Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in Electromagnetic Field Absorption in the Presence of Subcutaneous Implanted Devices: Minimizing Increases in Absorption

Changes in electromagnetic energy absorption were studied in the presence of subcutaneous antenna devices implanted for biotelemetry applications. We examined the influence on energy absorption of these devices as passive metallic implants when incoming RF energy is present. We aim to contribute to the optimization of the implant location in order to reduce a possible energy increase on tissues. The research was carried out using electromagnetic modeling based on the finite-difference time-domain method. The calculations were performed in terms of electric field and SAR distributions calculated for five different frequency bands (from 0.9 to 17 GHz) covering most current telecommunications standards. The focus was on both far-field and near-field exposure. The results lead us to propose the subcutaneous zone nearest to the surface of the skin as the most appropriate place to locate these devices.
Secretory Activity Is Rapidly Induced in Stigmatic Papillae by Compatible Pollen, but Inhibited for Self-Incompatible Pollen in the Brassicaceae

[In the Brassicaceae, targeted exocytosis to the stigmatic papillar plasma membrane under the compatible pollen grain is hypothesized to be essential for pollen hydration and pollen tube penetration. In contrast, polarized secretion is proposed to be inhibited in the stigmatic papillae during the rejection of self-incompatible pollen. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we performed a detailed time-course of post-pollination events to view the cytological responses of the stigmatic papillae to compatible and self-incompatible pollinations. For compatible pollinations in Arabidopsis thaliana and Arabidopsis lyrata, vesicle secretion was observed at the stigmatic papillar plasma membrane under the pollen grain while Brassica napus stigmatic papillae appeared to use multivesicular bodies (MVBs) for secretion. Exo70A1, a component of the exocyst complex, has been previously implicated in the compatible pollen responses, and disruption of Exo70A1 in both A. thaliana and B. napus resulted in a loss of secretory vesicles/MVBs at the stigmatic papillar plasma membrane. Similarly, for self-incompatible pollinations, secretory vesicles/MVBs were absent from the stigmatic papillar plasma membrane in A. lyrata and B. napus; and furthermore, autophagy appeared to be induced to direct vesicles/MVBs to the vacuole for degradation. Thus, these findings support a model where the basal pollen recognition pathway in the stigmatic papilla promotes exocytosis to accept compatible pollen, and the basal pollen recognition pathway is overridden by the self-incompatibility pathway to prevent exocytosis and reject self-pollen.
Neonatal data on a cohort of 2889 infants born after ICSI (1991-1999) and of 2995 infants born after IVF (1983-1999).

BACKGROUND To evaluate the safety of ICSI, this study compared data of IVF and ICSI children by collecting data on neonatal outcome and congenital malformations during pregnancy and at birth. METHODS The follow-up study included agreement to genetic counselling and eventual prenatal diagnosis, followed by a physical examination of the children after 2 months, after 1 year and after 2 years. 2840 ICSI children (1991-1999) and 2955 IVF children (1983-1999) were liveborn after replacement of fresh embryos. ICSI was carried out using ejaculated, epididymal or testicular sperm. RESULTS In the two cohorts, similar rates of multiple pregnancies were observed. ICSI and IVF maternal characteristics were comparable for medication taken during pregnancy, pregnancy duration and maternal educational level, whereas maternal age was higher in ICSI and a higher percentage of first pregnancies and first children born was observed in the ICSI mothers. Birthweight, number of neonatal complications, low birthweight, stillbirth rate and perinatal death rate were compared between the ICSI and the IVF groups and were similar for ICSI and IVF. Prematurity was slightly higher in the ICSI children (31.8%) than in the IVF children (29.3%). Very low birthweight was higher in the IVF pregnancies (5.7%) compared with ICSI pregnancies (4.4%). Major malformations (defined as those causing functional impairment or requiring surgical correction), were observed at birth in 3.4% of the ICSI liveborn children and in 3.8% of the IVF children (P = 0.538). Malformation rate in ICSI was not related to sperm origin or sperm quality. The number of stillbirths (born > or =20 weeks of pregnancy) was 1.69% in the ICSI group and 1.31% in the IVF group. Total malformation rate taking into account major malformations in stillborns, in terminations and in liveborns was 4.2% in ICSI and 4.6% in IVF (P = 0.482). CONCLUSIONS The comparison of ICSI and IVF children taking part in an identical follow-up study did not show any increased risk of major malformations and neonatal complications in the ICSI group.
Prognostic characteristics of breast cancer among postmenopausal hormone users in a screened population.

