Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Favorable Outcome of Preoperative Low Dose Chemoradiotherapy Against Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

To investigate the feasibility of preoperative low-dose chemoradiotherapy, 50 patients with localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer (T2–T4) were treated with concurrent cisplatin (100 mg/body × 2 courses) and pelvic irradiation (40 Gy). Among 20 patients (40%) who achieved clinical complete regression, 11 with solitary tumor underwent partial cystectomy because of advanced age, poor condition of the patients, or a reluctance to have radical surgery. Radical cystectomy was carried out in the remaining 39 cases (complete regression 9, partial regression 30). Pathologic T0 response (no residual tumor) was achieved in 18 (36%) of all the cases. Median follow-up was 19 months (range 2–59 months). Estimated 3-year disease-free survival was 75% for all patients and 100% for T0 responders. Local recurrence (2 patients) or distant metastasis (6 patients) developed in 8 of 32 patients with pathologic persistent tumor. All of the 11 patients (9 with T0 response and 2 with a small residual tumor nest) who underwent partial cystectomy were recurrence free for observation periods up to 59 months. Low-dose chemoradiotherapy is as effective as other neoadjuvant protocols and is applicable to high-risk patients. The bladder can be preserved by partial cystectomy in selected cases with clinical complete regression.
Tissue factor expression determines tumour cell coagulation kinetics

Introduction: Cancers are associated with varying degrees of an increased risk of venous thromboembotic events (VTE) occurring. This increased risk is tumour driven and associated with tumour expression of tissue factor (TF) and tumour‐derived microparticles (MP). In this study, cancer cell lines from phenotypically distinct tumours were assessed for cell surface TF expression and prothrombin time (PT) taken as a measure of procoagulant potential.
Uncoupling by Acetic Acid Limits Growth of and Acetogenesis by Clostridium thermoaceticum

When cells of the anaerobic thermophile Clostridium thermoaceticum grow in batch culture and homoferment glucose to acetic acid, the pH of the medium decreases until growth and then acid production cease, at about pH 5. We postulated that the end product of fermentation limits growth by acting as an uncoupling agent. Thus, when the pH of the medium is low, the cytoplasm of the cells becomes acidified below a tolerable pH. We have therefore measured the internal pH of growing cells and compared these values with those of nongrowing cells incubated in the absence of acetic acid. Growing cells maintained an interior about 0.6 pH units more alkaline than the exterior throughout most of batch growth (i.e., ΔpH = 0.6). We also measured the transmembrane electrical potential (ΔΨ), which decreased from 140 mV at pH 7 at the beginning of growth to 80 mV when the medium had reached pH 5. The proton motive force, therefore, was 155 mV at pH 7, decreasing to 120 mV at pH 5. When further fermentation acidified the medium below pH 5, both the ΔpH and the ΔΨ collapsed, indicating that these cells require an internal pH of at least 5.5 to 5.7. Cells harvested from stationary phase and suspended in citrate-phosphate buffer maintained a ΔpH of 1.5 at external pH 5.0. This ΔpH was dissipated by acetic acid (at the concentrations found in the growth medium) and other weak organic acids, as well as by ionophores and inhibitors of glycolysis and of the H+-ATPase. Nongrowing cells had a ΔΨ which ranged from about 116 mV at external pH 7 to about 55 mV at external pH 5 and which also was sensitive to ionophores. Since acetic acid, in its un-ionized form, diffuses passively across the cytoplasmic membrane, it effectively renders the membrane permeable to protons. It therefore seems unlikely that mutations at one or a few loci would result in C. thermoaceticum cells significantly more acetic acid tolerant than their parental type.
Hyperinsulinaemia is Associated with Stimulation of Cholesterol Synthesis in Both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

