Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling of Cardiac Component of Subarachnoid Space Changes in Apnoea Resulting as a Function of Blood Pressure and Blood Flow Parameters - Two Mechanizm of Regulation

Experiments were performed in a group of 19 healthy, non-smoking volunteers. The experiment consisted of three apnoeas, sequentially: 30 s apnoea, 60 s apnoea and maximal, that could be done, apnoea. The breath-hold was separated for 5 minutes rest. The following parameters were measured and obtained for further analysis: blood parameters, artery diameter of the internal carotid artery, end-tidal CO2 in expired air, the cardiac (from 0.5 to 5.0 Hz) and slow (< 0.5 Hz) components of subarachnoid space width signal. As a result of the experiment, we observed two different reactions, using the same experimental procedure. It seemed to indicate two different operating modes and two separate models. As a consequence, there are two subsets of slow subarachnoid space width responses to breath-hold in humans. A positive subarachnoid space width changes (slow) component depends on changes in heart rate, pulsatility index and cerebral blood flow velocity. A negative subarachnoid space width changes component is driven by heart rate changes and pulsatility index changes. The different heart-generated arterial pulsation response to experimental breath-hold provides new insights into our understanding of the complex mechanisms governing the adaptation to apnoea in humans. We propose a mathematical methodology that can be used in further clinical research.
Positron annihilation on defects in silicon irradiated with 15 MeV protons

Microstructure and thermal stability of the radiation defects in n-FZ-Si ([P] ≈ 7 × 1015 cm−3) single crystals have been investigated. The radiation defects have been induced by irradiation with 15 MeV protons and studied by means of both the positron lifetime spectroscopy and low-temperature measurements of the Hall effect. At each step of the isochronal annealing over the temperature range ∼60–700 °C the positron lifetime has been measured for the temperature interval ∼30–300 K, and for samples-satellites the temperature dependences of the charge carriers and mobility have been determined over the range ∼4.2–300 K. It is argued that as-grown impurity centers influence the average positron lifetime by forming shallow (Eb ≈ 0.013 eV) positron states. The radiation-induced defects were also found to trap positrons into weakly bound (Eb ≤ 0.01 eV) states. These positron states are observed at cryogenic temperatures during the isochronal annealing up to Tanneal. = 340 °C. The stages of annealing in the temperature intervals ∼60–180 °C and ∼180–260 °C reflect the disappearance of E-centers and divacancies, respectively. Besides these defects the positrons were found to be localized at deep donor centers hidden in the process of annealing up to the temperature Tanneal. ≈ 300 °C. The annealing of the deep donors occurs over the temperature range ∼300–650 °C. At these centers positrons are estimated to be bound with energies Eb ≈ 0.096 and 0.021 eV within the temperature intervals ∼200–270 K and ∼166–66 K, respectively. The positron trapping coefficient from these defects increases from ∼1.1 × 1016 to ∼6.5 × 1017 s−1 over the temperature range ∼266–66 K, thus substantiating a cascade phonon-assisted positron trapping mechanism whose efficiency is described by ≈T−3 law. It is argued that the value of activation energy of the isochronal annealing Ea ≈ 0.74–0.59 eV is due to dissociation of the positron traps, which is accompanied by restoration of the electrical activity of the phosphorus atoms. The data suggest that the deep donors involve a phosphorus atom and at least two vacancies. Their energy levels are at least at E > Ec − 0.24 eV in the investigated material.
The effects on maternal anxiety of two‐dimensional versus two‐ plus three‐/four‐dimensional ultrasound in pregnancies at risk of fetal abnormalities: a randomized study

To test the hypothesis that the use of two‐dimensional (2D) ultrasonography with three‐dimensional/four‐dimensional (3D/4D) ultrasonography can reduce anxiety to a greater extent in women at risk of having a fetus with congenital abnormalities than the use of 2D ultrasonography alone.
The role of the p53 tumor suppressor gene in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

The objective of this review is to determine whether the p53 tumor suppressor gene plays a role in the development of head and neck cancer. Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene have been shown to be one of the most common genetic abnormalities in human cancers, and the published literature also shows this to be the case in head and neck cancer. Initial investigations into p53 gene expression in head and neck cancers indicated that about 60% overexpressed this gene, which was substantiated by many of the later reports. On analysis of all of the published data, mutations in the p53 gene have been found in exons 4 through 9, with a hot spot in the 238-248 region. Overexpression of p53 gene has not been found to correlate with any of the clinicopathologic parameters or survival (calculated from the date of diagnosis), but it does correlate with a history of heavy smoking and drinking. The p53 gene appears to have a role in both the early and late stages of this disease. Overexpression of p53 was found in the tumors of patients who had stopped smoking 5 to 18 years before their cancer developed; also, the overexpression of p53 has been shown in dysplastic and carcinoma in situ lesions of the larynx. Furthermore, overexpression of this gene was found to correlate with a very poor outcome in a group of patients classified with "end-stage disease. " A model is proposed to describe the role of p53 in the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Ebola virus disease, transmission risk to laboratory personnel, and pretransfusion testing

