Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced explosion of atomic clusters irradiated by a sequence of two high-intensity laser pulses

Experiment and numerical simulations have shown that the heating of atomic clusters can be enhanced by using a correctly timed sequence of two high-intensity pulses of different frequencies. We have measured ion energies from Xe clusters irradiated with two high-intensity femtosecond laser pulses, one at the laser fundamental frequency (780 nm) and one at its second harmonic (390 nm), focused to an intensity of $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{15}{\mathrm{ }\mathrm{W}\mathrm{}\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}. $ The ion energies are found to depend on the relative delay of the two pulses but not on their relative polarizations. For the optimum value of the delay between the two laser pulses, the maximum ion energy is doubled from 100 to 200 keV. The laser energy required to obtain a given ion energy is significantly less when the cluster is irradiated with two pulses of different frequencies than a single laser pulse.
Structural brain correlates of adolescent resilience.

BACKGROUND Despite calls for integration of neurobiological methods into research on youth resilience (high competence despite high adversity), we know little about structural brain correlates of resilient functioning. The aim of the current study was to test for brain regions uniquely associated with positive functioning in the context of adversity, using detailed phenotypic classification. METHODS 1,870 European adolescents (Mage = 14.56 years, SDage = 0.44 years, 51.5% female) underwent MRI scanning and completed behavioral and psychological measures of stressful life events, academic competence, social competence, rule-abiding conduct, personality, and alcohol use. RESULTS The interaction of competence and adversity identified two regions centered on the right middle and superior frontal gyri; grey matter volumes in these regions were larger in adolescents experiencing adversity who showed positive adaptation. Differences in these regions among competence/adversity subgroups were maintained after controlling for several covariates and were robust to alternative operationalization decisions for key constructs. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate structural brain correlates of adolescent resilience, and suggest that right prefrontal structures are implicated in adaptive functioning for youth who have experienced adversity.
Interleukin-6 -174 G/C promoter gene polymorphism in nasal polyposis and asthma.

BACKGROUND Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an inflammatory mediator linked to nasal polyposis and asthma, with a single nucleotide poly- morphism -174 G/C that seems to promote an inflammatory status. We aimed to analyze the relationship between this poly-morhism and asthmatic nasal polyposis patients. METHODOLOGY Cross-sectional study to investigate IL-6 - 174 G/C genotypes of 45 nasal polyposis with asthma patients, 63 nasal polyposis-only patients, 45 asthma-only patients and 81 subjects without both diseases. Aspirin intolerance and atopy were main exclusion criteria. IL-6 genotyping was performed using the PCR method with specific primers followed by restriction enzyme analysis, classifying patients in GG, GC or CC genotype. RESULTS The GG genotype was the most frequent in all inflammatory groups. Less than 40% of controls presented with the GG ge- notype. There were significant differences between inflammatory groups and control group. No significant differences were seen when comparing inflammatory groups to each other, other than between nasal polyposis-only group and asthma-only group. CONCLUSION The IL-6 74 GG genotype was found more frequently in all inflammatory groups than in controls. This genotype could influence nasal polyposis and asthma, and seems to be more important in the latter.
Assessment of Hospital Disaster Preparedness for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Using an Internet-Based, Long-Distance Tabletop Drill

