Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cerebrospinal fluid amyloid β40 is decreased in cerebral amyloid angiopathy

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is caused by deposition of the amyloid β protein in the cerebral vasculature. In analogy to previous observations in Alzheimer disease, we hypothesized that analysis of amyloid β40 and β42 proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid might serve as a molecular biomarker. We observed strongly decreased cerebrospinal fluid amyloid β40 (p < 0.01 vs controls or Alzheimer disease) and amyloid β42 concentrations (p < 0.001 vs controls and p < 0.05 vs Alzheimer disease) in cerebral amyloid angiopathy patients. The combination of amyloid β42 and total tau discriminated cerebral amyloid angiopathy from controls, with an area under the receiver operator curve of 0.98. Our data are consistent with neuropathological evidence that amyloid β40 as well as amyloid β42 protein are selectively trapped in the cerebral vasculature from interstitial fluid drainage pathways that otherwise transport amyloid β proteins toward the cerebrospinal fluid. Ann Neurol 2009;66:245–249
A Machine Learning Approach for Determining the Validity of Traceability Links

Traceability Link Recovery (TLR) is a fundamental software maintenance task in which links are established between related software artifacts of different types (e.g., source code, documentation, requirements specifications, etc.) within a system. Existing approaches to TLR often require a human to analyze a long list of potential links and distinguish valid links from invalid ones. Here we present an approach which bypasses this intermediate step and automatically classifies links as valid or invalid using a machine learning approach and features such as text retrieval (TR) rankings and query quality (QQ) metrics. We performed an evaluation on recovering traceability links in three software systems and the results show the potential of our approach, which achieved 95% accuracy on average using both types of features.
Identification of abnormal hip motion associated with acetabular labral pathology.

STUDY DESIGN Resident's case problem. BACKGROUND Recent literature has suggested that acetabular labral pathology secondary to femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) may be a precursor to early-onset hip osteoarthritis. The purpose of this resident's case problem was to explore the extent to which abnormal movement at the hip is a possible contributor to acetabular labral pathology. DIAGNOSIS The patient was a 25-year-old female with a 4-year history of anterior-medial groin pain. Based on a combination of the clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging findings, she was given a diagnosis of acetabular labral tear by her orthopaedic surgeon and referred to a physical therapist for assessment. Movement analysis during a single-leg step down, running, and a drop jump maneuver revealed excessive hip adduction and internal rotation on the involved side, which reproduced her symptoms. Application of a hip-strapping device resulted in decreased hip adduction and internal rotation, and an immediate decrease in symptoms. DISCUSSION The reduction in pain secondary to controlling hip motion suggests that excessive frontal and transverse plane hip motions may contribute to FAI. Accordingly, physical therapy intervention aimed at controlling and reducing hip adduction and internal rotation during activities may be indicated in patients who present with this movement pattern associated with anterior hip/groin pain.
Suitability of WiFi based communication devices in low power industrial applications

With advancement in the concept of internet of things (IoT), many industrial applications today have migrated from wired to wireless communication protocols. The major requirements of industrial devices utilizing wireless technologies include high performance reliability similar to wired network, and longevity in terms of battery life. Wireless field devices that run on battery should be able to operate for long duration without frequent battery replacement. Industrial use-cases may have varied data rate requirements from very low data rates in the order of few kilo bits per second, to upwards of hundreds of kilo bits per second or may be in mega bits per second. Thus depending on the use-case one should select a suitable wireless technology that can address the requirements. While there exists a number of alternative technologies that offer very low data rate along with long battery life usage, the number of technologies offering medium to higher data rates along with long battery life are limited. WiFi or IEEE 802.11b/g standard is typically considered to be energy hungry solution, however due to the advancements in implementation technology, some of these radio devices exhibit very low power consumption during non-active states, and thus can be utilized in industrial use-cases that require long battery life along with medium to high data rates. In this paper, we have studied the suitability of WiFi as a candidate for low power industrial needs. Comparisons have been provided with IEEE 802.15. 4 wireless technology as well.
Molecular mechanisms and neuroimaging criteria for severe L1 syndrome with X-linked hydrocephalus.

