Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The value of right ventricular longitudinal strain in the evaluation of adult patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot: a new tool for a contemporary challenge

Abstract Objective The role of right ventricular longitudinal strain for assessing patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot is not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate its relation with other structural and functional parameters in these patients. Methods Patients followed-up in a grown-up CHD unit, assessed by transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and treadmill exercise testing, were retrospectively evaluated. Right ventricular size and function and pulmonary regurgitation severity were assessed by echocardiography and MRI. Right ventricular longitudinal strain was evaluated in the four-chamber view using the standard semiautomatic method. Results In total, 42 patients were included (61% male, 32±8 years). The mean right ventricular longitudinal strain was −16.2±3.7%, and the right ventricular ejection fraction, measured by MRI, was 42.9±7.2%. Longitudinal strain showed linear correlation with tricuspid annular systolic excursion (r=−0.40) and right ventricular ejection fraction (r=−0.45) (all p<0.05), which in turn showed linear correlation with right ventricular fractional area change (r=0.50), pulmonary regurgitation colour length (r=0.35), right ventricular end-systolic volume (r=−0.60), and left ventricular ejection fraction (r=0.36) (all p<0.05). Longitudinal strain (β=−0.72, 95% confidence interval −1.41, −0.15) and left ventricular ejection fraction (β=0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.11, 0.67) were independently associated with right ventricular ejection fraction. The best threshold of longitudinal strain for predicting a right ventricular ejection fraction of <40% was −17.0%. Conclusions Right ventricular longitudinal strain is a powerful method for evaluating patients with tetralogy of Fallot. It correlated with echocardiographic right ventricular function parameters and was independently associated with right ventricular ejection fraction derived by MRI.
U(1) gauge field theory on κ-Minkowski space

This study of U(1) gauge field theory on the kappa-deformed Minkowski space-time extends previous work on gauge field theories on this type of noncommutative space-time.We construct the conserved gauge current, fix part of the ambiguities in the Seiberg-Witten map and obtain an effective U(1) action invariant under the action of the undeformed Poincare group.
Knotted Synthetic Polymer or Carbon Nanotube Micro Fibres with Enhanced Toughness

1 Department of Physics and “Nanostructured Interfaces and Surfaces” Interdepartmental Centre, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 1, 10125, Torino, Italy 2 Laboratory of Bio-Inspired & Graphene Nanomechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy 3 Nanoworld Laboratories, Department of Biomedical, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH-45221, USA 4 Department of Biomedical, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA 5 Center for Materials and Microsystems, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 18, 38123 Povo (Trento), Italy 1 School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom *Corresponding author. Tel. +39 0461 282525, e-mail: nicola.pugno@unitn.it (Nicola Pugno)
Transfer and Detection of Freshly Isolated or Cultured Chicken (Gallus gallus) and Exotic Species' Embryonic Gonadal Germ Stem Cells in Host Embryos

The management of captive avian breeding programs increasingly utilizes various artificial reproductive technologies, including in ovo sexing of embryos to adjust population sex ratios. Currently, however, no attention has been given to the loss of genetic diversity following sex-selective incubation, even with respect to individuals from critically endangered species. This project evaluated the possibility of using xenotransfer of embryonic gonadal germline stem cells (GGCs) for future reintroduction of their germplasm into the gene pool. We examined and compared the host gonad colonization of freshly isolated and 3 day (3d) cultured donor GGCs from chicken and 13 species of exotic embryos. Following 3d-culture of GGCs, there was a significant increase in the percentage of stem cell marker (SSEA-1, -3, -4) positive cells. However, the percentage of positive host gonads with chicken donor-derived cells decreased from 68% (fresh) to 22% (3d), while the percentage of exotic species donor-cells positive host gonads decreased from 61% (fresh) to 49% (3d-cultured). Donor GGCs from both chicken and exotic species were localized within the caudal endoderm, including the region encompassing the gonadal ridge by 16 hours post-injection. Furthermore, donor-derived cells isolated from stage 36 host embryos were antigenic for anti SSEA-1, VASA/DDX4 and EMA-1 antibodies, presumably indicating maintenance of stem cell identity. This study demonstrates that GGCs from multiple species can migrate to the gonadal region and maintain presumed stemness following xenotransfer into a chicken host embryo, suggesting that germline stem cell migration is highly conserved in birds.
Capillary blood flow imaging within human finger cuticle using optical microangiography

