Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Small (</=2-cm) subpleural pulmonary lesions: short- versus long-needle-path CT-guided Biopsy--comparison of diagnostic yields and complications.

PURPOSE To retrospectively compare the diagnostic yield and complications associated with the use of short versus long needle paths for computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy of small subpleural lung lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was approved by the institutional review board, and the requirement for informed patient consent was waived. The medical and imaging records of patients who underwent CT-guided biopsy of subpleural pulmonary nodules measuring up to 2 cm in diameter were reviewed. The study included 176 patients (79 men, 97 women; age range, 18-84 years) who were divided into two groups: In group A, a direct approach in which the needle traversed a short lung segment was used. In group B, an indirect approach involving the use of a longer needle path was used. Diagnostic yield, accuracy, and pneumothorax and chest tube placement rates were compared between the two groups. Two-tailed t tests and Pearson chi(2) tests were used to analyze continuous and categorized variables, respectively. RESULTS Group A comprised 48 patients; and group B, 128 patients. The mean needle path length was 0.4 cm in group A and 5.6 cm in group B. The short-path approach necessitated more needle punctures (mean, 2.9 vs 1.8 with long-path approach, P < .001) through the pleura. The diagnostic yield in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (71% vs 94%, P < .001), particularly in patients with small (0-1-cm) nodules (40% in group A vs 94% in group B, P < .001). The frequency of postbiopsy pneumothorax was identical (69%) in the two groups. However, more group B than group A patients required chest tube placement for treatment of pneumothorax (38% vs 17%, P = .006). CONCLUSION Use of long-needle-path biopsy of subpleural lesions resulted in a higher diagnostic yield, especially for small nodules. However, compared with the short-needle-path technique, this approach was associated with a higher frequency of chest tube placement for pneumothorax.
Performance analysis of supercapacitors for transportation industry

Monitoring device is essential to ensure a reliable and a healthy lifespan of the energy storage system. Hence, a monitoring device is needed to monitor the state of health and state of charge of a Supercapacitor. This project aims to demonstrate a method to monitor Supercapacitors using a microcontroller in both hardware and software approaches. The data was successfully collected by an online platform called ThingSpeak.
1 Anti-Dumping Sunset Reviews : The Uneven Reach of WTO Disciplines * April 2007

The paper uses a new database on Anti-Dumping measures worldwide to assess whether the 1995 Uruguay Round Agreement on AD sunset reviews had any effect. Estimates from a count of revocations for a panel of AD-using countries over 1979-2005 show that a five-year cycle is more apparent after the WTO agreement than before, with the marginal propensity to revoke AD measures at five years jumping from 0-2% to 45%. A survival analysis of AD measures confirms that those covered by the agreement stick on average for shorter periods, and a semi-parametric difference-in-difference approach confirms a strong de-jure component to the overall compliance. However, much of the adjustment to the WTO’s new rules on sunset reviews came from small and new users of Anti-Dumping rules rather than the traditional and large ones.
The Support Vector Machine Classification System for Patent Document Information Importance Analysis

This study proposed a novel two-stage process of integrating support vector machine with expert screening technique to develop an automatic patent categorization system with high accuracy and high validity. The approach is tested on a real world case-the search history involving 264 patent documents of semiconductor equipment components. A 100% patent classification accuracy via the description portion of the patent documents was achieved using our proposed two-stage approach. The results showed that the proposed approach performed well in the real-world case of patent classification. The description field of the patent document was more than adequate for patent classification.
Chapter 18 Neuronal Autophagy and Prion Proteins

