Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
T2, Carr–Purcell T2 and T1ρ of fat and water as surrogate markers of trabecular bone structure

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have been developed for non-invasive assessment of the structural properties of trabecular bone. These measurements, however, suffer from relatively long acquisition times and low resolution compared to the trabecular size. Spectroscopic measurement of relaxation times could be applied for more detailed and faster assessment of relaxation properties of bone marrow and also provide surrogate information on trabecular structure. In the present study, bovine trabecular bone was investigated with spectroscopic NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) methods to determine the relationship between structural parameters as measured with micro-CT and T2, Carr–Purcell T2 and T1ρ relaxation times of fat and water. To compare bone with a sample matrix with magnetic susceptibility interfaces, phantoms consisting of glass beads with different diameters in oil or water were used. The behavior of T2 measured with different sequences and T1ρ at different magnitudes of spin-lock fields were characterized, and relaxation times were correlated with structural parameters. T2 and T1ρ showed significant associations with structural bone parameters. Strongest linear correlations (r = 0.81, p < 0.01) were established between R1ρ (1/T1ρ) of fat component and structural model index. For glass beads, the behavior of T2 and T1ρ was similar to that of the water compartment of bone marrow. The present results suggest feasibility of spectroscopic NMR measurements to assess trabecular structure. However, further studies are required to determine the sensitivity of this approach to fat content of bone marrow and to lower the field strengths used in clinical devices.
Bulge loops used to measure the helical twist of RNA in solution.

Bulge loops are commonly found in helical segments of cellular RNAs. When incorporated into long double-stranded RNAs, they may introduce points of flexibility or permanent bend that can be detected by the altered electrophoretic gel mobility of the RNA. We find that a single An or Un bulge loop near the middle of a long RNA helix significantly retards the RNA during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis if n greater than or equal to 2. The mobility of an RNA containing two A2 bulges various periodically with the number of base pairs between the bulges. We interpret this to mean that A2 bulges varies periodically with the number of base pairs between the bulges. We interpret this to mean that Z2 bulges form torsionally stiff bends in the helix; the gel mobility reaches a minimum when the total helical twist between the bulges rotates the arms of the molecule into a cis conformation. The gel mobilities are proportional to the predicted end-to-end distance of the RNA if the average RNA helical repeat is 11.8 +/- 0.2 bp/turn and there is no helical twist (3 +/- 9 degrees) associated with the bulge (data obtained in 0.15 M Na+). Other sizes and sequences of bulges have very different effects on RNA helix conformation and flexibility. U2 bulges bend the helix to a much smaller degree than A2 bulges, while longer A or U bulge sequences probably allow bends of 90 degrees or more; all of these may be fairly flexible joints. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Concurrent Error Detection, Diagnosis, and Fault Tolerance for Switched-Capacitor Filters

In this paper, a concurrent error detection, diagnosis, and fault tolerance methodology for switched-capacitor filters (SCFs) based on the checksum code method is presented. By adding one and two rows to the state equation matrices of an SCF, concurrent error detection and diagnosis schemes can be respectively developed. The fault tolerance scheme can be obtained by feeding back the error detection results to the original circuit. We show that the area overhead of the concurrent error detection circuit can be significantly reduced by simplifying the derived switched-capacitor test circuits. A fifth order low-pass Chebyshev filter has been designed to verify the proposed schemes. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of this method.
Chronic myeloid leukemia with minor‐bcr breakpoint developed hybrid type of blast crisis

