Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Childhood disadvantages and the timing of the onset of natural menopause in Latin America and the Caribbean

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to investigate the association of early life factors with the timing of the onset of natural menopause in Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. We use Cox proportional hazard models to estimate the risk of the onset of menopause. Our results suggest that socioeconomic disadvantages, as expressed by difficulties attending school due to economic hardships or parents never living together, increase the risk of the onset of natural menopause among Puerto Rican women. Among Costa Rican women, early life nutrition, estimated using anthropometric measures, is related to the timing of the onset of natural menopause.
The association of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) with psoriatic disease: a prospective cohort study, systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and psoriatic disease share auto-immunological components. Few studies have investigated the link between both, yielding inconclusive results. DESIGN We assessed the association of AITD with psoriatic disease in a prospective cohort study and performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS 8214 participants of the Rotterdam Study (RS) with thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Abs), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and/or free thyroxine (FT4) measurements and information on psoriatic disease were included. We performed logistic and Cox regression analyses and a systematic literature search in several electronic databases on AITD and psoriatic disease. We pooled odds ratios (ORs) of included studies using the Mantel-Haenszel method, while adding RS data on prevalent psoriatic disease. RESULTS Within the RS, we found no association between TPO-Ab positivity and psoriatic disease. There was a positive trend between TSH and prevalent psoriatic disease, and between FT4 and incident psoriatic disease, although not significant. Out of 1850 articles identified, seven were included in the systematic review and four in the meta-analysis. The risk of psoriatic disease (pooled OR) was 1.71 (confidence interval (CI): 1.27-2.31) for TPO-Ab positivity, 1.25 (CI: 1.14-1.37) for AITD and 1.34 (CI: 1.16-1.54) respectively, and 1.17 (CI: 1.03-1.32) for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis suggests that TPO-Ab positivity, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism might be associated with prevalent psoriatic disease. However, there are only few studies with large heterogeneity regarding psoriatic disease definition and indication of publication bias. Additional prospective data are needed to assess the association of AITD with incident psoriatic disease.
Capacitive data links intended for implantable medical devices: A survey

We present in this paper a survey of the existing capacitive data telemetry systems for biomedical implants. Other existing techniques such as RF, inductive and optic links as well as energy providers are briefly discussed. In addition, the bidirectional full duplex capacitive communication technique using load shift keying is introduced. This technique has been used in other biomedical systems such as inductive links; here it is applied for capacitive links, which allows the system to establish a power-free up-link, to outside the body, with minor tradeoffs.
Families of Triangular Norm-Based Kernel Functions and Their Application to Kernel k-Means

This study proposes the concept of families of triangular norm (t-norm)-based kernel functions, and discusses their positive-definite property and the conditions for applicable t-norms. A clustering experiment with kernel k-means is performed in order to analyze the characteristics of the proposed concept, as well as the effects of the t-norm and parameter selections. It is evaluated that the clusters obtained in terms of the adjusted rand index and the experimental results suggested the following : (1) the adjusted rand index values obtained by the proposed method were almost the same or higher than those produced using the linear kernel for all of the data sets; (2) the proposed method slightly improved the adjusted rand index values for some data sets compared with the radial basis function (RBF) kernel; (3) the proposed method tended to map data to a higher dimensional feature space than the linear kernel but the dimension was lower than that using the RBF kernel.
Torque Harmonic Compensation in a Synchronous Reluctance Motor

The torque behavior of a synchronous reluctance motor [including the permanent magnet (PM) assisted configuration] is deeply analyzed. An analytical model is developed, showing the dependence of the torque ripple on the rotor geometry. The results of this model allow to individuate the position of the flux--barrier ends so as to minimize the torque ripple. In addition, the proposed strategy to minimize the ripple is not only based on a suitable choice of the flux--barrier ends, but this choice is combined with the adoption of a rotor formed by two different laminations. This strategy allows an optimal compensation of the torque harmonics so that a smooth torque is achieved. Some motor prototypes have been manufactured and tested in a suitable testing bench. The torque versus position characteristics have been measured at very low speed, to avoid a reduction of the high-order torque harmonics. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Different Effects of Gabaergic Anticonvulsants on 4-Aminopyridine-Induced Spontaneous Gabaergic Hyperpolarizations of Hippocampal Pyramidal Cells—Implication for their Potency in Migraine Therapy