Protein and organelle turnover is essential to maintain cellular homeostasis and survival. Removing and recycling cell constituents is achieved by autophagy in all cells, including neurons. Autophagy contributes to various physiological processes, such as intracellular cleansing, cellular homeostasis, development, differentiation, longevity, tumor suppression, elimination of invading pathogens, antigen transport to the innate and adaptative immune systems, and counteracting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and diseases characterized by the accumulation of protein aggregates [1]. Autophagy plays a role in a number of infectious and inflammatory diseases, in addition to protein unfolding and misfolding diseases that lead to neuron, muscle and liver degeneration or heart failure [2-4]. Whereas autophagy has long been defined as a form of non-apoptotic, programmed cell death [5], recent findings suggest that autophagy functions primarily to sustain cells, and only defects in autophagy lead to cell death [6].
Mechanism of Ca++ Antagonist‐Induced Vasodilation: Intracellular Actions

We studied the effects of Ca++ antagonists on intact and skinned muscles of rabbit mesenteric artery. Intact muscle contractions were inhibited by 10−6M diltiazem, whereas greater levels were required to abolish contractions in skinned muscle fibers. In contrast, nisoldipine had no effect on skinned muscle contractions, although it inhibited, almost completely, the contraction of intact muscle at concentrations below 10−6M. In the presence of EGTA, norepinephrine-induced contractions result from a release of Ca++ from an intracellular store. Diltiazem inhibited these contractions at concentrations between 10−6 and 10−4M. Higher doses were required in studies with skinned muscle preparations. Unlike diltiazem, nisoldipine only partially inhibited the Ca++-free norepinephrine-induced contractions in the range of 10−7 to 10−5 M. From these results, we assumed that at low concentrations (below 10−6 M), diltiazem induced relaxation by blocking Ca++ influx, whereas at relatively high concentrations (above 10−6 M), an inhibition of Ca++ release from an intracellular store also occurred. A similar conclusion was reached regarding the mechanism whereby nisoldipine inhibits force developments.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE STOCHASTIC RELATIONSHIP OF POECILOCHIRUS (MITES) TO NICROPHORUS (BEETLES) USING STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS by

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Environmental enrichment decreases cell surface expression of the dopamine transporter in rat medial prefrontal cortex

Rats raised in an enriched environmental condition (EC) exhibit a decreased (35%) maximal velocity (Vmax) of [3H]dopamine (DA) uptake in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) compared with rats raised in an impoverished condition (IC); however, no differences between EC and IC groups in Vmax for [3H]DA uptake were found in nucleus accumbens and striatum. Using biotinylation and immunoblotting techniques, the present study examined whether the brain region‐specific decrease in DA transporter (DAT) function is the result of a reduction in DAT cell surface expression. In mPFC, nucleus accumbens and striatum, total DAT immunoreactivity was not different between EC and IC groups. Whereas no differences in cell surface expression of DAT were found in nucleus accumbens and striatum, DAT immunoreactivity in the biotinylated cell surface fraction of mPFC was decreased (39%) in EC compared with IC rats, consistent with the magnitude of the previously observed decrease in Vmax for [3H]DA uptake in mPFC in EC rats. These results suggest that the decrease in DAT cell surface expression in the mPFC may be responsible for decreased DAT function in the mPFC of EC compared with IC rats, and that there is plasticity in the regulatory mechanisms mediating DAT trafficking and function.
Evidence that avian reovirus σNS is an RNA chaperone: implications for genome segment assortment

Reoviruses are important human, animal and plant pathogens having 10–12 segments of double-stranded genomic RNA. The mechanisms controlling the assortment and packaging of genomic segments in these viruses, remain poorly understood. RNA–protein and RNA–RNA interactions between viral genomic segment precursors have been implicated in the process. While non-structural viral RNA-binding proteins, such as avian reovirus σNS, are essential for virus replication, the mechanism by which they assist packaging is unclear. Here we demonstrate that σNS assembles into stable elongated hexamers in vitro, which bind single-stranded nucleic acids with high affinity, but little sequence specificity. Using ensemble and single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, we show that σNS also binds to a partially double-stranded RNA, resulting in gradual helix unwinding. The hexamer can bind multiple RNA molecules and exhibits strand-annealing activity, thus mediating conversion of metastable, intramolecular stem-loops into more stable heteroduplexes. We demonstrate that the ARV σNS acts as an RNA chaperone facilitating specific RNA–RNA interactions between genomic precursors during segment assortment and packaging.
Stereotypes and Belief Updating

