Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of columnar CsI x-ray detector responses obtained with hybridMANTIS, a CPU-GPU Monte Carlo code for coupled x-ray, electron, and optical transport.

PURPOSE hybridMANTIS is a Monte Carlo package for modeling indirect x-ray imagers using columnar geometry based on a hybrid concept that maximizes the utilization of available CPU and graphics processing unit processors in a workstation. METHODS The authors compare hybridMANTIS x-ray response simulations to previously published MANTIS and experimental data for four cesium iodide scintillator screens. These screens have a variety of reflective and absorptive surfaces with different thicknesses. The authors analyze hybridMANTIS results in terms of modulation transfer function and calculate the root mean square difference and Swank factors from simulated and experimental results. RESULTS The comparison suggests that hybridMANTIS better matches the experimental data as compared to MANTIS, especially at high spatial frequencies and for the thicker screens. hybridMANTIS simulations are much faster than MANTIS with speed-ups up to 5260. CONCLUSIONS hybridMANTIS is a useful tool for improved description and optimization of image acquisition stages in medical imaging systems and for modeling the forward problem in iterative reconstruction algorithms.
Comparison of a Multiple Daily Insulin Injection Regimen (Basal Once-Daily Glargine Plus Mealtime Lispro) and Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (Lispro) in Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Insulin pump therapy (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion [CSII]) and multiple daily injections (MDIs) with insulin glargine as basal insulin and mealtime insulin lispro have not been prospectively compared in people naïve to either regimen in a multicenter study. We aimed to help close that deficiency. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS People with type 1 diabetes on NPH-based insulin therapy were randomized to CSII or glargine-based MDI (both otherwise using lispro) and followed for 24 weeks in an equivalence design. Fifty people were correctly randomized, and 43 completed the study. RESULTS Total insulin requirement (mean ± SD) at end point was 36.2 ± 11.5 units/day on CSII and 42.6 ± 15.5 units/day on MDI. Mean A1C fell similarly in the two groups (CSII −0.7 ± 0.7%; MDI −0.6 ± 0.8%) with a baseline-adjusted difference of −0.1% (95% CI −0.5 to 0.3). Similarly, fasting blood glucose and other preprandial, postprandial, and nighttime self-monitored plasma glucose levels did not differ between the regimens, nor did measures of plasma glucose variability. On CSII, 1,152 hypoglycemia events were recorded by 23 of 28 participants (82%) and 1,022 in the MDI group by 27 of 29 patients (93%) (all hypoglycemia differences were nonsignificant). Treatment satisfaction score increased more with CSII; however, the change in score was similar for the groups. Costs were ∼3.9 times higher for CSII. CONCLUSIONS In unselected people with type 1 diabetes naïve to CSII or insulin glargine, glycemic control is no better with the more expensive CSII therapy compared with glargine-based MDI therapy.
Evaluating Text Categorization I

While certain standard procedures are widely used for evaluating text retrieval systems and algorithms, the sarne is not true for text categorization. Omission of important data from reports is common and methods of measuring effectiveness vary widely. This ]'ms m~de judging the relative merits of techniques for text categorization dif~. cult and has disguised important research is-
BATMAN: techniques for maximizing system bandwidth of memory systems with stacked-DRAM

