Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-Signal Intensity in the Dentate Nucleus and Globus Pallidus on Unenhanced T1-Weighted Images: Evaluation of the Macrocyclic Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agent Gadobutrol

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare changes in the signal intensity (SI) ratio of the dentate nucleus (DN) to the pons, DN to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and globus pallidus (GP) to thalamus on unenhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans after serial injections of the macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent gadobutrol. Materials and MethodsThirty patients who had received at least 5 MRI examinations (plus an additional last MRI for reference) with the exclusive use of gadobutrol, resulting in a total cumulative dose of 54.1 ± 30.4 mL gadobutrol, were analyzed retrospectively. Signal intensity ratio differences were calculated for DN-to-pons, DN-to-CSF, and GP-to-thalamus ratios by subtracting the SI ratio at the first MRI from the SI ratio at the last MRI scan. One-sample t tests were employed to examine if they differed from 0. Regression and correlational analyses were performed to examine whether the SI ratio differences were predicted by a number of control variables. ResultsSignal intensity ratio differences did not differ significantly from 0, neither for the DN-to-pons ratio (−0.0035 ± 0.0476, P = 0.69), the DN-to-CSF ratio (−0.0539 ± 0.3217, P = 0.37), nor the GP-to-thalamus ratio (−0.0020 ± 0.0211, P = 0.60). None of the control variables predicted changes in SI ratios. ConclusionsIn contrast to a recently published study, we did not find signal increases in the DN or in the GP after serial injections of gadobutrol, even though the total dose applied here was considerably larger than in the respective study. This finding adds further support to the hypothesis that the molecular structure of a gadolinium-based contrast agent as either macrocyclic or linear is a crucial factor for its potential to cause gadolinium deposition in the brain. Future studies should further assess this hypothesis by additional animal investigations as well as histopathological and clinical correlation studies.
SNAP

Large networks are becoming a widely used abstraction for studying complex systems in a broad set of disciplines, ranging from social-network analysis to molecular biology and neuroscience. Despite an increasing need to analyze and manipulate large networks, only a limited number of tools are available for this task. Here, we describe the Stanford Network Analysis Platform (SNAP), a general-purpose, high-performance system that provides easy-to-use, high-level operations for analysis and manipulation of large networks. We present SNAP functionality, describe its implementational details, and give performance benchmarks. SNAP has been developed for single big-memory machines, and it balances the trade-off between maximum performance, compact in-memory graph representation, and the ability to handle dynamic graphs in which nodes and edges are being added or removed over time. SNAP can process massive networks with hundreds of millions of nodes and billions of edges. SNAP offers over 140 different graph algorithms that can efficiently manipulate large graphs, calculate structural properties, generate regular and random graphs, and handle attributes and metadata on nodes and edges. Besides being able to handle large graphs, an additional strength of SNAP is that networks and their attributes are fully dynamic; they can be modified during the computation at low cost. SNAP is provided as an open-source library in C++ as well as a module in Python. We also describe the Stanford Large Network Dataset, a set of social and information real-world networks and datasets, which we make publicly available. The collection is a complementary resource to our SNAP software and is widely used for development and benchmarking of graph analytics algorithms.
Effect of minimal amounts of thymidine on activity of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole against Staphylococcus epidermidis

The antibacterial activity of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole against 99 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis was tested on media known to be low in thymidine content, as determined by screening with Streptococcus faecalis. Eighty-one percent of the isolates were susceptible by agar dilution. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was bactericidal against two strains of S. epidermidis when thymidine phosphorylase was added to the medium, indicating utilization of minimal amounts of thymidine that were undetected by screening. Because bacteria vary in their utilization of thymidine and body tissues vary in thymidine content, in vitro susceptibility tests may not correlate with in vivo bactericidal activity.
Developmental pathways of Glossotermes oculatus (Isoptera, Serritermitidae): at the cross‐roads of worker caste evolution in termites

SUMMARY The onset of a specialized (“true”) worker caste is a crucial step in the evolution of termite societies. Such workers, permanently excluded from wing development, repeatedly evolved from totipotent immatures, called “false” workers or pseudergates. In the family Rhinotermitidae, the presence of true workers and the level of specialization of this caste are highly variable, and key taxa illustrate transitional situations providing clues about worker evolution. Here we focused on the status of working immatures of Glossotermes oculatus, from the family Serritermitidae, now thought to represent either the sister‐group of the Rhinotermitidae or a basal lineage nested within them. Contrary to previous assumptions, we show that the apterous immatures performing worker tasks in G. oculatus are the source of the single wing‐budded nymphal instar preceding the alate. Consequently, they qualify as pseudergates rather than true workers. However, the sex ratio is strongly male biased in pseudergates and soldiers, which is a trait usually restricted to termites with true workers. We therefore argue that pseudergates of G. oculatus are close to a point where the species could easily shift toward the differentiation of a true worker caste, and that G. oculatus pinpoints a new possible route for the evolution of true workers from pseudergates.
Damage initiation and growth in composite laminates during open hole compression tests

