Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance angiography of collateral compensation in asymptomatic and symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis.

OBJECTIVE In patients with stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA), the presence of collateral circulatory pathways may be crucial to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure, metabolism, and function. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether patients with asymptomatic stenosis of the ICA have a better collateral ability of the circle of Willis when compared with patients with symptomatic ICA stenosis. METHOD Magnetic resonance angiography consisting of the circle of Willis was performed in 19 patients with severe asymptomatic ICA stenosis and in 21 patients with severe symptomatic ICA stenosis prior to carotid endarterectomy and in 53 control subjects. Between group comparisons were made for function (directional flow) and anatomy (diameter). RESULTS In patients with asymptomatic ICA stenosis, the prevalence of collateral flow via the anterior communicating artery was significantly increased (37%, 7 of 19) compared with symptomatic patients (10%, 2 of 21) and control subjects (0%; P <.001). Patients with asymptomatic ICA stenosis demonstrated the largest mean diameter of the anterior communicating artery (1.33 +/- 0.18 mm) compared with patients with symptomatic ICA stenosis (1.22 +/- 0.18 mm) and control subjects (1.06 +/- 0.10 mm, P <.05). No differences in collateral flow pattern or diameter were found for the posterior communicating artery between the groups. CONCLUSIONS The present cross-sectional study demonstrates the importance of an adequate hemodynamic compensation via the circle of Willis in patients with ICA stenosis. Whether differences in collateral compensation can be used to select patients for CEA has yet to be determined.
Our troubled colleagues.

How is it possible that students enter the veterinary curriculum full of excitement, anticipation, and promise, only to end with cynicism, exhaustion, and foreboding? Students are subjected to a grueling intellectual marathon; self-imposed competition for class rank; issues surrounding mortality, death, and suffering; and continuous evaluation and disappointment if they are not consistently at the top of their game. Add to this the challenges that all students face, including relocation, financial strain, sleep deprivation, and transition from a carefree life of adolescence to the sometimes crushing responsibilities of adulthood. Is there any wonder why anxiety, depression, and attempts to escape twist their views of life?
The clinical outcome and activity levels of patients under 55 years treated with distal humeral hemiarthroplasty for distal humeral fractures: minimum 2-year follow-up

Background The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical outcomes and activity levels of young patients after distal humeral hemiarthroplasty (DHH). Methods Six patients under 55 years (mean 44 years; range 29 years to 52 years) treated with DHH at a mean postoperative time of 81 months (range 24 months to 133 months) were studied retrospectively. Two other patients had been revised for aseptic loosening and were excluded. Results The mean Mayo Elbow Score (MEPS) (88), Subjective Elbow Value (SEV) (89), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) (12) and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) elbow pain (6), function (23) and satisfaction scores (9) were satisfactory. The mean University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score was 7.2. Conclusions Although only rarely indicated, DHH has satisfactory clinical outcomes in young patients and allows a higher level of function than is generally advised after total elbow arthroplasty.
A New Method to Improve Performance of Cooperative Underwater Acoustic Wireless Sensor Networks via Frequency Controlled Transmission Based on Length of Data Links

In this paper a new method to improve performance of cooperative underwater acoustic (UWA) sensor networks will be introduced. The method is based on controlling and optimizing carrier frequencies which are used in data links between network nods. In UWA channels Pathloss and noise power spectrum density (psd) are related to carrier frequency. Therefore, unlike radio communications, in UWA Communications signal to noise ratio (SNR) is related to frequency besides propagation link length. In such channels an optimum frequency in whole frequency band and link lengths cannot be found. In Cooperative transmission, transmitter sends one copy of transmitted data packets to relay node. Then relay depending on cooperation scheme, amplifies or decodes each data packet and retransmit it to destination. Receiver uses and combines both received signals to estimate transmitted data. This paper wants to propose a new method to decrease network power consumptions by controlling and sub-optimizing transmission frequency based on link length. For this purpose, underwater channel parameters is simulated and analyzed in 1km to 10km lengths (midrange channel). Then link lengths sub categorized and in each category, optimum frequency is computed. With these sub optimum frequencies, sensors and base station can adaptively control their carrier frequencies based on link length and decrease network’s power consumptions. Finally Different Cooperative transmission schemes “Decode and Forward (DF)” and “Amplify and Forward (AF)”, are simulated in UWA wireless Sensor network with and without the new method. In receiver maximum ratio combiner (MRC) is used to combining received signals and making data estimations. Simulations show that the new method, called AFC cooperative UWA communication, can improve performance of underwater acoustic wireless sensor networks up to 40.14%.
Teaching a global project course: experiences and lessons learned

