Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ieee Transactions on Wireless Communications, Accepted for Publication 1 Critical Density for Connectivity in 2d and 3d Wireless Multi-hop Networks

—In this paper we investigate the critical node density required to ensure that an arbitrary node in a large-scale wireless multi-hop network is connected (via multi-hop path) to infinitely many other nodes with a positive probability. Specifically we consider a wireless multi-hop network where nodes are distributed in R d (d = 2, 3) following a homogeneous Poisson point process. The establishment of a direct connection between any two nodes is independent of connections between other pairs of nodes and its probability satisfies some intuitively reasonable conditions, viz. rotational and translational invariance, non-increasing monotonicity, and integral boundedness. Under the above random connection model we first obtain analytically the upper and lower bounds for the critical density. Then we compare the new bounds with other existing bounds in the literature under the unit disk model and the log-normal model which are special cases of the random connection model. The comparison shows that our bounds are either close to or tighter than the known ones. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first result for the random connection model in both 2D and 3D networks. The result is of practical use for designing large-scale wireless multi-hop networks such as wireless sensor networks.
Leprosy Masquerading as Systemic Rheumatic Diseases

AbstractRheumatologic manifestations not only are encountered in leprosy but also can be the first and even the sole presenting manifestation. The hallmark of leprosy is skin and peripheral nerve affection; however, it can affect a wide range of other organs, with the joints being the commonest. We have searched PubMed with the key words leprosy, arthritis, vasculitis, rheumatic diseases, and autoantibodies in a proper combination. Relevant studies were retrieved from scanning of their abstracts. The relevant references provided in these articles were also selected and reviewed. We summarize the clinical and laboratory manifestations that make leprosy masquerade as a systemic rheumatic disease. Moreover, we report 4 Egyptian patients who presented with rheumatologic manifestations, namely, arthritis and vasculitis that turned out to be leprosy related.
Awareness requirements for adaptive systems

Recently, there has been a growing interest in self-adaptive systems. Roadmap papers in this area point to feedback loops as a promising way of operationalizing adaptivity in such systems. In this paper, we define a new type of requirement - called Awareness Requirement - that can refer to other requirements and their success/failures. We propose a way to elicit and formalize such requirements and offer a requirements monitoring framework to support them.
Comparative Studies of an Orally-active Factor Xa Inhibitor, YM-60828, with other Antithrombotic Agents in a Rat Model of Arterial Thrombosis

Summary We examined the antithrombotic activity of a novel synthetic inhibitor of factor Xa, YM-60828, in an electrically-induced carotid artery thrombosis model in rats. In the first experiment, the antithrombotic activity of YM-60828 after i.v. infusion was compared with those of heparin, darteparin and argatroban. Test drug was administered by i.v. infusion from 30 min before electrical stimulation to the end of the experiment. YM-60828 at 1 mg/kg/h significantly improved patency status, prolonged the time to occlusive thrombus formation and duration of patency. Heparin at 300 U/kg/h also improved these parameters, but were accompanied by a marked increase in systemic coagulation time. In the second experiment, the antithrombotic activity of YM-60828 after oral administration was compared with those of ticlopidine, cilostazol, aspirin, beraprost, ethyl icosapentate and warfarin. Test drug was orally administered to fasted rats 60 min before electrical stimulation. YM-60828 at 30 mg/kg p.o. , but not ticlopidine, cilostazol, aspirin, beraprost, ethyl icosapentate or warfarin, significantly reduced the incidence of occlusion and improved carotid arterial patency. These results suggest that YM-60828 may be a promising antithrombotic agent for the treatment and prevention of arterial thrombosis which can be given by oral as well as intravenous administration.
Differential prognosis of metastatic colorectal cancer patients post-progression to first-line triplet chemotherapy plus bevacizumab, FIr-B/FOx, according to second-line treatment and KRAS genotype