The damage initiation and growth near the edges of a circular open hole of laminated composite plates under compressive load were experimentally studied to understand the physical meaning of the open hole compression strength. Damage growth sequence was investigated mainly through optical micrographs of various sections of damaged specimens. When comparatively tough interface laminates were tested, various damages occurred following initial kink band damage in the 0° layers, such as zigzag damage composed of kink bands and transverse cracks in ±45° layers, matrix cracks in 0° layers, and delaminations above and below the 0° layers. High-speed video images showed that unstable growth of the delaminations near the surface was observed prior to the final failure, accompanying buckling of the delaminated layer. The possible sequences of the damage growth were discussed through consideration of the above damage data.
Platelets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Clinical, Pathogenic, and Therapeutic Implications

Both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are associated with abnormalities of platelet number and function. In the peripheral circulation the state of platelet activation is typically increased, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-involved mucosa frequently contains platelet aggregates within mucosal microthrombi. The relevance of platelet dysfunction to IBD pathogenesis is still unclear, but there is solid evidence demonstrating that platelets, in addition to their traditional role in hemostasis, can also function as potent proinflammatory cells. Upon activation, platelets secrete a large number of biologically active molecules able to induce or amplify an inflammatory process through many of the same cellular and molecular pathways conventionally utilized by immune cells mediating IBD. The aim of this article is to review data on the existence of platelet dysfunction in IBD, substantiate platelets' inflammatory potential, discuss the implications of abnormal platelet activity for chronic intestinal inflammation, and consider the potential benefits of platelet modulation for treatment of IBD.
Stabilization Policy and the Costs of Dollarization

This paper compares the welfare costs of business cycles in a dollarized economy to those arising in economies with different monetary arrangements. The alternative monetary policy regimes studied belong to three broad families: devaluation rate rules, inflation targeting, and money growth rate rules. The analysis is conducted within an optimizing model of a small open economy with sticky prices. The model is calibrated to the Mexican economy and is driven by three external shocks: terms of trade, world interest rate, and import-price inflation. We show econometrically that these shocks explain at a minimum 45 percent of the observed forecasting error variance of Mexican output and the Mexican real exchange rate at 8- to 16-quarter horizons. The model fits the data relatively well in the sense that it can account for the volatility and comovements of key macroeconomic indicators such as output, consumption, inflation, and the real exchange rate. The welfare comparisons suggest that dollarization is the least successful of the monetary policy rules considered: agents are willing to give up between 0.1 and 0.3 percent of their nonstochastic steady-state consumption to see a policy other than dollarization implemented.
Weighted kernel estimators in nonparametric binomial regression

This paper is concerned with nonparametric binomial regression. A kernel-based binomial regression estimator and its bias-adjusted version are proposed, of which kernel is weighted by the inverse of a variance estimator of the observed proportion at each covariate. It is shown that the asymptotic normality of the bias-adjusted estimator holds under some regularity conditions. The proposed estimators and other estimators discussed by several authors are compared through their asymptotic MSEs. From these considerations, together with the simulation results, advantages of our weighting scheme are reported.
Quality of life of family caregivers of patients with cancer: a literature review.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To systematically review literature regarding the quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers of patients with cancer and evaluate the instruments measuring family caregivers' QOL. DATA SOURCES PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ISI Web of Science, and EBSCO electronic databases; published literature. DATA SYNTHESIS Overall, the QOL of family caregivers of patients with cancer varied. Influences related to family caregivers' QOL were identified. Global and generic measures have been used because of the lack of specific instruments. Comparisons are complicated because several measures were used at different times along the illness trajectory with caregivers caring for people with various types and stages of cancer. CONCLUSIONS A more explicit definition of QOL for family caregivers of patients with cancer and specific instruments suitable for different cultures are needed to enhance knowledge. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Maintaining the QOL of caregivers is important in their ability to provide the care required to keep family members with cancer in the community. Nurses must provide care to maintain caregivers' QOL.
Behavioral Neuroscience

Behavioral neuroscience is the study of the neural mechanisms mediating normal and abnormal behaviors. Behavior is the final output of the nervous system at the level of the whole organism. Discrete animal behaviors are used to test hypotheses about anatomical, neurochemical, neurophysiological, and genetic substrates of behavior. Appropriate animal behavior paradigms provide the critical functional tools for translational research, moving discoveries at the molecular level toward clinical applications. The study of user-friendly behavioral tasks that model specific symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders is a critical phase in the testing of new psychotherapeutic treatments in vivo.
Analysis on a microwave oven based on user operation

