Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of two forms of learning reinforcement upon parental retention of CPR skills.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of two forms of reinforcement upon the retention of CPR psychomotor skills in parents of high-risk infants. METHOD A pretest/posttest, 3-group design was done with a sample of 69 parent volunteers. Reinforcement with hands on practice was given to one group; a second group had reinforcement by observing a videotape, and the third group had no reinforcement strategy. CPR skills were measured by a checklist. FINDINGS Paired t-test showed significant differences in pretest and posttest scores for all three groups. Several CPR skills were missed on the final test more frequently than others. One-way ANOVA also showed a significant difference when comparing the control group with the hands-on reinforcement group. CONCLUSIONS Reinforcement of CPR skills should be an ongoing process. The groups who had reinforcement with hands-on practice retained the most skills.
Disparity refinement based on segment-tree and fast weighted median filter

The depth of a scene is very important in computer vision. One way to get the depth map is by stereo vision. But because of the noise, textureless area of the scene and the occlusion area, stereo matching becomes rather challenging. Some very good algorithms have been proposed. In this paper, the mainstream semi-global stereo matching algorithm (SGM) is studied, and a disparity refinement algorithm is proposed. By using SGM, an initial disparity map is computed. Then a better disparity map can be obtained by applying the disparity refinement algorithm. The proposed refinement algorithm is based on a segment-tree and a fast weighted median filter (WMF). Some experiments are done based on the well-known Middlebury dataset. The results show that the proposed algorithm can improve the quality of the disparity map effectively in most cases.
Packaging exploitation in fast moving consumer goods:consumer processing of sponsorship messages

[Abstract]: With global spending now exceeding US$500 billion, packaging is considered a critical strategic element for brand differentiation and identity. This paper examines consumer response to 'sponsorship leveraged packaging' (SLP), a marketing tool commonly used in the Australian FMCG Industry. Findings indicate that sponsorship messages depicted on FMCG packaging are predominantly processed incidentally, but that involvement with the sponsor increases the level of elaboration. These findings are exploratory in nature and additional empirical work is required to confirm how consumer's process SLP.
Obstacles Regions 3D-Perception Method for Mobile Robots Based on Visual Saliency

A novel mobile robots 3D-perception obstacle regions method in indoor environment based on Improved Salient Region Extraction (ISRE) is proposed. This model acquires the original image by the Kinect sensor and then gains Original Salience Map (OSM) and Intensity Feature Map (IFM) from the original image by the salience filtering algorithm. The IFM was used as the input neutron of PCNN. In order to make the ignition range more exact, PCNN ignition pulse input was further improved as follows: point multiplication algorithm was taken between PCNN internal neuron and binarization salience image of OSM; then we determined the final ignition pulse input. The salience binarization region abstraction was fulfilled by improved PCNN multiple iterations finally. Finally, the binarization area was mapped to the depth map obtained by Kinect sensor, and mobile robot can achieve the obstacle localization function. The method was conducted on a mobile robot (Pioneer3-DX). The experimental results demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
A strategy for fatigue life estimation under variable amplitude loading in consideration of load sequence based on damage mechanics

Most mechanical and structural components are typically subjected to variable amplitude loading during their entire life. For practical purpose, it is computationally advantageous to approximate the load sequence by blocks of cycles with constant amplitude and stress ratio. But the indispensable influence on life evaluation of the correlation characteristics between individual load processes can be ignored in many cases. The paper first reviews the historical achievements on the equivalence disposal and life-prediction models applied for variable amplitude loading. Based on the idea of Gaussian copula type model, the fatigue life process can be discretized into blocks. The dependence character is described with correlation length. Then an ameliorated model based on Corten-Dolan accumulated damage rule is introduced to draw to the equivalent stress range. Using the disposed stress sequence, a life estimation algorithm based on damage mechanics is presented, during which the coupling between damage field and stress field is considered to deduce the damage evolution equation. Finally, the strategy discussed above is applied examplarily to a practical case.
Chemotherapy dose adjustment for obese patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a survey on behalf of the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

