Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Keratocyte gap junctional communication in normal and wounded rabbit corneas and human corneas.

PURPOSE Several studies have indicated the anatomic and biochemical presence of gap junctions in corneal keratocytes. The current study was designed to demonstrate that these gap junctions are functional in rabbit and human corneal keratocytes. This study also examined dye coupling between keratocytes migrating into the wound region of freeze-wounded rabbit corneas. METHODS Freeze wounds were created on anesthetized rabbit corneas using a liquid nitrogen-cooled brass probe. Freeze-wounded corneas were examined at several time periods from days 0 to 5 after wounding. Nonwounded rabbit corneas also were examined. Human corneal buttons were examined immediately after removal from patients who underwent keratoplasty. Gap junctional coupling was examined by microinjecting carboxyfluorescein from microelectrodes into the basal-most keratocytes and capturing dye spread images with a cooled charge coupled device camera. RESULTS Significant dye spread was observed between cells in the unwounded areas of corneas at wound time 0 and between cells migrating into the wound areas as early as 24 hours after wounding. In control corneas, dye spread to as many as 50 cells from the source cell. Dye spread also was seen between keratocytes in human corneas with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and keratoconus. CONCLUSIONS Gap junctions observed in keratocytes from normal rabbit corneas are functional. Gap junctions also are present and functional in keratocytes within unwounded and wounded regions of freeze-injured corneas. In addition, functional gap junctions are present between keratocytes in human corneas. This study confirms the long-held contention that corneal keratocytes form a large intercommunicating network within the corneal stroma.
Noninvasive Bioluminescence Imaging of Olfactory Ensheathing Glia and Schwann Cells following Transplantation into the Lesioned Rat Spinal Cord

In this study, we assess the feasibility of bioluminescence imaging to monitor the survival of Schwann cells (SCs) and olfactory ensheathing glia cells (OECs) after implantation in the lesioned spinal cord of adult rats. To this end, purified SCs and OECs were genetically modified with lentiviral vectors encoding luciferase-2 and GFP and implanted in the lesioned dorsal column. The bioluminescent signal was monitored for over 3 months, and at 7 and 98 days postsurgery, the signal was compared to standard histological analysis of GFP expression in the spinal cords. The temporal profile of the bioluminescent signal showed three distinct phases for both cell types. (I) A relatively stable signal in the first week. (II) A progressive decline in signal strength in the second and third week. (III) After the third week, the average bioluminescent signal stabilized for both cell types. Interestingly, in the first week, the peak of the bioluminescent signal after luciferin injection was delayed when compared to later time points. Similar to in vitro, our data indicated a linear relationship between the in vivo bioluminescent signal and the GFP signal of the SCs and OECs in the spinal cords when the results of both the 7 and 98 day time points are combined. This is the first report of the use of in vivo bioluminescence to monitor cell survival in the lesioned rat spinal cord. Bioluminescence could be a potentially powerful, non-invasive strategy to examine the efficacy of treatments that aim to improve the survival of proregenerative cells transplanted in the injured rat spinal cord.
Variance components/major locus likelihood approximation for quantitative, polychotomous, and multivariate data

Pearson [Philos Trans R Soc Lond [A] 200:1–66, 1903], Mendell and Elston [Biometrics 30:41–57, 1974], and Rice et al. [Biometrics 35:451–459, 1979] approximated the likelihood of the multifactorial model on a dichotomous phenotype by a procedure of successive univariate computation and conditioning. Hasstedt [Pap: Pedigree Analysis Package, Rev. 3. 1989] and Demenais [Am J Hum Genet 49:773–785, 1991] extended the algorithm to include a major locus. Here I extend the algorithm to polychotomous, quantitative, and multivariate phenotypes, add a major locus to the model, and describe and evaluate the accuracy of an approximation of the resulting variance components/major locus model. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New ant colony optimisation algorithms for hierarchial classification of protein functions

