Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peripheral retinal dysfunction in patients taking vigabatrin

Objective: To assess the wide-field multifocal electroretinogram (WF-mfERG) for assessment of retinal function in vigabatrin-treated patients. Methods: Thirty-two adults who had taken vigabatrin for at least 3 years for localization-related epilepsy underwent WF-mfERG, ERG, logMar visual acuity and color vision evaluation, Humphrey visual field analysis (static perimetry), and funduscopy. The group was matched with a cohort of patients who had never received vigabatrin. Results were compared with a normative data set (120 drug-free controls) with respect to potential bilateral abnormalities in response timing. Results: There were no significant differences between groups in visual acuity or color vision testing. Of the vigabatrin patients, 19 (59%) had bilateral visual field defects compared to none of the controls. Using WF-mfERG, all patients on vigabatrin with visual field defects showed abnormalities (100% sensitivity) and only 2 of the 13 patients without a field defect showed retinal abnormalities (86% specificity). Conclusions: WF-mfERG may be useful for detecting retinal pathology in patients taking vigabatrin. The majority of previous reports based on subjective testing may have underestimated the prevalence of peripheral retinal toxicity related to the drug.
Achievements in the field of voice synthesis for Romanian

This article presents some of the voice synthesis methods designed and implemented at the research center of Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, methods that include: the phonemes-based and diphones-based LPC synthesis, the multipulse MPE synthesis, the NSM synthesis method, the RR_PSOLA variant of TD-PSOLA, a method based on syllables concatenation, and a corpus-based method. Also there are presented some voice synthesis systems that were realised: the ROMVOX system, SprintVox system, LIGHTVOX system and HTS system.
Integration into Global Automotive Value Chains: Co-Evolution of Firm and Market Capabilities

This paper analyzes the evolution of supplier-OEM relationship in the Indian auto industry and its integration into global automotive value chain. Through a case study analysis, the paper studies the role played by government policy regimes in influencing the learning abilities of firms and markets over time. While protection encouraged learning and capability acquisition, it also increased coordination costs through regulatory controls. Deregulation increased the capabilities base and encourages flexible work practices by expanding the market. Complete liberalization led to realignment of global production capabilities and integration of the industry into the global value chain. The value chain analysis has implications for developing manufacturing capabilities and industrialization strategy.
Cytokines and chemokines are both expressed by human myoblasts: possible relevance for the immune pathogenesis of muscle inflammation.

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are characterized by antibody- or cell-mediated immune response against unknown muscle tissue antigens. In these diseases a cellular infiltrate, composed of T and B lymphocytes, macrophages and NK cells, may invade muscle tissue with a gradient from the perivascular space to the endomysial compartment. Muscle cells may be actively involved in the processes of mononuclear cell recruitment and activation from the blood stream to the areas of inflammation. In order to verify this hypothesis, cultured human myoblasts were tested for their capacity to express different pro-inflammatory cytokines [IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha] and chemokines (IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES) at the mRNA level and protein secretion, in the presence of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha alone or in combination. We confirmed that human myoblasts expressed IL-1alpha and IL-6 constitutively, while IL-1beta and TNF-alpha are detected only after treatment with pro-inflammatory cytokines; moreover, we observed that TNF-alpha was expressed on an autocrine fashion by myoblasts. IL-8 and RANTES were expressed constitutively while MCP-1 after proper induction. These molecular data were further confirmed by specific ELISA in the supernatant from cultured myoblasts. Our results underline the importance of human myoblasts in the recruitment of leukocytes from the blood stream and, most probably, in the cross-talk between infiltrating inflammatory cells and muscle cells, creating the conditions for a chronic inflammation. Moreover, the capacity of muscle cells to behave as cells of the immune system has to be kept in mind, also in view of i.m. vaccination and use of molecular engineered myoblasts as vehicles in gene therapy.
The Alkylated Imino Sugar, n-(n-Nonyl)-Deoxygalactonojirimycin, Reduces the Amount of Hepatitis B Virus Nucleocapsid in Tissue Culture

