Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Performance of Microchannel Contact Lenses

Purpose. It has been suggested that microchannels placed on the posterior surface of hydrogel contact lenses increase transverse lens movement and therefore increase tear mixing. Lens designs, which can improve tear exchange without adversely affecting lens performance, may play a significant role in improving the safety of contact lens wear. Our aim was to investigate the effect of posterior lens surface microchannels on contact lens performance. Methods. A randomized, single masked pilot study was conducted. Fifteen experienced hydrogel lens wearers were randomly assigned to wear a microchannel lens (MC) in one eye and a standard hydrogel lens design (STD) in the fellow eye over a period of 6 hours. A range of objective and subjective clinical performance measures were assessed, including visual acuity, lens movement, comfort and patient preference. Results. There were no significant differences between the MC and STD lenses with respect to vision measures, corneal staining, and bulbar and limbal redness (p > 0.05). The MC lenses produced significantly less conjunctival staining than the STD lenses and showed greater lens movement in primary gaze (p < 0.05). Lens distortion with blinking was evaluated through topographic assessment of the contact lenses on eye, and no significant differences were observed in central distortion levels between the two lens designs (p > 0.05). Subjective evaluation of the lenses with respect to comfort, vision, and overall satisfaction did not vary significantly between the two lens types (p > 0.05). Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that posterior lens surface microchannels do not adversely affect contact lens performance or subjective lens preference over a short-term wearing period. The MC lenses appear to produce less physiological impact on the conjunctival surface than STD lenses with less conjunctival staining observed with the MC lenses. Clinical investigation of the performance of this type of lens design in a larger group of subjects, over longer wearing periods, is warranted.
Triclabendazole biotransformation and comparative diffusion of the parent drug and its oxidized metabolites into Fasciola hepatica

1. Triclabendazole (TCBZ) is an halogenated trematodicidal benzimidazole compound extensively used in veterinary medicine. It is active against immature and adult stages of the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica. 2. Free and conjugated TCBZ metabolites have been identified in the bile of treated sheep. 3. The experimental aims were to characterize the in vitro patterns of TCBZ biotransformation both in the animal host (sheep liver microsomes) and target parasite (F. hepatica microsomal preparation); and to compare the ex vivo diffusion of TCBZ parent drug and its oxidized metabolites (TCBZ sulphoxide [TCBZSO], TCBZ sulphone [TCBZSO2], and TCBZ-hydroxy derivatives) into F. hepatica. Additionally, the octanol–water partition coefficients for TCBZ and all its metabolites were estimated as an indicator of the relationship between drug lipophilicity and diffusion into the target parasite. 4. Drug/metabolites concentrations were quantified by HPLC after sample clean up and a solvent-mediated chemical extraction. 5. Sheep liver microsomes metabolized TCBZ into its sulphoxide and sulphone metabolites after 30 min of incubation. The rate of TCBZ sulphoxidation in the liver was significantly greater (p<0.01) than that observed for the sulphonation of TCBZSO. 6. The trematode parasite oxidized TCBZ into its sulphoxide metabolite after 60 min of incubation at a metabolic rate of 0.09 nmol min−1 mg protein−1. 7. TCBZ and all its oxidized metabolic products were recovered from F. hepatica as early as 15 min after their ex vivo incubation in a Kreb's Ringer Tris buffer. However, the diffusion of the hydroxy-derivatives into the fluke was lower than that observed for TCBZ, TCBZSO and TCBZSO2. There was a high correlation (r = 0.82) between drug lipophilicity (expressed as octanol–water partition coefficients) and drug availability measured within the parasite. 8. Unlike the uptake pattern previously observed for albendazole, the parent TCBZ and its sulphoxide and sulphone metabolites showed a similar ability to penetrate into the trematode parasite. 9. Understanding the relationship between TCBZ metabolism, the relative pharmacological potency of its metabolic products and their ability to reach the target parasite may be critical to optimize its flukicidal activity, particularly when TCBZ resistant flukes have been already isolated in the field.
Current smoking‐specific gene expression signature in normal bronchial epithelium is enhanced in squamous cell lung cancer

