Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical Aspects of the Subarachnoid Space and Cervical Cord in Healthy Individuals Examined With Kinematic Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Study Design. In vivo flexion‐extension magnetic resonance imaging studies of the cervical spine were performed inside a positioning device. Objective. To determine the functional changes of the cervical cord and the subarachnoid space that occur during flexion and extension of the cervical spine in healthy individuals. Summary of Background Data. As an addition to static magnetic resonance imaging examinations, kinematic magnetic resonance imaging studies of the cervical spine were performed to obtain detailed information about functional aspects of the cervical cord and the subarachnoid space. The results were compared with published data of functional flexion‐extension myelograms of the cervical spine. Methods. The cervical spines of 40 healthy individuals were examined in a whole‐body magnetic resonance scanner from 50° of flexion to 30° of extension, using a positioning device. At nine different angle positions, sagittal T1‐weighted spin‐echo sequences were obtained. The images were analyzed with respect to the segmental motion, the diameter of the subarachnoid space, and the diameter of the cervical cord. Results. The segmental motion between flexion and extension was 11° at C2‐C3, 12° at C3‐C4, 15° at C4‐C5, 19° at C5‐C6, and 20° at C6‐C7. At flexion, a narrowing of the ventral subarachnoid space of up to 43% and a widening of the dorsal subarachnoid space of up to 89% (compared with the neutral position, 0°) were observed. At extension, an increase in the diameter of the ventral subarachnoid space of up to 9% was observed, whereas the dorsal subarachnoid space was reduced to 17%. At flexion, there was a reduction in the sagittal diameter of the cervical cord of up to 14%, and, at extension, there was an increase of up to 15%, compared with the neutral position (0°; these values varied depending on the cervical segment. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between flexion and extension in the diameter of the ventral and dorsal subarachnoid space and in the diameter of the cervical cord. Conclusions. Compared with the results of previous studies using functional cervical myelograms, kinematic magnetic resonance imaging provides additional noninvasive data concerning the physiologic changes of the cervical subarachnoid space and the cervical cord during flexion and extension in healthy individuals.
A Sparse SAR Imaging Method Based on Multiple Measurement Vectors Model

In recent decades, compressive sensing (CS) is a popular theory for studying the inverse problem, and has been widely used in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image processing. However, the computation complexity of CS-based methods limits its wide applications in SAR imaging. In this paper, we propose a novel sparse SAR imaging method using the Multiple Measurement Vectors model to reduce the computation cost and enhance the imaging result. Based on using the structure information and the matched filter processing, the new CS-SAR imaging method can be applied to high-quality and high-resolution imaging under sub-Nyquist rate sampling with the advantages of saving the computational cost substantially both in time and memory. The results of simulations and real SAR data experiments suggest that the proposed method can realize SAR imaging effectively and efficiently.
Design tradeoffs for the alpha EV8 conditional branch predictor

This paper presents the Alpha EV8 conditional branch predictor. The Alpha EV8 microprocessor project, canceled in June 2001 in a late phase of development, envisioned an aggressive 8-wide issue out-of-order superscalar microarchitecture featuring a very deep pipeline and simultaneous multithreading. Performance of such a processor is highly dependent on the accuracy of its branch predictor and consequently a very large silicon area was devoted to branch prediction on EV8. The Alpha EV8 branch predictor relies on global history and features a total of 352 Kbits. The focus of this paper is on the different trade-offs performed to overcome various implementation constraints for the EV8 branch predictor. One such instance is the pipelining of the predictor on two cycles to facilitate the prediction of up to 16 branches per cycle from any two dynamically successive, 8 instruction fetch blocks. This resulted in the use of three fetch-block old compressed branch history information for accessing the predictor. Implementation constraints also restricted the composition of the index functions for the predictor and forced the usage of only single-ported memory cells. Nevertheless, we show that the Alpha EV8 branch predictor achieves prediction accuracy in the same range as the state-of-the-art academic global history branch predictors that do not consider implementation constraints in great detail.
Diurnal Variation of Tropical Ice Cloud Microphysics: Evidence from Global Precipitation Measurement Microwave Imager Polarimetric Measurements

