Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrated starter generator for 42-V powernet using induction machine and direct torque control technique

This paper describes an integrated starter generator (ISG) for automobile applications with 42-V powernet. This system is based on an induction machine which is directly mounted on the engine crankshaft and controlled using the technique of direct torque control (DTC). The suitability of the technique for ISG application is explained. The control structure of DTC for ISG application is described. Detailed experimental results from a 1.4-1 diesel engine are presented demonstrating the performance of the system during cranking as well as generation. The ISG also incorporates the feature of "on the fly start" during generation mode. Details of a low voltage high current power converter developed for this application are also given
12-Month Observation of Testosterone Replacement Effectiveness in a General Population of Men

Abstract Background: Testosterone decline becomes more prevalent as men age and symptomatic testosterone deficiency is associated with potentially serious comorbidities. Despite limitations, registries can provide an opportunity to accumulate data regarding disease management in a typical patient population, including diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Materials and Methods: The Testim Registry in the United States (TRiUS) was a prospective, 12-month, observational cohort registry of men prescribed Testim® (1% testosterone gel; Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) for the first time; patients previously on other forms of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) were eligible to participate in the study as well. The registry recorded total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) levels, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), sexual function, mood/depression, and cardiometabolic and anthropometric criteria before and after TRT. Changes over time were analyzed by analysis of variance, and linear regression and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were used to examine relationships between variables. Results: At baseline, 849 patients from 72 sites were enrolled, with 743 of 849 started on 5 g gel/day (50 mg testosterone/day) and 106 of 849 started on 10 g gel/day (100 mg testosterone/day). Mean TT and FT levels increased significantly after 3 months of TRT (TT level, 16.8 ± 9.87 nmol/L [485 ± 284 ng/dL], P < 0.001; FT level, 286.3 ± 224.9 pmol/L [82.5 ± 64.8 pg/mL], P < 0.001) and were maintained at eugonadal levels. Mean PSA levels increased significantly (P = 0.004) from 1.12 ± 1.11 μg/L (1.12+1.11 ng/mL) at baseline to 1.26 ± 1.22 μg/L (1.26 ± 1.22 ng/mL) after 12 months of TRT, although changes were well within guidelines (< 1.4 μg/L/year increase). Significant improvements were seen in sexual function and mood/depression at 3 months and in metabolic parameters at 12 months. Conclusion: Testosterone deficiency symptoms improved with TRT use in men; sexual function and mood/depression improvements were seen before metabolic improvements. Prostate-specific antigen levels increased, although increases were within guideline-determined safety limits.
Co-evolving mutations in hepatitis C virus in the context of immune escape against neutralising antibody responses - A bioinformatic workflow for the analysis of co-evolving mutations in viral genomes

Rapidly evolving pathogens, such as RNA viruses exploit the high mutation rate to avoid or escape host immune response. Despite a random mutation process, the relatively small size of their genomes imposes evolutionary constraints. Viral evolution hence is characterized by highly connected mutations that arise within the same genome through a random sequential process. In this abstract we present a bioinformatics pipeline that aims at predicting co-evolving mutations within ongoing hepatitis C viral infection which result in a significant advantage for the virus in terms of survival from the adaptive response exerted by neutralizing antibodies. This workflow utilizes the idea of Mutual information to identify pairs of potentially related genomic sites that confer a selective advantage.
Tropospheric ozone reduces carbon assimilation in trees: estimates from analysis of continuous flux measurements