The effect of hyperinsulinaemia and hyperglycaemia on cholesterol synthesis was examined in lymphocytes from diabetic subjects. The first part of the study involved the provocation of hyperinsulinaemia by consumption of a carbohydrate‐rich meal, in obese patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cholesterol synthesis was measured before and 4 h after completing the meal. Results were compared to groups of obese non‐diabetic patients and to control subjects. Analysis of the three groups demonstrated that the percentage change in cholesterol synthesis was directly proportional to the percentage rise in serum insulin (r = 0.49, p < 0.05). This physiological study demonstrated that postprandial hyperinsulinaemia promoted cholesterol synthesis; however, we could not estimate the effect of the meal on cholesterologenesis. To study hyperinsulinaemia in isolation, we examined the effects of varying insulin infusion rates for 4 h at either low or high levels of serum glucose using the glucose clamp technique in young Type 1 diabetic patients. Cholesterol synthesis in lymphocytes was again measured before and after the study period. Hyperinsulinaemia stimulated cholesterol synthesis (+28.6%, p < 0.05) but hyperglycaemia alone did not exhibit this effect (‐1.7% NS). The combination of hyperinsulinaemia and hyperglycaemia produced the greatest increase in cholesterol synthesis (+ 51.4%, p < 0.05) but this increase was not significantly different from hyperinsulinaemia alone. The percentage increase in serum insulin levels was again proportional to the percentage change in cholesterol synthesis (r = 0.46, p < 0.05).
What Drives Current Account Balance in West Africa States: Evidence from Panel ARDL

This paper examines the determinant of current account balance (CAB) within the panel Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model framework for West African countries. Both the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) and Dynamic Fixed-Effect (DFE) , as informed by the Hausman test were estimated. The results indicate that in the long-run, GDP per capital, INV, M2 and DER in PMG model positively impact CAB while the real effective exchange rate (REER) has a negative and statistically significant long term effect on CAB. The results of DFE model suggest that an increase in GDPPC and M2 increases CAB in the long run while in the short run, investment (INV) exert positive impact on CAB in the two models. An increase in REER has a significant negative impact on CAB. The present of a long-run relationship between the current account balance (CAB) and its determinants implies the effectiveness of targeting one of the variables in influencing the long run behavior of other variables by policy makers.
Fluorescence energy transfer in one dimension: Frequency‐domain fluorescence study of DNA–fluorophore complexes

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer among linear DNA bound fluorophores was carried out to study the process in one dimension. The donor fluorescence intensity decays in the case of energy transfer in one dimension are stretched exponential and show exp[‐(t/τ)1/6] time dependence, which results in an initial more rapid decay and subsequent slower decay at long times when compared to those in higher dimensions. DNA‐bound 4′,6′‐diamidino‐2‐phenyl indole (DAPI), acridine orange (AO), and ethidium bromide (EB) were used as donors. The acceptors were in the case of DAPI AO and EB; in the case of AO nile blue (NB), methylene blue (MB), and crystal violet (CV); and NB, MB, and oxazine 750 in the case of EB. As expected, the donor intensity decays became highly heterogeneous upon energy transfer and were characterized by the simultaneous presence of both highly and marginally quenched donors. The intensity decays for all three donors in the presence of various acceptors are satisfactorily described by the Förster model of energy transfer in one dimension. The intensity decays also allow for clear rejection of a two‐ or three‐dimensional model. The experimentally recovered critical Förster distances (R0) ranged between 37 Å in the case of DAPI and EB to 70 Å in the case of AO and CV donor‐acceptor pairs. These recovered R0 values compare reasonably with those calculated from spectral properties if we use values of 1.25 for κ2, and 1.5 for the refractive index of DNA. The κ2 value will be even higher, between 1.5 and 2.0, if the consensus DNA refractive index of 1.75 is used. These κ2 values strongly suggest that the dipoles of the acceptor chromophores when bound to DNA are not randomly oriented but are aligned preferentially in plane. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Further Characterization of the Syndrome of Right Bundle Branch Block, ST Segment Elevation, and Sudden Cardiac Death

