Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do beta-blockers alter dyspnea and fatigue in advanced lung cancer? A retrospective analysis

Introduction: Dyspnea is common in lung cancer and may be partially attributable to increased ventilatory drive due to muscle weakness. The sympathetic component of this pathway might be mitigated by β-blockers. Methods: A retrospective review of new patients with stage III–IV non-small lung cancer or any small cell lung cancer was undertaken to assess the impact of β-blocker use on dyspnea and fatigue. Data were abstracted for clinical characteristics, β-blocker use, and pre-treatment Edmonton Symptom Assessment System dyspnea and fatigue scores. Results: Of 348 patients assessed, 202 met eligibility criteria. The median age was 67, 55.4% were female, 18.8% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and 5.9% had active coronary artery disease. Over 60% of patients scored 4/10 or higher on their dyspnea and fatigue scores. While dyspnea and fatigue were moderately associated, no association was found between β-blocker use and either symptom. Recorded dosages of β-blockers were low. COPD was associated with dyspnea and fatigue, while anemia was associated with fatigue. Conclusions: Dyspnea and fatigue are prevalent and increased in the presence of COPD and anemia. No association between β-blocker use and dyspnea or fatigue scores was observed. This may be attributable to inadequate dosing or to retrospective bias.
Full-size humanoid robot TEO: Design attending mechanical robustness and energy consumption

This paper deals with the design of the full size humanoid robot TEO (Task Environment Operator), an improved version of its predecessor RH-1. The whole platform is conceived under the premise of high efficiency in terms of mechanical robustness and energy consumption. We will focus mainly on the electromechanical structure of the lower part of the prototype, which is the main component demanding energy during motion. The dimensions and weight of the robotic platform have been optimized and an approach regarding the energy source is also tackled, consisting of a fuel cell. Experimental results are presented to show the validity of the design.
Anomalous Response Times of Input Synchronizers

This paper deals with an anomalous behavior of input synchronizers which results in the occurrence of random errors in asynchronously interfaced synchronous digital systems. The errors are caused by the undefined response time of a flip-flop as it recovers from its metastable state. To obtain their frequency, the timing diagram of the flip-flops has been analyzed and the probability distribution of the anomalous response times has been measured. As an example, maximum response time of SN74S74 is estimated on the basis of a set of statistical measurements. The measurement technique presented may be used for any type of input synchronizer. Two well-known methods of reducing failure probability for SN74S74 are evaluated. Two fundamental solutions of the metastable-state problem in the clocked systems are described.
Cat Scratch Disease Simulating a Malignant Process of the Chest Wall with Coexistent Osteomyelitis

A 6-y-old girl developed fever, soft-tissue mass in the right chest wall, osteomyelitis of the 10th rib and hepatic granuloma. Cat scratch disease was diagnosed by histological examination of the mass and serological tests. The patient was treated successfully with antibiotics and recovered completely, as shown by a 10 month follow-up.
Evaluation of a C-band rectifier using Si substrate for HySIC application

This paper demonstrates fundamental evaluation results of a C-band rectifier using Si substrate for HySIC application. Usage of the Si substrate is attractive for future integration with other mixed signal circuit. Because of large loss tangent of the Si substrate, applicability as a circuit substrate to the C-band rectifier is discussed. Two types of the rectifier, conventional printed circuit board and the Si substrate, are designed and fabricated. Maximum rectification efficiency of 10.4 % at 5.39 GHz while the load resistance is 20 Ω is obtained from the measurement.
Estimation of partition size for I/sub DDQ/ testing using built-in current sensing