We report non‐invasive 3D imaging of capillary blood flow within human finger cuticle by the use of Doppler optical microangiography (DOMAG) and ultra‐high sensitive optical microangiography (UHS‐OMAG) techniques. Wide velocity range DOMAG method is applied to provide red blood cell (RBC) axial velocity mapping in capillary loops with ranges of ±0.9 mm/s and ±0.3 mm/s. Additionally, UHS‐OMAG technique is engineered to acquire high resolution image of capillary morphology. The presented results are promising to facilitate clinical trials of treatment and diagnosis of various diseases such as diabetes, Raynaud's phenomenon, and connective tissue diseases by quantifying cutaneous blood flow changes within human finger cuticle. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A novel liposomal drug delivery system for PMMA bone cements

Abstract The population in developed countries is ageing and the number of people experiencing joint‐related conditions, such as osteoarthritis, is expected to increase. Joint replacements are currently the most effective treatment for severe joint conditions and although many of these procedures are successful, infection developing after the procedure is still an issue, requiring complex and expensive revisions. Whilst incorporating a powdered antibiotic within the bone cement can reduce infection rates, the powder frequently agglomerates, resulting in poor antibiotic release characteristics and compromised mechanical performance of the cement. To overcome these issues, a novel delivery system consisting of antibiotic‐loaded nano‐sized liposomes was developed for inclusion into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement. This system was tested in a commercial cement (Palacos R) and consistently delivered a higher percentage (22%) of the incorporated antibiotic when compared to the powdered antibiotic cement (9%), meaning less antibiotic needs to be incorporated than with conventional cement. The novel system resulted in a controlled and gradual release of antibiotic over a longer, 30‐day period and enhanced the toughness, bending strength and Vickers hardness of the cement, without altering its polymerization or molecular structure. This new material has the potential to significantly reduce infections in cemented joint replacements leading to enhanced patient quality of life and reduced healthcare costs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1510–1524, 2016.
Clustering method incorporating network topology and dynamics

Clustering is useful in elucidating associations among agents of networks and has been advantageously applied in numerous fields including biology, chemistry, sociology, and economics. Most clustering algorithms have been applied to (weighted) networks with a fixed topology. However, many networks are constructed to simulate particular dynamics on them; e.g., transmission of disease, vehicular transportation, electricity supply, and economic transfers in financial markets. These dynamics affect the large-scale structure that emerges from the underlying network. We present a clustering method that incorporates not only the weighted network topology, but also the particular dynamics for an application domain. The approach is general and can be used with any dynamic process that can be simulated on a network. We apply this method to several networks to validate it: a benchmark network, various toy networks, and two large realistic synthetic networks. These span four, five, and two orders of magnitude in numbers of agents and links, and average degree, respectively, and possess vastly different degree distributions. The largest network includes over 580,000 agents and 13 million edges. The results show that different structures arise from variations in dynamics processes for a fixed network, and reflect the changes in the process itself. We observe a sharp transition from unclustered to well-clustered communities as dynamical parameters vary.
Anaphora for Everyone: Pronominal Anaphora Resolution without a Parser