RBBB, ST Elevation, and SCD. We recently described a syndrome characterized by an ECG pattern of right bundle branch block and persistent ST segment elevation in leads V1 to V3 in patients suffering from aborted sudden cardiac death and not having demonstrable structural heart disease. We present new observations on this syndrome, especially those related to asymptomatic and intermittent forms. Forty‐seven patients with the described ECG pattern were identified; 32 were symptomatic with syncope and sudden death aborted by cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Eleven patients received pharmacologic therapy, mainly amiodarone and/or beta‐blocking agents, and 21 patients received an implantable defibrillator with or without pharmacologic therapy. Three of the 11 patients on pharmacologic therapy died suddenly during follow‐up, while 9 of 21 patients with an implantable defibrillator used the device during follow‐up. The remaining 15 patients were asymptomatic when first seen. Three patients died suddenly after 6 years, 3 months, and 2 months of follow‐up without treatment. Another patient received an implantable defibrillator after syncope and had subsequent episodes of ventricular fibrillation terminated by the defibrillator. The other 11 patients remain asymptomatic without (6) or with (5) treatment with beta blockers. In 14 of the 47 patients, the ECG normalized momentarily during follow‐up but later became abnormal again. During transient normalization of the ECG, administration of ajmaline or procainamide unmasked the described ECG pattern in six patients who received the drug. Long‐term follow‐up of survivors failed to show progression to any form of right or left ventricular cardiomyopatby.
Comparison of hyperbaric oxygen and medical ozone therapies in a rat model of experimental distal colitis

Abstract Objectives. Previous studies have shown that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is effective in reducing the severity of acute distal colitis (ADC). Ozone therapy (OT) reduces inflammation in several pathological conditions. We aimed to compare the effects of HBO therapy and OT in an experimental ADC rat model. Materials and methods. Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham, ADC, ADC + HBO, and ADC + OT. Rats in the sham group were given isotonic saline. In the remaining groups, ADC was created by intracolonic administration of 4% acetic acid. No treatment was given to the ADC group. The rats in the ADC + HBO and ADC + OT groups were given HBO and ozone treatments, respectively. The administration of acetic acid caused an inflammatory response in all animals. Distal colons and blood samples were obtained. Results. The histopathological score was significantly higher in the ADC group compared to the other groups. The histopathological scores in the ADC + HBO and ADC + OT groups were significantly lower compared to the ADC group (both p < 0.001). The most pronounced therapeutic effect was observed in the ADC + OT group. Malondialdehyde and neopterin levels and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the ADC group were significantly higher compared to the other groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Our data showed that the therapeutic effect of OT is more pronounced than that of HBO therapy. Its possible effect is by means of decreasing inflammation, edema, and oxidative stress. These findings also suggest that it is possible to improve the outcome of ADC by using ozone therapy as an adjuvant therapy.
Interleukin-36-receptor antagonist deficiency and generalized pustular psoriasis.

BACKGROUND Generalized pustular psoriasis is a life-threatening disease of unknown cause. It is characterized by sudden, repeated episodes of high-grade fever, generalized rash, and disseminated pustules, with hyperleukocytosis and elevated serum levels of C-reactive protein, which may be associated with plaque-type psoriasis. METHODS We performed homozygosity mapping and direct sequencing in nine Tunisian multiplex families with autosomal recessive generalized pustular psoriasis. We assessed the effect of mutations on protein expression and conformation, stability, and function. RESULTS We identified significant linkage to an interval of 1.2 megabases on chromosome 2q13-q14.1 and a homozygous missense mutation in IL36RN, encoding an interleukin-36-receptor antagonist (interleukin-36Ra), an antiinflammatory cytokine. This mutation predicts the substitution of a proline residue for leucine at amino acid position 27 (L27P). Homology-based structural modeling of human interleukin-36Ra suggests that the proline at position 27 affects both the stability of interleukin-36Ra and its interaction with its receptor, interleukin-1 receptor-like 2 (interleukin-1 receptor-related protein 2). Biochemical analyses showed that the L27P variant was poorly expressed and less potent than the nonvariant interleukin-36Ra in inhibiting a cytokine-induced response in an interleukin-8 reporter assay, leading to enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-8 in particular) by keratinocytes from the patients. CONCLUSIONS Aberrant interleukin-36Ra structure and function lead to unregulated secretion of inflammatory cytokines and generalized pustular psoriasis. (Funded by Agence Nationale de la Recherche and Société Française de Dermatologie.).
A non-Gaussian Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model for pricing wind power futures