PURPOSE We determined the risk of breast cancer and tumor characteristics among current postmenopausal hormone therapy users compared with nonusers, by duration of use. METHODS From January 1996 to December 2000, data were collected prospectively on 374,465 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years who underwent screening mammography. We calculated the relative risk (RR) of breast cancer (invasive or ductal carcinoma-in-situ) and type of breast cancer within 12 months of postmenopausal therapy use among current hormone users with a uterus (proxy for estrogen and progestin use) and without a uterus (proxy for estrogen use), compared with nonusers. RESULTS Compared with nonusers, women using estrogen and progestin for >/= 5 years were at increased risk of breast tumors of stage 0 or I (RR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.37 to 1.66), stage II or higher (RR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.30 to 1.63), size </= 20 mm (RR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.43 to 1.76), size greater than 20 mm (RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.42), grade 1 or 2 (RR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.44 to 1.77), grade 3 or 4 (RR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.37 to 1.73), and estrogen receptor-positive (RR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.55 to 1.90). Estrogen-only users were slightly more likely to have estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer compared with nonusers (RR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.23). CONCLUSION Use of estrogen and progestin postmenopausal hormone therapy for five years or more increased the likelihood of developing breast cancer, including both tumors with favorable prognostic features and tumors with unfavorable prognostic features.
The Tiresias complex: Huntington's disease as a paradigm of testing for late‐onset disorders

Huntington's disease represents the first disorder for which positional cloning techniques successfully localized an autosomal gene — in 1983. Events since that time have proved the gene recalcitrant to identification and characterization. Since 1986, presymptomatic and prenatal testing for Huntington's disease has been available internationally, although on a limited basis. Testing for Huntington's disease provides an excellent model for designing service programs for genetic testing for late‐onset, fatal disorders, particularly when the gene is not yet in hand and no therapeutic intervention is possible. Special training and precautions must be in place before presymptomatic genetic testing should be offered. — Wexler, N. S. The Tiresias complex: Huntington's disease as a paradigm of testing for late‐onset disorders. FASEB J. 6: 2820‐2825; 1992.
Studies on Pure Red Cell Aplasia: VIII. MAINTENANCE THERAPY WITH IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS

Two patients with pure red cell aplasia, whose marrow cells were capable of increasing their rate of haem synthesis when incubated in vitro with erythropoietin concentrate, had a complete remission associated with the administration of cyclo‐phosphamide and prednisone. Both patients relapsed when the drugs were withdrawn. The patients again went into remission when therapy was reinstituted. Maintenance of normal erythropoiesis was dependent on the continued administration of these drugs. This study provides additional evidence for a causal relationship between immunosuppressive therapy and the resumption of erythropoiesis in patients with this disease and demonstrates the value of this therapy for the maintenance of a remission.
Preliminary Ossiculoplasty Results Using the Kurz Titanium Prostheses

Objective Limitations in biocompatibility and hearing improvement with ossicular chain reconstruction prostheses are addressed with new, lightweight titanium prostheses designed to maximize visualization of the capitulum and footplate regions. The effectiveness of these new prostheses is being tested in a prospective multicenter study. Study Design Prospective case series. Setting Multicenter (8 sites), primarily tertiary private practice or academic otologic clinics. Patients A convenience sample of 31 patients undergoing ossiculoplasty, with 16 partial ossicular chain reconstructions using the Bell prosthesis and 15 total reconstructions using the Aerial prosthesis. Intervention Ossiculoplasty using new Kurz titanium prostheses. Cartilage was interposed between the tympanic membrane and the prosthesis. Main Outcome Measures Air-bone gap for pure tone average and 3,000 and 4,000 Hz, assessed preoperatively and 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively; percent of patients obtaining an air-bone gap of ≤20 dB; high-frequency average (1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 Hz) to evaluate sensorineural hearing loss; and extrusion rate. Results A postoperative air-bone gap of ≤20 dB was obtained in 81% of Bell prosthesis patients and 67% of Aerial prosthesis patients at 3 months. The results were stable to improved for later time intervals. High-frequency gaps were similar to the pure tone average gap. To date, there have been no instances of extrusion, and all the surgeons found the prostheses easy to use and thought that the design characteristics facilitated accurate placement. Conclusions Initial evaluation of the Kurz titanium prostheses produced low extrusion rates (none to date) with excellent hearing results, including good high-frequency conduction. Good visualization and accurate placement were easy to achieve. Further studies are needed to confirm long-term efficacy.
A Nonlinear Analysis of Operational Risk Events in Australian Banks

We propose a methodology applied to complex systems to analyze operational risk events in banks, with the objective of determining an understanding of the key characteristics and their relationships in initiating operational risk losses. We applied our methodology to operational risk losses in Australian banks over the period 2010-14. The analysis identified that there are a small number of characteristics that are common to many operational risk events, and these "level 1" characteristics are stable across time, which implies operational risk losses could be controlled by managing these characteristics. The methodology adds value to the existing analysis by identifying the main characteristics of operational risk events in a rigorous manner.
Counteracting stress through leisure coping: A prospective health study

