Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional profiling of the megabladder mouse: A unique model of bladder dysmorphogenesis

Recent studies in our lab identified a mutant mouse model of obstructive nephropathy designated mgb for megabladder. Homozygotic mgb mice (mgb−/−) develop lower urinary tract obstruction in utero due to a lack of bladder smooth muscle differentiation. This defect is the result of a random transgene insertion/translocation into chromosomes 11 and 16. Transcriptional profiling identified a significantly over‐expressed cluster of gene products located on the translocated fragment of chromosome 16 including urotensin II‐related peptide (Urp), which was shown to be preferentially over‐expressed in developing mgb−/− bladders. Pathway analysis of mgb microarray data indicated dysregulation of at least 60 gene products associated with smooth muscle development. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that the molecular pathways controlling normal smooth muscle development are severely altered in mgb−/− bladders, and provide the first evidence that Urp may play a critical role in bladder smooth muscle development. Developmental Dynamics 237:170–186, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modalities, motivations, and materials – investigating traditional and social online Q&A services

With the advent of ubiquitous connectivity and a constant flux of user-generated content, people’s online information-seeking behaviours are rapidly changing, one o f which includes seeking information from peers through online questioning. Ways to understand this new behaviour can be broken down into three aspects, also referred to as the three M’s – the modalities (sources and strategies) that people use when asking their questions online, their motivations behind asking these questions and choosing specific services, and the types and quality of the materials (content) generated in such an online Q&A environment. This article will provide a new framework – three M’s – based on the synthesis of relevant literature. It will then identify some of the gaps in our knowledge about online Q&A based on this framework. These gaps will be transformed into six research questions, stemming from the three M’s, and addressed by (a) consolidating and synthesizing findings previously reported in the literature, (b) conducting new analyses of data used in prior work, and (c) administering a new study to answer questions unaddressed by the pre-existing and new analyses of prior work.
Tuning Expert Systems for Cost-Sensitive Decisions

There is currently a growing body of research examining the effects of the fusion of domain knowledge and data mining. This paper examines the impact of such fusion in a novel way by applying validation techniques and training data to enhance the performance of knowledge-based expert systems. We present an algorithm for tuning an expert system to minimize the expected misclassification cost. The algorithm employs data reserved for training data mining models to determine the decision cutoff of the expert system, in terms of the certainty factor of a prediction, for optimal performance. We evaluate the proposed algorithm and find that tuning the expert systemresults in significantly lower costs. Our approach could be extended to enhance the performance of any intelligent or knowledge system that makes cost-sensitive business decisions.
Effects of Gender and Ethnicity on Duty-Related Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms among Urban Police Officers

We studied 655 urban police officers (21% female, 48% white, 24% black, and 28% Hispanic) to assess ethnic and gender differences in duty-related symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We obtained self-report measures of: a) PTSD symptoms, b) peritraumatic dissociation, c) exposure to duty-related critical incidents, d) general psychiatric symptoms, e) response bias due to social desirability, and f) demographic variables. We found that self-identified Hispanic-American officers evidenced greater PTSD symptoms than both self-identified European-American and self-identified African-American officers. These effects were small in size but they persisted even after controlling for differences in other relevant variables. Contrary to expectation, we found no gender differences in PTSD symptoms. Our findings are of note because: a) they replicate a previous finding of greater PTSD among Hispanic-American military personnel and b) they fail to replicate the well-established finding of greater PTSD symptoms among civilian women.
巴氏量表（Barthel Index）知多少？

Barthel Index © MedChi, 1965. Všechna práva vyhrazena. Držitelem autorských práv na Barthelův index je Maryland State Medical Society. Může se používat zdarma pro nekomerční účely s následující citací: Mahoney FI, Barthel D “Functional evaluation: the Barthel Index. ” Maryland State Med Journal 1965;14:56-61. Použito se svolením K úpravě Barthelova indexu nebo k jeho použití pro komerční účely je nutné povolení.
Interactive Shape Modeling and Deformation

We present a tutorial that covers the latest research advances in interactive 3D shape modeling and deformation, a highly relevant topic for CAGD, engineering applications, and computer animation for movies or games. We focus on the essence of the underlying theory and principles, as well as the practical aspects of algorithm design and development involved in interactive shape editing. Our presentation is meant to be comparative , juxtaposing various recently proposed approaches and revealing their pros and cons in different modeling scenarios. As such, our class is intended for both researchers and practitioners, helping to sift through the large body of work on interactive modeling by a systematic, hands-on overview.
Effect of Increased Body Mass Index on First-Trimester Ultrasound Examination for Aneuploidy Risk Assessment

OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether body mass index (BMI) affects the evaluation of nuchal translucency or the nasal bone during first-trimester ultrasound examination for aneuploidy risk assessment. METHODS: Six hundred ninety-four women with singleton gestations undergoing first-trimester aneuploidy risk-assessment ultrasound examinations were identified. Weight categories were defined as normal (body mass index [BMI] less than 25), overweight (25–29.9), and obese (at or above 30). &khgr;2, &khgr;2 for trend, Student t test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation were used for statistical analysis where appropriate to estimate the effect of BMI on first-trimester ultrasound examination. P<. 05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Increasing BMI was significantly associated with an inadequate nasal-bone assessment (3% compared with 12.7%, P<.001), increased ultrasound examination time (15.23±8.09 minutes compared with 17.01±7.97 minutes, P=.028), and an increased need to perform a transvaginal ultrasound examination (23% compared with 41.8%, P<.001). Prior abdominal surgery was not significantly associated with nasal-bone assessment inadequacy (7.8% compared with 4.4%, P=.125), the need to perform transvaginal ultrasound examination (33.6% compared with 28.6%, P=.279), or longer examination time (16.22±8.6 minutes compared with 15.92±7.8 minutes, P=.704). CONCLUSION: In singleton pregnancies, increased BMI is not associated with suboptimal visualization of nuchal translucency, but it is associated with a longer time to perform the first-trimester ultrasound examination for aneuploidy risk assessment, increased need for transvaginal ultrasound examination for nuchal-translucency visualization, and a lower likelihood of obtaining an adequate nasal-bone image. Previous abdominal surgery did not affect the ability to visualize the nasal bone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
Fuzzy learning control for a flexible-link robot

Fuzzy control has emerged as a practical alternative to several conventional control schemes since it has shown success in some application areas. However, several important issues remain, including: (i) the design of fuzzy controllers is usually performed in an ad hoc manner where it is often difficult to choose some of the controller parameters, and (ii) the fuzzy controller constructed for the nominal plant may later perform inadequately if significant and unpredictable plant parameter variations occur. In this paper we show how to develop and implement a "fuzzy model reference learning controller" (FMRLC) [1-4] for a robot with very flexible links. Towards addressing the issues mentioned above, we show that the FMRLC approach can: (i) automatically synthesize a rule-base for a fuzzy controller that will achieve comparable performance to the case where it was manually constructed, and (ii) automatically tune the fuzzy controller so that it can adapt to variations in the payload so that it can perform better than the manually constructed fuzzy controller.
Biomechanical Comparison of Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Study Design An in vitro biomechanical comparison of 2 fusion techniques, anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), on cadaveric human spines. Objective To compare the immediate construct stability, in terms of range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone, of ALIF, including 2 separate approaches, and TLIF procedures with posterior titanium rod fixation. Summary of Background Data Both ALIF and TLIF have been used to treat chronic low back pain and instability. In many cases, the choice between these 2 techniques is based only on personal preference. No biomechanical performance comparison between these 2 fusion techniques is available to assist surgical decision. Methods Twelve cadaveric lumbar motion segments were loaded sinusoidally at 0.05 Hz and 5 Nm in unconstrained axial rotation, lateral bending and flexion extension. Specimens were randomly divided into 2 groups with 6 in each group. One group was assigned for TLIF whereas the other group for ALIF. In the ALIF group, there were 3 steps. First, the lateral ALIF procedure with the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) intact was performed. Afterwards, the ALL was cut without removing the ALIF cage. Finally, another appropriately sized ALIF cage was inserted anteriorly. Biomechanical tests were conducted after each step. Results In the ALIF group, the lateral ALIF and subsequent anterior ALIF reduced segmental motion significantly (P=0.03) under all loading conditions. Removing the ALL increased ROM by 59% and 142% in axial rotation and flexion extension, respectively (P=0.03). The anterior ALIF approach was able to achieve similar biomechanical stability of the lateral approach in lateral bending and flexion extension (P>0.05) under all loading conditions. The TLIF procedure significantly reduced the range of motion compared with the intact state (P=0.03). However, no statistical difference was detected between the TLIF group and the ALIF group (P>0.05). Conclusions Both ALIF and TLIF procedures combined with posterior instrumentation significantly improved construct stability of intact spinal motion segments. However, there was no statistical difference between these 2 fusion techniques. The 2 ALIF approaches (lateral and anterior) also had similar construct stability even though anterior longitudinal ligament severing significantly reduced stability.
Identification of Immunoreactive Peptides of Toxins to Simultaneously Assess the Neutralization Potency of Antivenoms against Neurotoxicity and Cytotoxicity of Naja atra Venom

