Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards an optimal architecture of high temperature LGS-based SAW sensors

The combination of experimental and numerical techniques previously developed for analysis of spurious BAWs in delay lines based on YX-LGS was applied to LGS cut with Euler angles (0°, 138.5°, 26.7°) used in high-temperature SAW sensors. The ratio between the amplitudes and delay times of SAW propagating at the frequency f=3·f0 and the undesired BAW overlapping with this SAW was studied in order to suppress the BAW and use the SAW overtone for sensing purposes.
Cholangiocarcinoma: Thirty-one-Year Experience With 564 Patients at a Single Institution

Objective:To assess long-term survival and prognostic factors in a large series of patients with bile duct cancer. Summary Background Data:The incidence of bile duct cancer is low but increasing. Determinants of survival vary in the literature, due to a lack of sufficient numbers of patients in most series. Methods:We studied 564 consecutive patients with bile duct cancer operated upon between 1973 and 2004. Patients were divided into intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal groups. Principle outcome measures were complications, 30-day mortality, and survival. Results:Of the 564 patients, 44 (8%) had intrahepatic, 281 (50%) had perihilar, and 239 (42%) had distal tumors. Approximately half (294, 52%) were treated before 1995, while 270 (48%) were treated thereafter. The perioperative mortality rate was 4%. In log-rank analyses, survival was higher in the later time period (P = 0.002), in patients with intrahepatic disease (P = 0.001), with negative resection margins (P < 0.001), with well/moderately differentiated tumors (P < 0.001), and those with negative lymph nodal status (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, negative margins (P < 0.001), tumor differentiation (P < 0.001), and negative nodal status (P < 0.001), but not tumor diameter, were significant independent prognostic factors. In R0-resected patients, lymph node status (P < 0.001), but not tumor diameter, histology, or differentiation, further predicted survival. The median survivals for R0-resected intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal tumors were 80, 30, and 25 months, respectively, and the 5-year survivals were 63%, 30%, and 27%, respectively. Conclusion:R0 resection remains the best chance for long-term survival, and lymph node status is the most important prognostic factor following R0 resection.
Fils et méthodes d'éléments finis pour les équations de Maxwell. Le modèle de Holland revisité

Notre etude porte sur l'incorporation de fils minces dans les formulations volumiques des equations de Maxwell. Nous construisons un modele base sur une approximation quasi-statique du champ electrique au voisinage du fil. Ce modele correspond a un probleme mathematique bien pose car conservant une energie. Il s' ecrit sous la forme d' un probleme d' evolution variationnel et se prete donc bien a une discretisation par elements finis en espace et differences finies en temps. Nous choisissons des elements finis et une technique d'assemblage qui redonnent le schema de Yee en l'absence du fil et proposons deux schemas de discretisation en temps pour les termes additionnels dus au fil. Le premier redonne le schema aux differences finies propose par Holland et qui est tres utilise dans les codes industriels. Notre modele est donc le cadre mathematique sous-jacent du schema de Holland. Le second est un schema original qui presente l' avantage d'etre stable sous la condition de stabilite usuelle, c' est a dire independamment de la presence ou de la grosseur du fil. Il est donc une alternative interessante au schema de Holland qui souffre de probleme de stabilite. L' etude est completee par la determination de l' inductance artificielle optimale qui est un parametre cle de la methode. Une formule explicite est donnee dans le cas d'un fil parallele aux axes du maillage. Les resultats des experiences numeriques confirment nos conclusions theoriques. Signalons pour finir une retombee interessante par elle-meme de notre travail qui est la determinat- ion du comportement asymptotique de la fonction de Green de l' equation d'Helmholtz bidimensionnelle discretisee avec un laplacien a cinq points.
Parallel Gabor Wavelet Transform for Edge Detection

