Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A versatile and experimentally validated finite element model to assess the accuracy of shear wave elastography in a bounded viscoelastic medium

The feasibility of shear wave elastography (SWE) in arteries for cardiovascular risk assessment remains to be investigated as the artery's thin wall and intricate material properties induce complex shear wave (SW) propagation phenomena. To better understand the SW physics in bounded media, we proposed an in vitro validated finite element model capable of simulating SW propagation, with full flexibility at the level of the tissue's geometry, material properties, and acoustic radiation force. This computer model was presented in a relatively basic set-up, a homogeneous slab of gelatin-agar material (4.35 mm thick), allowing validation of the numerical settings according to actual SWE measurements. The resulting tissue velocity waveforms and SW propagation speed matched well with the measurement: 4.46 m/s (simulation) versus 4.63 ± 0.07 m/s (experiment). Further, we identified the impact of geometrical and material parameters on the SW propagation characteristics. As expected, phantom thickness was a determining factor of dispersion. Adding viscoelasticity to the model augmented the estimated wave speed to 4.58 m/s, an even better match with the experimental determined value. This study demonstrated that finite element modeling can be a powerful tool to gain insight into SWE mechanics and will in future work be advanced to more clinically relevant settings.
Urban Road Pricing: A Comparative Study on the Experiences of London, Stockholm and Milan

Urban road pricing schemes have been designed in order to reduce externalities generated by traffic. Main impacts regard: time loss due to congestion, local pollution, noise; contribution to climate change caused by emissions of GHGs, pavement costs and road damages, increase in accidents risks, extra-fuel consumption, decrease in quality of life. Moreover road pricing schemes generate public revenues. The paper performs a comparative evaluation of the three main experiences of urban road pricing in Europe: London (in operations since 2003), Stockholm (in operations since 2007, after a period of trial in 2006) and Milan (in operations since 2008, with a shift from pollution to congestion charge in 2012). Since their launch, the schemes have been adjusted in terms of amount of charge, area of application and other features. The schemes have been able to reduce negative externalities generated by traffic, such as accidents, congestion and emissions, up to different levels. A comparative analysis of the three schemes is provided. Determinants of differences in the effectiveness of the schemes are evaluated with a particular focus on elasticity of use of private vehicles to charge. The results can be useful to design well targeted congestion charge schemes and to assess their efficacy.
Glutamine metabolism in the kidney during induction of, and recovery from, metabolic acidosis in the rat.

Experiments were carried out on rats to evaluate the possible regulatory roles of renal glutaminase activity, mitochondrial permeability to glutamine, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity and systemic acid-base changes in the control of renal ammonia (NH(3) plus NH(4) (+)) production. Acidosis was induced by drinking NH(4)Cl solution ad libitum. A pronounced metabolic acidosis without respiratory compensation [pH=7.25; HCO(3) (-)=16.9mequiv. /litre; pCO(2)=40.7mmHg (5.41kPa)] was evident for the first 2 days, but thereafter acid-base status returned towards normal. This improvement in acid-base status was accompanied by the attainment of maximal rates of ammonia excretion (onset phase) after about 2 days. A steady rate of ammonia excretion was then maintained (plateau phase) until the rats were supplied with tap water in place of the NH(4)Cl solution, whereupon pCO(2) and HCO(3) (-) became elevated [55.4mmHg (7.37kPa) and 35.5mequiv. /litre] and renal ammonia excretion returned to control values within 1 day (recovery phase). Renal arteriovenous differences for glutamine always paralleled rates of ammonia excretion. Phosphate-dependent glutaminase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities and the rate of glutamine metabolism (NH(3) production and O(2) consumption) by isolated kidney mitochondria all increased during the onset phase. The increases in glutaminase and in mitochondrial metabolism continued into the plateau phase, whereas the increase in the carboxykinase reached a plateau at the same time as did ammonia excretion. During the recovery phase a rapid decrease in carboxykinase activity accompanied the decrease in ammonia excretion, whereas glutaminase and mitochondrial glutamine metabolism in vitro remained elevated. The metabolism of glutamine by kidney-cortex slices (ammonia, glutamate and glucose production) paralleled the metabolism of glutamine in vivo during recovery, i.e. it returned to control values. The results indicate that the adaptations in mitochondrial glutamine metabolism must be regulated by extra-mitochondrial factors, since glutamine metabolism in vivo and in slices returns to control values during recovery, whereas the mitochondrial metabolism of glutamine remains elevated.
The role of heat shock proteins in regulating the function, folding, and trafficking of the glucocorticoid receptor.

