Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanics of Cerebral Arterioles in Hypertensive Rats

Chronic hypertension is associated with hypertrophy of cerebral blood vessels. Previous studies of the mechanical properties of cerebral vessels in chronic hypertension have examined large cerebral arteries. The goals of this study were first to develop a method to examine vascular mechanics of cerebral arterioles in vivo and second to determine whether the stiffness of cerebral arterioles is altered hi the presence of chronic hypertension. We calculated circumferential stress and strain of pial arterioles in age-matched, anesthetized stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and hi Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) from measurements of pial arteriolar pressure, inner diameter, and wall thickness. Pial arteriolar pressure was measured with a servonull system. Smooth muscle of pial arterioles was deactivated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and pressure-diameter relations were examined during step-wise reductions in pressure. Prior to deactivation of smooth muscle in 3-4-month-old rats, pial arteriolar pressure was greater in SHRSP than in WKY (110 ±4 versus 75 ±2 mm Hg [mean±SE]; p < 0.05). Pial arteriolar diameter, which was measured at prevailing levels of pial arteriolar pressure, was less hi SHRSP than hi WKY (52 ± 5 versus 63 ± 3 μm; p < 0.05). Following deactivation of smooth muscle, diameter of pial arterioles at 70 mm Hg of pial arteriolar pressure was similar hi the two groups: 104 ±6 μm in SHRSP and 109 ±3 μm in WKY (p > 0.05). Wall thickness was 4.5 ±0.2 μm in SHRSP and 4.1 ±0.1 μm in WKY (p > 0.05). The stress-strain relation hi deactivated pial arterioles was shifted to the right hi SHRSP, which indicates that circumferential stiffness of pial arterioles is decreased in young SHRSP. To determine whether hypertrophy of pial arterioles, which occurs with maturation, is associated with increases in arteriolar stiffness, we examined stress-strain characteristics in 6-8-month-old SHRSP and WKY. In older rats, diameter of both active and deactivated pial arterioles was less in SHRSP than hi WKY. Wall thickness was significantly greater in SHRSP than in WKY (5.8 ±0.5 versus 3.8 ±0.2 μm; p < 0.05). The stress-strain relation, however, was shifted even further to the right in 6-8-month-old SHRSP with respect to WKY. We conclude that the stiffness of cerebral arterioles is decreased hi SHRSP with established hypertension despite pronounced vascular hypertrophy.
Impacts of task placement and bandwidth allocation on stream analytics

We consider data intensive cloud-based stream analytics where data transmission through the underlying communication network is the cause of the performance bottleneck. Two key inter-related problems are investigated: task placement and bandwidth allocation. We seek to answer the following questions. How does task placement make impact on the application-level throughput? Does a careful bandwidth allocation among data flows traversing a bottleneck link results in better performance? In this paper, we address these questions by conducting measurement-driven analysis in a SDN-enabled computer cluster running stream processing applications on top of Apache Storm. The results reveal (i) how tasks are assigned to computing nodes make large difference in application level performance; (ii) under certain task placement, a proper bandwidth allocation helps further improve the performance as compared to the default TCP mechanism; and (iii) task placement and bandwidth allocation are collaboratively making effects in overall performance.
Optimizing the Recency-Relevancy Trade-off in Online News Recommendations

Online news media sites are emerging as the primary source of news for a large number of users. The selection of 'front-page' stories on these media sites usually takes into consideration several crowdsourced popularity metrics, such as number of views or shares by the readers. In this work, we focus on automatically recommending front-page stories in such media websites. When recommending news stories, there are two basic metrics of interest - recency and relevancy. Ideally, recommender systems should recommend the most relevant stories soon after they are published. However, the relevancy of a story only becomes evident as the story ages, thereby creating a tension between recency and relevancy. A systematic analysis of popular recommendation strategies in use today reveals that they lead to poor trade-offs between recency and relevancy in practice. So, in this paper, we propose a new recommendation strategy (called Highest Future-Impact) which attempts to optimize on both the axes. To implement our proposed strategy in practice, we develop an optimization framework combining the predicted future-impact of the stories with the uncertainties in the predictions. Evaluations over three real-world news datasets show that our implementation achieves good performance trade-offs between recency and relevancy.
Creating Enhanced Maps for Lane-Level Vehicle Navigation

The concept of enhanced maps (Emaps) was introduced with one main objective: It should characterize roads, first, with more completeness and, second, with more accuracy than standard maps to fulfill the requirements of new challenging road safety applications and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). This paper introduces a paradigm for Emap definition and creation on which every road lane is represented and topologically connected to the rest of lanes. Following this approach, a number of Emaps have been created in France, Germany, and Sweden. The experiments carried out in these test sites with the Emaps show the capability of our Emap definition to assist with the determination of the vehicle position at the lane level. Details of the processes of extraction and connection of the road segments are given in the core of this paper, as well as a discussion of the elaboration process and future guidelines in the conclusion.
Cyclooxygenase-1 and Bicistronic Cyclooxygenase-1/Prostacyclin Synthase Gene Transfer Protect Against Ischemic Cerebral Infarction