OBJECT Mutations in the gene that codes for the human neural cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1CAM), are known to cause a wide variety of anomalies, now understood as phenotypic expressions of L1 syndrome. The correlations between genotype and phenotype, however, are not fully established. The authors report the results of a nationwide investigation of L1CAM gene mutations that was performed to improve the understanding of L1-mediated molecular mechanisms of X-linked hydrocephalus and to establish neurorimaging criteria for this severe form of L1 syndrome. METHODS Ninety-six genomic DNA samples from members of 57 families were obtained from the Congenital Hydrocephalus Research Committee. By using polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing, the authors identified 25 different L1CAM gene mutations, 20 of them novel, in 26 families with X-linked hydrocephalus. All the mutations were L1CAM loss-of-function mutations, and all the patients had severe hydrocephalus and severe mental retardation. In all cases, specific abnormalities were visible on neuroimaging: a rippled ventricular wall after shunt placement, an enlarged quadrigeminal plate, a large massa intermedia, and hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis (anterior or total). The patients also had adducted thumbs, spastic paraplegia, and hypoplasia of the corpus callosum, which are characteristic of L1 syndrome. CONCLUSIONS The L1CAM loss-of-function mutations cause a severe form of L1 syndrome, unlike the milder form produced by mutations in the L1CAM cytoplasmic domain. We also identified neurorimaging criteria for this severe form of L1 syndrome. These criteria can be used to predict loss-of-function mutations in patients with X-linked hydrocephalus and to help in diagnosing this syndrome.
600 GHz InP/GaAsSb/InP DHBTs Grown by MOCVD with a Ga(As,Sb) Graded-Base and fT x BVCEO ≫ 2.5 THz-V at Room Temperature

We describe the realization of ternary base InP/Ga(As,Sb) DHBTs, where the grading is implemented by ramping the base As/Sb composition ratio from the collector to the emitter side: this enables a cutoff frequency f<sub>T</sub> of 603 GHz at room temperature with a breakdown voltage BV<sub>CEO</sub> = 4.2 V, for a record f<sub>T</sub>xBV<sub>CEO</sub> product of 2.53 THz-V. Device performance improves further with cooling to reach f<sub>T</sub> ≫ 700 GHz with BV<sub>CEO</sub>= 4.4 V at 5K. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the highest f<sub>T</sub> ever reported for a DHBT of any kind. The f<sub>T</sub>xBV<sub>CEO</sub> ≫ 3.10 THz-V at 5 K is also unprecedented.
Distribution across the USA of macrolide resistance and macrolide resistance mechanisms among Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates collected from patients with respiratory tract infections: PROTEKT US 2001-2002.

BACKGROUND Resistance to the macrolides has increased rapidly among isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from community-acquired respiratory tract infections (CARTIs). METHODS A total of 10 012 S. pneumoniae isolates were submitted from 46 US states and the territory of Puerto Rico in the PROTEKT US Year 2 (2001-2002) surveillance study. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined according to NCCLS guidelines and genes encoding common macrolide resistance mechanisms were sought by PCR. RESULTS Overall, 27.9% (n=2793) of S. pneumoniae isolates were macrolide (erythromycin) resistant; the highest prevalence was recorded in Louisiana (48.2%). Of the 2738 genotyped macrolide-resistant S. pneumoniae, 68.7% possessed mef(A) (state range: Delaware 40.0%-Georgia 84.8%), 16.8% of isolates harboured erm(B) (Georgia 6.1%-Idaho and Rhode Island both 36.4%) and 12.2% possessed erm(B) + mef(A) (Arkansas and Rhode Island 0%-South Dakota 32.9%). Five isolates possessed an erm(A) subclass erm(TR) gene (from California, Illinois, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Virginia), while the mechanisms for 56 isolates were not definable by the methods used in this study. Susceptibility to telithromycin was high, irrespective of macrolide resistance mechanism, with > or =96.4% of the macrolide-resistant isolates susceptible. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of macrolide resistance and the resistance mechanisms among S. pneumoniae isolates are highly variable among the US states. Telithromycin may represent an effective treatment option for CARTIs caused by macrolide-resistant pneumococci.
Management and Triage of Women with Human Papillomavirus Infection in Follow-up for Low-Grade Cervical Disease: Association of HPV-DNA and RNA-Based Methods