Although a breakpoint in the minor breakpoint cluster region (m‐bcr) of the BCR gene is observed in about two‐thirds of patients with Philadelphia chromosome‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, this type of genomic rearrangement occurs very rarely in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We describe here the eighth case of m‐bcr CML, and delineate unique clinical characteristics found in common to the 7 cases reported previously. Monocytosis with a low neutrophil/monocyte ratio resembling chronic myelomonocytic leukemia was the most striking feature of m‐bcr CML. Splenomegaly and basophilia were not conspicuous in chronic phase. A high percentage of immature granulocytes and low neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score were the findings in common with classical CML. Lymphoid and myeloid blast changes have been observed at and shortly after presentation so far. We found a hybrid type of blast crisis in the course of m‐bcr CML.Thus, m‐bcr CML may be a definite subtype of CML, exhibiting distinct clinical characteristics. The presence of fusion product of m‐bcr mRNA in an earlier myeloid cell may involve monocytic lineage in addition to myeloproliferative defects. Am. J. Hematol. 57:320–325, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of deep learning for gender classification on traditional datasets

Deep Learning has becoming a popular and effective way to address a large set of issues. In particular, in computer vision, it has been exploited to get satisfying recognition performance in unconstrained conditions. However, this wild race towards even better performance in extreme conditions has overshadowed an important step i.e. the assessment of the impact of this new methodology on traditional issues on which for years the researchers had worked. This is particularly true for biometrics applications where the evaluation of deep learning has been made directly on newest large and more challencing datasets. This lead to a pure data driven evaluation that makes difficult to analyze the relationships between network configurations, learning process and experienced outcomes. This paper tries to partially fill this gap by applying a DNN for gender recognition on the MORPH dataset and evaluating how a lower cardinality of examples used for learning can bias the recognition performance.
Multimode horn antennas for far-infrared astronomy

Multi-mode horns combined with bolometric or incoherent detectors are finding application in astronomical receivers for which partially coherent operation can provide increased throughput and thus sensitivity. This is advantageous when observing faint sources, especially if diffraction limited resolution is not required, or if the horn beam is truncated by a cold stop in the optical train. We discuss how such horns can be simulated and present examples from receiver instrumentation on the Planck and SPICA space telescopes.
Magnetic Needle Viscometer for Langmuir Monolayers

We have built a magnetic needle viscometer capable of measuring the surface shear viscosity of Langmuir monolayers at constant surface pressure or molecular area. A Langmuir trough with dual symmetrical compression/expansion barriers is positioned between two electromagnetic coils that create a homogeneous magnetic field gradient. The gradient drives a Teflon-encapsulated magnetic needle floating on the monolayer along the surface to a terminal velocity. A channel created by two glass plates centers the needle and minimizes drift. The ratio of monolayer surface shear viscosity at a given composition, temperature, surface pressure, and so forth to a reference surface shear viscosity is determined by taking the appropriate ratio of the limiting velocities of the magnetic needle for a given applied force. The monolayer viscometer was calibrated using thin films of silicone oil of known viscosity. We demonstrate the utility of the viscometer by showing that the shear viscosity of saturated dipalmitoylphosphat.
Wisdom from the Robber Barons: Enduring Business Lessons from Rockefeller, Morgan, and the First Industrialists

Insights from the business titans of the industrial age. At the turn of the last century, the men who dared to think big changed the business landscape forever--and grew fabulously wealthy in the process. Today, as the forces of technological and social change are giving rise to a new breed of business pioneer, the insights of the first industrialists have never been more relevant or compelling. In this unique book, noted business historians George David Smith and Frederick Dalzell showcase the best writings and statements of America's legendary "robber barons"--Rockefeller, Morgan, Vanderbilt, Ford, Carnegie, Armour, Du Pont, and others--on such timeless topics as risk taking and innovation, growth strategies, workplace design, and leadership. Featuring lively commentary from Smith and Dalzell as well as period illustrations, Wisdom from the Robber Barons will capture the imagination of any business reader who aspires to make a mark on the world.
Randomized comparison of long‐term carvedilol and propranolol administration in the treatment of portal hypertension in cirrhosis

