Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Donation after circulatory death heart transplantation

Purpose of review Despite continued expansion in the use of extended-criteria donor hearts following donation after brain death, there remains an unacceptable discrepancy between the supply of suitable donor hearts and the demand from increasing recipient numbers on transplant wait lists. Until recently, the additional approach of utilizing organs following donation after circulatory death (DCD) had not been possible for clinical heart transplantation in the modern era. This review describes relevant advances in translational research and provides an update on the favourable adoption of this donation pathway for clinical heart transplantation. Recent findings The use of an ex-situ transportable cardiac perfusion platform together with modified cardioplegia, supplemented with postconditioning agents, has allowed three centres to report successful transplantation of distantly procured human DCD hearts. This has been achieved by utilizing either a method of direct procurement and ex-situ perfusion on the device or through an initial in-situ reanimation with extracorporeal normothermic regional perfusion prior to ex-situ perfusion. Summary DCD heart transplantation is feasible with excellent early outcomes. In the face of continued and significant donor organ shortage and inevitable wait list attrition, the rejection of suitable DCD hearts, in jurisdictions permitting this donation pathway, is increasingly difficult to justify.
An IC temperature transducer with an intrinsic reference

A new single-chip temperature transducer which produces an output signal on a Fahrenheit, a Celsius, or an arbitrary scale has been designed, manufactured, and tested. This device, which operates with the intrinsic bandgap voltage as reference, can be easily calibrated at ambient temperatures. High accuracy and excellent long-term stability is achieved with simple bipolar circuits.
Structural Analysis of the Autoinhibition of Ets-1 and Its Role in Protein Partnerships*

The DNA-binding activity of the eukaryotic transcription factor Ets-1 (E26 avian erythroblastosis virus oncogene-E twenty-six) is negatively regulated by inhibitory regions that flank the ETS domain. Based on the results of solution studies, these N- and C-terminal inhibitory regions have been proposed to pack against the ETS domain and form an autoinhibitory module whose N terminus partially unfolds upon binding of Ets-1 to DNA. Mutations that disrupt autoinhibition of DNA binding also cause a structural change in the inhibitory region. We report here a crystallographic study of fragments of Ets-1 that provide structural details of the inhibitory module and the structural transition that accompanies DNA binding. The structures of free and DNA-bound Ets-1 fragments containing the ETS domain and the inhibitory regions confirm that the N-terminal inhibitory region contains two α-helices one of which unfolds upon Ets-1 binding to DNA. The observations from the crystal structure, coupled with mutagenesis experiments, allow us to propose a model for the inhibited form of Ets-1 and lend insight into the flexible interaction between Ets-1 and the acute myeloid leukemia 1 protein, AML1 (RUNX1).
Assessing the Impact of Term Limits in Missouri

IN 1992, MISSOURI voters approved a ballot measure imposing term limits on Missouri state legislators, which removed nearly a majority of representatives in 2002 and almost two-thirds of the senate by 2004. The changes brought about by these elections show how a large group of newcomers were integrated into the institutional structure of each chamber and, in turn, how they shaped the legislature. The composition of the legislature in 2003–4 included a sizable class of newcomers, with 90 of 163 in the state house and 13 of 34 in the senate. As a result, members were thrust into leadership positions, especially in the lower chamber, much earlier in their careers than previously. In this article, the effects of term limits in Missouri are examined through changes in the composition and institutional structure of the General Assembly, electoral impacts of term limits, and the institutional effects of new career dynamics caused by term limits. A variety of methods were employed in this case study. Historical data on individual legislators were compiled to analyze changes in tenure and demographics following term limits. Interviews were conducted from December 2003 to April 2004 with veteran legislators, staff members, and lobbyists to better understand their views on term limits. Finally, the results of a survey of legislators conducted in summer 2003 were used to determine what, if any, differences there are between veteran legislators and their freshman counterparts.1
Functional multilayered capsules for targeting and local drug delivery

One of the key challenges in the field of bio-nanotechnology for drug delivery systems (DDS) is the development of nano- or micro-sized delivery carriers possessing both targeting functionalities for specific tissues or cells, and controlled release properties for encapsulated drug molecules, proteins and genes. Hollow capsules developed by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly have attracted much attention over the past few years owing to their ability to be modified, their capacity to encapsulate a wide range of chemicals, and the variety of functionalities with which they can be enhanced. Current research on LbL capsules focuses on the development of functionalized capsules for specific targeting of cancer or immune cells, and on controlling their release properties by environmental stimuli. This review discusses recent advances in DDS using functional hollow capsules specific for the cellular and tissue-targeted delivery, as well as stimuli-responsive controlled release. DDS based on functional hollow capsules may contribute to the development of new nano-medicines.
Clinical aspects of glossopharyngeal breathing; report of use by one hundred postpoliomyelitic patients.

