Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
To Die or to Survive, a Fatal Question for the Destiny of Prostate Cancer Cells after Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in adult males in North America and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. For locally advanced or metastatic disease, androgen deprivation, through medical or surgical castration, is the primary treatment to induce prostate cancer cell death and extend patient survival. However, the vast majority of cancers progress to a castration-resistant/androgen-independent state where the cell death processes are no longer active. This review describes the main cell death processes, apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis and necroptosis, which may be activated in prostate cancers after androgen deprivation therapy as well as the molecular mechanisms through which the cancers progress to become castration resistant. In particular, the central role of persistent androgen receptor (AR)-mediated signaling and AR crosstalk with other critical cell signaling pathways, including (i) the PI3K/Akt pathway, (ii) receptor tyrosine kinases, (iii) the p38 MAPK pathway, and (iv) the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, as well as reactivation of AR by de novo synthesized androgen are discussed in this context. Understanding the molecular changes that subvert normal cell death mechanisms and thereby compromise the survival of prostate cancer patients continues to be a major challenge.
Wavelength selection and wide-temperature-range operation of neodymium-doped lasers

This thesis presents research results in two general areas of the solid-state laser technology commonly used in defence applications. The first area uses volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) as cavity mirrors, giving wavelength selection, linewidth reduction and improved frequency doubling efficiency. The second area is in extending the operating temperature range of diode-pumped Nd-doped pulsed lasers through the use of VBGs, external-cavity absorber-locked diode lasers and enhancements of pump chamber efficiency. For a laser-diode end-pumped Nd:YVO4 solid-state laser, a VBG laser cavity, with output powers of up to 6.2 W is demonstrated at 1064 nm. With a conversion efficiency of 0.4 and M of ≤1.2, the laser linewidth is reduced by a factor of 16, to 72 pm, compared to a conventional dielectric mirror cavity. Intra-cavity losses due to the VBG are shown to be 2%. The 1064 nm VBG cavity is then Q-switched using an AO modulator to generate peak powers of 2.3 kW. The second harmonic generation in a MgO:PPSLT crystal produced a 20% increase in second harmonic power, compared to a cavity with a conventional dielectric mirror. The improvement is attributable to the reduced linewidth. A similar configuration, but using a VBG with 98% reflectivity at 1342 nm, generates up to 3.8 W of output power. The use of two VBG mirrors in a single cavity, further narrows the linewidth, allowing for output powers up to 2.3 W, in a single longitudinal mode. In-cavity heating of the VBG is found to give a reduction in reflectivity, a shift in the centre wavelength and increased linewidth. This is both modelled and experimentally demonstrated. For enhanced pumping of high-energy Q-switched Nd:YAG zigzag-slab lasers, two techniques of externally locking the wavelength of the QCW laser diodes are demonstrated. A chirped 808 nm VBG locks the wavelength of a newly developed chirped quantum-well laser-diode array, without the need for fast-axis collimation. Locking over a temperature range of 50 ◦C is demonstrated, with a predicted locking range of 70 ◦C. As an alternative to VBG locking, a laser diode bar locked at 885 nm is also demonstrated by using a thin Nd:YVO4 absorber. Filtered feedback locks the spectrum into peaks, which are in the Nd:YAG absorption bands over a 45 ◦C range. In a parallel effort, a pump laser array configuration that increases the overall absorption path length from 1 to 3 cm in a side-pumped zigzag slab is demonstrated. By optimising the bounce lengths of the pump light and the inclusion of multi-wavelength laser bars, operation up to 80 ◦C is demonstrated with an absorption efficiency of 80%. By adjusting the diode drive pulse duration, a Q-switched laser using this pump head operates from -40 to +60 ◦C with a constant energy of 60 mJ. The operational temperature range of this configuration is shown to be over 120 ◦C.
Clinical impact of early clopidogrel discontinuation following acute myocardial infarction hospitalization or stent implantation: analysis in a nationally representative managed-care population

