Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transradial approach for vertebral artery stenting

Introductuion Symptomatic severe vertebral artery (VA) stenosis may be treated safely with stent supported angioplasty via femoral access. There is limited clinical data on transradial approach for VA angioplasty in case of peripheral artery disease. Aim To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transradial angioplasty of symptomatic VA stenosis. Material and methods Fifteen patients (age 66 ±7.4 years, 73% men, with VA > 80% stenosis, 11 right-side, all symptomatic from posterior circulation (history of stroke, TIA, or chronic ischaemia symptoms)) with peripheral artery disease (PAD) or unsuccessful attempt via femoral approach were scheduled for VA angioplasty by radial access. Clinical and duplex ultrasound (DUS) follow-up were performed before discharge and 1, 12, and 24 months after VA angioplasty. Results The technical success rate was 100%. In all cases VA angioplasty was performed with the use of single balloon-mounted stent (9 bare metal stents, 6 drug-eluting stents). The mean NASCET VA stenosis was reduced from 85.3% to 5.3% (p < 0.001). No periprocedural death, stroke, myocardial infarction, or transient ischaemic attack occurred. During 24-months follow-up, in 12 of 15 patients chronic ischaemia symptoms release was observed, and no new acute ischaemic neurological symptoms were diagnosed in all patients. One patient died 20 months after intervention from unknown causes. There was one symptomatic borderline VA in-stent stenosis 12 months after angioplasty. Conclusions Transradial VA stenting may be a very effective and safe procedure, and it may constitute an alternative to the femoral approach in patients with symptomatic VA stenosis.
Palmitoleic Acid Inhibits RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Resorption by Suppressing NF-κB and MAPK Signalling Pathways

Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells that are responsible for the breakdown or resorption of bone during bone remodelling. Studies have shown that certain fatty acids (FAs) can increase bone formation, reduce bone loss, and influence total bone mass. Palmitoleic acid (PLA) is a 16-carbon, monounsaturated FA that has shown anti-inflammatory properties similar to other FAs. The effects of PLA in bone remain unexplored. Here we investigated the effects of PLA on receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption in RAW264.7 murine macrophages. PLA decreased the number of large, multinucleated tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive osteoclasts and furthermore, suppressed the osteolytic capability of these osteoclasts. This was accompanied by a decrease in expression of resorption markers (Trap, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Mmp9), cathepsin K (Ctsk)). PLA further decreased the expression of genes involved in the formation and function of osteoclasts. Additionally, PLA inhibited NF-κB activity and the activation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK). Moreover, PLA induced apoptosis in mature osteoclasts. This study reveals that PLA inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast formation in RAW264.7 murine macrophages through suppression of NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways. This may indicate that PLA has potential as a therapeutic for bone diseases characterized by excessive osteoclast formation.
Activity Exerted by a Testosterone Derivative on Myocardial Injury Using an Ischemia/Reperfusion Model

Some reports indicate that several steroid derivatives have activity at cardiovascular level; nevertheless, there is scarce information about the activity exerted by the testosterone derivatives on cardiac injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Analyzing these data, in this study, a new testosterone derivative was synthetized with the objective of evaluating its effect on myocardial injury using an ischemia/reperfusion model. In addition, perfusion pressure and coronary resistance were evaluated in isolated rat hearts using the Langendorff technique. Additionally, molecular mechanism involved in the activity exerted by the testosterone derivative on perfusion pressure and coronary resistance was evaluated by measuring left ventricular pressure in the absence or presence of the following compounds: flutamide, prazosin, metoprolol, nifedipine, indomethacin, and PINANE TXA2. The results showed that the testosterone derivative significantly increases (P = 0.05) the perfusion pressure and coronary resistance in isolated heart. Other data indicate that the testosterone derivative increases left ventricular pressure in a dose-dependent manner (0.001–100 nM); however, this phenomenon was significantly inhibited (P = 0.06) by indomethacin and PINANE-TXA2 (P = 0.05) at a dose of 1 nM. In conclusion, these data suggest that testosterone derivative induces changes in the left ventricular pressure levels through thromboxane receptor activation.
Pre-RTL formal verification: An Intel experience

