Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Review on the Role of Bicarbonate and Proton Transporters during Sperm Capacitation in Mammals

Alkalinization of sperm cytosol is essential for plasma membrane hyperpolarization, hyperactivation of motility, and acrosomal exocytosis during sperm capacitation in mammals. The plasma membrane of sperm cells contains different ion channels implicated in the increase of internal pH (pHi) by favoring either bicarbonate entrance or proton efflux. Bicarbonate transporters belong to the solute carrier families 4 (SLC4) and 26 (SLC26) and are currently grouped into Na+/HCO3− transporters and Cl−/HCO3− exchangers. Na+/HCO3− transporters are reported to be essential for the initial and fast entrance of HCO3− that triggers sperm capacitation, whereas Cl−/HCO3− exchangers are responsible for the sustained HCO3− entrance which orchestrates the sequence of changes associated with sperm capacitation. Proton efflux is required for the fast alkalinization of capacitated sperm cells and the activation of pH-dependent proteins; according to the species, this transport can be mediated by Na+/H+ exchangers (NHE) belonging to the SLC9 family and/or voltage-gated proton channels (HVCN1). Herein, we discuss the involvement of each of these channels in sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction.
Implementation Details for Controlling Contactless 3D Virtual Endoscopy

In the medical world, with the innovative application of medical informatics, it is possible to enable many aspects of surgeries that were not able to be addressed before. One of these is contactless surgery planning and controlling the visualization of medical data. In our approach to contactless surgery, we adopted a new framework for hand and motion detection based on augmented reality. We developed a contactless interface for a surgeon to control the visualization options in our DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) viewer platform that uses a stereo camera as a sensor device input that controls hand/finger motions, in contactless mode, and applied it to 3D virtual endoscopy. In this paper, we will present our proposal for defining motion parameters in contactless, incisionless surgeries. We enabled better surgeon's experience, more precise surgery, real-time feedback, depth motion tracking, and contactless control of visualization, which gives freedom to the surgeon during the surgery. We implemented motion tracking using stereo cameras with depth resolution and precise shutter sensors for depth streaming. Our solution provides contactless control with a range up to 2–3 meters that enables the application in the operating room.
Spectral properties of the surface EMG can characterize/do not provide information about motor unit recruitment strategies and muscle fiber type.

Fiber types. Human muscles have different fiber types such as fastand slow-twitch (1, 10) or type I and II fibers. The different fibers have different force-generating capacities (5) and are task specific. Since shortening speed does not always reflect the ATPase activity, the discrimination between type I and II fibers is based on the rate of myofibrilar ATPase reaction. Human MHC isoforms are considered as types I, IIa, and IIx (12, 13). A refined subdivision of fibers was proposed correlating fiber types with EMG spectral properties (4). Recruitment pattern. A pulse train in the motoneurons is generated by the central nervous system activating the muscle fibers through the neuromuscular end plates. The fibers belonging to one motoneuron form a motor unit (MU). Different MUs can have different number of fibers usually of the same type. The recruitment pattern indicates which MUs are selected and by what pulse train they are activated. Modern technologies allow detecting the rate coding pattern of a pulse train (9). Rate-coding patterns controlling the intensity of the EMG do not coincide in time with the selection of MUs (17). The recruitment strategy changes the recruitment pattern over time and controls force and timing of MUs required to perform the task at hand. Muscle tasks. Not all muscle fibers will be involved in every task. Specific muscle fibers will be used for specific tasks like lock and hold, lock and release, pull and release (length change), and reflex tasks. The task-specific MU groups will most likely show different power spectra indicating when a different group has been recruited.
Quality prediction through machine learning for the inspection and manufacturing process of blood glucose test strips

Abstract Although machine learning for quality prediction of manufacturing processes has attracted attention in the literature, there is a significant lack of case studies from industry, especially in medical sector. This paper proposes a data-driven approach to infer the batch quality of blood glucose test strips. Once the low quality of work in process is detected, unnecessary process waste could be eliminated. Starting from data pre-processing, which consists of Synthetic Minority Over-sampling TEchnique and Random Over-Sampling Example, this project tries to balance the ill-distributed data first. Followed by machine learning aims to classify and predict the quality of blood glucose test strips. Different models are evaluated by the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve and Area Under Curve. Computational results show that the decision tree and random forest after SMOTE perform better than the counterpart of ROSE method. Ensemble learning, such as random forest, out-wins base learner decision tree. To sum up, random forest with SMOTE is the suggested model for accurately predicting the quality of blood glucose test strips. There is a 30% improvement in error rate under random forest and SMOTE for NG class that could be of top concern for prognosis. Several factors, including the direction of applying test reagent onto test strips and the position where the strips are located, that affect quality of test strips have been identified. Explanations in terms of inspection and manufacturing are discussed subsequently. Finally, the prognosis of quality can be attained through big data and statistical machine learning.
Ventricular Hypertrophy Secondary to Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Metabolic Gene Remodeling and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Failing Right