Short‐term carvedilol administration is more powerful than propranolol in decreasing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) in cirrhotic patients, but induces arterial hypotension that may prevent its long‐term use in portal hypertensive patients. This study compared the HVPG reduction and safety of long‐term carvedilol and propranolol. Fifty‐one cirrhotic patients were randomly assigned to receive carvedilol (n = 26) and propranolol (n = 25). Hemodynamic measurements and renal function were assessed at baseline and after 11.1 ± 4.1 weeks. Carvedilol caused a greater decrease in HVPG than popranolol (− 19 ± 2% vs. − 12 ± 2%; P < 0.001). The proportion of patients achieving an HVPG reduction ⩾20% or ⩽ 20 mm Hg was greater after carvedilol (54% vs. 23%; P < 0.05). Carvedilol, but not propranolol caused a significant decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) (– 11 ± 1% vs. – 5 ± 3%; P = 0.05) and a significant increase in plasma volume (PV) and body weight (11 ± 5% and 2 ± 1%, respectively; P < 0.05). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was unchanged with either drug, but the dose of diuretics was increased more frequently after carvedilol (27% vs. 8% P = 0.07). Adverse events requiring discontinuation of treatment occurred in 2 patients receiving carvedilol and in 3 receiving propranolol. In conclusion, carvedilol has a greater portal hypotensive effect than propranolol in patients with cirrhosis. However, its clinical applicability may be limited by its systemic hypotensive effects. Further trials are needed to confirm the therapeutic potential of carvedilol. (HEPATOLOGY2002;36:1367–1373).
Theory of Deep Learning III: explaining the non-overfitting puzzle

A main puzzle of deep networks revolves around the absence of overfitting despite large overparametrization and despite the large capacity demonstrated by zero training error on randomly labeled data. In this note, we show that the dynamics associated to gradient descent minimization of nonlinear networks is topologically equivalent, near the asymptotically stable minima of the empirical error, to linear gradient system in a quadratic potential with a degenerate (for square loss) or almost degenerate (for logistic or crossentropy loss) Hessian. The proposition depends on the qualitative theory of dynamical systems and is supported by numerical results. Our main propositions extend to deep nonlinear networks two properties of gradient descent for linear networks, that have been recently established (1) to be key to their generalization properties: 1. Gradient descent enforces a form of implicit regularization controlled by the number of iterations, and asymptotically converges to the minimum norm solution for appropriate initial conditions of gradient descent. This implies that there is usually an optimum early stopping that avoids overfitting of the loss. This property, valid for the square loss and many other loss functions, is relevant especially for regression. 2. For classification, the asymptotic convergence to the minimum norm solution implies convergence to the maximum margin solution which guarantees good classification error for "low noise" datasets. This property holds for loss functions such as the logistic and cross-entropy loss independently of the initial conditions. The robustness to overparametrization has suggestive implications for the robustness of the architecture of deep convolutional networks with respect to the curse of dimensionality.
Two-stage investigation of resonances in power systems

The resonance in a power system is one of the phenomena, which can entail many negative effects if it is an undesirable. At the beginning of the paper, the short characteristics of existing methods for the investigation of resonances in power systems are presented. Then, the used approach to investigate the resonance is presented. It is assumed that the investigation of resonance is realized in two stages, i.e. (i) the stage of introductory investigation of the resonances, (ii) the stage of exact investigation of resonances. The investigation of resonance during both the stages is performed utilizing the state equation for a power network. After the theoretical background of the method is described the example of its utilization is given. At the end, the main features of the method are given
Electron injection into organic semiconductor devices from high work function cathodes

We show that polymer light-emitting diodes with high work-function cathodes and conjugated polyelectrolyte injection/transport layers exhibit excellent efficiencies despite large electron-injection barriers. Correlation of device response times with structure provides evidence that the electron-injection mechanism involves redistribution of the ions within the polyelectrolyte electron-transport layer and hole accumulation at the interface between the emissive and electron-transport layers. Both processes lead to screening of the internal electric field and a lowering of the electron-injection barrier. The hole and electron currents are therefore diffusion currents rather than drift currents. The response time and the device performance are influenced by the type of counterion used.
Distribution and Diversity of Gallionella-Like Neutrophilic Iron Oxidizers in a Tidal Freshwater Marsh