Clinical outcome post-progression to first-line triplet chemotherapy (CT) plus bevacizumab (FIr-B/FOx) was evaluated in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients (pts). Second-line treatment was selected according to fitness, KRAS genotype, previous efficacy and safety. Efficacy was evaluated and compared according to treatment or KRAS genotype, using log-rank analysis. Among 54 pts, median overall survival (OS) post-progression was 12 months, significantly better in 40 (74.1%) treated compared to 14 (25.9%) who died without further treatment. Second-line surgical treatment, 4 pts (7.4%), medical treatment, 36 pts (66.7%): triplet CT plus targeted agent, 10 (18.5%); triplet regimens, 19 (35.2%); doublet/monotherapy, 7 (13%). At follow-up of 14 months, objective response rate (ORR) was 38%, metastasectomies 12.5%, progression-free survival (PFS) 10 months, OS 14 months. According to treatment, ORR, metastasectomies, PFS and OS were significantly favourable in triplet CT plus targeted agent compared to triplet, respectively: 80%, 40%, 13 months, not reached; 28%, 6%, 8 months, 11 months. PFS and OS were significantly worse in c.35 G>A mutant compared to wild-type and/or other mutant patients. Prognosis after progression to first-line FIr-B/FOx may be significantly favourable in MCRC pts re-challenged with intensive regimens, and unfavourable in c.35 G>A KRAS mutant patients.
Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The Role of Medical, Surgical, and Endoscopic Weight Loss

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a rapidly growing cause of chronic liver disease in the United States and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, including progression to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD comprises a spectrum of liver conditions, ranging from simple steatosis to steatosis with inflammation (steatohepatitis) and progressive fibrosis. Weight loss represents a first line therapeutic modality for the management of NAFLD. Herein, we review the evidence base for medical, surgical, and endoscopic approaches to weight loss and their potential impact on the natural history of NAFLD.
Decreasing the undernotification of anaphylaxis deaths in Brazil through the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐11 revision

In 2012, an analysis of the Brazilian mortality database demonstrated undernotification of anaphylaxis deaths due, at least in part, to difficult coding under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐10. This work triggered a cascade of strategic international actions supported by the Joint Allergy Academies and the ICD World Health Organization (WHO) representatives to update the classifications of allergic disorders for the ICD‐11 revision. These efforts have resulted in the construction of the new ‘Allergic and hypersensitivity conditions’ section under the ‘Disorders of the Immune system’ chapter.
Impairment of Gradual Muscle Adjustment during Wrist Circumduction in Parkinson's Disease

Purposeful movements are attained by gradually adjusted activity of opposite muscles, or synergists. This requires a motor system that adequately modulates initiation and inhibition of movement and selectively activates the appropriate muscles. In patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) initiation and inhibition of movements are impaired which may manifest itself in e.g. difficulty to start and stop walking. At single-joint level, impaired movement initiation is further accompanied by insufficient inhibition of antagonist muscle activity. As the motor symptoms in PD primarily result from cerebral dysfunction, quantitative investigation of gradually adjusted muscle activity during execution of purposeful movement is a first step to gain more insight in the link between impaired modulation of initiation and inhibition at the levels of (i) cerebrally coded task performance and (ii) final execution by the musculoskeletal system. To that end, the present study investigated changes in gradual adjustment of muscle synergists using a manipulandum that enabled standardized smooth movement by continuous wrist circumduction. Differences between PD patients (N = 15, off-medication) and healthy subjects (N = 16) concerning the relation between muscle activity and movement performance in these groups were assessed using kinematic and electromyographic (EMG) recordings. The variability in the extent to which a particular muscle was active during wrist circumduction – defined as muscle activity differentiation - was quantified by EMG. We demonstrated that more differentiated muscle activity indeed correlated positively with improved movement performance, i.e. higher movement speed and increased smoothness of movement. Additionally, patients employed a less differentiated muscle activity pattern than healthy subjects. These specific changes during wrist circumduction imply that patients have a decreased ability to gradually adjust muscles causing a decline in movement performance. We propose that less differentiated muscle use in PD patients reflects impaired control of modulated initiation and inhibition due to decreased ability to selectively and jointly activate muscles.
Genes responsible for vaginal extracellular matrix metabolism are modulated by women's reproductive cycle and menopause.

