Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
7246 Initial experience with BOLD imaging of the kidneys at 7 T

MOTIVATION Functional renal imaging is an area of growing interest [1]. BOLD imaging of the kidneys is one of the functional techniques explored. This technique has the potential to study changes in blood flow and oxygenation in the hypoxic renal medulla. Depending on the amount of hypoxia in the medulla, the BOLD contrast between renal cortex and medulla changes. This change in contrast can be interpreted as a marker for medullar functioning. Since the BOLD contrast increases with field strength there is a trend towards 3T for BOLD imaging of the kidneys. Here we take it a step further, by exploring the BOLD contrast in healthy kidneys as observed at high field strength (here 7T). METHODS Data in four subjects was acquired with a Philips 7T MR scanner using an 8 channel fractional dipole antenna for transmit and receive [2]. To avoid dark bands over the kidneys due to RF interference, RF shimming was performed (Fig. A) using an inhouse developed matlab tool. BOLD imaging was done with a multi-slice multi-echo gradient echo sequence with the following parameters: 3 coronal slices, slice thickness 5 mm, slice gap 7 mm, in-plane resolution 1.5x1. 5 mm, 20 echoes, first TE=4.93ms (i.e. water and fat in-phase), echo spacing 4.93ms, TR=102ms. Total imaging time was 47s divided over 3 breath holds (one for each slice) of 16s. Data analysis was done with an in-house developed matlab tool. R2* maps were calculated by fitting a mono-exponential to the data. Left and right kidneys were manually segmented in each slice. R2* data was analysed using the compartmental method proposed by Ebrahimi et al.[3]. The histogram of the R2* map was calculated and fitted to a Gaussian function (cortex) and a gamma function (medulla) RESULTS & DISCUSSION Fig. B shows the first 8 echoes for one of the subjects. Results of the histogram fitting are presented in table A. An example of the histogram fitting is shown in Fig. C. Typical R2* values for cortex and medulla at 1.5T and 3T are added to the table. CONCLUSION Using a fractionated dipole array in combination with RF shimming allows straight forward BOLD imaging of the kidneys at 7T. REFERENCES [1] Chandarana and Lee, Genitourinary Imaging 192:1550-1557 (2009), [2] Raaijmakers et al., ISMRM 2013, [3] Ebrahimi et al., Invest. Radiol. 47:175-182 (2012). Fig A: Effect of RF shimming on a coronal scout image. Prior to shimming (left) a dark band is vissible over the left kidney. Post shimming (right) this band is moved to the center of the image
Autoantibodies From Single Circulating Plasmablasts React With Citrullinated Antigens and Porphyromonas gingivalis in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Anti–citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) are highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the molecular basis for ACPA production is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine if circulating plasmablasts from RA patients produce ACPAs and whether Porphyromonas gingivalis facilitates the generation of ACPAs.
Beratung von Patienten zur Symptomlinderung bei Nebenwirkungen von Chemotherapie

Seit zehn Jahren gibt es Expertenstandards fur die Pflegepraxis. Sie wurden vom Deutschen Netzwerk fur Qualitatsentwicklung in der Pflege (DNQP) entwickelt und sollen eine »evidenzbasierte« Berufspraxis fordern, Innovationen in Gang setzen sowie berufliche Aufgaben und Verantwortungen definieren. Die Expertenstandards Schmerzmanagement in der Pflege, Schmerzmanagement bei chronisch-nichtmalignen Schmerzen, Pflege von Menschen mit chronischen Wunden, Ernahrungsmanagement zur Sicherstellung und Forderung der oralen Ernahrung in der Pflege beschreiben die Linderung von Symptomen wie Schmerzen, Hautveranderungen, Ubelkeit, die oft als Nebenwirkung einer Chemotherapie auftreten.
Efficient and Non-Interactive Hierarchical Key Agreement in WSNs

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have many applications, vary in size, and are deployed in a wide variety of areas. They are often deployed in potentially adverse or even hostile environment so that there are concerns on security issues in these WSNs. Sensor nodes used are resource-constrained, which make security applications a challenging problem. Key agreement is a fundamental security service in WSNs; it enables sensor nodes to communicate securely with each other using cryptographic techniques. However, due to the resource constraints on sensor nodes, it is infeasible to use traditional key management techniques such as public key cryptography and key distribution center. Recently, Guo et al. proposed an efficient and non-interactive hierarchical key agreement protocol applicable to mobile ad-hoc networks, which has good properties including non-interactive, hierarchical, resilient, etc. The purpose of this paper is to propose a non-interactive hierarchical key agreement protocol over the hierarchical WSNs, which is a revision of Guo et al.’s protocol for the WSNs due to their protocol’s good properties. Our revision inherit advantages from Guo et al.’s protocol and well suited to the hierarchical WSNs.
Molecular Analysis of Mutations in Shuttle Vectors and Transgenic Animals

