Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Black Holes in Pure Lovelock Gravities

Lovelock gravity is a fascinating extension of general relativity, whose action consists of dimensionally extended Euler densities. Compared to other higher order derivative gravity theories, Lovelock gravity is attractive since it has a lot of remarkable features such as the fact that there are no more than second order derivatives with respect to the metric in its equations of motion, and that the theory is free of ghosts. Recently, in the study of black strings and black branes in Lovelock gravity, a special class of Lovelock gravity is considered, which is named pure Lovelock gravity, where only one Euler density term exists. In this paper we study black hole solutions in the special class of Lovelock gravity and associated thermodynamic properties. Some interesting features are found, which are quite different from the corresponding ones in general relativity.
Continuity in lexical and morphological development in Icelandic and English-speaking 2-year-olds

Accounts of language development vary in whether they view lexical and grammatical development as being mediated by a single or by separate mechanisms. In a single mechanism account, only one system is required for learning words and extracting grammatical regularity based on similarities among stored items. A strong non-linear relationship between early lexical and grammatical development has been demonstrated in English and, more recently, in Italian supporting a single mechanism view (Caselli, Casadio & Bates 1999, Marchman & Bates 1994). The present study showed a comparable non-linear relationship between vocabulary size and the emergence of verb inflection and sentence complexity in two-year-old speakers of English and Icelandic, a highly inflected language. The study included 96 children within a narrow age range, but varying extensively in language proficiency, demonstrating continuity in lexical and grammatical development among children with typical language development as well as very precocious children and children with expressive language delay. Cross-linguistic differences were noted as well, suggesting that the Icelandic-speaking children required a larger critical mass of vocabulary items before grammatical regularity was detected. This is probably a result of the more complex inflectional system of the Icelandic language compared with English.
Gravidez na Adolecência: Perfil das Gestantes e Puérperas e Fatores Associados

Although the pregnancy in the adolescence comes being argued for the society and debated for the medias in last the 30 years, the prevalence of this event comes frightfully growing. In this proposal it was looked to investigate where social context the adolescent pregnant and puerperals of Balneario Barra do Sul are inserted, the characteristics of these young and the reasons that had taken them to a precocious sexual relation, forsaken and to a pregnancy. It was opted to a quanti-qualitative inquiry. They had participated of the research five adolescent pregnant and ten puerperals folloied by the Program of Prenatal of the city between december of 2006 and march of 2007. The questionnaire was used, contends referring open and closed questions to the partner-demographic and economic conditions, on the process of sexual matureness and decision to keep sexual relation. The results of the research had demonstrated that the gestation in the adolescence is related to the lack of familiary structure, the low degree of instruction of the parents and to the local culture. They had also demonstrated lack of sexual orientation on the part of the family, the school and the services of health. Fear and anguish had been some of the feelings expressed ahead of the gestation, but negative feelings had not been evidenced. The occured modifications in the family had been significant, mainly in the life of the young adolescents who had abandoned the school, turn over mothers when discovering the sex and had jumped important stages of its development. For everything this, becomes evident the paper of the professionals of health in the performance next to the adolescents. To establish social partnerships with schools and spaces is basic to modify the reality faced for these young.
Experimental Effects and Individual Differences in Linear Mixed Models: Estimating the Relationship between Spatial, Object, and Attraction Effects in Visual Attention

Linear mixed models (LMMs) provide a still underused methodological perspective on combining experimental and individual-differences research. Here we illustrate this approach with two-rectangle cueing in visual attention (Egly et al., 1994). We replicated previous experimental cue-validity effects relating to a spatial shift of attention within an object (spatial effect), to attention switch between objects (object effect), and to the attraction of attention toward the display centroid (attraction effect), also taking into account the design-inherent imbalance of valid and other trials. We simultaneously estimated variance/covariance components of subject-related random effects for these spatial, object, and attraction effects in addition to their mean reaction times (RTs). The spatial effect showed a strong positive correlation with mean RT and a strong negative correlation with the attraction effect. The analysis of individual differences suggests that slow subjects engage attention more strongly at the cued location than fast subjects. We compare this joint LMM analysis of experimental effects and associated subject-related variances and correlations with two frequently used alternative statistical procedures.
EWS/FLI1 Target Genes and Therapeutic Opportunities in Ewing Sarcoma

Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive bone malignancy that affect children and young adults. Ewing sarcoma is the second most common primary bone malignancy in pediatric patients. Although significant progress has been made in the treatment of Ewing sarcoma since it was first described in the 1920s, in the last decade survival rates have remained unacceptably invariable, thus pointing to the need for new approaches centered in the molecular basis of the disease. Ewing sarcoma driving mutation, EWS–FLI1, which results from a chromosomal translocation, encodes an aberrant transcription factor. Since its first characterization in 1990s, many molecular targets have been described to be regulated by this chimeric transcription factor. Their contribution to orchestrate Ewing sarcoma phenotype has been reported over the last decades. In this work, we will focus on the description of a selection of EWS/FLI1 targets, their functional role, and their potential clinical relevance. We will also discuss their role in other types of cancer as well as the need for further studies to be performed in order to achieve a broader understanding of their particular contribution to Ewing sarcoma development.
Tolerability of Sibutramine During a 6-week Treatment Period in High-Risk Patients With Cardiovascular Disease and/or Diabetes: A Preliminary Analysis of the Sibutramine Cardiovascular Outcomes (SCOUT) Trial

Uncertainties about the cardiovascular safety of sibutramine led to the SCOUT trial that is investigating sibutramine plus weight management in high-risk, overweight/obese patients. A 6-week lead-in period during which all patients received sibutramine permitted an initial assessment of tolerability. A total of 10,742 patients received sibutramine and 3.1% of these discontinued due to an adverse event; issues affecting more than 10 patients were drug intolerance, headache, insomnia, nausea, dry mouth, and constipation-, tachycardia-, and hypertension-related events. Serious adverse events, most commonly associated with the System Organ Class, Cardiac disorders, were reported by 2.7% of patients; however, the majority was not considered sibutramine-related. Adverse events relating to high blood pressure and/or pulse rate, whether reported as adverse events leading to discontinuation, or serious adverse events were reported by less than 0.2% of patients. No serious or individual events leading to discontinuation occurred in more than 25 patients. There were 15 (0.1%) deaths; 10 were attributed to a cardiovascular cause. Discontinuations for adverse events were lower than anticipated. Serious adverse events generally reflected sibutramine's known pharmacology or were related to cardiac disorders already present in this high-risk population. When compared with epidemiological data, overall mortality rate was low and sibutramine was well tolerated in this mainly off-label population. No new safety issues were detected.
A Category Approach for Reproductive Effects of Phthalates

In regulatory toxicology, the experimental assessment of reproductive toxicity is one of the most costly endpoints to perform. Categorizing chemicals is an approach that can be used to reduce animal tests in risk assessments of chemicals, for example, via REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals). The category approach was tested for reproductive toxicity with a group of 10 ortho-phthalate esters, with different side chain lengths. Three ortho-phthalates were used for testing the category. Phthalates with side-chain lengths C4 to C6 that are commonly known to cause reproductive effects were included, as well as the recently discovered mechanism that indicates antiandrogenic effects. The differences in physicochemical properties, absorption rates, and metabolism between the phthalates investigated could not fully explain the difference in reproductive toxicity. It was concluded that phthalates with the alkyl side-chain length from C4 to C6 produce similar severe reproductive effects in experimental animals. It is expected that phthalates included in the tight boundaries of the proposed category would all show severe reproductive effects, especially the antiandrogenic effects. Further testing might not be needed for phthalates within these boundaries. If necessary, limited testing could focus on the critical endpoints. Detailed mechanistic information is needed on phthalates to apply the categories for regulatory toxicology.
From a Robotic Vacuum Cleaner to Robot Companion: Acceptance and Engagement in Domestic Environments

This paper shows preliminary results of the project DR4GHE (Domestic Robot 4 Gaming Health and Eco-sustainability). The main purpose is to develop a Robot Companion for domestic applications able to advise and suggest good practices to users. Interaction and engagement with the user are introduced providing to the Robot Vacuum Cleaner RVC an additional intelligence and leveraging the existing level of acceptance. Morphological aspects, in addition to behavioral traits, assume a key role in the perceptual transition of the RVC from object to subject. Human-robot interaction takes place on two levels: direct interaction, in particular with visual and sound signals; and mediated interaction, through a GUI for smartphone and tablets.
High Lysyl Oxidase (LOX) in the Non-Malignant Prostate Epithelium Predicts a Poor Outcome in Prostate Cancer Patient Managed by Watchful Waiting

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) has been shown to both promote and suppress tumor progression, but its role in prostate cancer is largely unknown. LOX immunoreactivity was scored in prostate tumor epithelium, tumor stroma and in the tumor-adjacent non-malignant prostate epithelium and stroma. LOX scores in tumor and non-malignant prostate tissues were then examined for possible associations with clinical characteristics and survival in a historical cohort of men that were diagnosed with prostate cancer at transurethral resection and followed by watchful waiting. Men with a low LOX score in the non-malignant prostate epithelium had significantly longer cancer specific survival than men with a high score. Furthermore, LOX score in non-malignant prostate epithelium remained prognostic in a multivariable analysis including Gleason score. LOX score in prostate tumor epithelium positively correlated to Gleason score and metastases but was not associated with cancer survival. LOX score in tumor and non-malignant prostate stroma appeared unrelated to these tumor characteristics. In radical prostatectomy specimens, LOX immune-staining corresponded to LOX in-situ hybridization and LOX mRNA levels were found to be similar between tumor and adjacent non-malignant areas, but significantly increased in bone metastases samples. LOX levels both in tumors and in the surrounding tumor-bearing organ are apparently related to prostate cancer aggressiveness.
Long-term outcome in children with moyamoya syndrome after cranial revascularization by pial synangiosis.

