Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular forms and ultrastructural localization of prostate-specific antigen in nipple aspirate fluids.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a member of the human kallikrein family of serine proteases that for a long time was thought to be produced exclusively by the epithelial cells of the prostate gland (1). Because of its tissue specificity, PSA has been widely used as a marker for diagnosing and monitoring prostate cancer (2). However, recent studies have demonstrated the widespread distribution of PSA in a variety of tumor types, healthy tissues, and biological fluids [reviewed in Ref. (3)]. Although the physiological role and the biological significance of extraprostatic PSA currently are unknown, it has been suggested that this serine protease should be regarded as a growth factor regulator produced by cells bearing steroid hormone receptors (4)(5). Several studies have biochemically and molecularly demonstrated that female breast produces and secretes PSA through steroid hormone regulation (in particular by androgens and progestins but not estrogens) (6)(7). Moreover, PSA has been suggested as a marker of good prognosis for women with breast cancer (8), even if there is contradictory evidence regarding this argument (9)(10). Over recent years, analysis of nipple aspirate fluids (NAFs) from nonlactating women has attracted considerable interest as a rapid and noninvasive method to assess the environment and metabolic activity within the mammary gland (11). Light microscopic studies have revealed the presence of abnormal apocrine epithelial cells in fluids from women with breast diseases, allowing the identification of women who may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer (12). Similarly, biochemical analysis of breast NAFs has demonstrated the presence of a variety of substances, including hormones, enzymes, electrolytes, proteins, and toxic compounds, that may be involved in the malignant transformation (13)(14)(15). Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of measurable amounts of total PSA in NAF, which are …
IEEE 802 . 15 . 4 a channel model-fi nal report

This is a discussion document for the IEEE document of the IEEE 802.15. 4a channel modeling subgroup. It provides models for the following frequency ranges and environments: for UWB channels dovering the frequency range from 2 to 10 GHz, it covers indoor residential, indoor of ﬁ ce, industrial, outdoor, and open outdoor environments (usually with a distinction between LOS and NLOS properties). For the frequency range from 2 to 6 GHz, it gives a model for body area networks. For the frequency range from 100 to 900 MHz, it gives a model for indoor of ﬁ ce-type environments. Finally, for a 1MHz carrier frequency, a narrowband model is given. The document also provides MATLAB programs and numerical values for 100 impulse response realizations in each environment.
An Aloha protocol for multihop mobile wireless networks

An Aloha-type access control mechanism for large mobile, multihop, wireless networks is defined and analyzed. This access scheme is designed for the multihop context, where it is important to find a compromise between the spatial density of communications and the range of each transmission. More precisely, the analysis aims at optimizing the product of the number of simultaneously successful transmissions per unit of space (spatial reuse) by the average range of each transmission. The optimization is obtained via an averaging over all Poisson configurations for the location of interfering mobiles, where an exact evaluation of signal over noise ratio is possible. The main mathematical tools stem from stochastic geometry and are spatial versions of the so-called additive and max shot noise processes. The resulting medium access control (MAC) protocol exhibits some interesting properties. First, it can be implemented in a decentralized way provided some local geographic information is available to the mobiles. In addition, its transport capacity is proportional to the square root of the density of mobiles which is the upper bound of Gupta and Kumar. Finally, this protocol is self-adapting to the node density and it does not require prior knowledge of this density.
Variation in copper and zinc tolerance and accumulation in 12 willow clones: implications for phytoextraction

