Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RF Oscillations in a coaxial transmission line with a saturated ferrite: 2-D simulation and experiment

Electric current pulses of nanosecond length and amplitude up to 300 kV traveling through a transmission line partially filled with a magnetically saturated ferrite demonstrate excitation of quasi-monochromatic oscillations at 0.7-2.5 GHz. The amplitude efficiency of this DC-to-RF conversion can reach 50%. The two-dimensional model used for numerical analysis of the non-linear electromagnetic effects in the structure shows good agreement of the calculated and measured results.
Fertigation in Furrows and Level Furrow Systems. I: Model Description and Numerical Tests

The simulation of fertigation in furrows and level furrow systems faces a number of problems resulting in relevant restrictions to its widespread application. In this paper, a simulation model is proposed that addresses some of these problems by: (1) implementing an infiltration model that adjusts to the variations in wetted perimeter; (2) using a friction model that adjusts to different flows and which uses an absolute roughness parameter; (3) adopting an equation for the estimation of the longitudinal diffusion coefficient; and (4) implementing a second-order TVD numerical scheme and specific treatments for the boundary conditions and the junctions. The properties of the proposed model were demonstrated using three numerical tests focusing on the numerical scheme and the treatments. The application of the model to the simulation of furrows and furrow systems is presented in a companion paper, in which the usefulness of the innovative aspects of the proposed model is demonstrated.
Vitamin A (retinyl acetate) and benzo(alpha)pyrene-induced respiratory tract carcinogenesis in hamsters fed a commercial diet.

Male Syrian hamsters fed a commercial diet were given a series of 12 intratracheal instillations of 3 mg benzo (alpha) pyrene adherent to 3 mg Fe2O3 in 0.2 ml 0.15 M NaCl at weekly intervals. After the last instillation, the hamsters were randomly assigned to receive either 100, 1600, or 3300 (later reduced to 2400) mug retinyl acetate per week in divided intragastric doses. Hamsters in the 2400-mug retinyl acetate group had a significantly higher incidence of respiratory tract tumors than those in the group given 100 mug retinyl acetate per week. Liver vitamin A stores increased dramatically in the groups given 1600 and 2400 mug retinyl acetate and corresponded to the administration of retinyl acetate p.o. Serum vitamin A values were not consistently related to retinyl acetate administration or to hepatic stores of vitamin A.
Using bayesian networks for selecting classifiers in GP ensembles

In this paper we present a novel approach for combining GP-based ensembles by means of a Bayesian Network. The proposed system is able to effectively learn decision tree ensembles using two different strategies: decision trees ensembles are learned by means of boosted GP algorithm; the responses of the learned ensembles are combined using a Bayesian network, which also implements a selection strategy that reduces the size of the built ensembles.
Changing the Treatment Paradigm for Type 2 Diabetes

Based on the results of the U.K. Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), “… treatment of type 2 diabetes [should] include aggressive efforts to lower blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. …” This was the recommendation the American Diabetes Association promulgated based on the results of the UKPDS when published (1). The suggestion was soon adopted by official guidelines in every region of the world (2). They are generally consistent in recommending an A1C goal of <7.0%. However, the results of the UKPDS remained inconclusive with respect to cardiovascular (CV) complications because of a risk reduction that was only close to statistical significance (−16%, P = 0.052). In support of the UKPDS results, however, a recent meta-analysis of randomized trials in type 2 diabetes (3) calculated a 19% reduction in the incidence of any type of macrovascular event associated with improved long-term glycemic control. Moreover, a strong association between glycemic control and micro- and macrovascular disease has been highlighted in type 1 diabetic patients (4,5). Nevertheless, these results have been challenged by recent large-scale intervention trials. The Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial randomized >10,000 subjects with type 2 diabetes and vascular disease, or multiple CV risk factors, to an intensive treatment program targeting normal blood glucose values and A1C <6%, or a standard treatment program aiming at A1C between 7 and 7.9%. The intensive blood glucose arm was prematurely stopped because of excess mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.22, 95% CI 1.01–1.46; P = 0.04) and lack of significant reduction of primary outcome, i.e., a composite of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or death from CV causes (HR 0.90, 0.78–1.04; P = 0.16) (6). After a median 5-year follow-up, the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron MR Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE), …
Impact of Reporting Bias in Network Meta-Analysis of Antidepressant Placebo-Controlled Trials