Several years ago one of the postpoliomyelitic patients at the Rancho Los Amigos Hospital was observed to be breathing in a peculiar manner, using his mouth and throat in what at first appeared to be a swallowing motion. Further observation revealed that these movements aided in breathing. With them he could breathe for many hours; otherwise he could breathe unassisted for only a few minutes. Vital capacity measurements were taken with and without the assistance of these movements and were found to be 600 ml. and 150 ml. respectively. This manner of breathing was observed in other patients, some of whom had learned it unassisted, while others had learned it from fellow patients. The first 15 cases have been reported previously. 1 The present report of 100 cases includes these 15 cases. Because of the structures involved, we have called this procedure "glossopharyngeal breathing. " It is also being called "gulping"
Geopolitical Interests and Preferential Access to U.S. Markets

The United States imports around 25% of its merchandise under some form of preferential trade regime. This paper examines both the origins and the consequences of U.S. trade preferences in the context of the gravity model of international trade. The main contributions of the paper are threefold. First, it provides estimates of the impact of preferential trade regimes in terms of access to U.S. markets while controlling for geostrategic interests that determine the countries that are offered commercial preferences. Second, we consider not only country eligibility but also the extent of utilization of these programs. Third, we provide new estimates of the impact of transport and transactions costs beyond distance. In the standard gravity estimation, we find that beneficiaries of these preferences, except GSP, export between two and three times more than the excluded countries, after controlling for country and product characteristics. Nonetheless, the estimated effects of these programs are lower when controlling for utilization ratios and selection biases due to the correlation between geopolitical interests and the standard explanatory variables used in the gravity model of trade, such as countries' geographic distance from the United States.
The role of Aboriginal community attachment in promoting lifestyle changes after hepatitis C diagnosis

This research assessed whether greater attachment to an Aboriginal community buffers against the negative effects of stigma and promotes positive health outcomes. Aboriginal Australians (n = 203) living with hepatitis C completed a survey assessing community attachment, stigma, resilience, quality of life, treatment intent, hepatitis C knowledge and positive lifestyle changes. A stronger sense of community attachment was associated with greater resilience, increased quality of life, less hepatitis C–related stigma and with increased lifestyle changes after diagnosis. Hence, community attachment can buffer against the negative health effects of stigma and may promote the resources to engage in positive behaviour changes, ultimately increasing long-term health outcomes.
Lumiracoxib (Prexige®): a new selective cox‐2 inhibitor

Lumiracoxib, a new selective COX‐2 inhibitor, has been recently approved in England and Mexico for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. Although it is the fifth COX‐2 inhibitor to come to the market, it has a unique structure that could prove to be important in the adverse event profile. Double blind randomised trials have proved its efficacy in acute pain, dysmenorrhea, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Its gastrointestinal safety profile has been studied in multiple trials. The main clinical trail, therapeutic arthritis research and gastrointestinal event trial, has as primary end point: perforations, obstructions and bleeding and as secondary end points: cardiovascular, renal and hepatic safety profile. The results of this trial will probably change the way we look at selective COX‐2 inhibitors.
Neuropharmacological Evidence for Different Timing Mechanisms in Humans

Temporal processing of intervals in the range of seconds or more is cognitively mediated, whereas processing of brief durations below 500 msec appears to be based on brain mechanisms outside cognitive control. To elucidate the critical role of various neurotransmitters in timing processes in humans, the effects of 3 mg of haloperidol, a dopamine receptor antagonist, 11 mg of the benzodiazepine midazolam, and 1 mg of scopolamine, a cholinergic receptor antagonist, were compared in a placebo-controlled double-blind experiment. In addition, changes in cortical arousal, semantic memory, and cognitive and motor skill acquisition were assessed. Temporal processing of long durations was significantly impaired by haloperiodol and midazolam, whereas processing of extremely brief intervals was only affected by haloperidol. The overall pattern of results supports the notion that temporal processing of longer intervals is mediated by working-memory functions and, therefore, any pharmacological treatment, irrespective of the neurotransmitter system involved, that produces a deterioration of working memory, may interfere with temporal processing of longer intervals. Temporal processing of intervals in the range of milliseconds appears to depend on the effective level of dopaminergic activity in the basal ganglia.
Zwei Erzählungen regionaler Entwicklung in Süddeutschland – vom Sektorenmodell zum Produktionssystem

