Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simple Clustering for Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract Traditional Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are designed for connecting pure electronic or mechanical sensors through wireless communication. Nowadays, WSNs are combined with other technologies like big data and cloud for data management. While combining the sensors (low level devices) with a high end network like Internet, data communication should be taken care of in the gateway between these two networks. With this type of WSNs, if all the sensors are in direct communication with the high end network, then a lot of energy will be consumed, requiring complex protocols for making this communication possible. So, to reduce the energy wastage, the clustering concept is used in WSN. Although so many complex and innovative clustering techniques are available for WSN, this paper describes a very simple clustering technique for environmental monitoring WSN with proven results.
An Efficient Resource Embedding Algorithm in Software Defined Virtualized Data Center

Cloud computing is a promising paradigm for future computing platform. It enables the physical resources(computing, storage, networking, etc) to be provided on-demand. Despite the cloud computing brings many benefits to the IT network structure, it still faces new challenges for allocating heterogeneous resources automatically to services. Software Defined Networking (SDN) is a new concept of the network infrastructure as it decouples the control and data planes.With its characteristic of programmability, it's feasible to achieve network virtualization or create a slice of network in the form of virtual data centers(VDCs), which have pushed huge development of cloud computing. The VDCs embedding problem deals with allocating VDC requests to fulfill the requirements of cloud services with minimal cost and high revenue, which is an NPhard problem. In this paper, we propose an algorithm based on Entropy Weighted topological Potential considering multiple types of resources to tackle the problem in SDN-enabled data center network. Extensive simulations show that our proposed algorithm can embed more virtual requests efficiently with higher acceptance ratio and resource revenue over time.
The ratio of PACU length‐of‐stay to surgical duration: Practical observations

Operating room (OR) and post‐anesthesia care unit (PACU) activity are closely linked since the number, type, and sequence of surgeries influence subsequent PACU activity. We aimed to explore the relationship between duration‐of‐surgery (DOS) and PACU length‐of‐stay (LOS), the PACU‐LOS:DOS ratio, since it is among the determinants of the number of PACU beds and nurse staffing required to insure efficient egress of patients from the OR.
Tunable Negative Differential Resistance in van der Waals Heterostructures at Room Temperature by Tailoring Interface.

Vertically stacked two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures, used to obtain homogeneity and band steepness at interface, exhibit promising performance for band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) devices. Esaki tunnel diodes based on vdW heterostructures, however, yield poor current density and peak-to-valley ratio, inferior to those of three-dimensional materials. Here, we report the NDR behavior in WSe2/SnSe2 heterostructure system at room temperature and demonstrate that heterointerface control is one of keys to achieving high device performance by constructing WSe2/SnSe2 heterostructures in inert gas environments. While devices fabricated in ambient conditions show poor device performance due to the observed oxidation layer at interface, devices fabricated in inert gas exhibit extremely high peak current density up to 1460 mA/mm2, 3-4 orders of magnitude higher than reported vdW heterostructure-based tunnel diodes, with a peak-to-valley ratio over 4 at room temperature. Besides, Pd/WSe2 contact in our device possesses a much higher Schottky barrier than previously reported Cr/WSe2 contact in the WSe2/SnSe2 device, that suppresses the thermionic emission current to less than the BTBT current level, enabling the observation of NDR at room temperature. Diode behavior can be further modulated by controlling the electrostatic doping and the tunneling barrier as well.
Thyrotoxicosis involves β2-adrenoceptor signaling to negatively affect microarchitecture and biomechanical properties of the femur.

