Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An efficient finite element analysis on a RF structure used to evaluate the effect of microwave radiation on uveal melanoma cells

The use of Microwave/RF energy on cancer cells is explored for tumor ablation using medium power level ranging between a few Watts to about 50 Watts. Very little research uses low power Microwave/RF energy to explore the effect of this type of energy on malignant cells. In this research, low power levels, less than 100 mWatt, are used to evaluate the effect of this energy on Uveal melanoma cells by proliferation tests. The set-up, consisting of parallel plate type transmission lines used to inject this energy to these cancer cells was adapted and accommodated to the proliferation test. This paper investigates the electromagnetic distribution of the RF set-up structure using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The outcome of the FEA analysis validates the statistical proliferation test results on several malignant cells.
Transcriptional repression of Aurora‐A gene by wild‐type p53 through directly binding to its promoter with histone deacetylase 1 and mSin3a

In this study, we firstly showed that p53 transcriptionally represses Aurora‐A gene expression through directly binding to its promoter. DNA affinity precipitation assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay indicated that p53 physically bound to the Aurora‐A promoter. Moreover, the in vitro and in vivo assays showed that p53 directly bound to the Aurora‐A promoter together with histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and mSin3a as corepressors. Furthermore, we identified that the nucleotides −360 to −354 (CCTGCCC), upstream of the Aurora‐A transcriptional start site, was responsible for the p53‐mediated repression. Mutation within this site disrupted its interaction with p53, mSin3a and HDAC1, as well as attenuated the repressive effect of p53 on Aurora‐A promoter activity. Treatment with trichostatin A (TSA), a HDAC1 inhibitor, disrupted the interaction of p53‐HDAC1‐mSin3a complex with the nucleotides −365∼‐345 region, and enhanced the Aurora‐A promoter activity and gene expression. Additionally, knockdown of p53 or mSin3a also drastically blocked the formation of p53‐HDAC1‐mSin3a repressive complex onto this promoter region and elevated the Aurora‐A promoter activity and gene expression. Moreover, the p53‐HDAC1‐mSin3a repressive complex also involved in the inhibition of Aurora‐A gene expression upon cisplatin treatment. Finally, the clinical investigation showed that Aurora‐A and p53 exhibited an inverse correlation in both the expression level and prognostic status, and the low p53/high Aurora‐A showed the poorest prognosis of NSCLC patients. Our findings showed novel regulatory mechanisms of p53 in regulating Aurora‐A gene expression in NSCLC cells.
A strategy to minimize the sensing voltage drift error in a transistor biosensor with a nanoscale sensing gate

An ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) biosensor is thought to be the center of the next era of health diagnosis. However, questions are raised about its functions and reliability in liquid samples. Consequently, real-life clinical applications are few in number. In this study, we report a strategy to minimize the sensing signal drift error during bioanalyte detection in an ISFET biosensor. A nanoscale SnO2 thin film is used as a gate oxide layer (GOL), and the surface of the GOL is chemically modified for improving bioanalyte-specific binding and for reducing undesirable ion reactions in sample solutions. The ISFET biosensor with surface-modified GOL shows significantly reduced sensing signal error compared with an ISFET with bare GOL in both diluted and undiluted phosphate buffered saline solutions.
Working Alliance in Online Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Youth: Comparison With Clinic Delivery and its Role in Predicting Outcome

Background Substantial evidence exists that positive therapy outcomes are related to the therapist–client working alliance. Objectives To report two studies that examined (1) the quality of the working alliance in online cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), with minimal therapist contact, for anxiety disorders in youth, and (2) the role of working alliance and compliance in predicting treatment outcome. Methods Study 1 participants were 73 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years who met diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder, plus one or more of their parents. Participants were randomly assigned to clinic or online delivery of CBT, with working alliance being assessed for youth and parents after session 3. Study 2 participants were 132 children and adolescents aged 7 to 18 years who met diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder, plus one or more of their parents. Youths and parents participated in a minimally therapist-assisted online CBT program supported by brief, weekly emails and a single, short phone call. Results Study 1 revealed a strong working alliance for both online and clinic CBT, with no significant difference in working alliance between conditions for adolescents (F 1,73 = 0.44, P = .51, ηp 2 = 0.006, Cohen d = 0.15). Parents also reported high working alliance in both conditions, although a slight but significantly higher working alliance in clinic-based therapy (F 1,70 = 6.76, P = .01, ηp 2 = 0.09, Cohen d = 0.64). Study 2 showed a significant and substantial decrease in anxiety symptoms following online therapy (P < .001 for all outcome measures). Adolescents improved significantly more in overall functioning when working alliance (beta = .22, t 79 = 2.21, P = .03) and therapy compliance (beta = .22, t 84 = 2.22, P = .03) were higher, with working alliance also predicting compliance (beta = .38, F 1,80 = 13.10, P = .01). No such relationships were evident among younger children. Conclusions Working alliance is important in determining clinical outcome for online treatment for anxiety among adolescents, with minimal therapist assistance, although this was not the case for younger children. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12611000900910; http://www.anzctr. org.au/trial_view. aspx? ID=343375 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/674C4N3JJ)
Health behaviors and their correlates among participants in the Continuing to Confront COPD International Patient Survey

