Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The anatomy of the circle of Willis as a predictive factor for intra-operative cerebral ischemia (shunt need) during carotid endarterectomy

Abstract The collateral flow to the cerebral hemisphere after carotid cross clamping during carotid endarterectomy is mainly through the circle of Willis, and the circle is incomplete in the majority of cases. A correlation between the status of the circle of Willis and the necessity of shunting was evaluated in 67 carotid endarterectomies with pre-operative four-vessel cerebral angiogram. All carotid endarterectomies were performed with selective shunting, based on the change of consciousness and motor function after carotid test clamping under regional anesthesia. Of the 55 patients with either an anterior or a posterior communicating artery, only four (7.3%) required shunting. Twelve patients had neither anterior nor posterior communicating artery, and 10 (83.3%) showed signs of cerebral ischemia necessitating shunting. Mandatory shunt was significantly higher in patients with absence of collaterals (p = 0.00). The rate of intraoperative cerebral ischemia was significantly higher in patients with poor collateral circulation defined by the anatomy of the circle of Willis. [Neurol Res 2002; 24: 237-240]
Metabolomic Identification of a Novel Pathway of Blood Pressure Regulation Involving Hexadecanedioate

High blood pressure is a major contributor to the global burden of disease and discovering novel causal pathways of blood pressure regulation has been challenging. We tested blood pressure associations with 280 fasting blood metabolites in 3980 TwinsUK females. Survival analysis for all-cause mortality was performed on significant independent metabolites (P<8.9×10−5). Replication was conducted in 2 independent cohorts KORA (n=1494) and Hertfordshire (n=1515). Three independent animal experiments were performed to establish causality: (1) blood pressure change after increasing circulating metabolite levels in Wistar–Kyoto rats; (2) circulating metabolite change after salt-induced blood pressure elevation in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats; and (3) mesenteric artery response to noradrenaline and carbachol in metabolite treated and control rats. Of the15 metabolites that showed an independent significant association with blood pressure, only hexadecanedioate, a dicarboxylic acid, showed concordant association with blood pressure (systolic BP: &bgr; [95% confidence interval], 1.31 [0.83–1.78], P=6.81×10−8; diastolic BP: 0.81 [0.5–1.11], P=2.96×10−7) and mortality (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.49 [1.08–2.05]; P=0.02) in TwinsUK. The blood pressure association was replicated in KORA and Hertfordshire. In the animal experiments, we showed that oral hexadecanedioate increased both circulating hexadecanedioate and blood pressure in Wistar–Kyoto rats, whereas blood pressure elevation with oral sodium chloride in hypertensive rats did not affect hexadecanedioate levels. Vascular reactivity to noradrenaline was significantly increased in mesenteric resistance arteries from hexadecanedioate-treated rats compared with controls, indicated by the shift to the left of the concentration–response curve (P=0.013). Relaxation to carbachol did not show any difference. Our findings indicate that hexadecanedioate is causally associated with blood pressure regulation through a novel pathway that merits further investigation.
3-D Printed Customizable Inserts for Waveguide Filter Design at X-Band

This letter presents the design of a customizable 3-D printed insert that can be placed into a standard WR-90 waveguide to realize an inline waveguide filter. These 3-D printed inserts have a significantly lower manufacturing cost and turnaround time compared to the conventional solid copper or bronze waveguide. A two-pole X-Band filter insert has been designed to demonstrate this unique approach. A Stratasys Fortus 400mc 3-D printer is used to print the exchangeable waveguide inserts with support material that is then removed using a basic lye solution. A seed layer of nickel is then spray coated on, and used to electroplate the inserts with copper. Measured results are in good agreement with simulation results for the two-pole bandpass filter with less than 1.05-dB insertion loss over X-Band. The weight of these inserts electroplated with copper is only 6.65 g. The ease and flexibility of this approach provides an excellent option for tuning and customizing filter designs with a fast turnaround using 3-D printing manufacturing technology.
JavaScript API misuse detection by using typescript

