Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Metamaterial-Inspired Wideband Microwave Interferometry Sensor for Dielectric Spectroscopy of Liquid Chemicals

A miniaturized wideband interferometry-based sensor for complex dielectric spectroscopy of liquid chemicals is presented in this paper. Two composite right-/left-hand (CRLH) transmission lines (TLs) are employed in a direct downconversion architecture. The material under test (MUT) is placed in direct contact with the printed interdigital capacitor of the artificial TL as the sensing component. Since the employed CRLH TL provides nonlinear dispersion characteristics, improved sensitivity with wideband (4.2–8 GHz) operation is achieved compared with resonator- or TL-based interferometers. The sensor circuit board is realized based on common printed circuit board technology, and the fluidic polydimethylsiloxane channels are fabricated and bonded to the circuit board using 3-D printing and soft lithography techniques. The measured results of pure liquid chemical characterization suggest the mean squared errors of ~1.1% and ~1.6% for <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\epsilon ^{\prime }_{r}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\epsilon ^{\prime \prime }_{r}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, respectively, compared with the MUT’s theoretical model. Moreover, binary mixture characterization is carried out based on <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\epsilon ^{\prime }_{r}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> measurements with an accuracy of 1%.
Clinical effects and adverse reactions of off-label use of aripiprazole in children and adolescents with developmental disabilities.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to report on the clinical efficacy and side effects of aripiprazole in treating behavioral symptoms of children with a developmental disability (DDs). DESIGN/METHODS A retrospective chart review of the first 32 children treated with aripiprazole at an urban clinic for children with DD was conducted. RESULTS Ages ranged from 5 to 19 years; 9 (28%) were female. Twenty four had diagnoses within the autistic spectrum and 18 had mental retardation (MR). Other disorders included: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder/disruptive behavior disorders (n = 13), mood disorders (n = 7), reactive attachment (n = 2), and sleep disorders (n = 2). Target symptoms included aggression, hyperactivity, impulsivity and, self-injurious behaviors. Twenty eight of the children were switched from another antipsychotic. The mean daily aripiprazole starting dose was 7.1 +/- 0.32 mg (0.17 mg/kg/day) and the mean daily maintenance dose was 10.55 +/- 6.9 mg (0.27 mg/kg/day). Aripiprazole had been used for a period between 6 and 15 months. Improvement in target symptoms was found in 56%. When treating a child with MR, the concomitant presence of an autistic spectrum diagnosis predicted a worse outcome. Side effects were reported in 16 (50%), with the most frequent being sleepiness (n = 6). Mean body mass index (BMI) rose from 22.5 to 24.1 (p = 0.003) over the follow up period, with changes in the BMI z scores. These changes were more pronounced in children younger than 12 years. CONCLUSIONS These results with aripiprazole in this difficult-to-treat population suggest that this medication warrants controlled studies of its effectiveness and safety.
Trichotillomania: An NREM sleep parasomnia?

Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder that creates an irresistible urge to pull out one’s own body hair. Hair pulling sites may include the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, pubic hair, and arm hair.1 It is estimated to affect 1 to 2% of Americans, many of whom go undiagnosed. This disorder is more commonly reported in girls, with typical age at onset of 9 to 13 years.2 Thirty percent of adults with trichotillomania pull primarily from the eyelids or eyebrows.3 Eyelashes and eyebrows subjected to hair pulling will exhibit irregular patches of alopecia and blunt-tipped hairs of different lengths.3 The onset of trichotillomania can be triggered by a psychological stressor such as a divorce of parents, birth of a sibling, sibling rivalry, or moving to a new home.2 Fifty-two percent of people with trichotillomania have major depression, and 27% have generalized anxiety disorder.4 Hair pulling …
Co‐expression of p53 and MDM2 in human atherosclerosis: implications for the regulation of cellularity of atherosclerotic lesions

