Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Viral causes of the acute retinal necrosis syndrome

Acute retinal necrosis has been described as a clinical entity for nearly 30 years. Acute retinal necrosis is a potentially visually devastating necrotizing vaso-occlusive retinitis affecting both healthy and immunocompromised patients. Acute retinal necrosis is caused by the herpes group of viruses, mainly varicella zoster, herpes simplex types 1 and 2, and, rarely, cytomegalovirus. Recently, polymerase chain reaction techniques have enabled detection of very small amounts of viral DNA from intra-ocular fluid samples. This can help in both the diagnosis of atypical cases of retinitis and uveitis and directing treatment in cases of acute retinal necrosis.
Comparative performance of different skin chrominance models and chrominance spaces for the automatic detection of human faces in color images

This paper presents an analysis of the performance of two different skin chrominance models and of nine different chrominance spaces for the color segmentation and subsequent detection of human faces in two-dimensional static images. For each space, we use the single Gaussian model based on the Mahalanobis metric and a Gaussian mixture density model to segment faces from scene backgrounds. In the case of the mixture density model, the skin chrominance distribution is estimated by use of the expectation-maximisation (EM) algorithm. Feature extraction is performed on the segmented images by use of invariant Fourier-Mellin moments. A multilayer perceptron neural network (NN), with the invariant moments as the input vector, is then applied to distinguish faces from distractors. With the single Gaussian model, normalized color spaces are shown to produce the best segmentation results, and subsequently the highest rate of face detection. The results are comparable to those obtained with the more sophisticated mixture density model. However, the mixture density model improves the segmentation and face detection results significantly for most of the un-normalized color spaces. Ultimately, we show that, for each chrominance space, the detection efficiency depends on the capacity of each model to estimate the skin chrominance distribution and, most importantly, on the discriminability between skin and "non-skin" distributions.
Solving the heart mechanics equations with Newton and quasi Newton methods–a comparison

The non-linear elasticity equations of heart mechanics are solved while emulating the effects of a propagating activation wave. The dynamics of a 1 cm3 slab of active cardiac tissue was simulated as the electrical wave traversed the muscular heart wall transmurally. The regular Newton (Newton–Raphson) method was compared to two modified Newton approaches, and also to a third approach that delayed update only of some selected Jacobian elements. In addition, the impact of changing the time step (0.01, 0.1 and 1 ms) and the relative non-linear convergence tolerance (10−4, 10−3 and 10−2) was investigated. Updating the Jacobian only when slow convergence occured was by far the most efficient approach, giving time savings of 83–96%. For each of the four methods, CPU times were reduced by 48–90% when the time step was increased by a factor 10. Increasing the convergence tolerance by the same factor gave time savings of 3–71%. Different combinations of activation wave speed, stress rate and bulk modulus revealed that the fastest method became relatively even faster as stress rate and bulk modulus was decreased, while the activation speed had negligible influence in this respect.
Heart rate variability in the neonate and infant: analytical methods, physiological and clinical observations

Naturally occurring oscillations in heart rate have long been considered to reflect the modulating influences of the autonomic nervous system. Individual reports of heart rate variability in healthy and sick neonates and infants have provided valuable information as to pathophysiological changes in autonomic cardiovascular control. It is evident that prematurity and poor health are reflected in attenuated heart rate variability. However, at present, there are few standard criteria for the analysis of heart rate variability, preventing precise comparisons among the various studies. Until recommendations for standardized analytical methods are made, clinical application of heart rate variability in neonatal and infant prognosis and therapy remains premature. □Heart rate variability, infant, maturation, neonate, power spectrum analysis, respiratory distress, sleep state, sudden infant death syndrome
Toxicity of various selenium derivatives to chick embryos.

Abstract Several selenium derivatives were injected into 4-day old chick embryos and their LD 50 values were calculated. A recently identified excretory product from rats was shown to be low in toxicity to chick embryos. The most toxic compound in the series studied was methylseleninic acid. Embryonic monstrosities were produced in this study especially by the injection of sodium selenite or selenomethionine. The data are discussed with respect to how they agree with the pathway of selenium reduction proposed for molds.
Constructs of Sequence Pairs with Optimal Three-level Autocorrelation

The optimal discrete signal are widely used in spread spectrum communication systems, sonar, navigation, code division multiple access systems and other fields. The perfect sequence pair is an extension of the single best signal, so its application is more widely. This paper puts forward new methods of constructing the binary sequence pair of three values and quaternion sequence pair of three values according to the problem of constructing the sequence pairs of three values. This method is that it uses N long cyclotomic pseudo-random sequence and its shift sequences pair to do series connection to constitute a 4 N long binary sequence pair of three values. New sequence pairs of three values is obtained by this method proved to have good balance. The application steps of this method are given and shall be verified by some examples.
Role of Acid and Nonacid Reflux in Children With Eosinophilic Esophagitis Compared With Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux and Control Patients