Clinical studies indicate anti-migraneous efficacy of the probably GABAergic anti-convulsants valproate and gabapentin. For the GABAergic anticonvulsants vigabatrin and tiagabine, studies about antimigraneous efficacy are missing. The aim of this study was to test the GABAergic potency of these drugs in vitro before further clinical studies. Intracellular recordings were obtained from hippocampal pyramidal cells. Spontaneous GABAergic hyperpolarizations (SGH) elicited by 75 μ m 4-aminopyridine were used to test the effect of these drugs on GABA-dependent potentials. Tiagabine (0.1 m m) prolonged the duration of SGH. Furthermore, monophasic SGH turned over into triphasic typical GABAergic membrane potential fluctuations within 20 min. In contrast, valproate, gabapentin, and vigabatrin failed to affect SGH up to 60 min of application. The reason for the fast action of tiagabine on SGH may be caused by a faster increase of synaptic GABA levels compared with other drugs. As migraine therapy benefits from an augmentation of GABA activity, we recommend clinical studies of tiagabine as a fast-acting agent in migraine attacks.
On the differences between conventional and auditory spectrograms of English consonants

A new tool for speech analysis is presented, operating in real-time and incorporating the analysing power of a contemporary auditory model to produce the familiar display of the speech spectrograph. This ? auditory spectrograph? is used to analyse English consonant sounds and the results are compared with conventional wide and narrow band spectrograms. The auditory analyses are found to attach more visual weight to the acoustic cues associated with speech production and perception, and features that are either difficult or impossible to distinguish on conventional spectrograms are clarified.
Haloalkane dehalogenase from Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10 refined at 1.15 A resolution.

Crystals of the 35 kDa protein haloalkane dehalogenase from Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10 diffract to 1.15 A resolution at cryogenic temperature using synchrotron radiation. Blocked anisotropic least-squares refinement with SHELXL gave a final conventional R factor of 10.51% for all reflections in the 15-1.15 A resolution range. The estimated r.m.s. errors of the model are 0.026 and 0.038 A for protein atoms and all atoms, respectively. The structure comprises all 310 amino acids, with 28 side chains and two peptide bonds in multiple conformations, two covalently linked Pb atoms, 601 water molecules, seven glycerol molecules, one sulfate ion and two chloride ions. Water molecules accounting for alternative solvent structure are modelled with a fixed occupancy of 0.5. The structure is described in detail and compared with previously reported dehalogenase structures refined at 1.9-2.3 A resolution. An analysis of the protein's geometry and stereochemistry reveals eight mean values of bond lengths and angles which deviate significantly from the Engh & Huber parameters, a wide spread in the main-chain omega torsion angle around its ideal value of 180 (6) degrees and a role for C-HcO interactions in satisfying the hydrogen-bond acceptor capacity of main-chain carbonyl O atoms in the central beta-sheet.
Specificity of DNA Lesion Bypass by the Yeast DNA Polymerase η*

DNA polymerase η (Polη, xeroderma pigmentosum variant, or Rad30) plays an important role in an error-free response to unrepaired UV damage during replication. It faithfully synthesizes DNA opposite a thymine-thymine cis-syn-cyclobutane dimer. We have purified the yeast Polη and studied its lesion bypass activityin vitro with various types of DNA damage. The yeast Polη lacked a nuclease or a proofreading activity. It efficiently bypassed 8-oxoguanine, incorporating C, A, and G opposite the lesion with a relative efficiency of ∼100:56:14, respectively. The yeast Polη efficiently incorporated a C opposite an acetylaminofluorene-modified G, and efficiently inserted a G or less frequently an A opposite an apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site but was unable to extend the DNA synthesis further in both cases. However, some continued DNA synthesis was observed in the presence of the yeast Polζ following the Polη action opposite an AP site, achieving true lesion bypass. In contrast, the yeast Polα was able to bypass efficiently a template AP site, predominantly incorporating an A residue opposite the lesion. These results suggest that other than UV damage, Polη may also play a role in bypassing additional DNA lesions, some of which can be error-prone.
A randomized comparison of peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor cell level of 5/mm3 versus 50/mm3 as a surrogate marker to initiate efficient autologous blood stem cell collection

We previously showed that at least 5/mm3 hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) could be used as a marker for initiating autologous blood stem cell collection (ABSCC). However, the timing of efficient ABSCC following mobilization is still to be determined. We conducted a prospective, randomized comparison of 5/mm3 versus50/mm3 peripheral blood (PB) HPCs as a surrogate marker to initiate efficient ABSCC. Forty‐five consecutive patients, 26 with multiple myeloma (MM) and 19 with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), were enrolled between October 2004 and October 2006. Chemotherapy was cyclophosphamide 4 g/m2 for MM and ESHAP (etoposide, methylprednisolone, high‐dose cytarabine, and cisplatin), with or without Rituximab, for NHL. Circulating HPCs were monitored daily with the Sysmex SE9000 automated hematology analyzer, and harvested CD34+ cells were counted by flow cytometry. ABSCC was initiated when HPC levels reached at least 5/mm3 (HPC5 group) or 50/mm3 (HPC50 group). The median number of harvested CD34+ cells was 15.0 × 106/kg and 21.0 × 106/kg in the HPC5 and HPC50 groups, respectively (P = 0.23). Optimal collection (>5 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg) in a single session (day 1) was attained in 15 HPC5 patients (63%) and in 14 HPC50 patients (67%), and targeted collection of 5 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg was achieved in 100 and 95% of HPC5 and HPC50 patients, respectively (P = 0.47), with a median number of 1 apheresis in both groups (P = 0.58). There were no between group differences in optimal collection rate on day 1, median number of aphereses to achieve optimal collection, and overall optimal collection rate. HPC ≥ 5/mm3 and ≥50/mm3 are both reliable indices for the timing of ABSCC. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modeling of beam steering from a phase-gradient metasurface