ABSTRACT n-(n-Nonyl)-deoxygalactonojirimycin (n,n-DGJ), an alkylated imino sugar, reduces the amount of HBV DNA produced within the stably transfected HBV-producing HepG2.2. 15 line in culture and is under consideration for development as a human therapeutic. n,n-DGJ does not appear to inhibit HBV DNA polymerase activity or envelop antigen production (A. Mehta, S. Carrouee, B. Conyers, R. Jordan, T. Butters, R. A. Dwek, and T. M. Block, Hepatology 33:1488-1495, 2001), and the mechanism of antiviral action is unknown. In this study, the step in the virus life cycle affected by n,n-DGJ was explored. Using Northern analysis and immunoprecipitation with anti-HBc antibody, we found that, under conditions in which cell viability was not affected but viral DNA production was substantially reduced, neither the amount of HBV transcription products nor the core polypeptide was detectably reduced. However, the pregenomic RNA, endogenous polymerase activity, and core polypeptide sedimenting in sucrose gradients with a density consistent with that of assembled nucleocapsids were significantly less in the HepG2.2. 15 cells incubated with n,n-DGJ. These data suggest that n,n-DGJ either prevents the maturation of HBV nucleocapsids or destabilizes the formed nucleocapsids. Although the cellular and viral mediators of this inhibition are not known, depletion of nucleocapsid has been attributed to some other compounds as well as interferon's mechanism of anti-HBV action. The similarities and differences between this alkylated imino sugar and these other mediators are discussed.
Gate Leakage Mechanisms in AlInN/GaN and AlGaN/GaN MIS-HEMTs and Its Modeling

Gate leakage mechanisms in AlInN/GaN and AlGaN/GaN metal insulator semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors (MIS-HEMTs) with SiNx as gate dielectric have been investigated. It is found that the conduction in the reverse gate bias is due to Poole-Frenkel emission for both MIS-HEMTs. The dominant conduction mechanism in low to medium forward bias is trap-assisted tunneling while it is Fowler–Nordheim tunneling at high forward bias. However, conduction near zero gate bias is dominated by defect-assisted tunneling for both sets of MIS-HEMTs. The gate leakage current is primarily dependent on the properties of the gate dielectric material and dielectric/ semiconductor interface rather than the barrier layer. A model is proposed for the gate leakage current in GaN-based MIS-HEMTs, and the method to extract the related model parameters is also presented in this paper. The proposed gate current model matches well with the experimental results for both AlInN/GaN and AlGaN/GaN MIS-HEMTs over a wide range of gate bias and measurement temperature.
A metabolic threshold of irreversible ischemia demonstrated by PET in a middle cerebral artery occlusion–reperfusion primate model*

Objective– to evaluate the predictive value of measurements of regional cerebral blood flow (CBF), oxygen metabolism (CMRO2) and oxygen extraction ratio (OER) for assessment of the fate of ischemic brain tissue. Materials and methods– Sequential PET measurements were performed during middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO; 2 h) and 12–24 h (mean 18 h) of reperfusion in a primate model (Macaca mulatta, n=8). A penumbra region was delineated on the MCAO PET image (OER >125% and CMRO2≥45% of the values observed in the contralateral hemisphere, respectively) and an infarction region was delineated on the last PET image (CMRO2<45% of the values observed in the contralateral hemisphere). The penumbra regions delineated during MCAO and the infarction regions delineated at the final PET, were copied on to the images from all other PET sessions for measurements of CBF, CMRO2 and OER. Ratios were calculated by dividing the mean values obtained by the values of the corresponding contralateral region. Results– Histopathology verified the adequacy of the criteria applied in the last PET for delineation of the infarction region. The penumbra region and infarction region were separated in all cases, except in two cases where a minimal overlap was seen. CBF and OER showed considerable variation over time and there was no consistent difference between the penumbra and infarction regions. CMRO2 showed a more stable pattern and the difference between penumbra and infarction regions was maintained from the time of MCAO throughout the entire reperfusion phase. With CMRO2 as predictor, all 50 observations could be correctly predicted as penumbra or infarction when using an optimal threshold ratio value estimated to be in the interval of 61% to 69% of the corresponding contralateral region. CBF and OER proved to have low power as predictors. Conclusions– The results indicate that CMRO2 is the best predictor of reversible or irreversible brain damage and the critical metabolic threshold level appears to be a reduction of oxygen metabolism to between 61% and 69% of the corresponding contralateral region.
Underwater vehicle speedometry using differential pressure sensors: Preliminary results

Underwater vehicles require accurate speedometry relative to local flow conditions to perform many tasks within the aquatic environment. This paper presents preliminary results of a differential pressure sensing system using an extension of the Pitot equation capable of providing instantaneous flow speed estimation, including yaw angles from ±45°. In contrast to systems with similar configuration based on absolute pressure sensor approaches, the differential system makes use of the pressure between two points on the sensor head, reducing the number of necessary sensors by half. The theoretical system performance and physical prototype are compared using computational fluid dynamics and flow tunnel tests from 0-0.5 m/s and angles of attack up to ±45°. The proposed speedometry device has a small form factor, uses inexpensive commodity hardware, is geometrically simple, accurate (mean absolute error of 0.024 m/s) and has low power consumption (<; 10 mW for each sensor) making it suitable for a wide spectrum of underwater vehicles.
Buried Treasure: Community Cultural Wealth Among Black American Female Students