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the association between discontinuation of clopidogrel therapy and risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) hospitalization or cardiac revascularization in a nationally-representative patient population following hospitalization for an AMI or coronary stent insertion. Research design and methods: This observational cohort study was performed using data on patients from the PharMetrics Anonymous Patient-Centric Database who were hospitalized for an AMI or coronary stent insertion and subsequently treated with clopidogrel. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to evaluate the association between clopidogrel discontinuation prior to 1 year post-initial AMI hospitalization and the primary endpoint of repeat AMI hospitalization or coronary intervention defined as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with or without stent, or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Main outcome measures: The main outcome for this study was AMI hospitalization or coronary intervention defined as PCI with or without stent placement or CABG. Results: A total of 31 835 patients were included in the analyses. Patients were predominantly male and the average patient age was approximately 60 years. After controlling for baseline patient characteristics and follow-up time, discontinuation of clopidogrel was associated with a significantly higher rate of hospitalization for AMI or coronary intervention (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.22–1.44). Conclusion: Within a population of ACS patients drawn from a database of 85 US health plans, clopidogrel discontinuation within 1 year following hospitalization for AMI or stent placement is associated with an increased risk of AMI hospitalization or coronary intervention. The results of this study should be interpreted within the context of observational research, which does not address cause and effect relationships.
Prophylactic adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy reduced hepatic metastases from Stage III colorectal cancer after curative resection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS This study aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) on liver metastases of Stage III colorectal cancer patients after curative resection. METHODOLOGY We randomly assigned 287 Stage III colorectal cancer patients after curative resection between 2002 and 2008 to receive 2 cycles of HAIC plus 4 cycles of systemic chemotherapy (combined therapy) or 6 cycles of systemic chemotherapy alone (monotherapy). Both the HAIC and systemic chemotherapy regimen consisted of a 2-hour infusion of Oxaliplatin (85mg/m2) on day 1 followed by folinic acid 200mg/m2 as a 2-hour infusion on days 2 and 3 and by 5-fluorouracil 2400mg/m2 as a 48-hour infusion on days 2 and 3. The treatment repeated every 4 weeks. The disease-free survival, overall survival and liver metastases-free survival were compared. RESULTS There was no significant difference in adverse effects between two groups. Significant differences were found in 3-year disease-free survival (Combined therapy, 75.00%; Monotherapy, 63.27%; p=0.0035), overall survival (Combined therapy, 84.29%; Monotherapy, 65.31%; p=0.0006) and liver metastases-free survival (Combined therapy, 80.00%; Monotherapy, 69.39%; p=0.0451). CONCLUSIONS HAIC effectively and safely prevents metachronous liver metastases and improves the prognosis of patients with Stage III colorectal cancer after curative resection.
Management of fascial space infections in a Nigerian teaching hospital: A 4-year review

Background: Fascial space infections of the head and neck region, usually odontogenic in origin, are routinely treated as an out-patient procedure. Untreated or rapidly spreading odontogenic infections can be potentially life threatening. The present study is a review of patients with orofacial infections who required emergent incision and drainage in the maxillofacial unit of our institution. The need for early presentation is highlighted. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with orofacial space infections between January 2007 and December 2010. Patients’ case files were retrieved and demographic as well as clinical characteristics were obtained and analyzed. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 53 patients with fascial space infection were seen over the period of study. Of the 41 patients reviewed, males accounted for 26 (63.4%) and females 15 (36.6%). Their ages ranged from 4 months to 80 years (mean 32.8± 18.3 years). There was no statistical difference between the mean age of male and female patients (t=-962, P=0.342). Submandibular space was the most frequently involved single space and accounted for 43.9% of the cases. This was followed by multiple space involvement (Ludwig angina) which accounted for 36.6%. Buccal space and submasseteric space infection represented 7.3% each. Sources of infections were of odontogenic origin in 92.7% of cases and were unknown in the remaining 7.3%. The outcome was satisfactory with complete resolution in 48.8% of cases. Resolution with some morbidities in the form of persistent limitation of mouth opening, orocutaneus fistula, and necrotising fascitis were seen in an almost equal proportion of 46.3% of cases. The outcome was observed to be significantly associated with the presence of underlying systemic conditions (χ2 =21.66; r=0.73; P=0.0001), time of presentation (χ2 =12.28; r=0.55; P=0.002), and age (χ2 =54.48; r=0.69; P=0.0001). Conclusion: Fascial space infections of the head and neck region, though potentially life threatening, can be prevented by regular dental visits. Early recognition and treatment of established cases are necessary to prevent considerable morbidity and mortality, especially in older patients with an underlying systemic condition.
Issues of adoption: have e-learning management systems fulfilled their potential in developing countries?

Despite the potential of learning management systems to support both blended learning and learning that is entirely delivered online, the majority of LMS-supported e-learning initiatives in developing countries do not fulfill their potential; they fail, either totally or partially. To identify the underlying causes of failure, a survey was conducted through interviews with key e-learning personalities directly involved in e-learning initiatives in five universities in Africa. Some of the most probable causes of failure were identified as: high ICT illiteracy rates among the student community; low comfort levels with technology; usability issues of learning management systems; poor marketing strategies; ineffective maintenance strategies and insufficient user/technical support. The dimensions of these causes of failure are discussed, as are the probable interventions likely to avert some of them. The findings are intended to inform further research towards more successful deployment of learning management systems in developing countries.
Nanocomposites Based on Polyethylene and Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes, 1 – Microstructure, Thermal and Thermomechanical Properties

Nanocomposites of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), with three different amounts of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS), were prepared through melt-mixing in a batchmixer at 1508C. The structure of the prepared nanocomposites was studied by X-ray scattering and opticalmicroscopy. Thesurface morphology ofthenanocompositeswasinvestigatedthrough field-emission SEM. The thermal properties of the pure LLDPE and nanocomposites were studied by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Thermomechanical properties were assessed on a Paar-Physics MCR501 rheometer using a solidstate rectangular fixture. Results exhibited a significant improvement in both the storage and loss moduli of the neat LLDPE upon the incorporationofthePOSSparticles.Asubstantial improvement in thermal stability was also observed in the high-temperature region.
Mycobacterial lymphadenitis in childhood.