Tiered-memory systems consist of high-bandwidth 3D-DRAM and high-capacity commodity-DRAM. Conventional designs attempt to improve system performance by maximizing the number of memory accesses serviced by 3D-DRAM. However, when the commodity-DRAM bandwidth is a significant fraction of overall system bandwidth, the techniques inefficiently utilize the total bandwidth offered by the tiered-memory system and yields sub-optimal performance. In such situations, the performance can be improved by distributing memory accesses that are proportional to the bandwidth of each memory. Ideally, we want a simple and effective runtime mechanism that achieves the desired access distribution without requiring significant hardware or software support. This paper proposes Bandwidth-Aware Tiered-Memory Management (BATMAN), a runtime mechanism that manages the distribution of memory accesses in a tiered-memory system by explicitly controlling data movement. BATMAN monitors the number of accesses to both memories, and when the number of 3D-DRAM accesses exceeds the desired threshold, BATMAN disallows data movement from the commodity-DRAM to 3D-DRAM and proactively moves data from 3D-DRAM to commodity-DRAM. We demonstrate BATMAN on systems that architect the 3D-DRAM as either a hardware-managed cache (cache mode) or a part of the OS-visible memory space (flat mode). Our evaluations on a system with 4GB 3D-DRAM and 32GB commodity-DRAM show that BATMAN improves performance by an average of 11% and 10% and energy-delay product by 13% and 11% for systems in the cache and flat modes, respectively. BATMAN incurs only an eight-byte hardware overhead and requires negligible software modification.
The smoked drum

643 Indian Journal of Pharmacology | December 2013 | Vol 45 | Issue 6 tryptase measurements would have corroborated this diagnosis. The combination of treatment applied to this patient was appropriate but some of the given medications may have acted as antigens. It is known that patients simultaneously exposed to several drugs acting as antigens have more symptoms than mono-sensitized individuals. Furthermore, IgE antibodies with different specificities can have an additive effect and even small amounts of corresponding allergens are able to trigger mediator release when the patient is simultaneously exposed to them. Surprisingly, corticosteroids,[5] H2 blockers,[6] antihistamines,[7] and adrenaline, may themselves act as antigens. For example, adrenaline contains, as preservative, sodium metabisulfite that can induce hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, and even death from Kounis syndrome. Anaphylactoid shock has been reported during epidural anesthesia for cesarean section, in which the responsible agent was metabisulfite, an additive agent of adrenaline-containing local anesthetic. [8] Therefore, a therapeutic dilemma should appear in the sulfite-sensitized patient that only few physicians are aware of. There is experimental and clinical evidence that the primary target of the released anaphylactic mediators is the coronary vasculature resulting in damage of the corresponding myocardial tissue. This can lead to cardiac arrest as in the described patient. Experiments with ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs have shown that the registered anaphylactic damage is not due to arterial hypotension and this should be definitely excluded. [9]Furthermore, patients with anaphylactic cardiac shock who do not respond to intravenous fluid expansion and antiallergic therapy, respond successfully only to acute coronary event treatment protocol. Anaphylactic shock seems to be treacherous situation that needs meticulous analysis, detailed patient assessment and specialized treatment. [10] Physicians dealing with the treatment of anaphylactic shock should be aware of all aforementioned cautions and precautions in order to achieve favorable therapeutic out comes.
Targeting the LOX/hypoxia axis reverses many of the features that make pancreatic cancer deadly: inhibition of LOX abrogates metastasis and enhances drug efficacy

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the leading causes of cancer‐related mortality. Despite significant advances made in the treatment of other cancers, current chemotherapies offer little survival benefit in this disease. Pancreaticoduodenectomy offers patients the possibility of a cure, but most will die of recurrent or metastatic disease. Hence, preventing metastatic disease in these patients would be of significant benefit. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we identified a LOX/hypoxia signature associated with poor patient survival in resectable patients. We found that LOX expression is upregulated in metastatic tumors from Pdx1‐Cre KrasG12D/+ Trp53R172H/+ (KPC) mice and that inhibition of LOX in these mice suppressed metastasis. Mechanistically, LOX inhibition suppressed both migration and invasion of KPC cells. LOX inhibition also synergized with gemcitabine to kill tumors and significantly prolonged tumor‐free survival in KPC mice with early‐stage tumors. This was associated with stromal alterations, including increased vasculature and decreased fibrillar collagen, and increased infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils into tumors. Therefore, LOX inhibition is able to reverse many of the features that make PDAC inherently refractory to conventional therapies and targeting LOX could improve outcome in surgically resectable disease.
CRB: Cooperative Relay Broadcasting for Safety Applications in Vehicular Networks