Cigarette smoking is the main risk factor for the development of squamous cell lung carcinoma (SCC). However, the smoking‐related molecular changes in SCC have not been studied. Gene expression studies in both histologically normal bronchial epithelium and SCC epithelial samples identified genes differentially expressed between current and ex‐smokers. Subsequently, expression levels of the smoking‐related genes in normal bronchial epithelium were compared with those in SCC cells, since we hypothesized that the smoking‐induced changes would be also deregulated in SCC. Gene expression profiles were generated using Agilent whole human genome microarrays on laser‐microdissected normal bronchial epithelium and SCC samples. Expression levels of 246 genes, mainly related to oxidative stress response, were significantly different between normal bronchial epithelium of current and ex‐smokers. Such a differential gene expression profile did not exist in SCC cells of smokers and ex‐smokers. Interestingly, when comparing SCC and normal bronchial epithelium from ex‐smokers, the vast majority of these 246 genes were also deregulated in SCC. When comparing SCC with normal epithelium from smokers, 22% of the up‐regulated genes showed a similar high expression in SCC whereas 79% of the down‐regulated genes were even further reduced in SCC as compared to current smokers. The down‐regulated genes included several tumour suppressor genes, such as C9orf9, INHBB, LRIG1, SCGB3A1, SERPINI2, STEAP3 and ZMYND10. Thus, our study shows that the majority of genes up‐regulated in normal bronchial epithelium of current smokers show similar high expression levels in SCC, while down‐regulated genes are even further repressed in SCC. Our data indicate that smoking‐related changes in normal bronchial epithelial cells persist in malignant transformed squamous cells. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microwave imaging technique for lung tumour detection

In this work, experimental results from a study on the feasibility of detecting tumour tissue in the lung within the thorax is reported. The thorax phantom was realised using tissue simulating liquids with matching dielectric properties. The microwave images were reconstructed from the acquired backscattered signals using the delay-and-sum imaging algorithm. The described microwave imaging technique shows that it is possible to detect tumour in the lung during breathing activities of inhalation and exhalation.
Effectiveness of Extended-Duration Transdermal Nicotine Therapy

BACKGROUND Tobacco dependence is a chronic, relapsing condition that may require extended treatment. OBJECTIVE To assess whether extended-duration transdermal nicotine therapy increases abstinence from tobacco more than standard-duration therapy in adult smokers. DESIGN Parallel randomized, placebo-controlled trial from September 2004 to February 2008. Participants and all research personnel except the database manager were blinded to randomization. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00364156) SETTING Academic center. PARTICIPANTS 568 adult smokers. INTERVENTION In an unstratified small block-randomization scheme, participants were randomly assigned to standard therapy (Nicoderm CQ [GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina], 21 mg, for 8 weeks and placebo for 16 weeks) or extended therapy (Nicoderm CQ, 21 mg, for 24 weeks). MEASUREMENTS The primary outcome was biochemically confirmed point-prevalence abstinence at weeks 24 and 52. Secondary outcomes were continuous and prolonged abstinence, lapse and recovery events, cost per additional quitter, and side effects and adherence. RESULTS At week 24, extended therapy produced higher rates of point-prevalence abstinence (31.6% vs. 20.3%; odds ratio, 1.81 [95% CI, 1.23 to 2.66]; P = 0.002), prolonged abstinence (41.5% vs. 26.9%; odds ratio, 1.97 [CI, 1.38 to 2.82]; P = 0.001), and continuous abstinence (19.2% vs. 12.6%; odds ratio, 1.64 [CI, 1.04 to 2.60]; P = 0.032) versus standard therapy. Extended therapy reduced the risk for lapse (hazard ratio, 0.77 [CI, 0.63 to 0.95]; P = 0.013) and increased the chances of recovery from lapses (hazard ratio, 1.47 [CI, 1.17 to 1.84]; P = 0.001). Time to relapse was slower with extended versus standard therapy (hazard ratio, 0.50 [CI, 0.35 to 0.73]; P < 0.001). At week 52, extended therapy produced higher quit rates for prolonged abstinence only (P = 0.027). No differences in side effects and adverse events between groups were found at the extended-treatment assessment. LIMITATION The generalizability of the findings may be limited because participants were smokers without medical comorbid conditions who were seeking treatment, and differences in adherence across treatment groups were detected. CONCLUSION Transdermal nicotine for 24 weeks increased biochemically confirmed point-prevalence abstinence and continuous abstinence at week 24, reduced the risk for smoking lapses, and increased the likelihood of recovery to abstinence after a lapse compared with 8 weeks of transdermal nicotine therapy. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE National Institutes of Health.
A variational approach to H∞ control with transients

This paper presents a variational approach to /spl Hscr//sup /spl infin// control with transients in the state feedback case. The approach here provides a precise description with equality, instead of inequality, in the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a linear controller. Furthermore, the solution existence and uniqueness are proved in terms of certain properties of the indefinite Riccati equations derived in this paper. The linear time-variant (LTV) plant on finite horizon is considered first, and then the results are extended to the linear time-invariant (LTI) plant on the infinite horizon. By this approach, it can be directly concluded that only suboptimal /spl Hscr//sup /spl infin// state feedback control can be achieved in an input-output point of view and that the performance measure /spl gamma/ (/spl mu//sup 1/2/ used in this paper) is a strict upper bound.
Misconceptions in Australian students' understanding of Ozone depletion

