Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strong-coupling limit of Eliashberg theory.

We study the strong-coupling limit of the Eliashberg theory of superconductivity, where the coupling strength \ensuremath{\lambda} goes to infinity and the critical temperature gets large compared to a typical phonon energy. This limit is of interest because it is both universal and simple, and we may hope to obtain from this study a deeper understanding of the conventional strong-coupling regime of superconductivity. Our work on this problem is both analytical and numerical. At T=0, we find that the excitation spectrum is discrete. We interpret physically the excited states as bound states due to a type of polaronic effect. We show that one can solve the Eliashberg equations essentially analytically by working fully on the real frequency axis. At finite temperature we find a thermal smearing of the T=0 structure. Since the critical temperature is small compared to the zero-temperature gap, thermal effects can be treated as a kind of perturbation over almost all the temperature range. In this spirit, we give a simple approximate solution which reproduces almost quantitatively the exact numerical results.
Epidemiological Study of Insect Bite Reactions from Central India

Introduction: The physical effects of the arthropod bites on human skin receive less attention, especially in the rural areas where the per capita income is less. Ours is a rural-based hospital, the vicinity having more of plants, trees, and forests; we undertook the study to find out the relation of insect bite dermatitis in a rural area. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in the Dermatology outpatient department of our institute on 100 subjects of insect bite dermatitis who were questioned retrospectively about the sequence of events besides their environmental and living conditions. They were examined thoroughly and the relevant clinical findings were noted, also taking into account the prior treatment taken by them, if any. Results and Conclusions: It was found that insect bite dermatitis has no age or gender preponderance, and the protective factors for the same are use of full sleeve clothes and keeping the doors and windows closed at night. On the contrary, the risk factors are residence in areas of heavy insect infestation, use of perfumes and colognes, warm weather in spring and summer and the lack of protective measures. However, there was no direct association of atopy with increased risk of developing insect bite dermatitis.
Negotiating Trade: Do WTO rules create a level playing field? Lessons from the experience of Peru and Vietnam

Introduction Scholars of international relations and the NGO groups protesting on the streets of Seattle in 1999 share a common assumption. Both believe that less developed countries are at a disadvantage when negotiating with more powerful counterparts. Smaller market size makes it ineffective for developing countries to use threats of retaliation in order to combat discrimination against their goods. In contrast, retaliation measures taken by larger economies can easily cause severe damage to a smaller economy. This leaves developing countries vulnerable to discriminatory trade policies adopted by their major trade partners. In spite of their apparent lack of bargaining leverage, however, in some negotiations developing countries have been able to achieve positive outcomes – even the overturn of protectionist measures against their exports by the United States and EU. Simply evaluating the relative market power of the two sides in an economic negotiation is inadequate. As Odell argues, the strategies used in the negotiation process matter as much as the material resources of each participant. In addition, the institutional context of the negotiation can generate pressure for liberalization. For trade negotiations, the institutional context is shaped by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and its successor the World Trade Organization (WTO). The GATT/WTO system upholds trade rules that apply equally to rich and poor countries alike and are enforced by a third party adjudication process to settle disputes. The WTO dispute settlement procedures provide developing country.
The Role of Trace Strength in Recency and Frequency Judgements by Amnesic and Control Subjects

Amnesic and control subjects were required to judge the recency and frequency of presentation of complex pictures. The pictures were shown either once or three times 10 min or 24 h before testing. In both groups recency judgements were influenced by frequency of presentation, and frequency judgements by recency of presentation. Because the amnesic patients were unable to discriminate between the effects of repeated presentation and recent presentation, it was concluded that their judgements were determined solely by trace strength. Because controls showed some ability to make this discrimination, it was concluded that their judgements were determined jointly by trace strength and specific information about time and frequency of presentation.
Reflection and dielectric characteristics of TbDyFe thin film for high frequency MEMS sensors and actuators

The femtosecond pump-probe experimental device was designed to investigate reflection and dielectric properties of TbDyFe thin films. Tb0.27Dy0. 73Fe2 thin films were prepared by DC magnetron sputtering and the component, surface topography and crystalline property of TbDyFe thin films were measured by scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and atom force microscope (AFM). The extremum of reflectivity change corresponding to the electron thermalization was 100 plusmn 30 fs. Amplitude of extremum reaches its maximum at 160 mW pump fluence and it turns to zero at 0 mW and echo wave was found in reflectivity waveform. Combine with Fresnel reflect formula and K-K transformation, real and imaginary part of the complex dielectric constant was derived and it indicated that the absorption of thin film became greater with the increasing of reflection at surface after 0 ps delay time, but absorption of thin film recover to its initial state after 1 ps.
NMDA and GABAA receptors in the rat Kölliker‐Fuse area control cardiorespiratory responses evoked by trigeminal ethmoidal nerve stimulation