Objectives: Because of the relationship between food and eosinophilic diseases, we hypothesize that patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) may be repeatedly exposed to nonacid ingested foodstuffs compared with patients without EE. Because inflammation is found throughout the esophagus in patients with EE, we further hypothesize that there would be more full-column reflux in EE patients compared with patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and control patients. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed pH-multichannel intraluminal impedance tracings of EE patients who were age-matched with control and GERD patients and compared the reflux profiles among the 3 groups. Results: There were no significant differences between the mean numbers of nonacid reflux events in EE patients (4.7 ± 3.3) compared with GERD (7.5 ± 5.3) or control patients (6.8 ± 4.6) (P = 0.36). There were significantly more acid reflux events in patients with GERD (47.4 ± 17.1) compared with patients with EE (24.9 ± 20.0) and control patients (28.4 ± 16.5) (P = 0.02). Patients with EE did not have a higher percentage of full-column reflux (31.9 ± 20.9) compared with control patients (24.4 ± 19.8) or patients with GERD (30.5 ± 14.9) (P = 0.64). Conclusions: Neither full-column reflux nor nonacid reflux is a significant contributor to the pathogenesis of EE.
Effects of Behavioral Parameters on Volatility of Asset Prices in China

The fluctuations of capital market mainly originate from the volatility of asset price. How to understand and describe the volatility of asset price is meaningful for both the finance theory and the finance application. The attribute of investor's subjective behavior makes marked effect on asset price. This paper sets the equilibrium price of stock in capital market as a function of subjective discount factor, relative-risk-aversion coefficient, and habitual parameter, and researches the effects of the investor's behavioral parameter's fluctuations on volatility of asset price with the method of numerical simulation. The simulation outcome reveals that a little fluctuations of investor's behavioral parameter result in big fluctuations of stock price in China.
Random walks colour histogram modification for human tracking

Accurate human tracking in surveillance scenes is one of the preliminary requirements for other tasks. However, when the human target is small, the extracted features may not be prominent and thus the tracking performance is unsatisfactory. The colour feature is relatively robust to the change of target size and shape, but it is prone to be affected by the background information. For the above reasons, the authors introduce random walker segmentation into human tracking and determine the background region according to the distribution characteristics of segmentation results. Even if the colour of the target is very similar to that of the background, this algorithm can segment the target. Furthermore, the principal component analysis method is used to distinguish human targets from the background as well. During tracking, the authors prevent the degradation of the target model by adding new target information. In order to overcome the mean-shift local optimisation problem, the authors search for the candidate target region with the largest weight according to the sum of all probability in each region. Experimental results further show that the authors’ tracking algorithm demonstrates better performance on tracking small human target under some challenging scenes compared with several existing tracking methods.
On the Seasonal Occurrence and Abundance of the Zika Virus Vector Mosquito Aedes Aegypti in the Contiguous United States

Introduction: An ongoing Zika virus pandemic in Latin America and the Caribbean has raised concerns that travel-related introduction of Zika virus could initiate local transmission in the United States (U.S.) by its primary vector, the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Methods: We employed meteorologically driven models for 2006-2015 to simulate the potential seasonal abundance of adult Aedes aegypti for fifty cities within or near the margins of its known U.S. range. Mosquito abundance results were analyzed alongside travel and socioeconomic factors that are proxies of viral introduction and vulnerability to human-vector contact. Results: Meteorological conditions are largely unsuitable for Aedes aegypti over the U.S. during winter months (December-March), except in southern Florida and south Texas where comparatively warm conditions can sustain low-to-moderate potential mosquito abundance. Meteorological conditions are suitable for Aedes aegypti across all fifty cities during peak summer months (July-September), though the mosquito has not been documented in all cities. Simulations indicate the highest mosquito abundance occurs in the Southeast and south Texas where locally acquired cases of Aedes-transmitted viruses have been reported previously. Cities in southern Florida and south Texas are at the nexus of high seasonal suitability for Aedes aegypti and strong potential for travel-related virus introduction. Higher poverty rates in cities along the U.S.-Mexico border may correlate with factors that increase human exposure to Aedes aegypti. Discussion: Our results can inform baseline risk for local Zika virus transmission in the U.S. and the optimal timing of vector control activities, and underscore the need for enhanced surveillance for Aedes mosquitoes and Aedes-transmitted viruses.
Rotate-Vector Optimization and its Application to PID Controller Tuning

This paper first presents theoretical research on direct optimization using the Rotate-Vector (RV) Algorithm which is suitable for the complex objects and valuable in engineering applications with global optimization ability. The derivation of the RV algorithm is illustrated in three-dimensional space and subsequently extended into multi-dimensional space. The numerical simulation utilizes this RV algorithm to optimize the parameters of a Proportional-Integral-Differential (PID) controller for an electro-hydraulic system. Simulation results show that the RV algorithm can solve optimization problems without calculating the function gradient.
Cloning and characterization of murine 1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferases and their regulation by PPARα in murine heart

