Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Perspectives in Cancer Therapy: The Biotin-Antitumor MoleculeConjugates

Chemotherapy is still the first-line treatment of cancer, even if drugs currently used in therapy generally possess high toxicity and poor selectivity. In the last two decades several efforts have been made to overcome these drawbacks by specifically carrying anticancer drugs to the tumors. Among the different approaches, the so called vitaminmediated drug targeting has recently emerged as a novel and valuable strategy. Indeed, the linkage of cytotoxic drugs to selected vitamins, leading to vitamin-drug conjugates, would result in specifically delivering great amounts of the targeted drug at high doses to cancer cells. Among vitamins, biotin seems to be the most promising targeting agent. The aim of this review is to get an overview on recent success in the conjugation of biotin with molecules endowed with anticancer properties.
Wireless Systems Optimal linear and bilinear algorithms for power control in 3G wireless CDMA networks

In this paper we present two power control algorithms that potentially can be used as efficient techniques for power updates in 3G wireless CDMA communication networks. The algorithms are obtained by optimising the signal-to-interference-ratio (SIR) error. The control laws are distributed, respectively linear and bilinear, and either requires estimation of the channel interference (or the quantity inversely proportional to the signal interference, known as the channel variation) or the development of efficient numerical algorithms for solving a set of obtained algebraic equations. Simulation results show superiority of the proposed algorithm over the distributed constrained power control (DCPC) algorithm. Copyright © 2005 AEIT.
Force control in locomotion of legged vehicle over rigid and soft surfaces

The authors present experimental results in control of foot-force distribution during locomotion of a six-legged vehicle. The major part of the paper considers control of vertical load distribution. In locomotion over soft soils control of leg loads is closely connected with control of foot sinkages. The authors develop and experimentally test algorithms for load and sinkage control in locomotion over rigid and elastically deformable surfaces and over a surface with irreversible deformation. <<ETX>>
Crossover-site sequence and DNA torsional stress control strand interchanges by the Bxb1 site-specific serine recombinase

DNA segment exchange by site-specific serine recombinases (SRs) is thought to proceed by rigid-body rotation of the two halves of the synaptic complex, following the cleavages that create the two pairs of exchangeable ends. It remains unresolved how the amount of rotation occurring between cleavage and religation is controlled. We report single-DNA experiments for Bxb1 integrase, a model SR, where dynamics of individual synapses were observed, using relaxation of supercoiling to report on cleavage and rotation events. Relaxation events often consist of multiple rotations, with the number of rotations per relaxation event and rotation velocity sensitive to DNA sequence at the center of the recombination crossover site, torsional stress and salt concentration. Bulk and single-DNA experiments indicate that the thermodynamic stability of the annealed, but cleaved, crossover sites controls ligation efficiency of recombinant and parental synaptic complexes, regulating the number of rotations during a breakage-religation cycle. The outcome is consistent with a ‘controlled rotation’ model analogous to that observed for type IB topoisomerases, with religation probability varying in accord with DNA base-pairing free energies at the crossover site. Significantly, we find no evidence for a special regulatory mechanism favoring ligation and product release after a single 180° rotation.
Suicide Gene Transduced T‐cells for the Regulation of the Graft‐versus‐Leukemia Effect

In allogeneic marrow transplantation (BMT), donor lymphocytes play a central therapeutic role in both graft‐versus‐leukemia and immune reconstitution. However, their use is limited by the risk of severe graft‐vs‐host disease (GvHD). Different strategies have been investigated to obtain all the benefits derived from donor lymphocytes while avoiding the risk of GvHD. In the first pilot study, infusions of donor lymphocytes transduced with the Herpes Simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV‐tk) suicide resulted in anti‐tumor activity in 50% of patients. Acute GvHD could be effectively controlled by ganciclovir‐ induced elimination of the transduced cells. If these results will be confirmed in larger studies, genetic manipulation of donor lymphocytes will increase efficacy and safety of allogeneic marrow transplantation.
ConvCSNet: A Convolutional Compressive Sensing Framework Based on Deep Learning

