Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inverse Correlation between Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF)-Binding Protein-5 and IGF-I and II during Postnatal Development of the Anterior Pituitary Gland

Background: The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is important for pituitary development and control, with each member of this axis having a specific temporal and spatial expression. Because IGF-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) is one of the most highly expressed binding proteins in the anterior pituitary (AP), it might be of special importance in this gland. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the temporal relationship between the expression of the IGFs and IGFBP-5 in the AP during postnatal development. Design and Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to study the mRNA levels of these proteins in the AP of male and female rats at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 days of age. Results: The highest mRNA levels of IGF-I and II occurred at 10 and 20 days of age with a dramatic decrease at 30 days (p < 0.0001). IGF-I, but not IGF-II, mRNA levels increased again during adulthood (60 days). The pattern of IGFBP-5 mRNA was inversely expressed, with maximum values occurring at 40 days. IGF-I mRNA levels were higher in males at 10 days, but higher in females at 20 days. The expression of IGF-II was higher in males both at 10 and 20 days. IGFBP-5 gene expression was higher in females at 40 days. Conclusion: The dramatic changes in the expression of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-5 throughout postnatal development suggest that these factors play important roles in the development of this gland and that their actions are highly interrelated.
First International Conference Modelling and Development of Intelligent Systems

The aim of this paper is to present the wasp based computational model and many applications of wasp based algorithms. A general frame for designing a wasp based algorithm, starting from the classical problem of task allocation in a factory, is realized. The most important characteristics of the wasp computational model are underlined and the way of particularization of these characteristics for each problem is presented. Original applications of wasp based algorithms in modeling multi agent systems, in solving optimization problems and in building a reinforcement scheme for a stochastic learning system are presented.
Sonography of Pediatric Neck Masses

Duplex/color Doppler ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice for the evaluation of soft tissue masses of the pediatric neck. Information regarding the size, shape, borders, location, internal consistency and vascularity of the mass, and its relationship to the major neck vessels may be rapidly obtained. If the lesion is too large to be completely imaged within the ultrasound field of view available or malignancy is suspected, computed radiography or magnetic resonance imaging is required before surgical removal. Scintigraphy is reserved for evaluation of midline masses, which are thought to be due to ectopic thyroid, to determine preoperatively if the mass is the patient's only functioning thyroid tissue. Correlation of the sonographic findings with the clinical information narrows the differential diagnosis; thus, more appropriate therapeutic decisions can be made. When indicated, ultrasound-guided interventional procedures can be performed for diagnosis and/or treatment.
NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC HYDROPHILIC MATRICES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PREGABALIN EXTENDED RELEASE TABLETS

The objective of present study was to develop and evaluate extended release tablets of pregabalin using some natural hydrophilic gums like terminalia, pullulan and boswellia gums and synthetic polymers like Carbopol, HPMC. Standard plot of pregabalin was prepared and compatibility of the drug with the polymers was studied using differencial scanning calorimetry (DSC). The formulated tablets were further compared with the marketed once daily dose formulation PREGEB OD (75 mg) to establish its efficacy and equivalency. In-vitro dissolution studies of the formulated tablets were performed and found that the tablets formulated using HPMC K4M (50%) and Boswellia gum (40%) showed an extended release profile. Swelling studies were carried out for the batches using water uptake method. Drug release kinetics were studied and found that the formulation batches followed first order release which indicated that the drug release was mainly dependent on the concentration of the drug in the matrix. In-vivo pharmacodynamic studies were carried out using Pentalenetetrazole (PTZ) test for the batches which are similar to that of the marketed preparations and found that the formulations were able to release the drug for prolonged period and were effective for 24 h.
Segmentación espectral de imágenes utilizando camaras de tiempo de vuelo

