Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COMPARISON OF DISPERSIVE AND FOURIER-TRANSFORM NIR INSTRUMENTS FOR MEASURING GRAIN AND FLOUR ATTRIBUTES

Dispersive and Fourier-transform (FT) near-infrared (NIR) instruments were compared for their predictive performance of several wheat flour and grain constituents. Protein, moisture, and hardness index of whole grain wheat and protein, ash, and amylose of wheat flour were used to develop prediction equations between reference data of these constituents and their spectra. Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression was used to develop the prediction equations. Models were selected using F-test criteria (. = 0.05). NIR and FT-NIR spectrometers collected spectra over the wavelength ranges of 1100 to 2498 nm and 1142 to 2502 nm, respectively. Results show that FT-NIR and NIR instruments were comparable in prediction performance and there is no apparent advantage of one over the other. Wheat flour protein and ash, whole grain wheat protein, and moisture models had good quantitative prediction based on ratios of the standard error of prediction to the standard deviation of the reference data (RPD), i.e. RPD values were greater than 5. Wheat flour amylose and whole grain wheat hardness index predictions were qualitative with RPD values near 3.
Perioperative chemotherapy with ifosfamide and doxorubicin for high-grade soft tissue sarcomas in the extremities (JCOG0304).

OBJECTIVE The efficacy of perioperative chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas is controversial and only a few prospective studies of pre-operative chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas in the extremities have been reported. We therefore carried out Phase II study of perioperative chemotherapy for patients with soft tissue sarcomas in the extremities. METHODS Patients with Stage III non-round cell soft tissue sarcomas in the extremities were eligible. The patients were treated with pre-operative chemotherapy consisting doxorubicin 60 mg/m(2) and ifosfamide 10 g/m(2) for three courses. After the tumor resection, two additional courses of the same regimen were carried out. RESULTS A total of 72 patients were enrolled and 70 patients were eligible. The median age of the patients was 49 years. The major pathological subtypes were synovial sarcoma in 20 and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma in 17 patients. The protocol treatments were completed in 74% of the eligible cases. The 2 and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 75.7% (95% CI, 63.9-84.1%) and 63.8% (95% CI, 51.3-73.9%), respectively. The 5-year overall survival was 82.6% (95% CI, 71.3-89.7%). There was no treatment-related death. Grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicities (leukopenia and neutropenia) were observed in most of the patients. CONCLUSIONS Although the toxicities of the regimen were significant, pre-operative chemotherapy followed by post-operative chemotherapy using doxorubicin and high-dose ifosfamide was feasible. The outcome of the trial for the patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcomas in the extremities was favorable, and this regimen is promising for further investigation. This trial was registered at the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/) as C000000096.
Dynamics of moisture interaction with polyelectrolyte multilayers containing nanofibrillated cellulose

Abstract Recent findings have shown that it is possible to use the Layer-by-Layer technique to create nanofibrillated cellulose / polyethyleneimine interference films whose colour change with relative humidity. This study uses different optical models to describe spectral ellipsometry measurements data of interference films and how the film properties alter in dry and humid environments. The results indicate that water condensation initially is filling the surface pores within seconds whereas relaxation of the film to adjust to the added water is a slower process that reaches a steady state after »20 min. The maximum swelling ratio of the LbL films is almost independent of the number of layers within the film, but decreases considerably by crosslinking via heat treatment. The films show a distinct birefringence with optical axis perpendicular to the surface. Analysis of the moisture response with different optical models indicates that the films swell uniformly in the thickness direction with no separate water film on top. The results provide important understanding for the design of NFC based LbL films for visual moisture sensors and interactive security paper.
Towards more scalable mutual exclusion for multicore architectures. (Vers des mécanismes d'exclusion mutuelle plus efficaces pour les architectures multi-cœur)

