Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dendritic immune cell densities in the central cornea associated with soft contact lens types and lens care solution types: a pilot study

Background The purpose of this study was to assess whether differences in central corneal dendritic immune cell densities associated with combinations of soft contact lenses and lens care solutions could be detected by in vivo confocal microscopy. Methods Participants were adults naïve to contact lens wear (n = 10) or who wore soft contact lenses habitually on a daily-wear schedule (n = 38) or on a study-assigned schedule for 30 days with daily disposable silicone hydrogel lenses (n = 15). Central corneas were scanned using an in vivo confocal microscope. Cell densities were compared among groups by demographic parameters, lens materials, and lens care solutions (polyhexamethylene biguanide [PHMB], polyquaternium-1 and myristamidopropyl dimethylamine [PQ/MAPD], peroxide, or blister pack solution [for daily disposable lenses]). Results Among lens wearers, no associations were observed between immune cell densities and age, gender, or years of lens-wearing experience. Mean cell density was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in nonwearers (29 ± 23 cells/mm2, n = 10) than in lens wearers (64 ± 71 cells/mm2, n = 53). Mean cell density was lower (P = 0.21) with traditional polymer lenses (47 ± 44 cells/mm2, n = 12) than with silicone hydrogel lenses (69 ± 77 cells/mm2, n = 41). Lowest to highest mean density of immune cells among lens wearers was as follows: PQ/MAPD solution (49 ± 28 cells/mm2), blister pack solution (63 ± 81 cells/mm2), PHMB solution (66 ± 44 cells/mm2), and peroxide solution (85 ± 112 cells/mm2). Conclusion In this pilot study, in vivo confocal microscopy was useful for detecting an elevated immune response associated with soft contact lenses, and for identifying lens-related and solution-related immune responses that merit further research.
Transgenic Expression of the p16INK4a Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Leads to Enhanced Apoptosis and Differentiation Arrest of CD4−CD8− Immature Thymocytes

In the thymus, T cell development proceeds by successive steps of differentiation, expansion, and selection. Control of thymocyte proliferation is critical to insure the full function of the immune system and to prevent T cells from transformation. Deletion of the cell cycle inhibitor p16INK4a is frequently observed in human T cell neoplasias and, in mice, gene targeted inactivation of the Ink4a locus enhances thymocyte expansion and predisposes mutant animal to tumorigenesis. Here, we investigate the mechanism by which p16Ink4a controls thymocyte development by analyzing transgenic mice expressing the human p16INK4a into the T cell lineage. We show that forced expression of p16INK4a in thymocytes blocked T cell differentiation at the early CD4−CD8−CD3−CD25+ stage without significantly affecting the development of γδ T cells. Pre-TCR function was mimicked by the induction of CD3 signaling in thymocytes of recombinase activating gene (RAG)-2-deficient mice (RAG-2−/−). Upon anti-CD3ε treatment in vivo, p16INK4a-expressing RAG-2−/− thymocytes were not rescued from apoptosis, nor could they differentiate. Our data demonstrate that expression of p16INK4a prevents the pre-TCR-mediated expansion and/or survival of differentiating thymocytes.
Cache-oblivious B-trees

We present dynamic search-tree data structures that perform well in the setting of a hierarchical memory (including various levels of cache, disk, etc.), but do not depend on the number of memory levels, the block sizes and number of blocks at each level, or the relative speeds of memory access. In particular between any pair of levels in the memory hierarchy, where transfers between the levels are done in blocks of size B, our data structures match the optimal search bound of /spl Theta/(log/sub B/ N) memory transfers. This bound is also achieved by the classic B-tree data structure, but only when the block size B is known, which in practice requires careful tuning on each machine platform. One of our data structures supports insertions and deletions in /spl Theta/(log/sub B/ N) amortized memory transfers, which matches the B-tree's worst-case bounds. We augment this structure to support scans optimally in /spl Theta/(N/B) memory transfers. In this second data structure insertions and deletions require /spl Theta/(log/sub B/ N+log/sup 2/N/B) amortized memory transfers. Thus, we match the performance of the B-tree for B=/spl Omega/(log N log log N).
Factors affecting the drying process of latex films

