Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delayed contrast‐enhanced MRI of cartilage: Comparison of nonionic and ionic contrast agents

The objective of this study was to evaluate if cartilage fixed charge density is the only factor determining the distribution of the measured delayed gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage index, T1(Gd‐DTPA2−), across cartilage in the clinical delayed gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage protocol. Nineteen subjects with osteoarthritis and 14 controls were included. Cartilage T1(Gd) was measured following administration of 0.2 mmol kg−1 of nonionic (Gd‐DTPA‐BMA) and, at a different date, anionic (Gd‐DTPA2−). T1(Gd‐DTPA‐BMA) was plotted against T1(Gd‐DTPA2−); a slope of 0 would indicate domination by charge effects; a nonzero slope would suggest that other factors influence T1(Gd‐DTPA‐BMA), and hence potentially T1(Gd‐DTPA2−). The low slope of the curve found in osteoarthritis subjects (0.31) indicates that Gd‐DTPA‐BMA penetrated most osteoarthritis cartilage to the same extent, and T1(Gd‐DTPA‐BMA) did not differentiate cartilages, which were differentiated by T1(Gd‐DTPA2−). The higher slopes in control subjects (0.88) are possibly due to inhibited transport of contrast agent into healthier cartilage, potentially exaggerated by the fast body clearance of the nonionic contrast agent. Overall, the use of anionic Gd‐DTPA2− for delayed gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage is indicated for better discrimination of the health status of cartilage. Future studies could be designed to use contrast‐enhanced dynamics to understand the transport properties of tissues in the joint and to evaluate the concentration of tissue constituents. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of KRAS Mutations of Exon 2 Codons 12 and 13 by SNaPshot Analysis in Comparison to Common DNA Sequencing

Due to the call for fast KRAS mutation status analysis for treatment of patients with monoclonal antibodies for metastatic colorectal cancer, sensitive, economic, and easily feasible methods are required. Under this aspect, the sensitivity and specificity of the SNaPshot analysis in comparison to the commonly used DNA sequencing was checked. We examined KRAS mutations in exon 2 codons 12 and 13 with DNA sequencing and SNaPshot analysis in 100 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples of pancreatic carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, and nonsmall cell lung cancer specimens of the primary tumor or metastases. 40% of these samples demonstrated mutated KRAS genes using sequencing and SNaPshot-analysis; additional five samples (45/100) were identified only with the SNaPshot. KRAS mutation detection is feasible with the reliable SNaPshot analysis method. The more frequent mutation detection by the SNaPshot analysis shows that this method has a high probability of accuracy in the detection of KRAS mutations compared to sequencing.
Symbiotic Relationships in Internet Routing Overlays

We propose to construct routing overlay networks using the following principle: that overlay edges should be based on mutual advantage between pairs of hosts. Upon this principle, we design, implement, and evaluate Peer-Wise, a latency-reducing overlay network. To show the feasibility of PeerWise, we must show first that mutual advantage exists in the Internet: perhaps contrary to expectation, that there are not only "haves" and "have nots" of low-latency connectivity. Second, we must provide a scalable means of finding promising edges and overlay routes; we seek embedding error in network coordinates to expose both shorter-than-default "detour" routes and longer-than-expected default routes. We evaluate the cost of limiting PeerWise to mutually advantageous links, then build the intelligent components that put PeerWise into practice. We design and evaluate "virtual" network coordinates for destinations not participating in the overlay, neighbor selection algorithms to find promising relays, and relay selection algorithms to choose the neighbor to traverse for a good detour. Finally, we show that PeerWise is practical through a wide-area deployment and evaluation.
Development of a nationwide real‐time 3‐D wind and reflectivity radar composite in France

The ability to perform multiple‐Doppler wind synthesis from operational weather radar systems on an operational basis has been investigated by the French Weather Service since 2006 using a (sub‐)network of six Doppler radars covering the Greater Paris area. This analysis has been recently extended to the entire French radar network so as to implement a nationwide, three‐dimensional reflectivity and wind field mosaic to be eventually delivered to forecasters and modellers, as well as automatic nowcasting systems for air traffic management purposes. In this composite analysis, data collected by all 24 radars of the French radar network are collected, pre‐processed and combined in real time at intervals of 15 minutes to retrieve the complete wind vector (u,v,w) and reflectivity fields at a horizontal resolution of 2.5 km within a domain of approximately 1000 × 1000 × 12 km3. In order to illustrate the performance of this new product, examples of 3‐D wind and reflectivity output produced during the passage of two significant weather events are presented: the extratropical storm Klaus, which struck France on 24 January 2009 with hurricane‐force gusts, and a typical orographic high‐impact precipitation event that developed on 21 October 2009. The evaluation of real‐time radar outputs against operational analyses attests to the consistency of the retrieved wind fields.
Optical properties of defective carbon nanotube (7,7)

