Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Balloon angioplasty of coarctation of the aorta: A safe alternative for surgery in adults: Immediate and mid‐term results

Patients with coarctation of the aorta can be treated either with surgery or with balloon angioplasty. So far, the last method has proved to be successful in children, but results of this treatment in (young) adults are virtually unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate and mid‐term follow‐up results of balloon angioplasty of native coarctation in (mainly young) adults. Coarctation of the aorta was diagnosed by means of ultrasound or angiography, and defined as a stenosis with a pressure gradient greater than 20 mm Hg. The balloon angioplasty‐procedure was carried out under complete anesthesia, and was considered to be successful, if the pressure gradient was reduced to less than 20 mm Hg. Nineteen consecutive adults (12 males, 7 females; aged 14–67 years, median 29) with native coarctation were treated from 1995–99. Mean pressure gradient decreased from 49.3 ± 20.8 to 4.8 ± 8.2 mm Hg (P < 0.0001). One patient showed a suboptimal result with a residual pressure gradient of 28 mm Hg. In one other patient a stent was placed on request of the referring physician. Follow‐up was 100% complete and ranged from 3–47 months (mean 20.2 ± 12.9). At 1‐year follow‐up mean systolic blood pressure was reduced from 159.4 ± 19.5 to 132.5 ± 17.6 mm Hg (n = 18; P < 0.0001), and mean ankle‐arm pressure index improved from 0.73 ± 0.09 to 0.96 ± 0.05 (n = 18; P < 0.0001). Anti‐hypertensive medication could either be reduced or stopped in 7 patients (53.8%). With ultrasound or angiography or MRI, no patients had signs of aneurysm formation or worsening restenosis during follow‐up. In adult patients with uncomplicated native coarctation of the aorta, balloon angioplasty (without stenting) would seem to be an excellent and safe alternative for surgery. In our hospital it has completely replaced surgical correction in such patients. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 50:28–33, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pyrimidine-2,4-diamine acetone monosolvate

In the title compound, C4H6N4·C3H6O, the pyrimidine-2,4-diamine molecule is nearly planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.005 Å), with the endocyclic angles covering the range 114.36 (10)–126.31 (10)°. In the crystal, N—H⋯N and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into ribbons along [101], and weak C—H⋯π interactions consolidate further the crystal packing.
Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody to Edema Toxin and Its Effect on Murine Anthrax

ABSTRACT Edema factor (EF) is a component of an anthrax toxin that functions as an adenylate cyclase. Numerous monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been reported for the other Bacillus anthracis toxin components, but relatively few to EF have been studied. We report the generation of six murine hybridoma lines producing two IgM and four IgG1 MAbs to EF. Of the six MAbs, only one IgM neutralized EF, as assayed by an increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) production by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Analysis of the variable gene elements revealed that the single neutralizing MAb had a different binding site than the others. There was no competition between the neutralizing IgM and the nonneutralizing IgG MAbs indicative of different specificity. MAb-based capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detected EF in liver lysates from mice infected with B. anthracis Sterne 34F2. Administration of the neutralizing IgM MAb to A/JCr mice lethally infected with B. anthracis strain Sterne had no significant effect on median time to death, but mice treated with the MAb were more likely to survive infection. Combining the neutralizing IgM to EF with a subprotective dose of a neutralizing MAb to protective antigen (PA) prolonged mean time to death of infected mice, suggesting that neutralization of EF and PA could produce synergistic beneficial effects. In summary, the results from our study and literature observations suggest that the majority of Abs to EF are nonneutralizing, but the toxin has some epitopes that can be targeted by the humoral response to generate useful Abs that may contribute to defense against anthrax.
Review of methods to measure internal contamination in an emergency

