Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying the Alteration Patterns of Brain Functional Connectivity in Progressive Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients: A Longitudinal Whole-Brain Voxel-Wise Degree Analysis

Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at high risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD), while some of them may remain stable over decades. The underlying mechanism is still not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the connectivity differences between progressive MCI (PMCI) and stable MCI (SMCI) individuals on a whole-brain scale and on a voxel-wise basis, and we also aimed to reveal the differential dynamic alteration patterns between these two disease subtypes. The resting-state functional magnetic resonance images of PMCI and SMCI patients at baseline and year-one were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative dataset, and the progression was determined based on a 3-year follow-up. A whole-brain voxel-wise degree map that was calculated based on graph-theory was constructed for each subject, and then the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses on the degree maps were performed between PMCI and SMCI patients. In longitudinal analyses, compared with SMCI group, PMCI group showed decreased long-range degree in the left middle occipital/supramarginal gyrus, while the short-range degree was increased in the left supplementary motor area and middle frontal gyrus and decreased in the right middle temporal pole. A significant longitudinal alteration of decreased short-range degree in the right middle occipital was found in PMCI group. Taken together with previous evidence, our current findings may suggest that PMCI, compared with SMCI, might be a “severe” presentation of disease along the AD continuum, and the rapidly reduced degree in the right middle occipital gyrus may have indicative value for the disease progression. Moreover, the cross-sectional comparison results and corresponding receiver-operator characteristic-curves analyses may indicate that the baseline degree difference is not a good predictor of disease progression in MCI patients. Overall, these findings may provide objective evidence and an indicator to characterize the progression-related brain connectivity changes in MCI patients.
On Mutual Information and Capacity in Frequency Selective Wireless Channels

This paper has two major contributions. First, we present measured frequency selective wireless channels and show that there is only a small difference between mutual information and capacity. For single-antenna channels the maximum difference is about 0.15 bit/s/Hz, but typical differences are much smaller. These differences are increased with the number of transmit and receive antennas, achieving a maximum of about 0.4 bit/s/Hz for 2x2 MIMO channels and about 1.8 bit/s/Hz for 4x4 MIMO channels. The second contribution is a simple two-parameter channel model for frequency selective wireless channels, exhibiting the identical behavior in terms of capacity and mutual information than the measured channels. Due to its simplicity, this so-called poor-rich model is especially suitable for fast simulations and for analytical research in the field of information theory.
BEYOND THE SNARE: TECHNICALLY ACCESSIBLE LARGE EN BLOC COLONIC RESECTION IN THE WEST: AN ANIMAL STUDY

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and circumferential submucosal incision endoscopic mucosal resection (CSI‐EMR) are techniques for en bloc excision of large sessile colonic lesions. Our aims were to compare the efficacy, safety and learning curve of colonic hybrid knife (HK) ESD versus CSI‐EMR for en bloc excision of 50 mm diameter hemi‐circumferential artificial lesions in a porcine model.
Multiband Planar MIMO Antenna for GSM1800/LTE2300/WiMAX/WLAN Applicatons

This paper presents a multiband planar antenna covering the 4 frequency bands for wireless communication system. The antenna system consists of a two L-shaped monopole antenna and spiral structure, rectangular open ring resonator. They covering the frequency band GSM 1800, LTE 2300, WiMAX and WiLAN.In the ground plane M-shaped neutralization line a ground branches used to improve the bandwidth and isolation. The Mutual coupling is achieved higher than -12db in upper band and lower than-30db in lower band. This antenna is simulated using CST and fabricated, tested for SParameters and the performance is used for wideband
Prediction models for the mortality risk in chronic dialysis patients: a systematic review and independent external validation study

