Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cerebral perfusion and compensatory blood supply in patients with recent small subcortical infarcts

Hypoperfusion is the typical perfusion pattern associated with recent small subcortical infarcts of the brain, but other perfusion patterns may be present in patients with these infarcts. Using CT perfusion, we studied 67 consecutive patients who had a small subcortical infarct at a follow-up MRI study to investigate the correlation between the perfusion pattern and the clinical and radiological course. On CT perfusion map analysis, 51 patients (76%) had focal hypoperfusion, 4 patients (6%) had hyperperfusion and the remaining 12 patients (18%) showed no abnormalities. On dynamic sequential imaging analysis obtained from the source perfusion images, 32 patients (48%) had a sustained hypoperfusion pattern, 11 patients (16%) had a reperfusion pattern, and 18 patients (27%) had a delayed compensation pattern. Systolic blood pressure was higher in patients with sustained hypoperfusion although the perfusion pattern was independent of the final volume of infarction. These results reinforce the notion that mechanisms other than hypoperfusion are at play in patients with small subcortical infarcts including the intervention of compensatory sources of blood flow. The ultimate clinical significance of these perfusion patterns remains to be determined in larger series of patients assessed longitudinally.
Reduction of torque ripple in double-layered IPMSM for automotive applications by rotor structure modification

Interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSMs) are currently widely utilized as traction motors. The objective of this study is to reduce the torque ripples in advanced IPMSMs, which cause vibrations and noise, by modifying the rotor structure. First, holes were drilled in the rotor of a double-layered IPMSM, which the authors previously proposed, and their influence on torque ripple was evaluated. Then, dents were formed in the surface of the modified IPMSM rotor, and their effect on torque ripple was evaluated. The torque ripples of the modified IPMSMs are lower than those of the reference model under maximum torque per ampere control and in other current phase angle regions. In addition, at low current, the proposed models reduced the torque ripple from that of the reference model over the entire current phase angle region.
Taxonomic revision of Pachyptera (Bignonieae, Bignoniaceae)

Abstract Pachyptera DC. is a small genus of neotropical lianas included in tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae). The genus has a complicated taxonomic history but currently includes species distributed from Belize to Southern Amazon. Pachyptera is characterised by four main synapomorphies, namely, a papery peeling bark, prophylls of the axillary buds organised in a series of three, patelliform glands arranged in lines in the upper portions of the calyx and corolla tube. Furthermore, members of the genus also have stems with four phloem wedges in cross-section and conspicuous extrafloral nectaries between the interpetiolar region and at the petiole apex, although these characters are also shared with other genera of tribe Bignonieae. Here, we present a taxonomic revision of Pachyptera, which includes a complete list of synonyms, detailed morphological descriptions of species and an identification key, as well as information on the habitat, distribution and phenology, nomenclatural notes, taxonomic comments and illustrations of all the species. In addition, we designate three lectotypes, propose one new combination, raise one variety to species status and describe a new species. After these adjustments, a Pachyptera with five well-defined species is recognised.
Determinants of capital structure of Malaysian property developers

Parallel with the title, this study attempts to investigate the determinants of capital structure of Malaysian property developers. This study investigates 10 public listed Malaysian property developers. In other words, there are 10 samples included in this study. The 10 samples then are divided equally into two different samples. The two samples are top five developers and bottom five developers. The samples in this study are included to the availability and continuity of published financial statements during the period of 2001-2010. Variables used for the analysis include debt ratio as the dependent variable, profitability, non-debt tax shield, tangibility, growth opportunity and liquidity as the explanatory variables. The data was analyzed by using IBM SPSS statistics version 20 to do descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The study has shown that only profitability and tangibility are significant in explaining variation in leverage of the top five developers while non-debt tax shield, growth opportunity and liquidity are insignificant in explaining variation in leverage of the top five developers. The study also shows that all of the explanatory variables are insignificant in explaining variation in leverage of the bottom five developers. This study has laid some groundwork to explore the determinants of capital structure of Malaysian property developers and this paper by employing the most recent data. This study must be refined in the future to get a better result and ensure its reliability to other researchers.
Dawning of the age of genomics for platelet granule disorders: improving insight, diagnosis and management

