Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating Noise-Induced Permanent Threshold Shift from Audiometric Shape: The ISO-1999 Model

Objective: To describe the relation between audiometric shape and noise-induced permanent threshold shift averaged across the speech frequencies (N5123). Design: Using an international standard (ISO-1999), 270 audiograms were created, representing both sexes and a variety of ages, exposure levels, and percentiles. Bulge depth (BD) was defined as the difference between pure-tone average for 2, 3, and 4 kHz and PTA for 1 and 6 kHz. Results: N5123 was well-predicted by quadratic functions of BD, which accounted for 72 to 95% of the variance in N5123. Conclusions: Estimates of N5123, based on BD, can be helpful in medical-legal diagnosis and allocation of hearing loss.
Role of Regulatory T cell in Clinical Outcome of Traumatic Brain Injury

Background:Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a life-threatening disease worldwide. Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) were involved in the immunological system in central nervous system. It is defined as a subpopulation of CD4+ cells that express CD25 and transcription factor forkhead box P3. The level of circulating Treg cells increases in a variety of pathologic conditions. The purpose of this study was to uncover the role of circulating Treg cells in TBI. Methods:A clinical study was conducted in two neurosurgical intensive care units of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital and Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University (Tianjin, China). Forty patients and 30 healthy controls were recruited from August 2013 to November 2013. Circulating Treg cells was detected on the follow-up period of 1, 4, 7, 14, and 21 days after TBI. Blood sample (1 ml) was withdrawn in the morning and processed within 2 h. Results:There was no significant difference in the level of circulating Treg cells between TBI patients and normal controls during follow-up. TBI patients exhibited higher circulating Treg level than normal controls on the 1st day after TBI. Treg level was decreased on the 4th day, climbed up on the 7th day and peaked on 14th day after TBI. Treg cells declined to the normal level on 21th day after TBI. The level of circulating Treg cells was significantly higher in survival TBI patients when compared to nonsurvival TBI patients. TBI patients with improved conditions exhibited significantly higher circulating Treg level when compared to those with deteriorated conditions. The circulating Treg level was correlated with neurologic recovery after TBI. A better neural recovery and lower hospital mortality were found in TBI patients with circulating Treg cells more than 4.91% in total CD4+ mononuclear cells as compared to those with circulating Treg cells less than 4.91% in total CD4+ mononuclear cells in the first 14 days. Conclusions:The level of circulating Treg cells is positively correlated with clinical outcome of TBI. The level of Treg cells predicts the progress for TBI patients and may be a target in TBI treatment.
DISENO DE UN RECTIFICADOR PARA RECOLECCION DE POTENCIA DE ONDAS DE RADIOFRECUENCIA EN TECNOLOGIA CMOS

impedancias, radiofrecuencia, CMOS, layout. DESCRIPCIO´ N: La energ´? a asociada a las ondas electromagne´ ticas, puede ser usada como una fuente de alimentaci´on alternativa a la bater´? a en algunos dispositivos port ´ atiles. Esto se logra con un bloque receptor, conformado por una antena, un acople de impedancias y un rectificador, que recibe ondas de una fuente de radiaci ´on y las convierte en corriente directa. Son muchas las posibles aplicaciones de este concepto y de ah´? que el estudio de los diferentes circuitos involucrados, en especial el del rectificador, sea de gran inter ´es. Por lo tanto, en este proyecto se aborda el dise? no del rectificador para recolecci ´on de potencia de ondas de radiofrecuencia, en tecnolog´? a CMOS. En este documento inicialmente se presentan las condiciones de operaci ´on del rectificador y se analizan sus principales especificaciones. Posteriormente, se eval ´uan las seis arquitecturas m´as sobresalientes en la literatura y se selecciona la de mejor desempe? no, utilizando resultados de simulaci ´on como principal criterio de selecci ´on. Para la arquitectura elegida se plantea un modelo de la tensi ´on rectificada y de la eficiencia del circuito, que resulta del estudio detallado de su operaci ´on y que muestra los compromisos entre las variables involucradas en su funcionamiento. Basado en ´este, se propone una estrategia de dise? no para lograr la m´as alta eficiencia, partiendo de las condiciones de operaci ´on a las que el rectificador est ´a sometido. Los resultados obtenidos se validan por medio de simulaciones, utilizando el modelo BSIM3V3 para los transistores y las constantes de fabricaci ´on de la tecnolog´? a AMS C35B4C3. Adem´as, para determinar el impacto de la fabricaci ´on sobre el desempe? no del rectificador, se realiza una verificaci ´on funcional del trazado del circuito, layout, y un an´ alisis estad´? stico con las variaciones de los par´ametros del proceso. *Proyecto de Grado **Facultad de Ingenier´? as F´? sico-Mec´anicas. Escuela de Ingenier´? as El ´ ectrica, Electr ´onica y de Telecomunicaciones. Director MSc. E´ lkim Felipe Roa Fuentes.
Student expectations in introductory physics