Background Indirect comparisons of competing treatments by network meta-analysis (NMA) are increasingly in use. Reporting bias has received little attention in this context. We aimed to assess the impact of such bias in NMAs. Methods We used data from 74 FDA-registered placebo-controlled trials of 12 antidepressants and their 51 matching publications. For each dataset, NMA was used to estimate the effect sizes for 66 possible pair-wise comparisons of these drugs, the probabilities of being the best drug and ranking the drugs. To assess the impact of reporting bias, we compared the NMA results for the 51 published trials and those for the 74 FDA-registered trials. To assess how reporting bias affecting only one drug may affect the ranking of all drugs, we performed 12 different NMAs for hypothetical analysis. For each of these NMAs, we used published data for one drug and FDA data for the 11 other drugs. Findings Pair-wise effect sizes for drugs derived from the NMA of published data and those from the NMA of FDA data differed in absolute value by at least 100% in 30 of 66 pair-wise comparisons (45%). Depending on the dataset used, the top 3 agents differed, in composition and order. When reporting bias hypothetically affected only one drug, the affected drug ranked first in 5 of the 12 NMAs but second (n = 2), fourth (n = 1) or eighth (n = 2) in the NMA of the complete FDA network. Conclusions In this particular network, reporting bias biased NMA-based estimates of treatments efficacy and modified ranking. The reporting bias effect in NMAs may differ from that in classical meta-analyses in that reporting bias affecting only one drug may affect the ranking of all drugs.
Youth's Lived Experience of an After-School Music Program: Understanding the Meanings and Values Placed on Music Learning

The value of arts education in our nation has steadily diminished. As aims for global expansion and development become more geared towards sustaining economic and technological vitality, the role of education naturally follows a similar trajectory, making the permanent implementation of arts curriculum in schooling an obscure reality. Amidst this transition, however, arts educators are relentlessly working to create arts programs for underprivileged youth whose families often times cannot afford private lessons. This thesis will explore the essence of a music educational space that embodies this effort in order to understand the meaning making processes of development and expansion for youth. By investigating the lived experience of the students in an after-­‐school orchestral style music program, this study cultivates an understanding of the implications of educational involvement in the arts. The findings revealed in the text will contribute to the working effort of researchers to bring the voices of students engaged in music learning to the forefront.
Clinical and Autoimmune Profile of Scleroderma Patients from Western India

Background. Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a disorder characterized by fibrosis of skin and visceral organs. Pathogenesis of scleroderma is complex and is incompletely understood as yet. Autoantibodies in SSc represent a serologic hallmark which have clinical relevance, with diagnostic and prognostic potential. Objectives. To study distribution of clinical manifestations and to identify frequency of autoantibodies among subtypes of scleroderma patients from Western India. Methodology. One hundred and ten scleroderma patients were clinically classified according to the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) criteria. All these patients were in active stage of disease. Clinical manifestations were recorded at the time of presentation. Autoantibodies were tested in them by indirect immunofluorescence test and ELISA. Immunoglobulin levels were estimated by nephelometer. These parameters were further correlated with clinical presentation of the disease. Results. Scleroderma patients had M : F ratio of 1 : 10 where mean age at evaluation was 34.7 ± 10.7 years and a mean disease duration was 43.7 ± 35 months. Clinical subtypes showed that 45 patients (40.9%) had diffused cutaneous (dcSSc) lesions, 32 patients (29.1%) had limited cutaneous (lcSSc) lesions, and 33 patients (30%) had other autoimmune overlaps. The overall frequency of ANA in SSc patients studied was 85.5%. The frequency of anti-Scl70, anti-centromere, anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA), and anti-keratinocyte antibodies (AKA) was 62.7%, 22.7%, 30%, and 40.9%, respectively. Anti-Scl70 antibodies were significantly high (75.6% versus 46.9%) among dcSSc patients (P < 0.0115) whereas anti-centromere antibodies were significantly high (9% versus 38%) among lcSSc patients when these two subtypes were compared (P < 0.0044). Conclusion. This study supports that there are geoepidemiological variations among scleroderma patients for their clinical presentation, autoantibody profile, and immune parameters across the country.
Hemodynamic performance and myosin light chain-1 expression of the hypertrophied left ventricle in aortic valve disease before and after valve replacement.