Vehicular networks require a reliable and efficient one-hop broadcast service to disseminate delay sensitive messages for high-priority safety applications. However, frequent link breakage in the dynamic networking conditions, in the presence of high relative mobility and channel fading, poses technical challenges in satisfying the strict service requirements. Makeup transmissions can improve the performance through repetitive broadcasting of packets before detecting a transmission failure. In this paper, we introduce a node cooperation based makeup strategy for vehicular networks, referred to as cooperative relay broadcasting (CRB), such that neighboring nodes rebroadcast the packet from a source node, increasing the reliability of the broadcast service. The decision to perform CRB is taken proactively and based on the channel conditions between the relaying nodes and the target one-hop neighbors. We propose an optimization framework that provides an upper bound on the CRB performance with accurate channel information. Further, we propose a channel prediction scheme based on a two-state first-order Markov chain to select the best relaying node for CRB. We study the reliability of the broadcast service in terms of packet received rate and packet delivery rate. Through extensive simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed CRB scheme provides a more reliable broadcast service, as compared with existing approaches.
Advances in cell culture: anchorage dependence

Anchorage-dependent cells are of great interest for various biotechnological applications. (i) They represent a formidable production means of viruses for vaccination purposes at very large scales (in 1000–6000 l reactors) using microcarriers, and in the last decade many more novel viral vaccines have been developed using this production technology. (ii) With the advent of stem cells and their use/potential use in clinics for cell therapy and regenerative medicine purposes, the development of novel culture devices and technologies for adherent cells has accelerated greatly with a view to the large-scale expansion of these cells. Presently, the really scalable systems—microcarrier/microcarrier-clump cultures using stirred-tank reactors—for the expansion of stem cells are still in their infancy. Only laboratory scale reactors of maximally 2.5 l working volume have been evaluated because thorough knowledge and basic understanding of critical issues with respect to cell expansion while retaining pluripotency and differentiation potential, and the impact of the culture environment on stem cell fate, etc., are still lacking and require further studies. This article gives an overview on critical issues common to all cell culture systems for adherent cells as well as specifics for different types of stem cells in view of small- and large-scale cell expansion and production processes.
Taking Sides: An Integrative Review of the Impact of Laterality and Polarity on Efficacy of Therapeutic Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Anomia in Chronic Poststroke Aphasia

Anomia is a frequent and persistent symptom of poststroke aphasia, resulting from damage to areas of the brain involved in language production. Cortical neuroplasticity plays a significant role in language recovery following stroke and can be facilitated by behavioral speech and language therapy. Recent research suggests that complementing therapy with neurostimulation techniques may enhance functional gains, even amongst those with chronic aphasia. The current review focuses on the use of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as an adjunct to naming therapy for individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia. Our survey of the literature indicates that combining therapy with anodal (excitatory) stimulation to the left hemisphere and/or cathodal (inhibitory) stimulation to the right hemisphere can increase both naming accuracy and speed when compared to the effects of therapy alone. However, the benefits of tDCS as a complement to therapy have not been yet systematically investigated with respect to site and polarity of stimulation. Recommendations for future research to help determine optimal protocols for combined therapy and tDCS are outlined.
A framework for evaluating web sites of public authorities

Purpose – In this paper, the aim is to develop a framework for evaluating the web sites of public authorities. The proposed framework consists of four axes: two for assessing the general characteristics and content of the web sites (namely general characteristics and e‐content); and two for assessing specific functionalities addressing their governmental character (namely e‐services and e‐participation). Design/methodology/approach – The proposed framework is gradually built through a critical analysis of the two relevant domains, web site evaluation and e‐government. The methodology used in the case study includes the construction of an appropriate questionnaire for assessing the framework metrics. The practical use of the framework is demonstrated by means of a case study, namely evaluating the web sites of Greek public authorities at local and regional level.Findings – The proposed framework presents a more holistic approach to e‐government web site evaluation, while the case study provides some interes.
Towards a formal framework for the search of a consensus between autonomous agents