Type-specific persistent infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant risk factor for the development of cervical diseases. Persistent infection could be further refined by a sequencing approach to detect early cervical lesions that are at high risk of developing an invasive squamous cervical cancer. The aim of the present study is to investigate the clinical utility of detecting mRNA transcripts of HPV oncogenes E6/E7 by using a Real-time NASBA technology (mRNA test) and to identify women with low-grade cytological disease but with an increased risk of developing high-grade cervical abnormalities or invasive squamous cervical cancer. Our preliminary results show that E6/E7 is detected in only a subset of HR-HPV-positive cases. Since viral persistence is considered to be the true precursor of neoplastic progression, only the detection of E6/E7 mRNA can identify the infection which is more likely to persist and induce neoplasia in future. For these reasons we believe that this test would be useful for the characterization of women with HR-HPV DNA positivity who should be effectively treated because at high-risk of developing a high grade cervical lesion or an invasive squamous cervical cancer.
Efficacy of intra-arterial and intravenous prourokinase in an embolic stroke model evaluated by diffusion-perfusion magnetic resonance imaging

Objective: To explore the utility of intravenous (IV) prourokinase treatment, we compared intra-arterial (IA) and IV delivery in a rat embolic stroke model, using diffusion (DWI) and perfusion (PI) magnetic resonance imaging to assess in vivo effects on ischemic lesion evolution and reperfusion. Background: Thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator(rt-PA) for acute ischemic stroke is useful during the initial hours after onset. Prourokinase is a novel thrombolytic agent with potential safety advantages in comparison to rt-PA. Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were embolized with autologous blood clots into the middle cerebral artery territory and then randomly assigned at 30 minutes after embolization to a 2-hour bolus infusion with IA prourokinase, IV prourokinase, or vehicle. DWI and PI were performed before treatment and repeated during and at the end of the treatment. Results: PI demonstrated that both IA and IV significantly improved the percentage of the ischemic hemisphere that was normally perfused when the 20-minute, pretreatment, and 145-minute after embolization time points were compared; in the control group, the hypoperfused volume increased over time. DWI disclosed that the ischemic lesion evolution slightly decreased in the IA group, remained stable in the IV group, and increased over time in the control group. Infarct volume by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was significantly smaller in both treatment groups than controls. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that IA and IV therapy with prourokinase are equally effective in promoting reperfusion and inhibiting the development of focal ischemic injury in this rat embolic stroke model.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4 Expression Parallels Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Expression and Follicular Luteinization in the Primate Ovary

Abstract It has been suggested that locally produced insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 (IGFBP4) inhibits ovarian follicular growth and ovulation by interfering with IGF action. According to this hypothesis, IGFBP4-expressing follicles should demonstrate atresia, whereas healthy dominant follicles should be devoid of IGFBP4. Alternatively, according to this view, there could be constitutive expression of the inhibitory IGFBP4 but selective expression of an IGFBP4 protease in dominant follicles, allowing the follicle to mature and ovulate because of degradation of the binding protein. To examine these views concerning the role of IGFBP4 in primate follicular selection, we analyzed cellular patterns of IGFs 1 and 2, IGFBP4, and the IGFBP4 protease (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A [PAPP-A]) mRNA expression in ovaries from late follicular phase rhesus monkeys using in situ hybridization. The IGF1 mRNA was not detected, but the IGF2 mRNA was abundant in theca interna and externa of all antral follicles and was present in the granulosa of large preovulatory and ovulatory follicles. The IGFBP4 mRNA was selectively expressed by LH receptor (LHR) mRNA-positive theca interna cells of healthy antral follicles (defined by aromatase and gonadotropin receptor expression) and by LHR-expressing granulosa cells found only in large preovulatory and ovulatory follicles (defined by size and aromatase expression). The PAPP-A mRNA was abundant in granulosa cells of most follicles without obvious relation to IGFBP4 expression. Ovarian IGFBP4 mRNA levels were markedly increased after treatment with the LH analog, hCG, whereas IGF2 and PAPP-A mRNAs were not significantly altered. In summary, IGFBP4 expression appears to be associated with follicular selection, not with atresia, in the monkey ovary. The IGFBP4 is consistently expressed in healthy theca interna and in luteinized granulosa cells, likely under LH regulation. The IGFBP4 protease, PAPP-A, is widely expressed without apparent selectivity for IGFBP4-expressing follicles or for dominant follicles. These observations suggest that IGFBP4 or an IGFBP4 proteolytic product may be involved with LH-induced steroidogenesis and/or luteinization rather than with inhibition of follicular growth.
Die englische Konsumgesellschaft des 18.Jahrhunderts im Kontext der Industrious Revolution

