Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A controlled trial of high-dose intravenous immune globulin infusions as treatment for dermatomyositis.

BACKGROUND Dermatomyositis is a clinically distinct myopathy characterized by rash and a complement-mediated microangiopathy that results in the destruction of muscle fibers. In some patients the condition becomes resistant to therapy and causes severe physical disabilities. METHODS We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 15 patients (age, 18 to 55 years) with biopsy-proved, treatment-resistant dermatomyositis. The patients continued to receive prednisone (mean daily dose, 25 mg) and were randomly assigned to receive one infusion of immune globulin (2 g per kilogram of body weight) or placebo per month for three months, with the option of crossing over to the alternative therapy for three more months. Clinical response was gauged by assessing muscle strength, neuromuscular symptoms, and changes in the rash. Changes in immune-mediated muscle abnormalities were determined by repeated muscle biopsies. RESULTS The eight patients assigned to immune globulin had a significant improvement in sores of muscle strength (P < 0.018) and neuromuscular symptoms (P < 0.035), whereas the seven patients assigned to placebo did not. With crossovers a total of 12 patients received immune globulin. Of these, nine with severe disabilities had a major improvement to nearly normal function. Their mean muscle-strength scores increased from 74.5 to 84.7, and their neuromuscular symptoms improved. Two of the other three patients had mild improvement, and one had no change in his condition. Of 11 placebo-treated patients, none had a major improvement, 3 had mild improvement, 3 had no change in their condition, and 5 had worsening of their condition. Repeated biopsies in five patients of muscles whose strength improved to almost normal showed an increase in muscle-fiber diameter (P < 0.04), an increase in the number and a decrease in the diameter of capillaries (P < 0.01), resolution of complement deposits on capillaries, and a reduction in the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and major-histocompatibility-complex class I antigens. CONCLUSIONS High-dose intravenous immune globulin is a safe and effective treatment for refractory dermatomyositis.
Scaling properties of statistical end-to-end bounds in the network calculus

The stochastic network calculus is an evolving new methodology for backlog and delay analysis of networks that can account for statistical multiplexing gain. This paper advances the stochastic network calculus by deriving a network service curve, which expresses the service given to a flow by the network as a whole in terms of a probabilistic bound. The presented network service curve permits the calculation of statistical end-to-end delay and backlog bounds for broad classes of arrival and service distributions. The benefits of the derived service curve are illustrated for the exponentially bounded burstiness (EBB) traffic model. It is shown that end-to-end performance measures computed with a network service curve are bounded by /spl Oscr/(H log H), where H is the number of nodes traversed by a flow. Using currently available techniques, which compute end-to-end bounds by adding single node results, the corresponding performance measures are bounded by /spl Oscr/(H/sup 3/).
Practical results of EM cartography on a FPGA-based RSA hardware implementation

Side channel attack is a powerful technique to extracting secret key from cryptographic applications of embedded systems. Best results are obtained by placing a small electromagnetic probe just over areas of an integrated circuit which are leaking the most information. To find such locations, some cartography methods have been proposed in the past, but never used against asymmetric-key cryptosystems. In this paper, we target such cryptosystem, more precisely a FPGA-based RSA hardware implementation. We show that these methods are effective to locate the RSA cryptoprocessor.
Conditional Ablation of Orexin/Hypocretin Neurons: A New Mouse Model for the Study of Narcolepsy and Orexin System Function

