Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Simulation of a Pressure Sensing Solution Based on Silicon Carbide for Harsh Environment Applications

Harsh conditions of high temperature and pressure typically present in industrial applications of pressure sensing pose unique challenges to system design, modeling and simulation. Capacitive sensor structures, operating in touch mode at high pressures, present a complicated problem for closed form modeling and numerical simulation. Furthermore, a material such as silicon carbide (SiC) that is able to withstand high temperatures and pressures needs to be used instead of the more conventional silicon. The absence of standard circuit models for simulation of SiC devices makes circuit design challenging. This paper presents the processes of modeling, design and simulation of a capacitive pressure sensor structure based on SiC as well as the extraction of SPICE models for the simulation of SiC MOSFETs and the use of these models for the design of a sensor interface circuit. Finally, the functionality of the whole system is simulated using commercial electronic design automation (EDA) software.
Effect of distension of the gallbladder on plasma renin activity in anesthetized pigs.

BACKGROUND Gallbladder pathology has been associated with cardiovascular disease. Recently, we showed that gallbladder distension in anesthetized pigs reflexly increased heart rate, arterial pressure, and coronary and renal vascular resistance through efferent sympathetic mechanisms. Renin release is affected by sympathetic output, and angiotensin liberation may result in vasoconstriction. This study was undertaken to determine whether gallbladder distension primarily causes a reflex change in plasma renin activity (PRA) and to assess its influence on observed pressor and coronary responses as well as on regional vascular resistance. METHODS AND RESULTS In 34 alpha-chloralose-anesthetized pigs, balloons positioned within the gallbladder were distended for 30 minutes with volumes of Ringer's solution equal to those of withdrawn bile. In 19 pigs, gallbladder distension at constant heart rate, arterial pressure, and renal flow increased PRA in the absence of changes in urinary sodium excretion. This increase was abolished by cervical vagotomy, section of renal nerves, or blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors. In another 15 pigs, blockade of angiotensin II receptors significantly attenuated the pressor and coronary, mesenteric, and iliac vasoconstriction responses to gallbladder distension. CONCLUSIONS The present study showed that innocuous gallbladder distension primarily caused a reflex increase in PRA. This increase, which involved afferent vagal pathways and efferent sympathetic mechanisms related to beta-adrenergic receptors, contributed significantly to the pressor and coronary, mesenteric, and iliac vasoconstriction responses to gallbladder distension.
Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Illness Perceptions among Individuals with Fibromyalgia

Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Illness Perceptions among Individuals with Fibromyalgia by Susan D. Fay MS, Drexel University, 1994 BS, Metropolitan State University of Denver, 1983 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology
Bevel Direction and Postdural Puncture Headache: A Meta-Analysis

Background:The effect of lumbar puncture needle bevel direction on the incidence of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is somewhat controversial. We performed a meta-analysis of available trials to determine if bevel direction during lumbar puncture would influence the incidence of PDPH. Review Summary:Studies were identified primarily by searching the National Library of Medicine's PubMed database (1966 to November 29, 2004) and abstracts from several national meetings (American Society of Anesthesiology, International Anesthesia Research Society, American Society of Regional Anesthesia, Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology) for terms related to needle and bevel direction. Inclusion criteria were assessment of the incidence of PDPH after lumbar puncture with a cutting needle (eg, Quincke, Tuohy), comparison of a “parallel” (bevel oriented in a longitudinal or cephalad to caudad direction) to “perpendicular” (bevel oriented in a transverse direction) orientation during needle insertion, randomized trials, and trials primarily in adult populations. Data on study characteristics and incidence of PDPH were abstracted from qualified studies and subsequently analyzed. The search resulted in 52 abstracts from which the original articles were obtained and data abstracted, with ultimately a total of 5 articles meeting all inclusion criteria. Insertion of a non–pencil-point/cutting needle with the bevel oriented in a parallel/longitudinal fashion resulted in a significantly lower incidence of PDPH compared with that oriented in a perpendicular/transverse fashion (unadjusted rates of 10.9% versus 25.8%; odds ratio = 0.29 [95% CI = 0.17–0.50]). Conclusions:Our meta-analysis indicates that with use of a cutting needle, insertion in a parallel/longitudinal fashion may significantly reduce the incidence of PDPH, although the reasons for this decrease are unclear.
Can the preoperative value of VLPP and MUCP predict the postoperative quality of life?

