Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adjoint Equations and Error Measure in Radiative Heat Transfer With Diffuse Reflection

In this paper, we develop an application of the importance equation (which is an adjoint equation of the radiosity equation) in the case of isothermal, diffuse surfaces. We recall the formulation of the radiosity equation, in function of the nature of the boundary condition (either known temperature or fixed radiative heat flux). We define the importance as the quantity dual to radiosity. We explain how these equations can be used after the resolution of a radiative heat transfer situation, as a post processing step, to establish the accuracy of each individual radiative link between the active faces of a tri-dimensional surface geometrical model. 1 Background In order to design the thermal control system of a space mission, the thermal engineer often uses dedicated software. As the radiative component can be predominant, software is very often based on Monte Carlo ray tracing to compute the energy exchanges between the surfaces which compose the geometrical model, as well as the heat fluxes from the heat sources to the spacecraft and the evacuation of heat to the deep space. The accuracy of Monte Carlo ray tracing is function of the number of traced rays; this number of rays is left to the discretion of the engineer. A bad estimate may lead to an unacceptable error or an unnecessary computation load. In this paper, we propose a way to compute the energy error associated with each surface. It allows us to identify the less accurate surfaces, which could require additional rays to be traced. It is a first step to a statistical accuracy control, which could automatically compute the number of rays to achieve the required level of accuracy.
Does lactate measurement performed on admission predict clinical outcome on the intensive care unit? A concise systematic review

Background There is a need for practical, efficient and effective prognostic markers for patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with sepsis, to identify patients at highest risk and guide and monitor treatment. Although many biomarkers and scoring systems have been advocated, none have yet achieved this elusive combination. Most ICUs already use blood lactate concentrations to monitor patients but the evidence base for this application is unclear. Methods A systematic review of the last five years of evidence of effectiveness of lactate measurement in prediction of outcome in ICUs was performed. Results It was found that there is a lack of high-quality evidence, and no specific studies of prognostic accuracy. d- or l-Lactate concentrations measured in plasma, serum, whole blood or colonic washings were raised at admission in almost all patient groups, and were higher in patient groups who had the worst outcomes (in-hospital mortality, sequential organ failure). However, there was significant overlap in individual concentrations measured in those who died within 28 days of admission, or who developed multiple organ failure, and those who did not. For serum l-lactate concentrations, no specific cut-off value capable of predicting in-hospital mortality or sequential organ failure could be recommended. Conclusions The evidence reviewed suggested that whole blood, plasma or serum lactate measurement could not provide specific prognostic information for individual patients. There may be a role for monitoring for normalization of serum d- or l-lactate concentrations during goal-directed therapy in the ICU but further good-quality studies are needed. Measurement of the d-lactate stereoisomer shows promise, such that further studies are warranted.
An improved Apriori algorithm based on pruning optimization and transaction reduction

The paper analyzes the basic ideas and the shortcomings of Apriori algorithm, studies the current major improvement strategies of it. In order to solve the low performance and efficiency of the algorithm caused by its generating lots of candidate sets and scanning the transaction database repeatedly, it studies the pruning optimization and transaction reduction strategies, and on this basis, the improved Apriori algorithm based on pruning optimization and transaction reduction is put forward. According to the performance comparison in the simulation experiment, by using the improved algorithm, the number of frequent item sets is much less and the running time is significantly shortened as well as the performance is enhanced then finally the algorithm is improved.
Safety and Effectiveness of Rituximab in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Following an Inadequate Response to 1 Prior Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor: The RESET Trial

Objective. To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of rituximab (RTX) in combination with methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after failure of a single tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor. Changes in patient-reported outcomes after primary treatment or retreatment with RTX and factors determining retreatment in clinical practice were also evaluated. Methods. In this phase 3b open-label, multicenter trial, patients received 2 slow infusions of RTX 1000 mg 14 days apart after premedication (primary treatment). Patients with a clinically relevant response could receive retreatment between 24 and 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was evaluation of safety. Secondary outcomes were safety of retreatment, effectiveness of primary treatment and retreatment, and changes in patient-reported outcomes after primary treatment or retreatment. Results. Of 120 patients enrolled at 36 centers and receiving primary RTX treatment, 77 received retreatment, 112 completed the 24-week primary treatment period, and 25 completed the 48-week primary treatment and retreatment period following a single course of RTX. The most common adverse events were mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, nasopharyngitis, and headache. No infections or infusion reactions were considered life-threatening. At 24 weeks, 58%, 27%, and 7% of patients achieved American College of Rheumatology 20, 50, and 70 improvements, respectively, and similar improvements were seen after retreatment. Conclusion. RTX was well tolerated, with a low incidence of infusion reactions and infections. Efficacy results, including enhanced response in rheumatoid factor-positive patients, were comparable to those reported in the literature. Based on its efficacy and safety profile and retreatment schedule, RTX is an attractive treatment option for patients that have not responded to a single TNF-α inhibitor.
Feature extraction and classification of brain motor imagery task based on MVAR model