Resumen. En este articulo se presenta un metodo de segmentacion aplicable a imagenes adquiridas con camaras de tiempo de vuelo (TOF). Las camaras TOF generan dos imagenes simultaneas, una de intensidad y una de rango. El metodo propuesto modela ambas imagenes mediante una matriz de afinidad independiente para cada imagen. Transformando la imagen de rango y utilizando el criterio de cortes normalizados se optimiza la segmentacion de los objetos de interes de la escena. El metodo mejora la segmentacion en escenas donde la informacion de intensidad o de rango es insuficiente para obtener un separacion adecuada de los objetos de interes. Se presentan resultados experimentales del metodo propuesto sobre imagenes simuladas e imagenes reales adquiridas por una camara especifica, y se derivan conclusiones a partir de los mismos.
The SS-SCR Scheme for Dynamic Spectrum Access

We integrate the two models of Cognitive Radio (CR), namely, the conventional Sense-and-Scavenge (SS) Model and Symbiotic Cooperative Relaying (SCR). The resultant scheme, called SS-SCR, improves the efficiency of spectrum usage and reliability of the transmission links. SS-SCR is enabled by a suitable cross-layer optimization problem in a multihop multichannel CR network. Its performance is compared for different PU activity patterns with those schemes which consider SS and SCR separately and perform disjoint resource allocation. Simulation results depict the effectiveness of the proposed SS-SCR scheme. We also indicate the usefulness of cloud computing for a practical deployment of the scheme.
18F-FDG PET/CT Metabolic Tumor Volume and Intratumoral Heterogeneity in Pancreatic Adenocarcinomas: Impact of Dual–Time Point and Segmentation Methods

Objectives We aimed to determine the consistency of quantitative PET measurements of metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and intratumoral heterogeneity index for primary untreated pancreatic adenocarcinomas, when using dual–time point 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. Methods This is an institutional review board–approved, retrospective study including 71 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, who underwent dual–time point 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging, at approximately 1 hour (early) and 2 hours (delayed), after injection. Automated gradient-based and 50% SUVmax-threshold segmentation methods were used to assess the primary tumor MTV and metabolic intratumoral heterogeneity index, calculated as the area under cumulative SUV-volume histograms (AUC-CSH), with lower AUC-CHS indexes corresponding to higher degrees of tumor heterogeneity. We defined that more than a ±10% change in MTV or AUC-CSH, compared with baseline, as clinically significant. Results Seventy-one FDG-avid pancreatic tumors were identified, with an average tumor diameter of 3.4 ± 0.9 cm (range, 1.5–6.4 cm). Metabolic tumor volume values remained consistent between early and delayed imaging when using the gradient PET segmentation method (P = 0.086), whereas statistically significant change was seen when using 50% SUVmax-threshold segmentation (P < 0.001). A decrease in more than 10% change in MTV (% &Dgr;MTV) was observed in 70.4% (50/71) tumors, and 7.0% (5/71) of the tumors showed an increase more than 10 % &Dgr;MTV, when using the 50% SUVmax-threshold segmentation. AUC-CSH indexes showed statistically significant differences between early and delayed time points (P < 0.001), when using the gradient segmentation. AUC-CSH index decreased by 10% or greater in 40.8% (29/71) of the tumors. AUC-CSH index remained stable between early and delayed when using the 50% SUVmax-threshold segmentation (P = 0.148) with percentage of change of less than 10% for all tumors. Conclusions Metabolic tumor volume was relatively stable between early and delayed time points when PET gradient segmentation was used but changed greater than 10% in 77.4% of the tumors at delayed time point when threshold segmentation was used. The tumor heterogeneity index (AUC-CSH) changed greater than 10% in 40.8% of tumors at delayed imaging, when gradient segmentation was used but remained stable when threshold segmentation was used. It is important to standardize uptake time and segmentation methods to use FDG PET MTV and heterogeneity index as imaging biomarkers.
Electromagnetic forming by distributed forces in magnetic and nonmagnetic materials

In this paper, we discuss the electromechanical force densities associated with pulsed electromagnetic fields in inhomogeneous, linear media with conductive losses, in the context of a process of shaping metal objects. We show that the conductivity and the gradients in permittivity and in permeability lead to volume forces, while jump discontinuities in permittivity and permeability lead to surface forces. These electromagnetic forces are assumed to act as volume (body) source densities in the elastodynamic equations and as surface source densities in the corresponding boundary conditions that govern the elastic motion of deformable matter. As an example, we apply the theory to the calculation of the elastic field in a hollow cylindrical object made of a conducting magnetic or nonmagnetic material. We compare the numerical results with those for the classical theory of elasticity with concentrated forces on the boundaries of the material as the source of the elastodynamic field.
Asking about access: challenges for surveys in a changing healthcare environment.

