Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vivo Imaging of Amyloid Deposition in Alzheimer Disease Using the Radioligand 18F-AV-45 (Flobetapir F 18)

An 18F-labeled PET amyloid-β (Aβ) imaging agent could facilitate the clinical evaluation of late-life cognitive impairment by providing an objective measure for Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology. Here we present the results of a clinical trial with (E)-4-(2-(6-(2-(2-(2-18F-fluoroethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)vinyl)-N-methyl benzenamine (18F-AV-45 or flobetapir F 18). Methods: An open-label, multicenter brain imaging, metabolism, and safety study of 18F-AV-45 was performed on 16 patients with AD (Mini-Mental State Examination score, 19.3 ± 3.1; mean age ± SD, 75.8 ± 9.2 y) and 16 cognitively healthy controls (HCs) (Mini-Mental State Examination score, 29.8 ± 0.45; mean age ± SD, 72.5 ± 11.6 y). Dynamic PET was performed over a period of approximately 90 min after injection of the tracer (370 MBq [10 mCi]). Standardized uptake values and cortical-to-cerebellum standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) were calculated. A simplified reference tissue method was used to generate distribution volume ratio (DVR) parametric maps for a subset of subjects. Results: Valid PET data were available for 11 AD patients and 15 HCs. 18F-AV-45 accumulated in cortical regions expected to be high in Aβ deposition (e.g., precuneus and frontal and temporal cortices) in AD patients; minimal accumulation of the tracer was seen in cortical regions of HCs. The cortical-to-cerebellar SUVRs in AD patients showed continual substantial increases through 30 min after administration, reaching a plateau within 50 min. The 10-min period from 50 to 60 min after administration was taken as a representative sample for further analysis. The cortical average SUVR for this period was 1.67 ± 0.175 for patients with AD versus 1.25 ± 0.177 for HCs. Spatially normalized DVRs generated from PET dynamic scans were highly correlated with SUVR (r = 0.58–0.88, P < 0.005) and were significantly greater for AD patients than for HCs in cortical regions but not in subcortical white matter or cerebellar regions. No clinically significant changes in vital signs, electrocardiogram, or laboratory values were observed. Conclusion: 18F-AV-45 was well tolerated, and PET showed significant discrimination between AD patients and HCs, using either a parametric reference region method (DVR) or a simplified SUVR calculated from 10 min of scanning 50–60 min after 18F-AV-45 administration.
Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking (IPL): Investigating Language Comprehension in Typically Developing Toddlers and Young Children with Autism

One of the defining characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is difficulty with language and communication.1 Children with ASD's onset of speaking is usually delayed, and many children with ASD consistently produce language less frequently and of lower lexical and grammatical complexity than their typically developing (TD) peers.6,8,12,23 However, children with ASD also exhibit a significant social deficit, and researchers and clinicians continue to debate the extent to which the deficits in social interaction account for or contribute to the deficits in language production.5,14,19,25 Standardized assessments of language in children with ASD usually do include a comprehension component; however, many such comprehension tasks assess just one aspect of language (e.g., vocabulary),5 or include a significant motor component (e.g., pointing, act-out), and/or require children to deliberately choose between a number of alternatives. These last two behaviors are known to also be challenging to children with ASD.7,12,13,16 We present a method which can assess the language comprehension of young typically developing children (9-36 months) and children with autism.2,4,9,11,22 This method, Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking (P-IPL), projects side-by-side video images from a laptop onto a portable screen. The video images are paired first with a 'baseline' (nondirecting) audio, and then presented again paired with a 'test' linguistic audio that matches only one of the video images. Children's eye movements while watching the video are filmed and later coded. Children who understand the linguistic audio will look more quickly to, and longer at, the video that matches the linguistic audio.2,4,11,18,22,26 This paradigm includes a number of components that have recently been miniaturized (projector, camcorder, digitizer) to enable portability and easy setup in children's homes. This is a crucial point for assessing young children with ASD, who are frequently uncomfortable in new (e.g., laboratory) settings. Videos can be created to assess a wide range of specific components of linguistic knowledge, such as Subject-Verb-Object word order, wh-questions, and tense/aspect suffixes on verbs; videos can also assess principles of word learning such as a noun bias, a shape bias, and syntactic bootstrapping.10,14,17,21,24 Videos include characters and speech that are visually and acoustically salient and well tolerated by children with ASD.
Effectiveness of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Southern Ethiopia

