Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
White Matter Lesions Are Not Related to β-Amyloid Deposition in an Autopsy-Based Study

Population-based studies have investigated the relation between β-amyloid levels in cerebrospinal fluid or plasma and white matter lesions (WMLs). However, these circulating levels of β-amyloid in cerebrospinal fluid or plasma may not reliably reflect the actual degree of amyloid present in the brain. Therefore, we investigated the relation between WMLs and β-amyloid plaques and amyloid angiopathy in brain tissue. WML on MRI or CT were rated in 28 nondemented patients whose neuroimaging was available prior to death. β-amyloid in plaques and arterioles were immunohistochemically stained and quantified in postmortem brain necropsies. WMLs were present in 43% of the total population. Both cortex and periventricular region showed no differences for β-amyloid deposition in either plaques or blood vessel walls in patients with WMLs compared to those without WMLs. Thus, our results indicate that there is no relation between the degree of WMLs and β-amyloid deposition in the brain.
Structural Integrity of Polymer Matrix Composites Exposed to Fire Conditions

Conditions By John Vincent Bausano Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering Mechanics Approvals John J. Lesko, Chair Scott W. Case ___________________ __________________ Committee Chairman Committee Member Judy S. Riffle ___________________ Committee Member Tuesday, January 7, 2003 Blacksburg, Virginia
CRISPR-Cas: an adaptive immunity system in prokaryotes

Most of the archaea and numerous bacteria possess an elaborate system of adaptive immunity to mobile genetic elements known as the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-associated system (CRISPR-Cas), which consists of arrays of short repeats interspersed with unique DNA spacers and adjacent operons encompassing CRISPR-associated (cas) genes with predicted and, in some cases, experimentally validated nuclease, helicase, and polymerase activities. The system functions by integrating fragments of alien DNA between the repeats and employing their transcripts to degrade the DNA of the respective invading elements via an RNA interference-like mechanism. The CRISPR-Cas system is a case of apparent Lamarckian inheritance.
Risk factors for transmission of tuberculosis among United States-born African Americans and Whites.

SETTING Tuberculosis (TB) patients and their contacts enrolled in nine states and the District of Columbia from 16 December 2009 to 31 March 2011. OBJECTIVE To evaluate characteristics of TB patients that are predictive of tuberculous infection in their close contacts. DESIGN The study population was enrolled from a list of eligible African-American and White TB patients from the TB registry at each site. Information about close contacts was abstracted from the standard reports of each site. RESULTS Close contacts of African-American TB patients had twice the risk of infection of contacts of White patients (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 2.1, 95%CI 1.3-3.4). Close contacts of patients whose sputum was positive for acid-fast bacilli on sputum smear microscopy had 1.6 times the risk of tuberculous infection compared to contacts of smear-negative patients (95%CI 1.1-2.3). TB patients with longer (>3 months) estimated times to diagnosis did not have higher proportions of infected contacts (aRR 1.2, 95%CI 0.9-1.6). CONCLUSION African-American race and sputum smear positivity were predictive of tuberculous infection in close contacts. This study did not support previous findings that longer estimated time to diagnosis predicted tuberculous infection in contacts.
Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica in atrophic rhinitis and pneumonia in swine.