During the development of a next-generation Intel processor, the project's formal verification team verified a new coherence protocol and portions of its RTL implementation against the protocol's specification within project deadlines. Typically, FV teams apply formal property verification (FPV) after RTL is coded and, though it continues to be an effective complement to pre-silicon validation, this late application prevents it from keeping pace with the continual complexity increases in hardware designs. Our discussion centers around how applying FV early in the development cycle of this processor enabled continual verification as the design progressed, culminating with the targeted RTL verification. We also present the languages and methodologies used, the reasons behind the choices, and where improvements can be made.
Enhanced levels of endogenous cannabinoids in the globus pallidus are associated with a reduction in movement in an animal model of Parkinson's disease

In recent years, cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands (endocannabinoids) have been identified within the brain. The high density of CB1 cannabinoid receptors within the basal ganglia suggests a potential role for endocannabinoids in the control of voluntary movement and in basal ganglia‐related movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease. However, whether endocannabinoids play a role in regulating motor behavior in health and disease is unknown. Here we report the presence in two regions of the basal ganglia, the globus pallidus and substantia nigra, of the endocannabinoids 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2AG) and anand‐amide. The levels of the latter compound are —threefold higher than those previously reported in any other brain region. In the reserpine‐treated rat, an animal model of Parkinson's disease, suppression of locomotion is accompanied by a sevenfold increase in the levels of the 2AG in the globus pallidus, but not in the other five brain regions analyzed. Stimulation of locomotion in the reserpine‐treated rat by either of the two selective agonists of D2 and D1 dopamine receptors, quinpirole and R‐(±)‐3‐allyl‐6‐chloro‐7,8‐dihydroxy‐1‐phenyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐3‐benzazepine hydrobromide (Cl‐APB), respectively, results in the reduction of both anandamide and 2AG levels in the globus pallidus. Finally, full restoration of locomotion in the reserpine‐treated rat is obtained by coadministration of quinpirole and the selective antagonist of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor subtype, SR141716A. These findings indicate a link between endocannabinoid signaling in the globus pallidus and symptoms of Parkinson's disease in the reserpine‐treated rat, and suggest that modulation of the endocannabinoid signaling system might prove useful in treating this or other basal ganglia‐related movement disorders. —Di Marzo, V. , Hill, M. P., Bisogno, T. , Crossman, A. R. , Brotchie, J. M. Enhanced levels of endogenous cannabinoids in the globus pallidus are associated with a reduction in movement in an animal model of Parkinson's disease. FASEB J. 14, 1432–1438 (2000)
Pilot Signal Design for Massive MIMO Systems: A Received Signal-To-Noise-Ratio-Based Approach

In this letter, the pilot signal design for massive MIMO systems to maximize the training-based received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is considered under two channel models: block Gauss-Markov and block independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) channel models. First, it is shown that under the block Gauss-Markov channel model, the optimal pilot design problem reduces to a semi-definite programming (SDP) problem, which can be solved numerically by a standard convex optimization tool. Second, under the block i.i. d. channel model, an optimal solution is obtained in closed form. Numerical results show that the proposed method yields noticeably better performance than other existing pilot design methods in terms of received SNR.
Evidence for a crucial role of a host non-coding RNA in influenza A virus replication