1 Electrical stimulation (10 s) of the ethmoidal nerve (EN5) evokes the nasotrigeminal reflex responses, including apnoea, bradycardia and rise in arterial blood pressure. In the present study, we examined the involvement of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA), AMPA/kainate, (γ‐aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) and glycine receptors in the Kölliker‐Fuse (KF) nucleus in the mediation of the nasotrigeminal reflex responses. 2 Unilateral injections (n= 6) of 50‐100 nl of the NMDA receptor antagonist AP5 into the KF area led to a significant blockade of the EN5‐evoked respiratory depression and bradycardia. Injections placed into the midlevel of the KF area were most effective (80‐90 % blockade). The rise in arterial blood pressure remained unaffected. 3 Unilateral injections (n= 6) of the AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist CNQX into the KF area failed to block EN5‐evoked autonomic responses significantly. 4 Unilateral injections (n= 5) of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline enhanced the EN5‐evoked respiratory depression and bradycardia. The effect persisted for up to 30 s after stimulation. Bicuculline injections into the midlevel of the KF area were most effective. The increase in arterial blood pressure remained unaffected. 5 Unilateral injections (n= 5) of the glycine receptor antagonist strychnine into the KF area did not produce any significant effects on EN5‐evoked autonomic responses. 6 Our results suggest that the KF area represents a mandatory relay for the nasotrigeminally induced apnoea and bradycardia which are predominantly mediated by NMDA receptors in the KF. Furthermore, it appears that KF neurons are under a potent GABAergic inhibitory control. The EN5‐evoked rise in arterial blood pressure was not altered by any of the drugs and, therefore, appears not to be mediated via the KF.
Use of e-mail to teach residents pediatric emergency medicine.

OBJECTIVES To develop a computer-based teaching program using a hospital health care system to instruct pediatric and medicine-pediatric residents (MPR) in pediatric emergency medicine, and to determine residents' participation, interest, and benefit from the project over 3 years' time. DESIGN Prospective, descriptive. SETTING University-affiliated pediatric hospital. PARTICIPANTS Pediatric housestaff. METHODS One multiple-choice question about pediatric emergency medicine was sent daily to pediatric residents and MPR via the hospital health care system's internal electronic mail (e-mail) system. Residents were asked to reply electronically with the correct answer. The next day, the correct answer, discussion, and a new question were sent to the residents via e-mail. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Tabulated electronic participation for 3 years; self-report surveys of participation after I and 3 years' participation. Pretest and post-test scores before and after 1 year of participation. RESULTS From October 3, 1994, to June 14, 1995, 52 of 64 pediatric residents and MPR (81%) elected to receive the e-mail questions, but only 31 (48%) sent electronic replies. The average number of e-mail replies received per resident that year was 38 (22%) of 171 (range, 1-164 e-mail replies; median, 33). In academic years 1995-1996 and 1996-1997, although averages and ranges were similar, regular e-mail participation declined. Residents preferred to participate by reading e-mail only. Pediatric residents and MPR judged e-mail questions to be as educationally valuable or better than Grand Rounds (92%) or our Resident Lecture Series of basic pediatric topics (87%). CONCLUSION Pediatric residents and MPR do participate in a daily e-mailed question/answer format of teaching, but prefer to do so passively, by reading daily questions only, rather than actively, by sending answers to an e-mail box. This format provides medical education that is uniform, accommodates residents' varying schedules, and is a useful adjunct to other teaching methods.
The neuropsychopharmacological effects of Catha edulis in mice offspring born to mothers exposed during pregnancy and lactation

Chewing fresh leaves of the khat plant (Catha edulis Forsk) is a deep rooted and widespread habit in East Africa and the Middle East. Although a body of knowledge exists about the adverse effects of khat during pregnancy, data are sparse with regard to the consequences of long‐term exposure during pregnancy and lactation. The present work, therefore, was initiated to evaluate the neuropsychopharmacological effects of Catha edulis exposure during pregnancy and lactation in mice at postnatal day 28. To this effect, a lyophilized extract of khat (100 mg/kg, K100 and 200 mg/kg, K200), amphetamine (1 mg/kg, positive control, AMP), and a similar volume of 2% v/v Tween‐80 in distilled water (negative control, CONT) were administered daily to pregnant mice from gestational day 6 until weaning. Neuropsychopharmacological measurements were done by making use of a battery of neurobehavioural and cognitive tests. Moreover, toxicity to liver and kidney was also evaluated by determining biochemical markers for possible tissue damage.
Wound healing properties of Indian propolis studied on excision wound-induced rats