High ground‐level ozone concentrations are typical of Mediterranean climates. Plant exposure to this oxidant is known to reduce carbon assimilation. Ozone damage has been traditionally measured through manipulative experiments that do not consider long‐term exposure and propagate large uncertainty by up‐scaling leaf‐level observations to ecosystem‐level interpretations. We analyzed long‐term continuous measurements (>9 site‐years at 30 min resolution) of environmental and eco‐physiological parameters at three Mediterranean ecosystems: (i) forest site dominated by Pinus ponderosa in the Sierra Mountains in California, USA; (ii) forest site composed of a mixture of Quercus spp. and P. pinea in the Tyrrhenian sea coast near Rome, Italy; and (iii) orchard site of Citrus sinensis cultivated in the California Central Valley, USA. We hypothesized that higher levels of ozone concentration in the atmosphere result in a decrease in carbon assimilation by trees under field conditions. This hypothesis was tested using time series analysis such as wavelet coherence and spectral Granger causality, and complemented with multivariate linear and nonlinear statistical analyses. We found that reduction in carbon assimilation was more related to stomatal ozone deposition than to ozone concentration. The negative effects of ozone occurred within a day of exposure/uptake. Decoupling between carbon assimilation and stomatal aperture increased with the amount of ozone pollution. Up to 12–19% of the carbon assimilation reduction in P. ponderosa and in the Citrus plantation was explained by higher stomatal ozone deposition. In contrast, the Italian site did not show reductions in gross primary productivity either by ozone concentration or stomatal ozone deposition, mainly due to the lower ozone concentrations in the periurban site over the shorter period of investigation. These results highlight the importance of plant adaptation/sensitivity under field conditions, and the importance of continuous long‐term measurements to explain ozone damage to real‐world forests and calculate metrics for ozone‐risk assessment.
Review: Glutamate and dopamine dysregulation in schizophrenia — a synthesis and selective review

The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia is the principal explanatory model of antipsychotic drug action. Recent discoveries extend our understanding of the neurochemistry of schizophrenia, with increasing evidence of dysfunction in glutamate and GABA as well as dopamine systems. In this review, we study the evidence for dopaminergic dysfunction in schizophrenia, drawing data from neurochemical imaging studies. We also review the NMDA receptor hypofunction hypothesis of schizophrenia as a supplementary explanatory model for the illness. We examine predictions made by the NMDA receptor hypofunction hypothesis and consider how they fit with current neurochemical findings in patients and animal models. We consider the case for glutamatergic excitotoxicity as a key process in the development and progression of schizophrenia, and suggest ways in which glutamate and dopamine dysregulation may interact in the condition.
Colonoscopy in symptomatic patients with positive family history of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND Most patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) develop clinical signs and symptoms which are not specific for CRC, and usually at a late stage of the disease, resulting in a considerable delay of the diagnosis. In our study we examined patients with bowel symptoms which were at increased risk for developing CRC, because of their family history. METHODS Over the last 6 years, colonoscopy was performed in 203 patients with colorectal symptoms, who had at least one Ist degree relative with CRC, at the Colorectal Surgery Unit of St George's Hospital. Five hundred ninety two individuals without CRC family history and with either rectal bleeding (n = 479), or with change of bowel habits (n = 113) were used as control group. RESULTS In the group of patients with family history of CRC 81 colonic lesions were found in 53 patients (53/203, 26%). Patients with family history of CRC were grouped in three categories according to their main symptom. In the subgroup of patients with bleeding (n = 129) there were found 46 colonic lesions in 33 patients. In the subgroup of patients with change of bowel habits (n = 45) we were able to detect 39 colonic lesions. In the group of patients with abdominal pain (n = 29) 4 patients had a metaplastic polyp and one patient had a neoplastic polyp. With regard to the number of 1st degree relatives with CRC, we found that 16/172 (9%) patients with one such relative and 4/31 (13%) of the patients with two relatives were diagnosed with neoplastic polyps. CONCLUSIONS Total colonoscopy (TC) is an excellent diagnostic procedure for the examination of symptomatic patients with positive family history of colorectal cancer. TC has a diagnostic role detecting the cause of symptoms or excluding the presence of malignancy. Simultaneous resection of the neoplastic and metaplastic polyps, provides an additional, secondary prevention of CRC.
Clinical review: the strategy of immediate reoperation for transsphenoidal surgery for Cushing's disease.

