Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro assessment of real-time phase contrast MRI accuracy

BackgroundConventional cine phase-contrast MRI (Conv-PC) is the gold standard for blood flow measurements but can only provide flow measurements for an averaged heartbeat cycle (using cardiac gating). In contrast to Conv-PC, phase-contrast echo-planar MRI (EPI-PC) can be used to quantify the blood flow rate in real-time – giving the technique great potential for clinical and research applications. The objectives of the present in vitro study were to compare the accuracy of EPI-PC and Conv-PC and to assess the influence of pixel size and velocity encoding on flow measurements obtained with the two sequences.MethodsFlow quantification was assessed using a pulsatile flow phantom. The flow rate curves were extracted with in-house post-processing software, and the flow curves from EPI-PC were reconstructed to give an average pulse cycle with 32 sampling points with the same waveform as that obtained with Conv-PC. Firstly, the accuracy of the EPI-PC was checked by comparing it with the flow rate in the calibrated phantom and the pulsation index from Conv-PC. Secondly, flow data from the two sequences were compared quantitatively as a function of the pixel size and the velocity encoding.ResultsThe mean percentage difference between the EPI-PC flow rate and calibrated phantom flow rate was -2.9 %, which was within the confidence interval. The pulsatility indices for EPI-PC and Conv-PC were respectively 0.64 and 0.59. In order to keep the flow rate measurement error within 10%, the ROI in Conv-PC had to contain at least 13 pixels, while the ROI in EPI-PC had to contain at least 9 pixels. Furthermore, Conv-PC had a higher velocity-to-noise ratio and could use a higher velocity encoding than EPI-PC (20cm/s and 15cm/s, respectively). ConclusionsThe result of an in vitro study confirmed the accuracy of EPI-PC. Furthermore, EPI-PC was found to be less sensitive than Conv-PC at a low spatial resolution but was more sensitive than Conv-PC to velocity encoding.
Optimal investment strategy for a DC pension fund plan in a finite horizon time: an optimal stochastic control approach

Abstract This paper obtains an optimal strategy in a finite horizon time for a portfolio of a defined contribution (DC) pension fund for an investor with the CRRA utility function. It employs the optimal stochastic control method in a financial market with two different asset markets, one risk-free and another one risky asset in which its jump follows either by a finite or infinite activity Lévy process. Sensitivity of jump parameters in an uncertainty financial market has been studied.
Single Transformer-Based Compact Doherty Power Amplifiers for 5G RF Phased-Array ICs

We present a broadband parallel-combined compact Doherty power amplifier (PA) in a 28-nm bulk complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) device technology for fifth-generation (5G) millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) frequency band (n257, n258, and n261) applications. The proposed Doherty PA has a single transformer (TF)-based output matching network and an equivalent quarter-wavelength line placed between the carrier and peaking amplifiers, absorbing transistors’ output parasitic capacitances. Therefore, the Doherty PA occupies a very small die area and has a wide bandwidth characteristic compared with the conventional Doherty PA output matching network topologies (e.g., parallel- and series-combined Doherty PA output matching networks). The two-stage differential Doherty PA is implemented, which shows a saturation output power (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P_{\mathrm {OUT}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) of >18.8 dBm and a peak power-added efficiency (PAE) of >30% at 27 GHz. It also exhibits a linear <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P_{\mathrm {OUT}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 12.4 dBm and an average PAE of 20.2% for 100 MHz 5G NR signal (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P_{\mathrm {OUT}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 11.4 dBm and PAE of 18.1% for 8 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> 100 MHz carriers) at the EVM of −25 dB. Over the frequency range of 24.5–29.5 GHz, the PA achieves a linear <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P_{\mathrm {OUT}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of >11.2 dBm and a PAE of >14.5% (drain efficiency >20.8%). This PA occupies 640 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}\,\,\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> 250 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> (core only) and is successfully integrated into a 32-channel RF phased-array transceiver IC for the first time. The IC die area is 10.2 mm <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> 6.4 mm and consumes about 120 mW per channel at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P_{\mathrm {OUT}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 10.0 dBm.
Geometrical Variation of a Conductive Filament in RRAM and Its Impact on a Single-Event Upset