Background and aims We used data from the Continuing to Confront COPD International Patient Survey to test the hypothesis that patients with COPD who report less engagement with their disease management are also more likely to report greater impact of the disease. Methods This was a population-based, cross-sectional survey of 4,343 subjects aged ≥40 years from 12 countries, fulfilling a case definition of COPD based on self-reported physician diagnosis or symptomatology. The impact of COPD was measured with COPD Assessment Test, modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, and hospital admissions and emergency department visits for COPD in the prior year. The 13-item Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13) instrument and the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) were used to measure patient disease engagement and medication adherence, respectively. Results Twenty-eight percent of subjects reported being either disengaged or struggling with their disease (low engagement: PAM-13 levels 1 and 2), and 35% reported poor adherence (MMAS-8 <6). In univariate analyses, lower PAM-13 and MMAS-8 scores were significantly associated with poorer COPD-specific health status, greater breathlessness and lower BMI (PAM-13 only), less satisfaction with their doctor’s management of COPD, and more emergency department visits. In multivariate regression models, poor satisfaction with their doctor’s management of COPD was significantly associated with both low PAM-13 and MMAS-8 scores; low PAM-13 scores were additionally independently associated with higher COPD Assessment Test and modified Medical Research Council scores and low BMI (underweight). Conclusion Poor patient engagement and medication adherence are frequent and associated with worse COPD-specific health status, higher health care utilization, and lower satisfaction with health care providers. More research will be needed to better understand what factors can be modified to improve medication adherence and patient engagement.
Digital vibrons: understanding users' perceptions of interacting with invisible, zero-weight matter

We investigate in this work users' perceptions of interacting with invisible, zero-weight digital matter for smart mobile scenarios. To this end, we introduce the concept of a digital vibron as vibrational manifestation of a digital object located outside its container device. We exemplify gesture-based interactions for digital vibrons and show how thinking about interactions in terms of digital vibrons can lead to new interactive experiences in the physical-digital space. We present the results of a user study that showed high scores of users' perceived experience, usability, and desirability, and we discuss users' preferences for vibration patterns to inform the design of vibrotactile feedback for digital vibrons. We hope that this work will inspire researchers and practitioners to further explore and develop digital vibrons to design localized vibrotactile feedback for digital objects outside their smart devices toward new interactive experiences in the physical-digital space.
Thermoplastic elastomers from reclaimed rubber and waste plastics

Thermoplastic elastomeric compositions from reclaimed rubber and scrap plastics were prepared. The physical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, rheological behavior, and phase morphology of the blends were studied. A 50:50 rubber/plastic ratio was found to be the best for processability, ultimate elongation, and set properties. A sulfur-accelerator system was found to be better than a peroxide system for dynamic crosslinking. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2035–2042, 2002
Dynamic Thermal Estimation Methodology for High-Performance 3-D MPSoC

In 3-D integrated circuits, accurate runtime sensing of on-chip temperature is required to establish dynamic thermal management instruction sets. Placement restrictions and excessive runtime thermal variations, however, compromise the performance and reliability of the sensor readings. Within this framework, a novel methodology for thermal estimation based on unscented Kalman filter, augmented only with a limited number of temperature sensors at a few selected locations, is proposed. In addition, we extend discontinuous Galerkin finite-element method to include coupling mechanism between neighboring grid cells for accurate thermal profile estimation and introduce a balanced stochastic truncation to find a low-dimensional but accurate approximation of the thermal network over the whole frequency domain. As the experimental results show, the runtime thermal estimation method reduces temperature estimation errors by an order of magnitude.
Normal clinical electroretinography parameters for poodle, Labrador retriever, Thai ridgeback, and Thai Bangkaew

The purpose of the present study was to establish normal electroretinogram (ERG) parameters using 56 normal eyes of four dog breeds common in Thailand: poodle, Labrador retriever, Thai ridgeback, and Thai Bangkaew. Standard ERG findings were bilaterally recorded using a handheld multi-species ERG unit with an ERG-jet lens electrode for 28 dogs under preanesthesia with diazepam, anesthesia with propofol, and anesthesia maintenance with isoflurane. There were significant differences in the mean values of ERG amplitudes and implicit times among the four dog breeds (p < 0.05) except for the b-wave implicit time of the photopic 30 Hz flicker response with 3 cd.s/m2 (p = 0.610). Out of the four breeds, Thai Bangkaew had the longest implicit time (p < 0.001) of scotopic low intensity responses, b-wave of scotopic standard intensity responses (3 cd.s/m2), a-wave of the higher intensity response (10 cd.s/m2), and a-wave of the photopic single flash response (3 cd.s/m2). For the b/a ratio, only the ratio of the Cone response was significantly different among the different breeds. In this summary, normal ERG parameters for four dog breeds were reported. Data from the investigation supported the hypothesis that determination of breed-specific limits of normality for ERG responses is necessary for individual clinics and laboratories.
Time-dependent Outward Currents through the Inward Rectifier Potassium Channel IRK1