As Ebola virus has infected thousands of individuals in West Africa, there is growing concern about the appropriate response of hospitals in developed nations caring for patients and handling laboratory specimens for patients suspected of Ebola virus disease (EVD). Guidelines for caring for EVD patients are proliferating rapidly from national and state public health authorities, professional societies, and individual hospitals. It is no surprise that they differ from one another, and some very conservative recommendations call for suspension of routine laboratory testing, including pretransfusion testing. EVD is transmitted by direct contact with blood, secretions, organs, and other body fluids and not by airborne routes. Based on experimental and observational data, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that clinicians follow contact and droplet precautions. Laboratory personnel are required to follow the blood‐borne pathogen standard, especially the use of appropriate barriers consisting of gloves, gown, goggles, mask to cover nose and mouth, and plexiglass shield, where splashes of potentially infectious materials may be generated. Their recommendations are permissive of clinically appropriate laboratory testing, including pretransfusion testing, using barrier isolation precautions. Most individuals with suspected EVD will have a fever of another etiology, such as Plasmodium falciparum malaria. We believe that forgoing all routine pretransfusion laboratory testing may result in a greater increase in poor clinical outcomes than any diminution in the risks to laboratory personnel will justify. It is imperative for all laboratory directors, working with institutional infection control and safety personnel, to evaluate their hospital policies for potentially infectious patients and provide a safe environment for their patients and employees.
The European Central Bank’s Minimum Bid Rate and Its Effect on Major Currency Pairs

The paper looks at the effects of Minimum Bid Rate on three major currency pairs namely the Australian dollar against the US dollar, the Euro against the US dollar, and the British Pound against the US dollar. The minimum bid rate is announced by the European Central Bank and is considered by traders to have a major impact on the financial markets. Both a one minute data interval and a five minute data interval is used over a time period of four years. Findings suggest the effects of the specific news under analysis to be insignificant for a trader to benefit from the fluctuations in the three major currency markets. The impact of the announcement tends to be more significant on the Euro/USD pair relative to the other two currency pairs both on the one minute and five minute analysis.
Nucleation and growth of apatite by a self-assembled polycrystalline bioceramic

The formation aspects of a polycrystalline self-assembled bioceramic leading to the nucleation of hard-tissue mineral from a supersaturated solution are discussed. Scanning electron imaging and surface-sensitive interrogations of the nucleated mineral indicated the presence of an intermediate amorphous layer encompassing a rather crystalline phase that formed on niobium oxide (Nb2O5) microstructures. The crystalline phase was identified from Raman spectroscopy as hydroxyapatite (HAP), while the phosphorous-rich amorphous layer is suggested to have the chemical form CaO–P2O5. In addition, the mechanism favoring HAP nucleation is discussed in terms of the (0 0 2) and (0 0 1) diffraction planes of HAP and Nb2O5, respectively. The small mismatch along several lattice dimensions strongly suggests epitaxy as a dominant mode in the heterogeneous nucleation of HAP. Furthermore, the effectiveness of this mode was shown to critically depend on the self-organization of the Nb2O5 microstructures. Because nucleation does not appear to depend solely on the integrity of Nb2O5 crystals, the self-organization of Nb2O5 crystals also contributes significantly to HAP nucleation. Based on our results, we propose the organized arrangement of bioceramic crystals as a new mode for the bioinspiration of hydroxyapatite and other hard-tissue mineral.
Myocardial growth before and after birth: clinical implications *

Perinatal changes in myocardial growth have recently evoked considerable interest with regard to cardiac chamber development with congenital cardiac lesions and to myocardial development in preterm infants. It is suggested that cardiac chamber development is influenced by blood flow. Experimental pulmonary stenosis in fetal lambs may induce either greatly reduced or markedly increased right ventricular volume. Ventricular enlargement appears to be associated with a large ventricular volume load resulting from tricuspid valve regurgitation. A small competent tricuspid valve is associated with reduced flow through the ventricle due to outflow obstruction and a small right ventricle. Postnatal growth of the ventricles in congenital heart disease is discussed. Increase in myocardial mass prenatally is achieved by hyperplasia, both during normal development and when myocardial mass is increased by right ventricular outflow obstruction. Postnatally, increases in myocardial mass with normal growth, as well as with ventricular outflow obstruction, are largely due to hypertrophy of myocytes. Myocardial capillary numbers do not increase in proportion with myocyte numbers in ventricular myocardium in association with outflow obstruction. The postnatal effects of these changes in congenital heart lesions are considered. Studies in fetal lambs suggest that the late gestational increase in blood cortisol concentrations is responsible for the change in the pattern of myocardial growth after birth. The concern is raised that prenatal exposure of the premature infant to glucocorticoids, administered to the mother to attempt to prevent hyaline membrane disease in the infant, may inhibit myocyte proliferation and result in a heart with fewer than normal myocytes. This would necessitate that each myocyte would have to hypertrophy abnormally to achieve a normal cardiac mass postnatally.
Load squared: Adding logic close to memory to reduce the latency of indirect loads in embedded and general systems