In Western Australia, as in many other countries, there has been in recent years a change in the ascribed aetiology of tuberculosis infection. We have gradually come to realize the importance of the role of anonymous mycobacteria in the production of tuberculous lesions in the superficial lymph nodes of children. We cannot say whether or not these infections occurred before our present study, but we intend to show that since 1959 the great majority of infections with a tuberculous histology have proved to be due not to the human or bovine tubercle bacillus, but to one or other of the anonymous group of mycobacteria. The majority of these anonymous bacteria have been found to be resistant to antituberculous drugs in standard concentrations, so that many children might be saved the administration of potentially dangerous drugs if a reliable and rapid means of distinguishing between human and anonymous infection were available. Using routine bacteriological investigations the value of antituberculous drug therapy cannot be assessed until the results of culture and sensitivity tests are available, but this may take up to three months. Frequently no growth is obtained, and the clinician then has no bacteriological evidence on which to base a decision whether or not to continue drug therapy. Where there is evidence of active tuberculosis elsewhere in the body the decision will be simple, but where the disease is limited to one group of glands it will not be so easy. For the past three years we have been helped in making the distinction between human and anonymous mycobacterial infections by the routine use of a double Mantoux test (Masters and Smyth, 1965). By using the test retrospectively we have been able to determine how many of our children presenting with superficial mycobacterial lymphadenitis during the past seven years were infected with anonymous strains. We present the clinical, pathological, and epidemiological features of these infections, and the
Dancing as a psychosocial intervention in care homes: a systematic review of the literature

There is a need to find meaningful and engaging interventions to improve mood and behaviour for residents of care homes. The demand on care staff might diminish opportunities for them to encourage these activities. Staff anecdotal information attests that dancing as an activity improves mood in residents and staff. Hence, the importance of investigating what dancing brings to the care home social environment.
Smoking-specific compensatory health beliefs and the readiness to stop smoking in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE Compensatory health beliefs (CHBs) are defined as beliefs that negative consequences of unhealthy behaviours can be compensated for by engaging in other health behaviours. CHBs have not yet been investigated in detail regarding smoking. Smoking might cause cognitive dissonance in smokers, if they are aware that smoking is unhealthy and simultaneously hold the general goal of staying healthy. Hence, CHBs are proposed as one strategy for smokers to resolve such cognitive dissonance. The aim of the present study was to develop a scale to measure smoking-specific CHBs among adolescents and to test whether CHBs are related to a lower readiness to stop smoking. DESIGN For the main analyses, cross-sectional data were used. In order to investigate the retest-reliability follow-up data, 4 months later were included in the analysis. METHOD A newly developed scale for smoking-specific CHBs in adolescents was tested for its validity and reliability as well as its predictive value for the readiness to stop smoking in a sample of 244 smokers (15-21 years) drawn from different schools. Multilevel modelling was applied. RESULTS Evidence was found for the reliability and validity of the smoking-specific CHB scale. Smoking-specific CHBs were significantly negatively related to an individual's readiness to stop smoking, even after controlling for other predictors such as self-efficacy or conscientiousness. CONCLUSIONS CHBs may provide one possible explanation for why adolescents fail to stop smoking.
Decidability in the Logic of Subsequences and Supersequences

We consider first-order logics of sequences ordered by the subsequence ordering, aka sequence embedding. We show that the \Sigma_2 theory is undecidable, answering a question left open by Kuske. Regarding fragments with a bounded number of variables, we show that the FO2 theory is decidable while the FO3 theory is undecidable.
Decoding Human Cytomegalovirus