The steroid receptors are direct signal transduction systems in which the receptor both receives the signal input by binding the hormone and then, in its hormone-activated form, binds to en- hancer sequences in the genome, where it alters the transcription rates of specific genes (1). Separate domains of the receptors are responsible for signal reception and subsequent DNA binding, and deletion of the hormone binding domain (HBD) in the COOH ter- minus yields receptors that are constitutive activators of transcription (2). Thus, the HBD performs three functions in that it re- presses the transcriptional activating activity of the receptor, it binds hormone, and it determines hormone-regulated derepression of receptor function. The HBD also determines the tight binding of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to hsp9O (3), an association that is critical for proper folding and function of the receptor (4-6). Our appreciation of the importance of the steroid receptor-hsp90 interaction developed from the study of cytosolic receptors over nearly three decades. In one of the earliest studies of steroid receptor structure in 1966, Toft and Gorski (7) demonstrated the existence of a large -9 S form of the estrogen receptor in cytosolic extracts. It subsequently became clear that this large form of the steroid receptors does not bind to DNA but can be transformed to a 4 S form with DNA binding activity (4). The discovery that molyb- date stabilizes the receptors in their non-DNA binding form (8) facilitated purification of the 9 S progesterone receptor and prepa- ration of an antibody that specifically recognized the untransformed state (9).
Glycinium 3-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate

In the anion of the title salt, C2H6NO2 +·C7H5O6S−, the dihedral angle between the carboxylic acid group and the benzene ring is 5.02 (12)°. In the crystal, the anions are linked into inversion dimers through pairs of O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic acid groups and sulfonate O atoms. A pair of C—H⋯O interactions is also observed within each dimer. The anion dimers and the cations are linked into a three-dimensional network by N—H⋯O, O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.
Side Effects of Multiculturalism

We studied the influence of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) on the relationship between a multicultural ideology and attitudes about ethnic diversity and immigrants. We hypothesized that a multicultural ideology poses a threat to authoritarian individuals, which leads to a decrease in positive diversity beliefs and an increase in prejudice toward immigrants. On the basis of representative survey-data from 23 European countries, we showed that the negative relationship between RWA and positive diversity beliefs was stronger the more a country engages in multiculturalism (Study 1). In addition, in two experiments we demonstrated that RWA moderated the relationship between a video promoting multiculturalism (Study 2) or a picture showing a multicultural group (Study 3) and attitudes toward immigrants and diversity. As expected, for high-RWAs, both stimuli led to an increase in prejudice. In Study 3, perceived threat mediated the relationship between a multicultural norm and prejudice for people high in RWA.
Association of tumour necrosis factor a, b and c microsatellite polymorphisms with clinical disease activity and induction of remission in early rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To study the associations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) a, b and c microsatellite markers with 1) the clinical disease activity and 2) the induction of remissions in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with two treatment strategies. METHODS In the FIN-RACo (FINnish Rheumatoid Arthritis Combination therapy) trial of two years, 195 patients with recent-onset RA were randomly assigned to receive either a combination (COMBI) (sulphasalazine, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and prednisolone) or a single (SINGLE) (initially sulphasalazine with or without prednisolone) disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. TNF a, b and c microsatellite and HLA-DRB1 typings were carried out in 165 (79 COMBI; 86 SINGLE) study completers. RESULTS At baseline the 28 joint disease activity scores (DAS28) of the patients positive for TNFa2, a13 or b1 microsatellite markers were significantly higher than in the other patients. In the SINGLE patients the DAS28 improved comparably in patients with (n = 31) or without (n = 53) the TNFb1 marker (NS), while the DAS28 of the TNFb1-positive COMBI patients (n = 22) improved significantly more than that of the TNFb1-negative cases (n = 57) (p = 0.014). Respective 31.8% (7/22) and 28.1% (16/57) of the COMBI patients with or without TNFb1 allele achieved remission at one year. The corresponding figure in SINGLE patients were 0% (0/31) and 20.8% (11/53) (p = 0.006). At two years the remission frequencies in the TNFb1+/TNFb1- patients in the COMBI and SINGLE were 50.0%/38.6% and 9.7%/22.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION Early TNFb1+ RA patients have more active disease but respond more favourably to COMBI treatment than the patients without this microsatellite allele. The finding may be of clinical relevance for the choice of DMARDs in early RA.
Comparing Vowel Formant Normalization Methods

