Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retention and Retention of Effect of Topical Formulations in Dry Eye Subjects

Purpose. It was the purpose of this investigation to examine both retention time (RT) and retention of effect of two ophthalmic formulations in the same dry eye subjects. Methods. This was a randomized, subject-masked cross-over study. Dry eye subjects, characterized by sub-type, were recruited. For direct RT measurement, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran, 70 kDa molecular weight, was admixed at 0.1% wt/vol concentration into buffered saline (active control) and a viscous marketed artificial tear formulations (test formulation). RT in minutes was estimated directly as the return to baseline intrinsic fluorescence with an objective scanning fluorometer. Retention of effect was measured with a xeroscope as non-invasive breakup time (NIBUT) and by use of a numerical rating scale for comfort. Results. Eleven subjects, with most being classified as having non-inflammatory meibomian gland dysfunction, completed the study. The RTs averaged 17.7 (±10.0) and 26.8 (±16.5) minutes for the saline and test formulations, respectively. The averages for NIBUT were 8.73 (±6.1) and 19.5 (±4.9) minutes, for saline and the test formulations, respectively. Return to baseline for the numerical rating scale comfort averages were 9.91 (±4.1) and 20.21 (±6.4) minutes for the saline and test formulations, respectively. When residence time was subtracted from the retention of effect measures, no statistical significance was found for the polymeric solution (vs. comfort, p = 0.153; vs. NIBUT, p = 0.109). However, statistical differences were found for direct retention compared against comfort (p = 0.01) and NIBUT (p = 0.004) for buffered saline. Conclusions. It seems that these two retention of effect measures are much shorter than RT measured directly. Future work should aim to confirm these findings in additional dry eye sub-types and in those with more severe disease manifestations.
Forecasting U.S. Cotton Prices in a Changing Market

The purpose of this study is to analyze structural changes that took place in the cotton industry and develop a statistical model that reflects the current drivers of U.S. upland cotton prices. This study concludes that a structural break in the U.S. cotton industry occurred in 1999, and that world cotton supply has become an important determinant of U.S. cotton prices. The model developed here forecasts changes in U.S. cotton price based on changes in U.S. cotton supply, changes in U.S. stocks-to-use ratio (S/U), changes in China's net imports as a share of world consumption, the proportion of U.S. cotton engaged in the loan program, and changes in world supply of cotton.
Degradation of insulin‐like growth factor‐I receptor occurs via ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway in human lung cancer cells

Insulin‐like growth factor‐I receptor (IGF‐IR) is often overexpressed in malignant tumors, and is involved in the establishment and maintenance of malignant phenotypes. Tyrosine kinase receptor endocytosis is commonly triggered by ligand binding and occurs via clathrin‐coated vescicles that transfer the receptor to the lysosome system for degradation. Our study aims at the evaluation of the mechanisms involved in IGF‐IR downregulation in neoplastic (Npl) and non‐neoplastic (non‐Npl) cells. Exposure to insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) of human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (A549 and H1299) triggers IGF‐IR ubiquitination and internalization processes that require energy and are preceded by the phosphorylation of receptor tyrosines. Differently from other plasma membrane substrates of the ubiquitin system, IGF‐IR is degraded mostly by the proteasome in these tumor cell lines. The degradation is inhibited by lactacystin and unaffected by lysosomal inhibitors such as bafilomycin A1 and NH4Cl. IGF‐IR is processed in a similar manner also in fresh specimens of human lung tumors, while it requires active lysosomal functions in non‐Npl human lung tissues. These results suggest that the degradation routes of ubiquitinated IGF‐IR diverge in normal and Npl cells, and further support the involvement of IGF‐IR signaling in cancer. Such a different route for IGF‐IR processing might take place sometime during development, since both proteasome and lysosome pathways are active in fetal lung human fibroblasts, IMR90 cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 208: 354–362, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Systems Model of Signaling Identifies a Molecular Basis Set for Cytokine-Induced Apoptosis

Signal transduction pathways control cellular responses to stimuli, but it is unclear how molecular information is processed as a network. We constructed a systems model of 7980 intracellular signaling events that directly links measurements to 1440 response outputs associated with apoptosis. The model accurately predicted multiple time-dependent apoptotic responses induced by a combination of the death-inducing cytokine tumor necrosis factor with the prosurvival factors epidermal growth factor and insulin. By capturing the role of unsuspected autocrine circuits activated by transforming growth factor–α and interleukin-1α, the model revealed new molecular mechanisms connecting signaling to apoptosis. The model derived two groupings of intracellular signals that constitute fundamental dimensions (molecular “basis axes”) within the apoptotic signaling network. Projection along these axes captures the entire measured apoptotic network, suggesting that cell survival is determined by signaling through this canonical basis set.
A Phase I and Pharmacokinetic Study of Temsirolimus (CCI-779) Administered Intravenously Daily for 5 Days Every 2 Weeks to Patients with Advanced Cancer

