Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
N-Polar InAlN/AlN/GaN MIS-HEMTs

N-polar metal-insulator-semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors (MIS-HEMTs) were fabricated from a GaN/AlN/InAlN/GaN heterostructure grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on a vicinal sapphire substrate, using Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> as the gate insulator. Hall measurements in van der Pauw geometry on the heterostructure showed a sheet charge density and a mobility of 2.15 × 10<sup>13</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup> and 1135 cm<sup>2</sup>·V<sup>-1</sup>·s<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. Resistance measurements revealed anisotropic conductivity with respect to the surface steps induced by the substrate misorientation, and the sheet resistance of the 2-D electron gas was as low as 226 Ω/□ in the parallel direction. MIS-HEMTs with a gate length of 0.7 μm and a source-drain spacing of 2.2 μm had a peak drain current of 1.47 A/mm and an on-resistance of 1.45 Ω·mm. At a drain bias of 8 V, the current- and power-gain cutoff frequencies were 14 and 25 GHz, respectively.
Lower risk of thromboembolic cardiovascular events with naproxen among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND Naproxen strongly inhibits platelet aggregation. OBJECTIVE To examine the risk of acute thromboembolic cardiovascular events (TCEs) (myocardial infarction, sudden death, and stroke) with current naproxen use among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS We studied patients aged 40 to 79 years with rheumatoid arthritis in the British General Practice Research Database, excluding those with a prior TCE and potentially confounding conditions. We matched up to 4 controls by sex, age, and site of medical practice to cases with first incident TCEs. The case diagnosis date was designated as the index date for each case and his or her controls. We categorized naproxen according to the most recent prescription prior to the index date as being current (< or =30 days), past (> 30 days but < 365 days), or none (> or =365 days before index date). Using conditional logistic regression, we conducted a matched case-control analysis with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS We identified 809 cases. Current naproxen use was more common among controls (5.7%) than cases (3.2%). Adjusting for calendar year of treatment start, systemic corticosteroid use, diabetes, and comorbidity, we found that the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for current naproxen use was 0.61 (0.39-0.94) while that for past use was 0.87 (0.65-1.16). Secondary and sensitivity analyses supported these results. CONCLUSIONS In this case-control study, patients with rheumatoid arthritis and a current prescription for naproxen had a reduced risk of acute major TCEs relative to those with no naproxen prescription in the past year. These results are consistent with the ability of naproxen to inhibit platelet aggregation.
A 10-year follow-up of snoring in men.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Little is known about the natural development of snoring, and this survey was conducted to study the development of snoring in men over a 10-year period. DESIGN Population-based prospective survey. SETTING The Municipality of Uppsala, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS In 1984, 3,201 randomly selected men aged 30 to 69 years answered a questionnaire on snoring and sleep disturbances. Of the 2,975 survivors in 1994, 2,668 (89.7%) answered a new questionnaire with identical questions to those used at baseline. Questions about smoking habits, alcohol, and physical activity were also added. RESULTS Habitual snoring was reported by 393 men (15.0%) in 1984 and by 529 (20.4%) 10 years later. In both 1984 and 1994, the prevalence of snoring increased until age 50 to 60 years and then decreased. Risk factors for being a habitual snorer at the follow-up were investigated using multiple logistic regression with adjustments for previous snoring status, age, body mass index (BMI), weight gain, smoking habits, and physical activity. In men aged 30 to 49 years at baseline, the predictors of habitual snoring at the follow-up, in addition to previous snoring status, were as follows: persistent smoking (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) (1.4, 1.1 to 1.9), BMI 1984 (1.1, 1.02 to 1.1/kg/m2) and weight gain (1.1, 1.03 to 1.2/kg/m2). Among men aged 50 to 69 years, after adjustments for previous snoring status and age, weight gain was the only significant risk factor for developing habitual snoring (1.2, 1.05 to 1.4/kg/m2). CONCLUSIONS In men, the prevalence of snoring increases up to the age of 50 to 60 years and is then followed by a decrease. Weight gain is a risk factor for snoring in all age groups, while smoking is mainly associated with snoring in men <60 years of age.
Acute and definitive renal failure in progressive multiple myeloma treated with recombinant interferon alpha‐2a: Report on two patients