The current article presents the results of a study of the effect of single-walled carbon nanotubes carcass defects on their electronic structures and optical properties. The study was carried out using an ab-initio quantum mechanical approach: the pseudo-potential method in the density functional theory (DFT) framework in the local density approximation. It is shown that the defects of a single or double vacancy, and Stone-Wales change the absorption spectrum of nanotubes. This can be expressed in the appearance of absorption in the low-energy region and in the smearing of the absorption peaks corresponding to electron transitions between Van Hove singularities near the Fermi energy.
A Decoupled Design Parameter Analysis for Free-Piston Engine Generators

The free-piston engine generator (FPEG) is a novel power generation device with an estimated brake efficiency (energy contained in the fuel that is transformed into useful work) of up to 46%, compared to the 25–35% reported in conventional reciprocating engines. This paper seeks to address a major challenge in the development of new and complex technologies—how do we effectively communicate and understand the influence of key design parameters on its operating performance? In this paper, the FPEG is described using a simple numerical model, a model which is reduced to a forced mass-spring vibration system under external excitation, enabling all the major input parameters to be decoupled. It proved that the engine piston position as a function of time and output power could be predicted directly from the input parameters with acceptable accuracy. The influence of the key FPEG design parameters on the piston oscillation characteristics and electric power output can be characterised with respect to one another and summarised. Key design parameters include piston mass, compression stroke length, piston cross sectional area, and electric load. Compared with previous and more complex numerical models, the presented methods can be used to simply describe the sensitivity of key design parameters on the FPEG performance. It will provide useful general guidance for the FPEG hardware design process.
Effect of receptor kinase inactivation on the rate of internalization and degradation of PDGF and the PDGF beta-receptor

The complementary DNAs for wildtype and tyrosine kinase-inactivated (K634A) forms of the PDGF beta-receptor were expressed in porcine aortic endothelial cells. We examined the internalization and degradation of ligands and receptors after exposure of receptor expressing cells to PDGF-BB, which binds to the beta-receptor with high affinity, and PDGF-AB, which binds with lower affinity. Cells expressing wildtype beta-receptors were able to internalize and degrade the receptor, as well as the ligand, after exposure to PDGF-BB or -AB. Cells expressing the kinase-inactivated mutant receptor also internalized and degraded both receptor and ligand, but with lower efficiency compared with the wildtype receptor cells. The degradation of either form of receptor was inhibited by treatment of the cells with the lysosomotropic drug chloroquine. Exposure of wildtype and K634A receptor expressing cells to PDGF-AB resulted in a twofold slower rate of internalization of this ligand as compared with PDGF-BB, whereas the relative rate of degradation was similar for the two ligands. Our data indicate that tyrosine kinase activity promotes, but is not a prerequisite for, ligand-induced internalization and degradation of the ligand-receptor complex.
Comparative Transcriptional Profiling of Placenta and Endosperm in Developing Maize Kernels in Response to Water Deficit1

The early post-pollination phase of maize (Zea mays) development is particularly sensitive to water deficit stress. Using cDNA microarray, we studied transcriptional profiles of endosperm and placenta/pedicel tissues in developing maize kernels under water stress. At 9 d after pollination (DAP), placenta/pedicel and endosperm differed considerably in their transcriptional responses. In placenta/pedicel, 79 genes were significantly affected by stress and of these 89% were up-regulated, whereas in endosperm, 56 genes were significantly affected and 82% of these were down-regulated. Only nine of the stress-regulated genes were in common between these tissues. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that different sets of genes were regulated in the two tissues. After rewatering at 9 DAP, profiles at 12 DAP suggested that two regulons exist, one for genes responding specifically to concurrent imposition of stress, and another for genes remaining affected after transient stress. In placenta, genes encoding recognized stress tolerance proteins, including heat shock proteins, chaperonins, and major intrinsic proteins, were the largest class of genes regulated, all of which were up-regulated. In contrast, in endosperm, genes in the cell division and growth category represented a large class of down-regulated genes. Several cell wall-degrading enzymes were expressed at lower levels than in controls, suggesting that stress delayed normal advance to programmed cell death in the central endosperm. We suggest that the responsiveness of placenta to whole-plant stress factors (water potential, abscisic acid, and sugar flux) and of endosperm to indirect factors may play key roles in determining the threshold for kernel abortion.
Pharos: improving navigation instructions on smartwatches by including global landmarks