Background In Ethiopia, Progress in Reducing Mother-to-Child-Transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is being curtailed by behavioral and cultural factors that continue to put unborn children at risk, and mother-to-child transmission is responsible for more than 90% of HIV infection in children. The objective of this study was to assess PMTCT services by examining knowledge about reducing vertical transmission among pregnant women. Methods A multistaged sampling institution-based survey was conducted in 113 pregnant women in Arba Minch. Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained. Results Of the 113 respondents, 89.4% were from Arba Minch, 43.4% were at least 25 years of age, 73.4% had formal education at primary level or above, 100% reported acceptance of voluntary counseling and testing, 92.0% were knowledgeable about mother-to-child transmission, and 90.3% were aware of the availability of the PMTCT service in the health facility. Of 74 HIV-positive women in PMTCT, only three (4.1%) had had skilled birth attendants at delivery. There was an unacceptable degree of loss of women from PMTCT. Maternal educational level had a statistical association with income (P < 0.001) and voluntary counseling and testing for pregnant women (P < 0.05). Factors that determined use of PMTCT included culture, socioeconomic status, and fear of stigma and discrimination. Conclusion In the area studied, intervention to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV is failing to reach its goal. This is an alarming discovery requiring quick reconsideration and strengthening of preventive strategies at all levels.
Bassin de Dieppe-Hampshire (Manche orientale) : Évolution cénozoïque et enregistrement des évènements géodynamiques

L’Europe occidentale enregistre d’importants changements paleogeographiques entre la fin du Mesozoique et le Paleogene, en reponse a des evenements geodynamiques en limites de plaques. Les deformations affectant le NW de la plaque europeenne ont deja bien ete identifiees dans plusieurs bassins, mais elles sont en revanche mal contraintes en Manche. L’objectif de cette these est ainsi de reconstruire les evolutions sedimentaires et structurales de la Manche orientale au cours du Paleogene et de les replacer dans le contexte geodynamique du domaine Ouest-Europeen a travers l’etude du Bassin de Dieppe-Hampshire, dont la stratigraphie et le calendrier des deformations ne sont pas precisement connus. Ces travaux s’appuient sur l’apport de nouvelles donnees de sismique reflexion tres haute resolution et de nouveaux carottages. L’analyse du remplissage sedimentaire a permis d’etablir le cadre stratigraphique, de proposer un decoupage sequentiel avec l’identification de quatre cycles de 2eme ordre entre le Thanetien et le Bartonien, et de cartographier la partie meridionale du bassin. La correlation de ces cycles avec les bassins cenozoiques proches a permis de mettre en evidence cinq phases de deformation ayant affecte le Bassin Anglo-Parisien. Grâce a une analyse structurale fine, nous avons egalement pu detailler le style et la cinematique de la deformation en Manche orientale, proposer un calendrier de cette deformation, et enfin etablir le role joue par l’heritage structural regional sur l’evolution paleogene du domaine.
The radiation-sensitizing effect of flavopiridol in the esophageal cancer cell line Eca109