CONTEXT Transsphenoidal surgery is currently the primary therapeutic option for Cushing's disease. Despite considerable initial success, 10-30% of patients fail to achieve lasting remission. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We evaluated a strategy of immediate reoperation in surgical failures judged by plasma cortisol levels that did not fall to 2 microg/dl or less within 72 h of surgery. Of 215 patients with presumed ACTH microadenomas, treated between 1993 and 2004, 12 met inclusion criteria and had prompt (within 15 d) reoperation for residual or missed ACTH microadenoma. These 12 patients represent 28% of those who did not have evidence of postoperative adrenal insufficiency. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Based on an outcome measure of sustained subnormal or normal plasma cortisol levels, eight of 12 patients (67%) achieved remission from the two operations. Adjunctive therapies (radiotherapy, gamma knife radiosurgery, and adrenalectomy) led to remission in another three patients. It is recognized that this outcome required either total hypophysectomy (one patient) or postoperative hypopituitarism (all patients in remission). CONCLUSION Magnetic resonance imaging was not usually helpful in determining therapeutic strategies; however, inferior petrosal sinus sampling was critical in providing confidence that the disease was of pituitary origin. A treatment algorithm is recommended, based on this study.
A new method for generation of common keys using transcendental functions and generalization of Diffie Hellman protocol

A generalized two-pass key agreement method, extending the Diffie Hellman algorithm to a completely generalized version is presented using the functional equations approach for function selection. Two functions, which satisfy the given set of conditions, are used to generate a public key, which is a function of private keys from both users without exchanging private keys publicly. Only two passes are required with two computations by each user. It offers a more general purview as compared to the other two pass protocols in use. The work brings forth possibilities for many ad hoc PKC systems wherein one can design a PKC depending on available computational abilities and security requirements.
Perineural spread of adenoid cystic carcinoma in the oral and maxillofacial regions: evaluation with contrast-enhanced CT and MRI.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) and contrast-enhanced MRI (CEMRI) in the detection of perineural spread (PNS) of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) in the oral and maxillofacial regions. METHODS This study consisted of 13 ACCs from 13 patients, all of which were histopathologically diagnosed. Both CECT and CEMRI were performed in all patients before the treatment. The images of each patient were retrospectively evaluated for the detection of PNS. The definitions of PNS included abnormal density/signal intensity, contrast enhancement or widening of the pterygopalatine fossa, palatine foramen, incisive canal, mandibular foramen and mandibular canal, and enlargement or excessive contrast enhancement of a nerve. RESULTS 11 out of 13 cases were proven to exhibit PNS histopathologically. 8 of the 11 cases for which PNS was histopathologically proven exhibited PNS on MR images. Six of the eight cases for which PNS was exhibited on MR images also exhibited PNS on CT images. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the detection of PNS were 55%, 100% and 62% on CT images and 73%, 100% and 77% on MR images, respectively. Although the accuracy of PNS on MR images was slightly superior to that on CT images, there were no statistically significant differences between the detection of PNS on CT images and on MR images. CONCLUSIONS CT and MR images are equally useful for the detection of PNS of ACC in the oral and maxillofacial regions.
Analysis of 16S-23S rRNA Intergenic Spacer Regions of Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio mimicus