A total of 163 pigs from nine farrow-to-finish herds representing various levels of atrophic rhinitis (AR) were selected for postslaughter examination of AR and pneumonia. Nasal swabs and lungs were cultured for detection of Bordetella bronchiseptica and Pasteurella multocida. Seventy-three pigs were examined at eight weeks of age and 90 contemporaries at six months of age. Mean AR scores were 1.21 and 1.11 for the eight week and six month old pigs, respectively (0 = normal, 3 = severe). In individual pigs increasing AR score was related to increasing pneumonia score in eight week old pigs but not in six month old hogs. In eight week old pigs, B. bronchiseptica and P. multocida were isolated more frequently from pigs with higher AR scores. From nasal swabs of six month old hogs, Bordetella was almost never recovered while Pasteurella was frequently isolated score. Toxigenic type DP. multocida was isolated from nasal cultures of only seven (4%) pigs and from lung cultures of only one pig. Pasteurella was never isolated from lungs of the eight week old pigs and Bordetella never from the six month old hogs. The isolation rate of P. multocida, predominantly type A, from lungs of six month old pigs increased from 11% in grossly normal lungs to 86% in lungs with severe pneumonia. Pigs from one herd free from lesions of AR and pneumonia were also examined; type AP. multocida was isolated from nasal cultures of one of six eight week old pigs. Somatic antigens of P. multocida were determined for 94 nasal and 20 lung isolates. Somatic serovar 3 was found in 93% of the nasal isolates and in all lung isolates. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Comparative Study between Circular and Elliptical Nozzle Holes on Natural Gas Combustion and Soot Formation in a Direct Injection Engine

A Comparative Study Between Circular and Elliptical Nozzle Holes on Natural Gas Combustion and Soot Formation in a Direct Injection Engine Charles Habbaky Master of Applied Science Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering University of Toronto 2012 The effects of changing nozzle hole patterns and hole geometry in a direct injection natural gas optically accessible engine was investigated. Six nozzles were studied having a 1 hole, 3 hole, and 9 hole pattern; each having either elliptical or circular hole geometries. Combustion images were taken with a high speed camera and the nozzles were compared on the basis of their ignition delay time, rate of heat release, net heat release, fuel utilization, gross indicated thermal efficiency, and particulate emissions. The best performance in all categories was achieved by the 9 hole nozzles which was largely attributed to better fuel mixing as a result of its hole distribution. The elliptical hole geometry exhibited characteristics of improved mixing mainly through reduced ignition delay time and reduced elemental carbon emissions.
Renin expression at sites of repair in the infarcted rat heart.

Y. Sun, J. Zhang, J. Q. Zhang and K. T. Weber. Renin Expression at Sites of Repair in the Infarcted Rat Heart. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (2001) 33, 995-1003. Angiotensin (Ang) II has autocrine and paracrine functions that contribute to structural cardiac remodeling by fibrous tissue following myocardial infarction (MI). The recruitment of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and AngII receptors by inflammatory and fibroblast-like cells involved in tissue repair of the infarcted heart is now well established. On the other hand, the temporal and spatial response and cellular source of renin in infarcted hearts have not been fully elucidated. The relationship between renin synthesis and circulating renin activity have likewise not been addressed. The present study sought to assess the cellular source, spatial distribution and temporal response of renin expression and synthesis in the rat heart following anterior transmural MI, and to determine its relationship to circulating renin activity. At day 3 and weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 following left coronary artery ligation, the localization and optical density of cardiac renin mRNA was detected by quantitative in situ hybridization; cardiac and circulating renin activity was measured by radioimmunoassay; cells expressing cardiac renin were detected by immunohistochemistry; and injury/repair was assessed by hematoxylin/eosin and collagen-specific picrosirius red staining. Unoperated rats served as normal controls. The authors found: (1) renin mRNA and activity were not detected in either normal control or non-infarcted myocardium, but were expressed at the site of infarction and other sites of repair involving visceral pericardium and endocardium of interventricular septum at all time points; (2) cells expressing renin at day 3 and weeks 1 and 2 were predominantly macrophages, while at weeks 3 and 4, they were primarily myofibroblasts; (3) renin activity in the infarcted myocardium rose progressively over the course of 4 weeks; and (4) circulating renin activity was significantly increased at day 3 and week 1, reached a peak at week 2, declined at week 3 and returned to normal levels at week 4. Thus, renin expression and activity appear at sites of repair in the infarcted rat heart on day 3 and rise progressively thereafter over 4 weeks, independent of circulating renin. Several types of cells are responsible for renin synthesis at these sites; primarily macrophages during the inflammatory phase of repair, and myofibroblasts during the subsequent fibrogenic phase. Cardiac renin production following MI contributes to local AngII generation that regulates tissue repair and structural remodeling following MI.
Finite Element Model for the Computation of the Transfer Impedance of Cable Shields