Background—We tested the hypothesis that bicistronic cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1)/prostacyclin synthase (PGIS) and COX-1 gene transfer reduce cerebral infarct volume by augmenting synthesis of protective prostaglandins. Methods and Results—We infused into lateral ventricle of a rat stroke model recombinant adenoviruses (rAd) containing COX-1 (Adv-COX-1), COX-1 and PGIS (Adv-COX-1/PGIS), or Adv-PGK control vector, and we determined COX-1 and PGIS protein and eicosanoid levels and infarct volume. COX-1 and PGIS proteins were increased in a time-dependent manner. Adv-COX-1/PGIS infusion selectively augmented prostacyclin levels, with reduction of other eicosanoids in ischemic cortex and a significant reduction of infarct volume, even when the rAd was administered 5 hours after ischemia. Infusion of Adv-COX-1 also increased prostacyclin, suppressed leukotriene levels, and achieved a similar degree of cerebral protection. Its neuroprotection was abrogated by treatment with a selective COX-1 inhibitor. Conclusions—COX-1/PGIS and COX-1 gene transfer reduce cerebral infarct volume by augmenting prostacyclin and suppressing leukotriene productions. COX-1–based gene transfer has potential for treating ischemic stroke.
Solitary true cyst of the pancreas in two adults: analysis of cyst fluid and review of the literature

Solitary true cyst of the pancreas in adults is extremely rare. We report two adult cases of solitary true cyst of the pancreas. In a 53-yr-old woman there was discovered, incidentally, a unilocular cyst of 7.0 × 6.5 cm in size in the tail of the pancreas that was noted on abdominal US and CT scan. A 16-yr-old boy presented with abdominal pain, and an abdominal US and CT scan revealed a 6.5 cm cystic mass located in the tail of the pancreas. Both patients underwent distal pancreatectomy. Histologically, the cyst was lined with flattened cuboidal and squamous epithelium without morphological alterations. Analysis of the cyst fluid revealed high CA 19-9 (>100,000 U/L) and Span-1 levels (>60,000 U/L) in both cases. Immunohistochemically, the lining epithelial cells of true cyst were positive for CA 19-9 staining. The clinicopathological features of solitary true cyst of the pancreas in adults are briefly reviewed.
Tracking with UAV using tangent-plus-Lyapunov vector field guidance

A dynamic path-planning algorithm is proposed for routing UAVs in order to track ground targets. Based on a combination of tangent vector field guidance (TVFG) and Lyapunov vector field guidance (LVFG), a theoretically optimal path is derived with UAV operational constraints given a target position and the current UAV dynamic state. In this paper, we first illustrate that path planning for a UAV tracking a ground target can be formulated as an optimal control problem consisting of a system dynamic, a set of boundary conditions, control constraints and a cost criterion. We then discuss the TVFG and LVFG, and demonstrate that the TVFG outperforms the LVFG as long as a tangent line is available between the UAV's turning limit circle and an objective circle, which is a desired orbit pattern over a target. Particle filters are employed in a practical situation where a target is moving on a road network. Obstacle avoidance strategies are also addressed. With the help of computer simulations, we show that the T+LVFG algorithm provides effective and robust tracking performance in various scenarios, including a target moving according to waypoints or a random kinematics model in an environment that may include obstacles and/or wind.
Characterization of colonic polyps by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis

To identify proteins that may specifically characterize colonic polyps we have investigated the abundance of numerous proteins in epithelial cells from 15 normal colon specimens and 13 colonic polyps, using two‐dimensional gel analysis to detect possible differences in expression. Silver‐stained digitized images of the gels were analyzed with Melanie II 2.1 software. We consistently detected more than 700 protein spots on each gel, and found that the intensity of 59 of them was significantly altered in polyp specimens (Wilcoxon test assuming P ≤ 0.05). Immunostaining, microsequencing and mass spectrometry (matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization — time of flight; MALDI‐TOF) techniques were used to identify these proteins and selected others that did not show differential regulation. The expression of numatrin (nucleophosphine/B23), hsp 70, and hsp60 was increased in polyps; levels of fatty acid binding protein (L‐FABP), 14‐3‐3 σ, citokeratin 20, cytochrome c oxidase polypeptide Va, Rho GDP‐dissociation inhibitor (Rho GDI), and β‐ and γ‐actins were decreased. Although the levels of expression of a given protein often varied among polyp specimens, it generally held true that the direction of variation (up or down) remained constant across the panel. We concluded that proteins showing constant differential regulation across all or most of the polyp specimens represent the most characteristic regulatory pathways in colon polyps, while more sporadic variations reflect characteristics of individual polyps.
Impact of Obesity on Stroke Outcome After Intravenous Thrombolysis

