Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vibration energy harvesting based on integrated piezoelectric components operating in different modes

To increase the vibration energy-harvesting capability of the piezoelectric generator based on a cantilever beam, we have proposed a piezoelectric generator that not only uses the strain change of piezoelectric components bonded on a cantilever beam, but also employs the weights at the tip of the cantilever beam to hit piezoelectric components located on the 2 sides of weights. A prototype of the piezoelectric generator has been fabricated and its characteristics have been measured and analyzed. The experimental results show that the piezoelectric components operating in the hit mode can substantially enhance the energy harvesting of the piezoelectric generator on a cantilever beam. Two methods are used and compared in the management of rectified output voltages from different groups of piezoelectric components. In one of them, the DC voltages from rectifiers are connected in series, and then the total DC voltage is applied to a capacitor. In another connection, the DC voltage from each group is applied to different capacitors. It is found that 22.3% of the harvested energy is wasted due to the series connection. The total output electric energy of our piezoelectric generator at nonresonance could be up to 43 nJ for one vibration excitation applied by spring, with initial vibration amplitude (0-p) of 18 mm and frequency of 18.5 Hz, when the rectified voltages from different groups of piezoelectric components are connected to their individual capacitors. In addition, the motion and impact of the weights at the tip of the cantilever beam are theoretically analyzed, which well explains the experimental phenomena and suggests the measures to improve the generator.
The hierarchy of KorB binding at its 12 binding sites on the broad-host-range plasmid RK2 and modulation of this binding by IncC1 protein.

IncC and KorB proteins of broad-host-range plasmid RK2 are members of the ParA-ParB families of proteins needed for stable partitioning of bacterial chromosomes and plasmids. KorB also functions as a global regulator of expression of RK2 genes. It recognises and binds to a palindromic operator, O(B), found 12 times on RK2 DNA (O(B)1-O(B)12). We performed detailed studies on the binding of KorB to the 12 operators and showed that they fall into three groups (A, B, C) based on the binding strength of KorB. The highest affinity site is O(B)10, which occurs in the promoter transcribing genes for replication, trfAp. Purified IncC1 potentiated KorB binding to all O(B) sites except O(B)3, a site involved in partitioning. Using O(B)10 as a test system, we showed that IncC1 increases the stability of the KorB-DNA complex. The 5 bp sequences flanking the 13mer O(B) site were found to affect KorB binding and IncC1 potentiation activity. Study of hybrid operators indicated that flanking sequences on one side only were sufficient to specify the difference between O(B)10 and O(B)3. Replacement of adenine by guanine at positions -8 and -10 from the O(B)10 centre of symmetry was needed to convert it from the highest-affinity group (A) to the medium-affinity group (B) on the basis of KorB binding. These changes also eliminated potentiation by IncC1. The -8 and -10 positions from the centre of O(B)3 symmetry are occupied by guanines and this may provide part of the specificity of IncC1 behaviour on KorB binding. Studies on a series of synthetic operators suggested that KorB contacts O(B) flanking sequences, and that IncC1 may alter the conformation of multimeric KorB so that it is better able to make these contacts, thus stabilising the complexes once formed.
Involvement of T lymphocytes in the placentae with villitis of unknown etiology from pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia

Abstract Objective: The aim of the study was to compare immunohistochemical expression of different T type lymphocytes in foci of villitis of placentae with villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) without and with preeclampsia (PE). Methods: Fifty-four placentae were collected from women who had VUE with (N = 27) and without (N = 27) PE. Immunohistochemistry for types of T lymphocytes was performed on formalin fixed and paraffin-embedded sections by use of the CD3, CD4, FOXP3, CD25, CD8 and CD68 antibodies. All data analyses were done by R Development Core Team. Results: There was higher immunohistochemical CD4 positive T lymphocyte count and CD4 positive/CD8 positive ratio in placentae with VUE complicated with PE compared to control group. Conclusion: The higher immunohistochemical CD4 positive T lymphocyte count and CD4 positive/CD8 positive ratio in placentae with VUE complicated with PE could point to their role in ethiopathogenesis of PE.
Escort accompanying discharge after ambulatory surgery: a necessity or a luxury?