OBJECTIVES To analyze the expression of genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) biogenesis and remodeling in vaginal tissue of women with clinically normal pelvic floor support (defined as controls) according to the phase of menstrual cycle and postmenopausal women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP). MATERIALS AND METHODS This study examined the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), and the Lysyl oxidase (LOX) family genes in the anterior vaginal wall of Caucasian women by real-time RT-PCR. Initially, mRNA expression was assessed in premenopausal controls in the secretory (group 1, n = 10) vs. proliferative (group 2, n = 8) phase of menstrual cycle. In addition, we compared premenopausal controls in the proliferative phase (group 2) vs. postmenopausal controls (group 3, n = 5). Finally, we analyzed postmenopausal controls (group 3) vs. postmenopausal women with advanced POP (group 4, n = 13). RESULTS According to the phase of menstrual cycle, MMP1 was significantly reduced (p = 0.003), whereas the expression of TIMP1 and LOXL4 was significantly up-regulated during proliferative phase (both p < 0.01) when compared to the secretory phase in premenopausal control women. Regarding menopausal status/ageing, all MMPs were down-regulated, while TIMP3, TIMP4 and LOXL2 were significantly up-regulated in postmenopausal control women when compared to premenopausal controls (p = 0.005, p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, correspondingly). TIMP4 and LOXL2 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in postmenopausal POP patients compared to asymptomatic postmenopausal controls (p < 0.01 for both). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that ovarian cycle and age-related changes influence the expression of genes encoding proteins responsible for ECM metabolism in human vagina. Moreover, POP is associated with alteration in vaginal ECM components after menopause.
Implementation and results of a new ECMO program for lung transplantation and acute respiratory distress

Objective The development of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in Latin America represents a challenge in this specialty field. The objective of this article was to describe the results of a new extracorporeal membrane oxygenation program in an intensive care unit. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 22 patients who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and were treated from January 2011 to June 2014. The baseline characteristics, indications, duration of the condition, days on mechanical ventilation, days in the intensive care unit, complications, and hospital mortality were evaluated. Results Fifteen patients required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after lung transplantation, and seven patients required oxygenation due to acute respiratory distress. All transplanted patients were weaned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with a median duration of 3 days (Interquartile range - IQR: 2 - 5), were on mechanical ventilation for a median of 15.5 days (IQR: 3 - 25), and had an intensive care unit stay of 31.5 days (IQR: 19 - 53) and a median hospital stay of 60 days (IQR: 36 - 89) with 20% mortality. Patients with acute respiratory distress had a median oxygenation membrane duration of 9 days (IQR: 3 - 14), median mechanical ventilation time of 25 days (IQR: 13 - 37), a 31 day stay in therapy (IQR: 11 - 38), a 32 day stay in the hospital (IQR: 11 - 41), and 57% mortality. The main complications were infections (80%), acute kidney failure (43%), bleeding at the surgical site and at the site of cannula placement (22%), plateletopenia (60%), and coagulopathy (30%). Conclusion In spite of the steep learning curve, we considered this experience to be satisfactory, with results and complications comparable to those reported in the literature.
GAMMA RAY DOSES PROCEEDING FROM NATURAL OCCURING RADIONUCLIDES IN CLOSED ENVIRONMENTS.