Previously, we have reported on the selective accumulation of an atrial-like myosin light chain-1 (ALC1) in different forms of human ventricular hypertrophy. The present study involves the determination of ALC1 content in a control group and in patients with aortic stenosis or insufficiency before and 56 +/- 23 months after valve replacement and compares the hemodynamic and angiographic parameters. ALC1 was quantified densitometrically after two-dimensional electrophoretic resolution of biopsy specimens from the left ventricle and was expressed in percent of total ventricular light chain-1. The mean ALC1 content was 11.2 +/- 9.2% in preoperative aortic stenosis and 4.5 +/- 1.4% in aortic insufficiency, both being significantly (p less than 0.001) higher than the control value of 0.3 +/- 0.3%. After valve replacement, mean ALC1 content was lower than before, 4.2 +/- 3.3% (p less than 0.05) in stenosis and 3.4 +/- 3.1% (p = NS) in insufficiency. Left ventricular systolic pressure yields a significant (p less than 0.01) linear correlation (r = 0.45) with the ALC1 content in all preoperative and postoperative patients. Patient group averages of ALC1 content correlate directly with left ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressure and wall thickness (r = 0.94-0.98) and, in an exponential fashion, with peak systolic circumferential wall stress (r = 0.98) but not with muscle mass or any other parameter. The ventricular ALC1 binds to myosin in proportion to its occurrence in the myocardium. The content of the endogenous ventricular light chain-1 did not change under pathological hemodynamics. The response in expression of the ALC1 to pressure and volume overload suggests an adaptational process. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
p53 Regulation of G2 Checkpoint Is Retinoblastoma Protein Dependent

ABSTRACT In the present study, we investigated the role of p53 in G2 checkpoint function by determining the mechanism by which p53 prevents premature exit from G2 arrest after genotoxic stress. Using three cell model systems, each isogenic, we showed that either ectopic or endogenous p53 sustained a G2arrest activated by ionizing radiation or adriamycin. The mechanism was p21 and retinoblastoma protein (pRB) dependent and involved an initial inhibition of cyclin B1-Cdc2 activity and a secondary decrease in cyclin B1 and Cdc2 levels. Abrogation of p21 or pRB function in cells containing wild-type p53 blocked the down-regulation of cyclin B1 and Cdc2 expression and led to an accelerated exit from G2after genotoxic stress. Thus, similar to what occurs in p21 and p53 deficiency, pRB loss can uncouple S phase and mitosis after genotoxic stress in tumor cells. These results indicate that similar molecular mechanisms are required for p53 regulation of G1 and G2 checkpoints.
Cancer risks for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers: results from prospective analysis of EMBRACE.

