Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbubble ultrasound (DCE-US) compared to DCE-MRI and DCE-CT for the assessment of vascular response to sunitinib in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

4627 Background: DCE-MRI is widely accepted as a surrogate of vascular response. DCE-US uses microbubbles (MB) for contrast, which remain intravascular and allow direct assessment of tumor blood flow, blood flow velocity and blood volume (BV). DCE-US is repeatable and can be performed portably at the bedside. METHODS 25 treatment (Rx) naive patients (pts) with metastatic RCC and an abdominal tumor suitable for imaging received Sunitinib 50 mg on a 4W on /2W off schedule. DCE-US, DCE-CT, DCE-MRI and circulating endothelial cell counts (CEC's) were done on the first course before therapy and after 2W and 4W on Rx (13 pts) or after 1W and 2W on Rx (12pts) and after 2W off Rx (21 pts). DCE-US included bolus and steady state infusions of MBs. RESULTS In 20 responding pts the median changes from baseline in BV by DCE-US and DCE-CT and Ktrans by DCE-MRI were -76%, -50%, and -70% respectively (p ≤ 0.002). With MB bolus, peak flow and AUC changed by -20% (p=0.042) and -44% (p=0.0040) respectively. Changes in Ktrans by MRI correlated with DCE-CT changes in BV (r=0.56, p=0.023) but not with DCE-US parameters. In 17 evaluable pts, progression free survival correlated with baseline measures of Ktrans (r=0.50, p=0.043) and Ve (r=0.52, p=0.031) by DCE-MRI, permeability surface area by DCE-CT (r=-0.52, p=0.032) and changes in apoptotic CECs (r=-0.61, p=0.016). Imaging parameters did not predict long-term assessment of best response by RECIST. Based on DCE-US flow velocity kinetics only 67% of the smallest tumor blood vessels responded to Rx. On DCE-US, BV decreased at 1W vs. baseline and again at 2W but remained similar or increased at 4W. A rebound was seen after 2W off Rx in 12/21 pts. These BV data suggest that a 2W on/1W off schedule may optimize the therapeutic index. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to contrast the utility of DCE-US, DCE-MRI and DCE-CT in RCC patients on TKI Rx. DCE-US may help select optimal scheduling for novel anti-angiogenic drugs.
Mesozoic marine tetrapod diversity: mass extinctions and temporal heterogeneity in geological megabiases affecting vertebrates

The fossil record is our only direct means for evaluating shifts in biodiversity through Earth's history. However, analyses of fossil marine invertebrates have demonstrated that geological megabiases profoundly influence fossil preservation and discovery, obscuring true diversity signals. Comparable studies of vertebrate palaeodiversity patterns remain in their infancy. A new species-level dataset of Mesozoic marine tetrapod occurrences was compared with a proxy for temporal variation in the volume and facies diversity of fossiliferous rock (number of marine fossiliferous formations: FMF). A strong correlation between taxic diversity and FMF is present during the Cretaceous. Weak or no correlation of Jurassic data suggests a qualitatively different sampling regime resulting from five apparent peaks in Triassic–Jurassic diversity. These correspond to a small number of European formations that have been the subject of intensive collecting, and represent ‘Lagerstätten effects’. Consideration of sampling biases allows re-evaluation of proposed mass extinction events. Marine tetrapod diversity declined during the Carnian or Norian. However, the proposed end-Triassic extinction event cannot be recognized with confidence. Some evidence supports an extinction event near the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary, but the proposed end-Cenomanian extinction is probably an artefact of poor sampling. Marine tetrapod diversity underwent a long-term decline prior to the Cretaceous–Palaeogene extinction.
Comparison of the Binding of Anti-Tubulin Antibody and the Fluorescent Taxol Derivative Flutax-1 to the Microtubular System of Tetrahymena