Atherosclerosis is a fibroproliferative disease of the arterial intima. It was recently found that wild‐type p53 (wt p53) accumulates in human atherosclerotic tissue. Wt p53 is a cell cycle regulator involved in DNA repair, DNA synthesis, cell differentiation, and apoptosis and might therefore make an important contribution to the cellularity of atherosclerotic plaques. The product of the MDM2 gene is a nuclear protein which forms a complex with p53, thereby inhibiting the negative regulatory effects of wt p53 on cell cycle progression. In order to address a potential role of the interaction of p53 with MDM2 for the regulation of cellularity in atherosclerotic tissue, 22 carotid atheromatous plaques from patients undergoing endarterectomy were studied to determine the presence of p53 immunoreactivity (IR), MDM2 IR, cell proliferation as evidenced by MIB1/Ki‐67 IR and DNA fragmentation by in situterminal transferase‐mediated dUTP 3′ end labelling (TUNEL), as a marker for apoptosis. p53 IR localized to areas with evidence of chronic inflammation (22/22) and was observed in virtually all cell types in 68·79±7·51 per cent of the nuclei. p53 staining in the control tissue from human internal mammary arteries was present in 0·2±0·29 per cent of the cells (P≤0·002). MDM2 IR was present in all cases (22/22) in macrophages and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in 60·53±8·32 per cent of the nuclei (controls: 0·8±0·65 per cent, P≤0·002) and co‐localized with p53 IR as shown by examination of adjacent sections and by double immunofluorescence labelling. Importantly, co‐immunoprecipitation and western blot analysis revealed that p53 and MDM2 were physically associated, indicating that MDM2–p53 complex formation takes place in vivoin human atherosclerotic tissue. Positive TUNEL staining and MIB1/Ki‐67 IR present in 3·01±1·27 per cent of the nuclei (controls: 0 per cent, P≤0·002) localized to the same plaque compartments as p53 IR and MDM2 IR. Thus, the fate of cells with p53 accumulation may depend on the interaction and the stoichiometry of the p53 and MDM2 proteins. Cells were indeed found with strong p53 accumulation and nuclear morphology typical for apoptosis and there were a few MIB1/Ki‐67‐positive cells with co‐expression of MDM2, indicating a possible role for MDM2 in reversing the negative regulatory effects of p53 for cell cycle progression. The nuclear co‐localization of p53 IR with MDM2 IR and the co‐immunoprecipitation assay indicate the presence of p53–MDM2 complex formation in vivo in human atherosclerotic tissue. The destiny of individual p53 and MDM2‐co‐expressing cells either to undergo p53‐dependent apoptosis or to re‐enter the cycle of cell proliferation may depend on the relative ratios of the two proteins. p53 and MDM2 may therefore play an important role in regulating cellularity and inflammatory activity in human atherosclerotic plaques. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treatment of winter depression in Norway

Thirty‐four patients with seasonal affective disorder, winter depression type (WD) were randomly distributed to receive the selective monoamine oxidase‐A inhibitor moclobemide (400 mg daily) or placebo in a double‐blind, parallel group study lasting for up to 14 weeks. Severity measures were the Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) extended with characteristic symptoms of WD; summed score of the “atypical” symptoms hypersomnia, hyperphagia and carbohydrate craving; and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). After 3 weeks, patients with unsatisfactory response were switched to open moclobemide. Three patients on placebo dropped out before 3 weeks. Extended MADRS and CGI showed no significant difference between the groups at 3 weeks, whereas the atypical score was reduced significantly more on moclobemide than on placebo already after one week. Nonresponders after 3 weeks (9 of 16 on moclobemide and 7 of 15 on placebo) improved rapidly after being given open moclobemide. Predictor analysis showed a remarkably high negative correlation between improvement at 3 weeks (extended MADRS) and age in the placebo group and a strong, nonsignificant trend in the same direction in the moclobemide group. Dichotomizing the patients according to the median age (45 years) resulted in a somewhat better effect of moclobemide than placebo in the older age group. There were no significant differences in side effects between moclobemide and placebo.
A review of the pharmacological and psychopharmacological aspects of smoking and smoking cessation in psychiatric patients.