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether low values of VLPP (Valsava Leak Point Pressure) and low values of MUCP (Maximal Urethral Closure Pressure) before operation can predict quality of life (QOL) after anti-incontinence surgery. METHODS 72 stress incontinent women were included in this study. All women underwent anti-incontinent surgery. We compared the quality of life using I-QOL (Incontinence Quality of Life) assessment with parameters of urodynamic measurement VLPP and MUCP The women filled in an I-QOL questionnaire before surgery and three month afterwards. RESULTS As in other studies, low preoperative value of the VLPP < or =60 cmH2O was not related to a statistically lower quality of life (average I-QOL for VLPP < or =60 cmH2O was 38.4 and 48.9 for VLPP > 60 cmH2O). We did not find statistically significant lower quality of life in women with MUCP < or =20 cmH2O (average I-QOL 38.2, and for MUCP > 20 39.7). The quality of life was significantly changed after successful anti-incontinent operation, but independently of the preoperative value of VLPP or MUCP, average I-QOL for VLPP < or =60 cmH2O was 81.5 and 82.8 for VLPP > 60 cmH20, for MUCP < or =20 cmH2O 79.5, and 86.4 for MUCP >20. CONCLUSIONS Low preoperative values of MUCP and VLPP did not correlate with QOL. Preoperative VLPP and MUCP do not predict the QOL after anti-incontinent surgery.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF FACE FAMILIARITY TO INGROUP FAVORITISM AND STEREOTYPING

The familiar face overgeneralization hypothesis holds that an own–race positivity bias is, in part, a perceptual by–product of reactions to familiar people versus unfamiliar–looking strangers. Because prototypical facial structure varies across racial groups and communities are often racially segregated, strangers from one's own racial group should appear more familiar than strangers from a different racial group, contributing to ingroup favoritism and negative outgroup stereotypes. As predicted, the lower familiarity of own– than other–race faces mediated Koreans' and White Americans' ingroup favoritism in Study 1 and Black and White Americans' ingroup favoritism in Study 2. Lower familiarity of other–race faces also mediated negative stereotypes of other–race faces and partially suppressed positive ones, with familiarity effects confined to affectively valenced stereotypes. The results suggest that the unfamiliarity of other–race faces contributes not only to ingroup favoritism but also to a dual-proces.
Gonorrhoea and Urogenital Chlamydial Infection in Female Prostitutes in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

The prevalence of gonorrhoea and urogenital chlamydial infection was investigated in female prostitutes in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Epidemiological data were recorded according to a standardized questionnaire. The median age of the prostitutes was 27 years and the median period of prostitution was 2–4 years. Most of the women (91%) had no occupation other than prostitution and 57% of them had not even completed primary school. In 233 cases when both gonococcal culture and chlamydial antigen detection with a commercial EIA kit were performed the prevalence of gonorrhoea was 25% (59) and that of chlamydial infection 31% (72). Both diseases were recorded in 9%. The women who had been prostitutes for 2 years or longer had gonorrhoea (P < 0.01) or chlamydial infection (P < 0.05) less frequently than those who had practised prostitution for a shorter time period. Among 70 different gonococcal isolates from 241 prostitutes, 40 (57%) belonged to serogroup W II/III. Most (83%) of the 30 W I isolates were beta-lactamase producing (PPNG) like 42% of the W II/III isolates. All non-PPNG isolates, except one had decreased susceptibility to benzylpenicillin (MIC ≥0.125 mg/l) and all isolates were susceptible to spectinomycin. Four out of five isolates from the throat were PPNG and the fifth had a benzylpenicillin MIC of 0.5–2.0 mg/l.
Particle absorption by black holes and the generalized second law of thermodynamics

