Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The experience of adjusting to Acquired Brain Injuries

This thesis comprises of a literature review, a research paper and a critical appraisal of the research process. In the literature review, a meta-synthesis methodology was utilised to identify and synthesise 25 studies that explored the experiences of coping and adjusting to a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Four themes emerged; Immediate impact of injury: “I didn’t know what one should do as a human being”; Extrinsic factors that influenced recovery process; “Without him, I’m not sure I would have managed to live anymore”; Intrinsic factors that influenced recovery process: “Come on, snap out of it and do what you’ve got to do” and Post-injury growth: “I am glad I had my accident because it’s made me into a better person”. Findings are discussed in terms of the impact of loss experienced because of the injury, the impact on the participants’ identity, and the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that supported coping and adjustment. The research paper utilised interpretative phenomenological analysis, whereby six participants who had received a diagnosis of encephalitis were interviewed, to explore how they had made sense of the diagnostic process, experiences of receiving the diagnosis and the impact it had on their coping and adjustment to the illness. Three themes emerged ‘Being on a wild goose chase- challenges with getting the diagnosis’, ‘The emotional rollercoaster experience and ‘significance of information and others’. Findings suggest that encephalitis is a complex condition and the diagnostic journey is filled with many uncertainties fuelled by inadequate knowledge and understanding. Certain factors facilitate and hinder adjustment to the condition. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed. The critical appraisal discusses the comparisons between the findings of the literature review and research paper. Reflections about epistemology are discussed, alongside reflections on the research process as a whole.
A 2.4 GHz two-point Δ-Σ modulator with gain calibration and AFC for WPAN/BAN applications

A 2.4GHz two-point phase modulator system based on a fractional-N phase-locked loop (PLL) for wireless personal and body-area network (WPAN/BAN) transceivers applications is proposed. It employs the digital baseband Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) modulation. A switched-capacitors bank LC tank voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is used to operate in a wide-band frequency range. Using an adaptive frequency calibration (AFC) technique to choose the proper capacitor bank, the lock time is reduced. The performance of the two-point modulation suffers a lot from the gain mismatch and timing mismatch of the two modulation paths. The timing mismatch is compensated by adding a tunable digital delay block, and a 6-bit gain calibration word is used to calibrate the gain mismatch. The two-point phase modulator can achieve the EVM value of 1.7% in simulation, with the 1Mbps data rate.
Cancer immunosuppression and autoimmune disease: beyond immunosuppressive networks for tumour immunity

Cancer immunosuppression evolves by constitution of an immunosuppressive network extending from a primary tumour site to secondary lymphoid organs and peripheral vessels and is mediated by several tumour‐derived soluble factors (TDSFs) such as interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). TDSFs induce immature myeloid cells and regulatory T cells in accordance with tumour progression, resulting in the inhibition of dendritic cell maturation and T‐cell activation in a tumour‐specific immune response. Tumour cells grow by exploiting a pro‐inflammatory situation in the tumour microenvironment, whereas immune cells are regulated by TDSFs during anti‐inflammatory situations—mediated by impaired clearance of apoptotic cells—that cause the release of IL‐10, TGF‐β, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by macrophages. Accumulation of impaired apoptotic cells induces anti‐DNA antibodies directed against self antigens, which resembles a pseudo‐autoimmune status. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a prototype of autoimmune disease that is characterized by defective tolerance of self antigens, the presence of anti‐DNA antibodies and a pro‐inflammatory response. The anti‐DNA antibodies can be produced by impaired clearance of apoptotic cells, which is the result of a hereditary deficiency of complements C1q, C3 and C4, which are involved in the recognition of phagocytosis by macrophages. Thus, it is likely that impaired clearance of apoptotic cells is able to provoke different types of immune dysfunction in cancer and autoimmune disease in which some are similar and others are critically different. This review discusses a comparison of immunological dysfunctions in cancer and autoimmune disease with the aim of exploring new insights beyond cancer immunosuppression in tumour immunity.
HIGH FREQUENCY OF GRAFT‐VERSUS‐HOST‐LIKE SYNDROMES FOLLOWING SYNGENEIC BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

Occurrence of acute graft-versus-host reactivity—like (GvHR) syndromes has been shown in at least 3 and possibly in 4 further cases of 9 patients with bone marrow transplants from identical twin donors. The diagnosis of GvHR-like syndromes is based on clinical, immunologic, and histologic features indistinguishable from those observed in graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) grades I—III of patients receiving allogeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) matched bone marrow transplants. Induction of GvHR-like symptoms appeared to be correlated with reactivated viral infections after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or, like in animal models, was due to specific conditioning therapy with cyclophosphamide. The high incidence of acute GvHR-like syndromes in the first months after syngeneic BMT suggests inability of the immune system to discriminate appropriately self from nonself antigens during a normal tolerance induction period after grafting.
Enhancing openflow with Media Independent Management capabilities