Abstract Ant colony optimisation (ACO) is a metaheuristic to solve optimisation problems inspired by the foraging behaviour of ant colonies. It has been successfully applied to several types of optimisation problems, such as scheduling and routing, and more recently for the discovery of classification rules. The classification task in data mining aims at predicting the value of a given goal attribute for an example, based on the values of a set of predictor attributes for that example. Since real-world classification problems are generally described by nominal (categorical or discrete) and continuous (real-valued) attributes, classification algorithms are required to be able to cope with both nominal and continuous attributes. Current ACO classification algorithms have been designed with the limitation of discovering rules using nominal attributes describing the data. Furthermore, they also have the limitation of not coping with more complex types of classification problems e.g., hierarchical multi-label classification problems. This thesis investigates the extension of ACO classification algorithms to cope with the aforementioned limitations. Firstly, a method is proposed to extend the rule construction process of ACO classification algorithms to cope with continuous attributes directly. Four new ACO classification algorithms are presented, as well as a comparison between them and well-known classification algorithms from the literature. Secondly, an ACO classification algorithm for the hierarchical problem of protein function prediction which is a major type of bioinformatics problem addressed in this thesis is presented. Finally, three different approaches to extend ACO classification algorithms to the more complex case of hierarchical multi-label classification are described, elaborating on the ideas of the proposed hierarchical classification ACO algorithm. These algorithms are compare against state-of-the-art decision tree induction algorithms for hierarchical multi-label classification in the context of protein function prediction. The computational results of experiments with a wide range of data sets including challenging protein function prediction data sets with very large number
Core services for coordination in concurrent engineering

Product development has increasingly become a cooperative endeavor that requires effective coordination in the face of complex dependencies over agents, time and functional perspectives. Distinct coordination support technologies have emerged for each of these kinds of distribution, but all face important limitations. This paper presents a unified model of concurrent engineering coordination that synergistically combines existing approaches in a way that avoids many of their individual limitations and combines their strengths. This model is based on an inclusive dependency capture language plus core coordination services for dependency capture, process enactment and exception handling. An initial implementation of this model is presented and challenges for future evolution of this technology are identified.
Prospective Evaluation of 50 Consecutive Scoliosis Patients Surgically Treated With Thoracoscopic Anterior Instrumentation

Study Design. Prospective, consecutive, single-surgeon case series of patients treated for scoliosis with thoracoscopic anterior spinal instrumentation. Background. A thoracoscopic approach for insertion of anterior instrumentation has been developed in the past 10 years, which obviates many of the disadvantages of the open anterior thoracic approach. The morbidity associated with a thoracoscopy is limited because of the minimal skin and chest wall dissection required with this method. Purpose. The purpose of this evaluation is to report a single surgeon’s experience with an initial series of 50 patients. The goal is to report the outcomes with regards to the radiographic findings, pulmonary function, and the SRS Outcomes Instrument, as well as a review of the perioperative data and complications. Methods. The primary author’s initial 50 thoracoscopic anterior spinal instrumentation patients were consecutively collected. Data collection included demographics, such as age, gender, and diagnosis. Data regarding the surgical procedure included the operative time, intraoperative estimated blood loss, as well as the number of levels instrumented anteriorly. In the perioperative hospital period, data were collected with regard to the length of the hospital stay, the number of days in the ICU, the number of days of ventilator support, and the number of days after surgery when conversion from IV to PO pain medication occurred. Radiographic data were obtained systematically on each patient and measured by authors other than the surgeon. The SRS 22 and/or 24 Outcomes Questionnaire and pulmonary function tests were administered to patients at similar intervals. Results. The series consisted of 44 females and 6 males with a mean age of 14 years (range, 9–48 years). Forty-five of the 50 patients were available for clinical and radiographic evaluation at greater than or equal to 2 years after surgery. The average length of follow-up for these 45 patients was 33 months (range, 2–5 years). The mean operative time for the procedure was 350 ± 50 minutes and ranged from 265 to 528 minutes. The estimated intraoperative blood loss averaged 431 ± 273 mL (range, 75–1,400 mL). Normalizing the operative time and estimated blood loss based on the number of levels treated resulted in an average operative time per level of 48 ± 6 minutes per level and an estimated intraoperative blood loss per level of 60 ± 37 mL per level. The preoperative thoracic Cobb averaged 53° ± 9° (range, 40°–80°). At most recent follow-up (≥2 years), the thoracic Cobb averaged 24° ± 7°. Implant failure occurred in 3 cases. Conclusion. Thoracoscopic anterior instrumentation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a viable surgical option. The outcomes of this consecutive series of patients is comparable to prior open and endoscopic series presented in the literature. The technical challenges of this operation are evident in the learning curve effect, which has been demonstrated.
An integrated metric routing protocol for multi-channel wireless networks