Declining levels of stratospheric ozone resulting from anthropogenic source gases is internationally recognized as one of the Earth’s most important environmental issues. In the last twenty years, global ozone trends show that concentrations are decreasing by 2-5% per decade in the middle latitudes. The societal concern is that with decreasing concentrations of ozone, the amount of the Sun’s ultra-violet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth’s surface will increase and potentially damage both human and other biological life. The goal of this pilot study is to investigate whether misconceptions exist in Australian students’ understanding of ozone depletion and the relationship to skin cancer in Australia. Students from year 3 through first year university were questioned about issues related to ozone depletion and skin cancer. A simple experiment is developed to examine whether some student concepts can be altered through the use of visual diagrams. Included in this paper is an update on the current status of ozone depletion over Australia, and the relati onship to UV radiation and skin cancer. In addition, a brief review of newspaper articles written about ozone depletion is conducted to explore what possible role the media plays in public misconceptions. Understanding the origin of students’ ideas can assist teachers in producing more effective study programs 1 and may be useful in developing a national strategy for teaching environmental issues. In Australia there is a particular interest in sun related issues because of the population’s high incidence of skin cancer. For example, in 1995 approximately 270,000 cases of nonmelanocytic skin cancer were diagnosed. This suggests that nearly two in three Australian residents will be treated for some non-melanocytic skin cancer during their lifetime. For the more life-threatening melanoma skin cancer, over 7,000 cases were diagnosed in Australia, with almost 1,000 fatalities reported. It is estimated that the cost of treating skin cancer in Australia is between $300-500 million per year. 2 In an attempt to improve the awareness of the dangers of sun related diseases, the government initiated a number of sun awareness campaigns to educate the public. These campaigns have been highly effective in getting across the message of the sun’s potential harm. In a survey by the Victorian Anti Cancer Council, almost 80% of respondents had heard the term ‘Sun Smart,’ and correctly understood what the phrase meant. 3 Student awareness of the sun and issues related to ozone depletion are also particularly strong. In a recent survey of high school students from Melbourne and Brisbane, the destruction of the ozone layer was identified as the most important environmental issue facing Australia and the
A stable matching algorithm for resource allocation for underlaying device-to-device communications

In this paper, we propose a novel deferred acceptance based resource allocation algorithm (DARA) for allocating LTE cellular user resource to D2D devices. The quality of service (QoS) constrained downlink resource block (RB) allocation problem is first formulated as a computationally expensive mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem. We also propose a polynomial-time matching algorithm based on deferred acceptance method to find an allocation of cellular resources to D2D devices. Outcome of this algorithm is a stable matching of cellular users to the D2D devices. We compare the system sum rate obtained from DARA to that from a simple local search based algorithm (SLOC), a greedy heuristic based resource allocation algorithm (GHRA) and a random resource allocation algorithm. The simulation results show that, DARA achieves significantly better system sum rate than the rest of the algorithms while it runs in O(n2) in the worst case and O(n log n) on average.
Front-End ASIC for High Resolution X-Ray Spectrometers

We present an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for high-resolution X-ray spectrometers. The ASIC is designed to read out signals from a pixelated silicon drift detector (SDD). Each hexagonal pixel has an area of 15 mm2 and an anode capacitance of less than 100 fF. There is no integrated Field Effect transistor (FET) in the pixel, rather, the readout is done by wire-bonding the anodes to the inputs of the ASIC. The ASIC provides 14 channels of low-noise charge amplification, high-order shaping with baseline stabilization, and peak detection with analog memory. The readout is sparse and based on low voltage differential signaling. An interposer provides all the interconnections required to bias and operate the system. The channel dissipates 1.6 mW. The complete 14-pixel unit covers an area of 210 mm2, dissipates 12 mW cm-2, and can be tiled to cover an arbitrarily large detection area. We measured a preliminary resolution of 172 eV at -35 degC on the 6 keV peak of a 55Fe source.
Relay-assisted downlink transmissions to support increased data rates for single antenna users

In this paper, we exploit cooperation between mobile stations and transmissions scheduling in a wireless network to enhance the downlink data rates to multiple single antenna users. The objective is to increase the number of multiplexed signals within a channel use close to what is offered in interference alignment approaches without incurring the corresponding system complexity. Specifically, we divide the communication process into two stages. In the first stage, the transmitter with multiple antennas using time division multiplexing sends to different users in their allocated time slots a number of messages equal to the number of transmit antennas in a MISO frame. In the next stage, every user and its assigned relays form an independent network, and relays using an amplify-and-forward scheme aid the recovery of messages by the user solving linear system of equations. All of these subnetworks utilize the available channel concurrently producing an acceptable level of multiple access interference (MAI) where the MAI is controlled using a clustering technique tailored to location of users and potential relays. Simulation results are provided demonstrating the capacity improvements in the proposed scheme and showing good performance in a low SNR region of operation.
The Combined Orthodontic-Prosthetic Treatment of Mandibular Progeny and Maxillary Alveolar Ridge Atrophy : Case Presentation

