Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measurement of skeletal muscle radiation attenuation and basis of its biological variation

Skeletal muscle contains intramyocellular lipid droplets within the cytoplasm of myocytes as well as intermuscular adipocytes. These depots exhibit physiological and pathological variation which has been revealed with the advent of diagnostic imaging approaches: magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, MR spectroscopy and computed tomography (CT). CT uses computer‐processed X‐rays and is now being applied in muscle physiology research. The purpose of this review is to present CT methodologies and summarize factors that influence muscle radiation attenuation, a parameter which is inversely related to muscle fat content. Pre‐defined radiation attenuation ranges are used to demarcate intermuscular adipose tissue [from −190 to −30 Hounsfield units (HU)] and muscle (−29 HU to +150 HU). Within the latter range, the mean muscle radiation attenuation [muscle (radio) density] is reported. Inconsistent criteria for the upper and lower HU cut‐offs used to characterize muscle attenuation limit comparisons between investigations. This area of research would benefit from standardized criteria for reporting muscle attenuation. Available evidence suggests that muscle attenuation is plastic with physiological variation induced by the process of ageing, as well as by aerobic training, which probably reflects accumulation of lipids to fuel aerobic work. Pathological variation in muscle attenuation reflects excess fat deposition in the tissue and is observed in people with obesity, diabetes type II, myositis, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis and cancer. A poor prognosis and different types of morbidity are predicted by the presence of reduced mean muscle attenuation values in patients with these conditions; however, the biological features of muscle with these characteristics require further investigation.
Periostin and TGF-β-induced protein: Two peas in a pod?

Abstract Periostin (PN) and TGF-β-induced protein (βig-h3) are paralogs that contain a single emilin and four fasciclin-1 modules and are secreted from cells. PN receives attention because of its up-regulation in cancer and degenerative and allergic diseases. βig-h3 is highly enriched in cornea and best known for harboring mutations in humans associated with corneal dystrophies. Both proteins are expressed widely, and many functions, some over-lapping, have been attributed to PN and βig-h3 based on biochemical, cell culture, and whole animal experiments. We attempt to organize this knowledge so as to facilitate research on these interesting and incompletely understood proteins. We focus particularly on whether PN and βig-h3 are modified by vitamin K-dependent γ-glutamyl carboxylation, a question of considerable importance given the profound effects of γ-carboxylation on structure and function of other proteins. We consider the roles of PN and βig-h3 in formation of extracellular matrix and as ligands for integrin receptors. We attempt to reconcile the contradictory results that have arisen concerning the role of PN, which has emerged as a marker of TH2 immunity, in murine models of allergic asthma. Finally, when possible we compare and contrast the structures and functions of the two proteins.
Aggregate base residual stresses affecting geogrid reinforced flexible pavement response

This paper presents findings of an analytical study aimed at investigating the effects of unbound aggregate base residual stresses on the resilient response behaviour of geogrid reinforced flexible pavements. A finite element (FE) based mechanistic response model recently developed at the University of Illinois was used to predict critical pavement responses of unreinforced and geogrid reinforced flexible pavements. The nonlinear analyses performed in the base and subgrade also considered different horizontal compressive residual stress distributions introduced as locked-in initial stresses in the base course due to pavement construction and subsequent repeated traffic loading. The primary focus was to study effects of increased confinement and stiffening around geogrid on improved granular layer moduli and reduced critical subgrade vertical strains/stresses by assigning initial residual stresses around the geogrid tensile reinforcement in the FE pavement continuum analysis. An increase in horizontal confinement resulted in significant increases in the moduli of the base and subgrade layers in the vicinity of the geogrid reinforcement. The degree of structural benefit provided by geogrid reinforcement could be successfully quantified in the response analysis to show the commonly observed technical benefit of geogrids in the field.
A parallel algorithm combines genetic algorithm and ant colony algorithm for the minimum latency problem

The Minimum Latency Problem is a class of combinatorial optimization problems which has many practical applications. Recently, several meta-heuristic algorithms were proposed. These algorithms were developed in either a trajectory-based meta-heuristic or sequential approach, which start with a single initial solution and, at each step of the search, the current solution is replaced by another (often the best) solution found in its neighborhood. Since the search space of the problem is combinatorial explosion, these algorithms often explore a subset of the search space, therefore, they can fall into local optima in some cases. In order to overcome the drawbacks of the current algorithms, we propose a population-based algorithm that combines the genetic algorithm (GA) and the ant colony algorithm (ACO) according to island parallel model. In our parallel approach, subpopulations are developed in different ways and individual's migration helps to maintain the diversity. In each subpopulation, ACO is used to generate ant populations while the genetic information from GA drives ants to create better populations in the next iterations. The most important feature of our ACO is that three kinds of ants coexist to improve the efficiency of search. In addition, our population-based approach can simultaneously search from multiple solutions in populations, thus, its exploring search space is extended to escape from local optima. Extensive numerical experiments and comparisons with the state of the art meta-heuristic algorithms in the literature show that the proposed algorithm is highly competitive, providing the new best solutions for several instances.
Probing $\sim L_{*}$ Lyman-break Galaxies at $z\approx 7$ in GOODS-South with WFC3 on HST

We analyse recently acquired near-infrared Hubble Space Telescope imaging of the GOODS-South field to search for star forming galaxies at z~7.0. By comparing WFC 3 0.98 micron Y-band images with ACS z-band (0.85 micron) images, we identify objects with colours consistent with Lyman break galaxies at z~6.4-7.4. This new data covers an area five times larger than that previously reported in the WFC3 imaging of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, and affords a valuable constraint on the bright end of the luminosity function. Using additional imaging of the region in the ACS B, V and i-bands from GOODS v2.0 and the WFC3 J-band we attempt to remove any low-redshift interlopers. Our selection criteria yields 6 candidates brighter than Y_AB = 27.0, of which all except one are detected in the ACS z-band imaging and are thus unlikely to be transients. Assuming all 6 candidates are at z~7 this implies a surface density of objects brighter than Y_AB = 27.0 of 0.30\pm0.12 arcmin-2, a value significantly smaller than the prediction from the z ~ 6 luminosity function. This suggests continued evolution of the bright end of the luminosity function between z = 6 to 7, with number densities lower at higher redshift.
Compressive Sensing as Applied to Inverse Problems for Imaging: Theory, Applications, Current Trends, and Open Challenges.

Compressive sensing (CS) is currently one the most active research fields in information engineering and science. The flexibility, robustness, accuracy, effectiveness, and sound theory behind such a paradigm have motivated a great interest in developing and applying CS to many domains, including inverse scattering. Unfortunately, electromagnetic imaging problems have some unique theoretical features that prevent a straightforward exploitation of CS tools. Therefore, suitable CS-based strategies must be considered in such a framework.
Taiwanese Version of the Work-Related Quality of Life Scale for Nurses: Translation and Validation

Background: The shortage of professional nurses is a global issue of critical importance. Improving the retention and recruitment of nurses is necessary to reduce this shortage. The ability to measure the quality of work life (QWL) of nurses is important to understand the current QWL status among nurses and to develop appropriate improvement strategies. The two instruments that are currently used in Taiwan both require excessive amounts of time to complete. Furthermore, the results that these two instruments generate are not easily interdisciplinary and international comparisons. Purpose: The aims of this study were to translate into Chinese the English version of the Work-Related Quality of Life Scale (WRQoL) that was developed by Van Laar, Edwards, and Easton (2007) and then to determine the reliability and validity of this Chinese-version scale in terms of measuring the QWL of nurses in Taiwan. Methods: The WRQoL was translated from English into Chinese using forward-translation with group discussions, back-translation, and verification of conceptual equivalence. Concurrent validity, test–retest reliability, and internal consistency reliability were determined in two samples of nurses (n = 30 and n = 213 for Phases 1 and 2, respectively) from a medical center in Taiwan during September 2009. Results: The 23-item Taiwanese version of the WRQoL showed satisfactory concurrent validity with a Taiwanese QWL scale (correlation = .75). The 3-week test–retest reliability was . 89, and the Cronbach’s alpha was . 88, indicating high internal consistency reliability. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: The Taiwanese version of the WRQoL is acceptable for measuring the QWL of nurses in Taiwan. Larger scale studies are recommended for confirmatory factor analysis. This tool may be used for human resources management and policy-making applications, providing the potential to help retain and recruit nurses in Taiwan. Furthermore, the Taiwanese-version scale may be used to compare work-related quality of life between Taiwanese nurses and their counterparts overseas.
Walk 'n scroll: a comparison of software-based navigation techniques for different levels of mobility

In this paper, we present a field study comparing software-based navigation techniques (scrollbars, tap-and-drag, and touch-n-go) on mobile devices. In particular, we were interested in exploring the efficiency and user preference of these navigation techniques for different levels of mobility (sitting, walking, and standing) in a naturalistic environment. Results show that while there was no significant difference in performance between tap-and-drag and touch-n-go, both techniques significantly outperformed scrollbars for simple, multi-directional navigation tasks. In addition, the users preferred the touch-n-go technique over the other two methods. The results also revealed that users' interactions and preferences differed between the levels of mobility.
Stratification in P2P Networks: Application to BitTorrent

We consider a model for decentralized collaborative networks that is based on stable matching theory. This model is applied to systems with a global ranking utility function, which admits a unique stable configuration. We study the speed of convergence and analyze the stratification properties of the stable configuration, both when all collaborations are possible and for random possible collaborations. As a practical example, we consider the BitTorrent Titfor- Tat policy. For this system, our model provides an interesting insight into peer download rates and a good understanding of upload settings strategy.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE DIGESTIVE TUBE AND ITS DERIVATIVES

The chick embryo is the type used almost universally to illustrate the course of morphogenesis in higher vertebrates. I t is scarcely necessary therefore to recall that the digestive tube and the glands and diverticula associated with it originate, during the first day of incubation, from a flat tissue sheet, the so-called splanchnopleure, which is composed of two welldefined layers: a lower flat epithelium, the entoderm, to the upper surface of which is closely applied a mesoblastic mesenchymal layer. The mechanics of folding are such that, except in the anteriormost region of the embyro, the mesenchymal component surrounding the gut tube originates from the lateral portion of the embryonic mesoderm, the so-called splanchnic mesoderm of the lateral plate. The epithelial and glandular elements of the digestive and respiratory tracts derive of course from the entodermal epithelium. The muscular, vascular, connective and serous elements derive from the splanchnic mesoderm. The various organs of these systems are formed either by enlargement or by elongation of the original tube, or by localized outgrowths of its wall. The origin of the two elements which compose the splanchnopleure is by no means as well understood as it seemed to be twenty years ago. At the time an egg is laid, or very shortly thereafter, in the first phase of gastrulation, a lower layer or hypoblast is cut off from the blastoderm. Such a lower epithelial layer is found a t all subsequent blastoderm stages and ordinarily has been believed to be the entoderm itself. Experimental work (cf. Hunt, 1937b) has suggested the possibility that the early hypoblast, during the activity of the primitive streak which marks the second phase of gastrulation, is reinforced by cells invaginated from the surface layer, through the primitive streak, and, therefore, that the hypoblast is not the exact equivalent of the entoderm present after gastrulation is complete. There is no suggestion in the literature that the primitive streak gives a mass contribution to the hypoblast; rather that individual streak cells enter the lower layer without disturbing its continuity. Hunt (op. cit.) and Spratt (1946) have described such cells as occurring in preparations growing irt vitro. These cells, if this version is correct, are of great importance developmentally, as will be pointed out shortly. As for the origin of the splanchnic mesoderm, investigators agree that it is invaginated from the upper layers through the primitive streak; Pasteels (1936) has marked the region of the early streak that apparently provides lateral plate mesoderm. Whatever the ultimate verdict will be on the question of whether entodermal cells actually originate in the primitive streak, there is no doubt that, once the streak is active, the forming and spreading mesoderm adheres very closely to the underlying hypoblast. Thus, there is justification for considering the lower mesoderm and the entoderm as a unit, as we do in the present discussion.
Stainless steel/polyester woven fabrics and copper/polyester woven fabrics: Manufacturing techniques and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness

This study uses metallic wires, stainless steel (SS) wires, and copper (Cu) wires as the core and 75 denier polyester (PET) fibers as the wrap material to form the metal/PET wrapped yarns. The optimal SS/PET and Cu/PET wrapped yarns are then made into different woven fabrics. The test results of the metallic wrapped yarns show that the optimal tenacity occurs with the wrapping count being 12 turns/cm, while the metal/PET woven fabrics have a low surface resistivity due to the conductive metal/PET wrapped yarns along the weft direction. An increasing number of laminating layers increases the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) while decreasing the air permeability of the woven fabrics. The laminating angle is also proportional to the EMSE of the woven fabrics. In sum, the combination of metal wires and PET fibers provides the resulting woven fabrics with good EMSE.
Hydration Degree of Alkali-Activated Slags: A 29Si NMR Study

A commercial blast furnace slag was activated using either sodium hydroxide or hydrous sodium metasilicate, and the degree of hydration was determined by 29Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results are compared with measurements made using scanning electron microscopy image analysis (SEM-IA). The results from both 29Si NMR and the SEM-IA measurements indicated a fast initial reaction with the alkali, and similar degrees of hydration throughout the reaction. The 29Si NMR results were analyzed using two different methods for fitting the residual slag in the decomposition of the 29Si NMR spectra: the first method used the spectrum of the anhydrous slag, whereas the second method used the spectrum of the dissolution residue of the hydrated sample. Only the first method provided a satisfactory simulation. The degree of hydration and the Al/Si atomic ratio within the C–S–H, deduced by 29Si NMR were in agreement with SEM-IA and EDX analyses.
Prevention of relapse in residual depression by cognitive therapy: a controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Previous studies indicate that depressed patients with partial remission and residual symptoms following antidepressant treatment are common and have high rates of relapse. There is evidence that cognitive therapy may reduce relapse rates in depression. METHODS One hundred fifty-eight patients with recent major depression, partially remitted with antidepressant treatment (mean daily doses equivalent to 185 mg of amitriptyline or 33 mg of fluoxetine) but with residual symptoms of 2 to 18 months' duration, were included in a controlled trial. Subjects were randomized to receive clinical management alone or clinical management plus cognitive therapy for 16 sessions during 20 weeks, with 2 subsequent booster sessions. Subjects were assessed regularly throughout the 20 weeks' treatment and for a further year. They received continuation and maintenance antidepressants at the same dose throughout. RESULTS Cognitive therapy reduced relapse rates for acute major depression and persistent severe residual symptoms, in both intention to treat and treated per protocol samples. The cumulative relapse rate at 68 weeks was reduced significantly, from 47% in the clinical management control group to 29% with cognitive therapy (hazard ratio 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.93; intention to treat analysis). Cognitive therapy also increased full remission rates at 20 weeks but did not significantly improve symptom ratings. CONCLUSION In this difficult-to-treat group of patients with residual depression who showed only partial response despite antidepressant treatment, cognitive therapy produced worthwhile benefit.
The ABCs of Hedge Funds: Alphas, Betas, & Costs

Despite the retrenchment of the hedge fund industry in 2008, hedge fund assets under management are currently over one and a half trillion dollars. We analyze the potential biases in reported hedge fund returns, in particular survivor-ship bias and back fill bias. We then decompose the returns into three components: the systematic market exposure (beta), the value added by hedge funds (alpha), and the hedge fund fees (costs). We analyze the performance of a universe of about 8,400 hedge funds from the TASS database from January 1995 through December 2009. Our results indicate that both survivor-ship and back fill biases are potentially serious problems. Adjusting for these biases brings the net return from 14.26% to 7.63% for the equally weighted sample. Over the entire period, this return is slightly lower than the S&P 500 return of 8.04%, but includes a statistically significant positive alpha. We estimate a pre-fee return of 11.42%, which we split into a fee (3.78%), an alpha (3.01%), and a beta return (4.62%). The positive alpha is quite remarkable, since the mutual fund industry in aggregate does not produce alpha net of fees. The year by year results also show that alphas from hedge funds were positive during every year of the last decade, even through the recent financial crisis of 2008 and 2009.
Absorbing Aerosols and Summer Monsoon Evolution over South Asia: An Observational Portrayal

The South Asian haze builds up from December to May, is mostly of anthropogenic origin, and absorbs part of the solar radiation. The influence of interannual variations of absorbing aerosols over the IndoGangetic Plain in May on the Indian summer monsoon is characterized by means of an observational analysis. Insight into how the aerosol impact is generated is also provided. It is shown that anomalous aerosol loading in late spring leads to remarkable and large-scale variations in the monsoon evolution. Excessive aerosols in May lead to reduced cloud amount and precipitation, increased surface shortwave radiation, and land surface warming. The June (and July) monsoon anomaly associated with excessive May aerosols is of opposite sign over much of the subcontinent (although with a different pattern) with respect to May. The monsoon strengthens in June (and July). The analysis suggests that the significant large-scale aerosol influence on monsoon circulation and hydroclimate is mediated by the heating of the land surface, pursuant to reduced cloudiness and precipitation in May. The finding of the significant role of the land surface in the realization of the aerosol impact is somewhat novel.
Parathyroid Hormone–Related Protein Interacts With the Transforming Growth Factor-&bgr;/Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2/Gremlin Signaling Pathway to Regulate Proinflammatory and Profibrotic Mediators in Pancreatic Acinar and Stellate Cells

ObjectivesTransforming growth factor &bgr; (TGF-&bgr;) regulates immune and fibrotic responses of chronic pancreatitis. The bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) antagonist gremlin is regulated by TGF-&bgr;. Parathyroid hormone–related protein (PTHrP) levels are elevated in chronic pancreatitis. Here, we investigated the cross-talk between TGF-&bgr;/BMP-2/gremlin and PTHrP signaling. MethodsReverse transcription/real-time polymerase chain reaction, chromatin immunoprecipitation, Western blotting, and transient transfection were used to investigate PTHrP regulation by TGF-&bgr; and BMP-2 and gremlin regulation by PTHrP. The PTHrP antagonist PTHrP (7-34) and acinar cells with conditional Pthrp gene deletion (PTHrP&Dgr;acinar) were used to assess PTHrP's role in the proinflammatory and profibrotic effects of TGF-&bgr; and gremlin. ResultsTransforming growth factor &bgr; increased PTHrP levels in acinar cells and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) through a Smad3-dependent pathway. Transforming growth factor &bgr;'s effects on levels of IL-6 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) (acinar cells) and procollagen I and fibronectin (PSCs) were inhibited by PTHrP (7-34). PTHrP&Dgr;acinar suppressed TGF-&bgr;'s effects on IL-6 and ICAM-1. Parathyroid hormone–related hormone increased gremlin in acinar cells, and inhibiting gremlin action suppressed TGF-&bgr;'s and PTHrP's effects on IL-6 and ICAM-1. Transforming growth factor &bgr;–mediated gremlin up-regulation was suppressed in PTHrP&Dgr;acinar cells. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 suppressed PTHrP levels in PSCs. ConclusionsParathyroid hormone–related hormone functions as a novel mediator of the proinflammatory and profibrotic effects of TGF-&bgr;. Transforming growth factor &bgr; and BMP-2 regulate PTHrP expression, and PTHrP regulates gremlin levels.