AGPAT (1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase) exists in at least five isoforms in humans, termed as AGPAT1, AGPAT2, AGPAT3, AGPAT4 and AGPAT5. Although they catalyse the same biochemical reaction, their relative function, tissue expression and regulation are poorly understood. Linkage studies in humans have revealed that AGPAT2 contributes to glycerolipid synthesis and plays an important role in regulating lipid metabolism. We report the molecular cloning, tissue distribution, and enzyme characterization of mAGPATs (murine AGPATs) and regulation of cardiac mAGPATs by PPARalpha (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor alpha). mAGPATs demonstrated differential tissue expression profiles: mAGPAT1 and mAGPAT3 were ubiquitously expressed in most tissues, whereas mAGPAT2, mAGPAT4 and mAGPAT5 were expressed in a tissue-specific manner. mAGPAT2 expressed in in vitro transcription and translation reactions and in transfected COS-1 cells exhibited specificity for 1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. When amino acid sequences of five mAGPATs were compared, three highly conserved motifs were identified, including one novel motif/pattern KX2LX6GX12R. Cardiac mAGPAT activities were 25% lower (P<0.05) in PPARalpha null mice compared with wild-type. In addition, cardiac mAGPAT activities were 50% lower (P<0.05) in PPARalpha null mice fed clofibrate compared with clofibrate fed wild-type animals. This modulation of AGPAT activity was accompanied by significant enhancement/reduction of the mRNA levels of mAGPAT3/mAGPAT2 respectively. Finally, mRNA expression of cardiac mAGPAT3 appeared to be regulated by PPARalpha activation. We conclude that cardiac mAGPAT activity may be regulated by both the composition of mAGPAT isoforms and the levels of each isoform.
An exploratory study of implementation of customer relationship management strategy

Purpose – Efforts made in extant literature to link the components of customer relationship management (CRM) strategy to its implementation are insufficient. This paper aims to provide insights on the core components of CRM and the implementation of CRM strategy.Design/methodology/approach – A case study of CRM implementation at a large Swedish firm was carried out using open‐ended, face‐to‐face and telephone interview methods to collect data from key informants at both strategic and operative levels. The empirical studies focused on technical and cognitive aspects necessary for successful implementation of a sustainable CRM strategy.Findings – Results show that relationships are not only a tactical weapon, but represent a different, strategic approach to buyer‐seller exchange. Findings also show that implementing sustainable CRM strategy requires the endorsement by and commitment from top management, systematic cross‐functional communication, and mandatory customer loyalty training programmes for all emp.
Singly balanced mixer using substrate integrated waveguide magic-T structure

This paper presents, for the first time, a singly balanced mixer on the basis of a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) magic-T structure. This scheme has a number of attractive inherent features such as a high isolation between input ports and also a stable phase relation between output ports. The mixer is designed and fabricated by means of a standard printed circuit board (PCB) process and measurements agree well with simulations. The measured conversion gain is higher than -9.5 dB in the case of applying -20 dBm RF signal for both high and low LO power configurations at 10.6 GHz over the entire RF frequency band of 10-10.55 GHz. Furthermore, the conversion gain attains a constant maximum of -6.5plusmn0. 7 dB when the injected LO power is increased from +5 dBm to +18 dBm. Moreover, the input 1-dB compression point is measured to be about +7 dBm at an LO power of +13 dBm.
[Optimum heart rate - the current goal of cardiovascular therapy. Position statement of the Polish Cardiac Society Working Group on Cardiovascular Drug Therapy].

1Katedra Kardiologii, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi, Łódź 2Instytut Kardiologii, Warszawa 3I Kliniczny Oddział Kardiologii, Świętokrzyskie Centrum Kardiologii; Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Uniwersytet Jana Kochanowskiego, Kielce 4Katedra Kardiologii i Kardiochirurgii, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi, Łódź 5Katedra i Klinika Kardiologii, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego, Poznań 6I Katedra i Klinika Kardiologii, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa 7Katedra Kardiologii, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny, Gdańsk 8Katedra i Klinika Hipertensjologii, Angiologii i Chorób Wewnętrznych, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego, Poznań
ssociations between properties linked with persistence in a llection of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bovine