We present an algorithm for anaphora resolution which is a modified and extended version of that developed by (Lappin and Leass, 1994). In contrast to that work, our algorithm does not require in-depth, full, syntactic parsing of text. Instead, with minimal compromise in output quality, the modifications enable the resolution process to work from the output of a part of speech tagger, enriched only with annotations of grammatical function of lexical items in the input text stream. Evaluation of the results of our implementation demonstrates that accurate anaphora resolution can be realized within natural language processing frameworks which do not---or cannot--- employ robust and reliable parsing components.
Intranasal Delivery of Apelin-13 Is Neuroprotective and Promotes Angiogenesis After Ischemic Stroke in Mice

Apelin is a peptide originally isolated from bovine stomach tissue extracts and identified as an endogenous ligand of the APJ receptor; recent work showed that apelin ameliorates the ischemic injury in the heart and the brain. Being an analogue to the angiotensin II receptor, the apelin/APJ signaling may mediate angiogenesis process. We explored the noninvasive intranasal brain delivery method and investigated therapeutic effects of apelin-13 in a focal ischemic stroke model of mice. Intranasal administration of apelin-13 (4 mg/kg) was given 30 min after the onset of stroke and repeated once daily. Three days after stroke, mice received apelin-13 had significantly reduced infarct volume and less neuronal death in the penumbra. Western blot analyses showed upregulated levels of apelin, apelin receptor APLNR, and Bcl-2 and decreased caspase-3 activation in the apelin-13-treated brain. The proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1β, and chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA increased in the ischemic brain, which were significantly attenuated by apelin-13. Apelin-13 remarkably reduced microglia recruitment and activation in the penumbra according to morphological features of Iba-1-positive cells 3 days after ischemia. Apelin-13 significantly increased the expression of angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 14 days after stroke. Angiogenesis illustrated by collagen IV + /5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridin + colabeled cells was significantly increased by the apelin-13 treatment 21 days after stroke. Finally, apelin-13 promoted the local cerebral blood flow restoration and long-term functional recovery. This study demonstrates a noninvasive intranasal delivery of apelin-13 after stroke, suggesting that the reduced inflammatory activities, decreased cell death, and increased angiogenesis contribute to the therapeutic benefits of apelin-13.
A playback continuity driven resource allocation scheme based on the S-P model for video streaming clients

In this paper, we explore the relationship between the sum size of the video packets of each segment already received by a client and how long the continuous playback time these video packets can support. By using the curve-fitting method, we obtain S-P (Size-Playback time) models for all the video segments. On the basis of the S-P models, we propose a novel resource allocation scheme to improve the playback continuity for the clients. First the transmission capacity requirements of all the clients are calculated. Then a new mathematical model is formulated to maximize the total playback time that the packets to be scheduled can support, subject to the transmission capacity requirements of the clients and the network resource constraints. To solve the problem, a resource allocation scheme with low complexity is proposed. Simulation results show that our proposed algorithm can efficiently improve the playback continuity compared with other existing algorithms.
Inducing endoderm differentiation by modulating mechanical properties of soft substrates

Early embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation is marked by the formation of three germ layers from which all tissues types arise. Conventionally, ESCs are differentiated by altering their chemical microenvironment. Recently however, it was established that a mechanical microenvironment can also contribute towards cellular phenotype commitment. In this study, we report how the cellular mechanical microenvironment of soft substrates affects the differentiation and phenotypic commitment of ESCs. Mouse ESCs were cultured in a fibrin hydrogel matrix in 2D and 3D cultures. The gelation characteristics of the substrates were modulated by systematically altering the fibrinogen concentration and the fibrinogen‐thrombin crosslinking ratio. Analysis of the ESCs cultured on different substrate conditions clearly illustrated the strong influence that substrate physical characteristics assert on cellular behaviours. Specifically, it was found that ESCs had a higher proliferation rate in gels of lower stiffness. Early differentiation events were studied by analyzing the gene and protein expression levels of early germ layer markers. Our results revealed that lower substrate stiffness elicited stronger upregulation of endoderm related genes Sox17, Afp and Hnf4 compared to stiffer substrates. While both 2D and 3D cultures showed a similar response, the effects were much stronger in 3D culture. These results suggest that physical cues can be used to modulate ESC differentiation into clinically relevant tissues such as liver and pancreas. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FUEL Your Life: A Translation of the Diabetes Prevention Program to Worksites