The transfer impedance of a cable shield is a parameter that characterizes its shielding effectiveness. To calculate this parameter, we can use analytical or semiempirical approaches but, in this study, the objective is to adapt a general-purpose finite element formulation. The advantage of a numerical method is that it can be applied to a wider variety of situations, where complex geometries and materials may be present. To obtain numerically the transfer impedance, we first express it as a function of the electric field and then we compute the field by means of the finite element method. The only input data required in the process are the geometry and the material properties of the shield. To validate our numerical model, we apply it to a few cable shields and compare the results of the simulations with analytical models and measurements obtained from the literature.
Effect of sequence and metal ions on UVB-induced anti cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer formation in human telomeric DNA sequences

Irradiation of G-quadruplex forming human telomeric DNA with ultraviolet B (UVB) light results in the formation of anti cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) between loop 1 and loop 3 in the presence of potassium ions but not sodium ions. This was unexpected because the sequences involved favor the nonphotoreactive hybrid conformations in K+ solution, whereas a potentially photoreactive basket conformation is favored in Na+ solution. To account for these contradictory results, it was proposed that the loops are too far apart in the basket conformation in Na+ solution but close enough in a two G-tetrad basket-like form 3 conformation that can form in K+ solution. In the current study, Na+ was still found to inhibit anti CPD formation in sequences designed to stabilize the form 3 conformation. Furthermore, anti CPD formation in K+ solution was slower for the sequence previously shown to exist primarily in the proposed photoreactive form 3 conformation than the sequence shown to exist primarily in a nonphotoreactive hybrid conformation. These results suggest that the form 3 conformation is not the principal photoreactive conformation, and that G-quadruplexes in K+ solution are dynamic and able to access photoreactive conformations more easily than in Na+ solution.
ID scanners in the night time economy

ID scanners are quickly emerging as a new technological fix to long-standing problems of security and safety within licensed venues. Yet at this point in time detailed research of this rapidly expanding security technology is remarkably limited. To address this analytical deficit we are currently examining the uptake of ID scanners in licensed venues operating in the nighttime economy. We have found significant interest in the implementation of ID scanners in other Australian cities. However, the introduction of ID scanners in late-night licensed venues has occurred with little public awareness, no policy consideration and questionable claims concerning their effectiveness in enhancing safety and reducing crime. This article explores the factors shaping the introduction if ID scanners and the underlying beliefs concerning their utility as a crime prevention technology. The article then considers some broader implications to be explored in future analyses.
Setting the main circadian clock of a diurnal mammal by hypocaloric feeding

• Timed hypocaloric feeding alters the main circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), in nocturnal rodents. • The endogenous oscillatory mechanism in the SCN is similar between nocturnal and diurnal mammals. • In this study we report that in the diurnal rodent Arvicanthis ansorgei, a timed hypocaloric feeding (HF) entrains and shifts behavioural and molecular circadian rhythms in the SCN. Nevertheless, instead of phase advancing the clock as in nocturnal rodents, HF phase delays the Arvicanthis SCN pacemaker. • Thus, HF modifies the circadian system of the diurnal rodent Arvicanthis ansorgei differentially from nocturnal rodents. • The present results will help us to better understand the circadian system in diurnal species and how feeding cues can synchronize daily rhythms.
Role of Material-Driven Fibronectin Fibrillogenesis in Protein Remodeling