Using confocal microscopic analysis, FITC-labelled anti-α-tubulin antibody and the fluorescent taxol derivative Flutax-1 in fixed and living Tetrahymena pyriformis GL, longitudinal microtubules, oral and somatic cilia, deep fibers, and contractile vacuole pores were equally labeled. While the antibody stained transversal microtubules, these were not labeled by Flutax-1. At the same time, oral cilia were more intensely stained by Flutax-1, than by the antibody. There were no differences in the staining of fixed preparations and living cells. The observations suggest (i) the difference between the MAPs of longitudinal and transversal microtubules which allow or inhibit the binding of the indicator molecules, and (ii) the different functions of these two types of microtubules.
Capping carious exposures in adults: a randomized controlled trial investigating mineral trioxide aggregate versus calcium hydroxide

AIM The aim of this multicentre, parallel-group randomized clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and a conventional calcium hydroxide liner (CH) as direct pulp capping materials in adult molars with carious pulpal exposure. METHODOLOGY Seventy adults aged 18-55 years were randomly allocated to two parallel arms: MTA (White ProRoot, Dentsply, Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA; n = 33) and CH (Dycal® , Dentsply DeTrey GmbH, Konstanz, Germany; n = 37). The teeth were temporized for 1 week with glass-ionomer (Fuji IX, GC Corp, Tokyo, Japan) and then permanently restored with a composite resin. The subjects were followed up after 1 week and at six, 12, 24 and 36 months. The primary outcome was the survival of the capped pulps, and the secondary outcome was postoperative pain after 1 week. Survival was defined as a nonsymptomatic tooth that responded to sensibility testing and did not exhibit periapical changes on radiograph. At each check-up, the pulp was tested for sensibility and a periapical radiograph was taken (excluding the radiographs taken at the 1-week follow-up). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were used to assess the significant difference in the survival curves between groups. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between the materials and preoperative and postoperative pain. RESULTS At 36 months, the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a cumulative estimate rate of 85% for the MTA group and 52% for the CH group (P = 0.006). There was no significant association between the capping material and postoperative pain. CONCLUSIONS Mineral trioxide aggregate performed more effectively than a conventional CH liner as a direct pulp capping material in molars with carious pulpal exposure in adult patients. This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01224925.
Orientation within the Exosporium and Structural Stability of the Collagen-Like Glycoprotein BclA of Bacillus anthracis

ABSTRACT Bacillus anthracis spores, which cause anthrax, are enclosed by an exosporium consisting of a basal layer and an external hair-like nap. The filaments of the nap are composed of BclA, a glycoprotein containing distinct N-terminal (NTD) and C-terminal (CTD) domains separated by an extended collagen-like central region. In this study, we used immunogold electron microscopy to show that the CTD of BclA forms the distal end of each filament of the hair-like nap, indicating that the NTD is attached to the basal layer. Ten randomly chosen anti-BclA monoclonal antibodies, raised against spores or exosporium, reacted with the CTD, consistent with its exterior location. We showed that recombinant BclA (rBclA), encoded by the B. anthracis Sterne strain and synthesized in Escherichia coli, forms a collagen-like triple helix as judged by collagenase sensitivity and circular dichroism spectroscopy. In contrast, native BclA in spores was resistant to collagenase digestion. Thermal denaturation studies showed that the collagen-like region of rBclA exhibited a melting temperature (Tm) of 37°C, like mammalian collagen. However, rBclA trimers exhibited Tm values of 84°C and 95°C in buffer with and without sodium dodecyl sulfate, respectively. CTD trimers exhibited the same Tm values, indicating that the high temperature and detergent resistances of rBclA were due to strong CTD interactions. We observed that CTD trimers are resistant to many proteases and readily form large crystalline sheets. Structural data indicate that the CTD is composed of multiple beta strands. Taken together, our results suggest that BclA and particularly its CTD form a rugged shield around the spore.
Primary pericardial synovial sarcoma: A case report and literature review

Primary synovial sarcoma of the heart is a rare tumor, with only six previous cases having been reported in the literature. Treatment has included surgery with or without chemotherapy. We present the first case of a documented synovial sarcoma arising from the pericardium in a 19‐year‐old man. Molecular analysis for t(X;18) SYT‐SSX gene fusion was positive. Radiation treatment was given postoperatively to the entire heart with a boost to the area where the margins were positive. J. Surg. Oncol. 1999;70:194–198. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intravascular Ultrasound-guided versus Angiography-guided Drug-eluting Stent Implantation in Complex Coronary Lesions : Meta-analysis of randomized trials