Resistive random access memory (RRAM) is a promising candidate for industry and academia from the research and development perspective. The resistance of RRAM depends on the geometrical dimensions, growth, and rupture of the conductive filament. In this work, the geometrical dimensions such as the length and width of the filament are varied to analyze the resistance. Moreover, the RRAM can be used in aerospace applications. Therefore, the impact of a single-event upset on resistance of RRAM is investigated by means of a double exponential current pulse. The performance of the device is compared in terms of resistance before and after irradiation. A decrease in its original resistance has been observed after radiation.
Analysis of MIMO Systems in Practical Engineering Implementations and 3-Dimensional Channel Capacity Formula for SHPCA Multiple-antenna systems

With the aim of implementations in practical engineering,the multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) systems are analyzed.In ideal MIMO systems where the sub-channels are independent mutually,the signals from transmitter antennas can be separated and then combined by employing joint detection(JD). However,in practice MIMO wireless environment,since the signals from transmitters are transmitted over the same carrier frequency,the sub-channels of MIMO systems are dependent,which results in that the JD technique is infeasible and the decrease of spectral efficiency.To overcome the problem,based on the analysis of both the Shannon theorem and the phase-controlled antenna array(PCA),a multiple-antenna system model is presented,which is referred to as SHPCA model.In the presented SHPCA model,the PCA technique is used perfectly to produce narrow directional radio beam with very higher power efficiency to form space division multiplexing(SDM),by which the performance of the multiple-antenna systems is improved greatly.At the same time,for the SHPCA model,we also present a novel engineering capacity formulation called 3-dimensional channel capacity formula(3DCC),in which the 3~(rd) dimension is the space dimension.The presented 3DCC formulation indicates clearly the effect of the SMD and the equipments of antenna on the capacity of multiple-antenna.
Culture Conditions Affect Antioxidant Production, Metabolism and Related Biomarkers of the Microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyta) is a worldwide-distributed diatom with the ability to adapt and survive in different environmental habitats and nutrient-limited conditions. In this research, we investigated the growth performance, the total lipids productivity, the major categories of fatty acids, and the antioxidant content in P. tricornutum subjected for 15 days to nitrogen deprivation (N−) compared to standard culture conditions (N+). Furthermore, genes and pathways related to lipid biosynthesis (i.e., glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase, citrate synthase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase) and photosynthetic activity (i.e., ribulose-1,5-bisphospate carboxylase/oxygenase and fucoxanthin-chlorophyll a/c binding protein B) were investigated through molecular approaches. P. tricornutum grown under starvation condition (N−) increased lipids production (42.5 ± 0.19 g/100 g) and decreased secondary metabolites productivity (phenolic content: 3.071 ± 0.17 mg GAE g−1; carotenoids: 0.35 ± 0.01 mg g−1) when compared to standard culture conditions (N+). Moreover, N deprivation led to an increase in the expression of genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and a decrease in genes related to photosynthesis. These results could be used as indicators of nitrogen limitation for environmental or industrial monitoring of P. tricornutum.
Equivalent Tests of Links of 50 MVA STATCOM

The 50MVA STATCOM to be installed at Shanghai Xijiao substation employs chain-circuit inverter based on IGCTs.For strict type tests,it's necessary to do equivalent rated-state operational tests and overcurrent protection tests for each link.The so called back-to-back test method is employed for the equivalent rated-state operational tests,two Links are connected back-to-back via an inductor,one is controlled to operate in leading mode and another in lagging mode,power losses are provided by a DC power supply connected to one of the dc capacitors.The equivalent overcurrent protection test is carried out through a inductive load.The parameters of the links,the principle and the results of equivalent tests are given in this paper.Tests results confirmed that all performance requirements were met.
Pulmonary and Systemic Skeletal Muscle Embolism in a Beaked Whale with a Massive Trauma of Unknown Aetiology