Efforts to evaluate "access to healthcare" have been central to judgments rendered on the success or shortcomings of health systems for many years now. Although the issue is familiar, conceptualizing and measuring access remains a challenge, particularly given the state of permanent change that has come to characterize healthcare in the United States. Surveys of individuals and households have been, and are likely to remain, a key mechanism for evaluating access to care. This article addresses challenges for surveys in maintaining their central role in evaluating access, in particular, (1) changing information needs for indicators of access and implications for survey design; (2) the increasing emphasis on access problems for population subgroups defined by disease or disapbility; and (3) the implications of an expanded role for surveys in program assessment and plan accountability.
When actions of amenable groups can be lifted to the universal cover

In the first part of this paper, we let $G$ be a finitely-generated amenable group such that $G/[G, G]$ is torsion-free. We suppose that $G$ acts by homeomorphisms homotopic to the identity on a manifold $M$, and give conditions on $M$ which imply that such an action must lift to an action on the universal cover $\tilde{M}$. The circle, all 2-manifolds except the open annulus, and most compact 3-manifolds satisfy these conditions. The proof uses a dynamical tool called homological rotation vectors, and Thurston's Geometrization Theorem in the latter case. On manifolds not satisfying our conditions, such actions really may fail to lift. In the second part, we try to understand the dynamical possibilities in the simplest case: $G = \mathbb{Z}^2$, and $M = \mathbb{A}$ is the open annulus. We show that if a $\mathbb{Z}^2$ action homotopic to the identity on $\mathbb{A}$ fails to lift to a $\mathbb{Z}^2$ action on the plane, and if the action satisfies one additional condition (which may not be necessary), the action is essentially similar to the one generated by $\bar{f_0}(\theta, y) = (\theta + y, y)$ and $\bar{g_0}(\theta, y) = (\theta, y + 1)$.
A concatenated scheme to improve the performance of polar codes on symmetric memoryless channels

The performance of Polar codes has been proved to achieve the Shannon capacity when N, the block length, tends to infinity. However, finite block length performance of Polar codes is rather poor compared to other capacity approaching codes such as LDPC (Low-Density Parity-Check) codes. In this paper, we propose a concatenated scheme with a polar code as an inner code and a Reed-Solomon code as an outer code to improve the performance over the binary erasure channel. Since the error pattern at the output of the polar decoder is not uniform, it is necessary to carefully devise an interleaver to map those bits with higher error probability to certain symbols of the Reed-Solomon code. To use the proposed scheme on other symmetric channels, one has to redesign the polar code component using density evolution technique which may not be practical. We therefore use a simplified scheme where the design is achieved using the erasure channel code design. We then show that the proposed concatenated scheme outperforms polar codes as well as Spatially-Coupled LDPC codes of the same rate and block length on symmetric channels.
Using Molecular HIV Surveillance Data to Understand Transmission Between Subpopulations in the United States

Background:Studying HIV transmission networks provides insight into the spread of HIV and opportunities for intervention. We identified transmission dynamics among risk groups and racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Methods:For HIV-1 pol sequences reported to the US National HIV Surveillance System during 2001–2012, we calculated pairwise genetic distance, identified linked pairs of sequences (those with distance ⩽1.5%), and examined transmission category and race/ethnicity of these potential transmission partners. Results:Of 40,950 sequences, 12,910 (32%) were linked to ≥1 other sequence. Of men who have sex with men (MSM) who were linked to ≥1 sequence, 88% were linked to other MSM and only 4% were linked to heterosexual women. Of heterosexual women for whom we identified potential transmission partners, 29% were linked to MSM, 21% to heterosexual men, and 12% to persons who inject drugs. Older and black MSM were more likely to be linked to heterosexual women. Assortative mixing was present for all racial/ethnic groups; 81% of blacks/African Americans linked to other blacks. Conclusions:This analysis is the first use of US surveillance data to infer an HIV transmission network. Our data suggest that HIV infections among heterosexual women predominantly originate from MSM, followed by heterosexual men. Although few MSM were linked to women, suggesting that a minority of MSM are involved in transmission with heterosexual women, these transmissions represent a substantial proportion of HIV acquisitions by heterosexual women. Interventions that reduce transmissions involving MSM are likely to also reduce HIV acquisition among other risk groups.
Compressive sensing of signals sparse in 2D Hermite transform domain