Assessing the neutralization capability of nonlethal but medically relevant toxins in venom has been a challenging task. Nowadays, neutralization efficacy is evaluated based simply on the survival rates of animals injected with antivenom together with a predefined dose of venom, which can determine potency against neurotoxicity but not validate the capability to neutralize cytotoxin-induced complications. In this study, a high correlation with in-vivo and in-vitro neutralization assays was established using the immunoreactive peptides identified from short-chain neurotoxin and cytotoxin A3. These peptides contain conserved residues associated with toxin activities and a competition assay indicated that these peptides could specifically block the antibody binding to toxin and affect the neutralization potency of antivenom. Moreover, the titers of peptide-specific antibody in antivenoms or mouse antisera were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) simultaneously, and the results indicated that Taiwanese bivalent antivenom (BAV) and Vietnamese snake antivenom-Naja (SAV-Naja) exhibited superior neutralization potency against the lethal effect of short-chain neurotoxin (sNTX) and cytotoxicity of cardiotoxin/cytotoxin (CTX), respectively. Thus, the reported peptide ELISA shows not only its potential for antivenom prequalification use, but also its capability of justifying the cross-neutralization potency of antivenoms against Naja atra venom toxicity.
A Pseudo Two-Dimensional Subthreshold Surface Potential Model for Dual-Material Gate MOSFETs

An analytical subthreshold surface potential model for dual-material gate MOSFETs, which considers a varying depth of the channel depletion layer due to the difference in Hatband voltages, and also due to the depletion layers around the source/drain junctions, is presented. The model predictions are compared with the predictions by the 2-D numerical device simulator DESSIS, and a very good agreement between the two is observed.
Unbalanced cryptic translocation der(14)t(9;14)(q34.3;q32.33) identified by subtelomeric FISH

We investigated a girl with dysmorphic features and moderate developmental delay by subtelomeric FISH (fluorescence in-situ hybridization). We found an unbalanced cryptic translocation, t(9;14)(q34.3;q32.33), resulting in a subtelomeric deletion of 14q and duplication of 9q deriving from a balanced translocation in the mother. A review of the literature suggests that the phenotype of our case is related to the 14 qter deletion, without signs of concomitant partial trisomy 9. The case reinforces the value of subtelomeric screening for genetic counselling.
o rt Fuzzy interaction regression for short term load forecasting

Electric load forecasting is a fundamental business process and well-established analytical problem in the utility industry. Due to various characteristics of electricity demand series and the business needs, electric load forecasting is a classical textbook example and popular application field in the forecasting community. During the past 30 plus years, many statistical and artificial intelligence techniques have been applied to short term load forecasting (STLF) with varying degrees of success. Although fuzzy regression has been tried for STLF for about a decade, most research work is still focused at the theoretical level, leaving little value for practical applications. A primary reason is that inadequate attention has been paid to the improvement of the underlying linear model. This application-oriented paper proposes a fuzzy interaction regression approach to STLF. Through comparisons to three models (two fuzzy regression models and one multiple linear regression model) without interaction effects, the proposed approach shows superior performance over its counterparts. This paper also offers critical comments to a notable but questionable paper in this field. Finally, tips for practicing forecasting using fuzzy regression are discussed.
Post‐transcriptional regulation of TNF‐α during in vitro differentiation of human monocytes/macrophages in primary culture