Purpose. To evaluate the effectiveness of FUEL Your Life, a translation of the Diabetes Prevention Program for worksites. Design. A randomized control group design was conducted in five worksites of a large transportation company. Measures were collected pretest, posttest (6 months), and follow-up (12 months). Setting. Railroad maintenance facilities of Union Pacific Railroad. Subjects. Participants consisted of 362 workers (227 treatment, 135 control). Intervention. FUEL Your Life was translated from the Diabetes Prevention Program to better fit within the context of the worksite. The primary difference was the use of peer health coaches to provide social support and reinforcement and an occupational nurse to provide lesson content (six sessions of 10 minutes) to participants instead of the lifestyle coaches employed by the Diabetes Prevention Program, resulting in a less structured meeting schedule. Measures. The primary outcomes were weight and body mass index (BMI), with secondary outcomes including eating behaviors, physical activity, and social support. Analysis. Latent growth modeling was used to measure changes in the outcomes over time. Results. Participants in the intervention group maintained weight/BMI (–.1 pounds/–.1 BMI), whereas the control participants gained weight/BMI (+2.6 pounds/+.3 BMI), resulting in a statistically significant difference between groups. Fifty-five percent of intervention participants lost some weight, whereas only 35% of the control group lost weight. Conclusions. FUEL Your Life, a low intensity intervention, was not effective for promoting weight loss, but was effective for helping workers maintain weight over a 12-month period.
Reliable and Efficient Data Transfer for Underwater Acoustic Networks

As an emerging research area, Underwater Acoustic Networks (UANs) have attracted tremendous interests in last several years. Reliable and efficient data transfer is of critical importance for UANs since it serves as the essential underlying service for various tasks. Due to the unique features of UANs including the long propagation delay, low bandwidth and high error probability, reliable and efficient data transfer has been facing great challenges. In this dissertation work, we plan to tackle this problem from three different perspectives. First, we design a Coding based multi-hop Coordinated Reliable Data Transfer (CCRDT) protocol for multi-hop string topology UANs. GF(256) Random Linear Coding is employed to enhance reliability and efficiency over one hop. A multi-hop coordination scheme is proposed to eliminate collisions and improve throughput. CCRDT has been implemented on real UAN nodes and extensive lab tests has been conducted to show its advantages over existing approaches. Second, we propose a Selective ARQ and Slotted Handshake based Access (SASHA) for arbitrary topology UANs. SASHA embraces the most commonly employed techniques in coordination based UAN MAC design. We implemented SASHA on real UAN nodes and conducted a sea test to evaluate its performance. We investigated the hop-by-hop and end-to-end behavior of SASHA. From the experimental data, important issues have been discovered and corresponding design guidelines are suggested. Last, to address the reliable and efficient broadcast problem for UANs, we propose a Two-phase Broadcast (TBS) scheme. TBS does not rely on topology or neighbor information and thus is more adaptive to the dynamic changes in UANs. TBS includes two phases: the Fast Spreading phase and the Data Recovery phase. The Fast Spreading phase combines opportunistic overhearing and network coding to improve broadcast efficiency. The Data Recovery phase aims to guarantee reliability and reduce interference probability. In this prospectus, we will present these three works in detail. We will also discuss the future directions to complete this Ph.D. dissertation.
An investigation into the Metal Grinding Process under Sub-Zero Temperature Cutting Fluid / Richard P. Daisley and Boppana V. Chowdary

