Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia increases macrophage motility, possibly by decreasing the heparan sulfate proteoglycan biosynthesis

Macrophages are recruited and retained in hypoxic sites in atherosclerotic lesions and tumors. Furthermore, macrophages are suggested to be a major source of HSPG synthesis in atherosclerotic lesions. HSPG are, among other things, known to regulate cell motility, cell adhesion, and receptor interaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hypoxia on HSPG expression and macrophage motility. We also explored the potential regulation of HSPG by the transcription factor HIF‐1α. The nondirected cell motility was increased in HMDM after 24 h exposure to hypoxia (0.5% O2) compared with normal cell culture condition (21% O2). Enzymatic degradation of HS GAG further increased the motility of the HMDM in hypoxia, indicating a role of reduced cell‐associated HSPG in the increased HMDM motility. HMDM exposed to 24 h of hypoxia had lower mRNA expressions of syndecan‐1 and −4 compared with cells exposed to normal cell culture conditions. Protein levels of syndecan‐1 were also decreased significantly in response to hypoxia, and cells subjected to hypoxia had lower mRNA expression for key enzymes involved in HS biosynthesis. In addition, hypoxia was found to reduce the relative content of HS GAG. Transfecting THP‐1 cells with siHIF‐1α indicated that this transcription factor was not involved in the hypoxia‐induced modifications of HSPG expression. Given the documented multiple functions of HSPG in macrophage behavior, the hypoxia‐induced modifications of HSPG may be of relevance for the development of atherosclerotic lesions and tumor progression.
Does prior coronary artery bypass surgery alter the gender gap in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome? A 20-year retrospective cohort study

Objectives Previous studies demonstrated women presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have poor outcomes when compared with men ‘the gender gap phenomenon’. The impact of prior coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) on women presenting with ACS is unknown. We hypothesised that the gender gap is altered in ACS patients with prior CABG. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients presenting with ACS according to their gender and history of prior CABG. Design Retrospective, observational (cohort) study. Setting Data were collected from hospital-based registry of patients hospitalised with ACS in Doha, Qatar, from 1991 through 2010. The data were analysed according to their gender and history of prior CABG. Participants A total of 16 750 consecutive patients with ACS were studied. In total, 693 (4.3%) patients had prior CABG; among them 125 (18%) patients were women. Primary and secondary outcome measures Comparisons of clinical characteristics, inhospital treatment, and outcomes, including inhospital mortality and stroke were made. Results Women with or without prior CABG were older, less likely to be smokers, but more likely to have diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension and renal impairment than men (p=0.001). Women were less likely to receive reperfusion and early invasive therapies. When compared with men, women without prior CABG carried higher inhospital mortality (11% vs 4.9%; p=0.001) and stroke rates (0.9% vs 0.3%; p=0.001). Female gender was independent predictor of poor outcome. Among prior CABG patients, despite the fact that women had worse baseline characteristics and were less likely to receive evidence-based therapy, there were no significant differences in mortality or stroke rates between the two groups. Conclusions Consistent with the world literature, women presenting with ACS and without prior CABG had higher death rates compared with men. Patients with prior CABG had comparable death rates regardless of the gender status.
A Generalized Framework for Multi-party Data Exchange for IoT Systems

The discussion of data communications in Internet of Things (IoT) often concentrates on technical issues: physical signals, protocols, database architectures, stream processing, cloud storage. On the higher level data interoperability and common semantics are major problems. In this paper we want to discuss the issues related to data interchange between independent, collaborating parties. We will identify typical parties and ask what data do they need to perform their function (operation optimization, quality control, etc.) that have to be extracted from the raw data streams. We will also ask what data do they want to protect from other parties (trade secrets, minor technical problems). Especially if data are related to people a careful anonymization scheme has to implemented. Based on examples, we will propose and discuss a generalized framework for such data exchange.
A Methodology for a Comprehensive Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Assessment: Multiple Sources and Short-Term Interactions

We propose a methodological approach for a comprehensive and total probabilistic tsunami hazard assessment (TotPTHA), in which many different possible source types concur to the definition of the total tsunami hazard at given target sites. In a multi-hazard and multi-risk perspective, the approach allows us to consider all possible tsunamigenic sources (seismic events, slides, volcanic eruptions, asteroids, etc.). In this respect, we also formally introduce and discuss the treatment of interaction/cascade effects in the TotPTHA analysis and we demonstrate how the triggering events may induce significant temporary variations in short-term analysis of the tsunami hazard. In two target sites (the city of Naples and the island of Ischia in Italy) we prove the feasibility of the TotPTHA methodology in the multi—source case considering near submarine seismic sources and submarine mass failures in the study area. The TotPTHA indicated that the tsunami hazard increases significantly by considering both the potential submarine mass failures and the submarine seismic events. Finally, the importance of the source interactions is evaluated by applying a triggering seismic event that causes relevant changes in the short-term TotPTHA.
Development of a Xeno-Free Feeder-Layer System from Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Prolonged Expansion of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Culture