The data reviewed confirm that mentally ill patients smoke twice as many cigarettes as patients without mental illness. The secretion of neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, gamma-amino-butyric acid and glutamate is increased by the binding of nicotine to central nicotine receptors. There are also data showing that serotonin formation and secretion in patients with mental illness are influenced by chronic smoking. Cigarette smoke inhibits the activity of monoamine oxidase B, which is responsible for the catabolism of several brain neurotransmitters. Patients suffering from major depression show a comorbidity between heavy smoking and the disease. In patients with schizophrenia treated with neuroleptics, increased cigarette smoking reduces adverse reactions to the drug therapy presumably because of an increase in metabolism of the neuroleptics. There is also evidence suggesting that quitting smoking is more difficult for mentally ill patients than patients without psychiatric disease. Several studies have been carried out on smoking cessation in psychiatric patients. The alternative method of harm reduction, e.g. reducing the number of cigarettes smoked using nicotine patches or chewing gum, is necessary in patients not able to quit. The data indicate that strategies such as the coupling of smoking prohibition with administration of nicotine preparations are useful in smoking cessation. A no-smoking policy in psychiatric clinics, even when this leads to withdrawal symptoms in the patients affected, has no negative effect on mental illness. Because patients with mental diseases are particularly vulnerable to the marketing strategies of the tobacco industry, this chronically ill section of the population requires special protection by the law-makers.
Molecular identification and phylogeny of East African Simulium damnosum s.l. and their relationship with West African species of the complex (Diptera: Simuliidae)

The phylogenetic relationships of East and West African members of the Simulium damnosum complex were studied by sequence analyses of the mitochondrial 16s ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. Results suggest that: (i) the S. damnosum complex is divided into an East and a West African clade, and (ii) S. pandanophilum and the cytoform ‘Kiwira’ form an East African subbranch distinct from the ‘Sanje’ group. In contrast to former assumptions from cytogenetic analyses, our molecular data do not support a direct relationship between the East African S. kilibanum and the West African S. squamosum. Length differences of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS‐1) turned out to be useful to distinguish between cytoforms.
Costs , Bene fi ts and the Internal Rate of Return to Firm Provided Training

In this paper we estimate the rate of return to firm investments in human capital in the form of formal job training. We use a panel of large firms with detailed information on the duration of training, the direct costs of training, and several firm characteristics. Our estimates of the return to training vary substantially across firms. On average it is −7% for firms not providing training and 24% for those providing training. Results suggest that formal job training is a good investment for many firms and the economy, possibly yielding higher returns than either investments in physical capital or investments in schooling. In spite of this, observed amounts of formal training are very small.
Improved protection from primary ocular HSV-1 infection and establishment of latency using multigenic DNA vaccines.

PURPOSE To compare the effectiveness of immunization with "naked" DNA corresponding to the genes encoding five HSV-1 glycoproteins, gB, gC, gD, gE, and gI (5gP DNA), with immunization with the five glycoproteins (5gP protein). Also, to compare immunization of 5gP protein in Montanide ISA 720 (SEPPIC, Paris, France), an adjuvant recently approved for use in humans, with immunization of 5gP protein in Freund's adjuvant. METHODS BALB/c mice were vaccinated with 5gP DNA or 5gP protein emulsified in ISA 720 or Freund's adjuvant. Neutralizing antibody titers were determined by plaque-reduction assays. IL-2, -4, and -12 and IFN-gamma levels were determined by ELISA after in vitro stimulation of spleen cells. After ocular challenge with 2 x 10(5) plaque-forming units [pfu] per eye of HSV-1 strain McKrae, virus replication in the eye, survival, blepharitis, corneal scarring, and latency were determined. RESULTS Neutralizing antibody titers (approximately 1:800-1:1200), corneal scarring (trace) and survival (100%) were similar for all vaccine groups, including 5gP DNA. Compared with the other vaccine groups, the 5gP DNA group had less ocular virus replication, as judged both by maximum virus titer and time of viral clearance. ISA 720 appeared more effective than Freund's against ocular virus replication and eye disease. The 5gP DNA-vaccinated mice had less blepharitis and latency than any other group and had the highest levels of IL-12 and IFN-gamma. All vaccine groups had similar levels of IL-2. CONCLUSIONS The 5gP DNA vaccine appeared to be more effective than the corresponding protein subunit vaccine, regardless of adjuvant. Emulsification of the 5gP protein in ISA 720 appeared to be more effective than emulsification in Freund's adjuvant.
Host Intestinal Signal-Promoted Biofilm Dispersal Induces Vibrio cholerae Colonization