BACKGROUND Appropriate chemotherapy dosing for obese patients with malignant diseases is a significant challenge because limiting chemotherapy doses in these patients may negatively influence outcome. There is a paucity of information addressing high-dose chemotherapy in obese patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS The Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) designed an electronic survey to assess current practice of dose adjustment of chemotherapy in obese patients undergoing HSCT. RESULTS A total of 56 EBMT centers from 27 countries responded to the online survey. Overall, 45 centers declared that they routinely adjust chemotherapy doses for obese patients (80.5%), and only 11 (19.5%) declared they do not adjust dose. Among the former group, most used body mass index as the parameter for defining obesity (28 centers, 62%). The method for determining the weight for chemotherapy calculation was actual body weight (ABW) in 16 centers, ideal body weight (IBW) in 10 centers, IBW plus 25% of the difference between IBW and ABW in 16 centers, and other methods for the rest. Among centers that used dose adjustment, 44% also capped the dose at 2 m(2) for a chemotherapy dose based on body surface area (BSA), whereas 56% did not cap. Interestingly, most of the centers (9 of 11) that did not adjust dose for weight also did not cap the BSA at 2 m(2). CONCLUSION This EBMT survey revealed large diversity among transplant centers regarding dose-adjustment practice for high-dose conditioning chemotherapy. Our next step is to analyze outcomes of transplantation according to dose-adjustment practice and, subsequently, to formulate a methodology for future prospective studies.
Cloning of the murine TROP2 gene: Conservation of a PIP2‐binding sequence in the cytoplasmic domain of TROP‐2

Trop‐2 is a novel calcium signal transducer expressed at high levels by most human carcinomas. To develop an animal model to study the function of this molecule in vivo, we have cloned the murine Trop2 gene. Using human TROP2 primers, we amplified by PCR a segment of murine Trop2. This was used as a probe to clone a full‐length gene by hybridization of a genomic library. The cloned murine Trop2 gene is functional, as indicated by sequencing and by expression after transfection. The murine Trop2 is 87.4% similar to its human homologue, with the highest conservation in the extracellular region between residues 86 and 157. Essentially all cysteines are conserved between the human and the murine genes, suggesting conservation of the Trop2 disulfide bridges and of its overall structure. Intriguingly, the cytoplasmic tail of Trop2 shows a highly conserved phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2)‐binding sequence, which overlaps with a protein kinase C phosphorylation site. Thus, we speculate that PIP2 might regulate the phosphorylation state of Trop2 and play a role in its signal transduction. Murine Trop2 mRNA is detected in normal kidney, lung, ovary and testis, similarly to the human gene. Interestingly, the highest levels of expression are found in immortalized keratinocytes. Since Trop2 is undetectable in undifferentiated spindle cell carcinomas, this suggests a preferential expression at early stages of tumor progression. Int. J. Cancer 75:324–330, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Heat shock applied early in sporulation affects heat resistance of Bacillus megaterium spores

Cells of Bacillus megaterium 27 were challenged by a 30-min heat shock at 45 degrees C during various sporulation stages and then shifted back to a temperature permissive for sporulation (27 degrees C), at which they developed spores. Heat shock applied at 120 min after the end of the exponential phase induced synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the sporangia and delayed the inactivation of spores at 85 degrees C. Several HSPs, mainly HSP 70, could be detected in the cytoplasm of these spores. An analogous HSP, the main HSP induced by increased temperature during growth, belongs to the GroEL group according to its N-terminal sequence. The identity of this protein was confirmed by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis with polyclonal antibodies against B. subtilis GroEL. Sporangia treated by heat shock immediately or 240 min after exponential phase also synthesized HSPs, but none of them could be detected in the spores in an appreciable amount. These spores showed only a slightly increased heat resistance.
Blockade of Endothelial Growth Factor, Angiopoietin-2, Reduces Indices of Ards and Mortality in Mice Resulting from the Dual-Insults of Hemorrhagic Shock and Sepsis

