Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction of Apoptosis by Flavopiridol in Human Neuroblastoma Cells Is Enhanced under Hypoxia and Associated With N-myc Proto-oncogene Down-Regulation

Purpose: Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of children that arises from the sympathetic nervous system. Survival rates for neuroblastoma patients is low despite intensive therapeutic intervention, and the identification of new effective drugs remains a primary goal. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, flavopiridol, has demonstrated growth-inhibitory and cytotoxic activity against various tumor types. Our aim was to investigate flavopiridol effects on advanced-stage, N-myc proto-oncogene (MYCN)-amplified human neuroblastomas and the modulation of its activity by hypoxia, a critical determinant of tumor progression and a major challenge of therapy. Experimental Design: Cell viability was monitored by 3-(4,5 dimethyl-2 thiazolyl)-2,5 diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue dye exclusion assays; DNA synthesis was assessed with the bromodeoxyuridine pulse-labeling technique; apoptosis was studied by Giemsa staining, DNA fragmentation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling reaction, flow cytometric determination of hypodiploid DNA content, and evaluation of caspase activity and cytochrome c (CytC) release; MYCN expression was determined by Northern and Western blotting. Results: Flavopiridol caused dose- and time-dependent decreases in neuroblastoma viability by inducing apoptosis, as confirmed by morphologic and biochemical criteria. Cell death was preceded by DNA synthesis inhibition and G1-G2 arrest, reversed by the pancaspase inhibitor, zVAD-fmk, and associated with caspase-3 and -2 activation and CytC increase. Moreover, flavopiridol strongly down-regulated MYCN mRNA and protein expression. Exposure to hypoxia enhanced both the extent of apoptosis and flavopiridol effects on CytC, caspase 3, and MYCN. Conclusions: These results indicate that flavopiridol has growth-inhibitory and apoptotic activity against advanced-stage neuroblastomas in vitro and is worthy of further investigation for the treatment of this disease.
Field monitoring of sprinting power–force–velocity profile before, during and after hamstring injury: two case reports

ABSTRACT Very little is currently known about the effects of acute hamstring injury on over-ground sprinting mechanics. The aim of this research was to describe changes in power–force–velocity properties of sprinting in two injury case studies related to hamstring strain management: Case 1: during a repeated sprint task (10 sprints of 40 m) when an injury occurred (5th sprint) in a professional rugby player; and Case 2: prior to (8 days) and after (33 days) an acute hamstring injury in a professional soccer player. A sports radar system was used to measure instantaneous velocity–time data, from which individual mechanical profiles were derived using a recently validated method based on a macroscopic biomechanical model. Variables of interest included: maximum theoretical velocity (V0) and horizontal force (FH0), slope of the force–velocity (F–v) relationship, maximal power, and split times over 5 and 20 m. For Case 1, during the injury sprint (sprint 5), there was a clear change in the F–v profile with a 14% greater value of FH0 (7.6–8.7 N/kg) and a 6% decrease in V0 (10.1 to 9.5 m/s). For Case 2, at return to sport, the F–v profile clearly changed with a 20.5% lower value of FH0 (8.3 vs. 6.6 N/kg) and no change in V0. The results suggest that the capability to produce horizontal force at low speed (FH0) (i.e. first metres of the acceleration phase) is altered both before and after return to sport from a hamstring injury in these two elite athletes with little or no change of maximal velocity capabilities (V0), as evidenced in on-field conditions. Practitioners should consider regularly monitoring horizontal force production during sprint running both from a performance and injury prevention perspective.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

1. Request the Technology Executive Committee to consider issues related to intellectual property rights as they arise in the development and transfer of technologies; 2. Decides that the Climate Technology Centre shall have the additional following function in accordance with decision 1/CP.16, paragraphs 128(e) and 123(a)(i): provide advice and support, including capacity building, on the conduct of technology assessment of new and emerging technologies. 3. Requests the Climate Technology Centre to elaborate its role set out in para. 135 (a) of Decision 2/CP.17 in identifying currently available climate‐friendly technologies for mitigation and adaptation that meet the key low‐carbon and climate‐resilient development needs of Parties to the UNFCCC. In the elaboration of such role, emphasis shall be given to identifying and facilitating the transfer of currently available climate‐friendly technologies for adaptation and mitigation to spur the development of national policies, schemes and mechanisms that promote the shift to low‐ carbon and climate‐resilient development. The development of these schemes and policies should enhance existing technology cooperation in specific sectors such as the renewable energy sector. EXPLANATION : The recommendations in paras. 1 and 2 are suggested functions not currently included in the stated functions of the TEC and the CTC as provided in Decision 1/CP.16. The TEC, while it has discussed the barriers to technology transfer at its third meeting, has not yet thoroughly addressed the issue of IPRs. In its interventions and submissions under the AWG‐LCA, the Philippine Delegation has consistently raised IPR as a critical issue that needs to be addressed in technology transfer, development and deployment. The PhilDel has also raised the need for technology assessment under the technology
A Review of Gold and Silver Nanoparticle‐Based Colorimetric Sensing Assays