This paper aims at proposing a general formal framework for dialogue between autonomous agents which are looking for a common agreement about a collective choice. The proposed setting has three main components: the agents, their reasoning capabilities, and a protocol. The agents are supposed to maintain beliefs about the environment and the other agents, together with their own goals. The beliefs are more or less certain and the goals may not have equal priority. These agents are supposed to be able to make decisions, to revise their beliefs and to support their points of view by arguments. A general protocol is also proposed. It governs the high-level behaviour of interacting agents. Particularly, it specifies the legal moves in the dialogue. Properties of the framework are studied. This setting is illustrated on an example involving three agents discussing the place and date of their next meeting.
Tenor: A Measure of Central Tendency for Distributed Networks

We introduce a new tendency measure for a probability mass function (pmf) referred to as “tenor,” and defined in terms of the phase of the first non-zero frequency of the discrete Fourier transform of the pmf. This statistic is in the vicinity of the region of highest probability of the pmf. Unlike mean, tenor is robust against outliers, and unlike mode and median, tenor can be evaluated using only arithmetic operations of addition and multiplication, without the need for comparison operations. We propose a distributed algorithm for computation of tenor in a graph and prove that for large networks represented by Erdos-Renyi graphs, [1] and by Watts-Strogatz graphs (small-world graphs), [2] the distributed algorithm converges. Numerical examples including the distributed computation of the majority vote are presented to demonstrate the operation of the algorithm.
ATR-Dependent Phosphorylation of DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunit in Response to UV-Induced Replication Stress

ABSTRACT Phosphorylation of the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) upon ionizing radiation (IR) is essential for cellular radioresistance and nonhomologous-end-joining-mediated DNA double-strand break repair. In addition to IR induction, we have previously shown that DNA-PKcs phosphorylation is increased upon camptothecin treatment, which induces replication stress and replication-associated double-strand breaks. To clarify the involvement of DNA-PKcs in this process, we analyzed DNA-PKcs phosphorylation in response to UV irradiation, which causes replication stress and activates ATR (ATM-Rad3-related)/ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated) kinases in a replication-dependent manner. Upon UV irradiation, we observed a rapid DNA-PKcs phosphorylation at T2609 and T2647, but not at S2056, distinct from that induced by IR. UV-induced DNA-PKcs phosphorylation occurs specifically only in replicating cells and is dependent on ATR kinase. Inhibition of ATR activity via caffeine, a dominant-negative kinase-dead mutant, or RNA interference led to the attenuation of UV-induced DNA-PKcs phosphorylation. Furthermore, DNA-PKcs associates with ATR in vivo and is phosphorylated by ATR in vitro, suggesting that DNA-PKcs could be the direct downstream target of ATR. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that DNA-PKcs is required for the cellular response to replication stress and might play an important role in the repair of stalled replication forks.
A temporary seismic monitoring of the Sulmona area (Abruzzo, Italy) for seismotectonic purposes

