Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combretastatin A4 phosphate: background and current clinical status

Combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) represents the lead compound in a group of novel tubulin depolymerising agents being developed as vascular targeting agents (VTAs). VTAs are drugs that induce rapid and selective vascular dysfunction in tumours. CA4P is a water-soluble prodrug of the cis-stilbene CA4 originally isolated from the tree Combretum caffrum. Preclinical studies have shown that CA4P induces blood flow reductions and subsequent tumour cell death in a variety of preclinical models. Moreover, this activity has been linked to its ability to rapidly alter the morphology of immature endothelial cells by disrupting their tubulin cytoskeleton. Phase I clinical trials have established a maximum tolerated dose in the range 60 – 68 mg/m2 and in addition have established that significant changes to tumour perfusion can be achieved across a wide range of doses. The dose-limiting toxicities include tumour pain, ataxia and cardiovascular changes. The maximum tolerated dose was independent of schedule, indicating the absence of cumulative toxicity. Although unexpected from preclinical studies, some evidence of clinical response was seen using CA4P as a single modality. Based on the Phase I data, combination studies of CA4P with established therapies are in progress and should determine whether the exciting preclinical data obtained when VTAs are used in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation, radioimmunotherapy and even antiangiogenic agents, can be translated into man.
Characterization of the DNA Damage-inducible Helicase DinG from Escherichia coli*

The dinG promoter was first isolated in a genetic screen scoring for damage-inducible loci in Escherichia coli (Lewis, L. K., Jenkins, M. E., and Mount, D. W. (1992) J. Bacteriol. 174, 3377–3385). Sequence analysis suggests that the dinG gene encodes a putative helicase related to a group of eukaryotic helicases that includes mammalian XPD (Koonin, E. V. (1993) Nucleic Acids Res. 21, 1497), an enzyme involved in transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair and basal transcription. We have characterized the dinG gene product from E. coli using genetic and biochemical approaches. Deletion of dinG has no severe phenotype, indicating that it is non-essential for cell viability. Both dinG deletion and over-expression of the DinG protein from a multicopy plasmid result in a slight reduction of UV resistance. DinG, purified as a fusion protein from E. coli cells, behaves as a monomer in solution, as judged from gel filtration experiments. DinG is an ATP-hydrolyzing enzyme; single-stranded (ss) DNA stimulates the ATPase activity 15-fold. Kinetic data yield a Hill coefficient of 1, consistent with one ATP-hydrolyzing site per DinG molecule. DinG possesses a DNA helicase activity; it translocates along ssDNA in a 5′ → 3′ direction, as revealed in experiments with substrates containing non-natural 5′–5′ and 3′–3′ linkages. The ATP-dependent DNA helicase activity of DinG requires divalent cations (Mg2+, Ca2+, and Mn2+) but is not observed in the presence of Zn2+. The DinG helicase does not discriminate between ribonucleotide and deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates, and it unwinds duplex DNA with similar efficiency in the presence of ATP or dATP. We discuss the possible involvement of the DinG helicase in DNA replication and repair processes.
Muscle damage is not a function of muscle force but active muscle strain.

Contractile properties of rabbit tibialis anterior muscles were measured after eccentric contraction to investigate the mechanism of muscle injury. In the first experiment, two groups of muscles were strained 25% of the muscle fiber length at identical rates. However, because the timing of the imposed length change relative to muscle activation was different, the groups experienced dramatically different muscle forces. Because muscle maximum tetanic tension and other contractile parameters measured after 30 min of cyclic activity with either strain timing pattern were identical (P > 0.4), we concluded that muscle damage was equivalent despite very different imposed forces. This result was supported by a second experiment in which the same protocol was performed at one-half the strain (12.5% muscle fiber length). Again, there was no difference in maximum tetanic tension after cyclic 12.5% strain with either strain timing. Data from both experiments were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance, which revealed a highly significant effect of strain magnitude (P < 0.001) but no significant effect of stretch timing (P > 0.7). We interpret these data to signify that it is not high force per se that causes muscle damage after eccentric contraction but the magnitude of the active strain (i.e., strain during active lengthening). This conclusion was supported by morphometric analysis showing equivalent area fractions of damaged muscle fibers that were observed throughout the muscle cross section. The active strain hypothesis is described in terms of the interaction between the myofibrillar cytoskeleton, the sarcomere, and the sarcolemma.
Mechanical properties of bulk polydimethylsiloxane for microfluidics over a large range of frequencies and aging times

