Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mucosal Tuft Cell Density Is Increased in Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Colonic Biopsies

Tuft cells are rare chemosensory sentinels found in the gut epithelium. When triggered by helminth infection, tuft cells secrete interleukin-25 (IL-25) basolaterally and subsequently evoke an immune response. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common and heterogeneous disorder characterized by bowel dysfunction and visceral pain sensitivity. Dysfunctional gut-brain communication and immune activation contribute to the pathophysiology of this disorder. The study aims were to investigate changes in tuft cell density in non-post-infectious IBS patients. Immunofluorescent labeling of DCLK1-positive tuft cells was carried out in mucosal biopsies from the distal colons of diarrhea and constipation-predominant IBS patients and healthy controls. Tuft cell numbers were also assessed in animal models. Concentrations of interleukin-25 (IL-25) secreted from colonic biopsies and in plasma samples were analyzed using an immunoassay. The density of tuft cells was increased in diarrhea—but not constipation-predominant IBS patient colonic biopsies. Biopsy secretions and plasma concentrations of IL-25 were elevated in diarrhea—but not constipation-predominant IBS participants. Tuft cell hyperplasia was detected in a rat model of IBS but not in mice exposed to chronic stress. Tuft cell hyperplasia is an innate immune response to helminth exposure. However, the patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS have not reported any incidents of enteric infection. Moreover, rats exhibiting IBS-like symptoms displayed increased tuft cell density but were not exposed to helminths. Our findings suggest that factors other than helminth exposure or chronic stress lead to tuft cell hyperplasia in IBS colonic biopsies.
EarTouch: turning the ear into an input surface

In this paper, we propose EarTouch, a new sensing technology for ear-based input for controlling applications by slightly pulling the ear and detecting the deformation by an enhanced earphone device. It is envisioned that EarTouch will enable control of applications such as music players, navigation systems, and calendars as an "eyes-free" interface. As for the operation of EarTouch, the shape deformation of the ear is measured by optical sensors. Deformation of the skin caused by touching the ear with the fingers is recognized by attaching optical sensors to the earphone and measuring the distance from the earphone to the skin inside the ear. EarTouch supports recognition of multiple gestures by applying a support vector machine (SVM). EarTouch was validated through a set of user studies.
Demonstration of Patient-Specific Simulations to Assess Left Atrial Appendage Thrombogenesis Risk

Atrial fibrillation (AF) alters left atrial (LA) hemodynamics, which can lead to thrombosis in the left atrial appendage (LAA), systemic embolism and stroke. A personalized risk-stratification of AF patients for stroke would permit improved balancing of preventive anticoagulation therapies against bleeding risk. We investigated how LA anatomy and function impact LA and LAA hemodynamics, and explored whether patient-specific analysis by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can predict the risk of LAA thrombosis. We analyzed 4D-CT acquisitions of LA wall motion with an in-house immersed-boundary CFD solver. We considered six patients with diverse atrial function, three without a LAA thrombus (LAAT/TIA-neg), and three with either a LAA thrombus (removed digitally before running the simulations) or a history of transient ischemic attacks (LAAT/TIA-pos). We found that blood inside the left atrial appendage of LAAT/TIA-pos patients had marked alterations in residence time and kinetic energy when compared with LAAT/TIA-neg patients. In addition, we showed how the LA conduit, reservoir and booster functions distinctly affect LA and LAA hemodynamics. While the flow dynamics of fixed-wall and moving-wall simulations differ significantly, fixed-wall simulations risk-stratified our small cohort for LAA thrombosis only slightly worse than moving-wall simulations.
A National Catalog of Preference-Based Scores for Chronic Conditions in the United States

Background:The variability in preferences used in quality-adjusted life-years estimation jeopardizes the comparability of cost-effectiveness analyses and has led the Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine (the PCEHM) to call for a catalog of “off-the-shelf” preference weights associated with conditions that can be used by health researchers without the burden of collecting primary data. Objective:The current research responds to the call by developing a nationally representative catalog of preference-based scores for chronic conditions and associated sociodemographic characteristics. Methods:The authors report the EQ-5Dindex scores of chronic conditions and associated sociodemographic characteristics in the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Chronic conditions were coded using “quality priority conditions” (QPC) and clinical classification categories (CCC). OLS, Tobit, and censored least absolute deviations (CLAD) regression models were used to provide condition estimates adjusted for age, comorbidity, gender, race, ethnicity, income, and education. Results:Unadjusted and adjusted EQ-5Dindex scores for each QPC and CCC code are presented. EQ-5Dindex scores for older age categories were lower than younger categories, female scores were lower than males, certain racial groups had lower scores than others, and EQ-5Dindex scores were higher for individuals with higher education and income levels. Conclusion:The preference-based chronic condition scores reported in this research are nationally representative and may be useful to researchers to calculate quality-adjusted life-years for cost-effectiveness analyses and population-based burden of illness studies without the difficulty of primary data collection. Further research is necessary to validate these scores in condition-specific studies.
Optimization of radio frequency usage: A case study of Ondo State Television broadcast Nigeria