Inherited disorders of platelet granules are clinically heterogeneous and their prevalence is underestimated because most patients do not undergo a complete diagnostic work‐up. The lack of a genetic diagnosis limits the ability to tailor management, screen family members, aid with family planning, predict clinical progression and detect serious consequences, such as myelofibrosis, lung fibrosis and malignancy, in a timely manner. This is set to change with the introduction of high throughput sequencing (HTS) as a routine clinical diagnostic test. HTS diagnostic tests are now available, affordable and allow parallel screening of DNA samples for variants in all of the 80 known bleeding, thrombotic and platelet genes. Increased genetic diagnosis and curation of variants is, in turn, improving our understanding of the pathobiology and clinical course of inherited platelet disorders. Our understanding of the genetic causes of platelet granule disorders and the regulation of granule biogenesis is a work in progress and has been significantly enhanced by recent genomic discoveries from high‐powered genome‐wide association studies and genome sequencing projects. In the era of whole genome and epigenome sequencing, new strategies are required to integrate multiple sources of big data in the search for elusive, novel genes underlying granule disorders.
[Tricaicium phosphate complex pre-loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2 or platelet derived growth factor-BB for repairing critical-size cranial defects in SD rats].

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of a new biomaterial in promoting the bone regeneration for repairing critical-size cranial defects in SD rats. METHODS Critical-size cranial defects were induced in 3-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats and repaired with the implants of calcium phosphate from growth factor enhanced matrix 21 (CaPfromGEM21, control), CaPfromGEM21 preloaded with 10 ng bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), CaPfromGEM21 preloaded with 100 ng BMP-2, CaPfromGEM21 preloaded with 0.3 µg platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), or CaPfromGEM21 preloaded with 3 µg PDGF-BB. The defects were examined 6 weeks after the surgery with X-ray, micro-CT, HE staining and quantitative assessments. RESULTS X-ray showed defect repair in all the groups. The fracture line became obscure, and the defects were almost fully repaired by the regenerated bone tissues in PDGF-BB group. Micro-CT demonstarted new bone formation in the defects. The new bone volume was significantly greater in PDGF-BB groups than in BMP-2 groups (P<0.05). HE staining revealed the presence of new bones in the defects and new vessels in and around the new bones without inflammatory cells. The new bone area fraction was significantly greater in 10 ng BMP-2 group and 0.3 µg PDGF-BB group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the new vessel density was similar in the all the 4 cytokine-preloaded groups and all significantly greater than that in the blank and CaPfromGEM21 control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION CaPfromGem21 combined with BMP-2 or PDGF-BB has good biocompatibility and can better promote bone regeneration for repairing bone defects.
Regression of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Zinc and Selenium Co-supplementation after Disease Progression in Rats

Background: Studies have shown that zinc and selenium deficiency is common in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the effects of zinc and selenium co-supplementation before and/or after disease progression on NAFLD are not clear enough. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of zinc and selenium co-supplementation before and/or after disease progression on NAFLD prognosis. Materials and Methods: Forty male Sprague–Dawley rats (197±4 g) were randomly assigned to 4 dietary groups: normal-fat diet (NFD; receiving 9% of calories as fat), high-fat diet (HFD; receiving 82% of calories as fat), supplementation before disease progression (S+HFD), and supplementation after disease progression (HFD+S). The diets were implemented over a 20-week period in all the groups. Biochemical and histologic parameters were compared between the 4 groups, and between-group comparisons were also carried out. Results: There were significant differences in the average food dietary intake (P<0.001), weight (P<0.001), fasting blood sugar (P=0.005), triglyceride (P<0.001), total cholesterol (P<0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.002), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.001), alanine aminotransferase (P<0.001), and aspartate aminotransferase (P<0.001) between the 4 dietary groups. Serum triglyceride and total cholesterol were significantly lower in the HFD+S Group than in the S+HFD Group (P<0.001 and P=0.003, respectively). Fat accumulation was significantly reduced in the HFD+S Group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Zinc and selenium co-supplementation after disease progression improved biochemical and histologic parameters in an experimental model of NAFLD.
FigureGround Segregation in a Recurrent Network Architecture