ABSTRACT Microbial iron oxidation is an integral part of the iron redox cycle in wetlands. Nonetheless, relatively little is known about the composition and ecology of iron-oxidizing communities in the soils and sediments of wetlands. In this study, sediment cores were collected across a freshwater tidal marsh in order to characterize the iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) and to link their distributions to the geochemical properties of the sediments. We applied recently designed 16S rRNA primers targeting Gallionella-related FeOB by using a nested PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) approach combined with a novel quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. Gallionella-related FeOB were detected in most of the samples. The diversity and abundance of the putative FeOB were generally higher in the upper 5 to 12 cm of sediment than in deeper sediment and higher in samples collected in April than in those collected in July and October. Oxygen supply by macrofauna appears to be a major force in controlling the spatial and temporal variations in FeOB communities. The higher abundance of Gallionella-related FeOB in April coincided with elevated concentrations of extractable Fe(III) in the sediments. Despite this coincidence, the distributions of FeOB did not exhibit a simple relationship to the redox zonation inferred from the geochemical depth profiles.
Software defined radio for profile reconstruction in Forward Scatter Radar

In this paper we present research on the feasibility of the USRPTM devices to be used in the domain of Forward Scatter Radar (FSR). System design and implementation of software defined radio hardware for FSR with both quadrature Doppler channels are presented. Experimental configuration for a number of frequencies (4.2 GHz, 3.5 GHz, 2.1 GHz, 1.192 GHz) are discussed and some technical issues are highlighted. It is shown that performance of software defined radio radar satisfies the requirements for the accurate estimation of complex Doppler signal, which is compulsory for the target profile reconstruction in FSR.
Efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for postcesarean section delivery analgesia--a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study.

BACKGROUND Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been used for intra-operative and postoperative analgesia. Here we evaluate the efficacy of TAP block for postoperative cesarean delivery analgesia. METHOD A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed at King Khalid University Hospital on 40 patients undergoing cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine and fentanyl. At the end of surgery they received bilateral ultrasound-guided TAP block either with bupivacaine 0.25% (B group) 20 patients, or saline (S group, or placebo group) 20 patients, followed by patient controlled analgesia with i.v. morphine only. Each patient was assessed 24 hours after delivery for pain, morphine consumption, nausea, vomiting, sedation, patient's satisfaction, and also pain relief during mobilization (24 hours post-cesarean section). RESULTS All 40 participants completed the study. Total morphine consumption was reduced more than 60% in the bupivacaine group; the bupivacaine group also reported improved satisfaction with their pain relief over 24 hours after surgery, reduced morphine consumption, less nausea, vomiting, and better patient's satisfaction. CONCLUSION Ultrasound-guided TAP block improved postoperative analgesia, reduced morphine consumption and improved patient's satisfaction regarding analgesia after cesarean delivery.
COMPOSITION OF GANGLIOSIDES AND PHOSPHOLIPIDS OF NEURONAL AND GLIAL CELL ENRICHED FRACTIONS 1

Abstract— Fractions enriched in neuronal cell bodies and in glial cells were isolated from rabbit cerebral cortex by discontinuous gradient centrifugation. The ratio of total lipid to protein was approx. 50 per cent higher in the glial fraction than in the neuronal fraction. The fatty acid composition for the major phosphoglycerides was with few exceptions, similar for neurons and glia. The ganglioside concentration was very low for both cell types, but was approx. twice as high in the glial cells as in the neurons. The pattern of individual gangliosides was, however, very similar for the glial and neuronal fractions and did not differ from that of unfractionated cerebral cortex, synaptosomes and mitochondria. The latter results are discussed in relation to the estimated amounts of plasma membrane in the neuronal and glial fractions.
Childhood on the Farm: Work, Play, and Coming of Age in the Midwest