ABSTRACT We have demonstrated hemorrhagic shock “priming” for the development of indirect acute respiratory distress syndrome (iARDS) in mice following subsequent septic challenge, and show pathology characteristic of patients with iARDS, including increased lung microvascular permeability and arterial PO2/FI02 reduced to levels comparable to mild/moderate ARDS during the 48 h following hemorrhage. Loss of endothelial cell (EC) barrier function is a major component in the development of iARDS. EC growth factors, Angiopoietin (Ang)-1 and 2, maintain vascular homeostasis via tightly regulated competitive interaction with tyrosine kinase receptor, Tie2, expressed on ECs. Ang-2/Tie2 binding, in contrast to Ang-1, is believed to produce vessel destabilization, pulmonary leakage, and inflammation. Recent clinical findings from our trauma/surgical intensive care units and others have reported elevated Ang-2 in the plasma from patients that develop ARDS. We have previously described similarly elevated Ang-2 in plasma and lung tissue in our shock/sepsis model for the development of iARDS, and demonstrated effective reduction in indices of inflammation and lung tissue injury following siRNA inhibition of Ang-2 protein synthesis. In this study we show that Ang-2 in lung tissue and plasma spikes following hemorrhage (priming) and remain elevated at sepsis induction. In addition, that transient inhibition of Ang-2 function immediately following hemorrhage, suppressing priming, but not following sepsis, impacts the development of iARDS in our model. Our data demonstrate that selective temporal blockade of Ang-2 function following hemorrhagic shock priming significantly improved PO2/FIO2, decreased lung protein leak and indices of inflammation, and improved 10-day survival in our murine model for the development iARDS.
Middleware, Operating System and Wireless Sensor Networks for Internet of Things

With the evolution of Internet of Things (IoT), various sectors stand at the door of revolution. Recently, there has been a number of proposals for the model of IoT. Despite it, we do not have a reference model where all the key components like supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, wireless sensor networks (WSN) and RFID identification is addressed. This paper reviews the architecture, requirements and solutions available for framework, middleware, operating system (OS) and, WSN and MANET, in regard to IoT environment. In addition to this, it highlights the issues and the solutions that can be integrated in the model, like software defined networking (SDN).
Hypoglycaemic effects of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) Benth seed extract in glucose-loaded and NIDDM rats.

The antidiabetic potentials of the methanol extract of Parkia biglobosa seed (Mimosoideae), its chloroform, hexane, and mother liquor fractions were evaluated in glucose-loaded and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The methanol extract of the seed exhibited a peak percentage decrease of 64% and 44.1% in blood glucose levels of the glucose-loaded and alloxan-induced diabetic rats respectively. The blood glucose lowering effect of the chloroform fraction (65.7%; p Keywords: Alloxan-induced, antidiabetic, glucose-loaded Parkia biglobosa.
Arsenite oxidase, an ancient bioenergetic enzyme.

Operons coding for the enzyme arsenite oxidase have been detected in the genomes from Archaea and Bacteria by Blast searches using the amino acid sequences of the respective enzyme characterized in two different beta-proteobacteria as templates. Sequence analyses show that in all these species, arsenite oxidase is transported over the cytoplasmic membrane via the tat system and most probably remains membrane attached by an N-terminal transmembrane helix of the Rieske subunit. The biochemical and biophysical data obtained for arsenite oxidase in the green filamentous bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus allow a structural model of the enzyme's membrane association to be proposed. Phylogenies for the two constituent subunits (i.e., the molybdopterin-containing and the Rieske subunit) of the heterodimeric enzyme and their respective homologs in DMSO-reductase, formate dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, and the Rieske/cytb complexes were calculated from multiple sequence alignments. The obtained phylogenetic trees indicate an early origin of arsenite oxidase before the divergence of Archaea and Bacteria. Evolutionary implications of these phylogenies are discussed.
"Serotonin depression"--a biochemical subgroup within the affective disorders?