Background and Purpose— Obesity is an established risk factor for stroke and has reached epidemic proportions. However, its impact on intravenous thrombolysis applied for acute ischemic stroke is not well known. We aimed to compare the clinical outcome and safety after intravenous thrombolysis in obese (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) and nonobese (body mass index <30 kg/m2) patients with ischemic stroke. Methods— Data of 304 consecutive patients with stroke (251 nonobese and 53 obese) treated with intravenous thrombolysis were studied. We assessed the rate of favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0 or 1), mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in the 2 groups. Results— Obese patients presented more often with diabetes mellitus (30.2% versus 12.4%, P<0.01) and arterial hypertension (77.4% versus 61.4%, P=0.03) as compared with their nonobese counterparts. At 3 months, the rate of favorable outcome was lower in obese compared with nonobese patients (50.9% versus 68.1%, P=0.02). More obese than nonobese patients died (13.2% versus 4.0%, P=0.01), whereas the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was similar in the 2 groups (1.9% versus 1.6%, P=1.0). After multivariable adjustment, obesity still remained an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome (P=0.04) and mortality (P=0.04). Conclusions— Our data indicate that obesity is an independent predictor of unfavorable clinical outcome and mortality in acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis.
Comparison of Channel Estimators for OFDM Channel Estimation

Channel estimation is a challenging problem for the wireless communication to recover original data. Various estimation approaches have been discussed in literature to get a better estimation. In this work pilot assisted channel estimation techniques are considered to obtain accurate channel state information (CSI) and compared least square (LS) and Linear Minimum Mean Square Estimator (LMMSE) estimation technique for Doppler shift. Simulation results shown that both estimation techniques, performed same at higher Doppler frequencies.
Markerless Based Human Motion Capture : A Survey

This literature survey attempts to recent developments and current state-of-the-art in the field of body analysis by the use of non-intrusive optical systems. Markerless based human motion capture describes the activity of analysing and expressing human motion in mathematical terms. The survey shows that the task of motion capture can be divided into a number of systematically distinct groups, initialisation, tracking, pose estimation and gesture recognition. Tracking and pose estimation are addressed in turn explaining their constituent parts and the relationships between them. The literature shows that various mathematical body models are used to guide the tracking and pose estimation processes. A review of these models and methods of coping with their inherent high parameter dimensionality is included. Finally a discussion of work performed and conclusions drawn is presented.
Trends and correlates of class 3 obesity in the United States from 1990 through 2000.

CONTEXT Although the prevalence of obesity has markedly increased among US adults, health risks vary according to the severity of obesity. Persons with class 3 obesity (body mass index [BMI] > or = 40) are at greatest risk, but there is little information about this subgroup. OBJECTIVE To examine correlates of class 3 obesity and secular trends. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Adults (aged > or = 18 years) in the United States who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone survey between 1990 (75,600 persons) and 2000 (164,250 persons). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Body mass index calculated from self-reported weight and height. RESULTS The prevalence of class 3 obesity increased from 0.78% (1990) to 2.2% (2000). In 2000, class 3 obesity was highest among black women (6.0%), persons who had not completed high school (3.4%), and persons who are short. During the 11-year period, the median BMI level increased by 1.2 units and the 95th percentile increased by 3.2 units. CONCLUSION The prevalence of class 3 obesity is increasing rapidly among adults. Because these extreme BMI levels are associated with the most severe health complications, the incidence of various diseases will increase substantially in the future.
Hydrological Controls on the Seasonal Variability of Dissolved and Particulate Black Carbon in the Altamaha River, GA

Rivers play an important role in the transport of organic carbon from terrestrial to marine environments. A significant portion of this material is black carbon (BC), a residue of incomplete biomass and fossil fuel combustion. BC is mobilized in fluvial systems as both particulate BC (PBC) and dissolved BC (DBC), and the export of BC to coastal environments may have significant implications for carbon cycling in marine environments. However, while little is known regarding the potential connectivity between riverine export of PBC and DBC or the potential importance of such a relationship in constraining future BC budgets, current knowledge suggests that fluvial export of PBC and DBC are decoupled in small fire‐impacted watersheds. This study aims to further address this subject on a larger watershed scale. For this study, 13 monthly samples were collected (September 2015 to September 2016) near the mouth of the Altamaha River, Georgia. PBC and DBC were characterized using the benzenze polycarboxylic acid method. Seasonal hydrology and regional shifts in storm events play an important role for both PBC and DBC export during high flow months. The DBC concentrations were comparable among wet and dry seasons, whereas evidence of seasonal salt water intrusions suggests an additional estuarine contribution of PBC at the sampling location. The DBC and PBC fluxes were generally coupled, although this pattern was disrupted during initial storm pulses. While this is the first report of potential coupling between DBC and PBC export, environmental drivers controlling this behavior between DBC and PBC remain to be constrained.
Perceived thickness and creaminess modulates the short-term satiating effects of high-protein drinks