Objective In medicine, many more prediction models have been developed than are implemented or used in clinical practice. These models cannot be recommended for clinical use before external validity is established. Though various models to predict mortality in dialysis patients have been published, very few have been validated and none are used in routine clinical practice. The aim of the current study was to identify existing models for predicting mortality in dialysis patients through a review and subsequently to externally validate these models in the same large independent patient cohort, in order to assess and compare their predictive capacities. Methods A systematic review was performed following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. To account for missing data, multiple imputation was performed. The original prediction formulae were extracted from selected studies. The probability of death per model was calculated for each individual within the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis (NECOSAD). The predictive performance of the models was assessed based on their discrimination and calibration. Results In total, 16 articles were included in the systematic review. External validation was performed in 1,943 dialysis patients from NECOSAD for a total of seven models. The models performed moderately to well in terms of discrimination, with C-statistics ranging from 0.710 (interquartile range 0.708–0.711) to 0.752 (interquartile range 0.750–0.753) for a time frame of 1 year. According to the calibration, most models overestimated the probability of death. Conclusion Overall, the performance of the models was poorer in the external validation than in the original population, affirming the importance of external validation. Floege et al’s models showed the highest predictive performance. The present study is a step forward in the use of a prediction model as a useful tool for nephrologists, using evidence-based medicine that combines individual clinical expertise, patients’ choices, and the best available external evidence.
Sex and racial differences in cardiovascular disease risk in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background Outcomes among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients may differ according to race/ethnicity and sex due to differences in biology, the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, and the use and effectiveness of AF treatments. We aimed to characterize patterns of cardiovascular risk across subgroups of AF patients by sex and race/ethnicity, since doing so may provide opportunities to identify interventions. We also evaluated whether these patterns changed over time. Methods We utilized administrative claims data from the Optum Clinformatics® Datamart database from 2009 to 2015. Patients with AF with ≥6 months of enrollment prior to the first non-valvular AF diagnosis were included in the analysis. Final analysis utilized Cox proportional hazard models to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for cardiovascular outcomes stratified by sex and race/ethnicity. An additional analysis stratified outcomes by calendar year of AF diagnosis to evaluate changes in outcomes over time. Results In a cohort of 380,636 AF patients, women had a higher risk of ischemic stroke [HR (95% CI):1.25 (1.19, 1.31)] and lower risk of heart failure and myocardial infarction [HR (95% CI): 0.91 (0.88, 0.94) and 0.81 (0.77, 0.86), respectively)] compared to men. Black patients had elevated risk across all endpoints compared to whites, while Hispanics and Asian Americans showed no significant differences in any outcome compared to white patients. These sex and race/ethnic differences did not change over time. Conclusions We found sex and race/ethnic disparities in risk of cardiovascular outcomes among AF patients, without evidence of improvement over time.
A low-power, high-sensitivity micromachined optical magnetometer

We demonstrate an optical magnetometer based on a microfabricated 87Rb vapor cell in a micromachined silicon sensor head. The alkali atom density in the vapor cell is increased by heating the cell with light brought to the sensor through an optical fiber, and absorbed by colored filters attached to the cell windows. A second fiber-optically coupled beam optically pumps and interrogates the atoms. The magnetometer operates on 140 mW of heating power and achieves a sensitivity below 20 fT/√Hz throughout most of the frequency band from 15 Hz to 100 Hz. Such a sensor can measure magnetic fields from the human heart and brain.
A microfluidic biosensor array for endothelial and cancer cell co-culture interaction studies

Understanding the interaction between cancer and endothelial cells is a key element to more effective chemotherapeutics. A microfluidic cellular co-culture biosensor capable of simultaneous optical and electrical impedance measurements is therefore proposed. Using micro-fabrication methods, an array of optically thin electrically conductive biosensors is designed capable of monitoring cancer and endothelial cell interactions. Computer aided design methods were used to layout out a microfluidic channel compatible with the working bio-electrode array. The micro-fluidic channel allowed cancer cell spheroids and pharmaceutical agents to be injected into an inlet port. Both the optical and electrical properties of the micro-fluidic device have been examined. The proposed system has a number of applications where cancer and endothelial cell interactions need to be studied. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of the multiplexed biosensor for studying cancer and endothelial cell interactions under static and dynamic shear flow conditions.
Hypersensitive response to oxidative stress in keratoconus corneal fibroblasts.