I/sub DDQ/ testing of CMOS circuits can detect faults that are not easily detected using traditional test techniques. The quiescent current drawn by CMOS devices is very small, and certain faults in a device may cause this current to increase by several orders of magnitude. Current sensors are used to detect abnormalities in the quiescent current. The quiescent current in a circuit can be monitored using an external current sensor or a Built-in Current Sensor (BICS). BICS show improvement in speed and resolution over external current sensors. When connecting a BICS to a circuit, the site of the partition, propagation delay and settling time of the circuit must be taken into consideration. Variations in process parameters may cause variations in the fault-free and faulty I/sub DDQ/ in a CMOS device. As the number of gates in a device increase, the distributions of fault-free and faulty I/sub DDQ/ may start to overlap, thus making it impassible to distinguish between fault-free and faulty currents in a device. Adding a BICS to a circuit may increase the settling time of the circuit, due to the lumped capacitance across the BICS. Monte Carlo simulations have been performed on circuits of various sizes and levels to estimate the partition size for I/sub DDQ/ testing using BICS.
Rapid electrical stimulation induces early activation of kinase signal transduction pathways and apoptosis in adult rat ventricular myocytes

Chronic tachycardia in patients and rapid pacing in animal models induce myocardial dysfunction and initiate a cascade of compensatory adaptations that are ultimately unsustainable, leading to ventricular enlargement and failure. The molecular pathogenesis during the early stages of tachycardia‐induced cardiomyopathy, however, remains unclear. We utilized our previously reported cell culture pacing system to directly assess phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling of adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVM) in response to rapid electrical stimulation. Freshly isolated ARVMs were maintained quiescent (0 Hz), or continuously stimulated at 5 (normofrequency) and 8 Hz (rapid frequency). Pacing resulted in an increase in mitochondrial respiration, assessed by mitochondrial uptake of 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) at 48 h. Rapid pacing at 8 Hz significantly increased cell injury and death as assessed by Trypan Blue uptake, creatine phosphokinase release, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay. Pacing at 5 Hz induced early, but weak, activation of Akt and protein kinase 38 (p38). Rapid pacing further augmented the early activation of Akt and p38, and induced extracellular signal‐related kinase (Erk) and c‐jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) activation. Incubation of ARVM with PI3K inhibitor LY294002 resulted in a twofold increase of TUNEL‐positive cells under all pacing conditions examined. In conclusion, rapid pacing has immediate and detrimental consequences for cardiomyocyte survival, with pro‐apoptotic pathways (e.g. JNK, p38) able to overwhelm antiapoptotic signalling (PI3K/Akt, Erk). The rapid pacing methodology described in this report will be particularly useful in determination of cell signalling pathways associated with tachycardia‐induced cardiomyopathy.
Nonparametric estimation of natural direct and indirect effects based on inverse probability weighting

Abstract Using a sequential conditional independence assumption, this paper discusses fully nonparametric estimation of natural direct and indirect causal effects in causal mediation analysis based on inverse probability weighting. We propose estimators of the average indirect effect of a binary treatment, which operates through intermediate variables (or mediators) on the causal path between the treatment and the outcome, as well as the unmediated direct effect. In a first step, treatment propensity scores given the mediator and observed covariates or given covariates alone are estimated by nonparametric series logit estimation. In a second step, they are used to reweigh observations in order to estimate the effects of interest. We establish root-n consistency and asymptotic normality of this approach as well as a weighted version thereof. The latter allows evaluating effects on specific subgroups like the treated, for which we derive the asymptotic properties under estimated propensity scores. We also provide a simulation study and an application to an information intervention about male circumcisions.
Analysis of Merger a Acquisitions Motivation and Post Performance of Internet Corporations in ChinammA Case Study of Youku Merger with Tudou

With the maturity of China's Internet industry, the Chinese Internet industry has entered a new wave of mergers and acquisitions. This study takes the merger and acquisition case of the two largest online video companies in China as an example, Youku and Tudou. Its goal is mainly to analyse the motivation and performance of the Internet companies’ merger. In this study, cumulative abnormal return (CAR) is mainly used as a measure of profitability. The results show that as of the date of the merger announcement, Youku's CAR keeps at a positive value. The market responded positively to Youku merge with Tudou, showing a positive short-term effect. The study concludes that the motives for Chinese Internet companies' mergers and acquisitions are still focused on increasing market share and achieve synergy. Keywords—China Internet company; M&A; M&A performance
Cutting Edge: Leukocyte Receptor Complex-Encoded Immunomodulatory Receptors Show Differing Specificity for Alternative HLA-B27 Structures1

