Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SIL-STED microscopy technique enhancing super-resolution of fluorescence microscopy

We have characterized a new type STED microscope which combines a high numerical aperture (NA) optical head with a solid immersion lens (SIL), and we call it as SIL-STED microscope. The advantage of a SIL-STED microscope is that its high NA of the SIL makes it superior to a general STED microscope in lateral resolution, thus overcoming the optical diffraction limit at the macromolecular level and enabling advanced super-resolution imaging of cell surface or cell membrane structure and function Do. This study presents the first implementation of higher NA illumination in a STED microscope limiting the fluorescence lateral resolution to about 40 nm. The refractive index of the SIL which is made of material KTaO3 is about 2.23 and 2.20 at a wavelength of 633 nm and 780 nm which are used for excitation and depletion in STED imaging, respectively. Based on the vector diffraction theory, the electric field focused by the SILSTED microscope is numerically calculated so that the numerical results of the point dispersion function of the microscope and the expected resolution could be analyzed. For further investigation, fluorescence imaging of nano size fluorescent beads is fulfilled to show improved performance of the technique.
The Roles of Social Support and Coping Strategies in Predicting Breast Cancer Patients’ Emotional Well-being

The goal of the current study was to examine how social support and coping strategies are related in predicting emotional well-being of women with breast cancer. In achieving this goal, we examined two hypothesized models: (1) a moderation model where social support and coping strategies interact with each other in affecting psychological well-being; and (2) a mediation model where the level of social support influences choices of coping strategies between self-blame and positive reframing. In general, the data from the current study were more consistent with the mediation model than the moderation model.
The association between self-reported diabetes and cancer incidence in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study.

CONTEXT Epidemiological studies have observed associations between diabetes and a number of different cancers. Yet the association with cancer overall and the interrelationship of diabetes and obesity with cancer have been unclear. OBJECTIVE, DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We evaluated the association between self-reported diabetes and cancer incidence in the NIH-AARP (National Institutes of Health-American Association of Retired Persons) Diet and Health Study, a prospective cohort in which 295,276 men and 199,591 women completed a questionnaire in 1995-1996 and were followed up for cancer through 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer incidence, overall and by type, were estimated from multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS Diabetes was positively associated with total incident cancer in women (1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.12) but inversely in men (0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.98). However, diabetes was inversely associated with prostate cancer (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.70-0.78), which constituted 42% of cancers in men. After excluding prostate cancer, diabetes was also positively associated with cancer in men (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.14). By site, diabetes was positively associated with anal, bladder, colon, kidney, liver, pancreatic, rectal, and stomach cancers and in women with endometrial cancer. We also evaluated the joint effect of obesity and diabetes and observed that diabetes conferred additional risk, beyond that of overweight or obesity, for cancer overall, excluding prostate, and for certain sites including the bladder, colon, endometrium, kidney, liver, pancreas, rectum, and stomach. CONCLUSION Our results suggest an etiological role for diabetes in a number of cancers, independent of obesity, and that preventing diabetes may contribute to reduced cancer risk.
On the impacts of working memory training on executive functioning

Recent studies have reported improvements in a variety of cognitive functions following sole working memory (WM) training. In spite of the emergence of several successful training paradigms, the scope of transfer effects has remained mixed. This is most likely due to the heterogeneity of cognitive functions that have been measured and tasks that have been applied. In the present study, we approached this issue systematically by investigating transfer effects from WM training to different aspects of executive functioning. Our training task was a demanding WM task that requires simultaneous performance of a visual and an auditory n-back task, while the transfer tasks tapped WM updating, coordination of the performance of multiple simultaneous tasks (i.e., dual-tasks) and sequential tasks (i.e., task switching), and the temporal distribution of attentional processing. Additionally, we examined whether WM training improves reasoning abilities; a hypothesis that has so far gained mixed support. Following training, participants showed improvements in the trained task as well as in the transfer WM updating task. As for the other executive functions, trained participants improved in a task switching situation and in attentional processing. There was no transfer to the dual-task situation or to reasoning skills. These results, therefore, confirm previous findings that WM can be trained, and additionally, they show that the training effects can generalize to various other tasks tapping on executive functions.
Neuromotor Outcomes in Children with Very Low Birth Weight at 5 Yrs of Age