Abstract Introduction: The State University of New York at Downstate (SUNY) conducted a web-based long-distance tabletop drill (LDTT) designed to identify vulnerabilities in safety, security, communications, supplies, incident management, and surge capacity for a number of hospitals preceding the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The tabletop drill simulated a stampede and crush-type disaster at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa in anticipation of 2010 FIFA World Cup. The LDTT, entitled “Western Cape-Abilities”, was conducted between May and September 2009, and encompassed nine hospitals in the Western Cape of South Africa. The main purpose of this drill was to identify strengths and weaknesses in disaster preparedness among nine state and private hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa. These hospitals were tasked to respond to the ill and injured during the 2010 World Cup. Methods: This LDTT utilized e-mail to conduct a 10-week, scenario-based drill. Questions focused on areas of disaster preparedness previously identified as standards from the literature. After each scenario stimulus was sent, each hospital had three days to collect answers and submit responses to drill controllers via e-mail. Results: Data collected from the nine participating hospitals met 72% (95%CI = 69%–75%) of the overall criteria examined. The highest scores were attained in areas such as equipment, with 78% (95%CI = 66%–86%) positive responses, and development of a major incident plan with 85% (95% CI = 77%–91%) of criteria met. The lowest scores appeared in the areas of public relations/risk communications; 64% positive responses (95% CI = 56%–72%), and safety, supplies, fire and security meeting also meeting 64% of the assessed criteria (95% CI = 57%–70%). Surge capacity and surge capacity revisited both met 76% (95% CI = 68%–83% and 68%–82%, respectively). Conclusions: This assessment of disaster preparedness indicated an overall good performance in categories such as hospital equipment and development of major incident plans, but improvement is needed in hospital security, public relations, and communications ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy compared with chemoradiotherapy alone for regionally advanced unresectable stage III Non-small-cell lung cancer: Cancer and Leukemia Group B.

PURPOSE Standard therapy for unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer includes concomitant chemoradiotherapy. In Cancer and Leukemia Group B 39801, we evaluated whether induction chemotherapy before concurrent chemoradiotherapy would result in improved survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between July 1998 and May 2002, 366 patients were randomly assigned to arm A, which involved immediate concurrent chemoradiotherapy with carboplatin area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 2 and paclitaxel 50 mg/m2 given weekly during 66 Gy of chest radiotherapy, or arm B, which involved two cycles of carboplatin AUC 6 and paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 administered every 21 days followed by identical chemoradiotherapy. The accrual goal was 360 patients. RESULTS Thirty-four percent of patients were female, 66% were male, and the median age was 63 years. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities during induction chemotherapy on arm B consisted mainly of neutropenia (18% and 20%, respectively). During concurrent chemoradiotherapy, there was no difference in severity of in-field toxicities of esophagitis (grade 3 and 4 were, respectively, 30% and 2% for arm A v 28% and 8% for arm B) and dyspnea (grade 3 and 4 were, respectively, 11% and 3% for arm A v 15% and 4% for arm B). Survival differences were not statistically significant (P = .3), with a median survival on arm A of 12 months (95% CI, 10 to 16 months) versus 14 months (95% CI, 11 to 16 months) on arm B and a 2-year survival of 29% (95% CI, 22% to 35%) and 31% (95% CI, 25% to 38%). Age, weight loss before therapy, and performance status were statistically significant predictive factors. CONCLUSION The addition of induction chemotherapy to concurrent chemoradiotherapy added toxicity and provided no survival benefit over concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone. The median survival achieved in each of the treatment groups is low, and the routine use of weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel with simultaneous radiotherapy should be re-examined.
Risk factors for persistent problems following acute whiplash injury: update of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