We explore how feedback shapes, and perpetuates, gender gaps in self-assessments. Participants in our experiment take tests of their ability across different domains. We elicit their beliefs of their performance before and after feedback. We _nd that, even after the provision of highly informative feedback, gender stereotypes in_uence posterior beliefs, beyond what a Bayesian model would predict. This is primarily because both men and women update their beliefs more positively in response to good news when it arrives in a more gender congruent domain (i.e. more male-typed domains for men, more female-typed domains for women), fueling persistence in gender gaps.
Using a Hopfield Iterative Neural Network to Explain Diffusion in the Brain's Extracellular Space Structure

Many therapies for drug delivery to the brain are based on diffusion, and diffusion in this extracellular space is based on micro-techniques that can be modelled with classical differential equations such as the point source diffusion equation. In this paper an energy function is constructed using a finite-difference approximation to the governing diffusion equation and then minimized by a Hopfield neural network. The synergy of Hopfield neural networks with finite difference approximation is promising. The neural network approach is capable of giving insight to the complex brain activity better than any other classical numerical method and the parallelism nature of the Hopfield neural networks approach is easier to implement on fast parallel computers and this will make them faster than the traditional methods for modelling this complex problem. Moreover, the effect of the involved parameters on the diffusion distribution and drug delivery in the ECS is investigated.
Biochemical Variations of Breast Milk Composition Compared with Substitution Formula in Feeding of Preterm of Mothers With or Without Pathologic Pregnancies

Breast milk is the main source of energy and nutrients for preterm and term newborns. The aim of the study was to determine the biochemical differences between breast milk and substitution formula used in feeding of preterm newborns and differences in composition of breast milk according to mothers demographic and pregnancy parameters. A group of 54 mothers with pathologic pregnancies of preterm gestational age between 27-37 weeks was studied to determine the biochemical composition of breast milk in the first 7 days of lactation and then to compare it with milk formula substitution. Most of them (42%) had a diagnosis of chronic hypertension, followed by chronic renal diseases (29%). Several parameters like gestational age, maternal age, lactation day when sampling milk, type of birth (natural / C-section), origin of mother (rural / urban), gender of the child were analyzed. The biochemical analysis of macronutrients (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins) and energetic value of the collected breast milk was performed by using an indirect method, infrared spectroscopy (mid-infrared transmission spectroscopy) by means of an automatic device. Gestational age, mother�s age and day of lactation (during the first week post-partum) did not produce a statistically significant difference in the composition of breast milk. There were no statistically significant changes with the type of delivery (cesarean versus natural) and gender of the preterm newborn. Higher lipid, carbohydrates and protein concentration was observed in milk substitution formula than in breast milk. Energetic values of analyzed milk substitution formula showed a statistically significant difference (p [0.05) when compared with breast milk.
1 P 9 R . 7 PRELIMINARY P 0 LARIMETRIC ANALYSIS OF A WINTER STORM CAUSING CATASTROPHIC TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

In Finland, perhaps the most difficult road traffic problems are those caused by sudden variations in road conditions, especially in the winter season. People are accustomed to drive in all kinds of winter conditions, and are capable of this, provided that they have time to adjust to a new situation. However, in cases where conditions change rapidly and without advance information, great difficulties are to be expected.
Datacenter Network Design : Performance / Power Comparison of Large-Scale Network Configurations and a Way to Avoid it !

