Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of storage time and repeated measurements on the elastic properties of isolated porcine aortas using high resolution x-ray CT.

A Laboratory CT scanner with a resolution of (0.1 mm)3 was used to determine if storage up to 7 days in saline at 4 degrees C and (or) repeated measurements would alter the compliance, C, and incremental elastic modulus, Einc, of isolated porcine aortas. All specimens were obtained fresh, made pressure-tight, and then mounted in the scanner, with humidified air used to produce adequate x-ray contrast. The specimens were imaged at pressures of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 kPa, and vessel measurements were then obtained with a computerized technique and analyzed. Seven thoracic aortas were studied on days 0, 3, 5, and 7, with a significant change (p < 0.05) in compliance first occurring after three imaging studies (i.e., day 5). Compliance of the fresh thoracic aortas (mean +/- SD) was 0.90 +/- 0.28 mm/kPa at 14.4 kPa and 0.85 +/- 0.31 mm/kPa at 22.5 kPa. Six thoracic aortas were studied only on days 0 and 6 with no intermediate measurements. They showed no change in either compliance (0.88 +/- 0.07 mm/kPa at 14.4 kPa and 0.64 +/- 0.09 mm/kPa at 22.5 kPa) or Einc (0.46 +/- 0.05 MPa at 14.4 kPa and 0.88 +/- 0.15 MPa at 22.5 kPa) from day 0 to day 6. Thus, number of measurements rather than time appears to be the important factor. Six abdominal aortas were studied similarly but on days 0, 3, and 6. No significant change occurred in compliance (0.15 +/- 0.06 mm/kPa at 14.4 kPa and 0.032 +/- 0.026 mm/kPa at 22.5 kPa) but Einc showed a change, possibly due to their viscoelastic properties. We conclude that this nondestructive CT measurement method is suitable for repeated studies on porcine thoracic aortas, but not abdominal aortas, if the measurement involves two consecutive imaging sessions separated by no more than 6 days.
Effects of enalapril and eprosartan on the renal vascular nitric oxide system in human essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND Experimental data in humans on the contribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers to the nitric oxide system of the renal vasculature are inconsistent. Enalapril and eprosartan, alone and in combination, were used to determine their short-term effects on the renal nitric oxide system and renal hemodynamics of human subjects with essential hypertension. METHODS Twenty male, white patients (27 +/- 1 years) with mild essential hypertension (143 +/- 11/95 +/- 6 mm Hg) were included in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, fourfold cross-over study with placebo, enalapril (20 mg/day), eprosartan (600 mg/day), or combination of both drugs (10 and 300 mg/day, respectively) each over a one week period followed by a two-week washout phase. After each study phase the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) were determined. Basal nitric oxide synthesis of the renal vasculature was assessed by the decrease in RPF after inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 4.25 mg/kg). RESULTS After one week of therapy, the combination therapy decreased casual blood pressure by 5 +/- 2/3 +/- 1 mm Hg versus placebo (P < 0.01). Neither enalapril alone (-2 +/- 2/1 +/- 2 mm Hg, NS vs. placebo) nor eprosartan alone (-1 +/- 1/0 +/- 2 mm Hg, NS vs. placebo) had a clear-cut significant effect on casual blood pressure. In the combination phase, RPF increased by 123 +/- 36 mL/min (P < 0.01). Neither enalapril alone (+59 +/- 46 mL/min, P = 0.21) nor eprosartan alone (+113 +/- 51 mL/min, P = 0.06) had a clear-cut significant effect on RPF. Changes of RPF induced by treatment correlated with the L-NMMA induced decrease in RPF in the combination (r = 0.70, P < 0.01) and eprosartan phase (r = 0.86, P < 0.001), but not in the enalapril phase (r = -0.44, P = 0.10). Renal vascular resistance was reduced by each active treatment with the most prominent reduction in the combination phase. GFR was unaffected by any treatment. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to the effects of either substance alone, a combination of half the dose of eprosartan with half the dose of enalapril had a prominent effect on renal perfusion. The effects of eprosartan on RPF are mediated, at least in part, by an increased bioavailability of nitric oxide in the renal vasculature.
A method for calibration of the local magnitude scale based on relative spectral amplitudes, and application to the San Juan Bautista, California, area

