Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differentiation Between Vascularized Composite Allograft Acute Skin Rejection and Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Reactions Based on Cytokine Analysis

Background: Skin rejection in vascularized composite allotransplantation is a major hurdle for wider clinical adoption in VCA. Histopathological alterations during acute skin rejection mimic inflammatory skin processes and are difficult to differentiate. The aim of this study was to identify protein expression patterns characteristic for acute skin rejection in reference to inflammatory skin processes, such as delayed type hypersensitivity reactions. Methods: Limb transplantations were performed using a Brown-Norway to Lewis rat allotransplant model. For the induction of skin inflammation a contact hypersensitivity (CHS) and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) model in Lewis rats were established. CHS and DTH result in skin irritation and swelling comparable to grade I-II rejection in our rat allotransplant model. While the DTH reaction is limited to the plantar skin, the CHS model allows for comparison with rejection also in hairy skin. Skin biopsies were taken at defined time points, where a histologically identical inflammatory response in all study groups was present. Protein levels of 14 inflammatory cytokines were assessed by Luminex™. Results: Based on the multivariate linear discriminant analysis, IL-12p70 and TNF-α were the major discriminators between skin rejection and inflammatory skin reactions. Principal component analysis identified IL-1α, GM-CSF, IL-6 and IL-18 as key drivers of rejection at this time point. Conclusion: The novel diagnostic platform enables for early and specific diagnosis of rejection and differentiation toward inflammatory skin diseases in this transplant model.
Diffuse X-Ray Emission in a Deep Chandra Image of the Galactic Center

We examine the spectrum of diffuse emission detected in the 17′ × 17′ field around Sgr A* during 625 ks of Chandra observations. The spectrum exhibits He-like and H-like lines from Si, S, Ar, Ca, and Fe that are consistent with an origin in a two-temperature plasma, as well as a prominent low-ionization Fe Kα line. The cooler, kT ≈ 0.8 keV plasma differs in surface brightness across the image in the range (0.2-1.8) × 10-13 ergs cm-2 s-1 arcmin-2 (observed, 2-8 keV). This soft plasma is probably heated by supernovae, along with a small contribution from the winds of massive Wolf-Rayet (W-R) and O stars. The radiative cooling rate of the soft plasma within the inner 20 pc of the Galaxy could be balanced by 1% of the kinetic energy of one supernova every 3 × 105 yr. The hotter, kT ≈ 8 keV component is more spatially uniform, with a surface brightness of (1.5-2.6) × 10-13 ergs cm-2 s-1 arcmin-2 (observed, 2-8 keV). The intensity of the hard plasma is correlated with that of the soft, but they are probably only indirectly related, because neither supernova remnants nor W-R/O stars are observed to produce thermal plasma hotter than kT ≈ 3 keV. Moreover, a kT ≈ 8 keV plasma would be too hot to be bound to the Galactic center and therefore would form a slow wind or fountain of plasma. The energy required to sustain such a freely expanding plasma within the inner 20 pc of the Galaxy is ~1040 ergs s-1. This corresponds to the entire kinetic energy of one supernova every 3000 yr, which is unreasonably high. However, alternative explanations for the kT ≈ 8 keV diffuse emission are equally unsatisfying. The hard X-rays are unlikely to result from undetected point sources, because no known population of stellar objects is numerous enough to account for the observed surface brightness. Neither is there evidence that nonthermal mechanisms for producing the hard emission are operating, as the expected shifts in the line energies and ratios from their collisional-equilibrium values are not observed. We are left to conclude either that there is a significant shortcoming in our understanding of the mechanisms that heat the interstellar medium or that a population of faint (<1031 ergs s-1) hard X-ray sources that is a factor of 10 more numerous than cataclysmic variables remains to be discovered.
Micromechanics of fracture in nacre from mollusk shells

Nacre is the iridescent layer found inside many mollusk shells. This natural composite is mostly made of microscopic ceramic tablets bonded by a small fraction of organic materials. Nacre is 3,000 tougher that the ceramic it is made of, and its remarkable structure is now inspiring the design of novel biomimetic composites. The aim of this work is to characterize the microstructures and micromechanisms behind this remarkable performance. Deformation and fracture experiments were performed on millimeter size specimens from four types of nacres, using a miniature loading stage and in-situ microscopy. Nacre from pearl oyster showed to be the toughest of the nacres tested, with distinct and quite unusual deformation and fracture patterns. Microstructure-based finite element models are being developed in order to capture and quantify key microscale toughening mechanisms.
Mapping genes influencing type 2 diabetes risk and BMI in Japanese subjects.

