Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monitoring the Prey-Field of Marine Predators: Combining Digital Imaging With Datalogging Tags

There is increasing interest in the diving behavior of marine mammals. However, identifying foraging among recorded dives often requires several assumptions. The simultaneous acquisition of images of the prey encountered, together with records of diving behavior will allow researchers to more fully investigate the nature of subsurface behavior. We tested a novel digital camera linked to a time-depth recorder on Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalzls gazella). During the austral summer 2000-2001, this system was deployed on six lactating female fur seals at Bird Island, South Georgia, each for a single foraging trip. The camera was triggered at depths greater than 10 m. Five deployments recorded still images (640 X 480 pixels) at 3-sec intervals (total 8,288 images), the other recorded movie images at 0.2-sec intervals (total 7,598 frames). Memory limitation (64 MB) restricted sampling to approximately 1.5 d of 5-7 d foraging trips. An average of 8.5% of still pictures (2.4%-11.6%) showed krill (Euphausiu szlperba) distinctly, while at least half the images in each deployment were empty, the remainder containing blurred
Ecostrategies: Presentation and elaboration of a conceptual framework of landscape perspectives

The conceptual framework of ecostrategies (views and use of landscape) presented here have been used to analyse various cases of nature-based tourism and related activities such as outdoor recreation, outdoor education, nature reserves and conservation. The role of the ecostrategies is to illustrate the intersections, conflicts and alliances between different types of nature based tourism and relations to other rural activities. The framework consists of four main ecostrategies, which are identified from the tension between "functional specialization" vs. "territorial adaptation" and the tension between the ideals of "utilization" vs. "appreciation". The four ecostrategies are the landscape seen as: (i) a museum for external consumption, (ii) a factory for producing activities and products, (iii) a dedicated place to be utilized and (iv) a dedicated place to be contemplated. These ecostrategies are linked to various consequences in terms of democracy, environmental issues, views of nature, local development, planning, pedagogy, identity and conflicts. The framework has proved fruitful in discussions about landscape futures, as illustrated by the case studies on nature based tourism, outdoor recreation and nature reserves presented in the article. Some of the framework's shortcomings are here presented, together with suggestions for further development, such as quantitative survey investigations and using a three-dimensional version to illustrate previously hidden tensions.
Finite Computational Structures and Implementations: Semigroups and Morphic Relations

What is computable with limited resources? How can we verify the correctness of computations? How to measure computational power with precision? Despite the immense scientific and engineering progress in computing, we still have only partial answers to these questions. To make these problems more precise and easier to tackle, we describe an abstract algebraic definition of classical computation by generalizing traditional models to semigroups. This way implementations are morphic relations between semigroups. The mathematical abstraction also allows the investigation of different computing paradigms (e.g. cellular automata, reversible computing) in the same framework. While semigroup theory helps in clarifying foundational issues about computation, at the same time it has several open problems that require extensive computational efforts. This mutually beneficial relationship is the central tenet of the described research.
Slowing of the alpha-rhythm of the electroencephalogram and its association with mental deterioration and epilepsy.

In an examination of 2,500 consecutive EEG's 20 were found with slowing of the dominant alpha-rhythm to 6–8 c. /sec. , and of these 18 had definite mental deterioration. Further investigation showed that mental deterioration is often associated with EEG abnormality, though not specifically with slowing of the alpha-rhythm. There is a marked association between slowing of the alpha-rhythm and deterioration in epilepsy.
Evaluation of cost-effectiveness from the funding body's point of view of ultrasound-guided central venous catheter insertion compared with the conventional technique

Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness, from the funding body's point of view, of real-time ultrasound-guided central venous catheter insertion compared to the traditional method, which is based on the external anatomical landmark technique. Methods A theoretical simulation based on international literature data was applied to the Brazilian context, i.e., the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS). A decision tree was constructed that showed the two central venous catheter insertion techniques: real-time ultrasonography versus external anatomical landmarks. The probabilities of failure and complications were extracted from a search on the PubMed and Embase databases, and values associated with the procedure and with complications were taken from market research and the Department of Information Technology of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). Each central venous catheter insertion alternative had a cost that could be calculated by following each of the possible paths on the decision tree. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated by dividing the mean incremental cost of real-time ultrasound compared to the external anatomical landmark technique by the mean incremental benefit, in terms of avoided complications. Results When considering the incorporation of real-time ultrasound and the concomitant lower cost due to the reduced number of complications, the decision tree revealed a final mean cost for the external anatomical landmark technique of 262.27 Brazilian reals (R$) and for real-time ultrasound of R$187.94. The final incremental cost of the real-time ultrasound-guided technique was -R$74.33 per central venous catheter. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was -R$2,494.34 due to the pneumothorax avoided. Conclusion Real-time ultrasound-guided central venous catheter insertion was associated with decreased failure and complication rates and hypothetically reduced costs from the view of the funding body, which in this case was the SUS.
What Nurses Do During Time Scarcity—and Why

