Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Presurgical orthopedics by drink plates does not significantly normalize deglutition in infants with cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE To test the null hypothesis of no significant difference between intraoral pressure characteristics in infants with cleft lip and palate (CLP) with or without presurgical orthopedic (PSO) plates (groups CLP and CLP-PSO), compared with noncleft infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Intraoral atmospheric pressure assessments were performed on 17 subjects with preoperative CLP (m/f, 11/6; mean/SD, 4.76/0.92 months) and a matched control group (n = 24; m/f, 15/9; mean/SD, 4.88/0.9 months), for 200 seconds, simultaneously at the vestibulum (vestibular space [VS]) and at the palate (subpalatal space [SPS]), using a prepared pacifier connected to a digital manometer. Areas under the pressure curves (AUC), frequencies, durations, and magnitudes of swallowing peaks and pressure resting plateaus were compared between trial groups and locations (VS, SPS) using a two-factor analysis of variance for repeated measures, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Mann-Whitney U-test (α = .05). RESULTS The null hypothesis was rejected: Globally, there were statistically significant differences in intraoral pressure characteristics between groups CLP, CLP-PSO, and control (all P < .01), with significantly higher negative pressures (AUC) in the control subjects compared with those of CLP or CLP-PSO. There were significant effects by the location of pressure recordings (VS, SPS) and their interaction with all treatment groups. Differences between noncleft and CLP subjects were more pronounced in the VS than in the SPS. There was no significant effect by PSO. CONCLUSION PSO does not improve deviated swallowing characteristics during suction in CLP infants.
TTool for DIPLODOCUS: an environment for design space exploration

TTool for DIPLODOCUS is an open-source UML-based toolkit for the design space exploration of system-on-chip. DIPLODOCUS is the name of the underlying UML profile. This profile includes a three-step methodology: a description of application tasks, a description of candidate distributed architectures, and the mapping of application tasks onto those candidate architectures. Our contribution not only offers SystemC-based automatic simulation but also automatic formal verification, in both cases directly from UML diagrams.
Alpha adrenergic vasoconstriction and nitroglycerin vasodilation of large coronary arteries in the conscious dog.

The effects of methoxamine and nitroglycerin on measurements of large vessel (left circumflex) coronary dimensions were examined in eight conscious dogs using an ultrasonic dimension gauge, and total coronary resistance was calculated from measurements of arterial pressure and coronary blood flow. Methoxamine (50 mug/kg per min), after transiently increasing left circumflex coronary dimensions, induced sustained reductions in left circumflex diameter (9+/-2%) and external (18+/-4%) and internal (27+/-5%) cross-sectional areas, at a time when mean arterial pressure rose by 65+/-5%, left ventricular dP/dt had decreased only slightly, and heart rate and mean coronary blood flow remained at control levels. Calculated large vessel and total coronary resistances rose similarly, i.e., by 108+/-29 and 92+/-14%, respectively. Methoxamine reduced coronary arterial wall stiffness from control at comparable stress levels, although at any common radius, wall stiffness was augmented substantially. Nitroglycerin (25 mug/kg) induced an initial decrease in coronary dimensions along with the fall in arterial pressure. However, left circumflex coronary dimensions then rose, reaching a maximum 5 min later at a time when left circumflex coronary blood flow was reduced and heart rate and left ventricular dP/dt were at control levels. At this time, significantly different effects were observed on large vessel coronary resistance, which fell by 18+/-2%, and on total coronary resistance, which rose by 11+/-4%. Thus, in the conscious dog, large coronary vessels not only react passively to changes in aortic pressure but also undergo substantial active changes. Alpha adrenergic stimulation is sufficiently powerful to reduce cross-sectional area, despite the opposing elevation of distending pressure.
Investigation of TMAl preflow to the properties of AlN and GaN film grown on Si(111) by MOCVD