Simple Summary A severe trauma of unknown aetiology was suspected as the cause of death in an adult female Sowerby’s beaked whale found floating dead in the Canary Islands in December 2016. Many bruises in the skin and muscles (contusions) were observed in the chest wall and bone fractures, mainly located in the mandible and ribs. The broken rib bones also affected thoracic muscles, which escaped into the blood circulation once ruptured, reaching several organic locations, including the lungs, where they became trapped within the small lumen of pulmonary blood vessels, leading to a systemic and pulmonary skeletal muscle embolism. An embolism occurs when a piece of intravascular internal or foreign material obstructs the lumen of a blood vessel, starving tissues of blood and oxygen. An embolism necessarily needs cardiac function, indicating a survival time after trauma. This case report aimed to include the diagnosis of skeletal muscle embolism as a routine tool to determine if the traumatic event occurred before or after death. This is especially valuable when working with dead animals because no other evidence of traumatic injury may be recorded if carcasses are in advanced decay. Abstract An adult female Sowerby’s beaked whale was found floating dead in Hermigua (La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain) on 7 December 2016. Severe traumas of unknown aetiology were attributed, and the gross and microscopic findings are consistent with catastrophic trauma as a cause of death. Rib fractures affected the intercostals, transverse thoracis skeletal muscles, and thoracic rete mirabile. Degenerated muscle fibres were extruded to flow into vascular and lymphatic vessels travelling to several anatomic locations into the thoracic cavity, including the lungs, where they occluded the small lumen of pulmonary microvasculature. A pulmonary and systemic skeletal muscle embolism was diagnosed, constituting the first description of this kind of embolism in an animal. The only previous description has been reported in a woman after peritoneal dialysis. Skeletal pulmonary embolism should be considered a valuable diagnostic for different types of trauma in vivo in wild animals. This is especially valuable when working with decomposed carcasses, as in those cases, it is not always feasible to assess other traumatic evidence.
Expression and Characterization of Recombinant Protein of J-SU pGEX either by Single or Double Cell Lysis

Penelitian ini dimaksudkan untuk optimasi produk protein rekombinan Superficial Unit dari virus Jembrana (JSU) yang dieksperikan melalui pemecahan sel secara tunggal dan ganda dengan sistem pGEX dalam skala flask 100ml media kultur. Dua metode pemecahan sel yang digunakan yaitu Freeze and Thaw (FT) sebagai pemecahan tunggal dan gabungan FT dan Sonikasi sebagai pemecahan ganda. Sel inang (E. Coli pembawa konstruk JSU pGEX) ditumbuhkan dengan induksi IPTG pada 37oC dengan pengocok berkecepatan 200rpm sampai mencapai kepadatan sel 0,8. Sel atau pelet dikoleksi dengan sentrifugasi, pelet dipecah dengan 2 perlakuan pemecahan sel tunggal dan ganda. Hasil pemecahan sel disentrifugasi untuk dikoleksi peletnya sebagai inclusion body. Solubilisasi dilakukan terhadap inclusion body dengan solubilisasi buffer dan diperoleh substrat protein JSU kemudian dimurnikan melalui Gluthation sepharose 4B (500μl resin) dengan metode batch capture. Hasil karakterisasi dengan SDS PAGE dan Western Blotting menunjukkan ukuran protein JSU pGEX yang tepat yaitu 60kDa pada kedua sistem pemecahan sel. Namun demikian, pemecahan sel secara tunggal menghasilkan protein murni JSU pGEX lebih besar (0.812ng/ul) dibanding pemecahan sel secara ganda (0.486ng/ul). Dari penelitian ini dapat disimpulkan bahwa protein rekombinan JSU pGEX terekspresi lebih baik dengan metode pemecahan sel Freeze and Thaw.
Terminalin from African Mango (Irvingia gabonensis) Stimulates Glucose Uptake through Inhibition of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), along with protein tyrosine kinases, control signaling pathways involved in cell growth, metabolism, differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Several PTPs, such as PTPN1, PTPN2, PTPN9, PTPN11, PTPRS, and DUSP9, disrupt insulin signaling and trigger type 2 diabetes, indicating that PTPs are promising drug targets for the treatment or prevention of type 2 diabetes. As part of an ongoing study on the discovery of pharmacologically active bioactive natural products, we conducted a phytochemical investigation of African mango (Irvingia gabonensis) using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS)-based analysis, which led to the isolation of terminalin as a major component from the extract of the seeds of I. gabonensis. The structure of terminalin was characterized by spectroscopic methods, including one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution (HR) electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectroscopy. Moreover, terminalin was evaluated for its antidiabetic property; terminalin inhibited the catalytic activity of PTPN1, PTPN9, PTPN11, and PTPRS in vitro and led to a significant increase in glucose uptake in differentiated C2C12 muscle cells, indicating that terminalin exhibits antidiabetic effect through the PTP inhibitory mechanism. These findings suggest that terminalin derived from African mango could be used as a functional food ingredient or pharmaceutical supplement for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Attributes of Organizational Health Literacy in Health Care Centers in Iran: A Qualitative Content Analysis Study