Wireless protocols, for IEEE802.11a, provide multiple none-overlapping channels. In this paper, we present an integrated metric routing protocol for multi-channel network, called IMR. The metric of this protocol composes the channel status and node status. Simulation results show that this protocol improves network average throughput and decrease end to end delay efficiently.
Induction of heterotopic bone formation by demineralized dentin in guinea pigs: antigenicity of the dentin matrix.

Fifty autogenous, 120 allogenic and 40 xenogenic demineralized dentin specimens as-well as 36 undemineralized allogenic specimens were implanted in the abdominal muscles of 74 male guinea pigs for periods ranging from 4 to 12 weeks. An experimental model for the first and second set reaction in allogenic ear skin grafts was established in 10 male guinea pigs. The mean survival times of the first and second sets of these grafts were 10.1 days, s.d. = 1.57 and 5.2 days, s.d. = 0.78, respectively. Repeated implantation of both undemineralized, and demineralized and lyophilized allogenic dentin evoked an immune response in the host resulting in an accelerated skin graft rejection. Furthermore, in the second and third sets of implants the bone inducing process was either prevented (undemineralized dentin) or reduced (demineralized and lyophilized dentin). Xenogenic demineralized dentin failed to induce osteogenesis, probably due to an intense host immune response. The first set of allogenic demineralized dentin implants, on the other hand, induced bone formation in a high percentage of cases, it even gave the impression of enhancing the induction process compared to autogenous dentin.
Scan registration using segmented region growing NDT

The Normal Distributions Transform (NDT) scan registration algorithm divides a point cloud using rectilinear voxel cells, then models the points within each cell as a set of Gaussian distributions. A nonlinear optimization is performed in order to register the scans, however the voxel-based approach results in ill-defined cost function derivatives as points cross cell boundaries. In this work, a Segmented Region Growing NDT (SRG-NDT) variant is proposed, which first removes the ground points from the scan, then uses natural features in the environment to generate Gaussian clusters for the NDT algorithm. The removal of the ground points is shown to significantly speed up the scan registration process with negligible effect on the registration accuracy. By clustering the remaining points, the SRG-NDT approach is able to model the environment with fewer Gaussian distributions compared with the voxel-based NDT methods, which allows for a smooth and continuous cost function that guarantees that the optimization will converge. Furthermore, the use of a relatively small number of Gaussian distributions allows for a significant improvement in run-time. Experiments in both urban and forested environments demonstrate that the SRG-NDT approach is able to achieve comparable accuracy to existing methods, but with an average decrease in computation time over ICP, G-ICP, and NDT, of 90.1%, 95.3%, and 94.5%, respectively.
Effects of acamprosate on memory in healthy young subjects.

OBJECTIVE Several studies have shown acamprosate (calciumacetylhomotaurinate) to increase abstinence rates in weaned alcoholics. Chronic alcoholics often suffer from cognitive deficits. Since acamprosate appears to interact with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, a subclass of glutamate receptors playing an important role in learning and memory processes, this study was performed in order to investigate different cognitive functions during administration of acamprosate. METHOD A randomized, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled design, involving 12 healthy male volunteers was used. Acamprosate 2 g daily per os or placebo were administered for 7 days respectively, with a wash-out interval of 21 days between phases. Mood and different memory functions (i.e., working memory, delayed recall, recognition tasks) were assessed. RESULTS It was shown that a dose of acamprosate 2 g/day for 7 days may produce an impairment in delayed free recall. Recognition tasks, short term working memory and mood were not altered. CONCLUSIONS The present study supports the hypothesis that acamprosate impairs memory functions. This is in keeping with the concept of acamprosate acting as NMDA receptor antagonist. The limitations of the study are discussed.
Aberrant Growth Plate Development in VDR/RXRγ Double Null Mutant Mice.