In this paper, we present a datacenter interconnction network topology that performs at the minimal cost-latencypower product point of all Dragonfly routers in our design space. With a 1.2x cost savings and a 4x power savings over other Dragonfly designs at a 1.2x performance hit, our topology and choice of routing function are effective optimal for a modern datacenter where design choices are centered around capital and operational expenses.
Hot Melt Extrusion for Sustained Protein Release: Matrix Erosion and In Vitro Release of PLGA-Based Implants

The design of biodegradable implants for sustained release of proteins is a complex challenge optimizing protein polymer interaction in combination with a mini-scale process which is predictive for production. The process of hot melt extrusion (HME) was therefore conducted on 5- and 9-mm mini-scale twin screw extruders. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) implants were characterized for their erosion properties and the in vitro release of the embedded protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA). The release of acidic monomers as well as other parameters (pH value, mass loss) during 16 weeks indicated a delayed onset of matrix erosion in week 3. BSA-loaded implants released 17.0% glycolic and 5.9% lactic acid after a 2-week lag time. Following a low burst release (3.7% BSA), sustained protein release started in week 4. Storage under stress conditions (30°C, 75% rH) revealed a shift of erosion onset of 1 week (BSA-loaded implants: 26.9% glycolic and 9.3% lactic acid). Coherent with the changed erosion profiles, an influence on the protein release was observed. Confocal laser scanning and Raman microscopy showed a homogenous protein distribution throughout the matrix after extrusion and during release studies. Raman spectra indicated a conformational change of the protein structure which could be one reason for incomplete protein release. The study underlined the suitability of the HME process to obtain a solid dispersion of protein inside a polymeric matrix providing sustained protein release. However, the incomplete protein release and the impact by storage conditions require thorough characterization and understanding of erosion and release mechanisms.
The Behaviour of the Equity Yield and Its Relation with the Bond Yield: The Role of Inflation

Understanding the behaviour of the equity yield and its relation to the bond yield is important for portfolio managers and those engaged in modelling the interaction between asset classes. During the mid-1900s, the equity yield—which was previously greater than the bond yield—declined, while the bond yield rose and became higher. Research, seeking to understand this, put forward the view that stock and bond return volatility is key. Evidence from the 2000s suggest that the relative values of the equity and bond yield have flipped again, with the former now greater. Empirical evidence presented here shows that during such periods, the hypothesised relation between the equity yield and the bond yield and the two volatilities also changes, with the signs reversed. Moreover, there is noticeable variation in the coefficient values. This paper argues that the relative equity and bond yield values are, to a large extent, driven by inflation volatility. High inflation volatility persisted during the first half of the twentieth century when the equity yield was higher. This was followed by more benign inflation volatility when the bond yield became higher. Evidence for a long span of US data, and shorter German, Japanese, and UK data, suggests the recent rise in the equity yield is accompanied by an uptick in inflation volatility relative to its recent tranquillity.
Reduced In fl ammation and CD 4 Loss in Acute SHIV Infection During Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

Background. The impact of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with antiretrovirals on breakthrough HIV or SHIV infection is not fully documented. We addressed the hypothesis that SHIVSF162P3 infection despite active PrEP results in altered early immune parameters, compared with untreated infection. Methods. Eleven rhesus macaques were infected during repeated, rectal, low-dose SHIVSF162P3 exposures while receiving concurrent oral PrEP (Truvada [n = 2] or GS7340 [n = 4]) or as untreated controls (n = 5). We measured SHIV RNA, inflammatory cytokines, CD4 cells, and SHIV-specific and memory T cells until 20 weeks after peak viremia. Results. SHIV infection during PrEP resulted in 100-fold lower peak viremia and lower IL-15, IL-18, and IL-1Ra levels, compared with controls (P < .05; Wilcoxon rank-sum test). Unlike controls, PrEP-treated macaques showed no significant CD4 cell count reduction during acute infection and developed more SHIV-specific central memory T cells, relative to controls. After in vivo CD8 cell depletion, viral load increased to similar levels, indicating that CD8 cells were critical for viral control in both groups. Conclusions. PrEP with antiretrovirals has beneficial effects on early SHIV infection even when infection is not prevented. Although long-term immune control could not be examined in this SHIV infection model, our results suggest that PrEP results in improved early disease parameters in breakthrough infections.
Anti-CCR4 Monoclonal Antibody Mogamulizumab for the Treatment of EBV-Associated T- and NK-Cell Lymphoproliferative Diseases

