Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
microRNAs Derived from Circulating Exosomes as Noninvasive Biomarkers for Screening and Diagnosing Lung Cancer

Introduction: Lung cancer is the highest cause of mortality among tumor pathologies worldwide. There are no validated techniques for an early detection of pulmonary cancer lesions other than low-dose helical computed tomography scan. Unfortunately, this method has some negative effects. Recent studies have laid the basis for development of exosomes-based techniques to screen/diagnose lung cancers. As the isolation of circulating exosomes is a minimally invasive procedure, this technique opens new possibilities for diagnostic applications. Methods: We used a first set of 30 plasma samples from as many patients, including 10 patients affected by lung adenocarcinomas, 10 with lung granulomas, and 10 healthy smokers matched for age and sex as negative controls. Wide-range microRNAs analysis (742 microRNAs) was performed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. Data were compared on the basis of lesion characteristics, using WEKA software for statistics and modeling. Subsequently, selected microRNAs were evaluated on an independent larger group of samples (105 specimens: 50 lung adenocarcinomas, 30 lung granulomas, and 25 healthy smokers). Results: This analysis led to the selection of four microRNAs to perform a screening test (miR-378a, miR-379, miR-139-5p, and miR-200b-5p), useful to divide population into two groups: nodule (lung adenocarcinomas + carcinomas) and non-nodule (healthy former smokers). Six microRNAs (miR-151a-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-200b-5p, miR-629, miR-100, and miR-154-3p) were selected for a second test on the nodule population to discriminate between lung adenocarcinoma and granuloma. Conclusions: The screening test showed 97.5% sensitivity, 72.0% specificity, and area under the curve receiver operating characteristic of 90.8%. The diagnostic test had 96.0% sensitivity, 60.0% specificity, and area under the curve receiver operating characteristic of 76.0%. Further evaluation is needed to confirm the predictive power of these models on larger cohorts of samples.
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology Efficacy of Dalbavancin against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Rat Granuloma Pouch Infection Model

Full Text Figures and Tables PDF (217K) Contents Archive Related material: ABSTRACT Infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospital patients. Moreover, increased incidences of outpatient MRSA have been recently reported. This study investigated the bactericidal activity of dalbavancin, a novel, semisynthetic glycopeptide antibiotic, against methicillin- sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA in the rat granuloma pouch infection model. A single intravenous dose of 10 mg of dalbavancin/kg of body weight reduced the viable MRSA count in pouch exudates by more than 2 log CFU/ml, and regrowth was prevented for up to 120 h. Comparable results with vancomycin required four 100-mg/kg intramuscular doses. With one or two doses of vancomycin, the bacterial load declined over proportionately shorter periods of time, followed by regrowth. Reduction of the bacterial load obtained with 100- and 200-mg/kg oral doses of linezolid was relatively transient, with regrowth starting at 48 h. A single 10-mg/kg dose of dalbavancin reduced the MSSA count at 24 h to below the limit of detection, with no
Simulation of Fiber Deposition in Bronchial Airways

Penetration probabilities of inhaled man-made mineral fibers to reach central human airways were computed by a stochastic lung deposition model for different flow rates and equivalent diameters. Results indicate that even thick and long fibers can penetrate into the central airways at low flow rates. Deposition efficiencies and localized deposition patterns were then computed for man-made fibers with variable lengths in a three-dimensional physiologically realistic bifurcation model of the central human airways by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques for characteristic breathing patterns. The results obtained for inspiratory flow conditions indicate that deposition efficiencies were highest for parallel orientation of the fibers, increasing with rising flow rate, branching angle, and fiber length at all orientations. Furthermore, deposition patterns were highly inhomogeneous and their localized distributions showed hot spots in the vicinity of the carinal ridge and at the inner sides of the daughter airways. Comparisons with other theoretical results demonstrate that the equivalent diameter concept, if including interception, presents a reasonable approximation for the parameter ranges employed in the present study.
UTSOI2: A complete physical compact model for UTBB and independent double gate MOSFETs

In this paper, we present the first complete compact model dedicated to Ultra-Thin Body and Box and Independent Double Gate MOSFETs based on an explicit formulation of front and back surface potentials that is valid and extremely accurate in all operation regimes. The model provides physics-based consistent description of DC and AC device characteristics; it has been extensively validated against TCAD and hardware data, and fulfills standard requirements from quality assurance and convergence tests for circuit design.
Bounds and constructions for ternary constant-composition codes

