Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of fixed charge density in cartilage using nuclear magnetic resonance

Many biomechanical and chemical properties of cartilage are dependent on the fixed charge density (FCD) of the extracellular matrix. In this study, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was investigated as a nondestructive technique for determining FCD in cartilage. Sodium content was measured by NMR in cartilage explants and was compared with sodium content measured by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP) in order to verify the total NMR visibility of sodium in cartilage. The ratio of NMR to ICP results was 1.02 ± 0.04 (calf, mean ± SD, n = 7) and 1.04 ± 0.11 (adult bovine, n = 8). Sodium concentration as measured by NMR was then used with ideal Donnan theory to compute estimates of FCD. For calf articular cartilage (AC) near physiological conditions, calculated FCD was −0.28 ± 0.03 M (n = 10). NMR measurements were then made for individual cartilage specimens sequentially equilibrated in baths of differing salt composition, pH, or ionic strength. For calf and adult AC, calculated FCD decreased dramatically between pH 3 and 2, with adult speciments becoming positively charged but calf tissue retaining a net negative charge. For calf AC equilibrated in 0.3–0.015 M NaCl, calculated FCD was observed to decrease slightly with decreasing bath ionic strength. For epiphyseal cartilage, FCD varied with the position of origin of the explant within the joint, ranging from − 0.19 to − 0.35 M in a manner that correlated with tissue glycosaminoglycan content. Preliminary NMR imaging experiments demonstrated similar variations of sodium concentration in intact ulnar epiphyseal cartilage. Collectively, these results demonstrate the ability of NMR to nondestructively follow FCD in cartilage. The technique is applicable to dynamic studies as well as to both in vitro and in vivo studies on living tissue.
Serum soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor type I concentrations independently predict prognosis in patients with breast cancer

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to exploit the potential clinical use of circulating cytokine assessment in patients with breast cancer. Methods: The following circulating cytokines were measured in 210 histopathologically confirmed, untreated breast cancer patients: interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interleukin 8 (IL-8), soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor type I (sTNF RI), sTNF RII, interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), interleukin 10 (IL-10), macrophage colony-stimulating factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The patients have been followed-up for 10 years. Results: bFGF and VEGF showed the highest diagnostic sensitivity. Only IL-6 concentrations were related to the clinical stage. A high percentage of patients in clinical stage I showed increased serum sTNF RII, VEGF and bFGF concentrations, of which only sTNF RII was found to be increased in a smaller percentage of patients with more advanced disease compared with patients with early stage disease. Patients aged 50 years and more presented with significantly higher concentrations of sTNF RI, IL-10, IL-6 and VEGF compared with younger patients. In multivariate analysis, a significant value of pretreatment serum sTNF RI concentrations, next to stage and oestrogen receptors status, was its utility as an independent prognostic factor of the overall survival in patients with breast cancer. Conclusions: Serum sTNF RI may be considered an additional, independent and clinically useful factor of poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1481–6.
Would you like Chips with that

P&C Canteen Due to the lack of volunteers at our canteen this year, I have proposed an alternative operational structure. My proposal being that the canteen only provides lunch orders and no longer opens at recess or lunch for miscellaneous purchases. This proposal will be taken to the P&C meeting for discussion; which will be held next Friday (this date may need to change due to clashes with Mortimer Shield). If you have an opinion on this matter please make it known at the P&C meeting. Richard Busby. Term 2 Week 7 Mon 1 June Golf Clinic @ 4pm
Evaluation of the HER2/neu‐derived peptide GP2 for use in a peptide‐based breast cancer vaccine trial

E75 and GP2 are human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A2‐restricted immunogenic peptides derived from the HER2/neu protein. In a E75 peptide‐based vaccine trial, preexisting immunity and epitope spreading to GP2 was detected. The purpose of this study was to further investigate GP2 for potential use in vaccination strategies. Importantly, a naturally occurring polymorphism (I → V at position 2, 2VGP2) associated with increased breast cancer risk was addressed.
The sensation of respiratory muscle force.

