Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancement patterns of hepatocellular carcinomas on multiphasicmultidetector row CT: comparison with pathological differentiation.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of typical and atypical enhancement patterns of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) on multiphasic multidetector row CT (MDCT) and to correlate the enhancement patterns and morphological image findings of HCC with the degree of tumour differentiation. METHODS MDCT images of 217 patients with 243 surgically proven HCCs were evaluated through consensus reading by two radiologists. Our MDCT protocol was composed of precontrast, arterial, portal and delayed phases. The reviewers analysed the CT images for degree of attenuation; relative timing of washout; presence of dysmorphic intratumoral vessels, aneurysms and necrosis; tumour size; tumour margin; presence of pseudocapsule; intratumoral heterogeneity; and determined enhancement pattern. The imaging features were correlated with tumour differentiation using Fisher's exact test or the χ(2) test. RESULTS Among 243 HCCs, 137 (56.4%) showed the typical enhancement pattern of HCC, which is arterial enhancement and washout on portal or equilibrium phase images. In the arterial phase, 190 of 243 (78.2%) HCCs showed hypervascularity, with approximately three quarters of poorly differentiated (PD) (34 of 45, 75.6%) and moderately differentiated (MD) HCCs (92 of 123, 74.8%) showing washout during the portal or delayed phases, vs only 50% of well-differentiated (WD) HCCs (11 of 22; p<0.048). The presence of intratumoral vessels and aneurysms, tumour necrosis, attenuation of precontrast, the relative timing of washout, intratumoral attenuation heterogeneity, tumour margin and tumour size were correlated with the pathological differentiation of HCCs (p<0.05). CONCLUSION A typical enhancement of HCCs on MDCT was not unusual (43.6%) and WD and PD HCCs account for most of the atypical enhancement patterns. Early washout favoured MD and PD HCCs rather than WD HCCs, whereas in our study the presence of intratumoral aneurysm was a highly specific finding for PD HCC.
Computational inference of H3K4me3 and H3K27ac domain length

Background. Recent epigenomic studies have shown that the length of a DNA region covered by an epigenetic mark is not just a byproduct of the assaying technologies and has functional implications for that locus. For example, expanded regions of DNA sequences that are marked by enhancer-specific histone modifications, such as acetylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27ac) domains coincide with cell-specific enhancers, known as super or stretch enhancers. Similarly, promoters of genes critical for cell-specific functions are marked by expanded H3K4me3 domains in the cognate cell type, and these can span DNA regions from 4–5kb up to 40–50kb in length. These expanded H3K4me3 domains are known as buffer domains or super promoters. Methods. To ask what correlates with—and potentially regulates—the length of loci marked with these two important histone marks, H3K4me3 and H3K27ac, we built Random Forest regression models. With these models, we computationally identified genomic and epigenomic patterns that are predictive for the length of these marks in seven ENCODE cell lines. Results. We found that certain epigenetic marks and transcription factors explain the variability of the length of H3K4me3 and H3K27ac marks across different cell types, which implies that the lengths of these two epigenetic marks are tightly regulated in a given cell type. Our source code for the regression models and data can be found at our GitHub page: https://github.com/zubekj/broad_peaks. Discussion. Our Random Forest based regression models enabled us to estimate the individual contribution of different epigenetic marks and protein binding patterns to the length of H3K4me3 and H3K27ac deposition patterns, therefore potentially revealing genomic signatures at cell specific regulatory elements.
Comparison of Blood Levels of Riboflavin and Folate With Dietary Correlates Estimated From a Semi-Quantitative Food-Frequency Questionnaire in Older Persons in Portugal