In this paper, considering the features of the microwave oven, we chose interview and non-participate observation as main research methods to analyze the product from user operation viewpoint. After questionnaire and discussion, we decided the main areas of the research and divided them into four parts. They were semantics, safety, ergonomics and function. We designed three tasks to let nine participants fulfill one by one, which would reflect the problems as many as possible that the users could meet. Finally, we got the conclusions statistically through observation and analysis on the questionnaires. This microwave oven has the severe problem in Semantic area. In safety area there is no big problem. In Ergonomic area, there are something need to be improved about door and interior surface, for the cleaning and food taking reasons.
Numerical and experimental study of auxetic closed - cell foams

The procedures of fabrication and testing of auxetic foams with closed cells based on foaming a liquid substance and by joining microspheres are discussed. Physically , to obtain an auxetic structure, bending rigidity of elastic rods, plates and shells should strongly depend on the initial curvature. The cells of small size are found mostly to hold their original shape. Large ones show relatively low rigidity , and would get deformed similarly to thin-walled shells when compressed with a possibility of losing stability. Thus, the volumetric compression of a foamed material is mainly realized at the expense of decreased free volume of large cells. Separation of cells according to deformation levels is found to cause auxetic elastic behavior in converted closed cells foams. Technologically, to obtain this auxetics we proposed a two-stage process. It includes the formation of concave cell structure by a permanent volumetric compression of the initial material just after foaming in the solidification state under the action of a liquid or gas. High plasticity of foam materials in this stage allow s us to obtain the re-entrant structure of cells. To obtain a material with non-convex cells we used mostly a gas or liquid under pressure as a forming instrument. After cooling the foam material shows the property of elastic (reversible) deformation. I he homogeneity and isotropy of Poisson's ratio of obtained auxetics are caused by a uniform distribution of the gas or liquid pressure on the sample surface. Some problems of Poisson's ratio minimization for foam materials we have solved by the finite element analysis.
Live Imaging of Adult Neural Stem Cells in Rodents

The generation of cells of the neural lineage within the brain is not restricted to early development. New neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes are produced in the adult brain throughout the entire murine life. However, despite the extensive research performed in the field of adult neurogenesis during the past years, fundamental questions regarding the cell biology of adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) remain to be uncovered. For instance, it is crucial to elucidate whether a single aNSC is capable of differentiating into all three different macroglial cell types in vivo or these distinct progenies constitute entirely separate lineages. Similarly, the cell cycle length, the time and mode of division (symmetric vs. asymmetric) that these cells undergo within their lineage progression are interesting questions under current investigation. In this sense, live imaging constitutes a valuable ally in the search of reliable answers to the previous questions. In spite of the current limitations of technology new approaches are being developed and outstanding amount of knowledge is being piled up providing interesting insights in the behavior of aNSCs. Here, we will review the state of the art of live imaging as well as the alternative models that currently offer new answers to critical questions.
Studies on Preparation and Property of 2.5D SiO2f/ SiO2 Composites

In this paper, 2.5D SiO2f/SiO2 composites were fabricated via sol-gel process employing 2.5D braided silica fiber fabrics as reinforcements and high pure silicasol as slurry. The process parameters are optimized and the optimal parameters are as follows: the silicasol of 30.8 wt. % as slurry, microwave drying, and sintering at 900 °C. Utilizing the optimal process parameters, the density and the flexural strength of the composites can reach 1.65 g•cm-3 and 80.68 MPa respectively. Dielectric properties of the 2.5D SiO2f/SiO2 composites were also measured, and the real part of the permittivity is 3.40 at 5 GHz. The excellent mechanical and dielectric properties of the 2.5D SiO2f/SiO2 composites can well meet the requirements of radome materials.
Molecular mechanisms of human papillomavirus-related carcinogenesis in head and neck cancer

This review examines the general cellular and molecular underpinnings of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related carcinogenesis in the context of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and focuses on HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in areas for which specific data is available. It covers the major pathways dysregulated in HPV- positive HNSCC and the genome-wide changes associated with this disease.
Facing the complexity of ischaemic heart disease with intracoronary pressure and flow measurements: beyond fractional flow reserve interrogation of the coronary circulation

Purpose of review The purpose of this study is to summarize cumulative evidence suggesting that the combination of fractional flow reserve (FFR), coronary flow reserve (CFR) and the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) might provide a more comprehensive invasive assessment of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Recent findings Myocardial flow impairment in IHD results from both obstructive and nonobstructive causes. However, its diagnosis is primarily stenosis-centred. Although FFR provides valuable information on obstructive disease, its theoretical framework largely neglects the importance of nonobstructive concomitant involvement. Substantial evidence suggests, however, that nonobstructive IHD has important prognostic implications, and CFR and IMR are readily available tools for its concomitant diagnosis. Furthermore, CFR and IMR have independently been shown to improve IHD risk stratification. Further studies should address whether this more comprehensive IHD diagnosis, derived from the combination of FFR, CFR and IMR, may improve prognostic risk stratification and guide therapeutic strategies aiming for both obstructive and nonobstructive IHD involvement. Summary FFR, CFR and IMR have independently been shown to improve IHD risk stratification. Their combined use is feasible and appealing, and might lead to a more comprehensive invasive assessment of IHD.
Food sharing in vampire bats: reciprocal help predicts donations more than relatedness or harassment