In this paper, we describe the goals, organization and content of a global project course we have taught for the last six years, as well as challenges and lessons learned. The course has involved two to four sites and 30-40 students each year, both from Europe and the US. The students form project teams spanning several sites, and jointly perform creative tasks, thus learning both the course substance, as well as how to effectively work together in multicultural and multi-disciplinary distributed teams. We hope that our experiences described in this paper will help and encourage other universities to organize globally distributed project courses. In the future, we plan to continue working with this course, as well as search partners to develop a global software engineering project course together with other universities.
Gate Line Edge Roughness Model for Estimation of FinFET Performance Variability

We present a model for estimating the impact of gate line edge roughness (LER) on the performance of double-gate (DG) FinFET devices. Thirteen-nanometer-gate-length DG FinFETs are investigated using a framework that links device performance to commonly used LER descriptors, namely, correlation length (xi), rms amplitude or standard deviation (sigma) of the line edge from its mean value, and roughness exponent ( alpha). Our approach provides physical insight into how LER impacts FinFET performance. In addition, our modeling approach is more efficient than Monte Carlo TCAD simulations and provides comparable results with appropriately selected input parameters. The FinFET device architecture is found to be robust to gate LER effects. Furthermore, a spacer-defined gate electrode (versus a resist-defined gate electrode) provides for reduced variability in performance, indicating that the gate length mismatch has more impact than lateral offset between the front and the back gates.
AVP-induced Ca fluxes and contraction of rat glomerular mesangial cells.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is known to exert Ca mobilization and contraction in glomerular mesangial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. However, the relationship between changes in intracellular Ca and transmembrane Ca fluxes is not clear at the present time. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the effect of AVP on cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) and Ca fluxes as estimated by measurements of 45Ca2+ efflux. Changes of [Ca2+]i in response to AVP were directly measured in monolayers of adherent cultured mesangial cells. AVP induced rapid concentration-dependent increases in [Ca2+]i and Ca2+ efflux. AVP also induced contraction of mesangial cells. This effect was blocked only by the V1 (pressor)-antagonist, d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP. Stimulation of Ca2+ efflux and changes in [Ca2+]i by AVP completely desensitized the mesangial cells to a subsequent identical challenge of AVP with no cross-tachyphylaxis to other hormones. Even in Ca2+-free medium, AVP increased [Ca2+]i and Ca2+ efflux, but to a lesser extent. Under this condition, contraction of mesangial cells induced by AVP was also observed. Readdition of extracellular Ca2+ following the AVP-induced increase in [Ca2+]i caused a second and slower [Ca2+]i increase. In Ca2+-containing conditions, lanthanum ion-reduced AVP evoked [Ca2+]i stimulation to the value observed in Ca2+-free medium. The Ca2+ channel blocker, verapamil, partially inhibited AVP-induced Ca2+ influx but totally blocked the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by high K. Verapamil did not inhibit AVP-stimulated Ca2+ efflux and cell contraction. Dantrolene, a blocker of Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum, inhibited AVP-stimulated Ca2+ efflux and cell contraction. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Temporal Facilitation Prior to Voluntary Muscle Relaxation