The problem of determining the maximum size of a ternary code is considered, under the restriction that each symbol should appear a given number of times in each codeword. Upper and lower bounds on the size of such codes under the Hamming metric are discussed, where the lower bounds follow from constructions of good codes. Some of the results are obtained by explicitly finding codes by computer search. A table of exact values and best known bounds on the maximum size for codes of length at most 10 is presented.
Power electronics for potential distribution dc power evolution: A review

Power systems of the future are believed to be shaped by the introduction of smart grids and microgrids where distributed generation is dominant at the distribution level. DC distribution is also a potential microgrid solution. Distributed generation and loads interconnect to DC-common feeders via power electronics interfaces. This paper aims at reviewing how recent innovations in power electronics can open up the potentials for medium and low-voltage DC power (MV/LV DC) development in the future.
PTSD psychiatric patients exhibit a deficit in remembering

This study investigated the effects of PTSD on levels of awareness in a recognition memory task. A group of PTSD psychiatric patients and a control group without any traumatic experience were compared in remembering (R) versus knowing (K) recognition using non-trauma-related words. Results showed that overall recognition did not differ between the two groups, but in the PTSD group a significantly different pattern of Remember and Know responses was produced, indicating a shift from remembering to knowing. However, this shift from remembering to knowing in individuals with PTSD is associated with modifications in the trait anxiety level. These results are interpreted within theoretical frameworks in which R responses could be associated with distinctiveness (Rajaram, 1996) and conceptual processing (Ehlers & Clark, 2000). These collective findings would suggest the possibility that a poor general ability in the formation of source memory may eventually be a common characteristic across different types of PTSD.
Contribution of linear mechanisms to the specification of local motion by simple cells in areas 17 and 18 of the cat

Abstract A reverse correlation technique, which permits estimation of three-dimensional first-order properties of receptive fields (RFs), was applied to simple cells in areas 17 and 18 of cat. Two classes of simple cells were found. For one class, the spatial and temporal RF characteristics were Separable, i.e. they could be synthesized as the product of spatial and temporal weighting functions. RFs in the other class were Inseparable, i.e. bright and dark subregions comprising each field were obliquely oriented in space-time. Based on a linear superposition model, these observations led to testable hypotheses: (1) simple cells with separable space-time characteristics should be speed but not direction selective and (2) simple cells with inseparable space-time characteristics should be direction selective and the optimal velocity of moving stimuli should be predictable from the slope of the oriented subregions. These hypotheses were tested by comparing responses to moving bars with those predicted by application of the convolution integral. Linear predictions accounted for waveforms of responses to moving bars in detail. For cells with oriented space-time characteristics, the preferred direction was always predicted correctly and the optimal speed was predicted quite well. Most cells with separable space-time characteristics were not direction selective as predicted. The major discrepancies between measured and predicted behavior were twofold. First, 8/32 cells with separable space-time RFs were direction selective. Second, predicted directional indices were weakly correlated with actual measurements. These conclusions hold for simple cells in both areas 17 and 18. The major difference between simple RFs in these areas is the coarser spatial scale seen in area 18. These results demonstrate a significant linear contribution to the speed and direction selectivity of simple cells in areas 17 and 18. Where additional, nonlinear mechanisms are inferred, they appear to act synergistically with the linear mechanism.
Outcome measurement of refractory breathlessness: endpoints and important differences

Purpose of reviewStandardized measurement of self-rated breathlessness using appropriate tools is essential for research and clinical care. The purpose was to review recent advances in the measurement of breathlessness and the minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) in intensity of chronic breathlessness. Recent findingsTwo tools have been validated in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to measure daily symptoms and breathlessness related to daily activities. Two multidimensional tools have been developed for different settings and aetiologies, which measure both the perceived intensity, unpleasantness, quality of breathlessness, and the person's emotional response to it. MCIDs have been reported for the intensity of chronic refractory breathlessness, the daily symptom diary, and breathlessness related to daily activities in COPD. SummaryThere have been substantial developments in instruments able to provide reliable and valid unidimensional and multidimensional measurement of self-reported breathlessness and in the understanding of the MCID for chronic breathlessness. Routine use of agreed outcome measures in clinical practice and research are crucial steps to improve our understanding of the science of breathlessness and its impact on patients’ outcomes.
Folate receptor-targeted multimodal fluorescence mesosilica nanoparticles for imaging, delivery palladium complex and in vitro G-quadruplex DNA interaction