The sleep disorder narcolepsy results from loss of hypothalamic orexin/hypocretin neurons. Although narcolepsy onset is usually postpubertal, current mouse models involve loss of either orexin peptides or orexin neurons from birth. To create a model of orexin/hypocretin deficiency with closer fidelity to human narcolepsy, diphtheria toxin A (DTA) was expressed in orexin neurons under control of the Tet-off system. Upon doxycycline removal from the diet of postpubertal orexin-tTA;TetO DTA mice, orexin neurodegeneration was rapid, with 80% cell loss within 7 d, and resulted in disrupted sleep architecture. Cataplexy, the pathognomic symptom of narcolepsy, occurred by 14 d when ∼5% of the orexin neurons remained. Cataplexy frequency increased for at least 11 weeks after doxycycline. Temporary doxycycline removal followed by reintroduction after several days enabled partial lesion of orexin neurons. DTA-induced orexin neurodegeneration caused a body weight increase without a change in food consumption, mimicking metabolic aspects of human narcolepsy. Because the orexin/hypocretin system has been implicated in the control of metabolism and addiction as well as sleep/wake regulation, orexin-tTA; TetO DTA mice are a novel model in which to study these functions, for pharmacological studies of cataplexy, and to study network reorganization as orexin input is lost.
Development of Manufacturing Control and Data Acquisition System for Micro Electrochemical Milling Process

In order to realize real-time control and detection of the three-dimensional micro electrochemical milling pro- cess, a data acquisition and control system is established based on virtual instrument software Labwindows/CVI. The three-dimensional tool path optimization, tool path servo feed algorithm and the data acquisition and anti-jamming algo- rithm are investigated. First, according to the characteristics of micro electrochemical milling process, this paper analyses the requirements of the control and detection system in depth. After that, a high-precision experimental system for 3D mi- cro electrochemical milling is established. Then, the optimization of tool path and the data acquisition and its feedback control module are discussed as followed. Finally, experiments are carried out and a three-step staircase structure is fabri- cated successfully. It shows that the system can meet the requirements of electrochemical micro milling process.
Exploiting Cognitive Psychology Research for Recognizing Intention in Information Graphics

This paper outlines our approach to a novel application of plan inference, recognizing the intended message of an information graphic, focusing on how results from research by cognitive psychologists have been incorporated into the design of our system. Our work is part of a larger project to develop an interactive natural language system that provides an alternative means for individuals with sight-impairments to access the content of information graphics.
Modeling the Function Cache for Worst-Case Execution Time Analysis

Static worst-case execution time (WCET) analysis is done by modeling the hardware behavior. In this paper we describe a WCET analysis technique to analyze systems with function caches, a special kind of instruction cache that caches whole functions only. This cache was designed with the aim to be more predictable for the worst-case than existing instruction caches. Within this paper we developed a cache analysis technique for the function cache. One of the new concepts of this analysis technique is the local persistence analysis, which allows to precisely model the function cache.
Kinetics of cell lysis, dye uptake and permeability changes in cells expressing the rat P2X7 receptor

1 Extracellular ATP acting on P2X7 receptors opens a channel permeable to small cations, creates an access pathway for the entry of larger molecular weight dyes, and causes cell death. We used whole‐cell recording and fluorescence microscopy to measure the time courses of ionic currents, uptake of the propidium dye YO‐PRO‐1, and membrane disruption, in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells expressing the rat P2X7 receptor. 2 The ATP analogue 2′,3′‐O‐(benzoyl‐4‐benzoyl)‐ATP (30 μm) induced membrane blebbing within 30‐40 s of sustained application; this was 5‐10 times slower when extracellular sodium was replaced by larger cations. 3 Fluorescence of YO‐PRO‐1 was detectable within 3 s, and the uptake reached a steady rate within 10‐20 s; YO‐PRO‐1 uptake was greatly enhanced by removing extracellular sodium. 4 Electrophysiological measurements of current reversal potentials with intracellular sodium and extracellular cations of different sizes showed that the ionic channel progressively dilated during 10‐20 s to a diameter greater than 1 nm (10 Å). With short agonist applications (3‐5 s) the pore dilatation and YO‐PRO‐1 uptake were reversible and repeatable. 5 Polyethylene glycols having molecular weights ≥ 5000 blocked the increase in cation permeability, YO‐PRO‐1 uptake and membrane blebbing. 6 We conclude that maximum P2X7 receptor activation causes an exponential dilatation of the ion channel with a time constant of 25 s to a final diameter of 3‐5 nm from an initial minimum pore diameter of 0.8 nm.
Parent-adolescent attachment and associations with adolescent identity development.