BACKGROUND Thyrotoxicosis increases bone turnover with net bone loss. Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation, via β2-adrenoceptor (β2-AR) signaling, also has osteopenic effects. Because thyroid hormones (TH) interact with the SNS to regulate several physiological processes, we hypothesize that this interaction also occurs to regulate bone mass. Previous studies support this hypothesis, as α2-AR knockout mice are less susceptible to the thyrotoxicosis-induced osteopenia. Here, we evaluated whether TH-SNS interactions in bone involve β2-AR signaling. METHODS Thyrotoxicosis was induced in 120-day-old female and male mice with β2-AR gene-inactivation (β2-AR-/-) by daily treatment with supraphysiological doses of triiodothyronine (T3) for 12 weeks. The impact of thyrotoxicosis on femoral bone microarchitecture, remodeling, fracture risk and on gene expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB (RANK)-RANK ligand (RANKL)-osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathway was evaluated. Additionally, the effect of the β2-AR-specific agonist clenbuterol (CL) on cAMP accumulation was determined in osteoblastic (MC3T3-E1) cells treated with T3 and/or 17β-estradiol (E2). RESULTS Thyrotoxicosis negatively affected trabecular bone microarchitecture in wild-type (WT) females, but this effect was milder or nonexistent in β2-AR-/- animals; whereas the opposite was seen in males. T3-treatment increased the femoral RANKL/OPG mRNA ratio and the endosteal perimeter and medullary area of the diaphysis in WT females and males, but not in β2-AR-/- mice, suggesting that T3 promotes endosteal resorption in cortical bone, in a mechanism that involves β2-AR signaling. T3-treatment increased endocortical mineral apposition rate only in WT females but not in β2-AR-/- mice, suggesting that TH also induce bone formation in a β2-AR signaling-dependent mechanism. T3-treatment decreased femoral resistance to fracture only in WT females, but not in knockout mice. E2 and CL similarly increased cAMP accumulation in MC3T3-E1 cells; whereas T3 alone had no effect, but completely blocked E2-stimulated cAMP accumulation, suggesting that some T3 effects on bone may involve E2/cAMP signaling in osteoblasts. CONCLUSION These findings sustain the hypothesis that T3 interacts with the SNS to regulate bone morphophysiology in a β2-AR signaling-dependent mechanism. The data also reveal sex as an important modifier of skeletal manifestations of thyrotoxicosis, as well as a modifier of the TH-SNS interactions to control bone microarchitecture, remodeling and resistance to fracture.
State Space Methods and Examples for Computational Models of Human Movement

In the past, multi-rigid-body systems have been formulated by Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, the Newton-Euler method and Kane’s dynamic equations. Availability of large computers and versatile software systems enables us to formulate larger systems and analyze them computationally. In such circumstances, the probability of human error grows with the size of the system. The purpose of this work is to provide state space formulations that allow veriﬁcation of computational results and be able to transport Lyapunov stability results across the these dynamics disciplines. The formulations are presented with matrices for all transformations and projections.This work also investigates the constraint forces and their computation or elimination by diﬀerent methods. A one-link constrained rigid body is considered ﬁrst. The results are summarily extended to a three-link system. Six three-link rigid body sub modules are interconnected to describe, control and simulate many diﬀerent maneuvers and activities of humans.The actuators have alpha and gamma inputs, and pull but cannot push. The control strategy is based on Evarts’ “attention set,”, and is applied to the movement of one arm in a computational experiment.
Endotracheal intubation by a specialised paediatric retrieval team

Intubation of critically ill children is an infrequent procedure, and is associated with significant risk. We set out to describe intubations carried out by the Children's Health Queensland Retrieval Service (CHQRS), with the intention to identify areas for improvement in the performance of intubation in the retrieval setting.
Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of the NAC Transcription Factor in Chenopodium quinoa

The NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC) family is one of the largest families of plant-specific transcription factors. It is involved in many plant growth and development processes, as well as abiotic/biotic stress responses. So far, little is known about the NAC family in Chenopodium quinoa. In the present study, a total of 90 NACs were identified in quinoa (named as CqNAC1-CqNAC90) and phylogenetically divided into 14 distinct subfamilies. Different subfamilies showed diversities in gene proportions, exon–intron structures, and motif compositions. In addition, 28 CqNAC duplication events were investigated, and a strong subfamily preference was found during the NAC expansion in quinoa, indicating that the duplication event was not random across NAC subfamilies during quinoa evolution. Moreover, the analysis of Ka/Ks (non-synonymous substitution rate/synonymous substitution rate) ratios suggested that the duplicated CqNACs might have mainly experienced purifying selection pressure with limited functional divergence. Additionally, 11 selected CqNACs showed significant tissue-specific expression patterns, and all the CqNACs were positively regulated in response to salt stress. The result provided evidence for selecting candidate genes for further characterization in tissue/organ specificity and their functional involvement in quinoa’s strong salinity tolerance.
Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Nanomedicine for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been widely investigated in cancer therapy due to its excellent characteristics. HA, which is a linear anionic polymer, has biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-immunogenicity, non-inflammatory, and non-toxicity properties. Various HA nanomedicines (i.e., micelles, nanogels, and nanoparticles) can be prepared easily using assembly and modification of its functional groups such as carboxy, hydroxy and N-acetyl groups. Nanometer-sized HA nanomedicines can selectively deliver drugs or other molecules into tumor sites via their enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. In addition, HA can interact with overexpressed receptors in cancer cells such as cluster determinant 44 (CD44) and receptor for HA-mediated motility (RHAMM) and be degraded by a family of enzymes called hyaluronidase (HAdase) to release drugs or molecules. By interaction with receptors or degradation by enzymes inside cancer cells, HA nanomedicines allow enhanced targeting cancer therapy. In this article, recent studies about HA nanomedicines in drug delivery systems, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, diagnostics (because of the high biocompatibility), colloidal stability, and cancer targeting are reviewed for strategies using micelles, nanogels, and inorganic nanoparticles.
Identification and Characterization of trans-Isopentenyl Diphosphate Synthases Involved in Herbivory-Induced Volatile Terpene Formation in Populus trichocarpa