Purpose: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infects not only B cells but also T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, and T- and NK-cell lymphoproliferative diseases (T/NK-LPD) that are refractory to conventional chemotherapies may develop. To identify a molecular-targeted therapy for EBV-associated T/NK-LPDs, we investigated whether CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) was expressed on EBV-infected T and/or NK cells and whether a humanized anti-CCR4 monoclonal antibody, mogamulizumab, was effective. Experimental Design: CCR4 expression was examined in various cell lines. In vitro, the effects of mogamulizumab on cell lines were evaluated in the presence of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from volunteers. In vivo, the effects of mogamulizumab were evaluated using a murine xenograft model. CCR4 expression was examined on EBV-infected cells from patients with EBV-associated T/NK-LPDs. Ex vivo, the effects of mogamulizumab were evaluated using patient lymphocytes. Results: CCR4 expression was confirmed in most EBV-positive T and NK cell lines. Mogamulizumab induced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity against CCR4-positive cell lines, and inhibited the growth of EBV-positive NK-cell lymphomas in a murine xenograft model. Furthermore, CCR4 was expressed on EBV-infected cells in 8 of 17 patients with EBV-associated T/NK-LPDs. Interestingly, CCR4 was positive in 5 of 5 patients with hydroa vacciniforme, a photodermatosis caused by the clonal expansion of EBV-infected γδT cells. EBV-positive γδT cells were obtained from a patient with hydroa vacciniforme and subjected to an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. The γδT cells that were positive for CCR4 were killed by mogamulizumab via ADCC. Conclusions: These results indicate that mogamulizumab may be a therapeutic option against EBV-associated T/NK-LPDs. Clin Cancer Res; 20(19); 5075–84. ©2014 AACR.
Genetic analysis and mapping of genes controlling freezing tolerance in oilseed Brassica

Freezing tolerance is the ability of plants to survive subfreezing temperatures and is a major component of winter survival. In order to study the genetic regulation of freezing tolerance, an F2 population of Brassica rapa and a doubled haploid population of Brassica napus were assayed in vitro for relative freezing tolerance of acclimated and nonacclimated plants. Linkage maps developed previously were used to identify putative quantitative trait loci (QTL). Genomic regions with significant effects on freezing tolerance were not found for the B. napus population, but for B. rapa four regions were associated with acclimated freezing tolerance (FTA) and acclimation ability (FTB), and two unliked regions were associated with nonacclimated freezing tolerance (FTN). Acclimation ability was regulated by genes with very small additive effects and both positive and negative dominance effects. The allele from the winter parent at the FTN QTL had positive additive effects, but negative dominance effects. RFLP loci detected by a cold-induced and a stress-related cDNA from Arabidopsis thaliana mapped near two QTL for FTA/FTB. Further tests are needed to determine if alleles at these loci are responsible for the QTL effects we detected.
The impact of electronic payment on electronic shopping decision in Jordan

Rapid changes in the world of the Internet have led to changes in the electronic markets, especially the speed of information creation compared to normal markets, the reduction of the time between the search and the product, and the ability of the seller and buyer to deal with each other despite the distance between them, The electronic shopping decision depends on the method of payment. This study attempts to measure the effect of e-cards on the decision of e-shopping in Jordan through four aspects, namely: use and reliability, trust and safety, type of e-card and perception. The study reiterated that there is a positive relationship between the use and reliability of electronic cards and the decision of electronic shopping, where the use of electronic cards increases the decision of online shopping, the study also concluded that the type of electronic card and payment method affects the electronic purchase decision (credit card, debit card, prepaid card, cash on delivery).