The distribution of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of 68 depressed patients was bimodal. Twenty-nine percent of the patients were in the lower mode, with a concentration of 5-HIAA below 15 nanograms per milliliter. Although there were no differences in overall severity of depression between the two modes, there was a significant correlation between the concnetration of 5-HIAA and severity of depression in the lower, but not in the upper, mode. The finding suggests the existence of a biochemical subgroup of depressive disorder, characterized by a disturbance of serotonin turnover.
Lithium Increases Transcription Factor Binding to AP‐1 and Cyclic AMP‐Responsive Element in Cultured Neurons and Rat Brain

Abstract: We have investigated whether lithium has effects on transcription factor binding to consensus DNA sequences of AP‐1 and cyclic AMP‐responsive element (CRE) in cultured rat neurons and in vivo. Treatment of rat cerebellar granule cells (CGC) with lithium chloride induced a concentration‐dependent increase in AP‐1 and CRE binding activities with maximal effects at therapeutically relevant concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 mM. Time‐course studies show that lithium's effects on AP‐1 and CRE binding were biphasic within the first 24 h of treatment in immature CGC in culture and persistent in mature CGC, lasting as long as 7 days. These actions were concurrent with an increase in the mRNA levels of c‐fos and c‐jun, as well as the protein levels of c‐Fos, c‐Jun, and phosphorylated CRE binding protein (p‐CREB). Gel supershift assays using transcription factor‐specific antibodies revealed that p‐CREB, Jun D, and a Fos family protein(s) are components of the AP‐1 binding complex in untreated and lithium‐treated CGC. Chronic dietary treatment of rats with lithium carbonate for 4 weeks also significantly increased AP‐1 and CRE binding activity in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum. Similar to the results obtained in CGC, p‐CREB, Jun D, and Fos family proteins are present in the AP‐1 binding sites in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of untreated and lithium‐treated rats. Lithium‐induced activation of transcription factor binding to AP‐1 and CRE sites in vivo and in vitro provides a new avenue to study the mechanisms of action of lithium in the treatment of manic depressive illness.
The effects of +Gz force on the bone mineral density of fighter pilots.

HYPOTHESIS Bone is a metabolically active tissue which responds to high strain loading. The purpose of this study was to examine the bone response to high +Gz force loading generated during high performance flying. METHODS The bone response to +Gz force loading was monitored in 10 high performance RAAF pilots and 10 gender-, age-, height-, weight-matched control subjects. The pilots were stationed at the RAAF base at Pearce, Western Australia, all completing the 1-yr flight training course. The pilots flew the Pilatus PC-9 aircraft, routinely sustaining between 2.0 and 6.0 +Gz. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured at baseline and 12 mo, using the Hologic QDR 2000+ bone densitometer. RESULTS After controlling for change in total body weight and fat mass, the pilots experienced a significant increase in BMD and BMC for thoracic spine, pelvis, and total body, in the magnitude of 11.0%, 4.9%, and 3.7%, respectively. However, no significant changes in bone mineral were observed in the pilots lumbar spine, arms or legs. The control group experienced a significant decrease in pelvic BMC, with no other bone mineral changes observed at any site. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that site specific BMD is increased in response to high +Gz forces generated during high performance flying in a PC-9.
Absence of Renal and Hepatic Toxicity After Four Hours of 1.25 Minimum Alveolar Anesthetic Concentration Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Volunteers