Indirect memory accesses, where a load is fed by another load, are ubiquitous because of rich data structures and sophisticated software conventions, such as the use of linkage tables and position independent code. Unfortunately, they can be costly: if both loads miss, two round trips to memory are required even though the role of the first load is often limited to fetching the address of the second load. To reduce the total latency of such indirect accesses, a new instruction called load squared is introduced. A load squared does two fetches, the first fetch reading the target address of the second. (An offset is optionally added to the result of the first fetch.) The load squared operation is performed by memory-side logic (typically, the memory controller if it isn't located on the main processor chip). In this study, load squared is not an architecturally visible instruction: the micro-architecture transparently decides which loads should be replaced by loads squared. We show that performance is sometimes improved significantly, and never degraded.
Mapping the information flow from one brain to another during gestural communication

Both the putative mirror neuron system (pMNS) and the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) are deemed important for social interaction: the pMNS because it supposedly “resonates” with the actions of others, the vmPFC because it is involved in mentalizing. Strictly speaking, the resonance property of the pMNS has never been investigated. Classical functional MRI experiments have only investigated whether pMNS regions augment their activity when an action is seen or executed. Resonance, however, entails more than only “going on and off together”. Activity in the pMNS of an observer should continuously follow the more subtle changes over time in activity of the pMNS of the actor. Here we directly explore whether such resonance indeed occurs during continuous streams of actions. We let participants play the game of charades while we measured brain activity of both gesturer and guesser. We then applied a method to localize directed influences between the brains of the participants: between-brain Granger-causality mapping. Results show that a guesser's brain activity in regions involved in mentalizing and mirroring echoes the temporal structure of a gesturer's brain activity. This provides evidence for resonance theories and indicates a fine-grained temporal interplay between regions involved in motor planning and regions involved in thinking about the mental states of others. Furthermore, this method enables experiments to be more ecologically valid by providing the opportunity to leave social interaction unconstrained. This, in turn, would allow us to tap into the neural substrates of social deficits such as autism spectrum disorder.
Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes in Caring for Older Adults With Advanced Illness Among Staff Members of Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Facilities

In long-term care and assisted living facilities, many groups of health care professionals contribute to the work of the health care team. These staff members perform essential, direct patient care activities. An educational needs assessment was conducted to determine the learning needs and preferences of staff members related to providing care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Staff members placed importance on understanding topics such as principles of palliative care, pain assessment, pain management, and nonpain symptom management. The majority of survey respondents were also interested in learning more about these topics. The results of this educational needs analysis suggest staff members would benefit from a course tailored to these identified educational needs and designed to overcome previously identified educational barriers.
What can Trigger the Resumption of Economic Growth in a Small Open Economy like Greece: Exports or Inward FDI?

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to investigate the effect of exports and inward foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic development in Greece, in the long and short run, from 1980 to 2013. This study applies the Ng-Perron and DF-GLS unit root tests to determine the level of integration as well as the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method to identify the long-run relationship. Our analysis confirms the long-run relationship between inward FDI, exports and national income. Our results imply that any policy by the Greek Government aimed at boosting economic development through exports will have to be considered for the long run since Greek authorities cannot rely on exports in the short run. However, inward FDI appears more efficient than exports as far as boosting economic progress in the short run.
The Ups and Downs of Face Perception: Evidence for Holistic Encoding of Upright and Inverted Faces

A visual-search task was used to investigate the influence of facial organisation on discrimination of an internal facial feature. Participants searched for a downturned mouth in arrays of one to six faces that differed only in the target feature, with distractor faces containing an upturned mouth. Feature search was tested in four different face contexts: upright unaltered faces, inverted unaltered faces, upright faces in which the internal features were scrambled, or inverted scrambled faces. Normal face organisation facilitated feature search in upright faces, but slowed it in inverted faces. These findings demonstrate an interdependence of features and their configuration in the perceptual analysis of both upright and inverted faces.
Structure of ricin A‐chain at 2.5 Å