I . Sasser RL, Yam LT. Li C-Y: Myeloma with involvement of the serous cavities. Acta Cytol 34:479485, 1990. 2. Karp SJ, Shareef D: Ascites as a presenting feature of multiple myeloma. J R Soc Med 80182-184, 1987. 3. Greer JP, Pinson RD. Russel WG: Malignant plasmacytic ascites. Cancer S6:200 1-2004, 1985. 4. Morgan D, Cicplinski W: Case report: Myelomatous ascites. Am J Med Sci 290: 159-164, 1985. 5. Estrov Z, Berrebi A, Hazani E. Resnitzky P: Pleural effusion and ascites as presenting signs of IgA myeloma. Haematologica 6XlOIC109, 1983. 6. MacLennan ICM, Kelly K, Crockson RA, Cooper EH, Cuzick J , Chapman C: Results of the MRC myelomatosis trials for patients entered since 1980. Haematol Oncol6:145-1S8. 1988. 7. Okcn MM, Kyle RA. Greipp PR, Kay NE, Tsiatis A, O’Connell MJ: Chernotherapy plus interferon in the treatment of multiple myeloma. Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol 9:228. 1990. Plasmacytic Ascites Responsive to Multiagent Chemotherapy
Characterization of Neisseria meningitidis Strains Causing Disease in Complement-Deficient and Complement-Sufficient Patients

ABSTRACT Serotyping and serosubtyping of meningococci showed no difference between isolates from 44 complement-deficient persons and from 50 complement-sufficient persons with meningococcal disease. Multilocus enzyme electrophoretic typing of the meningococci revealed 54 electrophoretic types that were equally distributed among isolates from complement-deficient and complement-sufficient patients. Analysis of strains isolated from eight complement-deficient persons with 11 recurrences of meningococcal disease showed that one strain was identical to the strain previously isolated from the same individual. Our results indicate that there are no differences between the clonal distributions of strains infecting complement-deficient and complement-sufficient patients. Most recurrences were infections caused by different strains.
Canine Investigation of rhBMP-2, Autogenous Bone Graft, and rhBMP-2 With Autogenous Bone Graft for the Healing of a Large Segmental Tibial Defect

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of bone morphogenetic protein, bone morphogenetic protein with autogenous bone graft (ABG), and ABG alone on the healing of a large bone defect in the canine tibia. Methods: Fifteen 45- to 55-lb canines were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatment groups, 3 per group. The groups included (1) recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2, 0.43 mg/mL)/absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) + collagen/ceramic matrix (CCM), (2) rhBMP-2 (0.22 mg/mL) ACS + CCM, (3) rhBMP-2 (0.43 mg/mL) ACS + ABG, (4) rhBMP-2 (0.22 mg/mL) ACS + ABG, and (5) ABG alone. A 5-mL defect was created in the right tibia and fixed with a 4.5 mm locking plate and 1 of the grafts described above implanted. X-rays were taken biweekly for 12 weeks and evaluated for radiographic union. Representative histology was also examined. Results: All defects treated with rhBMP-2 (any combination) healed at 6.0 ± 0.9 weeks. None of the ABG alone-treated defects were healed at 12 weeks. Dogs receiving rhBMP-2/ACS + CCM healed at 5.7 ± 0.8 weeks, whereas rhBMP-2/ACS + ABG defects healed at 6.3 ± 0.8 weeks. Histology showed healing consistent with 12-week radiologic results. Conclusions: Large segmental defects in canine tibiae can be effectively healed with stable fixation and rhBMP-2/ACS + ABG or CCM. These conclusions may offer insight into the clinical treatment of segmental defect nonunions in the human.
MR imaging characteristics of pilomyxoid astrocytomas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) is a recently described tumor that typically occurs in the chiasmatic-hypothalamic region in young children and has unique histopathologic and clinical characteristics. These tumors have been previously diagnosed as pilocytic astrocytoma (PA). PMA appears to have a higher rate of recurrence and CSF dissemination than typical PA. METHODS We analyzed MR findings in four patients with PMA and compared them with those of typical chiasmatic-hypothalamic PA. RESULTS MR findings of PMA were chiasmatic or hypothalamic enhancing solid tumor with hydrocephalus, highly homogeneous T2 signal intensity that extended into the deep white and gray matter, and CSF dissemination. CONCLUSION Larger series are needed before the MR imaging findings of chiasmatic or hypothalamic enhancing solid tumor with hydrocephalus, highly homogeneous T2 signal intensity extending into the deep white and gray matter, and CSF dissemination can be used in the differential diagnosis of such tumors.
Quantification and distribution of neovascularization following microinjection of C6 glioma cells in rat brain.