OBJECT Moyamoya syndrome, a narrowing of the basal intracranial vessels accompanied by the development of a cloud of collateral "moyamoya" vasculature, causes cerebral ischemia and stroke. This study was undertaken to determine if a standardized neurosurgical revascularization procedure, pial synangiosis, conferred long-term benefit in pediatric patients. METHODS The authors reviewed the clinical and radiographic records obtained in a consecutive series of patients with moyamoya syndrome. Patients were 21 years of age or younger and underwent surgery performed by a single neurosurgeon during a 17-year period. There were 143 patients (89 females and 54 males). Sixteen patients were Asian. Neurofibromatosis was present in 16 patients, 13 had undergone therapeutic cranial irradiation, and Down syndrome was present in 10. In 66 there was no known predisposing condition. Stroke had occurred in 67.8% of the population and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in 43.4% prior to surgery. Within the first 30 days following 271 craniotomies for pial synangiosis, there were 11 episodes of stroke (7.7% per patient; 4% per surgically treated hemisphere) and three severe TIAs. Follow-up evaluation was performed in all but one patient (mean period 5.1 years). In 126 patients followed for more than 1 year, four suffered a late-onset stroke, one suffered a severe reversible TIA without magnetic resonance imaging-documented evidence of stroke, and two experienced persistent TIAs. In 46 patients followed for more than 5 years in whom the major initial presentation was stroke alone, only two late-onset strokes have occurred. Functional status at the time of surgery determined long-term functional status. CONCLUSIONS Following pial synangiosis, the majority of pediatric patients with moyamoya syndrome stop having strokes and TIAs, and they appear to experience an excellent long-term prognosis.
Climate change reduces reproductive success of an Arctic herbivore through trophic mismatch

In highly seasonal environments, offspring production by vertebrates is timed to coincide with the annual peak of resource availability. For herbivores, this resource peak is represented by the annual onset and progression of the plant growth season. As plant phenology advances in response to climatic warming, there is potential for development of a mismatch between the peak of resource demands by reproducing herbivores and the peak of resource availability. For migratory herbivores, such as caribou, development of a trophic mismatch is particularly likely because the timing of their seasonal migration to summer ranges, where calves are born, is cued by changes in day length, while onset of the plant-growing season on the same ranges is cued by local temperatures. Using data collected since 1993 on timing of calving by caribou and timing of plant growth in West Greenland, we document the consequences for reproductive success of a developing trophic mismatch between caribou and their forage plants. As mean spring temperatures at our study site have risen by more than 4°C, caribou have not kept pace with advancement of the plant-growing season on their calving range. As a consequence, offspring mortality has risen and offspring production has dropped fourfold.
Association between Oestrogens Receptor Expressions in Breast Cancer and Comorbidities: A Cross-Sectional, Population-Based Study

Background Breast cancer with oestrogen receptor expression is common in older women. Several factors, such as age and reproductive hormone exposure, have been associated with oestrogen receptor expression in breast cancer. However, the association between comorbidities and the oestrogen receptor expression has been poorly studied. We hypothesized that there was an association between burden comorbidity and breast cancer with oestrogen receptor expression in older women. Objective To determine whether oestrogen receptor expression in breast cancer was associated with burden comorbidity in community-dwelling women. Methods A total of 1,707 women with breast cancer registered on the list of a breast cancer registry were included. The recorded data included: age, Charlson Comorbidity Index score≥1, breast cancer characteristics (coded according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology), and breast cancer pathological stage (the pathological-tumour-node-metastasis, Scarff Bloom Richardson, and hormonal status of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor). Results Breast cancer with oestrogen receptor expression was identified in 1,378 patients (80·7%). The fully-adjusted logistic regression showed that oestrogen receptor expression was associated with Charlson Comorbidity Index score≥1 (odds ratio [OR] = 1·91,95%confidence interval [CI] = [1.01–3.61], P = 0·048), progesterone receptor expression (OR = 16·64, 95%CI = [11.62–23.81], P<0·001), human epidermal growth factor receptor (OR = 0·54, 95%CI = [0.34–0.84], P = 0·007), age (OR = 1.02, 95%CI = [1.00–1.03], P = 0.008), Scarff Bloom Richardson grade II and grade III (OR = 0·21with 95%CI = [0.10–0.44] and OR = 0·06 with 95%CI = [0.03–0.12], P<0·001). Conclusion Our findings provide new data showing an independent positive association between burden comorbidity and breast cancer with oestrogen receptor expression. This result confirms that evaluation of oestrogen receptor expression in breast cancer should not be limited to hormonal factors stratified by age.
Diminished Cardioprotective Response to Inhibition of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor in B2 Kinin Receptor Gene Knockout Mice