American Heart Association. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 1941-3289. Online ISSN: 2013 Copyright © TX 72514 Circulation: Heart Failure is published by the American Heart Association. 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, DOI: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.111.966127 2013;6;136-144; originally published online November 14, 2012; Circ Heart Fail Edward J. Lesnefsky, Harm J. Bogaard and Norbert F. Voelkel Kraskauskas, Dayanjan S. Wijesinghe, Charles E. Chalfant, John Bigbee, Antonio Abbate, Natarajan, Cristobal G. dos Remedios, Jennifer I. Drake, Laszlo Farkas, Donatas Jose Gomez-Arroyo, Shiro Mizuno, Karol Szczepanek, Benjamin Van Tassell, Ramesh Ventricular Hypertrophy Secondary to Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Metabolic Gene Remodeling and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Failing Right http://circheartfailure.ahajournals. org/content/6/1/136.full on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is located 11.966127. DC1.html http://circheartfailure.ahajournals. org/content/suppl/2012/11/14/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.1 Data Supplement (unedited) at:
Becoming culturally agile: Effectively varying contextual responses through international experience and cross-cultural competencies

Abstract Global professionals need to understand the demands of the cultural context in which they are working and respond effectively within it. Building on existing literature highlighting the importance of cross-cultural competencies and international experience for global work, this study expands knowledge by examining whether employees with cross-cultural competencies and international experience are better able to vary their cross-cultural responses to effectively match the cultural demands of the work environment. Tested with nearly 500 professionals globally, this study found that cultural humility, tolerance of ambiguity, and international experience predict professionals’ abilities to accurately judge the best cultural response for a given work-related situation. The findings have implications for international human resource management in two ways. First, organizations should assess for cross-cultural competencies to select for roles requiring an understanding of the cultural context. Second, organizations should provide international experiences as part of a global leadership or global talent development program.
Spectral-spatial classification for non-invasive health status detection of neonates using hyperspectral imaging and deep convolutional neural networks

Abstract For premature babies, rapid and harmless early health status detection can both ensure survival and improve the quality of life. In this regard, the best method for detecting the health status is the least invasive process for the baby, using the principle of less contact, more observation. In the neonatal intensive care unit, the important factors in keeping neonates alive and reducing their sequelae are the preliminary diagnoses and follow-up systems that are created using development technology. Hyperspectral imaging is considered a powerful tool to determine the health status of neonates because it provides diagnostic information on the disease. In this study, deep convolutional neural network models using hyperspectral imaging in the visible and infrared regions (204 bands at 400–1000 nm) were used to detect the health status of neonates. Hyperspectral images were taken in a one-month period from different neonates at Selcuk University, Faculty of Medicine, neonatal intensive care unit (Konya, Turkey), and 6528 images (3264 unhealthy, 3264 healthy) in total. Data augmentation methods, such as rotation, flipping, shearing, zooming, shifting and brightness enhancement, were applied to the hyperspectral images for the training of the convolutional neural network model. By using all spectral bands, the number of 6528 images obtained from neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit was augmented to 65280 images. The final results were accuracy of 93.38%, kappa coefficient of 86.76%, specificity of 92.77% and sensitivity of 93.98% for the 65280 hyperspectral images employed. In this study, the objective was to determine the noninvasive health status of neonates with convolutional neural networks using visible and infrared spectral bands. The results show that hyperspectral imaging operating in the visible and infrared regions and the convolutional neural network are highly effective in detecting the health status of neonates.
Perioperative chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 or CAPOX for patients with locally advanced colon cancer (OPTICAL): A multicenter, randomized, phase 3 trial.