In the event of a radiation emergency, people close to the site of the incident may be exposed to radiation by external exposure, or as a result of intakes of radioactive material. For these incidents it may be necessary to monitor members of the public both for external and internal contamination. This work reviews currently available equipment for the assessment of internal exposure following an emergency. It concentrates on incidents involving the spread of radioactive material and on contamination by radionuclides which emit penetrating radiation. It is essential that this monitoring is carried out as soon as possible so that people who have been exposed at a level which could have an effect on health can be identified and receive prompt medical assessment. Proposed action levels to identify people who need medical attention are reviewed to determine the required sensitivity of monitoring equipment. For releases containing gamma-ray emitting radionuclides the best means of measuring internal contamination is to use detectors placed close to the body (whole body or partial body monitoring). Laboratory based whole body monitors could be used but these may well be inconveniently located and so equipment which can be deployed to the site of an incident has been developed and these are described. The need for rapid selection and prioritisation of people for monitoring, methods to deal with potentially high numbers of contaminated people and the requirement for a means of rapidly interpreting monitoring information are also discussed. It has been found that for many types of incidents and scenarios, systems based on unshielded high-resolution detectors and hand-held instruments do have the required sensitivity to identify people who require medical assessment.
Determination of serum albumin with the "SMA 12-60" by a bromcresol green dye-binding method.

A bromcresol green (BCG) method for serum albumin has been adapted to the Technicon "SMA 12/60. " Sensitivity and linearity critically depend on the concentrations of BCG and surfactant ("Brij-35"). With appropriate concentrations, linearity to 6.0 g/dl is achieved. Interaction is 2-3%. Standard deviations for quality control pools of 2.0 and 4.7 g/dl during three months of routine service were 0.06 and 0.11 g/dl. Values agree well with values determined by the Du Pont "ACA" (bias = 0.047 g/dl, SD = 0.191 g/dl, t = 1.746, r = 0.975, n = 53), by a modified Beckman "DSA" method in which BCG is also used (bias = 0.006, SD = 0.164, t = 0.398, r = 0.976, n = 115), and by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate (bias = 0.028, SD = 0.203, t = 1.006, r = 0.961, n = 54). Blank errors for hemolyzed samples (plasma hemoglobin up to 350 mg/dl), icteric samples (bilirubin up to 30 mg/dl), and lipemic samples (triglycerides up to 500 mg/dl) are 0.2 g/dl or less when the blank channel is not used. Normal range is estimated to be 3.5 to 4.8 g/dl (n = 145; 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles).
Pharmacoproteomic Analysis of a Novel Cell-permeable Peptide Inhibitor of Tumor-induced Angiogenesis*

P11, a novel peptide ligand containing a PDZ-binding motif (Ser-Asp-Val) with high affinity to integrin αvβ3 was identified from a hexapeptide library (PS-SPCL) using a protein microarray chip-based screening system. Here, we investigated the inhibitory mechanism of P11 (HSDVHK) on tumor-induced angiogenesis via a pharmacoproteomic approach. P11 was rapidly internalized by, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) via an integrin αvβ3-mediated event. Caveolin and clathrin appeared to be involved in the P11 uptake process. The cell-penetrating P11 resulted in suppression of bFGF-induced HUVEC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Phosphorylation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) in bFGF-stimulated HUVECs was inhibited by cell-permeable P11. Proteomic analysis via antibody microarray showed up-regulation of p53 in P11-treated HUVECs, resulting in induction of apoptosis via activation of caspases-3, -8, and -9. Several lines of experimental evidence strongly suggest that the molecular mechanism of P11, a novel anti-angiogenic agent, inhibits bFGF-induced HUVEC proliferation via mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and extracellular-signal regulated kinase inhibition as well as p53-mediated apoptosis related with activation of caspases.
New initiatives for imagery transmission over a tactical data link. A case study: JPEG2000 compressed images transmitted in a Link-16 network. method and results

This paper presents the results of an initiative to transmit imagery content through a Link-16 tactical network using a multirresolution approach based on wavelets to compress images [1]. Firstly, we identify the operational requirements. Secondly, we justify why JPEG2000 is our choice for coding still images. Thirdly, we propose a method to map the JPEG2000 code-stream into Link-16 free-text messages. We propose to send the most important part of the JPEG2000 compressed image in a more error resistant Link-16 packed structure and the remaining of the image in less robust data structures but at higher data rates. Finally, we present our results based on software simulations and laboratory tests with real Link-16 terminals including a comparative analysis with Link-16 enhance throughput. A configuration using two MIDS-LVTs has being set up, along with JPEG2000 coding and decoding software tools
Correspondence (letter to the editor): Early Warning Signs