During the past two decades, an improved understanding of the operative particle deformation mechanisms during latex film formation has been gained. For a particular colloidal dispersion with a known particle size, the Routh-Russel deformation maps predict the dominant mechanism for particle deformation for a particular set of conditions (evaporation rate, temperature, and initial film thickness). Although qualitative tests of the Routh-Russel model have been reported previously, a systematic study of the relationship between the film formation conditions and the resulting water concentration profiles is lacking. Here, the water distribution during the film formation of a series of acrylic copolymer latexes with varying glass transition temperature, Tg (values of 22, 11, 4 and 19 oC) has been obtained using GARField nuclear magnetic resonance profiling. A significant reduction in the rate of water loss from the latex with the lowest Tg was found, which is explained by its relatively low polymer viscosity enabling the growth of a coalesced skin layer. The transition between slowed drying and unimpeded drying occurs at the boundary between the capillary deformation and wet sintering regimes, in full agreement with the Routh-Russel model. An inverse correlation between the model’s dimensionless control parameter and the dimensionless drying time is discovered, which is useful for the design of fast-drying waterborne films. The effect of particle size and bimodality on the film formation of latexes was also investigated. The differences in the drying rates at the early stages of drying due to different particle sizes were discovered. The latexes with unimodal smaller particle sizes were found to have longer characteristic drying times compared to those with unimodal larger particle sizes. This was postulated to be due to the Kelvin-Laplace theory of the reduction of vapour pressure of water due to the radius of the water menisci between polymer particles at the early stages of the drying process. Acrylic acid functionalised latexes were then studied. The effect of neutralising the latexes to a higher pH of 9 on the drying of latexes was investigated. It was found that the latexes with a higher pH had faster characteristic drying times compared to those with a pH of 2 which could be useful when designing stable waterborne coatings.
Robust Design for Reconfigurable Coder/Decoders to Protect Against Eavesdropping in Spectral Amplitude Coding Optical CDMA Networks

This paper presents an enhanced security mechanism to protect spectral-amplitude-coding optical code-division multiple-access networks against eavesdropping. This study proposes an alternative to huge code-space size techniques such as wavelength hopping/time spreading or spectral-phase coding for network protection against eavesdropping by exploiting the cyclic properties of arrayed-waveguide-grating routers and maximal-length sequence code (M-sequence code). In addition, the network is protected using a dynamic reconfigurable coding/decoding scheme based on optical switches and a dynamic code matrix assignment scheme implemented using simple electrical shift registers. The signal-to-beat noise ratio is evaluated for various data bit rates to provide an indication of the confidentiality of the power level for a specified bit error rate (Pe<10-9). To further verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, this paper investigates a weighted load balance problem based on the power distribution of each transmitted wavelength under various eavesdropping abilities. A dynamic codeword modification is proposed which identifies the code matrix assignment that minimizes the degree of weighted load balance (DWLB). The evaluation results show that the reconfiguration policy outperforms one class of static policies in terms of two performance metrics, namely, the DWLB and the number of register shifts required to reconfigure the code matrix assignment.
Inconsistent association of esophageal symptoms, psychometric abnormalities and dysmotility

OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to characterize the psychometric profiles of symptomatic patients with abnormal esophageal motility and symptomatic patients with normal manometric findings compared to asymptomatic controls.METHODS:A total of 113 patients with abnormal esophageal motility (7 achalasia, 8 diffuse esophageal spasm, 27 nutcracker esophagus, 37 hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter, 21 hypotensive peristalsis, 13 failed peristalsis), 23 symptomatic controls with similar esophageal symptoms but normal manometry, and 27 asymptomatic controls were enrolled. Validated questionnaires assessing depression (Beck Depression Inventory), anxiety (Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory or Trait Anxiety Inventory), and somatization (Psychosomatic Symptom Checklist) were administered to all subjects.RESULTS:Patients with both esophageal symptoms and either hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter, nutcracker esophagus, or hypotensive contractions exhibited increased somatization, acute anxiety, or depression compared to asymptomatic controls but not compared to symptomatic controls. On the other hand, the psychometric profiles of patients with achalasia and diffuse esophageal spasm were strikingly normal. Among esophageal symptoms, chest pain was closely correlated with psychometric abnormalities.CONCLUSIONS:The esophageal symptoms of patients with abnormal esophageal motility may relate to the underlying psychological abnormalities, independent of manometric abnormalities.
Insulin signalling regulates remating in female Drosophila