Organizational Health Literacy (OHL) is described as a new concept to remote health organizations to implement practices, policies, and systems that make it easier for patients to use, understand, and navigate health information to take care their own health. In Iran, there is no consensus on the attributes of OHL, and its practical implications and scope have not been evaluated. This manuscript is one of the first attempts to explain the attributes of the OHL in health care centers in Iran. This study is a content analysis survey, which was guided by the attributes of the OHL provided by Brach et al. and 26 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Iranian health professionals and employees of healthcare organizations from June 2020 to January 2021. A data analysis was performed using the MAXQDA 10 software. Across the study, ten sub-themes, 21 subcategories, and 67 codes emerged. The 10 main attributes of OHL were management, integration of health literacy in the organization, workforce, participation, range of HL skills, HL strategies, access, media variety, the role of the organization in crisis, and costs. These attributes may guide the planning of health care centers improvements and have the potential to promote health service reforms and public health policy.
Antioxidant Therapy in Oxidative Stress-Induced Neurodegenerative Diseases: Role of Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems in Clinical Translation

Free radicals are formed as a part of normal metabolic activities but are neutralized by the endogenous antioxidants present in cells/tissue, thus maintaining the redox balance. This redox balance is disrupted in certain neuropathophysiological conditions, causing oxidative stress, which is implicated in several progressive neurodegenerative diseases. Following neuronal injury, secondary injury progression is also caused by excessive production of free radicals. Highly reactive free radicals, mainly the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), damage the cell membrane, proteins, and DNA, which triggers a self-propagating inflammatory cascade of degenerative events. Dysfunctional mitochondria under oxidative stress conditions are considered a key mediator in progressive neurodegeneration. Exogenous delivery of antioxidants holds promise to alleviate oxidative stress to regain the redox balance. In this regard, natural and synthetic antioxidants have been evaluated. Despite promising results in preclinical studies, clinical translation of antioxidants as a therapy to treat neurodegenerative diseases remains elusive. The issues could be their low bioavailability, instability, limited transport to the target tissue, and/or poor antioxidant capacity, requiring repeated and high dosing, which cannot be administered to humans because of dose-limiting toxicity. Our laboratory is investigating nanoparticle-mediated delivery of antioxidant enzymes to address some of the above issues. Apart from being endogenous, the main advantage of antioxidant enzymes is their catalytic mechanism of action; hence, they are significantly more effective at lower doses in detoxifying the deleterious effects of free radicals than nonenzymatic antioxidants. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential of antioxidant therapy, challenges in their clinical translation, and the role nanoparticles/drug delivery systems could play in addressing these challenges.
Effects of different levels of fenofibrate on growth performance, carcase characteristics, abdominal fat, serum constitutes, immune system, caeca and microbial flora of broilers