Outward currents through the inward rectifier K+ channel contribute to repolarization of the cardiac action potential. The properties of the IRK1 channel expressed in murine fibroblast (L) cells closely resemble those of the native cardiac inward rectifier. In this study, we added Mg2+ (0.44–1.1 mM) or putrescine (∼0.4 mM) to the intracellular milieu where endogenous polyamines remained, and then examined outward IRK1 currents using the whole-cell patch-clamp method at 5.4 mM external K+. Without internal Mg2+, small outward currents flowed only at potentials between −80 (the reversal potential) and ∼−40 mV during voltage steps applied from −110 mV. The strong inward rectification was mainly caused by the closed state of the activation gating, which was recently reinterpreted as the endogenous-spermine blocked state. With internal Mg2+, small outward currents flowed over a wider range of potentials during the voltage steps. The outward currents at potentials between −40 and 0 mV were concurrent with the contribution of Mg2+ to blocking channels at these potentials, judging from instantaneous inward currents in the following hyperpolarization. Furthermore, when the membrane was repolarized to −50 mV after short depolarizing steps (>0 mV), a transient increase appeared in outward currents at −50 mV. Since the peak amplitude depended on the fraction of Mg2+-blocked channels in the preceding depolarization, the transient increase was attributed to the relief of Mg2+ block, followed by a re-block of channels by spermine. Shift in the holding potential (−110 to −80 mV), or prolongation of depolarization, increased the number of spermine-blocked channels and decreased that of Mg2+-blocked channels in depolarization, which in turn decreased outward currents in the subsequent repolarization. Putrescine caused the same effects as Mg2+. When both spermine (1 μM, an estimated free spermine level during whole-cell recordings) and putrescine (300 μM) were applied to the inside-out patch membrane, the findings in whole-cell IRK1 were reproduced. Our study indicates that blockage of IRK1 by molecules with distinct affinities, spermine and Mg2+ (putrescine), elicits a transient increase in the outward IRK1, which may contribute to repolarization of the cardiac action potential.
Asian Indian Views on Diet and Health in the United States: Importance of Understanding Cultural and Social Factors to Address Disparities

This study describes Asian Indian immigrant perspectives surrounding dietary beliefs and practices to identify intervention targets for diabetes and heart disease prevention. Participants were asked about conceptualizations of relationships between culture, food, and health during 4 focus groups (n = 38). Findings reveal influences of beliefs from respondents’ native India, preservation of cultural practices within the US social structure, conflicts with subsequent generations, and reinterpretation of health-related knowledge through a lens, hybridizing both “native” and “host” contexts. Galvanization of ethnically valued beliefs incorporating family and community structures is needed for multipronged approaches to reduce disproportionate burdens of disease among this understudied minority community.
Autophagy Is Activated for Cell Survival after Endoplasmic ReticulumStress

ABSTRACT Eukaryotic cells deal with accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by the unfolded protein response, involving the induction of molecular chaperones, translational attenuation, and ER-associated degradation, to prevent cell death. Here, we found that the autophagy system is activated as a novel signaling pathway in response to ER stress. Treatment of SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells with ER stressors markedly induced the formation of autophagosomes, which were recognized at the ultrastructural level. The formation of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-LC3-labeled structures (GFP-LC3“ dots”), representing autophagosomes, was extensively induced in cells exposed to ER stress with conversion from LC3-I to LC3-II. In IRE1-deficient cells or cells treated with c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor, the autophagy induced by ER stress was inhibited, indicating that the IRE1-JNK pathway is required for autophagy activation after ER stress. In contrast, PERK-deficient cells and ATF6 knockdown cells showed that autophagy was induced after ER stress in a manner similar to the wild-type cells. Disturbance of autophagy rendered cells vulnerable to ER stress, suggesting that autophagy plays important roles in cell survival after ER stress.
Necessity of Applying Viscoelastic Constitutive Model in Numerical Evaluation ofImplantable Hearing Devices