Staphylococcus aureus is recognized worldwide as a pathogen causing many serious diseases in humans and animals, and is one of the most important etiological agents of clinical and subclinical bovine mastitis. The aim of the present study was to investigate and correlate properties, that may be associated with persistent mastitis, of S. aureus strains isolated from milk of cows suffering from mastitis: (i) expression of capsular antigens (CP5 or CP8) by specific ELISA; (ii) intracellular survival by invasion of MAC-T cells; and (iii) biofilm production by spectrophotometry analysis after growth in TSBglc. The results showed that (i) the proportion of strains expressing capsular antigen was higher in cap8than in cap5-positive isolates; (ii) a correlation was observed between the capsular profile and the intracellular survival as well as the biofilm production; and (iii) the capsular profile, biofilm production and intracellular survival were associated with only two agr-groups. Statistical and clustering analysis allowed us to establish different profiles that could be associated with in vivo persistence. Indeed, isolates belonging to agr group II, expressing the capsular antigen CP8 and showing low intracellular survival are probably better adapted to an extracellular niche. Conversely, isolates belonging to agr group I that do not express any capsular antigen (CP5 or CP8) but show high intracellular survival are probably better adapted to an intracellular niche. 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Corresponding author. Tel. : +32 4 366 95 22; fax: +32 4 366 42 61. E-mail addresses: mbardiau@ulg.ac. be, mbardiau@gmail.com
MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF RISK FACTORS IMPACTING ON IMMEDIATE AND EVENTUAL CADAVER ALLOGRAFT SURVIVAL IN CYCLOSPORINE‐TREATED RECIPIENTS

A multivariate analysis dissected the impact of donor procurement variables, immunologic risk factors, and alternate cyclosporine and prednisone induction immunosuppressive regimens on the early and eventual function of 303 consecutive cadaveric renal allografts. Primarily warm, but to a slight extent cold, ischemia time had an adverse impact on allograft function, as did the requirement for vasopressor or diuretic therapy. The occurrence of initial graft nonfunction adversely affected the probability of three-month graft survival, but did not alter either the longevity of organs, which subsequently recovered function, or patient mortality rate. The major immunologic risk factor was a second or multiple transplant, which was associated with an increased incidence of early graft failure, and impaired renal function in successful transplants. Correlations with HLA-B and DR matching were reflected in the quality of renal function, but not in graft survival rates. Cyclosporine (CsA) administration by continuous intravenous infusion, in order to avert initial elevated mean three-day, serum radioimmunoassay drug levels reduced the incidence of initial graft non-function. High levels were also associated with impaired early and eventual renal function. Rapid posttransplant taper of corticosteroids to 30 mg prednisone by day six was associated with a greater incidence of rejection episodes and early graft failure than a taper that achieved 30 mg prednisone at 60 days. Both the serum creatinine value and the degree of hypertension observed at one month afforded good prognostic indices of eventual graft survival. Therefore, renal allografts in CsA-treated patients were sensitive not only to adverse donor and immunologic risk factors, but also to excessive CsA drug levels in the early postoperative period. These findings suggest an induction immunosuppressive strategy utilizing slightly higher initial doses of steroids for CsA-sparing during the first three days, followed by increased, but judicious, administration of CsA to achieve steroid-sparing by virtue of effective rejection prophylaxis.
Plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in depressed patients: role of treatment.

In both the control and Alzheimer's groups, significant inhibitions of adenylyl cyclase activity were produced by somatostatin (2P = 0-012, Wilcoxon's matched-pairs signed ranks test) and NPY (2P = 0-012). In the Alzheimer's group, however, the degree of somatostatin enzyme inhibition was significantly lower than that for the control group. This difference was seenwhen both the absolute decreases in cAMP produced and the percentage decreases in basal activity were compared (table). Furthermore, there was a larger spread in the observed somatostatin inhibitions for the Alzheimer's group (compare the SEM values to the mean values in the table). In three of the Alzheimer's cases, essentially no somatostatin inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity was found, whereas the lowest percentage inhibition seen in the control cases was 12%. For the control group, there were found to be no correlations (Spearman's rank) between either basal activity, somatostatin or NPY inhibitions of basal activity and age or postmortem delay. The levels of '2'I-Tyr"-somatostatin-14 binding in the control and Alzheimer's disease groups were not significantly different (table), a finding in accordance with some6 but not all' previous reports. These data suggest that the lower degree of somatostatin inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity in the Alzheimer's group was not due simply to a lower receptor number in this group. Important also to note, was that the degree of NPY enzyme inhibition was similar in both groups, indicatingthattheobserved deficitwas specific to the somatostatin system and was unlikely to be a result ofsuch factors as agonal status or drug treatment of the disease cases. This study showing a reduced somatostatin modulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in Alzheimer's disease is the first to our knowledge demonstrating a functional deficit of somatostatin receptor integrity in this disorder.2 Further experiments will be necessary to determine the mechanism underlying this dysfunction, such as for example studying the integrity of somatostatin receptor"G"-protein-adenylyl cyclase interactions. It will also be interesting to determine whether this dysfunction is found in other brain regions showing different degrees of Alzheimer's disease pathology and whether it is important for the cognitive decline seen in the disorder.