Abstract Protein remodeling at the cell–material interface is an important phenomenon that should be incorporated into the design of advanced biomaterials for tissue engineering. In this work, we address the relationship between fibronectin (FN) activity at the material interface and remodeling, including proteolytic cascades. To do so, we studied FN adsorption on two chemically similar substrates, poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) and poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), which resulted in different distribution and conformation of the protein at the material interface: FN organized spontaneously upon adsorption on PEA into physiological-like fibrils, through a process called material-driven FN fibrillogenesis. The amount of adsorbed FN and its conformation were investigated in two different coating concentrations (2 and 20 μg/mL). Since FN activity at the material interface determines the initial cellular response, we followed the formation of focal adhesions (vinculin) and subsequent cell signaling by focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression and its phosphorylation (pFAK). More detailed studies were performed to get further insights into integrin binding by crosslinking and extraction followed by immunofluorescence, as well as protein and gene expression for α5 and αv. To correlate cell adhesion with matrix degradation, gene expression and activity (zymography) of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were measured. Overall, we demonstrated that the material-driven FN fibrillogenesis triggers proteolytic activity: MMP activity was higher on the material-driven FN fibrils, as a compensatory mechanism to the inability of cells to reorganize this FN network.
Spectrum Leasing in Cognitive Radio Networks: A Matching Theory Approach

In this paper, we analyze the problem of spectrum leasing in cognitive radio networks using principles from matching theory. More specifically, we deal with the pairing problem among the primary and the secondary users and we propose two different matching schemes that take into account the preferences of each user in terms of performance. The first scheme is a one-to-one matching scheme that is based on the deferred acceptance algorithm whereas the second one refers to a one-to-many matching algorithm where each primary user may cooperate with more than one secondary user. The performance of both proposed schemes is finally investigated for various network parameters and some useful conclusions are drawn.
Transcriptome-Wide Expression Profiling in Skin Fibroblasts of Patients with Joint Hypermobility Syndrome/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type

Joint hypermobility syndrome/Ehlers–Danlos syndrome hypermobility type (JHS/EDS-HT), is likely the most common systemic heritable connective tissue disorder, and is mostly recognized by generalized joint hypermobility, joint instability complications, minor skin changes and a wide range of satellite features. JHS/EDS-HT is considered an autosomal dominant trait but is still without a defined molecular basis. The absence of (a) causative gene(s) for JHS/EDS-HT is likely attributable to marked genetic heterogeneity and/or interaction of multiple loci. In order to help in deciphering such a complex molecular background, we carried out a comprehensive immunofluorescence analysis and gene expression profiling in cultured skin fibroblasts from five women affected with JHS/EDS-HT. Protein study revealed disarray of several matrix structural components such as fibrillins, tenascins, elastin, collagens, fibronectin, and their integrin receptors. Transcriptome analysis indicated perturbation of different signaling cascades that are required for homeostatic regulation either during development or in adult tissues as well as altered expression of several genes involved in maintenance of extracellular matrix architecture and homeostasis (e.g., SPON2, TGM2, MMP16, GPC4, SULF1), cell-cell adhesion (e.g., CDH2, CHD10, PCDH9, CLDN11, FLG, DSP), immune/inflammatory/pain responses (e.g., CFD, AQP9, COLEC12, KCNQ5, PRLR), and essential for redox balance (e.g., ADH1C, AKR1C2, AKR1C3, MAOB, GSTM5). Our findings provide a picture of the gene expression profile and dysregulated pathways in JHS/EDS-HT skin fibroblasts that correlate well with the systemic phenotype of the patients.
Sirtuin 3 Deficiency Accelerates Hypertensive Cardiac Remodeling by Impairing Angiogenesis