Time scarcity is a common occurrence in the nurse work environment that stimulates a decision-making process, known as clinical prioritization or implicit rationing. In implicit rationing, nurses must decide what care they will complete and what they will leave unfinished. Five mechanisms that influence this process are supported in the literature. The effects of these influential mechanisms leave patients vulnerable to unmet educational, psychological, care coordination and discharge planning needs. Potential areas for intervention by nurse leaders include redesigning care delivery models to reduce time scarcity, adding balancing measures to performance monitoring systems to promote patient-centered care, and creating work cultures that support the values of nursing.
The secondary prevention of ischemic stroke

• Objective: To provide an overview of the evidence and clinical approach to secondary stroke prevention for patients following an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). • Methods: Overview of the literature. • Results: Patients with acute ischemic strokes and TIAs are at increased risk for secondary vascular events, including recurrent stroke. Nonmodifiable risk factors should be evaluated to identify patients who are at high risk of recurrent stroke. Risk factor modification includes diagnosing and treating hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Patients with high-grade symptomatic carotid artery stenosis should be evaluated for carotid endarterectomy. Stroke patients with atrial fibrillation should receive warfarin unless a contraindication is present. All other stroke patients should receive an antiplatelet agent unless contraindicated. Recommendations for lifestyle changes, including stopping smoking, avoiding heavy alcohol use, reducing overweight, and increasing exercise, should be made during the acute stroke period. • Conclusion: Post-stroke care should involve an assessment of both nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors in all patients. Risk factor modifications should be initiated early after the first event.
Boron-neutron capture therapy in Russia : preclinical evaluation of efficacy and perspectives of its application in

Boron-neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a unique form of adjuvant cancer therapy for various malignancies, including gliomas, primary malignant brain tumors, and especially glioblastoma, which is the most aggressive and rapidly growing glioma. Main advantage of BNCT is its ability to kill cancer cells selectively with minimum effect on healthy tissues. Previous clinical trials at nuclear reactors showed promising results in treatment of different malignancies, but for safety reasons the use of a nuclear reactor for BNCT turned to be impossible. Therefore, relatively safe accelerator-based neutron sources for BNCT are being developed by different research groups all over the world. In Russian Federation, an original accelerator-based epithermal neutron source was constructed in the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics in Novosibirsk Science City. The joint team of physicists, biologists and medical doctors carries out a series of experiments to assess the efficacy of the accelerator to be further used in preclinical and clinical trials. The results of those experiments are presented in this article. To determine optimal irradiation conditions and evaluate the effect BNCT on tumor cell survival, human glioma cells (U251MG) incubated in medium with boronophenylalanine (BPA) were irradiated in the phantom made of organic glass. Cells irradiated without boron were used as controls. Colony forming assay was used to estimate the viability and reproductive functions of cells and showed that generated neutron flux was effective to treat tumor cells with BPA and almost didn’t influence cell viability without boron. Additionally, the influence of neutron irradiation on SCID mice was evaluated depending on the dose of radiation and the dose of pre-injected sodium borocaptate (BSH). A novel method of boron drug delivery to the tumor tissue by means of pegylated liposomes with a fluorescent label is proposed. The method can increase the efficacy of BNTC and determine the localization of the compound in tissues.
A Stream Cipher based Bit-Level Symmetric Key Cryptographic Technique using Chen Prime Number

In this paper, a stream cipher based symmetric key cryptographic technique based on Chen prime number has been proposed. The proposed technique is suitable for encryption and decryption of a large number of files of almost any type. A symmetric key is formed by the sender directly from the plain text using Chen prime number. Then a symmetric key value is derived from the symmetric key which is used to form the cipher text. The symmetric key is sent to the receiver by the sender. The symmetric key value is derived by the receiver from the symmetric key which is used for decryption. To enhance security, focus is to secure the symmetric key value rather than the symmetric key.
β2‐Adrenoceptor agonists alleviate neuropathic allodynia in mice after chronic treatment

Background and purpose: Antidepressants are a first‐line treatment against neuropathic pain. We previously demonstrated that β2‐adrenoceptors are necessary for antidepressants to exert their anti‐allodynic action. The aim of the present study was to assess whether β2‐adrenoceptor agonists could be sufficient to alleviate neuropathic allodynia.
Scalable Internal-State Policy-Gradient Methods for POMDPs