Purpose of review There is a growing demand for greater efficiency in ambulatory surgery. The patient population is increasingly sick which is also undergoing more advanced and complex surgery. This creates a danger in discharging patients without meeting the criterion of requirement of a responsible adult as an escort to accompany the patient home. The purpose of this review is to examine the most recent findings to determine whether an escort for patient discharge is necessary. Recent findings Recent studies have outlined the risks of discharging patients without escort after ambulatory anesthesia. There are three aspects that deter discharge of patients without an escort: medication used in general anesthetics or sedation; regional anesthesia; and surgical factors. All these can affect the cognitive, memory and psychomotor function of the patients, deeming them unable to perform normal daily activities such as driving. Summary Both clinicians and patients may have underestimated the risks associated with discharging patients without an escort after ambulatory anesthesia. There should be greater awareness of this problem. Patient discharge without an escort after ambulatory surgery under general anesthesia, sedation or premedication can potentially be dangerous and is not recommended.
Cross-layer data collection in wireless sensor networks

Energy efficiency is a fundamental requirement in many Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) applications due to the limited battery power of sensor nodes and the difficulty associated with replenishing such source. As a result, significant research efforts have been pursued over the last decade to realize energy efficient distributed data collection techniques aimed at prolonging network lifetime. Within data collection applications, there is a class of applications that do not reconstruct the entire sensing field but mainly focus on monitoring and event/anomaly detection scenarios. In such applications, only representative data values (or distinct within a given threshold) are desired from different geographical (spatial) regions. Utilizing existing data collection techniques in this type of applications yields communication-inefficient solutions, and therefore expensive in terms of energy cost. In this talk, we study cross-layer data collection/monitoring and highlight a cross-layer framework to reduce the number of communication operations in such applications. We propose the use of overhearing at the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer in modifying the behavior of the application layer in each node to realize efficient data collection. Data redundancy is reduced by dynamically distributing cluster head responsibilities over cluster members, thus balancing the load and prolonging the network lifetime. Despite the cost of overhearing, it can be overcome by the potential reduction of the number of communication operations by a factor of up to N-1 where N is the number of nodes in a neighborhood.
Risk Factors for Proximal Junctional Kyphosis Associated With Dual-rod Growing-rod Surgery for Early-onset Scoliosis

Study DesignA retrospective, multicenter study. Objective:To identify risk factors for proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) when treating early-onset scoliosis (EOS) with dual-rod growing-rod (GR) procedure. Summary of Background Data:The risk factors for PJK associated with GR treatment for EOS have not been adequately studied. Methods:We evaluated clinical and radiographic results from 88 patients with EOS who underwent dual-rod GR surgery in 12 spine centers in Japan. The mean age at the time of the initial surgery was 6.5±2.2 years (range, 1.5–9.8 y), and the mean follow-up period was 3.9±2.6 years (range, 2.0–12.0 y). Risk factors for PJK were analyzed by binomial multiple logistic regression analysis. The potential factors analyzed were sex, etiology, age, the number of rod-lengthening procedures, coronal and sagittal parameters on radiographs, the type of foundation (pedicle screws or hooks), the uppermost level of the proximal foundation, and the lowermost level of the distal foundation. Results:PJK developed in 23 patients (26%); in 19 of these, the proximal foundation became dislodged following PJK. Binomial multiple logistic regression analysis identified the following significant independent risk factors for PJK: a lower instrumented vertebra at or cranial to L3 [odds ratio (OR), 3.32], a proximal thoracic scoliosis of ≥40 degrees (OR, 2.95), and a main thoracic kyphosis of ≥60 degrees (OR, 5.08). Conclusions:The significant independent risk factors for PJK during dual-rod GR treatment for EOS were a lower instrumented vertebra at or cranial to L3, a proximal thoracic scoliosis of ≥40 degrees, and a main thoracic kyphosis of ≥60 degrees.
Predictive factors of antiretroviral (ARV) drug adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS attending at Taksin Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.