Background Emerging evidence indicates that impaired angiogenesis may contribute to hypertension‐induced cardiac remodeling. The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide–dependent deacetylase Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) has the potential to modulate angiogenesis, but this has not been confirmed. As such, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between SIRT3‐mediated angiogenesis and cardiac remodeling. Methods and Results Our experiments were performed on SIRT3 knockout and age‐matched wild‐type mice infused with angiotensin II (1400 ng/kg per minute) or saline for 14 days. After angiotensin II infusion, SIRT3 knockout mice developed more severe microvascular rarefaction and functional hypoxia in cardiac tissues compared with wild‐type mice. These events were concomitant with mitochondrial dysfunction and enhanced collagen I and collagen III expression, leading to cardiac fibrosis. Silencing SIRT3 facilitated angiotensin II–induced aberrant Pink/Parkin acetylation and impaired mitophagy, while excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation limited angiogenic capacity in primary mouse cardiac microvascular endothelial cells. Moreover, SIRT3 overexpression in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells enhanced Pink/Parkin‐mediated mitophagy, attenuated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation, and restored vessel sprouting and tube formation. In parallel, endothelial cell–specific SIRT3 transgenic mice showed decreased fibrosis, as well as improved cardiac function and microvascular network, compared with wild‐type mice with similar stimuli. Conclusions Collectively, these findings suggest that SIRT3 could promote angiogenesis through attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction caused by defective mitophagy.
The Safety of Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography: A Case Series of 7200 Cardiac Surgical Patients

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an invaluable intraoperative diagnostic monitor that is considered to be relatively safe and noninvasive. Insertion and manipulation of the TEE probe, however, may cause oropharyngeal, esophageal, or gastric trauma. We report the incidence of intraoperative TEE-associated complications in a single-center series of 7200 adult cardiac surgical patients. Information related to intraoperative TEE-associated complications was obtained retrospectively from the intraoperative TEE data form, routine postoperative visits, and cardiac surgical morbidity and mortality data. The overall incidences of TEE-associated morbidity and mortality in the study population were 0.2% and 0%, respectively. The most common TEE-associated complication was severe odynophagia, which occurred in 0.1% of the study population. Other complications included dental injury (0.03%), endotracheal tube malpositioning (0.03%), upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (0.03%), and esophageal perforation (0.01%). TEE probe insertion was unsuccessful or contraindicated in 0.18% and 0.5% of the study population, respectively. These data suggest that intraoperative TEE is a relatively safe diagnostic monitor for the management of cardiac surgical patients.
The effect of CO2 laser excision on local tumor recurrence

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of CO2 laser surgery on the incidence of local recurrence following tumor recurrence and to study the effect of “sterilization” of the operative site on this phenomenon. Sixty Fisher 344 rats were implanted with R323OAC mammary carcinoma. Animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal pentobarbital, and all tumors were completely excised at 21 days postimplantation.
T2 relaxation times are increased in Skeletal muscle of DMD but not BMD patients

Exon‐skipping drugs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) aim to restore truncated dystrophin expression, which is present in the milder Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). MRI skeletal muscle T2 relaxation times as a representation of edema/inflammation could be quantitative outcome parameters for such trials. Methods: We studied T2 relaxation times, adjusted for muscle fat fraction using Dixon MRI, in lower leg muscles of DMD and BMD patients and healthy controls. Results: T2 relaxation times correlated significantly with fat fractions in patients only (P < 0.001). After adjusting for muscle fat, T2 relaxation times were significantly increased in 6 muscles of DMD patients (P < 0.01), except for the extensor digitorum longus. In BMD, T2 relaxation times were unchanged. Conclusions: T2 relaxation times could be a useful outcome parameter in exon‐skipping trials in DMD but are influenced by fat despite fat suppression. This should be accounted for when using quantitative T2 mapping to investigate edema/inflammation. Muscle Nerve 53: 38–43, 2016
A Distributed Sensor Relocatlon Scheme for Environmental Control

We consider the problem of self-deployment and relocation in mobile wireless networks, where nodes are both sensors and actuators. We propose a unified, distributed algorithm that has the following features. During deployment, our algorithm yields a regular tessellation of the geographical area with a given node density, called monitoring configuration. Upon the occurrence of a physical phenomenon, network nodes relocate themselves so as to properly sample and control the event, while maintaining the network connectivity. Then, as soon as the event ends, all nodes return to the monitoring configuration. To achieve these goals, we use a virtual force-based strategy, which proves to be very effective even when compared to an optimal centralized solution.