With a dedicated frequency, whose spectrum is to spread uniformly over Ondo State, this study ascertains the achievement of this aim considering the irregular terrain and topology of the state. The work highlights the use of translators to compensate intended area not adequately covered by the dedicated spectrum and specified antennas whose radiation patterns match the irregular geophysical terrain between the transmitter and the scattered receivers within the state. The management of the frequency spectrum utilized by Ondo State Television to cover the irregular terrain of Ondo State is used as a case study. The study involved field strength measurement of the television reception at various randomly selected locations within the state to enhance frequency spectrum management that will ensure an optimum utilization of the dedicated spectrum within the irregular environment. The study proffers solution to radio spectrum management problems in other similar irregular environment like Ondo State.
General Characterization Method and a Fast Load-Charge-Preserving Switching Procedure for the Stepwise Adiabatic Circuits

An analytical method is presented to characterize stepwise adiabatic circuits (SACs). In this method, the SACs are modeled as a discrete time system. Unlike previous methods, the stability is verified for arbitrary load capacitor ratios. Moreover, this method presents analytical derivations to offer an area/energy efficient design methodology. MATLAB simulations, post-layout simulations in the CMOS 0.18 μm technology, silicon measurements, and measurements based on discrete components confirm the precision of the analytical derivations. Using the proposed design methodology, a capacitive tank has been designed which reduces the energy consumption by 20% while the total size of the tank capacitors is smaller than 0.4CL. Additionally, a new switching procedure for the SACs is presented. This procedure stabilizes the voltage levels without reverse switching, unlike previously reported methods. Thus preserving the energy efficiency, it improves the speed by a factor of up to two, since the tank recycles its charge inherently. Moreover, the capacitive load can retain its charge after the charging process and let the tank charges another load capacitor. As a result, the proposed switching procedure can be used in multi-cycle circuits such as the capacitive DAC of a SAR ADC in which the load capacitor must hold its charge after charging process is finished.
UNDERSTANDING THE LIFE STAGES OF WOMEN TO ENHANCE YOUR PRACTICE Changes in the Life Stages of Women in Japanese Society

The continuum of an individual’s life can be divided into several life stages, each characterized by certain features. Accompanied by considerable hormonal changes, the life stages of women are generally divided into infancy, puberty, reproductive age, climacteric period, and elderly years, in addition to pregnancy and delivery that are generally included as the life events unique to women. Health status in a particular stage then influences the next stage. Japanese society has changed greatly over the past half century, and a woman’s life at present is much different from what it was in the previous generation. It is important to pay attention to the psychosocial aspect of women’s health and reflect such understanding in clinical practice, incorporating a comprehensive view that goes beyond biomedical issues. For this purpose, it is necessary to understand the role of women in the context of sociocultural factors as well as the physical features characteristic of each age stage, and to examine the patient’s mental and social background. Knowledge of the more complex framework of life stages deepens empathic understanding and serves as a clue to the discovery of potential problems and unexpected solutions. A supportive, understanding attitude from a physician may lead to improved wellness of female patients.
Verifying Data Secure Flow in AUTOSAR Models by Static Analysis

: This paper presents a method to check data secure ﬂow in security annotated AUTOSAR models. The approach is based on information ﬂow analysis and abstract interpretation. The analysis computes the lowest security level of data sent on a communication, according to the annotations in the model and the code of runnables. An abstract interpreter executes runnables on abstract domains that abstract from real values and consider only data dependency levels. Data secure ﬂow is veriﬁed if data sent on a communication always satisfy the security annotation in the model. The work has been developed in the EU project Safure, where modeling extensions to AUTOSAR have been proposed to improve security in automotive communications.
Ascorbic acid treatment to reduce residual halogen-based oxidants prior to the determination of halogenated disinfection byproducts in potable water.