A fast and efficient very large scale integration(VLSI) architecture for gabor wavelet based on otsu Thresholding, which is a 8-input/8-output architecture. Results show that the algorithm in this paper overcomes the shortcomings of human intervention within CANNY algorithm and has the ability of rapid automatic edge detection from multi-scale and multi-dimensional.
Langerhans cell origin and regulation

Purpose of reviewThis article summarizes recent research on the ontogeny of Langerhans cells and regulation of their homeostasis in quiescent and inflamed conditions. Recent findingsLangerhans cells originate prenatally and may endure throughout life, independently of bone marrow-derived precursors. Fate-mapping experiments have recently resolved the relative contribution of primitive yolk sac and fetal liver hematopoiesis to the initial formation of Langerhans cells. In postnatal life, local self-renewal restores Langerhans cell numbers following chronic or low-grade inflammatory insults. However, severe inflammation recruits de-novo bone marrow-derived precursors in two waves; a transient population of classical monocytes followed by uncharacterized myeloid precursors that form a stable self-renewing Langerhans cell network as inflammation subsides. Human CD1c+ dendritic cells have Langerhans cell potential in vitro, raising the possibility that dendritic cell progenitors provide the second wave. Langerhans cell development depends upon transforming growth factor beta receptor signaling with distinct pathways active during differentiation and homeostasis. Langerhans cell survival is mediated by multiple pathways including mechanistic target of rapamycin and extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling, mechanisms that become highly relevant in Langerhans cell neoplasia. SummaryThe study of Langerhans cells continues to provide novel and unexpected insights into the origin and regulation of myeloid cell populations. The melding of macrophage and dendritic cell biology, shaped by a unique habitat, is a special feature of Langerhans cells.
Efficacy and tolerability of candesartan cilexetil/hydrochlorothiazide and amlodipine in patients with poorly controlled mild-to-moderate essential hypertension

The antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of combination therapy with candesartan cilexetil, 16 mg plus hydrochlorothiazide (CC/HCTZ), 12.5 mg was compared with that of amlodipine, in a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group study in patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension inadequately controlled by monotherapy.After a two week run-in period on existing therapy, patients with a sitting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90—110 mmHg and a sitting systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 180 mmHg were switched to either CC/HCTZ (n=101) or amlodipine (n=102), once-daily by mouth. After eight weeks of AA treatment, both regimens reduced mean trough blood pressure (BP) by a similar amount: mean sitting SBP/DBP reductions were -15.4/-11.9 mmHg for CC/HCTZ, and -15.7/-12.0 mmHg for amlodipine (group differences, p=0.835/0.963). The BP of 84.2% of patients on CC/HCTZ and 84.5% on amlodipine was controlled (sitting DBP < 90 mmHg and sitting SBP < 140 mmHg) (p=1.00). Six (5.9%) patients on CC/HCTZ and 18 (17.6%) on amlodipine discontinued treatment, including one (1% O ) and 12 (11.8%) owing to ad C verse events R (p<0.001). The most common adverse event was peripheral oedema, which occurred in two patients on CC/HCTZ and 19 on amlodipine. In conclusion, CC/HCTZ and amlodipine were equally effective in reducing BP in hypertensive patients not controlled by monotherapy, but CC/HCTZ was much better tolerated.Tolerance is an important clinical consideration in the chronic treatment of an asymptomatic disease.
Modulation by Insulin and Glucagon of the Rate of [3H] H2O Incorporation into Glycerolipids by Isolated Rat Hepatocytes

Summary Isolated rat hepatocytes in suspension were used to study the effects of insulin and glucagon on [ 3 H]H 2 0 incorporation into glycerolipids. Insulin was found to stimulate the incorporation of 3 H into the acyl groups of triacylglycerols, phosphatidyl cholines and phosphatidylethanolamines. The incorporation of 3 H from [ 3 H]H20 into the glycerol backbone of triacyl-glycerols is also enhanced by insulin. Glucagon has an inhibi tory effect on all these parameters.
Host ecology and variation in helminth community structure in Mastomys rodents from Senegal