We develop and use a spectral empirical Green’s function approach to estimate the relative source amplitudes of earthquakes near San Juan Bautista, California. We isolate the source amplitudes from path effects by comparing the recorded spectra of pairs of events with similar location and focal mechanism, without computing the path effect. With this method, we estimate the relative moments of 1600 M 1.5–4 local earthquakes, and we use these moments to recalibrate the duration magnitude scale in this region. The estimated moments of these small earthquakes increase with catalog magnitude M D roughly proportionally to 101.1 M D, slightly more slowly than a moment‐magnitude scaling of 101.5 M w. This more accurate magnitude scaling can be used in analyses of the local earthquakes, such as comparisons between the seismic moments and geodetic observations. [Electronic Supplement:][1] Additional description and figures showing estimated source amplitudes obtained with different parameters, and observed amplitudes of some earthquakes with large misfits. [1]: http://www.bssaonline. org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1785/0120160141/-/DC1
A Vertically Integrated Pixel Readout Device for the Vertex Detector at the International Linear Collider

Tracking and vertexing in future High-Energy Physics (HEP) experiments involves construction of detectors composed of up to a few billions of channels. Readout electronics must record the position and time of each measurement with the highest achievable precision. This paper reviews a prototype of the first 3D readout chip for HEP, designed for a vertex detector at the International Linear Collider. The prototype features 20 × 20 ¿m2 pixels, laid out in an array of 64 × 64 elements and was fabricated in a 3-tier 0.18 ¿m Fully Depleted SOI CMOS process at MIT-Lincoln Laboratory. The tests showed correct functional operation of the structure. The chip performs a zero-suppressed readout.
New developments in the treatment of osteoporosis

The last 25 years have seen the development of a plethora of new, effective agents for the treatment of osteoporosis. These agents reduce the risk of spine fractures by up to 70%, hip fractures by 40–50% and non‐vertebral fractures by up to 50–80%. Amino‐bisphosphonates, taken orally or intravenously, remain the dominant treatment modalities for osteoporosis. These so‐called anti‐resorptive or anti‐catabolic agents stabilize the skeleton and reduce fracture risk in osteoporotic as well as osteopenic individuals. A monoclonal antibody against receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand, Denosumab, constitutes a new anti‐resorptive agent recently approved worldwide. In younger postmenopausal women, low‐dose estrogen or estrogen/progestin still has a place for short‐term (up to 5 years) preservation of bone mass, especially in women with menopausal symptoms. Likewise, selective estrogen receptor modulators should be considered in younger postmenopausal women, especially those at increased risk of breast cancer. Anabolic (bone forming) regimens, of which parathyroid hormone is the only agent currently available, aid in the build up of new bone, increase bone mass and improve bone architecture. In cancellous bone, 30–60% increases of bone mass have been documented, but cortical bone thickness also increases. These improvements lead to profound reduction in fracture rates in both the axial and appendicular skeleton. Owing to cost and the need for parenteral administration, in most countries these agents are reserved for severe osteoporosis with multiple fractures.
Detection of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin-β in Serum or Urine of Prostate Cancer Patients Is of No Clinical Significance

The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the potential role of elevated urinary/serum human chorionic gonadotrophin-β (hCGβ) in prostate cancer prognosis. 104 patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancers were included; 68 patients had organ-confined, 18 had locally advanced and 18 had metastatic disease. A control group consisted of 115 patients presenting with benign prostatic disease. Serum and urinary total hCGβ was measured prior to treatment and serum PSA was measured at diagnosis. The patients were treated along conventional lines and progression-free survival was assessed. Four patients had elevated serum and 10 had elevated urinary, total hCGβ. There were no significant correlations between serum/urinary levels of hCGβ and tumour stage, Gleason score or PSA. In contrast, serum PSA had significant linear correlations with both clinical tumour stage and Gleason score (p = 0.0001). At a median follow-up of 36 months, 22 (21.2%) patients had died while 17 (16.3%) others had progressed. Kaplan-Meier plots and log-rank test revealed no significant difference in progression-free survival between patients with elevated or normal levels of serum and/or urinary total hCGβ. Clinical tumour stage, grade and PSA were statistically significant prognostic variables. Immunoassay measurement of serum or urinary hCGβ has no significant role in the clinical management of prostate cancer.
Providing auditory cues to improve stability in children who are deaf