Research focusing on the pathways by which chemicals induce mutagenic changes and neoplastic transformation has been an area of intense study for the past 40 years (Miller and Miller, 1978). Overwhelming evidence indicates that mutations can result from replication errors induced by the products formed from the reaction between nucleophilic centers in DNA and the ultimately genotoxic species (Miller, 1981). The mechanisms governing the mutagenic processing of DNA adducts within prokaryotic cells are relatively well understood (Miller, 1983). For example, genetic analysis using the lacl gene of Escherichia coli (Miller, 1983) or similar systems (LeClerc et al., 1984;Wood et al., 1984;Koffel-Schwartz et al., 1984)has revealed that individual chemicals or types of radiation produce distinctive mutational spectra. Examination of the mutational fingerprint left behind after the processing of a damaged gene has helped workers identify the putative DNA lesions responsible for the genetic changes observed in bacterial systems. Furthermore, the evaluation of mutational spectra generated in E. coli strains that are altered in DNA replication or repair functions has defined the precise genetic requirements for mutagenesis induced by these agents. The premise is tempting to accept the validity of extrapolation of data on the mutational spectra of DNA damaging agents in bacteria to more complex systems, such as humans, that are less amenable to facile genetic analysis. However, risks exist in accepting this line of reasoning too readily, because comparatively little is known about how mammalian cells cope with DNA damage. Hence, a number of workers have focused their efforts on the development of systems to establish
Allozyme and mitochondrial DNA variability within the New Zealand damselfly genera Xanthocnemis, Austrolestes, and Ischnura (Odonata)

Abstract We collected larval damselflies from 17 sites in the North, South and Chatham Islands, and tested the hypotheses that: (1) genetic markers (e.g., allozymes, mtDNA) would successfully discriminate taxa; and (2) the dispersal capabilities of adult damselflies would limit differentiation among locations. Four species from three genera were identified based on available taxonomic keys. Using 11 allozyme loci and the mitochondrial cytochrome c‐oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, we confirmed that all taxa were clearly discernible. We found evidence for low to moderate differentiation among locations based on allozyme (meani F ST = 0.09) and sequence (COI) divergence (<0.034). No obvious patterns with respect to geographic location were detected, although slight differences were found between New Zealand's main islands (North Island, South Island) and the Chatham Islands for A. colensonis (sequence divergence 0.030–0.034). We also found limited intraspecific genetic variability based on allozyme data (Hexp < 0.06 in all cases). We conclude that levels of gene flow/dispersal on the main islands may have been sufficient to maintain the observed homogeneous population structure, and that genetic techniques, particularly the COI gene locus, will be a useful aid in future identifications.
On the origin of paramagnetic inhomogeneity effects in whole blood

Asymmetric 7 T proton NMR signals of water in RBC suspensions containing intracellular deoxyhemoglobin are composites of chemically shifted extracellular and intracellular resonances broadened by gradient diffusion and modulated by transmembrane water exchange. This allows assessment of field dependences of acute hematoma intensities in proton MRIs at lower field strengths ( <1.5 T). © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.
DEVELOPMENT IN HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY

Development of new materials based on cement binder, and improvement of properties of existing materials have made great advances over the last few decades. All this can be achieved only if development of concrete microstructure, concrete technology and concrete performance are closely related. The modern, innovative types of concrete are expected to have outstanding durability properties, should be environmentally friendly, costeffective, and readily used in construction. High performance concrete (HPC) has been a promising material for many decades. Development of new high performance concrete types has a great success within the last few years. One type of such innovative concrete types are ultra high performance concrete types (UHPC), the development of and researches on which started late in the 20th century. UHPC exhibit a very high compressive (even above 200 MPa) and flexural strengths and possess outstanding properties such as high durability etc. Beside that, high performance concretes with the strength range between 100 and 200 MPa are already integrating because of their lower price related to UHPC. This paper deals with the development of new high performance concrete types. The experimental results of testing mechanical and durability properties of different high performance concrete types (ordinary HPC, ultra high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), high performance fibre reinforced self compacting concrete (HPFRSCC), and high performance sprayed concrete (HPSC)) are presented. Advantage and disadvantage of these concrete types are critically commented with the aim to find the optimum practical application of different high performance concrete types.
Structural Change and the Growth of Industrial Sectors: Empirical Test of a Gpt Model

This paper investigates the empirical relevance of a model of structural change and the growth of industrial sectors. The model analyses the process of diffusion of general-purpose technologies (GPTs) and how this affects the dynamic performance of manufacturing and service industries. The empirical analysis studies the dynamics and the determinants of labour productivity growth for a large number of sectors in 18 OECD countries over the period 1970-2005. The results of dynamic panel data and cross-sectional analysis provide support for the empirical validity of the model. Industries that are close to the core of ICT-related GPTs are characterized by greater innovative capabilities and have recently experienced a more dynamic performance. Relatedly, countries that have been able to shift their industrial structure towards these high-opportunity manufacturing and service industries have grown more rapidly.
Confidence intervals for a population proportion using group testing in the presence of misclassification