Mating rate is a major determinant of female lifespan and fitness, and is predicted to optimize at an intermediate level, beyond which superfluous matings are costly. In female Drosophila melanogaster, nutrition is a key regulator of mating rate but the underlying mechanism is unknown. The evolutionarily conserved insulin/insulin-like growth factor-like signalling (IIS) pathway is responsive to nutrition, and regulates development, metabolism, stress resistance, fecundity and lifespan. Here we show that inhibition of IIS, by ablation of Drosophila insulin-like peptide (DILP)-producing median neurosecretory cells, knockout of dilp2, dilp3 or dilp5 genes, expression of a dominant-negative DILP-receptor (InR) transgene or knockout of Lnk, results in reduced female remating rates. IIS-mediated regulation of female remating can occur independent of virgin receptivity, developmental defects, reduced body size or fecundity, and the receipt of the female receptivity-inhibiting male sex peptide. Our results provide a likely mechanism by which females match remating rates to the perceived nutritional environment. The findings suggest that longevity-mediating genes could often have pleiotropic effects on remating rate. However, overexpression of the IIS-regulated transcription factor dFOXO in the fat body—which extends lifespan—does not affect remating rate. Thus, long life and reduced remating are not obligatorily coupled.
An accurate and robust algorithm for detection of heart and respiration rates using an impulse based UWB signal

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an accurate algorithm to detect respiration rate and heart beat using an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) signal. One important issue to consider for obtaining precise results is the right selection of measurement parameters in UWB system. In this work the impact of these parameters in detecting respiration rate and heart beat are studied and the best values are suggested. The experiments are done using a UWB transceiver with 3.2GHz of bandwidth in a busy environment without any wave absorbent. The results of the experiments prove an accuracy of 98 % and 90% for detecting of respiration rate and heart beats, respectively. The robustness of the algorithm to environmental noise due to scattering effect is also studied by performing different experiments in two situations.
Spatial Structure and Distribution of Small Pelagic Fish in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea

Understanding the ecological and anthropogenic drivers of population dynamics requires detailed studies on habitat selection and spatial distribution. Although small pelagic fish aggregate in large shoals and usually exhibit important spatial structure, their dynamics in time and space remain unpredictable and challenging. In the Gulf of Lions (north-western Mediterranean), sardine and anchovy biomasses have declined over the past 5 years causing an important fishery crisis while sprat abundance rose. Applying geostatistical tools on scientific acoustic surveys conducted in the Gulf of Lions, we investigated anchovy, sardine and sprat spatial distributions and structures over 10 years. Our results show that sardines and sprats were more coastal than anchovies. The spatial structure of the three species was fairly stable over time according to variogram outputs, while year-to-year variations in kriged maps highlighted substantial changes in their location. Support for the McCall's basin hypothesis (covariation of both population density and presence area with biomass) was found only in sprats, the most variable of the three species. An innovative method to investigate species collocation at different scales revealed that globally the three species strongly overlap. Although species often co-occurred in terms of presence/absence, their biomass density differed at local scale, suggesting potential interspecific avoidance or different sensitivity to local environmental characteristics. Persistent favourable areas were finally detected, but their environmental characteristics remain to be determined.
Unleashing Tor, BitTorrent & Co.: How to relieve TCP deficiencies in overlays

