Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring and Mapping Cardiac Fiber and Laminar Architecture Using Diffusion Tensor MR Imaging

Abstract: The ventricular myocardium is known to exhibit a complex spatial organization, with fiber orientation varying as a function of transmural location. It is now well established that diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTMRI) may be used to measure this fiber orientation at high spatial resolution. Cardiac fibers are also known to be organized in sheets with surface orientation varying throughout the ventricles. This article reviews results on use of DTMRI for measuring ventricular fiber orientation, as well as presents new results providing strong evidence that the tertiary eigenvector of the diffusion tensor is aligned locally with the cardiac sheet surface normal. Considered together, these data indicate that DTMRI may be used to reconstruct both ventricular fiber and sheet organization. This article also presents the large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping (LDDMM) algorithm and shows that this algorithm may be used to bring ensembles of imaged and reconstructed hearts into correspondence (e.g., registration) so that variability of ventricular geometry, fiber, and sheet orientation may be quantified. Ventricular geometry and fiber structure is known to be remodeled in a range of disease processes; however, descriptions of this remodeling have remained subjective and qualitative. We anticipate that use of DTMRI for reconstruction of ventricular anatomy coupled with application of the LDDMM method for image volume registration will enable the detection and quantification of changes in cardiac anatomy that are characteristic of specific disease processes in the heart. Finally, we show that epicardial electrical mapping and DTMRI imaging may be performed in the same hearts. The anatomic data may then be used to simulate electrical conduction in a computational model of the very same heart that was mapped electrically. This facilitates direct comparison and testing of model versus experimental results and opens the door to quantitative measurement, modeling, and analysis of the ways in which remodeling of ventricular microanatomy influences electrical conduction in the heart.
Root or crown: a developmental choice orchestrated by the differential regulation of the epithelial stem cell niche in the tooth of two rodent species

The rodent incisor grows continuously throughout its lifetime. The epithelial stem cell niche is located at the apical end of the tooth and its progeny gives rise to the ameloblasts that form the hard enamel. Previously, mesenchymal FGF10 was shown to support the niche, in conjunction with epithelial Notch signaling. Here we show that in a different continuously growing tooth type, the molar of the sibling vole, a similar regulatory system is in place. Moreover, the identical expression pattern of Bmp4 compared to Fgf10 suggests that BMP4 could also be involved in the regulation of the epithelial stem cell niche. Notch and FGF10 signaling is mainly absent in the mouse molar, which stops growing and develops roots. The regulation of the epithelial stem cell niche seems to be flexible allowing for the existence of different tooth types, such as continuously growing teeth, and high and low crowned molars.
Immune response to levan. I. Kinetics and ontogeny of anti-levan and anti-inulin antibody response and of expression of cross-reactive idiotype.

The antibody response of normal adult, of young and of nu/nu BALB/c mice to bacterial levan was characterized in terms of its relative specificity for levan and for inulin and of the expression of a family of cross-reactive idiotypes (IdX) found on BALB/c myeloma proteins which bind inulin and levan. Normal adult BALB/c mice immunized with levan develop prompt antibody responses which can be detected by serum hemagglutinin assays or by enumeration of plaque-forming cells. These antibodies are specific for levan and many also bind inulin. In addition, the IdX is expressed on a substantial fraction of the anti-levan antibodies, particularly those that bind both inulin and levan. The response to levan is thymus independent in that nu/nu BALB/c mice and lethally irradiated BALB/c mice reconstituted only with bone marrow cells produce anti-levan antibodies. However, the response of nu/nu BALB/c mice to levan is unusual in that the titer of anti-inulin antibodies and of serum IdX is very low. When young mice (2 to 4 weeks of age) are immunized with levan they respond quite well, but their anti-levan antibodies also fail to bind inulin or to express the IdX. These results suggest that the unusual specificity of the response of nu/nu BALB/c mice may reflect the need for a functional thymus in the normal maturation of the thymus-independent lymphocytes which respond to levan with the secretion of antibodies that bind inulin and express the IdX. Finally, cells secreting antibodies specific for the IdX are regularly observed in the spleens of mice immunized with bacterial levan. This is consistent with regulation of the anti-levan response by autoanti-idiotype antibodies.
Interaction between GATA and the C/EBP Family of Transcription Factors Is Critical in GATA-Mediated Suppression of Adipocyte Differentiation