The sensation of respiratory muscle force was examined in 8 normal subjects using the direct scaling method of magnitude production. At the end of a normal expiration, at functional residual capacity (FRC), subjects generated an inspiratory effort against a closed airway to produce a force that correspond to specific numerical values for sensation magnitude. Thereafter, at lung volumes of 2 L above FRC and 1 L below FRC, subjects attempted to reproduce the same force as that previously generated at FRC. Diaphragm electromyographic activity, recorded with an esophageal electrode, was used as a measure of central respiratory motor output. The difference between the mouth pressure during relaxation against a closed shutter and the peak airway pressure during the static inspiratory maneuver (Pmus) was employed as an index of muscle tension. The exponent for the magnitude production of force during maneuvers at FRC, i.e., the slope of the line relating log airway pressure and log sensation magnitude was 1.60 +/- SE 0.15. The exponent for force scaling was 1.47 +/- SE 0.17 after correcting for differences in inspiratory duration during maneuvers of different force. During inspiratory maneuvers at FRC plus 2 L, diaphragm EMG was 441 +/- SE 70%, but Pmus was 111 +/- SE 11% of the respective values during subjectively equal efforts at FRC. During inspiratory maneuvers at FRC minus 1 L, diaphragm EMG was 54 +/- SE 5%, but Pmus was 94 +/- SE 4% of the respective values during efforts at FRC perceived to be of equal force. These results suggest that the sensation of respiratory muscle force depends primarily on signals related to the tension generated by the contracting muscles rather than on the sensation of innervation associated with the central nervous system motor command.
Overlapping Features Between Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma and Undifferentiated High-Grade Pleomorphic Sarcoma

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL), occurring in up to 10% of well differentiated liposarcoma cases, has similar histologic features to that of undifferentiated high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma (UHGPS); the former develops in a background of atypical lipomatous tumors/well differentiated liposarcoma, whereas the latter shows no specific line of differentiation. The retroperitoneum and thigh represent the most common anatomic locations for both the sarcomas. Despite their morphologic similarity, the issue of whether these 2 sarcomas share overlapping immunohistochemical and molecular features has not been well studied. We examined the expression of the lipogenic tumor-related markers peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), CDK4, and MDM2 in 15 cases of DDL and 45 cases of retroperitoneal/thigh UHGPS. Patients with DDL ranged from 31 to 82 years (mean 63 y) with a male:female ratio of 5:3. Patients with UHGPS ranged from 14 to 80 years (mean 52 y) with a male:female ratio of 3:2. All 15 DDLs expressed CDK4 and MDM2 (100%), and 8 of 15 cases expressed PPAR-γ (53%). Twenty-three of 45 (51%) UHGPS expressed at least 1 of these 3 markers. We also studied MDM2 and CDK4 gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization in 28 immunohistochemically positive cases, including 5 DDLs and 23 UHGPSs. All 5 cases of DDL showed MDM2 and/or CDK4 amplification (100%), whereas 6 of 45 UHGPSs showed MDM2 and/or CDK4 amplification (13%). Our results demonstrate that (1) the lipogenic tumor markers CDK4 and MDM2 can be used as surrogate immunohistochemical markers for the diagnosis of malignant lipomatous tumors with high sensitivity; (2) approximately 26% of retroperitoneal/thigh UHGPS cases that were positive for PPAR-γ, CDK4, or MDM2 by immunohistochemistry showed characteristic CDK4 and MDM2 gene amplification, suggesting that a subset of UHGPS cases represent DDL despite lacking histologic evidence of lipoblasts.
Verification of a combinational loop based arbitration scheme in a system-on-chip integration architecture

We tackle the problem of verifying correctness properties on an HDL implementation of a system-on-chip bus-based integration architecture. The bus architecture is characterized by a 2-level arbitration scheme and the absence of a centralized controller. Checking correctness properties on an implementation can be hard because it is common for an implementation to contain constructs which are difficult to capture using a synchronous FSM model. The hard part in our case is that for performance reasons the second-level arbitration is based on a token-ring protocol implemented as a novel combinational loop. While the combinational loop is non-inverting, there is no acyclic implementation which can mimic its functionality. Our contribution has been to show how the combinational loop, and hence the arbitration scheme, can be modeled by means of mechanical transformations of the implementation model. We model check a 4-client base case implementation followed by an inductive argument for the correctness of an n-client implementation. Our approach including the combinational loop modeling and the inductive proof technique has general application to other similar protocols. Our verification methodology involved checking a Verilog implementation for desired properties using symbolic model checking in the VIS system from UC Berkeley. Checking properties on the base case required negligible amount of CPU resources. While there have been a number of formal verification case studies, we do not believe that any previous work has proposed a general purpose technique for modeling combinational loops.
Diagnostic accuracy of dual-source CT coronary angiography: The effect of average heart rate, heart rate variability, and calcium score in a clinical perspective