BACKGROUND Reliable estimates of cancer risk are critical for guiding management of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. The aims of this study were to derive penetrance estimates for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and contralateral breast cancer in a prospective series of mutation carriers and to assess how these risks are modified by common breast cancer susceptibility alleles. METHODS Prospective cancer risks were estimated using a cohort of 978 BRCA1 and 909 BRCA2 carriers from the United Kingdom. Nine hundred eighty-eight women had no breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis at baseline, 1509 women were unaffected by ovarian cancer, and 651 had been diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer. Cumulative risks were obtained using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Associations between cancer risk and covariables of interest were evaluated using Cox regression. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS The average cumulative risks by age 70 years for BRCA1 carriers were estimated to be 60% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 44% to 75%) for breast cancer, 59% (95% CI = 43% to 76%) for ovarian cancer, and 83% (95% CI = 69% to 94%) for contralateral breast cancer. For BRCA2 carriers, the corresponding risks were 55% (95% CI = 41% to 70%) for breast cancer, 16.5% (95% CI = 7.5% to 34%) for ovarian cancer, and 62% (95% CI = 44% to 79.5%) for contralateral breast cancer. BRCA2 carriers in the highest tertile of risk, defined by the joint genotype distribution of seven single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with breast cancer risk, were at statistically significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer than those in the lowest tertile (hazard ratio = 4.1, 95% CI = 1.2 to 14.5; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS Prospective risk estimates confirm that BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers are at high risk of developing breast, ovarian, and contralateral breast cancer. Our results confirm findings from retrospective studies that common breast cancer susceptibility alleles in combination are predictive of breast cancer risk for BRCA2 carriers.
DyMo: Dynamic monitoring of large scale LTE-Multicast systems

LTE evolved Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (eMBMS) is an attractive solution for video delivery to very large groups in crowded venues. However, deployment and management of eMBMS systems is challenging, due to the lack of realtime feedback from the User Equipment (UEs). Therefore, we present the Dynamic Monitoring (DyMo) system for low-overhead feedback collection. DyMo leverages eMBMS for broadcasting Stochastic Group Instructions to all UEs. These instructions indicate the reporting rates as a function of the observed Quality of Service (QoS). This simple feedback mechanism collects very limited QoS reports from the UEs. The reports are used for network optimization, thereby ensuring high QoS to the UEs. We present the design aspects of DyMo and evaluate its performance analytically and via extensive simulations. Specifically, we show that DyMo infers the optimal eMBMS settings with extremely low overhead, while meeting strict QoS requirements under different UE mobility patterns and presence of network component failures. For instance, DyMo can detect the eMBMS Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) experienced by the 0.1% percentile of the UEs with Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.05% with only 5 to 10 reports per second regardless of the number of UEs.
Patterns in floral traits and plant breeding systems on Southern Ocean Islands

Little is known about floral biology in the Southern Ocean region 45° - 55°S, despite the World Heritage status of some areas. Typical pollinators are rare on these cold, remote islands, yet some plants have showy flowers, suggesting insect pollination, or separate sexed flowers requiring cross-pollination. This study analyses data for 321 species on 11 Southern Ocean island groups. Separate sexed flowers are common compared with other high latitude islands, but a reliance on biotic pollination may limit species distributions. Given the vulnerability and uniqueness of these floras, a greater effort needs to be made to understand their reproductive ecology.
Three outer arm dynein heavy chains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii operate in a coordinated fashion both in vitro and in vivo

Outer arm dynein (OAD) in cilia and flagella contains two to three nonidentical heavy chains (HCs) that possess motor activity. In Chlamydomonas, flagellar OAD contains three HCs, α‐, β‐, and γ‐HCs, each appearing to have a distinct role. To determine the precise molecular mechanism of their function, cross‐sectional electron micrographs of wild‐type and single HC‐disruption mutants were compared and statistically analyzed. While the α‐HC mutant displayed an OAD of lower density, which was attributed to a lack of α‐HC, the OAD of β‐ and γ‐HC mutants not only lacked the corresponding HC, but was also significantly affected in its structure, particularly with respect to the localization of α‐HC. The lack of β‐HC induced mislocalization of α‐HC, while a disruption of the γ‐HC gene resulted in the synchronized movement of α‐HC and β‐HC in the manners for stacking. Interestingly, using cryo‐electron microscopy, purified OADs were typically observed consisting of two stacked heads and an independent single head, which presumably corresponded to γ‐HC. This conformation is different from previous reports in which the three HCs displayed a stacked form in flagella observed by cryo‐electron tomography and a bouquet structure on mica in deep‐etch replica images. These results suggest that γ‐HC supports the tight stacking arrangement of inter or intra α‐/β‐HC to facilitate the proper functioning of OAD. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Occurrence, diel patterns, and the influence of melatonin on the photosynthetic performance of cultured Symbiodinium

