Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of atrial tissue fibrosis identified by delayed enhancement MRI and atrial fibrillation catheter ablation: the DECAAF study.

IMPORTANCE Left atrial fibrosis is prominent in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Extensive atrial tissue fibrosis identified by delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been associated with poor outcomes of AF catheter ablation. OBJECTIVE To characterize the feasibility of atrial tissue fibrosis estimation by delayed enhancement MRI and its association with subsequent AF ablation outcome. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study of patients diagnosed with paroxysmal and persistent AF (undergoing their first catheter ablation) conducted between August 2010 and August 2011 at 15 centers in the United States, Europe, and Australia. Delayed enhancement MRI images were obtained up to 30 days before ablation. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Fibrosis quantification was performed at a core laboratory blinded to the participating center, ablation approach, and procedure outcome. Fibrosis blinded to the treating physicians was categorized as stage 1 (<10% of the atrial wall), 2 (≥10%-<20%), 3 (≥20%-<30%), and 4 (≥30%). Patients were followed up for recurrent arrhythmia per current guidelines using electrocardiography or ambulatory monitor recording and results were analyzed at a core laboratory. Cumulative incidence of recurrence was estimated by stage at days 325 and 475 after a 90-day blanking period (standard time allowed for arrhythmias related to ablation-induced inflammation to subside) and the risk of recurrence was estimated (adjusting for 10 demographic and clinical covariates). RESULTS Atrial tissue fibrosis estimation by delayed enhancement MRI was successfully quantified in 272 of 329 enrolled patients (57 patients [17%] were excluded due to poor MRI quality). There were 260 patients who were followed up after the blanking period (mean [SD] age of 59.1 [10.7] years, 31.5% female, 64.6% with paroxysmal AF). For recurrent arrhythmia, the unadjusted overall hazard ratio per 1% increase in left atrial fibrosis was 1.06 (95% CI, 1.03-1.08; P < .001). Estimated unadjusted cumulative incidence of recurrent arrhythmia by day 325 for stage 1 fibrosis was 15.3% (95% CI, 7.6%-29.6%); stage 2, 32.6% (95% CI, 24.3%-42.9%); stage 3, 45.9% (95% CI, 35.5%-57.5%); and stage 4, 51.1% (95% CI, 32.8%-72.2%) and by day 475 was 15.3% (95% CI, 7.6%-29.6%), 35.8% (95% CI, 26.2%-47.6%), 45.9% (95% CI, 35.6%-57.5%), and 69.4% (95% CI, 48.6%-87.7%), respectively. Similar results were obtained after covariate adjustment. The addition of fibrosis to a recurrence prediction model that includes traditional clinical covariates resulted in an improved predictive accuracy with the C statistic increasing from 0.65 to 0.69 (risk difference of 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.09). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with AF undergoing catheter ablation, atrial tissue fibrosis estimated by delayed enhancement MRI was independently associated with likelihood of recurrent arrhythmia. The clinical implications of this association warrant further investigation.
The Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University1 has published on the Internet an Academic Ranking of World Universities that has attracted worldwide attention. Institutions are ranked according to academic or research performance and ranking indicators include major international awards, highly cited researchers in important fields, articles published in selected top journals and/or indexed by major citation indexes, and performance per capita. Methodological problems discussed here include quantitative versus qualitative evaluation, assessing research versus education, the variety of institutions, the language of publications, selection of awards, etc. Technical problems such as the definition and naming of institutions, the merging and splitting of institutions, and the search for and attribution of publications are discussed. 1. Read about this key university in China at ⟨http://www.sjtu. edu.cn/www/english/⟩.
Recurrent Neural Networks for Uncertain Time‐Dependent Structural Behavior

Abstract: In this article, an approach is introduced which permits the numerical prediction of future structural responses in dependency of uncertain load processes and environmental influences. The approach is based on recurrent neural networks trained by time‐dependent measurement results. Thereby, the uncertainty of the measurement results is modeled as fuzzy processes which are considered within the recurrent neural network approach. An efficient solution for network training and prediction is developed utilizing α‐cuts and interval arithmetic. The capability of the approach is demonstrated by means of the prediction of the long‐term structural behavior of a reinforced concrete plate strengthened by a textile reinforced concrete layer.
Cutting Edge: Identification of c-Rel-Dependent and -Independent Pathways of IL-12 Production During Infectious and Inflammatory Stimuli1