Abstract So far, the effect of fenofibrate on the performance, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of broilers have not been investigated. For this reason, this study was performed to evaluate the effects of different levels of fenofibrate on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of broilers in a completely randomised design with three treatments, four replicates and 10 one-day-old male Ross 308 strain chicks per replicate for 42 d. Experimental treatments included three levels of fenofibrate (0, 50 and 100 mgkg−1), which were used in combination with the basal diet. Results showed that 100 mgkg−1 fenofibrate in the diet increased the weight gain and European production efficiency factor (EPEF) and reduced feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the whole period compared to the control (p < .05). The effect of experimental treatments on blood serum and immune system parameters other than spleen and bursal weights was not significant (p > .05). The number of E. coli, coliform and clostridium bacteria in the caecum decreased with the use of fenofibrate in comparison with the control group (p < .05), but fenofibrate increased the lactobacilli population in the caecum (p < .05). According to the results, the use of 100 mgkg−1 fenofibrate in the diet is recommended to improve some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of broilers. Highlights The accumulation of fat in the body of chickens is an undesirable trait for producers and consumers. Fenofibrate is a derivative of fibric acid and a blood fat-lowering chemical used to lower cholesterol levels in cardiovascular patients. The results of this study showed that the use of fenofibrate is effective in improving performance, and reducing the population of harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
Recent Developments in the Application of Bio-Waste-Derived Adsorbents for the Removal of Methylene Blue from Wastewater: A Review

Over the last few years, various industries have released wastewater containing high concentrations of dyes straight into the ecological system, which has become a major environmental problem (i.e., soil, groundwater, surface water pollution, etc.). The rapid growth of textile industries has created an alarming situation in which further deterioration to the environment has been caused due to substances being left in treated wastewater, including dyes. The application of activated carbon has recently been demonstrated to be a highly efficient technology in terms of removing methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. Agricultural waste, as well as animal-based and wood products, are excellent sources of bio-waste for MB remediation since they are extremely efficient, have high sorption capacities, and are renewable sources. Despite the fact that commercial activated carbon is a favored adsorbent for dye elimination, its extensive application is restricted because of its comparatively high cost, which has prompted researchers to investigate alternative sources of adsorbents that are non-conventional and more economical. The goal of this review article was to critically evaluate the accessible information on the characteristics of bio-waste-derived adsorbents for MB’s removal, as well as related parameters influencing the performance of this process. The review also highlighted the processing methods developed in previous studies. Regeneration processes, economic challenges, and the valorization of post-sorption materials were also discussed. This review is beneficial in terms of understanding recent advances in the status of biowaste-derived adsorbents, highlighting the accelerating need for the development of low-cost adsorbents and functioning as a precursor for large-scale system optimization.
Lotus essential oil improves neurite elongation and facilitates functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury

Injury to the peripheral nerve may lead to deficits in nerve function. An increase in the levels of free radicals plays a role in inhibition of nerve regeneration following damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lotus essential oil (LEO) on neurite outgrowth in vitro and nerve regeneration in vivo in a rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that the principal constituent of LEO was palmitic acid ethyl ester (25.12%). The radical scavenging activity of LEO was evaluated using the DPPH method, and was determined to be IC50=29.01±2.93 µg/ml. LEO-treated sensory neurons exhibited increased neurite outgrowth and upregulated levels of phospho-ERK. Sensory and motor functions were improved in rats treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg LEO, and this was accompanied by an increase in the number of neurons in the dorsal root ganglia, as well as an increase in the nerve axon diameters following nerve injury. Taken together, these results suggests that LEO may serve as a novel pharmacological option for the management of peripheral nerve injury.