Dinoflagellata is the earliest phylum in which true circadian regulation of melatonin rhythms has been convincingly demonstrated. Here, diel profiling of melatonin in a cultured member of this phylum belonging to the genus Symbiodinium indicated that melatonin levels oscillate with significant nocturnal peaks. However, unlike in other previously studied dinoflagellate species, the diel rhythmicity of melatonin in Symbiodinium did not persist under constant dark conditions. Thus, the oscillating pattern of melatonin in Symbiodinium is presumed not to be driven by endogenous circadian control of melatonin production, but rather by changes in the daily photocycle, most likely through a mechanism involving the enhanced photo‐consumption of melatonin by free radicals. Although direct interactions of melatonin with detrimental radicals have been previously studied in several basal species, including dinoflagellates, none of these investigations addressed the effects that this molecule may have on photosynthesis, a major source of radical species in unicellular algae. In the present work, real‐time monitoring of oxygen evolution in Symbiodinium cultures indicated a significant decrease in photosynthesis rates upon treatment with various doses of melatonin. Analyses of chlorophyll a fluorescence and xanthophyll cycle activity confirmed this effect and further revealed that this slowdown may occur through an enhanced engagement of photoprotective mechanisms in melatonin‐treated cells. These findings are of great importance as they demonstrate that in certain photoautotroph species, the interactions of elevated melatonin levels with photosynthesis may extend beyond the general purpose of antioxidant protection.
Targeting the Immune System with Plant Lectins to Combat Microbial Infections

The arsenal of drugs available to treat infections caused by eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbes has been declining exponentially due to antimicrobial resistance phenomenon, leading to an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies. Host-directed immunotherapy has been reported as an attractive option to treat microbial infections. It consists in the improvement of host defenses by increasing the expression of inflammatory mediators and/or controlling of inflammation-induced tissue injury. Although the in vitro antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities of lectins have been extensively demonstrated, few studies have evaluated their in vivo effects on experimental models of infections. This review aims to highlight the experimental use of immunomodulatory plant lectins to improve the host immune response against microbial infections. Lectins have been used in vivo both prophylactically and therapeutically resulting in the increased survival of mice under microbial challenge. Other studies successfully demonstrated that lectins could be used in combination with parasite antigens in order to induce a more efficient immunization. Therefore, these plant lectins represent new candidates for management of microbial infections. Furthermore, immunotherapeutic studies have improved our knowledge about the mechanisms involved in host–pathogen interactions, and may also help in the discovery of new drug targets.
Therapeutic Potential of Articular Cartilage Regeneration using Tissue Engineering Based on Multiphase Designs

Articular cartilage tissue possesses poor ability to regenerate; as the lesion progresses, it extends to the underlying subchondral bone and an osteochondral (OC) defect appears complicating the therapeutic approaches. Cartilage tissue engineering has become a very active research area capable of contributing to medical technology innovation. In this regard, the development of new biomaterials in combination with cells represents one of the best alternatives for the treatment of OC injuries. In the last decades, the strategies have been designed without considering the cartilage as a complex tissue with a functionally stratified three-dimensional structure. Today, efforts are focused on creating a starting point in the process of cartilage formation with the development of a multiphase implants that recapitulates the cartilage as an OC unit, which improves its integration. This chapter will focus on a review of tissue engineering based on multiphase designs for cartilage and OC injuries, highlighting the importance of the biomaterial selection, and also the relevance of a biomimetic approach to reach a suitable microenvironment for the differentiation and maturation of the chondral tissue.
On Competitive Nonlinear Pricing

Many financial markets rely on a discriminatory limit-order book to balance supply and demand. We study these markets in a static model in which uninformed market makers compete in nonlinear tariffs to trade with an informed insider, as in Glosten (1994), Biais, Martimort, and Rochet (2000), and Back and Baruch (2013). We analyze the case where tariffs are unconstrained and the case where tariffs are restricted to be convex. In both cases, we show that pure-strategy equilibrium tariffs must be linear and, moreover, that such equilibria only exist under exceptional circumstances. These results cast doubt on the stability of even well-organized financial markets.