The production of IL-12 is required for immunity to many intracellular pathogens. Recent studies have shown that c-Rel, a member of the NF-κB family of transcription factors, is essential for LPS-induced IL-12p40 production by macrophages. In this study, we demonstrate that c-Rel is also required for IL-12p40 production by macrophages in response to Corynebacterium parvum, CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, anti-CD40 and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid. However, c-Rel−/− mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii produce comparable amounts of IL-12p40 to infected wild-type mice and have an IL-12-dependent mechanism of resistance to this infection. Furthermore, c-Rel was not required for IL-12p40 production by macrophages or dendritic cells in response to soluble Toxoplasma Ag, and neutrophils from c-Rel−/− mice contain normal amounts of preformed IL-12p40. Together these studies reveal the presence of c-Rel-dependent pathways critical for IL-12p40 production in response to inflammatory stimuli and demonstrate a novel c-Rel-independent pathway of IL-12p40 production during toxoplasmosis.
Calibration methodology for interposing liquid coolants for infrared thermography of microprocessors

There have been unprecedented temperature non-uniformities reported in conventional 2D- and emerging 3D-packaged multi-core microprocessors. Therefore, techniques for spatially resolving chip power and temperature profiles in fully operational chips are needed to improve circuit design and enable optimal cooling solutions. This paper presents a high-resolution, infrared (IR) thermography technique for microprocessors operating at fully-operational power levels. A custom, microfluidic heat sink with an IR-transparent working fluid (0.75 LPM) is manufactured to cool an instrumented test chip while permitting optical access for IR thermal imaging. A detailed system calibration is conducted to account for the temperature-dependent optical properties of the chip and heat sink. It is concluded that the IR imaging can be conducted with ~ 0.1 °C error over the temperature range of 45-90 °C if the fluid plenum height is less than 500 μm. For a 2 mm channel, the error can be as high as 43°C due to strong signal attenuation in the fluid.
Relation between multidimensional performance characteristics and level of performance in talented youth field hockey players

To determine the relationship between multidimensional performance characteristics and level of performance in talented youth field hockey players, elite youth players (n = 38, mean age 13.2 years, s = 1.26) were compared with sub-elite youth players (n = 88, mean age 14.2 years, s = 1.26) on anthropometric, physiological, technical, tactical and psychological characteristics. Multivariate analyses with performance level and gender as factors, and age as the covariate, showed that the elite youth players scored better than the sub-elite youth players on technical (dribble performance in a peak and repeated shuttle run), tactical (general tactics; tactics for possession and non-possession of the ball) and psychological variables (motivation) (P < 0.05). The most discriminating variables were tactics for possession of the ball, motivation and performance in a slalom dribble. Age discriminated between the two groups, indicating that the elite youth players were younger than the sub-elite players. In the guidance of young talented players to the top as well as in the detection of talented players, more attention has to be paid to tactical qualities, motivation and specific technical skills.
Space-time chip equalizer receivers for WCDMA downlink with code-multiplexed pilot and soft handover

In the downlink of WCDMA systems, multipath propagation destroys the orthogonality of the user signals and causes multi-user interference (MUI). Chip-level equalization can restore the orthogonality and suppress the MUI. However, adaptive implementations of the chip equalizer receiver that can track time-varying multipath channels are hard to realize in practice. In this paper, we propose new training-based and semi-blind space-time chip equalizer receivers for the downlink of WCDMA systems employing long spreading codes and a code-multiplexed pilot. The proposed receivers exploit the presence of common pilot symbols in the so-called Common Pilot Channel (CPICH) of the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) for 3G systems. Moreover, they can simultaneously track multiple base-station signals, whenever the mobile station enters soft handover mode. For both receivers, we derive a Least Squares algorithm for block processing and a Recursive Least Squares algorithm for adaptive processing. The proposed receivers are compared in terms of performance with the conventional space-time RAKE receiver and the ideal fully-trained space-time chip equalizer receiver.
Mobile Applications and Access to Personal Information: A Discussion of Users' Privacy Concerns

Mobile applications (apps) have become highly popular and are creating new economic opportunities for app providers, developers, software companies, and advertisers. Due to the access to personal information, mobile apps may pose a threat to users’ privacy, which can incite users not to install or to uninstall mobile apps. In the last twenty years, concerns for information privacy (CFIP) have been investigated by several studies, which adapted CFIP to an online and to a mobile context. Our extended approach for mobile users’ information privacy concerns (MUIPC) analyzes four dimensions of access to personal information, i.e., personal identity, location, device content, and system and network settings. By conducting an online survey with 474 participants, we test the influence of these dimensions on MUIPC with a structural equation model (SEM). Three dimensions are found to be significantly influential. The results are discussed and implications for research and practice are given.
Combined Hip Arthroscopy and Limited Open Osteochondroplasty for Anterior Femoroacetabular Impingement: Early Patient Reported Outcomes