ABSTRACT We have previously demonstrated that GATA-2 and GATA-3 are expressed in adipocyte precursors and control the preadipocyte-to-adipocyte transition. Constitutive expression of both GATA-2 and GATA-3 suppressed adipocyte differentiation, partially through direct binding to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) promoter and suppression of its basal activity. In the present study, we demonstrate that both GATA-2 and GATA-3 form protein complexes with CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and C/EBPβ, members of a family of transcription factors that are integral to adipogenesis. We mapped this interaction to the basic leucine zipper domain of C/EBPα and a region adjacent to the carboxyl zinc finger of GATA-2. The interaction between GATA and C/EBP factors is critical for the ability of GATA to suppress adipocyte differentiation. Thus, these results show that in addition to its previously recognized function in suppressing PPARγ transcriptional activity, interaction of GATA factors with C/EBP is necessary for their ability to negatively regulate adipogenesis.
Enhanced mechanical properties of polyacrylonitrile/multiwall carbon nanotube composite fibers.

The use of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as a reinforcing phase in a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber matrix was investigated with the goal of producing a PAN-derived carbon/MWNT composite fiber with enhanced physical properties. MWNTs were dispersed in a PAN/DMAc (dimethylacetamide) solution and spun into composite fibers containing up to 5 wt. % MWNTs, with the use of a lab-scale dry-jet wet spinline. The spinning process resulted in alignment of the MWNTs parallel with the fiber axis. Three types of chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-derived, high-purity MWNTs were used: as produced, graphitized (heat treated to 2800 degrees C), and NaCN-treated (chemically treated to attach CN groups to the nanotube surface). Tensile tests were performed to measure yield stress/strain, initial modulus, break stress/strain, and energy to yield and energy to break. Significant mechanical property increases were recorded for the composite fibers compared with the control samples with no MWNT reinforcement: break strength +31%, initial modulus +36%, yield strength +46%, energy to yield +80%, and energy to break +83%.
RECURRENT SUBRETINAL HEMORRHAGE ASSOCIATED WITH RIVAROXABAN ANTICOAGULATION.

PURPOSE To report a case of spontaneous recurrent significant subretinal hemorrhage in a patient on rivaroxaban (Xarelto). METHODS A case report of a 63-year-old man on rivaroxaban with peripapillary choroidal neovascular membrane and macula involving subretinal hemorrhage. RESULTS Improvement in visual acuity from 20/200 to 20/30 and restoration of foveal contour after pneumatic displacement of hemorrhage with C3F8 gas and subsequent treatment with ranibizumab. CONCLUSION The authors report a case of recurrent subretinal hemorrhage associated with rivaroxaban use. Pneumatic displacement and subsequent treatment of choroidal neovascular membrane with intravitreal ranibizumab improved visual acuity.
Neuroprotective effect of Azadirachta indica standardized extract in partial sciatic nerve injury in rats: Evidence from anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic studies

Chronic neuropathic pain is a common and widely recognized pain syndrome for patients and difficult to manage for physicians. Azadirachta indica (AI) possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of AI standardized extract in an animal model of peripheral neuropathy induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL). PSNL was induced in male Wistar rats (180-200 g) with tight ligation of the nerve. Rats received treatment with either vehicle i.e. distilled water (PSNL control), Pyridoxine (100 mg/kg, p.o.) or AI (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) for 28 days. Various behavioral parameters, biochemical, molecular and histological parameters were evaluated. PSNL resulted in a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in allodynia, hyperalgesia, motor coordination and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) whereas chronic treatment with AI (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly attenuated (p < 0.05) these behavioral changes. Enhanced activity of oxidative-nitrosative stress, inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB) as well as mRNA expression of Bax, Caspase-3, and iNOs were significantly attenuated (p < 0.05) by AI treatment. It also significantly increased (p < 0.05) peripheral blood oxygen content and Bcl-2 mRNA expression. The flow cytometric analysis revealed that AI (200 and 400 mg/kg) treatment significantly attenuated neural apoptosis and reactive oxygen species levels. PSNL induced histological aberrations were also decreased by AI treatment. Azadirachta indica exerts its neuroprotection against PSNL induced neuropathic pain via inhibition of oxidative-nitrosative stress, the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis to improve MNCV (graphical abstract, Figure 1(Fig. 1)).
Oxidation of hypotaurine to taurine with photochemically generated singlet oxygen: the effect of azide.