Students’ understanding of what science is about, how it is done, and their expectations as to what goes on in a science course, can play a powerful role in what they get out of introductory college physics. In this paper, we describe the Maryland Physics Expectations survey; a 34-item Likert-scale (agree–disagree) survey that probes student attitudes, beliefs, and assumptions about physics. We report on the results of pre- and post-instruction delivery of this survey to 1500 students in introductory calculus-based physics at six colleges and universities. We note a large gap between the expectations of experts and novices and observe a tendency for student expectations to deteriorate rather than improve as a result of the first term of introductory calculus-based physics.
The Analysis of Periodic Structures With 2-D-Staggered Grid by FDTD Algorithm

According to the characteristics of the periodic structures with 2-D-staggered grids, two new effective construction methods dealing with periodic boundaries based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm are developed in this work. The two proposed staggered periodic boundary conditions (PBC) arrangement methods can be implemented combining the existing boundary data mapping techniques. Applying these arrangements, coordinate change and additional ladder boundary grids can be avoided during the modeling process, so that the simulation accuracy of the FDTD algorithm can be maintained. The performance and the applicable conditions of the two staggered PBC arrangement methods are discussed and compared with the common nonstaggered PBC arrangement method. The validity of the two staggered PBC arrangement methods is verified through the numerical examples of an infinite dielectric slab and Jerusalem cross frequency selective surface with 2-D-staggered girds.
The bacterial glycocalyx in nature and disease.

INTRODUCTION . THE NATURE OF THE BACTERIAL GLYCOCALYX . Definition of the Bacterial Glycocalyx . The Physical Nature of the Bacterial Glycocalyx . The Chemical Nature of the Bacterial Glycocalyx. The Loss of the Bacterial Glycocalyx in vitro . THE BACTERIAL GLYCOCALYX IN NATURAL ECOSySTEMS . The Bacterial Glycocalyx in Populations on Inert Surfaces. The Bacterial Glycoca/yx in Populations on Tissue Surfaces .
α-Latrotoxin Releases Calcium in Frog Motor Nerve Terminals

α-Latrotoxin (α-LTX) is a neurotoxin that accelerates spontaneous exocytosis independently of extracellular Ca2+. Although α-LTX increases spontaneous transmitter release at synapses, the mechanism is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that α-LTX causes transmitter release by mobilizing intracellular Ca2+ in frog motor nerve terminals. Transmitter release was measured electrophysiologically and with the vesicle marker FM1-43; presynaptic ion concentration dynamics were measured with fluorescent ion-imaging techniques. We report that α-LTX increases transmitter release after release of a physiologically relevant concentration of intracellular Ca2+. Neither the blockade of Ca2+ release nor the depletion of Ca2+ from endoplasmic reticulum affected Ca2+ signals produced by α-LTX. The Ca2+ source is likely to be mitochondria, because the effects on Ca2+ mobilization of CCCP (which depletes mitochondrial Ca2+) and of α-LTX are mutually occlusive. The release of mitochondrial Ca2+ is partially attributable to an increase in intracellular Na+, suggesting that the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger is activated. Effects of α-LTX were not blocked when Ca2+increases were reduced greatly in saline lacking both Na+ and Ca2+ and by application of intracellular Ca2+ chelators. Therefore, although increases in intracellular Ca2+ may facilitate the effects of α-LTX on transmitter release, these increases do not appear to be necessary. The results show that investigations of Ca2+-independent α-LTX mechanisms or uses of α-LTX to probe exocytosis mechanisms would be complicated by the release of intracellular Ca2+, which itself can trigger exocytosis.
Autochthonous Chagas disease in the southern United States: A case report of suspected residential and military exposures

Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that can result in a progressive dilated cardiomyopathy. Here, we present the epidemiologic details of a suspected locally acquired transmission case originating from the southern United States. This is the first published report of Chagas disease in a young, healthy United States veteran with repeat triatomine exposures in Arizona. Military personnel and Arizona residents should be aware of their Chagas disease transmission risks.
Periareolar Skin-Sparing Mastectomy and Latissimus Dorsi Flap with Biodimensional Expander Implant Reconstruction: Surgical Planning, Outcome, and Complications

Background: Although use of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap associated with the Biodimensional anatomical expander implant system (McGhan 150) is a reliable technique, little information has been available regarding clinical outcome following periareolar skin-sparing mastectomy reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility of the technique, surgical planning, and its outcome following skin-sparing mastectomy. Methods: Thirty-two patients underwent immediate unilateral latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap/Biodimensional anatomical expander implant system breast reconstruction. Mean follow-up was 18 months. The technique was indicated in patients with small- or moderate-volume breasts with or without ptosis, in whom the use of abdominal flaps was precluded. Flap and donor-site complications were evaluated. Information on anesthetic results and patient satisfaction was collected. Results: Seventy-two percent had tumors measuring 2 cm or less (T1) and 78 percent were stage 0 and I according to American Joint Committee on Cancer criteria. Breast skin complications occurred in 9.4 percent. Two patients presented small breast skin necrosis, and in one patient, a wound dehiscence was observed. Donor-site complications, all represented by seroma, occurred in 12.5 percent. The cosmetic result was considered good or very good in 84.4 percent, and the majority of patients were either very satisfied or satisfied. No local recurrences were observed. All complications except two were treated by conservative means. Conclusions: The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap/Biodimensional anatomical expander implant system is a simple and reliable technique for periareolar skin-sparing mastectomy reconstruction. Success depends on patient selection, coordinated planning with the oncologic surgeon, and careful intraoperative and postoperative management.
Sevoflurane Versus Propofol for Anesthetic Induction: A Meta-Analysis

We performed this meta-analysis to compare the characteristics of sevoflurane and propofol for the induction of routine anesthesia and for laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion. The variables assessed were 1) time to loss of consciousness, 2) incidence of apnea during induction, 3) induction complications, 4) time for successful LMA insertion, 5) success with LMA insertion on first attempt, 6) patient dissatisfaction, and 7) postoperative nausea and vomiting. MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane library databases between January 1992 and October 1999 were reviewed for randomized, controlled trials comparing anesthetic induction between sevoflurane/nitrous oxide and propofol. Data from the 12 randomized, controlled studies were used for the meta-analysis. Sevoflurane induction was associated with a trend toward higher patient dissatisfaction and higher first-time success with LMA. Apnea was less common in the sevoflurane group. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was significantly more frequent in the sevoflurane group (P < 0.05). This effect was still present when all other variables, except the induction methods, were controlled. The other pooled variables did not show a significant difference between sevoflurane and propofol. Sevoflurane and propofol had similar efficacy for anesthetic induction. However, for routine outpatient surgery, propofol may still be the preferred induction anesthetic because of its favorable induction of anesthesia characteristics, high patient satisfaction, and less frequent incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Implications Sevoflurane and propofol had similar efficacy for anesthetic induction. However, for routine outpatient surgery, propofol may still be the preferred induction anesthetic because of its favorable induction of anesthesia characteristics, high patient satisfaction, and less frequent incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy controller structures for twin rotor aerodynamic systems