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), a proinflammatory cytokine, is produced abundantly by monocytes and macrophages. We have compared LPS‐stimulated TNF‐α production and regulation in freshly isolated human monocytes and macrophages differentiated in vitro. A significant increase in LPS‐induced TNF‐α protein secretion was observed in macrophages over freshly isolated monocytes without comparable differences in TNF‐α mRNA induction. Polysome gradient analysis showed polysome‐mRNA distribution did not change, whereas TNF‐α mRNA stability increased in macrophages. Tristetraprolin mRNA expression was constitutive and decreased with differentiation‐linked kinetics. Blockable LPS‐inducible MAP kinase activity (p38, ERK) affected TNF‐α biosynthesis differentially at the transcriptional and post‐transcriptional level throughout the culture period. We suggest that the increase in TNF‐α secretion in macrophages relates to changes in post‐transcriptional processing, which is regulated indirectly by the expression of RNA‐binding proteins. Changes in gene expression throughout monocytic differentiation equip the cell to act as a more potent producer of this proinflammatory cytokine.
Physics Modeling of Tokamak Transport, a Grand Challenge for Controlled Fusion

A challenge facing fusion is accurate prediction and understanding of plasma and heat confinement. Com puters and modeling techniques have advanced to where we can envision simulating real Tokamaks start ing from fundamental physics models. Charged parti cles in magnetic fields execute rapidly gyrating mo tions about the field. These orbits gradually drift where electric fields and magnetic nonuniformities exist. The gyrokinetic model averages out the rapid gyration and treats the plasma as a large number of drifting rings of charge and current; large numbers (approx. 106) of such rings are followed in their self-consistent electric and magnetic fields. Three-dimensional simulations of plasma and heat confinement for situations relevant to fusion give turbulence spectra and transport coeffi cients similar to experiments. Simpler particle models of plasma run on hypercubes achieves a high degree of parallelism (95%). With new parallel machines sub stantial gains in speed and memory can be expected; modeling of real Tokamaks should be possible.
Swarm intelligence based segmentation for buried object scanning SONAR images

In the present work, Particle swarm optimisation (PSO) based Tsallis entropy method is employed to segment the buried object SONAR images. This SONAR detects the objects present beneath the seabed in ocean. Objects may be pipelines, and unexploded ordinances buried beneath the seabed. Computer vision for object detection is required when SONAR is equipped in autonomous underwater vehicle. The vehicle acquires volumes of data to be analysed manually which is time consuming and expensive. In Tsallis entropy segmentation method, PSO based optimisation technique is employed to select the appropriate bilevel thresholds for every image. For the considered image `mild steel and concrete' threshold value is 129 and the corresponding accuracy is 99.14 %. The threshold value for the image `stone' is 132 and the accuracy is 97.5 % for `q' value 0.2.
Tyrosine nitration: Localisation, quantification, consequences for protein function and signal transduction

The nitration of free tyrosine or protein tyrosine residues generates 3-nitrotyrosine the detection of which has been utilised as a footprint for the in vivo formation of peroxynitrite and other reactive nitrogen species. The detection of 3-nitrotyrosine by analytical and immunological techniques has established that tyrosine nitration occurs under physiological conditions and levels increase in most disease states. This review provides an updated, comprehensive and detailed summary of the tissue, cellular and specific protein localisation of 3-nitrotyrosine and its quantification. The potential consequences of nitration to protein function and the pathogenesis of disease are also examined together with the possible effects of protein nitration on signal transduction pathways and on the metabolism of proteins.
Application of metamaterials in spatial harmonic magnetrons

In this paper, it is shown that employing epsilon near zero metamaterials (ENZ) in the slow wave structure of a spatial harmonic magnetron can increase the efficiency and average output power of this type of magnetron. An approximate beam-wave interaction analysis which paves the way for introducing the ENZ loaded SWS is presented. Numerical simulations of the beam-wave interaction confirm the superiority of the ENZ loaded SWS to its conventional counterpart.
Medical image segmentation based on improved fuzzy clustering in robot virtual surgical system

In view of the problems relating to the precision and convergence rate of traditional ant colony algorithm and fuzzy clustering algorithm on the medical image segmentation, a modified selfadaptive threshold ant colony optimization and fuzzy clustering (SAAF) algorithm were proposed here to realize the segmentation of the complex background medical image. As to the complex medical image, Otsu algorithm was firstly performed to obtain the optimal threshold, the local optimal solution of ant colony algorithm was avoided through the intervention of optimal threshold, then the clustering center and the number of cluster classes obtained through the selfadaptive threshold ant colony algorithm were imported into the fuzzy clustering algorithm until the image segmentation was finalized. The doctor can get the diseased organ by SAAF image segmentation algorithm according to the CT scanned images, and can use the segmented organ image to build the 3D virtual organ tissue model. Then, the doctor can achieve virtual surgical before using the real robot surgical to operate on patients. It will greatly improve the success rate of surgery and efficiency.