Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of magnetic source imaging for planning intracranial EEG in epilepsy

Background: Magnetic source imaging (MSI) is used routinely in epilepsy presurgical evaluation and in mapping eloquent cortex for surgery. Despite increasing use, the diagnostic yield of MSI is uncertain, with reports varying from 5% to 35%. To add benefit, a diagnostic technique should influence decisions made from other tests, and that influence should yield better outcomes. We report preliminary results of an ongoing, long-term clinical study in epilepsy, where MSI changed surgical decisions. Methods: We determined whether MSI changed the surgical decision in a prospective, blinded, crossover-controlled, single-treatment, observational case series. Sixty-nine sequential patients diagnosed with partial epilepsy of suspected neocortical origin had video-EEG and imaging. All met criteria for intracranial EEG (ICEEG). At a surgical conference, a decision was made before and after presentation of MSI. Cases where MSI altered the decision were noted. Results: MSI gave nonredundant information in 23 patients (33%). MSI added ICEEG electrodes in 9 (13%) and changed the surgical decision in another 14 (20%). Based on MSI, 16 patients (23%) were scheduled for different ICEEG coverage. Twenty-eight have gone to ICEEG, 29 to resection, and 14 to vagal nerve stimulation, including 17 where MSI changed the decision. Additional electrodes in 4 patients covered the correct: hemisphere in 3, lobe in 3, and sublobar ictal onset zone in 1. MSI avoided contralateral electrodes in 2, who both localized on ICEEG. MSI added information to ICEEG in 1. Conclusion: Magnetic source imaging (MSI) provided nonredundant information in 33% of patients. In those who have undergone surgery to date, MSI added useful information that changed treatment in 6 (9%), without increasing complications. MSI has benefited 21% who have gone to surgery.
High Performance Work Systems for Service Quality: Boundary Conditions and Influence Processes

Drawing on agency theory and the resource-based view, this study examines the moderating effect of hotel ownership structure on the relationship between high-performance work systems for service quality (HPWS-SQs) and service performance as well as the curvilinear relationship between hotel service performance and hotel profitability. Results from surveys and archival data of 126 hotels showed that when hotels were owned and operated by brands, HPWS-SQs had a positive effect on service performance. Moderated mediation analyses showed that service performance as a mediator accounted for the moderating effect of ownership and management structure on the relationship between HPWS-SQs and hotel profitability. In addition, service performance demonstrated an inverted U-shaped relationship with hotel profitability. These findings advanced the understanding of the boundary conditions and influence processes of HPWS-SQs on financial performance in service settings. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Regulated Outer Membrane Protein Omp21 from Comamonas acidovorans Is Identified as a Member of a New Family of Eight-Stranded β-Sheet Proteins by Its Sequence and Properties

ABSTRACT Omp21, a minor outer membrane protein of the soil bacteriumComamonas acidovorans, was purified from a spontaneous mutant lacking a surface layer and long-chain lipopolysaccharide. Omp21 synthesis is enhanced by oxygen depletion, and the protein has a variable electrophoretic mobility in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis due to its heat-modifiable behavior. The structural gene omp21 encodes a precursor of 204 amino acids with a putative signal peptide of 21 amino acids. Mature Omp21 is a typical outer membrane protein with a high content of β structure as determined by infrared spectroscopy. Sequence comparisons show that it belongs to a new outer membrane protein family, characterized by eight amphipathic β strands, which includes virulence proteins, such as the neisserial opacity proteins,Salmonella typhimurium Rck, and Yersinia enterocolitica Ail, as well as the major outer membrane proteins OmpA from Escherichia coli and OprF fromPseudomonas aeruginosa.
Bistatic reflection and transmission of electromagnetic scattering by rough surfaces with large heights and slopes