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine stress-buffer or -counteracting effects of leisure coping, by taking into account several key axes of society (i.e., gender, social class, and age) that are essential to characterize the diverse nature of our society. A 1-year prospective survey of a representative sample (n = 938) from an urban Canadian city was conducted. In the total sample, long-term health protective benefits of leisure coping became evident when stress levels were higher than lower (i.e., support for buffer effects of leisure coping). However, a health-protective effect of leisure coping to counteract the impact of stress on health was found substantially stronger for people with lower social class than for those with higher social class. On the other hand, health-protective stress-buffer effects of leisure coping were evident regardless of people's gender and age. The findings underscore the importance of giving greater attention to the role of leisure as a means of coping with stress in health practices, particularly among marginalized groups such as individuals with lower social class.
Proliferative responses to platelet-derived growth factor in young and old rat patellar tendon.

Musculoskeletal soft tissue repair is often a slow process that may be complicated by aging, thus we investigated the mitogenic response of young and old rat patellar tendon (PT) explants to platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB). Bilateral PT explants from young (4 months) and old (29 or 36 months) rats of two strains (Fisher 344 and Fisher-Brown-Norway) were cultured for 72 h in platelet-poor horse serum in the presence or absence of 100 ng/ml recombinant human PDGF-AB. The explants were radiolabelled with [3H]-TdR for the final 24 h in culture. Tendon cellularity and DNA synthesis data were analyzed by multiple factor ANOVA (age, strain, and side), Mann-Whitney t-test (cellularity and DNA synthesis), and a sign test (proliferative response to PDGF). Tendon cellularity declined significantly with age in both strains (p < 0.05), while both young and old patellar tendon fibroblasts in both strains had a significant (> 100%) increase in DNA synthesis with the addition of PDGF (p < 0.05). Although there was a trend to lower proliferative responses in older tendons, the differences were not significant. Autoradiographic analysis of labeling indices in F344 tendons showed a diminished responsiveness to PDGF (p < 0.04, ANOVA). Strain and side response on a per cell or tissue weight basis were not significant factors. Under appropriate experimental conditions, these two animal models of aging showed declines in responses to high levels of PDGF, suggesting that the PT reflects an age-dependent diminished capacity for wound repair.
Do Corporate Taxes Hinder Innovation?

We exploit staggered changes in state-level corporate tax rates to show that an increase in taxes reduces future innovation. A variety of tests, including those based on policy discontinuity at contiguous counties straddling borders of politically similar states, show that local economic conditions do not drive our results. The effect we document is consistent across the innovation spectrum: taxes affect not only patenting and R&D investment but also new product introductions, which we measure using textual analysis. Our empirical results are consistent with models that highlight the role of higher corporate taxes in reducing innovator incentives and discouraging risk-taking.
Drugs and Guns among Inner-City High School Students

Despite public and governmental concern about the issue, little has occurred in the way of a systematic assessment of the gun-possession profiles of young persons involved in the use and distribution of drugs. This article reports the results of an analysis of survey data collected from male, inner-city high school students. The data pertain to firearms possession and carrying, use of heroin, cocaine, and crack, the sale of drugs, and commission of crimes with weapons. The findings offer no evidence of a progressive, linear relationship between level of drug use and gun possession (including number of guns owned and the routine carrying of guns). However, disregarding level of drug use, when non-users were compared with users, and “heavy” users were compared with those who did not use drugs “heavily,” significant differences in involvement in gun possession did appear. As well, when we separated students who did not sell drugs from those who did, the latter generally exhibited higher involvement in gun possession. Finally, drug sellers who also committed crimes with weapons exceeded drug sellers who did not in involvement in some, but not all, types of gun possession.
Purification of a chymotrypsin-like enzyme present on adult Schistosoma mansoni worms from infected mice and its characterization as a host carboxylesterase

SUMMARY A serine protease-like enzyme found in detergent extracts of Schistosoma mansoni adult worms perfused from infected mice has been purified from mouse blood and further characterized. The enzyme is approximately 85 kDa and hydrolyses N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine β-naphthyl–ester, a chromogenic substrate for chymotrypsin-like enzymes. The enzyme from S. mansoni worms appears to be antigenically and enzymatically similar to a molecule that is present in normal mouse blood and so is seemingly host-derived. The enzyme was partially purified by depleting normal mouse serum of albumin using sodium chloride and cold ethanol, followed by repeated rounds of purification by one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified material was subjected to tandem mass spectrometry and its derived peptides found to belong to mouse carboxylesterase 1C. Its ability to hydrolyse α- or β-naphthyl acetates, which are general esterase substrates, has been confirmed. A similar carboxylesterase was purified and characterized from rat blood. Additional evidence to support identification of the enzyme as a carboxylesterase has been provided. Possible roles of the enzyme in the mouse host–parasite relationship could be to ease the passage of worms through the host's blood vessels and/or in immune evasion.
Dual-Mode Index Modulation Aided OFDM