Since information regarding biochemical parameters of riboflavin and folate status is limited in some populations of older adults, a food-frequency questionnaire is often used to estimate riboflavin and folate status. However, the performance of this type of questionnaire among this age group has not been comprehensively evaluated. Thus, we sought to assess riboflavin and folate status in older adults living in Portugal and to validate findings from a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), by comparison to these blood measures. We used a cross-sectional study to investigate riboflavin in red blood cells (as Glutathione Reductase Activity Coefficient; EGRAC) and folate in the serum of 88 older persons (66.7% female), aged between 60 and 94 years, recruited from seven adult day care community centers in Porto, Portugal. Forty-six subjects had low EGRAC levels (<1.2), with a group mean concentration of 1.17 and median of 1.10 (range 1.00–2.10). For daily riboflavin dietary intakes from FFQ, the mean was 3.34 mg, the median 3.37 mg, and range 0.66–4.81 mg. The Spearman correlation between these two measures was r = 0.073, (P = 0.497) and Pearson correlation, after adjustment for energy, was r = 0.263, P = 0.013. All participants were above the 7 nmol/L serum folate cut-off for adequacy. Spearman correlation coefficient between serum and FFQ measures was r = −0.10, (P = 0.359), and the Pearson correlation, after adjustment for energy and following loge transformation, was r = −0.58, (P = 0.593). Thus riboflavin and folate intakes estimated by FFQ correlated poorly with EGRAC and folate serum values.
Influence of grounding lateral and back ground planes in transitions between conductor backed coplanar waveguide and microstrip lines

to [81, the characteristic impedance is defined from the powerF. Bouzidi*, D. Bajon* Member IEEE voltage V2 definition Z. = V2-which is as well suited to coplanar as H. Baudrand' Senior Member IEEE to microstrip lines [8] 2Sue to the quasi-TM nature of the V. Fouad Hanna*** Senior Member IEEE. fundamental mode. P is the Poynting's vector flow across the cross t;rfi.nn . f tho ctriin filrP nrl V i n th nnirmfilninn nf thn nlnntriAn * ENSAE 10 avenue Edouard Belin 3 1055 Toulouse C6dex FRANCE.
Platelet adhesion and signaling induced by the octapeptide primary binding sequence (KOGEOGPK) from type III collagen

Platelet adhesion to vascular collagens is an essential step in the initiation of hemostasis and thrombosis. Several platelet receptors interact with type I and type III collagens, including GP Ia/IIa and GP VI. We recently described a new platelet receptor (TIIICBP) specific for a type III collagen‐related pri‐mary binding sequence, the KOGEOGPK octapeptide. Here, we characterize platelet adhesion to the immobi‐lized octapeptide and demonstrate that this adhesion 1) is Ca2+ and Mg2+ independent, suggesting a nonin‐volvement of GP Ia/IIa; 2) is not inhibited by an antibody against GP VI; and 3) triggers platelet protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Whereas TXA2 has minimal effects, released ADP via only P2Y12 potentiates plate‐let adhesion to the octapeptide. Octapeptide‐induced platelet adhesion triggers platelet signaling through tyrosine phosphorylation of the 68 kDa subunit of TIIICBP, Syk, PLCgamma2, and FAK. Tyrosine phos‐phorylation of the FcR gamma‐chain and LAT is also observed but to a lesser extent than with type III collagen, suggesting the requirement of GP VI for full tyrosine phosphorylation of FcR gamma‐chain and LAT. The present study provides evidence for a critical role for the type III collagen‐related KOGEOGPK octapeptide in mediating platelet adhesion and signal‐ing, and consequently in platelet‐collagen interactions. —Maurice, P., Legrand, C. , Fauvel‐Lafeve, F. Platelet adhesion and signaling induced by the octapep‐tide primary binding sequence (KOGEOGPK) from type III collagen. FASEB J. 18, 1339–1347 (2004)
Health, Food and Social Inequality: Critical Perspectives on the Supply and Marketing of Food

1. Introduction: The Politics of Food Consumption and Health 2. Analytical Framework and Methodology: Critical Realism and Critical Discourse Analysis in Food and Health Research 3. Applying Social Theory to Food Production, Food Consumption and Social Class 4. Reflexivity, Habitas and Lifeworld: Applying the Theories of Giddens, Bourdieu and Habermas 5. The Evidence for a Diet-Health-Class Link 6. How the Agri-food Industry Shapes our Diets and Influences our Health 7. Critical Perspectives on Marketing and Marketing Research 8. Social Class in Food Retailing and Marketing and Reflections on Marketing Ethics 9. Conclusion
Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cell-to-cell signals in lung tissue of cystic fibrosis patients.