Dissecting HCMV Gene Expression Most of us are infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), but severe disease is almost always limited to immunocompromised individuals or newborn infants. The virus has a relatively large (∼240 kb) DNA genome and shows a complex pattern of gene transcription, hinting at a complex regulatory and coding capacity. Stern-Ginossar et al. (p. 1088) mapped ribosome positions on HCMV transcripts during the course of viral infection of human fibroblast cells. The data suggest the presence of novel open reading frames (ORFs) lying within existing ORFs; very short ORFs upstream of canonical ORFs; ORFs antisense to canonical ORFs; and short, conserved ORFs encoded by long RNAs. Select ORFs were translated, dramatically expanding the coding capacity of the HCMV genome. A closer look at the human cytomegalovirus genome uncovers many new open reading frames. The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genome was sequenced 20 years ago. However, like those of other complex viruses, our understanding of its protein coding potential is far from complete. We used ribosome profiling and transcript analysis to experimentally define the HCMV translation products and follow their temporal expression. We identified hundreds of previously unidentified open reading frames and confirmed a fraction by means of mass spectrometry. We found that regulated use of alternative transcript start sites plays a broad role in enabling tight temporal control of HCMV protein expression and allowing multiple distinct polypeptides to be generated from a single genomic locus. Our results reveal an unanticipated complexity to the HCMV coding capacity and illustrate the role of regulated changes in transcript start sites in generating this complexity.
Assessing Mechanisms of Recovery During Robot-Aided Neurorehabilitation of the Upper Limb

Objective. The present study aimed to qualify and quantify the different components of motor recovery in a group of stroke patients treated by robot-aided techniques. In addition, the learning model of each motor recovery component was analyzed. Methods . Two groups of poststroke patients were treated with the use of an elbow-shoulder manipulator, respectively, within (recent) and after (chronic) the first 6 months of their cerebrovascular accident. Both groups were evaluated by means of standard clinical assessment scales and a robot-measured evaluation method. Results. These findings confirm that motor training consisting of voluntary movements assisted by the robot device led to significant improvements in motor performance in terms of the kinematic and dynamic components of the arm movements. This corresponded to improvement of impairment as confirmed by the clinical scale results. Conclusions. Knowledge of the recovery components and of the associated performance acquisition model may be useful in assessing and training stroke patients and should make it possible to precisely plan and, if necessary, modify the rehabilitation strategies.
Simultaneous Parameter Identification of Synchronous Generator and Excitation System Using Online Measurements

In this paper, a new method is presented to simultaneously identify parameters of synchronous generator and its excitation system (EXS) using measurement data. These measurements could be provided by metering devices such as data acquisition system or fault recorders of the power plant. Since a smart grid is capable of providing synchronized measurements using phasor measurement units, the desired data could also be provided by these devices. In the proposed method, the reference voltage of the EXS is considered as the input signal, while the terminal voltage and output active power of the machine are considered as output signals. The desired parameters are classified into three categories using a sensitivity analysis: 1) the parameters that affect the terminal voltage; 2) the parameters that affect the active power; and 3) the parameters that do not considerably affect either. A multistage genetic algorithm optimization is used to iteratively identify the parameters. To show the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method, it is applied to a single machine with a dc-type EXS connected to an infinite bus. Using the proposed method, 19 parameters of synchronous generator and its EXS are identified within four stages.
Non-Destructive Optical Monitoring of Grape Maturation by Proximal Sensing

A new, commercial, fluorescence-based optical sensor for plant constituent assessment was recently introduced. This sensor, called the Multiplex® (FORCE-A, Orsay, France), was used to monitor grape maturation by specifically monitoring anthocyanin accumulation. We derived the empirical anthocyanin content calibration curves for Champagne red grape cultivars, and we also propose a general model for the influence of the proportion of red berries, skin anthocyanin content and berry size on Multiplex® indices. The Multiplex® was used on both berry samples in the laboratory and on intact clusters in the vineyard. We found that the inverted and log-transformed far-red fluorescence signal called the FERARI index, although sensitive to sample size and distance, is potentially the most widely applicable. The more robust indices, based on chlorophyll fluorescence excitation ratios, showed three ranges of dependence on anthocyanin content. We found that up to 0.16 mg cm−2, equivalent to approximately 0.6 mg g−1, all indices increase with accumulation of skin anthocyanin content. Excitation ratio-based indices decrease with anthocyanin accumulation beyond 0.27 mg cm−2. We showed that the Multiplex® can be advantageously used in vineyards on intact clusters for the non-destructive assessment of anthocyanin content of vine blocks and can now be tested on other fruits and vegetables based on the same model.
An extended Hop-by-hop interest shaping mechanism for content-centric networking

The evolution of the Internet has triggered a significant activity exploring new architectures among which the concept of Information-Centric-Networks (ICN) has emerged. Considering the various ICN solutions, Content-Centric Networking (CCN) is the one that received most attention. The design of CCN is progressing albeit many important issues still deserve a careful analysis and design. In this paper, we cover the important problem of congestion control in CCN and develop our hop-by-hop Interest Shaping mechanism (HoBHIS) framework. We present the foundation and general properties of our solution. We then study the behaviour of HoBHIS and demonstrate the fairness of resource sharing in presence of multiple active conversations. Further, we introduce a mechanism to control the user behavior in order to limit its ability to submit requests in excess creating a potential risk for buffer overflow. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solutions and provide a performance analysis using the implementation of our schemes in ndnSIM. We show that HoBHIS provides an adequate and efficient solution to the general problem of congestion control in CCN.