We studied recognition of the disease-associated HLA-B27 allele by immunomodulatory receptors encoded within the leukocyte receptor complex. HLA class I are ligands for members of the killer Ig receptor (KIR) and Ig-like transcript (ILT)/LIR/LILR families (the new LILR nomenclature is described at www. gene.ucl.ac.uk/nomenclature/genefamily/lilr.html). Members of these families bound HLA-B27 in both classical and β2 microglobulin-independent forms. Classical complexes bound ILT2, ILT4, and LIR6 transfectants but not ILT1, ILT3, or ILT5. A free H chain form of HLA-B27 bound ILT4 and LIR6. Both forms of HLA-B27 bound KIR3DL1 transfectants. HLA-B27 free H chain bound CD14+ cells in PBL from healthy controls, consistent with ILT4 expression on monocytes. Alternative recognition of different forms of HLA-B27 by KIR or ILT could influence their immunomodulatory function and may imply a role in inflammatory disease.
Effective generation of reactive oxygen species in the mycobacterial phagosome requires K+ efflux from the bacterium

Efficient killing of mycobacteria by host macrophages depends on a number of mechanisms including production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the phagosomal NADPH oxidase, NOX2. Survival of pathogenic mycobacteria in the phagosome relies on the ability to control maturation of the phagosome such that it is biologically and chemically altered in comparison to phagosomes containing non‐pathogenic bacteria. In this study we show that the action of NOX2 to produce ROS in the mycobacterial phagosome is paradoxically dependent on a bacterial potassium transporter. We show that a Mycobacterium bovis BCG mutant (BCGΔkef), deficient in a Kef‐type K+ transporter, exhibits an increased intracellular survival phenotype in resting and activated macrophages, yet retains the ability to inhibit phagosome acidification, and does not show increased resistance to acidic conditions or ROS. Addition of a ROS scavenger replicates this phenotype in macrophages infected with wild‐type BCG, and the production of ROS by macrophages infected with BCGΔkef is substantially decreased compared with those infected with wild‐type BCG. Our results suggest that increased intracellular survival of BCGΔkef is mediated by inducing a decreased macrophage oxidative burst, and are consistent with Kef acting to alter the ionic contents of the phagosome and promoting NOX2 production of ROS.
Analysis of EEG channel coupling for motor imagery applications

The analysis of electroencephalographic (EEG) signals for motor imagery applications using the partial directed coherence (PDC) method highlights significant differences between channel pairs that correspond to movement and movement imagination brain activities. We improve the analysis based on PDC by decomposing the EEG signal into frequency components, in order to identify the frequency bands that are mostly influenced by motor imagery activity. We focus on the channel pairs Cz-FP1 and FP1-FP2 due to the fact that they show the highest difference when consider the PDC indicator mean values obtained for the recordings from the dataset. We compute the statistical difference between movement and movement imagery recordings by means of data dispersion and Student “t” test. These results are used to identify channels that are suitable for motor imagery application, in order to reduce the computational complexity of the brain computer interface (BCI) system and the corresponding algorithm.
IVUS-based histology of atherosclerotic plaques: improving longitudinal resolution

Although Virtual Histology (VH) is the in-vivo gold standard for atherosclerosis plaque characterization in IVUS images, it suffers from a poor longitudinal resolution due to ECG-gating. In this paper, we propose an image-based approach to overcome this limitation. Since each tissue have different echogenic characteristics, they show in IVUS images different local frequency components. By using Redundant Wavelet Packet Transform (RWPT), IVUS images are decomposed in multiple sub-band images. To encode the textural statistics of each resulting image, run-length features are extracted from the neighborhood centered on each pixel. To provide the best discrimination power according to these features, relevant sub-bands are selected by using Local Discriminant Bases (LDB) algorithm in combination with Fisher's criterion. A structure of weighted multi-class SVM permits the classification of the extracted feature vectors into three tissue classes, namely fibro-fatty, necrotic core and dense calcified tissues. Results shows the superiority of our approach with an overall accuracy of 72% in comparison to methods based on Local Binary Pattern and Co-occurrence, which respectively give accuracy rates of 70% and 71%.
1 Combined Subchronic Toxicity of Aluminum ( III ) , 2 Titanium ( IV ) and Silicon ( IV ) Oxide Nanoparticles 3 and Its Alleviation with a Complex of Bioprotectors 4