The nanoparticle colorimetric‐based methods have been extensively used for rapid detection, however there are few limitations which can be kept under control or avoided by understanding the crucial parameters involved in these reactions. This review addresses the main parameters that influence colorimetric‐based methods and provides a rational classification of the current approaches, by focusing particularly on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The AgNP and AuNP‐based colorimetric assays can be very efficient and sensitive especially for biomolecule identification and for metal ion detection in environmental screening. Specifically, this review highlights the detection of metal ions through their coordination with nanoparticle stabilizing ligands. The review also addresses various approaches based on label‐free aptasensors to better understand their role as smart colorimetric sensing devices.
Clinical evaluation of BrainTree, a motor imagery hybrid BCI speller

Objective. While brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) for communication have reached considerable technical maturity, there is still a great need for state-of-the-art evaluation by the end-users outside laboratory environments. To achieve this primary objective, it is necessary to augment a BCI with a series of components that allow end-users to type text effectively. Approach. This work presents the clinical evaluation of a motor imagery (MI) BCI text-speller, called BrainTree, by six severely disabled end-users and ten able-bodied users. Additionally, we define a generic model of code-based BCI applications, which serves as an analytical tool for evaluation and design. Main results. We show that all users achieved remarkable usability and efficiency outcomes in spelling. Furthermore, our model-based analysis highlights the added value of human–computer interaction techniques and hybrid BCI error-handling mechanisms, and reveals the effects of BCI performances on usability and efficiency in code-based applications. Significance. This study demonstrates the usability potential of code-based MI spellers, with BrainTree being the first to be evaluated by a substantial number of end-users, establishing them as a viable, competitive alternative to other popular BCI spellers. Another major outcome of our model-based analysis is the derivation of a 80% minimum command accuracy requirement for successful code-based application control, revising upwards previous estimates attempted in the literature.
Independent Association of Lobular Involution and Mammographic Breast Density With Breast Cancer Risk

Background Lobular involution, or age-related atrophy of breast lobules, is inversely associated with breast cancer risk, and mammographic breast density (MBD) is positively associated with breast cancer risk. Methods To evaluate whether lobular involution and MBD are independently associated with breast cancer risk in women with benign breast disease, we performed a nested cohort study among women (n = 2666) with benign breast disease diagnosed at Mayo Clinic between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 1991 and a mammogram available within 6 months of the diagnosis. Women were followed up for an average of 13.3 years to document any breast cancer incidence. Lobular involution was categorized as none, partial, or complete; parenchymal pattern was classified using the Wolfe classification as N1 (nondense), P1, P2 (ductal prominence occupying <25%, or >25% of the breast, respectively), or DY (extremely dense). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess associations of lobular involution and MBD with breast cancer risk were estimated using adjusted Cox proportional hazards model. All tests of statistical significance were two-sided. Results After adjustment for MBD, having no or partial lobular involution was associated with a higher risk of breast cancer than having complete involution (none: HR of breast cancer incidence = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.39 to 4.94; partial: HR of breast cancer incidence = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.53; Ptrend = .002). Similarly, after adjustment for involution, having dense breasts was associated with higher risk of breast cancer than having nondense breasts (for DY: HR of breast cancer incidence = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.73; for P2: HR of breast cancer incidence = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.20 to 3.21; for P1: HR of breast cancer incidence = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.67 to 2.26; Ptrend = .02). Having a combination of no involution and dense breasts was associated with higher risk of breast cancer than having complete involution and nondense breasts (HR of breast cancer incidence = 4.08, 95% CI = 1.72 to 9.68; P = .006). Conclusion Lobular involution and MBD are independently associated with breast cancer incidence; combined, they are associated with an even greater risk for breast cancer.
Explorer Learning Grounded Meaning Representations with Autoencoders

In this paper we address the problem of grounding distributional representations of lexical meaning. We introduce a new model which uses stacked autoencoders to learn higher-level embeddings from textual and visual input. The two modalities are encoded as vectors of attributes and are obtained automatically from text and images, respectively. We evaluate our model on its ability to simulate similarity judgments and concept categorization. On both tasks, our approach outperforms baselines and related models.
“I May Not Say We Really Have a Method, It Is Gambling Work”: Knowledge and Acceptability of Safer Conception Methods Among Providers and HIV Clients in Uganda

