Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual Fatigue and Accommodative Dynamics in Asymptomatic Individuals

Purpose To evaluate accommodative dynamics immediately before and after visual fatigue-inducing tasks with congruent (C) and noncongruent (NC) visual stimuli. Methods Accommodative dynamics for a 2-diopter (D) step (2.5 ↔ 4.5 D) stimulus were assessed using the WAM-5500 open-field autorefractor in 10 visually normal, asymptomatic, young-adult subjects before and after C and NC tasks performed on different days in a counterbalanced manner. For the C task, subjects altered binocular fixation (50 cycles) between reduced Snellen charts at 50 and 20 cm every 3 seconds to the beat of a metronome. For the NC task, subjects performed 50 cycles of accommodative flipper (±1.5 D) as rapidly as possible while binocularly fixating on a reduced Snellen chart at 40 cm. Results Mean steady-state (SS) response level reflecting its accuracy was significantly (p ⩽ 0.05) reduced post-NC task for both increasing (4.5-D level) and decreasing (2.5-D) accommodation. Although the SS response variability was significantly (p ⩽ 0.05) increased post-NC task at the 4.5-D stimulus level, it did not change significantly (p > 0.05) for the C task. There were no significant differences between the pretask and posttask group mean initial amplitude, time constant, and peak velocity for either the C or the NC task for both increasing and decreasing accommodation. Conclusions The accommodative system exhibited consistent fatigue effects with respect to SS variability and response accuracy. There was no objective evidence of oculomotor learning for these specific tasks.
Hardware and software synthesis of image filters from CAL dataflow specification

Image filtering is mainly used for pre-processing in many applications of image processing such as noise removal in industrial inspection, enhancement for pattern recognition, restoration of degraded images, etc. For real-time processing, it is crucial that these applications meet the desired throughput. As processing demands get higher through complex algorithms and large resolution or very high frame rate images, general purpose computers can no longer sustain the required time. Hardware implementation on the other hand, though capable of producing high performance design, is often considered difficult and time consuming to perform due to the low abstraction level. This paper presents an efficient dataflow architecture for image filtering which allows rapid design implementation with features such as the Region of Interest, Memory Cache, and Border Replication. For parallel processing, dataflow Token Splitting technique is also applied, which provides a simple way to increase data throughput. Furthermore, the capability to synthesize CAL dataflow program to both hardware and software provides a platform for co-design of complex image processing systems. Experimental results from synthesis of four different types of filters show that parallel image filtering with a factor of four is up to 3.5 times faster on FPGA compared to sequential processing on single core general purpose processor, with additional slice of only 2% from single to four parallel filters.
MPPT Charge Controller Design in a Solar PV System Under Rapidly Changing Climate Condition

This paper presents a detailed theoretical study of photovoltaic (PV) systems and their operation using the MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) method and presents the simulation of photovoltaic modules validated by computer software simulation followed by an experimental setup of MATLAB R2017a. The first approach to build the performance of a photovoltaic solar panel is to use a maximum power point tracker in rapidly changing climatic conditions and use a DC-DC converter to maximize the output power. This framework can operate at the maximum power point MPP and produces its highest power in different irradiance conditions when the solar panels are partially shaded. The main perspectivesis design and simulation of a simple but efficient charge controller by utilizing maximum power point tracker for photovoltaic system and analysis results show that this MPPT system with perturb & observe (P&O) method and the DCDC Boost converter can significantly increase the efficiency and the performance of PV.
Upstream Landscape Dynamics of US National Parks with Implications for Water Quality and Watershed Management

The mission of the United States (US) National Park Service (NPS) is to “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations” (NPS, 1916). NPS currently manages 397 parks covering about 358,200 km2, or approximately 4% of all US states and territories. The National Park system includes approximately 300 parks that are considered to contain significant natural resources. These parks are key components of a larger network of protected areas that anchor the conservation of natural resources in the US. They also afford direct protection for a number of important and defining resources in the US, including 421 species of threatened or endangered plants and animals, nearly two-thirds of native fishes in the 50 states (Lawrence et al., 2011), the highest point in North America (Mt. McKinley in Denali National Park, 6,194 m), the longest cave system in the world (Mammoth Cave National Park with more than 587 mapped km of caves), the country’s deepest lake (Crater Lake in Crater Lake National Park, 589 m), the lowest terrestrial point in the western hemisphere (Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park at 86 m below sea level), and – within these extremes – many other natural resources that are significant at local, regional, and national scales.
An Analysis of Opportunistic Routing in Wireless Mesh Network