OBJECTIVE Cross-sectional survey research aimed at studying predictive factors of antiretroviral (ARV) drug adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS (PWHA) who attended Tawan Mai, an outpatient clinic, Taksin Hospital, Bangkok. MATERIAL AND METHOD The sample group was 230 PWHA. A random sampling technique was used to select the sample. Data were collected by interview questionnaire between July 1, and September 30, 2009. The data was analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson's Product Moment Correlation, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. RESULTS The results showed that 61.8% of the PWHA had a good level ofARV drug adherence. Factors significantly predicting ARV drug adherence (p < 0.05) were family support, perception on severity ofHIV/AIDS, adverse effects of the ARV drug, and knowledge on HIV/AIDS and AR V therapy. These factors were able to predict ARV drug adherence correctly at 26.8%. CONCLUSION From these findings, the authors recommend health providers to encourage family members to give family support to PWHA and to provide PWHA with more knowledge on HIV/AIDS and ARV therapy to enhance more self awareness for treatment adherence as well as to raise the perception on HIV/AIDS severity and adverse effects of ARV drug.
Diversity of uncultured microorganisms associated with the seagrass Halophila stipulacea estimated by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes

The diversity of microorganisms associated with the leaves of the seagrass Halophila stipulacea in the northern Gulf of Elat was examined by culture-independent analysis. Microorganisms were harvested by a sonication treatment for total-community genomic DNA isolation. Oligonucleotides complementary to conserved regions in the 16S rRNA-encoding DNA (rDNA) of bacteria were used for PCR amplification. The 16S rDNA PCR products were subcloned and further characterized by a restriction fragment length analysis termed ARDRA (amplified rDNA restriction analysis). These analyses were carried out after reamplifying the cloned fragments with two primers binding symmetrically to the plasmid immediately on both sides of the cloned insert. Computer-aided clustering was performed after separate restriction analysis with enzymes HinfI and HpaII. By this method, 103 cloned 16S rDNA fragments were clustered into a total of 58 different groups. Sequence analysis of clones with an identical ARDRA pattern confirmed that members of an ARDRA group were closely related to each other. The sequenced clones were found to be affiliated with a marine snow-associated plastid-like rRNA clone and with a marine Hyphomonas strain, respectively. The method applied in this study could be useful for the routine study of other microbial communities of interest.
Local SAR near deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes at 64 and 127 MHz: A simulation study of the effect of extracranial loops

MRI may cause brain tissue around deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes to become excessively hot, causing lesions. The presence of extracranial loops in the DBS lead trajectory has been shown to affect the specific absorption rate (SAR) of the radiofrequency energy at the electrode tip, but experimental studies have reported controversial results. The goal of this study was to perform a systematic numerical study to provide a better understanding of the effects of extracranial loops in DBS leads on the local SAR during MRI at 64 and 127 MHz.
Expression of Bcl‐2 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

The natural history of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) has been revolutionized by imatinib mesylate (imatinib) therapy. Before imatinib, Bcl‐2 expression in GIST was associated with a worse prognosis or added no additional prognostic value. To the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first to evaluate Bcl‐2 expression in pre‐imatinib GIST tissue samples as a prognostic marker of progression‐free survival (PFS) time in patients treated with imatinib.
Unilateral colour vision defects and the dimensions of dichromat experience

