Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study on the Hemodynamic Performance Within Cross and Non-cross Stent-Grafts for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms With an Angulated Neck

Objectives: Cross-limb stent grafts for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) are often employed for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) with significant aortic neck angulation. Neck angulation may be coronal or sagittal; however, previous hemodynamic studies of cross-limb EVAR stent grafts (SGs) primarily utilized simplified planar neck geometries. This study examined the differences in flow patterns and hemodynamic parameters between crossed and non-crossed limb SGs at different spatial neck angulations. Methods: Ideal models consisting of 13 cross and 13 non-cross limbs were established, with coronal and sagittal angles ranging from 0 to 90°. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to capture the hemodynamic information, and the differences were compared. Results: With regards to the pressure drop index, the maximum difference caused by the configuration and angular direction was 4.6 and 8.0%, respectively, but the difference resulting from the change in aneurysm neck angle can reach 27.1%. With regards to the SAR-TAWSS index, the maximum difference caused by the configuration and angular direction was 7.8 and 9.8%, respectively, but the difference resulting from the change in aneurysm neck angle can reach 26.7%. In addition, when the aneurysm neck angle is lower than 45°, the configuration and angular direction significantly influence the OSI and helical flow intensity index. However, when the aneurysm neck angle is greater than 45°, the hemodynamic differences of each model at the same aneurysm neck angle are reduced. Conclusion: The main factor affecting the hemodynamic index was the angle of the aneurysm neck, while the configuration and angular direction had little effect on the hemodynamics. Furthermore, when the aneurysm neck was greatly angulated, the cross-limb technique did not increase the risk of thrombosis.
Compact PIFA using capacitive coupled-fed for LTE/GSM/UMTS WWAN operation in the mobile application

A small-size printed PIFA using capacitive coupled-fed excitation to generate multiple resonant modes at lower and higher frequencies for eight-band operation covering LTE700 /GSM850/900/DCS1800/PCS1900/UMTS2100/LTE2300/2500 WWAN applied in the mobile phone is presented. The proposed PIFA consists of a main coupling strip which is linked to the short-circuit to the system ground plane of the mobile phone via a long inductive shorting strip and a feeding plate totally occupying a size of 15×45 mm2 printed on one surface of the FR4 substrate having a volume of 45×115×1.6 mm3, making it promising for practical applications. The capacitive coupling feed allows the PIFA to generate two wide operating bands for covering 698–960 MHz and 1710–2690 MHz, synchronously. The measured antenna's return loss, antenna gain and radiation efficiency are obtained in the letter, which can meet the requirements of practical mobile phones perfectly.
Heparin Induces Synthesis and Secretion of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor from Endothelial Cells In Vitro

Summary TFPI is a potent inhibitor of the extrinsic coagulation system constitutively synthesized by endothelial cells. A major portion of intravascular TFPI is stored associated with endothelial cells, and administration of unfractionated heparin (UFH) in vivo causes a prompt mobilization of TFPI into the circulation. The present study was conducted to investigate how UFH affected the synthesis, secretion and anticoagulant potency of TFPI in endothelial cells in vitro. A spontaneously transformed immortal endothelial cell line was used (ECV304). Stimulation of ECV304 cells with UFH caused a prompt dose-dependent (0-5 IU UFH/ml) release of TFPI to the medium accompanied by no change of TFPI at the surface membrane assessed by immunocytochemical methods. Northern blot analysis revealed two mRNA transcripts for TFPI with a molecular size of 1.4 kb and 4.4 kb, respectively. Stimulation of ECV304 cells for 24 hrs with various concentrations of UFH caused a dose-dependent increase of TFPI in the medium (6.2-29.6 ng/106 cells within the concentration range 0-10 IU/ml). A similar dose-dependent increase in the expression of both TFPI mRNA species was observed. Long-term incubation of ECV304 cells with 5.0 IU/ml UFH caused a 5-10 fold increase in the TFPI concentration accumulated in the medium over 48 hrs. The increased TFPI mRNA expression induced by UFH appeared already after 10 min, peaked after 2-4 hrs, remained augmented throughout the entire period of UFH exposure, and preceeded the synthesis-dependent increase in TFPI release by 2-4 hrs. The procoagulant activity of the cells was downregulated by 36 % and the contribution of TFPI to the anticoagulant potency of ECV304 cells was moderately increased after 24 hrs heparin stimulation. It is suggested that these mechanisms are of major importance for the anticoagulant function of heparins.
Cooperative relay channel with LDPC codes constructed from array codes

