Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional characterization of interstitial macrophages and subpopulations of alveolar macrophages from rat lung

The specific function of interstitial macrophages (IM) in the lung is poorly understood because of difficulties in isolating these cells in high purity or large number. In the present studies, a pure population of en‐zymatically isolated IM and lung macrophages obtained mechanically from the lung were compared functionally with alveolar macrophages recovered by lavage (AM). Macrophages isolated mechanically from the tissue and AM displayed similarly high levels of Fc‐receptor mediated phagocytosis. In contrast, IM phagocytized significantly fewer opsonized sheep red blood cells per macrophage than AM. In addition, although some variations in the amounts of nitric oxide and superoxide anion produced by AM and macrophages obtained by mechanical tissue disruption were observed, these subpopulations released significantly more of these mediators than IM. These data support the concept that macrophages isolated by mechanical disruption of the tissue represent a subpopulation of AM. We also found that, in contrast to AM, IM did not respond synergistically to combinations of IFN‐γ and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor α in terms of nitric oxide production. Furthermore, regulation of superoxide anion release in AM and IM by LPS and/or IFN‐γ was distinct. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that IM are functionally different from other macrophage subpopulations which might reflect their unique location within the lung. J. Leukoc. Biol. 55: 141–146; 1994.
Extraction and tracking of the tongue surface from ultrasound image sequences

This paper presents a system for automatic extraction and tracking of 2D contours of the tongue surfaces from digital ultrasound image sequences. The input to the system is provided by a Head and Transducer Support System (HATS), which is developed for use in ultrasound imaging of the tongue movement. We developed a novel active contour (snakes) model that uses several temporally adjacent images during the extraction of the tongue surface contour for an image frame. The user supplies an initial contour model for a single image frame in the whole sequence. Using optical flow and multi-resolution methods, this initial contour is then used to find the candidate contour points in the temporally immediate adjacent images. Subsequently, the new snake mechanism is applied to estimate optimal contours for each image frame using these candidate points. In turn, the extracted contours are used as models for the extraction process of new adjacent frames. Finally, the system uses a novel postprocessing technique to refine the positions of the contours. We tested the system on 11 different speech sequences, each containing about 25 images. Visual inspection of the detected contours by the speech experts shows that the results are very promising and this system can be effectively employed in speech and swallowing research.
Early processing in the human lateral occipital complex is highly responsive to illusory contours but not to salient regions

Human electrophysiological studies support a model whereby sensitivity to so‐called illusory contour stimuli is first seen within the lateral occipital complex. A challenge to this model posits that the lateral occipital complex is a general site for crude region‐based segmentation, based on findings of equivalent hemodynamic activations in the lateral occipital complex to illusory contour and so‐called salient region stimuli, a stimulus class that lacks the classic bounding contours of illusory contours. Using high‐density electrical mapping of visual evoked potentials, we show that early lateral occipital cortex activity is substantially stronger to illusory contour than to salient region stimuli, whereas later lateral occipital complex activity is stronger to salient region than to illusory contour stimuli. Our results suggest that equivalent hemodynamic activity to illusory contour and salient region stimuli probably reflects temporally integrated responses, a result of the poor temporal resolution of hemodynamic imaging. The temporal precision of visual evoked potentials is critical for establishing viable models of completion processes and visual scene analysis. We propose that crude spatial segmentation analyses, which are insensitive to illusory contours, occur first within dorsal visual regions, not the lateral occipital complex, and that initial illusory contour sensitivity is a function of the lateral occipital complex.
Influence of season of birth on onset of gonadotrophic and ovarian functions in young doe hares (Lepus europaeus).

The pituitary and ovarian responses to a monthly i.v. injection of 5 micrograms luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) were studied in three groups of young doe hares, born in January-February (group I), in April (group II) or at the end of the breeding season (August-September, group III). The LHRH injection was always followed by a release of LH and progesterone, which did not differ among the three groups at 3 months of age. The pituitary and ovarian responses to LHRH increased gradually from the age of 3 months in groups I and III and from the age of 9 months in group II. One female of the ten born in January-February ovulated and reached puberty in June, at the age of 4 months, but with a weak pituitary response. The females born in April displayed a seasonally delayed puberty, at 9 months of age (two of five females ovulated in the next January). Four of the five females born at the end of the breeding season ovulated after LHRH when 5 months old (in February), with a full pituitary-ovarian response. The low pituitary response of group I in June-August, even if 10-20% of females ovulated after LHRH, suggests a need for a period of short days. Then, the most favourable conditions for the hare to reach puberty would be a period of short decreasing daylengths during the fall, followed by increasing daylengths after the winter solstice.
An Active Site Arginine Residue in Tobacco Acetolactate Synthase