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that the switch to an angiogenic phenotype can separate the development of a tumor into two stages: the prevascular phase and the vascular phase. The purpose of the present work is to demonstrate the existence of an angiogenic switch in a longitudinal study of a brain tumor model during tumor growth by means of microvessel density measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was performed on 32 rats bearing C6 glioma. At different stages of tumor growth, the histological aspects were described and sections were immunostained for factor VIII-related antigen in order to highlight microvessel endothelial cells. Microvessels were counted at 400 magnification for different areas (central non necrotic area, peripheral area, contralateral grey and white matter area), using image analysis software. RESULTS Vessel density was significantly higher at the tumor-brain interface than in the center of the tumor or in the contralateral cortex. The vessel density remains stable in the tumor during the first 3 weeks after cell implantation, after which a clear increase of vessel density can be observed. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates the presence of an angiogenic switch which is concomitant with the development of necrosis and pseudopalisading pattern.
Local Gaussian Directional Pattern for face recognition

We propose a novel local feature descriptor, Local Gaussian Directional Pattern (LGDP), for face recognition. LGDP encodes the directional information of the face's textures (i.e., the texture's structure) in a compact way, producing a more discriminating code than other methods. The structure of each micro-pattern is computed by using a derivative-Gaussian compass mask, and encoded by using its prominent directions and sign - which allows it to distinguish among similar structural patterns that have different intensity transitions. Moreover, our descriptor extracts several facial characteristics by varying the size of its mask, to recover features that may be missed in just one resolution. We construct the face descriptor by concatenating the LGDP's distributions extracted from a uniform grid of the face. We perform several experiments in which our descriptor performs consistently under illumination, noise, expression and age variations.
Papillofoveal traction in macular hole formation: the role of optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVES To determine the validity of the assumption that optical coherence tomographic scans of macular holes have a discrete linear signal (DLS) that represents a detached posterior vitreous face, and to analyze the DLS in macular hole pathogenesis. METHODS Optical coherence tomographic scans were taken of 3 situations in which the vitreous conditions were known: (1) dissected intact vitreous, (2) clinically evident Weiss rings, and (3) maculae before and after saccades in eyes without a biomicroscopic posterior vitreous detachment. In addition, 70 eyes of 35 patients with macular holes underwent clinical examination and optical coherence tomographic scanning that passed through the optic disc and the fovea or macular hole. RESULTS Spatial properties of the DLS matched those of the posterior vitreous face in the situations examined. Of the 70 eyes, 16 (23%) had a biomicroscopic posterior vitreous detachment, whereas a DLS was demonstrated in 40 (57%). Of the 54 eyes without a biomicroscopic posterior vitreous detachment, 18 (33%) had a DLS attached focally to the optic disc margin and the fovea or macular hole. All 7 of the "can opener" holes examined had a nasally "hinged" central flap, 6 with a focally attached DLS. CONCLUSIONS The DLS corresponds to the posterior vitreous face. Anteronasal papillofoveal traction may generate some macular holes.
Neuroimaging and Cognition in Parkinson's Disease Dementia

The prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in Parkinson's disease (PD) is high and can potentially occur as the result of multiple differing pathologies. Neuroimaging has provided evidence of decreased cortical volume, increased white matter diffusion changes, and decreased resting metabolic activity that appears to begin prior to the onset of dementia in PD patients. Cognitive impairment has been found to be associated with multiple neurotransmitter transmission deficiencies, including dopamine and acetylcholine, indicating a widespread neurotransmitter dysfunction in PD‐related dementia. Findings of increased Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) binding in subjects with Lewy Body Disease (LBD) compared with Parkinson's disease and dementia (PDD) may explain phenotype differences in the spectrum of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), and show promise in guiding future therapeutic trials aimed at this disease. Advances in neuroimaging now allow for the detection of volumetric, pharmacologic, and pathological changes that may assist in the diagnosis and prediction of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's patients so that better evaluation of disease progression and treatment can be obtained.
Molecular markers of cartilage breakdown and synovitis at baseline as predictors of structural progression of hip osteoarthritis. The ECHODIAH* Cohort

Objective: To determine whether systemic markers of bone, cartilage, and synovium can predict structural progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Patients with painful hip OA were treated with diacerein or placebo in a multicentre, prospective, double blind, 3 year follow up trial. The following information was collected at entry: demographics, characteristics of hip OA, and 10 markers: N-propeptides of collagen types I and III, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, YKL-40, hyaluronan (sHA), matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -3, C reactive protein, C-terminal crosslinking telopeptides of collagen types I and II (uCTX-II). Radiographs were obtained at entry and every year. Structural progression was defined as a joint space decrease ⩾0.5 mm or requirement for total hip replacement. Grouped survival analysis was performed with time to structural progression as dependent variable, and clinical data, radiographic findings, treatment groups (diacerein versus placebo), and markers as explanatory measures. Results: In the 333 patients in whom all markers were measured, high functional impairment, a joint space width <2 mm, and lateral migration of the femoral head at baseline increased the risk of progression, but diacerein had a protective effect (relative risk = 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54 to 0.96). In addition, patients in whom uCTX-II and sHA were in the upper tertile had a relative risk of progression of 3.73 (95% CI 2.48 to 5.61) compared with patients with markers in the two lower tertiles. Conclusion: In this large cohort, combined measurements of uCTX-II and sHA were a new predictor of the structural progression of hip OA.
MDP25, A Novel Calcium Regulatory Protein, Mediates Hypocotyl Cell Elongation by Destabilizing Cortical Microtubules in Arabidopsis[C][W][OA]

This study reveals that the Arabidopsis thaliana microtubule-destabilizing protein MDP25 regulates hypocotyl elongation. The microtubule-destabilizing activity of MDP25 is regulated by calcium, which causes MDP25 to disassociate from the plasma membrane and move into the cytosol. We identified a novel microtubule mechanism that regulates hypocotyl cell elongation in Arabidopsis. The regulation of hypocotyl elongation is important for plant growth. Microtubules play a crucial role during hypocotyl cell elongation. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this process is not well understood. In this study, we describe a novel Arabidopsis thaliana microtubule-destabilizing protein 25 (MDP25) as a negative regulator of hypocotyl cell elongation. We found that MDP25 directly bound to and destabilized microtubules to enhance microtubule depolymerization in vitro. The seedlings of mdp25 mutant Arabidopsis lines had longer etiolated hypocotyls. In addition, MDP25 overexpression resulted in significant overall shortening of hypocotyl cells, which exhibited destabilized cortical microtubules and abnormal cortical microtubule orientation, suggesting that MDP25 plays a crucial role in the negative regulation of hypocotyl cell elongation. Although MDP25 localized to the plasma membrane under normal conditions, increased calcium levels in cells caused MDP25 to partially dissociate from the plasma membrane and move into the cytosol. Cellular MDP25 bound to and destabilized cortical microtubules, resulting in their reorientation, and subsequently inhibited hypocotyl cell elongation. Our results suggest that MDP25 exerts its function on cortical microtubules by responding to cytoplasmic calcium levels to mediate hypocotyl cell elongation.
The Dietary Flavones Apigenin and Luteolin Impair Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and VEGF Expression through Inhibition of PDGFR-β Phosphorylation