Willows (Salix spp.) have shown high potential for the phytoextraction of heavy metals. This study compares variations in copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) tolerance and accumulation potential among 12 willow clones grown in a nutrient solution treated with 50 μmol/L of Cu or Zn, respectively. The results showed differences in the tolerance and accumulation of Cu and Zn with respect to different species/clones. The biomass variation among clones in response to Cu or Zn exposure ranged from the stimulation of growth to inhibition, and all of the clones tested showed higher tolerance to Cu than to Zn. The clones exhibited less variation in Cu accumulation but larger variation in Zn accumulation. Based on translocation factors, it was found that most of the Cu was retained in the roots and that Zn was more mobile than Cu for all clones. It is concluded that most willow clones are good accumulators of Zn and Cu. 概要研究目的柳树(Salix spp.)已广泛用于修复重金属污染, 而且修复效率与树种及无性系有关。 目前涉及柳树研究主要为铜(Cu)和锌(Zn)的毒性效应, 而不是富集能力。 本研究以中国常见的柳树无性系评价对Cu 和Zn 耐性与富集能力。 创新要点目前大多数研究仍集中Cu 和Zn 对柳树的毒性效应, 尤其是Cu, 对它们富集能力仍没有评价。 中国为柳树的主要分布区。 本文以12 种优良的常见柳树无性系, 通过温室营养液法评价对Cu 和Zn 耐性及富集潜力差异。 利用柳树无性系的耐性与富集变异, 旨在选择高耐性与高富集的无性系, 提高环境修复效率和加快修复进程。 研究方法选择高生物量12 种柳树无性系, 采用温室营养液培养法添加Cu 或Zn 处理, 测定生物量参数并计算耐性指数, 估计耐性差异; 用原子吸收法测定组织中金属浓度并计算金属位移系数, 评价富集差异。 重要结论无性系对Cu 和Zn 耐性显著不同, 生物量变化从无影响、 抑制到促进生长。 无性系对Cu 耐性高于对Zn 耐性, 无性系对Zn 富集变异幅度大于对Cu 富集变异幅度。 Cu 主要富集于根部, 而Zn 较易运输到地上部分。 总之测定的大部分柳树无性系为Cu 与Zn 高富集植物, 显示出较高的植物提取能力。
Cytokine Dysregulation in MECP2- and CDKL5-Related Rett Syndrome: Relationships with Aberrant Redox Homeostasis, Inflammation, and ω-3 PUFAs

An involvement of the immune system has been suggested in Rett syndrome (RTT), a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder related to oxidative stress, and caused by a mutation in the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 gene (MECP2) or, more rarely, cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5). To date, it is unclear whether both mutations may have an impact on the circulating cytokine patterns. In the present study, cytokines involved in the Th1-, Th2-, and T regulatory (T-reg) response, as well as chemokines, were investigated in MECP2- (MECP2-RTT) (n = 16) and CDKL5-Rett syndrome (CDKL5-RTT) (n = 8), before and after ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplementation. A major cytokine dysregulation was evidenced in untreated RTT patients. In MECP2-RTT, a Th2-shifted balance was evidenced, whereas in CDKL5-RTT both Th1- and Th2-related cytokines (except for IL-4) were upregulated. In MECP2-RTT, decreased levels of IL-22 were observed, whereas increased IL-22 and T-reg cytokine levels were evidenced in CDKL5-RTT. Chemokines were unchanged. The cytokine dysregulation was proportional to clinical severity, inflammatory status, and redox imbalance. Omega-3 PUFAs partially counterbalanced cytokine changes, as well as aberrant redox homeostasis and the inflammatory status. RTT is associated with a subclinical immune dysregulation as the likely consequence of a defective inflammation regulatory signaling system.
Domain Independent Joint Sentiment And Topic Detection Using AFINN And Other Lexicons

Sentiment analysis and opinion mining field concentrates on automatically classifying sentiments of documents. But detecting mere sentiments does not provide one the sufficient knowledge concealed in the text. In this paper, we have evaluated joint sentiment and topic detection model (JST) to detect sentiment and topic simultaneously from text. JST is evaluated for movie reviews and product reviews with the help of domain independent prior information. AS no labeled data is required for training JST, it becomes highly portable to any domain. JST provides user more information regarding the text than mere sentiments.
Earnings Management to Tunnel: Evidence from China's Listed Companies