Background: Dual-source CT coronary angiography (CTCA) has been used to detect coronary artery disease; however, the factors with potential to affect its diagnostic accuracy remain to be defined. Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the accuracy of dual-source CTCA in diagnosing coronary artery stenosis according to conventional coronary angiography (CAG), and the effect of average heart rate, heart rate variability, and calcium score on the accuracy of CTCA. Material and Methods: A total of 113 patients underwent both dual-source CTCA and CAG. The results were used to evaluate the findings in dual-source CTCA to assess the accuracy in the diagnosis of ≥50% (significant stenosis) and >75% (severe stenosis) of coronary artery according to those by CAG. Patients were divided into subgroups according to their heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV), and calcium score, and the accuracy of CTCA was further evaluated. The chi-square test was used to analyze the difference in sensitivity and specificity for the detection of ≥50% and >75% coronary stenosis among subgroups. The generalized estimation equation method was used in per-vessel analysis to adjust for within-patient correlation. Results: In all, 113 patients had 338 vessels and 1661 segments evaluated by CAG. Dual-source CTCA displayed 1527 segments (91.9%). Among them, 1468 segments (calcium score by CAG score 1, n=1018; score 2, n=270; score 3, n=180) were assessable in CTCA. On a per-patient analysis, the sensitivity and specificity of CTCA were 93.9% and 93.5% for significant stenosis and 86.9% and 98.1% for severe stenosis. On a per-vessel basis, the sensitivity and specificity were 90.2% and 97.1% for significant and 83.3% and 98.1% for severe stenosis. On a per-segment analysis, the sensitivity and specificity were 90.2% and 97.1% for significant and 83.3% and 98.1% for severe stenosis. Average HR had no effect on the sensitivity and specificity of CTCA (P>0.05); whereas HRV and calcium score had some effect on the sensitivity and specificity of CTCA (P<0.05). Conclusion: On a per-patient, per-vessel, and per-segment basis, dual-source CTCA has a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis. Average HR has no effect on the diagnostic accuracy of CTCA, while HRV and calcium score have a statistically significant effect on the sensitivity and specificity of CTCA.
Management of Information Security

Where you can find the management of information security easily? Is it in the book store? On-line book store? are you sure? Keep in mind that you will find the book in this site. This book is very referred for you because it gives not only the experience but also lesson. The lessons are very valuable to serve for you, that's not about who are reading this management of information security book. It is about this book that will give wellness for all people from many societies.
On Medium Access and Physical Layer Standards for Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems in Europe

In this paper, we will outline the current European development of wireless communications to support cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). The focus will be on spectrum allocation and the physical and medium access control layers of the ITS-G5 access technology, which is under specification by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The European ITS architecture and European standardization will also be briefly discussed.
Access to Services and Infrastructure in Peri-urban Areas in Botswana: Case studies of Mogoditshane and Tlokweng

Peri-urban areas in Botswana play a vital role in urbanization because they absorb much of the population that is not accommodated in cities, primarily because of shortage of affordable land and housing. This paper is based on a social survey component of a study on the dynamics of peri-urban development that was conducted in the peri-urban villages of Mogoditshane and Tlokweng in the outskirts of Gaborone. The survey investigated community access to services and infrastructure, to establish residents' access patterns and preferences. The range of services and facilities included the provision of education, health, water, security, power, telecommunications, general public administration services, housing, solid waste disposal and access to shopping centres. About two-thirds of residents accessed services and facilities within the peri-urban villages themselves. In a few instances services and facilities were accessed in Gaborone, mainly because of perceived better quality and standards there compared to those found in the peri-urban villages. The public sector provision of services and infrastructure is essential to reduce pressure and demand within cities.
Inhibition of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA synthesis by human MxA protein

The interferon-induced human MxA protein inhibits the multiplication of influenza virus and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) by an unknown mechanism. Here we show that MxA protein interferes with VSV mRNA synthesis. Transfected Swiss 3T3 mouse cells constitutively expressing MxA protein and control cells were infected with VSV, and viral RNA and protein synthesis was monitored. Viral macromolecules were very abundant in control cells at 4 h postinfection, whereas the pools of VSV proteins and RNAs were more than 50-fold reduced in cells expressing MxA. To determine whether MxA inhibited VSV primary transcription, we infected the cells in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide and measured the pools of the five viral mRNAs at 4 h postinfection. VSV L mRNA concentration was more than 20-fold reduced, VSV G mRNA concentration was about 10-fold reduced, and the other viral mRNAs were three- to fivefold less abundant in MxA-expressing cells than in control cells. Our results thus indicate that MxA interferes with normal VSV mRNA synthesis either directly by inhibiting the activity of the viral polymerase complex or indirectly by reducing the stability of the VSV mRNAs.
Design and performance of a new pixelated- LSO/PSPMT gamma-ray detector for high resolution PET imaging