We investigated the dominancy of excitability changes in motor cortex or spinal levels and temporal tuning mechanisms of muscle relaxation. We delivered transcranial magnetic stimulation and electric (H-reflex) stimulations relative to the application of the response signal under the reaction time task. The results showed that a significant change was found in only motor evoked potential during the prerelaxation phase, 30 ms after the response signal presented for muscle relaxation, but similar changes were not found in H-reflex. We suggested that this phenomenon, may be, reflects on excitation of corticospinal neurons, which consequently play an important role for muscle relaxation.
A new single switch bridgeless SEPIC PFC converter with low cost, low THD and high PF

In this paper, a new single switch bridgeless AC/DC power factor correction PFC converter topology to achieve high PF and low THD is proposed. The proposed converter is based on the single ended primary inductance converter SEPIC topology. The SEPIC converters can operating from an input voltage that is greater or less than the output voltage. The proposed PFC uses only one active switch to PFC process together hoping higher PF and low THD. Besides the application cost is less than conventional bridgeless SEPIC PFC, in where two active switching devices are necessary. In order to verify the performance comparison between the proposed and the conventional SEPIC PFC, simulation circuit with 100W is install in PSIM. The simulation results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed converters. The results show that the proposed bridgeless SEPIC PFC perfectly succeeds PFC operation using a single active switch.
Interactions between disordered sleep, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders

Abstract Disordered sleep is associated with a number of adverse health consequences and is an integral component of many psychiatric disorders. Rates of substance use disorders (SUDs) are markedly higher among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and this relationship may be partly mediated by disturbed sleep. Sleep disturbances (e.g. insomnia, daytime sleepiness, vivid nightmares) are hallmark features of PTSD and there is evidence that individuals with PTSD engage in substance use as a means of coping with these symptoms. However, prolonged substance use can lead to more severe sleep disturbances due to the development of tolerance and withdrawal. Behavioural or pharmacological treatment of disordered sleep is associated with improved daytime symptoms and psychosocial functioning among individuals who have developed PTSD. Initial research also suggests that improving sleep could be similarly beneficial in reducing coping oriented substance use and preventing relapse among those seeking treatment for SUDs. Together, these findings suggest that ameliorating sleep disturbance among at-risk individuals would be a viable target for the prevention and treatment of PTSD and associated SUDs, but prospective research is needed to examine this hypothesis. Enhanced understanding of the interrelation between sleep, PTSD, and SUDs may yield novel prevention and intervention approaches for these costly, prevalent and frequently co-occurring disorders.
ANALYSIS-BY-SYNTHESIS IN AUDITORY-VISUAL SPEECH PERCEPTION: MULTI-SENSORY MOTOR INTERFACING

In conversational settings, one sees as much as one hears the interlocutor. Compelling demonstrations of auditory-visual integration in speech perception are the classic McGurk effects [1]: in McGurk “fusion,” an auditory [p] dubbed onto a face articulating [k] is perceived as a single fused percept [t], but in McGurk “combination,” an auditory [k] dubbed onto a visual [p] is heard as multiple combinations of [k] and [p]. The natural spatio-temporal co-occurrence of auditory-visual (AV) speech signals is thus a likely feature used by the brain. AV speech integration offers interesting challenges for neuroscience and speech science alike. How, when, where, and in what format do auditory and visual speech signals integrate? A set of empirical studies are described, whose results suggest that multisensory speech integration relies on a dynamic set of predictive computations involving a large-scale cortical network (including sensory and motor systems). In building on the classical ‘analysis-by-synthesis’ framework [2], it is suggested that speech perception entails a predictive brain network, which computationally operates on abstract speech units.
Changes in synaptic populations in the spinal dorsal horn following a dorsal rhizotomy in the monkey