ABSTRACT Vibrio cholerae identification based on molecular sequence data has been hampered by a lack of sequence variation from the closely related Vibrio mimicus. The two species share many genes coding for proteins, such as ctxAB, and show almost identical 16S DNA coding for rRNA (rDNA) sequences. Primers targeting conserved sequences flanking the 3′ end of the 16S and the 5′ end of the 23S rDNAs were used to amplify the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions of V. cholerae and V. mimicus. Two major (ca. 580 and 500 bp) and one minor (ca. 750 bp) amplicons were consistently generated for both species, and their sequences were determined. The largest fragment contains three tRNA genes (tDNAs) coding for tRNAGlu, tRNALys, and tRNAVal, which has not previously been found in bacteria examined to date. The 580-bp amplicon contained tDNAIle and tDNAAla, whereas the 500-bp fragment had single tDNA coding either tRNAGlu or tRNAAla. Little variation, i.e., 0 to 0.4%, was found among V. cholerae O1 classical, O1 El Tor, and O139 epidemic strains. Slightly more variation was found against the non-O1/non-O139 serotypes (ca. 1% difference) and V. mimicus (2 to 3% difference). A pair of oligonucleotide primers were designed, based on the region differentiating all of V. cholerae strains from V. mimicus. The PCR system developed was subsequently evaluated by using representatives of V. cholerae from environmental and clinical sources, and of other taxa, including V. mimicus. This study provides the first molecular tool for identifying the species V. cholerae.
High-quality ultrathin (1.6 nm) nitride/oxide stack gate dielectrics prepared by combining remote plasma nitridation and LPCVD technologies

Ultrathin nitride/oxide (N/O) gate dielectric stacks with equivalent oxide thickness of 1.6 nm have been fabricated by combining remote plasma nitridation (RPN) and low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) technologies. NMOSFETs with these gate stacks exhibit good interface properties, improved subthreshold characteristics, low off-state currents, enhanced reliability, and about one order of magnitude reduction in gate leakage current to their oxide counterparts.
Testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin predict the metabolic syndrome and diabetes in middle-aged men.

OBJECTIVE In men, hypoandrogenism is associated with features of the metabolic syndrome, but the role of sex hormones in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome and diabetes is not well understood. We assessed the association of low levels of testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) with the development of the metabolic syndrome and diabetes in men. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Concentrations of SHBG and total and calculated free testosterone and factors related to insulin resistance were determined at baseline in 702 middle-aged Finnish men participating in a population-based cohort study. These men had neither diabetes nor the metabolic syndrome. RESULTS After 11 years of follow-up, 147 men had developed the metabolic syndrome (National Cholesterol Education Program criteria) and 57 men diabetes. Men with total testosterone, calculated free testosterone, and SHBG levels in the lower fourth had a severalfold increased risk of developing the metabolic syndrome (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% CI 1.5-3.4; 1.7, 1.2-2.5; and 2.8, 1.9-4.1, respectively) and diabetes (2.3, 1.3-4.1; 1.7, 0.9-3.0; and 4.3, 2.4-7.7, respectively) after adjustment for age. Adjustment for potential confounders such as cardiovascular disease, smoking, alcohol intake, and socioeconomic status did not alter the associations. Factors related to insulin resistance attenuated the associations, but they remained significant, except for free testosterone. CONCLUSIONS Low total testosterone and SHBG levels independently predict development of the metabolic syndrome and diabetes in middle-aged men. Thus, hypoandrogenism is an early marker for disturbances in insulin and glucose metabolism that may progress to the metabolic syndrome or frank diabetes and may contribute to their pathogenesis.
Psychometric Properties of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score in a Community‐Based Study of Adults With and Without Osteoarthritis

Foot and ankle problems are common in adults, and large observational studies are needed to advance our understanding of the etiology and impact of these conditions. Valid and reliable measures of foot and ankle symptoms and physical function are necessary for this research. This study examined psychometric properties of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) subscales (pain, other symptoms, activities of daily living [ADL], sport and recreational function [sport/recreation], and foot‐ and ankle‐related quality of life [QOL]) in a large, community‐based sample of African American and white men and women ages ≥50 years.
Error performance of LDPC coded spatial. Modulation technique

In this paper, spatial modulation (SM) technique and low density parity check code (LDPC) are combined. SM technique seems to provide transmissions speed and spectral efficiency at same levels under the low system complexity and cost compared to traditional multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmission systems. However, SM may give high bit error rate (BER) values at low signal to noise ratios (SNR). Therefore, need of excessive power consumption is emerging for compensate of this. In this context, spatial modulation system with LDPC coding is proposed to improve error performance and superiority of system is presented by performed computer simulation.
Determination of cadmium and zinc levels and oxidative status in cadmium treated developing chick embryonic liver