PARENT ADOLESCENT ATTACHMENT AND ASSOCIATIONS WITH ADOLESCENT IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT MAY 1996 JEAN YUN PAO, B.S., THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA M.S., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS Ph . D . , UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Sally I. Powers The relationship between attachment and identity was examined in a sample of 283 college students. The primary hypothesis was that the strength of the attachment bond is significantly positively correlated with the identity achieved style. Secondary questions addressed gender differences in attachment and identity as well as the role of reported memory of childhood attachment to current attachment and to identity development. Social and cultural factors including the role of adolescents' second generation status and of trauma in the attachment-identity association were also explored. Subjects were given questionnaires assessing current attachment and reported memory of childhood attachment to mother and father, identity styles, and difficult live events.
Towards a low cost Brain-computer Interface for real time control of a 2 DOF robotic arm

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) is a recently emerging technology which is advancing and developing at a fast pace. This interface provides a potential to establish a communication bridge that enables a person to send commands and messages to an automated system such as a robot or prosthesis, by means of his/her brain signals. A real time EEG based robotic arm movement control is an open area of research where signals extracted from the human brain are used for generation of controlling signals even for gaming, remote control/teleoperation and other applications. This paper introduces a simpler method of realization of robotic arm control in real time from Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals. The purpose of this study is to mimic the real simulation of a robotic arm being controlled from EEG signals. This can be helpful to develop an on-line robotic arm movement using EEG signals for assisting disabled persons with their every-day needs. Using EEG signals, robotic arm is simulated on the onset of movement in real time. Simple algorithms with less computational overhead are implemented for detecting movement related information of right arm using EEG signals. Preliminary results have been found encouraging for this technique to be used in real time scenarios.
ngio-Associated Migratory ell Protein and Smooth uscle Cell Migration in evelopment of Restenosis nd Atherosclerosis

Previously, Blindt et al. (1) analyzed differences in gene xpression pattern between the quiescent and the invasive MC phenotype in vitro. They identified 9 clusters of ifferentially regulated genes—the most important being luster 3 containing 17 of the 47 deregulated genes, among hem genes that are involved in cell communication, matrix rganization, and cell adhesion and migration. One of them as the angio-associated migratory cell protein (AAMP) ene. It was first identified as a member of the immunolobulin superfamily present in endothelial cells of all uman tissues and shown to mediate cell–cell and cell– ubstrate interactions (4). In this issue of the Journal, Vogt et al. (5) demonstrated n important functional role of AAMP for migration of MC in vitro and for the development of neointimal yperplasia in vivo. The AAMP overexpression resulted in ncreased migration, whereas antibodyor silencing ribonuleic acid (RNA)–mediated inhibition of AAMP decreased MC migration. Intraperitoneal administration of an anti-
Zinc levels in foods from southeastern Spain: relationship to daily dietary intake

The zinc content of 300 food and 79 beverage samples was determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Sample recoveries, repeatability, and analyses of NIST and CBR-CEC reference materials demonstrated the reliability and accuracy of this technique. Mean zinc concentrations varied from 0.02 μg/ml in fresh water to 71.0 μg/g (fresh weight) in pork liver. The daily dietary intake of zinc for inhabitants of southeastern Spain was estimated to be 10.1 mg (5.5, 4.0, 0.5, and 0.1 mg Zn/day per person from foods of animal and vegetable origin, drinks, and other foods, respectively). Zinc levels found in high protein foods (meat, fish, milk products, eggs, dry fruits, cereals and legumes) were significantly higher than those found in food with a low protein content (vegetables, fruits and drinks) (p < 0.001). A significant linear correlation between zinc levels and the corresponding protein content of cereals, legumes and dry fruits was found (r = 0.754, p < 0.005). Zinc concentrations in milk samples were significanlty modified by the thermal treatment (p < 0.001), and the skimming (p < 0.05) and calcium enrichment processes (p < 0.001). Shellfish zinc levels were also significantly higher than those measured in fish (p < 0.05). Mean zinc concentrations found in cheese were statistically higher than those determined in the remaining milk products (p < 0.001). Zinc levels measured in distilled beverages were also statistically lower than those found in fermented ones (p < 0.001).
Thrombospondin gene expression is associated with mitogenesis in 3T3 cells: Induction by basic fibroblast growth factor

