Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of slow-paced versus mechanically assisted breathing on autonomic function in fibromyalgia patients

Paced breathing has shown efficacy in fibromyalgia (FM), but the mechanisms associated with symptom change are largely unknown. We investigated whether changes in respiratory rate (RR) alone resulted in autonomic changes during normal, paced, and mechanically assisted breathing in untrained FM patients and controls. Participants included 20 FM patients and 14 controls matched for age and body mass index. During a single visit, participants completed three 15-minute breathing sessions: 1) normal breathing, 2) slow-paced breathing, and 3) mechanically assisted breathing (continuous positive airway pressure) while supine. Continuous blood pressure and electrocardiogram were recorded, and measures of heart rate variability (HRV) and spontaneous baroreceptor sensitivity (sBRS) were calculated. During normal breathing, FM patients had higher heart rate (HR), but lower HRV and sBRS variables compared to controls with no difference in RR. Compared to the paced breathing condition, FM patients had significantly lower HR with higher HRV and sBRS variables during mechanically assisted breathing, despite no significant change in RR. Mechanically assisted breathing provided greater benefits in autonomic function than paced breathing in untrained FM patients. Future research will be needed to elucidate the central pathways involved in these autonomic changes and whether training in paced breathing can eventually replicate the results seen in mechanically assisted patients.
Metformin use and improved response to therapy in esophageal adenocarcinoma

Abstract Background. We investigated the radiographic and pathologic response rate of esophageal adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients taking metformin. Material and methods. Two hundred eighty-five patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) followed by esophagectomy from 1997 to 2012 were included in the study, including 29 diabetics taking metformin, 21 diabetics not taking metformin and 235 non-diabetics. Pre- and post-treatment positron emission tomography (PET) scans were available for 204 patients. Pathologic response was graded at the time of surgery. Response rates were compared using both the χ2 statistic as well as ANOVA with post-hoc LSD analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to control for predictors of pathologic complete response (CR) after CRT. Results. The overall rate of pathologic CR for the study population was 20%. The pathologic CR rate was higher in patients taking metformin (34.5%), compared to diabetic patients not taking metformin (4.8%, p = 0.01) and non-diabetic patients (19.6%, p = 0.05). Pathologic CR was related to metformin dose, with ≥1500 mg/d associated with a higher CR rate. No significant difference seen in pre-CRT maximum tumor SUV (p = 0.93), however post-CRT maximum SUV was significantly decreased in patients taking metformin (p = 0.05). On multivariate logistic regression, metformin use was independently associated with pathologic CR (p = 0.04). Metformin use was also associated with decreased in field loco-regional failure following radiation (p = 0.05). Conclusion. Metformin use is associated with a dose-dependent increased response to CRT in esophageal cancer and may be a sensitizer to this therapy.
High-Voltage LDMOS With Charge-Balanced Surface Low On-Resistance Path Layer

A high-voltage lateral double-diffusion MOSFET (LDMOS) with a charge-balanced surface low on-resistance path (CBSLOP) layer is proposed and experimentally demonstrated using a modified CMOS process. The CBSLOP layer can not only provide a low on-resistance path in the on-state but also keep the charge balance between the N and P pillars of a surface low on-resistance path in the off-state, which results in improved breakdown voltage (BV). The experimental results show that the CBSLOP-LDMOS with a drift length of 35 mum exhibits a BV of 500 V and specific on-resistance (<i>R</i> <sub>on,</sub> <sub>sp</sub>) of 96 mOmega ldr cm<sup>2</sup>, yielding to a power figure of merit (<i>BV</i> <sup>2</sup>/ <i>R</i> <sub>on,</sub> <sub>sp</sub>) of 2.6 MW/cm<sup>2</sup> . The excellent device performances, coupled with a CMOS-compatible fabrication process, make the proposed CBSLOP-LDMOS a promising candidate for smart power integrated circuit.
Effects of dietary glutamine and arginine supplementation on performance, intestinal morphology and ascites mortality in broiler chickens reared under cold environment