Cooperative communication represents a new class of diversity techniques in which multiple nodes each with a single antenna cooperate to generate a virtual multiple-antenna transmission system and thus offer the benefits of spatial diversity. This paper proposes suitable array codes used as low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes to be applied in the cooperative amplify-and-forward (AF) network. A mathematical description of the construction of suitable array codes for a relay fading channel is also presented. Compared with quasi-cyclic (QC) LDPC codes, the array codes have similar encoding complexity and can adaptively generate various desired girth values. This paper shows that array codes with large girths can achieve substantial system performance improvements. Simulation results in this paper show that using array codes as LDPC codes for cooperative relay transmission provides a significant performance improvement over direct transmission. Moreover, it is also shown that its performance is superior to some structured LDPC codes such as QC-LDPC codes, particularly, a coding gain of about 1dB at BER of 10−3 can be provided over its counterpart.
Development and application of monoclonal antibodies for in situ detection of indigenous bacterial strains in aquatic ecosystems

Strain-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were developed for three different bacterial isolates obtained from a freshwater environment (Lake Plusssee) in the spring of 1990. The three isolates, which were identified by molecular methods, were as follows: Cytophaga johnsonae PX62, Comamonas acidovorans PX54, and Aeromonas hydrophila PU7718. These strains represented three species that were detected in high abundance during a set of mesocosm experiments in Lake Plusssee by the direct analysis of low-molecular-weight RNAs from bacterioplankton. We developed one MAb each for the bacterial isolates PX54 and PU7718 that did not show any cross-reactivity with other bacterial strains by immunofluorescence microscopy. Each MAb recognized the general lipopolysaccharide fraction of the homologous strain. These MAbs were tested successfully for their ability to be used for the in situ detection and counting of bacteria in lake water by immunofluorescence microscopy. During the spring of 1993, A. hydrophila PU7718 showed a depth distribution in Lake Plusssee with a pronounced maximum abundance at 6 m, whereas Comamonas acidovorans PX54 showed a depth distribution with a maximum abundance at the surface. The application of these MAbs to the freshwater samples enabled us to determine the cell morphologies and microhabitats of these strains within their natural environment. The presence of as many as 8,000 cells of these strains per ml in their original habitats 3 years after their initial isolation demonstrated the persistence of individual strains of heterotrophic bacteria over long time spans in pelagic habitats.
Effects of anomalous language representation on neuropsychological performance in temporal lobe epilepsy

Objective: To examine the effects of anomalous language representation (i.e., mixed- and right-cerebral dominant) on neuropsychological performance. Background: Right cerebral language dominance resulting from early cerebral injury is associated with relatively preserved language function with decreased visuospatial ability. However, previous reports of this phenomenon have examined patients with relatively large cerebral injuries (e.g., infantile hemiplegia) or limited sample sizes. Methods: A total of 561 patients with complex partial seizures of left temporal lobe origin were studied. Patients were classified into left (n = 455), bilateral (n = 58), and right (n = 48) language dominant groups based on Wada testing. Results: Right language dominant patients performed more poorly on multiple tests of visuospatial function, including Performance IQ (PIQ), than did left language patients. No significant group differences were detected for measures of language or general verbal function. The effects of bilateral language on PIQ differed according to handedness. Lowered PIQ was present in the bilateral nondextral group but not for bilateral dextral patients, and this pattern was observed with other visuospatial measures. Conclusions: In patients with relatively small lesions restricted to the left mesial temporal lobe, a shift in language dominance to the right hemisphere is associated with decreased visuospatial functions but preserved verbal abilities. Nondextral patients with bilateral language representation also displayed decreased visuospatial performance, although dextral patients with bilateral language did not.
Non-Diversifiable Risk and Quantity Discounts in Urban Land Markets

Many studies investigate the relationship between land price and parcel size in urban markets. Majority of them claim their evidence supporting the transaction cost explanation postulated by Colwell and Sirmans (1978, 1980, and 1993). However land assembly and subdivision costs are negligible at the residential land markets in the land re-adjustment districts, Taichung City, Taiwan. Our empirical investigation finds significant quantity discounts prevailing among land sales at these markets. Moreover the discounts are larger for land sales zoned in R-2 districts than those zoned in R-1 districts. These results are consistent with Brownstone and De Vany’s (1991) non-diversifiable risk explanation.
HILSIM Design Using Wireless Communication

In this paper, we designed a hardware-in-the-loop simulation system to develop a dynamic model and controller for a small-scale helicopter. Using wireless connection, we designed a cheap and light weight flight control system that controls the helicopter according to the command from the ground laptop computer. The ground computer calculates the control command using the sensor information from the helicopter through wireless connection and sends the command back to the flight control computer. Thus the flight control computer in the helicopter do the role of transmitting sensor information to the ground computer and getting control commands from the ground computer and applying them to the helicopter using servo motors. So a simple 8-bit microprocessor can be used instead of heavy and high cost computing system. Using the experiment system, we obtained a dynamic model for a small-scale helicopter and designed a controller for hovering flight.
Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: evaluation of learning curve for an experienced renal surgeon.