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections lead to progressive lung tissue destruction in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Two bacterial cell-to-cell signals, 3-oxo-C(12)-HSL and C(4)-HSL are required for the production of several extracellular virulence factors. 3-oxo-C(12)-HSL is also required for the development of a differentiated biofilm, induces IL-8 production by epithelial cells and possesses immunomodulatory activities. These two signalling molecules are therefore believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa infections, but have never been isolated from infected human tissues. We extracted and quantified the two P. aeruginosa cell-to-cell signals from lung tissues of two CF patients infected by P. aeruginosa. 3-oxo-C(12)-HSL and C(4)-HSL were detected in the lung tissues in fmol/gram, respectively pmol/gram concentrations; the ratio C(4)-HSL/3-oxo-C(12)-HSL exceeded 100 in all tissue samples. Random Amplified Polymorphism DNA genotyping revealed that one genotype was present per lung. In vitro the P. aeruginosa isolates from the two lungs produced 3-oxo-C(12)-HSL, whereas some isolates did not produce detectable C(4)-HSL. Our results suggest that both P. aeruginosa cell-to-cell signals were produced in the lung tissue of these two cystic fibrosis patients.
Maternal Periconceptional Illicit Drug Use and the Risk of Congenital Malformations

Background: In 2004, the Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that 5% of American women reported use of an illicit drug during pregnancy. The results of studies determining the association between periconceptional illicit drug use and birth defects have been inconsistent. Methods: We analyzed data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a case-control study of major birth defects, and assessed all birth defects categories in which there were at least 250 interviewed case mothers. We included 10,241 infants with major congenital malformations (case infants) and 4,967 infants without major congenital malformations (control infants) born between 1997 and 2003 for whom there was a completed maternal interview with detailed information on prenatal illicit drug use and potential confounders. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the associations between cannabis, cocaine, and stimulant use in the month before pregnancy or during the first trimester (periconceptional period) and the occurrence of selected birth defects. Results: In the periconceptional period, 5% of the 15,208 mothers reported any use of illicit drugs. We did not find associations between illicit drug use and most of the 20 eligible categories of congenital malformations. Periconceptional cannabis use seemed to be associated with an increased risk of anencephaly (adjusted odds ratio = 1.7; 95% confidence interval = 0.9–3.4), whereas cocaine use in the periconceptional period was associated with the risk of cleft palate (2.5; 1.1–5.4). Conclusions: There were very few suggestions of positive associations between periconceptional illicit drug use and the 20 birth defects categories.
Problems and Issues with Door-To-Door, Two-Phase Surveys: An Illustration from Central Spain

In 1994–1995, a screening and examination survey was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of dementia, Parkinson’s disease and stroke in two urban communities and one rural community of central Spain. We use this survey to illustrate many nonclinical aspects of conducting two-phase prevalence surveys. Special emphasis is given to two common weaknesses in such surveys: screening nonparticipation and screening validation.
A new PV converter for grid connection through a high-leg delta transformer using cooperative control of boost converters and inverters

This paper proposes a new high-efficiency PV converter for grid connection through a high-leg delta transformer. The converter is composed of a symmetrically-connected boost converter and three half-bridge inverters. One of the three half-bridge inverters is connected to the boost converter, and the others are directly connected to the PV terminals. As a result, this circuit configuration enables to reduce the power losses in both boost converter and inverters. This paper also proposes a new cooperative control method between the symmetrically-connected boost converter and inverter. The control method can reduce the average switching frequency to 75% of that in a conventional one, resulting in a great reduction in the switching power loss. Experimental results confirm that the proposed circuit configuration makes it possible to improve its European efficiency from 91.6% to 94.5%.
Purification and Characterization of Naturally Occurring Benzodiazepine Receptor Ligands in Rat and Human Brain