In this work we report on the application of gamma-ray spectrometry in the study of the effective dose coming from terrestrial natural elements present in building materials such as sand, cement, lime (CaO) and milled granitic stones. The major contribution to annual gamma-ray radiation effective dose is due to the natural occurring radionuclides 40 K, 232 Th and 238 U. Two spectrometry systems were employed to measure the gamma radiation: one with a 60% efficient GeHP detector and the second one with a 2”x2” NaI(Tl) scintillator. The estimated effective dose coming from the three reference rooms assumed is 0.63 mSv/yr, proceeding from terrestrial natural elements. The principal gamma radiation sources are cement, sand and bricks.
Human NK Cells Differ More in Their KIR2DL1-Dependent Thresholds for HLA-Cw6-Mediated Inhibition than in Their Maximal Killing Capacity

In this study we have addressed the question of how activation and inhibition of human NK cells is regulated by the expression level of MHC class I protein on target cells. Using target cell transfectants sorted to stably express different levels of the MHC class I protein HLA-Cw6, we show that induction of degranulation and that of IFN-γ secretion are not correlated. In contrast, the inhibition of these two processes by MHC class-I occurs at the same level of class I MHC protein. Primary human NK cell clones were found to differ in the amount of target MHC class I protein required for their inhibition, rather than in their maximum killing capacity. Importantly, we show that KIR2DL1 expression determines the thresholds (in terms of MHC I protein levels) required for NK cell inhibition, while the expression of other receptors such as LIR1 is less important. Furthermore, using mathematical models to explore the dynamics of target cell killing, we found that the observed delay in target cell killing is exhibited by a model in which NK cells require some activation or priming, such that each cell can lyse a target cell only after being activated by a first encounter with the same or a different target cell, but not by models which lack this feature.
Ectopic expression of the ErbB‐3 binding protein Ebp1 inhibits growth and induces differentiation of human breast cancer cell lines

Ebp1, an ErbB‐3 binding protein, translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of human breast cancer cells after treatment with the ErbB‐3 ligand, heregulin. The purpose of these studies was to examine the effects of ectopic expression of ebp1 on the biological properties of human ErbB‐3–expressing breast carcinoma cell lines. Ectopic expression of ebp1 in ErbB‐2, ErbB‐3–expressing breast carcinoma cell lines resulted in inhibition of colony formation, a decreased proliferation rate, an accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, and suppression of growth in soft agar. Ectopic expression of ebp1 led to a more differentiated phenotype in AU565 breast cancer cells, as evidenced by increased expression of lipid droplets and of the milk protein casein. Basal phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinases (Erks) 1 and 2, kinases activated by heregulin treatment, was also observed in ebp1 transfectants. The promoter for the intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 gene, a heregulin‐inducible gene, was constitutively activated in ebp1 transfectants as determined by reporter construct analysis. These data demonstrate that ectopic expression of the ErbB‐3 binding protein Ebp1 inhibits proliferation and induces differentiation of ErbB‐2, ErbB‐3–expressing human breast carcinoma cell lines. J. Cell. Physiol. 183:321–329, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PPAR&ggr; Activation Prevents Hypertensive Remodeling of Cerebral Arteries and Improves Vascular Function in Female Rats

Background and Purpose— Previous studies have shown that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor &ggr; (PPAR&ggr;), a ligand-activated transcription factor expressed in vascular cells, is protective of the vasculature. We hypothesized that activation of PPAR&ggr; could prevent hypertensive remodeling of cerebral arteries and improve vascular function. Methods— Ten female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) for 5 weeks, 8 were treated with l-NAME plus the PPAR&ggr; activator rosiglitazone, and 8 received no treatment and served as controls. Blood pressure, myogenic activity, passive diameters and wall thickness of cerebral arteries, and brain capillary density were compared between the groups. Results— Treatment with l-NAME caused an increase in arterial blood pressure that was sustained with rosiglitazone treatment. l-NAME also caused inward hypertrophic remodeling and enhanced myogenic reactivity of cerebral arteries that was reversed by rosiglitazone. In addition, l-NAME hypertension caused rarefaction of brain capillaries by approximately 12%, whereas treatment with rosiglitazone increased capillary density by approximately 20%. Conclusion— PPAR&ggr; activation may be an effective and clinically relevant way to prevent hypertensive remodeling of cerebral arteries and capillary rarefaction as well as improving vascular function without affecting blood pressure.
Expander graphs, gonality, and variation of Galois representations