Results from a large-scale comparative study of vowel formant normalization methods are presented. Effectiveness of methods was evaluated by their ability to improve the equalization and alignment of speaker vowel spaces over raw Hertz measurements. Vowel-intrinsic methods performed poorly, while vowel-extrinsic, formant-intrinsic methods performed the best overall.
Stable Optical Frequency-Locked Multicarriers Generation by Double Recirculating Frequency Shifter Loops for Tb/s Communication

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel scheme to generate optical frequency-locked multicarriers by using double recirculation frequency shifter loops based on different frequency shifting direction single-sideband modulation in I/Q modulators driven by RF clock signals. By changing the phase difference of I and Q RF drive signal, each loop generates long wavelength and short wavelength subcarriers, respectively. The tone-to-noise ratio (TNR) performance with amplified spontaneous emission noise and the effect of polarization state are theoretically analyzed and experimentally investigated for the first time. Experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis. Using this scheme, we successfully generate 104 frequency-locked subcarriers with TNR larger than 17 dB and carrier spacing at 12.5 GHz covering 10.21 nm from 1545.01 to 1555.22 nm which shows that this scheme has great potential in future Tb/s per channel communications. The feasibility of this scheme is demonstrated by the experimental results.
Exploring experiential opportunity impacts on undergraduate outcomes in the geosciences

Abstract Undergraduate research is a highly valued and increasingly critical component of STEM undergraduate education, as it is a key strategy in effective student development (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2017; Science Education Alliance, 2017). However, there is little evidence on the long-term education and career impacts of undergraduate research. According to Carlone and Johnson (2007), developing an identity as a scientist requires knowledge growth, the ability to communicate scientific ideas and findings to a variety of audiences, and being recognized and respected as a scientist by others in the field. The goal of this study was to assess the longitudinal differences in science identity development as it relates to education and career outcomes of recipients and nonrecipients of NOAA’s Undergraduate Research Experiences (UREs), the Educational Partnership Program Undergraduate Scholarship, and the Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship. This evaluative study uses a quasi-experimental design to assess differences in students with equal motivation to participate in the URE, as all participants were eligible to apply and completed applications. Multivariate analyses showed that recipients of NOAA’s UREs were 1.2 times more likely to publish in a peer-reviewed journal, 2.2 times more likely to attain an advanced degree, and 1.92 times more likely to be a part- or full-time employee of NOAA.
THE PREVALENCE OF CEREBRAL VISUAL DISTURBANCE IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Assessment of visual acuity using the visual acuity card procedure in 164 children with cerebral palsy revealed low visual acuity in 71 per cent. Results of ophthalmological examination were available for 74 of these patients, but could not explain adequately the low visual acuity of 36 of the 43 patients (84 per cent) assessed by both the acuity card procedure and other techniques. There is a high probability that cerebral visual disturbance is present in these patients. Awareness of visual disability when compiling a programme of visual and neurodevelopmental stimulation for children with cerebral palsy is essential.
In vitro effects of phytohemagglutinin and brain antigen on cell transfer of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats.