Acetolatate synthase(ALS) catalyzes the first common step in the biosynthesis of valine, leucine, isoleucine in plants and microorganisms. ALS is the target of several classes of herbicides, including the sulfonylureas, the imidazolinones, and the triazolopyrimidines. To elucidate the roles of arginine residues in tobacco ALS, chemical modification and site-directed mutagenesis were performed. Recombinant tobacco ALS was expressed in E. coli and purified to homogeneity. The ALS was inactivated by arginine specific reagents, phenylglyoxal and 2,3-butanedione. The rate of inactivation was a function of the concentration of modifier. The inactivation by butanedione was enhanced by borate, and the inactivation was reversible on removal of excess butanedione and borate. The substrate pyruvate and competitive inhibitors fluoropyruvate and phenylpyruvate protected the enzyme against inactivation by both modifiers. The mutation of well-conserved Arg198 of the ALS by Gln abolished the enzymatic activity as well as the binding affinity for cofactor FAD. However, the mutation of R198K did not affect significantly the binding of FAD to the enzyme. Taken together, the results imply that Arg198 is essential for the catalytic activity of the ALS and involved in the binding of FAD, and that the positive charge of the Ar g is crucial for the interaction with negatively charged FAD.
How to Measure Network Creation Games ’ Naturality ?

Modelling is one of major research areas in social network analysis whose goal is to study networks structure and its evolution. Motivated by the intuition that members in social networks behave selfishly, network creation games have been introduced for modelling social networks. In a typical network creation game, every node is allowed to only change its local structure so as to maximize his own benefit (utility), where utility functions depend on the graph structure and are, in fact, mappings from graph structures to real numbers. If this game converges to an equilibrium graph G (which we call the game graph), we use this graph as a model for social networks. In this paper, our aim is to measure how much the output graphs of a given network creation game G are compatible with a social network N . We first show that the precise measurement is not possible in polynomial time. That is, to decide whether N is a possible output graph of G is NPComplete. Then we propose a method for its approximation; finally, we show the usability of our method by conducting experiments on real network data.
Polymorphic microsatellite markers for the tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Diptera: Glossinidae), a vector of human African trypanosomiasis

Our understanding of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes, a major vector of sleeping sickness, has been severely constrained by a lack of genetic markers for mapping and population genetic studies. Here we present 10 newly developed microsatellite loci for this tsetse species. Heterozygosity levels in Moyo, an Ugandan population, averaged 0.57, with only two loci showing very low heterozygosity. Five loci carried more than six alleles. Together with five recently published microsatellite loci, this brings the number of available microsatellite loci for this species to 15. Their availability will greatly facilitate future studies on the genetics of this important human disease vector.
The Effect of Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia on Early Postoperative Opioid Consumption and Pain

Background and Objectives Many patients experience moderate to severe postoperative pain. Nitrous oxide (N2O) exerts analgesia by inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Ketamine, another N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, reduces postoperative opioid consumption and pain. A similar effect of N2O is plausible, yet understudied. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of N2O anesthesia on early postsurgical opioid consumption and pain. Methods This was a retrospective, secondary analysis of the Vitamins In Nitrous Oxide trial, where 500 patients undergoing general anesthesia for noncardiac surgery received 60% N2O and 125 received no N2O (otherwise, inclusion/exclusion criteria were identical). Exclusion criteria for this study were regional anesthesia, not extubated after surgery, transfer to intensive care unit, no available postanesthesia care unit record, postsurgical sedation, or treated with naloxone. Primary outcomes were cumulative opioid consumption measured in morphine equivalents and pain scores during the immediate recovery phase. Results Four hundred forty-two patients met inclusion criteria. No difference in intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption was observed between patients who received N2O (n = 353) and patients who did not (n = 89). The median [interquartile range] postoperative morphine equivalent dose was 6.7 mg [1.7–14.1 mg] for patients who received N2O and 6.7 mg [2.1–15.4 mg] for patients who did not (P = 0.73). The maximum pain score was 6 [4–8] for patients who received N2O versus 6 [3–8] for patients who received N2O-free anesthesia (P = 0.52). The prevalence of moderate to severe pain was 69% for patients who received N2O and 68% for patients who did not (P = 0.90). Conclusions Nitrous oxide anesthesia was not associated with decreased opioid administration, pain, or incidence of moderate to severe pain in the early postoperative phase.
Transplant Glomerulopathy