Purpose: Patients with advanced cancer received temsirolimus (Torisel, CCI-779), a novel inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin, i.v. once daily for 5 days every 2 weeks to determine the maximum tolerated dose, toxicity profile, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor efficacy. Experimental Design: Doses were escalated in successive cohorts of patients using a conventional phase I clinical trial design. Samples of whole blood and plasma were collected to determine the pharmacokinetics of temsirolimus and sirolimus, its principal metabolite. Results: Sixty-three patients were treated with temsirolimus (0.75-24 mg/m2/d). The most common drug-related toxicities were asthenia, mucositis, nausea, and cutaneous toxicity. The maximum tolerated dose was 15 mg/m2/d for patients with extensive prior treatment because, in the 19 mg/m2/d cohort, two patients had dose-limiting toxicities (one with grade 3 vomiting, diarrhea, and asthenia and one with elevated transaminases) and three patients required dose reductions. For minimally pretreated patients, in the 24 mg/m2/d cohort, one patient developed a dose-limiting toxicity of grade 3 stomatitis and two patients required dose reductions, establishing 19 mg/m2/d as the maximum acceptable dose. Immunologic studies did not show any consistent trend toward immunosuppression. Temsirolimus exposure increased with dose in a less than proportional manner. Terminal half-life was 13 to 25 hours. Sirolimus-to-temsirolimus exposure ratios were 0.6 to 1.8. A patient with non–small cell lung cancer achieved a confirmed partial response, which lasted for 12.7 months. Three patients had unconfirmed partial responses; two patients had stable disease for ≥24 weeks. Conclusion: Temsirolimus was generally well tolerated on this intermittent schedule. Encouraging preliminary antitumor activity was observed.
Factors affecting user experience in mobile systems and services

Understanding the factors affecting user experience of mobile systems and services is becoming increasingly important as the mobile ecosystem is becoming a reality. The aim of my work is to contribute to the theory building of frameworks on factors affecting user experience in the mobile context and to the methodology for studying and evaluating user experience of mobile systems and services.
Mitochondrial Function Controls Proliferation and Early Differentiation Potential of Embryonic Stem Cells

Pluripotent stem cells hold significant promise in regenerative medicine due to their unlimited capacity for self‐renewal and potential to differentiate into any cell type of the body. In this study, we demonstrate that proper mitochondrial function is essential for proliferation of undifferentiated ESCs. Attenuating mitochondrial function under self‐renewing conditions makes these cells more glycolytic‐dependent, and it is associated with an increase in the mRNA reserves of Nanog, Oct4, and Sox2. In contrast, attenuating mitochondrial function during the first 7 days of differentiation results in normal repression of Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2. However, differentiation potential is compromised as revealed by abnormal transcription of multiple Hox genes. Furthermore, under differentiating conditions in which mitochondrial function is attenuated, tumorigenic cells continue to persist. Our results, therefore establish the importance of normal mitochondrial function in ESC proliferation, regulating differentiation, and preventing the emergence of tumorigenic cells during the process of differentiation. STEM CELLS 2011;486–495
The effect of visual experience on the development of stimulus specificity by kitten cortical neurones

1. 284 single cortical neurones were studied in area seventeen of twenty‐five normal kittens and of fifteen kittens, binocularly deprived, whose first visual experience had been delayed until the experiment by bilateral lid‐suture. Both normal and binocularly deprived kittens ranged in age from 1 to 6 weeks.
Blood warming: current applications and techniques

Active blood warming is a recent practice and arises out of conflicting needs. On the one hand, the safety and preservation of blood require refrigerated storage and delivery up to the moment of transfusion. On the other hand, modern methods of very rapid transfusion in resuscitation would cause clinically dangerous hypothermia if unmodified, ice‐cold blood were to be so transfused. These needs must be reconciled in the interest of adequate patient care–hence the need for blood warming. Nevertheless, blood warming creates risks of its own and should not be used without justifying clinical indications. Within limits that extend somewhat above normal body temperature, the application of heat does no harm to stored RBC, a fact that is not reflected in current standards for blood warmers. Bearing in mind the human tendency to “stretch” standards and the fallibility of mechanical devices, caution is always wise. But perhaps the time has come for reconsideration of the present upper limit of 38 degrees C. Many varieties of blood warmers are available in the US, but none at this time is based on electromagnetic activity. The most common systems now in use are in‐line warmers, most of which are not adequate for the type of rapid‐transfusion systems currently available. Countercurrent in‐ line blood warmers and the method of rapid warm saline admixture can both be used successfully for rapid, massive transfusions. Blood warming is seldom necessary or desirable for elective transfusions at conventional rates, even for patients with cold autoagglutinins.
Intelligent supply chain management system