Treatment of potable water samples with ascorbic acid has been investigated as a means for reducing residual halogen-based oxidants (disinfectants), i.e. HOCl, Cl2, Br2 and BrCl, prior to determination of EPA Method 551.1A and 551.1B analytes. These disinfection byproducts include certain haloalkanes, haloalkenes, haloethanenitriles, haloaldehydes, haloketones and trichloronitromethane. When used as a dehalogenating agent immediately before analysis, only one analyte, 2,2,2-trichloroethanediol (chloral hydrate), is significantly decomposed. Ascorbic acid is superior to thiosulfate and sulfite as it does not destroy trichloroethanenitrile (trichloroacetonitrile), trichloronitromethane (chloropicrin) or dibromoethanenitrile (dibromoacetonitrile). Unlike ammonia or amines, it is not nucleophilic and cannot form hemiaminals (carbinolamines) with carboxaldehydes and ketones. Ascorbic acid treatment can rapidly consume (reduce) large amounts of active (oxidizing) halogen compounds, producing only inorganic halides and dehydroascorbic acid and not additional halogenated organic molecules.
A Study of Functional Spinal Motion in Women After Instrumentation and Fusion for Deformity or Trauma

Study Design. Photographs were used to measure the residual spine motion in 71 women who had undergone spine fusion and instrumentation for spinal deformity or trauma. Objectives. To accurately define the ability of the patient to flex, extend, and bend to the right and left, thus providing the surgeon some accurate information rather than speculation regarding spinal motion. Methods. The 71 patients had undergone spine fusion with instrumentation for scoliosis, kyphosis, or spine trauma. The average age of the patient at surgery was 22 years, ranging from 11 years to 62 years. The average time since surgery was 6 years, ranging from 1 year to 32 years. Each patient had six views photographed: flexion, extension, right and left side bending from the front, and right and left side bending from the back. Each photograph was measured independently by two research assistants. A total of 852 photographs were analyzed. Results. The average degree of right side bending was 22°, that of left side bending was 23°, that of flexion was 111°, and that of extension was 30°. For the 59 patients who underwent fusion of seven levels or more and who were fused down to T12, L1, L2, L3, or L4, there was no correlation of the range of motion with the lowermost level of fusion, except in patients with fusion to L4 who had significantly less motion. Flexion was primarily a function of hamstring tightness and was best in those who exercised regularly (aerobics, gymnastics, ballet), regardless of the number of levels fused or the lowermost level of fusion. Conclusion. Typical spine fusions for deformity produce a moderate loss of functional motion, except in patients who undergo fusion to L4 who lose much more. The technique of analysis was found to be highly accurate and reproducible.
An Efficient Unit-Selection Method for Concatenative Text-to-Speech Synthesis Systems

This paper presents a method for selecting speech units for polyphone concatenative speech synthesis, in which the simplification of procedures for search paths in a graph accelerated the speed of the unit-selection procedure with minimum effects on the speech quality. The speech units selected are still optimal; only the costs of merging the units on which the selection is based are less accurately determined. Due to its low processing power and memory footprint requirements, the method is suitable for use in embedded speech synthesizers.
Performance aspects of isMAC protocol for WBANs using isMOTES

Wireless body area networks (WBAN) consist of wireless smart sensor nodes placed on, in or around the human body for medical monitoring systems, entertainment and ubiquitous computing. The nodes in WBAN are usually battery-powered and they send sensed data from a human body, including heart rate, temperature and ECG, etc. to the medical centre to monitor the health situation of individuals. One of the major problems of a WBAN is to prolong the sensor network lifetime. To solve this major problem, different approaches are used, but the most effective one is a well-designed MAC protocol. This paper investigates three inter-BAN communication methods and suggests a coordinator node rotating mechanism to ensure energy balance among the sensor nodes and to extend the network lifetime up to 59%.
Mesh covered stent in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

AIMS The MGuard stent (bare metal stent wrapped externally with a polymer mesh sleeve) is designed to prevent distal embolisation by reducing thrombus and plaque fragments released during and post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to confirm the clinical feasibility, safety and performance of the MGuard stent during primary PCI for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS AND RESULTS The present study was a multicentre, prospective, single arm study in which 60 patients with STEMI <12 hours were enrolled. Predilatation was performed in 61.7% of the cases and thrombus aspiration in 18.3%. In one (1.7%) patient the stent could not cross the lesion. Final TIMI grade 3 flow was observed in 90.0% of patients, with myocardial blush grade 3 in 73.3% of patients and complete (>70%) ST-segment resolution 60 minutes after PCI in 61.4% of patients. In 5.0% of cases distal embolisation occurred. The total major adverse cardiac events rate during the 6-month follow-up was 1.7%. CONCLUSIONS Based on this experience, the MGuard stent implantation in STEMI patients is safe and highly effective. A larger randomised trial is warranted to confirm the clinical endpoints.
An investigation of the relationships between quality of service performance, benefits sought, satisfaction and future intention to visit among visitors to a zoo

Intention to revisit a leisure amenity or to recommend it to others is conceptualized as being dependent upon the quality of service delivered, the extent to which benefits sought were received and overall visitor satisfaction. The objective of this study was to empirically examine the relationships between these constructs. Using a sample of 371 visitors to the Fort Worth Zoo, the study explored the interrelationships between quality of service performance, visitor satisfaction, specific benefits sought and future behavioural intentions, and identified the service performance domains that contributed most to explaining overall service performance, visitor satisfaction and future behavioural intentions. Pearson correlations showed a relatively strong relationship ( r v = v 0.639) between overall service performance and visitor satisfaction, but since this correlation was far from perfect it also confirmed they were independent constructs. Both overall visitor satisfaction and overall service quality were also relatively highly correlated to future behavioural intentions. Stepwise regression analysis showed the wildlife and generic features performance domains were positively and significantly related to future behavioural intentions, overall service performance and visitor satisfaction.
Mediation role of boundary objects in articulating common information spaces.