Two narratives of regional development in Southern Germany - from the three-sector model to the production system. The ongoing regional economic change from industry to services employment has long been framed from the perspective of the three-sector model established by Clark, Fisher and Fourastie. While the repeatedly found regularity between service employment and economic growth seems in favour of the model, this paper demonstrates its conceptual and empirical limits. Theoretically, it deploys the approach of the production system to replace an understanding of separate and independent sectors by a perspective of interdependent roles of divided labor. Methodologically, we borrow the distinction of four functional roles - production, circulation, distribution and regulation - and improve existing methodologies to assign these roles to regional economies. We use both models to capture the regional economic change over a period of fifteen years in Southern Germany. Although the evidence seems to confirm the three-sector model, the comparative approach conveys its falsity in understanding economic growth: Regional value creation is not a function of services per se but of the interplay between manufacturing and business services (circulation). The observations that regions with lopsided service growth in distribution fall behind regional growth, and that even rural regions pertaining to strong specializations in manufacturing run ahead of economic growth, are clearly incongruous with the three-sector model. We conclude that the production system concept is a theoretically richer and empirically more valid approach to understand regional development as duality of production and circulation rather than dualism of manufacturing and services.
Generation of cytotoxic T‐cell responses with synthetic melanoma‐associated peptides in vivo: Implications for tumor vaccines with melanoma‐associated antigens

Peptide epitopes derived from differentiation antigens of the melanocyte lineage have been identified in human melanomas and normal cultured melanocytes as targets for MHC‐restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Characterization of multiple CTL‐defined antigenic determinants and the presence of corresponding precursor CTL open perspectives for the development of antigen‐based vaccines. In the present study, we determined the CTL reactivity against melanoma‐associated peptides derived from Melan A/MART‐I, tyrosinase and gp100/Pme117 in 10 HLA‐A2* melanoma patients and 10 healthy individuals. Then, we examined the immunological effects and toxicity of intradermal inoculation of synthetic melanoma‐associated peptides. Six patients with advanced melanoma received weekly intradermal injections of 6 melanoma‐associated peptides and the influenza matrix peptide as a control for 4 consecutive weeks. DTH reactions were observed in 5/6 patients at the injection sites of the tyrosinase signal peptide and of the influenza matrix peptide. No toxic side effects were observed. Changes in CTL reactivity after peptide vaccination were assessed by an MLPC assay for each peptide. Generation of peptide‐specific CTL was documented against Melan A/MART‐I‐derived peptide epitopes, the tyrosinase signal peptide and the influenza matrix peptide after vaccination. A decreasing CTL response against the internal tyrosinase peptide was documented in 1 patient through the course of vaccination and a decrease in DTH reactions. No major tumor regressions were observed. Two patients with rapidly progressive disease before vaccination have shown disease stabilization since vaccinations started. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that peptide alone injected intradermally may generate antigen‐specific DTH reactions and an increase of antigen‐specific CTL reactivity. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diesel Exhaust and Coal Mine Dust

Abstract: Conflicting evidence on the carcinogenicity of diesel exhaust (DE) and coal mine dust in occupational settings exist. Exposure measurement in most studies is inferred on the basis of job classifications and may lead to misclassification. Confounding behavioral factors (i.e., smoking) and occupational risk factors (exposure to asbestos, arsenic, radon) need to be considered. We evaluated the epidemiological evidence and current findings of the carcinogenicity of DE and coal mine dust in occupational settings. Pertaining literature was identified through Medline search and recent review articles. Strengths and limitations of recent approaches are discussed. Many epidemiological studies have addressed the question of carcinogenicity in workers exposed to DE, and most showed a low‐to‐medium increase in the risk of bronchial carcinoma. The pooled relative risk (RR) estimates lie between 1.33 and 1.47, and a consistent rise in risk across various job categories and study designs point to a causal relationship. Data on the carcinogenicity of coal mine dust are less consistent and the potential for confounding by unmeasured risk factors (arsenic, radon, DE) are higher. While silica as one of its components has been evaluated as carcinogenic, there is inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of pure coal dust according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). There is sufficient evidence for a causal relationship between DE and lung cancer in occupational settings. The evidence for coal mine dust is less convincing, but individual studies show an increase in risk of lung cancer in exposed workers.
The groundwater respond width after intermittent water transportation and restoration area prediction of Populus euphratica in the lower reaches of Tarim River, Xinjiang