Objective An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary glutamine (Gln) and arginine (Arg) supplementation on performance, intestinal morphology and ascites mortality in broilers. Methods A total of 675 day old chicks were randomly allocated to 9 experimental groups in a 3×3 factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design with 5 replicates of 15 chicks. Three levels of dietary Gln (0%, 0.5%, and 1%) and Arg (100%, 130%, and 160% of Ross recommendation) supplementation were used in ascites inducing condition (15°C ±1°C) from 7 to 42 days of age. Results Dietary supplementation of Gln increased body weight gain during grower, finisher and total periods (p<0.05) and increased feed intake during total period. Ascites mortality was decreased by Gln supplementation (p<0.05). Gln supplementation increased the villus height (VH) and crypt depth (CD) in duodenum and jejunum (p<0.05). Arg supplementation decreased CD in duodenum and jejunum, and increased ileum villus width (VW) and also VH/CD ratio in duodenum and jejunum (p<0.05). Both Gln and Arg increased the goblet cell number (GCN) in duodenum whereas Gln supplementation decreased GCN in jejunum and ileum (p<0.05). The Gln×Arg interaction were observed for right ventricle (RV)/total ventricular (TV) ratio, VH, VW, CD, VH/CD. Conclusion It was concluded that dietary 0.5% Gln alone or along with 130% Arg of Ross requirement, improve the intestinal morphology and performance and hence decrease the ascites mortality in broiler chickens with cold induced ascites.
Studying Choice and Change: The Intersection of Institutional Theory and Entrepreneurship Research

Although there are many potential points of intersection between institutional theory and contemporary studies of entrepreneurship, these have generally remained distinct literatures, with the connections left more implicit than explicit. We argue that there are a number of benefits to explicitly articulating the links between these bodies of scholarship. In this context, we review work that relates to two key questions we believe are especially likely to benefit from the integration of these literatures---namely, how do institutions affect entrepreneurial choices? And how is entrepreneurship related to changes in institutions? We conclude by considering a number of topics for future research suggested by this integration.
Generalized Model‐Based Human Motion Recognition with Body Partition Index Maps

Content‐based human motion analysis has captured extensive concerns of researchers from the domains of computer animation, human‐machine interaction, entertainment, etc. However, it is a non‐trivial task due to the spatial and temporal variations in the motion data. In this paper, we propose a generalized model (GM)‐based approach to model the variations and accurately recognize motion patterns. We partition the human character model into five parts, and extract the features of the submotions of each specific body part using clustering techniques. These features from the training trials in each class are combined to build the GM. We propose a new penalty based similarity measure for DTW to be used with the GMs for isolated motion recognition. On the other hand, from the GMs five body partition index maps are constructed and used for matching together with a flexible end point detection scheme during continuous motion recognition. In the experiments, we examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the approach in both isolated motion and continuous motion recognition. The results show that our proposed method has good performance compared with other state‐of‐the‐art methods in recognition accuracy and processing speed.
Analytic Perturbation Theory and Its Applications