Le passage a l'echelle des applications multi-fil sur les systemes multi-cœuractuels est limite par la performance des algorithmes de verrou, a cause descouts d'acces a la memoire sous forte congestion et des defauts de cache. Lacontribution principale presentee dans cette these est un nouvel algorithme,Remote Core Locking (RCL), qui a pour objectif d'ameliorer la vitessed'execution des sections critiques des applications patrimoniales sur lesarchitectures multi-cœur. L'idee de RCL est de remplacer les acquisitions deverrou par des appels de fonction distants (RPC) optimises vers un fild'execution materiel dedie appele serveur. RCL reduit l'effondrement desperformances observe avec d'autres algorithmes de verrou lorsque de nombreuxfils d'execution essaient d'obtenir un verrou de facon concurrente, et supprimele besoin de transferer les donnees partagees protegees par le verrou vers lefil d'execution materiel qui l'acquiert car ces donnees peuvent souventdemeurer dans les caches du serveur.D'autres contributions sont presentees dans cette these, notamment un profilerpermettant d'identifier les verrous qui sont des goulots d'etranglement dansles applications multi-fil et qui peuvent par consequent etre remplaces par RCLafin d'ameliorer les performances, ainsi qu'un outil de reecriture de codedeveloppe avec l'aide de Julia Lawall. Cet outil transforme les acquisitions deverrou POSIX en acquisitions RCL. L'evaluation de RCL a porte sur dix-huitapplications: les neuf applications des benchmarks SPLASH-2, les septapplications des benchmarks Phoenix 2, Memcached, ainsi que Berkeley DB avec unclient TPC-C. Huit de ces applications sont incapables de passer a l'echelle acause de leurs verrous et leur performance est amelioree par RCL sur unemachine x86 avec quatre processeurs AMD Opteron et 48 fils d'executionmateriels. Utiliser RCL permet de multiplier les performances par 2.5 parrapport aux verrous POSIX sur Memcached, et par 11.6 fois sur Berkeley DB avecle client TPC-C. Sur une machine SPARC avec deux processeurs Sun Ultrasparc T2+et 128 fils d'execution materiels, les performances de trois applications sontameliorees par RCL: les performances sont multipliees par 1.3 par rapport auxverrous POSIX sur Memcached et par 7.9 fois sur Berkeley DB avec le clientTPC-C.
ON THE FORMATION OF AMIDE POLYMERS VIA CARBONYL–AMINO GROUP LINKAGES IN ENERGETICALLY PROCESSED ICES OF ASTROPHYSICAL RELEVANCE

We report on the formation of organic amide polymers via carbonyl–amino group linkages in carbon monoxide and ammonia bearing energetically processed ices of astrophysical relevance. The first group comprises molecules with one carboxyl group and an increasing number of amine moieties starting with formamide (45 u), urea (60 u), and hydrazine carboxamide (75 u). The second group consists of species with two carboxyl (58 u) and up to three amine groups (73 u, 88 u, and 103 u). The formation and polymerization of these linkages from simple inorganic molecules via formamide und urea toward amide polymers is discussed in an astrophysical and astrobiological context. Our results show that long chain molecules, which are closely related to polypeptides, easily form by energetically processing simple, inorganic ices at very low temperatures and can be released into the gas phase by sublimation of the ices in star-forming regions. Our experimental results were obtained by employing reflectron time-of-flight mass spectroscopy, coupled with soft, single photon vacuum ultraviolet photoionization; they are complemented by theoretical calculations.
Variable region gene selection of immunoglobulin G‐expressing B cells with specificity for a defined epitope on type II collagen