The gamma-ray detector developed for the Siemens Inveontrade small animal PET systems affords improved light collection and reduced number of photodetectors, while providing 67% greater axial field of view over the previous Focustrade system design. This is achieved using a tapered, multiple-element lightguide to couple the detector's 1.6 mm pitch, 20 times 20 LSO crystal array (32 mm square) to the 23.5 mm square photosensitive area of a Hamamatsu R8900 C12 PSPMT. The response of 900 production detectors to 511 keV photons has been analyzed. The average peak-to-valley ratio of crystal rows and columns derived from 2-d event position histograms was 4.08 plusmn 0.26 (plusmn1 SD; range of 2.96 to 5.60), and the average detector energy resolution derived from individual crystal spectra was 12.3 plusmn 0.5% FWHM (plusmn1 SD; range of 11.2% to 13.9%). Application of this compact detector in conjunction with the Quicksilvertrade electronics architecture enables flexible system design for high performance PET imaging.
Carbon‐concentrating mechanism in a green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, revealed by transcriptome analyses

Aquatic photosynthetic organisms can acclimate to the variable and limiting availability of CO2 by operation of carbon‐concentrating mechanism (CCM) that allows them to optimize carbon acquisition for photosynthesis. The CCMs of both eukaryotic alga and cyanobacteria function to facilitate CO2 assimilation, when inorganic carbon (Ci; CO2 and/or HCO3–) is limited. By active Ci uptake systems, internal Ci levels are increased and then carbonic anhydrase supplies sufficient CO2 to ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase by the dehydration of accumulated bicarbonate. Although the molecular components of CCM have been intensively studied in cyanobacteria, significant advances in understanding of the eukaryotic CCM have been achieved especially in a model green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Recent accumulation of genomic sequence data of algae leads to start comparative genomic analyses of functional components of eukaryotic CCM. This review focuses on the recent advances in identifying and characterizing the components of the CCM by transcriptome analyses of the Chlamydomonas cells that are transferred to CO2‐limiting stress conditions in light. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Performance analysis of double-stator starter generator for the hybrid electric vehicle

In accordance with the installation characteristics of the starter generator (SG) system in the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a design of the flat structure double-stator permanent magnet (PM) brushless electric machine is presented in this paper. Four feasible structure styles are introduced; the merits and the defects of each structure are analyzed and compared. Electromagnetic field finite element method (FEM) and experiment research are applied to analyze the effects of the structure parameters on the performance of the double-stator PM brushless electric machine. When it works as a motor, a simulation analysis on the width of the rotor pole arc, the number of magnet poles, the length of the outer and inner air gap that affect the performance of the motor are done. When it works as a generator, the experiment results and the simulation analysis indicate that the existence of the inner stator greatly improves the generating capacity of the SG and solves the difficulty in adjusting the voltage of the permanent magnet generator.
Effects of Different Soil Salinity Levels on Germination and Seedling Growth of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is rated as moderately salt tolerant and it can produce profitable crops on saline soils. It is slightly more tolerant of salinity than barley but is more tolerant than wheat. Because salinity reduces germination and delays emergence, safflower stands tend to be irregular and crop yield is depressed. However, some varieties are less affected by salinity than others. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of soil salinity levels (0.8, 2.5, 5.1, 8.7, 13.0, 15.2 and 23.0 dS m-1) on germination and seedling growth of three safflower varieties, one of which is spiny (5-154 cv.) and two of which are spineless (Yenice 5-38 and Dincer 5-118 cv.). Emergence rate, root and shoot length, root and shoot dry weight, root/shoot dry weight ratio, root and shoot dry weight salt stress index were investigated. The results showed that the highest values for the investigated traits were obtained from variety 5-154 (spiny), while they diminished with increasing soil salinity in all cultivars. Among the varieties, the highest emergence rate, root length, shoot length, root dry weight, shoot dry weight and root/shoot dry weight ratio at 23.0 dS m-1 were determined from 5-154 cv. with 23.35%, 3.54 cm, 4.97 cm, 7.23 mg, 26.73 mg and 20.77%, respectively. Moreover, 5-154 cv. gave the higher root and shoot dry weight salt stress index, especially at high salinity levels. The seedling growth of varieties was inhibited by 5.1 dS m-1 although they showed varying responses. At the first development stage, the root growth of safflower was more adversely affected compared to shoot growth by soil salinity. If the cultivation of safflower on saline soils is required, spiny varieties should be preferred.
A class of stochastic hybrid systems with state-dependent switching noise

In this paper, we develop theoretical results based on a proposed method for modeling switching noise for a class of hybrid systems with piecewise linear partitioned state space, and state-depending switching. We devise a stochastic model of such systems, whose global dynamics is governed by a continuous-time stochastic process. The main result of this paper is that we may identify the realizations of the global dynamics with the solutions of a differential inclusion. Hence, an analysis of switched systems with switching noise can be carried out either based on a non-deterministic method via the differential inclusion, or on a stochastic method via the stochastic process. Furthermore, we describe how to construct intensity plots, which provide a quick overview of the behavior of the system. An example is included to illustrate this.