The standard view, that protanopes and deuteranopes see only varieties of yellow and blue, is often taken to be supported by the reports of people with one colour‐blind eye and one normal (or near‐normal) eye. Judd’s survey of 89 years of unilateral cases might seem authoritative: ‘The color perceptions of both protanopic and deuteranopic observers are confined to two hues, yellow and blue’, corresponding to 575 and 470 nm (DB Judd, J Research National Bureau Standards, 41: 247–271, 1948). A critical re‐examination reveals, however, that the cases do not support Judd’s claim: the original publications indicate in most cases substantial (though limited) red‐green discrimination with the dichromatic eye under favourable conditions (e.g. with large fields), and evidence of red/green sensation; in the main case where researchers find sensation only of yellow and blue, it is by using experimental methods that are almost guaranteed not to reveal the full range of the subject’s sensation. More recent reports (from the 1950s and later) show that, if the colour experience space of a dichromat eye collapses to a 2D slice through the 3D space of a normal trichromat, the slice may be not flat but curved (and curved in more than one dimension): there are further reasons to think that dichromat colour experience, whether unilateral or bilateral, may not collapse to a plane at all. The unilateral cases are unclear in many ways, but they certainly give no support to a ‘yellow‐and‐blue’ view of dichromat experience.
[Idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or Moschowitz syndrome: current physiopathologic and therapeutic perspectives].

INTRODUCTION The objective of this work was to review current data about the physiopathology, clinical features, and treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (Moschowitz's syndrome). CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a rare disorder characterized by widespread thrombotic injuries of platelets in the microcirculation. Its physiopathology has been elucidated recently. Evidence of a deficiency of Von Willebrand's factor-cleaving protease would be due to either IgG antibodies in the acute form of the disease or constitutional deficiency in the chronic form of the disease. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS Plasma exchange is the current reference treatment. However, in the light of recent publications, either infusions of concentrates of purified enzyme or more intensive immunosuppressive therapy would be more specific.
The multimodal and multiperiod urban transportation integrated timetable construction problem with demand uncertainty

The urban transport planning process has four main activities: Network design, Timetable construction, Vehicle scheduling and Crew scheduling; each activity has subactivities. In this paper the authors work with the subactivities of timetable construction: minimal frequency calculation and departure time scheduling. The authors propose to solve both subactivities in an integrated way. The developed mathematical model allows multi-period planning and it can also be used for multimodal urban transportation systems. The authors consider demand uncertainty and the authors employ fuzzy programming to solve the problem. The authors formulate the urban transportation timetabling construction problem as a bi-objective problem: to minimize the total operational cost and to maximize the number of multi-period synchronizations. Finally, the authors implemented the SAUGMECON method to solve the problem.
Wage adjustment and employment in Europe

We explore the impact of wage adjustment on employment with a focus on the role of downward nominal wage rigidities. We use a harmonised survey dataset, which covers 25 European countries in the period 2010-2013. The main advantages of the data are firm-level information on the change in economic conditions and collective pay agreements. Our findings confirm the presence of wage rigidities in Europe: first, collective pay agreements reduce the probability of downward wage adjustment; second, the rise in the probability of downward base wage responses to a decrease in demand is significantly smaller than the rise in the probability of an upward wage response to an increase in demand. Estimation results point to a negative effect of downward wage rigidities on employment at the firm level.
Synthesis of some novel pyridine compounds containing bis‐1,2,4‐triazole/thiosemicarbazide moiety and investigation of their antioxidant properties, carbonic anhydrase, and acetylcholinesterase enzymes inhibition profiles

Some novel derivatives of thiosemicarbazide and 1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thiol were synthesized and evaluated for their biological activities. The title compounds were prepared starting from readily available pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylic acid. The reaction carboxylic acid with absolute ethanol afforded the corresponding dimethyl pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylate (1). The reaction of dimethyl‐2,5‐pyridinedicarboxylate (1) with hydrazine hydrate good yielded pyridine‐2,5‐dicarbohydrazide (2). Refluxing compound 2 with alkyl/aryl isothiocyanate derivatives for 3–8 h afforded 1,4‐disubstituted thiosemicarbazides (3a–e). Base‐catalyzed intra‐molecular dehydrative cyclization of these intermediates furnished the 4,5‐disubstituted bis‐mercaptotriazoles (4a–e) in good yield (85%–95%). Among the target compounds, 2,2′‐(pyridine‐2,5‐diyldicarbonyl)bis[N‐(p‐methoxyphenyl)hydrazinecarbothioamide] (3c) showed very high activity with value of 72.93% against 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl free radical at the concentration of 25 μg/mL. The inhibitory effects of the target compounds against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), hCA I, and II were studied. AChE, cytosolic hCA I and II isoforms were potently inhibited by synthesized these derivatives with Kis in the range of 3.07 ± 0.76–87.26 ± 29.25 nM against AChE, in the range of 1.47 ± 0.37–10.06 ± 2.96 nM against hCA I, and in the range of 3.55 ± 0.57–7.66 ± 2.06 nM against hCA II, respectively.
Throughput comparison for Cognitive Radio network under various conditions of primary user and channel noise signals