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess a cohort of children with very low birth weight (VLBW) with premature history at the age of 5 yrs for the proportion of deficits in growth, motor, cognitive, and adaptive functions and to compare them with children with normal birth weight (>2500 g) in these areas. Design: This is a descriptive, exploratory study using a convenience sample. A cohort of 160 children with VLBW and 124 children with normal birth weight were examined. Standardized clinical and neuropsychologic assessments were administered. Correlation and multiple comparison procedures were used to analyze the relationships among all continuous outcome variables. Results: There is a significant difference in overall performance between the VLBW children and children with normal birth weight. Deficits in motor, cognitive, visual perception, visual‐motor, and adaptive functions were more prominent when we further examined the VLBW children with motor problems. Conclusions: The VLBW children performed more poorly at age 5 yrs than did their counterparts. This validates the need for early screening and regular follow‐up of VLBW preterm children, particularly those who have motor problems.
Effect of cocaine on striatal dopamine clearance in a rat model of developmental stress and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental stress are considered risk factors for the development of drug abuse. Though the physiological mechanisms underlying this risk are not yet clear, ADHD, developmental stress and drug abuse are known to share underlying disturbances in dopaminergic neurotransmission. Thus, we hypothesized that clearance of cocaine-induced elevations in striatal dopamine would be prolonged in a rat model of ADHD and that this would be further increased by exposure to developmental stress. In the current study, male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), a well-validated model of ADHD, and control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were exposed to either standard rearing (nMS) or a maternal separation (MS) paradigm involving removal of the pups from the dam for 180 min/day over 13 days. This produced a 2 × 2 factorial design (SHR/WKY × nMS/MS) with 5–6 rats/group. Striatal clearance of exogenously applied dopamine was measured via in vivo chronoamperometry, and the difference in dopamine uptake parameters before and after cocaine administration was compared between experimental groups. Cocaine, a potent dopamine transporter inhibitor, reliably increased the clearance time of dopamine though no difference in this parameter was found between SHR and WKY strains. However, developmental stress elevated the cocaine-induced increase in time to clear 50% of exogenously applied dopamine (T50) in SHR but had no effect in WKY rats. These findings suggest that a strain × environment interaction prolongs elevated levels of dopamine thereby potentially increasing the rewarding properties of this drug in SHR.
Bank Leverage Ratios and Financial Stability: A Micro- and Macroprudential Perspective

Bank leverage ratios have made an impressive and largely unopposed return; they are mostly used alongside risk-weighted capital requirements. The reasons for this return are manifold, and they are not limited to the fact that bank equity levels in the wake of the global financial crisis (GFC) were exceptionally thin, necessitating a string of costly bailouts. A number of other factors have been equally important; these include, among others, the world's revulsion with debt following the GFC and the eurozone crisis, and the universal acceptance of Hyman Minsky's insights into the nature of the financial system and its role in the real economy. The best examples of the causal link between excessive debt, asset bubbles, and financial instability are the Spanish and Irish banking crises, which resulted from nothing more sophisticated than straightforward real estate loans. Bank leverage ratios are primarily seen as a microprudential measure that intends to increase bank resilience. Yet in today's environment of excessive liquidity due to very low interest rates and quantitative easing, bank leverage ratios should also be viewed as a key part of the macroprudential framework. In this context, this paper discusses the role of leverage ratios as both microprudential and macroprudential measures. As such, it explains the role of the leverage cycle in causing financial instability and sheds light on the impact of leverage restraints on good bank governance and allocative efficiency.
Proposed Research Plan for the Derivation of a New Cardiac Risk Index

The Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) was incorporated into the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) recommendations for the preoperative evaluation of the cardiac patient for noncardiac surgery. The purpose of this review was to analyze studies on cardiovascular clinical risk prediction that had used the previous “standard best” model, the RCRI, as a comparator. This review aims to determine whether modification of the current risk factors or adoption of other risk factors or other risk indices would improve upon the discrimination of cardiac risk prediction when compared with the RCRI. This is necessary because recent risk prediction models have shown better discrimination for major adverse cardiac events, and the pre-eminence of the RCRI is now in question. There is now a need for a new “best standard” cardiovascular risk prediction model to supersede the RCRI. This is desirable because it would: (1) allow for a global standard of cardiovascular risk assessment; (2) provide a standard comparator in all risk prediction research; (3) result in comparable data collection; and (4) allow for individual patient data meta-analyses. This should lead to continued progress in cardiovascular clinical risk prediction. A review of the current evidence suggests that to improve the preoperative clinical risk stratification for adverse cardiac events, a new risk stratification model be built that maintains the clinical risk factors identified in the RCRI, with the following modifications: (1) additional glomerular filtration rate cut points (as opposed to a single creatinine cut point); (2) age; (3) a history of peripheral vascular disease; (4) functional capacity; and (5) a specific surgical procedural category. One would expect a substantial improvement in the discrimination of the RCRI with this approach. Although most noncardiac surgeries will benefit from a standard “generic” cardiovascular risk prediction model, there are data to suggest that patients with human immunodeficiency virus disease who are undergoing vascular surgery may benefit from specific cardiovascular risk prediction models.
A two-dimensional magneto-thermoelastic problem based on a new two-temperature generalized thermoelasticity model with memory-dependent derivative

ABSTRACT We investigate the propagation of magneto-thermoelastic interaction in an isotropic homogeneous perfectly conducting two-dimensional semi-infinite medium using a new theory of two-temperature generalized thermoelasticity with memory-dependent derivative. The bounding surface of the medium is taken as stress free and subjected to a time dependent thermal shock. The combined Laplace–Fourier transform is applied to find the solutions in transform domain. Numerical results of the field variables are presented graphically to discuss the effect of time, space variable and the time-delay for some specific cases. The graphical representation shows that time-delay has significant effect on the distribution on the physical variables.
Effect of Calcium Carbonate on Bioavailability of Orally Administered Gemifloxacin

ABSTRACT We investigated the effect of calcium carbonate on the oral bioavailability of gemifloxacin. Gemifloxacin was administered alone, 2 h before, simultaneously, or 2 h after calcium carbonate in 16 volunteers. Data for 320 mg of gemifloxacin alone were as follows: maximum concentration of drug in serum (Cmax),13 μg/ml; half-life, 7.33 h; and area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to infinity (AUC∞), 6.79 μg · h/ml. Only simultaneous coadministration of calcium carbonate reduced Cmax (−17%) and AUC∞ (−21%) significantly.
Parabens: Potential impact of Low-Affinity Estrogen receptor Binding chemicals on Human health

Parabens, alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, are widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and as food additives to inhibit microbial growth and extend product shelf life. Consumers of these compounds are frequently exposed via the skin, lips, eyes, oral mucosa, nails, and hair. Parabens are estrogenic molecules but exert weaker activity than natural estrogens, which would imply a low risk. Consistent with this idea, a number of recent commission reports from different countries suggested that parabens pose a negligible endocrine-disrupting risk at the recommended doses. However, individuals are not routinely exposed to a single paraben, and most of the available paraben toxicity data, reviewed in these reports, are from single-exposure studies. Further, assessing the additive and cumulative risk of multiple paraben exposure from daily use of multiple cosmetic and/or personal care products is presently not possible based on current studies. In this review, current and recent studies of paraben exposure and public health policies as well as critical gaps in the knowledge are discussed and new research directions regarding multiple exposures and novel target cohorts are recommended.
A 70–100 GHz Direct-Conversion Transmitter and Receiver Phased Array Chipset Demonstrating 10 Gb/s Wireless Link