Abstract— Using B2 kinin receptor gene knockout mice (B2−/−), we tested the hypothesis that (l) lack of B2 receptors may affect blood pressure and cardiac function and aggravate cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI), and (2) kinins partially mediate the cardiac beneficial effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists (AT1-ant), whereas lack of B2 receptors may diminish this cardioprotective effect. Chronic heart failure (HF) was induced by MI, which was caused by coronary artery ligation in both B2−/− and 129/SvEvTac mice (wild-type control, B2+/+). An ACEi (ramipril, 2.5 mg/kg/d) or AT1-ant (L-158809, 3 mg/kg/d) was given 1 week after MI and was continued for 12 weeks. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, cardiac output (CO), diastolic LV dimension (LVDd), and LV mass were evaluated by echocardiography. Myocyte cross-sectional area and interstitial collagen fraction were studied histopathologically. We found that basal blood pressure and cardiac function were similar in B2+/+ and B2−/− mice. After MI, development of HF and remodeling were also similar between the 2 strains. The ACEi improved cardiac function and remodeling in both strains; however, its effects were attenuated in B2−/− mice (respective values for B2+/+ versus B2−/− mice: overall increase in ejection fraction, 64±10% versus 21±5% [P <0.01]; increase in CO, 69±17% versus 23±9% [P <0.01]; overall decrease in LVDd, −24±3% versus −7±4% [P <0.01]; and decrease in LV mass, −38±3% versus −6±6% [P <0.01]). AT1-ant had a beneficial cardiac effect similar to that produced by ACEi, and this effect was also diminished in B2−/− mice (respective values for B2+/+ versus B2−/− mice: overall increase in ejection fraction, 46±10% versus 25±9% [P <0.01]; increase in CO, 44±14% versus 15±5% [P <0.01]; overall decrease in LVDd, −14±4% versus −6±3% [P <0.01]; and decrease in LV mass, −33±4 versus −16±7% [P <0.01]). The effect of ACEi or AT1-ant on myocyte cross-sectional area was similar between strains; however, their effect on the interstitial collagen fraction was diminished in B2−/− mice. We concluded that (1) lack of B2 kinin receptors does not affect cardiac phenotype or function, either under normal physiological conditions or during the development of HF; and (2) kinins acting via the B2 receptor play an important role in the cardioprotective effect of ACEi and AT1-ant.
Investigation on the occurrence of mutual interference between pulsed terrestrial LIDAR scanners

LIDAR scanners are essential components of intelligent vehicles capable of autonomous travel. Mutual interference between LIDAR scanners has not been regarded as a problem yet. Mutual interference was identified as a problem of increased importance because of the appearance of safety functions and the increasing rate of vehicles equipped with LIDAR scanner. This paper will show the probability that any LIDAR scanner is probably interfered mutually by considering spatial and temporal overlaps. It will present three types of experiments and their results are showed, according to the arrangement of two LIDAR scanners.
Discordance between pain and radiographic severity in knee osteoarthritis: findings from quantitative sensory testing of central sensitization.

OBJECTIVE Radiographic measures of the pathologic changes of knee osteoarthritis (OA) have shown modest associations with clinical pain. We sought to evaluate possible differences in quantitative sensory testing (QST) results and psychosocial distress profiles between knee OA patients with discordant versus congruent clinical pain reports relative to radiographic severity measures. METHODS A total of 113 participants (66.7% women; mean ± SD age 61.05 ± 8.93 years) with knee OA participated in the study. Radiographic evidence of joint pathology was graded according to the Kellgren/Lawrence scale. Central sensitization was indexed through quantitative sensory testing, including heat and pressure-pain thresholds, tonic suprathreshold pain (cold pressor test), and repeated phasic suprathreshold mechanical and thermal pain. Subgroups were constructed by dichotomizing clinical knee pain scores (median split) and knee OA grade scores (grades 1-2 versus 3-4), resulting in 4 groups: low pain/low knee OA grade (n = 24), high pain/high knee OA grade (n = 32), low pain/high knee OA grade (n = 27), and high pain/low knee OA grade (n = 30). RESULTS Multivariate analyses revealed significantly heightened pain sensitivity in the high pain/low knee OA grade group, while the low pain/high knee OA grade group was less pain-sensitive. Group differences remained significant after adjusting for differences on psychosocial measures, as well as age, sex, and race. CONCLUSION The results suggest that central sensitization in knee OA is especially apparent among patients with reports of high levels of clinical pain in the absence of moderate-to-severe radiographic evidence of pathologic changes of knee OA.