Compressive sensing (CS), aiming to reconstruct an image/signal from a small set of random measurements has attracted considerable attentions in recent years. Due to the high dimensionality of images, previous CS methods mainly work on image blocks to avoid the huge requirements of memory and computation, i.e., image blocks are measured with Gaussian random matrices, and the whole images are recovered from the reconstructed image blocks. Though efficient, such methods suffer from serious blocking artifacts. In this paper, we propose a convolutional CS framework that senses the whole image using a set of convolutional filters. Instead of reconstructing individual blocks, the whole image is reconstructed from the linear convolutional measurements. Specifically, the convolutional CS is implemented based on a convolutional neural network (CNN), which performs both the convolutional CS and nonlinear reconstruction. Through end-to-end training, the sensing filters and the reconstruction network can be jointly optimized. To facilitate the design of the CS reconstruction network, a novel two-branch CNN inspired from a sparsity-based CS reconstruction model is developed. Experimental results show that the proposed method substantially outperforms previous state-of-the-art CS methods in term of both PSNR and visual quality.
Testing Population and Individual Bioequivalence : A Hierarchical Bayesian Approach

The US Food and Drug Administration has recommended statistical guidelines that introduce two new bioequivalence criteria: population bioequivalence (PBE) and individual bioequivalence (IBE). In this paper we propose a hierarchical Bayesian methodology for evaluating these recently introduced criteria. We derive the joint posterior distribution of the parameters involved in a crossover design and propose two Bayesian testing procedures for bioequivalence. The method is also extended to incorporate the t distribution in order to facilitate a more robust approach. All methods are illustrated using a popular dataset. ∗Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303-3083, USA, Email: pghosh@mathstat.gsu. edu †Department of Statistics, Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece, e-mail: ntzoufras@aueb.gr.
Contextual control of biconditional task performance: Evidence for cue and response competition in rats

A novel paradigm is presented that was designed to mimic aspects of cue and response competition seen in humans in conflict procedures such as the Stroop task. Rats were trained simultaneously on two biconditional discrimination tasks, one auditory and one visual, in two different contexts: C1, in which A1:LP1 → R, A2:LP2 → R; and C2, in which V1:LP1 → R, V2:LP2 → R, where C1/C2 represent different training contexts (produced by different operant chambers), A1/A2 are different auditory cues, V1/V2 are different visual cues, LP1/LP2 are discrete operant responses, and R is reward. At test, rats received presentations of audiovisual compounds of these training stimuli in extinction. These compounds had dictated either the same (A1V1 or A2V2) or different (A1V2 or A2V1) responses during training: termed congruent and incongruent trials, respectively. Experiment 1 showed that following equal training on the two biconditional tasks, the contextual cues came to control responding to conflicting information provided by incongruent stimulus compounds such that animals responded according to the stimulus element previously trained in that test context. Experiment 2 demonstrated that differential training on the biconditional discriminations (with rats receiving training on the two discriminations in the ratio 3:1) resulted in greater interference from the overtrained task when animals were tested in the undertrained context. This finding is similar to the classic Stroop asymmetry seen in human performance whereby dominant word reading interferes with colour naming for incongruent colour–word compounds. Further analysis also revealed some evidence for a reverse Stroop effect in which the undertrained stimulus element interfered with performance on the overtrained task.
Predictive SNPs for radiation-induced damage in lung cancer patients with radiotherapy: a potential strategy to individualize treatment