Abstract: Chemicals that are active at the benzodiazepine receptor (endozepines) are naturally present in the CNS. These substances are present in tissue from humans and animals and in plants and fungi. Using selective extraction protocols, HPLC purification, receptor binding displacement studies, and selective anti‐benzodiazepine antibodies, we have identified six or seven peaks of endozepines in rat and human brain. All material could competitively displace [3H]flunitrazepam binding to cerebellar benzodiazepine binding sites. Two peaks also competitively displaced Ro 5‐4864 binding to the mitochondrial benzodiazepine binding site. Total amounts of brain endozepines were estimated to be present in potentially physiological concentrations, based on their ability to displace [3H]flunitrazepam binding. Although endozepine peaks 1 and 2 had HPLC retention profiles similar to those of nordiazepam and diazepam, respectively, gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry as well as high‐performance TLC revealed biologically insignificant amounts of diazepam (< 0.02 pg/g) and nordiazepam (<0.02 pg/g) in the purified material. Electrophysiologically, some purified endozepines positively modulated γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) action on Cl− conductance, monitored in patch‐clamped cultured cortical neurons or in mammalian cells transfected with cDNA encoding various GABAA receptor subunits. These studies demonstrate that mammalian brains contain endozepines that could serve as potent endogenous positive allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors.
Harmonic balance device analysis of an LDMOS RF power amplifier with parasitics and matching network

This paper discusses a harmonic balance simulation involving a high power LDMOS device, bias circuitry and matching network. The paper begins with a discussion of the device and circuit configuration as well as the requirements for simulation. Next the paper describes the simulation algorithms and simulator structure in order to meet the requirements. PISCES is used as the basis and around it are added libraries for harmonic balance simulation and circuit boundary conditions. Finally, simulation results are presented. The experimental and simulated response of the power gain and power added efficiency of an RF power amplifier are shown.
Residential energy management system with photovoltaic generation using simulated annealing

This paper proposes a residential energy management system to schedule shiftable loads considering a photovoltaic generation connected to power grid. The objective is to maximize the use of renewable energy resources, maximizing the economic benefit and minimizing the power imported from the main distribution grid. Simulations are performed considering a new time-of-use tariff, called White Tariff, which is being implemented in the Brazilian electricity distribution segment. The proposed energy management system handles only a limited number of shiftable household appliances, respecting their daily time preferences and according to the appliance operation cycle. The optimization method used is the simulated annealing, which is a simple algorithm with good performance in avoiding local optimums. The results show how much savings can be achieved with the proposed residential energy management system at the end of a month, and demonstrate the efficiency of the method.
Influence of a range of interaction among agents on efficiency and effectiveness of knowledge transfer within an organisation

In this study we examined how the size of non-formal groups between organization members affect the transfer of knowledge in the context of the efficiency and effectiveness of this process. To analyse the dynamics of the transfer of knowledge the cellular automata model was used. The model is based on local interactions between members of the organization, that take place in the nearest neighbourhood. These groups of close neighbours are represented by von Neumann's neighbourhood (four nearest-neighbours) and Moore's neighbourhood (four nearest-neighbours and four next-nearest neighbours) and complex neighbourhood (four nearest neighbours, four next-nearest neighbours and four next-next-neighbours). The results of the simulation show the influence of the size of the neighbourhood on the efficiency of knowledge transfer.
Volta Redonda: Symbol of Maturity in Industrial Progress of Brazil

burning furnaces located near deposits of iron ore. However, Brazilians made little progress in the smelting industry, since their attention was diverted again and again by new mineral and agricultural discoveries. Thus, in 1940, Brazilian steel was still produced in furnaces using charcoal, and combined yearly output amounted to only one-half the production (about 300,000 tons) of the new coke-burning plant at Volta Redonda.
Leadership and Incentives