3500 Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy is the recommended standard treatment for resected stage III and high-risk stage II colon cancer, but disease recurrence remain common. Perioperative chemotherapy has proved effective in several tumors, but not in colon cancer. We aimed to assess whether perioperative chemotherapy could improve outcomes in patients with locally advanced colon cancer. Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, phase 3 trial, participants were recruited from 28 hospitals in China. Eligible patients were aged 18-75 years, had a colon adenocarcinoma, with radiologically staged locally advanced (T3 with ≥5 mm invasion beyond the muscularis propria or T4 assessed by CT). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either the experimental group or standard of care group, stratified by center, cT stage, and cN stage. The experimental group received 3 months of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 or CAPOX, then surgery, then 3 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. The standard of care group received immediate surgery, and optional adjuvant chemotherapy (per physician’s discretion according to pathological stage ). The primary endpoint was disease-free survival assessed in the intention-to-treat population at 3 years. Results: Between January 6, 2016, and April 3, 2021, 752 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to a treatment, of whom 744 were eligible (371 in the experimental group; 373 in the standard of care group). At a median follow-up of 32.5 months (IQR 19.2-45.7), 3-year disease-free survival rates were 78.7% (95%CI 73.8-83.5) in the experimental group and 76.6% (95%CI 71.8-81.4) in the standard of care group (stratified HR 0.83, 95%CI 0.60-1.15; p = 0.138). A pathological complete response was achieved in 26 (7%) of 371 patients in the experimental group. 69 (19%) patients in the experimental group had low pathological disease stage (pT0-2N0) compared with 16 (4%) of 373 in the standard of care group (p < 0.0001). 3-year overall survival rates were 94.9% (95%CI 92.1-97.7) in the experimental group and 88.6% (95%CI 84.6-92.5) in the standard of care group (stratified HR 0.47, 95%CI 0.25-0.87; p = 0.012). The post hoc subgroup analyses revealed perioperative chemotherapy induced an increase in disease-free survival in female patients (HR 0.54, 95%CI 0.31-0.83; p = 0.025). Conclusions: In patients with locally advanced colon cancer, perioperative chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6/CAPOX increased chance of pathological downstaging, but did not improve disease-free survival compared with standard of care. Clinical trial information: NCT02572141. [Table: see text]
Concurrent use of alcohol and sedatives in Finnish general population

ABSTRACT Background The epidemiology of independent use of sedatives or alcohol is well reported in previous research. However, the epidemiology of concurrent use of sedatives and alcohol is vastly understudied despite the unpredictable interactions associated with it. Objectives Our aim was to study the prevalence of concurrent use of alcohol and sedatives and further examine the use of sedatives in some subgroups of people with alcohol use. Methods A mailed questionnaire was sent to a randomly chosen representative sample of a Finnish population (n = 5000). The main outcome measure was the prevalence of the use of sedatives in five subgroups of people with alcohol use in the previous week. Results Of the participants, 7.8% (142/1818) reported use of both alcohol and sedatives in the previous week. Among the people with sedative use, 67.0% (142/212) reported at least some alcohol use, and 9.9. % (21/212) reported high use of at least 21 units of alcohol in the previous 7 days. The prevalence of sedative use was highest among those who had used at least 21 units of alcohol in the previous 7 days (19.4%). Conclusion The use of sedatives was especially common among those who reported having used large amounts of alcohol.
Mitigating Cascading Failures in Power Grids via Markov Decision-Based Load-Shedding With DC Power Flow Model

Despite the reliability of modern power systems, large blackouts due to cascading failures (CFs) do occur in power grids with enormous economic and societal costs. In this article, CFs in power grids are theoretically modeled proposing a Markov decision process (MDP) framework with the aim of developing optimal load-shedding (LS) policies to mitigate CFs. The embedded Markov chain of the MDP, established earlier to capture the dynamics of CFs, features a reduced state-space and state-dependent transition probabilities. We introduce appropriate actions affecting the dynamics of CFs and associated costs. Optimal LS policies are computed that minimize the expected cumulative cost associated with CFs. Numerical simulations on the IEEE 118 and IEEE 300 bus systems show that the actions derived by the MDP result in minimum total cost of CFs, compared to fixed and random policies. Moreover, the optimality of derived policies is validated by a CF simulation based on dc power flow for the IEEE 118 bus system. Therefore, such actions developed by the proposed theoretical MDP framework can serve as a baseline for devising optimal LS strategies to mitigate CFs in power grids.
A Bayesian Framework for Reputation in Citizen Science

The viability of any Citizen Science (CS) research program is absolutely conditioned to the engagement of the citizen. In a CS framework in which participants are expected to perform actions that can be later on validated, the incorporation of a reputation system can be a successful strategy to increase the overall data quality and the likelihood of engagement, and also to evaluate how close citizens fulfill the goals of the CS research program. Under the assumption that participant actions are validated using a simple discrete rating system, current reputation models, thoroughly applied in e-platform services, can be easily adapted to be used in CS frameworks. However, current reputation models implicitly assume that rated items and scored agents are the same entity, and this does not necessarily hold in a CS framework, where one may want to rate actions but score the participants generating it. We present a simple approach based on a Bayesian network representing the flow described above (user, action, validation), where participants are aggregated in a discrete set of user classes and we use the global evidence in the data base to estimate both the prior and the posterior distribution of the user classes. Afterwards, we evaluate the expertise of each participant by computing the user-class likelihood of the sequence of actions/validations observed for that user. As a proof of concept we implement our model in a real CS case, namely the Mosquito Alert project.
Clients Clients Clients Mapping Mapping Consistency Layer Storage Layer Executing New Transaction Replicator Service Garbage Collector Unit Record Pruning UnitDAG Compression Unit Replicate