Background: The relative outcomes of IVUS-guided PCI compared to angiography-guided PCI with DES in complex lesions has not been established. We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with angiography-guided PCI in patients with complex coronary lesions treated with drug-eluting stents (DES). Methods: Electronic databases were searched to identify all randomized trials comparing IVUSguided vs. angiography-guided DES implantation. We evaluated major adverse cardiac events (MACE), all-cause and cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR) and stent thrombosis outcomes at the longest reported follow-up. Random effects modeling was used to calculate pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Eight trials comprising 3,276 patients (1,635 IVUS-guided and 1,641 angiographyguided) enrolling only patients with complex lesions were included. Mean follow-up was 1.4 ± 0.5 years. Compared to angiography-guided PCI, patients undergoing IVUS-guided PCI had significantly lower MACE (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.51-0.80, p=0.0001), TLR (RR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.45–0.86, p=0.004) and TVR (RR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42–0.87, p=0.007). There were no significant differences for stent thrombosis, cardiovascular death or all-cause death. In metaregression analysis, IVUS-guided PCI was of greatest benefit in reducing MACE in patients with acute coronary syndromes, diabetes and long lesions. Conclusions: The present meta-analysis demonstrates a significant reduction in MACE, TVR and TLR with IVUS-guided DES implantation in complex coronary lesions. AC C EP TE D M AN U SC R IP T ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Chinese multinationals and entry mode choice: institutional, transaction and firm-specific factors

Foreign direct investment (FDI) ownership decision is one of the most researched topics in the international business literature. However, little is known about the extent to which this knowledge can be applied to emerging-economy multinationals. Building on the institutional, transaction cost and resource-based view perspectives, this paper analyzes the determining factors of FDI mode choice between wholly-owned subsidiary (WOS) and joint venture (JV) by Chinese firms. Based on a sample of 139 outward FDI decisions made by large Chinese firms between 2002 and 2009, our results show certain characteristics that differ from the conventional wisdom of the multinational enterprise (MNE). A host country's political risk and cultural distance do not affect FDI ownership decisions of Chinese MNEs, while firm size is negatively related with WOS. However, from a more conventional point of view, technological intensity of the industry is positively associated with WOS.
Use of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in a Community Population of Mixed Ethnicity: Cultural and Linguistic Artifacts

The Mini-Mental State Evaluation (MMSE) was used in an epidemiological survey of a community of mixed ethnicity (Hispanic, white non-Hispanic) as part of the Los Angeles Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program. Results of the study showed that age, educational level, ethnicity, and language of the interview influenced the number of MMSE errors. Items on which the effects of ethnicity and language were most pronounced were identified, and suggestions on ways to minimize such sociocultural artifacts are provided in efforts to improve the epidemiological significance of the instrument, particularly as it concerns crosscultural research.
NavTracks: supporting navigation in software

Any modification to a software system involves investigating the source code with the goal of understanding it. In turn, this investigation usually requires significant navigation effort. However, relatively little research has been conducted on software developer navigation patterns and tool support for improving navigation. Our research addresses this issue. We present NavTracks, a tool that supports browsing through software. NavTracks keeps track of the navigation history of software developers, forming associations between related files. These associations are then used as the basis for recommending potentially related files as a developer browses the software system.
Effects of light and sleep stages on heart rate variability in humans

Effects of light intensity and sleep stages on heart rate variability (HRV) were investigated in young healthy subjects. The low‐frequency (LF)/high‐frequency (HF) ratio was significantly increased by exposing either to bright lights of 10 000 lx or to extreme darkness (< 0.01 lx), while HF and LF components of HRV were not changed, when compared with those under dim light (100 lx). However, LF was significantly increased at REM sleep, when compared with that at the pre‐sleep wake. In contrast, HF was increased at all stages of sleep, and the LF/HF ratio was decreased at slow wave sleep during the baseline night.
Ultra-Wideband Radar Imaging Using a Hybrid of Kirchhoff Migration and Stolt F-K Migration With an Inverse Boundary Scattering Transform