The evergrowing availability of access technologies, on-line services and connected devices has been motivating the development of novel networking solutions, fostering new deployments of cloud computing, Network Function Virtualization and even mobile accesses. One of the core aspects supporting these innovative solutions is the Software Defined Networking (SDN) concept, which brings added configuration and management capabilities to the network fabric, aiding the support and introduction of new technologies and protocols. However, the base operations of SDN do not consider link conditions when employing their controlling mechanisms and mostly target fixed core links. These link conditions are important to optimizations involving wireless access links, which are paramount in today's plethora of wireless and mobile accesses. This paper enhances SDN mechanisms with Media Independent Management capabilities, deployable in both wired and wireless environments, optimizing link connectivity establishment and offering new perspectives to network developers for building new capabilities in the networks. The resulting framework was implemented over open-source software in a physical testbed, with results showing the benefits that this solution brings in terms of path optimization, featuring different monitoring schemes and allowing energy efficient scenarios.
Geometric and variational methods for diffusion tensor MRI processing. (Méthodes géométriques et variationnelles pour le traitement d'IRM du tenseur de diffusion)

This thesis deals with the development of new processing tools for Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DT-MRI). This recent MRI technique is of utmost importance to acquire a better understanding of the brain mechanisms and to improve the diagnosis of neurological disorders. We introduce new algorithms relying on Riemannian geometry, partial differential equations and front propagation techniques. The first part of this work is theoretical. After a few reminders about the human nervous system, MRI and differential geometry, we study the space of multivariate normal distributions. The introduction of a Riemannian structure on that space allows us to define statistics and intrinsic numerical schemes that will constitute the core of the algorithms proposed in the second part. The properties of that space are important for DT-MRI since diffusion tensors are the covariance matrices of normal laws modeling the diffusion of water molecules at each voxel of the acquired volume. The second part of this thesis is methodological. We start with the introduction of original approaches for the estimation and regularization of DT-MRI. We then show how to evaluate the degree of connectivity between cortical areas. Next, we introduce a statistical surface evolution framework for the segmentation of those images. Finally, we propose a non-rigid registration method. The last part of this thesis is dedicated to the application of our tools to two important neuroscience problems: the analysis of the connections between the cerebral cortex and the basal ganglia, implicated in motor tasks, and the study of the anatomo-functional network of the human visual cortex.
Physicochemical and blood compatibility characteristics of garlic incorporated polyurethane nanofibrous scaffold for wound dressing applications

Abstract Novel nanocomposite membrane based on polyurethane incorporated with garlic was fabricated using electrospinning technique for wound healing applications. Morphological analysis indicated that the incorporation of garlic into the polyurethane (PU) matrix resulted in reduction of fiber diameter and pore size compared to the pristine PU. Infrared analysis revealed the possible interaction of garlic with the PU through hydrogen bond formation. The contact angle studies and roughness measurements revealed the improved wettability and increased surface roughness of the fabricated composite compared to the pristine PU. The blood compatibility assay revealed the faster blood clotting time for the fabricated nanocomposites than the pristine PU. Furthermore, the fabricated nanocomposites showed less hemolytic index compared to the pristine PU suggesting their safety to red blood cells. Hence, with those advanced qualities PU blended with grapes may serve as a valuable candidate for wound dressing applications.
KINETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF CALCIUM UPTAKE BY THE RAT LIVER GOLGI APPARATUS

We carried out a kinetic characterization of the Ca2+active transport in the rat liver Golgi Apparatus (GA) membrane. Calcium accumulation by vesicles of a GA enriched fraction was found to be a function of both Ca2+and ATP‐Mg concentrations, it was inhibited by 2μm thapsigargin but not stimulated by 3μm calmodulin. The kinetic parameter values obtained for the GA Ca2+pump were: Jmaxof 3.96nmol/mg min, Kmfor Ca2+of 0. 150μm and two Km's for ATP of 1. 14μm and 519μm. These results were almost identical to those obtained for the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) fraction, indicating that the GA Ca2+pump is a sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (SERCA) P‐type, analogous—if not identical—to that present in the ER.
Description and Recognition of Audible and Visible Dysarthric Phonology

Subjects whose neuromotor deficit precludes or hinders their use of a keyboard may nevertheless retain some control over speech articulators. Our preliminary data demonstrate that subjects with 19-30% intelligibility (as rated by human listeners) may nevertheless achieve 90-100% recognition accuracy in an automatic isolated digit recognition task. We have found that the use of visual information improves recognition accuracy for subjects without dysarthria; we propose to extend these results to subjects with dysarthria. Reliable audiovisual speech recognition could dramatically improve the lives of subjects whose neuromotor impairment impairs their ability to use any existing human computer interface.
Molecular Epidemiology and Phylogenetic Analysis of Human Influenza Viruses