This paper presents a conceptualization of the mediation role of common information artifacts in articulating collaborative work. These artifacts are perceived as boundary objects which are characterized as device for intermediating local and global articulation, device for interpretive articulation, and device for organizing coordination. This conception is based on grounded theory driven qualitative study of collaboration among heterogeneous work communities in the air traffic control work process. Each work community setting in the airport is taken to be a Common Information Space (CIS), with the airport constituting multiple overlapping interdependent CISs. The common information systems constituting the CIS of different work communities act as boundary objects. These act not only as devices for placing information in common but also as devices that help synthesize multiple perspectives and establish common enough interpretation of shared information to undertake tasks collaboratively.
Modified Small Asymmetric Impedance Transformers

In this paper, modified small asymmetric impedance transformers are suggested. The impedance transformers should transform a real impedance into another one. For this purpose, design technique, being able to transform a complex impedance (admittance) into a real impedance (admittance) only with a transmission-line section, is required. Using this, two types of modified ones are introduced and simulated at a design center frequency of 1 GHz. Their simulation results show considerable bandwidths compared with their sizes.
Infectivity of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts Following Cryopreservation

This study was undertaken to investigate the cryopreservation of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. Oocysts purified from mouse feces were suspended in distilled water, 10% glycerin, and 2.5% potassium dichromate. They were stored at −20 C and −80 C for 2, 7, and 30 days, respectively. In addition to the purified oocysts, the feces of C. parvum-infected mice were preserved under the same conditions described above. Purified and fecal oocysts were thawed at 4 C, and their viability was assessed by a nucleic acid stain, excystation test, tissue culture infectivity test, and infectivity to immunosuppressed adult mice. Oocysts purified from fecal material prior to cryopreservation lost most of their viability and all of their infectivity for tissue culture and mice. However, when oocysts were cryopreserved in feces, between 11.7 and 34.0% were judged to be viable and retained their infectivity for mice when stored at −20 C (but not −80 C) for 2, 7, and 30 days. Clearly, fecal material provides a cryoprotective environment for C. parvum oocysts stored at −20 C for at least 30 days.
Heme Oxygenase-1 Inducer Hemin Attenuates the Progression of Remnant Kidney Model

Backgrounds/Aims: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been shown to protect against fibrotic proliferation and apoptosis in several models of renal damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a treatment with the HO-1 inducer hemin on the progression of chronic kidney disease in nephrectomized rats versus the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan. Methods: The rats underwent 5/6 renal ablation and after the procedure received either losartan (20 mg/kg/day; n = 9), hemin (50 mg/kg/twice a week; n = 8) or vehicle (n = 8) over a 12-week period. At week 12, blood pressure was measured, urine, blood and remnant kidney were collected for biochemical (proteinuria, urea, creatinine) and histopathological (degrees of glomerulosclerosis and tubular atrophy) analysis. The expressions of HO-1, bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP-7) and TGF-β were assessed by immunochemistry, and the level of the apoptosis marker protein caspase-3 by Western blot, on the remnant kidney. Results: Hemin significantly reduced blood pressure, proteinuria, inhibited the expression of TGF-β and caspase-3 protein and increased BMP-7 expression protein. Hemin-treated rats had lower glomerulosclerosis and tubular atrophy indexes than controls. Conclusion: Hemin treatment attenuates the progression of chronic kidney disease and appears more efficient than losartan in our rat model hypothetically because of the impact of hemin on the renal expression of BMP-7.
An unusual complication of cochlear implant: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Abstract Three days after the initial fitting of the cochlear device a 40-year-old woman complained of severe rotational vertigo following head movements associated with neurovegetative symptoms. Otoneurological evaluation revealed a horizontal paroxysmal positional nystagmus beating towards the lowermost ear, induced by rolling the patient's head from supine both to the right or to the left lateral position suggesting the diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the left horizontal semicircular canal. The nystagmus characteristics were the same whether the cochlear device was switched on or off. The hypothesis of an otolith dislodging due to the electrical stimulation during the initial fitting is discussed.