Stable suspensions of metal/metalloid oxide nanoparticles (Me-NPs) obtained by laser 21 ablation of 99.99% pure elemental aluminum, titanium or silicon under a layer of deionized water 22 were used separately, or in three binary combinations, or in a ternary combination to induce 23 subchronic intoxications in rats. To this end, the Me-NPs were repeatedly injected intraperitoneally 24 (i.p.) 18 times during 6 weeks before measuring a large number of functional, biochemical, 25 morphological and cytological indices for the organism’s status. In many respects, the Al2O3-NP was 26 found to be the most toxic species alone and the most dangerous component of the combinations 27 studied. Mathematical modeling with the help of the Response Surface Methodology showed that, 28 as well as in the case of any other binary toxic combinations previously investigated by us, the 29 organism’s response to a simultaneous exposure to any two of the Me-NP species under study was 30 characterized by a complex interaction between all possible types of combined toxicity (additivity, 31 subadditivity or superadditivity of unidirectional action and different variants of opposite effects) 32 depending on which outcome a given type was estimated for and on effect and dose levels. With 33 any third MeO-NP species acting in the background, the type of combined toxicity displayed by the 34 other two remained virtually the same or changed significantly, becoming either more or less 35 unfavorable. Various harmful effects produced by the [Al2O3-NP+TiO2-NP+SiO2-NP]-combination, 36 including its genotoxicity, were substantially attenuated by giving the rats per os during the entire 37 exposure period a complex of innocuous bioactive substances expected to increase the organism’s 38 antitoxic resistance. 39
Iatrogenesis Within Long Term Care Facilities

Seniors living within long term care facilities have higher incidences of frailness, chronic disease, and deterioration as compared with seniors living in the community. There is increasing evidence within the literature that some of this deterioration is caused by the very facilities they are living in. This article discusses the iatrogenic factors associated with living in long term care facilities and the consequences of such factors on older adults. Following this, an exploration of the relevancy of this issue for occupational therapists will take place. Occupational therapists must be particularly alert to the dangers of iatrogenic effects and be concerned with making changes within the long term care system to prevent further harm to older adults and work on promoting an environment that promotes optimal health.
Hacia una revisión crítica de la enseñanza del número de dos cifras

A traves de los resultados obtenidos de una investigacion evaluativa y comparada, se presenta una intervencion educativa para la ensenanza-aprendizaje del numero de dos cifras, que evite dificultades de los alumnos en el estudio de este tema: Dificultad de comprension, dificultad de diferencia posicional, error de calculo, confusion entre decenas y unidades, error en la representacion numerica, error de secuencia numerica en los cambios de decena, dificultad de aplicacion a la resolucion de problemas. El proceso de intervencion consta de cinco bloques fundamentales: Comprender ? Representar ? Ordenar ? Identificar - Establecer y Aplicar Relaciones.
Filtrage de l'indexation textuelle d'une image au moyen du contenu visuel pour un moteur de recherche d'images sur le web

In this article, we describe a method for filtering the textual indexing of images which cover general subjects. To this purpose, we build first visual clusters for each keyword of the lexicon by means of an ascending hierarchical clustering of visual vector. Then, we test the validity of the association keywords/visual clusters using a test base and we measure the performance of the classification with the "normalized score". Lastly, we use visual clusters to filter the textual indexing and to obtain an improvement of the indexing going up to 40% depending of the visual consistency of the word. MOTS-CLÉS : Filtrage visuel, indexation textuelle, recherche d’images, classification
Analisis dan Perancangan IT Governance Menggunakan Framework COBIT Pada Pengelolaan Data PT. BPR US