We have carried out an autosomal genome scan for genes contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes and affecting BMI in the Japanese population (164 families, 256 affected sib-pairs). We found 12 regions that showed nominally significant multipoint evidence of linkage with type 2 diabetes (i.e. logarithm of odds [LOD] score >0.59, P < 0.05): chromosome 1 29.9 cM; chromosome 2 169.6 and 236.8 cM; chromosome 4 104.9 cM; chromosome 5 114.8 cM; chromosome 6 42.3 cM; chromosome 8 15.3 and 93.3 cM; chromosome 9 140.0 cM; chromosome 11 131.6 cM; chromosome 17 36.1 cM; and chromosome 21 48.0 cM. Twelve regions showed nominal multipoint evidence for linkage with log-transformed BMI (lnBMI): chromosome 2 167.9 and 210.5 cM; chromosome 3 185.7 cM; chromosome 4 118.9 and 145.6 cM; chromosome 5 131.9 cM; chromosome 7 7.4 cM; chromosome 10 70.0 cM; chromosome 15 12.8 cM; chromosome 16 30.0 cM; and chromosome 17 47.8 and 100.2 cM. Although none of the regions achieved genome-wide levels of significance, simulation studies showed that we observed more linkage signals than expected if there were no loci contributing to type 2 diabetes or BMI. Eight of the regions showing nominal evidence for linkage with type 2 diabetes have been reported in other genome scans, and seven of the regions showing linkage with lnBMI have shown linkage with BMI and BMI-related traits in other studies. Thus, our results may replicate findings in other studies. They may also indicate new regions of the genome that are involved in the regulation of blood glucose levels or body weight.
The Modelling of Irradiation-Enhanced Phosphorus Segregation in Neutron Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Submerged-Arc Welds

Recent results on neutron-irradiated RPV submerged-arc welds have revealed grain boundary segregation of phosphorus during irradiation, which may lead to intergranular fracture. However, the experimental database is insufficient to define the dependence of the process on variables such ad dose, dose-rate and temperature. This paper describes work in which two existing models of phosphorus segregation, under thermal or irradiation conditions, have been developed to obtain predictions of these dependencies. The critical parameters in the models have been adjusted to give consistency with the available reference data, and predictions have been made of the dependence of segregation on a number of variables.
Quality Improvement on MRI Corrupted with Rician Noise Using Wave Atom Transform

Magnetic resonance imaging is a medical imaging technique that measures the response of atomic nuclei of body tissues to high frequency radio waves when placed in a strong magnetic field and that produces images of the internal organs. Denoising is always a challenging problem in magnetic resonance imaging and important for clinical diagnosis and computerized analysis, such as tissue classification and segmentation. It is well known that the noise in magnetic resonance imaging has a Rician distribution. In this paper, an improved de-noising technique is proposed on Magnetic Resonance Images highly corrupted with Rician Noise using wave atom shrinkage. General Terms Clinical diagnosis, tissue classification, segmentation.
Fabrication and characterization of colloidal crystals infiltrated with metallic nanoparticles

We report on the fabrication and characterization of metallo-dielectric colloidal structures (MDCS) based on the realization of inverse silica opals and following attachment of gold nanoparticles on the silica network of the inverse structure. In particular we present the protocols developed for the realization of both inverse silica opals and gold nanoparticles together with the procedure used for the immobilization of the metallic nanoparticles on the silica network. Contact angle measurements evidenced a modification in term of wettability of the surface after gold immobilization process. Optical measurements showed that MDCS have unique optical properties that combine the localized surface plasmon resonance of single Au nanoparticles with the photonic band gap features of colloidal crystal structure. Preliminary results on MDCS used as SERS substrate evidenced an increase of the Raman signal in respect to others metallic structures used as comparison.
Modeling and analyzing review information on the web focusing on credibility