In this paper, we propose a fast and accurate radar-imaging algorithm that combines Kirchhoff migration with Stolt's frequency-wavenumber (F-K) migration. F-K migration is known as a fast-imaging method in the F-K domain, while Kirchhoff migration is reported to be more accurate. However, Kirchhoff migration requires the reflection points to be located as a function of the antenna position and the delay time. This prevents the use of fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) because Kirchhoff migration must be processed in the time domain, and this can be extremely time consuming. The proposed algorithm overcomes this hurdle by introducing the texture angle and the inverse boundary scattering transform (IBST). These two tools enable the locations of the reflection points to be determined rapidly for each pixel of a radar image. The radar signals are then modified according to the Kirchhoff integral, before Stolt F-K migration is applied in the frequency domain to produce an accurate radar image. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed method, the conventional delay-and-sum (DAS) migration, Kirchhoff migration, Stolt F-K migration, and the proposed method are applied to the same measured datasets.
Manager: Breathing New Life Into The Waterfall Model

Due diligence-it's a concept that savvy investors and investment bankers understand. Before you invest in something, spend the time to fully understand the people and the business. Only proceed after you're convinced that everything is okay. The author discusses a form of due diligence that can be applied when software development work is contracted. He argues that both the contractor and the customer should shape their interaction in stages, so that risk is reduced and requirements stability achieved before either party commits large sums of money.
Stem‐cell transplant preparative regimens

Abstract: Owing to the relatively high probability of recurrent disease in patients receiving hematopoietic stem‐cell transplantation (HSCT) for malignancies, further development of new preparative regimens is warranted. Based on the data presented, one can predict that it will continue to be difficult to identify HSCT regimens that are more effective. Incremental improvements are expected to be small, difficult to measure, and will require inclusion of very large numbers of patients. Controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of specific treatment regimens for specific groups of patients will require to be conducted only by centers with large numbers of patients, or co‐operative groups. Development of HSCT regimens with low mortality and a minimum of morbidity, without compromising efficacy, are needed. This may be accomplished through the use of agents to protect normal, non‐hematopoietic tissues from regimen‐related toxicity (RRT), further exploration, and expansion of applications of targeted radiolabeled antibody approaches and mixed chimerism approaches. The future holds much work, but great promise, in the development of new HSCT regimens.
A Perspective on the Use of Self-Organization in Tuple Space Coordcination Systems

Self-Organization (SO) is bound to greatly affect the lives of all computer users. The simplicity and yet power embedded in this phenomena allows us to think about efficient solutions to problems never before thought possible to be solved efficiently. In the the field of coordination of processes and agents, self-organization is already playing a role and is likely to be become omnipresent in the future as researchers incorporate SO characteristics in their solutions The purpose of this paper is two-fold: (a) to survey the role of SO in the past and present tuple space coordination systems; and (b) to discuss how self-organization may still have a lot more to offer to the community. With this paper, we demonstrate that SO abstractions are useful in areas other than optimization (where most of the proposals lie).
CD 24 , a Mucin-Type Glycoprotein , Is a Ligand for P-Selectin on Human Tumor Cells