We study how leader compensation affects public goods provision. We report from a lab experiment with four treatments, where the base treatment was a standard public goods game with simultaneous contribution decisions, while the three other treatments allowed participants to volunteer to be the leader in their group and make their contribution before the others. In the three leader treatments, we manipulate the level of compensation given to the leader. Our main finding is that a moderate compensation to the leader is highly beneficial, it increases the average contribution by 63% relative to a situation where the leader is not compensated and by more than 90% relative to a situation without a leader. A further increase in the leader compensation, however, is detrimental to public goods provision; it attracts less morally motivated leaders and creates a social crowding-out effect that makes it harder to lead by example. Finally, we report from a survey showing that the social crowding-out effect is also present in the population at large. We argue that the main findings of the paper are important in many real life settings where we would like to use economic incentives to encourage people to lead by example.
Cloning and Characterization of a Gene Encoding HMG-CoA Reductase from Ganoderma lucidum and Its Functional Identification in Yeast

A gene encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) was isolated from a triterpene-producing fungus, Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi or Lingzhi). This report provides the complete nucleotide sequence of the full-length cDNA encoding HMGR and its genomic DNA sequence. The cDNA of the HMGR (GenBank Accession no., EU263989) was found to contain an open reading frame (ORF) of 3,681 bp encoding a 1,226-amino-acid polypeptide, whereas the HMGR genomic DNA sequence (GenBank Accession no., EU263990) consisted of 4,262 bp and contained seven exons and six introns. The deduced amino acid sequence of G. lucidum HMGR showed significant homology to the known HMGRs from Ustilago maydis and Cryptococcus neoformans, and contained four conserved domains. Gene expression analysis showed that the expression level was relatively low in mycelia incubated for 10, 12, and 14 d, and reached the highest level in the primordia. Functional complementation of Gl-HMGR in a HMGR-deficient mutant yeast strain indicated that the cloned cDNA encoded a HMG-CoA reductase.
350 MHz time-multiplexed 8-port SRAM and word size variable multiplier for multimedia DSP

A multimedia DSP optimized for digital audio/video applications provides simple flexible cost-effective solution capable of GUI acceleration, MPEG2 decoding, real-time MPEG1 encoding, personal video conferencing, 28.8 kbps fax/modem, and audio/sound functions. The main frequency of the chip is 62.5 MHz and the supply voltage is 3.3 V. The chip is fabricated in 0.5 /spl mu/m triple-metal CMOS, occupies 12.8/spl times/14.0 mm/sup 2/ and is mounted in a 240 QFP package with a heat-spreader. The chip integrates high-performance custom macro blocks: an interface for Rambus DRAMs (RAC), a 37 kb time-multiplexed 8-ported SRAM, 72 b scalable datapath and single oxide 3 V/5 V I/O. The focus here is the SRAM and word-size-variable multiplier.
The Course of Myalgia and Headache After Electroconvulsive Therapy

Background: Headache and myalgia seem to be common, though generally mild, complications of electroconvulsive therapy. Relatively little is known regarding the usual severity and time course of these complaints. Objective: This study examines the incidence, severity, and time course of myalgia and headache after electroconvulsive therapy. Methods: Patients rated severity of myalgia and headache immediately before treatment and again after recovery and at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours posttreatment on a 10-point visual analog scale. Data were analyzed using random-effects linear models. Results: Severity of headache peaked 2 hours after treatment, returning to baseline by 24 hours and was relatively consistent within individuals between treatments. More severe posttreatment headache was reported by patients with a history of incapacitating headache and by those younger than 45 years. Headache was associated with increased duration of seizure. By contrast, myalgia was substantially more pronounced and lasted longer after the first treatment as compared with subsequent treatments. Severity of myalgia was not predicted by degree of fasciculations or motor activity, but was worse in patients younger than 45 years. Conclusions: Posttreatment headache and myalgia are common but usually mild. Routine pretreatment using non-depolarizing agents is probably unnecessary in most cases but may have a role during the first treatment in a series. By contrast, preventive treatment may be warranted in those with history of severe headache and those who previously have had significant post-ECT headache.
A Contrastive Study of Rhetorical Structures in Argumentative Texts: An Empirical Study in English - Chinese Contrastive Rhetoric

The present study explores the English - Chinese CR research by contrasting the rhetorical structures in published English argumentative texts by English and Chinese natives. It is hoped that the study helps to promote our understanding of the rhetorical differences between English and Chinese within the socio - cultural contexts, and thus to improve the Chinese speakers' ESL writing skills.