Im Kontext der Industrious Revolution entfaltet sich im England des langen 18.Jahrhunderts eine burgerliche Konsumgesellschaft. Sterbeinventare aus der Zeit verdeutlichen wie ein groser Teil der Gesellschaft ausgepragt konsumiert und vielfaltigeren materiellen Wohlstand anhauft. Andererseits treffen Manufakturwaren aus Ostasien auf die Nachfrage dieser marktorientierten Mittelschicht. Im Zeitalter des Merkantilismus sucht der englische Staat die okonomische Unabhangigkeit und erhebt hohe Tarife und Importverbote auf uberseeische Guter. Dieses protektionistische Klima fordert den Nachahmungs- und Erfindergeist heimischer Industrien. Sie orientieren sich an der Mode der burgerlichen Kultur und beeinflussen diese im Gegenzug. Gleichzeitig lernen englische Unternehmen von der ostasiatischen Technologie und treiben damit die industrielle Entwicklung voran. Am Ende dieses Prozesses steht der Durchbruch zur Industriellen Revolution. Die Diplomarbeit stellt die Frage nach den Zusammenhangen zwischen der Industrious Revolution, der englischen Konsumgesellschaft und den globalen Wissenstransfers im Hinblick auf die okonomische Transformation in die Moderne. Die grundlegende These lautet, dass die britische Wirtschaft im Kontext der ressourcenschonenden transatlantischen Verbindungen ausreichend Potential besitzt um industrielle Spezialisierung und anhaltendes Wachstum zu verwirklichen.
Relationship Between Two Direct Power Control Methods for PWM Rectifiers Under Unbalanced Network

Active power control plays an important role in a pulse width modulation (PWM) rectifier under both balanced and unbalanced network conditions. The prior methods to achieve active power oscillation cancellation (APOC) under unbalanced grid voltages are usually implemented by forcing the grid current to track appropriate current references. They require fine tuning work of a current controller and positive-/negative-sequence extraction of grid voltage/currents and/or converter voltage, which complicates the design of the controller. This paper presents two APOC methods in the frame of direct power control (DPC) for the PWM rectifier and reveals their inherent relationship. In the first method, an appropriate power compensation is added to the original power references without modifying the internal control structure. In the second method, a novel definition of reactive power is employed to replace conventional reactive power, which achieves the aim of APOC automatically. Both methods can be easily integrated with existing DPC schemes with a slight modification. The sequence extraction required in prior methods is eliminated. The inherent relationship between these two methods is investigated, and it is found that they are completely equivalent. The two APOC methods are comparatively studied and implemented in the basic table-based DPC. Simulation and experimental results confirm the theoretical study and the effectiveness of the two methods.
A novel family of functional operons encoding methane/ammonia monooxygenase-related proteins in gammaproteobacterial methanotrophs.