Policy-gradient methods have received increased attention recently as a mechanism for learning to act in partially observable environments. They have shown promise for problems admitting memoryless policies but have been less successful when memory is required. In this paper we develop several improved algorithms for learning policies with memory in an infinite-horizon setting — directly when a known model of the environment is available, and via simulation otherwise. We compare these algorithms on some large POMDPs, including noisy robot navigation and multi-agent problems.
Miniaturised two-layer slit-patch structure for compact decoupling printed antenna array

Double-layer miniaturised structures are presented for reducing the mutual coupling between two closely spaced CPW-fed printed monopoles. The proposed structures employ two closely coupled layers, one made of conducting patches and another made of apertures (slits) in a ground plane. They are placed on either side of a very thin supporting dielectric substrate (55μm) with a rotation of 90° between the elements in order to produce maximum coupling. The dimensions of the proposed structures are optimised to produce maximum miniaturisation thereby occupying very little space on a compact ground plane. A microstrip line excitation is initially used for the efficient analysis and design of the structures. Two CPW-fed printed monopoles are subsequently employed to form MIMO system and the mutual coupling reduction is demonstrated. Results obtained in 3D electromagnetic simulation software (CST Microwave studio) are presented.
A digital calibration technique combined with DWA for multibit ΣΔ ADCs

A purely digital correction technique combined with data weighted averaging (DWA) algorithm is presented to overcome the digital-to-analog converter's (DAC's) mismatch-induced errors in multibit ΣΔ modulators. This technique needs a foreground calibration process. Simulation results confirm the validity of this combined technique in low oversampling ratios (OSRs). This method enhances the pick signal to noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) about 31.5 dB with respect to the non-calibrated case (1.5 % mismatch) when the OSR is 8.
Indoor Wireless Localization Using Kalman Filtering in Fingerprinting-based Location Estimation System

As “smart” devices such as smart phone and smart TVs become widely distributed, various studies on location-based services have been conducted. Such location-based services are useless, however, unless the user’s location is known. A number of researchers have examined methods to trace and determine indoor locations for indoor location-based services. In particular, WALN has been examined in various studies because of its advantage to use a frequency band available without advanced settings. This study suggests a new indoor tracing method to reduce time delays upon location fingerprinting for point data collection, which is a disadvantage of the existing Kalman filtering algorithm and fingerprinting type location tracing algorithm. This study also compares its performance with that of existing methods based on the collected data. As a result of the experiment, the fast collection algorithm is presented as a solution to the problems of existing methods. It is proven that the fast collection algorithm presented in this study is applicable to a location tracing system in an actual environment.
A method for assessing the significance of abnormalities in HMPO brain SPECT images.

METHODS A normal atlas for HMPAO rCBF SPECT images was obtained from images of 53 normal controls. Following image registration and normalization, a mean image was extracted, while images representing correlated normal deviants were identified using principal component analysis. These images formed the "building blocks" of the atlas. For subsequent images, the atlas was used to create a "nearest normal equivalent" image, which was compared to a residual standard deviation image to determine the significance of deviations in the new image. RESULTS Images from 30 patients (10 with Alzheimer's disease; 12 with single or multiple infarcts; and 8 normals) were analyzed. CONCLUSION Using an optimal decision level, 10/10 patients with Alzheimer's disease and 11/12 patients with infarcts were correctly identified, with only one false-positive resulting. We utilized a database of images obtained from normal controls to create a normal atlas.
A Preliminary Report on Sichuan Snub-Nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) at Baihe Nature Reserve

The Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana, Colobinae) lives in the montane, temperate forests of central China. The forests are a mix of evergreen conifer and deciduous broadleaf trees; snow is common in winter. It has been known for some time that the monkeys live in large groups of 50–500 individuals and feed on leaves in summer and bark and lichens in winter [1]. The only systematic data from the wild, however, have come from the isolated, eastern-most population at Shennongjia Nature Reserve in the Daba Mountains of Hubei Province [2, 3]. The current report gives initial findings on the ecology of another population of R. roxellana: that of Baihe Nature Reserve in the Min Mountains of Sichuan Province.
Interaction of vasculotropin/vascular endothelial cell growth factor with human umbilical vein endothelial cells: Binding, internalization, degradation, and biological effects