PURPOSE The learning curve for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) has not been extensively studied. We therefore evaluated the learning curve of RAPN for a fellowship-trained laparoscopic surgeon with extensive prior experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). We also examined the potential effect of tumor size on the learning curve. PATIENTS AND METHODS We prospectively evaluated 38 consecutive patients undergoing RAPN by a single surgeon (S.B.B.). Sixteen patients had tumors <2 cm, and 22 patients had tumors >2 cm. Warm ischemia times and overall operative times were recorded as indices of learning progression. RESULTS Average operative time for tumors <2 cm was 131.9 minutes (115.3-148.5 minutes) and for tumors >2 cm was 145.8 minutes (131.1-160.5 minutes). The difference between the operative times for tumors <2 and >2 cm was not statistically significant (p = 0.23). Average warm ischemia time for tumors <2 cm was 21 minutes (16.9-25.1 minutes) and for tumors >2 cm was 24.7 minutes (21.3-28.1 minutes). This difference was also not statistically significant (p = 0.20). Defined by the overall operative time, the learning curve for RAPN was 16 cases, and by ischemic time, the learning curve was 26 cases. Tumor size did not have an effect on the learning curve. CONCLUSIONS The learning curve for RAPN is short for surgeons already experienced with LPN. The learning curve for portions performed under warm ischemia is slightly longer, implying that the critical portions of the procedure require more experience to become facile. Tumor size does not appear to have a significant impact on the learning curve for surgeons experienced with LPN.
Activation of Nuclear Factor kappa B and Severe Hepatic Necrosis May Mediate Systemic Inflammation in Choline-deficient/Ethionine-supplemented Diet-induced Pancreatitis

Objectives: We hypothesized that hepatic injury is associated with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and may result in lung injury through nuclear factor kappa B (NF-&kgr;B)-dependent inflammatory mediators. The study characterizes the timing and determines the involvement of selected cytokines and chemokines in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular injury associated with SAP. Methods: The SAP was induced in C57BL/6 mice by feeding a choline-deficient/ethionine-supplemented diet. The mice were killed at 12-hour intervals for 96 hours. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling staining was used to determine the extent of hepatic apoptosis. The NF-&kgr;B activation in nuclear protein extracts from liver tissue was measured using a sensitive RelA enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay. Tumor necrosis factor &agr;, interleukin 6, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) 2, and keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC) levels in homogenates of liver and lung tissues were measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay. The SAP-associated neutrophil lung inflammation was measured as tissue myeloperoxidase activity. Results: The SAP and subsequent liver injury were confirmed by histological analysis and rises in plasma amylase and transaminase levels. Severe hepatocellular apoptosis was detected at 36 and 48 hours after the diet initiation by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling staining (P < 0.05) and subsequently progressed to hepatic necrosis. Liver NF-&kgr;B activation was detected at 36 hours (P < 0.05) and followed by a sharp increase in hepatocellular levels of interleukin 6, MIP-2, and KC at 72 hours and thereafter (P < 0.05). Levels of MIP-2 and KC in lung tissue were also elevated at 72 hours (P < 0.05) and closely correlated with increased myeloperoxidase activity and increased inflammatory cell infiltrate in the lung. Conclusions: Choline-deficient/ethionine-supplemented diet-induced SAP is accompanied with hepatocellular apoptosis and eventual necrosis. This injury is associated with the hepatic NF-&kgr;B activation leading to the production of NF-&kgr;B-dependent cytokines and chemokines in the liver, which may mediate the lung injury.
The role of coronary CT angiography in chronic total occlusion intervention

Revascularisation by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in chronic total occlusion (CTO) is often a technically challenging procedure. The manipulation of wires and devices through a CTO during PCI without any means to visually identify vessel-wall boundaries involves an inherent risk of complications such as arterial dissection, perforation and cardiac tamponade. With the tremendous advances in multidetector CT technology and the popularity of utilising coronary CT angiogram (CCTA) for a workup of chest pain patients, an increasing number of CTO cases are being encountered. Therefore, the primary goal of CCTA for imaging in CTOs involves identifying the presence and locations of CTO as well as predicting the potential clinical benefits derived from revascularisation of the occluded segment. The secondary goal includes preprocedural planning to shorten procedure times, visualisation of the procedure in predicting the ease with which a CTO can be crossed and the frequency of procedure-related complications such as contrast nephropathy and radiation skin injury. Apart from these, CCTA also plays a role in postprocedural assessment of the revascularised arterial segments and long-term follow-up on the patency of coronary stents.
Estimating Extrinsic Dyes for Fluorometric Online Monitoring of Antibody Aggregation in CHO Fed-Batch Cultivations