Flavopiridol is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. It has shown an antitumor effect against several cancers. In the present study, the radiation-sensitizing effect of flavopiridol was investigated in an esophageal squamous carcinoma cell line, Eca109. The growth inhibitory rate of Eca109 with flavopiridol was determined using the MTT and the radio-sensitizing rate using clonogenic survival assays. The cell cycle distribution and the rate of apoptosis were measured using flow cytometry. The proteins cyclin D1, ERK/pERK, caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 were detected using western blot analysis to elucidate the mechanism of the radiosensitization effect. MTT assay showed that flavopiridol inhibited the survival rate of Eca109 cells and the effect was dose-dependent. Its IC50 was 193.3 nmol/l. The result of the clonogenic survival revealed that flavopiridol enhanced the radiosensitivity of Eca109 cells and the sensitization enhancement ratio (SER) was 1.194 at 0.2×IC50. Moreover, we detected that the cells treated with flavorpiridol were arrested at the G2/M phase and the apoptosis caused by radiation was increased. In addition, the proteins caspase-3 and Bax in cells treated with flavopiridol were upregulated, while cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 were downregulated. In conclusion, flavopiridol may enhance the radiosensitivity of Eca109 cells and the radiosensitizing effect of flavopiridol may be mediated by decreasing the levels of the cyclin D1 protein, thus increasing the percentage of cells at G2/M phase.
Aircraft Turbofan Engine Health Estimation Using Constrained Kalman Filtering

Kalman filters are often used to estimate the state variables of a dynamic system. However, in the application of Kalman filters some known signal information is often either ignored or dealt with heuristically. For instance, state variable constraints (which may be based on physical considerations) are often neglected because they do not fit easily into the structure of the Kalman filter. This paper develops an analytic method of incorporating state variable inequality constraints in the Kalman filter. The resultant filter is a combination of a standard Kalman filter and a quadratic programming problem. The incorporation of state variable constraints increases the computational effort of the filter but significantly improves its estimation accuracy. The improvement is proven theoretically and shown via simulation results obtained from application to a turbofan engine model. This model contains 16 state variables, 12 measurements, and 8 component health parameters. It is shown that the new algorithms provide improved performance in this example over unconstrained Kalman filtering.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Tensor displays

We introduce tensor displays: a family of compressive light field displays comprising all architectures employing a stack of time-multiplexed, light-attenuating layers illuminated by uniform or directional backlighting (i.e., any low-resolution light field emitter). We show that the light field emitted by an N-layer, M-frame tensor display can be represented by an Nth-order, rank-M tensor. Using this representation we introduce a unified optimization framework, based on nonnegative tensor factorization (NTF), encompassing all tensor display architectures. This framework is the first to allow joint multilayer, multiframe light field decompositions, significantly reducing artifacts observed with prior multilayer-only and multiframe-only decompositions; it is also the first optimization method for designs combining multiple layers with directional backlighting. We verify the benefits and limitations of tensor displays by constructing a prototype using modified LCD panels and a custom integral imaging backlight. Our efficient, GPU-based NTF implementation enables interactive applications. Through simulations and experiments we show that tensor displays reveal practical architectures with greater depths of field, wider fields of view, and thinner form factors, compared to prior automultiscopic displays.
Evidence that macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions contain angiotensin II.

BACKGROUND We have reported that human mononuclear leukocytes contain large amounts of angiotensin II (Ang II). The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that Ang II is present in monocyte/macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS Segments of thoracic aorta and left circumflex coronary artery were obtained from 3 groups of cynomolgus monkeys: normal, atherosclerotic, and regression. Samples of human coronary arterial atherosclerotic lesions were obtained from directional atherectomy. Sections were stained for Ang II with 3 different polyclonal rabbit anti-human Ang II antisera. In aorta and coronary arteries from normal monkeys, there was no or minimal anti-Ang II staining in endothelial cells. All sections from atherosclerotic monkeys displayed discrete, localized regions of staining for Ang II in intima-media. Macrophages were present throughout the atherosclerotic intima-media, and anti-Ang II staining appeared to colocalize with macrophages. All human coronary atherectomy samples stained positive for Ang II and macrophages. Staining for both Ang II and macrophages was observed in vascular lesions from all 5 monkeys after regression of atherosclerosis, but staining was less extensive than in atherosclerotic blood vessels from monkeys. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that Ang II is present in atherosclerotic lesions in monkeys and humans, colocalizes with macrophages in intima-media of atherosclerotic vessels from monkeys, and decreases in lesions in monkeys with regression of atherosclerosis.
Distribution Network Design for Fixed Lifetime Perishable Products: A Model and Solution Approach