In this paper we modeled review information to assess its credibility. We think the information to support users in credibility evaluation of reviews is necessary. This paper presents method for detecting reviewers' activity areas and biases. We also discuss the problem of glorified terms in online reviews. As these terms cause cognitive bias, supporting information that enables accurate understanding is needed.
Multicampaign assignment problem

It is crucial to maximize targeting efficiency and customer satisfaction in personalized marketing. State-of-the-art techniques for targeting focus on the optimization of individual campaigns. Our motivation is the belief that the effectiveness of a campaign with respect to a customer is affected by how many precedent campaigns have been recently delivered to the customer. We raise the multiple recommendation problem, which occurs when performing several personalized campaigns simultaneously. We formulate the multicampaign assignment problem to solve this issue and propose algorithms for the problem. The algorithms include dynamic programming and efficient heuristic methods. We verify by experiments the effectiveness of the problem formulation and the proposed algorithms.
Nanosilica‐Chitosan Composite Coating on Cotton Fabrics

Nanosilica‐chitosan composite coating on cotton fabrics has been prepared by sol‐gel method. The sol‐gel procedure allows coating of material on nanometer scale, which several commonly used coating procedure cannot achieve. In addition, sol‐gel coating technique can be applied to system without disruption of their structure functionaly. The coating were produced via hidrolysis and condensation of TEOS and GPTMS and then mixed with chitosan. The composite coating on cotton fabrics were characterized with X‐Ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM) method. The result showed that the coating not changed or disrupted the cotton stucture. The coating result in a clear transparent thin layer on cotton surface. The nanocomposite coating has new applications in daily used materials, especially those with low heat resistance, such as textiles and plastics, and as an environmentally friendly water‐repellent substitute for fluorine compounds.
Sage: a strong privacy-preserving scheme against global eavesdropping for ehealth systems

The eHealth system is envisioned as a promising approach to improving health care through information technology, where security and privacy are crucial for its success and largescale deployment. In this paper, we propose a strong privacy-preserving Scheme against Global Eavesdropping, named SAGE, for eHealth systems. The proposed SAGE can achieve not only the content oriented privacy but also the contextual privacy against a strong global adversary. Extensive analysis demonstrates the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed scheme.
Information Personalization in a Two Dimensional Product Differentiation Model: Impact of Market Structure and the Quality-Fit Ratio

In this research, we use a game-theoretic model to examine personalization of information in a two-dimensional product differentiation model, when consumers attach importance to 'preference fit' as well as 'product quality'. We report the equilibrium in terms of two factors: one, the extent of firms' ex-ante horizontal differentiation; and two, the 'Quality-Fit' (Q-F) Ratio, which measures the relative strength of consumer preferences on each dimension of product differentiation. Under different conditions, personalization adoption by one firm in a duopoly can be profitable for neither firm, one firm or both firms. We also highlight conditions under which investments in personalization and product quality can be complements or substitutes to each other. Finally, we show that different values of the Q-F Ratio can lead a competitor to respond to a firms' personalization by either increasing investments in its own quality (aggressive response) or by reducing investments in its own quality (defensive response).
HINTS outperforms ABCD2 to screen for stroke in acute continuous vertigo and dizziness.