In this qualitative study, researchers assessed knowledge, acceptability, and feasibility of safer conception methods (SCM; timed unprotected intercourse [TUI], manual self-insemination, and sperm washing) among various health care providers (n = 33) and 48 HIV clients with recent or current childbearing intentions in Uganda. While several clients and providers had heard of SCM (especially TUI), few fully understood how to use the methods. All provider types expressed a desire to incorporate SCM into their practice; however, this will require training and counseling protocols, sensitization to overcome cultural norms that pose obstacles to these methods, and partner engagement (particularly by men) in safer conception counseling.
Improved output-sensitive quantum algorithms for Boolean matrix multiplication

We present new quantum algorithms for Boolean Matrix Multiplication in both the time complexity and the query complexity settings. As far as time complexity is concerned, our results show that the product of two n x n Boolean matrices can be computed on a quantum computer in time O(n3/2 + nl3/4), where l is the number of non-zero entries in the product, improving over the output-sensitive quantum algorithm by Buhrman and Spalek that runs in [EQUATION] time. This is done by constructing a quantum version of a recent algorithm by Lingas, using quantum techniques such as quantum counting to exploit the sparsity of the output matrix. As far as query complexity is concerned, our results improve over the quantum algorithm by Vassilevska Williams and Williams based on a reduction to the triangle finding problem. One of the main contributions leading to this improvement is the construction of a triangle finding quantum algorithm tailored especially for the tripartite graphs appearing in the reduction.
Experimental and Analytical Study of the Surface Texturing Enhanced Lubrication Elements

vii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Mechanical Seal . 1 1.2 Surface Patterning/Texturing . 2 1.3 Spiral Groove and Dimple . 2 1.4 Research Objective . 2 1.5 Dissertation Outline . 3 1.6 References . 4 CHAPTER 2 ON THE PREDICTION OF CAVITATION IN DIMPLES USING A MASSCONSERVATIVE ALGORITHM . 5 2.1 Nomenclature . 5 2.2 Introduction . 6 2.3 Experimental Visualization . 7 2.4 The Model . 8 2.4. 1 Micro Dimples Arrangement . 8 2.4. 2 Dimple Shape . 9 2.4. 3 Reynolds Equation . 9 2.4. 4 Boundary Conditions . 10 2.4. 5 Formulation of Cavitation Boundary Condition . 10 2.5 Solution Method . 12 2.5. 1 Discretization of the Problem . 12 2.5. 2 Iteration Method. 13 2.5. 3 Convergence Criteria . 15 2.5. 4 Program Structure . 16 2.5. 5 Pressure Distribution . 17 2.6 Validation Cases . 17 2.6. 1 Comparison with CFD Results for Non-cavitation Case. 17 2.6. 2 Cavitating Journal Bearing Case . 19 2.6. 3 Single Cell and Multiple Cells Comparison . 20 2.7 Comparison and Discussion . 22 2.7. 1 Pressure Distribution . 22 2.7. 2 Size Effects . 24 2.7. 3 Load-Carrying Capacity . 26 2.8 Conclusions . 28 2.9 References . 28
Equivalent circuit for broadband underwater transducers

A method is presented to determine the equivalent circuits of broadband transducers with 2 resonances in the frequency band of interest. The circuit parameters are refined by least-squares fitting the measured electrical conductance data with this model. The method is illustrated by computing the conductance and susceptance of the equivalent circuits of 3 types of broadband transducers and comparing them with the measured values. The equivalent circuit of a transducer is necessary for designing filters that match the impedances of the transducer and the power amplifier that drives the transducer.
The Development of Surface Profile Models in Abrasive Slurry Jet Micro-machining of Brittle and Ductile materials

In low-pressure abrasive slurry jet micro-machining (ASJM), a slurry jet of fine abrasive particles is used to erode micro-sized features such as holes and channels in a variety of brittle and ductile materials with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability without the need for a patterned mask. ASJM causes no tool wear and thermal damage, applies small forces on the workpiece, allows multilevel etching on a single substrate and is relatively quick and inexpensive. In this study for the first time, the mechanics of micro-slurry jet erosion and its relation to the fluid flow of the impinging jet was investigated using a newly developed ASJM system. Existing surface evolution models, previously developed for abrasive air jet machining (AJM), were evaluated and modified through the use of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models for profile modeling of micro-channels and micro-holes machined with ASJM in brittle materials. A
Testing the Feasibility of Skype and FaceTime Updates With Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND Effective provider-parent relationships are essential during critical illness when treatment decisions are complex, the environment is crowded and unfamiliar, and outcomes are uncertain. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the feasibility of daily Skype or FaceTime updates with parents of patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to assess the intervention's potential for improving parent-provider relationships. METHODS A pre/post mixed-methods approach was used. NICU parent participants received daily Skype or FaceTime updates for 5 days and completed demographic and feasibility surveys. Parents also completed Penticuff's Parents' Understanding survey before and after the intervention. Nurses and physicians completed feasibility surveys after each update. RESULTS Twenty-six parents were enrolled and 15 completed the study. More than 90% of providers and parents perceived the intervention to be reliable and easy to use, and about 80% of parents and providers rated video and audio quality as either excellent or good. Frozen screens and missed updates due to scheduling problems were challenges. Two of the 4 subscores on the Parents' Understanding survey improved significantly. Qualitative data favor the intervention as meaningful for parents. CONCLUSIONS Real-time videoconferencing via Skype or FaceTime is feasible for providing updates for parents when they cannot be present in the NICU and can be used to include parents in bedside rounds. Videoconferencing updates may improve relationships between parents and the health care team.
Performance of Open-Loop MIMO Precoder With Cross-Polarized Antennas Over Correlated Channels With an LOS Component