In this paper, we study the electromagnetic scattering properties of 2-D rough surface with large slope and large height. The ridges on the surface have heights of about 20cm. In microwave remote sensing of land, these heights are larger than wavelength. By using a tapered incident wave, the surface fields are solved by using numerical solution of Maxwell equations. Method of Moment (MOM) is used to solve the surface integral equations and rooftop basis function and Galerkin's method are used. The bistatic reflection and transmission are then calculated from the surface fields. Then the reflectivity from sastrugi over layered snow is calculated by solving multilayer radiative transfer (RT) equation with bistatic reflection and transmission coefficients as the boundary condition. We compare the electromagnetic scattering properties between Sastrugi rough surface and smooth surface. We show in this paper that for the sastrugi case, transmission angle can be larger than incident angle when incident from air to snow. This results in total internal reflection when the second layer of snow beneath sastrugi has a smaller permissivity and larger reflectivity than smooth surface.
NAD-Independent L-Lactate Dehydrogenase Is Required for L-Lactate Utilization in Pseudomonas stutzeri SDM

Background Various Pseudomonas strains can use l-lactate as their sole carbon source for growth. However, the l-lactate-utilizing enzymes in Pseudomonas have never been identified and further studied. Methodology/Principal Findings An NAD-independent l-lactate dehydrogenase (l-iLDH) was purified from the membrane fraction of Pseudomonas stutzeri SDM. The enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of l-lactate to pyruvate by using FMN as cofactor. After cloning its encoding gene (lldD), l-iLDH was successfully expressed, purified from a recombinant Escherichia coli strain, and characterized. An lldD mutant of P. stutzeri SDM was constructed by gene knockout technology. This mutant was unable to grow on l-lactate, but retained the ability to grow on pyruvate. Conclusions/Significance It is proposed that l-iLDH plays an indispensable function in Pseudomonas l-lactate utilization by catalyzing the conversion of l-lactate into pyruvate.
Physiological and performance responses to a preseason altitude-training camp in elite team-sport athletes.

PURPOSE Little research has been done on the physiological and performance effects of altitude training on team-sport athletes. Therefore, this study examined changes in 2000-m time-trial running performance (TT), hemoglobin mass (Hbmass), and intramuscular carnosine content of elite Australian Football (AF) players after a preseason altitude camp. METHODS Thirty elite AF players completed 19 days of living and training at either moderate altitude (~2130 m; ALT, n = 21) or sea level (CON, n = 9). TT performance and Hbmass were assessed preintervention (PRE) and postintervention (POST1) in both groups and at 4 wk after returning to sea level (POST2) in ALT only. RESULTS Improvement in TT performance after altitude was likely 1.5% (± 4.8-90%CL) greater in ALT than in CON, with an individual responsiveness of 0.8%. Improvements in TT were maintained at POST2 in ALT. Hbmass after altitude was very likely increased in ALT compared with CON (2.8% ± 3.5%), with an individual responsiveness of 1.3%. Hbmass returned to baseline at POST2. Intramuscular carnosine did not change in either gastrocnemius or soleus from PRE to POST1. CONCLUSIONS A preseason altitude camp improved TT performance and Hbmass in elite AF players to a magnitude similar to that demonstrated by elite endurance athletes undertaking altitude training. The individual responsiveness of both TT and Hbmass was approximately half the group mean effect, indicating that most players gained benefit. The maintenance of running performance for 4 wk, despite Hbmass returning to baseline, suggests that altitude training is a valuable preparation for AF players leading into the competitive season.
Proxy based sliding mode control augmented with friction compensator for use in 1-DOF freehand ultrasound probe

This paper presents three contributions in the filed of medical imaging applications using hand-held ultrasound probe: 1) a new type of belt-driven mechanism for force-controlled ultrasound probe (FCUS) and 2) a safe and precise position controller and 3) a new algorithm for endpoint avoidance in the limited motion range. To enhance the image quality, the probe-patient contact force is controlled. In such case, to achieve both safe contact within limited range of motion and accurate positioning, proxy-based sliding mode control augmented with friction compensation is proposed. Due to proxy-based sliding mode control, the proposed controller is advantageous in that it guarantees overdamped response and the system model, which is difficult to obtain for probe-patient interaction system, does not appear in the controller. Due to friction compensation, the controller provides accurate positioning. The new algorithm for endpoint avoidance enables continuous motion in the limited motion range. The proposed controller is validated experimentally.
Rotation independent iris recognition by the rotation spreading neural network

We proposed a iris recognition system using the rotation spreading neural network (R-SAN net). The R-SAN net correctly recognized the orientation of iris images using the iris pattern alone, not the positional arrangement of respective face parts. The orientation recognition performance of R-SAN net allows the accurate compensation of the orientation variation. For the characteristics of the iris pattern recognition, the equal error rate was 0.79%, which was investigated with iris images acquired from 19 subjects. On the other hand, the liveness detection method using a variation in the brightness of an iris pattern induced by a pupillary reflex was developed. The live and artificial irises were classified by a decision threshold of 3.7% brightness variation rate.
Hash table in Chinese Chess

Hash table is a very important technique in computer games. With the development of computer Chinese Chess, hash table is wildly used and some of implementations are innovational. Several notable hash table implementations are introduced, some of them being new, while some combing with the specific modification on traditional ones, all considering special characteristics of Chinese Chess. The two common methods, Zobrist hashing and lockless algorithm in parallel search, are also put forward. The experimental results reveal these hash tables are remarkable and essential, significantly improving the overall performance.
Evaluating Effects of Hypomorphic Thoc1 Alleles on Embryonic Development in Rb1 Null Mice

ABSTRACT The Rb1 tumor suppressor protein is a molecular adaptor that physically links transcription factors like E2f with various proteins acting on DNA or RNA to repress gene expression. Loss of Rb1 liberates E2f to activate the expression of genes mediating resulting phenotypes. Most Rb1 binding proteins, including E2f, interact through carboxyl-terminal protein interaction domains, but genetic evidence suggests that an amino-terminal protein interaction domain is also important. One protein that binds Rb1 through the amino-terminal domain is encoded by Thoc1, a required component of the THO ribonucleoprotein complex important for RNA processing and transport. The physiological relevance of this interaction is unknown. Here we tested whether Thoc1 mediates effects of Rb1 loss on mouse embryonic development. We found that Thoc1 deficiency delays embryo death, and this delay correlates with reduced apoptosis in the brain. E2f protein levels are reduced in Rb1:Thoc1-deficient brain tissue. Expression of apoptotic regulatory genes regulated by E2f, like Apaf1 and Bak1, is also reduced. These observations suggest that Thoc1 is required to support increased expression of E2f and apoptotic regulatory genes that trigger apoptosis upon Rb1 loss. These findings implicate Rb1 in the regulation of the THO ribonucleoprotein complex.
Instrument for Label-Free Detection of Noncoding RNAs

We set up a label-free direct binding assay for the detection of noncoding RNAs. The assay is based on nanomechanical cantilever arrays for the detection of surface stress induced by immobilized biomolecules and their interaction partners. We used various means to significantly reduce the drift of the cantilever readout that was a prominent feature in experiments with readout in stationary fluid before and after sample injection. Major improvements were achieved by focusing on a faster system equilibration (for instance temperature control and diffusion independence). Experimental protocols were improved to provide user-friendly and less time-consuming measurements. Further enhancements were achieved by, for example, using pre-gold-coated cantilever array wafers compared to individually prepared ones and a directly implemented data analysis tool as real-time feature of the measurement software. We have demonstrated picomolar specific biomarker target detection and can easily distinguish modified targets with single-nucleotide mismatches that hybridize with lower affinity.
Effect of chronic treatment with captopril on reactivity of aortic smooth muscle from normotensive and renal hypertensive rats.

Acute administration of the angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril (2 X 10(-4) M), was shown in an earlier study to attenuate the contractile responses of aortic rings of rats to alpha-adrenergic agonists in vitro. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of chronic treatment with captopril on reactivity of aortic rings from both normotensive and renal hypertensive rats when captopril was no longer present. Four groups of rats were used: (1) normotensive, untreated; (2) normotensive, captopril-treated (48 mg/kg b.w. per day for five weeks); (3) hypertensive (bilateral renal encapsulation for five weeks), untreated and (4) hypertensive, captopril-treated. Renal encapsulation was associated with a significant increase in systolic blood pressure, which was prevented by concomitant treatment with captopril. At the end of the five weeks treatment aortic rings, 4 mm in length, were washed for 2 h to remove the captopril, following which contractile responses to various vasoactive agents were studied in vitro. Chronic treatment with captopril attenuated significantly contractile responses to both norepinephrine (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) and phenylephrine (10(-8) to 10(-4) M) but had no effect on isoproterenol-induced relaxation of KCl-depolarized tissue in the presence of 10(-5) M phentolamine. Contractile responses to angiotension I (10(-10) to 10(-7) M) did not differ statistically among the four groups. Following addition of captopril (2 X 10(-4) m) to the bath for 30 min, contractile responses to angiotensin I were attenuated in all four groups of rings. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Detection of ruminant meat and bone meal in feeds by sandwich ELISA with monoclonal antibodies

A sensitive and reproducible enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using two monoclonal antibodies directed against a synthetic peptide with an amino-acid sequence related to the C-terminus of bovine myoglobin and the whole molecule of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-denatured bovine myoglobin was adapted for detecting bovine myoglobin in contaminated feeds. The ELISA employed bovine meat extract of a known myoglobin concentration as a calibration standard and had an limit of detection (LOD) of 3.54 ng/ml and an limit of quantification (LOQ) of 11.0 ng/ml corresponding to 0.022% and 0.067% (wt/wt) bovine meat-and-bone-meal (MBM) mixed in 20-fold-diluted feed extracts, respectively. A cut-off threshold of 20.6 ng/ml bovine myoglobin was set to simplify ELISA and facilitate quick assessment of test results without a tedious calibration process. The ELISA was able to detect bovine MBM in artificially prepared model feeds, mixed botanical feeds, mixed botanical feeds with skimmed milk, fish meal, pork meal and pork/chicken meal at 0.1% (wt/wt). It was also able to detect sheep MBM in test feeds, but showed no reactivity to swine MBM, chicken MBM, skimmed milk or gelatine of bovine origin. The advantages of this method are the quick and easy extraction protocol of proteins from test feeds, using 100 mM sodium sulphide and 0.6% sodium dodecyl sulphate in the extraction solution and the effective detection of bovine and sheep MBM at 0.1% (wt/wt).
The Fault-Current-Based Protection Scheme and Location Algorithm for Stator Ground Fault of a Large Generator

This paper presents a stator ground protection scheme based on the fault current flowing in the breakdown channel. It trips only if the fault current exceeds the fault current tolerance capacity of the generator. Otherwise, it will just emit alarm signals. Thereby, the unnecessary trip-out of large generator can be avoided. The stability of the power system and the generator security can then be ensured. To achieve the scheme, methods of calculating the fault current in real time are proposed for three common generator neutral grounding methods based on the zero-sequence equivalent circuits. In addition, a ground fault location algorithm is presented which can automatically identify the faulted coil in a large generator with multicircuit stator winding. It greatly reduces the workload of repair. An implementation scheme is given on the basis of the subharmonic injection protection device. Simulation results show the validity of the protection scheme and the accuracy of the fault location algorithm.
[18F]Fluoroacetate Positron Emission Tomography for Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Metastases: An Alternative Tracer for [11C]Acetate?

[11C]Acetate (ACT) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is useful in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate whether [18F]fluoroacetate (FAC) could be an alternative analogue of [11C]ACT for the diagnosis of HCC. [18F]FAC was synthesized using the precursor t-butyl 2-(methanesulfonyloxy)ethanoate. Five volunteer patients with known HCC were recruited after consent. Whole-body [18F]FAC PET/CT was performed at 20 minutes and 1 hour postinjection and compared to [11C]ACT PET/CT at 20 minutes postinjection to assess biodistribution and tumor uptake characteristics. Qualitative and semiquantitative analyses were performed with statistical correlations on the physiologic organs of accumulation and HCC lesions for both tracers. [18F]FAC was obtained with 99% radiochemical purity, and the reaction yield was 16.0% with 1-hour synthesis time. The biodistribution of [18F]FAC on PET/CT was significantly different from that of [11C]ACT (p < .05) by the lack of preferential uptake in any specific organ, particularly the pancreas, resembling the pattern of blood-pool retention although partly metabolized via the bowel. There was no significant defluorination, and none of the [11C]ACT-avid HCC lesions showed increased [18F]FAC activity. These were different from the results reported on other species. [18F]FAC may not be a potential alternative tracer for [11C]ACT in PET/CT evaluation of HCC in human subjects.
Who are the people in your neighbourhood? Building neighbourly connections in the inner city

Abundant Community Edmonton (ACE), a community-based initiative to encourage neighbourly connections, has achieved early success in numerous mature, middle-class neighbourhoods. As it begins to expand into Edmonton’s inner city, however, success seems to be more elusive. Through two semi-structured group interviews, this grounded theory study explores specific challenges and opportunities faced by Abundant Community “neighbourhood connectors” in the inner city, as well as the potential of the internet and social media to aid in their efforts. In the first interview, the study examines a successful Abundant Community program in a mature, relatively prosperous Edmonton neighbourhood. In the second interview, inner-city connectors describe the difficulties they face, their strategies for dealing with them, and some positive aspects to pursuing Abundant Community in the inner city. The study finds significant differences between Abundant Community in these two contrasting settings. Population density (especially access to apartment buildings) presents a daunting barrier in the inner city, while other perceived obstacles (poverty, immigration) can actually make residents more receptive to Abundant Community. In both instances, the internet and social media are shown to provide valuable opportunities to promote the initiative.
Insulin-like growth factor I correlates with MELD and returns to normal level after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is produced almost entirely by the liver and is the main promoter of anabolic growth hormone (GH) effects on protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. IGF-I is significantly decreased in patients with liver cirrhosis. Our objective was to determine the relationship between circulating IGF-I and MELD (Model for End-stage Liver Disease) in cirrhotics subjected to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We also assessed the changes of IGF-I and its major binding protein (IGF-binding protein-3 or IGFBP-3) after OLT. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a prospective study, serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 of 25 male adult patients with end-stage liver disease were measured 2 to 4 hours before and 6 months after orthotopic liver transplantation. Seven age-matched healthy male volunteers with normal liver enzymes, albumin, and prothrombin time served as controls. MELD was determined on the day of OLT. For this analysis, extra points were not added for patients with hepatocarcinoma. RESULTS The cirrhotic group had significantly lower IGF-I (46.7±21.6 ng/mL) and IGFBP-3 (1.0±0.9 ng/mL) levels in the pre-transplant period compared with the controls (208.6±76.5 ng/mL and 4.62±0.93 ng/mL, respectively) (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between IGF-I or IGFBP-3 and MELD (p<0.001) (ß=-1.750; standard error =2.5054 and ß=-0.038; standard error <0.0001, respectively). IGF-I e IGFBP-3 increased to normal levels after OLT (207.7±82.8 and 4.14±1.1 ng/mL, respectively) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Low levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 observed in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis are corrected after OLT. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 correlate negatively with MELD.
Development of a device for real‐time light‐guided vocal fold injection: A preliminary report

Vocal fold injection is a minimally invasive technique for various vocal fold pathologies. The shortcomings of the cricothyroid (CT) membrane approach are mainly related to invisibility of the injection needle. If localization of the needle tip can be improved during vocal fold injection with the CT approach, the current problems of the technique can be overcome. We have conceptualized real‐time light‐guided vocal fold injection that enables simultaneous injection under precise localization. In this study, we developed a device for real‐time light‐guided vocal fold injection and applied it in excised canine larynx.