The diurnal variation of tropical ice clouds has been well observed and examined in terms of the occurring frequency and total mass but rarely from the viewpoint of ice microphysical parameters. It accounts for a large portion of uncertainties in evaluating ice clouds' role on global radiation and hydrological budgets. Owing to the advantage of precession orbit design and paired polarized observations at a high‐frequency microwave band that is particularly sensitive to ice particle microphysical properties, 3 years of polarimetric difference (PD) measurements using the 166 GHz channel of Global Precipitation Measurement Microwave Imager (GPM‐GMI) are compiled to reveal a strong diurnal cycle over tropical land (30°S–30°N) with peak amplitude varying up to 38%. Since the PD signal is dominantly determined by ice crystal size, shape, and orientation, the diurnal cycle observed by GMI can be used to infer changes in ice crystal properties. Moreover, PD change is found to lead the diurnal changes of ice cloud occurring frequency and total ice mass by about 2 h, which strongly implies that understanding ice microphysics is critical to predict, infer, and model ice cloud evolution and precipitation processes.
Eliminating water scarcity in San Diego County

OF THE THESIS . ii Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Chapter 2: Literature review . 7 2.1 Reverse Osmosis (RO) Technology . 7 2.2 Negative Effects of Desalination . 8 2.3 Benefits of Desalination . 10 2.4 The Current State of Recycled Water in Society . 11 2.5 Benefits and Costs of Recycled Water . 12 2.6 Recycled Water and Desalination for a Sustainable Water Future . 13 2.7 Climate Change in California . 14 2.8 The Need for Alternative Water Sources . 19 Chapter 3: The Economic Model . 22 Chapter 4: The Equilibrium Outcome . 27 Chapter 5: Data and Calibration . 29 5.1 San Diego County profile . 29 5.2 Calibration of the Model . 32 5.3 The Demand Solution Calibration . 35 Chapter 6: Results . 40 Chapter 7: Policy Discussion . 54 Chapter 8: Conclusion . 57 References . 60
Bone and Energy Metabolism Parameters in Professional Cyclists during the Giro d’Italia 3-Weeks Stage Race

Cycling is a not weight-bearing activity and is known to induce bone resorption. Stage races are really strenuous endurance performances affecting the energy homeostasis. The recently highlighted link, in the co-regulation of bone and energy metabolism, demonstrates a central role for the equilibrium between carboxylated and undercarboxylated forms of osteocalcin. Aim of this study was to understand the acute physiological responses to a cycling stage race in terms of bone turnover and energy metabolism and the possible co-regulative mechanisms underlying their relationship. We studied nine professional cyclists engaged in 2011 Giro d’Italia stage race. Pre-analytical and analytical phases tightly followed academic and anti-doping authority’s recommendations. Bone and energy metabolism markers (bone alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b, total and undercarboxylated osteocalcin, leptin and adiponectin) and related hormones (cortisol and testosterone) were measured, by Sandwich Enzyme Immunoassays, at days -1 (pre-race), 12 and 22 during the race. The power output and the energy expenditure (mean and accumulated) were derived and correlated with the biochemical indexes. During the race, bone metabolism showed that an unbalance in behalf of resorption, which is enhanced, occurred along with a relative increase in the concentration of the undercarboxylated form of osteocalcin that was indirectly related to the enhanced energy expenditure, through adipokines modifications, with leptin decrease (high energy consumption) and adiponectin increase (optimization of energy expenditure). The exertion due to heavy effort induced a decrease of cortisol, while testosterone levels resulted unchanged. In conclusion, during a 3-weeks stage race, bone metabolism is pushed towards resorption. A possible relationship between the bone and the energy metabolisms is suggested by the relative correlations among absolute and relative concentrations trends of undercarboxylated OC, adipokines concentrations, BMI, fat mass (%), power output and the derived energy expenditure.
Scaling Submodular Maximization via Pruned Submodularity Graphs