The review by Matschke et al. (1) refers to the important syndrome of retinal hemorrhage. This consequence of injury unfortunately tends to be neglected in the investigation of the shaken baby—despite the fact that experienced pediatricians consider it conclusive. The non-invasive technique of funduscopy can clarify the diagnosis, particularly in cases of suspected abuse. Furthermore, attention should be drawn to the early warning signs in shaken baby syndrome: Very young parents with slender psychosocial resources Mother’s desire to discontinue breast feeding early Frequent visits to the doctor with trifling complaints, often outside office hours Poor sucking reflex, feeding problems, disturbed sleep Irritable or lethargic child The German-language information campaign ‘Vorsicht zerbrechlich’ ("Caution, fragile") by Ute Thyen and Irene John can be found at www.kinderschutzbund-sh.de.
Predicting phenology using time series of remote sensing data:initial results for the Indian forests

Time series (2003 to 2007) MERIS Terrestrial Chlorophyll Index (MTCI) products were used to predict the phenology of different forest types in India. The MTCI data were corrected for noise using a temporal moving window filter and then a Fourierbased smoothing was applied without compromising annual phenological cycle. Finally, the phenological variables i.e. onset of greenness and end of senescence, were predicted through iterative search for each pixel using 1.5 years of Fourier smoothed data. Different forest types were extracted from a global land cover map (GLC 2000) and corresponding phenological variables were clipped. Finally, for each forest type, median of phenological variables was derived from four year results and then a spatial majority filter was applied to the 1? x 1? tiles covering complete India. This study presents the initial results derived for the evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous and dry deciduous forest in India
Perception of Dynamic Environments in Autonomous Robots

Perception of dynamic environments is the first and most critical step in mobile robots. Without a good perception (e.g. mapping) that is close to the true environment of the robot, no accurate navigation or effective obstacle avoidance can be accomplished. This paper addresses the occlusion problem that occurs frequently in perception of dynamic environments. The use of the Bayesian Occupancy Filter (BOF) to address these issues is proposed in this paper. The BOF using a range sensor is implemented and problems encountered during the implementation of the BOF are discussed. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Mentorship Mediated by Life-Career Seasons: An Analysis of a Multi-Dimensional Model of Mentoring among Career Groups of United States Army Officers

Mentorship is a critical leadership development activity. Our study merges previous work on mentoring attributes and behaviors with an understanding of life-career seasons: the idea that as we progress through our careers and our lives, our mentoring needs change. Using an analysis of survey data from 1,836 US Army officers at different ranks, we find that life-career stages mediate the preferences of proteges for different mentoring functions. As theory predicts, we find that early careerists emphasize career development and job coaching mentoring functions, while later careerists place more value on personal development. These findings should inform how mentors should adjust their mentoring style and emphasis depending on the protege’s life-career stage.
Highly selective dry etching of germanium over germanium-tin (Ge(1-x)Sn(x)): a novel route for Ge(1-x)Sn(x) nanostructure fabrication.

We present a new etch chemistry that enables highly selective dry etching of germanium over its alloy with tin (Ge(1-x)Sn(x)). We address the challenges in synthesis of high-quality, defect-free Ge(1-x)Sn(x) thin films by using Ge virtual substrates as a template for Ge(1-x)Sn(x) epitaxy. The etch process is applied to selectively remove the stress-inducing Ge virtual substrate and achieve strain-free, direct band gap Ge0.92Sn0. 08. The semiconductor processing technology presented in this work provides a robust method for fabrication of innovative Ge(1-x)Sn(x) nanostructures whose realization can prove to be challenging, if not impossible, otherwise.
Inferring the past to predict the future: climate modelling predictions and phylogeography for the freshwater gastropod Radix balthica (Pulmonata, Basommatophora)