In TCP-based overlay applications, the TCP connections of one peer typically share one physical Internet link. Using real-world experiments, we demonstrate that this can lead to undesirable interactions, causing significant throughput loss. We argue that such effects should be taken into account in the design of overlay networks, and identify readily deployable coun-termeasures. In a first step, we show that with existing operating system QoS functionality some relief is possible. Yet, this alone is not fully effective if peers communicate bidirectionally, due to piggybacked ACKs. We propose to separate bidirectionally used overlay links into two independent TCP connections, and demonstrate the effectiveness of this strategy.
Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha is required for the tumourigenic and aggressive phenotype associated with Rab25 expression in ovarian cancer

The small GTPase Rab25 has been functionally linked to tumour progression and aggressiveness in ovarian cancer and promotes invasion in three-dimensional environments. This type of migration has been shown to require the expression of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α). In this report we demonstrate that Rab25 regulates HIF-1α protein expression in an oxygen independent manner in a panel of cancer cell lines. Regulation of HIF-1α protein expression by Rab25 did not require transcriptional upregulation, but was dependent on de novo protein synthesis through the Erbb2/ERK1/2 and p70S6K/mTOR pathways. Rab25 expression induced HIF-1 transcriptional activity, increased cisplatin resistance, and conferred intraperitoneal growth to the A2780 cell line in immunocompromised mice. Targeting HIF1 activity by silencing HIF-1β re-sensitised cells to cisplatin in vitro and reduced tumour formation of A2780-Rab25 expressing cells in vivo in a mouse ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis model. Similar effects on cisplatin resistance in vitro and intraperitoneal tumourigenesis in vivo were obtained after HIF1b knockdown in the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3, which expresses endogenous Rab25 and HIF-1α at atmospheric oxygen concentrations. Our results suggest that Rab25 tumourigenic potential and chemoresistance relies on HIF1 activity in aggressive and metastatic ovarian cancer. Targeting HIF-1 activity may potentially be effective either alone or in combination with standard chemotherapy for aggressive metastatic ovarian cancer.
Effects of heel and toe elevation upon the digital joint angles in the standing horse.

Five sound mature horses, age 8-14 years, with toe angles 45.5-55.0 degrees were placed on a specially designed platform with only the left forelimb weightbearing, which allowed the successive production of 7 different conditions of foot orientation: neutral position (N), 5, 10, 15 degrees heel (H5, H10, H15) and toe (T5, T10, T15) elevation, performed according to 2 different sequences. For each condition, 2 lateromedial radiographs were taken to evaluate the metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ) and both interphalangeal joint (PIPJ and DIPJ) angles, respectively. In addition, two-dimensional (2-D) kinematic recordings, using reflective skin markers placed laterally on the left forelimb joints, were performed. The value of each joint angle (JA) and its angular variation to N (AV) were considered for statistical analysis. For all JA and their AV determined radiographically, the condition effect was significant and the sequence did not influence the differences between conditions. The relationships between the JA and the conditions (in the sequence: T15, T10, T5, N, H5, H10, H15) were overall linear for the 3 joints. The maximal range T15-H15 was mean +/- s.d. 6.9 +/- 2.0 degrees for MPJ (dorsal angle decrease), 7.3 +/- 1.0 degrees and 29.5 +/- 1.8 degrees for PIPJ and DIPJ (palmar angle decrease), respectively. Contrary to JA and in spite of large variations in hoof conformation, AV did not show any significant horse effect. Wide differences were observed between the digital JA measured radiographically and from kinematics, which could be related to cutaneous displacement. Heel elevation induced elbow flexion, whereas a slight extension was observed with toe elevation. These movements, even slight (mean elbow angle amplitude: 3.6 +/- 1.3 degrees), may have consequences upon flexor tendon tension.
Explorer Long-Term Follow-Up of Pain and Emotional Characteristics of Women After Surgery for Breast Cancer