Growth factor‐depleted Swiss 3T3 cells responded to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) with a burst of mitogenesis and with a rapid and marked increase in thrombospondin (TS) mRNA levels. mRNA levels for the α1 chain of type I collagen and for fibronectin were unaffected. At early times following stimulation (0–2 h), “superinduction” of TS mRNA by inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide was not observed and the increase in TS mRNA could be attributed primarily to an increase in transcription rate of the TS gene. However, at later times (4–8 h) the combination of cycloheximide and bFGF superinduced TS mRNA levels, suggesting the existence of a labile inhibitor of transcription or a short‐lived RNase that might be produced in response to prolonged treatment with bFGF. In contrast to its stimulatory effect on 3T3 cells, bFGF did not stimulate the proliferation of mouse muscle BC3H1 cells nor did it cause an increase in TS mRNA levels, but BC3H1 cells do respond to bFGF by inhibition of myogenic differentiation. We propose, on the basis of these and other findings, that TS facilitates the progression of some anchorage‐dependent cells through the cell cycle.
Pharmacological properties and H+ sensitivity of excitatory amino acid receptor channels in rat cerebellar granule neurones.

1. N‐Methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA), alpha‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionate (AMPA), and kainate receptor channels have been examined in rat cerebellar granule neurones with whole‐cell and single‐channel patch‐clamp methods. The whole‐cell peak and steady‐state aspartate and NMDA currents were reversibly inhibited by extracellular protons; the IC50 (concentration producing half‐maximal inhibition) for the full H+ inhibition curve for NMDA receptors corresponded to pH 7.3, near to physiological pH. (S)‐AMPA and kainate whole‐cell currents were inhibited by protons with IC50 values that corresponded to pH 6.3 and 5.7, respectively; these receptors were, however, insensitive to H+ concentrations that inhibited NMDA receptor responses. 2. Proton inhibition of the NMDA, AMPA and kainate receptor‐mediated responses was voltage insensitive, and did not involve a shift in reversal potential. 3. The EC50 (concentration producing half‐maximal effect) for aspartate calculated from the whole‐cell dose‐response curve was similar at pH 6.8 and 7.6 (mean 11.2 microM). Although the EC50 for glycine potentiation of the aspartate response was marginally increased from 273 nM at pH 7.6 to 373 nM at pH 6.8, H+ inhibition was not overcome by up to 1 mM‐external glycine. Inhibiting concentrations of H+ appropriate for AMPA and kainate receptors did not markedly alter the EC50 values determined for (S)‐AMPA (3.4 microM) and kainate (114 microM) at pH 7.2. 4. Treatment of neurones with N‐ethylmaleimide, iodoacetic acid, dithiothretiol or diethyl pyrocarbonate did not influence proton inhibition of NMDA receptor responses. However, treatment with diethyl pyrocarbonate, which potentiated aspartate responses, appeared to reduce the effectiveness of Zn2+ inhibition of NMDA receptors. 5. Desensitization of whole‐cell NMDA and (S)‐AMPA currents was studied with ionophoretic application of agonist to the cell soma. Whole‐cell aspartate currents desensitized rapidly, irrespective of the glycine concentration. Increased H+ concentrations did not detectably alter the ratio of peak/steady‐state current, or the time constants describing the onset of, or recovery from, desensitization. The time constant describing desensitization of (S)‐AMPA‐induced whole‐cell currents also appeared unchanged by inhibiting pH (6.2). 6. The amplitudes of aspartate‐ or NMDA‐activated single‐channel multiple conductance levels were unchanged by decreasing the pH to 6.8. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
TGV-based flow estimation for 4D leukocyte transmigration