Understanding the impact of past climatic events on species may facilitate predictions of how species will respond to future climate change. To this end, we sampled populations of the common pond snail Radix balthica over the entire species range (northwestern Europe). Using a recently developed analytical framework that employs ecological niche modelling to obtain hypotheses that are subsequently tested with statistical phylogeography, we inferred the range dynamics of R. balthica over time. A Maxent modelling for present‐day conditions was performed to infer the climate envelope for the species, and the modelled niche was used to hindcast climatically suitable range at the last glacial maximum (LGM) c. 21 000 years ago. Ecological niche modelling predicted two suitable areas at the LGM within the present species range. Phylogeographic model selection on a COI mitochondrial DNA data set confirmed that R. balthica most likely spread from these two disjunct refuges after the LGM. The match observed between the potential range of the species at the LGM given its present climatic requirements and the phylogeographically inferred refugial areas was a clear argument in favour of niche conservatism in R. balthica, thus allowing to predict the future range. The subsequent projection of the potential range under a global change scenario predicts a moderate pole‐ward shift of the northern range limits, but a dramatic loss of areas currently occupied in France, western Great Britain and southern Germany.
Introducing Quality of Access Continuity: The Positive and Negative Effects of a Technology Affordance

Mobile devices offer technology affordances that were not previously available. With the rapid acceptance of these technologies it is imperative to understand and investigate both their positive and negative effects on individuals. In this ongoing research we have conceptualized an affordance of mobile devices in order to examine these positive and negative effects. Quality of Access Continuity is a 1st-order reflective, 2nd-order formative construct which is defined as the degree to which an employee or individual perceives they have a secure, continuous, usable, and reliable connection to the Internet or an intranet using a mobile device thus affording them the opportunity to accomplish tasks. The four components of this construct are discussed and the construct is then placed within a conceptual model which we hypothesize will show the duality of this affordance in regard to its effects on an individual’s strain.
Clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors in Asian Indian women: Santiniketan women study

Objective: The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors in premenopausal and postmenopausal Asian Indian women. Methods: A total of 214 healthy women (25-65 y) from the Bolpur-Santiniketan area, West Bengal, India, took part in the study. The women were categorized into two groups, namely, premenopausal (n = 161) and postmenopausal (n = 53). Anthropometric measures, namely, minimum waist circumference (WC) and the sum of four (biceps + triceps + subscapular + suprailiac) skinfolds (SF4), were measured accordingly. Intra-abdominal visceral fat (IVF) was also measured. Left arm systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure was taken in participants. Metabolic profiles, namely, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, testosterone, and estrogen, were measured accordingly. Results: The four factors identified in premenopausal women were factor 1: WC, SF4, IVF, TC, and TG; factor 2: HDL, SBP, DBP, and insulin; factor 3: TC, TG, LDL, and testosterone; and factor 4: FPG, testosterone, and estrogen. These four factors cumulatively explained 72.97% of the total phenotypic variation. In postmenopausal women, the four factors identified were factor 1: TC, TG, HDL, LDL, and DBP; factor 2: FPG, SBP, and DBP; factor 3: WC, SF4, and IVF; and factor 4: FPG, insulin, testosterone, and estrogen. These four factors together explained 90.71% of the total phenotypic variation in cardiometabolic risk factors. Conclusions: No common underlying physiological variables in premenopausal and postmenopausal women indicate that a single risk axis for clustering of cardiometabolic phenotypes is highly unlikely.
A novel symmetric cascaded frequency selective surface wtih butterworth response in X-band

In this letter, a new technique for designing symmetric cascaded frequency selective surfaces with arbitrary bands of operation, with Butterworth band-pass responses at band of operation, is presented and experimentally verified. The technique is based on utilizing mutual admittance to represent transmission coefficient and getting a Butterworth response numerically through optimum parameter of the coupling layer. The result is a low-profile planar structure composed of two metal and three dielectric layers that acts as a spatial version of the Butterworth type microwave filter.
Design of H∞ controller for networked systems with one-step random delays and multiple packet dropouts