A transmitter and receiver phased array chipset is demonstrated in the range between 70 and 100 GHz using a 0.18 µm SiGe BiCMOS process with $f_{T}/f_{MAX}$ of 240/270 GHz. Each chip comprises four phased array elements with distributed calibration memory and calibrated direct up- and down-conversion mixer chain. Each receive channel has a conversion gain of 33 dB and noise figure of < 7 dB from 75–95 GHz. Each transmit channel has a flat saturated output power of > 5 dBm between 70 and 100 GHz. Both transmitter and receiver arrays operate from 1.5 V and 2.5 V power supplies and consume 1 W each. Using a die-on-PCB prototype with integrated antennas, a wireless link operating at 10 Gb/s (using 16-QAM) or 8.75 Gb/s (using 32-QAM) is demonstrated at a distance of 1-meter with a carrier frequency of 88 GHz.
Notch ligands transduce different magnitudes of signaling critical for determination of T‐cell fate

Notch signaling mediated by Delta‐like (Dll) 4 is essential and sufficient for T‐cell development in vivo. Stromal cells expressing Dll4 or Dll1, but not Jagged1, support T lymphopoiesis in vitro, but the molecular basis of this functional divergence among Notch ligands remains to be clarified. To examine this, we constructed chimeric variants composed of Dll4 and Jagged1. The intracellular regions were necessary, but interchangeable, for signal induction, and the extracellular regions determined the unique characteristics of the ligands. While Jagged1 induced minimal Notch signaling, Jagged2 elicited substantial levels of Hes1 transcripts and promoted T lymphopoiesis in vitro. Dll4 and Jagged2 showed a quantitative advantage when bound to fringe‐modified Notch; this was not due to the Delta‐Serrate‐Lag2 domain, an extracellular region essential for interaction with Notch. These results suggest that different Notch ligands possess distinct potentials for the induction of Notch signaling through unique interactions of their extracellular regions with fringe‐modified Notch. Furthermore, the magnitude of Notch signaling induced is critical for the determination of T‐cell fate.
Effect of adherence to self-monitoring of diet and physical activity on weight loss in a technology-supported behavioral intervention

Background Examination of mediating behavioral factors could explain how an intervention works and thus provide guidance to optimize behavioral weight-loss programs. This study examined the mediating role of adherence to self-monitoring of diet and physical activity on weight loss in a behavioral weight-loss trial testing the use of personal digital assistants (PDA) for self-monitoring. Methods Mediation analysis was conducted to examine the possible mediating role of adherence to self-monitoring of diet and physical activity between treatments using varying self-monitoring methods (paper record, PDA, and PDA with daily tailored feedback messages) and weight loss. Findings The sample (N = 210) was predominantly white (78%) and female (85%). Compared to a paper record, using a PDA for self-monitoring diet (P = 0.027) and physical activity (P = 0.014) had significant direct effects on weight loss at 12 months, as well as a significant indirect effect on outcomes through improved adherence to self-monitoring (PS < 0.001). Receiving an automated daily feedback message via PDA only had a significant indirect effect on weight through self-monitoring adherence to diet (P = 0.004) and physical activity (P = 0.002). Conclusions Adherence to self-monitoring of diet and physical activity is important as the underlying mechanism in this technology-supported behavioral weight-loss intervention.
Dynamics of maternal and paternal effects on embryo and seed development in wild radish (Raphanus sativus).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Variability in embryo development can influence the rate of seed maturation and seed size, which may have an impact on offspring fitness. While it is expected that embryo development will be under maternal control, more controversial hypotheses suggest that the pollen donor and the embryo itself may influence development. These latter possibilities are, however, poorly studied. Characteristics of 10-d-old embryos and seeds of wild radish (Raphanus sativus) were examined to address: (a) the effects of maternal plant and pollen donor on development; (b) the effects of earlier reproductive events (pollen tube growth and fertilization) on embryos and seeds, and the influence of embryo size on mature seed mass; (c) the effect of water stress on embryos and seeds; (d) the effect of stress on correlations of embryo and seed characteristics with earlier and later reproductive events and stages; and (e) changes in maternal and paternal effects on embryo and seed characteristics during development. METHODS Eight maternal plants (two each from four families) and four pollen donors were crossed and developing gynoecia were collected at 10 d post-pollination. Half of the maternal plants experienced water stress. Characteristics of embryos and seeds were summarized and also compared with earlier and later developmental stages. KEY RESULTS In addition to the expected effects of the maternal plants, all embryo characters differed among pollen donors. Paternal effects varied over time, suggesting that there are windows of opportunity for pollen donors to influence embryo development. Water-stress treatment altered embryo characteristics; embryos were smaller and less developed. In addition, correlations of embryo characteristics with earlier and later stages changed dramatically with water stress. CONCLUSIONS The expected maternal effects on embryo development were observed, but there was also evidence for an early paternal role. The relative effects of these controls may change over time. Thus, there may be times in development when selection on the maternal, paternal or embryo contributions to development are more and less likely.
Procalcitonin in amniotic fluid at the time of genetic amniocentesis and preterm delivery