This paper proposes structures of Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy (TSF) controllers along with approaches to design these structures dedicated to the azimuth and pitch position control of twin rotor aerodynamic systems (TRASs). The azimuth and the pitch positions are separately controlled using Single Input-Single Output (SISO) control system structures. Two Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) TSF controllers are suggested for azimuth position control, and they are build around linear PID controller structures. A PI and a PID TSF controller are suggested for pitch position control by fuzzifying the linear PI and PID controller structures. The validation of the new TFS controllers is carried out on nonlinear TRAS laboratory equipment. The performance of the SISO control systems with the new TFS controllers is compared with two linear controllers tuned by a metaheuristic Gravitational Search Algorithm optimizer.
Advances in IEEE 802.11ah standardization for machine-type communications in sub-1GHz WLAN

The IEEE 802.11ah task group has been formed to develop the specification for sub-1GHz WLAN. Due to the low operating frequency, it is expected that the 802.11ah can support coverage up to 1km. Such large coverage is well-suited for machine-to-machine (M2M) or machine-type communication (MTC) applications like smart grid and sensor networks. These applications are characterized by large number of operating devices, small data packet size, and low-power operation, and they pose new problems that conventional 802.11 WLAN is not capable to address. Therefore they stimulate significant interest and discussion in the task group to define enhancements to improve the performance of 802.11ah WLAN. The objective of this paper is to present the recent advances in the IEEE 802.11ah standardization to enhance the MTC performance. In particular the emphasis is on the channel access enhancement, which lies in the core of MAC layer. Relevant works in the research community are also reviewed in the hope that they may be utilized to further optimize the 802.11ah WLAN.
Airway pressure measurements during high‐frequency positive pressure ventilation in extremely low birth weight neonates

Objectives: Evaluation of a modified, computer‐controlled, shutter method to determine the complete intrapulmonary pressure course and to ascertain the expiratory time constant for the respiratory system during high‐frequency positive pressure ventilation. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Neonatal intensive care unit in a university hospital. Patients: Sixteen premature newborns (mean gestational age 26 ± 2 [SD] wks, birth weight 741 ± 138 g) were studied at various times during their clinical course. Measurements and Results: Installation of the shutter and air flow interruption did not result in any impairment of clinical and respiratory conditions. Time constants were between 58 and 190 msecs. In six patients, an inadvertent positive end‐expiratory pressure (1 to 4.5 cm H2O) was found; in these patients only, expiratory time set at the respirator was <4 time constants. In 13 measurements of nine patients, measured intrapulmonary peak inspiratory pressure was considerably lower (1 to 5 cm H2O) than that value set at the respirator. Conclusions: The computer‐controlled shutter method is noninvasive and applicable without impairment, even in preterm neonates with birth weights of <1000 g. This method provides important information to optimize respiratory therapy, particularly knowledge of the individual time constant. To avoid inadvertent positive end‐expiratory pressure and gas trapping, expiratory time should be >4 time constants. (Crit Care Med 1994; 22:S71‐S76)
Dichotic pitch fusion.

The frequency limits within which dichotic pitch fusion occurs have been measured as a function of the frequency. The relative frequency differences for the centers of the fusion frequency bands for pure tones coincide with those for binaural diplacusis at corresponding frequencies. A complex (residue) sound fuses only if the fusing conditions for all its individual spectral components are fulfilled. Dichotic fusion of repetition pitch (produced by mixing noise with the same noise, delayed) occurs only if the same noise source is used to produce the signals that are presented to the two ears. Some additional data are presented from experiments with dichotic stimulation with tones of different intensities, where a monotic pitch shift towards the loudest signal is found.Subject Classification: [43]65.54, [43]65.62.
Espectroscopía In vivo por Resonancia Magnética de Protones en la diferenciación de esclerosis múltiple de exacerbación-remisión y esclerosis múltiple crónica progresiva secundaria