We propose a new random pruning method (called "submodular sparsification (SS)") to reduce the cost of submodular maximization. The pruning is applied via a "submodularity graph" over the $n$ ground elements, where each directed edge is associated with a pairwise dependency defined by the submodular function. In each step, SS prunes a $1-1/\sqrt{c}$ (for $c>1$) fraction of the nodes using weights on edges computed based on only a small number ($O(\log n)$) of randomly sampled nodes. The algorithm requires $\log_{\sqrt{c}}n$ steps with a small and highly parallelizable per-step computation. An accuracy-speed tradeoff parameter $c$, set as $c = 8$, leads to a fast shrink rate $\sqrt{2}/4$ and small iteration complexity $\log_{2\sqrt{2}}n$. Analysis shows that w.h. p., the greedy algorithm on the pruned set of size $O(\log^2 n)$ can achieve a guarantee similar to that of processing the original dataset. In news and video summarization tasks, SS is able to substantially reduce both computational costs and memory usage, while maintaining (or even slightly exceeding) the quality of the original (and much more costly) greedy algorithm.
NF2 Activates Hippo Signaling and Promotes Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in the Heart.

RATIONALE NF2 (neurofibromin 2) is an established tumor suppressor that promotes apoptosis and inhibits growth in a variety of cell types, yet its function in cardiomyocytes remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the role of NF2 in cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the heart. METHODS AND RESULTS We investigated the function of NF2 in isolated cardiomyocytes and mouse myocardium at baseline and in response to oxidative stress. NF2 was activated in cardiomyocytes subjected to H2O2 and in murine hearts subjected to I/R. Increased NF2 expression promoted the activation of Mst1 (mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1) and the inhibition of Yap (Yes-associated protein), whereas knockdown of NF2 attenuated these responses after oxidative stress. NF2 increased the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes that appeared dependent on Mst1 activity. Mice deficient for NF2 in cardiomyocytes, NF2 cardiomyocyte-specific knockout (CKO), were protected against global I/R ex vivo and showed improved cardiac functional recovery. Moreover, NF2 cardiomyocyte-specific knockout mice were protected against I/R injury in vivo and showed the upregulation of Yap target gene expression. Mechanistically, we observed nuclear association between NF2 and its activator MYPT-1 (myosin phosphatase target subunit 1) in cardiomyocytes, and a subpopulation of stress-induced nuclear Mst1 was diminished in NF2 CKO hearts. Finally, mice deficient for both NF2 and Yap failed to show protection against I/R indicating that Yap is an important target of NF2 in the adult heart. CONCLUSIONS NF2 is activated by oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes and mouse myocardium and facilitates apoptosis. NF2 promotes I/R injury through the activation of Mst1 and inhibition of Yap, thereby regulating Hippo signaling in the adult heart.
Optical clock recovery circuits using traveling-wave electroabsorption modulator-based ring oscillators for 3R regeneration

We describe an optical clock recovery circuit that employs a traveling-wave electroabsorption modulator-based ring oscillator. This approach provides synchronized optical clock and the original optical data signal from the same output at separate wavelengths, eliminating additional timing adjustments for the subsequent nonlinear decision gate for reamplifying, reshaping, and retiming (3R) regeneration. Furthermore, additional retiming and lateral reshaping of the original data signal can be realized along with optical clock recovery by synchronized modulation. We present a general model of jitter transfer and locking dynamics for the clock recovery circuit and compare with experimental results. Theoretical results indicate that by using hybrid integration to shorten the cavity length, nanosecond-order locking time can be achieved, which is critical for a variety of applications such as protection switching, optical burst and optical packet switching. Experimental demonstrations of 40-Gb/s optical clock recovery and its application for optical 3R regeneration are presented. The recovered 40-GHz optical clock has 500-fs timing jitter and 8-ps pulsewidth, and within 0.3 /spl mu/s locking time. 3R experiment is implemented by using the OCR combined with a subsequent regenerative wavelength converter, which provides vertical reshaping function. 3R regeneration is demonstrated with a reduced timing jitter.
A Foundation for Semantic Interpretation

Traditionally, translation from the parse tree representing a sentence to a semantic representation (such as frames or procedural semantics) has always been the most ad hoc part of natural language understanding (NLU) systems. However, recent advances in linguistics, most notably the system of formal semantics known as Montague semantics, suggest ways of putting NLU semantics onto a cleaner and firmer foundation. We are using a Montague-inspired approach to semantics in an integrated NLU and problem-solving system that we are building. Like Montague's, our semantics are compositional by design and strongly typed, with semantic rules in one-to-one correspondence with the meaning-affecting rules of a Marcus-style parser. We have replaced Montague's semantic objects, functors and truth conditions, with the elements of the frame language Frail, and added a word sense and case slot disambiguation system. The result is a foundation for semantic interpretation that we believe to be superior to previous approaches.
Co-evolution of black hole growth and star formation from a cross-correlation analysis between quasars and the cosmic infrared background.