ABSTRACT Vibrio cholerae causes human infection through ingestion of contaminated food and water, leading to the devastating diarrheal disease cholera. V. cholerae forms matrix-encased aggregates, known as biofilms, in the native aquatic environment. While the formation of V. cholerae biofilms has been well studied, little is known about the dispersal from biofilms, particularly upon entry into the host. In this study, we found that the exposure of mature biofilms to physiologic levels of the bile salt taurocholate, a host signal for the virulence gene induction of V. cholerae, induces an increase in the number of detached cells with a concomitant decrease in biofilm mass. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of biofilms exposed to taurocholate revealed an altered, perhaps degraded, appearance of the biofilm matrix. The inhibition of protein synthesis did not alter rates of detachment, suggesting that V. cholerae undergoes a passive dispersal. Cell-free media from taurocholate-exposed biofilms contains a larger amount of free polysaccharide, suggesting an abiotic degradation of biofilm matrix by taurocholate. Furthermore, we found that V. cholerae is only able to induce virulence in response to taurocholate after exit from the biofilm. Thus, we propose a model in which V. cholerae ingested as a biofilm has coopted the host-derived bile salt signal to detach from the biofilm and go on to activate virulence.
Filamin links cell shape and cytoskeletal structure to Rho regulation by controlling accumulation of p190RhoGAP in lipid rafts

Cytoskeleton-dependent changes in the activity of the small GTPase Rho mediate the effects of cell shape on cell function; however, little is known about how cell spreading and related distortion of the cytoskeleton regulate Rho activity. Here we show that rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton associated with early phases of cell spreading in human microvascular endothelial (HMVE) cells suppress Rho activity by promoting accumulation of p190RhoGAP in lipid rafts where it exerts its Rho inhibitory activity. p190RhoGAP is excluded from lipid rafts and Rho activity increases when cell rounding is induced or the actin cytoskeleton is disrupted, and p190RhoGAP knockdown using siRNA prevents Rho inactivation by cell spreading. Importantly, cell rounding fails to prevent accumulation of p190RhoGAP in lipid rafts and to increase Rho activity in cells that lack the cytoskeletal protein filamin. Moreover, filamin is degraded in spread cells and cells that express a calpain-resistant form of filamin exhibit high Rho activity even when spread. Filamin may therefore represent the missing link that connects cytoskeleton-dependent changes of cell shape to Rho inactivation during the earliest phases of cell spreading by virtue of its ability to promote accumulation of p190RhoGAP in lipid rafts.
INFLUENCE OF FIRM SIZE ON ITS BUSINESS SUCCESS

A firm may use different methods and diverse (non)financial analysis/indicators in order to evaluate its business success. However, one of the most widely applied methods refers to financial analyses that use profitability ratios as the key measures of firm’s overall efficiency and performance. In this research we focused our attention on firm size and evaluated its influence on firm profitability. Other than by the size of a firm, a firm performance is affected by a variety of internal and external variables. Therefore, apart from mere investigating the relationship between firm size and performance, we also explored the impact of some other variables crucial in determining firm profitability. The analysis was conducted for the 2002-2010 period and the results revealed that firm size has a significant positive (although weak) influence on firm profitability. Additionally, results showed that assets turnover and debt ratio also statistically significantly influence firms’ performance while current ratio didn’t prove to be an important explanatory variable of firms’ profitability.
Perfeccionando los exámenes escritos: reflexiones y sugerencias metodológicas

Actualmente, uno de los centros del debate acerca de la evaluacion del aprendizaje, gira en torno de los examenes. El desarrollo de las ciencias y la tecnologia, promueve nuevas inquietudes: ? Deben ser eliminados los examenes escritos? Pueden estos instrumentos contribuir a la obtencion de juicios valorativos fiables acerca del desarrollo del aprendizaje de los alumnos? Pueden impulsar significativamente los aprendizajes en correspondencia con las necesidades individuales y con las finalidades formativas generales de la educacion? Este trabajo, ofrece algunas reflexiones y sugerencias metodologicas fundamentadas, que contribuyen a mejorar la elaboracion y la aplicacion de dichos instrumentos, sustentado en concepciones formativas contemporaneas.
Promoter polymorphisms which modulate BACE1 expression are associated with sporadic Alzheimer's disease