Static analysis of JavaScript programs to detect errors in them is a challenging task. Especially when the program imports massive JavaScript libraries such as jQuery and MooTools, analyzing the whole program and the libraries is expensive and extremely declines the analysis efficiency. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach to solve the problem by modularizing the analysis. We separate the analysis of JavaScript libraries by using types extracted from their corresponding specifications in TypeScript and the analysis of JavaScript applications by a static analysis framework. We use DefinitelyTyped, an open-source repository that provides TypeScript declaration files of over 300 popular JavaScript libraries, and we extend SAFE, an open-source analysis framework for JavaScript.
Shape Reconstruction with A Priori Knowledge Based on Integral Invariants

We investigate the applicability of integral invariants as geometrical shape descriptors in the context of ill-posed inverse problems. We propose the use of a Tikhonov functional, where the penalty term is based on the difference of integral invariants. As a case example, we consider the problem of inverting the Radon transform of an object with only limited angular data available. We approximate the ill-posed operator equation by a minimization problem involving a Tikhonov functional and show existence of minimizers of the functional. Because of its nondifferentiability, we derive for the numerical minimization smooth approximations, which converge in the sense of $\Gamma$-limits.
Energy-efficient polling protocols in RFID systems

Future RFID technologies will go far beyond today's widely-used passive tags. Battery-powered active tags are likely to gain more popularity due to their long operational ranges and richer on-tag resources. With integrated sensors, these tags can provide not only static identification numbers but also dynamic, real-time information such as sensor readings. This paper studies a general problem of how to design efficient polling protocols to collect such real-time information from a subset M of tags in a large RFID system. We show that the standard, straightforward polling design is not energy-efficient because each tag has to continuously monitor the wireless channel and receive O(|M|) tag IDs, which is energy-consuming. Existing work is able to cut the amount of data each tag has to receive by half through a coding design. In this paper, we propose a tag-ordering polling protocol (TOP) that can reduce per-tag energy consumption by more than an order of magnitude. We also reveal an energy-time tradeoff in the protocol design: per-tag energy consumption can be reduced to O(1) at the expense of longer execution time of the protocol. Finally, we apply partitioned Bloom filters to enhance the performance of TOP, such that it can achieve much better energy efficiency without degradation in protocol execution time.
Helicobacter pylori Infection and Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders

It has been thirty years since the two Australians Robin Warren and Barry Marshall discovered Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in 1983 [1]. In order to fulfil the Koch's postulates, Marshall and Morris drank a solution which was a suspension of H. pylori. This produced gastritis from which the bacteria could be reisolated [2]. It will be interesting to see how the approach to treatment has progressed in these three decades after the discovery of the organism-based both on consensus guidelines and other research in this field. The changes in the consensus statements have been highlighted. The isolation of H. pylori from the gastric mucosa and the report of the organism's urease activity generated excitement especially when it was postulated by Marshall that these microorganisms could be the cause of gastritis and could be a dominant etiological factor in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). With the isolation of H. pylori, floodgates opened to a new era of discovery and understanding of gastroduodenal pathology. These results were a paradigm shift from the earlier belief that PUD disease was related to stress, lifestyle, and acid secretion based on the dictum of Schwarz “no acid no ulcer. ” The early nineteen eighties when Warren and Marshall reported their findings coincided with omeprazole belonging to the group of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) being introduced. This PPI was documented as a potent antisecretory agent which yielded very good results for ulcer healing and achieving a potential cure for patients with PUD when compared to the earlier drugs belonging to the group of H2 receptor antagonists. Hence there was lot of scepticism in the gastroenterology community world over to accept that PUD was the result of infection. However, it was found that patients with PUD continued to have remission of the disease even after cessation of antisecretory therapy.
[Inhibition of Sorbaria sorbifolia on proliferarion of hepatoma HepG-2 cell line].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibition of Sorbaria sorbifolia on proliferation hepatoma HepG-2 cells, and to explore the antineoplastic mechanism of Sorbaria sorbifolia. METHODS MTT assay was used to examine the effect of Sorbaria sorbifolia on the proliferation of HepG-2 cell and flow cytometry was used for the cell cycle distribution. Apoptosis of HepG-2 cell was investigated further by means of inverted microscope, HE staining, transmission electron microscopy and expression of apoptosis-associated gene bcl-2 and p53 were determined by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS Sorbaria sorbifolia inhibited the proliferation of HepG-2 cell and the effects were in a time-and-concentration dependent manner. Sorbaria sorbifolia could also induce apoptosis, the G2/M phase was arrested and the ratio of apoptosis was significantly difference with that of control group, respectively. The expressions of apoptosis-associated gene bcl-2 and p53 had changed significantly, respectively. CONCLUSION Sorbaria sorbifolia inhibits proliferation of HepG-2 cells via induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.
Realization of higher output power capability with the Bi-mode Insulated Gate Transistor (BIGT)