We studied patterns of variation in parasite communities of 2 closely related species of Mastomys rodents. These 2 species live in sympatry in South-eastern Senegal, but differ drastically in their habitat choice. We asked (a) whether the host species have the same parasites; (b) whether there is any observable pattern relative to the host species/habitat type in the structure of parasite communities; (c) whether the variability in parasite community for each host species is related to habitat characteristics. We analysed 220 and 264 individuals of each host species, sampled respectively in 10 and 11 trap sites. Twenty parasite taxa were recorded, and the majority were nematodes. Between-host species comparisons showed that helminth communities were slightly more diversified in M. natalensis. Many parasite species were found in both Mastomys. However, various helminth taxa varied in frequency and abundance between host species. Within each host species, helminth diversity, prevalence and/or abundance of some parasites were correlated with habitat or host population factors that may influence parasite life-cycles, such as village structure, or the presence/absence of a pool. Our results suggest that habitat characteristics have a strong impact on helminth community structure.
Cross sectional study of a workforce exposed to hand-arm vibration: with objective tests and the Stockholm workshop scales

OBJECTIVES Medical surveillance of workforces exposed to vibration has been recommended with the Stockholm workshop scales. The aims of this study were (a) to evaluate how the results of the objective tests individually and jointly associated with the final Stockholm workshop staging, (b) how this staging related to the history of exposure to vibration, and(c) how different trades were affected by the hazards from vibrating tools. METHODS All workers exposed to vibration in a heavy engineering company were examined with a questionnaire and a battery of tests. An assessment of staging by the Stockholm workshop scales was made. Estimates of the daily exposure and lifetime dosage of vibration of the various trades were reached. RESULTS The average years of tool use was 23.3 years (range 3–47 years) and the mean lifetime exposure was 11 022 (range 1012–46 125) hours. The individual neurological tests were all strongly associated with the Stockholm neurological staging but the cold provocation test was not associated with the Stockholm vascular staging. Neurological staging was significantly associated with age, years of tool use, and total hours of exposure to vibration, but not with trade or smoking. Vascular staging was significantly associated with age, years of tool use, total hours of exposure to vibration, and trade, but not with smoking. The mean neurological latent period was 19.7 (range 2–40) years and for the vascular component 19.1 (range 2–40) years. These means varied significantly by trade. The overall prevalence of neurological findings of 62% was greater than the overall prevalence of vascular findings, which was 33%. CONCLUSIONS (1) The neurological objective tests were found to be of use in neurological staging. The cold provocation test was not associated with the vascular staging and therefore was of little value. (2) Years of tool use was the exposure variable most significantly associated with evidence of damage to neurological component while years of tool use and trade were the variables most associated with vascular damage. (3) The prevalence of neurological symptoms (62%) was greater than the prevalence of vascular symptoms (33%). (4) Dressers and welders have shorter latent periods than platers and fitters.
Prognostic role of plasminogen—activator—inhibitor—1 levels in treatment with streptokinase of patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background: The antifibrinolytic effect of plasminogen—ac—tivator—inhibitor type 1 (PAI—1) may be responsible for delays in reperfusion and/or reinfarctions after streptokinase (STK) therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Worst-case performance optimization for spherical microphone array modal beamformers

The performance of conventional spherical microphone array modal beamformers is known to degrade in the presence of array errors. White noise gain control has been widely used to control the robustness of modal beamformers, but it is not clear how to properly choose the white noise gain parameters based on the level of array errors. In this paper, a worst-case performance optimization approach is formulated for the spherical array minimum-sidelobe modal beamformer to improve its robustness against random errors occurring in practice, thus the optimal performance can be obtained based on the known maximum level of array errors. The robust optimal modal beamforming problem is reformulated as a tractable convex optimization within the spherical harmonics framework. Compared with conventional element-space approaches, the proposed modal beamforming method enjoys lower optimization complexity and higher flexibility in beam steering.
The correction of EOG artifacts by frequency dependent and frequency independent methods.