In order to review and distill the small pool of relevant scholarship, four foundational concepts must be acknowledged as the crux of this study. First, race and gender are inextricably linked (Collins, 2000; Hull, Scott, & Smith, 1982; Winkle-Wagner, 2009). Second, gender differences among Black students at predominantly White institutions are apparent and unable to be ignored. Third, academic advising literature and academic support programs specifically for undergraduate Black females are scarce. Fourth, deficiency models are antiquated distractions from excellence models such as community cultural wealth, which was used to frame this study (Yosso, 2005).
Systems pathology approach for the prediction of prostate cancer progression after radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE For patients with prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy, no current personalized tools predict clinical failure (CF; metastasis and/or androgen-independent disease). We developed such a tool through integration of clinicopathologic data with image analysis and quantitative immunofluorescence of prostate cancer tissue. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospectively designed algorithm was applied retrospectively to a cohort of 758 patients with clinically localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. A model predicting distant metastasis and/or androgen-independent recurrence was derived from features selected through supervised multivariate learning. Performance of the model was estimated using the concordance index (CI). RESULTS We developed a predictive model using a training set of 373 patients with 33 CF events. The model includes androgen receptor (AR) levels, dominant prostatectomy Gleason grade, lymph node involvement, and three quantitative characteristics from hematoxylin and eosin staining of prostate tissue. The model had a CI of 0.92, sensitivity of 90%, and specificity of 91% for predicting CF within 5 years after prostatectomy. Model validation on an independent cohort of 385 patients with 29 CF events yielded a CI of 0.84, sensitivity of 84%, and specificity of 85%. High levels of AR predicted shorter time to castrate prostate-specific antigen increase after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). CONCLUSION The integration of clinicopathologic variables with imaging and biomarker data (systems pathology) resulted in a highly accurate tool for predicting CF within 5 years after prostatectomy. The data support a role for AR signaling in clinical progression and duration of response to ADT.
Deficiency of 5-Lipoxygenase Accelerates Renal Allograft Rejection in Mice1

Acute renal allograft rejection is associated with alterations in renal arachidonic acid metabolism, including enhanced synthesis of leukotrienes (LTs). LTs, the products of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway, are potent lipid mediators with a broad range of biologic activities. Previous studies, using pharmacological agents to inhibit LT synthesis or activity, have implicated these eicosanoids in transplant rejection. To further investigate the role of LTs in acute graft rejection, we transplanted kidneys from CByD2F1 mice into fully allogeneic 129 mice that carry a targeted mutation in the 5lo gene. Unexpectedly, allograft rejection was significantly accelerated in 5-LO-deficient mice compared with wild-type animals. Despite the marked reduction in graft survival, the 5lo mutation had no effect on the hemodynamics or morphology of the allografts. Although LTB4 levels were reduced, renal thromboxane B2 production and cytokine expression were not altered in 5-LO-deficient allograft recipients. These findings suggest that, along with their proinflammatory actions, metabolites of 5-LO can act to enhance allograft survival.
Chemokines in the systemic organization of immunity

Summary: Directed cellular migrations underlie immune system organization. Chemokines and their receptors (along with surface‐adhesion molecules) are central to these migrations, targeting developing and mature leukocytes to tissues and microenvironments suitable for their differentiation and function. The chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 play a central role in the migration of hematopoietic stem cells, and several chemokine receptors are transiently expressed during distinct stages of B‐ and T‐cell development. In the periphery, mature naïve B and T cells utilize the receptors CCR7, CXCR4, and CXCR5 to recirculate through specialized microenvironments within the secondary lymphoid tissues, while effector and memory lymphocytes express bewildering patterns of adhesion molecules and chemokine receptors that allow them to function within microenvironments and non‐lymphoid tissues inaccessible to naïve cells. Here, we summarize the role of chemokines and their receptors in the spatial organization of the immune system and consider the implications for immune function.
Homosexual men's HIV related sexual risk behaviour in Scotland.

OBJECTIVE: To date, the epidemic of HIV infection in Scotland has been primarily associated with injecting drug use. However, the epidemiology of HIV in Scotland changed in the late 1980s, with homosexual men becoming the largest group at risk of HIV infection and AIDS. Our aim was to describe homosexual men's sexual risk behaviours for HIV infection in a sample of men in Scotland's two largest cities. DESIGN/SETTING: Trained sessional research staff administered a short self completed questionnaire, to homosexual men present in all of Glasgow's and Edinburgh's "gay bars," during a 1 month period. SUBJECTS: A total of 2276 homosexual men participated, with a response rate of 78.5%. Of these, 1245 were contacted in Glasgow and 1031 in Edinburgh. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sociodemographic data, recent (past year) sexual behaviour, information on last occasion of anal intercourse with and without condoms, and sexual health service use. RESULTS: Anal intercourse is a common behaviour; 75% of men have had anal intercourse in the past year. A third of our sample report anal intercourse with one partner in the past year, but 42% have had anal intercourse with multiple partners. Over two thirds of the total population have not had any unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the past year and a quarter of the sample have had UAI with one partner only. 8% report UAI with two or more partners. More men in Edinburgh (17% v 10%) reported unprotected sex with casual partners only, but more men in Glasgow (29% v 20%) reported UAI with both casual and regular partners (chi 2 = 12.183 p < 0.02). Multiple logistical regression found that odds of UAI are 30% lower for men with degree level education and 40% lower for men who claim to know their own HIV status, whereas they are 40% higher for those who have been tested for HIV and 48% higher for infrequent visitors to the "gay scene". Men who have had an STI in the past year are 2.4 times more likely to report UAI than those who have not. Men with a regular partner were significantly more likely to report UAI, as were those who had known their partner for longer, and who claimed to know their partner's antibody status. CONCLUSION: On the basis of current sexual risk taking, the epidemic of HIV among homosexual men in Scotland will continue in future years. The data reported here will prove useful both for surveillance of sexual risk taking, and the effectiveness of Scotland-wide and UK-wide HIV prevention efforts among homosexual men.
The effects of transformational leadership and organizational commitment on hotel departmental performance

Purpose This paper aims to examine the effects of hotel general managers’ transformational leadership (TLS) and department managers (DMs)’ organizational commitment (OC) on their department’s performance in upscale hotels in Australia. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected by surveying DMs in four- and five-star hotels. The survey instrument included measures of comprehensive sustainable performance, TLS and OC adapted from the literature. The data were analyzed through factor analysis and regression with a resampling method of bootstrapping. Findings The findings indicated that TLS influenced hotel departments’ non-financial as well as social and environmental performance dimensions directly and indirectly through OC. However, the mediation effect of OC did not exist for financial performance. Research limitations/implications The key theoretical contribution is the use of performance assessment based on critical success factors of hotel businesses and the bootstrapping regression model. Practical implications Senior managers should pay attention to TLS qualities when appointing core managers, provide on-going structured TLS training and concentrate on leading performance dimensions for performance assessment. Originality/value This study responds to the call for leadership research to move beyond its emphasis on individual performance and to address performance more holistically by considering its multidimensionality and the processes underlying effective performance.
[Environment and secular sperm trend. Stallion's semen quality during the last two decades].

BACKGROUND Several reports have suggested that human semen quality has declined throughout the world over the last few decades. Chemicals in the environment acting as endocrine disruptors have been implicated as a possible cause. If this is indeed the case, then similar effects may be observed in animals. We report data on secular trends in semen quality of stallions collected during the last two decades by French National Studs. METHODS We analyzed 1489 ejaculates collected from 390 Breton draught stallions between 1981 and 1996 and 341 ejaculates from 86 anglo-arab thoroughbred stallions from 1985 and 1995. We employed a standardized semen collection and analysis protocol for evaluating the semen quality. RESULTS For both stallion breeds studied, we observed a decreased seminal volume (around 2% per year) whereas total sperm production remains unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Seminal fluid volume is controlled by accessory sex glands, which are regulated by androgens. Chemicals with anti-androgenic properties have been detected in the environment. By affecting the development or function of accessory sex glands, these chemicals may be at least partly responsible for the observed decrease in semen volume.
Left Ventricular Wall Thickening Does Occur in Elite Power Athletes with or without Anabolic Steroid Use

Reports on the occurrence of left ventricular wall thickening in resistance-trained athletes have rejected the possibility for this physiological adaptation to occur without concomitant anabolic steroid abuse. Others have concluded short bursts of arterial hypertension that occur with maximal weight lifting are not sufficient to induce left ventricular wall thickening, and left ventricular wall thickness ≥13 mm should not be found in pure resistance-trained athletes. Therefore, we examined 4 elite resistance-trained athletes by two-dimensional echocardiography. In addition, we retrospectively examined the individual left ventricular dimensions of 13 bodybuilders from our previous echocardiographic studies. All 4 elite resistance-trained athletes had left ventricular wall thicknesses beyond 13 mm. One of the elite bodybuilders has the largest left ventricular wall thickness (16 mm) ever reported in a power athlete. Retrospectively, 43% of the drug-free bodybuilders and 100% of the steroid users had left ventricular wall thickness beyond the normal range of 11 mm. In addition, 1 drug-free subject and 3 steroid users were beyond the critical mark of 13 mm. No subjects demonstrated diastolic dysfunction. In contrast to previous reports, we have demonstrated that left ventricular wall thicknesses ≥13 mm can be found routinely in elite resistance-trained athletes. The use of anabolic steroids concomitant with intensive resistance exercise does appear to augment left ventricular size without dysfunction. Anabolic steroids may accelerate left ventricular wall thickening indirectly by increasing strength, thus augmenting the pressor response.