The change in entropy, ΔS, associated with the quasi-static absorption of a particle of energy ϵ by a Schwarzschild black hole (ScBH) is approximately (ϵ/T)−s, where T is the Hawking temperature of the black hole and s is the entropy of the particle. Motivated by the statistical interpretation of entropy, it is proposed here that the absorption should be suppressed, but not forbidden, when ΔS<0, which requires the absorption cross section to be sensitive to ΔS. A purely thermodynamic formulation of the probability for the absorption is obtained from the standard relationship between microstates and entropy. If ΔS≫1 and s≪ϵ/T, then the probability for the particle not to be absorbed is approximately exp[−ϵ/T], which is identical to the probability for quantum mechanical reflection by the horizon of an ScBH. The manifestation of quantum behaviours in the new probability function may intimate a fundamental physical unity between thermodynamics and quantum mechanics.
Effects of Different Classes of Antihypertensive Agents on the Outcome of Acute Ischemic Stroke

It is unclear whether antihypertensive treatment before stroke affects acute ischemic stroke severity and outcome. To evaluate this association, the authors studied 482 consecutive patients (age 78.8±6.7 years) admitted with acute ischemic stroke. Stroke severity was assessed at admission with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The outcome was assessed with rates of adverse outcome (modified Rankin scale at discharge ≥2). Independent predictors of severe stroke (NIHSS ≥16) were female sex and atrial fibrillation. Treatment with diuretics before stroke was associated with nonsevere stroke. At discharge, patients with adverse outcome were less likely to be treated before stroke with β‐blockers or with diuretics. Independent predictors of adverse outcome were older age, higher NIHSS at admission, and history of ischemic stroke. Treatment with diuretics before stroke appears to be associated with less severe neurologic deficit in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Antitumor Activity of Rapamycin in a Phase I Trial for Patients with Recurrent PTEN-Deficient Glioblastoma

Background There is much discussion in the cancer drug development community about how to incorporate molecular tools into early-stage clinical trials to assess target modulation, measure anti-tumor activity, and enrich the clinical trial population for patients who are more likely to benefit. Small, molecularly focused clinical studies offer the promise of the early definition of optimal biologic dose and patient population. Methods and Findings Based on preclinical evidence that phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on Chromosome 10 (PTEN) loss sensitizes tumors to the inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), we conducted a proof-of-concept Phase I neoadjuvant trial of rapamycin in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, whose tumors lacked expression of the tumor suppressor PTEN. We aimed to assess the safety profile of daily rapamycin in patients with glioma, define the dose of rapamycin required for mTOR inhibition in tumor tissue, and evaluate the antiproliferative activity of rapamycin in PTEN-deficient glioblastoma. Although intratumoral rapamycin concentrations that were sufficient to inhibit mTOR in vitro were achieved in all patients, the magnitude of mTOR inhibition in tumor cells (measured by reduced ribosomal S6 protein phosphorylation) varied substantially. Tumor cell proliferation (measured by Ki-67 staining) was dramatically reduced in seven of 14 patients after 1 wk of rapamycin treatment and was associated with the magnitude of mTOR inhibition (p = 0.0047, Fisher exact test) but not the intratumoral rapamycin concentration. Tumor cells harvested from the Ki-67 nonresponders retained sensitivity to rapamycin ex vivo, indicating that clinical resistance to biochemical mTOR inhibition was not cell-intrinsic. Rapamycin treatment led to Akt activation in seven patients, presumably due to loss of negative feedback, and this activation was associated with shorter time-to-progression during post-surgical maintenance rapamycin therapy (p < 0.05, Logrank test). Conclusions Rapamycin has anticancer activity in PTEN-deficient glioblastoma and warrants further clinical study alone or in combination with PI3K pathway inhibitors. The short-term treatment endpoints used in this neoadjuvant trial design identified the importance of monitoring target inhibition and negative feedback to guide future clinical development. Trial registration: http://www.ClinicalTrials. gov (#NCT00047073).
Subcellular localization of the hypusine‐containing eukaryotic initiation factor 5A by immunofluorescent staining and green fluorescent protein tagging

Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF‐5A) is the only protein in nature that contains hypusine, an unusual amino acid residue formed posttranslationally by deoxyhypusine synthase and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase. Although the eIF‐5A gene is essential for cell survival and proliferation, the precise function and localization of eIF‐5A remain unclear. In this study, we have determined the subcellular distribution of eIF‐5A by indirect immunofluorescent staining and by direct visualization of green fluorescent protein tagged eIF‐5A (GFP‐eIF5A). Immunofluorescent staining of the formaldehyde‐fixed cells showed that eIF‐5A was present in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Only the nuclear eIF‐5A was resistant to Triton extraction. Direct visualization of GFP tagged eIF‐5A in living cells revealed the same whole‐cell distribution pattern. However, a fusion of an additional pyruvate kinase (PK) moiety into GFP‐eIF‐5A precluded the nuclear localization of GFP‐PK‐eIF‐5A fusion protein. Fusion of the GFP‐PK tag with three different domains of eIF‐5A also failed to reveal any nuclear localization of the fusion proteins, suggesting the absence of receptor‐mediated nuclear import. Using interspecies heterokaryon fusion assay, we could detect the nuclear export of GFP‐Rev, but not of GFP‐eIF‐5A. The whole‐cell distribution pattern of eIF‐5A was recalcitrant to the treatments that included energy depletion, heat shock, and inhibition of transcription, translation, polyamine synthesis, or CRM1‐dependent nuclear export. Collectively, our data indicate that eIF‐5A gains nuclear entry via passive diffusion, but it does not undergo active nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 590–600, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhancing Secrecy Rate in Cognitive Radio Networks via Stackelberg Game

In this paper, a game theory-based cooperation scheme is investigated to enhance the physical layer security in both primary and secondary transmissions of a cognitive radio network (CRN). In CRNs, the primary network may decide to lease its own spectrum for a fraction of time to the secondary nodes in exchange of appropriate remuneration. We consider the secondary transmitter node as a trusted relay for primary transmission to forward primary messages in a decode-and-forward fashion and, at the same time, allows part of its available power to be used to transmit artificial noise (i.e., jamming signal) to enhance primary and secondary secrecy rates. In order to allocate power between message and jamming signals, we formulate and solve the optimization problem for maximizing the secrecy rates under malicious attempts from eavesdroppers. We then analyze the cooperation between the primary and secondary nodes from a game-theoretic perspective where we model their interaction as a Stackelberg game with a theoretically proved and computed Stackelberg equilibrium. We show that the spectrum leasing based on trading secondary access for cooperation by means of relay and jammer is a promising framework for enhancing security in CRNs.
Integral analysis of Brazilian scientific production in Orofacial Myology : state of art and future perspectives

Mailing address: James F Tomaz-Morais Departamento de Morfologia, CCS, Universidade Federal da Paraíba Av. Contorno da Cidade Universitária, s/n. E-mail: tomazdemorais@hotmail.com ABSTRACT A complete review of Brazilian scientific articles on orofacial myology (OM) published in the last 10 years was conducted to describe, categorize and quantitatively analyze studies in the field of OM. Data were collected from all Brazilian journals on speech-language and hearing sciences published between 2005 and 2015. All articles were reviewed and categorized according to the year of publication, type of article and subject area. Furthermore, all studies conducted on humans that reported quantitative data were analyzed regarding age group, scope, main objective and type of study. The data were discussed from the standpoint of scientific methodology applied for the improvement of methods and for evidence-based scientific development. Moreover, aspects to be considered in future studies in this field are suggested.
Competition stress in sport performers: Stressors experienced in the competition environment

Abstract We examined the performance and organizational stressors encountered by elite and non-elite athletes within the competition environment. Twelve sport performers (6 elite, 6 non-elite) were interviewed about both performance and organizational-related demands experienced when preparing for competition. The framework presented identifies five performance (i.e. preparation, injury, expectations, self-presentation, and rivalry) and five organizational (i.e. factors intrinsic to the sport, roles in the sport organization, sport relationships and interpersonal demands, athletic career and performance development issues, and organizational structure and climate of the sport) stress sources. A similar quantity of performance (#PS) and organizational (#OS) stressors were encountered by elite performers (#PS = 127; #OS = 72) as by non-elite athletes (#PS = 123; #OS = 74), with some demands being common and others unique to each group. Although the findings suggest that, prior to competing, sport performers encounter more stressors pertinent to performance than those emanating from the organization, these observations highlight that all the demands faced by athletes should be considered when preparing and implementing interventions to manage competition stress.
Change Is Complex: Rethinking Research on Psychosocial Interventions and Cancer