In response to insect herbivory, poplar releases a blend of volatiles that plays important roles in plant defense. Although the volatile bouquet is highly complex and comprises several classes of compounds, it is dominated by mono- and sesquiterpenes. The most common precursors for mono- and sesquiterpenes, geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), respectively, are in general produced by homodimeric or heterodimeric trans-isopentenyl diphosphate synthases (trans-IDSs) that belong to the family of prenyltransferases. To understand the molecular basis of herbivory-induced terpene formation in poplar, we investigated the trans-IDS gene family in the western balsam poplar Populus trichocarpa. Sequence comparisons suggested that this species possesses a single FPP synthase gene (PtFPPS1) and four genes encoding two large subunits (PtGPPS1.LSU and PtGPPS2.LSU) and two small subunits (PtGPPS.SSU1 and PtGPPS.SSU2) of GPP synthases. Transcript accumulation of PtGPPS1.LSU and PtGPPS.SSU1 was significantly upregulated upon leaf herbivory, while the expression of PtFPPS1, PtGPPS2.LSU, and PtGPPS.SSU2 was not influenced by the herbivore treatment. Heterologous expression and biochemical characterization of recombinant PtFPPS1, PtGPPS1.LSU, and PtGPPS2.LSU confirmed their respective IDS activities. Recombinant PtGPPS.SSU1 and PtGPPS.SSU2, however, had no enzymatic activity on their own, but PtGPPS.SSU1 enhanced the GPP synthase activities of PtGPPS1.LSU and PtGPPS2.LSU in vitro. Altogether, our data suggest that PtGPPS1.LSU and PtGPPS2.LSU in combination with PtGPPS.SSU1 may provide the substrate for herbivory-induced monoterpene formation in P. trichocarpa. The sole FPP synthase PtFPPS1 likely produces FPP for both primary and specialized metabolism in this plant species.
Characteristics of blood tests in patients with acute cerebral infarction who developed symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after intravenous administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator

Objective Patients suspected as having acute ischemic stroke usually undergo blood tests, including coagulation-related indexes, because thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy are contraindications for recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) administration. We aimed to identify blood test indexes associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in patients with acute ischemic stroke who received intravenous rtPA. Methods This retrospective observational study included patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke who were treated with intravenous rtPA at the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Seoul between February 2008 and January 2018. Blood test indexes were compared between the sICH and non-sICH groups. Logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were performed. Results In this study, 375 patients were finally included. Of 375 patients, 42 (11.2%) showed new intracranial hemorrhage on follow-up brain computed tomography, of whom 14 (3.73%) had sICH. Platelet count, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly different between the sICH and non-sICH groups, and platelet count showed statistical significance in the regression analysis. Significantly lower platelet counts were observed in the sICH group than in the non-sICH group (174,500 vs. 228,000/mm3, P=0.020). The best cutoff platelet count was 195,000/mm3, and patients with platelet counts of <195,000/mm3 had a 5.4- times higher risk of developing sICH than those with platelet counts of ≥195,000/mm3. Conclusion Platelet count was the only independent parameter associated with sICH among the blood test indexes. Mild thrombocytopenia may increase the risk of sICH after intravenous administration of rtPA.
Effectiveness on hospital‐acquired pressure ulcers prevention: a systematic review

The effective approach on pressure ulcer (PU) prevention regarding patient safety in the hospital context was evaluated. Studies were identified from searches in EBSCO host, PubMed, and WebofScience databases from 2009 up to December 2018. Studies were selected if they were published in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish; incidence of PUs was the primary outcome; participants were adults (≥18 years) admitted in hospital wards and/or units. The review included 26 studies. Studies related to prophylactic dressings applied in the sacrum, trochanters, and/or heels, education for health care professionals, and preventive skin care and system reminders on‐screen inpatient care plan were effective in decreasing PUs. Most of the studies related to multiple intervention programmes were effective in decreasing PU occurrence. Single interventions, namely support surfaces and repositioning, were not always effective in preventing PUs. Repositioning only was effective when supported by technological pressure‐mapping feedback or by a patient positioning system. Risk‐assessment tools are not effective in preventing PUs. PUs in the hospital context are still a worldwide issue related to patient safety. Multiple intervention programmes were more effective in decreasing PU occurrence than single interventions in isolation. Single interventions (prophylactic dressings, support surfaces, repositioning, preventive skin care, system reminders, and education for health care professionals) were effective in decreasing PUs, which was always in compliance with other preventive measures. These results provide an overview of effective approaches that should be considered when establishing evidence‐based guidelines to hospital health care professionals and administrators for clinical practice effective in preventing PUs.
The World Association against Infection in Orthopaedics and Trauma (WAIOT) procedures for Microbiological Sampling and Processing for Periprosthetic Joint Infections (PJIs) and other Implant-Related Infections †