P-selectin (CD62P) is a Ca-dependent endogenous lectin 1 carbohydrate epitope) but did not react with MoAbs that can be expressed by vascular endothelium and plateagainst the sialylLe epitope. The carcinoma cells and lets. The major ligand for P-selectin on leukocytes is P-selecCD24-beads derived from these cells could bind to activated tin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1). P-selectin can also bind platelets or P-selectin transfected Chinese hamster ovary to carcinoma cells, but the nature of the ligand(s) on these cells (P-CHO) in a P-selectin–dependent manner and this cells is unknown. Here we investigated the P-selectin bindbinding was blocked by soluble CD24. Transfection of human ing to a breast and a small cell lung carcinoma cell line that adenocarcinoma cells with CD24 enhanced the P-selectin– are negative for PSGL-1. We report that CD24, a mucin-type dependent binding to activated platelets. Treatment of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked cell surface molecule on carcinoma cells or the CD24 transfectant with phosphatidylhuman neutrophils, pre B lymphocytes, and many tumors inositol-specific phospholipase C reduced CD24 expression can promote binding to P-selectin. Latex beads coated with and P-selectin–IgG binding concomitantly. These results espurified CD24 from the two carcinoma cell lines but also tablish a role of CD24 as a novel ligand for P-selectin on neutrophils could bind specifically to P-selectin-IgG. The tumor cells. The CD24/P-selectin binding pathway could be binding was dependent on divalent cations and was abolimportant in the dissimination of tumor cells by facilitating ished by treatment with O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase the interaction with platelets or endothelial cells. but not endoglycosidase F or sialidase. The beads were q 1997 by The American Society of Hematology. stained with a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to CD57 (HNK-
ENZYMES OF ENERGY‐CONVERTING SYSTEMS IN INDIVIDUAL MAMMALIAN NERVE CELL BODIES 1

Abstract— The activities of 7 enzymes (hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, glucose‐6‐P dehydrogenase, 6‐P‐gluconic dehydrogenase, NADP linked isocitric dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase and lactic dehydrogenase) were measured in individual nerve cell bodies of 8 different neuronal types: pyramidal cells from cerebral cortex and Amnion's horn, Purkinje cells, giant cells in the reticular formation, Deiters’nucleus cells, facial nucleus cells, anterior horn cells and dorsal root ganglion cells. Samples of similar size were analysed from the molecular layer of cerebellum.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as a potential risk factor of cardiovascular disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic component of the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this review is to summarize the available data linking NAFLD with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The following topics are reviewed: (a) the clinical evidence linking NAFLD to increased prevalence of CVD; (b) the relationship between NAFLD (which is diagnosed by liver biopsy, serum liver enzymes, or ultrasonography) and incidence of CVD; (c) the mechanism linking NAFLD to CVD and clinical implication; and (d) the potential impact of NAFLD treatment on cardiac complications. CVD dictates the outcome (or outcomes) in patients with NAFLD more frequently and to a greater extent than does the progression of liver disease. NAFLD patients have a higher risk of all-cause death than the general population, mainly because of CVD or liver-related causes. The biologic mechanism linking NAFLD and CVD might be associated with various factors, involving a complex interaction among insulin resistance, oxidative stress, abnormal adipocytokine profile, endothelial dysfunction, lipid abnormalities, and activation of inflammatory cascade. Lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy are helpful to treat patients with NAFLD. NAFLD is likely to be associated with an increased risk of CVD, and raises the possibility that NAFLD may not only be a marker but also an early mediator of CVD.
Fever of Unknown Origin in HIV / AIDS Patients Arnaud Hot , MDa ,

Fever of Unknown Origin in HIV/AIDS Patients Arnaud Hot, MD, Laura Schmulewitz, BSc, MB, ChB, Jean-Paul Viard, MD, Olivier Lortholary, MD, PhD* Université Paris V, Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Centre d’Infectiologie Necker-Pasteur, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75743 Paris Cedex 15, France Centre National de Référence Mycologie et Antifongiques, CNRS URA3012, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
A Variable Flux Axial Field Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine With a Novel Mechanical Device

A novel mechanical device applied in an axial field variable flux permanent magnet synchronous machine (AFVFPMSM) is proposed in this paper, of which the structure of AFVFPMSM and mechanical device is given in detail. The operation principle of AFVFPMSM is analyzed and its flux weakening capability is studied based on mechanical dynamic simulation and finite-element analysis (FEA). Some electromagnetic characteristics including flux linkage, electromotive force, and inductions are calculated by 3-D FEA. The analysis results show that a good flux weakening ability for AFVFPMSM is obtained using the novel mechanical device.