu (Siurn J. Discrete Math., 8 (19951, 208-222).
Elevated C reactive protein in adults predicts the later development of late-onset or very-late-onset schizophrenia

ABSTRACT FROM: Wium-Andersen MK, Orsted DD, Nordestgaard BG. Elevated C-reactive protein associated with late- and very-late-onset schizophrenia in the general population: a prospective study. Schizophr Bull 2014;40:1117–27. Some cross-sectional studies have shown that individuals with schizophrenia have higher levels of some markers of inflammation, including pro-inflammatory cytokines and C reactive protein (CRP), than controls.1 ,2 CRP is one of the most commonly used markers of inflammation. During acute inflammation (eg, bacterial infection), levels of CRP may increase up to 300-fold.3 In apparently healthy individuals, plasma levels of CRP are usually below 3 mg/L but can be up to 10 mg/L;4 however, slightly elevated CRP levels below 10 mg/L in normal subjects may indicate a state of low-grade inflammation3 which has been associated with increased risk of several diseases, including major depression and bipolar disorder.5 It has also been shown that a history of autoimmune disease or severe infection increases the …
Immunoinformatics Approach Toward the Introduction of a Novel Multi-Epitope Vaccine Against Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile (C.difficile) is an exclusively anaerobic, spore-forming, and Gram-positive pathogen that is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea and is becoming increasingly prevalent in the community. Because C. difficile is strictly anaerobic, spores that can survive for months in the external environment contribute to the persistence and diffusion of C. difficile within the healthcare environment and community. Antimicrobial therapy disrupts the natural intestinal flora, allowing spores to develop into propagules that colonize the colon and produce toxins, thus leading to antibiotic-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous enteritis. However, there is no licensed vaccine to prevent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). In this study, a multi-epitope vaccine was designed using modern computer methods. Two target proteins, CdeC, affecting spore germination, and fliD, affecting propagule colonization, were chosen to construct the vaccine so that it could simultaneously induce the immune response against two different forms (spore and propagule) of C. difficile. We obtained the protein sequences from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. After the layers of filtration, 5 cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes, 5 helper T lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes, and 7 B-cell linear epitopes were finally selected for vaccine construction. Then, to enhance the immunogenicity of the designed vaccine, an adjuvant was added to construct the vaccine. The Prabi and RaptorX servers were used to predict the vaccine’s two- and three-dimensional (3D) structures, respectively. Additionally, we refined and validated the structures of the vaccine construct. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were performed to check the interaction model of the vaccine–Toll-like receptor (TLR) complexes, vaccine–major histocompatibility complex (MHC) complexes, and vaccine–B-cell receptor (BCR) complex. Furthermore, immune stimulation, population coverage, and in silico molecular cloning were also conducted. The foregoing findings suggest that the final formulated vaccine is promising against the pathogen, but more researchers are needed to verify it.
Gallbladder emptying in man related to fasting duodenal migrating motor contractions.

Animal studies have shown that the gallbladder (GB) empties partially during fasting in relation to phase II of the interdigestive motor cycle (IDMC). It has been assumed that in man the GB remains inert during fasting, although there have been no studies in which repeated sequential measurements of gallbladder volume have been made and related to the IDMC. In this study the possibility of linkage between the IDMC and GB volume has been examined in nine fasting human volunteers (five males/four females). A multilumen constantly perfused manometry catheter was positioned in the duodenum and motor activity recorded continuously. Phase III of the IDMC was characterized by phasic contractions, with a frequency of 10-12/min for at least 2 min, which had a distal propagative pattern and were followed by a motor quiescence (Phase I). GB volume was calculated at 15 min intervals from ultrasound measurements of the maximal length and diameter of the GB by the summation of cylinders method, and related to the time of onset of each phase III of the IDMC. In all nine subjects GB volume decreased prior to the onset of phase III and increased following its passage (P less than 0.01). GB volume decrease ranged between 6 and 56% of maximal GB volume (median 18%) and subsequent filling ranged from 14 to 53% (median 27%). The maximal volume decrease occurred 30 min prior to the onset of phase III (P less than 0.02). These studies have demonstrated that the human GB empties partially during phase II of the IDMC. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Acoustic response of compliable microvessels containing ultrasound contrast agents