Open-loop multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) precoders, that do not require channel information, were recently proposed to mitigate the performance degradation of spatial multiplexing (SM) due to spatial correlations and/or line-of-sight (LOS) component. The open-loop MIMO precoder technique has been adopted in next generation broadcasting systems, such as digital video broadcasting-next generation handheld (DVB-NGH) and advanced television systems committee (ATSC) 3.0 standards. Furthermore, in DVB-NGH and ATSC 3.0, cross-polarized antennas have been employed in order to overcome the insufficient antenna separation for co-polarized antennas, which can enhance the performance over high correlation and LOS conditions. In this paper, we analyze and evaluate the performance of the open-loop MIMO precoders with cross-polarized antennas over correlated channels with an LOS component. We first study the statistical property of the MIMO channel with cross-polarized antennas on the basis of the measurement-based channel model. Next, we derive pairwise error probability (PEP) of the SM with the open-loop MIMO precoder. Through the PEP derivation, we evaluate the performance of each open-loop MIMO precoder against the spatial correlations and LOS component with the effect of cross-polarized antennas. The simulation results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the open-loop MIMO precoders over various channel conditions.
A Self-Management Education Program Including an Action Plan for Acute COPD Exacerbations

Exacerbations are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in COPD. We assessed treatment initiation and health care use at exacerbation in patients receiving a self-management education program including an action plan. COPD patients were randomly assigned to usual care or to a comprehensive self-management program “Living Well with COPD” including a written action plan and case manager support, and were followed-up for 12 months. Patients in the usual care were managed by their respective practitioners. Patients in the self-management program received, as part of a written action plan, a prescription of antibiotics and prednisone for self-initiation in case of aggravation of 2 or more symptoms (dyspnea, sputum volume, sputum purulence) for at least 24 hours, and they had the support of a case-manager for reinforcement and monthly telephone follow-ups. At 12 months, 166 patients presented with at least one exacerbation. Exacerbations (606) were confirmed by aggravation of at least one symptom; 403 (67.6%) presented 2 or more. Antibiotics were used in 61.6% of exacerbations and prednisone in 47.9%. In exacerbations presenting aggravation of 2 or more symptoms, antibiotics and prednisone were used together more often in the action plan than in the usual care group (54.4% vs. 34.8%, p < 0.001). In the action plan, compared to the usual care group, 17.2% vs. 36.3% exacerbations resulted in a hospitalization (p < 0.001). Self-management with the successful use of an action plan for acute exacerbation of COPD holds promise for reducing health care use.
In vivo TUMOR OXYGEN TENSION MEASUREMENTS FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY

Among the sequence of events which occur during photodynamic therapy (PDT) are depletion of oxygen and disruption of tumor blood flow. In order to more clearly understand these phenomena we have utilized transcutaneous oxygen electrodes to monitor tissue oxygen disappearance. These results provide, for the first time, non‐invasive real‐time information regarding the influence of light dose on tissue oxygenation during irradiation. Measurements were conducted on transplanted VX‐2 skin carcinomas grown in the ears of New Zealand white rabbits. Rabbits were treated with Photofrin II and tumors were irradiated with up to 200 kj/m2 (500 W/m2) of 630‐nm light. Substantial reductions in tumor oxygen tension were observed upon administration of as little as 20 kJ/m2. For a series of brief irradiations, oxygen tension was modulated by the appearance of laser light. Tissue oxygen reversibility appeared to be dependent upon PDT dose. Long‐term, irreversible tissue hypoxia was recorded in tumors for large (200 kJ/m2) fluences. These results suggest that transcutaneous oxygen tension may be useful as a general indicator of the effectiveness of PDT and as an in situ predictor of the energy required to elicit tumor damage.