In order to study further the role of lymphoid cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), lymph node cells from Lewis rats sensitized to nervous tissue-adjuvant were cultured under different conditions in vitro before their injection into recipient rats. Transfer of EAE was obtained consistently using 200 or 300 × 106 or more lymph node cells not cultured but directly injected into recipients. Culture of lymph node cells for 1 to 4 hr at 37°C diminished transfer capacity, more cells being required to obtain transfer results comparable to those with noncultured cells. Transfer activity of lymph node cells was not augmented by incubation with phytohemagglutinin. Incubation with brain antigen also did not increase activity but actually resulted in a marked decrease in transfer competence. These results are discussed in terms of mechanisms of EAE and immunologic functions of lymphoid cells.
Mouse glioma gene expression profiling identifies novel human glioma‐associated genes

Based on previous studies demonstrating increased RAS activity in human astrocytomas, we developed a transgenic mouse model (B8) that targets an activated RAS molecule to astrocytes. Within 3 to 4 months after birth, these mice develop high‐grade astrocytomas that are histologically identical to human astrocytomas. To characterize genetic events associated with B8 mouse astrocytoma formation, we employed comparative gene expression profiling of wild‐type cultured mouse astrocytes, non‐neoplastic B8 astrocytes, B8 astrocytoma cultures, and two other astrocytoma cultures from independently derived RAS transgenic mouse lines. We identified several classes of gene expression changes, including those associated with the non‐neoplastic state in the B8 transgenic mouse, those associated with astrocytoma formation, and those specifically associated with only one of the three independently derived transgenic mouse astrocytomas. Differential expression of several unique genes was confirmed at the protein level in both the RAS transgenic mouse astrocytomas and two human glioblastoma multiforme cell lines. Furthermore, reexpression of one of these downregulated astrocytoma‐associated proteins, GAP43, resulted in C6 glioma cell growth suppression. The use of this transgenic mouse model to identify novel genetic changes that might underlie the pathogenesis of human high‐grade astrocytomas provides a unique opportunity to discover future targets for brain tumor therapy.
Cerebral Hemodynamic Responses to Blood Pressure Manipulation in Severely Head-Injured Patients in the Presence or Absence of Intracranial Hypertension

The management of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) remains a controversial issue in the critical care of severely head-injured patients. Recently, it has been proposed that the state of cerebrovascular autoregulation should determine individual CPP targets. To find optimal perfusion pressure, we pharmacologically manipulated CPP in a range of 51 mm Hg (median; 25th–75th percentile, 48–53 mm Hg) to 108 mm Hg (102–112 mm Hg) on Days 0, 1, and 2 after severe head injury in 13 patients and studied the effects on intracranial pressure (ICP), autoregulation capacity, and brain tissue partial pressure of oxygen. Autoregulation was expressed as a static rate of regulation for 5-mm Hg CPP intervals based on middle cerebral artery flow velocity. When ICP was normal (26 occasions), there were no major changes in the measured variables when CPP was altered from a baseline level of 78 mm Hg (74–83 mm Hg), indicating that the brain was within autoregulation limits. Conversely, when intracranial hypertension was present (11 occasions), CPP reduction to less than 77 mm Hg (73–82 mm Hg) further increased ICP, decreased the static rate of regulation, and decreased brain tissue partial pressure of oxygen, whereas a CPP increase improved these variables, indicating that the brain was operating at the lower limit of autoregulation. We conclude that daily trial manipulation of arterial blood pressure over a wide range can provide information that may be used to optimize CPP management.
Isolating the Observed Influence of Vegetation Variability on the Climate of La Plata River Basin

