Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Vestibular Schwannoma and Relationship to Hearing

Objective (1) Characterize the distribution of M1 and M2 macrophages in vestibular schwannomas by hearing status. (2) Develop assays to assess monocyte migration and macrophage polarization in cocultures with vestibular schwannoma cells. Study Design Basic and translational science. Setting Tertiary care center. Methods A retrospective chart review of 30 patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) was performed. Patients were stratified into serviceable and unserviceable hearing groups. Immunohistochemistry for CD80+ M1 and CD163+ M2 macrophages was conducted. Primary VS cultures (n = 4) were developed and cocultured with monocytes. Immunohistochemistry for macrophage markers was performed to assess monocyte migration and macrophage polarization. Results Although tumors associated with unserviceable hearing had higher levels of CD80 and CD163 than those with serviceable hearing, the relationship was only significant with CD163 (P = .0161). However, CD163 level did not remain a significant predictor variable associated with unserviceable hearing on multivariate analysis when adjusted for other variables. In vitro assays show that VS cells induced monocyte migration and polarization toward CD80+ M1 or CD163+ M2 macrophage phenotypes, with qualitative differences in CD163+ macrophage morphologies between serviceable and unserviceable hearing groups. Conclusion Vestibular schwannomas express varying degrees of CD80+ M1 and CD163+ M2 macrophages. We present evidence that higher expression of CD163+ may contribute to poorer hearing outcomes in patients with VS. We also describe in vitro assays in a proof-of-concept investigation that VS cells can initiate monocyte migration and macrophage polarization. Future investigations are warranted to explore the relationships between tumor, macrophages, secreted cytokines, and hearing outcomes in patients with VS.
‘Unheard voices’: Perceptions of women with mental illness on nurses screening routinely for domestic violence: A qualitative analysis

Abstract Objective: To explore women's experiences of violence and their opinion on routine screening for domestic violence by nursing professionals in mental health care settings. Methods: This qualitative narrative research design was carried out among 20 asymptomatic women with mental illness at a tertiary care centre in Bangalore, India. Results: Narrative content analysis was performed, and five dominant themes have emerged: 1. Understanding the nature and signs of violence (subtheme: Meaning of violence), 2. Abusive experiences of women with mental illness (subthemes: Physical violence, psychological violence, social violence, sexual violence and financial violence), 3. Experiences on disclosure of violence (subthemes: Identification of violence by nursing professionals, Experiences of disclosure of violence), 4. Barriers for disclosure of abuse(subthemes: Fear of consequences, the hectic schedule of nursing staff, helplessness and hopelessness, perceived poor family support). 5.Routine screening for violence by nursing professionals (subthemes: reasons for routine inquiry of violence, nature of inquiry by the nursing professionals). Conclusion: Women with mental illness were undergoing more than one form of violence, and most of the participants supported routine screening by nursing professionals. Nurses play an essential role in identifying and supporting abused women in mental health care settings.
Analysis of leakage current wave forms for field-aged and new composite insulators

Results of measurements and analyses of leakage current (LC) patterns on field-aged and non-aged insulators are presented. The field-aged insulators were exposed to marine and industrial pollutions as well as to tropical weather conditions for one year. The LC measurements were performed on them under natural and artificial contaminated conditions. The non-aged insulators were previously used for pollution testing. In most cases, the LC patterns on the field-aged insulators were sinusoidal in shape whereas they were highly deformed on the non-aged insulators. These different LC patterns were quantitatively analysed by means of a circuit model representing a polluted and wet insulator surface. A modification of the previously developed neural network for evaluation of the third and fifth harmonic contents of the LC patterns is also presented.
The prospect of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a narrative review

Objective Based on a thorough analysis of monotherapy (pembrolizumab) and chemoimmunotherapy, the immunomodulatory effects of chemotherapy agents are emphasized. Background The combination of chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors should and is already being regarded as a new standard strategy for the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC. As some scientists hold, chemoimmunotherapy is the beginning of a new era of lung cancer therapy. Scientists of this field are trying to make the perfect blend, that is, to explore the perfect condition for combination therapy. However, first, we should fully understand the specific role of chemotherapy agents in combination therapy and its specific mechanism. However, our current consideration of this aspect is not comprehensive enough. Based on a full understanding of the mechanisms and roles of these partner treatments, can the perfect blend or a more appropriate combination strategy of cancer immunotherapy be established? Methods Search and discuss the literature of pembrolizumab in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, as well as previous studies on the immune regulatory function of chemotherapeutic agents, to analyze the mechanism of chemotherapeutic agents in combination immunotherapy. Conclusion Here, we carefully analyzed the details of clinical trials of pembrolizumab in the treatment of NSCLC, and reviewed literature in this field. Therefore, we aim to put forward that chemoimmunotherapy is not a simple model of one plus another. Accordingly, we believe that the more likely role of chemotherapeutics in combination therapy with pembrolizumab is an immunomodulator. Based on this perspective, we propose that more attention and efforts should be devoted to understanding and exploring the immunomodulatory function of chemotherapy agents.
A built-in current sensor based on current-mode design