Hypotaurine is oxidized to taurine by singlet oxygen (1O2) generated with methylene blue used as a photosensitizer. The oxidation rate increases in the presence of deuterium oxide as expected for the involvement of 1O2. Addition of the 1O2 quencher azide also produced an activating effect in contrast with the expected inhibition. Azidyl radicals produced by the oxidation of azide by the horseradish peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide system stimulate the oxidation of the added hypotaurine. It is concluded that azide competes with hypotaurine for 1O2 generating the azidyl radical which is a strong one-electron oxidant transfer of the radical to hypotaurine. The hypotaurine radical is then converted into taurine, possibly through the disulfone intermediate. Formation of the sulfonic hydroperoxide is the possible intermediate in the absence of azide. The finding that the azidyl radical efficiently oxidizes hypotaurine to its metabolic product taurine raises the expectation of hypotaurine being a valuable scavenger of endogenous and exogenous radicals.
Performance of OpenCL 1

OpenCL is a relatively new standard that supports computation on a variety of parallel architectures. The author was unable to find reliable information about performance of OpenCL programs on CPU’s in comparison to traditional parallel processing standards like OpenMP. This paper describes the results of an experiment that tries to answer the following question: “Which standard performs better on multi-core CPU: OpenMP or OpenCL? ”. The experiment involves analysis of the efficiency of a linear algebra algorithm implemented in OpenCL with different optimization methods and run on different hardware, and compared with the efficiency of the same algorithm implemented in OpenMP.
Expression and function of fruitless isoforms in Drosophila melanogaster

Das Paarungsverhalten mannlicher Fruchtfliegen der Art D. melanogaster ist angeboren und basiert damit auf, in der Entwicklung fixierten, neuronal Netzwerken. Der genetische Faktor, der sowohl ursachlich als auch instruktiv fur das mannliche Nervensystem und Verhalten ist, ist fruitless (fru). Bei FruM handelt es sich um einen potentiellen Transkriptionsfaktor der spezifisch in Mannchen in drei Spleisvarianten exprimiert wird. Diese Varianten FruMA, FruMB und FruMC unterscheiden sich deutlich in ihren Zink-Finger Domanen. Diese Zink-Finger machen ihre Bindungseigenschaften als Transkriptionsfaktor aus. Daraus ergibt sich die folgende Hypothese: Verschiedene FruM Varianten haben unterschiedliche Funktionen fur das Paarungsverhalten. Die Ursachen hierfur konnen sowohl in ihrem Expressionsmuster als auch in ihrer molekularen Funktionsweise liegen. Um diese Hypothese zu Untersuchen haben wir einerseits Mutanten erzeugt, die speziell die Zink-Finger Domanen der Isoformen betreffen und daruber hinaus Antikorper, die diese Domanen erkennen. Wir beobachten, dass sich die fruA, fruB und fruC Mutanten erheblich in ihrem Paarungsverhalten unterscheiden, sowohl quantitativ als auch qualitativ. Die starkste Beeintrachtigung zeigen Mutanten der FruMC Isoform, die den wichtigen Paarunsgesang nicht generieren konnen und damit auch nicht erfolgreich sind bei ihren Kopulationsversuchen. Interessanterweise sind die drei Isoformen dennoch in einem grosen Teil aller fru Neurone prasent. Dennoch gibt es eine Reihe von Neuronentypen die nur eine einzige Isoform exprimieren. Die unterschiedlichen Funktionen werden daher vermutlich zum einen von der Spezifitat der Zink-Finger Domane und zum anderen von der Spezifitat der Expressionsmuster hervorgerufen. Um die zellularen Ursachen fur die verschiedenen Verhaltensphanotypen zu Untersuchen haben wir die neuronale Netzwerkmorphologie genauer analysiert. Es ist bekannt, dass die fru Neurone sex-spezifisch beziehungsweise sexuell dimorph sind. Wir konnen zeigen, dass diese Dimorphismen der Neurone abhangig von FruM sind und zwar hauptsachlich von der FruMC Isoform. Wir postulieren daher, dass die neuronale Morphologie masgebend fur die Maskulinisierung des fru Netzwerkes und damit des Paarungsverhaltens ist. Schlieslich versuchen wir die Neurone zu identifizieren, in denen FruMC notwendig ist um den Paarunsgesang hervorzurufen. Erste Ergebnisse deuten an, dass es sich dabei um die P1 und vPR6 Neurone, die schon bekannt sind fur ihre Rolle im Paarunsgesang, und einige bis jetzt unbekannte Neurone handelt.
The movement of potassium ions during electrical activity, and the kinetics of the recovery process, in the non‐myelinated fibres of the garfish olfactory nerve.