Jing Zhang1, Jiabin Tian1, Na Ta1, Xinsheng Huang2 and Zhushi Rao1* 1Department of Shock and Noise, State Key Laboratory of Mechanical system and Vibration, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, China 2Department of Ear-Nose-Throat, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China *Corresponding author: Zhushi Rao, Institute of Vibration, Shock and Noise, State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, Shanghai Jiaotong Univesity, Shanghai, China, Tel: 86-13817744008; E-mail: zsrao@sjtu.edu. cn
Patterns and Determinants of Recurrence for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma after Resection

Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma frequently recurs despite curative surgical resection. This study aims to investigate the patterns of recurrence following surgical resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. By understanding the patterns of postoperative recurrence, more focused management strategies for advanced disease in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma may be developed. Methods A single-institution retrospective cohort analysis was performed on patients who underwent pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma resection between 2011 and 2015. Clinical, operative and pathological data were analyzed. Statistical significance was defined as a p value <0.05. Results A total of 128 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma underwent surgical resection in this study period. Recurrence was observed in 82 (64%) patients. Overall median time to recurrence was 12.1 months. The most common site of recurrence within six months after surgery was observed in the liver. Earliest recurrence was most frequently seen in the peritoneal cavity and liver, and longest time to recurrence was found in the lung. On Cox regression analysis, perineural invasion was identified as an independent predictor of shorter disease free survival. Survival also significantly differed by sites of recurrence, with the shortest survival observed in patients with peritoneal recurrence, and the longest survival observed in patients with lung recurrence. Conclusion This retrospective study demonstrates various patterns of recurrence following surgical resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. By better understanding of recurrence patterns, disease progression can be better predicted and follow up can be tailored accordingly.
Enhanced Adsorption of Mercury(II) and Cadmium(II) from Aqueous Solution onto Rice Bran Modified with Chelating Ligands

To enhance the removal of mercury (Hg(II)) and cadmium (Cd(II)) from aqueous solutions, rice bran (RB) was reacted with epichlorohydrin and then modified with ethylenediamine and sodium chloroacetate to bear iminodiacetate functional groups. The modified rice bran (MRB) was characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), back titration, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The adsorption properties of MRB for Hg(II)/Cd(II) ions were also evaluated in batch experiments. The sorption kinetic experimental data were best described by the pseudo-second-order model. The maximum adsorption capacity (163.9 mg/g for Hg(II) at pH 5.0 and 106.4 mg/g for Cd(II) at pH 6.0) was observed at 298 K, and the isotherm adsorption equilibrium of MRB was followed by Langmuir isotherm equation. The major adsorption mechanisms should be predominantly controlled by the formation of complexes between the functional groups of MRB and Hg(II)/Cd(II) ions as well as ion-exchange. The regeneration experiments showed that the MRB could be successfully reused for six cycles when 0.1 M HCl eluent was used.
Biomechanical comparison of lower limb unloading between common modalities of ankle foot orthoses

Tibial stress fractures and other lower extremity injuries can be treated using an ankle foot orthosis (AFO). AFOs are popular because they allow the patient to ambulate somewhat naturally while reducing weight bearing on the injured limb. Despite their popularity, it is currently unclear how well AFOs reduce lower extremity weight bearing. The first objective of this investigation was to examine the ability of three commonly used ankle foot orthoses to reduce weight bearing within the lower limb by comparing the ground reaction force measured from a force platform to the force measured from an insole pressure measurement device inside the AFO. Results indicated that the corset-style AFO was more effective in reducing the load compared to the camwalker and patellar-tendon bearing AFOs. The second objective was to examine and quantify the kinematic and kinetic changes made in the natural gait pattern of the participants when wearing an AFO. Wearing an AFO alters the geometry and inertial properties of the limb which causes the wearer to alter their natural gait pattern which could lead to addition problems such as low back pain. Results indicated that the camwalker AFO changed gait the most, the patellar-tendon bearing AFO altered gait to some extent, and the corset-style AFO changed gait minimally.
Multifactorial causation of obesity : implications for prevention 1 , 2

Obesity threatens to become the foremost cause of chronic disease in the world. Being obese can induce multiple metabolic abnormalities that contribute to cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and other chronic disorders. Unfortunately, prevalence of obesity is increasing both in the United States and worldwide. Reasons for the rising prevalence include urbanization of the world’s population, increased availability of food supplies, and reduction of physical activity. Although severe obesity has received much attention in the clinical setting, most obesity in the general public is only moderate. Even so, moderate obesity can elicit several metabolic abnormalities that are precursors to chronic disease. Therefore, for the population as a whole, moderate obesity is responsible for most obesity-related disorders. Moderate obesity is undoubtedly multifactorial in origin, and acquired influences probably exceed genetic factors in its causation. These acquired causes thus deserve greater attention in the development of a public health strategy for the control of overweight in the general population. A major public health effort is urgently needed to counter the increasing frequency of moderate obesity in the United States and throughout the world. Am J Clin Nutr 1998; 67(suppl):563S–72S