In the treatment of lung cancer, radiotherapy has become one of the most important therapies, despite its sometimes unpredictable side effects. As such, identifying lung cancer patients who are at high risk of developing severe radiation-induced damage (mainly radiation pneumonitis and radiation-induced esophageal toxicity) and applying effect intervention or monitoring techniques are important. Although human diversity to a certain amount is explained by clinical and dosimetric factors, the presence of specific genetic determinants also influences the occurrence of radiation-induced damage. Here we summarize the data on mechanisms of radiation pneumonitis and radiation-induced esophageal toxicity supporting the involvement of variances of genes in the evolution of radiation-induced damage. Furthermore, the available evidence from current clinical studies of genetic polymorphisms for the prediction of radiation pneumonitis and radiation-induced esophageal toxicity is discussed. Eventually, this may help to truly individualize radiotherapy, using a personal genetic profile of the most relevant genes for each lung cancer patient.
Study on Ki-67 immunoreactivity as a prognostic indicator in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND Cell proliferation characteristics may reflect the aggressiveness of gastric tumors and their eventual prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the proliferative activities determined by the antibody Ki-67 could be used as a prognostic predictor in patients affected by advanced gastric cancer. METHODS The prognostic significance of proliferative activity was investigated in 56 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy (R0) for advanced gastric cancer using the monoclonal antibody Ki-67. The patients were divided into three groups according to the Ki-67 labeling index of the tumors: < 10% (18 cases), 10-40% (21 cases) and > 40% (17 cases). The Cox regression model was used to evaluate the prognostic significance of the Ki-67 index controlling for age, gender, histology, depth of tumor invasion and node metastasis. RESULTS There was no significant relationship between the Ki-67 index and wall invasion (P = 0.80) or nodal status (P = 0.73). The cumulative 3-year survival rates (95% Cl) were 61.0% (35.3-79.2%) in patients with Ki-67 index < 10%, 52.4% (29.7-70.9%) with Ki-67 index 10-40% and 52.9% (27.6-73.0%) with Ki-67 index > 40% and the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.93). Also in multivariate analysis the proliferative activity did not independently affect survival (P = 0.98). An interaction between Ki-67 index and age was found and Ki-67 index > 40% was significantly associated with a poor prognosis in patients over 68 years old (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION Our study indicated that the proliferative activity in gastric cancer, determined with the monoclonal antibody Ki-67, does not influence the survival except in elderly patients (> or = 68 years old).
In vitro synthesis of repressible yeast acid phosphatase: identification of multiple mRNAs and products.

Antibodies to repressible nonspecific acid phosphatase [APase; orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (acid optimum), EC 3.1. 3.2] purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used to detect the in vitro products of APase mRNA. Immunoprecipitation of cell-free synthesized protein and of in vivo enzyme from cell extracts has shown that derepression of enzyme synthesis in situ is the result of de novo appearance of functional mRNA followed by de novo protein synthesis. At least three unique APase polypeptides are synthesized in vitro from separate mRNAs and appear to be glycosylated in vivo to form secreted enzyme.
High‐Fidelity Patient Simulationin Nursing Education: An Integrative Review

ABSTRACT An integrative review was undertaken to analyze studies published since 1998 on the use of high‐fidelity patient simulation (HFPS) in undergraduate nursing education. This review found that HFPS benefits nursing students in terms of knowledge, value, realism, and learner satisfaction; findings were mixed in the areas of student confidence, knowledge transfer, and stress. Further research in these and other areas will determine whether its increased use is warranted.
Metabolism-directed optimization of 3-aminopyrazinone acetamide thrombin inhibitors. Development of an orally bioavailable series containing P1 and P3 pyridines.

Recent efforts in the field of thrombin inhibitor research have focused on the identification of compounds with good oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. In this manuscript we describe a metabolism-based approach to the optimization of the 3-(2-phenethylamino)-6-methylpyrazinone acetamide template (e.g., 1) which resulted in the modification of each of the three principal components (i.e., P1, P2, P3) comprising this series. As a result of these studies, several potent thrombin inhibitors (e.g., 20, 24, 25) were identified which exhibit high levels of oral bioavailability and long plasma half-lives.
Evidence from electron microscope studies on actin paracrystals concerning the origin of the cross-striation in the thin filaments of vertebrate skeletal muscle

When purified F-actin is precipitated by Mg2+, it forms paracrystals consisting of regularly packed filaments that retain the double-helical structure characteristic of actin polymers. In negatively stained preparations the only axial periodicity observed is that of the actin polymers. In sections, the polymer structure is not resolved and the paracrystals do not appear cross-striated. The paracrystals formed from unpurified actin preparations likewise contain regularly packed filaments in which the F-actin structure is observed but, in addition, the assembly of filaments is crossed at fairly regular intervals (approximately 37 nm) by bands of unstained amorphous material. Sections of these paracrystals show a corresponding cross-striation (mean spacing 38 nm). Other proteins known to be present in unpurified preparations of actin were prepared separately and added in solution to purified F-actin; paracrystals were formed on Mg2+ precipitation. The cross-striation was reproduced when a mixture of tropomyosin and troponin had been added to the actin. The addition of purified tropomyosin alone resulted in paracrystals that lacked the cross-striation. Comparison of the cross-striation in the paracrystals with that in the thin filament assembly of the myofibril (as seen in sections and in negatively stained I-segments) supports the conclusion that filaments resembling the natural ones have been synthesized from actin, tropomyosin and the troponin complex. It follows that the cross-striation in the thin myofilaments can be attributed to the location of part or all of the troponin complex at sites spaced at regular intervals along the filaments.
Manufacture and properties of oil palm particleboard

Malaysia has a total of more than 4 million hectares of oil palm plantation. Besides the palm oil, the industry generates massive quantities of oil palm trunks (OPT), oil palm fronds (OPF) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) available from replanting and through routine field and mill operation. With a 25 years rotation of planting regime, 70,000 hectares is due for replanting every year and it is estimated that about 21.63 million cubic meters (14 million tones) of oil palm trunk will be available. If this raw material is not utilized properly they will be a source of environmental concern. This paper discussed the manufacture and properties of particleboard made from oil palm trunk particles. The oil palm trunk (25 yrs old) was supplied by MPOB, Bangi, Selangor. The trunk was converted into strands using a disk flaker and into particles by passing through a dust extractor. Single layered UF board and three-layered board were made and their properties determined. Boards make from unscreened particles with 700kg/m3 density, 12% resin content and without wax have the highest MOR (26.76 MPa) and MOE (2843 MPa) values. Lowest MOR & MOE values was exhibited by boards produced from PS of >1.0 mm with 500kg/m3 density, 8% resin content and 1% wax. Highest IB (1.54 MPa) was shown by boards made from >1.0 mm PS with 700 kg/m3 density, 12% resin and without wax. No boards were able to meet all the requirements of the BS Standards. Particleboard can be made from oil palm trunk particles, however further studies have to be conducted to improve their properties.
A COMBINED MAXIMUM-LIKELIHOOD ANALYSIS OF THE HIGH-ENERGY ASTROPHYSICAL NEUTRINO FLUX MEASURED WITH ICECUBE

Evidence for an extraterrestrial flux of high-energy neutrinos has now been found in multiple searches with the IceCube detector. The first solid evidence was provided by a search for neutrino events with deposited energies ≳ 30 ? > TeV and interaction vertices inside the instrumented volume. Recent analyses suggest that the extraterrestrial flux extends to lower energies and is also visible with throughgoing, νμ-induced tracks from the Northern Hemisphere. Here, we combine the results from six different IceCube searches for astrophysical neutrinos in a maximum-likelihood analysis. The combined event sample features high-statistics samples of shower-like and track-like events. The data are fit in up to three observables: energy, zenith angle, and event topology. Assuming the astrophysical neutrino flux to be isotropic and to consist of equal flavors at Earth, the all-flavor spectrum with neutrino energies between 25 TeV and 2.8 PeV is well described by an unbroken power law with best-fit spectral index −2.50 ± 0.09 and a flux at 100 TeV of ( 6.7 − 1.2 + 1.1 ) × 10 − 18 GeV − 1 s − 1 sr − 1 cm − 2 ? > . Under the same assumptions, an unbroken power law with index −2 is disfavored with a significance of 3. 8σ (p = 0.0066%) with respect to the best fit. This significance is reduced to 2. 1σ (p = 1.7%) if instead we compare the best fit to a spectrum with index −2 that has an exponential cut-off at high energies. Allowing the electron-neutrino flux to deviate from the other two flavors, we find a νe fraction of 0.18 ± 0.11 at Earth. The sole production of electron neutrinos, which would be characteristic of neutron-decay-dominated sources, is rejected with a significance of 3. 6σ (p = 0.014%).
A New Algorithm for the Detection of Inter-Turn Stator Faults in Doubly-Fed Wind Generators

Steady state analysis techniques (i.e. Motor Current Signature Analysis) cannot be applied to variable speed wind generators since their operation is predominately in the transient. A new non-stationary fault detection technique is proposed to detect inter-turn stator faults in doubly-fed wind generators. The technique is a combination of the extended Park's vector approach and a new adaptive algorithm. It will be shown that the new technique can unambiguously detect inter-turn stator faults under transient conditions while providing insight into the degree of severity of the fault
CdTe and CdZnTe X-ray and gamma-ray detectors for imaging systems

This review paper presents the current state of the art imaging systems using room-temperature CdTe and CdZnTe X-ray and gamma-ray detectors. Imaging systems composed of both single elements and monolithic segmented CdTe and CdZnTe arrays are used in medical diagnostics, astronomy, research and industry. This paper is divided into three sections: The first section describes different types and configurations of CdTe or CdZnTe detectors used in imaging systems, with the emphasis on single charge carrier collection detectors and front-end read-out electronics in the form of Application Specific Integrated Circuits associated with these detectors. The second section discusses the advantages, disadvantages and limitations with respect to the efficiency and area of the imaging systems using CdTe and CdZnTe detectors compared to other types of X and gamma ray detectors. The third section describes several examples of imaging systems utilizing CdZnTe detectors: 1) A large area imaging telescope for the detection of gamma ray bursts using a coded aperture collimator. 2) A large area medical nuclear camera for cardiology and scintimammography using a parallel hole collimator. 3) A large field of view gamma camera based on a rotating slat collimator and 4) A prototype of an electronically collimated Compton camera.
A review of methods for identifying stochastic resonance in simulations of single neuron models

Stochastic resonance (SR) is said to be observed when the presence of noise in a nonlinear system enables an output signal from the system to better represent some feature of an input signal than it does in the absence of noise. The effect has been observed in models of individual neurons, and in experiments performed on real neural systems. Despite the ubiquity of biophysical sources of stochastic noise in the nervous system, however, it has not yet been established whether neuronal computation mechanisms involved in performance of specific functions such as perception or learning might exploit such noise as an integral component, such that removal of the noise would diminish performance of these functions. In this paper we revisit the methods used to demonstrate stochastic resonance in models of single neurons. This includes a previously unreported observation in a multicompartmental model of a CA1-pyramidal cell. We also discuss, as a contrast to these classical studies, a form of ‘stochastic facilitation’, known as inverse stochastic resonance. We draw on the reviewed examples to argue why new approaches to studying ‘stochastic facilitation’ in neural systems need to be developed.
PERFORMANCE CHANGES FOLLOWING A FIELD CONDITIONING PROGRAM IN JUNIOR AND SENIOR RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYERS

This study investigated training loads, injury rates, and physical performance changes associated with a field conditioning program in junior and senior rugby league players. Thirty-six junior (16.9 [95% confidence interval: 16.7–17.1] years) and 41 senior (25.5 [23.6–27.3] years) rugby league players participated in a 14-week preseason training program that included 2 field training sessions each week. Subjects performed measurements of standard anthropometry (height, body mass, and sum of 7 skinfolds), muscular power (vertical jump), speed (10-, 20-, and 40-m sprint), agility (L run), and maximal aerobic power (multistage fitness test) before and after training. Improvements in agility, muscular power, and maximal aerobic power were observed in both the junior and senior players following training; however, the improvement in maximal aerobic power and muscular power were greatest in the junior players. Training loads and injury rates were higher in the senior players. These findings demonstrate that junior and senior rugby league players adapt differently to a given training stimulus and that training programs should be modified to accommodate differences in training age.