The H∞ control problem is studied for a class of network-based systems with random delays and packet dropouts. A new model is presented to describe the networked control system with random one-step delays and multiple packet dropouts during the information transmission. Both the sensor-to-estimator channel and the controller-to-actuator channel are considered. By using the linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, a state feedback controller is designed to exponentially stabilize the closed-loop networked system in the sense of mean square and also achieves the prescribed H∞ disturbance attenuation level. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed results.
Dual Fluorescence-Activated Study of Tumor Cell Apoptosis by an Optofluidic System

We have developed a planar optofluidic chip for the analysis of tumor cell apoptosis by exciting dual fluorescence through the integrated fibers. In contrast to conventional cell apoptosis study that requires commercial flow cytometer with a very high price tag and bulky optics, our design was realized via a simple single-layer soft lithography fabrication process. The device performance was tested by characterizing the HeLa cell apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide. The performance of the proposed optofluidic chip was concurrently confirmed by fluorescent microscopy and benchmarked against a commercial flow cytometer. This study demonstrated the capability of the proposed optofluidic chip for cell apoptosis assay. The major advantages of this device include simple fabrication process, compact optical components, reliable performance, and low manufacturing cost, making it a promising platform for future mass-producible, inexpensive, and disposable on-chip investigation of biological samples.
AUTOMATIC CONSTRUCTION OF CONCEPT MAPS FROM TEXTS

The automatic construction of concept maps from texts is still an ongoing research topic, especially when the map should represent, by means of concepts and relationships, a summarization of a complex text. We propose a new method for the automatic generation of concept maps. Based on an analysis of the limitations and best features of the state-of-the-art, this paper introduces a pipeline that comprises (a) grammar rules and depth-first search for the extraction of concepts and links between them from text; (b) anaphora resolution; (c) exploitation of named entities for concept identification; and (d) concept relevance calculation through frequency of occurrence and an analysis of the topology of the concept map. The approach and preliminary results are presented in the form of a prototype, which is still under development.
Pulmonary vasomotor nerve responses in isolated perfused lungs of Macaca mulatta and Papio species.

1. Lung lobes of Macaca mulatta and Papio species were isolated from the body and perfused by a pump delivering a constant volume inflow. The left atrial pressure was kept constant and therefore any recorded change in pulmonary arterial pressure reflected a change in pulmonary vascular resistance. 2. In five Macaca mulatta preparations stimulation of the upper thoracic sympathetic chain, the stellate ganglion, the middle cervical ganglion and the thoracic vagosympathetic nerve caused a small increase in calculated pulmonary vascular resistance usually followed by a larger decrease. Evidence is produced which suggests that the depressor response is mediated by adrenergic beta‐receptors. In three preparations no change in pulmonary vascular resistance occurred. 3. In four Papio preparations stimulation of similar nerves invariably caused an increase in calculated pulmonary vascular resistance. In one animal no change in vascular resistance occurred. 4. A regression analysis of the results showed an inverse relationship between the magnitude of the pulmonary vascular response to nerve stimulation and the degree of excitement of the animals during capture, restraint and anaesthesia (P less than 0.01).
Reinforcing Spirals of Negative Affects and Selective Attention to Advertising in a Political Campaign

The present study investigates self-reinforcing spirals processes between the negative affect toward asylum seekers and the attention to political advertising in a campaign dealing with the issue of the asylum law restriction. Based on data from a three-wave panel survey, the study found evidence of such reciprocal influences. Specifically, the initial attention to political advertising elicited negative affective reactions, such as fear or anxiety toward asylum seekers in the course of the campaign. At the same time, these affective reactions enhanced people’s attention to subsequent political ads. Not only do the findings indicate the presence of reinforcing spirals processes but also do the data suggest that the spirals process is mainly fueled by cues emanating from the political campaign.