VDR forms heterodimers with one of three RXRs, RXRα, RXRβ, and RXRγ, and it is thought that RXR ligands can also modulate the trans-activation function of VDR/RXR heterodimers. In the present study we generated VDR/RXRγ double null mutant mice to examine the convergent actions of vitamin D and vitamin A signaling and to explore the possibility of a functionally redundant VDR. Although RXRγ−/− mice exhibited no overt abnormalities, VDR−/−/RXRγ−/− mice appeared similar to VDR−/− mice, showing features typical of vitamin D-dependent rickets type II, including growth retardation, impaired bone formation, hypocalcemia, and alopecia. However, compared to VDR−/− mice, growth plate development in VDR−/−/RXRγ−/− mutant mice was more severely impaired. Normalizing mineral ion homeostasis through dietary supplementation with high calcium and phosphorous effectively prevented rachitic abnormalities, except for disarranged growth plates in VDR−/−/RXRγ−/− mutant mice, and alopecia in both VDR−/− and VDR−/−/RXRγ−/− muta.
Nucleolar and nuclear localization properties of a herpesvirus bZIP oncoprotein, MEQ

Marek's disease virus (MDV) is one of the most oncogenic herpesviruses and induces T lymphomas in chickens within weeks after infection. Only a limited number of viral transcripts are detected in MDV tumor samples and cell lines. One of the major transcripts encodes MEQ, a 339-amino-acid bZIP protein which is homologous to the Jun/Fos family of transcription factors. The C-terminal half of MEQ contains proline-rich repeats and, when fused to the DNA-binding domain of a yeast transcription factor, Gal4 (residues 1 to 147), exhibits transactivation function. MEQ can dimerize with itself and with c-Jun. The MEQ-c-Jun heterodimers bind to an AP-1-like enhancer within the MEQ promoter region with greater affinity than do homodimers of either protein, and they transactivate MEQ expression. Here we show that MEQ is expressed in the nucleus but, interestingly, with a predominant fraction in the nucleoli and coiled bodies. This makes MEQ the first bZIP protein to be identified in the nucleoli. MEQ contains two stretches of basic residues, designated basic region 1 (BR1) and basic region 2 (BR2). Using a series of deletion mutants, we have mapped the primary nuclear localization signal (NLS) and the sole nucleolar localization signal (NoLS) to the BR2 region. BR1 was shown to provide an auxiliary signal in nuclear translocation. To demonstrate that BR2 is an authentic NoLS, BR2 was fused to cytoplasmic v-Raf (delta gag) kinase. The BR2-Raf fusion protein was observed to migrate into the nucleoplasm and the nucleolus. The BR2 region can be further divided into two long arginine-lysine stretches, BR2N and BR2C, which are separated by the five amino acids Asn-Arg-Asp-Ala-Ala (NRDAA). We provide evidence that the requirement for nuclear translocation is less stringent than that for nucleolar translocation, as either BR2N or BR2C alone is sufficient to translocate the cytoplasmic v-Raf (delta gag) into the nucleus, but only in combination can they translocate v-Raf (delta gag) into the nucleolus. Our studies demonstrate that MEQ is both a nuclear and nucleolar protein, adding MEQ to the growing list of transactivators which localize to the nucleolus.
[A new measure for degree of urbanization: the address density of the surrounding area].