Here we propose a model of how the visual brain segregates textured scenes into figures and background. During texture segregation, locations where the properties of texture elements change abruptly are assigned to boundaries, whereas image regions that are relatively homogeneous are grouped together. Boundary detection and grouping of image regions require different connection schemes, which are accommodated in a single network architecture by implementing them in different layers. As a result, all units carry signals related to boundary detection as well as grouping of image regions, in accordance with cortical physiology. Boundaries yield an early enhancement of network responses, but at a later point, an entire figural region is grouped together, because units that respond to it are labeled with enhanced activity. The model predicts which image regions are preferentially perceived as figure or as background and reproduces the spatio-temporal profile of neuronal activity in the visual cortex during texture segregation in intact animals, as well as in animals with cortical lesions.
Template‐assembled melittin: Structural and functional characterization of a designed, synthetic channel‐forming protein

Template‐assembled proteins (TASPs) comprising 4 peptide blocks, each of either the natural melittin sequence (melittin‐TASP) or of a truncated melittin sequence (amino acids 6–26, melittin6–26‐TASP), C‐terminally linked to a (linear or cyclic) 10‐amino acid template were synthesized and characterized, structurally by CD, by fluorescence spectroscopy, and by monolayer experiments, and functionally, by electrical conductance measurements on planar bilayers and release experiments on dye‐loaded vesicles. Melittin‐TASP and the truncated analogue preferentially adopt α‐helical structures in methanol (56% and 52%, respectively) as in lipid membranes. Unlike in methanol, the melittin‐TASP self‐aggregates in water. On an air‐water interface, the differently sized molecules can be self‐assembled and compressed to a compact structure with a molecular area of around 600 Å2, compatible with a 4‐helix bundle preferentially oriented perpendicular to the interface. The proteins reveal a strong affinity for lipid membranes. A partition coefficient of 1.5 × 109 M−1 was evaluated from changes of the Trp fluorescence spectra of the TASP in water and in the lipid bilayer. In planar lipid bilayers, TASP molecules are able to form defined ion channels, exhibiting a small single‐channel conductance of 7 pS (in 1 M NaCl). With increasing protein concentration in the lipid bilayer, additional, larger conductance states of up to 1 nS were observed. These states are likely to be formed by aggregated TASP structures as inferred from a strongly voltage‐dependent channel activity on membranes of large area. In this respect, melittin‐TASP reveals channel features of the native peptide, but with a considerably lower variation in the size of the channel states. Compared to the free peptide, template‐assembled melittin has a much higher membrane activity: it is about 100 times more effective in channel formation and 20 times more effective in releasing dye molecules from lipid vesicles. This demonstrates that the lytic properties are not solely related to channel formation.
Sorting of Encystation-specific Cysteine Protease to Lysosome-like Peripheral Vacuoles in Giardia lambliaRequires a Conserved Tyrosine-based Motif* 210