New folic acid-conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles were synthesized. The effect of calcination at 400°C on the fluorescence characteristics of mesoporous silica nanoparticles were studied in this work. The formed carbon dots (CDs) from calcination were used as the source of fluorescence. 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane was then used to amine-functionalized the fluorescent surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The amine fluorescence mesoporous silica nanoparticles (amine-FMSNs) were coupled with folic acid (FA) as the target ligand (FA-amine-FMSNs). A palladium complex was also synthesized and encapsulated in the FA-amine-FMSNs yielded fluorescent property with therapeutic effect. The in vitro release of an entrapped palladium complex from FA-amine-FMSNs was studied under physiological conditions. According to the cell viability assay on HeLa (positive FR) and Hep-G2 (negative FR) cells, the targeted delivery system inhibited the growth of positive FR with higher selectivity compared with negative FR cells. Also, the emission CDs were used for fluorescence microscopic imaging. To confirm anti-cancer activity of the palladium complex, the interaction between palladium complex and G-quadruplex DNA were investigated with multi-spectroscopic methods and molecular modeling. The molecular docking studies showed a partial intercalation mode with a 4.27 × 105 M−1 binding constant.
Feature Selection for Time Series Modeling

In machine learning, selecting useful features and rejecting redundant features is the prerequisite for better modeling and prediction. In this paper, we first study representative feature selection methods based on correlation analysis, and demonstrate that they do not work well for time series though they can work well for static systems. Then, theoretical analysis for linear time series is carried out to show why they fail. Based on these observations, we propose a new correlation-based feature selection method. Our main idea is that the features highly correlated with progressive response while lowly correlated with other features should be selected, and for groups of selected features with similar residuals, the one with a smaller number of features should be selected. For linear and nonlinear time series, the proposed method yields high accuracy in both feature selection and feature rejection.
Event reduction: revisiting why we treat with statins and harnessing current evidence towards optimal therapy

Importance of the field: Statins are widely accepted as the drugs of choice for achieving increasingly stringent low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals for dyslipidemic patients. However, when making treatment decisions, outcomes data from clinical trials are of greater importance than LDL-C-lowering ability. Areas covered in this review: This review will provide an update on current lipid treatment guidelines in the context of statin trial evidence, with particular focus on the incremental benefit of more potent statin therapy compared with lower doses. The discussion will also address combination therapy, statin safety, goal attainment and treatment adherence. MEDLINE searches (1966 to July 2010) were performed. What the reader will gain: The reader will gain a comprehensive review of the evidence base for statin therapy and an appreciation of other issues that affect treatment choice. Take home message: It is important to remember why we need to partner with our patients: to ensure that they are established on, and continue to adhere to, their appropriate evidence-based statin dose with a goal of achieving lipid targets, but more importantly to prevent cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality. We treat patients to reduce clinical cardiovascular events, not just to control lipids and other important risk factors.
Exploring associations between church-based social support and physical activity.

OBJECTIVE This study tested associations between church-based instrumental and informational social support and meeting physical activity guidelines. METHODS Cross-sectional data were analyzed for 1625 rural residents using logistic regression. RESULTS Associations were found between instrumental social support and performing some amount of physical activity but not between the 2 forms of support and meeting physical activity guidelines. CONCLUSION Instrumental social support might help initiation of physical activity. Given that 54.1% of US adults get no leisure-time physical activity at the recommended minimum level, instrumental social support might be important in considering physical activity programs.
Cross-form facilitation effects from simultaneous gesture/word combinations with ERP analysis

The aim of this study was to investigate if simultaneous redundant forms of stimuli involving gesture and word combinations would produce a facilitation effect in reaction time as well as produce an neurological semantic incongruity effect called an N400. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 14 scalp electrode sites while subject performed reaction-time decision tasks. For each trial, subjects had to indicate if the single form or cross-form stimuli were oriented upwards or downwards, or if they contradicted each other (only applicable in cross-form stimuli were there were two stimuli). The uniform stimuli were defined by a picture of a man pointing up or down, a picture of just a hand pointing up or down, or various word combinations such as up/down, high/low, above/below, and top/bottom. The cross-form stimuli were combinations of the words and pictures. The results show that while there was no N400 effect, there was however an facilitation effect regarding the positioning of the cross-form stimuli indicating that people have a tendency to pay more attention to gestures than words for information.
Flow cytometry immunophenotyping for the evaluation of bone marrow dysplasia

The pathological hallmark of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is marrow dysplasia, which represents the basis of the WHO classification of these disorders. This classification provides clinicians with a useful tool for defining the different subtypes of MDS and determining individual prognosis. The WHO proposal has raised some concern regarding minimal diagnostic criteria particularly in patients with normal karyotype without robust morphological markers of dysplasia (such as ring sideroblasts or excess of blasts). Therefore, there is clearly a need to refine the accuracy to detect marrow dysplasia. Flow cytometry (FCM) immunophenotyping has been proposed as a tool to improve the evaluation of marrow dysplasia. Rationale for the application of FCM in the diagnostic work up of MDS is that immunophenotyping is an accurate method for quantitative and qualitative evaluation of hematopoietic cells and that MDS have been found to have abnormal expression of several cellular antigens. To become clinically applicable, FCM analysis should be based on parameters with sufficient specificity and sensitivity, data should be reproducible between different operators and the results should be easily understood by clinicians. In this report, we reviewed the most relevant progresses in detection of marrow dysplasia by FCM in MDS as defined by WHO criteria. © 2011 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Inter-cycle and inter-observer variability of the antral follicle count in routine clinical practice