PURPOSE It is unclear whether the oxidative damage found in keratoconus (KC) corneas results from innate defects of corneal fibroblasts or is due to excessive environmental challenges encountered by the patient with KC. The purpose of this study was to explore whether KC cells have inherent, exaggerated hypersensitivity to oxidative stressors. METHODS Normal and KC corneal stromal fibroblasts were incubated in neutral or low-pH conditions, with or without hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) production was measured with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate dye. Caspase-9 and -12 activities were measured by fluorochrome inhibitor to caspase (FLICA) assays. Long-extension polymerase chain reaction (LX-PCR) was used to amplify mtDNA. RNA was extracted, full-length cDNA synthesized, and PCR performed for mitochondria-encoded genes. Mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) was measured by a cationic dye assay. RESULTS In neutral pH conditions, KC fibroblasts had increased ROS production (P = 0.047), higher RNA levels for cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) subunit II (P < 0.05), and decreased cathepsin K RNA (P = 0.04) compared with levels in normal cultures. In low-pH conditions, KC fibroblasts had decreased DeltaPsim (P = 0.015) and increased activation of caspase-9 (P = 0.013) and -12 (P = 0.01) compared with normal cultures. Changes in DeltaPsim were independent of cathepsin inhibition. The combination of low-pH+H(2)O(2) treatment degraded intact mtDNA and decreased the mtDNA-to-nuclear DNA ratio. CONCLUSIONS Cultured KC fibroblasts have an inherent, hypersensitive response to oxidative stressors that involves mitochondrial dysfunction and mtDNA damage. KC fibroblast hypersensitivity may play a role in the development and progression of keratoconus.
Synergy of Topical Toll-like Receptor 7 Agonist with Radiation and Low-Dose Cyclophosphamide in a Mouse Model of Cutaneous Breast Cancer

Purpose: This study tested the hypothesis that topical Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 agonist imiquimod promotes antitumor immunity and synergizes with other treatments in a model of skin-involving breast cancer. Experimental Design: TSA mouse breast carcinoma cells were injected s.c. into syngeneic mice. Imiquimod 5% or placebo cream was applied topically on the shaved skin overlying tumors three times/wk. In some experiments, local ionizing radiation therapy (RT) was delivered to the tumor in three fractions of 8 Gy, given on consecutive days. Cyclophosphamide was given intraperitoneally (i.p.) in one dose of 2 mg/mouse. Mice were followed for tumor growth and survival. Results: Treatment with imiquimod significantly inhibited tumor growth, an effect that was associated with increased tumor infiltration by CD11c+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells, and abolished by depletion of CD8+ cells. Administration of imiquimod in combination with RT enhanced significantly tumor response compared with either treatment alone (P < 0.005), and 11% to 66% of irradiated tumors completely regressed. Importantly, the addition of topical imiquimod also resulted in growth inhibition of a secondary tumor outside of the radiation field. Low-dose cyclophosphamide given before start of treatment with imiquimod and RT further improved tumor inhibition and reduced tumor recurrence. Mice that remained tumor-free rejected a tumorigenic inoculum of TSA cells, showing long-term immunologic memory. Conclusions: Topical imiquimod inhibits tumor growth and synergizes with RT. Addition of cyclophosphamide further increases the therapeutic effect and induces protective immunologic memory, suggesting that this combination is a promising strategy for cutaneous breast cancer metastases. Clin Cancer Res; 18(24); 6668–78. ©2012 AACR.
Monitoring exposure to heavy metals through maize consumption using human hair among male adults in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya

This paper reports on findings using hair as biomonitor marker for heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu) from geological source and exposure through regular maize consumption among selected male adults in Eldoret Municipality who had resided for five continous years. Concentration of Pb and Cu in anthropogenic pathways, while Cd and Cr reflected accumulation from the human activities. Usually higher concentration of heavy metals hair samples suggest longer term exposure. The estimated intake of Cd and Cr from maize in one zone associated with high concentration of the metals from geological source was appreciably above the respective recommended daily allowance (RDA), signifying possible health risks to humans. Significant correlations between Pb, Cd and Cu in hair and heavy metals from maize consumed suggested maize consumption as possible pathways of exposure of heavy metals in humans. Possible health risks from heavy metals were likely due to consumption of higher quantities of maize contaminated from geological and human activities.
Model Predictive Control for Software Systems with CobRA

Self-adaptive software systems monitor their operation and adapt when their requirements fail due to unexpected phenomena in their environment. This paper examines the case where the environment changes dynamically over time and the chosen adaptation has to take into account such changes. In control theory, this type of adaptation is known as Model Predictive Control and comes with a well-developed theory and myriads of successful applications. The paper focuses on modelling the dynamic relationship between requirements and possible adaptations. It then proposes a controller that exploits this relationship to optimize the satisfaction of requirements relative to a cost-function. This is accomplished through a model-based framework for designing self- adaptive software systems that can guarantee a certain level of requirements satisfaction over time, by dynamically composing adaptation strategies when necessary. The proposed framework is illustrated and evaluated through a simulation of the Meeting-Scheduling System exemplar.
ERMO2 algorithm: an energy efficient mobility management in mobile cloud computing system for 5G heterogeneous networks

Recently, mobile devices are becoming the primary platforms for every user who always roam around and access the cloud computing applications. Mobile cloud computing (MCC) combines the both mobile and cloud computing, which provides optimal services to the mobile users. In next-generation mobile environments, mainly due to the huge number of mobile users in conjunction with the small cell size and their portable information‟s, the influence of mobility on the network performance is strengthened. In this paper, we propose an energy efficient mobility management in mobile cloud computing (E2M2MC2) system for 5G heterogeneous networks. The proposed E2M2MC2 system use elective repeat multi-objective optimization (ERMO2) algorithm to determine the best clouds based on the selection metrics are delay, jitter, bit error rate (BER), packet loss, communication cost, response time, and network load. ERMO2 algorithm provides energy efficient management of user mobility as well as network resources. The simulation results shows that the proposed E2M2MC2 system helps in minimizing delay, packet loss rate and energy consumption in a heterogeneous network.
Recovery of PTUIE handling from source codes through recognizing its probable properties

Automated recovery of system features and their designs from program source codes is important in reverse engineering and system comprehension. It also helps in the testing of software. An error that is made by users in an input to an execution of a transaction and discovered only after the completion of the execution is called a posttransaction user-input error (PTUIE) of the transaction. For a transaction in any database application, usually, it is essential to-provide transactions for correcting the effect that could result from any PTUIE of the transaction. We discover some probable properties that exist between the control flow graph of a transaction and the control flow graphs of transactions for correcting PTUIE of the former transaction. Through recognizing these properties, we present a novel approach for the automated approximate recovery of provisions and designs for transactions to correct PTUIE of transactions in a database application. The approach recognizes these properties through analyzing the source codes of transactions in the database application statically.
An unbalanced translocation involving loss of 10q26.2 and gain of 11q25 in a pedigree with autism spectrum disorder and cerebellar juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma

We report on a pedigree with a pair of brothers each with minor anomalies, developmental delay, and autistic‐symptoms who share an unbalanced translocation (not detectable by karyotype). The unbalanced translocation involves a 7.1 Mb loss of the terminal portion of 10q, and a 4.2 Mb gain of 11q. One of the brothers also developed a cerebellar juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma. The father was found to be a balanced carrier and the couple had a previous miscarriage. We demonstrate that the breakpoint for the triplicated region from chromosome 11 is adjacent to two IgLON genes, namely Neurotrimin (NTM) and Opioid Binding Protein/Cell Adhesion Molecule‐like (OPCML). These genes are highly similar neural cell adhesion molecules that have been implicated in synaptogenesis and oncogenesis, respectively. The children also have a 10q deletion and are compared to other children with the 10q deletion syndrome which generally does not involve autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) or cancer. Together these data support a role for NTM and OPCML in developmental delay and potentially in cancer susceptibility. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanical instabilities of smectic-A liquid crystals under dilative or compressive stresses

Using the mixed-type elasticity for smectics introduced by de Gennes a model is built to describe the behaviour of homeotropic smectic-A liquid crystals submitted to compressive or dilative forces normal to the layers. This model predicts respectively two types of mechanical instabilities : molecular tilt inside the layers, or undulation of the layers. The expressions for the thresholds of these instabilities and the amplitude of the deformations produced are given. Experimental results are presented which confirm these predictions and give measurements of the rigidity B〉 of the layers compared to the molecular tilt and of the penetration length λ of de Gennes. In addition the time dependence of the instabilities is observed and is explained in term of the relaxation of the applied stress due to the motion (climb) of edge-dislocations. The temperature dependence of the instability thresholds is measured in materials presenting quasi-second order transitions towards nematic or smectic-C phases. Close to a nematic phase the dilative instability threshold and thus λ diverge as expected, but with an apparent critical exponent (0.16), significatively smaller than the expected exponent v/2 (0.25 or 0.33 in a mean-field or in a non-classical model respectively). This discrepancy has not been explained yet. Close to a smectic-C phase the rigidity modulus B〉 vanishes with an apparent classical exponent γ ≃ 1.
Prevalence of Antibodies to Hepatitis E Virus in Veterinarians Working with Swine and in Normal Blood Donors in the United States and Other Countries

ABSTRACT Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is endemic in many developing and some industrialized countries. It has been hypothesized that animals may be the source of infection. The recent identification of swine HEV in U.S. pigs and the demonstration of its ability to infect across species have lent credence to this hypothesis. To assess the potential risk of zoonotic HEV infection, we tested a total of 468 veterinarians working with swine (including 389 U.S. swine veterinarians) and 400 normal U.S. blood donors for immunoglobulin G anti-HEV. Recombinant capsid antigens from a U.S. strain of swine HEV and from a human HEV strain (Sar-55) were each used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The anti-HEV prevalence assayed with the swine HEV antigen showed 97% concordance with that obtained with the human HEV antigen (κ = 92%). Among the 295 swine veterinarians tested from the eight U.S. states (Minnesota, Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, and Alabama) from which normal blood donor samples were available, 26% were positive with Sar-55 antigen and 23% were positive with swine HEV antigen. In contrast, 18% of the blood donors from the same eight U.S. states were positive with Sar-55 antigen and 17% were positive with swine HEV antigen. Swine veterinarians in the eight states were 1.51 times more likely when tested with swine HEV antigen (95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 2.20) and 1.46 times more likely when tested with Sar-55 antigen (95% confidence interval, 0.99 to 2.17) to be anti-HEV positive than normal blood donors. We did not find a difference in anti-HEV prevalence between veterinarians who reported having had a needle stick or cut and those who had not or between those who spent more time (≥80% of the time) and those who spent less time (≤20% of the time) working with pigs. Similarly, we did not find a difference in anti-HEV prevalence according to four job categories (academic, practicing, student, and industry veterinarians). There was a difference in anti-HEV prevalence in both swine veterinarians and blood donors among the eight selected states, with subjects from Minnesota six times more likely to be anti-HEV positive than those from Alabama. Age was not a factor in the observed differences from state to state. Anti-HEV prevalence in swine veterinarians and normal blood donors was age specific and paralleled increasing age. The results suggest that swine veterinarians may be at somewhat higher risk of HEV infection than are normal blood donors.