A very simple yet powerful design of a built-in current sensor for CMOS I/sub DDQ/ testing is presented. Compared with previous methods, this design has lower sensitivity to parameter deviation caused by process or temperature variations. In addition, this design provides scalable sensing resolutions and programmable current reference. Experimental results show that a test response time of less than 2 ns can be acquired when the faulty I/sub DDQ/ current is higher than 250 /spl mu/A.
Episodic memory enhancement versus impairment is determined by contextual similarity across events

Significance It is not well understood why and how memories of similar events sometimes strengthen each other, but at other times compete, causing either facilitation or impairment of memory recollection. Reasoning that the environment (spatial context) in which events occur is a critical component of memory function, we show that similar memories strengthen each other’s retrievability when the events occurred in the same context, whereas memories impair each other’s recall when experiences took place across different contexts. Interestingly, these patterns may change or even reverse if contextual cues are present during recall. Our results thus suggest that episodic memory alterations are adjustable rather than permanent, and provide strategies to optimize memory retention and reduce interference in educational and legal settings. For over a century, stability of spatial context across related episodes has been considered a source of memory interference, impairing memory retrieval. However, contemporary memory integration theory generates a diametrically opposite prediction. Here, we aimed to resolve this discrepancy by manipulating local context similarity across temporally disparate but related episodes and testing the direction and underlying mechanisms of memory change. A series of experiments show that contextual stability produces memory integration and marked reciprocal strengthening. Variable context, conversely, seemed to result in competition such that new memories become enhanced at the expense of original memories. Interestingly, these patterns were virtually inverted in an additional experiment where context was reinstated during recall. These observations 1) identify contextual similarity across original and new memories as an important determinant in the volatility of memory, 2) present a challenge to classic and modern theories on episodic memory change, and 3) indicate that the sensitivity of context-induced memory changes to retrieval conditions may reconcile paradoxical predictions of interference and integration theory.
Factors Influencing Dietary Diversity in Infants in India: Study Undertaken in Two Districts

Adequate feeding practices in early life have a lasting impact on child nutrition and development. This paper examines the dietary diversity and its associated factors among children aged 6-12 months, in the age that they transition from breastfeeding to complementary feeding, in two districts in India: Udupi (Karnataka) and Sambalpur (Odisha). In 2019, a citizen-led survey, that can be scaled up further very rapidly and cost-effectively, was conducted covering 976 mothers of children below 1 year of age by 90 trained local volunteers. The survey tool uses the Knowledge, Access and Practices Framework and was developed, tested and refined over 4 years through diverse pilots in various locations in India. In the sample, only 12% children aged 6-12 months met the WHO’s minimum dietary diversity requirement. A linear probability regression model was used to assess significant factors for an adequate diversified diet intake in infants. Maternal education, child’s age and meal frequency were found to be significantly associated with dietary diversity. Other factors such as household wealth, gender of child, birth order and homegrown gardens did not present a strong association. Integrated interventions targeted at mothers and children that include nutrition education components into mothers’ education are more likely to be effective in improving infant dietary diversity.
A Design Model for Geosynthetic-reinforced Pavements

The first paper to this companion series of articles [Perkins, S.W and Edens, M.Q. (2003) “Finite elements and distress models for geosynthetic-reinforced pavements”, International Journal of Pavement Engineering, 3(4), 239–250] described a finite element response model and empirical damage models that were combined to form a mechanistic–empirical (M–E) for geosynthetic-reinforced flexible pavement systems. The model provides predictions of an extension of service life or a reduction in unbound aggregate thickness for equivalent service life when the geosynthetic is placed at the bottom of the aggregate layer. In this paper, the model is used in a parametric study involving the analysis of over 465 cases to provide predictions of reinforcement benefit for a range of design parameters. The parameters varied are those that are believed to be most influential on reinforcement benefit and include thickness of the structural section, strength and/or stiffness of the subgrade, tensile modulus in both principal directions of the geosynthetic and several other properties related to the type and structure of the geosynthetic. Regression equations are used to relate reinforcement benefit results from the parametric study to these pavement design parameters and form the basis of the design model presented in this paper. This model is calibrated against the results of large-scale reinforced pavement test sections. The design model allows for the design of geosynthetic-reinforced flexible pavements using generic input parameters for the pavement system.
Progressive axonopathy when oligodendrocytes lack the myelin protein CMTM5

Oligodendrocytes facilitate rapid impulse propagation along the axons they myelinate and support their long-term integrity. However, the functional relevance of many myelin proteins has remained unknown. Here we find that expression of the tetraspan-transmembrane protein CMTM5 (Chemokine-like factor-like MARVEL-transmembrane domain containing protein 5) is highly enriched in oligodendrocytes and CNS myelin. Genetic disruption of the Cmtm5-gene in oligodendrocytes of mice does not impair the development or ultrastructure of CNS myelin. However, oligodendroglial Cmtm5-deficiency causes an early-onset progressive axonopathy, which we also observe in global and in tamoxifen-induced oligodendroglial Cmtm5-mutants. Presence of the Wlds mutation ameliorates the axonopathy, implying a Wallerian degeneration-like pathomechanism. These results indicate that CMTM5 is involved in the function of oligodendrocytes to maintain axonal integrity rather than myelin biogenesis.
Effect of Intra Uterine Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor vs. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin at Ovum Pick Up Day on Pregnancy Rate in IVF/ICSI Cases With Recurrent Implantation Failure

Objective Recurrent implantation failure is defined as failure to achieve clinical pregnancy after the transfer of four or more good-quality embryos in a minimum of three fresh or frozen cycles in a woman aged less than 40 years. The objective is to compare between the effect of intrauterine G-CSF, hCG, and saline solution injection (as placebo) at the day of ovum pick-up on clinical pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, implantation, and miscarriage rates in patients with recurrent implantation failure undergoing IVF/ICSI. Methods This prospective, double blind, parallel, randomized controlled trial included 150 patients equally divided into 3 groups, each containing 50 individuals. Subjects in Group 1 received intrauterine injections of G-CSF; Group 2: received intrauterine injections of 500 IU of hCG; and Group 3 received intrauterine injections of saline solution as placebo. The primary outcome measure is clinical pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes are biochemical pregnancy, implantation, and miscarriage rates. Results Clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, and implantation rates were highest in the group given G-CSF and lowest in the group administered saline solution; miscarriage rates were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusions Intrauterine administration of G-CSF at a dose of 100 µg/1.0 cc at the time of ovum pick-up is associated with better clinical pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, and implantation rates as compared with intrauterine saline solution administration. Further studies are needed to determine the optimum timing of intrauterine administration of G-CSF that achieves the best results, and longer follow-up is needed to determine take-home baby percentages.
Possible Treatment of Myocardial Infarct Based on Tissue Engineering Using a Cellularized Solid Collagen Scaffold Functionalized with Arg-Glyc-Asp (RGD) Peptide

Currently, the clinical impact of cell therapy after a myocardial infarction (MI) is limited by low cell engraftment due to low cell retention, cell death in inflammatory and poor angiogenic infarcted areas, secondary migration. Cells interact with their microenvironment through integrin mechanoreceptors that control their survival/apoptosis/differentiation/migration and proliferation. The association of cells with a three-dimensional material may be a way to improve interactions with their integrins, and thus outcomes, especially if preparations are epicardially applied. In this review, we will focus on the rationale for using collagen as a polymer backbone for tissue engineering of a contractile tissue. Contractilities are reported for natural but not synthetic polymers and for naturals only for: collagen/gelatin/decellularized-tissue/fibrin/Matrigel™ and for different material states: hydrogels/gels/solids. To achieve a thick/long-term contractile tissue and for cell transfer, solid porous compliant scaffolds are superior to hydrogels or gels. Classical methods to produce solid scaffolds: electrospinning/freeze-drying/3D-printing/solvent-casting and methods to reinforce and/or maintain scaffold properties by reticulations are reported. We also highlight the possibility of improving integrin interaction between cells and their associated collagen by its functionalizing with the RGD-peptide. Using a contractile patch that can be applied epicardially may be a way of improving ventricular remodeling and limiting secondary cell migration.
Comparison of standards for determining efficiency of three phase induction motors