The widely discussed 1989 study by Spiegel and colleagues, which suggested that a psychosocial group intervention affected survival in metastatic breast cancer, was not replicated by Goodwin and colleagues in 2001. We analyze methodological issues in both studies, including issues of sampling, randomization, interpretation, and the adequacy and validity of psychosocial constructs and measures to assess hypothesized ingredients of change. The notion of psychogenicity is introduced, conceived as the ability of psychosocial interventions to elicit changes hypothesized to be linked to desired medical outcomes. These considerations lead to the conclusion that there is insufficient evidence to be able to generalize from either study for or against the notion that psychosocial interventions can affect survival in breast cancer. The failure to incorporate into research designs a comprehensive understanding of how coping patterns and related factors may interact with psychosocial interventions to influence cancer progression, and to address hypothesized mediating mechanisms is discussed. Finally, strategies are proposed for future biopsychosocial and intervention research in the field of biopsychooncology.
Transcriptome Profiling of Citrus Fruit Response to Huanglongbing Disease

Huanglongbing (HLB) or “citrus greening” is the most destructive citrus disease worldwide. In this work, we studied host responses of citrus to infection with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CaLas) using next-generation sequencing technologies. A deep mRNA profile was obtained from peel of healthy and HLB-affected fruit. It was followed by pathway and protein-protein network analysis and quantitative real time PCR analysis of highly regulated genes. We identified differentially regulated pathways and constructed networks that provide a deep insight into the metabolism of affected fruit. Data mining revealed that HLB enhanced transcription of genes involved in the light reactions of photosynthesis and in ATP synthesis. Activation of protein degradation and misfolding processes were observed at the transcriptomic level. Transcripts for heat shock proteins were down-regulated at all disease stages, resulting in further protein misfolding. HLB strongly affected pathways involved in source-sink communication, including sucrose and starch metabolism and hormone synthesis and signaling. Transcription of several genes involved in the synthesis and signal transduction of cytokinins and gibberellins was repressed while that of genes involved in ethylene pathways was induced. CaLas infection triggered a response via both the salicylic acid and jasmonic acid pathways and increased the transcript abundance of several members of the WRKY family of transcription factors. Findings focused on the fruit provide valuable insight to understanding the mechanisms of the HLB-induced fruit disorder and eventually developing methods based on small molecule applications to mitigate its devastating effects on fruit production.
Diagnostic value of ex-vivo three-dimensional micro-computed tomography imaging of primary nonhematopoietic human bone tumors: osteosarcoma versus chondrosarcoma

Background: Osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma are the most common nonhematopoietic primary malignancies of bone. However, unusual radiographic appearances can lead to delay in diagnosis and confusion with benign diseases. Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of micro-computed tomography (CT) for the analysis of primary, nonhematopoietic human bone tumors ex vivo. Material and Methods: Samples from 12 human bone specimens (osteosarcoma, n=6; chondrosarcoma, n=6) obtained for diagnostic purposes were scanned using industrial X-ray film without amplifier foil and scanned with micro-CT (7- and 12-µm-cubic voxels). Trabecular bone CT “density” and tumor matrix CT “density” were determined, and results were compared with those obtained from a detailed conventional histopathologic analysis of corresponding cross-sections. The significance of differences in grayscale measurements was tested with analysis of variance. Results: Micro-CT provided quantitative information on bone morphology equivalent to histopathological analysis. We established grayscale measurements by which tumor matrices of chondrosarcoma and osteosarcoma could be radiographically categorized following histological classifications (P<0.001). Conclusion: Micro-CT is feasible for the analysis and differentiation of human osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma.