Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rare Event Simulation Using Reversible Shaking Transformations

We introduce random transformations, called reversible shaking transformations, which we use to design two schemes for estimating rare event probabilities. One is based on interacting particle systems and the other on the time-average of a single Markov path (called POP for parallel one-path) using ergodic theorem. We discuss their convergence rates and provide numerical experiments including continuous stochastic processes and jump processes. Our examples cover important situations related to insurance, queueing systems, and random graphs. Both schemes have good performance, with a seemingly better one for POP.
Postnatal Undernutrition: Effect of Epidermal Growth Factor on Growth and Function of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Rats

Rats were kept undernourished from birth to 24 days of age. At 17 days of age, the undernourished animals were divided into two groups and then injected with either saline or epidermal growth factor (EGF; 20 μg/kg) once a day for 7 days. They were killed 12–14 h after the last injection at which time the animals were 24 days old. During the experimental period the undernourished animals were prevented from weaning. A well-nourished group (weaned) which was injected with saline from 17 to 24 days of age, was also included. Undernutrition by itself significantly decreased body weight and the weight of the oxyntic gland area, antrum, and small intestine. This was also accompanied by a parallel reduction in DNA, RNA, and protein content in the oxyntic gland and small intestine. However, administration of EGF to undernourished rats resulted in a partial reversal of the situation. In undernourished rats, EGF caused significant enhancements in body weight as well as the weight of the gastrointestinal tissues and their protein and nucleic acid content when compared with the saline-treated undernourished controls. Furthermore, the magnitude of stimulation was found to be greater in the oxyntic gland than in the small intestine following EGF administration. The antral or serum gastrin levels were not affected by EGF. In both saline- and EGF-treated undernourished rats, lactase, sucrase, and alkaline phosphatase activities (expressed as total or. specific activity) were found to be significantly higher than in the well-nourished animals. Total maltase activity did not differ significantly between the groups, but when expressed as specific activity, the saline- or EGF-treated undernourished groups revealed significantly higher values than the well-nourished animals. It is concluded that whereas EGF promotes general body and gastrointestinal growth, it does not affect the functional maturation of the digestive tract.
Determinants of Induction of Increased Synthesis of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type-1 in Human Endothelial Cells by t-PA

Summary Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) induces synthesis of a rapidly acting inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in culture. In vivo, an analogous process may induce negative feedback on the fibrinolytic system. To define specific determinants in the t-PA molecule contributing to the induction, PAI-1 synthesis was characterized in 35S-methionine labeled HUVEC in response to several molecular variants of t-PA. Catalytically active variants devoid of several specific structural domains in the A-chain retained the capacity to form complexes with PAI-1 and to induce increased concentrations of total PAI-1 (free and complexed) in conditioned media without depleting PAI-1 from the extracellular matrix. Surprisingly, a mutant t-PA with markedly reduced catalytic activity reflecting replacement of the active site serine with threonine (S478T) formed complexes with PAI-1 and induced increased PAI-1 synthesis as well. However, in contrast to wild-type t-PA and A-chain variants, it did not release 35S-methionine labeled PAI-1 from the extracellular matrix. Thus, its effects appeared to reflect increased secretion exclusively. Our results suggest that induction of PAI-1 synthesis in HUVEC by t-PA depends on its protease domain but that an active site serine is not a requirement.
The Three Human Syntrophin Genes Are Expressed in Diverse Tissues, Have Distinct Chromosomal Locations, and Each Bind to Dystrophin and Its Relatives (*)

The syntrophins are a biochemically heterogeneous group of 58-kDa intracellular membrane-associated dystrophin-binding proteins. We have cloned and characterized human acidic (α1-) syntrophin and a second isoform of human basic (β2-) syntrophin. Comparison of the deduced amino acid structure of the three human isoforms of syntrophin (together with the previously reported human β1-syntrophin) demonstrates their overall similarity. The deduced amino acid sequences of human α1- and β2-syntrophin are nearly identical to their homologues in mouse, suggesting a strong functional conservation among the individual isoforms. Much like β1-syntrophin, human β2-syntrophin has multiple transcript classes and is expressed widely, although in a distinct pattern of relative abundance. In contrast, human α1-syntrophin is most abundant in heart and skeletal muscle, and less so in other tissues. Somatic cell hybrids and fluorescent in situ hybridization were both used to determine their chromosomal locations: β2-syntrophin to chromosome 16q22-23 and α1-syntrophin to chromosome 20q11.2. Finally, we used in vitro translated proteins in an immunoprecipitation assay to show that, like β1-syntrophin, both β2- and α1-syntrophin interact with peptides encoding the syntrophin-binding region of dystrophin, utrophin/dystrophin related protein, and the Torpedo 87K protein.
Mechanism of Assembly of Sea Urchin Egg Tubulin a

Tubulin purified from eggs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus assembles efficiently in vitro to form microtubules at physiological (18 degrees C) and nonphysiological (37 degrees C) temperatures. MAPs, ring oligomers, and high concentrations of nonphysiological solvents are not required for the assembly reaction. At concentrations above 1.2 mg/ml at 18 degrees C and 0.5 mg/ml at 37 degrees C a concentration-dependent overshoot in turbidity and in light scattering at small angles was observed: turbidity and scattering increased rapidly to a peak, then decreased asymptotically toward a steady-state value. Electron microscopic analysis demonstrated that tubulin sheets were prevalent during the initial stages of overshoot assembly, whereas complete microtubules were present at steady state. Qualitative observations of solution birefringence suggested that the polymer became progressively more aligned during assembly. The overshoot cannot be explained by proteolysis or denaturation of tubulin, by depletion of GTP, by a decrease in assembled mass, or by redistribution of polymer lengths. Taken together, the results suggest that changes in the form and/or in the organization of the assembling polymer are responsible for the overshoots in turbidity and in light scattering at small angles. Our results are consistent with models of microtubule assembly that postulate nucleation by tubulin sheets and subsequent folding of the sheets to form mature microtubules.
Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions: Time to Abandon a Culture of Therapeutic Nihilism?

There is a renewed and growing interest in the chronic total occlusions (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) field, driven by the dissemination of advanced CTO PCI techniques and new innovative technologies, all of which have translated to higher success rates with an acceptable complication profile. However, CTO PCI remains a highly technical and demanding interventional subspecialty that is strongly operator dependent. There is a steep learning curve and a clear volume to outcome relationship with high-volume centers with dedicated CTO operators have higher success rates, ranging from 70% to 90%. 1 Balanced against this improved success, CTO PCI continues to have a higher risk for complications compare to non-CTO PCI.2 Therefore, there is substantial variation between hospitals in the approach to revascularization of patients with CTO lesions, in particular with percutaneous modalities, with a range from 44.9% to 94.1%. 3 Moreover, when PCI is attempted in general yet contemporary PCI practice, successful stenting of the PCI lesion is a paltry 41.1%. Indeed, the reticence to treat CTO is ingrained in practice guidelines, with a different set of guideline recommendations for CTO versus non-CTO anatomy, even in the presence of similar ischemic burden and symptoms.4 See Article by Qintar et al The traditional and unfortunately somewhat entrenched cultural reluctance of the PCI community to revascularize CTO is centered around a concern as to the Why? We have accumulated a growing …
Short-term efficacy of Epley’s manoeuvre: a double-blind randomised trial

Background: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior canal (PC-BPPV) is a common vestibular disorder and can be easily treated with Epley’s manoeuvre. Thus far, the short-term efficacy of Epley’s manoeuvre for treatment of PC-BPPV is unknown. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of Epley’s manoeuvre for treatment of PC-BPPV 24 h after applying the manoeuvre. Methods: The short-term efficacy of Epley’s manoeuvre was compared with a sham procedure in 66 patients with PC-BPPV by using a double-blind randomised study design. Results: 24 h after treatment, 28 of 35 (80%) patients in the Epley’s manoeuvre group had neither vertigo nor nystagmus on positional testing compared with 3 of 31 (10%) patients in the sham group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Epley’s manoeuvre is shown to resolve PC-BPPV both effectively and rapidly.
Annular Slot-Based Miniaturized Frequency-Agile MIMO Antenna System

In this letter, a miniaturized annular slot-based multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system is presented. The proposed frequency-agile antenna exhibits wide tuning range operation by covering several well known wireless standards including GSM1800/LTE/UMTS/WLAN along with several others. The resonance frequency varies from 1.8 to 2.45 GHz. The structure of each antenna element consists of a combination of annular and circular slots, and the antenna is made reconfigurable using a varactor diode within its annular slot. Only one varactor diode is used in achieving this wide tuning band of operation. The four-element MIMO antenna system is realized on a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{60} \times \text{120}\times \text{0.76}$</tex-math></inline-formula>-mm <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^3$</tex-math></inline-formula> RO4350 substrate. The proposed design is suitable for wireless handheld devices and mobile terminals as well as cognitive radio front ends. The measured results show maximum gain of 2.43 dBi and maximum efficiency (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\eta$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) of 73%. The envelope correlation coefficient did not exceed 0.186 across the complete operating bands.
Reducing steering wheel stiffness is beneficial in supporting evasive maneuvers

Most collision avoidance systems for highway scenarios are shifting the role of the driver from manual execution to a supervisory position. In the interface design of the proposed collision avoidance system proposed in this article, the human-machine issues complicating task automation were avoided by adopting a human-centered approach. In this paper a method to preserve driver's choice and maneuver initiation through the use of a temporarily unstable steering wheel is presented. In the particular driving condition investigated in a fixed base driving simulator, the driver has to avoid an obstacle following one of two equally safe escape paths (left or right evasive maneuver). The collision avoidance system aims at supporting both available solutions by means of a haptic steering wheel interface. Two feedback modalities are used, namely torque feedback and stiffness feedback. The results of the experiment show that the haptic interface effectively reduced the number of crashes, decreased response time with at least 100 ms while reducing the control effort and activity in the most critical situations.
Failure of methylprednisolone to improve the outcome of spinal cord injuries.

The infusion of methylprednisolone (MP) within 8 hours of injury for spinal cord injuries (SCI) has been advocated to improve the motor function of patients after this catastrophic injury. However, clinical improvement in the outcome of SCI has not been consistently identified, despite the use of MP. We reviewed the outcome of SCI patients with MP to those without MP (No-MP) at two Level I Trauma Centers from 1989-1992. Acute SCI patients were identified from the trauma registries with trauma demographics and hospital data obtained from registry and medical records. Rehabilitation data for Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was obtained from the rehabilitation institute database. Primary outcome parameters were mortality, and for survivors, patient mobility (6 point scale) and FIM scores. There were 145 acute SCI patients: 80 treated with MP and 65 with No-MP. FIM data was available on 45 MP and 25 No-MP patients. There was no difference in the admission trauma score, ICU length of stay (LOS), or hospital LOS between the two groups. The MP patients were significantly younger (30 years vs 38 years, P = < 0.05) and had lower ISS scores (24 vs 31, P = < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in mortality (MP, 3.8% vs No-MP, 10.7%) between the two groups. Although admission mobility was not statistically different (MP, 5.99 vs No-MP, 5.90), there was a significantly poorer discharge mobility in the MP group when compared to the No-MP group (MP, 5.16 vs No-MP, 4.67, P = < 0.05). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Relationship between Oxygen Uptake and Mixed Venous Oxygen Saturation in the Immediate Postoperative Period

