Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of angiogenesis by hypoxic stress: from solid tumours to the ovarian follicle

The preovulatory follicle provides a unique physiological example of rapid growth accompanied by neovascularization, two processes that are generally characteristic of pathologies such as wound repair or malignancy. During the hours preceding ovulation, follicular growth is accompanied by elevated levels of messenger RNA for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Angiogenic activity, mediated by VEGF, is manifested in the peripheral blood vessels surrounding the follicle, that show capillary sprouting and increased vascular permeability. Following ovulation, rapid infiltration of capillaries through the follicular wall is essential for the formation of the corpus luteum. In this review we compare the preovulatory follicle with a popular model of avascular solid tumour growth, namely the multicellular tumour spheroid, in particular the role of hypoxic stress in the regulation of angiogenesis in both systems.
A Quantitative Analysis of Sensory Function in Lumbar Radiculopathy Using Current Perception Threshold Testing

Study Design. Peripheral sensory functions in patients with radiculopathy resulting from lumbar disc herniation and in control individuals were analyzed using current perception threshold testing. Objective. To evaluate the severity of sensory disturbance quantitatively in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Summary of Background Data. Subjective evaluation of the severity of sensory disturbance associated with spinal disorders using conventional methods often is difficult. Current perception threshold evaluation is a recently proposed method for studying peripheral nerve dysfunction. This is a quantitative sensory test for analyzing functions of A-beta, A-delta, and C fibers. Methods. In this study, 48 patients with lumbar radiculopathy resulting from lumbar disc herniation were examined. The mean age of the patients was 37.9 years. All the patients had pain distribution from the compression of one lumbar nerve root (L5 or S1), and unequivocal unilateral disc herniation of the corresponding level was shown by magnetic resonance imaging. Eleven healthy volunteers were used as control subjects. Their mean age was 38.2 years. Current perception threshold evaluation using a Neurometer device was performed at three frequencies: 2000, 250, and 5 Hz. The stimulus sites were located on the dorsal side of the first metatarsus (the L5 dermatome) and the dorsal side of the fifth metatarsus (the S1 dermatome). These sites were investigated on both legs in all the patients and control subjects. The intensity of pain was scored using a visual analog scale. Results. In the control group, there were no significant differences in current perception threshold values at any frequency between the left and right legs. In the patient group, the current perception threshold values in the affected legs were significantly higher than those in the contralateral legs at all frequencies. The current perception threshold values in the affected legs in the patient group were significantly higher than those in the control subjects at 2000 and 250 Hz, whereas there were no significant differences at 5 Hz. The current perception threshold values in the affected legs were significantly higher in patients with hypesthesia than in those without hypesthesia at 2000 and 250 Hz, and in patients with severe pain than in those with less pain at 5 Hz. Conclusions. Current perception threshold testing showed that the functions of A-beta, A-delta, and C fibers deteriorated in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. This technique may be useful for quantifying sensory nerve dysfunction in patients with radiculopathy.
Combined Optimization and Reinforcement Learning for Manipulation Skills

This work addresses the problem of how a robot can improve a manipulation skill in a sample-efficient and secure manner. As an alternative to the standard reinforcement learning formulation where all objectives are defined in a single reward function, we propose a generalized formulation that consists of three components: 1) A known analytic control cost function; 2) A black-box return function; and 3) A black-box binary success constraint. While the overall policy optimization problem is highdimensional, in typical robot manipulation problems we can assume that the black-box return and constraint only depend on a lower-dimensional projection of the solution. With our formulation we can exploit this structure for a sample-efficient learning framework that iteratively improves the policy with respect to the objective functions under the success constraint. We employ efficient 2nd-order optimization methods to optimize the high-dimensional policy w.r. t. the analytic cost function while keeping the lower dimensional projection fixed. This is alternated with safe Bayesian optimization over the lower-dimensional projection to address the black-box return and success constraint. During both improvement steps the success constraint is used to keep the optimization in a secure region and to clearly distinguish between motions that lead to success or failure. The learning algorithm is evaluated on a simulated benchmark problem and a door opening task with a PR2.
Hybridization increases mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species in sunfish

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been suggested to be possible mechanisms underlying hybrid breakdown, as a result of mito‐nuclear incompatibilities in respiratory complexes of the electron transport system. However, it remains unclear whether hybridization increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mitochondria. We used high‐resolution respirometry and fluorometry on isolated liver mitochondria to examine mitochondrial physiology and ROS emission in naturally occurring hybrids of pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) and bluegill (L. macrochirus). ROS emission was greater in hybrids than in both parent species when respiration was supported by complex I (but not complex II) substrates, and was associated with increases in lipid peroxidation. However, respiratory capacities for oxidative phosphorylation, phosphorylation efficiency, and O2 kinetics in hybrids were intermediate between those in parental species. Flux control ratios of capacities for electron transport (measured in uncoupled mitochondria) relative to oxidative phosphorylation suggested that the limiting influence of the phosphorylation system is reduced in hybrids. This likely helped offset impairments in electron transport capacity and complex III activity, but contributed to augmenting ROS production. Therefore, hybridization can increase mitochondrial ROS production, in support of previous suggestions that mitochondrial dysfunction can induce oxidative stress and thus contribute to hybrid breakdown.
GaN-based bidirectional Super HFETs Using polarization junction concept on insulator substrate

GaN based bidirectional Super Heterojunction Field Effect Transistors (BiSHFETs) using the polarization junction (PJ) concept are demonstrated for the first time. The fabricated BiSHFETs are arrayed on an insulator substrate of Sapphire and measured isolation voltage between the devices is more than 2 kV. Measured on-resistances of the fabricated BiSHFETs with MES and PN gate structures are 24 Ωmm and 22 Ωmm in the both directions respectively.
Melatonin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell line

Abstract: Melatonin reduces proliferation in many different cancer cell lines. However, studies on the oncostatic effects of melatonin in the treatment of hepatocarcinoma are limited. In this study, we examined the effect of melatonin administration on HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells, analyzing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways. Melatonin was dissolved in the cell culture media in 0.2% dimethyl sulfoxide and administered at different concentrations for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days. Melatonin at concentrations 1000–10,000 μm caused a dose‐ and time‐dependent reduction in cell number. Furthermore, melatonin treatment induced apoptosis with increased caspase‐3 activity and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase proteolysis. Proapoptotic effects of melatonin were related to cytosolic cytochrome c release, upregulation of Bax and induction of caspase‐9 activity. Melatonin treatment also resulted in increased caspase‐8 activity, although no significant change was observed in Fas‐L expression. In addition, JNK 1,‐2 and ‐3 and p38, members of the MAPK family, were upregulated by melatonin treatment. Growth inhibition by melatonin altered the percentage or cells in G0–G1 and G2/M phases indicating cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. The reduced cell proliferation and alterations of cell cycle were coincident with a significant increase in the expression of p53 and p21 proteins. These novel findings show that melatonin, by inducing cell death and cell cycle arrest, might be useful as adjuvant in hepatocarcinoma therapy.
A universal-input single-stage AC-DC converter for twin-bus type high-power LED applications

In the high-power LED driver system, a single-stage boost-LLC type soft-switched AC-DC converter is usually employed for obtaining the high efficiency and low cost. However, the high bus voltage is its fatal disadvantage due to the PFM control strategy. Thus, this LED driver is only applied in the low ac input voltage case. In order to overcome this problem, an asymmetric PWM (APWM) feed-forward strategy is proposed in this paper. The proposed control method can reduce significantly the bus voltage. The detailed operation principle and design consideration for the proposed control strategy are analyzed and discussed. The feature of the proposed solution was demonstrated using a universal-input 100-W hardware prototype. The experimental results showed the converter achieves full-range ZVS for primary switches and the efficiency of 92% under the 120V input voltage.
Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Skin Biopsies for Mycosis Fungoides

Multicolor flow cytometry (FC) is indispensable for lymphoma diagnosis and classification, but its utility in evaluating skin biopsies for mycosis fungoides (MF) is not well established. We describe the largest series to date of skin biopsies evaluated by FC for MF (n = 33), and we compare the flow cytometric results with the histologic, molecular, and clinical findings. Abnormal T-cell populations were identified by FC in 14 of 18 patients (78%) having histologically confirmed MF and in no patient whose histology was negative or indeterminate for MF (n = 14). One patient had histologic, flow cytometric, and molecular findings compatible with MF, but this patient's clinical course was more suggestive of a drug eruption. Fourteen of 15 abnormal T-cell populations showed definitive aberrant expression of at least 2 surface antigens, including CD2 (47%), CD3 (67%), CD4, CD5 (87%), CD7, and CD45 (67%); most cases (67%) had light scatter properties suggesting increased cell size and/or cytoplasmic complexity. The high specificity of FC suggests that it will be a useful adjunct to routine histology in the evaluation of diagnostic skin biopsies for MF.
32P-postlabeling assay for the quantification of the major platinum-DNA adducts.