A growing body of evidence suggests the non-protein coding human genome is of vital importance for human cell function. Besides small RNAs, the diverse class of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) recently came into focus. However, their relevance for infection, a major evolutionary driving force, remains elusive. Using two commercially available microarray systems, namely NCode™ and Sureprint™ G3, we identified differential expression of 42 ncRNAs during influenza A virus (IAV) infection in human lung epithelial cells. This included several classes of lncRNAs, including large intergenic ncRNAs (lincRNAs). As analyzed by qRT-PCR, expression of one lincRNA, which we termed virus inducible lincRNA (VIN), is induced by several IAV strains (H1N1, H3N2, H7N7) as well as vesicular stomatitis virus. However, we did not observe an induction of VIN by influenza B virus, treatment with RNA mimics, or IFNβ. Thus, VIN expression seems to be a specific response to certain viral infections. RNA fractionation and RNA-FISH experiments revealed that VIN is localized to the host cell nucleus. Most importantly, we show that abolition of VIN by RNA interference restricts IAV replication and viral protein synthesis, highlighting the relevance of this lincRNA for productive IAV infection. Our observations suggest that viral pathogens interfere with the non-coding portion of the human genome, thereby guaranteeing their successful propagation, and that the expression of VIN correlates with their virulence. Consequently, our study provides a novel approach for understanding virus pathogenesis in greater detail, which will enable future design of new antiviral strategies targeting the host’s non-protein coding genome.
Sampled-data state estimation for delayed neural network with sensor faults

This paper is concerned with the sampled-data state estimation problem for a class of delayed neural networks with randomly occurring sensor faults. Instead of the continuous measurements, the system measurements are sampled and then transmitted to the estimator to estimate the state of the neural network with simultaneous consideration of stochastic sensor faults. By employing the input delay approach, the sampling period is converted into a bounded time-vary delay in the estimation error dynamic. By employing Lyapunov-functional approach and utilizing LMI technique, sufficient conditions have been derived to guarantee that the estimation error dynamics is exponentially stable in the mean square. Finally, a simulation example has been applied to show the effectiveness of the proposed state estimation approach.
Features of seasonal temperature variations in peat soils of oligotrophic bogs in south taiga of Western Siberia

The work presents the results of the study of the peculiarities of the temperature regime in the five basic ecosystems of oligotrophic bogs in the south taiga zone of Western Siberia in 2011-2016. The soil temperature regime was studied using the atmospheric-soil measuring complex at different depths from surface down to 240 cm. All sites were divided into two groups according to the bog water level: flooded sites (hollow and open fen) and drained sites (ridge, tall and low ryam). The waterlogged sites are better warmed in the summer period and slowly freeze in the winter period. The analysis of the annual cycle of temperature showed that the maximum surface temperature is in July. The minimum temperature on the surface is observed in February or January. The greatest temperature gradient was recorded in the upper 2 cm layer. The gradient at the open fen was -2 °C/cm in February and 1.1 °C/cm in October. The peak of formation of the seasonally frozen layer occurs at the end of autumn or in the beginning of winter. The degradation of the seasonally frozen layer was observed both from top and bottom, but the degradation rate from the top is faster.
Revisión taxonómica de “Testudo” gymnesica Bate, 1914 (Testudines, Testudinidae) a partir de la descripción del material tipo de Menorca (Islas Baleares)

El conocimiento sobre las tortugas gigantes fósiles de Europa se ha incrementado considerablemente en los últimos años y ha comportado la descripción del género Titanochelon para incluir a las especies del Neógeno europeo. Sin embargo, la inclusión de la tortuga gigante de las Islas Baleares, “Testudo” gymnesica, en este género se ha llevado a cabo solo de forma tentativa. Con el objetivo de aclarar el estatus taxonómico y la posición filogenética de esta especie, en este artículo describimos y figuramos en detalle su material tipo (lectotipo y paralectotipos), procedente de Menorca, junto con algunos restos inéditos no incluidos en la descripción original. Las notables diferencias postcraneales que presenta esta especie con respecto a Titanochelon spp. arrojan aún mayores dudas sobre su inclusión en este género. Un análisis cladístico no resuelve sus relaciones filogenéticas. Algunos de los rasgos particulares observados en el espaldar y en los huesos del esqueleto postcraneal de la tortuga fósil de Menorca son atribuibles a su evolución en condiciones de insularidad, lo que dificulta la determinación de sus relaciones filogenéticas con respecto a las especies continentales. Provisionalmente nos referimos a la especie de manera tentativa como aff. Titanochelon gymnesica. En el futuro, un estudio detallado del material inédito de Menorca, con énfasis en el caparazón, debería permitir una diagnosis enmendada de la especie, así como determinar de manera más definitiva su correcta adscripción genérica.
Involvement of MDR1 P‐glycoprotein in multifactorial resistance to methotrexate