INTRODUCTION Our ability to balance on two feet requires remarkable integration between multiple sensory systems and can be compromised when the available sensory information is discordant or insufficient. The traditional sensory inputs to balance include vision, proprioception, and vestibular end-organ function. Our recent experience in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and cochlear implants (CI) has, however, led us to question the role that hearing, hearing loss, and CI have on balance. We have previously demonstrated that 50% of children with profound SNHL have an associated vestibular deficit and that early concerns about the negative impact of CI on vestibular function have not been substantiated. In general, children with SNHL can see with normal visual systems and feel with normal proprioceptors, but they have clear deficits in the hearing (cochlea) and at times the balance (vestibular) portions of their inner ears. How do these deficits alone or in combination impact balance function, and how can we rehabilitate these children?
A CD8/Lck Transgene Is Able to Drive Thymocyte Differentiation1

Efficient development of thymocytes requires participation of a CD8 or CD4 coreceptor in the TCR:MHC interaction. Both CD8 and CD4 coreceptor cytoplasmic domains associate with Lck. In this study, we attempted to delineate the role of CD8α-associated Lck in driving CD8 single positive (SP) thymocyte development. We used a chimeric molecule encoding the extracellular and transmembrane domains of CD8α fused to full-length Lck. In mice deficient for CD8α and transgenic for 2C, a MHC class I-restricted TCR, robust reconstitution of CD8 SP thymocytes occurred both centrally and peripherally. The reconstituted CD8 SP population was phenotypically and functionally comparable to 2C wild-type counterparts expressing endogenous CD8α. A CD8α/Lck kinase-dead chimera also resulted in reconstitution of CD8 SP thymocytes. Our results suggest that CD8α-associated Lck is sufficient to drive CD8 SP thymocyte development. Furthermore, this CD8 SP development may not necessarily depend on Lck kinase activity.
A Parametric Approach to the Bi-criteria Minimum Cost Dynamic Flow Problem

This paper presents an algorithm for solving Bi-criteria Minimum Cost Dynamic Flow (BiCMCDF) problem with continuous flow variables. The approach is to transform a bi-criteria problem into a parametric one by building a single parametric linear cost out of the two initial cost functions. The algorithm consecutively finds efficient extreme points in the decision space by solving a series of minimum parametric cost flow problems with different objective functions. On each of the iterations, the flow is augmented along a cheapest path from the source node to the sink node in the time-space network avoiding the explicit time expansion of the network.
Fabrication and characterization of novel polymer composite microcantilever sensors for explosive detection

In this paper, we report the development of a SU-8 based novel polymer composite microcantilever sensor designed for surface stress measurements. Nanoindentation study was carried out for measuring the Young's modulus of the polymer composite. A low cost process, optimized for fabrication of composite SU8 microcantilevers with thickness as small as 3 µm is developed and characterized as part of this work. Further, this paper also demonstrates the application of this polymer composite cantilever for explosive detection with the appropriate surface coatings carried out on the polymer surface.
Best allogeneic transplantation approach for AML patients in first CR: is delayed unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation better than immediate unrelated cord blood transplantation?

Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University and CHU of Li ege, Li ege, Belgium; Giga-I3, Section of Hematology, University of Li ege, Li ege, Belgium; Division of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel; EBMT Paris Office, Hospital Saint Antoine, Paris, France; Universit e Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France; Tel Aviv University (TAU), Tel
Adjuvant therapy in stage-I epithelial ovarian cancer: an open question.