Landmark-based navigation systems have proven benefits relative to traditional turn-by-turn systems that use street names and distances. However, one obstacle to the implementation of landmark-based navigation systems is the complex challenge of selecting salient local landmarks at each decision point for each user. In this paper, we present Pharos, a novel system that extends turn-by-turn navigation instructions using a single global landmark (e.g. the Eiffel Tower, the Burj Khalifa, municipal TV towers) rather than multiple, hard-to-select local landmarks. We first show that our approach is feasible in a large number of cities around the world through the use of computer vision to select global landmarks. We then present the results of a study demonstrating that by including global landmarks in navigation instructions, users navigate more confidently and build a more accurate mental map of the navigated area than using turn-by-turn instructions.
Twisted geometric Langlands correspondence for a torus

Let T be a split torus over local or global function field. The theory of Brylinski-Deligne gives rise to the metaplectic central extensions of T by a finite cyclic group. The representation theory of these metaplectic tori has been developped to some extent in the works of M. Weissman, G. Savin, W. T. Gan, P. McNamara and others. In this paper we propose a geometrization of this theory in the framework of the geometric Langlands program (in the everywhere nonramified case).
Immunolocalization of Ferroportin in Healthy and Anemic Mice

Ferroportin (FPN), the only iron exporter identified to date, participates in iron release from enterocytes and macrophages, regulating its absorption and recycling. We used a murine model of experimental hemolytic anemia to study adaptive changes in the localization of FPN in duodenum, liver, and spleen. FPN was assessed by IHC in healthy and anemic mice using rabbit anti-mouse FPN polyclonal antibodies. Goat-labeled polymer-horseradish peroxidase anti-rabbit Envision+System (DAB) was used as secondary antibody. Tissue iron was studied by Prussian blue iron staining. Anemia evolution and erythropoietic recovery was assessed using conventional hematological tests. Healthy mice showed mainly supra-nuclear expression of FPN in enterocytes and a weak basolateral expression, whereas in anemic mice, the expression was detected mainly at the basolateral membrane (days 4 and 5). Red pulp macrophages of healthy mice showed FPN-hemosiderin colocalization. In the liver of healthy mice, FPN was mainly cytoplasmic, whereas in anemic mice, it was redistributed to the cell membrane. Our findings clearly show that anemia induces adaptive changes in FPN expression, contributing to anemia restoration by increasing available iron. FPN expression in the membrane is the main pathway of iron release. Our data indicate that iron homeostasis in vivo is maintained through the coordinated expression of this iron exporter in both intestinal and phagocytic cells.
Effect of Iomeprol on Rat Hippocampal Slice Synaptic Transmission: Comparison With Other X-Ray Contrast Agents

Frigeni V, Samuelli G, Miragoli L, et al. Effect of iomeprol on rat hippocampal slice synaptic transmission: comparison with other x-ray contrast agents. Invest Radiol 2002;37:222–231. rationale and objectives. All contrast agents should be neurologically safe because although some are not indicated for procedures, such as myelography, just the same they may come in contact with nervous tissue during contrast-enhanced imaging. This is because even when they are intravascularly injected, the presence of undiagnosed blood-brain barrier damage may allow them to penetrate the brain barrier. In the present study, we investigated the neurologic safety of iomeprol by studying in vitro its potential effects on the central nervous system (CNS) synaptic transmission. Other widely used x-ray contrast agents were also assessed for comparative purposes. methods. CNS synaptic transmission was evaluated in terms of evoked field potentials recorded from the pyramidal region of rat hippocampal slices. The field potentials were evoked by electrical stimulation of the Schaffer collateral pathway. The effects of the contrast agents were evaluated in terms of number and amplitude of population spikes (PS) and as the maximal slope of the excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP). The contrast agents were tested at final concentrations of 3, 10, and 30 mg(iodine)/mL in iso-osmolal condition with respect to artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). results. Iomeprol, like ioversol, principally exerted a mild inhibitory effect on CNS synaptic transmission, an effect that was preceded by a weak, transient excitation. Iopentol exerted a rapid and complete inhibition of synaptic transmission without showing any excitatory effects. Iobitridol, though belonging to the nonionic monomeric class, exerted, surprisingly, an epileptogenic action at the highest concentration, whereas its inhibitory action was slow and mild. Diatrizoate, as expected, exerted an epileptogenic activity even at the lowest concentration, followed by a marked inhibitory action. Ioxaglate, as expected because it is an ionic though dimeric contrast agent, exerted an epileptogenic action at the intermediate concentration, whereas it barely demonstrated an inhibitory effect at all. All the contrast agent effects observed in the study reversed or tended to reverse during washout. conclusions. Even taking in account the limitation because of the use of an in vitro approach and high contrast agent concentrations, we can conclude that the positive neuro-tolerability of iomeprol is further confirmed by this model as it proved to be devoid of epileptogenic activity and, among the contrast agents exhibiting inhibitory action, it was the contrast agent with the least amount of activity. In addition, contrary to that generally reported in the literature, nonionic, low osmolal contrast agents are not all identical in their neuro-tolerability when assessed in the rat hippocampal slice model.
Thyroid Function Test Derangements and Mortality in Dialysis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND We evaluated current evidence associating thyroid function test result derangements with risk for mortality in patients with chronic kidney failure treated by long-term dialysis. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. SETTING & POPULATION Dialysis patients. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Science Citation Index, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases from inception through December 2015. PREDICTORS Hypothyroidism (thyrotropin level greater than reference range) and low triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels. OUTCOMES All-cause and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS 12 studies involving 14,766 participants (4,450 deaths) were identified. Of those, 6 studies provided data for cardiovascular mortality (2,772 participants with 327 cardiovascular deaths). Overall, confidence in the available evidence was moderate. Pooled adjusted HRs for all-cause mortality associated with hypothyroidism, low T3 level, and low T4 level were 1.24 (95% CI, 1.14-1.34), 1.67 (95% CI, 1.23-2.27), and 2.40 (95% CI, 1.47-3.93), respectively. Pooled adjusted HRs for cardiovascular mortality associated with low T3 and T4 levels were 1.84 (95% CI, 1.24-2.74) and 3.06 (95% CI, 1.29-7.24), respectively. LIMITATIONS Fewer studies reporting on T4 and thyrotropin outcomes. CONCLUSIONS In patients treated with long-term dialysis, (cardiovascular) mortality is consistently higher in the presence of thyroid function test result derangements.
Crystal structure of N-{4-[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methoxy]phenyl}-2,6-difluorobenzamide