Multi-wavelength fluorescence spectroscopy was evaluated in this work as tool for real-time monitoring of antibody aggregation in CHO fed-batch cultivations via partial least square (PLS) modeling. Therefore, we used the extrinsic fluorescence dyes 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS), 4,4′-bis-1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (Bis-ANS), or Thioflavin T (ThT) as medium additives. This is a new application area, since these dyes are commonly used for aggregate detection during formulation development. We determined the half maximum inhibitory concentrations of ANS (203 ± 11 µmol·L−1), Bis-ANS (5 ± 0.5 µmol·L−1), and ThT (3 ± 0.2 µmol·L−1), and selected suitable concentrations for this application. The results showed that the emission signals of non-covalent dye antibody aggregate interaction superimposed the fluorescence signals originating from feed medium and cell culture. The fluorescence datasets were subsequently used to build PLS models, and the dye-related elevated fluorescence signals dominated the model calibration. The soft sensors based on ANS and Bis-ANS signals showed high predictability with a low error of prediction (1.7 and 2.3 mg·mL−1 aggregates). In general, the combination of extrinsic dye and used concentration influenced the predictability. Furthermore, the ThT soft sensor indicated that the intrinsic fluorescence of the culture might be sufficient to predict antibody aggregation online.
Germanium Nanowire Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor Fabricated by Complementary-Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor-Compatible Process

This work presents a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-compatible top-down fabrication of Ge nanowires along with their integration into pMOSFETs with "HfO<sub>2</sub>/TaN" high-k/metal gate stacks. Lateral Ge wires down to 14 nm in diameter are achieved using a two-step dry etch process on a high-quality epitaxial Ge layer. To improve the interface quality between the Ge nanowire and the HfO<sub>2</sub>, thermally grown GeO<sub>2</sub> and epitaxial-Si shells are used as interlayers. Devices with a GeO<sub>2</sub> shell demonstrated excellent I<sub>ON</sub>/I<sub>OFF</sub> ratios (>; 10<sup>6</sup>), whereas the epitaxial-Si shell was found to improve the field-effect mobility of the holes in Ge nanowires to 254 cm<sup>2</sup>V<sup>-1</sup> · s<sup>-1</sup>.
Assessing recovery of people with serious mental illness: development of a new scale.

OBJECTIVES The authors describe the development of the Maryland Assessment of Recovery in People with Serious Mental Illness, or MARS, a 25-item self-report instrument that measures recovery of people with serious mental illness, and report a study of its psychometric properties. METHODS Doctoral-level scientists with expertise in serious mental illness drafted a set of survey items about the recovery process. Items reflected recovery domains outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. After consultation with a panel of experts on recovery that included consumers and clinical scientists and with a small group of consumers, the instrument was narrowed to 67 items and administered to 166 individuals recruited from outpatient mental health clinics in two states. Item response theory and classical item analysis were used to select best-fitting items, reduce item redundancy, and improve the psychometric properties of the scale. Principal components analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to further examine dimensions of recovery measured by the scale. RESULTS The MARS is quite practical for use with individuals with serious mental illness. It demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α=.95) and test-retest reliability (r=.898) and good face and content validity. CONCLUSIONS The data provide initial support for use of the MARS to measure recovery of people with serious mental illness.
Using Probabilistic Estimates to Guarantee Reliability in Crossroad VANETs

We consider an intelligent crossroad where conventional traffic lights are substituted by a roadside unit (RSU), which synchronizes vehicles at the intersection, minimizing waiting time and energy consumption (by avoiding unnecessary braking and accelerating). Clearly, in this case, a reliable communication needs to be guaranteed between vehicles and the RSU, for which we investigate the design and analysis of specialized Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs). It turns out that reliability strongly depends on the number of vehicles at the crossroad, i.e., the more vehicles, the more interference and, hence, the lesser reliability. As a result, to guarantee a desired level of reliability, we first need to estimate the worst-case number of vehicles at the crossroad. However, straightforward, deterministic approaches --- computing the maximum number of vehicles that physically fit into the crossroad's area --- lead to a great amount of pessimism and overdesign. In this paper, we propose using probabilistic estimations for the number of vehicles instead, which greatly reduces the amount of pessimism while still guaranteeing safety. Our approach is based on vehicles' statistical information and allows computing the probability of having a certain number of vehicles at the crossroad in the worst case. We incorporate this probabilistic estimate into the VANET's design and analysis to derive guarantees on reliability. Finally, we illustrate the benefits of the proposed approach by means of a detailed case study and simulations using OMNeT++.