The paper describes a set of experiments and discusses their results for determining the efficiency of low voltage, three phase squirrel cage induction motors. The measured efficiency of an induction motor directly connected to the grid, strongly depends on the method used to evaluate the results and the standard according to which the measurements are performed. Different standards as IEEE 112 and IEC 32 are mentioned and their similarities and differences are discussed. The main discrepancies between the various standards is the way in which the values for the stray load losses are obtained at different load levels. A short description of the measurement setup is given and measurement results for motors of several manufacturers accounting for different standards are proposed. The results clearly demonstrate the necessity to handle the efficiency data given by the manufacturer with a lot of care.
Fabrication of high current density Nb integrated circuits using a self-aligned junction anodization process

We have developed a self-aligned Nb/Al-AlO/sub x//Nb junction anodization process that allows outside junction contacts and relaxed contact alignment. In this process, the junction, rather than the junction contact, becomes the minimum definable feature size. Junction size is limited only by the resolution of the lithography and etch tools, which is 0.65 /spl mu/m in our foundry. The self-aligned junction anodization process allows a significant increase in circuit speed due to the decrease in minimum junction size and increase in junction critical current density without investment in new fabrication tools. This process requires only one additional, noncritical masking step and has no impact on existing design rules. We describe the fabrication and electrical characteristics of lightly anodized junctions and arrays at 8 kA/cm/sup 2/ and the development of new 5 /spl Omega//sq. MoN/sub x/ and 0.15 /spl Omega//sq. Mo/Al resistors. We also discuss the 300 GHz T flip-flop benchmark results from our new 8 kA/cm/sup 2/, 1.25 /spl mu/m Nb integrated circuit process and compare these results to other Nb processes.
Fluid dynamics of basal entrainment by geophysical gravity-driven flows

Geophysical gravity-driven flows -- including avalanches, debris flows, pyroclastic flows and submarine turbidity currents -- are multiphase natural hazards that flow under the influence of gravity. Despite their differences, they share much of the same physics, having the potential to pick up material from beneath, a process called basal entrainment during which the flow may increase in volume and velocity manyfold. Due to their complexity and unpredictability there are still many unanswered questions about their mechanics, so that many of the theoretical models in use are based on insufficient data sets and may not apply to a general case. Here, basal entrainment by geophysical gravity-driven flows is studied by isolating the process in idealised laboratory experiments. The avalanche is simplified and controlled in such a way that any changes can be confidently attributed to the entrainment process alone. Further, the methods available in the laboratory allow the continuous, passive study of entrainment, so that for the first time full data sets of internal measurements are obtained, from experiments ranging from simple to complex. The data obtained is easily exploited for confirmation of the mathematical models developed in this thesis. Experiments which simulated entraining avalanches as Newtonian dam-breaks along a horizontal flume and as viscoplastic dam-breaks along an inclined flume both showed an increase in front position, dependent on the amount of material available, amongst other changes. The experimental results allow the development of a theoretical thin-film model in both cases which is solved numerically and compares favourably with the data obtained. The Newtonian model reproduced the flow characteristics excellently and the viscoplastic model successfully simulated the effects of entrainable material. The possibility of performing similar experiments using a granular suspension is also investigated, with promising results. This work shows that the effect of entrainment on gravity-driven flows can be quantified and modelled mathematically as a non-local transport process. This has implications for hazard modelling: if the quantity of available loose material is known, and its characteristics are similar to those of the flowing avalanche, the avalanche and the entrainable bed can be modelled as a continuous flow over a rigid base. Thus it is suggested that the models developed be tested in more realistic cases, e.g. in the case of an avalanche entraining material with different characteristics, or in a more complex geometry, in order to better mimic what happens in nature.
Elucidation of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase Formation Mechanism in Micro‐Mesoporous Hard‐Carbon Anodes

The microstructure of hard carbons can be designed to maximize their performance as anodes for sodium‐ion batteries. However, the nature of the electrolyte is also decisive in the capacity and long‐term stability. Here, hard carbons with a tailored bimodal pore network of internal micropores interconnected through mesopores are studied as sodium‐ion battery anodes. The evolution of their solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is analyzed in three different electrolytes (NaPF6 in an ether‐based solvent, and NaPF6 or NaClO4 in a carbonate‐based system). Combining experiments with density functional theory calculations, it is proposed that formation of the SEI is mainly controlled by the decomposition of the salt anion. This process occurs through the intermediate functionalization of the carbon surface by the decomposed anion fragments. It is suggested that the innermost SEI sub‐layer governs the performance and long‐term stability of the anode. While the presence of a fluorine‐containing salt appears to have a determining role in the SEI stability, the electrochemical decomposition of carbonate‐based solvents is detrimental for the long‐term stability as the interfacial resistance increases. In contrast, the ether‐based system enables stable long‐term cycling as the interphase remains almost intact once the first fluorine‐rich SEI layer is formed.