From January 1980 to December 1991, 137 patients suffering from Stage I EOC, were treated in our Institute. All patients underwent primary surgery with intensive staging procedures in 82% of cases; 12 patients underwent USO. Sixty-one out of 137 patients did not receive complementary treatment, 66 patients were treated with chemotherapy and 10 patients with i.p. P32. Three risk categories were identified, according to stage and grade: R1 = Stage IA-B G1 (45 cases); R2 = Stage IA-B G2-3 (31 stage); R3 = Stage IC all grades (53 cases). Forty out of 45 R1 cases did not receive adjuvant therapy; 12/31 R2 cases underwent surgical treatment only, 16/31 received adjuvant chemotherapy and 3/31 i.p. P32; 39/53 R3 patients were treated with chemotherapy and 6 with i.p. P32. Twenty-six patients (18.9%) suffered from a neoplastic relapse. Overall actuarial 5- and 10-year survival was: R1 = 96.3% and 89.9%; R2 = 79.6% and 79.6%; R3 = 79.2% and 62.3% respectively. There was no difference in survival between R2 treated and untreated patients, while difference emerged in R3 patients between chemotherapy and i.p. P32 groups. Five-year actuarial survival for the 26 patients suffering from recurrence was 40.5%.
The genetics of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a roadmap for a mouse model.

Pancreatic cancer is among the leading causes of cancer death. Although a genetic profile for pancreatic cancer is emerging, many biological aspects of this disease are poorly understood. Indeed, fundamental questions regarding progenitor cell lineages, host stromal milieu, and the role of specific genetic alterations in tumor progression remain unresolved. A mouse model engineered with signature mutations would provide a powerful ally in the study of pancreatic cancer biology and may guide improved prognostic assessment and treatment for the human disease. In this review, we discuss the molecular basis for normal pancreatic development and the genetics of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the hope of charting a course for the development of a faithful mouse model for this lethal cancer.
THE SAMI GALAXY SURVEY: REVISITING GALAXY CLASSIFICATION THROUGH HIGH-ORDER STELLAR KINEMATICS

Recent cosmological hydrodynamical simulations suggest that integral field spectroscopy can connect the high-order stellar kinematic moments h3 (∼skewness) and h4 (∼kurtosis) in galaxies to their cosmological assembly history. Here, we assess these results by measuring the stellar kinematics on a sample of 315 galaxies, without a morphological selection, using two-dimensional integral field data from the SAMI Galaxy Survey. Proxies for the spin parameter ( ) and ellipticity ( ) are used to separate fast and slow rotators; there exists a good correspondence to regular and non-regular rotators, respectively, as also seen in earlier studies. We confirm that regular rotators show a strong h3 versus anti-correlation, whereas quasi-regular and non-regular rotators show a more vertical relation in h3 and . Motivated by recent cosmological simulations, we develop an alternative approach to kinematically classify galaxies from their individual h3 versus signatures. Within the SAMI Galaxy Survey, we identify five classes of high-order stellar kinematic signatures using Gaussian mixture models. Class 1 corresponds to slow rotators, whereas Classes 2–5 correspond to fast rotators. We find that galaxies with similar values can show distinctly different signatures. Class 5 objects are previously unidentified fast rotators that show a weak h3 versus anti-correlation. From simulations, these objects are predicted to be disk-less galaxies formed by gas-poor mergers. From morphological examination, however, there is evidence for large stellar disks. Instead, Class 5 objects are more likely disturbed galaxies, have counter-rotating bulges, or bars in edge-on galaxies. Finally, we interpret the strong anti-correlation in h3 versus as evidence for disks in most fast rotators, suggesting a dearth of gas-poor mergers among fast rotators.
Time domain based Digital PWM controller for DC-DC converter

Discrete Pulse Width Modulated controller for buck converter is described. The key building blocks are Analog to Digital converter, compensator, and digital pulse width modulator is introduced to meet the requirement of perfect output voltage regulation, high-speed dynamic response, and programmability. The discrete controller method bypasses errors related to the conversion from the continuous to the discrete domain based on the time domain method. The simulation results are proven with experiment conducted. Analog controller is also designed for a buck converter whose controller parameters are compared with the Discrete PID controller is illustrated.
Raising Money