The influence of TMAl preflow to the AlN buffer layer and GaN thin film was studied by Optical Microscope, Atomic Force Microscope, X-ray diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscope. Different duration of TMAl preflow lead to substantially differences of the AlN buffer layer and GaN film properties in terms of surface morphology and crystal quality. It was found without TMAl preflow the crystal quality of AlN buffer layer and GaN deteriorated due to the formation of amorphous interlayer between Si and AlN. Meltback etching and cracks was observed on the surface of GaN grown on AlN without TMAl preflow. However, overlong duration of TMAl preflow degraded the properties of AlN buffer layer and the subsequent GaN layer. GaN grown with longer TMAl preflow suffer of poor crystal quality, high density cracks and rough surface morphology. With the optimum duration of TMAl preflow, crystal quality and surface roughness of GaN can be improved.
The Effects of Color Choice in Web Design on the Usability for Individuals with Color-Blindness

Websites are not accessible to many individuals with color-vision deficiency or color-blindness; this is because of poor color and design choice. One must design websites with these individuals in mind. In this study, it was found that color choice on aspects such as body text, background, and links did have an effect on how individuals with color-blindness were able to use and read websites.
The investigation of frequency modulation in voltage-controlled oscillator due to low frequency interference from supply voltage

This paper presents the theoretical analysis and experimental results of frequency modulation (FM) due to the electromagnetic interference (EMI) to the voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO). Physical models of the oscillator core and injected signals are implemented to precisely predict the EMI. A low frequency continuous wave is injected into a 900 MHz monolithic LC-VCO, which is implemented on a 0.18 μm CMOS process. The comparison of the results between experimental and theoretical output spectra of the VCO demonstrates that the injection induced frequency modulation can be quantificationally predicted.
Self-corrective cascade control obstacle avoidance and deviation correction system for robotics systems

In feedback controlled AGVs, errors in movement and trajectory planning are detected after deviation. Therefore, error correction and directing robots to the desired path are much harder than detecting deviation errors at the beginning of each movement such as in feed-forward control system. However, feedback control loop is more promising when the trajectory is unknown. In addition, detection of obstacles should lead finding a new trajectory toward desired destination. We wish to provide a cascade control system consisting of detection of movement and acceleration over surface in addition to checking the shaft encoders connected to each wheel. The system helps overcoming deviation errors in addition to finding an optimal solution for calculated new trajectory using onboard compass module working at both indoor and outdoor environment. The proposed method has been implemented on a twin robot so called Leopard GES. In addition, the designed controller board facilitates robots with wireless and wired communicational platforms on Pico-powered micro controller so that they will be able to communicate with each other, share and cooperate in solving problems collaboratively. Therefore, it changes the current shape of AGVs vastly into new set of cooperative autonomous guided vehicles using the new board equipped with cascade controlled trajectory planner system.
Reliable conditional-coobservability for decentralized supervisory control of discrete event systems with conditional decisions

We consider a reliable decentralized supervisory control problem for discrete event systems in the conditional architecture. This reliable decentralized control problem requires synthesizing local supervisors such that a given specification can be achieved without blocking even if local control decisions of some local supervisors are not available for making the global control decision. We introduce a notion of reliable conditional-coobservability and show that reliable conditional-coobservability together with reliable controllability and Lm(G)-closedness is a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a solution to the reliable decentralized control problem. In addition, we develop a method for verifying reliable conditional-coobservability.
Compréhension du phénomène de surmenage fonctionnel induit par le travail en endurance : implications pour l’entraînement et la performance

L’entrainement dans les sports d’endurance a haut niveau passe traditionnellement par des periodes de tres fortes charges visant a imposer de forts stress. La litterature suggere que ces periodes seront d’autant plus interessantes si elles sont associees a un important niveau de fatigue et a une diminution de performance (surmenage fonctionnel, SF). Cependant, il n’a jamais ete compare a une surcharge d’entrainement sans diminution de performance (fatigue aigue, FA). La premiere partie a montre que la surcompensation de performance au cours de l’affutage peut repondre de facon Gaussienne a la charge d’entrainement imposee avant l’affutage. Plus precisement, les resultats ont demontre que l’augmentation de la charge d’entrainement avant l’affutage peut maximiser la reponse positive a l’entrainement, seulement a condition que le stress d’entrainement ne depasse pas la capacite de recuperation de l’athlete et ne precipite pas de SF. Par ailleurs, il s’avere que les reponses d’affutage semblent individuelles et non influencees par le niveau de fatigue genere en amont. Ces differences de performance s’expliquent notamment par une bonne adaptation a l’entrainement apres une periode de surcharge sans SF, quand un etat de SF sera a l’inverse associe a une moins bonne adaptation et a une plus grande survenue d’etats de sante infectieux. La seconde partie a suggere que la fatigue observee au sein du groupe SF pouvait egalement avoir ete causee par un phenomene de fatigue cardiaque. En effet, le developpement du SF chez l’athlete entraine est associe a une reduction des valeurs de debit cardiaque a l’exercice
Changes in Mitral Annular Geometry and Dynamics With &bgr;-Blockade in Patients With Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease

Background—Remodeling of the mitral annulus contributes to progression of mitral regurgitation (MR). In patients with moderate-to-severe MR, short-term treatment with &bgr;-blockers has been shown to increase left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic and end-systolic volume, and this could deleteriously increase mitral valve annular dimensions. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of a short duration of &bgr;-blocker treatment on mitral annular dimensions and dynamics in patients with MR due to primary degenerative valve disease. Methods and Results—Twenty-five patients with moderate-to-severe degenerative MR and normal LV systolic function were studied in a double-blind crossover experiment using a &bgr;1-selective adrenergic blocker and placebo administered for 14±3 days. Cardiac MRI images were acquired after each treatment period to quantify mitral annular dimensions. At end diastole, there was no change in annular area (1659±331 versus 1632±299 mm2; P<0.19), annular perimeter (154.3±16.4 versus 152±13.9 mm; P<0.13), septal-lateral (SL) dimension (38.0±5 versus 39.0±4.5 mm; P<0.15), or annular height (9.8±3.8 versus 9.5±2.5 mm; P<0.53). &bgr;-blockade resulted in significant end-diastole decreases in commissure-commissure dimension (48.9±4.6 versus 47.2±4.0 mm; P<0.01) and eccentricity (1.3±0.2 versus 1.2±0.1; P<0.01). At end systole (ES), &bgr;-blockade conferred a small, but significant decrease in annular perimeter (161.0±19.3 versus 156.8±16.9 mm; P<0.04) and eccentricity (1.2±0.1 versus 1.1±0.1; P<0.02), and the SL dimension significantly increased (41.5±5.7 versus 43.0±5.3 mm; P<0.03). Commissure-commissure dimension, annular area, and annular height at ES were not significantly different. Conclusions—Despite significant increases in LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume, short-term &bgr;-blocker treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe MR reduced or preserved all mitral annular dimensions except SL at ES.
Proteomic and transcriptomic study on the action of a cytotoxic saponin (Polyphyllin D): Induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondria‐mediated apoptotic pathways

Polyphyllin D (PD) is a potent cytotoxic saponin found in Paris polyphylla. In the present study, bioinformatic, proteomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed to study the mechanisms of action of PD on human nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line (NCI‐H460). Using a gene expression‐based bioinformatic tool (connectivity map), PD was identified as a potential ER stress inducer. Our proteomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed that PD treatment led to upregulation of typical ER stress‐related proteins/genes including glucose‐regulated protein 78 (BiP/GRP78) and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). In particular, elevated expression of C/EBP homologous transcription factor (chop) and activation of caspase‐4 occurred at early time point (8 h) of PD treatment, signifying an initial ER stress‐mediated apoptosis. Induction of tumor suppressor p53, disruption of mitochondrial membrane, activation of caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 were detected upon prolonged PD treatment. Collectively, these data revealed that PD induced the cytotoxic effect through a mechanism initiated by ER stress followed by mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. The ability of activating two major pathways of apoptosis makes PD an attractive drug lead for anticancer therapeutics.
A Data Reconstruction Algorithm Based on Neural Network for Compressed Sensing

A multi-layers neural network is built to reconstruct the original data from the compressed sensed data in wireless sensor networks. Unlike the classical data reconstruction algorithms in compressed sensing theory, such as convex optimization based algorithms and greedy algorithms, the proposed data reconstruction algorithm is inspired by the unsupervised learning algorithm in machine learning. The proposed architecture of the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is trained by minimizing the errors between input data and output data. The experiments were carried out based on real-world sensed dataset and the results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm presents a higher data reconstruction accuracy than the OMP and IHT algorithms. Meanwhile, the data reconstruction speed of the proposed algorithm is also faster than its counterparts.
DESIGNING AN IMPROVED RESISTIVE SENSOR INTERFACE WITH CNFET.