Immunization with type II collagen (CII) induces collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) in animals, and B cells reactive with CII are involved in the induction and manifestation of the disease. In this study, B cell hybridomas producing IgG antibodies specific for a major epitope on mouse CII (the “C1” epitope, amino acid 316–333), were isolated 11 days after immunization from draining lymph nodes in DBA/1 mice. Injection into neonatal mice of purified and biotinylated monoclonal antibodies binding the C1 epitope led to a specific binding to joint cartilage, demonstrating that the antibodies interact with native antigen in vivo. cDNA sequencing of the B cell clones revealed that they all expressed the same combination of a variable heavy chain (VH J558 family) and light chain (Vx21 family) germ‐line gene, apparently lacking somatic mutations. The presence of isotype‐switched B cells expressing a certain combination of V genes encoding antibodies that bind epitopes in vivo, indicates that this B cell population has been peripherally selected.
A 0.13-&#181;m CMOS NOR flash memory experimental chip for 4-b/cell digital storage

This paper presents architectural and circuit solutions developed to achieve 4-b/cell storage in NOR-type Flash memories. A multiple closed-loop voltage sensing topology, combined with hierarchical load-decoupling row selection, and a two-step analog-to-digital conversion with early most significant bit (MSB) detection, achieve 120-ns access time for the stored MSBs. 80-mV programming step is provided by a switched-capacitor staircase waveform generator. Experimental data from a 0.13-µm CMOS test-chip are given.
Florid psychopathology in patients receiving shocks from implanted cardioverter-defibrillators

Objectives To increase awareness of the potential for disabling anxiety and depression in patients receiving shocks from implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Patients and methods ICDs are implanted in patients at this hospital for control of serious ventricular tachyarrhythmias inadequately controlled by drug treatment, who are unsuitable for map guided antiarrhythmic surgery. All are reviewed regularly at a dedicated ICD clinic and are advised to make contact between visits if they experience shocks. Symptoms of anxiety or depression were not actively sought, nor was a patient support group operating at the time of this data collection. When overt psychopathology was identified, patients were referred to a designated psychiatrist for management. Results Over a six year period, six (17%) of 35 patients with ICDs developed florid psychiatric problems after experiencing shocks. None had premorbid psychiatric predisposition. Of the six patients suffering severe psychiatric problems, four were men, their age range was 30–63 years, and left ventricular ejection fraction was 18–40%. All shocks were appropriate for clinical arrhythmias and ranged in frequency from two in six months to 111 in 24 hours. All six patients manifested severe anxiety, focused on fear of future shocks. Depression was also evident in three patients and two had become housebound. All responded within weeks to anxiolytic or antidepressant drugs, combined with relaxation and cognitive therapies. Ongoing psychiatric therapy was refused by one patient, and was required for between three and 18 months in the remainder. One patient died and one received a cardiac transplant during the follow up period (median 27.5 months, range 8–43). Conclusions Because ICD implantation occurs against a complex medical background with inevitable psychological stress, all such patients should be considered at high risk for developing psychopathology.
Empirical Criteria for the Selection of Quality-of-Life Instruments for the Evaluation of Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cell Transplantation

Abstract We propose a method for selecting quality-of-life instruments for use in phase III trials using the convergent validity of patient responses collected in phase I and II clinical trials.Two generic and two disease-specific instruments were administered to patients with breast cancer undergoing peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilization and transplantation. They included the visual analog scale from the EuroQoL EQ5D instrument, the SF-36, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-QLQ-C30, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy instrument. No single instrument was found to have superior convergent validity in all domains, but the EORTC-QLQ-C30 seemed to perform better than the SF-36.
How do carers of disabled children cope? The Ugandan perspective.