We present the first cross-correlation measurement between Sloan Digital Sky Survey type 1 quasars and the cosmic infrared background (CIB) measured by Herschel. The quasars cover the redshift range 0.15 < z < 3.5 where most of the CIB originates. We detect the sub-millimetre emission of the quasars, which dominates on small scales, and correlated emission from dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs) dominant on larger scales. The mean flux of the Data Release 7 (DR7) quasars (median redshift 〈z〉 = 1.4) is 11.1, 7.1 and 3.6 mJy at 250, 350 and 500 μm, respectively, while the mean flux of the DR9 quasars (〈z〉 = 2.5) is 5.7, 5.0 and 1.8 mJy at 250, 350 and 500 μm, respectively. Assuming a modified blackbody spectral energy distribution with a power law in the mid-infrared, we infer that the mean infrared luminosity of the DR7 and DR9 quasars is 1012.4 and 1012.8 L⊙, respectively. The correlated emission arises from DSFGs in the same halo as the quasar (the one-halo term) and DSFGs in separate haloes correlated with the quasar-hosting halo (the two-halo term). Using a simple halo model, we find that most quasars are hosted by central galaxies. The host halo mass scale of the DR7 central and satellite quasars is 1012.4 ± 0.9 and 1013.6 ± 0.4 M⊙, respectively. The host halo mass scale of the DR9 central and satellite quasars is 1012.3 ± 0.6 and 1012.8 ± 0.4 M⊙, respectively. Thus, the halo environment of the central quasars is similar to that of the most actively star-forming galaxies, which supports the view that dusty starburst and quasar activity are evolutionarily linked.
Developing Protein Documentaries and Other Multimedia Presentations for Molecular Biology

Computer-based multimedia technology for distance learning and research has come of age--the price point is acceptable, domain experts using off-the-shelf software can prepare compelling materials, and the material can be efficiently delivered via the Internet to a large audience. While not presenting any new scientific results, this paper outlines experiences with a variety of commercial and free software tools and the associated protocols we have used to prepare protein documentaries and other multimedia presentations relevant to molecular biology. A protein documentary is defined here as a description of the relationship between structure and function in a single protein or in a related family of proteins. A description using text and images which is further enhanced by the use of sound and interactive graphics. Examples of documentaries prepared to describe cAMP dependent protein kinase, the founding structural member of the protein kinase family for which there is now over 40 structures can be found at http://franklin.burnham-inst.org/rcsb. A variety of other prototype multimedia presentations for molecular biology described in this paper can be found at http://fraklin.burnham-inst.org.
Gamma band activity associated with BCI performance: simultaneous MEG/EEG study

While brain computer interface (BCI) can be employed with patients and healthy subjects, there are problems that must be resolved before BCI can be useful to the public. In the most popular motor imagery (MI) BCI system, a significant number of target users (called “BCI-Illiterates”) cannot modulate their neuronal signals sufficiently to use the BCI system. This causes performance variability among subjects and even among sessions within a subject. The mechanism of such BCI-Illiteracy and possible solutions still remain to be determined. Gamma oscillation is known to be involved in various fundamental brain functions, and may play a role in MI. In this study, we investigated the association of gamma activity with MI performance among subjects. Ten simultaneous MEG/EEG experiments were conducted; MI performance for each was estimated by EEG data, and the gamma activity associated with BCI performance was investigated with MEG data. Our results showed that gamma activity had a high positive correlation with MI performance in the prefrontal area. This trend was also found across sessions within one subject. In conclusion, gamma rhythms generated in the prefrontal area appear to play a critical role in BCI performance.
Estimation of Tumor Interstitial Fluid Pressure (TIFP) Noninvasively

Tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP), is a physiological parameter with demonstrated predictive value for a tumor’s aggressiveness, drug delivery, as well as response to treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite its utility, measurement of TIFP has been limited by the need for invasive procedures. In this work, the theoretical basis for approaching the absolute value of TIFP and the experimental method for noninvasively measuring TIFP are presented. Given specific boundary and continuity conditions, we convert theoretical variables into measurable variables by applying MRI technology. The work shows that TIFP in the central region of the tumor can be estimated by an analysis of the variation of tissue fluid motion in the tumor rim and surrounding tissue. It is determined from three noninvasive measurable parameters: i) an estimate of the velocity of the tumor interstitial fluid at the tumor surface, which is maximal, ii) a measurement of the distance from the tumor surface to where the tumor exudates are absorbed (or normalized), and iii) an estimate of the hydraulic conductivity of the interstitium through which the tumor exudate travels. We experimentally show that the fluid flow within the tumor rim is not uniform, even for a round shaped tumor, and demonstrate the procedures for the noninvasive measurement of TIFP.
Nano-coating of β-galactosidase onto the Surface of Lactose by Using an Ultrasound-assisted Technique

We nano-coated powdered lactose particles with the enzyme β-galactosidase using an ultrasound-assisted technique. Atomization of the enzyme solution did not change its activity. The amount of surface-attached β-galactosidase was measured through its enzymatic reaction product D-galactose using a standardized method. A near-linear increase was obtained in the thickness of the enzyme coat as the treatment proceeded. Interestingly, lactose, which is a substrate for β-galactosidase, did not undergo enzymatic degradation during processing and remained unchanged for at least 1 month. Stability of protein-coated lactose was due to the absence of water within the powder, as it was dry after the treatment procedure. In conclusion, we were able to attach the polypeptide to the core particles and determine precisely the coating efficiency of the surface-treated powder using a simple approach.
Controlled Administration of Penicillamine Reduces Radiation Exposure in Critical Organs during 64Cu-ATSM Internal Radiotherapy: A Novel Strategy for Liver Protection

Purpose 64Cu-diacetyl-bis (N 4-methylthiosemicarbazone) (64Cu-ATSM) is a promising theranostic agent that targets hypoxic regions in tumors related to malignant characteristics. Its diagnostic usefulness has been recognized in clinical studies. Internal radiotherapy (IRT) with 64Cu-ATSM is reportedly effective in preclinical studies; however, for clinical applications, improvements to reduce radiation exposure in non-target organs, particularly the liver, are required. We developed a strategy to reduce radiation doses to critical organs while preserving tumor radiation doses by controlled administration of copper chelator penicillamine during 64Cu-ATSM IRT. Methods Biodistribution was evaluated in HT-29 tumor-bearing mice injected with 64Cu-ATSM (185 kBq) with or without oral penicillamine administration. The appropriate injection interval between 64Cu-ATSM and penicillamine was determined. Then, the optimal penicillamine administration schedule was selected from single (100, 300, and 500 mg/kg) and fractionated doses (100 mg/kg×3 at 1- or 2-h intervals from 1 h after 64Cu-ATSM injection). PET imaging was performed to confirm the effect of penicillamine with a therapeutic 64Cu-ATSM dose (37 MBq). Dosimetry analysis was performed to estimate human absorbed doses. Results Penicillamine reduced 64Cu accumulation in the liver and small intestine. Tumor uptake was not affected by penicillamine administration at 1 h after 64Cu-ATSM injection, when radioactivity was almost cleared from the blood and tumor uptake had plateaued. Of the single doses, 300 mg/kg was most effective. Fractionated administration at 2-h intervals further decreased liver accumulation at later time points. PET indicated that penicillamine acts similarly with the therapeutic 64Cu-ATSM dose. Dosimetry demonstrated that appropriately scheduled penicillamine administration reduced radiation doses to critical organs (liver, ovaries, and red marrow) below tolerance levels. Laxatives reduced radiation doses to the large intestine. Conclusions We developed a novel strategy to reduce radiation exposure in critical organs during 64Cu-ATSM IRT, thus promoting its clinical applications. This method could be beneficial for other 64Cu-labeled compounds.