Methods for correcting EEG which is contaminated by EOG artifacts, which are frequency dependent or frequency independent, were compared. EEG activity contaminated mainly by eye movements was treated separately from activity contaminated mainly by blinks. The statistical comparison was based on representative, real data incorporating differential effects over frequency. The influence of EOG activity on different derivations and bands, and the resulting need for correction of EOG artifacts were of interest too. Correction using a constant gain function proved to be consistently inferior to using a gain depending on frequency. For eye movements, differences were, however, not very large in practical terms, and this was true for all frequency bands. The correction of blinks by the time domain method (i.e., constant gain) may become misleading in the sub-delta band, which might have implications for very slow activity such as slow cortical potentials. Transfer functions not corrected for coherent EEG activity at the EOG electrodes overcompensated in the alpha and beta bands, in line with earlier results showing the need to incorporate coherent EEG activity into the determination of EOG-EEG transfer. It was found to be preferable to use sample average coefficients and gain functions, rather than individual ones, leading also to simpler computing. EOG correction is indispensable at frontal derivations, in particular for the delta and theta bands. It is advisable to correct at central and even at parietal derivations.
Modeling of fuzzy integral based nonlinear multi-regressions systems with QPSO-GS

A nonlinear multi-regression based on fuzzy integral (NAFI) model that include outliers under inherent interaction among feature attributes is considered in this paper. The modeling of the proposed model is also performed via a modified algorithm base on particle swarm optimization with quantum-behavior (MQPSO) and the high breakdown value estimator, least trimmed squares (LTS). That is, we successfully integrate mechanisms of the genetic algorithm and the simulated annealing into the QPSO algorithm to estimate parameters of the NAFI model; meanwhile, the LTS estimator is also introduced to filter out outliers. From simulation results, the proposed MQPSO algorithm with LTS estimator (named QPSO-GS) readily corrects the deviation caused by outliers and swiftly achieves convergences on estimating the parameters of the proposed NAFI model with outliers.
The registry of the European Working Group on Cardiac Pacing (EWGCP). A working group of the European Society of Cardiology.

The late Giorgio Feruglio, the late Bert Thalen and Anthony F. Rickards were the founders of the European pacemaker registry. Their particular merit was the development and introduction of the European Pacemaker Patient Identification Card, in close cooperation with IAPM (International Association of Medical Prosthesis Manufacturers). Nowadays A. F. Rickards remains responsible for the website of EWGCP: http:// www.heart. org.uk/ewgcp. The major features of our registry have been published in abstracts.
Physiology and consequences of lung hyperinflation in COPD

Lung hyperinflation commonly accompanies expiratory flow limitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and contributes importantly to morbidity and an impoverished quality of life. It is not surprising, therefore, that lung hyperinflation has become an important therapeutic target in symptomatic COPD patients. Acute dynamic increases in lung hyperinflation under conditions of worsening expiratory flow limitation and increased ventilatory demand (or both) can seriously stress cardiopulmonary reserves in patients with more advanced disease. The present understanding of the physiological mechanisms of dynamic hyperinflation during exacerbations of COPD and during physical activity continues to grow, together with an appreciation of its negative mechanical and sensory consequences. In this brief overview, definitions and measurement of lung hyperinflation during rest and exercise will be discussed and its potential clinical importance will be considered. The focus will mainly be on current concepts of the mechanisms of air trapping and its role in inducing respiratory discomfort and activity limitation in COPD.
Case study : an effective genetic algorithm for the chemical batch production scheduling