OBJECTIVES Dizziness and vertigo account for about 4 million emergency department (ED) visits annually in the United States, and some 160,000 to 240,000 (4% to 6%) have cerebrovascular causes. Stroke diagnosis in ED patients with vertigo/dizziness is challenging because the majority have no obvious focal neurologic signs at initial presentation. The authors sought to compare the accuracy of two previously published approaches purported to be useful in bedside screening for possible stroke in dizziness: a clinical decision rule (head impulse, nystagmus type, test of skew [HINTS]) and a risk stratification rule (age, blood pressure, clinical features, duration of symptoms, diabetes [ABCD2]). METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of high-risk patients (more than one stroke risk factor) with acute vestibular syndrome (AVS; acute, persistent vertigo or dizziness with nystagmus, plus nausea or vomiting, head motion intolerance, and new gait unsteadiness) at a single academic center. All underwent neurootologic examination, neuroimaging (97.4% by magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), and follow-up. ABCD2 risk scores (0-7 points), using the recommended cutoff of ≥4 for stroke, were compared to a three-component eye movement battery (HINTS). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+, LR-) were assessed for stroke and other central causes, and the results were stratified by age. False-negative initial neuroimaging was also assessed. RESULTS A total of 190 adult AVS patients were assessed (1999-2012). Median age was 60.5 years (range = 18 to 92 years; interquartile range [IQR] = 52.0 to 70.0 years); 60.5% were men. Final diagnoses were vestibular neuritis (34.7%), posterior fossa stroke (59.5% [105 infarctions, eight hemorrhages]), and other central causes (5.8%). Median ABCD2 was 4.0 (range = 2 to 7; IQR = 3.0 to 4.0). ABCD2 ≥ 4 for stroke had sensitivity of 61.1%, specificity of 62.3%, LR+ of 1.62, and LR- of 0.62; sensitivity was lower for those younger than 60 years old (28.9%). HINTS stroke sensitivity was 96.5%, specificity was 84.4%, LR+ was 6.19, and LR- was 0.04 and did not vary by age. For any central lesion, sensitivity was 96.8%, specificity was 98.5%, LR+ was 63.9, and LR- was 0.03 for HINTS, and sensitivity was 99.2%, specificity was 97.0%, LR+ was 32.7, and LR- was 0.01 for HINTS "plus" (any new hearing loss added to HINTS). Initial MRIs were falsely negative in 15 of 105 (14.3%) infarctions; all but one was obtained before 48 hours after onset, and all were confirmed by delayed MRI. CONCLUSIONS HINTS substantially outperforms ABCD2 for stroke diagnosis in ED patients with AVS. It also outperforms MRI obtained within the first 2 days after symptom onset. While HINTS testing has traditionally been performed by specialists, methods for empowering emergency physicians (EPs) to leverage this approach for stroke screening in dizziness should be investigated.
WiFi based communication and localization of an autonomous mobile robot for refinery inspection

Oil and gas refineries can be a dangerous environment for numerous reasons, including heat, toxic gasses, and unexpected catastrophic failures. In order to augment how human operators interact with this environment, a mobile robotic platform is developed. This paper focuses on the use of WiFi for communicating with and localizing the robot. More specifically, algorithms are developed and tested to minimize the total number of WiFi access points (APs) and their locations in any given environment while taking into consideration the throughput requirements and the need to ensure every location in the region can reach at least k APs. When multiple WiFi APs are close together, there is a potential for interference. A graph-coloring heuristic is used to determine AP channel allocation. In addition, WiFi fingerprinting based localization is developed. All the algorithms implemented are tested in real world scenarios with the robot developed and results are promising.
Nahm's Equations, N = 1

We consider the following two problems: classical domain walls in the N = 1∗ mass deformation of the maximally supersymmetric Yang Mills theory, and D-strings as external magnetic sources in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence. We show that they are both described by Nahm’s equations with unconventional boundary conditions, and analyze the relevant moduli space of solutions. We argue that general ‘fuzzy sphere’ configurations of D-strings correspond to heavy monopoles in higher representations of a non-Abelian gauge group. Unité mixte du CNRS et de l ENS, UMR 8549. On leave of absence from LPTHE, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, PARIS VI and Université Denis Diderot, PARIS VII, Bôıte 126, Tour 16, 1er étage, 4 place Jussieu, F-75252 Paris CEDEX 05, FRANCE
A trigger channel threshold artifact in nanoparticle analysis