STUDY DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. OBJECTIVE To update a previous review and meta-analysis on risk factors for persistent problems following whiplash secondary to a motor vehicle accident. BACKGROUND Prognosis in whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) has become an active area of research, perhaps owing to the difficulty of treating chronic problems. A previously published review and meta-analysis of prognostic factors included primary sources up to May 2007. Since that time, more research has become available, and an update to that original review is warranted. METHODS A systematic search of international databases was conducted, with rigorous inclusion criteria focusing on studies published between May 2007 and May 2012. Articles were scored, and data were extracted and pooled to estimate the odds ratio for any factor that had at least 3 independent data points in the literature. RESULTS Four new cohorts (n = 1121) were identified. In combination with findings of a previous review, 12 variables were found to be significant predictors of poor outcome following whiplash, 9 of which were new (n = 2) or revised (n = 7) as a result of additional data. The significant variables included high baseline pain intensity (greater than 5.5/10), report of headache at inception, less than postsecondary education, no seatbelt in use during the accident, report of low back pain at inception, high Neck Disability Index score (greater than 14.5/50), preinjury neck pain, report of neck pain at inception (regardless of intensity), high catastrophizing, female sex, WAD grade 2 or 3, and WAD grade 3 alone. Those variables robust to publication bias included high pain intensity, female sex, report of headache at inception, less than postsecondary education, high Neck Disability Index score, and WAD grade 2 or 3. Three existing variables (preaccident history of headache, rear-end collision, older age) and 1 additional novel variable (collision severity) were refined or added in this updated review but showed no significant predictive value. CONCLUSION This review identified 2 additional prognostic factors and refined the estimates of 7 previously identified factors, bringing the total number of significant predictors across the 2 reviews to 12. These factors can be easily identified in a clinical setting to provide estimates of prognosis following whiplash.
Electrical analysis of mechanical stress induced by STI in short MOSFETs using externally applied stress

This paper presents an electrical analysis of mechanical stress induced by shallow trench isolation (STI) on MOSFETs of advanced 0.13 /spl mu/m bulk and silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technologies. By applying external calibrated stress, we present piezoresistive coefficients measurements on these technologies, and we compare small and long transistors electrical responses, evidencing the strong effect of source drain resistance R/sub sd/. Then, using the same approach on short devices with different gate-edge-to-STI distances, we quantitatively evaluate stress profile induced by STI and its mean value under the gate of the devices. Results are discussed to explain differences between bulk and SOI technologies, as well as between nMOS and pMOS. We show that the observed higher pMOS drain current shift is related to the process, and may be explained by doping amorphization and recrystallization effects, and not by a piezoresistive coefficient difference as usually assumed.
Impact of altitude difference for Local Positioning Systems and compensation with two-stage estimators

In range-based positioning systems, an altitude difference between tag and reference plane causes errors in two- and three-dimensional positioning. We analyze how these errors reduce accuracy of Local Positioning Systems (LPS) and show how compensation of the altitude difference improves performance of positioning. In this paper, we consider the availability of additional altitude information and transform the three-dimensional positioning problem into a two-dimensional problem. We provide algorithms for time-based positioning systems with a two-stage estimator for Two-Way Ranging and Time Difference of Arrival and incorporate additional altitude information. We simulate our approach for altitude difference compensation and provide an evaluation based on a Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radio with ranging capability and a barometric sensor for additional altitude information. A comparison is then made between our approach and standard solutions such as the Extended Kalman filter and the Unscented Kalman filter. Finally, the successful decrease in the positioning error for two- and three-dimensional positioning system, using the system disclosed herein, is illustrated. Based on our analysis, we derive practical solutions to deal with altitude differences for positioning systems.
Activation and Proliferation of Murine Microglia are Insensitive to Glucocorticoids in Wallerian Degeneration

Activation and proliferation of microglia are commonly described in the central nervous system after a wide range of insults, but the mechanisms that regulate their phenotype in vivo are still poorly understood. We have studied the effect that adrenalectomy and dexamethasone treatment have on the proliferation and activation of microglia during Wallerian degeneration of the optic nerve in BALB/c mice. We found that the onset and rate of microglia proliferation is independent of glucocorticoids. There was an increase in F4/80‐positive cells 3 days after optic nerve crush, with a peak at 7 days, both in the optic nerve and its target, the superior colliculus. The numbers of F4/80‐positive cells remained high up to 3 weeks after crush, the longest time point examined. We also found that up‐regulation of F4/80 and the complement receptor type 3 and expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens were not affected by adrenalectomy or dexamethasone treatment. These observations show that, unlike microglia in vitro or peripheral macrophages, microglia do not readily respond to glucocorticoids, which could indicate a lack of or reduced expression of glucocorticoid receptor in these cells.
Beta-adrenergic receptor agonist decreases VEGF levels through altered eNOS and PKC signaling in diabetic retina