ABSTRACT In this study, we consider the construction of the confidence interval for the population proportion while using group testing with misclassification. We propose two confidence intervals based on Cornish-Fisher expansion and a modified Wilson’s interval based on a newly developed estimator. We investigate the performance of these intervals extensively and also apply the methods to real datasets. Our newly derived methods have competitive performance compared with existing methods.
Studies of in vitro activation and differentiation of human B lymphocytes. I. Phenotypic and functional characterization of the B cell population responding to anti-Ig antibody.

Investigation of the activation of splenic B cells by anti-immunoglobulin (Ig) antibody has enabled us to characterize the anti-Ig-responsive B cell and to analyze the phenotypic changes which accompany proliferation and differentiation. The anti-Ig antibody-responsive B cell population was characterized by the expression of high levels of the B2 antigen and represented approximately 40% of splenic B cells. Brisk mitogenesis which peaked at 3 to 4 days was induced by anti-Ig antibody. The proliferative phase was characterized phenotypically by a dramatic decline in B2 antigen expression, with most cells showing no detectable B2 by 4 days post-activation. The other hallmark of this phase was de novo expression of a group of "activation antigens. " These included the B cell-restricted antigens B-LAST 1, BB1, and B5, and the T cell-associated interleukin 2 receptor and T12 antigens. Concomitantly, B1, B4, and Ia expression increased, the increase being roughly proportional to the increase in cell size. After day 4, the mitogenic response progressively diminished, while Ig synthesis increased. During this differentiation phase, cell surface antigens again displayed a distinct sequence of changes. The five activation antigens and the B1, B4, and Ia antigens began to decrease. However, two markers, T10 and PCA-1, which are found on plasmacytomas, appeared and their level of expression steadily increased. These changes and the appearance of morphologically identifiable plasma cells required the presence of T cells in this system. T cell supernatants alone induced Ig secretion but did not induce expression of PCA-1 or the appearance of cells with plasma cell morphology. The culture system developed in this study has allowed us to analyze the antigenic changes following activation by anti-Ig antibody. This sequence of changes has not only permitted the identification of antigens which, by their appearance at distinct stages may have an important role in proliferation and differentiation of B cells, but also provides us with the means of studying the function of each antigen.
Understanding IS Projects Evaluation in Practice through an ANT Inquiry

In this paper we propose a radical departure from the dominant conceptions in IS evaluation literature by adopting Actor-network Theory (ANT) to provide a better understanding of the development and evaluation of IS proposals in practice and examine the ways in which the evaluation process shapes and ensures the selection of the best IS projects. By drawing on a field study of the IS evaluation processes in a company with a history of IS successes, we reveal the relational nature of IS project proposals and the ways they are constitutively entangled with business processes and practices. Our ANT account demonstrates a) that the view of pre-investment IS evaluation in the literature is very narrow, b) that the practice of IS evaluation produces the ‘object’ it evaluates, c) that this object, that is the IS project proposal document, is a focal actor (an inscription device) produced by relations in the actor-network emerging around it, and d) that reconfiguration of these relations involving the translation of actors’ expertise, experiences and interests into the IS proposal documents are critical for the evaluation of IS project proposals and their chances of success.
Improved Bluetooth network formation (IBNF)

Bluetooth ad hoc networks are formed by interconnecting Bluetooth enabled devices into piconets, and by interconnecting piconets into a scatternet. The existing protocols for scatternet formation expect all devices to be within transmission range of each other and there are no provisions yet for dynamic network reconfiguration in the process of devices joining or leaving the scatternet. We present a new distributed scatternet formation protocol designed to work in situations where all the devices are not necessarily within transmission range of each other. The protocol is a fault tolerant, semi proactive, randomized distributed protocol that adapts to the network topology and maintains connectivity within the scatternet, even under highly dynamic conditions without much reconfiguration.
Systemic lidocaine in surgical procedures: effects beyond sodium channel blockade

Purpose of review This review presents current data on the systemic administration of lidocaine. The focus is on studies in the perioperative setting. In addition, there is a brief look at experimental data on the effect of lidocaine at the molecular level. Recent findings Several recent randomized prospective studies have reported lower postoperative pain values and less opioid administration in lidocaine groups in comparison with control groups receiving NaCl. However, there are conflicting data particularly in relation to patients undergoing nonabdominal surgery and on effects on postoperative resumption of bowel motility and hospital discharge times. Unfortunately, hardly any studies have investigated the effects of systemic lidocaine in comparison with epidural anesthesia. At the molecular level, a number of receptors and signal transduction cascades have been identified. Summary Positive effects on postoperative pain, as well as on bowel motility and hospital discharge time, have regularly been observed. However, contradictory findings have also been published. As almost all of the studies only include very small patient numbers, large multicenter investigations are needed.
Reexamination of quantum data compression and relative entropy