Nowadays, many distribution networks deal with the distribution and storage of perishable products. However, distribution network design models are largely based on assumptions that do not consider time limitations for the storage of products within the network. This study develops a model for the design of a distribution network that considers the short lifetime of perishable products. The model simultaneously determines the network configuration and inventory control decisions of the network. Moreover, as the lifetime is strictly dependent on the storage conditions, the model develops a trade-off between enhancing storage conditions (higher inventory cost) to obtain a longer lifetime and selecting those storage conditions that lead to shorter lifetimes (less inventory cost). To solve the model, an efficient Lagrangian relaxation heuristic algorithm is developed. The model and algorithm are validated by sensitivity analysis on some key parameters. Results show that the algorithm finds optimal or near optimal solutions even for large-size cases.
CMOS microelectrode array for extracellular stimulation and recording of electrogenic cells

An extra cellular monolithic recording system fabricated in an industrial CMOS-technology combined with post-CMOS processing is presented. The chip comprises 16 platinum electrodes each equipped with stimulation and signal-conditioning circuitry. The micro-electrode array (MEA) is realized in a shifted-electrode design where the passivation is a 1.6 /spl mu/m stack of alternating Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/ and SiO/sub 2/ required for effective chip protection. The electrode and its adjacent circuitry (which includes a stimulation buffer and a readout band-pass filter) form a modular unit that is repeated in a 4 by 4 structure. Simultaneous recording and stimulation is possible at all electrodes at any time throughout the measurement. The system architecture includes multiplexers and A/D converters for each row and a digital control unit that scans the array and provides a digital interface with the outside world.
A Computerized Scoring Procedure for Auditory Brainstem Response Audiometry

A weakness of auditory brainstem response (ABR) audiometry is the highly subjective manner in which the tracings are scored. This article describes a computerized scoring technique which was devised to reduce the subjective decision making in ABR test analysis. This correlation technique assumes only that the ABR, whatever its latency or waveform, will be highly consistent when the same stimulus conditions are repeated. This consistency should result in high correlations when two suprathreshold tracings are compared. In contrast, low correlations should occur when one of the tracings is a control containing no ABR. The extent of differences between correlations is used as the response criterion.
Extracellular matrix remodeling in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It is the ‘bed’ that counts and not ‘the sleepers’

ABSTRACT Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive interstitial lung disease characterized by irreversible fibrosis. Current disease pathogenesis assumes an aberrant wound healing process in response to repetitive injurious stimuli leading to apoptosis of epithelial cells, activation of fibroblasts and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Particularly, lung ECM is a highly dynamic structure that lies at the core of several physiological and developmental pathways. The scope of this review article is to summarize current knowledge on the role of ECM in the pathogenesis of IPF, unravel novel mechanistic data and identify future more effective therapeutic targets. Areas covered: The exact mechanisms through which lung microenvironment activates fibroblasts and inflammatory cells, regulates profibrotic signaling cascades through growth factors, integrins and degradation enzymes ultimately leading to excessive matrix deposition are discussed. Furthermore, the potential therapeutic usefulness of specific inhibitors of matrix deposition or activators of matrix degradation pathways are also presented. Expert commentary: With a gradually increasing worldwide incidence IPF still present a major challenge in clinical research due to its unknown etiopathogenesis and current ineffective treatment approaches. Today, there is an amenable need for more effective therapeutic targets and ECM components may represent one.
A Projected Algebraic Multigrid Method for Linear Complementarity Problems