We show that families of coverings of an algebraic curve where the associated Cayley-Schreier graphs form an expander family exhibit strong forms of geometric (genus and gonality) growth. Combining this general result with finiteness statements for rational points under such conditions, we derive results concerning the variation of Galois representations in one-parameter families of abelian varieties.
The emerging role of class-3 semaphorins and their neuropilin receptors in oncology

The semaphorins, discovered over 20 years ago, are a large family of secreted or transmembrane and glycophosphatidylinositol -anchored proteins initially identified as axon guidance molecules crucial for the development of the nervous system. It has now been established that they also play important roles in organ development and function, especially involving the immune, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems, and in pathological disorders, including cancer. During tumor progression, semaphorins can have both pro- and anti-tumor functions, and this has created complexities in our understanding of these systems. Semaphorins may affect tumor growth and metastases by directly targeting tumor cells, as well as indirectly by interacting with and influencing cells from the micro-environment and vasculature. Mechanistically, semaphorins, through binding to their receptors, neuropilins and plexins, affect pathways involved in cell adhesion, migration, invasion, proliferation, and survival. Importantly, neuropilins also act as co-receptors for several growth factors and enhance their signaling activities, while class 3 semaphorins may interfere with this. In this review, we focus on the secreted class 3 semaphorins and their neuropilin co-receptors in cancer, including aspects of their signaling that may be clinically relevant.
Testing for a Cultural Influence on Reading for Meaning in the Developing Brain: The Neural Basis of Semantic Processing in Chinese Children

Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to explore the neural correlates of semantic judgments in a group of 8- to 15-year-old Chinese children. Participants were asked to indicate if pairs of Chinese characters presented visually were related in meaning. The related pairs were arranged in a continuous variable according to association strength. Pairs of characters with weaker semantic association elicited greater activation in the mid ventral region (BA 45) of left inferior frontal gyrus, suggesting increased demands on the process of selecting appropriate semantic features. By contrast, characters with stronger semantic association elicited greater activation in left inferior parietal lobule (BA 39), suggesting stronger integration of highly related features. In addition, there was a developmental increase, similar to previously reported findings in English, in left posterior middle temporal gyrus (BA 21), suggesting that older children have more elaborated semantic representations. There were additional age-related increases in the posterior region of left inferior parietal lobule and in the ventral regions of left inferior frontal gyrus, suggesting that reading acquisition relies more on the mapping from orthography to semantics in Chinese children as compared to previously reported findings in English.
Impact of Diet Composition in Adult Offspring is Dependent on Maternal Diet during Pregnancy and Lactation in Rats

The Thrifty Phenotype Hypothesis proposes that the fetus takes cues from the maternal environment to predict its postnatal environment. A mismatch between the predicted and actual environments precipitates an increased risk of chronic disease. Our objective was to determine if, following a high fat, high sucrose (HFS) diet challenge in adulthood, re-matching offspring to their maternal gestational diet would improve metabolic health more so than if there was no previous exposure to that diet. Animals re-matched to a high prebiotic fiber diet (HF) had lower body weight and adiposity than animals re-matched to a high protein (HP) or control (C) diet and also had increased levels of the satiety hormones GLP-1 and PYY (p < 0.05). Control animals, whether maintained throughout the study on AIN-93M, or continued on HFS rather than reverting back to AIN-93M, did not differ from each other in body weight or adiposity. Overall, the HF diet was associated with the most beneficial metabolic phenotype (body fat, glucose control, satiety hormones). The HP diet, as per our previous work, had detrimental effects on body weight and adiposity. Findings in control rats suggest that the obesogenic potential of the powdered AIN-93 diet warrants investigation.
Applications of proteomics in hepatic diseases research

Proteomics has become an important part in the leading research area and been widely used in the disease-associated study. In hepatic research field, proteomics could be applied in study of hepatic diseases including liver cancer, cirrhosis and hepatotoxicities, etc. Significant proteins could be identified as biomarkers, drug targets and clues for pathogenesis illumination.