This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of TARDiS (Transactional Asynchronously Replicated Divergent Store), a transactional key-value store explicitly designed for weakly-consistent systems. Reasoning about these systems is hard, as neither causal consistency nor per-object eventual convergence allow applications to deal satisfactorily with write-write conflicts. TARDiS instead exposes as its fundamental abstraction the set of conflicting branches that arise in weakly-consistent systems. To this end, TARDiS introduces a new concurrency control mechanism: branch-on-conflict. On the one hand, TARDiS guarantees that storage will appear sequential to any thread of execution that extends a branch, keeping application logic simple. On the other, TARDiS provides applications, when needed, with the tools and context necessary to merge branches atomically, when and how applications want. Since branch-on-conflict in TARDiS is fast, weakly-consistent applications can benefit from adopting this paradigm not only for operations issued by different sites, but also, when appropriate, for conflicting local operations. We find that TARDiS reduces coding complexity for these applications and that judicious branch-on-conflict can improve their local throughput at each site by two to eight times.
An Exact Algorithm for the Maximum Weight Clique Problem in Large Graphs

We describe an exact branch-and-bound algorithm for the maximum weight clique problem (MWC), called WLMC, that is especially suited for large vertex-weighted graphs. WLMC incorporates two original contributions: a preprocessing to derive an initial vertex ordering and to reduce the size of the graph, and incremental vertex-weight splitting to reduce the number of branches in the search space. Experiments on representative large graphs from real-world applications show that WLMC greatly outperforms relevant exact and heuristic MWC algorithms, and refute the prevailing hypothesis that exact MWC algorithms are less adequate for large graphs than heuristic algorithms.
Paediatric Respiratory Reviews

In recent decades, much has changed in our expectations for the outcomes of children born with oesophageal atresia and tracheooesophageal fistula [OA/TOF]. Things moved slowly, following the initial description of OA by Thomas Gibson in 1697 and, nearly 250 years later when the first successful, single-step surgery for OA by Cameron Haight was performed at the University of Michigan Hospital in 1941. This success was a long time coming and followed the work of surgeons Harry Richter in 1913, and subsequently Thomas Lanman, Robert Shaw N. Logan Leven and William Ladd who had operated on infants with OA and TOF who all died in the mid to late 1930s [1]. In the 75 years since Haight’s first success, reported survival has increased to be routinely >90% [2,3]. Further improvements in survival are seen in specialised paediatric hospitals, especially for those with the most common abnormality of OA with a distal TOF [3]. With improvements in surgical techniques, ventilatory strategies in the neonatal intensive care unit and the care of preterm infants, much of the early mortality is related to more common co-morbidities of associated congenital anomalies, low birthweight and pre-operative ventilatory requirements [4]. When we fast forward to 2016 we see that much has changed. Operations can be performed via thoracoscopy or thoracotomy, the neonatal unit stay is measured in weeks not months and better coordinated follow-up services for OA/TOF children are becoming more commonplace. Survival with good quality of life is now an expectation. With systematic reviews of children with OA/TOF has come the realisation that there are significant on-going respiratory and gastro-intestinal problems that are under-reported and these can be challenging to manage into adulthood [2,5]. Accordingly, in this mini symposium, we have gathered a series of papers reflecting where the main challenges lie in managing children with OA/TOF from birth to adolescence to serve as a useful resource for clinicians. The first paper in the mini-symposium deals with the perioperative management of infants with OA/TOF. Written by Hunt and colleagues from Melbourne, the paper emphasises the improved neonatal outcomes with delayed surgery, the presence of co-morbidities in approximately 60% of infants, and the ways in which the risks of longer term adverse outcomes are being mitigated with modern surgical and ventilatory strategies [6]. The need for a rigorous assessment of co-morbidities, with particular consideration of the VACTERL [Vertebral anomalies, ano-rectal malformations, cardiac abnormalities, TOF/OA, renal and limb abnormalities] which occurs in approximately one third of cases of OA/TOF [7] and CHARGE [Coloboma, heart defects, ano-rectal malformations, retarded growth, genital hypoplasia and ear abnormalities] syndromes as well as trisomies is emphasised.
Computer Based Learning for Architecture Students; A Methodology for Evaluating the Teaching and Learning

The paper describes a methodology applied to the production, and evaluation of a computer based teaching package. In producing multimedia materials for teaching or for presentation, too much emphasis is sometimes given to the beauty of the images while not enough thought is given to the structure of the material. Is the student or "viewer" led through all the most important information? Can the use of computer based learning improve the quality of the teaching and learning experience? These issues are addressed, using as an example the production and testing of a package designed to complement a course on History of Scottish Architecture intended for senior students and especially to emphasise the Scottish context for exchange students. The package describes Linlithgow Palace in Scotland, showing how the contemporary political links between the Scotland and Italy were influential in the development of Renaissance architecture in Scotland.