Context. Persistent pain after treatment for breast cancer (PPBCT) is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment, with prevalence as high as 50%. It is predominantly a neuropathic condition. Objectives. The aim of this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was to examine the emotional characteristics of patients with PPBCT in long-term breast cancer patients. A secondary objective was to characterize the risk factors and severity of that pain. Methods. From March 1, 2010 to April 9, 2010, long-term follow-up patients were invited to complete a questionnaire. This recorded their surgical and demographic data and ascertained whether they had PPBCT. If the patient had pain, they completed a range of validated self-report questionnaires and questions about the nature of their pain, including a visual analogue scale. Results. One hundred eleven patients completed the questionnaire; 33 (29.7%) patients reported chronic pain at a median time of 64 months postoperatively (interquartile range 54.25). Patients with persistent pain were not significantly more anxious (t1051⁄4"0.369, P1⁄4 0.713) or depressed (t1051⁄4 0.713, P1⁄4 0.507) than patients without pain. Patients with constant pain compared with intermittent pain were significantly more anxious (t251⁄4"3.460, P1⁄4 0.002). Preoperative pain conferred a fivefold increased risk of PPBCT (odds ratio [OR]1⁄4 5.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]1⁄4 1.79e14.97, P1⁄4 0.002); chemotherapy conferred a threefold increased risk (OR1⁄4 3.004, 95% CI1⁄4 1.22e7.40, P1⁄4 0.017). Conclusion. We have shown significant numbers of patients suffer from PPBCT. At a median time of 64.5 months, women with pain are not significantly more Address correspondence to: David Sheridan, BMedSci, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, The Pain Clinic, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, United Kingdom. E-mail: s0791682@sms.ed.ac.uk Accepted for publication: October 19, 2011. 2012 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 0885-3924/$ see front matter doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman. 2011.10. 021 Vol. No. 2012 Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 1
Identification of Demand Models of Multiple Purchases

We study the nonparametric identification of distributions of utility functions in a multiple purchase setting with a finite number of consumers. Each utility function takes as arguments subsets or, alternatively, quantities of the multiple goods. We exploit mathematical insights from auction theory to generically identify the distribution of utility functions. We use price variation and aggregate data on the sales of each product, but not on individual level purchases or the total sales of bundles of products.
Thrombomodulin gene mutations associated with myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND Thrombomodulin is an important receptor for thrombin on the endothelial cell surface of most blood vessels, including those of the heart. Thrombin-bound thrombomodulin activates protein C, which inhibits thrombin generation by degrading factors Va and VIIIa. The aim of this study was to analyze the 5' region of the thrombomodulin gene to determine whether mutations contribute a risk for myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS We screened the promoter region of the thrombomodulin gene by single-stranded conformation polymorphism analysis in 104 patients with diagnosed myocardial infarction. Five mutations (three distinct) were identified (GG-9/-10AT, G-33A, and C-133A). The dinucleotide mutation GG-9/-10AT was identified in 3 individuals (2 heterozygous, 1 homozygous). Only one of the three different mutations was identified in 104 patient control subjects matched for age, sex, and race (G-33A in a single individual). All mutations identified were in close proximity to consensus sequences for transcription control elements within the thrombomodulin gene. In contrast, no difference was observed between patients and control subjects for the allelic frequency of a previously identified neutral polymorphism GCC/GTC coding for Ala/Val455, with 3 individuals homozygous for GTC (Val) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that mutations in the promoter region of the thrombomodulin gene may constitute a risk for arterial thrombosis.
Haemorheologic and fibrinolytic activity in Nigerian HIV infected patients.

OBJECTIVE Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, especially those on antiretrovirals are at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The haemorheologic and fibrinolgtic activity of treatment naïve Nigerian HIV-infected patients were investigated. METHODS Blood was collected from 50 newly diagnosed treatment naïve HIV-infected patients and 50 apparently healthy HIV seronegative individuals that served as controls. Haematocrit values, plasma and serum viscosity, plasma fibrinogen concentration and euglobin lysis time were determined. RESULT The mean +/- standard deviation of haematocrit value of HIV infected patients (31.70 +/- 6.33%) was significantly lower (p<0.0001) than those of controls (39.50 +/- 2.43%). The plasma serum viscosity, plasma fibrinogen concentration and euglobin lysis time of HIV-infected patients were significantly higher compared with those of controls (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION Treatment naive Nigerian HIV-infected patients have a defective blood flow and fibrinolytic system, which may predispose them to CVD.