Mathematical models are often used to describe complex phenomena such as climate change dynamics, stock market fluctuations, and the Internet. These models typically depend on estimated values of key parameters that determine system behavior. Hence it is important to know what happens when these values are changed. The study of single-parameter deviations provides a natural starting point for this analysis in many special settings in the sciences, engineering, and economics. The difference between the actual and nominal values of the perturbation parameter is small but unknown, and it is important to understand the asymptotic behavior of the system as the perturbation tends to zero. This is particularly true in applications with an apparent discontinuity in the limiting behavior - the so-called singularly perturbed problems. Analytic Perturbation Theory and Its Applications includes a comprehensive treatment of analytic perturbations of matrices, linear operators, and polynomial systems, particularly the singular perturbation of inverses and generalized inverses. It also offers original applications in Markov chains, Markov decision processes, optimization, and applications to Google PageRank and the Hamiltonian cycle problem as well as input retrieval in linear control systems and a problem section in every chapter to aid in course preparation. Audience: This text is appropriate for mathematicians and engineers interested in systems and control. It is also suitable for advanced undergraduate, first-year graduate, and advanced, one-semester, graduate classes covering perturbation theory in various mathematical areas. Contents: Chapter 1: Introduction and Motivation; Part I: Finite Dimensional Perturbations; Chapter 2: Inversion of Analytically Perturbed Matrices; Chapter 3: Perturbation of Null Spaces, Eigenvectors, and Generalized Inverses; Chapter 4: Polynomial Perturbation of Algebraic Nonlinear Systems; Part II: Applications to Optimization and Markov Process; Chapter 5: Applications to Optimization; Chapter 6: Applications to Markov Chains; Chapter 7: Applications to Markov Decision Processes; Part III: Infinite Dimensional Perturbations; Chapter 8: Analytic Perturbation of Linear Operators; Chapter 9: Background on Hilbert Spaces and Fourier Analysis; Bibliography; Index
CREB signalling in neural stem/progenitor cells: Recent developments and the implications for brain tumour biology

This paper discusses the evidence for the role of CREB in neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) function and oncogenesis and how these functions may be important for the development and growth of brain tumours. The cyclic‐AMP response element binding (CREB) protein has many roles in neurons, ranging from neuronal survival to higher order brain functions such as memory and drug addiction behaviours. Recent studies have revealed that CREB also has a role in NSPC survival, differentiation and proliferation. Recent work has shown that over‐expression of CREB in transgenic animals can impart oncogenic properties on cells in various tissues and that aberrant CREB expression is associated with tumours in patients. It is the central position of CREB, downstream of key developmental and growth signalling pathways, which give CREB the ability to influence a spectrum of cell activities, such as cell survival, growth and differentiation in both normal and cancer cells.
Angiogenesis in the huPBL-SCID model of human transplant rejection.

BACKGROUND Angiogenesis is characteristic of chronic inflammatory reactions. The process of angiogenesis is reported to be proinflammatory in part due to enhanced adhesion events and in part due to increased perfusion and permeability to sites of inflammation. However, little is known about the association between angiogenesis and rejection. METHODS Severe combined immune deficient mice are permissive for the growth of human skin allografts and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Human PBMC were injected into mice by intravenous or intraperitoneal injection. The infiltration of cells and the associated angiogenesis reactions in the skin allografts were analyzed temporally by videomicroscopy and spatially by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Human alloreactive mononuclear cells migrated to human skin but not mouse skin within hours after the intravenous infusion of PBMC. Within 3 days, areas of angiogenesis were observed in the skin grafts at the sites of infiltrates. The vessel densities in skin grafts were 24+/-6 vessels per calibrated grid at baseline on the day of the infusion and increased to 55+/-16 vessels per calibrated field by day 10. Skin grafts harvested from humanized severe combined immune deficient mice 7-14 days after the intraperitoneal infusion of human PBMC showed a similar increased density of vessels that were spatially associated with mononuclear cell infiltrates. CONCLUSIONS A significant angiogenesis response was associated with the cell infiltrates in the human skin allografts. The onset of angiogenesis appeared after the initial development of localized infiltrates and preceded the development of microvascular destruction. These findings suggest that alloreactive T cells and/or monocytes mediate the angiogenesis response in skin allografts.
An experimental study on choroidal neovascularization induced by Krypton laser in rat model.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this work was to study the efficacy and safety of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) formation induced by Krypton laser in Brown Norway (BN) rats, and observe the trend of the change of CNV after laser photocoagulation. METHODS Twenty-five male BN rats were involved in this study. Two eyes of one rat without any laser photocoagulation were randomly selected as the control group, and the other 48 eyes of 24 rats were selected as the experimental group. Eight eyes of four rats were randomly selected to receive the examinations of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), histopathology, and transmission electron microscopy 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 56 days after laser photocoagulation. RESULTS After laser photocoagulation, the leakage appeared in burns on day 7 (59%), reached the peak on day 21 (84%), (p<0.01), and remained stable after day 21, proven by FFA and histopathology (p>0.05). The thickness of CNV increased from day 7 to day 21 (p<0.01), and remained stable after day 21 (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The experimental model of CNV can be successfully induced by Krypton laser in rats with a stable, long-lasting, and high success rate. After laser photocoagulation, the leakages appear on day 7, reach the peak on day 21, and remain stable after day 21.
Size-Induced Reduction of Transition Pressure and Enhancement of Bulk Modulus of AlN Nanocrystals