Compressive sensing (CS) of signals that exhibit sparsity in the domain of 2D Hermite transform (HT) is considered. The aim is to provide a successful reconstruction of randomly positioned missing samples. Gradient algorithm originally developed for the case of 1D HT as the domain of sparsity is applied as the reconstruction method, generalized and adapted for the case of signals sparse in 2D HT domain. This reconstruction approach minimizes the sparsity measure, with missing samples observed as minimization variables and updated in a steepest descent manner. Theoretical contributions are verified with numerical results.
Realization of quasi uniform left-handed medium based on LH transmission line

Derived from the dual equivalent circuit for LH materials, two left-handed (LH) transmission lines (TL) with a microstrip structure are presented. Both structures show the backward-wave radiation pattern as well as anti-parallel phase velocity with group velocity, which demonstrate the LH characteristics of the structures. Because of its compactness, the improved structure can be easily applied in MIC and MMIC design.
The impact of the hepatitis B virus vaccine on the incidence of hepatitis B virus-associated membranous nephropathy.

BACKGROUND The hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine has resulted in a decline in the incidence of HBV carriage and hepatocellular carcinoma in southeast Asia. Vaccine efficacy in Africa has not been adequately assessed. OBJECTIVE To report on the impact of HBV vaccination in South Africa on HBV-associated membranous nephropathy (MN) over 6 years. METHODS King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban is the only tertiary referral center for the province of KwaZulu-Natal for children with renal diseases. The HBV vaccine was introduced into the South African Expanded Programme on Immunisation on April 1, 1995; vaccine coverage rates between April 1, 1995, and December 31, 2001, for children for the first, second, and third doses were 85.4%, 78.2%, and 62.0%, respectively. Hepatitis B virus status was determined using a radioimmunoassay (January 1, 1984-March 31, 1991) or an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Membranous nephropathy was confirmed by the results of a renal biopsy. The hospital average annual incidence of HBV-associated MN was compared before and after vaccination and according to age groups. RESULTS Between January 31, 1984, and December 31, 2001, there were 119 children with HBV-associated MN; their mean age was 7 years (range, 1-14 years), and 101 (84.9%) were males. The average annual rate ratio per 105 child population was 0.25. The overall incidence rate ratio showed a significant decrease from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2001, compared with the preimmunization period (January 1, 1984-December 31, 1994) (incidence rate ratio, 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.50). Children from birth to the age of 4 years experienced no disease after 1998. Children aged 5 to 10 years showed a significant decrease in 2000-2001 compared with the prevaccination years (incidence rate ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.80). CONCLUSION The HBV vaccine, even at low coverage for the full South African Expanded Programme on Immunisation schedule, reduced the hospital incidence of HBV-associated MN over 6 years.
The evaluation of supervision: Construction of brief questionnaires for the supervisor and the supervisee

Abstract This study evaluated the psychometric properties of two parallel questionnaires (for the supervisor and supervisee, respectively). Ninety supervisees and 37 supervisors from different parts of Germany took part in the study. The three dimensions of clarifying, problem solving, and relationship were confirmed, but for both supervisor and supervisee versions of the scale medium intercorrelations also allowed a combined scale to be formed. In exploratory regression analysis, the relationship dimension related to both perspectives (i.e., supervisor and supervisee) served as the best predictor for overall supervision satisfaction. Despite the fact that general session satisfaction correlated in the medium range between supervisor and supervisee, there was no correlation between the perspectives as measured by the questionnaires. Possible reasons for this unexpected correlational pattern are discussed.
THE METABOLIC FATE OF C14-LABELED CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE IN MAN, IN THE DOG, AND IN THE RAT.