Vasculotropin/vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VAS/VEGF) is a newly purified growth factor with a unique specificity for vascular endothelial cells. We have investigated the interactions of VAS/VEGF with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVE cells). 125I‐VAS/VEGF was bound to HUVE cells in a saturable manner with a half‐maximum binding at 2.8 ng/ml. Scatchard analysis did show two classes of high‐affinity binding sites. The first class displayed a dissociation constant of 9 pM with 500 sites/cell. The dissociation constant and the number of binding sites of the second binding class were variable for different HUVE cell cultures (KD = 179 ± 101 pM, 5,850 ± 2,950 sites/cell). Half‐maximal inhibition of 125I‐VAS/VEGF occurred with a threefold excess of unlabeled ligand. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and heparin did not compete with 125I‐VAS/VEGF binding. In contrast, suramin and protamin sulfate completely displaced 125I‐VAS/VEGF binding from HUVE cells. VAS/VEGF was shown to be internalized in HUVE cells. Maximum internalization (55% of total cell‐associated radioactivity) was observed after 30 min. 125I‐VAS/VEGF was completely degraded 2–3 hr after binding. At 3 hr, the trichloroacetic acid (TCA)‐soluble radioactivity accumulated in the medium was 60% of the total radioactivity released by HUVE cells. No degradation fragment of 125I‐VAS/VEGF was observed. Chloroquine completely inhibited degradation. VAS/VEGF was able to induce angiogenesis in vitro in HUVE cells. However, it did not significantly modulate urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (u‐PA), tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI‐1), and tissue factor (TF). Prostacyclin production was only stimulated at very high VAS/VEGF concentrations. Taken together, these results indicate that VAS/VEGF might be a potent inducer of neovascularization resulting from a direct interaction with endothelial cells. The angiogenic activity seems to be independent of the plasminogen activator or inhibitor system.
RGS6, RGS7, RGS9, and RGS11 Stimulate GTPase Activity of Gi Family G-proteins with Differential Selectivity and Maximal Activity*

Regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins are GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) of heterotrimeric G-proteins that alter the amplitude and kinetics of receptor-promoted signaling. In this study we defined the G-protein α-subunit selectivity of purified Sf9 cell-derived R7 proteins, a subfamily of RGS proteins (RGS6, -7, -9, and -11) containing a Gγ-like (GGL) domain that mediates dimeric interaction with Gβ5. Gβ5/R7 dimers stimulated steady state GTPase activity of Gα-subunits of the Gi family, but not of Gαq or Gα11, when added to proteoliposomes containing M2 or M1 muscarinic receptor-coupled G-protein heterotrimers. Concentration effect curves of the Gβ5/R7 proteins revealed differences in potencies and efficacies toward Gα-subunits of the Gi family. Although all four Gβ5/R7 proteins exhibited similar potencies toward Gαo, Gβ5/RGS9 and Gβ5/RGS11 were more potent GAPs of Gαi1, Gαi2, and Gαi3 than were Gβ5/RGS6 and Gβ5/RGS7. The maximal GAP activity exhibited by Gβ5/RGS11 was 2- to 4-fold higher than that of Gβ5/RGS7 and Gβ5/RGS9, with Gβ5/RGS6 exhibiting an intermediate maximal GAP activity. Moreover, the less efficacious Gβ5/RGS7 and Gβ5/RGS9 inhibited Gβ5/RGS11-stimulated GTPase activity of Gαo. Therefore, R7 family RGS proteins are Gi family-selective GAPs with potentially important differences in activities.
Latex of Euphorbia Antiquorum Induces Apoptosis in Human Cervical Cancer Cells via c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Activation and Reactive Oxygen Species Production

Latex of Euphorbia antiquorum (EA) has inhibitory effects on several different cancer cell lines. However, the molecular mechanism of EA inhibitory effects on human cervical cancer HeLa cell growth has not been explored. EA induced apoptosis, which was characterized by morphological change, DNA fragmentation, increased sub-G1 population, and alterations in levels of apoptosis-associated proteins. Treatment with EA increased cell death and expression levels of caspase-8, -9, and -3. EA suppressed expression of Bcl-2, increased Bax, and reduced cleavage of Bid and the translocation of tBid to the mitochondria and the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. EA caused a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and an increase in cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). EA-induced ROS formation was suppressed by cyclosporine A (an inhibitor of the ΔΨm) or allopurinol (an effective scavenger of ROS). EA also increased expression of Fas, FasL, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and decreased expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2-p. Co-treatment with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 inhibited EA-induced apoptosis and the activation of caspase-8, -9, and -3. Results of this study provide support for the hypothesis that EA causes cell death via apoptotic pathways in human cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells.
An approach to robot task learning and planning with loops

This paper addresses robot task model learning and planning with loops. By detecting and modeling loops in solved tasks it is possible to learn and solve wider classes of problems. We extend our previous work on experience-based planning domains in robotics to detect, represent and generate loops in action sequences. This approach provides methods for, (i) conceptualizing robot experiences possibly containing loops and learning high-level robot activity schemata with loops; and (ii) instantiating schemata with loops for solving problem instances of the same task with varying sets of objects. Demonstrations of this system in both real and simulated environments prove its potentialities.