Abstract Data or information on PT. BPR Universal Sentosa Jambi information system are very large and diverse start from customer data, credit data, credit guarantee data, and financial statements. Data management is very important because company operations depend on the availability of this data. The existence of problems such as damage of data that can result in a loss of data, can interfere with the operational activity since the recovery is carried out can take time and resources that are not small. Therefore PT. BPR Universal Sentosa need to implement IT Governance using the COBIT Framework (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology). The purpose of this thesis research is to do analysis of existing conditions and expected (gap analysis) to achieve the objectives of data management using domain of COBIT Framework domain DSS03 (Manage Problems), DSS04 (Manage Continuity), DSS05 (Manage Security Service), DSS06 (Manage Business Process Controls). This study uses data collection methods of interviews and distributing questionnaires to determine the capability level of current and expected from PT. BPR Universal Sentosa Jambi. Keywords: IT Governance, Framework, COBIT
Management Practices and Mergers and Acquisitions

Using a novel data set of establishment-level management practices from the U.S. Census Bureau, we show that firms with more specific, formal, frequent, or explicit (i.e., “structured”) management practices tend to acquire establishments with less structured management practices and, following the acquisition, adopt more structured practices at the target establishments. These changes are larger when acquirers have a greater incentive and ability to make changes and are also associated with improvements in establishment performance. Overall, our findings suggest that the adoption of more structured management practices constitutes an important source of value creation in mergers and acquisitions. This paper was accepted by Tomasz Piskorski, finance.
Alcohol-Related Sickness Absence of Young Employees in Norway: The Impact of Social Roles and Socioeconomic Status

Aims First, to establish whether there are differences in alcohol-related sickness absence according to socioeconomic status and family situation among young employees in Norway. Second, if differences are found, to assess whether they can be attributed mainly to differences in drinking patterns. Methods A sample of young, employed adults was obtained from the fourth wave of the Young in Norway study (2005) and the data were merged with registry data from Statistics Norway (N =1611). The data were analysed using cross tables and logistic regression analysis. Results Being male, single, not having children and having a low income were associated with alcohol-related sickness absence, but the association was not significant on education and social status. Introducing frequencies of drinking and drinking to intoxication in the regression model attenuated some associations with alcohol-related sickness absence. Conclusion Alcohol-related sickness absence is more common among people who are single and without children, and more common among men than women. With the exception of income, socioeconomic factors do not seem to be important. The differences between groups appear to be only partly a result of different drinking patterns.
The Cytosolic Loop of the γ-Secretase Component Presenilin Enhancer 2 Protects Zebrafish Embryos from Apoptosis*

The γ-secretase complex, composed of presenilin, presenilin enhancer 2 (Pen-2), nicastrin, and Aph-1, catalyzes the final cleavage of amyloid precursor protein to generate the toxic amyloid β protein, the major component of plaques in the brains of Alzheimer disease patients. To understand the in vivo function of Pen-2, we used morphant technology available in zebrafish and transiently knocked down the expression of endogenous Pen-2 by injecting the morpholino (MO) against Pen-2. Two truncated Pen-2 proteins lacking either the cytosolic or the C-terminal domain were expressed in MO-injected embryos. This deletion analysis demonstrated that the Pen-2 cytosolic loop is essential for protecting developing embryos from caspase-dependent apoptosis caused by the reduction of Pen-2. Twelve amino acids in the C terminus of Pen-2 were dispensable and could not rescue the Pen-2 knockdown-induced apoptotic phenotype. Surprisingly, double knockdown of Pen-2 and nuclear factor κB component p65 abrogated the single Pen-2 MO-induced caspase activation, indicating that a previously reported pro-apoptotic role of NF-κB in some cell types could be manifested in a whole animal and that knockdown of Pen-2 may trigger pro-apoptotic activation of NF-κB.