1. An electrophysiological study was made with the sucrose gap of the compound action potential of the non‐myelinated fibres of the garfish olfactory nerve at temperatures between 8 and 22 degrees C. The efflux of 42K with stimulation, and the post‐tetanic hyperpolarization following a period of repetitive stimulation, were also studied. 2. At 22 degrees C the compound action potential (at zero conduction distance) reached its peak in about 5 msec and lasted about 12 msec; the conduction velocity was 19.4 cm/sec. The corresponding extrapolated values at 0 degrees C were: time to peak, 16 msec; duration, 37 msec; conduction velocity, 4.2 cm/sec. 3. The rate constant for resting potassium efflux (kr) was 0.0108 min‐1 at 22 degrees C and 0.00489 min‐1 at 0 degrees C. 4. The extra fractional loss of potassium with stimulation (ks) was 2.02 x 10(−4) impulse‐1 at 22 degrees C and 4.41 x 10(−4) impulse‐1 at 0 degrees C. 5. Raising the external potassium concentration, or addition of ouabain (1 mM), raised the resting rate of efflux of potassium. 6. The post‐tetanic hyperpolarization, which reflects the electrogenic extrusion of sodium ions, indicated a rate constant for active sodium efflux at 22 degrees C of 0.47 min=1. 7. The rate constant was decreased by a 10 degrees C fall in temperature by a factor of 1.73. 8. Increasing the external potassium concentration increased the rate constant, apparently by potassium combining with some site with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 1.2 mMM. 9. The rate constant was decreased slightly in acidic solutions and increased slightly in alkaline solutions. 10. 14C‐labelled ouabain was found to bind to the garfish olfactory nerve with an equilibrium dissociation constant of about 0.5 muM. The maximum saturable binding capacity, 22.3 p‐mole/mg dry, suggests that there are about 350 sodium pumping sites per square micron membrane.
Resistive Random Access Memory for Future Information Processing System

Resistive random access memory (RRAM) is regarded as one of the most promising emerging memory technologies for next-generation embedded, standalone nonvolatile memory (NVM), and storage class memory (SCM) due to its speed, density, cost, and scalability. Considerable progress has been made in recent years on the manufacturability of RRAM, with low-density RRAM products now in production and the path to higher density parts becoming clearer. This review updates the learning on the fundamental materials and process integration needed for high-volume manufacturing and summarizes very recent progress on array level performance improvement methodology using novel techniques, and circuit level contributions for different applications. The device performance, array integration, and device/circuit codesign for memory systems are discussed. Novel applications besides embedded memory and standalone memory are addressed, including hardware security, neuromorphic computing, and nonvolatile logic systems.
Full‐range approximation of triangulated polyhedra.