Recently, the idea of opportunistic routing has been widely explored to improve the performance of multi-hop wireless mesh networks. Most of the previous studies use simulations or empirical measurements to evaluate the performance gain of opportunistic routing and therefore are limited to relatively few types of scenarios. In this paper, we take an analytical approach to study the potential gain of opportunistic routing in multi- hop wireless networks. Unlike other analytical studies which use a deterministic channel model, our approach captures the key characteristics of opportunistic routing, i.e. its ability to take advantage of the numerous, yet unreliable wireless links in the network in a probabilistic manner and study the effectiveness of opportunistic routing under diverse radio propagation environment using lognormal shadowing and Rayleigh fading models. Our results show that, under typical network configurations and neglect overhead, the average progress per transmission of opportunistic routing in lognormal shadowing (Rayleigh fading) environment is about 3 (1.5) times higher than that of traditional unicast routing. Finally, we also demonstrate the potential benefits of using different forwarding regions and directional antennas in opportunistic routing.
Italian multicentre study on very low‐birth‐weight babies. Neonatal mortality and two‐year outcome

The Italian multicentre study on very low‐birth‐weight babies is the first collaborative project in Italy on the health status of newborns weighing 500–1499 g at birth: 634 such babies were admitted in 1987–88 to eight Italian NICUs; 424 infants survived and were followed until two years of age, corrected for prematurity. Logistic regression analysis of pre‐admission risk factors of in‐hospital mortality identified eight statistically significant variables: birth weight, gestational age, sex, antepartum steroids, I‐min Apgar score and, on admission to the NICU, body temperature, pH and absence of spontaneous respiration. Using the equation derived from the logistic model, a theoretical mortality rate was calculated for each centre, predicted on the basis of the local incidence of preadmission risk factors. In no case was the predicted mortality significantly different from the observed one. At two years of age, 8 children were blind and 48 had motor disability. Of these, 46 had cerebral palsy: based on a functional evaluation score 14 had severe (degree 4), 20 intermediate (degree 3) and 12 mild cerebral palsy (degree 2). Among 25 variables entered in a logistic regression as risk factors for cerebral palsy, only periventricular leucomalacia and acidosis were significantly associated with the outcome.
Factors affecting subjective memory complaints in the AIBL aging study: biomarkers, memory, affect, and age

ABSTRACT Background: The prognostic value of subjective memory complaints (SMCs) in the diagnosis of dementia of the Alzheimer's type is unclear. While some studies have found an association between SMCs and cognitive decline, many have found a stronger association with depression, which raises questions about their diagnostic utility. Methods: We examined the cross-sectional association between SMC severity (as measured using the MAC-Q, a brief SMC questionnaire) and affect, memory, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers (β-amyloid deposition and the apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOEε4) allele) in healthy elderly controls (HC; M = 78.74 years, SD = 6.7) and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; M = 72.74 years, SD = 8.8). We analyzed a subset of individuals drawn from the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) Study of Aging. Results: SMCs were more severe in MCI patients than in HCs. SMC severity was related to affective variables and the interaction between age and group membership (HC/MCI). Within the HC group, SMC severity was related to affective variables only, while severity correlated only with age in the MCI group. SMCs were not related to cognitive variables or AD biomarkers. Conclusion: SMCs were related to solely by poorer mood (greater depressive and anxious symptomatology) in the cognitively healthy elderly however mean levels were subclinical. This finding argues for the assessment of affective symptomatology in conjunction with cognitive assessment in elderly memory complainers. Future AIBL research will focus on assessing other AD biomarkers, such as brain atrophy and Aβ plasma markers, in relation to complaint severity. Once our 36-month follow-up data are collected, we propose to assess whether SMCs can predict future cognitive decline.
Viral haemorrhagic fevers imported into non-endemic countries: risk assessment and management.