Abstract Purpose: Procalcitonin (PCT) is an acute-phase protein that has been infrequently studied in amniotic fluid. We sought to determine if PCT levels measured in amniotic fluid samples at the time of genetic amniocentesis are predictive of preterm delivery. Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on all women presenting for genetic amniocentesis between 15–23 weeks of pregnancy at our institution from 2011 to 2013 with stored amniotic fluid samples. PCT protein levels were measured in the samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PCT levels in women who delivered less than 37 weeks versus those who delivered at or after 37 week were compared. Mann–Whitney test was used. Results: Eighty-seven samples were available for analysis and of these eight (9.2%) were from patients who delivered preterm. Sixty-two (70%) had PCT levels below the lower limit of quantification, which was 25 pg/mL. Median PCT levels did not differ between the preterm and term group [20.4 pg/mL (range 0–82.8) and 20.2 pg/mL (range 0–198.4), respectively, p = . 95]. Conclusion: In asymptomatic women undergoing genetic amniocentesis in this cohort, procalcitonin levels were low to undetectable and did not correlate with risk of subsequent preterm birth.
Transport of fluoroalkyl dihydroartemisinin derivatives across rat intestinal tissue

Artemisinin and its derivatives represent an important class of antimalarials. In order to obtain new derivatives with a longer half‐life and better bioavailability, the development of fluorinated analogues has received increasing attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the permeation of artemisinin and of two fluoroalkyl derivatives of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), namely 10β‐(trifluoropropyloxy)dihydroartemisinin (F1‐DHA) and 10‐trifluoromethyl‐16‐[2‐(hydroxyethyl)piperazine] (F2‐DHA), across rat intestine using Ussing diffusion chambers. Further, the saturation solubility and partition coefficient of the compounds were determined in order to determine whether the substitution of hydrogen atoms by fluorine can induce great changes in these molecular properties. Artemisinin and F2‐DHA permeability coefficients of 27.5 ± 1.6 and 23.2 ± 1.2 (x 10−6, cm s−1), respectively, are predictive of good oral absorption. This indicates that the introduction of a fluoroalkyl group in a compound such as artemisinin in order to prolong its half‐life does not constitute an obstacle for its absorption after oral administration. Moreover, the introduction of a polar substituent into the DHA structural scaffold increased the aqueous solubility of F2‐DHA relative to artemisinin. F1‐DHA permeability measurements showed low transepithelial diffusion across the intestinal mucosa. This indicates that the introduction of a fluorinated substituent at the α‐methylene carbon of DHA ethers in order to provide protection against oxidative processes constitutes an obstacle for the absorption after oral administration.