Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MRI‐based evaluation of locus and extent of neurotoxic lesions in monkeys

To minimize the variability in the extent of lesions made by injections of the excitotoxin ibotenic acid in rhesus monkeys, we developed and validated an MRI‐based method to determine the efficacy of the injections soon after surgery. T2‐weighted MR images were obtained 6–11 days after surgery from 17 brain hemispheres of monkeys that had received bilateral lesions of either the hippocampal formation (HF), perirhinal cortex, or parahippocampal cortex. The extent of lesion estimated from the hypersignal that appeared in and outside of the targeted area on these MR images was compared with the extent of damage assessed histologically after survival periods ranging from 120–370 days. Highly significant correlations (r values between 0.85–0.99) were found between these two measures for several regions in the medial temporal lobe. Based on this finding, lack of hypersignal in the targeted area of some Ss was followed by successful reinjection of the neurotoxin to create more complete cell loss prior to the postoperative phase of the study. We also assessed the relationship between a postoperative reduction in HF volume, measured from T1‐weighted MR images, and the extent of damage determined histologically in 14 hemispheres of monkeys with bilateral excitotoxic HF lesions. The HF volume decreases sharply after surgery until 40–50 days postoperatively, after which there is only a minor further decrease. Based on this finding, we obtained T1‐weighted MR images at least 44 days but in most cases close to 1 year after surgery. A highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.95, P < 0.001) was found between neuronal damage and volume reduction, with nearly complete neuronal damage (96–99%) corresponding to a volume reduction of 68–79%. These MRI‐based methods thus provide an accurate in vivo evaluation of the locus and extent of neurotoxic lesions. Application of these methods can ensure that each animal in the experiment is used effectively. Hippocampus 2001;11:361–370. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High-swing class-C VCO

By removing the tail current source of a class-C VCO, a high-swing VCO core has been introduced. The use of a transformer has added an additional degree of freedom so that a bias control circuit can adjust gate bias of the switching pair to a low voltage for the highest tank swing. High efficiency of class-C operation combined with high output swing led to a first class phase noise performance. The VCO oscillating at 5.11GHz, draws 1.44mA from a 0.6V power supply. The measured phase noise is −127dBc/Hz at 3MHz offset frequency resulting in a FoM of 192.3dB.
Stages in Digital Business Transformation: Results of an Empirical Maturity Study

Managers and decision makers need to transform their organizational routines and structures to meet the challenges of the digital age. Even though organizational change is by no means a new topic, many companies struggle to recognize and make sense of the often very disruptive changes affecting all industries. In order to foster an understanding of the phenomenon and the development of a digital transformation strategy, this research derives typical stages in a digital business transformation process from empirical data. The nine dimensions of the digital maturity model (DMM) provide a more profound understanding of the relevant levers for managing digital transformation. The DMM was implemented together with a survey of 547 individuals from 417 organizations in Switzerland and Germany. Based on the survey data, we used the Rasch-algorithm and cluster analysis to derive five maturity stages. The findings show that while digital affinity and experimenting with digital technology are already prevalent in companies, a strategically planned transformation and usage of advanced data analytics in business processes are less common. The results from this study yield insights into how activities in digital business transformation are currently tackled and prioritized and thus con-tribute to the body of knowledge about organizational transformation.
Type I Interferon Receptor Deficiency in Dendritic Cells Facilitates Systemic Murine Norovirus Persistence Despite Enhanced Adaptive Immunity

In order for a virus to persist, there must be a balance between viral replication and immune clearance. It is commonly believed that adaptive immunity drives clearance of viral infections and, thus, dysfunction or viral evasion of adaptive immunity is required for a virus to persist. Type I interferons (IFNs) play pleiotropic roles in the antiviral response, including through innate control of viral replication. Murine norovirus (MNoV) replicates in dendritic cells (DCs) and type I IFN signaling in DCs is important for early control of MNoV replication. We show here that the non-persistent MNoV strain CW3 persists systemically when CD11c positive DCs are unable to respond to type I IFN. Persistence in this setting is associated with increased early viral titers, maintenance of DC numbers, increased expression of DC activation markers and an increase in CD8 T cell and antibody responses. Furthermore, CD8 T cell function is maintained during the persistent phase of infection and adaptive immune cells from persistently infected mice are functional when transferred to Rag1 -/- recipients. Finally, increased early replication and persistence are also observed in mixed bone marrow chimeras where only half of the CD11c positive DCs are unable to respond to type I IFN. These findings demonstrate that increased early viral replication due to a cell-intrinsic innate immune deficiency is sufficient for persistence and a functional adaptive immune response is not sufficient for viral clearance.
Outcomes of male patients with Alport syndrome undergoing renal replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Patients with the hereditary disease Alport syndrome commonly require renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the second or third decade of life. This study compared age at onset of RRT, renal allograft, and patient survival in men with Alport syndrome receiving various forms of RRT (peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, or transplantation) with those of men with other renal diseases. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Patients with Alport syndrome receiving RRT identified from 14 registries in Europe were matched to patients with other renal diseases. A linear spline model was used to detect changes in the age at start of RRT over time. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to examine patient and graft survival. RESULTS Age at start of RRT among patients with Alport syndrome remained stable during the 1990s but increased by 6 years between 2000-2004 and 2005-2009. Survival of patients with Alport syndrome requiring dialysis or transplantation did not change between 1990 and 2009. However, patients with Alport syndrome had better renal graft and patient survival than matched controls. Numbers of living-donor transplantations were lower in patients with Alport syndrome than in matched controls. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that kidney failure in patients with Alport syndrome is now being delayed compared with previous decades. These patients appear to have superior patient survival while undergoing dialysis and superior patient and graft survival after deceased-donor kidney transplantation compared with patients receiving RRT because of other causes of kidney failure.
Treatment of dystonic syndromes by chronic electrical stimulation of the internal globus pallidus.

AIM Dystonia is a medically intractable condition causing twisting or myoclonic movements and abnormal postures. There is an important heterogeneity among etiologies of dystonia. The electrical stimulation of the globus pallidus has been used successfully in primary generalized dystonia. The aim of this study was to examine the long-term efficacy and safety of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of primary and secondary generalized dystonia in children and adults. METHODS Fifty-three patients were included. Electrodes were bilaterally implanted under stereotactic guidance and connected to neurostimulators, subcutaneously inserted. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing scores on the clinical and functional Burke-Marsden-Fahn dystonia rating scales (BMFDRS) before and after implantation. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 comprised 15 patients with DYT1 dystonia; group 2, 17 patients with dystonia of unknown etiology and group 3, 21 patients with secondary dystonia. The mean follow-up was 26.6+/-12.3 months for primary dystonia and 23.1+/-11.8 for secondary dystonia. RESULTS After 1 year, the improvement of the clinical score is 71% in group 1, 74% in group 2 and 31% in group 3. The functional score was improved by 63% in group 1, 49% in group 2 and 7% in group 3. We did not find any significant difference between children and adults. In secondary dystonia, efficacy of the stimulation is more limited. The efficacy of the stimulation improved with time for the 3 groups. COMCLUSION: Electrical stimulation of the internal globus pallidus proved to be an effective treatment for generalized dystonia and should be considered as first-line therapy.
Mechanisms of Murine RANTES Chemokine Gene Induction by Newcastle Disease Virus*

We have previously defined the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-responsive element (LRE) in the promoters of murine RANTES (regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed) (MuRantes) and murine IP-10/crg-2, chemokines which have potent chemotactic properties for inflammatory cells including monocytes and T lymphocytes. In the present work, we studied the transcriptional mechanism of MuRantes gene induction by virus and compared it with that of LPS in an effort to understand the host responses to virus and bacterial toxins at the molecular level. MuRantes mRNA expression is induced by Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and LPS in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line and peritoneal macrophages of LPS-responsive C3HeB/FeJ mice. In LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice, only NDV induces this chemokine gene, indicating that the pathways of transcriptional activation by NDV and LPS are not identical. Using a transient transfection assay, the minimal virus-responsive element (VRE) was localized between nt −175 and −116. The VRE contains previously defined LRE motif 1 (TCAYRCTT) and motif 3 ((T/A)GRTTTCA(G/C)TTT), which were shown to also be important for initiation of transcription by virus. NDV-stimulated nuclear extracts were tested for trans-activating factors able to bind the VRE. The chromosomal protein HMG-I(C) was shown to bind the 3′-A·T-rich domains of the VRE, and the presence of HMG-I(C) was demonstrated in the VRE-protein complex formed with nuclear extracts from NDV-stimulated, but not unstimulated cells. These findings demonstrate the role of HMG-I(C) in activation of MuRantes promoter by NDV.
Urban Elementary Students' Views of Environmental Scientists, Environmental Caretakers and Environmentally Responsible Behaviors.

URBAN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS' VIEWS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, ENVIRONMENTAL CARETAKERS, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIORS Patricia Lynne Home Old Dominion University, 2010 Director, Dr. Daniel Dickerson The purpose of this research was to determine the nature of the relationship between urban elementary fifth graders, environmental workers, and the environment. The study examined 320 urban fifth grade elementary students' drawings of environmental scientists (DAEST) and environmental caretakers (DAECT). Additionally, semistructured interviews were included to elucidate student illustrations. The study's sample represented one-third of all fifth graders in the mid-Atlantic school district selected for this research. Approximately 5% of participants were chosen for follow-up semistructured interviews based on their illustrations. A general conclusion is some of the stereotypes, particularly related to gender, revealed in prior research (Barman, 1999; Chambers, 1983; Huber & Burton, 1995; Schibeci &Sorensen's, 1983; Sumrall, 1995) are evident among many elementary students. Male environmental scientists were drawn twice as often as female environmental scientists. Females were represented in more pictures of environmental caretakers than environmental scientists. Students overwhelmingly drew environmental scientists (98.1%) and environmental caretakers (76.5%) working alone. Wildlife was noticeably absent from most drawings (85%). Where wildlife was included, it was most often birds (6.9%) and fish (3.1%). More than one species was evident in only 2.5% of the pictures. Fifty percent of environmental caretakers were shown picking up trash from land. Actions such as reducing resource use occurred in only 13 out of 319 pictures (4.1%). Pictures of environmental caretakers sharing knowledge were even less common (2.5%). Almost 22% of females drew multiple individuals compared to 18.5% drawn by males. Females were more likely to show individuals collaborating (22.4% to 16.8%) while males were more likely to show individuals working in opposition (5.2% to 2.0%).
Rare variants of ATM and risk for Hodgkin's disease and radiation-associated breast cancers.

PURPOSE In this study, we first sought to evaluate whether individuals heterozygous for ATM mutations may have an increased susceptibility to radiation-induced breast cancer (BC) after treatment for Hodgkin's disease (HD). We next sought to determine the frequency of ATM variants in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma, regardless of coexisting BC, compared with healthy volunteers. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Full sequence analysis of ATM was performed on cDNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes from 37 cases of BC after therapeutic radiation therapy for HD and 27 comparison cases with HD and no BC treated during the same time period. The frequency of ATM variants was analyzed in the total group of 64 cases of HD and compared to allele frequencies in 128 ethnically matched controls from the same geographical region. RESULTS No protein-truncating ATM mutations were observed in cases with HD with or without BC. Missense mutations were more frequent in the cohort with HD compared with patients with BC following HD (P = 0.02). The median time from HD to the development of BC was 18 years in patients with ATM variants compared with 16 years in those with no ATM variants (P = 0.04). Multiple ATM variants, including one homozygous mutation, were observed in 9 HD cases. CONCLUSIONS Heterozygous protein-truncating or missense mutations of ATM were not associated with increased radiation-associated risk of BC after HD. The observation of multiple germ-line mutations and a homozygote suggests that rare ATM variants may constitute cancer-susceptibility alleles in a subset of cases.
Women graduates' academic resilience and their personal strategies for doctoral success

OF THE DISSERTATION WOMEN GRADUATES* ACADEMIC RESILIENCE AND THEIR PERSONAL STRATEGIES FOR DOCTORAL SUCCESS by Alice S. Culpepper Florida International University, 2004 Miami, Florida Professor Janice R. Sandiford, Major Professor This study explores women’s perceptions of what made them successful doctoral students and what strategies they used to cope and succeed in the academic environment of an off-campus program in South Florida. The study’s theoretical framework was built on Bandura’s (1997) theory regarding ways self-efficacy influences choices made and effort expended; and Gilligan (1982), Belenky et al. (1986) and other feminists’ theories concerning how women learn. The study included data obtained from individual, semi-structured interviews with 10 participants, documents spanning the 10 years of the program and interviews with founding faculty members. For each, academic resilience was built on (a) viewing that working on the degree was personally fulfilling, (b) believing she possessed a strong sense of academic confidence; (c) priding herself on having self discipline; (d) seeing herself as a role model; and (e) being motivated by a personal or career goal. Strategies the participants used to overcome roadblocks included (a) time management-finding time for personal, professional, and academic duties; (b) focusmaking the dissertation a priority; (c) collaboration-utilizing both personal and programmatic assistance; (d), and advocacy-acting on their individual needs. Results of the study indicated that the program at the satellite campus provided structural resources that satisfied basic needs and strengthened the students' self-efficacy. This helped them become successful doctoral graduates. The women had personal fortitude and strong self-efficacy to complete the doctoral journey. They understood that their success was primarily based on the support they received from people: families, peers, and their major professors. Participants suggested that successful women students ascertain whether they have time and resources to devote to an extended study, an understanding family, and the resilience to overcome roadblocks along the way.
Optimization of enzyme–substrate pairing for bioluminescence imaging of gene transfer using Renilla and Gaussia luciferases

Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) permits the non‐invasive quantification and localization of transduction and expression by gene transfer vectors. The tendency of tissue to attenuate light in the optical region, however, limits the sensitivity of BLI. Improvements in light output from bioluminescent reporter systems would allow the detection of lower levels of expression, smaller numbers of cells and expression from deeper and more attenuating tissues within an animal.
Population-Based Inorganic Mercury Biomonitoring and the Identification of Skin Care Products as a Source of Exposure in New York City

Background Mercury is a toxic metal that has been used for centuries as a constituent of medicines and other items. Objective We assessed exposure to inorganic mercury in the adult population of New York City (NYC). Methods We measured mercury concentrations in spot urine specimens from a representative sample of 1,840 adult New Yorkers in the 2004 NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Cases with urine concentrations ≥ 20 μg/L were followed up with a telephone or in-person interview that asked about potential sources of exposure, including ritualistic/cultural practices, skin care products, mercury spills, herbal medicine products, and fish. Results Geometric mean urine mercury concentration in NYC was higher for Caribbean-born blacks [1.39 μg/L; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14–1.70] and Dominicans (1.04 μg/L; 95% CI, 0.82–1.33) than for non-Hispanic whites (0.67 μg/L; 95% CI, 0.60–0.75) or other racial/ethnic groups. It was also higher among those who reported at least 20 fish meals in the past 30 days (1.02 μg/L; 95% CI, 0.83–1.25) than among those who reported no fish meals (0.50 μg/L; 95% CI, 0.41–0.61). We observed the highest 95th percentile of exposure (21.18 μg/L; 95% CI, 7.25–51.29) among Dominican women. Mercury-containing skin-lightening creams were a source of exposure among those most highly exposed, and we subsequently identified 12 imported products containing illegal levels of mercury in NYC stores. Conclusion Population-based biomonitoring identified a previously unrecognized source of exposure to inorganic mercury among NYC residents. In response, the NYC Health Department embargoed products and notified store owners and the public that skin-lightening creams and other skin care products that contain mercury are dangerous and illegal. Although exposure to inorganic mercury is not a widespread problem in NYC, users of these products may be at risk of health effects from exposure.
An Efficient Soft Tissue Characterization Method for Haptic Rendering of Soft Tissue Deformation in Medical Simulation

The modeling of soft tissue behavior is essential in haptic rendering for virtual reality based medical simulators, which provide a safe and objective medium for training medical personnel. This paper presents a measuring device, modeling and effective characterization method of soft tissue's material properties. Experiments were conducted on five porcine livers using an indentation device and ramp-and-hold trajectory. The soft tissue was assumed to be a continuous, incompressible, homogeneous and isotropic solid and a nonlinear constitutive model based on the observation of the force-displacement behavior of soft tissues. The constitutive model was fitted to the experimental data using the Levenberg- Marquardt optimization algorithm combined with a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element simulation. Scripting software was used to automatically characterize the mechanical properties and to repeat the FE simulation until the simulated and experimental responses matched.
Active tactile object exploration with Gaussian processes

Accurate object shape knowledge provides important information for performing stable grasping and dexterous manipulation. When modeling an object using tactile sensors, touching the object surface at a fixed grid of points can be sample inefficient. In this paper, we present an active touch strategy to efficiently reduce the surface geometry uncertainty by leveraging a probabilistic representation of object surface. In particular, we model the object surface using a Gaussian process and use the associated uncertainty information to efficiently determine the next point to explore. We validate the resulting method for tactile object surface modeling using a real robot to reconstruct multiple, complex object surfaces.
Limitations on Animal Flight Performance

Flight performance seems to change systematically with body size: small animals can hover and fly over a wide range of speeds, but large birds taxi for takeoff and then fly over a narrow speed range. The traditional explanation for this is that the mass-specific power required for flight varies with speed according to a U-shaped curve, and it also scales between m0 and m1/6, where m is body mass. The mass-specific power available from the flight muscles is assumed to scale as m−1/3. As available power decreases with increasing body size, the range of attainable flight speeds becomes progressively reduced until the largest animals can only fly in the trough of the U-shaped curve. Above a particular size, the available power is insufficient and flapping flight is not possible. The underlying assumptions of this argument are examined in this review. Metabolic measurements are more consistent with a J-shaped curve, with little change in power from hovering to intermediate flight speeds, than with a U-shaped curve. Scaling of the mass-specific power required to fly agrees with predictions. The mass-specific power available from, the muscles, estimated from maximal loading studies, varies as m0.13. This scaling cannot be distinguished from that of the power required to fly, refuting the argument that power imposes an intrinsic scaling on flight performance. It is suggested instead that limitations on low-speed performance result from an adverse scaling of lift production with increasing body size.