In this paper, we discuss the potential of realizing future applications with much increased output power capability utilizing the newly developed Bi-mode Insulated Gate Transistor (BIGT). The BIGT represents an advanced Reverse Conducting (RC) IGBT concept implying that the device can operate in both freewheeling diode mode and (IGBT) transistor mode by utilizing the same available silicon volume in both modes. The BIGT design differs from the standard RC-IGBT in that it targets to fully replace the state-of-the-art two-chip IGBT/Diode approach with a single BIGT chip. This is achieved while also being capable of improving on the over-all performance especially under hard switching conditions where low static and dynamic losses, soft turn-off and high SOA are essential characteristics. The practical realization of the BIGT technology will provide a potential solution for future high voltage applications demanding compact systems with higher power levels, which could prove to be beyond the capability of the standard two-chip approach.
Exact In-Network Aggregation with Integrity and Confidentiality

In-network aggregation reduces the energy cost of processing aggregate queries (such as SUM, MAX, etc.) in wireless sensor networks. Recently, research has focused on secure in-network aggregation, motivated by the following two scenarios: 1) the sensors are deployed in open and unsafe environments, and 2) the aggregation process is outsourced to an untrustworthy service. Despite the bulk of work on the topic, there is currently no solution providing both integrity and confidentiality in the above scenarios. Moreover, existing solutions either return approximate results, or have limited applicability to certain types of aggregate queries. Our paper is the first work that provides both integrity and confidentiality in the aforementioned scenarios, while covering a wide range of aggregates and returning exact results. We initially present SIES, a scheme that solves exact SUM queries through a combination of homomorphic encryption and secret sharing. Subsequently, we show how to adapt SIES in order to support many other exact aggregate queries (such as MAX, MEDIAN, etc.). Finally, we augment our schemes with a functionality that identifies malicious sensors, preventing denial-of-service (DoS) attacks and attributing robustness to the system. Our techniques are lightweight and induce very small bandwidth consumption. Therefore, they constitute ideal solutions for resource-constrained sensors.
Study of ultrawide-band transmission in the extremely high frequency (EHF) band

The growing demand for broad-band wireless communication links and the lack of wide frequency bands within the conventional spectrum, causes us to seek bandwidth in the higher microwave and millimeter-wave spectrum at extremely high frequencies (EHF) above 30 GHz. One of the principal challenges in realizing modern wireless communication links in the EHF band are phenomena occuring during electromagnetic wave propagation through the atmosphere. A space-frequency approach for analyzing wireless communication channels operating in the EHF band is presented. Propagation of the electromagnetic radiation is studied in the frequency domain, enabling consideration of ultrawide-band modulated signals. The theory is employed for the analysis of a communication channel operating at EHF which utilizes pulse amplitude modulated signals. The atmospheric absorptive and dispersive effects on pulse propagation delay, pulse width and distortion are discussed. The theory and model are demonstrated in a study of ultrashort-pulse transmission at 60 GHz.
Conflict between Noise and Plasticity in Yeast