This paper hypothesizes that earnings management in China's listed companies is mainly induced by controlling owners' tunneling activity. We conduct our analyses in two stages. In the first stage, we relate our analyses to prior research on Chinese listed companies which has documented their strong incentives to manage earnings in order to meet certain return on equity (ROE) thresholds. We identify tunneling evidence in two scenarios where such practice has been most conspicuous. In the second stage, we examine systematic differences in earnings management across the universe of China's listed companies during 1999-2001. We provide cross-sectional and time-series evidence showing that firms with higher corporate governance levels tend to have less earnings management. Our empirical findings although not being able to completely exclude other theories, strongly suggest that agency conflicts between controlling shareholders and outside investors are the main stimuli of earnings management in China's listed companies.
Vortex-lattice melting in two-dimensional superconducting networks and films.

We carry out an extensive Monte Carlo study of phase transitions in two-dimensional (2D) superconducting networks, in an applied magnetic field, for square and honeycomb geometries. We consider both systems with a dilute vortex density 1/[ital q], and dense systems near full frustration with vortex density 1/2--1/[ital q]. The dilute case gives the continuum limit as [ital q][r arrow][infinity], and serves as a model for a uniform superconducting film. For this dilute case, we find a transition temperature [ital T][sub [ital c]][similar to]1/[ital q], at which the vortex lattice unpins from the network and forms a floating solid'' phase. At a higher temperature [ital T][sub [ital m]], this floating solid melts into a vortex liquid. We analyze the transition at [ital T][sub [ital m]] according to the Kosterlitz-Thouless theory of dislocation mediated melting in 2D. While we find a discontinuous jump in the vortex shear modulus at [ital T][sub [ital m]] which is consistent with this theoy, we find (in opposition to this theory) that the transition is weakly first order, and we find no evidence for a hexatic liquid phase. For the case near full frustration, we find that the system can be described in terms of the densitymore » of defects in an otherwise fully frustrated vortex pattern. These dilute defects result in similar behavior as that found in the dilute vortex system, with pinned, floating, and liquid defect phases. « less
Virtual Interactions in Distance Learning

INTRODUCTION Kearsley (2005) points that information processing theories and behavioral theories tend to emphasize the importance of feedback for learning. Meiers (2005) says that feedback improves learning, partly through encouragement and recognition of achievement. Beggs et al. (2005) say that " providing undergraduates with sufficient feedback soon after they submit their work for assessment is an important element in supporting them to become reflective and independent learners ". This importance of feedback is emphasized in the case of asynchronous web-based learning, where feedback is an important implication of the discussions taking place in electronic learning environments. Radojevic (2003) says that discussions within an electronic forum materialize and demonstrate the virtual presence of learners in the virtual classroom, while Wu and Hiltz (2003) ABSTRACT Virtual interactions play an important role in distance electronic learning. This chapter suggests an evaluation tool of virtual interactions in electronic forums and reports two case studies carried out using this tool. The first case study involves two issues: examining the differences, regarding feedback types, between high and low participating preservice teachers in an electronic forum, and examining correlations between the different characteristics of the electronic forum exchanges. The second case study involves examining the strategies of a successful distance learning instructor in interacting with students. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to analyze the collected data. It was found that the two groups of preservice teachers were different regarding their use of some types of feedback and similar regarding the use of other types. Significant correlations were found between some characteristics of the forum exchanges. The successful instructor used different interaction strategies that depended on the educational situation described by the participants. describe the electronic discussions as an element which plays an important role in learning that occurs in the distance learning courses. Further, Bouhnik and Marcus (2006) point at interaction as a dimension of electronic learning that can be utilized to maximize the positive and minimize the negative results of the students' learning. dos Reis and Martins (2008) say that interactions in the forums encourages the emergence of different perspectives, and thus facilitates diversified contributions to the resolution of problems which is enabled by the exchange of experiences and the debate of ideas. Regarding the use of interactions in the classroom , Enomoto and Tabata (2000) reported that interaction helped students build a community of equals, where the interaction included supporting, complimenting, reinforcing and …
Insertional Oncogenesis by Non-Acute Retroviruses: Implications for Gene Therapy