Encystation-specific cysteine protease (ESCP) was the first membrane-associated protein described to be part of the lysosome-like peripheral vacuoles in the intestinal parasiteGiardia lamblia. ESCP is homologous to cathepsin C enzymes of higher eukaryotes, but is distinguished from other lysosomal cysteine proteases because it possesses a transmembrane domain and a short cytoplasmic tail. Tyrosine-based motifs within tails of membrane proteins are known to participate in endosomal/lysosomal protein sorting in higher eukaryotes. In this study, we show that a YRPI motif within the ESCP cytoplasmic tail is necessary and sufficient to mediate ESCP sorting to peripheral vacuoles in Giardia. Deletion and point mutation analysis demonstrated that the tyrosine residue is critical for ESCP sorting, whereas amino acids located at the Y+1 (Arg), Y+2 (Pro), and Y+3 (Ile) positions show minimal effect. Loss of the motif resulted in surface localization, whereas addition of the motif to a variant-specific surface protein resulted in lysosomal localization. Although Giardia trophozoites lack a morphologically discernible Golgi apparatus, our findings indicate that this parasite directs proteins to the lysosomes using a conserved sorting signal similar to that used by yeast and mammalian cells. Because Giardia is one of the earliest branching protist, these results demonstrate that sorting motifs for specific protein traffic developed very early during eukaryotic evolution.
The CRP/FNR family protein Bcam1349 is a c‐di‐GMP effector that regulates biofilm formation in the respiratory pathogen Burkholderia cenocepacia

Burkholderia cenocepacia is an opportunistic respiratory pathogen that can cause severe infections in immune‐compromised individuals and is associated with poor prognosis for patients suffering from cystic fibrosis. The second messenger cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c‐di‐GMP) has been shown to control a wide range of functions in bacteria, but little is known about these regulatory mechanisms in B. cenocepacia. Here we investigated the role that c‐di‐GMP plays in the regulation of biofilm formation and virulence in B. cenocepacia. Elevated intracellular levels of c‐di‐GMP promoted wrinkly colony, pellicle and biofilm formation in B. cenocepacia. A screen for transposon mutants unable to respond to elevated levels of c‐di‐GMP led to the identification of the mutant bcam1349 that did not display increased biofilm and pellicle formation with excessive c‐di‐GMP levels, and displayed a biofilm defect with physiological c‐di‐GMP levels. The bcam1349 gene is predicted to encode a transcriptional regulator of the CRP/FNR superfamily. Analyses of purified Bcam1349 protein and truncations demonstrated that it binds c‐di‐GMP in vitro. The Bcam1349 protein was shown to regulate the production of a number of components, including cellulose and fimbriae. It was demonstrated that the Bcam1349 protein binds to the promoter region of the cellulose synthase genes, and that this binding is enhanced by the presence of c‐di‐GMP. The bcam1349 mutant showed reduced virulence in a Galleria mellonella wax moth larvae infection model. Taken together, these findings suggest that the Bcam1349 protein is a transcriptional regulator that binds c‐di‐GMP and regulates biofilm formation and virulence in B. cenocepacia in response to the level of c‐di‐GMP.
Photovoltaic properties of GaAsP core–shell nanowires on Si(001) substrate

We report on the growth and electro-optical studies of photovoltaic properties of GaAsP nanowires. Low density GaAsP nanowires were grown by Au assisted MOVPE on Si(001) substrates using a two step procedure to form a radial p–n junction. The STEM analyses show that the nanowires have cubic structure with the alloy composition GaAs0.88P0. 12 in the nanowire core and GaAs0.76P0. 24 in the shell. The nanowire ensembles were processed in the form of sub-millimeter size mesas. The photovoltaic properties were characterized by optical beam induced current (OBIC) and electronic beam induced current (EBIC) maps. Both OBIC and EBIC maps show that the photovoltage is generated by the nanowires; however, a strong signal variation from wire to wire is observed. Only one out of six connected nanowires produce a measurable signal. These strong fluctuations can be tentatively explained by the variation of the resistance of the nanowire-to-substrate connection, which is highly sensitive to the quality of the Si–GaAsP interface. This study demonstrates the importance of the spatially resolved charge collection microscopy techniques for the diagnosis of failures in nanowire photovoltaic devices.
Eliciting health state utilities for Dupuytren’s contracture using a discrete choice experiment