To allow more sensitive, selective, and routine analyses of platinum(Pt)-GG and -AG intrastrand cross-links we have significantly improved our quantitative (32)P-postlabeling assay (M. J. P. Welters et al. Carcinogenesis 18, 1767-1774, 1997). Instead of off-line scintillation counting we introduced an on-line flow radioisotope detector into the HPLC system. Furthermore, the isolation protocol for the adducts was significantly modified and optimized to reduce interfering background peaks that prevented quantification of low levels of the cisplatin-DNA adducts in white blood cells obtained from patients. Reduction of background signals was obtained by boiling the samples, followed by phenol/chloroform/isoamylethanol extraction after the DNA digestion step. The labeling efficiency for the adducts was increased by 40% by using Na-formate instead of NH(4)-formate for elution of the adducts from the strong cation-exchange columns. Finally, a calibration curve and quality controls were implemented. The labeling efficiencies were not different between the dinucleotides. The between- and within-run precision for the Pt-GG and Pt-AG adducts measured at the lower limit of quantification of 87 and 53 amol/microg DNA, respectively, was less than 20% CV. The adducts were stable in DNA stored for a 2-month time period at -80 degrees C. The assay is now routinely used for high-precision analyses of patient and cell line samples containing very low adduct levels.
THE PROCESS OF TRANSITION FROM PUBLIC CARE TO INDEPENDENT LIVING: A RESILIENCE-BASED APPROACH

Young people leaving care are a group at high risk of social exclusion, as evidenced internationally in research on care leavers’ outcomes. Leaving care is a turning point in care leaver’s lives and pathways to independency vary according to young people’s characteristics and the social support received. This article uses Bridge’s model of transition adapted to leaving care to bring an in-depth understanding of the process of leaving care and young people’s experiences of leaving and after-care. The first part draws on a research study and discusses care leavers’ characteristics and outcomes based on Stein’s resilience categories, illustrated with three case studies. Data was collected by use of semi-structured interviews from 34 care leavers. The main method used for the qualitative analysis was the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, chosen for its potential to give voice to young people’s lived experiences and bring an in-depth understanding of the way they cope with leaving care. The second part, moves from research to practice, from identifying to promoting resilience. A programme to support care leavers transition is introduced and proposed as a resilience-focused and process-oriented model of intervention.
Interactions of legacy internet traffic with multihop wireless networks

ions are certainly needed for a scalable analysis of complex networks. One very widely used abstraction is the SINR model [46]: The environment is left out, and nodes are assumed to be located in free space. All nodes are assumed to be perfect isotropic transmitters and receivers. No external interference or background noise exists. With these assumptions, it is easy to calculate for each transmission a received signal strength at each other node, as this only depends on the distance of the two nodes. All incoming signals are summed up at each node, and if the payload signal level exceeds the sum of interfering signals by a predefined margin, the signal assumed to be received successfully. The original paper (see above) uses this model to provide an asymptotic upper bound to the total capacity of a wireless network. From this very basic model, several others, more advanced propagation models have been developed. Qi and Shen [84] provide an overview and comparison of the propagation models available for the very widely used Ns-2 platform. Recent results [11] related to the work in this document also contributes to these models. Obviously such models are useful to estimate some aspects of a wireless system. Yet, we do not know of a universal method to apply the results from such models to a real, much more complex system. This has to be done very carefully on a case-to-case basis.
Limitations of footprinting as a means of infant identification.

Over the past years, the habit of footprinting newborn infants in the delivery room as a means of identification has spread throughout the United States. In many hospitals today this technique is now being questioned, and, indeed, in many states, the process has been dropped. This report will present data designed to show just how satisfactory this technique is under controlled and reasonable conditions. Materials and Methods Procedures: Fifty-one newborn infants were footprinted as per routine in the delivery room of this hospital. The nurses doing the printings were familiar with the technique and were careful to prepare the infants' feet before printing.
Genomics Basics: DNA Structure, Gene Expression, Cloning, Genetic Mapping, and Molecular Tests

Genomics is the study of the structure and function of the human genome including genes and their surrounding DNA sequences. The over 3 billion base pairs of the human genome have now been sequenced and approximately 25 000 genes acknowledged. However, only 1% of the entire genome has been assigned to protein coding and decades more work is anticipated to define the functional relevance of noncoding DNA as well as the basis and consequences of sequence variations among individuals. For medical scientists, the focus remains on discovering both disease-causing and disease-susceptibility genes. For pharmaceutical companies, the opportunity to develop molecularly targeted therapy is not going unnoticed. For the practicing physician, the prospect of genomic medicine that incorporates molecular diagnosis and pathogenesis-targeted therapy requires basic understanding of terminology and concepts in molecular biology and the corresponding laboratory tests.
An Exploration of Style Transfer Using Deep Neural Networks