The dynamic mechanical characterization of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) over a large range of frequencies (10−2 < f < 105 Hz) and long aging times at room temperature (4 h < tv < ~60 000 h) has been presented. Three samples with different curing conditions have been studied and three different techniques, dynamic mechanical analysis at different temperatures, nano-indentation and scanning micro-deformation microscopy, have been used. Although the three techniques work at different scales and at different frequencies all the results match the same master curve. As expected, the storage and the loss moduli greatly increase with the frequency. Moreover, these moduli moderately increase with the aging time tv depending on the curing temperature. A simple model which takes the frequency and the aging time into account, and which is based on the Havriliak–Negami model, has been presented and identified. Hence, values of the relaxed and instantaneous moduli at tv = 0 and tv = ∞ are proposed. Only the relaxed moduli depend on the curing conditions and moreover it has been shown that the tangent of the phase lag is independent of the aging time and thus of the curing process.
Pneumococcal serotypes in adult non-invasive and invasive pneumonia in relation to child contact and child vaccination status

Background On a population level, pneumococcal conjugate vaccination in children has reduced the incidence of vaccine-type disease in all age groups, including older adults. Few individual level studies have been performed describing the pneumococcal serotypes associated with adult community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and quantifying associations with child contact and child vaccination status. Methods Pneumococcal serotypes were determined using a validated multiplex immunoassay (Bio-Plex) in a large prospective cohort of adults hospitalised with CAP. Child (<16 years old) contact history and child pneumococcal vaccination status were obtained from patients and public health records, respectively. Results Of 1130 participants, 329 (29.1%) reported child contact, and pneumococcal infection was identified in 410 (36.3%). Pneumococcal CAP was commoner in adults with child contact (148/329 (45.0%) vs 262/801 (32.7%); adjusted OR 1.63, CI 1.25 to 2.14; p<0.001). A serotype was determined in 263 of 410 (64.1%) adults with pneumococcal CAP; 112 (42.6%) reported child contact, 38 (33.9%) with a vaccinated child. Adults in contact with a vaccinated child were significantly less likely to have vaccine-type CAP compared with adults in contact with an unvaccinated child (6 of 38 (15.8%) vs 25 of 74 (33.8%), respectively; OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.99; p=0.044). Conclusions Pneumococcal aetiology in adult CAP is independently associated with child contact and implicated serotypes are influenced by child vaccination status. This is the first study to demonstrate these associations at an individual rather than population level; it affirms that ‘herd protection’ from childhood vaccination extends beyond adult invasive disease to pneumococcal CAP.
Inferring the Evolutionary History of Vibrios by Means of Multilocus Sequence Analysis

ABSTRACT We performed the first broad study aiming at the reconstruction of the evolutionary history of vibrios by means of multilocus sequence analysis of nine genes. Overall, 14 distinct clades were recognized using the SplitsTree decomposition method. Some of these clades may correspond to families, e.g., the clades Salinivibrio and Photobacteria, while other clades, e.g., Splendidus and Harveyi, correspond to genera. The common ancestor of all vibrios was estimated to have been present 600 million years ago. We can define species of vibrios as groups of strains that share >95% gene sequence similarity and >99.4% amino acid identity based on the eight protein-coding housekeeping genes. The gene sequence data were used to refine the standard online electronic taxonomic scheme for vibrios (http://www.taxvibrio.lncc.br ).
Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Impairs Early and Long-Term Experimental Stroke Recovery