Abstract Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) is increased in diabetic macular edema. Compound 49b, a novel β-adrenergic receptor agonist, is protective in a type 1 diabetic rat model. We questioned whether Compound 49b could decrease VEGF levels, suggesting that Compound 49b may be effective against edema. Two-month diabetic rats received topical Compound 49b for 7 days only and/or insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) siRNA. We also measured endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and protein kinase C (PKC)ζ and PKCδ phosphorylation. Retinal endothelial cells (RECs) cultured in high glucose were treated with Compound 49b and IGFBP-3 siRNA for evaluation of the same signaling pathways. Compound 49b significantly decreased VEGF through increased IGFBP-3 in the diabetic retina. Compound 49b also reduced eNOS, PKCζ and PKCδ phosphorylation in the diabetic retina and REC. Compound 49b regulated a number of proteins involved in REC barrier properties.
Endotoxin masking: A kinetically controlled reaction mechanism

Dids Link : http://dids.info/didslink/09.2014-82955971/ Background : Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with gastroduodenitis , gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer . Many of studies have released causes of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer (approximately 95% of duodenal ulcers and 85% of gastric ulcers) to infection with H. pylori (Kuipers et al, 1995a). The study was aimed to detect Helicobacter pylori in patients with gastroduodenitis and peptic ulcer in Khartoum State by employing Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect H. pylori 16S gene, sudan . Methods: Molecular testing for H. pylori 16-S gene was done on 57 stomach and duodenal biopsy specimens using PCR technique. Biopsy specimens were collected by gastroenterologist using endoscopy. Multiple gastric biopsy specimens were taken from the stomach antrum and the corpus and the duodenum. Transport of specimens was in normal saline and kept at -80 OC till used (Boulos et al, 2002). Extraction was done by using Vivantis GF-1 Nucleic acid extraction kit (Vivantis, MALAYSIA). The amplification reaction was carried out in thermo cycler machine PCR system with program system consisting of (1 min at 94°C, 2 min at 55°C, 3 min at 72°C), and final extension was done at 72°C for 5 min) PCR products were separated in a 1.5% agarose gel, then stained with ethidium bromide and viewed under gel documentation system. A result was considered positive when a band of the appropriate size was visible in the gel. Standard procedures for reducing contamination were strictly followed. Results: Twelve samples (21.1%) out of 57 were positive by PCR, while 45 samples (78.9%) were negative. Conclusion: The frequency of 16 S rRNA genes of H. pylori among endoscopic patients was 21.1%.
The Unstable CCTG Repeat Responsible for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2 Originates from an AluSx Element Insertion into an Early Primate Genome

Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is a subtype of the myotonic dystrophies, caused by expansion of a tetranucleotide CCTG repeat in intron 1 of the zinc finger protein 9 (ZNF9) gene. The expansions are extremely unstable and variable, ranging from 75–11,000 CCTG repeats. This unprecedented repeat size and somatic heterogeneity make molecular diagnosis of DM2 difficult, and yield variable clinical phenotypes. To better understand the mutational origin and instability of the ZNF9 CCTG repeat, we analyzed the repeat configuration and flanking regions in 26 primate species. The 3′-end of an AluSx element, flanked by target site duplications (5′-ACTRCCAR-3′or 5′-ACTRCCARTTA-3′), followed the CCTG repeat, suggesting that the repeat was originally derived from the Alu element insertion. In addition, our results revealed lineage-specific repetitive motifs: pyrimidine (CT)-rich repeat motifs in New World monkeys, dinucleotide (TG) repeat motifs in Old World monkeys and gibbons, and dinucleotide (TG) and tetranucleotide (TCTG and/or CCTG) repeat motifs in great apes and humans. Moreover, these di- and tetra-nucleotide repeat motifs arose from the poly (A) tail of the AluSx element, and evolved into unstable CCTG repeats during primate evolution. Alu elements are known to be the source of microsatellite repeats responsible for two other repeat expansion disorders: Friedreich ataxia and spinocerebellar ataxia type 10. Taken together, these findings raise questions as to the mechanism(s) by which Alu-mediated repeats developed into the large, extremely unstable expansions common to these three disorders.
La ayuda de los padres españoles a los jóvenes adultos. El familismo español en perspectiva comparada