ABSTRACT The recent introduction of wind power futures written on the German wind power production index has brought with it new interesting challenges in terms of modelling and pricing. Some particularities of this product are the strong seasonal component embedded in the underlying, the fact that the wind index is bounded from both above and below and also that the futures are settled against a synthetically generated spot index. Here, we consider the non-Gaussian Ornstein–Uhlenbeck type processes proposed by Barndorff-Nielsen and Shephard in the context of modelling the wind power production index. We discuss the properties of the model and estimation of the model parameters. Further, the model allows for an analytical formula for pricing wind power futures. We provide an empirical study, where the model is calibrated to 37 years of German wind power production index that is synthetically generated assuming a constant level of installed capacity. Also, based on 1 year of observed prices for wind power futures with different delivery periods, we study the market price of risk. Generally, we find a negative risk premium whose magnitude decreases as the length of the delivery period increases. To further demonstrate the benefits of our proposed model, we address the pricing of European options written on wind power futures, which can be achieved through Fourier techniques.
Virtual Character Agent for Lowering Knowledge-sharing Barriers on Q&A Websites

With the development of Web 2.0 technology, Q&A websites have become one of the most common avenues for large scale knowledge sharing. However, three types of barriers between questioners and respondents make knowledge sharing difficult:differences in the personality types of the questioners and respondents, lack of trust, and an arrogant or negative attitude exhibited by some questioners. In order to lower these barriers, we propose a Q&A mediator system with virtual character agents. In this system, a questioner asks questions through his/her own agent, and the respondents see the question from their agent. Each agent has four characteristics:personality traits similar to knowledge sharers, good looks, affable personality, and a positive attitude. The results of a preliminary experiment indicated that the proposed system can improve the users' motivation to answer questions.
Heme binding inhibits the fibrillization of amyloidogenic apomyoglobin and determines lack of aggregate cytotoxicity

Myoglobin is an α‐helical globular protein containing two highly conserved tryptophanyl residues at positions 7 and 14 in the N‐terminal region. The double W/F replacement renders apomyoglobin highly susceptible to aggregation and amyloid‐like fibril formation under physiological conditions. In this work we analyze the early stage of W7FW14F apomyoglobin aggregation following the time dependence of the process by far‐UV CD, Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and heme‐binding properties. The results show that the aggregation of W7FW14F apomyoglobin starts from a native‐like globin state able to bind the prosthetic group with spectroscopic properties similar to those observed for wild‐type apoprotein. Nevertheless, it rapidly aggregates, forming amyloid fibrils. However, when the prosthetic group is added before the beginning of aggregation, amyloid fibrillization is inhibited, although the aggregation process is not prevented. Moreover, the apomyoglobin aggregates formed in these conditions are not cytotoxic differently from what is observed for all amyloidogenic proteins. These results open new insights into the relationship between the structure adopted by the protein into the aggregates and their ability to trigger the impairment of cell viability.
Autonomy, partnership and beyond. A counterfactual analysis of policy coherence for Ghana

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Harmonic global parametrization with rational holonomy