It has been recently shown that a metasurface presenting a phase-gradient can be effectively used as a partially reflecting surface (PRS) in a Fabry-Perot leaky wave antenna to produce beam steering. The aim of the present contribution is to develop and present an analytical model which will allow us to predict the angle of deflection.
ACTIVE DRUG LOADING OF MICROFLUIDIC-SYNTHESIZED LIPOSOMES

In this paper, an established method for microfluidic-directed formation of liposomes is combined with in-line sample purification and active drug loading for one-step, continuous flow synthesis of small, nearly monodisperse vesicles containing high concentrations of stably-loaded compounds. Through microfluidic buffer exchange, the presented technique demonstrates the ability to establish a change of 3 or more pH units within 80 seconds, followed by the immediate introduction of a drug analog which is remotely loaded into vesicles at drug:lipid ratios which exceed traditional bulk-scale processes. The result is a “pharmacy-on-a-chip”: a microfluidic technique for in-line formation of liposomes containing actively loaded compounds.
A variable gain, 2.5 GHz CMOS low-noise amplifier for mobile wireless communications

A two-stage, variable-gain low-noise amplifier (LNA) which offers good matching and good noise performance is demonstrated. A prototype 2.5 GHz LNA is designed and simulated using 0.13 um RF CMOS process technology. The simulated LNA has a maximum gain of 32.6 dB, input return loss of −44.9 dB, and output return loss of −5 dB. It has a noise figure of 1 dB and input P1dB of −33.9 dBm in high-gain mode, and noise figure of 2.6 dB and input P1dB of −14.6 dBm in low-gain (15.4 dB) mode. The complete device draws 20.3 mA of current from a 1.2 V supply for a total power consumption of 24.4 mW.
Transthyretin mutations in hyperthyroxinemia and amyloid diseases

Over 80 different disease‐causing mutations in transthyretin (TTR) have been reported. The vast majority are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and are related to amyloid deposition, affecting predominantly peripheral nerve and/or the heart. A small portion of TTR mutations are apparently non‐amyloidogenic. Among these are mutations responsible for hyperthyroxinemia, presenting high affinity for thyroxine (a TTR ligand). Compound heterozygotic individuals for TTR mutants have been described; noteworthy is the clinically protective effect exerted by a non‐pathogenic over a pathogenic mutation. Current TTR mutations and their significance are briefly reviewed here. Hum Mutat 17:493–503, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patient Characteristics and Variation in Treatment Outcomes: Which Patients Benefit Most From Acupuncture for Chronic Pain?

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to identify patients' characteristics that increase or decrease their benefit from acupuncture treatment of chronic pain. MethodsPatients with chronic low back pain, headache, neck pain, or pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, were included in 4 multicenter, randomized, controlled studies, all conducted in Germany. All patients received routine care; the patients randomized to the acupuncture group received additional acupuncture treatment. Data were pooled, and the main outcome was defined as the 3-month change from baseline of the SF-36 bodily pain subscale. To identify predictors for treatment effects and effect modifiers (ie, variables that interact with the form of treatment), patients' characteristics and their interaction with treatment were included in a mixed linear model to predict treatment outcome. ResultsA total of 9,990 patients who were treated by 2,781 physicians were analyzed. The outcome was markedly improved in the acupuncture group (P<0.001). Age, education, duration of illness, baseline pain, and some concomitant diseases predicted treatment outcome in both groups. Patients' characteristics that enlarged the acupuncture effect (ie, acted as effect modifiers) were being female (P=0.028), living in a multi-person household (P=0.002), failure of other therapies before the study (P=0.049), and former positive acupuncture experience (P=0.005). DiscussionFuture research to clarify the modifying effects with special focus on patients' expectations and other psychological variables is needed.
Long‐term mild‐intensity exercise regimen preserves prefrontal cortical volume against aging

It has been suggested that exercise improves cognitive function and increases cerebral volume even in older people. However, the relation between cognitive function and brain volume is unclear. We evaluated the longitudinal change of cognitive function and gray matter volume due to mild‐intensity exercise over 2 years, and the residual effects 6 months post‐exercise.
Structural MRI of carotid artery atherosclerotic lesion burden and characterization of hemispheric cerebral blood flow before and after carotid endarterectomy