Cellular resistance to methotrexate (MTX) is believed to be unaffected by expression of MDRI P‐glycoprotein (Pgp), a pleiotropic efflux pump acting on different hydrophobic compounds that enter cells by passive diffusion. A series of human leukemic CCRF‐CEM sublines, isolated by multi‐step selection for very high resistance to MTX, exhibit multiple mechanisms of MTX resistance, including decreased carrier‐mediated uptake of MTX and DHFR gene amplification. These sublines show cross‐resistance to drugs of the multi‐drug resistance (MDR) family, which is correlated with relative resistance to MTX. The MTX‐selected sublines show increased expression and function of the MDRI gene, based on the measurement of MDRI mRNA, Pgp and rhodamine 123 accumulation. Sequence analysis of the MDRI cDNA from MTX‐selected CCRF‐CEM cells revealed no mutations in the protein coding region. MTX resistance in these cell lines is partially reversible by a Pgp‐specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) UIC2 and a monovalent Fab fragment of UIC2. Our results indicate that Pgp can contribute to multifactorial resistance to MTX. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stabilization of Markovian Systems via Probability Rate Synthesis and Output Feedback

This technical note is concerned with the stabilization problem of Markovian jump linear systems via designing switching probability rate matrices and static output-feedback gains. A novel necessary and sufficient condition is established to characterize the switching probability rate matrices that guarantee the mean square stability of Markovian jump linear systems. Based on this, a necessary and sufficient condition is provided for the existence of desired controller gains and probability rate matrices. Extensions to the polytopic uncertain case are also provided. All the conditions are formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities with some equality constraints, which can be solved by two modified cone complementarity linearization algorithms. Examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Magmarizm and Ore Occurrences of the Kakheti and Tusheti Regions, Greater Caucasus, Georgia Republic

Kakheti and Tusheti regions (Eastern Graeter Caucasus) of the Georgia Republic are mainly underlain by highly deformed Lower-Middle Jurassic shales, sandstones, and volcaniclastic rocks, intruded by numerous intrusive bodies of various composition. All units contain a variety of ore mineral deposit types and their surrounding zones of hydrothermal alteration. Continued geological and metallogenic researches in the past 30 years have led to important new information regarding the evolution of this region. Three main stages of magmatic activity are now clearly distinguished. Oldest magmatism comprises Early Jurassic events, related to extensional tectonism, which ranged from rhyolitic, through dacitic and andesitic, and to basaltic magma. Additional extensional processes (in Bajocian) were characterized by intrusion of a gabbro and diorite dike system into recently deposited late Early Jurassic-early Middle Jurassic formations. The final magmatic event was associated with Middle Jurassic folding and uplift during which multiphase diorite plutons were emplaced. Related intense hydrothermal activity was responsible for important polymetallic mineralization, with more than 100 recognized outcropping ore occurrences. A detailed study of 11 of these ore occurrences has indicated anomalous concentrations of gold, thorium, yttrium, cobalt, cadmium, and bismuth. In addition, several new and potentially significant ore mineral occurrences were discovered.
Erythropoietin Selectively Attenuates Cytokine Production and Inflammation in Cerebral Ischemia by Targeting Neuronal Apoptosis