Metabolic studies with chlordiazepoxide-2-C 14 in 3 species revealed half-lives of the drug levels in plasma of 22-24 hours in man, of 10-14 hours in the dog, and of 4-6 hours in the rat, confirming values obtained previously by spectrophotometric assay (Koechlin and D9Arconte, 1963). Metabolic degradation was extensive in all three species; the major metabolic pathways were similar in man and in the dog, but different. in the rat. In man, primary hydrolytic cleavage of the methylamino substituent at. C 2 led to a lactam derivative (7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one-4-oxide) . This metabolite was excreted as well as further cleaved to the amino acid ( N-(2-amino-5-chloro-α-phenylbenzylidine) glycine-N- oxide) which was excreted as such or as alkalilabile conjugates, the structure of which is not vet established. In the rat a basic derivative, absent in the urines of the dog and of man, represeated the major metabolite. Its properties indicated a metabolic attack altering the N 1 —C 2 bond, possibly by substitution or reduction. In none of the 3 species could metabolic alteration of the henzophenone moiety or of the 4N-oxide function be detected. In the rat chlordiazepoxide was found to be distributed into all the tissues. In this species gastric secretion of the intact drug and hepatic secretion of its metabolites were demonstrated. A high sensitivity of chlordiaz-epoxide to light and to β-radiation of the incorporated isotope was encountered, elucidated, and controlled by special precautionary procedures.
Ultrasonic guided wave propagation in long bones with varying cortical thickness

The propagation of ultrasonic guided wave (GW) in the long bone is very sensitive to the bones' shapes, properties and cortical thicknesses (CTh). Most of the previous studies on the GW propagation in long bones mainly focused on the bones with uniform CTh. However, it is necessary to understand the impacts of CTh variation, such as mode conversion. Therefore, an adequate analysis on GW propagating in long bones with varying CTh is essential for the precise calibration of the quantitative measurement of it. The aim of this study is to use a modified boundary element method (BEM) to analyze the GW propagation characteristics in long bones with varying CTh. Numerical analysis implemented by the BEM and cylindrical mode expansion method was employed to calculate the transmission coefficient (TC) for various incident GW modes, frequencies, and CTh. In the cases of incident longitudinal tube modes L(0,1) and L(0,2) at frequencies 0.05 – 1.2 MHz, gradual CTh variations from 4 mm to 8 mm were considered. Mode conversion phenomena due to varying CTh were investigated. The direction of the GW propagation is very important due to significant differences in resulting mode conversion phenomena, when using the GW to assess the actual long bones. The modified BEM method used enabled the optimization of GWs for the long bone assessment. Results of this work can potentially be used to improve inspection sensitivity for the assessment of long bones with varying CTh.
Enhancement of Data Throughput in the AMC-Employed DS-CDMA Systems through Suppression of Channel Frequency Selectivity by a MTMR Antenna System

SUMMARY In this paper, a new algorithm for MTMR adaptive array antenna (AAA) system combined with analog-type transmit power control (TPC) is proposed for DS-CDMA systems in order to employ high level modulation schemes like 64 QAM in wireless multimedia services. A conventional AAA system considering the strongest path as a target path cannot work effectively when angular dispersion between the strongest path and other delayed paths is large, that is, beam selectivity is so small due to severe frequency selective multipath fading. So, in order to solve such a beam selectivity problem, a beam directivity control scheme using a path manipulation technique is introduced for the BS and MS AAA combining in this paper, along with analog-type TPC. It utilizes virtual delay profiles which are modified from the measured complex delay profile and selects a desired path giving the maximum DUR with an optimized weight vector for BS and MS beamforming. We will show through computer simulation that the proposed scheme is very effective in enhancing the data throughput at the downlink of wideband DS-CDMA systems as compared with the conventional system.