Common vampire bats often regurgitate food to roost-mates that fail to feed. The original explanation for this costly helping behaviour invoked both direct and indirect fitness benefits. Several authors have since suggested that food sharing is maintained solely by indirect fitness because non-kin food sharing could have resulted from kin recognition errors, indiscriminate altruism within groups, or harassment. To test these alternatives, we examined predictors of food-sharing decisions under controlled conditions of mixed relatedness and equal familiarity. Over a 2 year period, we individually fasted 20 vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) and induced food sharing on 48 days. Surprisingly, donors initiated food sharing more often than recipients, which is inconsistent with harassment. Food received was the best predictor of food given across dyads, and 8.5 times more important than relatedness. Sixty-four per cent of sharing dyads were unrelated, approaching the 67 per cent expected if nepotism was absent. Consistent with social bonding, the food-sharing network was consistent and correlated with mutual allogrooming. Together with past work, these findings support the hypothesis that food sharing in vampire bats provides mutual direct fitness benefits, and is not explained solely by kin selection or harassment.
Protein Kinase A–Phosphorylated KV1 Channels in PSD95 Signaling Complex Contribute to the Resting Membrane Potential and Diameter of Cerebral Arteries

Rationale: Postsynaptic density-95 (PSD95) is a scaffolding protein that associates with voltage-gated, Shaker-type K+ (KV1) channels and promotes the expression of KV1 channels in vascular smooth muscle cells of the cerebral (cVSMCs) circulation. However, the physiological role of PSD95 in mediating molecular signaling in cVSMCs is unknown. Objective: We explored whether a specific interaction between PSD95 and KV1 channels enables protein kinase A phosphorylation of KV1 channels in cVSMCs to promote vasodilation. Methods and Results: Rat cerebral arteries were used for analyses. A membrane-permeable peptide (KV1-C peptide) corresponding to the postsynaptic density-95, discs large, zonula occludens-1 binding motif in the C terminus of KV1.2&agr; was designed as a dominant-negative peptide to disrupt the association of KV1 channels with PSD95. Application of KV1-C peptide to cannulated, pressurized cerebral arteries rapidly induced vasoconstriction and depolarized cVSMCs. These events corresponded to reduced coimmunoprecipitation of the PSD95 and KV1 proteins without altering surface expression. Middle cerebral arterioles imaged in situ through cranial window also constricted rapidly in response to local application of KV1-C peptide. Patch-clamp recordings confirmed that KV1-C peptide attenuates KV1 channel blocker (5-(4-phenylalkoxypsoralen))–sensitive current in cVSMCs. Western blots using a phospho-protein kinase A substrate antibody revealed that cerebral arteries exposed to KV1-C peptide showed markedly less phosphorylation of KV1.2&agr; subunits. Finally, phosphatase inhibitors blunted both KV1-C peptide–mediated and protein kinase A inhibitor peptide–mediated vasoconstriction. Conclusions: These findings provide initial evidence that protein kinase A phosphorylation of KV1 channels is enabled by a dynamic association with PSD95 in cerebral arteries and suggest that a disruption of such association may compromise cerebral vasodilation and blood flow.
Research Paper: Web Messaging: A New Tool for Patient-Physician Communication

OBJECTIVE There is a high demand by patients to communicate electronically with their doctor. This study evaluates the use of a web messaging system by staff and patients of UC Davis community Primary Care Network (PCN) clinic. DESIGN Eight providers and their staff and patients were surveyed on use of this web messaging system, and physician productivity was measured with Relative Value Unit (RVU) and office visit data. RESULTS 36.9% (238/645) of registered users responded to the survey. The web messaging system was preferred over phone calls by both providers and patients for the communication of non-urgent problems. A great majority of patients found it easy to use (88.8% or 206/232) and were satisfied (85.8% or 199/232). Satisfaction was significantly associated with timely provider response (Goodman-Kruskal Gamma = 0.667, 95% CI = 0.546-0.789). Clinicians were also favorable to the system and, despite concerns, were not inundated with messages. Most found it easy to use, perceived it to improve patient communication, and valued the insurance reimbursement capability. Furthermore, the system did not have a negative impact on physician productivity. CONCLUSION A patient-provider web messaging system, which provides a combination of security and access controls, customized routing, rich knowledge content, and insurance reimbursement capability, is a useful addition to the array of communication options available to health care providers and their patients.