Sensor interface has been widely used in applications areas such as pharmacy, food-processing, biotechnology, industries, and laboratories etc. The differential voltage current conveyor (DVCC) is a very versatile active building block and attained specialinterest for current-mode circuits. This paper attempts to explore an application of CNFET-based current conveyor (DVCC) for the design of a resistive sensor interface. The proposed interface circuit reduces 16.6% power than existing work. The design also minimizes the number of active and passive components in the circuit. Further, a DVCC based Instrumentation amplifier is presented which is also utilized for the simpler design of sensor interface. HSPICE simulations with 32 nm CNFET model are performed to test the design.
In vivo biochemistry: Physical monitoring of recombination induced by site‐specific endonucleases

The recombinational repair of chromosomal double‐strand breaks (DSBs) is of critical importance to all organisms, who devote considerable genetic resources to ensuring such repair is accomplished. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, DSB‐mediated recombination can be initiated synchronously by the conditional expression of two site‐specific endonucleases, HO or I‐Scel. DNA undergoing recombination can then be extracted at intervals and analyzed. Recombination initiated by meiotic‐specific DSBs can be followed in a similar fashion. This type of ‘in vivo biochemistry’ has been used to describe several discrete steps in two different homologous recombination pathways: gene conversion and single‐strand annealing. The roles of specific proteins during recombination can be established by examining DNA in strains deleted for the corresponding gene. These same approaches are now becoming available for the study of recombination in both higher plants and animals. Physical monitoring can also be used to analyze nonhomologous recombination events, whose mechanisms appear to be conserved from yeast to mammals.
A Comparison of Techniques in Electro-Convulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy, modified by intravenous anaesthesia and muscle relaxants, has long been accepted as a satisfactory form of treatment. Relatively simple and safe, and effective in selected cases, the technique has undergone little change in recent years and seems almost in danger of becoming fixed indefinitely in its present form.
Motion of Interfaces Governed by the Cahn-Hilliard Equation with Highly Disparate Diffusion Mobility

We consider a two-phase system governed by a Cahn--Hilliard type equation with a highly disparate diffusion mobility. It has been observed from recent numerical simulations that the microstructure evolution described by such a system displays a coarsening rate different from that associated with the Cahn--Hilliard equation having either a constant diffusion mobility or a mobility that degenerates in both phases. Using the asymptotic matching method, we derive sharp interface models of the system under consideration to theoretically analyze the interfacial motion with respect to different scales of time $t$. In a very short time regime, the transition layer stabilizes into the well-known hyperbolic tangent single-layer profile. On an intermediate $t=O(1)$ time regime, due to the small mobility in one of the phases, the sharp interface limit is a one-sided Stefan problem, determined by data in the phase with constant nonzero mobility. On a slower $t=O(\varepsilon^{-1}) $ time scale, the leading order dynami.
Effects of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of ICOSIg and CTLA4Ig fusion protein on experimental autoimmune myocarditis