Ischemic brain injury resulting from stroke arises from primary neuronal losses and by inflammatory responses. Previous studies suggest that erythropoietin (EPO) attenuates both processes. Although EPO is clearly antiapoptotic for neurons after experimental stroke, it is unknown whether EPO also directly modulates EPO receptor (EPO-R)–expressing glia, microglia, and other inflammatory cells. In these experiments, we show that recombinant human EPO (rhEPO; 5,000 U/kg body weight, i.p.) markedly reduces astrocyte activation and the recruitment of leukocytes and microglia into an infarction produced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. In addition, ischemia-induced production of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 concentration is reduced by >50% after rhEPO administration. Similar results were also observed in mixed neuronal-glial cocultures exposed to the neuronal-selective toxin trimethyl tin. In contrast, rhEPO did not inhibit cytokine production by astrocyte cultures exposed to neuronal homogenates or modulate the response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, rat glial cells, or the brain to lipopolysaccharide. These findings suggest that rhEPO attenuates ischemia-induced inflammation by reducing neuronal death rather than by direct effects upon EPO-R–expressing inflammatory cells.
A Brief Essay on Software Testing

Testing is an important and critical part of the software development process, on which the quality and reliability of the delivered product strictly depend. Testing is not limited to the detection of “bugs” in the software, but also increases confidence in its proper functioning and assists with the evaluation of functional and nonfunctional properties. Testing related activities encompass the entire development process and may consume a large part of the effort required for producing software. In this chapter we provide a comprehensive overview of software testing, from its definition to its organization, from test levels to test techniques, from test execution to the analysis of test cases effectiveness. Emphasis is more on breadth than depth: due to the vastness of the topic, in the attempt to be all-embracing, for each covered subject we can only provide a brief description and references useful for further
Gangliosides as targets for immunotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells express gangliosides and sialyl Lewis (sLe) antigens. It is not known whether these carbohydrate antigens can be targeted by immunotherapy. The authors measured the expression of GM2 and sLe antigens on the surface of pancreatic carcinoma cells and the serum levels of total gangliosides, GM2, and antiganglioside antibodies in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.
PCR‐Mediated Recombination between Cryptosporidium spp. of Lizards and Snakes

ABSTRACT: The presence or absence of genetic recombination has often been used as one of the criteria for Cryptosporidium species designation and population structure delineation. During a recent study of cryptosporidiosis in reptiles that were housed in the same room, 4 lizards were found to have concurrent infections of C. serpentis (a gastric parasite) and C. saurophilum (an intestinal parasite), and 6 snakes were concurrently infected with C. serpentis, C. sattrophitmm and a new Cryptosporidium as indicated by PCR‐RFLP analysis of the SSU rRNA gene. DNA sequence analysis of cloned PCR products confirmed the diagnosis of mixed infections. Surprisingly, it appeared that 11 of the 22 clones (8 and 14 clones from a lizard and a snake, respectively) had chimeric sequences of two Cryptosporidium spp. BootScan analysis indicated the existence of recombinants among the cloned sequences and detection of the informative sites confirmed the BootScan results. Because the probability for genetic recombination between gastric and intestinal parasites is small, these hybrid sequences were likely results of PCR artifacts due to the presence of multiple templates. This was confirmed by PCR‐sequencing analysis of single‐copy templates using diluted DNA samples. Direct sequencing of 69 PCR products from 100‐to 1.000‐fold diluted DNAs from the same snake and lizard produced only sequences of C. serpentis, C. saurophilum and the unnamed Cryntosnoridium. , sp. Thus, care should be taken to eliminate PCR artifacts when determining the presence of genetic recombination or interpreting results of population genetic studies.
Systems Factorial Analysis of Item and Associative Retrieval

Using hierarchical Bayesian estimation of RT distributions, we present a novel application of Systems Factorial Technology (Townsend & Nozawa, 1995) to the retrieval of item and associative information from episodic memory. We find that item and associative information are retrieved concurrently, with positive memory evidence arising from a holistic match between the test pair and the contents of memory, in which both item and associative matches are pooled together into a single source. This retrieval architecture is inconsistent with both strictly serial processing and independence of item and associative information. Pooling of item and associative matches implies that while item and associative information may be separable, they are not qualitatively different, nor are qualitatively different processes (e.g., familiarity vs. recollection) used to retrieve these kinds of information.
Project Recover: Extending the Applications of Unmanned Platforms and Autonomy to Support Underwater MIA Searches

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