The grinding process falls under the category of abrasive machining, which is a material-removal operation that involves abrasive grits interacting with the workpiece at high speeds and shallow penetration depths. In surface grinding, high heat is generated at the contact regions due to friction between the grit-chip and grit-workpiece interactions. This generated heat may damage the machined surface due to a sudden rise in temperature which induces phase transformations on the machined surface. These phase transformations lead to workpiece burns that drastically decreases the fatigue life of the job. Thus, the elimination of these burns is of considerable interest in this study. It is apparent that sub-zero temperature coolants would have the ability to bring about lower grinding temperatures than what is typically achieved under conventional fluids. In this study, a factorial experimental approach was used to investigate the effects of liquid carbon dioxide (LC02) on grinding stainless steel (SS304) material. The LC02 s performance was benchmarked against grinding under dry and emulsion coolant environments. Based on the experimental results it was found that under specific conditions, LCO2 proves to be a viable coolant alternative for grinding of temperature sensitive materials. Furthermore, under low depths of cut (0.012 - 0.025 mm) and table speeds (100 mm/s - 258.33 mm/s), LC02 restricts the occurrence of grinding burns.
Compressive Hyperspectral Imaging using Coded Fourier Transform Interferometry

Fourier Transform Interferometry (FTI) is a Hyperspectral (HS) imaging technique that is specially desirable in high spectral resolution applications, such as spectral microscopy in biology. The current resolution limit of FTI is actually due to the durability of biological elements when exposed to illuminating light. We propose two variants of the FTI imager, i.e., coded illumination-FTI and coded aperture-FTI, that efficiently allocate the illumination distribution with a variable density sampling strategy, so that the exposure time of the biological specimen is minimized while spectral resolution is preserved. We derive a theoretical analysis for both proposed methods. Our results are supported by several experimental simulations.
Algorithms for Image Component Labeling on SIMD Mesh-Connected Computers

Abstract : Two new parallel algorithms are presented for the problem of labeling the connected components of a binary image, which is also known as the connected ones problem. The machine model is an SIMD two-dimensional mesh connected computer consisting of an N x N array of processing elements, each containing a single pixel of an N x N image. Both new algorithms use a shrinking operation defined by Levialdi and have time complexities of O(N log N) bit operations, which makes them the fastest local algorithms for the problem. Compared with other approaches having similar or better time complexities, this local approach dramatically simplifies the algorithms and reduces the constants of proportionality by nearly two orders of magnitude, thus making them the first practical algorithms for the problem. The two algorithms differ in the amount of memory required per processing element; the first uses O(N) bits while the second employs a novel compression scheme to reduce the requirement to O(log N) bits.
MicroRNA-155 Is Required for Mycobacterium bovis BCG-Mediated Apoptosis of Macrophages

ABSTRACT Pathogenic mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis, cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the vaccine strain Mycobacterium bovis BCG, unlike virulent strains, triggers extensive apoptosis of infected macrophages, a step necessary for the elicitation of robust protective immunity. We here demonstrate that M. bovis BCG triggers Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-dependent microRNA-155 (miR-155) expression, which involves signaling cross talk among phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and recruitment of NF-κB and c-ETS to miR-155 promoter. Genetic and signaling perturbations presented the evidence that miR-155 regulates PKA signaling by directly targeting a negative regulator of PKA, protein kinase inhibitor alpha (PKI-α). Enhanced activation of PKA signaling resulted in the generation of PKA C-α; phosphorylation of MSK1, cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB), and histone H3; and recruitment of phospho-CREB to the apoptotic gene promoters. The miR-155-triggered activation of caspase-3, BAK1, and cytochrome c translocation involved signaling integration of MAPKs and epigenetic or posttranslational modification of histones or CREB. Importantly, M. bovis BCG infection-induced apoptosis was severely compromised in macrophages derived from miR-155 knockout mice. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies validated the requirement of miR-155 for M. bovis BCG's ability to trigger apoptosis. Overall, M. bovis BCG-driven miR-155 dictates cell fate decisions of infected macrophages, strongly implicating a novel role for miR-155 in orchestrating cellular reprogramming during immune responses to mycobacterial infection.