Collateral circulation plays a major role in maintaining cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. CBF can remain normal despite severe ICA stenosis, making the benefit of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or stenting difficult to assess. Before and after surgery, we assessed CBF supplied through the ipsilateral (stenotic) or contralateral ICA individually with a novel hemisphere‐selective arterial spin‐labeling (ASL) perfusion MR technique. We further explored the relationship between CBF and ICA obstruction ratio (OR) acquired with a multislice black‐blood imaging sequence. For patients with unilateral ICA stenosis (n = 19), conventional bilateral labeling did not reveal interhemispheric differences. With unilateral labeling, CBF in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory on the surgical side from the ipsilateral supply (53.7 ± 3.3 ml/100 g/min) was lower than CBF in the contralateral MCA territory from the contralateral supply (58.5 ± 2.7 ml/100 g/min), although not statistically significant (p = 0.09). The ipsilateral MCA territory received significant (p = 0.02) contralateral supply (7.0 ± 2.7 ml/100 g/min), while ipsilateral supply to the contralateral side was not reciprocated. After surgery (n = 11), ipsilateral supply to the MCA territory increased from 57.3 ± 5.7 to 67.3 ± 5.4 ml/100 g/min (p = 0.03), and contralateral supply to the ipsilateral MCA territory decreased. The best predictor of increased CBF on the side of surgery was normalized presurgical ipsilateral supply (r2 = 0.62, p = 0.004). OR was less predictive of change, although the change in normalized contralateral supply was negatively correlated with ORexcess (=ORipsilateral − ORcontralateral) (r2 = 0.58, p = 0.006). The results demonstrate the effect of carotid artery stenosis on blood supply to the cerebral hemispheres, as well as the relative role of collateral pathways before surgery and redistribution of blood flow through these pathways after surgery. Unilateral ASL may better predict hemodynamic surgical outcome (measured by improved perfusion) than ICA OR. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multidimensional Hermite polynomials and photon distribution for polymode mixed light.

For N-mode light described by the Wigner function of generic Gaussian form the photon distribution function is obtained explicitly and expressed in terms of Hermite polynomial of $2N$ variables with equal pairs of indices.The mean values and dispersions of photon numbers are obtained for this generic mixed state.Generating function for photon distribution is obtained explicitly. The expression for $N$-mode photon distribution function for squeezed photon number states in terms of Hermite polynomials of $2N$ variables and for squeezed coherent states in terms of Hermite polynomials of $N$ variables is discussed.
Control of Inverters Via a Virtual Capacitor to Achieve Capacitive Output Impedance

Mainstream inverters have inductive output impedance at low frequencies (such inverters are called L-inverters). In this paper, a control strategy is proposed to make the output impedance of an inverter capacitive at low frequencies (such inverters are called C-inverters). The proposed control strategy involves the feedback of the inductor current through an integrator, which is actually the impedance of a virtual capacitor. The gain of the integrator or the virtual capacitance is first selected to guarantee the stability of the current feedback loop and then optimized to minimize the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the output voltage. Moreover, some guidelines are developed to facilitate the selection of the filter components for C-inverters. Simulation and experimental results are provided to demonstrate the feasibility and excellent performance of C-inverters, with the filter parameters of the test rig selected according to the guidelines developed. It is shown that, with the same hardware, the lowest voltage THD is obtained when the inverter is designed to be a C-inverter. A by product of this study is that, as long as the current ripples are kept within the desired range, the filter inductor should be chosen as small as possible in order to reduce voltage harmonics. This helps reduce the size, weight, and volume of the inductor and improve the power density of the inverter.
Clinical application of CNS-acting agents in FSD.

INTRODUCTION Human sexual response involves a complex sequencing of interrelated mind/body processes. Few treatment options exist that address the complex multilayered etiological determinants of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). AIM Review and evaluate the clinical application of centrally acting agents for the treatment of FSD, with particular emphasis on recently released data on bremelanotide. METHODS Review of literature on the treatment of FSD. RESULTS Approaches to FSD treatment have ranged from psychological counseling through a variety of medical interventions along the physiological pathways of sexual function and dysfunction. Despite a great deal of research, especially into hormonal and vasoactive substances, few therapeutics have broad consistent applicability and have withstood scientific scrutiny. Recent clinical trials have investigated the potential role of agents which act on the central nervous system for the treatment of FSD. CONCLUSIONS While the recent data supporting the therapeutic use of centrally acting agents as a monotherapy for FSD are cautiously encouraging, there would seem to be tremendous promise for these centrally acting compounds to be integrated with treatment approaches that utilize other pathways in a multilayered, individualized approach to care.