Schumacher and Westmoreland [Phys. Rev. A 64, 42304 (2001)] have established a quantum analog of a well-known classical information theory result on a role of relative entropy as a measure of nonoptimality in (classical) data compression. In this paper, we provide an alternative simple and constructive proof of this result by constructing quantum compression codes (schemes) from classical data compression codes. Moreover, as the quantum data compression or coding task can be effectively reduced to a (quasi)classical one, we show that relevant results from classical information theory and data compression become applicable and therefore can be extended to the quantum domain.
Observations From a Musician With Hearing Loss

Extensive personal experience with professional recording and audio signal processing technology has enabled the author to continue his music career after experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The iPhone™ is one such device that has been found useful for many music and general listening situations that would otherwise be intractable. Additional techniques and technologies are described that the author has found useful for specific situations, including music composition, rehearsal, and enjoyment.
Pedestrian Airbag Technology – A Production System

Pedestrians in conflict with passenger cars represent an important portion of all road user fatalities. This paper presents the world-first pedestrian airbag technology offered in a production vehicle, being one way of addressing pedestrian protection, focusing on trying to help further cushion the impact for a pedestrian and also enable a sleek styling of the vehicle in question. A description of the technology is provided as well as examples of tests for evaluating technical performance, head impact characteristics and overall technology performance. Sensors in the bumper provide input to the pedestrian airbag control unit that determines if the system should be activated. The hood hinges are released and the pedestrian airbag deploys helping both to elevate the hood itself as well as helping to cushion a potential impact. The lift height is controlled and limited. Numerous tests of the components and the system performed in various situations, including different weather conditions, verified the technical performance and validated the complete chain of events from detection of a pedestrian leg to the final state of deployment. Using head impactor tests, the head impact protection capabilities showed overall good performance. Impact towards the pedestrian airbag reduces the acceleration level as compared to without the airbag. Overall performance of the complete technology, including head impact timing, airbag coverage and overall occupant kinematics was verified using a pedestrian prototype crash test dummy and four different pedestrian finite element (FE) human models. The pedestrian airbag technology as being one possible solution to cushion an impact helps to protect pedestrians in certain situations when struck by the vehicles front end with a consequent impact to the hood and the area around the windscreen wiper recess and A-pillar.
Robust obstacle avoidance in unknown and cramped environments

This paper presents a novel local obstacle avoidance module. The main idea of the steer angle field approach is to discard all steer angles that, given the nonholonomic kinematics of the robot, would lead to collisions within a certain hit distance. The approach has been implemented and tested over a period of one year on our mobile robot. Results have shown that the robot is able to operate robustly in unknown, unprepared and cramped in-door environments for hours. <<ETX>>
Thermal management of electric machines

Electric machines have broadly been used in many industries including the transportation industry. With the evolving trend of electrification in transportation, electric machines with higher power density and higher efficiency are demanded and, thus, more stringent thermal management requirements are needed for electrified vehicle applications. This study comprehensively presents various important aspects of thermal management in electric machines with the main focus on transportation applications. Design considerations, challenges, and methods for enhanced thermal management are discussed. Fundamental thermal properties of common materials are presented and sources of losses in various parts of machines are explained. Furthermore, typical cooling techniques and thermal analysis approaches for electric machines are reviewed in detail. This study will serve as a reference guideline for machine designers, who are interested in thermal management, and for thermal researchers working on electric machines.
A case of malignant trichoepithelioma (matrical carcinoma) in a cat: pathomorphological and immunohistochemical findings.

Malignant trichoepithelioma (MTE) or matrical carcinoma is a neoplastic change of matrical and inner root sheet cells. It is generally described in dogs, with no sex predisposition. In this case, a glassy skin mass was taken from a 8-year-old, female mixed breed cat. Histopathologically, it was presented with the typical matrical cells islands, central keratinisation and necrosis, hyalinated collagens, ghost cells and trichohyaline granules. Masson’s trichrome stain differentiated epithelial cells from connective tissue in the subcutis. Immunohistochemistry (ABC immunperoxidase method) revealed the malignancy of matrical cells. The Ki67 marker was especially helpful to show the malignancy potential of cells. The Her2neu marker, one of epidermal growth factors, reacted to invasive cells located at the periphery of islands. Connexin 43 was usefull to show loss of connection in malignant cells. Due to the less frequent occurrence and unusual localisation of MTE, the described case aimed at revealing microscopical and immunohistochemical findings by using potential markers of MTE tumours in the skin of cats.