While implant-related infections continue to play a relevant role in failure of implantable biomaterials in orthopaedic and trauma there is a lack of standardised microbiological procedures to identify the pathogen(s). The microbiological diagnosis of implant-related infections is challenging due to the following factors: the presence of bacterial biofilm(s), often associated with slow-growing microorganisms, low bacterial loads, previous antibiotic treatments and, possible intra-operative contamination. Therefore, diagnosis requires a specific set of procedures. Based on the Guidelines of the Italian Association of the Clinical Microbiologists (AMCLI), the World Association against Infection in Orthopaedics and Trauma has drafted the present document. This document includes guidance on the basic principles for sampling and processing for implant-related infections based on the most relevant literature. These procedures outline the main microbiological approaches, including sampling and processing methodologies for diagnostic assessment and confirmation of implant-related infections. Biofilm dislodgement techniques, incubation time and the role of molecular approaches are addressed in specific sections. The aim of this paper is to ensure a standardised approach to the main microbiological methods for implant-related infections, as well as to promote multidisciplinary collaboration between clinicians and microbiologists.
Does respiratory drive modify the cerebral vascular response to changes in end‐tidal carbon dioxide?

What is the central question of this study? There is an interaction between the regulatory systems of respiration and cerebral blood flow, because the mediator (CO2) is the same for both physiological systems. We examined whether the traditional method for determining cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 is modified by changes in respiration. What is the main finding and its importance? Cerebrovascular reactivity was modified by voluntary changes in respiration during hypercapnia. This finding suggests that an alteration in the respiratory system may result in under‐ or overestimation of cerebrovascular reactivity determined by traditional methods in healthy adults.
Risk factors for acute kidney injury in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious and fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It has high short- and long-term mortality rates and a poor prognosis but is potentially preventable. However, the current incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of AKI in the Chinese population are not well understood and would serve the first step to identify high-risk patients who could receive preventative care. Methods: The medical data of 1124 hospitalized patients diagnosed with AMI from October 2013 to September 2015 were reviewed. AKI was defined according to the 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. All the patients were divided into either the AKI group or the non-AKI group. A univariate comparison analysis was performed to identify possible risk factors associated with AKI. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for AKI in patients with AMI. Results: Overall, the incidence of AKI was 26.0%. The mortality rate of the AKI group was 20.5%, and the mortality rate of the non-AKI group was 0.6% (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for AKI in patients with AMI included: age (>60 years old) (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.05, P = 0.000), hypertension (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.62–3.87, P = 0.000), chronic kidney disease (OR 3.52, 95% CI 2.01–6.16, P = 0.000), Killip class ≥3 (OR 5.22, 95% CI 3.07–8.87, P = 0.000), extensive anterior myocardial infarction (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.85–4.93, P = 0.000), use of furosemide (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.02–1.03, P = 0.000), non-use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blocker (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.04–2.40, P = 0.032). These factors provided an accurate tool to identify patients at high risk of developing AKI. Conclusions: Approximately 26.0% of patients undergoing AMI developed AKI, and the development of AKI was strongly correlated with in-hospital mortality. The risk factors for AKI in patients with AMI were determined to help identify high-risk patients and make appropriate clinical decisions.
The Association Between Obesity and the Nocturia in the U.S. Population

Purpose We aimed to investigate the association of obesity with nocturia using a nationally representative sample of adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2005 and 2012. Methods A total of 14,135 participants were included in this study. We performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to find the odds ratio (OR) of obesity for nocturia. Furthermore, the OR of BMI for nocturia was analyzed using restricted cubic splines (RCS) with five knots. We conducted subgroup analysis according to age, sex, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (DM) and further analysis with 1:1 matching data with propensity score. Results The participants who had body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m2 had a significantly higher OR for nocturia (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.28–1.50) than those without obesity. RCS showed a dose-dependent relationship between BMI and OR for nocturia. Subgroup analysis by age, sex, hypertension, and DM showed similar results. Further analysis with 1:1 matching data showed a significant association of obesity with the prevalence of nocturia (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10–1.41). Conclusions This study reported that obesity was significant association with the prevalence of nocturia with dose-dependent manner, regardless of age, sex, hypertension, and DM after taking major confounding factors into account.