Index modulation has become a promising technique in the context of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), whereby the specific activation of the frequency domain subcarriers is used for implicitly conveying extra information, hence improving the achievable throughput at a given bit error ratio (BER) performance. In this paper, a dual-mode OFDM technique (DM-OFDM) is proposed, which is combined with index modulation and enhances the attainable throughput of conventional index-modulation-based OFDM. In particular, the subcarriers are divided into several subblocks, and in each subblock, all the subcarriers are partitioned into two groups, modulated by a pair of distinguishable modem-mode constellations, respectively. Hence, the information bits are conveyed not only by the classic constellation symbols, but also implicitly by the specific activated subcarrier indices, representing the subcarriers’ constellation mode. At the receiver, a maximum likelihood (ML) detector and a reduced-complexity near optimal log-likelihood ratio-based detector are invoked for demodulation. The minimum distance between the different legitimate realizations of the OFDM subblocks is calculated for characterizing the performance of DM-OFDM. Then, the associated theoretical analysis based on the pairwise error probability is carried out for estimating the BER of DM-OFDM. Furthermore, the simulation results confirm that at a given throughput, DM-OFDM achieves a considerably better BER performance than other OFDM systems using index modulation, while imposing the same or lower computational complexity. The results also demonstrate that the performance of the proposed low-complexity detector is indistinguishable from that of the ML detector, provided that the system’s signal to noise ratio is sufficiently high.
Cigarette Smoking among Marijuana Users in the United States

The vast majority of drug users smoke cigarettes. Most use marijuana and no other illicit drug. We analyzed adult responses to the 1997 NHSDA (n = 16,661) to explore relationships between marijuana use and cigarette smoking. Multivariate analyses controlled for other illicit drug use and other potential covariates. Nearly three-quarters of current marijuana users (74%) smoked cigarettes. Compared to nonusers, the adjusted odds of being a smoker were 5.43 for current marijuana users, 3.58 for past year marijuana users, and 2.02 for former marijuana users. Odds for cigarette smoking among current poly-drug users, compared to nonusers, were 2.3 to 1. Level of cigarette smoking was directly associated with frequency of marijuana use. Nationwide, an estimated 7 million adults smoke both substances and are at increased risk for respiratory illnesses and mortality. Cigarette smoking is a major co-morbidity of marijuana use and smoking cessation should be addressed among marijuana users in addition to their other illicit drug involvement.
A Transformerless DC–DC Converter With Large Voltage Ratio for MV DC Grids

This paper proposes a transformerless dc-dc converter, which features a large voltage ratio, for medium-voltage dc (MVDC) applications. The proposed converter combines a boost converter with a series-parallel resonant converter which enables soft switching of the power switches and diodes. Further, the power switches and diodes of the proposed converter experience lower voltage stresses compared to the other topologies. The proposed converter is modular and, therefore, permits series and/or parallel connection of multiple units for the desired voltage and/or power ratings. This paper discusses the principles of operation, analysis, and design of the proposed converter. Simulation and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed converter.
Daptomycin Versus Other Antimicrobial Agents for the Treatment of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are common in everyday clinical practice. Daptomycin has been shown to achieve very good concentrations in skin and soft tissues. OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness and toxicity of daptomycin with that of other antimicrobials for the treatment of SSTIs. METHODS PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for articles published up to March 2009. Comparative studies in which daptomycin was used in the intervention group were included in this meta-analysis. The primary outcome of interest was clinical success; secondary outcomes were microbiologic success, clinical success in subsets with complicated SSTIs (cSSTIs) or infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; (MRSA), clinical success of daptomycin-versus vancomycin-treated patients, time to clinical cure, treatment-related adverse events, withdrawal from treatment due to toxicity, all-cause mortality, and development of resistance. RESULTS Four studies were included in the analysis (3 were randomized controlled trials [RCTs]). Vancomycin and semisynthetic penicillins were used in the comparator arm. Three studies reported on patients with cSSTIs. The intention-to-treat (ITT) population was 1557 patients. No statistically significant difference between daptomycin and comparators was found regarding clinical success in clinically evaluable (OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.63 to 1.25 in the 3 RCTs and OR 1.34; 95% CI 0.38 to 4.66 with all 4 studies included), ITT, MRSA-infected patients, and those with cSSTIs. Two studies reported that significantly fewer patients with cSSTIs required prolonged treatment in the daptomycin arm and that clinical cure was faster than with comparators. No difference between the compared regimens was found in other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Daptomycin is effective and safe for the treatment of SSTIs. Studies evaluating the optimal duration of daptomycin therapy for cSSTIs, comparing daptomycin with new agents, and focusing on proven MRSA SSTIs will be helpful for the further evaluation of the drug.