An in situ X-ray-diffraction study of AlN nanocrystals under hydrostatic (or quasihydrostatic) conditions was performed to pressures of 36.9 GPa, using an energy dispersive synchrotron-radiation technique in a diamond-anvil cell (DAC). Hexagonal AlN nanocrystals have a particle size of 10 nm on average, and display an apparent volumetric expansion as compared to the bulk AlN polycrystals. Upon compression to 14.5 GPa, AlN nanocrystals start to transform to a rocksalt structure phase. This pressure is significantly lower than the transition pressure of 22.9 GPa observed from the bulk AlN by using the same technique. The nanosized wurtzite phase has a bulk modulus (B0) of 321 ± 19 GPa, larger than that of the bulk AlN crystals with a B0 of 208 GPa. There is a large volumetric decrease of 20.5% upon the wurtzite-to-rocksalt phase transformation. Combination of the size-induced volumetric expansion and resulting softening of the Poisson ratio and shear modulus may explain the reduction of transition pressure .
Ror2 Receptor Requires Tyrosine Kinase Activity to Mediate Wnt5A Signaling

The Wnts include a large family of secreted proteins that serve as important signals during embryonic development and adult homeostasis. In the most well understood Wnt signaling pathway, Wnt binding to Frizzled and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein induces β-catenin protein stabilization and entry into the nucleus, resulting in changes in target gene transcription. Emerging evidence suggests that Wnt5a can inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling through interaction with the receptor Ror2. The Ror2 protein belongs to the receptor tyrosine kinase superfamily and contains several recognizable structural motifs. However, limited information is available regarding which specific domains are required for the inhibitory signaling activity of Wnt5a. Through mutation and deletion analysis, we have analyzed which specific domains and residues, including those necessary for tyrosine kinase activity, mediate the Wnt5a signal. To determine whether Ror2 can inhibit canonical Wnt signaling in vivo, we examined the effect of Ror2 loss on the expression of the Wnt reporter Axin2LacZ, finding increased reporter activity in Ror2 null mice, demonstrating that Ror2 can also inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the context of intact tissues.
Underestimation of DCIS at MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy.

OBJECTIVE The study objective was to assess the rate of underestimation of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) at MRI-guided 9-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS An institutional review board-approved retrospective review was performed of 373 consecutive lesions that had undergone MRI vacuum-assisted breast biopsy. In 34 lesions with subsequent surgery, vacuum-assisted breast biopsy yielded DCIS without frank microinvasion or invasion. DCIS underestimates were lesions for which vacuum-assisted breast biopsy yielded DCIS without frank microinvasion or invasion at biopsy and surgery yielded invasive cancer. Records and pathology findings were reviewed. RESULTS Among 34 lesions, vacuum-assisted breast biopsy histology was DCIS in 29 and DCIS with possible microinvasion in five. Of 29 lesions yielding DCIS at MRI vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, surgical excision revealed invasive cancer in five (17%; 95% CI, 6-36%). The DCIS underestimation rate was significantly higher in lesions 6 cm or larger versus smaller lesions (60% vs 8%, p = 0.02). MRI lesion type, kinetics, number of specimens, menopausal status, and target sampling versus excision did not significantly affect underestimation. Of five lesions yielding DCIS with possible microinvasion at MRI vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, surgery revealed invasive carcinoma in four (80%; 95% CI, 28-99%). DCIS underestimation was significantly more likely if MRI vacuum-assisted breast biopsy showed possible microinvasion than if it did not (80% vs 17%, p =0.01). CONCLUSION Underestimation occurred in 17% of lesions yielding DCIS and in 80% of lesions yielding DCIS with possible microinvasion at MRI vacuum-assisted breast biopsy. DCIS underestimation was significantly more likely in lesions measuring 6 cm or larger. No other patient or lesion factors significantly affected DCIS underestimation at MRI vacuum-assisted breast biopsy.
Prognostic value of Type D personality compared with depressive symptoms.