The paper presents a case study – two genetic algorithms for solving the integer programming part of the MILP formulation for a particular chemical batch production scheduling problem. The standard MILP formulation of the batch production scheduling problem is decomposed into two sub problems: 1) unconstrained integer programming problem involving two independent assignment and one permutation vectors as solution representation and having one objective function; 2) constrained continuous linear program representing the original MILP formulation with integer variables fixed in terms of the solution of the first sub problem. The first sub problem is known as NP-hard and is difficult to solve by exact algorithms, the second sub problem is easy to solve in terms of exact methods. Two genetic algorithms are proposed to solve the first sub problem; the linear program acts as an objective function by delivering the solution of the original MILP model using the values of integer variables found by genetic algorithms. It is explained how the complete production schedule and the objective function value (the schedule cost) are deduced. The genetic algorithms combine the approaches for solving both assignment and permutation sequencing problems. The solution representations, algorithms’ convergence and parameters are discussed. The efficiency of both algorithms is proved by the computational results that are compared with the optimal solutions and with another heuristic technique.
MicroRNA‐205–directed transcriptional activation of tumor suppressor genes in prostate cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate the expression of approximately 60% of all human genes. They play important roles in numerous cellular processes, including development, proliferation, and apoptosis. Currently, it is believed that miRNAs elicit their effect by silencing the expression of target genes. In this study, the authors demonstrated that miRNA‐205 (miR‐205) induced the expression the interleukin (IL) tumor suppressor genes IL24 and IL32 by targeting specific sites in their promoters.
The role of letters in reviewing research

The publication of medical research is prone to error. Misuse of statistics, selective citation of published work, misquotation of references, and overenthusiasm in the search for positive findings are crimes, often committed unwittingly, that can escape peer review before a paper is published.1 Only after publication can a piece of research be exposed to the sort of critical review, by journal readers, that can either establish its place or consign it to the dustbin. The potential of correspondence as a form of peer review is supported by editors2 - the BMJ reserves its letters pages almost exclusively for comment on published material - but it remains underdeveloped and undervalued by clinicians, academics, teachers, and many journals. In four specialist journals examined by Spodick and Goldberg only 2% of the space was devoted to letters from readers.3 Four general journals gave 15% of the space to letters, but fewer than half referred to original papers. Dr Steven Spiro, editor of Thorax, says he receives only about four letters an issue (the journal received only 37 in 1993). He encourages letters referring to original research and publishes most that come in, usually with a response from the authors. Last year the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, a monthly journal, received only 84 letters and the British Journal of Ophthalmology, also a monthly, received only 37. …
Health risks to cytapheresis donors.

Platelets and granulocytes collected by cytapheresis techniques are recognized as drugs by the US Food and Drug Administration. Though potentially life-saving, like all drugs or therapeutic modalities they have many side-effects, and untoward reactions occur in recipients. However, unlike any other class of drug, cytapheresis products cause untoward and occasionally serious reactions in humans during their preparation. Since the only source for these medications is healthy, human blood donors we should be doubly certain that we use them with care and for very specific indications. Primum non nocere--first, do no harm--is an old and valuable medical axiom , and it applies to our blood donors as well as to our patients. Careful review of our use of these products and intelligent monitoring of appropriate medical and laboratory data in our donors are absolute necessities that we owe to our patients and our various publics . To do less reduces medical practice to mere technology, a state of affairs already too commonplace.
Energy performances and reliability evaluation of an optimized DMPPT boost converter

Photovoltaic systems performances are strongly influenced by many phenomena as installation site irradiance and temperature distributions, mismatches, shadows, etc. Mismatches and shadows drawbacks can be overcome by means of Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (DMPPT) which is based on the adoption of a DC-DC converter dedicated to the MPPT of each PV module. The identification of design criteria for the optimization of the power stage of a DMPPT converter is a challenging task because the expected goal is to figure out a DC-DC converter able to achieve a trade-off between technical and economic aspects. In this paper the guidelines for a high efficiency and reliable DMPPT boost converter design are presented also considering energetic and thermal aspects. European efficiency and Californian Energy Commission weighted efficiency are calculated. Finally an “optimum” solution reliability performances are evaluated.