BACKGROUND Viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are severe infections capable of causing haemorrhagic disease and fatal multi-organ failure. Crimean-Congo, Marburg, Ebola and Lassa viruses cause both sporadic cases and large epidemics over wide endemic areas. SOURCES OF DATA Original articles and reviews identified by PubMed search and personal reading; European and United States national guidance and legislation. World Health Organization information, documents and reports. VHFs cause significant morbidity and mortality in their endemic areas; they can cause healthcare-related infections, and their broad diversity and range are increasingly recognized. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY There is uncertainty about the risks presented by VHFs in non-endemic countries, particularly in healthcare environments. Consensus on the best modes of care and infection control are only slowly emerging. GROWING POINTS With increasing commerce in rural and low-income areas, VHF outbreaks increasingly expand, causing social and economic damage. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH New ecologies, viral strains and clinical syndromes are being discovered. There is a great need for rapid diagnostic tests and effective antiviral treatments. Vaccine development programmes are challenged by multiple viral strains and the need for trials in rural communities.
A Novel, Orally Active CXCR1/2 Receptor Antagonist, Sch527123, Inhibits Neutrophil Recruitment, Mucus Production, and Goblet Cell Hyperplasia in Animal Models of Pulmonary Inflammation

Sch527123 [2-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-3-[[2-[[1(R)-(5-methyl-2-furanyl)propyl]amino]-3,4-dioxo-1-cyclobuten-1-yl]amino]ben-zamide] is a potent, selective antagonist of the human CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors (Gonsiorek et al., 2007). Here we describe its pharmacologic properties at rodent CXCR2 and at the CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors in the cynomolgus monkey, as well as its in vivo activity in models demonstrating prominent pulmonary neutrophilia, goblet cell hyperplasia, and mucus production. Sch527123 bound with high affinity to the CXCR2 receptors of mouse (Kd = 0.20 nM), rat (Kd = 0.20 nM), and cynomolgus monkey (Kd = 0.08 nM) and was a potent antagonist of CXCR2-mediated chemotaxis (IC50 ∼3–6 nM). In contrast, Sch527123 bound to cynomolgus CXCR1 with lesser affinity (Kd = 41 nM) and weakly inhibited cynomolgus CXCR1-mediated chemotaxis (IC50 ∼1000 nM). Oral treatment with Sch527123 blocked pulmonary neutrophilia (ED50 = 1.2 mg/kg) and goblet cell hyperplasia (32–38% inhibition at 1–3 mg/kg) in mice following the intranasal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. In rats, Sch527123 suppressed the pulmonary neutrophilia (ED50 = 1.8 mg/kg) and increase in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) mucin content (ED50 =<0.1 mg/kg) induced by intratracheal (i.t.) LPS. Sch527123 also suppressed the pulmonary neutrophilia (ED50 = 1.3 mg/kg), goblet cell hyperplasia (ED50 = 0.7 mg/kg), and increase in BAL mucin content (ED50 = <1 mg/kg) in rats after i.t. administration of vanadium pentoxide. In cynomolgus monkeys, Sch527123 reduced the pulmonary neutrophilia induced by repeat bronchoscopy and lavage (ED50 = 0.3 mg/kg). Therefore, Sch527123 may offer benefit for the treatment of inflammatory lung disorders in which pulmonary neutrophilia and mucus hypersecretion are important components of the underlying disease pathology.
FA2H‐related disorders: a novel c.270+3A>T splice‐site mutation leads to a complex neurodegenerative phenotype