Background and Purpose— Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1; Enzyme Commission 2.4.30) is a nuclear DNA repair enzyme that mediates early neuronal ischemic injury. Using novel 3-dimensional, fast spin-echo-based diffusion-weighted imaging, we compared acute (21 hours) and long-term (3 days) ischemic volume after middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in PARP-1-null mutants (PARP−/−) versus genetically matched wild-type mice (WT mice). PARP−/− mice were also treated with viral transfection of wild-type PARP-1 to determine whether protection from MCA occlusion is lost with restoration of the gene product. Methods— Halothane-anesthetized mice were treated with reversible MCA occlusion via intraluminal suture technique. Ischemic volumes were delineated by diffusion-weighted imaging with high spatial and temporal resolution during MCA occlusion and reperfusion. Recombinant Sindbis virus carrying &bgr;-galactosidase (lacZ) or PARP-1 was injected into ipsilateral striatum, then animals underwent MCA occlusion 3 days later. Infarction volume was measured at 22 hours of reperfusion (2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride histology). Results— Reduction in regional water apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) during occlusion or secondary ADC decline during reperfusion was not different between groups. Ischemic volume was smaller early in occlusion in PARP−/− versus WT mice and remained less at 21 hours of reperfusion. Ischemic volume then increased from 1 to 2 days in all mice, then stabilized without further change. Ischemic damage was smaller in PARP−/− than in WT mice at 3 days. Transfection of PARP-1 into PARP−/− mice increased stroke damage relative to lacZ-injected PARP−/− and increased damage to that of the WT mice. Intraischemic laser-Doppler flowmetry and physiological variables were not different among groups. Conclusions— PARP-1 deficiency provides both early and prolonged protection from experimental focal stroke. The mechanism is not linked to preservation of ADC and mitigation of secondary energy depletion during early reperfusion.
Antibiotic resistance in Enterococcus faecium clinical isolates

The worldwide ratio of Enterococcus faecalis-Enterococcus faecium infections is currently changing in favor of E. faecium. Intrinsic and acquired antimicrobial resistance traits of this latter species can explain this evolution as well as the diffusion of hospital-adapted strains belonging to the clonal complex CC17. Like other enterococci, E. faecium is naturally resistant to cephalosporins and aminoglycosides (at low level). Because of its high genome plasticity, it can also acquire numerous other resistances. It is noteworthy that most modern isolates of E. faecium are highly resistant to ampicillin while a non-negligible proportion of them (depending on geographical locations) are resistant to glycopeptides (especially in the USA). Even if resistance to newer antimicrobial agents (linezolid, daptomycin, tigecycline) is still uncommon, some clinical isolates with reduced susceptibility or resistance have already been reported and better understanding of resistance mechanisms is needed for prediction and prevention of their dissemination.
From Data Quality to Big Data Quality

This article investigates the evolution of data quality issues from traditional structured data managed in relational databases to Big Data. In particular, the paper examines the nature of the relationship between Data Quality and several research coordinates that are relevant in Big Data, such as the variety of data types, data sources and application domains, focusing on maps, semi-structured texts, linked open data, sensor & sensor networks and official statistics. Consequently a set of structural characteristics is identified and a systematization of the a posteriori correlation between them and quality dimensions is provided. Finally, Big Data quality issues are considered in a conceptual framework suitable to map the evolution of the quality paradigm according to three core coordinates that are significant in the context of the Big Data phenomenon: the data type considered, the source of data, and the application domain. Thus, the framework allows ascertaining the relevant changes in data quality emerging with the Big Data phenomenon, through an integrative and theoretical literature review.
Small-step and big-step semantics for call-by-need