BackgroundDuring muscular exercise, a negative correlation has been demonstrated between the value of mixed venous oxygen saturation (S&OV0312;O2) and the level of muscular work, expressed at each level as the ratio of oxygen uptake (&OV0312;O2) to each subject's maximal oxygen uptake (&OV0312;O2max). Because the immediate postoperative period is associated with an increase in whole body oxygen demand, and in this regard resembles the effects of muscular exercise, a similar correlation may exist during this period. Methods&OV0312;O2max was determined in 11 patients 3–5 days before coronary artery bypass surgery. During the first 2 postoperative h, &OV0312;O2 and S&OV0312;O2 were monitored. &OV0312;O2 was measured by indirect calorimetry and S&OV0312;O2 by a fiberoptic pulmonary arterial catheter. ResultsThe highest postoperative value of &OV0312;O2 was most often associated with visible shivering and ranged among patients from 19% to 53% of preoperatively measured &OV0312;O2max. There was a highly significant negative correlation between S&OV0312;O2 and the ratio &OV0312;O2/&OV0312;O2max. This correlation was observed when data were examined collectively (136 simultaneous determinations of the two variables) and at the individual level (10–18 determinations for each patient). The slopes and the y intercepts of individual lines of correlation were within a narrow range. ConclusionsDuring the first 2 postoperative h after coronary artery bypass surgery, &OV0312;O2 rarely exceeds 50% of preoperative &OV0312;O2max. Assuming a stable state of myocardial function, S&OV0312;O2 measurement may provide an indirect means of assessment of the “exercise test” imposed on patients recovering from general anesthesia.
A CCII-Based Low-Voltage Low-Power Read-Out Circuit for DC-Excited Resistive Gas Sensors

In this paper, we propose a low-voltage (LV) low-power (LP) oscillating circuit suitable for the read-out of DC-excited resistive gas sensors, based on Second Generation Current Conveyors (CCIIs). This low-cost fully integrable front-end is able to evaluate the resistive behavior of gas sensors, without any preliminary calibration, operating a Resistance to Time ( R-T) conversion and exciting the sensor with a DC voltage. Through the use of CCIIs, all the Current-Mode (CM) benefits in LV LP integrated architecture design are achieved. The developed interface, designed at transistor level, is able to operate with a low supply voltage (plusmn0.75 V), showing a low power consumption of about 700 muW, and, hence, it is suitable for portable applications. Both CADENCE simulations on the designed integrated solution and experimental results, achieved using a PCB prototype, have shown a linear characteristic and a good agreement with theoretical expectations, for more than four decades of resistive variation. Experimental measurements, conducted employing low cost commercial components (AD844 as CCII and Figaro TGS 2600 device as resistive gas sensor), have confirmed the good performances of the developed read-out circuit as resistive gas sensor interface.
Keratitis-associated fungi form biofilms with reduced antifungal drug susceptibility.

PURPOSE To investigate the biofilm-forming capacity of Fusarium solani, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, and Acremonium implicatum, and the activities of antifungal agents against the three keratitis-associated fungi. METHODS The architecture of biofilms was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Susceptibility against six antifungal drugs was measured using the CLSI M38-A method and XTT reduction assay. RESULTS Time course analyses of CSLM revealed that biofilm formation occurred in an organized fashion through four distinct developmental phases: adhesion, germling formation, microcolony formation, and biofilm maturation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that mature biofilms displayed a complex three-dimensional structure, consisting of coordinated network of hyphal structures glued by the extracellular matrix (ECM). The antifungal susceptibility testing demonstrated a time-dependent decrease in efficacy for all six antifungal agents as the complexity of fungal hyphal structures developed. Natamycin (NAT), amphotericin B (AMB), and NAT were the most effective against F. solani, C. sphaerospermum, and A. implicatum biofilm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Corneal isolates of F. solani, C. sphaerospermum, and A. implicatum could produce biofilms that were resistant to antifungal agents in vitro.
Feeding Studies in Rats with Mineral Hydrocarbon Food Grade White Oils