In this paper, MVAR (multivariate autoregressive) model method for extracting EEG features is presented. With MVAR model coefficient features, the discriminant analysis based on Mahalanobis distance is applied to realize classification of the left and right hand motor imagery tasks. By analyzing the data from BCI2003 competition provided by Graz University of technology, the satisfactory results are obtained with the highest classification accuracy reaching 88.57% and the maximum mutual information reaching 1.03 bit. To testify the validity of MVAR model method, as a contrast EEG feature extraction by AR model is discussed. From the three performances such as maximum classification accuracy, maximum SNR and maximum mutual information, the results by MVAR method are better than that by AR model method.
3D tomography reveals connections between the phagophore and endoplasmic reticulum

Autophagosomes have been reported to form in the vicinity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In many cases, the phagophore membrane is observed between two cisternae of rough ER, but it is not known whether these two membranes are directly connected. To investigate the relationship of the phagophore membrane and the ER, we used electron microscopic tomography of serum and amino acid starved normal rat kidney cells. The cells were fixed in glutaraldehyde and reduced osmium tetroxide and embedded in Epon. Dual axis tilt image series were acquired from two successive 250-nm sections. To analyze the three-dimensional (3D) morphology of phagophores and the associated rough ER, 3D tomograms were used to model the ER and phagophore membranes. The tomographic reconstructions revealed connections between the phagophore/autophagosome membrane and the closely located ER cisternae, especially with the ER located inside the autophagosome. The connections were typically formed by narrow extensions from the phagophore/autophagosome to the ER. This finding has potential implications on the origin of autophagosome membranes, and on the mechanism of phagophore membrane extension. In addition, we observed lipid droplets in very close contact with the phagophores/autophagosomes.
Sialoglycoproteins adsorbed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa facilitate their survival by impeding neutrophil extracellular trap through siglec‐9

PA is an opportunistic pathogen that is commonly associated with severe infection in immunocompromised hosts. Siglec‐9 binds with Sias by cis interaction on the neutrophil surface, thereby reducing immunological activity. However, neutrophils bind with pathogens through trans interactions of siglec‐9 with Sias. Neutrophils kill invading pathogens by NETs, along with extracellular phagocytosis. Here, we report the mode of the adsorption of Sias by PA from host serum, the interaction of PA+Sias with human neutrophils, and the resulting neutrophil immunological activity. The α2–3‐linked sialoglycoproteins adsorbed by PA exhibited potent binding with the soluble siglec‐9‐Fc chimeras, CHO‐siglec‐9 and siglec‐9 on neutrophils. The binding between PA+Sias and neutrophils was blocked by the synthetic sialoglycan Neu5Acα2–3Galβ1–4GlcNAc, confirming the linkage‐specific, Sias–siglec‐9 interaction. The PA+Sias and siglec‐9 interaction on neutrophils reduced the level of ROS and the release of elastase, resulting in a reduction of NETs formation, demonstrating the role of the sialoglycoproteins adsorbed by PA in the weakening of neutrophil activity. The resistance of PA+Sias to NETs was made evident by the increased survival of PA+Sias. Moreover, the decrease in PA−Sias survival demonstrated the involvement of NETs formation in the absence of the Sias–siglec‐9 interaction. N‐actylcysteine or sivelestat‐pretreated neutrophils enhanced the survival of PA−Sias. DNAse‐pretreated neutrophils did not exhibit any NETs formation, resulting in the enhanced escape of PA−Sias. Taken together, one of the survival mechanisms of PA+Sias is the diminution of innate immunity via its adsorption of sialoglycoproteins by its engagement of the inhibitory molecule siglec‐9. This is possibly a general mechanism for pathogens that cannot synthesize Sias to subvert immunity.
Biological spacetime and the temporal integration of functional modules: A case study of dento–gnathic developmental timing