Context: In traditional medicine propolis is widely used for the treatment of various ailments including ulcer and wound healing. The phytochemical screening of Indian propolis indicates the presence of biologically active ingredients in appreciable amounts. In the absence of systematic evaluation of wound healing properties of Indian propolis in the literature, the present study was undertaken. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the wound healing potential of Indian propolis on excision wounds induced in experimental rats. Materials and methods: Excision wounds were created in male Wistar rats and were treated with Indian propolis ointment (nitrofurazone was used as a reference drug - widely used for wound healing) for a period of 14 days. Control rats were treated with petroleum jelly. The parameters analyzed include wound contraction, hydroxyproline, hexosamine, uronic acid, total protein, DNA, and RNA. Results: Topical application of propolis ointment for 14 days significantly improved the wound contraction when compared to the control group of rats. The determination of hydroxyproline, hexosamine, uronic acid, DNA, RNA and protein levels in the wound matrix revealed the pro-healing effects of propolis. The results obtained were comparable with nitrofurazone. Discussion and conclusion: It appears that the ethanol extract of Indian propolis possesses significant pro-healing activity by accelerating the healing process at various phases of tissue repair. The presence of biologically active ingredients such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenes, benzoic acids, amino acids and vitamins, etc. in Indian propolis may readily account for the observed prophylactic action of propolis in wound healing.
Efficacy of Debridement in Hematogenous and Early Post-Surgical Prosthetic Joint Infections

Purposes To review patients with a hematogenous and early post-surgical prosthetic joint infection (PJI) due to S. aureus treated with debridement and retention of the implant and to compare their clinical characteristics and outcome. Methods From January 2000 all patients with a prosthetic joint infection treated in a single-center were prospectively registered and followed-up. All potentially variables associated with outcome were recorded. For the present study, cases with a hematogenous or early post-surgical PJI due to S. aureus treated with debridement and at least 2 years of follow-up were reviewed. Cox regression model to identify factors associated with outcome were applied. Results 12 hematogenous and 53 early post-surgical PJI due to S. aureus were included. Number of patients presenting with fever, leucocyte count, C-reactive protein concentration, and the number of bacteremic patients were significantly higher in hematogenous infections while the number of polymicrobial infections was lower in hematogenous than in early post-surgical infections. The global failure rate in hematogenous and early post-surgical PJI was 58.7% and 24.5%, respectively (p=0.02). The Cox regression model identified hematogenous infections (OR: 2.57, CI95%: 1.02–6.51, p=0.04) and the need of a second debridement (OR: 4.61, CI95%: 1.86–11.4, p=0.001) as independent predictors of failure. Conclusion Hematogenous infections were monomicrobial and had more severe symptoms and signs of infection than early post-surgical PJI. Hematogenous PJI due to S. aureus, using debridement with implant retention, had a worse outcome than early post-surgical infections.
A Cytokine‐Based Diagnostic Program in Pediatric Aplastic Anemia and Hypocellular Refractory Cytopenia of Childhood

Distinguishing hypocellular refractory cytopenia of childhood (RCC) from aplastic anemia (AA) is challenging. Thus far, no studies have compared the cytokine profiles in patients with AA to those with hypocellular RCC. In the present study, we addressed whether thrombopoietin (TPO) and interleukin 17 (IL‐17) plasma levels are useful for differentiating between the two diseases.
Ligand Binding to the Androgen Receptor Induces Conformational Changes That Regulate Phosphatase Interactions

ABSTRACT We describe a mechanism for protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) targeting to the androgen receptor (AR) and provide insight into the more general issue of kinase and phosphatase interactions with AR. Simian virus 40 (SV40) small t antigen (ST) binding to N-terminal HEAT repeats in the PP2A A subunit induces structural changes transduced to C-terminal HEAT repeats. This enables the C-terminal HEAT repeats in the PP2A A subunit, including HEAT repeat 13, to discriminate between androgen- and androgen antagonist-induced AR conformations. The PP2A-AR interaction was used to show that an AR mutant in prostate cancer cells (T877A) is activated by multiple ligands without acquiring the same conformation as that induced by androgen. The correlation between androgen binding to AR and increased phosphorylation of the activation function 1 (AF-1) region implies that changes in AR conformation or chaperone composition are causal to kinase access to phosphorylation sites. However, AF-1 phosphorylation sites are kinase accessible prior to androgen binding. This suggests that androgens can enhance the phosphorylation state of AR either by negatively regulating the ability of the ligand-binding domain to bind phosphatases or by inducing an AR conformation that is resistant to phosphatase action. SV40 ST subverts this mechanism by promoting the direct transfer of PP2A onto androgen-bound AR, resulting in multisite dephosphorylation.
Multicriteria decision making for management of storage energy technologies on renewable hybrid systems - the analytic hierarchy process and the fuzzy logic