Many surgical techniques have been described for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) surgery to help with improvement of pain and function in symptomatic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate early patient reported outcomes and complications using combined hip arthroscopy and limited open osteochondroplasty technique. We retrospectively analysed 27 hips in 26 patients. Outcomes were assessed using the nonarthritic hip score (NAHS), UCLA score and Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score. The average age of patients was 31.3 years and they were followed up for an average of 22.3 months. Average improvement of NAHS score was 39.55 points (p<.0001), 18 patients (72%) had at least 30 points increase in NAHS. There was 3 points average improvement in UCLA score (p<.0001). 17 patients (68%) had UCLA activity level of 6 and above. The average improvement of VAS pain score was 27.5 points (p<.0001). Minor complications included neuropraxia of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in three patients who recovered at three months with no sequelae, while one patient developed asymptomatic heterotopic ossification Brooker grade I. One patient had neuropraxia of the sciatic nerve which recovered completely within six months. One patient had a conversion to THR at 12 months. This is an effective technique to treat FAI for reducing pain and improving function at short term follow-up and has a low complication rate without appearing to have a significant learning curve. The failure rate can be reduced if proper case selection is done.
Salvage of Failed Acromioclavicular Joint Reconstruction Using Autogenous Semitendinosus Tendon from the Knee

The appropriate management of acute type III acromioclavicular dislocations remains controversial. Although the current trend in treatment of these injuries is toward nonoperative therapy, some authors advocate surgical repair of acute injuries in athletes who participate in overhead sports and in heavy laborers. Operative treatment of acute type IV, V, and VI injuries is well accepted. Similarly, surgical reconstruction is required for chronic symptomatic type III acromioclavicular dislocations. Historically, many different surgical techniques have been described to accomplish reconstruction in the acute or chronic condition, with more than 100 different procedures reported in the literature. There has been a trend toward stabilization of the coracoclavicular ligaments for acute injuries. In the symptomatic patient with chronic instability of the acromioclavicular joint, stabilization is mandatory for a successful result. Various procedures are available to achieve this end. Weaver and Dunn transferred the coracoacromial ligament, and Bunnell and Lom used autogenous fascia lata graft. Other authors have used a variety of synthetic materials and implants, such as coracoclavicular screws, cerclage wires, nonabsorbable synthetic sutures, Dacron, and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (GORE-TEX; W. L. Gore, Flagstaff, Arizona). More recently, absorbable synthetics, such as polydioxanonsulfate bands, have been used. The use of rigid implants, such as coracoclavicular screws, may necessitate a second operation for removal to prevent fatigue failure and possible migration of the hardware. Synthetic materials may produce a foreign body response in the local tissue, as has been described with Dacron. Similarly, particulate polytetrafluoroethylene has been associated with foreign body reaction in regional lymph nodes after its use in the knee. Osteolysis adjacent to a polytetrafluoroethylene implant in the hand has also been described, but this complication has not, to our knowledge, been described in the shoulder. Bony erosion and amputation of the clavicle or coracoid process secondary to clavicular or coracoid cerclage with such material may also result in failure. We present a case of failed acromioclavicular reconstruction in which salvage surgery was performed to reconstruct the coracoclavicular ligaments with a loop of autogenous semitendinosus tendon from the patient’s ipsilateral knee. To our knowledge, no similar reports of coracoclavicular reconstruction using autogenous semitendinosus tendon graft have appeared in the literature.
Clinicopathological correlation and prognostic significance of sonic hedgehog protein overexpression in human gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVES This study investigated the expression of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) protein in gastric cancer, and correlated it with clinicopathological parameters. The prognostic significance of Shh protein was analyzed. METHODS Shh protein expression was evaluated in 113 cases of gastric cancer and 60 cases of normal gastric mucosa. The immunoreactivity was scored semi quantitatively as: 0 = absent; 1 = weak; 2 = moderate; and 3 = strong. All cases were further classified into two groups, namely non-overexpression group with score 0 or 1, and overexpression group with score 2 or 3. The overexpression of Shh protein was correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Survival analysis was then performed to determine the Shh protein prognostic significance in gastric cancer. RESULTS In immunohistochemistry study, nineteen (31.7%) normal gastric mucosa revealed Shh protein overexpression, while eighty-one (71.7%) gastric cancer revealed overexpression. The expression of Shh protein were significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues than in normal gastric mucosa (P < 0.001), which was statistically correlated with age (P = 0.006), tumor differentiation (P < 0.001), depth of invasion (P = 0.042), pathologic staging (P = 0.017), and nodal metastasis (P = 0.019). We found no significant difference in both overall and disease free survival rates between Shh overexpression and non-expression groups P = 0.168 and 0.071). However, Shh overexpression emerged as a significant independent prognostic factor in multivariate Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio 1.187, P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS Shh protein expression is upregulated and is statistically correlated with age, tumor differentiation, depth of invasion, pathologic staging, and nodal metastasis. The Shh protein overexpression is a significant independent prognostic factor in multivariate Cox regression analysis in gastric cancer.
Advantages of the graded-channel SOI FD MOSFET for application as a quasi-linear resistor