BACKGROUND Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) was recommended by the World Health Organization in 1989 as the strategy for improving the quality of life of disabled people and their families, which should be built on local knowledge and practices. In Uganda, there is no documentation on how services relate to local knowledge. There is a need for increased knowledge and understanding of how family members cope with their disabled children to provide the basis for future service development. METHODS A qualitative phenomenological design was used to develop an in-depth understanding of how Ugandan families cope with their disabled children in their own communities. Data were collected from 52 families with children with disabilities from five impairment groups, through interviews and observations in three districts of Uganda, one urban, two rural. RESULTS There are many children with disabilities who are included, loved and cared for by their families. A lot of time and money is spent on seeking a cure. The extended family systems are breaking down and the main burden of caring for a disabled family member generally falls on one, sometimes two, female carers. Male members act as gatekeepers, controlling the key decisions concerning the child and the associated resources. CONCLUSIONS CBR should move the focus of their services away from the disabled individual towards the whole family. It is important to provide accurate information about causes and prevention of impairments, the realities of a cure, support and respite for the female carers, and opportunities for the involvement of fathers. This methodology is a practical mechanism for collecting data that have the potential to positively influence and guide the development of CBR practice in the locality. At a conceptual level the data support the philosophy of inclusion, social integration, the importance of trust and respect, and utilizing a holistic approach. These are eminently transferable to other settings.
The Composition of Kaolinite—an Electron Microscope Microprobe Study

Electron microscope microprobe analysis (EMMA) has been applied to the determination of the elemental compositions of the kaolinite particles (Mg, Al, Si, K, Ti and Fe) contained in the 0·2-0·3 µm e.s. d. , the 0·9-1·0 µm e.s. d. and the 1·9-2·0 µm e.s. d. fractions of an English kaolin and an American kaolin. Particles with masses as small as 10-13 g were analysed. An EMMA-4 instrument (A.E.I. Ltd.) equipped with linear fully focussing spectrometers was used. The ratio method of analysis was employed. The operating procedures used to obtain the required high experimental precision in the measurement of Al: Si atom ratio are discussed.Statistical analysis of the results gives the estimated mean and spread of the Al:Si atom ratios. In the English kaolin the mean Al: Si atom ratio differs from the ideal 1:1 at the 005 significance level. There is evidence for a variation in composition from kaolinite particle to kaolinite particle in the 1·9-2·0 µm fraction of each kaolin. In the 0·9-1·0 µm fractions, the mean Fe:Si atom ratio was close to 0-002 showing the presence of iron in the kaolinite structure. The mean K:Si ratio was about 0002 which would be equivalent to 1 unit muscovite layer associated with a 0·175 µm thick kaolinite particle. In the American clay the Ti:Si atom ratio was 0·002 suggesting that some 12 per cent of the 'titania' found by conventional chemical analysis was associated with the kaolinite particles either as titania itself or as an isomorphous substituent.
Stress management and the role of Rhodiola rosea: a review

Abstract Objective: Stress describes the physiological reaction to threat or pressure, which manifests as physical symptoms of exhaustion or energy loss and psychological symptoms, including irritability or tension. If untreated, chronic stress or burnout may develop, both are areas of unmet medical need. Evidence-based treatment and prevention measures are needed. Methods: Prevention strategies and existing treatment options for stress-related symptoms were evaluated to establish criteria for an adequate pharmacological approach to stress. The authors reviewed the literature to reach a clinically meaningful strategy for prevention and treatment of persistent stress symptoms and their consequences, including burnout and secondary diseases. Results: Current medication reveals a treatment gap. Most drugs target only psychological or physical stress symptoms. Furthermore, psychotropic medications sometimes prescribed for stress often have unacceptable side effects and bear a risk of overtreatment. Ideally pharmacological therapy should afford comprehensive treatment of all stress symptoms with a favourable safety profile. Conclusions: Rhodiola rosea extract (RRE) fulfils important requirements. It is the main adaptogen approved by the HMPC/EMA for the indication ‘stress’ and influences the release of stress hormones while boosting energy metabolism as revealed in animal literature. RRE offers comprehensive treatment of stress symptoms and can prevent chronic stress and stress-related complications.
Surface motion in the pulsating DA white dwarf G29-38