This work aims to isolate and quantify the local and remote biogeophysical influences of slowly varying vegetation variability on the climate of La Plata basin (LPB) in the austral spring season (September–November) using observational records. Past studies have shown strong land–atmosphere coupling in LPB during this season. The analysis uses a 34-yr record (1981–2014) of the modified enhanced vegetation index (EVI2) from the NASA Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs) Vegetation Index and Phenology dataset and the third-generation normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies. The dominant patterns of vegetation index variability in space and time are assessed using empirical orthogonal function/principal component analysis over the LPB. The dominant mode in the austral spring is a vegetation dipole, with greening (browning) or positive (negative) vegetation index anomalies in the northeastern (southwestern) part of the basin. Using the stepwise generalized equilibrium feedback assessment (SGEFA), the effect of the vegetation variability on the atmosphere is then isolated. The dominant mode of LPB vegetation variability in austral spring is related to warmer temperatures in the southwest LPB and enhanced precipitation over the central and southern parts of the basin. A mechanism is proposed for the increase in latent heat flux and cooler temperatures in the northeastern LPB due to greening, and the increase in sensible heat flux, warmer temperatures, and decrease in surface pressure in southwestern LPB due to browning. The geostrophic response to this induced pressure gradient leads to anomalous northerly enhancement of moisture-laden winds, deeper penetration of moisture into LPB, and increased precipitation over the central and southern parts of the basin.
Climate change/variability and schistosomiasis transmission in Ga district, Ghana

Most studies on climate change and schistosomiasis transmission have mainly been on the development of models to understand the nature of the relationship. Globally, no attempt has been made to understand the relationship from the point of view of community members through public perception studies. In addition, there is no study on the nexus between climate change and schistosomiasis transmission in Ghana, albeit the disease is endemic in some parts of the country. This article attempts to fill both knowledge gaps. It uses four climate variables, hospital reported schistosomiasis cases, and data from focus group discussions undertaken in Ga District. Results show an increasing trend in total annual rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures, and a decline in the number of rainy days between 1970 and 2010, during which time there was an increase in reported schistosomiasis cases. A Pearson correlation analysis shows negative and positive significant associations, respectively, between temperature and total rainfall and schistosomiasis cases. However, maximum temperature granger causes reported schistosomiasis cases. Community members perceive that extreme warm temperatures in recent times encourage people to swim in rivers, which increases infection rates. Rainfall is associated with water-based activities including swimming, washing, and bathing. Some control and prevention interventions and treatment-seeking behaviours are discussed, and some recommendations provided.
Algorithm and Architecture Design of a Hardware-Efficient Image Dehazing Engine

The function of an image dehazing algorithm restores a hazy image back to a clear one. This technique can be equipped in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to further improve driving safety. Advanced display resolutions and high frame rates are critical to improve the reliability of ADAS. However, they cause a serious limitation on the hardware realization of an image dehazing algorithm. In this paper, an algorithm and architecture design of a hardware-efficient image dehazing engine are proposed. This dehazing algorithm comprises two core techniques: a low-complexity airlight estimation (LAE) and an independent transmission rate estimation (ITRE). LAE can efficiently predict the airlight without massive sorting processes and a computationally intensive filtering. Moreover, in its hardware architecture, a preluded airlight estimation is proposed to yield an efficient data scheduling. Being independent of the airlight, ITRE is able to solely predict transmission rates. This enables LAE and ITRE to be concurrently processed, improving the throughput of their hardware architectures. Compared with other sophisticated studies, this study demonstrates a competitive performance in peak signal-to-noise ratio, structural similarity, contrast distortion, and computational efficiency. The hardware architecture is realized using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company CMOS 0.18- $\mu \text{m}$ technology, and logic gate count is 32.6 K. Its working frequency is 200 MHz with a power consumption of 16.5 mW. The maximum throughput is as high as 600 megapixels/s, which can support $4\,096\times 2\,160$ at 60 frames/s. The experimental results indicate that this paper demonstrates superior energy and area efficiencies.