Abstract We present natural semantics for acyclic as well as cyclic call-by-need lambda calculi, which are proved equivalent to the reduction semantics given by Ariola and Felleisen (J. Funct. Program., vol. 7, no. 3, 1997). The natural semantics are big-step and use global heaps, where evaluation is suspended and memorized. The reduction semantics are small-step, and evaluation is suspended and memorized locally in let-bindings. Thus two styles of formalization describe the call-by-need strategy from different angles. The natural semantics for the acyclic calculus is revised from the previous presentation by Maraist et al. (J. Funct. Program., vol. 8, no. 3, 1998), and its adequacy is ascribed to its correspondence with the reduction semantics, which has been proved equivalent to call-by-name by Ariola and Felleisen. The natural semantics for the cyclic calculus is inspired by that of Launchbury (1993) and Sestoft (1997), and we state its adequacy using a denotational semantics in the style of Launchbury; adequacy of the reduction semantics for the cyclic calculus is in turn ascribed to its correspondence with the natural semantics.
Experiments on Synchronization and Control of Chaos on Coupled Electrochemical Oscillators

Experiments were carried out on synchronization and control of complex chaotic dynamics observed during the dissolution of two and four coupled nickel electrodes in sulfuric acid under potentiostatic conditions. In a given potential range the individually measured currents exhibit asynchronous chaotic oscillations. The complexity (as measured by the correlation dimension) of the chaotic oscillations depends on the extent of coupling among the electrodes. Thus, the effectiveness of a combined synchronization-delayed-feedback procedure can be tested on systems with increasing complexity. We show that the asynchronous chaotic oscillations can be converted to synchronized and simple, periodic current oscillations by a two-step procedure. The chaotic current oscillations of coupled electrodes are first synchronized by perturbations of external resistors that are connected individually to each electrode. Then, the desired periodic orbit is stabilized by perturbations of the potential. We also observed that cert.
Plasma-surface Interactions in Material Processing

In plasma processes such as reactive ion etching and thin film deposition for microelectronics device fabrication, atomic-level control of surface morphologies and compositions of processed materials has become increasingly important as the device sizes diminish to the nano-meter range. While various species such as ions, neutral radicals, electrons and photons simultaneously hit the material surface in a plasma, the plasma-surface interactions can be best understood if individual elementary processes such as interaction of specific species with the surface at specific incident energy are studied separately under well controlled conditions. In this article, a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technique is reviewed as a means to analyse plasma-surface interactions in such a manner and some sample simulation results for polymer etching and diamond-like carbon (DLC) deposition are presented.
Unusual intraosseous capillary hemangioma of the mandible

Intraosseous hemangioma is a benign vascular neoplasm, which is mostly seen in vertebrae, maxillofacial bones, and long bones. Intraosseous hemangioma is rarely seen on jaw bones compared to other skeletal bones and usually occurs in the cavernous form. Capillary intraosseous hemangioma of jaws is an uncommon form of intraosseous hemangioma and has not been thoroughly described so far. In this study, a case of capillary intraosseous hemangioma of the mandible was presented with relevant literature review.
Synthesis of polyacrylate/poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel and its absorption properties for heavy metal ions and dye

A novel polyacrylate/poly(ethylene glycol) (PAA/PEG) hydrogel was synthesized by a simple two-step aqueous prepolymerization method. The deswelling properties were investigated in the case of changing the neutralization degrees of PAA, the pHs and the concentration of multivalent salt solutions. Methyl orange (MO) dye can be adsorbed and released using the swelling–deswelling property of the PAA/PEG hydrogel. The PAA/PEG hydrogel can adsorb MO of 29 mg/g at equilibrium and release about 80% in 30 min. Based on the deswelling property, the dyes in wastewater can be reclaimed and reused. POLYM. COMPOS. , 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of mastitis on raw milk compositional quality

In this study, we investigated the impact of mastitis infection on the quality of milk composition in small-scale dairy bovine herds. The purpose of this study was to find a milk quality somatic cell count (SCC) standard that could be used as an integral component of a control program. In all, 396 quarter milk samples from lactating cross-bred cows (Holstein & Zebu) were analyzed; 56% of these quarters were experiencing intramammary infection, with an overall mean SCC of 5.46 × 105 ± 2.30 × 104cells/ml. Infected quarters had significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean SCC levels (6.19 × 105± 4.40 × 104cells/ml) compared to healthy quarters (2.65 × 105 ± 2.40 × 104cells/ml). In high SCC milk and infected quarters, the concentrations of non-casein fractions, sodium, chloride, and free fatty acid were higher (p < 0.05), while the casein content, lactose, casein-to-total protein, potassium, and calcium were lower (p < 0.05) compared to normal quarters. These findings suggest a mean SCC threshold limit of 5.46 × 105 cells/ml for the region. It was concluded that the results could be used to propose a milk quality SCC standard that can be used as an integral component of a control program.
[Intake and energy metabolism in a sample of overweight and obese Chilean adolescents].