We present time-resolved spectrophotometry of the pulsating DA white dwarf G29-38. As in previous broad-band photometry, the light curve shows the presence of a large number of periodicities. Many of these are combination frequencies, i.e. periodicities occurring at frequencies that are sums or differences of frequencies of stronger, real modes. We identify at least six real modes, and at least five combination frequencies. We measure line-of-sight velocities for our spectra and detect periodic variations at the frequencies of five of the six real modes, with amplitudes of up to 5 km s−1. We argue that these variations reflect the horizontal surface motion associated with the g-mode pulsations. No velocity signals are detected at any of the combination frequencies, confirming that the flux variations at these frequencies do not reflect physical pulsation, but rather reflect mixing of frequencies owing to a non-linear transformation in the outer layers of the star. We discuss the amplitude ratios and phase differences found for the velocity and light variations, as well as those found for the real modes and their combination frequencies, both in a model-independent way and in the context of models based on the convective-driving mechanism. In a companion paper, we use the wavelength dependence of the amplitudes of the modes to infer their spherical degree.
Gene Transcript Quantitation by Real-Time RT-PCR in Cells Selected by Immunohistochemistry-Laser Capture Microdissection

Studying tissue-based gene expression in different cell populations often requires immunohistochemistry-guided microdissection. However, mRNA degradation occurs during long staining procedures. We combined a novel rapid immunoperoxidase technique with laser capture microdissection (LCM) and real-time quantitative RT-PCR to compare p27 mRNA expression in prostatic basal/secretory cells. Eight frozen prostate sections were immunostained with antibody 34&bgr;E12 (high–molecular-weight keratin). Secretory and basal cells were separately collected by LCM. p27 transcripts from each cell group were quantitated by real-time RT-PCR, with GAPDH as standard. Immunostaining took 22 minutes, with RNA extraction from ∼40 dissected cells from each compartment initiated within 40 minutes. Qualitative RT-PCR gave a product of the expected size from each sample. Quantitative RT-PCR gave basal/secretory p27/GAPDH ratios of 0.99–16.24 (mean 5.53 ± 0.643). Immunostaining for keratin 34&bgr;E12 can be done on frozen sections in ∼20 minutes, and mRNA from pure cell populations can be quantitated by RT-PCR. We used this technique to show that p27 transcript levels are greater in basal than in secretory prostate cells, suggesting, when combined with prior studies, that regulation of p27 occurs at the protein level in normal cells. This technique may have wide applicability to studies of gene expression in distinct cell populations in heterogeneous tissues.
Sub‐inhibitory concentrations of ceftazidime and tobramycin reduce the quorum sensing signals of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Aim: Concentrations of antimicrobials below minimum inhibitory concentration (subMIC) may reduce the production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa of virulence factors such as elastase. We sought to determine whether the reduction in elastase production may be mediated by a reduction in acyl‐homoserine lactones. Methods: Pseudomonas aeruginosa in broth was exposed to three conditions for ceftazidime and tobramycin: control, 6% MIC and 25% MIC. Elastase was assayed using elastin congo red. N‐(3‐Oxododecanoyl)‐homoserine lactone (C12‐HSL) and N‐butyryl‐homoserine lactone (C4‐HSL) were assayed using biosensor Escherichia coli. Results: Elastase was unchanged with ceftazidime. Elastase was reduced by 16% at 6% MIC tobramycin and reduced by 70% at 25% MIC tobramycin (P<0.0001). As a percentage of control, C12‐HSL was mean 69.4% (SEM 7.3%) at 6% MIC tobramycin, and 31.7% (3.3%) at 25% MIC tobramycin (P=0.0001). C12‐HSL was 78.9% (5.3%) at 6% MIC ceftazidime and was 29.7% (1.8%) at 25% MIC ceftazidime (P=0.0001). Both ceftazidime and tobramycin were associated with reduced C4‐HSL at 6% MIC and 25% MIC (P<0.03). Conclusions: SubMIC tobramycin but not ceftazidime reduced elastase production by P. aeruginosa. In contrast, subMIC concentrations of both antimicrobials reduced C12‐HSL and C4‐HSL. It is unlikely that reduced HSL is the sole explanation for the reduction in elastase.