The present study examines the genetic polymorphism of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) gene segments of influenza type A viral strains isolated from Central Greece. Based on the molecular and phylogenetic analysis of these genes, both the pathogenicity and evolution of influenza viruses can be determined. The results from this study can significantly contribute to the better management and prevention of yearly influenza epidemics. The molecular analysis of epidemic viral strains will focus primarily on the HA1 region of the HA gene segment, which constitutes target of host neutralizing antibodies and part of the receptor binding site (RBS). Following culture propagation of viral strains in sensitive cell lines or embryonated eggs, antigenic analysis and identification of isolated viruses will take place. Isolated influenza strains from Central Greece will be compared to current and previous seasons influenza vaccine strains as well as influenza viral strains isolated from other regions of Greece during the last decades. Using RT-PCR protocols and DNA sequencing there will be determined the changes that have accumulated on the HA and NA genes which impact on virus epidemic potential and its ability to recognize and bind to host cellular receptors.
Universals in the world’s musics

Many decades of skepticism have prevented the field of musicology from embracing the importance of musical universals. When universals have been discussed, it has generally been in the form of meta-critiques about the concept of universals, rather than in positive proposals about actual universals. We present here a typology of four categories of musical universals and a listing of 70 putative universals in musics cross-culturally. These universals span a wide variety of features, including pitch, rhythm, melodic structure, form, vocal style, expressive devices, instruments, performance contexts, contents, and behaviors.
Project management tools - A few basic tools

In the previous issue this column introduced the concept of tools for Project Management with a promise to discuss, in this issue, a few of those on the list below. Most of these are basic tools which will be familiar to project managers. For others, some discussion will be valuable. As a reminder, here is the list presented in the last issue: Project Charter - WBS (includes deliverables but not money, time or people) - Schedule (illustrated as a Gantt chart or Network Diagram) - Cost Baseline - Resource Register - Status Reports - Risk Register - Stakeholder Register - Change Log - Issues Log - Requirements Specification Document, Requirements Traceability Matrix - Minutes of meetings - RACI Chart - Project Management Software - Storage facilities for project management documentation.
Inactivation of astroglial NF‐κB promotes survival of retinal neurons following ischemic injury

Reactive astrocytes have been implicated in neuronal loss following ischemic stroke. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with this process are yet to be fully elucidated. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that astroglial NF‐κB, a key regulator of inflammatory responses, is a contributor to neuronal death following ischemic injury. We compared neuronal survival in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) after retinal ischemia‐reperfusion in wild‐type (WT) and in GFAP‐IκBα‐dn transgenic mice, where the NF‐κB classical pathway is suppressed specifically in astrocytes. The GFAP‐IκBα‐dn mice showed significantly increased survival of neurons in the GCL following ischemic injury as compared with WT littermates. Neuroprotection was associated with significantly reduced expression of pro‐inflammatory genes, encoding Tnf‐α, Ccl2 (Mcp1), Cxcl10 (IP10), Icam1, Vcam1, several subunits of NADPH oxidase and NO‐synthase in the retinas of GFAP‐IκBα‐dn mice. These data suggest that certain NF‐κB‐regulated pro‐inflammatory and redox‐active pathways are central to glial neurotoxicity induced by ischemic injury. The inhibition of these pathways in astrocytes may represent a feasible neuroprotective strategy for retinal ischemia and stroke.
LATENT ASPECT DISCOVERY WITH DEEP REPRESENTATIONS

Nowadays, with the success and fast growth of social media communities and mobile devices, people are encouraged to share their multimedia data online. Analyzing and summarizing data into useful information thus becomes increasingly important. For online photo sharing services like Flickr, when users are uploading a batch of daily photos at a time, the tags users provided tend to be rather vague, containing only a small amount of information. For better photo application and understanding, we attempt to automatically discover semantic-rich (hidden) aspects of photos merely by looking at image contents. In this paper, we propose an effective model, which is a combination of LDA model and deep learning representations, to realize the idea of automatic aspect discovery. We then discuss the properties of this aspect discovery model through experiments on event summarization task . In those experiments, we show the high diversity and high quality of aspects discovered by our proposed method. Meanwhile, we conduct an user study to evaluate the quality of the summarized results. Moreover, the proposed method can be further extended to human attribute discovery for a given event. We automatically discover different aspects on our Olympic Games data (e.g. football, ice skating).
Promoting Health Behavior Change Using Appreciative Inquiry: Moving From Deficit Models to Affirmation Models of Care