We present an algebraic version of an iterative multigrid method for obstacle problems, called projected algebraic multigrid (PAMG) here. We show that classical AMG algorithms can easily be extended to deal with this kind of problem. This paves the way for efficient multigrid solution of obstacle problems with partial differential equations arising, for example, in financial engineering.
SEXUAL CONFLICT OVER FLORAL RECEPTIVITY

Abstract In flowering plants, the onset and duration of female receptivity vary among species. In several species the receptive structures wilt upon pollination. Here we explore the hypothesis that postpollination wilting may be influenced by pollen and serve as a general means to secure paternity of the pollen donor at the expense of female fitness. Taking a game-theoretical approach, we examine the potential for the evolution of a pollen-borne wilting substance, and for the coevolution of a defense strategy by the recipient plant. The model without defense predicts an evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) for the production of wilting substance. The ESS value is highest when pollinator visiting rates are intermediate and when the probability that pollen from several donors arrives at the same time is low. This finding has general implications in that it shows that male traits to secure paternity also can evolve in species, such as plants, where mating is not strictly sequential. We further model coevolution of the wilting substance with the timing of stigma receptivity. We assume that pollen-receiving plants can reduce the costs induced by toxic pollen by delaying the onset of stigmatic receptivity. The model predicts a joint ESS, but no female counter-adaptation when the wilting substance is highly toxic. This indicates that toxicity affects the probability that a male manipulative trait stays beneficial (i.e., not countered by female defense) over evolutionary time. We discuss parallels to male induced changes in female receptivity known to occur in animals and the role of harm for the evolution of male manipulative adaptations.
Throughput Optimizing for Power-Splitting Based Relaying in Wireless-Powered Cooperative Networks

To realize an efficient utilization of harvested energy and improve throughput with the help of a battery, a harvest-use-store power splitting (PS) relaying strategy with distributed beamforming is proposed for the wireless-powered multi-relay scenario in this paper. To this end, harvested energy via PS can be accumulated and stored for future usage, which affects throughput at subsequent time slots due to the battery operations including the charging and discharging. As a result, PS and battery operations are coupled with distributed beamforming, such that the throughput optimization problem is intractable looking. To address the intractability of the optimization, a layered optimization method with an ideal non-causal channel state information (CSI) assumption is proposed. As a result, the optimal joint PS and battery operation design in the proposed strategy is derived in a decoupled manner. Simulation results confirm the accuracy of the proposed method, and revealed that the proposed strategy has significant performance gains over the conventional designs.
Crosstalk variations caused by uncertainties in three-conductor transmission lines

The crosstalk is a very important aspect of cable EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) performance evaluation. As uncertainties are introduced during cable fabrication and installation process, deterministic prediction methods are not suitable for a good estimation of the cable performance. This paper is focused on predicting the crosstalk of cable bundles by considering the uncertainties introduced in three-conductor transmission lines. How the uncertainties of different parameters in three-conductor transmission lines might affect the crosstalk and its variations are investigated and a better understanding on how to avoid high crosstalk in applications is obtained and presented.
Implementation and Stability Study of Dynamic Droop in Islanded Microgrids

This paper presents a dynamic droop load sharing scheme based on the available generation capacity of the distributed generation (DG) units. Since conventional droop schemes share loads proportional to units' ratings, they suffer from the inability to maintain an efficient operating point when their input renewable power varies, without imposing their new operating point on other connected DGs in the microgrid. This problem is mainly due to the insensitivity of the droop scheme to the varying nature of the renewable resources used, including wind and solar photovoltaic (PV). A control method is proposed for PV systems; however, it is applicable for all types of droop-controlled renewable DG. A stability analysis of the proposed scheme on DG units is also presented to identify theoretical and practical limits. The proposed scheme identifies the dc operating zone of the inverter-based source as irradiance level changes and conditions the droop parameters appropriately for an efficient load sharing based on available generation, while the rating of each unit is also taken into account. The proposed scheme provides energy saving, since energy demand from a local auxiliary generator is reduced. The proposed method is validated using MATLAB/SIMULINK simulations.