We propose a new algorithm for automatically computing approximations of a given polyhedral object at different levels of details. The application for this algorithm is the display of very complex scenes. where many objects are seen with a range of varying levels of detail. Our approach is similar to the region‐merging method used for image segmentation. We iteratively collapse edges, based on a measure of the geometric deviation from the initial shape. When edges are merged in the right order, this strategy produces a continuum of valid approximations of the original object, which can be used for faster rendering at vastly different scales.
A Unifying Model for the Role of Polyamines in Bacterial Cell Growth, the Polyamine Modulon*

We reported previously that the synthesis of specific proteins such as OppA, Cya, and RpoS (σ38), which are important for cell growth and viability, is stimulated by polyamines at the level of translation. In this study we found that the synthesis of FecI and Fis was also stimulated by polyamines at the level of translation. The FecI and Fis proteins enhance the expression of mRNAs that are involved in iron uptake and energy metabolism and the expression of rRNA and some tRNAs. The Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence of their mRNAs was not obvious or was not located at the usual position. When the SD sequences were created at the normal position on these mRNAs, protein synthesis was no longer influenced by polyamines. Thus, the common characteristic of these mRNAs was to have a weak or ineffective SD sequence. We propose that a group of genes whose expression is enhanced by polyamines at the level of translation be referred to as a “polyamine modulon. ” By DNA microarray, we found that 309 of 2,742 mRNA species were upregulated by polyamines. Among the 309 up-regulated genes, transcriptional enhancement of at least 58 genes might be attributable to increased levels of the transcription factors Cya, RpoS, FecI, and Fis, which are all organized in the polyamine modulon. This unifying molecular mechanism is proposed to underlie the physiological role of polyamines in controlling the growth of Escherichia coli.
Análisis del Drop en Baloncesto a Través del Estudio de los Tiros Libres

Este estudio analizo el rendimiento de los jugadores de baloncesto en los lanzamientos de tiro libre realizados en el ultimo minuto de juego, en los partidos ajustados (diferencia en el marcador menor a 2 puntos), durante 4 temporadas de la liga ACB. Mediante un analisis descriptivo y la creacion de tablas de contingencia, se demostro una disminucion del rendimiento del jugador durante el ultimo minuto, y ultima serie de tiros libres del partido, respecto a su rendimiento general. Esta disminucion del rendimiento se observo fundamentalmente en los pivots, menores de 31 anos, con menos de 13 anos de experiencia profesional, y yendo por encima en el marcador. Lo que permite extraer informacion relevante de cara a la planificacion de los entrenamientos, asi como de cara a la gestion de este tipo de momentos criticos durante un partido de baloncesto.
Earnings Management and Audit Adjustments: An Empirical Study of IBEX 35 Constituents

Doubts about the reliability of a company's qualitative financial disclosure increase market participant expectations from the auditor's report. The auditing process is supposed to serve as a monitoring device that reduces management incentives to manipulate reported earnings. Empirical research confirms that it could be an efficient device under some circumstances and recognizes that our estimates of the informativeness of audit reports are unavoidably biased (e.g., because of a client's anticipation of the auditing process). This empirical study supports the significant role of auditors in the financial market, in particular in the prevention of earnings management practice. We focus on earnings misstatements, which auditors correct with an adjustment, using a sample of past and current constituents of the benchmark market index in Spain, IBEX 35, and manually collected audit adjustments reported over the 1997-2004 period (42 companies, 336 annual reports, 75 earnings misstatements). Our findings confirm that companies more often overstate than understate their earnings. An investor may foresee earnings misreporting, as manipulators have a similar profile (e.g., more leveraged and with lower sales). However, he may receive valuable information from the audit adjustment on the size of earnings misstatement, which can be significantly large (i.e., material in almost all cases). We suggest that the magnitude of an audit adjustment depends, other things constant, on annual revenues and free cash levels. We also examine how the audit adjustment relates to the observed market price, trading volume and stock returns. Our findings are that earnings manipulators have a lower price and larger trading volume compared to their rivals. Their returns are positively associated with the magnitude of earnings misreporting, which is not consistent with the possible pricing of audit information.