Studies in monkeys have shown substantial neuronal reorganization and behavioral recovery during the months following a cervical dorsal root lesion (DRL; Darian‐Smith [2004] J. Comp. Neurol. 470:134–150; Darian‐Smith and Ciferri [2005] J. Comp. Neurol. 491:27–45, [2006] J. Comp. Neurol. 498:552–565). The goal of the present study was to identify ultrastructural synaptic changes post‐DRL within the dorsal horn (DH). Two monkeys received a unilateral DRL, as described previously (Darian‐Smith and Brown [2000] Nat. Neurosci. 3:476–481), which removed cutaneous and proprioceptive input from the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Six weeks before terminating the experiment at 4 post‐DRL months, hand representation was mapped electrophysiologically within the somatosensory cortex, and anterograde tracers were injected into reactivated cortex to label corticospinal terminals. Sections were collected through the spinal lesion zone. Corticospinal terminals and inhibitory profiles were visualized by using preembedding immunohistochemistry and postembedding γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunostaining, respectively. Synaptic elements were systematically counted through the superficial DH and included synaptic profiles with round vesicles (R), pleomorphic flattened vesicles (F; presumed inhibitory synapses), similar synapses immunolabeled for GABA (F‐GABA), primary afferent synapses (C‐type), synapses with dense‐cored vesicles (D, mostly primary afferents), and presynaptic dendrites of interneurons (PSD). Synapse types were compared bilaterally via ANOVAs. As expected, we found a significant drop in C‐type profiles on the lesioned side (∼16% of contralateral), and R profiles did not differ bilaterally. More surprising was a significant increase in the number of F profiles (∼170% of contralateral) and F‐GABA profiles (∼315% of contralateral) on the side of the lesion. Our results demonstrate a striking increase in the inhibitory circuitry within the deafferented DH. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:103–117, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bovine serum growth hormone, corticoids and insulin during lactation.

Serum GH and insulin were measured in 26 cows and serum corticoids were measured in 12 cows. Blood samples were collected 2–4 hr before, immediately after and 1 hr after milking for the duration of a lactation (44 weeks). Milking was associated with the release of corticoids and insulin but not GH. Serum GH was negatively associated with milk yield, especially after 24 weeks of lactation. This negative, relationship may be more directly caused by changes associated with concurrent pregnancy rather than with lactation per se, because serum GH concentrations decreased as lactation advanced, but increased as gestation progressed. Serum GH was greater (p < 0.05) during estrus than during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle of lactating cows. Serum insulin concentrations were inversely related to GH levels (increasing as lactation advanced, but decreasing as pregnancy progressed), and insulin was consistently negatively related to milk yields. Serum corticoids were variable, but on the average they changed v.
A new PR-D (Proportional Resonant and Derivative) controller for resonance damping in a grid connected reverse voltage topology multi-level inverter

Renewable energy resources are connected to power grid through voltage source inverters. In these systems, the electric current entering into the grid is supposed to fulfill the IEEE criteria, so that high quality of power with less distortion is transported. Due to this, low pass filters like L, LC or LCL are applied by means of the inverter to minimize the harmonics getting into the grid. LCL filters are generally employed because of their functioning in filtering capability but they bring in resonance and unstableness. Therefore damping is carried out by applying controllers in the circuit to decrease the resonance in the system. In this paper, to suppress resonance, Proportional Resonant — Derivative (PR-D) controller is designed to check self-reliant action of proportional, resonant and derivative controllers. PR-D controller is compared with existing two degree of freedom controller (2DOF) and the system functioning is validated in a MATLAB platform. The simulation results exhibit that PR-D controller admits meliorate resonance damping & constancy when compared with the two degree of freedom damping. The performance of grid interfaced reverse voltage topology multi-level inverter with and without controllers is analyzed.
Applications of Robust Descriptor Kalman Filter in Robotics