Beta‐site APP‐cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) gene has been suggested as a candidate gene for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, little is known regarding the effects of polymorphisms in regulatory sequences of BACE1 on AD susceptibility. To evaluate the relationship between polymorphisms in the BACE1 promoter and sporadic AD (SAD) genetically and functionally, we performed a case‐control study (429 cases and 346 controls of Han Chinese descent) and functional characterization of the polymorphisms in vitro using luciferase assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Two polymorphisms (−918G/A, rs4938369; −2014T/C, rs3017608) were identified in the BACE1 promoter. The results showed that the −918G/A polymorphism was associated with SAD and the −918GG carriers had a 1.67‐fold higher risk for SAD than the carriers with −918AA and GA genotypes (OR = 1.667, 95% CI = 1.087–2.556, P = 0.019). The haplotype −918G/−2014T may be a possible risk factor for SAD (P = 0.016). Luciferase reporter assays showed the −918G allele and its resultant haplotype −918G/−2014T induced an increase of transcriptional activity. A more marked increase in −918G/−2014T transcriptional activity was seen when under hypoxia treatment. EMSA indicated that the −918G allele bound nuclear factors more strongly than −918A allele did. Our findings suggest that the BACE1 promoter polymorphisms which regulate BACE1 expression may contribute to SAD susceptibility. Further independent studies are required to verify our findings. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Seed dispersal curve of a Mediterranean myrmecochore: Influence of ant size and the distance to nests

Euphorbia characias is a Mediterranean spurge with a diplochorous dispersal system: after a ballistic dispersal that scatters the seeds, some ant species find and retrieve the seeds to their nest (myrmecochorous dispersal). The seed dispersal curve generated by ants in an abandoned field was described and partitioned according to ant size and to the distance to nest entrance from where seeds fell after ballistic dispersal. Both variables (ant size, distance to nest) affected dispersal distance. The seed dispersal curve showed a peak at short distance (median = 1 m) and a tail extending to 9.4 m. The peak and the tail are explained differently. Short distances are usually generated by small ants (Pheidole pallidula and Tapinoma nigerrimum; 0.56 ± 0.41 m [n = 48]) both from the nearest or farther nest entrances. The tail of the curve is generated disproportionately by big ants (Aphaenogaster senilis and Messor barbarus; 2.09 ± 1.71 m [n = 61]) from farther nests. Seeds have a much greater probability (P = 0.734) of being transported to nests which are not the nearest. This effect is largely due to transportation by big ants.
The isolation and morphology of some new bacteriophages specific for Bacillus and Acetobacter species.

SUMMARY: The best natural habitat for bacteriophages is probably a semi-solid medium containing actively dividing host bacteria. Such conditions are provided for Bacillus and Acetobacter species in rotting grass and apples, respectively. The Bacillus phages found included one with a large head and a contractile tail, and also a so-called killer particle, which had a 350 A head and a long contractile tail. This particle had the property of killing but not multiplying within a sensitive cell. A new morphological type of virulent Bacillus phage was also isolated; its head was oblong and the tail consisted of a short needle and a plate. The one Acetobacter phage found resembled coliphage T3 but was of particular interest because of the prominence of the head capsomeres and the three-pronged tail.
Towards subsidized malaria rapid diagnostic tests . Lessons learned from the global subsidy of artemisinin-based combination therapies : a review

The global subsidy of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) was first proposed in 2004. Since then, several countries around the world have hosted pilot projects or programmes on subsidized ACTs and/or the Affordable Medicines Facility-malaria programme (AMFm). Overall the global subsidy of ACTs has been effective in increasing availability of ACTs in the private sector, but it has failed to decrease average prices of ACTs and crowd out antimalarial monotherapies. The results obtained from this ambitious strategy should inform policy makers in the designing of future interventions aimed to control malaria morbidity and mortality. Among the interventions recently proposed, a subsidy of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in the private sector has been recommended by governments and international donors to cope with over-treatment with ACTs and to delay the emergence of resistance to artemisinin. In order to improve the cost-effectiveness of co-paid RDTs, we should build on the lessons we learned from almost 10 years of the global subsidy of ACTs in malaria-endemic countries.