The seismogenic potential of active faults in the Abruzzo region of central Italy has been tragically brought to the general attention by the April 6, 2009 L’Aquila earthquake. In this region, a system of SW-dipping normal faults has been active both in historical and recent times, with at least three moderate-to-large earthquakes (Avezzano 1915, Barrea 1984, and L’Aquila 2009) and several minor seismic sequences. Some highly populated areas, like the Sulmona basin at the hanging wall of the Mt. Morrone fault (a segment capable of releasing destructive earthquakes, Mmax~6.7), have not experienced significant earthquakes in the last millennium; the time lapse since the last event should therefore be comparable with the recurrence time assigned to this fault, enhancing its contribution to seismic hazard in a time-dependent perspective. With the aim of increasing our knowledge on the active deformation pattern, geometry and seismogenic depth of the potential structures by means of low-magnitude seismicity, a bulk of temporary seismometric stations has been installed in the Sulmona area. The small network is managed by OGS (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale) and GeosisLab (Chieti-Pescara University) and it consists of six mobile stations set in continuous recording mode and local data storage. The data processing consists in the recognition on the continuous recordings of local events, undetected by the permanent Italian seismic network managed by INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia), and in the location of these small events. Event identification during an ongoing seismic sequence (in our case the 2009 L'Aquila one) is not easy; when the processing of manual pickings is completed, we expect the temporary seismic network to lower the magnitude of completeness in the Sulmona area by about 1 degree, to M<1 events, with significant advantages for studies with seismotectonic and seismic hazard purposes. Some preliminary results on the quality of the seismic recorded data from May 27 to July 15, 2009 and on their spatial distribution are presented.
Role of Regulatory Subunits and Protein Kinase Inhibitor (PKI) in Determining Nuclear Localization and Activity of the Catalytic Subunit of Protein Kinase A*

Regulation of protein kinase A by subcellular localization may be critical to target catalytic subunits to specific substrates. We employed epitope-tagged catalytic subunit to correlate subcellular localization and gene-inducing activity in the presence of regulatory subunit or protein kinase inhibitor (PKI). Transiently expressed catalytic subunit distributed throughout the cell and induced gene expression. Co-expression of regulatory subunit or PKI blocked gene induction and prevented nuclear accumulation. A mutant PKI lacking the nuclear export signal blocked gene induction but not nuclear accumulation, demonstrating that nuclear export is not essential to inhibit gene induction. When the catalytic subunit was targeted to the nucleus with a nuclear localization signal, it was not sequestered in the cytoplasm by regulatory subunit, although its activity was completely inhibited. PKI redistributed the nuclear catalytic subunit to the cytoplasm and blocked gene induction, demonstrating that the nuclear export signal of PKI can override a strong nuclear localization signal. With increasing PKI, the export process appeared to saturate, resulting in the return of catalytic subunit to the nucleus. These results demonstrate that both the regulatory subunit and PKI are able to completely inhibit the gene-inducing activity of the catalytic subunit even when the catalytic subunit is forced to concentrate in the nuclear compartment.
Geomorphology of the Upper General River Basin, Costa Rica

ABSTRACT In spite of the geomorphological diversity of Central America and Costa Rica, there are few detailed geomorphological maps. A 1:25,000 scale map of the Upper General River Basin (UGRB) in Costa Rica is presented, based on the interpretation of aerial photographs and field geomorphological mapping. A total of 43 types of landforms divided genetically into endogenic (tectonic features), and exogenic (fluvial, gravitational, and glacial features) are mapped for an area of 1560 km2. This cartography is important in terms of disaster prevention and mitigation (floods and hillslope processes), as well as for land use planning.
Ikaros Induces Quiescence and T-Cell Differentiation in a Leukemia Cell Line

ABSTRACT Ikaros is a hematopoietic cell-specific zinc finger DNA binding protein that plays an important role in lymphocyte development. Genetic disruption of Ikaros results in T-cell transformation. Ikaros null mice develop leukemia with 100% penetrance. It has been hypothesized that Ikaros controls gene expression through its association with chromatin remodeling complexes. The development of leukemia in Ikaros null mice suggests that Ikaros has the characteristics of a tumor suppressor gene. In this report, we show that the introduction of Ikaros into an established mouse Ikaros null T leukemia cell line leads to growth arrest at the G0/G1 stage of the cell cycle. This arrest is associated with up-regulation of the cell cycle-dependent kinase inhibitor p27kip1, the induction of expression of T-cell differentiation markers, and a global and specific increase in histone H3 acetylation status. These studies provide strong evidence that Ikaros possesses the properties of a bona fide tumor suppressor gene for the T-cell lineage and offer insight into the mechanism of Ikaros's tumor suppressive activity.