The analysis of individual nanoparticles by flow cytometry involves the measurement of dim signals that are near the detection limits of the instrument. Discriminating the signal from particles of interest from that of background particles in buffers and from optical and electronic noise can be challenging, and requires careful consideration of the measurement approach, control experiments, and scrutiny of the resulting data. In applying this scrutiny, we have come to recognize an artifact that results from the inappropriate selection of the trigger channel threshold that might not be obvious to the casual user. When measuring dim signals close to the noise or background levels, it is intuitive and common for the operator to adjust the trigger threshold to minimize the “false triggers” acquired by the system, and then to run the unknown sample, interpreting the events detected above the background as measurements of individual particles. We show here that when this approach is used to measure particles whose signals fall below the trigger threshold, only coincident events are detected, producing erroneous measurements of both particle number and brightness. We suggest that in many cases, the analysis of dim nanoparticles is best achieved using a fluorescence channel for the trigger. © 2013 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
A Graph-Based Approach for Semantic Process Model Discovery

One of the key tasks in the service oriented architecture that Semantic Web services aim to automate is the discovery of services that can fulfill the applications or user needs. OWL-S is one of the proposals for describing semantic metadata about Web services, which is based on the OWL ontology language. Majority of current approaches for matching OWL-S processes take into account only the inputs/outputs service profile. This chapter argues that, in many situations the service matchmaking should take into account also the process model. We present matching techniques that operate on OWL-S process models and allow retrieving in a given repository, the processes most similar to the query. To do so, the chapter proposes to reduce the problem of process matching to a graph matching problem and to adapt existing algorithms for this purpose. It proposes a similarity measure used to rank the discovered services. This measure captures differences in process structure and semantic differences between input/outputs used in the processes.
A location management technique to support lifelong numbering in personal communications services

This paper presents a novel location management technique, HOPPER, that is designed to support in a scalable and efficient manner non-geographical (lifelong) personal numbers in personal communications services (PCS). Performance comparisons between our scheme and other schemes are derived from large scale simulations using a realistic traffic modeling framework for the ten largest cities of the United States. Results show that in addition to inherently providing non-geographical numbers, the proposed scheme significantly improves the lookup performance and requires relatively little database access and network signaling resources.
FUZZY AND NEURO-FUZZY MODELLING AND CONTROL OF NONLINEAR SYSTEMS

The fuzzy logic provides a means of converting a linguistic control strategy based on expert knowledge into an automatic control strategy. The ability of fuzzy logic to handle imprecise and inconsistent real-world problems has made it suitable for a wide variety of applications. The present work is concerned with modeling and control of nonlinear systems using fuzzy and neuro-fuzzy techniques. Design of controllers using conventional methods for nonlinear systems is difficult due to absence of a systematic theory behind it. In such cases, an approach based on the use of neural network for identifying the requirements of the controller and the system from the input output data have been shown to be attractive. But identification using a neuro-fuzzy approach will help in reducing the arbitrariness in the choice of the type pf membership functions and the ranges of variables in the universe of discourse. This paper presents two methods based on fuzzy logic for the control of nonlinear systems, one using PID like fuzzy control and another using a neuro-fuzzy approach. Simulation results are attractive.
In situ compatibilization between polystyrene‐grafted nano‐sized TiO2 and polypropylene with Friedel‐Crafts catalyst

The application of Friedel-Crafts (FC) alkylation reaction to the in situ compatibilization between polystyrene-grafted nano-sized TiO2 (PS-grafted TiO2) and polypropylene (PP) was assessed. The PS-grafted TiO2 was first prepared via dispersion polymerization of styrene (St) using 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate treated nano-sized TiO2 (MPS-treated TiO2) as cores, and then dispersed within PP by melt blending with different contents of FC catalyst, AlCl3/St, to give PP/PS-grafted TiO2 nanocomposites. The dispersion of PS-grafted TiO2 in PP and interfacial adhesion of PP/PS-grafted TiO2 nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The results indicated that the dispersion of PS-grafted TiO2 in PP could be improved, with an enhancement of interfacial adhesion between TiO2 and PP, by introducing FC catalyst with adequate concentration, which led to a better thermal stability and resistance to ultraviolet (UV) aging of PP/PS-grafted TiO2 nanocomposites. The effect of FC catalyst on the compatibilization between the PS-grafted TiO2 and PP was discussed based on FC alkylation reaction mechanism. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009