The Tarim River is the longest continental river in China, and the “Green Corridor” is located in its lower reaches between the Taklimakan Desert (the second largest mobile desert in the world) and the Kumtag Desert. Populus euphratica is the only arbor in the “Green Corridor” and it has a significant effect in conserving and improving the ecology and environment in the lower reaches of the Tarim River. When Daxihaizi Reservoir was built in 1972, the length of 320km riverway in lower reaches of Tarim River had no flow. Groundwater table decreased continually since then. Along with water transportation again from the MAY 2000, groundwater table is beginning to rise. The groundwater monitoring section located in Yingsu village and has a distance of 61km to Daxihaizi Reservoir. This article based on the monitoring data of Yingsu section from the first to the seventh water transportation and then the groundwater numerical model was established by Processing Modflow. Length and width of the model is 4.0km and 6.525km respectively. The process of groundwater response was simulated well again. In addition, the author made a forecast of ten years under intermittent water transportation. The results showed that the transverse respond range of the groundwater will be 3km from the river bank. As a whole, the water transportation has the significant role to the restoration of Populus euphratica. The author analyses the relationship between volume of water transportation and the area of Populus euphratica in historical times. In the end, the restorable area of Populus euphratica below the Daxaihai Reservoir is forecasted on the condition of intermittent water transportation.
Suicidal and Depressive Feelings among College Students

A questionnaire concerning their suicidal and depressive thoughts was administered to a sample of university students Over 40% had thought of killing themselves and less than 10% denied at least having felt deeply discouraged and unhappy. Religion was related to the presence of suicidal thoughts, and sex to reported frequency of such thoughts. Students were most likely to tell a friend of such thoughts, and, at a significant level, the friend was of the same sex as the respondent. Scores on locus of control, social desirability, and test anxiety measures were unrelated to suicidal and depressive thoughts. Results are compared with findings from other studies. The utility of reported depressive and suicidal thoughts as predictors of suicidal behavior is questioned.
Atribacteria from the Subseafloor Sedimentary Biosphere Disperse to the Hydrosphere through Submarine Mud Volcanoes

Submarine mud volcanoes (SMVs) are formed by muddy sediments and breccias extruded to the seafloor from a source in the deep subseafloor and are characterized by the discharge of methane and other hydrocarbon gasses and deep-sourced fluids into the overlying seawater. Although SMVs act as a natural pipeline connecting the Earth’s surface and subsurface biospheres, the dispersal of deep-biosphere microorganisms and their ecological roles remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the microbial communities in sediment and overlying seawater at two SMVs located on the Ryukyu Trench off Tanegashima Island, southern Japan. The microbial communities in mud volcano sediments were generally distinct from those in the overlying seawaters and in the well-stratified Pacific margin sediments collected at the Peru Margin, the Juan de Fuca Ridge flank off Oregon, and offshore of Shimokita Peninsula, northeastern Japan. Nevertheless, in-depth analysis of different taxonomic groups at the sub-species level revealed that the taxon affiliated with Atribacteria, heterotrophic anaerobic bacteria that typically occur in organic-rich anoxic subseafloor sediments, were commonly found not only in SMV sediments but also in the overlying seawater. We designed a new oligonucleotide probe for detecting Atribacteria using the catalyzed reporter deposition-fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH). CARD-FISH, digital PCR and sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes consistently showed that Atribacteria are abundant in the methane plumes of the two SMVs (0.58 and 1.5 × 104 cells/mL, respectively) but not in surrounding waters, suggesting that microbial cells in subseafloor sediments are dispersed as “deep-biosphere seeds” into the ocean. These findings may have important implications for the microbial transmigration between the deep subseafloor biosphere and the hydrosphere.
High power universal piezoelectric transformer

This study describes a multilayer piezoelectric voltage and power transformer that has one direction poling, operates in a wide-frequency range and delivers both step-up and step-down voltages by inverting the electrical connections. In this design, the input and output electrodes are on the same side of the disk and are isolated from each other by a fixed isolation gap. The electrode pattern is a ring/dot structure such that it uses radial mode for both input and output part that are built-in on the same ceramic disk. A prototype transformer was fabricated of size 15 /spl times/ 2.78 mm/sup 2/ having mass of 3.8 gm. In the step-down configuration at the constant output power of 6 W, the transformer characteristics across a 100 /spl Omega/ load were found to be efficiency = 92%, gain = 0.21 input voltage =110 V/sub rms/, and temperature rise = 20 /spl deg/C from the room temperature. In the step-up configuration at the constant output power of 5 W, the transformer characteristics across a 5 k/spl Omega/ load were found to be efficiency = 97%, gain = 9.5, input voltage = 16 V/sub rms/, and temperature rise = 8 /spl deg/C from the room temperature. A detailed equivalent circuit analysis of the transformer was done, and the results were found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental results.