We present a method for locally injective seamless parametrization of triangular mesh surfaces of arbitrary genus, with or without boundaries, given desired cone points and rational holonomy angles (multiples of 2π/q for some positive integer q). The basis of the method is an elegant generalization of Tutte's "spring embedding theorem" to this setting. The surface is cut to a disk and a harmonic system with appropriate rotation constraints is solved, resulting in a harmonic global parametrization (HGP) method. We show a remarkable result: that if the triangles adjacent to the cones and boundary are positively oriented, and the correct cone and turning angles are induced, then the resulting map is guaranteed to be locally injective. Guided by this result, we solve the linear system by convex optimization, imposing convexification frames on only the boundary and cone triangles, and minimizing a Laplacian energy to achieve harmonicity. We compare HGP to state-of-the-art methods and see that it is the most robust, and is significantly faster than methods with comparable robustness.
Bullying in and out of school : personal narratives of primary school learners.

1 CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION 2 1.1. The prevalence of bullying 2 1.2. The purpose of my research 2 1.3. Conceptual underpinnings of my research 5 CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 7 2.1. Prevalence 7 2.2. Forms and consequences of bullying 8 2.3. Understanding bullying through a gender lens 9 2.4. Understanding bullying through the lens of dominant discourses of masculinity 11 CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DESIGN 15 3.
A model for anisotropic shading of fibers with varying topology

Cloth, hair, brushed metal, and similar surfaces with small, regular surface features exhibit anisotropic reflectance properties for which isotropic shading models can not be used. Flat surfaces consisting of small fibers can be shaded by a taking all the normals on the fiber that are visible and lit into account as proposed by Poulin and Fournier. Another much faster but also less correct model takes only the normal giving maximal intensity into account. Nevertheless, they all assume a flat topology of the fibers. In this paper a simple model for varying the topology is proposed that could be used together with the illumination model proposed by Poulin and Fournier. The new model makes it possible to render curved objects like spheres and toruses more correctly.
Lattice Theory of$hboxC_36$: A Carbon Ellipsoidal Cell

An ellipsoidal differential lattice structure is developed for studies of the structures, energy bands, and electronic characteristics of C36. Constraint numbers are introduced into the wavenumbers of krho in the longitudinal direction of the prolate ellipsoidal lattice. Under these constraints, the structure of the C36 molecule is demonstrated to be an ellipsoidal cell, where the lengths of major and minor axes are the intermolecular spacing and diameter of C36. This approach also indicates that the intermolecular interactions of two C36 molecules are the interactions of the valence electrons in 2pz state which is perpendicular to the surface of the ellipsoid. The C36 molecules join together at the endpoint of the major axis through interactions of the covalence electrons in the intermolecular region, where the electrons are transferred from one C36 molecule to the other. The ellipsoidal structures of C36 are isoenergetic and semiconducting. Also, some isomers of C36 can be narrow semiconducting. Predictions of this theory agree well with the results of the simulations and published measurements, paving the way for the design of practical nanodevices
The Effects of Work-to-Rest Ratios on Torque, Electromyographic, and Mechanomyographic Responses to Fatiguing Workbouts

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of 2 different work-to-rest ratios, but the same mean load, cycle time, and total duration of the exercise bout, on maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque and neuromuscular responses to fatiguing, intermittent, submaximal, isometric, forearm flexion muscle actions. Ten men performed 2 fatiguing protocols with different work-to-rest ratios (4 s contraction, 4 s rest vs. 4 s contraction, alternating 6 and 2 s rest) that consisted of 50 intermittent, submaximal (65% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction), isometric, forearm flexion muscle actions. Electromyographic and mechanomyographic signals from the biceps brachii were recorded before, during, immediately and 5 min after performing the fatiguing protocols. In addition, maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque was assessed before, immediately and 5 min after. Both protocols resulted in decreases in maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque, electromyographic mean power frequency, and mechanomyographic mean power frequency, but no changes in electromyographic amplitude or mechanomyographic amplitude. The results of the present study indicated that differences in work-to-rest ratio did not affect maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque or the associated neuromuscular parameters as a result of fatiguing, intermittent, isometric muscle actions when mean load, cycle time, and total duration of exercise were equivalent.