In this paper, we analyze the previously unexpected advantages of asymmetric channel engineering on the MOS resistance behavior in quasi-linear operation, such as used in integrated continuous-time tunable filters. The study of the two major figures of merit in such applications as on-resistance and nonlinear harmonic distortion, is supported by both measurements and simulations of conventional and graded-channel (GC) fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs. The quasi-linear current-voltage characteristics of GC transistors show a decrease of the on-resistance as the length of the low doped region in the channel is increased, as well as an improvement in the third-order harmonic distortion (HD3), when compared with conventional transistors. A method for full comparison between conventional and GC SOI MOSFETs is presented, considering HD3 evolution with on-resistance tuning under low voltage of operation. Results demonstrate the significant advantages provided by the asymmetrical long channel transistors.
Three-level Active Neutral-Point-Clamped Zero-Current-Transition Converter for Sustainable Energy Systems

The widespread use of renewable energy resources brings forth a requirement for high-power, high-efficiency, high-control-bandwidth grid-tied converters. This paper proposes a three-level active neutral-point-clamped zero-current-transition (3L-ANPC ZCT) converter for the sustainable energy power conversion systems. The proposed multilevel soft-switching topology can effectively increase efficiency and switching frequency of the systems by almost eliminating turn-OFF losses and greatly reducing turn-ON losses of semiconductor devices. The soft commutations of the main devices are achieved with simple auxiliary circuit of two auxiliary switches and one LC resonant tank for each phase leg as in the case of a two-level ZCT converter. The voltage rating of the auxiliary switches is the same as main switches, and is clamped to half of dc voltage, while the current rating is much smaller. Furthermore, the auxiliary switches switch under zero-current condition and have no switching losses. Compared with existing three-level diode neutral-point-clamped zero-current-transition (3L-DNPC ZCT) converter, the number of components in auxiliary circuit is halved, so the volume and cost are reduced. In addition, the deterioration of the soft commutation due to the parasitic inductances in the 3L-DNPC ZCT inverter does not exist in the proposed topology. The operation principle and comparison with the 3L-DNPC ZCT are analyzed in detail in this paper. Eighty kilowatt half-bridge prototypes of the 3L-ANPC ZCT converter and the 3L-DNPC ZCT converter are built and their circuit operation and analysis are experimentally verified.
Obsession—Compulsion, Locus of Control, Depression, and Hopelessness: A Construct Validity of the Arabic Obsessive—Compulsive Scale in American and Kuwaiti Students

In samples of 144 American and 209 Kuwaiti college students, the correlations among scores on the Arabic Obsessive–Compulsive Scale and external locus of control (.26, .25), depression (.31, .55) and hopelessness (.27, .43) were significant and positive in both samples, denoting the construct validity of the Obsessive–Compulsive Scale. Thus, it can be recommended for use in both countries.
Anti-angiogenic therapy in advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC): is there a role in subsequent lines of therapy?

Early in 2014, Reck and colleagues published the results of the LUME Lung-1 trial in Lancet Oncology (1). This trial evaluated the addition of nintedanib, an oral triple angiokinase inhibitor or placebo, to standard second-line chemotherapy with docetaxel. The trial, conducted largely in European countries, randomized 1,314 patients to docetaxel plus nintedanib 200 mg twice daily, or docetaxel plus placebo. Treatment continued until disease progression, or unacceptable toxicity. Eligible patients had stage IIIB/IV or recurrent non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) that had progressed after first-line chemotherapy. Patients with contraindications to the use of VEGF-R directed therapy (untreated brain metastases, underlying major bleeding or thrombotic disorders, cavitatory lesions, lesions invading major blood vessels and a history of hemoptysis) were excluded. Prior therapy with bevacizumab was allowed, although fewer than 5% of patients in both arms had previously received bevacizumab. Stratification was based on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (0 vs. 1), prior bevacizumab therapy (yes vs. no), squamous versus non squamous histology, and the presence of brain metastases (yes vs. no). The primary outcome was progression free survival (PFS).
The bacterial superantigen and superantigen‐like proteins

Summary: The bacterial superantigens are protein toxins that bind to major histocompatibility complex class II and T‐cell receptor to stimulate large numbers of T cells. The majority are produced by the Gram‐positive organisms Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes and are the causative agents in toxic shock syndrome, an acute disease caused by the sudden and massive release of T‐cell cytokines into the blood stream. The structure and function of the superantigens has revealed a common architecture that is also shared by another group of staphylococcal virulence factors called the superantigen‐like proteins (SSL). Together, this family of structurally related molecules highlights how a common pathogenic organism has employed a simple but adaptable protein to generate an armamentarium of potent defense molecules designed to target of the innate and adaptive immune response.