Various feeder layers have been extensively applied to support the prolonged growth of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) for in vitro cultures. Among them, mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) and mouse fibroblast cell line (SNL) are most commonly used feeder cells for hPSCs culture. However, these feeder layers from animal usually cause immunogenic contaminations, which compromises the potential of hPSCs in clinical applications. In the present study, we tested human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) as a potent xeno-free feeder system for maintaining human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). The hUC-MSCs showed characteristics of MSCs in xeno-free culture condition. On the mitomycin-treated hUC-MSCs feeder, hiPSCs maintained the features of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), such as low efficiency of spontaneous differentiation, stable expression of stemness markers, maintenance of normal karyotypes, in vitro pluripotency and in vivo ability to form teratomas, even after a prolonged culture of more than 30 passages. Our study indicates that the xeno-free culture system may be a good candidate for growth and expansion of hiPSCs as the stepping stone for stem cell research to further develop better and safer stem cells.
Two Cases of Crossed Cerebellar Diaschisis with or without Thalamic Lesion on Brain MRI in Status Epilepticus

We report two cases of status epilepticus who showed crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) with or without pulvinar high signal intensity (HSI) on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The first patient had CCD with pulvinar HSI on MRI and periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) on electroencephalography. MRI of the second patient revealed CCD without pulvinar HSI. And electroencephalography (EEG) of this patient did not show PLEDs. The authors suggest that the pulvinar lesion might be related to the generation of PLEDs in Status epilepticus.
The Keller-Segel Model with Logistic Sensitivity Function and Small Diffusivity

The Keller--Segel model is the classical model for chemotaxis of cell populations. It consists of a drift-diffusion equation for the cell density coupled to an equation for the chemoattractant. Here a variant of this model is studied in one-dimensional position space, where the chemotactic drift is turned off for a limiting cell density by a logistic term and where the chemoattractant density solves an elliptic equation modeling a quasi-stationary balance of reaction and diffusion with production of the chemoattractant by the cells. The case of small cell diffusivity is studied by asymptotic and numerical methods. On a time scale characteristic for the convective effects, convergence of solutions to weak entropy solutions of the limiting nonlinear hyperbolic conservation law is proven. Numerical and analytic evidence indicates that solutions of this problem converge to irregular patterns of cell aggregates separated by entropic shocks from vacuum regions as time tends to infinity. Close to each of these p.
Comparing Disaster News on Twitter and Television: an Intermedia Agenda Setting Perspective

Intermedia agenda setting predicts a high degree of convergence between news media agendas. However, the rise of social media forces a re-examination of this expectation. Using the 8.8-earthquake of February 27, 2010 in Chile as a case study, this article compares which topics were covered by professional journalists on broadcast news and Twitter, analyzing both cross-sectional and longitudinal trends. A positive, reinforcing influence was found among the journalistic agendas of TV and Twitter. However, counter to the idea that social media are echo chambers of traditional media, it was found that Twitter influences TV news more so than the other way around. Thus, the study provides an early lens into the agenda setting function of social media among television news professionals, and its findings are consistent with Twitter succeeding among journalists due to its provision of valuable information.
Association of adiponectin with adverse outcome in coronary artery disease patients: results from the AtheroGene study.

AIMS In primary prevention, the adipocytokine adiponectin seems to be protective against diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Data in patients with manifest coronary artery disease (CAD) are scant stimulating the investigation of the association of adiponectin concentrations and cardiovascular outcome in a prospective CAD cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS In 1890 consecutive patients with documented CAD [1130 with stable angina (SAP) and 760 with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)] baseline concentrations of adiponectin were measured by enzyme-linked immuno assay. During a median follow-up of 2.5 years cardiovascular events were registered (cardiovascular deaths 70; non-fatal myocardial infarction 46). Baseline adiponectin concentrations were similar in patients presenting with SAP [9.03 microg/mL (6.7, 13.45)] or ACS [9.19 microg/mL (6.72, 13.15)], P = 0.779. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a stepwise decrease in event-free survival across quartiles of adiponectin baseline concentration (P log rank = 0.0188). A similar pattern was observed in both subgroups of patients (SAP P = 0.075 and ACS P = 0.254). In univariate analyses, continuous adiponectin concentration was related to event-free survival in all patients [HR 1.02 (95% confidence interval 1.0-1.04), P = 0.012] as well as in the subgroup of SAP subjects [1.03 (1.01-1.05), P = 0.012]. The relation was less strong in the subgroup presenting with ACS [1.014 (0.99-1.04), P = 0.280]. A correlation of adiponectin with high density cholesterol (r = 0.39) and a negative relation to triglyceride levels (r = -0.22) could be described. An increase of one interquartile distance in adiponectin concentration was associated with a 1.17-fold risk for future cardiovascular events (P = 0.013), in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) it meant a 1.13-fold risk (P < 0.001). In the overall patient group, this risk association remained robust after the adjustment for classical risk factors, clinical presentation and cardiac medication. Only after adjustment for BNP adiponectin lost its independent predictive value. CONCLUSION In contrast to studies including initially healthy individuals, the current prospective study demonstrates that adiponectin is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcome in patients with manifest CAD.
Multichannel random access in OFDMA wireless networks

Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) systems are considered promising candidates for implementing next-generation wireless communication systems. They provide multiple channels that can be accessed via random access schemes. However, traditional random access schemes could result in an excessive amount of access delay. To address this issue, we develop a fast retrial scheme that is based on slotted Aloha and exploits the structure of OFDMA. A salient feature of this scheme is that when collisions occur instead of retrials occuring randomly in time, they occur randomly in frequency, i.e., the scheme randomly selects the subchannels for retrial. To further achieve fast access, retrials are designed to follow the 1-persistent type, i.e., no exponential backoff. To achieve the maximum throughput, we limit the maximum number of allowed retrials according to the load condition. We also consider the issue of designing for an appropriate reuse factor for random access channels in order to overcome the intercell interference problem in OFDMA multicell environments. Our finding is that full sharing, i.e., a reuse factor of one, performs best for given random access channels. Through analysis and simulation, we confirm that our fast retrial algorithm has the advantage of high throughput and low access delay, and the full sharing policy for random access channels shows high throughput as well as low collision.
Search in audiovisual broadcast archives

Documentary makers, journalists, news editors, and other media professionals routinely require previously recorded audiovisual material for new productions. For example, a news editor might wish to reuse footage shot by overseas services for the evening news, or a documentary maker might require shots of Christmas trees recorded over the decades. Important sources for reusable broadcasts are audiovisual broadcast archives, which preserve and manage audiovisual material. With digitization, media professional can be given online access to video. This increases ease of access, but increases the need for search capabilities tailored for the media professional. Search in audiovisual broadcast archives, then, is the subject of this thesis. We begin by investigating the search behavior of media professionals in current daily practice. To this end we perform a large-scale log analysis of their search actions at a national audiovisual broadcast archive. Our analysis characterizes not only the searches of media professionals, but also their purchasing behavior. In order to model the observed behavior we follow our log analysis with a simulation experiment. Here we investigate simulation methods for recreating the searches and purchases recorded in the archive to create evaluation testbeds. In the second half of the thesis we turn to investigate the use of state-of-art methods for retrieval with automatically generated content metadata from video, Specifically we focus on their application for improving audiovisual fragment search in the audiovisual broadcast archive. We use logged searches and purchases to define new test collections for retrieval evaluation. These are used as the basis for experiments aimed at solving specific problems that are faced when searching with automatically generated descriptions of video content. Finally, we combine state-of-the-art methods with the current daily practice of the archive, and investigate their potential combined impact on search in audiovisual broadcast archives. The contributions of this thesis include the characterization of searching and purchasing behaviour of media professionals at a large audiovisual broadcast archive, and a framework for simulating their logged queries and purchases. Contributions in the second half of the thesis include an in-depth user study of how text queries should be mapped to visual concepts, a retrieval model that accounts for the temporal mismatch between the speech and visual tracks in audiovisual material, and a set of experiments demonstrating the effectiveness of automatically generated content metadata for improving retrieval in the audiovisual broadcast archive. The thesis can be accessed at http://dare.uva. nl/record/358972.
InterMarket - towards intelligent mobile agent e-marketplaces

This paper presents work-in-progress towards the development of an intelligent mobile agent-based e-marketplace system called InterMarket. InterMarket aims at enabling mobile access and automated trading in e-marketplaces based on integration of mobile agents and intelligent decision-making agents offered as an add-on component to a commercial e-marketplace platform. The paper overviews the proposed solution and approach for InterMarket, and relates it to the existing research on mobile e-commerce agents and intelligent agent-mediated e-commerce.
Improving link reliability in mobile ad hoc networks using fuzzy nodes

In Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANet), links are subject to frequent failures due to lack of infrastructure, highly dynamic network topology and error prone nature of wireless links. Every link break has a significant impact on the overall performance of the network such as waiting time and signaling traffic. In this paper, we propose a fuzzy method which predicts the link life time base on node mobility information’s and environmental factors. The key advantage of this scheme is the reduction of the waiting time and signaling traffic. We demonstrate the effect of link reliability improvement on these vital network parameters through a comprehensive simulation. Keywords—Ad hoc network, reactive protocol, link life time prediction, fuzzy node
Transdermal nitroglycerin patch therapy improves left ventricular function and prevents remodeling after acute myocardial infarction: results of a multicenter prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Nitrates are widely used in the treatment of angina in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Short-term administration prevents left ventricular (LV) dilation and infarct expansion. However, little information is available regarding their long-term effects on LV remodeling in patients surviving Q-wave AMI. METHODS AND RESULTS This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to investigate the long-term (6-month) efficacy of intermittent transdermal nitroglycerin (NTG) patches on LV remodeling in 291 survivors of AMI. Patients meeting entry criteria had baseline gated radionuclide angiography (RNA) followed by randomization to placebo or active NTG patches delivering 0.4-, 0.8-, or 1.6-mg/h. RNA was repeated at 6 months and 6.5 days after withdrawal of double-blind medication. The primary study end point was the change in end-systolic volume index (ESVI). Both ESVI and end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) were significantly reduced with 0.4-mg/h NTG patches (-11.4 and -11.6 mL/m2, respectively, P<.03). This beneficial effect was observed primarily in patients with a baseline LV ejection fraction < or =40% (deltaESVI, -31 mL/m2; deltaEDVI, -33 mL/m2; both P<.05) and only at the 0.4-mg/h dose. After NTG patch withdrawal, ESVI significantly increased but did not reach pretreatment values. CONCLUSIONS Transdermal NTG patches prevent LV dilation in patients surviving AMI. The beneficial effects are limited to patients with depressed LV function and only at the lowest (0.4-mg/h) dose. Continued administration is necessary to maintain efficacy. Whether these remodeling effects confer a clinical or survival advantage will need to be addressed in an adequately powered cardiac event trial.
Concurrent visuomotor behaviour improves form discrimination in a patient with visual form agnosia

It is now well established that the visual brain is divided into two visual streams, the ventral and the dorsal stream. Milner and Goodale have suggested that the ventral stream is dedicated for processing vision for perception and the dorsal stream vision for action [A.D. Milner & M.A. Goodale (1995) The Visual Brain in Action, Oxford University Press, Oxford]. However, it is possible that ongoing processes in the visuomotor stream will nevertheless have an effect on perceptual processes. This possibility was examined in the present study. We have examined the visual form‐discrimination performance of the form‐agnosic patient D.F. with and without a concurrent visuomotor task, and found that her performance was significantly improved in the former condition. This suggests that the visuomotor behaviour provides cues that enhance her ability to recognize the form of the target object. In control experiments we have ruled out proprioceptive and efferent cues, and therefore propose that D.F. can, to a significant degree, access the object's visuomotor representation in the dorsal stream. Moreover, we show that the grasping‐induced perceptual improvement disappears if the target objects only differ with respect to their shape but not their width. This suggests that shape information per se is not used for this grasping task.
Struggling to Make Ends Meet: Lone Mothers and Intergenerational Support in Sweden

Economic divisions have deepened in Sweden in recent years, and lone mothers are one group where the poverty rate has increased most (Salonen 2014). At the same time, differences between the situations of lone mothers have also increased (Lundqvist 2014). As a consequence, intergenerational support from grandparents in terms of care and financial transfers are important (see also Hallerod 2008). This article is based on a qualitative study of lone mothers in Sweden and analyses the care and financial support provided by grandparents. This article poses the following questions: how is intergenerational support for lone mothers carried out; how do lone mothers experience this support; and how is this support negotiated in terms of dependency on grandparents? The article concludes that for the lone mothers in this study grandparental care arrangements are very important in enabling them to combine work and care. As for financial transactions, for some mothers they are crucial in making ends meet, while for others they mainly maintain a standard of living.
Differential Reference Electrode Applied to Arrayed pH Sensor and Arrayed Glucose Biosensor Based on Microfluidic Framework

—In this study, the radio frequency (R. F.) sputtering system and screen printing technology were used to fabricate the arrayed pH sensor. And the glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme was immobilized on the arrayed pH sensor as the arrayed glucose biosensor. Furthermore, the computer numerical control (CNC) technique was used to fabricate the microfluidic mold. The differential reference electrode can provide a stable potential in different pH solutions, which was applied in arrayed pH sensor and arrayed glucose biosensor. The arrayed pH sensor and arrayed glucose biosensor were integrated to the poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannel as the microfluidic device for observing the characteristics of the arrayed pH sensor and arrayed glucose biosensor at dynamical conditions. At dynamical conditions with flow rate controlled at 20 ml/min, the average sensitivity and linearity of the arrayed pH sensor were 57.27 mV/pH and 0.986, respectively. And at the flow rate controlled at 5 ml/min, the average sensitivity and linearity of the arrayed glucose biosensor were 9.67 mV(100 mg/dL)-1 and 0.943, respectively.