Spectrum scarcity is increasing with the growing demand of number of wireless technologies and services. Cognitive Radio (CR) techniques have become reliable solution for solving spectral congestion problem. For utilization of unused electromagnetic spectrum in a cognitive radio network, it is necessary for secondary users to monitor the available spectrum (allocated to primary users) and identify the free spectrum (spectrum holes). In this paper primary user signal and channel noise conditions are discussed. Earlier literature has worked on one of these conditions. What are these conditions? Primary user signal and channel noise can be real valued signal or complex valued signal. There modulation schemes may also be different. In this paper classification of primary user signal and channel noise is discussed. The probability of false alarm, probability of detection and throughput of secondary network (user) is calculated and a comparison of throughput of secondary user for different conditions of primary user signal and channel noise is being presented.
Association between Chewing Side Preference and Dental Caries among Deciduous, Mixed and Permanent Dentition.

INTRODUCTION Chewing Side Preference (CSP) is said to occur when mastication is recognized exclusively/consistently or predominantly on the same side of the jaw. It can be assessed by using the direct method - visual observation and indirect methods by electric programs, such as cinematography, kinetography and computerized electromyography. AIM The present study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of CSP in deciduous, mixed and permanent dentitions and relating its association with dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a cross-sectional observational study, 240 school going children aged 3 to 18years were randomly allocated to three experimental groups according to the deciduous dentition, mixed dentition and permanent dentition period. The existence of a CSP was determined using a direct method by asking the children to chew on a piece of gum (trident sugarless). The Mann Whitney U-test was used to compare the CSP and also among the boys and girls. The Spearman's Correlation Coefficient was used to correlate CSP and dental caries among the three study groups and also among the groups. RESULTS CSP was observed in 69%, 83% and 76% of children with primary, mixed and permanent dentition respectively (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant association between the presence of CSP and dental caries among the three study groups. CONCLUSION There was a weak or no correlation between gender and distribution of CSP and between presence of CSP and dental caries.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Has Multiple Mechanisms for Blocking Virus-Induced Interferon Production

ABSTRACT In response to viral infection, host cells elicit a number of responses, including the expression of alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β). In these cells, IFN regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3) undergoes a sequence of posttranslational modifications that allow it to act as a potent transcriptional coactivator of specific IFN genes, including IFN-β. We investigated the mechanisms by which herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) inhibits the production of IFN-β mediated by the IRF-3 signaling pathway. Here, we show that HSV-1 infection can block the accumulation of IFN-β triggered by Sendai virus (SeV) infection. Our results indicate that HSV-1 infection blocks the nuclear accumulation of activated IRF-3 but does not block the initial virus-induced phosphorylation of IRF-3. The former effect was at least partly mediated by increased turnover of IRF-3 in HSV-1-infected cells. Using mutant viruses, we determined that the immediate-early protein ICP0 was necessary for the inhibition of IRF-3 nuclear accumulation. Expression of ICP0 also had the ability to reduce IFN-β production induced by SeV infection. ICP0 has been shown previously to play a role in HSV-1 sensitivity to IFN and in the inhibition of antiviral gene production. However, we observed that an ICP0 mutant virus still retained the ability to inhibit the production of IFN-β. These results argue that HSV-1 has multiple mechanisms to inhibit the production of IFN-β, providing additional ways in which HSV-1 can block the IFN-mediated host response.