For the individual, coordination between tooth and jaw development is important to proper food acquisition and ingestion later in life. Among and within species, variation in dental and gnathic size, shape, and, in the case of teeth, number, must be mutually accommodating and functionally compatible. For these reasons, the development and evolution of these two systems should be closely integrated. Furthermore, the timing of dental development correlates tightly with life history events such as weaning. This correlation hints at a central regulation of the developmental timing of multiple systems that have tandem effects on physiology and behaviour. Important work on embryonic oral development continues to tease apart the molecular mechanisms that pattern jaw identity and establish tooth morphology and position in the alveolar bone. Still very poorly understood is what underlies rates and periods of gene activity such that pre‐ and postnatal tooth and jaw development are coordinated. Recent literature suggests at least some level of autonomy between permanent tooth and mandibular ontogenetic timing. However, whether the timing of these various signaling pathways is directly regulated or is an outcome of the pathways themselves is untested. Here, we review what is currently known about the embryonic signaling pathways that regulate tooth and jaw development in the context of time rather than space, as has been traditional. We hypothesize that the timing of mandibular and dental development is not directly mediated by a common factor but is an indirect outcome of strong selection for coordinated molecular pathways and growth trajectories. The mandible and lower jaw dentition is a powerful model with which to investigate the mechanisms that facilitate morphological change—in this case, the development and evolution—of organs that are closely integrated in terms of function, space and time. Developmental Dynamics 237:1–17, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bioaccumulation of metals by Scenedesmus, Selenastrum and Chlorella algae

Three species of algae were investigated for their ability to accumulate metal ions. Scenedesmus, Selenastrum and Chloretla species were found to be capable of accumulating metals such as Cu2+, Pb2+, and Cr3+ with 67 to 98% efficiency. Although Chlorella was less capable of accumulating these cations than the other two organisms, it possessed a greater capacity for the Cr2O2' anion. A suspension of Selenastrum was used to accumulate Cr3+ from a sample of post-anaerobic digester tannery effluent. The algae removed 39% of the chromium from solution. The rate of metal (Cu2t, Fb2+, Cr3+) accumulation by Scenedesmus was rapid, occurring in the first 4 min. Of the 4 metals investigated, Cu2+, Cr3t, Pb2t and Cr^O;. the former 2 were more toxic to the algae than the latter two.
Cancer risks in first‐generation immigrants to Sweden

We used the nationwide Swedish Family‐Cancer Database to analyse cancer risks in 613,000 adult immigrants to Sweden. All the immigrants had become parents in Sweden and their median age at immigration was 24 years for men and 22 years for women. We calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 18 cancer sites using native Swedes as a reference. Data were also available from compatriot marriages. All cancer was decreased by 5% and 8% for immigrant men and women, respectively. However, most of the male increase was due to lung cancer for which male immigrants showed a 41% excess. Among individual cancer sites and immigrant countries, 110 comparisons were significant, 62 showing protection and 48 an increased risk. Most of the differences between the rates in immigrants and Swedes could be ascribed to the variation of cancer incidence in the indigenous populations. Some high immigrant SIRs were 5.05 (n = 6, 95% CI 1.82–11.06) for stomach cancer in Rumanian women and 2.41 (41, 1.73–3.27) for lung cancer in Dutch men. At some sites, such as testis, prostate, skin (melanoma), kidney, cervix and nervous system, the SIRs for immigrants were decreased; in some groups of immigrants SIRs were about 0.20. The highest rates for testicular cancer were noted for Danes and Chileans. Women from Yugoslavia and Turkey had an excess of thyroid tumours. All immigrant groups showed breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers at or below the Swedish level but the differences were no more than 2‐fold. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Headache as the only neurological sign of cerebral venous thrombosis: a series of 17 cases

Background: Headache is the most frequent symptom in cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), and usually the first. However, it has rarely been reported as the only symptom of CVT. Objectives: To study the characteristics of patients in whom headache was the only presentation of CVT in the absence of intracranial hypertension, subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), meningitis, or other intracranial lesion. Methods: From a prospective study of 123 consecutive patients with CVT only those with isolated headache and normal brain computed tomography (CT) scan and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination were included in the present study. All patients underwent an extensive systematic aetiological work-up and were given intravenous heparin followed by oral anticoagulants. A detailed description of the headache was obtained. Results: Headache was only sign of CVT in 17 patients. The lateral sinus was the most frequently involved sinus (n = 15). Onset of headache was progressive in 11, acute in 3, and thunderclap in 3 patients. Once established, the headache was continuous in 15, diffuse in four and unilateral in 13, usually ipsilateral to the occluded lateral sinus. No specific risk factor or cause was found. All had a favourable evolution. Conclusion: The pathogenesis of isolated headache in CVT in the absence of intracranial hypertension, SAH, meningitis or intracerebral lesion is unknown but may involve changes in the walls of the occluded sinus. Hence MRI/MRV should be used to look for signs of CVT in all patients with recent headache (progressive or thunderclap) even when the CT scan and CSF examination are normal.
High threshold voltage p-GaN gate power devices on 200 mm Si

In this paper, we present high threshold voltage, low on-resistance, and high speed GaN-HEMT devices using a p-GaN layer in the gate stack. There are three novel features - first, for the first time, p-GaN gate HEMTs were fabricated on a 200-mm GaN on Si substrate using a Au-free fully CMOS-compatible process. Second, good electrical characteristics, including a threshold voltage of higher than 2.8 V, a low gate leakage current, no hysteresis, and fast switching, were obtained by employing a p-GaN and W gate stack. Finally, TO-220 packaged p-GaN gate HEMT devices, which can sustain a gate bias of up to 20 V, were demonstrated. Such properties indicate that our p-GaN HEMT devices are compatible with the conventional gate drivers for Si power devices.
Regulatory T cells and dendritic cells in transplantation tolerance: molecular markers and mechanisms