Sevoflurane is degraded by CO2 absorbents to Compound A.The delivery of sevoflurane with a low fresh gas flow increases the generation of Compound A. The administration of Compound A to rats can produce injury to renal tubules that is dependent on both the dose and duration of exposure to Compound A. The present study evaluated renal and hepatic function in eight volunteers after a 1-L/min delivery of 3% (1.25 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration) sevoflurane for 4 h. Volunteers gave their informed consent and provided 24-h urine collections before and for 3 days after sevoflurane anesthesia. Urine samples were analyzed for glucose, protein, albumin, and alpha- and pi-glutathione-S-transferase. Daily blood samples were analyzed for markers of renal and liver injury or dysfunction. Circuit Compound A and plasma fluoride concentrations were determined. During anesthesia, the average maximal inspired Compound A concentration was 39 +/- 6 (mean +/- SD). The median mean arterial pressure, esophageal temperature, and end-tidal CO2 were 62 +/- 6 mm Hg, 36.5 +/- 0.3[degree sign]C, and 30.5 +/- 0.5 mm Hg, respectively. Two hours after anesthesia, the plasma fluoride concentration was 50 +/- 9 [micro sign]mol/L. All markers of hepatic and renal function were unchanged after anesthesia (repeated-measures analysis of variance P > 0.05). Low-flow sevoflurane was not associated with renal or hepatic injury in humans based on unchanged biochemical markers of renal and liver function. Implications: Sevoflurane delivered in a 3% concentration with a fresh gas flow of 1 L/min for 4 h generated an average maximal Compound A concentration of 39 ppm but did not result in any significant increase in sensitive markers of renal function or injury, including urinary protein, albumin, glucose, and alpha- and pi-glutathione-S-transferase. (Anesth Analg 1998;86:662-7)
Relation between insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity, and postprandial lipemia.

We examined the relation between insulin resistance, plasma glucose and insulin responses to meals, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, and postprandial lipemia in a population of 37 healthy nondiabetic individuals. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were determined at frequent intervals from 8 AM through midnight (breakfast at 8 AM and lunch at noon); resistance to insulin-mediated glucose disposal was determined by measuring the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration at the end of a 180-minute infusion of glucose, insulin, and somatostatin; LPL activity was quantified in postheparin plasma; and postprandial concentrations of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins were assessed by measuring the TG and retinyl palmitate content in plasma and the Svedberg flotation index (Sf) > 400 and Sf 20 to 400 lipoprotein fractions. Significant simple correlation coefficients were found between various estimates of postprandial lipemia and SSPG (r = .38 to .68), daylong insulin response (r = .37 to .58), daylong glucose response (r = .10 to .39), and LPL activity (r = -.08 to -.58). However, when multiple regression analysis was performed, only SSPG remained independently associated with both postprandial TG and retinyl palmitate concentrations. These data provide evidence that insulin resistance plays an important role in regulating the postprandial concentration of TG-rich lipoproteins, including those of intestinal origin.
Ceramide-mediated Macroautophagy Involves Inhibition of Protein Kinase B and Up-regulation of Beclin 1*

The sphingolipid ceramide is involved in the cellular stress response. Here we demonstrate that ceramide controls macroautophagy, a major lysosomal catabolic pathway. Exogenous C2-ceramide stimulates macroautophagy (proteolysis and accumulation of autophagic vacuoles) in the human colon cancer HT-29 cells by increasing the endogenous pool of long chain ceramides as demonstrated by the use of the ceramide synthase inhibitor fumonisin B1. Ceramide reverted the interleukin 13-dependent inhibition of macroautophagy by interfering with the activation of protein kinase B. In addition, C2-ceramide stimulated the expression of the autophagy gene product beclin 1. Ceramide is also the mediator of the tamoxifen-dependent accumulation of autophagic vacuoles in the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Monodansylcadaverine staining and electron microscopy showed that this accumulation was abrogated by myriocin, an inhibitor of de novo synthesis ceramide. The tamoxifen-dependent accumulation of vacuoles was mimicked by 1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol, an inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase. 1-Phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol, tamoxifen, and C2-ceramide stimulated the expression of beclin 1, whereas myriocin antagonized the tamoxifen-dependent up-regulation. Tamoxifen and C2-ceramide interfere with the activation of protein kinase B, whereas myriocin relieved the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen. In conclusion, the control of macroautophagy by ceramide provides a novel function for this lipid mediator in a cell process with major biological outcomes.