Abstract Antral follicle count (AFC) is a reliable predictor of ovarian response to stimulation and its inter-cycle and inter-observer variability has been extensively studied on in vitro fertilization (IVF), mostly in highly selected populations within studies not originally designed for this purpose. In this retrospective cohort study, we assess the inter-cycle variation of AFC in a setting similar to that of the daily practice. We included only patients undergoing mild stimulation for intrauterine insemination (IUI). One hundred and forty-eight patients had two (62 patients, group A), three (49 patients, group B) or four (37 patients, group C) IUI cycles and AFC was measured on early follicular phase of each cycle by one of the members of the medical team within daily practice. Intra-class correlation coefficients were used to estimate variability. Inter-cycle variability rendered ICCs above 0.70 in all groups improving along with the number of cycles [Group A ICC 0.78 (95%CI 0.66–0.86), Group B ICC 0.87 (95%CI 0.80–0.92) and Group C ICC 0.91 (95%CI 0.85–0.95)]. Inter-observer variability showed a high degree of concordance with ICCs above 0.95. We provide the closest approximation to real inter-cycle and inter-observer AFC variability expected in routine clinical practice.
A method for encoding Egyptian quadrats in Unicode

Background documents: N1944 Encoding Egyptian Hieroglyphs in Plane 1 of the UCS. Michael Everson. 1999-01-09. L2/15-123 Proposal to encode three control characters for Egyptian Hieroglyphs (revised). Bob Richmond. 2015-05-04. L2/16-018 Proposal to encode three control characters for Egyptian Hieroglyphs (revised). Bob Richmond, Andrew Glass. 2016-01-27. L2/16-090 Comments on three control characters for Egyptian Hieroglyphs. Mark-Jan Nederhof, Vinodh Rajan. 2016-04-25. L2/16-104 Observations: L2/16-090 [Egyptian]. Bob Richmond. 2016-05-02. L2/16-177 A comprehensive system of control characters for Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic text (preliminary version). Mark-Jan Nederhof, et al. 2016-06-30. L2/16-210R A system of control characters for Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic text. Mark-Jan Nederhof, et al. 2016-07-25, revised 2017-01-25. L2/16-214 An Extension to the three control characters for Egyptian Hieroglyphs and some additional remarks. Bob Richmond. 2016-08-01. L2/16-231 Proposal for Ancient Egyptian encoding in Unicode. Serge Rosmorduc, et al. 2016-08-04. L2/16-232 Preliminary analysis of Egyptian Hieroglyph quadrat types. Andrew Glass. 2016-08-05. L2/16-233 Addendum to: A system of control characters for Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic text. MarkJan Nederhof, et al. 2016-08-05. L2/16-257 Source analysis of an extended Egyptian Hieroglyphs repertoire (Hieroglyphica based). Michel Suignard. 2016-09-19. L2/17-073 New draft for the encoding of an extended Egyptian Hieroglyphs repertoire (Hieroglyphica based) (17MB, and associated database PDF snapshot). Michel Suignard. 2017-03-23.
How to Support Strategic Decisions in Territorial Transformation Processes

Territorial transformations can be regarded as a multifaceted concept which includes socio-economic, ecological, technical, political and ethical perspectives. Decision problems in the domain of territorial transformations represent â€œweakâ€ or unstructured problems since they are characterized by multiple actors, many and often conflicting values and views, a wealth of possible outcomes and high uncertainty. This paper addresses decision problems in the context of urban and territorial planning projects using the Multi Attribute Value Theory (MAVT), a particular kind of Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis method and it provides an application on a real case located in the city of Torino (Italy).
UMA ABORDAGEM BASEADA EM MÉTRICAS DE COMPONENTES DE SOFTWARE PARA A PRIORIZAÇÃO DE CASOS DE TESTE.

Orientador: Ricardo de Andrade Lira Rabelo. Coorientador: Pedro de Alcântara dos Santos Neto. Membro Interno: Prof. Dr. Jose Valdemir dos Reis Junior. Membro Externo: Prof. Dr. Gustavo Augusto Lima de Campos (UECE).