BACKGROUND In the last decades, a seven to nine fold increase in the prevalence of teenage obesity and overweight has occurred. AIM To assess energy intake and metabolism in a sample of overweight and obese adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a sample of 113 overweight and obese Chilean adolescents (aged 13 to 16 years, 67 females) we studied anthropometry, body composition by deuterium isotope dilution water, resting energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry and 24-h diet and physical activity recalls. RESULTS Most participants (87% of men and 67.2% of women) had an intake that was adequate compared to requirements (fAO/WHO 2005). However, 82.6% of men and 83.6% of women showed reduced energy expenditure. The sample was classified as sedentary, with a physical activity level of 1.29. CONCLUSIONS In our sample of overweight and obese adolescents there was a sedentary behavior, resulting in low energy expenditure that would explain a sustained caloric retention. Preventive and therapeutic interventions should encourage the increase in physical activity.
P2P Live Streaming System Suitable for Private Contents Distribution

P2P live streaming distribution services which can reduce load of distributor becomes commonly. The contents of these services are provided by not only corporations but also individuals. In existing systems for business services, however, transmission load of distributor still remains in high level to keep quality of service higher. Thus, it is difficult for private content distributors to provide for their own streaming contents. This paper presents and evaluates P2P live streaming system suitable for private distribution. This system constructs network considering transmission bandwidth of each node. In particular, a certain number of broadband nodes are carefully selected and set at the point nearby the distributor's node in P2P network. A set of the selected broadband nodes plays a role of a virtual distributor with large amount of transmission bandwidth and provides contents to peers instead of Origin. The original contribution of our proposal includes double mesh P2P network structure for scalable and efficient private live streaming services, and its detailed design description. In this method, network bandwidth is used effectively. As a result, it is expected to achieve the private distribution with higher scalability. With simulation experiments, we confirmed that the proposed system presents about half load of distributor compared with the existing system.
Water Production and Release in Comet C / 1995 O 1 Hale –

Water (H2O) was detected in Comet C/1995 O1 Hale–Bopp on 10 dates between UT January 21.8 and May 1.2, 1997, using highresolution infrared spectroscopy. This is the first study of the heliocentric dependence of water released from a comet using direct detection of H2O itself. Production rates and rotational temperatures were measured, and the derived heliocentric dependence for the water production rate is Q = (8.35± 0.13)× 1030 [R(−1.88± 0.18) h ] molecules s−1. The spatial distribution of H2O molecules in the coma is consistent with water being released directly from the nucleus within 1.5 AU of the Sun, although release of a small fraction from icy grains cannot be excluded. When our derived water production rates are compared to the production of native carbon monoxide and dust, we obtain a dust to ice mass ratio of 5.1± 1.2 within a heliocentric distance of 1.5 AU. The abundance of H2O provides a benchmark for the volatile inventory in Hale–Bopp and, when compared to interstellar and nebular material, helps constrain the origin of cometary ices and their processing histories. These production rates derived from the direct detection of H2O provide a sound basis with which water production rates inferred by indirect methods can be compared. c © 2000 Academic Press
Anytime planning for agent behaviour

For an agent to act successfully in a complex and dynamic environment (such as a computer game)it must have a method of generating future behaviour that meets the demands of its environment. One such method is anytime planning. This paper discusses the problems and benefits associated with making a planning system work under the anytime paradigm, and introduces Anytime-UMCP (A-UMCP), an anytime version of the UMCP hierarchical task network (HTN) planner [Erol, 1995]. It also covers the necessary abilities an agent must have in order to execute plans produced by an anytime hierarchical task network planner.