El intercambio de ayuda entre generaciones dentro de la familia constituye una parte relevante de lo que llamamos el pacto generacional. Entender como estan reguladas las obligaciones de apoyo entre generaciones es clave para entender los cambios recientes de las familias europeas, y de los paises del sur Europa en particular. El articulo se propone examinar en profundidad cuales son las estrategias de ayuda adoptadas por los padres espanoles en una fase critica del ciclo de vida de los hijos como es la transicion a la vida adulta. Ademas con el fin de trazar un mapa de los regimenes de solidaridad familiar en Europa analizaremos los datos de Alemania y Dinamarca tambien. Los resultados de los analisis confirman que el modelo predominante de ayuda a los jovenes en las familias del sur Europa es una prolongada corresidencia. Una vez que los hijos dejan la familia de origen, las ayudas de cuidado y economicas son menos frecuentes (aunque mas intensas, como han documentado numerosas investigaciones previas) que en otros paises europeos. Ademas, es importante destacar que se confirma que mientras que en los paises escandinavos las ayudas a los hijos no son estrictamente condicionadas a una situacion de necesidad, en Europa continental y mediterranea el sosten de los padres esta mas concentrada a lo hijos mas necesitados
GIN (Gaps-In-Noise) Test Performance in Subjects with Confirmed Central Auditory Nervous System Involvement

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the value of a new gap detection procedure called Gaps-In-Noise (GIN) for assessment of temporal resolution in a clinical population. Design: The test consists of 0 to 3 silent intervals ranging from 2 to 20 msec embedded in 6-sec segments of white noise. The location, number, and duration of the gaps per noise segment vary throughout the test for a total of 60 gaps presented in each of four lists. The GIN procedure was administered to 50 normal-hearing listeners (group I) and 18 subjects with confirmed neurological involvement of the central auditory nervous system (group II). Results: Results showed mean approximated gap detection thresholds of 4.8 msec for the left ear and 4.9 msec for the right ear for group I. In comparison, results for group II demonstrated a statistically significant increase in gap detection thresholds, with approximated thresholds of 7.8 msec and 8.5 msec being noted for the left and right ears, respectively. Significant mean differences were also observed in the overall performance scores (i.e., the identification of the presence of the gaps within the noise segments) of the two groups of subjects. Finally, psychometric functions, although similar for short and long duration gaps, were highly different for gaps in the 4- to 10-msec range for the two groups. Conclusions: A variety of psychoacoustic procedures are available to assess temporal resolution; however, the clinical use of these procedures is minimal at best. Results of the present study show that the GIN test holds promise as a clinically useful tool in the assessment of temporal resolution in the clinical arena.
Multi-Dimensional Graph-Based Soft Iterative Receiver for MIMO-OFDM

A graph-based receiver is presented that iteratively performs soft channel estimation and soft data detection. Reliability information of data symbols is utilized to improve channel estimation, and in turn, soft channel estimates refine data symbol estimates. The proposed multi-dimensional factor graph introduces transfer nodes that exploit correlation of adjacent channel coefficients in an arbitrary number of dimensions (e.g. time, frequency, and spatial domain). This establishes a simple and flexible receiver structure that facilitate soft channel estimation and data detection in multi-dimensional dispersive channels, and supports arbitrary modulation and channel coding schemes. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed multi-dimensional graph-based receiver outperforms iterative and non-iterative state-of-the-art receivers.