It is a presentation of anomalies of mandibular progeny, and maxillary frontal alveolar ridge atrophy in a thirty-six years old patient with profound esthetic and functional problems. Due to the absence of maxillary frontal teeth, the orthodontic therapy was applied only in the mandible, with frontal teeth retrusion and intrusion followed by pre-prosthetic preparation. A fixed prosthetic appliance was constructed for the maxillary frontal region with the reconstruction of the atrophied alveolar ridge using pink ceramic. The analysis of the teleradiographs showed an overjet reduction. At the end of the treatment an optimal occlusion is achieved (overbite 1 mm) and the esthetics has been significantly improved and stable even seven years after the treatment. Case report (J Int Dent Med Res 2016; 9: (3), pp. 249-253)
The Effect of Angulation of the Vibrating Floating Mass Transducer on Stapes Velocity

Hypothesis Changes to the angular position of the vibrating floating mass transducer (FMT) coupled to the long process of the incus will not affect stapes velocity. Objective The MED-EL Vibrant Soundbridge is an active middle ear implantable device, which constitutes an effective alternative to acoustic hearing aids for the rehabilitation of patients with sensorineural and mixed hearing loss. Because of varied anatomy, it is not always possible to position the FMT in line with the vibrating axis of the stapes. Changes in stapes velocity after angulation of the FMT are measured using laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV). Methods The study was performed on 7 human cadaveric temporal bones. The FMT was attached to the incus and angled at the recommended 0 degree or at 45 degrees relative to the vibrating axis of the stapes, and the stapes velocity measured using LDV. Results In comparison to the 0-degree position, angulating the FMT to 45 degrees reduced cochlea input as measured by stapes velocity, although there was no statistical significance to this difference. Placing the FMT at 45 degrees did not compromise the peak output of the device but resulted in a phase lag which was more marked compared with the 0-degree position. Conclusion If it is not anatomically possible to position the FMT in line with the vibrating axis of the stapes, then placement at up to 45 degrees does not significantly alter the performance of the implant particularly in the midfrequencies that are crucial to the understanding of speech.
Mortality Among Titanium Dioxide Workers at Three DuPont Plants

Objective: To evaluate the mortality among workers employed at three titanium dioxide plants in the United States. Methods: We expanded and updated a cohort employed at titanium dioxide plants. Cause-specific standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated combined and stratified by plant for workers employed at least 6 months between 1935 and 2005. Results: No indications of excess mortality from any cause were found. All causes SMR increased with length of plant operation as did most cause-specific SMRs. With lung, the target organ of interest, no increases in malignant or nonmalignant respiratory disease were observed. Conclusions: The mortality rates are comparable with the general US population. Increasing SMRs with length of plant operation is indicative of waning healthy worker effect with time since first employment. The results are comparable with other titanium dioxide cohort studies.
Phishing Website Detection based on Supervised Machine Learning with Wrapper Features Selection

The problem of Web phishing attacks has grown considerably in recent years and phishing is considered as one of the most dangerous Web crimes, which may cause tremendous and negative effects on online business. In a Web phishing attack, the phisher creates a forged or phishing website to deceive Web users in order to obtain their sensitive financial and personal information. Several conventional techniques for detecting phishing website have been suggested to cope with this problem. However, detecting phishing websites is a challenging task, as most of these techniques are not able to make an accurate decision dynamically as to whether the new website is phishing or legitimate. This paper presents a methodology for phishing website detection based on machine learning classifiers with a wrapper features selection method. In this paper, some common supervised machine learning techniques are applied with effective and significant features selected using the wrapper features selection approach to accurately detect phishing websites. The experimental results demonstrated that the performance of the machine learning classifiers was improved by using the wrapper-based features selection. Moreover, the machine learning classifiers with the wrapper-based features selection outperformed the machine learning classifiers with other features selection methods.
Adversarial Machine Learning against keystroke dynamics

The paper starts with an introduction and purpose of this project (I), relevant past research (II), and then goes on to explain the data set used and explain features and preprocessing (III). We then explain methodology and results of the anomaly detection part (IV.A) followed by part of attacking the classifiers (IV.B). The observations are summarized in section V and briefly explain the possible future work related to the project.