Ricin has been refined in a crystallographic sense to 2.5 Å resolution and the model for the A‐chain (RTA) is described in detail. Because RTA is the first member of the class of plant toxins to be analyzed, this model probably defines the major structural characteristics of the entire family of these medically important proteins. Explanations are provided to rationalize amino acids that are conserved between RTA and a number of homologous plant and bacterial toxins. Eight invariant residues appear to be involved in creating or stabilizing the active site. In the active site Arg180 and Glu177 are hydrogen bonded to each other and also coordinate a water molecule; each of these groups may be important in the N‐glycosidation reaction. Several other polar residues may play lesser roles in the mechanism, including tyrosines 80 and 123 and asparagines 78 and 209. A number of conserved hydrophobic residues are seen to cluster within several patches and probably drive the overall folding of the toxin molecule.
The monoclonal antibody DCGM4 recognizes Langerin, a protein specific of Langerhans cells, and is rapidly internalized from the cell surface

We generated monoclonal antibody (mAb) DCGM4 by immunization with human dendritic cells (DC) from CD34+ progenitors cultured with granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and TNF‐α. mAb DCGM4 was selected for its reactivity with a cell surface epitope present only on a subset of DC. Reactivity was strongly enhanced by the Langerhans cell (LC) differentiation factor TGF‐β and down‐regulated by CD40 ligation. mAb DCGM4 selectively stained LC, hence we propose that the antigen be termed Langerin. mAb DCGM4 also stained intracytoplasmically, but neither colocalized with MHC class II nor with lysosomal LAMP‐1 markers. Notably, mAb DCGM4 was rapidly internalized at 37 °C, but did not gain access to MHC class II compartments. Finally, Langerin was immunoprecipitated as a 40‐kDa protein with a pI of 5.2 – 5.5. mAb DCGM4 will be useful to further characterize Langerin, an LC‐restricted molecule involved in routing of cell surface material in immature DC.
A kinematic analysis of high-speed treadmill sprinting over a range of velocities.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to measure changes in stride characteristics and lower-extremity kinematics of the hip and knee as a function of increasing treadmill velocity, at velocities ranging from submaximal to near maximal. METHODS Six power/speed athletes experienced at sprinting on a treadmill performed trials at 70%, 80%, 90%, and 95% of their previous individual maximum velocity, with video data collected in the sagittal view at 60 Hz. RESULTS Significant differences were seen in stride frequency (70%, 80%, P < 0.01; 90%, P < 0.05), stance time (70%, 80%, P < 0.01; 90%, P < 0.05) flight time (70%, P < 0.01; 80%, P < 0.05), hip flexion angle (70%, P < 0.01), hip flexion angular velocity (70%, P < 0.01), hip extension angular velocity (70%, 80%, P < 0.01), knee flexion angular velocity (70%, 80%, P < 0.01), and knee extension angular velocity (70%, P < 0.01), as compared with the near maximum (95%) velocity. Coefficient of variation (CV) values showed that the positional variables at the hip and knee were more variable at faster test conditions, indicating that kinematic changes occur as a function of increased treadmill velocity. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that at slower velocities, there were differences in the stride characteristics and lower-extremity kinematics while sprinting on a treadmill. As the velocity approached near maximum mechanical breakdown was seen, suggesting that velocities greater than 90% should be used selectively during treadmill training.
Rationale for the dosage and schedule of CPT-11 (irinotecan) selected for phase II studies, as determined by European phase I studies.

BACKGROUND CPT-11 (irinotecan), a camptothecin-derived anticancer agent with DNA topoisomerase 1 inhibitory activity, has demonstrated a broad spectrum of in vitro and in vivo activity in solid tumour models including multidrug-resistant tumours. This review details the rationale for the dosage schedule of CPT-11 selected for phase II studies, based on the results of 3 European phase I dose-escalating trials in patients with solid tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS CPT-11 was administered as a 30-minute intravenous infusion once every 3 weeks (schedule 1), once daily for 3 consecutive days every 3 weeks (schedule 2) or once weekly every 3 out of 4 weeks (schedule 3). RESULTS Neutropenia and diarrhoea were the major dose-limiting toxicities in all of the studies. The maximum tolerated dose of CPT-11 was 115 and 145 mg/m2/day for schedules 2 and 3, respectively. With schedule 1, diarrhoea became dose-limiting at 350 mg/m2 but was manageable with high-dose loperamide therapy. CONCLUSIONS CPT-11 350 mg/m2 administered as an intravenous infusion once every 3 weeks was chosen for further evaluation in early phase II studies, since this dosage regimen allowed the highest dose intensity with the least toxicity and was convenient for outpatient use. The place of higher doses (with intensive antidiarrhoeal support) and other administration schedules (e.g., protracted infusion) warrant further investigation.