Previous research suggests that increasing beverage protein content enhances subsequent satiety, but whether this effect is entirely attributable to post-ingestive effects of protein or is partly caused by the distinct sensory characteristics imparted by the presence of protein remains unclear. To try and discriminate nutritive from sensory effects of added protein, we contrasted effects of three higher-energy (about 1·2 MJ) and one lower-energy (LE: 0·35 MJ) drink preloads on subsequent appetite and lunch intake. Two higher-energy drinks had 44 % of energy from protein, one with the sensory characteristics of a juice drink (HP − , low-sensory protein) and the second a thicker and creamier (HP+, high-sensory protein) drink. The high-carbohydrate preload (HC+, high-sensory carbohydrate) was matched for thickness and creaminess to the HP+ drink. Participants (healthy male volunteers, n 26) consumed significantly less at lunch after the HP+(566 g) and HC+(572 g) than after HP − (623 g) and LE (668 g) drinks, although the compensation for drink energy accounted for only 50 % of extra energy at best. Appetite ratings indicated that participants felt significantly less hungry and more full immediately before lunch in HP+ and HC+ groups compared with LE, with HP − being intermediate. The finding that protein generated stronger satiety in the context of a thicker creamier drink (HP+ but not HP − ) and that an isoenergetic carbohydrate drink (HC+), matched in thickness and creaminess to the HP+ drink, generated the same pattern of satiety as HP+, both suggest an important role for these sensory cues in the development of protein-based satiety.
Measurement and visualisation of software timing properties

We observe that programmers in the hard, real-time domain experience severe difficulties when confronted with software timing problems. A number of different visualisations of timing behaviour appear to have large benefits but the specific effects and their significance have not yet been studied with any rigour. Rather than a report of proven results, this is a call for suggestions and contributions to potential, future investigation of the phenomena involved.
Performance analysis of an RSVP-capable router

RSVP is a bandwidth reservation protocol that allows distributed real time applications such as videoconferencing software to make bandwidth reservations over packet switched networks. Coupled with real time scheduling mechanisms built into packet routers, the network guarantees to provide the reserved bandwidth throughout the lifetime of the applications. Although guaranteed services (S. Shenker et al., 1997) are of great value to both end users and carrier providers, their performance cost, due to additional control and data processing overhead, can potentially have a negative impact on the packet throughput and latency of the RSVP capable routers. The goal of the paper is to examine the performance cost of RSVP based on measurements from an industry strength RSVP implementation on a commercial IP router. The focus is on the detailed evaluation of the performance implications of various architectural decisions in RSVP, as well as the effectiveness of RSVP in the presence of network faults. We found that RSVP's control messages do not incur significant overhead in terms of processing delay and bandwidth consumption. However, the performance overhead of real time packet scheduling is noticeable in the presence of a large number of real time connections. In extreme cases, the performance guarantees of existing real time connections may not be kept, and some best effort packets are actually dropped, although the overall bandwidth requirement from these connections is smaller than the available link bandwidth.
Resolving a defect in quadrant-based classification for fast block-matching

Although frequently used in fractal compression quadrant-based classification exhibits a significant defect which has not been described in the literature. We give an efficient solution to this problem by controlling the class structure based on an adaptive threshold. This makes this classification technique a very efficient and competitive one also for block matching motion compensation algorithms in video coding.
Synergistic Effects of PPARγ Ligands and Retinoids in Cancer Treatment

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. The activation of PPARs by their specific ligands is regarded as one of the promising strategies to inhibit cancer cell growth. However, recent clinical trials targeting several common cancers showed no beneficial effect when PPAR ligands are used as a monotherapy. Retinoid X receptors (RXRs), which play a critical role in normal cell proliferation as a master regulator for nuclear receptors, preferentially form heterodimers with PPARs. A malfunction of RXRα due to phosphorylation by the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway is associated with the development of certain types of human malignancies. The activation of PPARγ/RXR heterodimer by their respective ligands synergistically inhibits cell growth, while inducing apoptosis in human colon cancer cells when the phosphorylation of RXRα was inhibited. We herein review the synergistic antitumor effects produced by the combination of the PPAR, especially PPARγ, ligands plus other agents, especially retinoids, in a variety of human cancers. We also focus on the phosphorylation of RXRα because the inhibition of RXRα phosphorylation and the restoration of its physiological function may activate PPAR/RXR heterodimer and, therefore, be a potentially effective and critical strategy for the inhibition of cancer cell growth.