Convolutional Neural Networks and Graphics Processing Units have been at the core of a paradigm shift in computer vision research that some researchers have called “the algorithmic perception revolution. ” This thesis presents the implementation and analysis of several techniques for performing artistic style transfer using a Convolutional Neural Network architecture trained for large-scale image recognition tasks. We present an implementation of an existing algorithm for artistic style transfer in images and video. The neural algorithm separates and recombines the style and content of arbitrary images. Additionally, we present an extension of the algorithm to perform weighted artistic style transfer.
Re-discovering the Quechua adjective

Abstract This article describes the adjective class in Quechua, countering many previous accounts of the language as a linguistic type with no adjective/noun distinction. It applies a set of common crosslinguistic criteria for distinguishing adjectives to data from several dialects of Ecuadorian Highland Quechua (EHQ), analyzing examples from a natural speech audio/video corpus, speaker intuitions of grammaticality, and controlled elicitation exercises. It is concluded that by virtually any standard Quechua shows clear evidence for a distinct class of attributive noun modifiers, and that in the future Quechua should not be considered a “flexible” noun/adjective language for the purposes of crosslinguistic comparison.
The Crosstalk of Pathways Involved in Immune Response Maybe the Shared Molecular Basis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Type 2 Diabetes

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) are both systemic diseases linked with altered immune response, moderate mortality when present together. The treatment for both RA and T2D are not satisfied, partly because of the linkage between them has not yet been appreciated. A comprehensive study for the potential associations between the two disorders is needed. In this study, we used RNA sequencing to explore the differently expressed genes (DEGs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 10 RA and 10 T2D patients comparing with 10 healthy volunteers (control). We used bioinformatics analysis and the Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) to predict the commonalities on signaling pathways and molecular networks between those two diseases. 212 DEGs in RA and 114 DEGs in T2D patients were identified compared with healthy controls, respectively. 32 DEGs were shared between the two comparisons. The top 10 shared pathways interacted in cross-talking networks, regulated by 5 shared predicted upstream regulators, leading to the activated immune response were explored, which was considered as partly of the association mechanism of this two disorders. These discoveries would be considered as new understanding on the associations between RA and T2D, and provide novel treatment or prevention strategy.
Effectiveness of computer-generated (virtual reality) graded exposure in the treatment of acrophobia.

OBJECTIVE The authors' goal was to examine the efficacy of computer-generated (virtual reality) graded exposure in the treatment of acrophobia (fear of heights). METHOD Twenty college students with acrophobia were randomly assigned to virtual reality graded exposure treatment (N = 12) or to a waiting-list comparison group (N = 8). Seventeen students completed the study. Sessions were conducted individually over 8 weeks. Outcome was assessed by using measures of anxiety, avoidance, attitudes, and distress associated with exposure to heights before and after treatment. RESULTS Significant differences between the students who completed the virtual reality treatment (N = 10) and those on the waiting list (N = 7) were found on all measures. The treatment group was significantly improved after 8 weeks, but the comparison group was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS The authors conclude that treatment with virtual reality graded exposure was successful in reducing fear of heights.
Editorial on Consensus Recommendations for the Postmortem Diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease from the National Institute on Aging and the Reagan Institute Working Group on Diagnostic Criteria for the Neuropathological Assessment of Alzheimer Disease

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING AND REAGAN INSTITUTE WORKING GROUP ON DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR THE NEUROPATHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.Consensus recommendations for the postmortem diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. NEUROBIOL AGING18(S4) S1-S2, 1997. —This report summarizes the consensus recommenda- tions of a panel of neuropathologists from the United States and Europe to improve the postmortem diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease. The recommendations followed from a two-day workshop sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Institute of the Alzheimer's Association to reassess the original NIA criteria for the postmortem diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease published in 1985 (2). The consensus recommendations for improving the neuropathological criteria for the postmortem diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease are reported here, and the "position papers" by members of the Working Group that accompany this report elaborate on the research findings and concepts upon which these recommendations were based. Further, commentaries by other experts in the field also are included here to provide additional perspectives on these recommendations. Finally, it is anticipated that future meetings of the Working Group will reassess these recommendations and the implementation of postmortem diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease. © 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.