Transplant glomerulopathy (TG) is a histologic entity described more than four decades ago. In the last few years, our understanding of TG has improved significantly. Current evidence supports the postulate that TG is a unique pathologic and pathogenic entity distinct from other forms of chronic allograft injury. Detailed electron microscopic studies have shown basement membrane abnormalities in glomerular and peritubular capillaries, indicating that this is a disease of the entire renal capillary network. Staining biopsies for the complement fragment, C4d, showed positivity in subgroups of TG, suggesting the participation of antidonor antibodies. Consistent with this postulate, the incidence of TG is increased in patients with antidonor HLA antibodies prior to the transplant. The use of surveillance biopsies has demonstrated that TG can develop during the first few months after transplantation, although it may remain clinically quiescent for several years. However, TG is progressive, leading to reduced graft survival. Recent studies demonstrated a close association between TG and anti‐HLA class II antibodies. Current therapies for TG are likely of limited value. However, it is also likely that an improved understanding of TG pathogenesis will result in the development of effective therapies for this form of progressive kidney allograft damage.
it/sfs: A Parallel File System for the CM-5

This paper describes the creation of a Unix-compatible file system with highly scalable performance and size. The file system is on the CM-5 backed by a scalable array of disks. Using the Unix file system (UFS) from the SunOS 4.1. 2 kernel as a base and modifying it to support Connection Machine (CM) operations, we have created a new file system, the scalable file system, or sfs. We discuss the CM operations we support, such as parallel reads and writes to the processing nodes of the Connection Machine, the use of NFS to support many partitions of processing nodes on the CM, support for very large file sizes (64-bit) and support for odd numbers of disk drives. The tradeoffs and decisions made during the course of this project as well as performance data for varying numbers of disk drives are provided.
A review of wireless access vehicular environment multichannel operational medium access control protocols: Quality-of-service analysis and other related issues

In recent years, the increase in vehicular traffic has led to a drastic increase in road accidents, thus requiring adequate vehicle safety measures. The intelligent transportation system is a branch of modern technology responsible for delivering such road safety services. The wireless access vehicular environment standard defines how these intelligent transportation system applications can be incorporated in highly varying vehicular ad hoc network environments. Wireless access vehicular environment comprises the IEEE 802.11p and IEEE 1609.4 standards responsible for handling medium access control and transmission mechanisms in vehicular ad hoc networks. However, these standards still face medium access control and physical layer challenges, which must be addressed for reliable quality of service. Several research studies have been proposed and are still underway into improving medium access control protocols in the wireless access vehicular environment stack model defined by IEEE 1609.4 multichannel operation. These proposed medium access control protocols refine the quality of service and reliability of certain performance parameters and have also added some limitations. The working of such wireless access vehicular environment medium access control protocols can be enhanced by defining their limitations and improving them, without causing any performance tradeoffs. Finally, this article works toward reviewing and analyzing such limitations and tradeoffs to provide insight into possible improvements for future medium access control research deployments.
The Determinants of State Policy Innovativeness

What determines an American state’s propensity for innovativeness, or their willingness to adopt new policies sooner or later relative to other states? Most studies focus almost exclusively on one policy area at a time at the expense of a broader understanding of innovativeness as a characteristic of states. Our study therefore departs from this tradition by simultaneously studying policy innovation across almost 100 different policies. We exploit this leverage to study the broad determinants of state innovativeness via a pooled event history analysis of all policies. This allows us to determine the internal factors that influence innovativeness in general and to more flexibly study external diffusion patterns via contiguity, geographic proximity in general, and ideological proximity.
Modification of Tumour Perfusion and Oxygenation Monitored by Gradient Recalled Echo MRI and 31P MRS

Gradient recalled echo (GRE) 1H images can be used to monitor changes in blood oxygenation via the dephasing effects of paramagnetic deoxyhaemoglobin (Hb). We have modulated the blood flow/oxygenation of GH3 rat tumours by i.v. calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) or carbogen (95% O2, 5% CO2) inhalation, and obtained GRE 1H images interleaved with 31P spectra before, during and after the insult. With CGRP the GRE image intensity decreased (6/10) by >10% with a concomitant 40% decrease (4/4) in βNTP/Pi and a small decrease in pH. Both the image intensity and 31P spectra returned to near their pre‐CGRP levels after 50 min, consistent with a transient episode of hypoxia. Carbogen breathing (5/5) caused >40% increases in average GRE image intensity, with no significant changes in the 31P spectra (4/4). Three‐dimensional GRE images were obtained to confirm that a T2* increase, rather than just an "in‐flow' effect due to increased blood flow, was responsible for the GRE enhancement. Increases in average image intensity >40% were observed for the three‐dimensional GRE images (2/2), indicating a T2* increase. Using Hb as an endogenous contrast agent, the high sensitivity of the GRE technique may provide a method of monitoring heterogeneous tumour perfusion and oxygenation, both in the laboratory and the clinic.
Psychotic Symptoms and Confusion Associated with Intravenous Ganciclovir in a Heart Transplant Recipient