Homozygous mutations in the gene for fatty acid 2‐hydroxylase (FA2H) have been associated in humans with three neurodegenerative disorders: complicated spastic paraplegia (SPG35), leukodystrophy with spastic paraparesis and dystonia, and neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation. Here, we describe a novel homozygous c.270+3A>T mutation in an Italian consanguineous family. In two affected brothers (age at molecular diagnosis 22y and 15y; age at last follow‐up 24y and 17y), altered FA2H function led to a severe phenotype, with clinical features overlapping those of the three FA2H‐associated disorders. Both patients showed childhood onset progressive spastic paraparesis, mild pyramidal and cerebellar upper limb signs, severe cognitive impairment, white‐matter disease, and cerebellar, brainstem, and spinal cord atrophy. However, absence of dystonia, drowsiness episodes, and a subtle globus pallidus involvement suggested that FA2H mutations result in a clinical spectrum, rather than causing distinct disorders. Although clinical heterogeneity is apparent, larger numbers of patients are needed to establish more accurate genotype–phenotype correlations.
An anisotropic, inhomogeneous, elastically modified Gibbs–Thomson law as singular limit of a diffuse interface model

We consider the sharp interface limit of a diffuse phase field model with prescribed total mass taking into account a spatially inhomogeneous anisotropic interfacial energy and an elastic energy. The main aim is the derivation of a weak formulation of an anisotropic, inhomogeneous, elastically modified Gibbs–Thomson law in the sharp interface limit. To this end we show that one can pass to the limit in the weak formulation of the Euler–Lagrange equation of the diffuse phase field energy.
Ventajas del análisis bicompartimental de la difusión (IVIM) en la detección del cáncer de próstata.

Poster: "SERAM 2014 / S-0845 / Ventajas del analisis bicompartimental de la difusion (IVIM) en la deteccion del cancer de prostata. " by: "T. Martin Noguerol1, A. Luna Alcala1, J. Sanchez Gonzalez2, J. Broncano Cabrero3; 1Jaen/ES, 2Madrid/ES, 3Pamplona/ES"
Differential diagnosis of acute meningitis Bacteria

A 30-year-old male presents to the emergency department with a 24-hour history of fever and headache. The patient’s symptoms began abruptly and have worsened steadily over the last day. His wife reports that in the last 6 hours he has become somewhat confused. He has no significant past medical or surgical history. He takes no medications and denies alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. His family history is likewise non-contributory. Physical examination reveals a temperature of 38·5C, a pulse of 110 beats per minute, and a blood pressure of 130/70 mmHg. He does not demonstrate photophobia or neck stiffness. His neurologic exam is non-focal but he is orientated only to person. Initial laboratory evaluation is remarkable for a white blood cell count of 21·4 × 10/liter. You admit the patient with the presumptive diagnosis of meningitis, order two sets of blood cultures, and plan to perform a lumbar puncture (LP). You wonder whether to order a computed tomography (CT) scan prior to the LP to rule out an intracranial mass lesion, as well as whether antibiotics can be withheld until after the CT and LP have been performed.
Ornithine decarboxylase activity is a marker of premalignancy in longstanding Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Longstanding Helicobacter pylori infection may increase the risk of developing gastric adenocarcinoma. The sequence of chronic active gastritis leading to gastritis with atrophy and subsequent intestinal metaplasia is thought to be a key step in gastric carcinogenesis. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity is increased in some pre-malignant gastrointestinal conditions and is essential for malignant transformation in vitro. AIMS: To measure ODC activity in the antrum of H pylori infected and non-infected subjects and to relate this to histological abnormalities associated with recent and longstanding H pylori infection. METHODS: Six antral mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained from 75 patients for detailed histological assessment and measurement of ODC activity. Samples were measured in duplicate and results expressed as median, interquartile range in pmol/mg protein/h. RESULTS: ODC activity was significantly higher in H pylori positive (164, 88-259 pmol/mg/h) than H pylori negative subjects (99.8, 55-158 pmol/mg/h, p = 0.003). However the presence of gastritis, irrespective of the severity of inflammation or activity had no influence on ODC activity. Gastritis with atrophy was associated with increased ODC activity, which was closely related to the severity of the atrophy (p = 0.01). Similarly, ODC activity was significantly increased in subjects with intestinal metaplasia (196, 83-25) compared with those without intestinal metaplasia (111.7, 65-175, p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the histological changes associated with longstanding H pylori infection rather than inflammation alone are associated with increased polyamine biosynthetic activity. This may be relevant to H pylori associated gastric carcinogenesis.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease: Uncovering an Epidemic