Objective: To explore the therapeutic alliance effects of adenovirus vector-mediated gene transfer of ICOSIg and CTLA4Ig fusion protein on experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). Methods: Expression vector pAdeno-CTLA4Ig and pAdeno-ICOSIg was constructed and transfected into HEK293 cells. Adenovirus expresses CTLA4Ig and ICOSIg was produced. Ad-CMV-GFP was used as controls. EAM was induced in Lewis rats by injection of procine cardiac myosin. All the immunized rats were divided into four groups. Group A (n = 15) received adenovirus containing CTLA4Ig and ICOSIg from day 14–28; group B (n = 15), group C (n = 15) and group D (n = 15) received adenovirus containing CTLA4Ig, ICOSIg and GFP, respectively. Group E (n = 10) was normal controls never received immunization. On day 28, all the rats were killed after echocardiography examination. Histopathological examination was used to observe inflammation in the myocardium. Western blot was used to detect CTLA4, ICOS, ICOSL and competitive RT-PCR for B7-1, B7-2 expression. T lymphocyte proliferation assay was performed and ELISPOT was used to detect the Th1 and Th2 production. Results: Alliance application of CTLA4Ig and ICOSIg exerts therapeutic effects on EAM. After a treatment duration of 14 days, cardiac function and myocardial inflammation improved significantly compared to group D. Expression of CTLA-4, ICOS and ICOSL, B7-1 was statistically decreased in group A, B and C compared with group D. T-cell proliferation was inhibited by costimulatory blockade in a dose-dependent style. ICOSIg blockade significantly augments IL-4 and IL-10 production while diminished IFN-γ production. Conclusions: Blockade of costimulatory pathway with alliance therapy of CTLA4Ig and ICOSIg alleviated autoimmune damage in EAM and improved cardiac function. The mechanisms may be downregulation of costimulatory molecules and anti-inflammation.
Action of Mitochondrial DNA Polymerase at Sites of Base Loss or Oxidative Damage (*)

Mitochondrial DNA is subject to oxidative damage generating 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) residues and to spontaneous or induced base loss generating abasic sites. Synthetic oligonucleotides containing these lesions were prepared and used as templates to determine their effects on the action of Xenopus laevis DNA polymerase . An analogue of an abasic site in DNA, tetrahydrofuran, was found to inhibit elongation by DNA polymerase . When the DNA polymerase was able to complete translesional synthesis, a dA residue was incorporated opposite the abasic site. In contrast, elongation by DNA polymerase was not inhibited by an 8-oxo-dG residue in the template strand. The polymerase inserted dA opposite 8-oxo-dG in approximately 27% of the extended products. The effects of these lesions on the 3′ 5′ exonuclease proofreading activity of DNA polymerase were also investigated. The 3′ 5′ exonuclease activity excised any of the four normal bases positioned opposite either a tetrahydrofuran residue or 8-oxo-dG, suggesting that proofreading may not play a major role in avoiding misincorporation at abasic sites or 8-oxo-dG residues in the template. Thus, both of these lesions have the prospect of causing high rates of mutation during mtDNA replication.
Evaluation of mandibular posterior single implants with two different surfaces: a 5-year comparative study.

BACKGROUND Anatomic and biomechanical limitations can jeopardize successful single implantation in the mandibular posterior area. To overcome the limitations, the design and the surface of the fixtures were modified. This study evaluated the cumulative survival rate (CSR) of mandibular molars replaced with a sand-blasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) single implant or an anodized (ANO) single implant and examined associated factors, such as the surface treatment, position, and length and diameter of the implants. METHODS One hundred ninety-three single implants restored with an SLA implant and 112 single implants restored with an ANO implant in the mandibular molar area were selected from subjects who had visited the Department of Periodontology, Dental Hospital of Yonsei University, from March 2001 through June 2006. In the SLA group, 123 and 70 implants were placed in the first and second molar area, respectively. In the ANO group, 55 and 57 implants were placed in the first and second molar area, respectively. The 1- to 6-year CSR of the SLA and ANO groups was calculated using the life-table analysis. In addition, associated factors, such as the surface treatment, position, and length and diameter of the implants, were compared and analyzed using the chi(2) test (P <0.05). RESULTS Two of 193 implants in the SLA group failed, giving a CSR of 98.96%; four of 112 ANO implants failed, giving a CSR of 96.43%. There were no significant differences with regard to the surface treatment, position, and length and diameter of the implants. CONCLUSIONS Despite the anatomic and biomechanical limitation in the mandibular posterior area, mandibular posterior single implants showed a high CSR during the observation period. Mandibular posterior single implants can be an effective and reliable treatment modality that is not affected by the surface treatment, position, or length and diameter of the implant.