Gene expression responds to changes in conditions but also stochastically among individuals. In budding yeast, both expression responsiveness across conditions (“plasticity”) and cell-to-cell variation (“noise”) have been quantified for thousands of genes and found to correlate across genes. It has been argued therefore that noise and plasticity may be strongly coupled and mechanistically linked. This is consistent with some theoretical ideas, but a strong coupling between noise and plasticity also has the potential to introduce cost–benefit conflicts during evolution. For example, if high plasticity is beneficial (genes need to respond to the environment), but noise is detrimental (fluctuations are harmful), then strong coupling should be disfavored. Here, evidence is presented that cost–benefit conflicts do occur and that they constrain the evolution of gene expression and promoter usage. In contrast to recent assertions, coupling between noise and plasticity is not a general property, but one associated with particular mechanisms of transcription initiation. Further, promoter architectures associated with coupling are avoided when noise is most likely to be detrimental, and noise and plasticity are largely independent traits for core cellular components. In contrast, when genes are duplicated noise–plasticity coupling increases, consistent with reduced detrimental affects of expression variation. Noise–plasticity coupling is, therefore, an evolvable trait that may constrain the emergence of highly responsive gene expression and be selected against during evolution. Further, the global quantitative data in yeast suggest that one mechanism that relieves the constraints imposed by noise–plasticity coupling is gene duplication, providing an example of how duplication can facilitate escape from adaptive conflicts.
Balance of inflammatory pathways and interplay of immune cells in the liver during homeostasis and injury

Multiple potentially harmful stimuli challenge the liver, the chief metabolic and detoxifying organ of the human body. Due to its central anatomical location, continuous blood flow from the gastrointestinal tract through the hepatic sinusoids allows the metabolically active hepatocytes, the non-parenchymal cells and the various immune cell populations residing and patrolling in the liver to interact with antigens and microbiological components coming from the intestine. Cytokines are key mediators within the complex interplay of intrahepatic immune cells and hepatocytes, because they can activate effector functions of immune cells as well as hepatocytic intracellular signaling pathways controlling cellular homeostasis. Kupffer cells and liver-infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages are primary sources of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF). The liver is also enriched in natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cells, which fulfill functions in pathogen defense, T cell recruitment and modulation of fibrogenic responses. TNF can activate specific intracellular pathways in hepatocytes that influence cell fate in different manners, e.g. pro-apoptotic signals via the caspase cascade, but also survival pathways, namely the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB pathway. NF-kappaB regulates important functions in liver physiology and pathology. The exact dissection of the contribution of recruited and resident immune cells, their soluble cytokine and chemokine mediators and the intracellular hepatocytic response in liver homeostasis and injury could potentially identify novel targets for the treatment of acute and chronic liver disease, liver fibrosis or cirrhosis.
Age-Dependent Differences in Pseudorabies Virus Neuropathogenesis and Associated Cytokine Expression