BACKGROUND. Vitamin D deficiency in children adversely affects bone development by reducing mineralization. Children with chronic kidney disease are at risk for altered bone development from renal osteodystrophy and concomitant vitamin D deficiency. The pediatric Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines suggest measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels if serum parathyroid hormone levels are above the target range for chronic kidney disease stages 2 and beyond, but the magnitude of vitamin D deficiency in children with chronic kidney disease is not well studied. OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this work was to determine whether children with chronic kidney disease had vitamin D deficiency, to evaluate whether the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency changed over time, and to examine seasonal and ethnic differences in 25(OH)D levels. METHODS. 25(OH)D levels in children with chronic kidney disease (stages 1–5) were measured over a 10-year period from 1987 to 1996. Data were also collected for a contemporary group of patients from 2005 to 2006. RESULTS. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency ranged from 20% to 75% in the decade studied. There was a significant trend for decreasing 25(OH)D levels over the decade, both at the group and individual levels. Seasonal variation was noted. In our contemporary population with chronic kidney disease, the mean 25(OH)D level was 21.8 ng/mL; we found a prevalence of vitamin D deficiency of 39%. Black and Hispanic patients had lower levels of 25(OH)D than white patients. CONCLUSIONS. Children with chronic kidney disease have great risk for vitamin D deficiency, and its prevalence was increasing yearly in the studied decade. Contemporary data show that vitamin D deficiency remains a problem in these children. Sunlight exposure and ethnicity play a role in levels of 25(OH)D. Our data support the recent pediatric Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines for measurement of 25(OH)D levels in children with chronic kidney disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Cultural and Gender Effects on Israeli Children's Preferences for Activities

Background. Knowledge about factors that affect participation, as preference of activities, has major intervention implications. Purpose. To evaluate culture and gender effects on Israeli Jewish and Druze children's preference of activities performed outside mandated school. This study used the “Preference Assessment of Children” (PAC) (King et al., 2004). Findings. On most scales, the Jewish children showed significantly less interest in activities than the Druze children. Among the Jews, girls showed higher preference in most PAC scales than boys while among the Druze girls showed higher preference than the boys only in social skills. Implications. Culture and gender may influence children's preference of activity. More studies should elaborate the knowledge about individuals' preferred activities; understanding the factors that affect these preferences may enhance occupational therapy evaluation and intervention processes. Canadian occupational therapists, as health care professionals in a multicultural society, must develop cultural competency and explore people's experience as cultural beings.
Nucléologenèse et régulation de l'expression de l'hétérochromatine péricentromérique dans l'embryon précoce de souris

Chez la souris, la periode de developpement preimplantatoire est caracterisee par plusieurs evenements dont le principal est l’activation du genome embryonnaire (EGA), qui se declenche entre les stades 1 cellule tardif (phase mineure) et 2-cellules tardif (phase majeure). Parmi les ARN transcrits, on retrouve entre autres les ARN ribosomiques, necessaires a la formation des ribosomes et les ARN issus de l’heterochromatine pericentromeriques (ARN sens et anti-sens) importants pour l'heterochromatinisation. Il est connu que les ARN ribosomiques sont synthetises dans le nucleole. Dans l’embryon, apres la fecondation, le nucleole se presente sous forme de precurseurs de nucleoles (NPB). Ces NPB evoluent ensuite pendant le developpement embryonnaire pour former les nucleoles mais les mecanismes impliques dans la formation des nucleoles restent peu connus. De plus, il existe tres peu de donnees sur l’organisation des genes ribosomiques en fonction de leur statut transcriptionnel (actif ou inactif) dans les embryons. C'est pourquoi je me suis interessee au cours de cette these a la nucleologenese et a l’organisation des genes ribosomiques dans l'embryon preimplantatoire de souris. Par ailleurs, il est connu qu'apres la fecondation, les deux pronoyaux parentaux (paternel et maternel) evoluent de facon asynchrone, l'heterochromatine pericentromerique s'organisant plus rapidement autour des NPBs dans le pronoyau maternel. Dans un second temps, je me suis donc interessee a la fonction majeure qu'aurait le NPB dans la reorganisation de l'heterochromatine pericentromerique et a la contribution de chaque gamete au cours des premiers stades du developpement.