The existing models of the dynamics of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) have largely been focused on an UCA surrounded by an infinite liquid. Preliminary investigations of a microbubble's oscillation in a rigid tube have been performed using linear perturbation, under the assumption that the tube diameter is significantly larger than the UCA diameter. In the potential application of drug and gene delivery, it may be desirable to fragment the agent shell within small blood vessels and in some cases to rupture the vessel wall, releasing drugs and genes at the site. The effect of a compliant small blood vessel on the UCA's oscillation and the microvessel's acoustic response are unknown. The aim of this work is to propose a lumped-parameter model to study the interaction of a microbubble oscillation and compliable microvessels. Numerical results demonstrate that in the presence of UCAs, the transmural pressure through the blood vessel substantially increases and thus the vascular permeability is predicted to be enhanced. For a microbubble within an 8 to 40 µm vessel with a peak negative pressure of 0.1 MPa and a centre frequency of 1 MHz, small changes in the microbubble oscillation frequency and maximum diameter are observed. When the ultrasound pressure increases, strong nonlinear oscillation occurs, with an increased circumferential stress on the vessel. For a compliable vessel with a diameter equal to or greater than 8 µm, 0.2 MPa PNP at 1 MHz is predicted to be sufficient for microbubble fragmentation regardless of the vessel diameter; however, for a rigid vessel 0.5 MPa PNP at 1 MHz may not be sufficient to fragment the bubbles. For a centre frequency of 1 MHz, a peak negative pressure of 0.5 MPa is predicted to be sufficient to exceed the stress threshold for vascular rupture in a small (diameter less than 15 µm) compliant vessel. As the vessel or surrounding tissue becomes more rigid, the UCA oscillation and vessel dilation decrease; however the circumferential stress is predicted to increase. Decreasing the vessel size or the centre frequency increases the circumferential stress. For the two frequencies considered in this work, the circumferential stress does not scale as the inverse of the square root of the acoustic frequency va as in the mechanical index, but rather has a stronger frequency dependence, 1/va. For more information on this article, see medicalphysicsweb.org
Human Pharmacokinetic Study of Immediate‐Release (Codeine Phosphate) and Sustained‐Release (Codeine Contin) Codeine

The authors compared, in a double‐blind, randomized, crossover study in 13 healthy adult volunteers, the single‐ and multiple‐dose pharmacokinetics, relative bioavailability, and side effects of a new oral sustained‐release formulation of codeine (SRC) containing 150 mg codeine base, with oral immediate‐release codeine phosphate (IRC). Sustained‐release codeine was given at a dose of 150 mg every 12 hours for 5 doses; IRC was given at a dose of 60 mg (2 × 30 mg) every 4 hours for the first 3 doses, and 30 mg every 4 hours thereafter for 12 doses. Plasma codeine levels were determined using a sensitive and specific high‐performance liquid chromatography method and corrected for dose administered and codeine base equivalent. Mean values for single‐dose pharmacokinetic parameters for SRC and IRC, respectively, were: Cmax of 217.8 and 138.8 ng/mL; Tmax of 2.3 and 1.1 hours; AUC0‐inf of 1202.3 and 1262.4 ng • mL−1 • hour−1; and t1/2el of 2.6 hours for both formulations. Their respective mean steady‐state pharmacokinetic parameters were: Cmax of 263.8 and 222.9 ng/mL; Tmax of 3.2 and 1.1 hours; AUC0–12h of 1576.4 and 1379.1 ng • mL−1 • hour−1; and t1/2el of 2.8 and 2.3 hours. These results indicate comparable bioavailability between both formulations with SRC providing delayed peak plasma levels. The sustained‐release character of SRC can be explained by a delayed absorption, which is not limiting to drug elimination. Sustained‐release codeine provides higher plasma codeine levels over a broader time interval and is expected to improve pain management.
Technical resource potential of non-disruptive residential demand response in Denmark

Denmark has one of the most aggressive renewable energy strategies in the world; however, large penetrations of fluctuating renewable energy resources will pose new problems in the Danish power system. Demand response (DR) has the potential to mitigate these problems by providing a new source of flexibility. This paper estimates the technical resource potential of residential DR in Denmark. We focus on DR that is non-disruptive to the consumer, meaning that DR actions harness inherent load flexibility and are not noticeable by the consumer. We build on existing methodologies for computing DR technical resource potentials, and use real data from Denmark. We find that country-wide load flexibility is on the order of GWs and GWhs, and will increase drastically over the next 20 years due to electrification of space heating systems and vehicles. However, we also find that flexibility is time-varying on timescales of hours to months, and this variability will become more pronounced with electrification.
ZeroWasteWater: short-cycling of wastewater resources for sustainable cities of the future

Sewage treatment relies mainly on conventional activated sludge (CAS) systems, reaching sufficiently low pollutant effluent levels. Yet, CAS has a low cost-effectiveness and recovery potential and a high electricity demand and environmental footprint. By 2050, globally we have to solve severe water and phosphorus shortages while significantly decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. In this review and opinion paper, the ZeroWasteWater concept is proposed as a sustainable centralised technology train to short-cycle water, energy and valuable materials from sewage, while adequately abating pathogens, heavy metals and trace organics. Electrical energy recovery from anaerobic digestion of the organics present in sewage and kitchen waste (KW) has a value of €4.0 per inhabitant equivalent (IE) per year. In addition to sewerage improvements and water conservation, prerequisites include an advanced physico-chemical and/or biological concentration step at the entry of the sewage treatment plant. In the side stream, the recovery of phosphorus and carbon-sequestrating biochar from the digested sludge and of nitrogen from the digestate has a value of €6.3 IE−1 year−1. Alternatively, recovery of biogas and materials can occur directly on source-separated black water. In the main stream, partial nitritation and anammox oxidise residual nitrogen. Moreover, two serial heat pumps recover thermal energy, valued at €6.9 IE−1 year−1, cooling the water by 5°C, and membrane technologies recover potable water at €65 IE−1 year−1. Interestingly, ZeroWasteWater is expected to be economically viable. Key steps are to incorporate water chain management into holistic urban planning and thus produce a cradle-to-cradle approach that society will find acceptable.