This investigation compared the effects of feeding rats diets containing food grade white oil processed by either conventional oleum treatment or the more modem method of catalytic hydrogenation. In two separate experiments, male or female Fischer-344 rats were given free access for 90 days to diets containing 0, 10, 100, 500, 5,000, 10,000, or 20,000 ppm of either oleum-treated white oil (OTWO) or hydrotreated white oil (HTWO). There were no mortalities and no adverse clinical signs associated with feeding either white oil. Treatment-related effects evidenced by hematological, clinical chemical, and pathological changes were generally dose-related and more marked in female than in male rats, and the OTWO caused a greater pathological response than the HTWO. Tissue residues of saturated hydrocarbons were up to 5.2 times higher in female rats than in males. Rats fed 5,000 ppm or more of either white oil showed dose-related alterations in several hematological and clinical chemistry variates associated mainly with hepatic damage or functional alteration. At necropsy, mesenteric lymph nodes were enlarged, and increases in weight of liver, kidney, and spleen were significant. Microscopic changes were characterized by multifocal lipogranulomata in mesenteric lymph node and liver. No changes were observed in rats fed OTWO or HTWO for 90 days at dietary concentrations of 10 or 100 ppm, equivalent to a minimum intake of 0.65 and 6.4 mg/kg/day, respectively. Differences in degree of pathological response associated with each oil may have been due to their differences in specification rather than processing method.
Tumor necrosis factor–α–induced insulin resistance may mediate the hepatitis C virus–diabetes association

OBJECTIVES:Among patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), 13–33% develop type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The mechanism for this remains unclear. Because tumor necrosis factor–α (TNF-α) has been identified as a mediator of insulin resistance and is induced by HCV, we examined TNF-α and proinflammatory cytokines in noncirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C, both with and without diabetes.METHODS:HCV-infected patients with type 2 DM (n = 23) were compared with age- and sex-matched patients with chronic hepatitis C and without DM (n = 28), patients with DM and without HCV (n = 31), and healthy controls (n = 21). Serum levels of TNF-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR) 1 (p55) and 2 (p75) were determined by ELISA.RESULTS:Detectable serum TNF was found in 74% of the HCV/DM patients, versus 64% of the nondiabetic HCV group and ≤10% in the other groups. Mean sTNFR1 in the HCV/DM group was 1931 pg/ml (95% CI = 1449–2413), compared with 1289 pg/ml (95% CI = 1101–1476) in nondiabetic HCV patients, with similar values in the other two groups (p = 0.001). The mean sTNFR2 level in the HCV/DM patients was 3326 pg/ml (95% CI = 2924–3727) compared with 2367 pg/ml (95% CI = 1951–2784) in the nondiabetic HCV patients, and similar results in the other groups (p < 0.0001). Serum IL-1β, IL-6, and C-reactive protein were not significantly different between HCV patients with or without DM.CONCLUSIONS:Excessive TNF-α response characterizes HCV-infected patients who develop DM. STNFR may be a marker for the development of DM in chronic hepatitis C.
Inability of laser and rotary instrumentation to eliminate root canal infection.

BACKGROUND The authors evaluated the antibacterial effectiveness of laser instrumentation and rotary instrumentation of anterior, single-rooted teeth infected with Enterococcus faecalis. METHODS The authors divided 35 infected samples into five groups: Group A: inoculation, laser, 17 percent ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetate (EDTA), 2.5 percent sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (n=10); Group B: inoculation, laser, 17 percent EDTA, sterile saline (n = 10); Group C: inoculation, rotary, 17 percent EDTA, 2.5 percent NaOCl (n=10); Group D: inoculation, no instrumentation (positive control) (n=5); Group E: no inoculation, no instrumentation (negative control) (n=5). They sampled and incubated dentin shavings from each canal for bacterial growth. RESULTS In Group A, eight tubes were positive for bacterial growth. In Group B, 10 tubes were positive for bacterial growth. In Group C, six tube were positive for bacterial growth. In Group D, all of the tubes were positive for bacterial growth. In Group E, no tubes showed bacterial growth. The Fisher exact test showed no significant differences among groups A, E and C. CONCLUSION Neither the laser nor the rotary instrumentation was able to eliminate endodontic infection. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Although lasers have been presented as high-tech tools for disinfecting root canals, the laser was ineffective in this study.