Background and purpose An internet-based discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted to elicit preferences for a wide range of Dupuytren’s contracture (DC)-related health states. An algorithm was subsequently developed to convert these preferences into health state utilities that can be used to assess DC’s impact on quality of life and the value of its treatments. Methods Health state preferences for varying levels of DC hand severity were elicited via an internet survey from a sample of the UK adult population. Severity levels were defined using a combination of contractures (0, 45, or 90 degrees) in 8 proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers. Right-handed, left-handed, and ambidextrous respondents indicated which hand was preferable in each of the 10 randomly-selected hand-pairings comparing different DC severity levels. For consistency across comparisons, anatomically precise digital hand drawings were used. To anchor preferences onto the traditional 0–1 utility scale used in health economic evaluations, unaffected hands were assigned a utility of 1.0 whereas the utility for a maximally affected hand (i.e., all 8 joints set at 90 degrees of contracture) was derived by asking respondents to indicate what combination of attributes and levels of the EQ-5D-5L profile most accurately reflects the impact of living with such hand. Conditional logistic models were used to estimate indirect utilities, then rescaled to the anchor points on the EQ-5D-5L. Results Estimated utilities based on the responses of 1,745 qualified respondents were 0.49, 0.57, and 0.63 for completely affected dominant hands, non-dominant hands, or ambidextrous hands, respectively. Utility for a dominant hand with 90-degree contracture in t h e metacarpophalangeal joints of the ring and little fingers was estimated to be 0.89. Separately, reducing the contracture of metacarpophalangeal joint for a little finger from 50 to 12 degrees would improve utility by 0.02. Interpretation DC is associated with substantial utility decre- ments. The algorithms presented herein provide a robust and flexible framework to assess utility for varying degrees of DC severity.
Routine prophylactic vena cava filtration is not indicated after acute spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating problem, with over 10,000 new cases annually. Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a well-recognized risk in SCI patients, although no clear recommendations for prophylaxis exist. We therefore evaluated whether routine placement of prophylactic inferior vena cava filters is indicated in SCI patients. METHODS The trauma registry of a regional trauma center was used to identify patients sustaining acute SCI resulting in tetraplegia or paraplegia after blunt or penetrating trauma for a 5-year period beginning in January 1995. Patients were analyzed for demographics, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score, associated long bone or pelvic fracture, severe closed-head injury, type of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis, level of SCI, and incidence of DVT and PE. DVT prophylaxis was performed in all patients with sequential compression devices (SCDs) when extremity fracture status permitted. Data are expressed as mean +/- SD and analyzed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS There were 8,269 admissions during the study period, with an overall incidence of DVT and PE of 11.8% and 0.9%, respectively. There were 111 (1.3%) patients who sustained SCI, with an incidence of DVT and PE of 9.0% and 1.8%, respectively, and no deaths. Of these 111 patients, 41.4% were paraplegics and 58.6% were tetraplegics, and 17.1% of patients had severe closed-head injury. Mean hospital length of stay was 23 +/- 20 days for SCI patients. Surveillance duplex ultrasound was performed an average of 2.3 +/- 2.1 times during each hospitalization. Mean Injury Severity Score was 30.0 +/- 12.2. The incidence of DVT and PE in those patients with SCDs alone was 7.1% and 2.3%; for SCDs plus subcutaneous heparin, the incidence was 11.1% and 2.8%; and for SCDs plus low-molecular-weight heparin, the incidence was 7.4% and 0%, respectively, with no statistical difference between groups. The incidence of DVT in SCI patients with long bone fractures was 37.5%, which was significantly greater than the total SCI population (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION The incidence of DVT and PE in SCI patients was similar to that of the overall trauma population when appropriate DVT prophylaxis was used. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that SCI associated with long bone fracture significantly increases the incidence of DVT. On the basis of the low incidence of PE in the present study, routine placement of prophylactic caval filters does not appear warranted in all SCI patients. However, SCI patients with long bone fractures, patients with DVT formation despite prophylactic anticoagulation, or patients with contraindications to anticoagulation may be appropriate candidates for prophylactic caval filtration.