A new method of measuring the degree of urbanization of a given area, developed by the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics, is introduced. "The measure classifies areas according to what is called address density of the surroundings: the average address density within a radius of 1 km of an address in the area. " The advantages are discussed, and the measure is used to classify the 647 municipalities in the Netherlands into five groups according to urbanization level. (SUMMARY IN ENG)
Noise Reduction in CMOS Image Sensor Using Cellular Neural Networks with a Genetic Algorithm

In this paper, Cellular Neural Networks using genetic algorithm (GA-CNNs) are designed for CMOS image noise reduction. Cellular Neural Networks (CNNs) could be an efficient way to apply to the image processing technique, since CNNs have high-speed parallel signal processing characteristics. Adaptive CNNs structure is designed for the reduction of Photon Shot Noise (PSN) changed according to the average number of photons, and the design of templates for adaptive CNNs is based on the genetic algorithm using real numbers. These templates are optimized to suppress PSN in corrupted images. The simulation results show that the adaptive GA-CNNs more efficiently reduce PSN than do the other noise reduction methods and can be used as a high-quality and low-cost noise reduction filter for PSN. The proposed method is designed for real-time implementation. Therefore, it can be used as a noise reduction filter for many commercial applications. The simulation results also show the feasibility to design the CNNs template for a variety of problems based on the statistical image model.
Binding of Escherichia coli and Salmonella strains to members of the carcinoembryonic antigen family: differential binding inhibition by aromatic alpha-glycosides of mannose

Various Escherichia coli and Salmonella strains bound to glycoproteins of the family of carcinoembryonic antigens (CEA). As judged from plateau regions of the binding curves, CEA, nonspecific cross-reacting antigen of Mr 55,000 (NCA-55), and biliary glycoprotein of Mr 85,000 (BGP-85) showed similar binding activities. The binding to ovalbumin was significantly lower and the binding to fetuin was insignificant under identical experimental conditions. The binding of E. coli and S. typhi to the different glycoproteins was similar as judged from the binding curves. In comparison with alpha-methyl-D-mannopyranoside, aromatic alpha-glycosides of mannose were more potent binding inhibitors of E. coli but not of salmonellae to CEA and NCA-55. These results are similar to those previously obtained with intestinal epithelial cells and yeast cells (N. Firon, S. Ashkenazi, D. Mirelman, I. Ofek, and N. Sharon, Infect. Immun. 55:472-476, 1987). The binding of E. coli to CEA was inhibited by purified type 1 fimbriae. On the basis of the distribution of CEA-like glycoproteins in tissues and body fluids, the results indicate that glycoproteins of the CEA family may be involved in the recognition of bacteria and the regulation of bacterial colonization.
Shape-constrained multi-atlas segmentation of spleen in CT

Spleen segmentation on clinically acquired CT data is a challenging problem given the complicity and variability of abdominal anatomy. Multi-atlas segmentation is a potential method for robust estimation of spleen segmentations, but can be negatively impacted by registration errors. Although labeled atlases explicitly capture information related to feasible organ shapes, multi-atlas methods have largely used this information implicitly through registration. We propose to integrate a level set shape model into the traditional label fusion framework to create a shape-constrained multi-atlas segmentation framework. Briefly, we (1) adapt two alternative atlas-to-target registrations to obtain the loose bounds on the inner and outer boundaries of the spleen shape, (2) project the fusion estimate to registered shape models, and (3) convert the projected shape into shape priors. With the constraint of the shape prior, our proposed method offers a statistically significant improvement in spleen labeling accuracy with an increase in DSC by 0.06, a decrease in symmetric mean surface distance by 4.01 mm, and a decrease in symmetric Hausdorff surface distance by 23.21 mm when compared to a locally weighted vote (LWV) method.
Automated 3D scenes reconstruction for mobile robots using laser scanning

The fast reconstruction for 3D environment is a challenging work for autonomous mobile robots. This paper presents an automated 3D scenes reconstruction method based on ICP algorithm. According to the order relations of 3D laser scanning, an effective edge feature extraction method is proposed to extract the edge points in the 3D scenes. The edge points instead of the initial points are used in pairs matching in the course of ICP registration, which can reduce the computational burden significantly. A 3D-grid-division method is adopted to reduce the redundant data points in the overlapping areas of multiple scans. The data points are distributed into small voxels and the point nearest to the center is extracted to reconstruct a new scene. According to the reduced points in the reconstructed scene, digitalization of 3D environment is implemented by using 3D grids and surface meshes. A series of experiment results and data analysis show the method's validity and practicability.