In this chapter we are interested in designing estimators for the internal variables of two kind of robots, wheeled mobile and robotic leg prosthesis, based on a recently developed robust descriptor Kalman filter. The proposed approach is reasonable since descriptor formulation can cope with algebraic restrictions on system’s signals. Further, the recursiveness of this class of filter is useful for on-line applications. Different procedures have been used to deal with mobile robots localization problem. Measurement systems based on odometric, inertial sensors and ultrasounds are self-contained, simple to use, and able to guarantee a high data rate. However, the problem of these systems is that they integrate the relative increments, and the localization errors considerably grow over time if an appropriate sensor fusion algorithm is not used, see for instance [17], [18] and references therein. The examples developed in these references do not take into account robust approaches, in the line we are proposing here. In the context of robotic leg prosthesis, we deal with the development of devices for above knee amputees. Robotic prosthesis are devices intended to replace parts of the human body. They should be able to sense the environment and complain with the movement of the body in such a way to aid the user to perform the most common tasks. This is a very interesting and current research topic [7]. Environment sensing is one of the most difficult tasks, mainly in the case of leg prosthesis because of the great diversity of walking conditions and terrains. The use of Electromyographic (EMG) signal processing for detecting the main properties of the walking terrain is the focus of [15]. However, in the case of above knee prosthesis, there is no EMG signal available to allow automatic reorientation of the robotic foot. When the foot of a robotic leg is not in contact with ground, its configuration should be estimated to allow its control with respect to ground. This can be useful for controlling its orientation, mainly in the end of phase where the foot is not in contact with ground. In this chapter, it is shown a solution for this problem using multisensor data fusion by a robust descriptor Kalman filter. This chapter is divided in three main parts. In the first part we present basic definitions and concepts of descriptor systems and some examples to clarify the use of this kind of approach. In the second part we present three algorithms for the computation of the
The maize methylome influences mRNA splice sites and reveals widespread paramutation-like switches guided by small RNA

The maize genome, with its large complement of transposons and repeats, is a paradigm for the study of epigenetic mechanisms such as paramutation and imprinting. Here, we present the genome-wide map of cytosine methylation for two maize inbred lines, B73 and Mo17. CG (65%) and CHG (50%) methylation (where H = A, C, or T) is highest in transposons, while CHH (5%) methylation is likely guided by 24-nt, but not 21-nt, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Correlations with methylation patterns suggest that CG methylation in exons (8%) may deter insertion of Mutator transposon insertion, while CHG methylation at splice acceptor sites may inhibit RNA splicing. Using the methylation map as a guide, we used low-coverage sequencing to show that parental methylation differences are inherited by recombinant inbred lines. However, frequent methylation switches, guided by siRNA, persist for up to eight generations, suggesting that epigenetic inheritance resembling paramutation is much more common than previously supposed. The methylation map will provide an invaluable resource for epigenetic studies in maize.
Sylvatic hosts of Rhodnius pallescens (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) nymphs in the Panama Canal Zone.

Precipitin tests performed on 200 blood-engorged Rhodnius pallescens nymphs collected from Corozo palm trees ( Scheelea zonensis ) in the Panama Canal Zone revealed the following animals as blood meal sources: 91 (45.5%) Didelphidae (opossums), 72 (36%) Myrmecophagidae (anteaters), 15 (7.5%) Bradypodidae (sloths), 9 (4.5%) Echimyidae (spiny rats), 7 (3.5%) Sciuridae (squirrels), 4 (2%) Cracidae (curassows and guans) and 2 (I %) Sauria (lizards).
Importins and Beyond: Non‐Conventional Nuclear Transport Mechanisms

The movement of proteins between the cytoplasm and the nucleus conventionally involves the recognition of nuclear targeting signals by members of the importin (Imp) superfamily of nuclear transporters, followed by translocation through the nuclear envelope‐embedded nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). It is becoming increasingly apparent, however, that distinct alternative pathways for nuclear transport exist and are relatively abundant. This review examines several of these novel pathways, including facilitation of Imp‐dependent transport by microtubule motors, and Imp‐independent pathways involving either other transport molecules such as the calcium‐binding protein calmodulin or through direct binding to the components of the NPC. The existence of these pathways and the fact that many proteins appear to possess separate Imp‐dependent and ‐independent nuclear import mechanisms ensure that the cell can function under conditions in which Imp‐dependent transport is inhibited and/or modulate the efficiency of Imp‐dependent transport itself, according to the need.