Worldwide, several studies have investigated many proposals for the use of hybrid systems as alternative energy sources, operating together with energy storage technologies. Accordingly, there are large concerns about the use of appropriate methods to evaluate the application of renewable energy sources and storage energy systems. Thus, it is important to observe that the renewable hybrid systems are environmental friendly, having as consequence governmental incentives for their development in many countries, like Brazil. This paper presents a methodology taking as basis the theory developed by Saaty -- the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP method) - and multi-rulesbased decision and multi-sets considerations applied using fuzzy logic. By exploiting a multi-criteria decision making, this methodology evaluates the operation of storage energy systems such as: compressed air energy storage (CAES), pumped hydro storage (PHS), H2 storage, flywheel and super-capacitors. In addition, different scenarios are investigated concerning environment impacts and costs. For the purpose of the study, these five different energy storage technologies are evaluated objectifying to find the most appropriate storage energy system for different scenarios, always considering the desirable criteria, namely: efficiency, costs, technical maturity, environmental impacts, power application range and lifecycle.
Population structure in African Drosophila melanogaster revealed by microsatellite analysis

Tropical sub‐Saharan regions are considered to be the geographical origin of Drosophila melanogaster. Starting from there, the species colonized the rest of the world after the last glaciation about 10 000 years ago. Consistent with this demographic scenario, African populations have been shown to harbour higher levels of microsatellite and sequence variation than cosmopolitan populations. Nevertheless, limited information is available on the genetic structure of African populations. We used X chromosomal microsatellite variation to study the population structure of D. melanogaster populations using 13 sampling sites in North, West and East Africa. These populations were compared to six European and one North American population. Significant population structure was found among African D. melanogaster populations. Using a Bayesian method for inferring population structure we detected two distinct groups of populations among African D. melanogaster. Interestingly, the comparison to cosmopolitan D. melanogaster populations indicated that one of the divergent African groups is closely related to cosmopolitan flies. Low, but significant levels of differentiation were observed for sub‐Saharan D. melanogaster populations from West and East Africa.
Two large families of chemoreceptor genes in the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae reveal extensive gene duplication, diversification, movement, and intron loss.

The str family of genes encoding seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled or serpentine receptors related to the ODR-10 diacetyl chemoreceptor is very large, with at least 197 members in the Caenorhabditis elegans genome. The closely related stl family has 43 genes, and both families are distantly related to the srd family with 55 genes. Analysis of the structures of these genes indicates that a third of them are clearly or likely pseudogenes. Preliminary surveys of other candidate chemoreceptor families indicates that as many as 800 genes and pseudogenes or 6% of the genome might encode 550 functional chemoreceptors constituting 4% of the C. elegans protein complement. Phylogenetic analyses of the str and stl families, and comparisons with a few orthologs in Caenorhabditis briggsae, reveal ongoing processes of gene duplication, diversification, and movement. The reconstructed ancestral gene structures for these two families have eight introns each, four of which are homologous. Mapping of intron distributions on the phylogenetic tree reveals that each intron has been lost many times independently. Most of these introns were lost individually, which might best be explained by precise in-frame deletions involving nonhomologous recombination between short direct repeats at their termini. [Alignment of the putatively functional proteins in the str and stl families is available from Pfam (http://genome. wustl.edu/Pfam); alignments of all translations are available at http://cshl.org/gr; alignments of the genes are available from the author at hughrobe@uiuc.edu]
Intervención multimodal en la fatiga inducida por el cáncer de mama mediante un programa de fisioterapia y ejercicio físico

La supervivencia a un cancer de mama se ha incrementado cuantiosamente en estos anos. Estas mujeres arrastran numerosas secuelas, entre las que destaca la fatiga, un sintoma de naturaleza multifactorial que merma su calidad de vida. Con esta memoria de Tesis se persiguio mejorar la comprension sobre la fatiga inducida por el cancer de mama estudiando su relacion con distintos factores, asi como analizar la efectividad de un programa multimodal de ejercicio terapeutico. Las 95 participantes habian finalizado en tratamiento por cancer de mama, tenian un estadio I-IIIa de la enfermedad y no presentaban contraindicacion para la practica deportiva. Los resultados de la memoria de Tesis indican que: a) Un estado psicologico caracterizado por depresion y mala imagen corporal, una mayor sensibilidad al dolor cervical y una isminucion de la movilidad del hombro, se relacionan con la fatiga, confirmando su caracter multidimensional. b) La fuerza evaluada mediante dinamometria, esta fuertemente correlacionada con la calidad de vida y la salud general en supervivientes de cancer de mama. c) Un programa multimodal de terapia fisica fue efectivo para la disminucion de la fatiga y de la ? -amilasa, y la mejora del rango de movimiento cervical, la fuerza muscular y el estado de animo en mujeres con cancer de mama. Hay una fuerte asociacion entre desordenes del estado de animo y de tipo musculoesqueletico y la fatiga, lo que muestra el caracter multifactorial de esta. Los programas multimodales tienen un efecto favorable para reducir la fatiga y otras alteraciones relacionadas con el proceso oncologico.