Retroviruses cause cancers in a variety of animals and humans. Research on retroviruses has provided important insights into mechanisms of oncogenesis in humans, including the discovery of viral oncogenes and cellular proto-oncogenes. The subject of this review is the mechanisms by which retroviruses that do not carry oncogenes (non-acute retroviruses) cause cancers. The common theme is that these tumors result from insertional activation of cellular proto-oncogenes by integration of viral DNA. Early research on insertional activation of proto-oncogenes in virus-induced tumors is reviewed. Research on non-acute retroviruses has led to the discovery of new proto-oncogenes through searches for common insertion sites (CISs) in virus-induced tumors. Cooperation between different proto-oncogenes in development of tumors has been elucidated through the study of retrovirus-induced tumors, and retroviral infection of genetically susceptible mice (retroviral tagging) has been used to identify cellular proto-oncogenes active in specific oncogenic pathways. The pace of proto-oncogene discovery has been accelerated by technical advances including PCR cloning of viral integration sites, the availability of the mouse genome sequence, and high throughput DNA sequencing. Insertional activation has proven to be a significant risk in gene therapy trials to correct genetic defects with retroviral vectors. Studies on non-acute retroviral oncogenesis provide insight into the potential risks, and the mechanisms of oncogenesis.
Nervous Wreck and Cdc42 Cooperate to Regulate Endocytic Actin Assembly during Synaptic Growth

Regulation of synaptic morphology depends on endocytosis of activated growth signal receptors, but the mechanisms regulating this membrane-trafficking event are unclear. Actin polymerization mediated by Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) and the actin-related protein 2/3 complex generates forces at multiple stages of endocytosis. FCH-BIN amphiphysin RVS (F-BAR)/SH3 domain proteins play key roles in this process by coordinating membrane deformation with WASp-dependent actin polymerization. However, it is not known how other WASp ligands, such as the small GTPase Cdc42, coordinate with F-BAR/SH3 proteins to regulate actin polymerization at membranes. Nervous Wreck (Nwk) is a conserved neuronal F-BAR/SH3 protein that localizes to periactive zones at the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and is required for regulation of synaptic growth via bone morphogenic protein signaling. Here, we show that Nwk interacts with the endocytic proteins dynamin and Dap160 and functions together with Cdc42 to promote WASp-mediated actin polymerization in vitro and to regulate synaptic growth in vivo. Cdc42 function is associated with Rab11-dependent recycling endosomes, and we show that Rab11 colocalizes with Nwk at the NMJ. Together, our results suggest that synaptic growth activated by growth factor signaling is controlled at an endosomal compartment via coordinated Nwk and Cdc42-dependent actin assembly.
A Dynamic Packet Aggregation Scheme for VoIP in Wireless Mesh Networks

IEEE 802.11 standard is a new trend in networking combining performance, simplicity and economics suitable for backhaul deployments. However, service providers and carriers understand the cost of making large scale adoption of infant technologies. If WMNs are to compete with existing broadband networks, then the technology must evolve from low cost consumer deployment to carrier-grade structures with improved performance and robustness. WMNs have brought unique challenges because its broader coverage calls for accommodation of increased number of clients with varied service demands. For WMNs backhaul with voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) clients, the stringent quality of service (QoS) requirements present additional challenge. This paper proposes a dynamic packet aggregation algorithm that adjusts the size of aggregation packet to improve VoIP QoS in WMNs. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm reduces end-to-end delay, jitter and packet loss for VoIP packets in WMNs.
Mapping Task Switching in Frontal Cortex Through Neuropsychological Group Studies

This paper considers evidence provided by large neuropsychological group studies and meta-analyses of functional imaging experiments on the location in frontal cortex of the subprocesses involved in the carrying out of task-switching paradigms. The function of the individual subprocesses is also considered in the light of analyses of the performance of normal subjects.
Antileishmanial Activity of Warifteine: A Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloid Isolated from Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. (Menispermaceae)