In the present study Chick embryos of Bobcock strain were treated with different concentrations (0.04, 0.05and 0.06 mg/egg) of CdCl2 on the day 10 (d10), day 11 (d11), day 12(d12) of embryonic development. In this study metals like Cd, Zn were determined with ICP-OES in liver tissue of control and treated groups at different time intervals. The levels of (GSH) and activity levels of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured in liver tissue after different time intervals (24 h, 48h and 72 h) of CdCl2 exposure. Significant induction was observed in GST activity in liver tissue after 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. However, the GPx, GR, SOD, CAT and GSH levels were decreased in dose and time dependent manner. In this study Cd retention in the liver increased with dose level of Cd and this inturn caused induction in the levels of Zinc in liver tissue.
Multiple people detection and identification system integrated with a dynamic simultaneous localization and mapping system for an autonomous mobile robotic platform

This paper presents the integration of a multiple people detection and identification system with a dynamic simultaneous localization and mapping system for an autonomous robotic platform. This integration allows the exploration and navigation of the robot considering people identification. The robotic platform consists of a Pioneer 3DX robot equipped with an RGBD camera, a Sick Lms200 sensor laser and a computer using the robot operating system (ROS). The idea is to integrate the people detection and identification system to the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) system of the robot using ROS. The people detection and identification system is performed in two steps. The first one is for detecting multiple people on scene and the other one is for an individual person identification. Both steps are implemented as ROS nodes that works integrated with the SLAM ROS node. The multiple people detection's node uses a manual feature extraction technique based on HOG (Histogram of Oriented Gradients) detectors, implemented using the PCL library (Point Cloud Library) in C ++. The person's identification node is based on a Deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that are implemented using the MatLab MatConvNet library. This step receives the detected people centroid from the previous step and performs the classification of a specific person. After that, the desired person centroid is send to the SLAM node, that consider it during the mapping process. Tests were made objecting the evaluation of accurateness in the people's detection and identification process. It allowed us to evaluate the people detection system during the navigation and exploration of the robot, considering the real time interaction of people recognition in a semi-structured environment.
Protective Effect of an Extract from Ascaris suum in Experimental Arthritis Models

ABSTRACT We investigated the effect of an extract from a helminth (Ascaris suum) in zymosan-induced arthritis (ZYA) or collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Rats and mice, respectively, received 1 mg and 0.1 mg zymosan intra-articularly (i.a.). Test groups received an A. suum extract either per os (p.o.) or intraperitoneally (i.p.) 30 min prior to i.a. zymosan. Controls received saline. Hypernociception was measured using the articular incapacitation test. Cell influx, nitrite, and cytokine levels were assessed in joint exudates. The synovia and distal femoral extremities were used for histopathology. Cartilage damage was assessed through determining glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. DBA/1J mice were subjected to CIA. The test group received A. suum extract i.p. 1 day after CIA became clinically detectable. Clinical severity and hypernociception were assessed daily. Neutrophil influx was determined using myeloperoxidase activity. The A. suum extract, either i.p. or p.o. , significantly and dose-dependently inhibited cell influx and hypernociception in ZYA in addition to reducing GAG loss and ameliorating synovitis. The A. suum extract reduced i.a. levels of NO, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-10 but not tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in rats subjected to ZYA while reducing i.a. IL-10, but not IL-1β or TNF-α, levels in mice. Clinically, mice subjected to CIA treated with the A. suum extract had less severe arthritis. Hypernociception, myeloperoxidase activity, and synovitis severity were significantly reduced. These data show that a helminth extract given p.o. protects from arthritis severity in two classical arthritis models. This A. suum effect is species independent and functions orally and parenterally. The results show clinical and structural benefits when A. suum extract is given either prophylactically or therapeutically.