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)–dependent recruitment of mural cells such as pericytes and smooth muscle cells plays a central role in the maturation and stabilization of newly formed vasculature during angiogenesis. In this work, we show that the dietary flavones apigenin and luteolin may interfere with this event through their inhibitory effect on PDGF-dependent phosphorylation of PDGF receptor β (PDGFR-β) in smooth muscle cells. Inhibition of PDGFR-β activity by apigenin and luteolin occurred at low concentrations of the molecules and resulted in the inhibition of extracellular signal–regulated kinase and Akt phosphorylation triggered by PDGF, as well as in a marked reduction of the migratory and invasive properties of these cells. Apigenin and luteolin also strongly inhibit the PDGF-dependent increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA levels and the secretion of VEGF by smooth muscle cells as well as vessel formation in the mouse Matrigel plug assay, suggesting that the inhibitory effects of both molecules on smooth muscle cell function result in impaired angiogenesis. Overall, these results identify apigenin and luteolin as dietary-derived inhibitors of PDGFR-β activity and suggest that this inhibitory effect may contribute to the chemopreventive properties of these molecules.
Descriptive peer norms, self-control and dietary behaviour in young adults

There is evidence that perceived peer eating norms can influence dietary behaviour. This cross-sectional study examined whether certain personality traits increase the likelihood that personal eating habits are similar to perceived peer eating habits. We assessed frequency of consumption of sugar-sweetened soda (SSS) and sweet pastries (SP), as well as perceived peer descriptive eating norms for SSS and SP in a group of 1056 young adults. We examined whether individual differences in the need for social acceptance and self-control moderated whether participants were likely to display similar dietary habits to their peers. Perceived peer eating norms for SSS and SP predicted frequency of consumption; believing that one’s peers frequently consumed SSS and SP was associated with increased personal consumption for both. Individuals with low self-control, as opposed to high self-control, were more likely to adhere to peer norms for SP, but not for SSS. Trait social acceptance needs did not significantly moderate similarity between peer norms and personal consumption for either SSS or SP. The extent to which young adults adhere to descriptive peer dietary norms may depend upon self-control, whereby individuals with low self-control are less able to inhibit social influence of descriptive peer norms on dietary behaviour.
Potential revenue from electrical energy storage in ERCOT: The impact of location and recent trends

This paper outlines the calculations required to estimate the maximum potential revenue from participation in arbitrage and regulation in day-ahead markets using linear programming. Then, we use historical Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) data from 2011-2013 to evaluate the maximum potential revenue from a hypothetical 32 MWh, 8 MW system. We investigate the maximum potential revenue from two different scenarios: arbitrage only and arbitrage combined with regulation. This analysis was performed for each load zone over the same period to show the impact of location and to identify trends in the opportunities for energy storage. Our analysis shows that, with perfect foresight, participation in the regulation market would have produced more than twice the revenue compared to arbitrage in the ERCOT market in 2011-2013. Over the last three years, there has been a significant decrease in the potential revenue for an energy storage system. We also quantify the impact of location on potential revenue.
Electromyography of muscles involved in feeding premature infants.

PURPOSE To measure and compare the electrical activity of masseter, temporal, and suprahyoid muscles in premature newborn infants during breast-feeding and cup-feeding. METHODS This cross-sectional observational study was carried out by the electromyographic assessment of 36 preterm infants, 53% of whom were male, with mean gestational age of 32 weeks and birth weight of 1,719 g, fed via oral route, by full breast-feeding and supplementation of diet, through cup with expressed breast milk, until 15 days after hospital discharge. Children with neurological disorders, genetic syndromes, oral-motor, and/or congenital malformations were excluded. The different methods of feeding and the variables gestational age at birth, corrected gestational age, chronological age, birth weight and size, head circumference, and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were analyzed and compared by appropriate statistical analysis. RESULTS No difference was observed between breast-feeding and cup-feeding in the analysis of the temporal and masseter muscles. However, higher activity of suprahyoid musculature was observed during cup-feeding (p=0.001). The other variables were not correlated with the electrical activity of the muscles during the different feeding methods. CONCLUSION There may be a balance between the activity of the temporal and masseter muscles during breast-feeding and cup-feeding. There was higher activity of suprahyoid musculature during cup-feeding. This can be explained by the greater range of tongue movement, as premature infants usually perform tongue protrusion to get the milk from the cup.