Leishmania (L.) chagasi is the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis, an important endemic zoonosis in the American continent, as well as in many other countries in Asia, Africa, and Mediterranean Europe. The treatment is difficult due to the high toxicity of the available drugs, high costs, and emergence of resistance in the parasites. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new leishmanicidal agents. The bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids have been related to antibacterial, antiprotozoal, and antifungal activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth inhibitory activity of warifteine (bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid) against L. chagasi promastigotes in axenic cultures and the occurrence of drug-induced ultrastructural changes in the parasite. This bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid was isolated from the leaves and roots of Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. (Menispermaceae), a plant commonly used for the treatment of various diseases in Brazilian folk medicine. Using the purified warifteine, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined at 0.08 mg/mL after 72 h in culture, inducing significant changes in the parasite morphology, like aberrant multisepted forms and blebs in the plasma membrane. In conclusion, warifteine represents an attractive candidate for future pharmacological studies aiming new leishmanicidal drugs.
Community surveys and risk factor analysis of human alveolar and cystic echinococcosis in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.

OBJECTIVE To determine the true community prevalence of human cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) echinococcosis (hydatid disease) in a highly endemic region in Ningxia Hui, China, by detecting asymptomatic cases. METHODS Using hospital records and "AE-risk" landscape patterns we selected study communities predicted to be at risk of human echinococcosis in Guyuan, Longde and Xiji counties. We conducted community surveys of 4773 individuals from 26 villages in 2002 and 2003 using questionnaire analysis, ultrasound examination and serology. FINDINGS Ultrasound and serology showed a range of prevalences for AE (0-8.1%; mean 2%) and CE (0-7.4%; mean 1.6%), with the highest prevalence in Xiji (2% for CE, 2.5% for AE). There were significant differences in the prevalence of CE, AE and total echinococcosis between the three counties and villages (with multiple degrees of freedom). While hospital records showed 96% of echinococcosis cases attributable to CE, our survey showed a higher prevalence of human AE (56%) compared to CE (44%). Questionnaire analysis revealed that key risk factors for infection were age and dog ownership for both CE and AE, and Hui ethnicity and being female for AE. Drinking well-water decreased the risk for both AE and CE. CONCLUSION Echinococcosis continues to be a severe public health problem in this part of China because of unhygienic practices/habits and poor knowledge among the communities regarding this disease.
Whey Protein Improves Exercise Performance and Biochemical Profiles in Trained Mice

ABSTRACT Purpose The objective of this study is to verify the beneficial effects of whey protein (WP) supplementation on health promotion and enhance exercise performance in an aerobic-exercise training protocol. Methods In total, 40 male Institute of Cancer Research mice (4 wk old) were divided into four groups (n = 10 per group): sedentary control with vehicle (SC) or WP supplementation (4.1 g·kg−1, SC + WP), and exercise training with vehicle (ET) or WP supplementation (4.1 g·kg−1, ET + WP). Animals in the ET and ET + WP groups underwent swimming endurance training for 6 wk, 5 d·wk−1. Exercise performance was evaluated by forelimb grip strength and exhaustive swimming time as well as by changes in body composition and biochemical parameters at the end of the experiment. Results ET significantly decreased final body and muscle weight and levels of albumin, total protein, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total cholesterol, and triacylglycerol. ET significantly increased grip strength; relative weight (%) of liver, heart, and brown adipose tissue (BAT); and levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and total bilirubin. WP supplementation significantly decreased final body, muscle, liver, BAT, and kidney weight and relative weight (%) of muscle, liver, and BAT as well as levels of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and uric acid. In addition, WP supplementation slightly increased endurance time and significantly increased grip strength and levels of albumin and total protein. Conclusion WP supplementation improved exercise performance, body composition, and biochemical assessments in mice and may be an effective ergogenic aid in aerobic exercise training.