A standard problem in finance is that of an agent, with an asset, who seeks to raise a fixed amount of money by selling part of it. For example, consider an entrepreneur who sells shares in his company to raise a fixed amount of money from venture capitalists, or a firm in financial distress that has to sell off some of its assets to settle its obligations. These sales differ from the standard auction format in which a seller tries to earn as much as possible from selling a pre-determined quantity of his good. The difference is economically important: We show many standard results do not go through in these “raising money” auctions with interdependant values. First, because symmetric and increasing pure strategy equilibria do not always exist in a first-price raising money auction, we present a condition under which they do. Second, we present conditions under which the standard seller preferences predicted by the linkage principle over auction types are reversed. Third, we characterize when a seller may not want to release information — in other words, we show that the linkage principle is again violated. Our results have implications for the choice and regulation of auctions that are designed to raise a fixed amount of money. ∗This paper is a substantially revised version of our working paper (“Fixed Revenue Auctions,” 2004) at Carnegie Mellon University. We thank Jeremy Bertomeu, Charles Chang, Burton Hollifield, Fallaw Sowell, Yajun Wang, and seminar participants at Carnegie Mellon University and Summer Institute of Finance. †Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, tjliu@ckgsb.edu. cn ‡Haas School, UC Berkeley parlour@haas.berkeley. edu
Role of the macrophage-derived hybridoma growth factor in the in vitro and in vivo proliferation of newly formed B cell hybridomas.

It has been shown recently that monocyte-macrophage cells produce a growth factor (HGF) active on newly formed B cell hybridomas. We have studied the effect of HGF on the proliferation of an HGF-sensitive clone of B cell hybridoma. Results obtained showed that the murine P388D1 cell-derived HGF has a m.w. of 29,000 and an isoelectric point (pI) of 6.2 whereas the human monocyte-derived HGF has a m.w. of 34,000 and a pI of 4.9. The HGF activity was not mediated by interleukin 1 because the two activities could be completely separated by gel filtration. Results obtained in in vivo experiments showed that HGF-sensitive cells are tumorigenic in mice. The finding that the HGF biochemical parameters (m.w. and pI) are similar to the ones of a recently described plasmacytoma growth factor suggests that HGF and the plasmacytoma growth factor are similar and that the HGF sensitivity of SP 2/O myeloma cells is reactivated after fusion with normal B lymphocytes.
A high switching-frequency MOSFET-based three-level voltage-source converter

This paper describes a new commutation-strategy and modulation-strategy for Three-Level Voltage-Source-Converter (TL-VSC) based on MOSFET switches. The objectives are to (i) reach to a high switching-frequency, e.g., above 40kHz, in order to reduce the weight of passive components of the three-level converter, i.e., dc-link capacitors, and (ii) proposing a new commutation strategy to keep the efficiency of the converter as high as possible. The modulation strategy allows direct control of the input-currents and output injected common mode voltages while guaranteeing a sinusoidal output-current even at unbalanced operation. The commutation strategy is a single-step commutation strategy using integrated snubber-circuit with an adaptive delay turn-on which minimizes the period of switching device transitions. A potential application of the proposed three-level converter is micro-converter for multi-phase application. This paper demonstrates a TL-VSC operating at 43.4kHz, with small distributed capacitors. The modulation strategy provides the opportunity of balancing the dc-link capacitors without any output harmonic injection and limitation on the output real power. The guidelines to extend the formulation of the proposed modulation strategy to Multi-Level Voltage-Source-Converters, i.e., ML-VSCs, are also provided.
Locating copies of objects using the Domain Name System

In order to reduce average delay and bandwidth usage in the Web, geographically dispersed servers often store copies of popular objects. For example, with network caching, the origin server stores a master copy of the object and geographically dispersed cache servers pull and store copies of the object. With site replication, objects stored at master are replicated into secondary sites. In this paper we propose a new network application, Location Data System (LDS), that allows an arbitrary host to obtain the IP addresses of the servers that store a specified URL. Our networking application is an extension to the Domain Name System (DNS), requires only small changes to the domain name servers, and can be deployed incrementally. For the case of network Web caching, we elaborate on our proposal to allow a cache to (i) update a distributed database when it stores or evicts objects, and (ii) push objects to parent caches in order to improve delay and bandwidth usage. For the case of mirrored servers, we show how a client can obtain a list of all servers mirroring all or part of the desired site. LDS applied to partially mirrored sites generates substantially less DNS traffic than LDS applied to caching. Finally, we discuss how a host can use the location data in order to make intelligent decisions about where to retrieve desired objects.