Genomes of alphaproteobacterial and verrucomicrobial methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) encode sequence-divergent copies of particulate methane monooxygenase [pMMO = (PmoABC); pmoCAB]. In contrast, sequenced gammaproteobacterial MOB (Gamma-MOB) genomes contain single or multiple near-identical copies of pmoCAB operons. In betaproteobacterial ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (Beta-AOB), near-identical amoCAB operons encode ammonia monooxygenase (AMO), a homologue of pMMO. Here, we report that Gamma-MOB in the genera Methylomonas, Methylobacter and Methylomicrobium also encode a sequence-divergent particulate monooxygenase (pXMO). Whereas all known genes encoding pMMO or AMO cluster in the order 'CAB', the genes encoding pXMO are uniquely organized in the non-canonical form 'pxmABC. ' Steady state pxm mRNA was detected in cultures of Methylomonas sp. as well as in freshwater creek sediment samples, demonstrating that pxm genes are expressed in culture and in situ. Inclusion of PxmA and PxmB proteins in phylogenetic analyses of the Pmo/Amo protein superfamilies created trifurcated trees with three major clades: (i) Pmo of Alpha- and Gamma-MOB and Amo of Gamma-AOB; (ii) Amo of Beta-AOB, Pmo of putative ethane-oxidizing Gamma-MOB and Pxm of Gamma-MOB; and (iii) verrucomicrobial Pmo and Amo of ammonia-oxidizing Archaea. These data support but do not prove the hypothesis that oxygen-dependent methane and ammonia monooxygenases evolved from a substrate-promiscuous ancestor after horizontal transfer while being integrated into the catabolic contexts of their extant hosts.
Systematic design of multi-bit continuous-time delta-sigma modulators using two-step quantizer

A 500 MS/s, wideband 4th order continuous-time delta sigma modulator (CT-ΣΔM) using a two-step 5-bit quantizer, consisting of only 10 comparators, is proposed and presented using 0. 18µm CMOS technology. A proposed modulator takes advantage of the high resolution two step quantization technique and an excess loop compensation of more than one cycle to achieve a low-power, high dynamic range with a wide conversion bandwidth. A robust systematic design method is used to determine the loop filter coefficients by considering the non-ideal opamps effects including the finite gain and the presence of multiple internal poles and zeros. The proposed CT-ΣΔM achieves a dynamic range of 75.83 dB, peak SNR of 75.1 dB with 25 MHz bandwidth (OSR = 10) while consuming only 27.5 mW from the 1.8 V supply. The relevant design trade offs have been investigated and presented with simulation results.
Relationship between molecular epidemiology and antibiotic susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a French teaching hospital.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between molecular epidemiology and antibiotic susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) over a period of 4 years. The antibiotype of all MRSA isolates that were identified during a yearly period of 3 months was determined; 50 consecutive non-replicate MRSA isolates were typed each year. Susceptibility rates to gentamicin, tobramycin and ofloxacin remained stable (95, 16 and 4 %, respectively). In contrast, the proportion of MRSA isolates susceptible to erythromycin increased progressively from 10.5 to 32.5 % (P < 0.001). PFGE analysis of genomic DNA from 200 isolates revealed the presence of 15 different clones. Two epidemic clones were identified, which contained 150 (clone A) and 28 (clone C) isolates. Non-epidemic strains were more frequently susceptible to ofloxacin (31.8 versus 1.1 %) and tobramycin (45.4 versus 16.8 %) than epidemic strains; those isolates that were susceptible to all antibiotics tested belonged to sporadic clones. The increase of erythromycin susceptibility within MRSA isolates was caused by the emergence of clone C. This study suggests that when selection pressure exerted by an antibiotic is insufficient (i.e. below a threshold level), fitness advantages play a predominant role in the dissemination of MRSA clones. The balance between the selection pressure exerted by antibiotics and the disadvantage of lower replication rates of resistant strains in the absence of antibiotics complicates the biological model of clonal dissemination of epidemic MRSA strains.
Introducing human-computer interaction: A didactic experience

Experts on human-computer interaction (HCI) are required to establish communication media for a broad variety of users in consequence of the expanding services offered to the market and the changing technology landscapes. Software developers need suitable criteria to handle computer interfaces because of the diversity within the `digital population' and it seems natural that educators should answer the professional questions posed by software designers. In this paper we report on the experience of a vocational course on object-oriented design, which - among other topics - provides professional criteria to students who are required to plan a large assortment of computer interfaces from panels to object lists, from animated images to social web pages. In the first stage, lessons on HCI illustrate the psychological portraits of computer users. Second, the lessons deduce practical guidelines from those profiles. Finally the students learn the technical contents regarding HCI design. The concise psychological and social criteria which guide the students to prepare the visual interfaces constitute the innovative contribution of the present work at the didactic level. The initial lessons on HCI go beyond mere technical training and it may be said that they improve the professional culture of students. The feedback from participants appeared very positive.