The aim of this paper is to track transmigrating leukocytes via TGV flow estimation. Recent results have shown the advantages of the nonlinear and higher order terms of TGV regularizers, especially in static models for denoising and medical reconstruction. We present TGV-based models for flow estimation with the goal to get an exact recovery of simple intracellular and extracellular flows, as well as its implication on realistic tracking situations for transmigration through barriers. To study and quantify different pathways of transmigrating leukocytes, we use large scale 4D fluorescence live microscopy data in vivo.
Nonlinear Model Predictive Control for Thermal Management in Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

A nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) for the thermal management (TM) of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) is presented. TM in PHEVs is crucial to ensure high components’ performance and durability in all possible climate scenarios. A drawback of accurate TM solutions is the higher electrical consumption due to the increasing number of low-voltage actuators used in the cooling circuits. Hence, more complex control strategies are needed for minimizing components’ thermal stress and, at the same time, electrical consumption. In this context, NMPC proves to be a powerful method for achieving multiple objectives in multiple input multiple output systems. This paper proposes an NMPC for the TM of the high-voltage battery and the power electronics cooling circuit in a PHEV. It distinguishes itself from the previously NMPC reported methods in the automotive sector by the complexity of its controlled plant, which is highly nonlinear and controlled by numerous variables. The implemented model of the plant, which is based on experimental data and multidomain physical equations, has been validated using six different driving cycles logged in a real vehicle, obtaining a maximum error, in comparison with the real temperatures of 2 $^\circ$C. For one of the six cycles, an NMPC software-in-the loop (SIL) is presented, where the models inside the controller and for the controlled plant are the same. This simulation is compared with the finite-state machine-based strategy performed in the real vehicle. The results show that NMPC keeps the battery at healthier temperatures and reduces the cooling electrical consumption by more than 5%. In terms of the objective function, which is an accumulated and weighted sum of the two goals, this improvement amounts to 30%. Finally, the online SIL presented in this paper suggests that the used optimizer is fast enough for a future implementation in the vehicle.
Psychiatric disorders among survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing.

CONTEXT Disasters expose unselected populations to traumatic events and can be used to study the mental health effects. The Oklahoma City, Okla, bombing is particularly significant for the study of mental health sequelae of trauma because its extreme magnitude and scope have been predicted to render profound psychiatric effects on survivors. OBJECTIVE To measure the psychiatric impact of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on survivors of the direct blast, specifically examining rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), diagnostic comorbidity, functional impairment, and predictors of postdisaster psychopathology. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Of 255 eligible adult survivors selected from a confidential registry, 182 (71%) were assessed systematically by interviews approximately 6 months after the disaster, between August and December 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Diagnosis of 8 psychiatric disorders, demographic data, level of functioning, treatment, exposure to the event, involvement of family and friends, and physical injuries, as ascertained by the Diagnostic Interview Schedule/Disaster Supplement. RESULTS Forty-five percent of the subjects had a postdisaster psychiatric disorder and 34.3% had PTSD. Predictors included disaster exposure, female sex (for any postdisaster diagnosis, 55% vs 34% for men; chi2 = 8.27; P=.004), and predisaster psychiatric disorder (for PTSD, 45% vs 26% for those without predisaster disorder; chi2 = 6.86; P=.009). Onset of PTSD was swift, with 76% reporting same-day onset. The relatively uncommon avoidance and numbing symptoms virtually dictated the diagnosis of PTSD (94% meeting avoidance and numbing criteria had full PTSD diagnosis) and were further associated with psychiatric comorbidity, functional impairment, and treatment received. Intrusive reexperience and hyperarousal symptoms were nearly universal, but by themselves were generally unassociated with other psychopathology or impairment in functioning. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that a focus on avoidance and numbing symptoms could have provided an effective screening procedure for PTSD and could have identified most psychiatric cases early in the acute postdisaster period. Psychiatric comorbidity further identified those with functional disability and treatment need. The nearly universal yet distressing intrusive reexperience and hyperarousal symptoms in the majority of nonpsychiatrically ill persons may be addressed by nonmedical interventions of reassurance and support.