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The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) and its relationship to the Client-oriented Scale of Improvement (COSI): El Inventario Internacional de Resultados para Auxiliares Auditivos (IOI-HA) y su relatiócute;n con la Escala de Mejoría Orientada hacia el Cliente (COSI)

The International Outcome Inventory—Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) was administered to 161 consecutive patients who had been fitted with hearing aids just prior to their being discharged from the clinic. Most also completed the Client-oriented Scale of Improvement (COSI). Very few questions (< 2%) were not completed. Analyses indicated two subscales of IOI-HA, one of which could be defined as a ‘benefit’ subscale and the other a ‘residual problems’ subscale. Both elements of COSI corrclated with the ‘benefit’ subscale, but only the ‘residual’ measure of COSI related to the ‘residual problems’ subscale. There were no consistent relationships between the IOI-HA and a range of demographic factors. Sumario El inventario Internacional de Resultados para Auxliares Auditivos (IOI-HA) se administrócute; a 161 pacientes consecutivos a quienes les fueron adaptados auxiliares auditivos justamente antes de habcr cgresado de la clínica. Muchos tambien completaron la Escala de Mejoria Orientada hacia el Cliente (COSI). Muy pocas preguntas (7< 1%) quedaron sin respuesta. Los analisis indican que hay dos subescalas del IOI-HA, una de las cuales podria definirse como la subescala “de beneficio” y la otra como la subescala de “problemas residuales”. Ambos elementos del COSI se correlacionan con la subescala “de benefieio”, pero solo la medicion “residual” del COSI se relaciona con la subescala de “problemas residuales”. No se encontraron relaciones consistentes entre el IOI-HA y el rango de factores demográficos.
Development and In Vitro Characterization of Galactosylated Low Molecular Weight Chitosan Nanoparticles Bearing Doxorubicin

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the potential of galactosylated low molecular weight chitosan (Gal-LMWC) nanoparticles bearing positively charged anticancer, doxorubicin (DOX) for hepatocyte targeting. The chitosan from crab shell was depolymerized, and the lactobionic acid was coupled with LMWC using carbodiimide chemistry. The depolymerized and galactosylated polymers were characterized. Two types of Gal-LMWC(s) with variable degree of substitution were employed to prepare the nanoparticles using ionotropic gelation with pentasodium tripolyphosphate anions. Factors affecting nanoparticles formation were discussed. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and photon correlation spectroscopy and found to be spherical in the size range 106–320 nm. Relatively higher percent DOX entrapment was obtained for Gal-LMWC(s) nanoparticles than for LMWC nanoparticles. A further increase in drug entrapment was found with nanoparticles prepared by Gal-LMWC with higher degree of substitution. A hypothesis which correlates the ionic concentration of DOX in nanoparticles preparation medium and percent DOX entrapment in cationic polymer has been proposed to explain the enhanced DOX entrapment. In-vitro drug release study demonstrated an initial burst release followed by a sustained release. The targeting potential of the prepared nanoparticles was assessed by in vitro cytotoxicity study using the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) expressing the ASGP receptors on their surfaces. The enthusiastic results showed the feasibility of Gal-LMWC(s) to entrap the cationic DOX and targeting potential of developed Gal-LMWC(s) nanoparticles to HepG2 cell line.