A 65‐year‐old man underwent orthotopic cardiac transplantation and was prophylactically treated for cytomegalovirus infection with intravenous ganciclovir. He received standard dosages and had normal renal function. After 6 days of therapy he experienced psychotic symptoms with hallucinations, confusion, and disorientation. His altered mental status resolved after the drug had been discontinued for 5 days. Ganciclovir was suspected as a cause of the symptoms. Alternative etiologies of were explored and excluded.
Abolition of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16Ink4a and p21Cip1/Waf1 Functions Permits Ras-Induced Anchorage-Independent Growth in Telomerase-Immortalized Human Fibroblasts

ABSTRACT Human cells are more resistant to both immortalization and malignant transformation than rodent cells. Recent studies have established the basic genetic requirements for the transformation of human cells, but much of this work relied on the expression of transforming proteins derived from DNA tumor viruses. We constructed an isogenic panel of human fibroblast cell lines using a combination of gene targeting and ectopic expression of dominantly acting mutants of cellular genes. Abolition of p21 Cip1/Waf1 and p16 Ink4a functions prevented oncogenically activated Ras from inducing growth arrest and was sufficient for limited anchorage-independent growth but not tumorigenesis. Deletion of the tumor suppressor p53 combined with abolition of p16 Ink4a function failed to mimic the introduction of simian virus 40 large T antigen, indicating that large T antigen may target additional cellular functions. Ha-Ras and Myc cooperated only to a limited extent, but in the absence of Ras, Myc cooperated strongly with the simian virus 40 small t antigen to elicit aggressive anchorage-independent growth. The experiments reported here further define specific components of human transformation pathways.
Overall and selective compensation of harmonic currents in Active Filter applications

This paper describes two harmonic detection methods used in industrial shunt Active Filters. The methods are overall harmonic compensation and selective harmonic compensation. Both methods are described and analyzed in the paper together with several practical design steps for Adjustable Speed Drives applications. The methods are compared in the case of voltage unbalance and predistortion, common cases in industrial applications. The paper concludes with guidelines of using each method in different cases.
Differences in treatment outcome between subgroups of patients with chronic low back pain using lumbar dynamometry and psychological aspects

Objective: To investigate whether subgroups of patients with chronic low back pain show differences in treatment outcome, measured with the Roland Disability Questionnaire. (RDQ). Setting: The study was carried out in a rehabilitation centre. Subjects: Eighty-four patients with chronic low back pain participated in this study. Intervention: Patients followed a multidisciplinary treatment programme that primarily targets physical aspects. Design and main outcome measure: Based on pretreatment lumbar dynamometry results and Symptom Checklist (SCL-90) scores, patients were divided into subgroups. The dynamometry subgroups were: performances lower than healthy subjects (expected performance), performances comparable with those of healthy subjects (normal performance) and inconsistent performances (submaximal performance). The SCL-90 subgroups were: a total score of ‘average’ or lower compared with a population of chronic pain patients (low psychological score) and a total score of ‘above average’ or higher compared with this population (high psychological score). Patients answered the RDQ in the week before (RDQ1; n = 84) and after treatment (RDQ2; n = 78) to investigate whether the subgroups show differences in outcome expressed as the percentage change between RDQ2 and RDQ1 (%RDQ2–1). A%RDQ2–1 ≥ 20% was classified as an improvement. Results: Improvement on disability level ≥20% is shown in 64% and 55% of the patients with ‘normal’ and ‘expected’ lumbar dynamometry performances and low psychological scores compared with only 33% and 25% of those with high psychological scores. Patients with submaximal performances show hardly any changes in disability level and there are no differences between those with low psychological scores (14%) and those reporting high scores (0%). Conclusion: The fact that patient subgroups with differences in treatment outcome can be defined using lumbar dynamometry and psychological questionnaires suggests that these instruments might facilitate treatment indication in clinical practice.
A fundamental limit on the performance of correlation based phase correction and flow estimation techniques

Cross correlation and similar operations are used in ultrasonic imaging to estimate blood or soft tissue motion in one or more dimensions and to measure echo arrival time differences for phase aberration correction. These estimates are subject to large errors known as false peaks and smaller magnitude errors known as jitter. While false peaks can sometimes be removed through nonlinear processing, jitter errors place a fundamental limit on the performance of delay estimation techniques. This paper applies the Cramer-Rao Lower Bound to derive analytical expressions which predict the magnitude of jitter for 1-D and 2-D problems using both radio frequency (RF) and envelope detected data. One-dimensional simulation results are presented which closely match theoretical predictions. These results indicate that for typical clinical conditions axial jitter for detected data is approximately five times greater than that for RF data. Lateral jitter is approximately ten times greater than axial jitter for RF data. Examples are presented which utilize these results to predict the performance of phase aberration correction and flow estimation systems. <<ETX>>