ABSTRACT The severity of clinical symptoms induced by pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection of its natural host is inversely related to the age of the pig. During this study, 2- and 15-week-old pigs were inoculated with PRV strain NIA3. This resulted in important clinical disease, although the associated morbidity and mortality were lower in older pigs. Quantitative PCR analysis of viral DNA in different organs confirmed the general knowledge on PRV pathogenesis. Several new findings and potential explanations for the observed age-dependent differences in virulence, however, were determined from the study of viral and cytokine mRNA expression at important sites of neuropathogenesis. First, only limited viral and cytokine mRNA expression was detected in the nasal mucosa, suggesting that other sites may serve as the primary replication site. Second, PRV reached the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and brain stem rapidly upon infection but, compared to 2-week-old pigs, viral replication was less pronounced in 15-week-old pigs, and the decrease in viral mRNA expression was not preceded by or associated with an increased cytokine expression. Third, extensive viral replication associated with a robust expression of cytokine mRNA was detected in the olfactory bulbs of pigs from both age categories and correlated with the observed neurological disease. Our results suggest that age-dependent differences in PRV-induced clinical signs are probably due to enhanced viral replication and associated immunopathology in immature TG and the central nervous system neurons of 2-week-old pigs and that neurological disease is related with extensive viral replication and an associated immune response in the olfactory bulb. IMPORTANCE It is well known that alphaherpesvirus infections of humans and animals result in more severe clinical disease in newborns than in older individuals and that this is probably related to differences in neuropathogenesis. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain unclear. Pseudorabies virus infection of its natural host, the pig, provides a suitable infection model to study this more profoundly. We show here that the severe neurological disease observed in 2-week-old pigs does not appear to be related to a hampered innate immune response but is more likely to reflect the immature development state of the trigeminal ganglia (TG) and central nervous system (CNS) neurons, resulting in an inefficient suppression of viral replication. In 15-week-old pigs, viral replication was efficiently suppressed in the TG and CNS without induction of an extensive immune response. Furthermore, our results provide evidence that neurological disease could, at least in part, be related to viral replication and associated immunopathology in the olfactory bulb.
Hydrostatic Response of Piezoresistive Stress Sensors

The (111) surface of silicon offers unique advantages for fabrication of piezoresistive stress sensors. Resistive sensor elements fabricated on this particular surface respond to all six components comprising the state of stress. Hence, a multi-element rosette has the capability of measuring the complete stress state at a point in the material. To extract the stress state at points on the die from the resistance changes measured with the sensor rosettes, it is necessary to have accurately calibrated values of six piezoresistive coefficients. Four-point bending and wafer-level calibration methods can measure four out of six piezoresistive coefficients for both p- and n-type resistors. To measure the other two coefficients, a hydrostatic test method has been developed where a high capacity pressure vessel is used to apply triaxial load on a single die. During the test procedure, resistance changes of resistors on the die are monitored. The slopes of the adjusted resistance change versus pressure plots are then used to calculate the desired last two coefficients. A step-by-step hydrostatic test procedure is demonstrated and sample data are presented.
Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor administration upregulates telomerase activity in CD34+ haematopoietic cells and may prevent telomere attrition after chemotherapy

Summary. Hematopoietic reconstitution could be associated with premature ageing of the transplanted cells and a high frequency of myelodysplastic syndrome and secondary leukaemia. Telomere length decreases with cell divisions and age, and at a crucial length it is associated with chromosomal instability and cell senescence. Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase enzyme that adds nucleotides to chromosomal ends. Most somatic cells lack telomerase activity yet haematopoietic stem cells retain low levels of telomerase. Some studies have found that chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation lead to the accelerated shortening of telomere length. As granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) is routinely used in the mobilization of stem cells for transplantation, we evaluated its effects on telomerase activity and regulation, and on telomere dynamics, in normal donors and selected lymphoma patients. Administration of G‐CSF increased telomerase activity in CD34+ haematopoietic cells compared with controls. In marrow‐derived CD34+ cells, telomerase activity increased sevenfold, compared with a 14‐fold increase in peripheral‐blood‐mobilized CD34+ cells. A parallel increase in the expression of human telomerase enzyme reverse transcriptase RNA and protein kinase C α occurred. In addition, G‐CSF administration to five lymphoma patients after consecutive courses of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) chemotherapy, resulted in telomere length preservation or elongation, as opposed to marked attrition in patients who did not receive growth factors. We conclude that the in vivo administration of G‐CSF prevents or attenuates telomere attrition associated with chemotherapy administration. This attenuation may contribute to the preservation of telomere integrity inG‐CSF‐primed transplanted stem cells.