In this paper we study multiple sclerosis (MS) by means of spectroscopic quantitative techniques with proton magnetic resonance. This technique is important because it allows quantification of some of the principal metabolites in the central nervous system. It is known that in MS exist a specific concentration of metabolites directly related to the disease. In the study we first measured the metabolites in a control group of healthy individuals, and then compared them with measures taken from a group of patients with MS. To this day we have a control group of 24 individuals, and 2 patients of MS, and the objective is to continue studying more patients with the disease. 1. S.W. Atlas. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain and Spine. Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, U.S.A. , second edition, 1997. 2. Govindaraju V, Young K, Maudsley A. Proton nmr chemical shifts and coupling constants for bain matabolites. NMR in Biomedicine, 13:129-153, 2000. 3. Cucurella MG, Rovira A, Río J, Pedraza S, Tintoré MM, Montalbán X, Alonso J. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in primary and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. NMR in Biomedicine, 13:57-63, 2000. 4. Pfefferbaum A, Adalsteinsson E, Spielman D, Sullivan E, Lim K. In vivo spectroscopic quantification of the nacetyl moiety, creatine and choline from large volumes of brain gray and white matter: Effects of normal aging. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 41:276-284, 1999. 5. Schirmer T, Auer DP. On the reliability of quantitative clinical magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the human brain. NMR in Biomedicine, 13:28-36,2000. 6. Brooks WM, Friedman SD, Stridley CH . Reproducibility of 1h-mrs in vivo. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 41:193-197, 1999. 7. Prorok RJ, Sawyer AM. Fast Imaging Techniques, Signa Advantage Applications Guide, volume IV E8804DC. G.E. Medical Systems, Milwaukee, U.S.A. , 1992. Referencias
An asymptotic estimate of the numbers of rectangular drawings or floorplans

A subdivision of a rectangle into rectangular faces with horizontal and vertical line segments is called rectangular drawings or floorplans. It is known that the number of rectangular drawings R(n) is asymptotically approximated by a geometric progression, where n is the number of inner rectangles. More precisely, there exists a constant c = lim<inf>n→∞</inf> R(n)<sup>1/n</sup>. The best upper and lower bounds of c ever known are 25 and 11.56, respectively. In this report, R(n) ≤ 13.5<sup>n−1</sup> is shown, which implies c ≤ 13.5.
Bimodal benefits in Mandarin-speaking cochlear implant users with contralateral residual acoustic hearing

Abstract Objective: The present study aimed to measure bimodal benefits and probe their underlying mechanisms in Mandarin-speaking cochlear implant (CI) subjects who had contralateral residual acoustic hearing. Design: The subjects recognised words or phonemes from the Mandarin Lexical Neighborhood Test in noise at a 10-dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with acoustic stimulation, electric stimulation or the combined bimodal stimulation. Study sample: Thirteen Mandarin-speaking subjects wore a CI in one ear and had residual acoustic hearing in the contralateral ear. Six of the subjects (5.2–13.0 years) had pre-lingual onset of severe hearing loss, and seven of them (8.6–45.8 years) had post-lingual onset of severe hearing loss. Results: Both groups of subjects produced a significant bimodal benefit in word recognition in noise. Consonants and tones accounted for the bimodal benefit. The bimodal integration efficiency was negatively correlated with the duration of deafness in the implanted ear for vowel recognition but positively correlated with CI or bimodal experience for consonant recognition. Conclusions: The present results support preservation of residual acoustic hearing, early cochlear implantation and continuous use of bimodal hearing for subjects who have significant residual hearing in the non-implanted ear.
Phenotypic mixing of vesicular stomatitis virus with HVJ (Sendai virus).

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) plaque-forming virions obtained from mixed infection of HeLa cells with VSV and HVJ (Sendai virus) were shown to contain two types of phenotypically mixed virions: virions doubly neutralizable with both anti-VSV and anti-HVJ antisera (up to 15%), and virions which could be neutralized only with anti-HVJ serum and not with anti-VSV serum (up to 0.3%). No evidence for genetic recombination was obtained between these two viruses. Phenotypically mixed virions could adsorb to and elute from chiken erythrocytes, and bullet-shaped virions, typical of VSV, were found to be adsorbed to chicken erythrocytes in electron microscopy. Neuraminidase activity was detected in the virions specifically sedimented with anti-VSV serum. From these findings, phenotypically mixed virions were suggested to contain hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of HVJ in the envelope. In sucrose gradient centrifugation, phenotypically mixed virions enclosed within HVJ antigens sedimented slightly faster than standard HVJ.