As the United States transformed itself from an agricultural to an industrial nation, thousands of young people left farm homes for life in the big city. But even by 1920 the nation s heartland remained predominantly rural and most children in the region were still raised on farms. Pamela Riney-Kehrberg retells their stories, offering glimpses both nostalgic and realistic of a bygone era. As Riney-Kehrberg shows, the experiences of most farm children continued to reflect the traditions of family life and labor, albeit in an age when middle-class urban Americans were beginning to redefine childhood as a time reserved for education and play. She draws upon a wealth of primary sources not only memoirs and diaries but also census data to create a vivid portrait of midwestern farm childhood from the early post Civil War period through the Progressive Era growing pains of industrialization. Those personal accounts resurrect the essential experience of children s work, play, education, family relations, and coming of age from their own perspectives. Steering a middle path between the myth of wholesome farm life and the reality of work that was often extremely dangerous, Riney-Kehrberg shows both the best and the worst that a rural upbringing had to offer midwestern youth a time before mechanization forever changed the rural scene and radio broke the spell of isolation. Down on the farm, truancy was not uncommon and chores were shared across genders. Yet farm children managed to indulge in inventive play much of it homemade to supplement store-bought toys and to get through the long spells between circuses. Filled with insightful personal stories and graced with dozens of highly evocative period photos, "Childhood on the Farm" is the only general history of midwestern farm children to use narratives written by the children themselves, giving a fresh voice to these forgotten years. Theirs was a way of life that was disappearing even as they lived it, and this book offers new insight into why, even if many rural youngsters became urban and suburban adults, they always maintained some affection for the farm. "
Mechanisms of remyelination: recent insight from experimental models

Abstract Oligodendrocytes and myelin play essential roles in the vertebrate central nervous system. Demyelination disrupts saltatory nerve conduction, leading to axonal degeneration and neurological disabilities. Remyelination is a regenerative process that replaces lost myelin. However, remyelination is disrupted in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis, at least partially, due to the failure of oligodendrocyte precursor cells to differentiate into myelinating oligodendrocytes. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that impact the differentiation of oligodendrocytes and myelination may help in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for demyelinating diseases. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms controlling the differentiation of oligodendrocytes during remyelination, and we discuss the function of astrocytes and microglia in animal models of demyelinating diseases.
Risques professionnels dans l'asthme

L’importance des facteurs de risque professionnels dans l’asthme est bien etablie, mais le role de certains agents doit etre clarifie. Les objectifs de la these sont d’evaluer les liens entre les expositions aux produits de nettoyage et l’asthme, et d’etudier l’impact et la prise en compte du biais du travailleur sain, dans l’etude Epidemiologique des facteurs Genetiques et Environnementaux de l’Asthme (EGEA, 2047 sujets dont 1477 adultes avec des donnees professionnelles). L’exposition aux produits de nettoyage a ete estimee par une expertise et une matrice emploi-exposition. Chez les femmes, l’asthme actuel etait associe a l’exposition aux detartrants (OR=2.4 (1.1-5.3)), et aux sprays (2.9 (1.0-8.1)) et a l’ammoniac (3.1 (1.2-7.8)) chez les aides-soignantes. Les detartrants et l’ammoniac sont des irritants. L’exposition aux produits de nettoyage etait associee a l’asthme severe et sans sensibilisation allergique. Deux analyses ont souligne l’importance du biais du travailleur sain dans l’asthme. Un biais de selection a l’embauche a ete observe chez des sujets avec un asthme severe dans l’enfance. Un modele marginal structural a permis de prendre en compte le biais du travailleur sain dans l’etude de l’effet des expositions professionnelles sur l’expression clinique de l’asthme au cours de la vie. En plus du role d’asthmogenes connus, le role d’agents moins bien etablis, comprenant des irritants (1.6 (1.0-2.4)) etait suggere. Les resultats sont coherents avec un role des irritants dans l’asthme lie au travail. Ils soutiennent une utilisation plus large d’approches d’analyse causale pour controler le biais du travailleur sain dans les etudes des risques professionnels.