Summary: Transplantation tolerance can be induced in adult rodents using monoclonal antibodies against coreceptor or costimulation molecules on the surface of T cells. There are currently two well‐characterized populations of T cells, demonstrating regulatory capacity: the ‘natural’ CD4+CD25+ T cells and the interleukin (IL)‐10‐producing Tr1 cells. Although both types of regulatory T cells can induce transplantation tolerance under appropriate conditions, it is not clear whether either one plays any role in drug‐induced dominant tolerance, primarily due to a lack of clear‐cut molecular or functional markers. Similarly, although dendritic cells (DCs) can be pharmacologically manipulated to promote tolerance, the phenotype of such populations remains poorly defined. We have used serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) with 29 different T‐cell and antigen‐presenting cell libraries to identify gene‐expression signatures associated with immune regulation. We found that independently derived, regulatory Tr1‐like clones were highly concordant in their patterns of gene expression but were quite distinct from CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells from the spleen. DCs that were treated with the tolerance‐enhancing agents IL‐10 or vitamin D3 expressed a gene signature reflecting a functional specification in common with the most immature DCs derived from embryonic stem cells.
Optimal Scheduling for Roadside WLANs with Pre-Downloaded Messages

In this paper, data dissemination services are discussed in the context of vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). In order to improve the efficiency of data dissemination, messages are network coded and pre-downloaded to the local nodes within the roadside WLANs (RS-WLANs) and then scheduled for transmission when a vehicle goes through the coverage area. We investigate the optimal scheduling problem for the pre-downloaded messages when a vehicle travels through a specific trajectory. Based on the given vehicle trajectory, resource allocation model, and message pre-downloading profile, the optimal scheduling problem is mathematically formulated. As the global vehicle trajectory information is required for the problem formulation, the original problem is transformed into a set of subprolems which require only the local information upon each visit of a vehicle to an RS-WLAN. By utilizing the theory of deterministic sequencing and scheduling, an optimal scheduling algorithm is proposed. Simulation results indicate that the proposed scheme can improve the delivery probability while reducing the delivery delay of data dissemination sessions as compared with the legacy random access scheme.
Descriptor Data Bank (DDB): A Cloud Platform for Multiperspective Modeling of Protein-Ligand Interactions

Protein-ligand (PL) interactions play a key role in many life processes such as molecular recognition, molecular binding, signal transmission, and cell metabolism. Examples of interaction forces include hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effects, steric clashes, electrostatic contacts, and van der Waals attractions. Currently, a large number of hypotheses and perspectives to model these interaction forces are scattered throughout the literature and largely forgotten. Instead, had they been assembled and utilized collectively, they would have substantially improved the accuracy of predicting binding affinity of protein-ligand complexes. In this work, we present Descriptor Data Bank (DDB), a data-driven platform on the cloud for facilitating multiperspective modeling of PL interactions. DDB is an open-access hub for depositing, hosting, executing, and sharing descriptor extraction tools and data for a large number of interaction modeling hypotheses. The platform also implements a machine-learning (ML) toolbox for automatic descriptor filtering and analysis and scoring function (SF) fitting and prediction. The descriptor filtering module is used to filter out irrelevant and/or noisy descriptors and to produce a compact subset from all available features. We seed DDB with 16 diverse descriptor extraction tools developed in-house and collected from the literature. The tools altogether generate over 2700 descriptors that characterize (i) proteins, (ii) ligands, and (iii) protein-ligand complexes. The in-house descriptors we extract are protein-specific which are based on pairwise primary and tertiary alignment of protein structures followed by clustering and trilateration. We built and used DDB's ML library to fit SFs to the in-house descriptors and those collected from the literature. We then evaluated them on several data sets that were constructed to reflect real-world drug screening scenarios. We found that multiperspective SFs that were constructed using a large number of diverse DDB descriptors capturing various PL interactions in different ways outperformed their single-perspective counterparts in all evaluation scenarios, with an average improvement of more than 15%. We also found that our proposed protein-specific descriptors improve the accuracy of SFs.
Efficient photonic mixer with frequency doubling

A photonic mixer can upconvert/downconvert the signal in a fiber link to replace a conventional electronic mixer. We demonstrate a photonic mixer with frequency doubling that can be driven by half the intermediate frequency with low-cost microwave and optical components. The photonic mixer has a conversion loss of about 3.2 dB, which is the lowest conversion loss ever reported.