The molecular and crystal structure of N-{4-[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methoxy]phenyl}-2,6-difluorobenzamide is reported. The crystal packing is stabilized by N—H⋯N, C—H⋯O, C—H⋯F and C—H⋯π hydrogen bonds supplemented by offset π–π stacking interactions.
Phonon and electron contributions to the thermal conductivity of VNx epitaxial layers

Thermal conductivities of VNx/MgO(001) (0.76 amp;lt;= x amp;lt;= 1.00) epitaxial layers, grown by reactive magnetron sputter deposition, are measured in the temperature range 300 amp;lt; T amp;lt; .
The Effects of Aging and Hydrogen on the Radiation Response of Gated Lateral PNP Bipolar Transistors

Complex interplay between hydrogen-related defect formation and passivation is observed in irradiated bipolar transistors. Hydrogen soaking experiments are performed to evaluate the dependence of defect buildup and annealing in gated lateral bipolar transistors on hydrogen exposure. Comparisons of the radiation responses of transistors tested in 2009 to identical devices from the same wafer tested in 2003 show that aging has reduced the amount of radiation-induced interface trap and oxide trapped charge formation in most cases. These results demonstrate that the way in which the radiation response of a hydrogen-sensitive device evolves with age depends on whether hydrogen is diffusing into or out of the device, and whether the initial defect concentration favors passivation or depassivation reactions. These results strongly suggest that hydrogen exposure cannot replace low-dose-rate irradiation in ELDRS tests for bipolar devices and ICs without extensive characterization testing.
Impact of night-time symptoms in COPD: a real-world study in five European countries

Background Sleep quality is often poor in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A cross-sectional European survey investigated the prevalence of night-time symptoms in COPD to evaluate the level of disconnect between physician and patient perceptions of the presence of night-time symptoms, and to compare the characteristics of patients with and without night-time symptoms. Methods A total of 251 primary care physicians and 251 respiratory specialists completed record forms on 2,807 patients with COPD. The forms captured information on patient demographics, lung function, COPD severity, and symptoms. Patients completed questionnaires on the time of day when their COPD symptoms bothered them, and the impact of COPD on their ability to get up in the morning and on sleep. Data were compared between groups (those with and without night-time symptoms) using t-tests or Wilcoxon signed rank tests. The kappa statistic was used to assess the level of disconnect between physician and patient perceptions of the impact of night-time symptoms. Results Most patients (78%) reported night-time disturbance. Patients with night-time symptoms experienced more daytime breathlessness (mean modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale score 2.4 versus 1.1) and exacerbations in the previous 12 months (mean 1.7 versus 0.4), and received more maintenance therapy (mean of 2.8 versus 2.3 products) than those without. Concordance between the frequency of physician-reported (67.9% of patients) and patient-reported (68.5% of patients) night-time symptoms was good. Physicians significantly underestimated the impact of COPD on the patient’s ability to get up in the morning and on sleep (fair–moderate agreement). Physician-reported night-time symptoms were present for 41.2% of patients who could be categorized by Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) group (n=937), increasing from 20.9% of those in the low-risk group to 77.4% of those in the high-riskgroup. Conclusion Patients with COPD experience night-time symptoms regardless of GOLD group, that impact on their ability to get up in the morning and on their sleep quality.