This article describes a new theoretical approach to health promotion and behavior change that may be especially suited to underserved women. Appreciative inquiry (AI), an organizational development process that focuses on the positive and creative as a force for an improved future, is described and adapted for use as an intervention to achieve health behavior change at the individual level. Guiding principles for its use with clients are provided, and an example of its application is illustrated in a hypothetical case study of an African American woman of low-socioeconomic resources who is attempting to increase lifestyle exercise following a cardiac event. AI is contrasted with the more traditional problem-solving approaches to the provision of care. The advantages, challenges, and issues associated with the use of AI as a health behavior change strategy are discussed.
Hip arthroscopy: What to tell your patient

Hip arthroscopy has gained popularity in recent years. Although femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is the most common indication for performing the procedure, there are many other conditions affecting the hip joint and its surrounding structures that can also be treated arthroscopically. Before undergoing hip arthroscopy, patients need to be informed about the chances of success of their procedure. In this article we give an overview of the current indications for hip arthroscopic surgery and their clinical outcomes, as revealed in the recent literature.
Effect of Reference Clock Jitter and Demonstration of Near Image-Free Operation for the ADPLL

The effect of reference clock jitter on the all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) is considered. The analog-to-digital interface [e.g., a time-to-digital converter (TDC)] is considered only briefly. For the digital-to-analog interface [e.g., a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO)], the analysis is studied in detail. The power spectral density and the integrated power of the ADPLL's output phase noise are assessed for two types of reference clock jitter: 1) small correlated jitter (such as for a typical reference oscillator) and 2) uncorrelated jitter. Uncorrelated clock jitter (intentionally added at the DCO), which is uniformly spread over a sampling interval, is shown to nearly remove the digital images at the ADPLL output, which significantly lowers the minimum reference clock frequency in wireless designs.
Study of spatial and temporal distribution of antimicrobial in water and sediments from caging fish farms by on-line SPE-LC-MS/MS

ABSTRACT An on-line solid phase extraction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of 12 antimicrobials in sediment and surface water was developed and validated. Furthermore, the spatial and temporal antimicrobials distributions in the sediment and in the water of four fish farms located in the hydroelectric dam of Ilha Solteira Reservoir in Brazil were investigated over four seasons in three sampling sites: at the fish cages, 100 and 1,000 m downstream far from the cages. The method was performed using an Agilent Zorbax 80 SB-C8 column (9.4 × 15 mm, 5 µm) as the loading column, and the Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column (3.0 × 100 mm, 3.5 µm) as a separation column within a run time of 13 min. The limits of quantification were less than 9 ng·L−1 for the antibiotics in water and 16 µg·kg−1 in sediment; the recovery ranged from 80 to 119%, with a variation coefficient less than 11%, and the repeatability was lower than 15%. Oxytetracycline was found in the water in all sample seasons. However, florfenicol was identified in April and October 2013 and January 2014, and tetracycline was present in July 2013. Regarding the sediment, oxytetracycline and tetracycline were found in all sampling periods, but chlortetracycline was only identified in January 2014. The spatial distribution of antimicrobials showed that the main pollution source came from the fish farms. This study demonstrated that the proposed method is reliable for the monitoring of antimicrobials in water and sediments and it showed contamination in both matrices from Ilha Solteira Reservoir.
Parámetros descriptores y requisitos para la denominación de origen protegida mieles de Sierra Morena

Se ha evaluado la calidad inicial de las mieles de Sierra Morena de acuerdo a los criterios establecidos por la Norma de Calidad Europea para obtener los diferentes tipos meliferos producidos en la zona de estudio a traves de un perfil caracterizador compuesto por criterios melissopalinologicos, fisico-quimicos y sensoriales, mediante la determinacion de los parametros incluidos en el pliego de condiciones que regira la futura Denominacion de Origen Protegida (DOP) Mieles de Sierra Morena. Otro objetivo de este trabajo fue el estudio de la posible relacion entre los diferentes parametros analiticos y su influencia en la determinacion de los distintos tipos botanicos y en base a los resultados obtenidos y mediante el uso de Analisis de Componentes Principales, establecer el porcentaje de explicacion de los diferentes tipos por los distintos parametros. Las muestras de miel fueron analizadas melissopalinologica, fisico-quimica y sensorialmente, con el fin de poder vincular las mieles a su zona geografica de produccion. Han sido tambien evaluados los indicadores o criterios de la calidad que presentan aquellas, tal y como requiere la Norma de Calidad para la Miel, de aplicacion en toda la Union Europea. Finalmente se establecieron los criterios de caracterizacion generales para todas las mieles de la DOP Sierra Morena y aquellos criterios especificos para cada tipo monofloral. Se determinaron los siguientes tipos monoflorales: Azahar (Citrus sp.), Cantueso (Lavandula stoechas), Eucalipto (Myrtus sp.), Castano (Castanea sativa), Brezo (Erica arborea) y Viborera (Echium sp.)