Internet of Things aims at integrating networked information systems to real world entities. It connects objects such as smart phones, sensors, Light Emitting Diodes (LED) displays, vehicles through the internet allowing them to interact and exchange information among themselves. In today's times IoT has found its application in practically every walk of life and supply chain management is no exception. At present, supply chains are becoming increasingly complex, where suppliers and customers stretch between various countries and continents. The biggest problem faced by manufacturers is to optimize supply chain performance and reduce operational costs over such large geographical stretches. IoT acts as a solution to this problem as it facilitates the use of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) in order to interconnect all the various actors in a supply chain. This humongous network of interconnected devices generate massive amounts of data which is difficult to store and process. Cloud computing here plays a role of a facilitator and provides great help in addressing challenges related to storage and processing capabilities. In this paper, we present an Intelligent Supply Chain Management System (ISCMS) that benefits from the amalgamation of IoT and Cloud and provides real time monitoring, tracking and managing of goods from the perspective of a supplier, customer and shipper. We also propose an algorithm that depicts the working of our system. The proposed Intelligent Supply Chain Management System along with the algorithm are simulated using the iFogSim simulator. To this end, we illustrate the working of our proposed system along with the simulated results.
Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome Unmasking or Worsening AIDS-Related Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy: A Literature Review

Incidence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in HIV-infected patients has declined in the combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) era although a growing number of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related PML-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndromes (PML-IRIS) have been published during the same period. Therapeutic management of PML-IRIS is not consensual and mainly relies on corticosteroids. Our main aim was, in addition to provide a thoughtful analysis of published PML-IRIS cases, to assess the benefit of corticosteroids in the management of PML-IRIS, focusing on confirmed cases. We performed a literature review of the 46 confirmed cases of PML-IRIS cases occurring in HIV-infected patients from 1998 to September 2016 (21 unmasking and 25 paradoxical PML-IRIS). AIDS-related PML-IRIS patients were mostly men (sex ratio 4/1) with a median age of 40.5 years (range 12–66). Median CD4 T cell count before cART and at PML-IRIS onset was 45/μl (0–301) and 101/μl (20–610), respectively. After cART initiation, PML-IRIS occurred within a median timescale of 38 days (18–120). Clinical signs were motor deficits (69%), speech disorders (36%), cognitive disorders (33%), cerebellar ataxia (28%), and visual disturbances (23%). Brain MRI revealed hyperintense areas on T2-weighted sequences and FLAIR images (76%) and suggestive contrast enhancement (87%). PCR for John Cunningham virus (JCV) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was positive in only 84% of cases; however, when performed, brain biopsy confirmed diagnosis of PML in 90% of cases and demonstrated histological signs of IRIS in 95% of cases. Clinical worsening related to PML-IRIS and leading to death was observed in 28% of cases. Corticosteroids were prescribed in 63% of cases and maraviroc in one case. Statistical analysis failed to demonstrate significant benefit from steroid treatment, despite spectacular improvement in certain cases. Diagnosis of PML-IRIS should be considered in HIV-infected patients with worsening neurological symptoms after initiation or resumption of effective cART, independently of CD4 cell count prior to cART. If PCR for JCV is negative in CSF, brain biopsy should be discussed. Only large multicentric randomized trials could potentially demonstrate the possible efficacy of corticosteroids and/or CCR5 antagonists in the management of PML-IRIS.
Self-starting optical pulsator based 10-Gbit/s RZ-BPSK down-stream and re-modulated RZ-OOK up-stream link

A synthesizer-free 10-Gbit/s down-stream PRZ-BPSK and re-modulated up-stream RZ-OOK bi-directional transmission with receiving sensitivity of &#60;−17dBm at BER=10−9 is demonstrated using a self-pulsating optical carrier with ultralow-jitter of 0.6 ps and high-extinction of 8.5 dB.
Vocal‐motor and auditory connectivity of the midbrain periaqueductal gray in a teleost fish

The midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) plays a central role in the descending control of vocalization across vertebrates. The PAG has also been implicated in auditory‐vocal integration, although its precise role in such integration remains largely unexplored. Courtship and territorial interactions in plainfin midshipman fish depend on vocal communication, and the PAG is a central component of the midshipman vocal‐motor system. We made focal neurobiotin injections into the midshipman PAG to both map its auditory‐vocal circuitry and allow evolutionary comparisons with tetrapod vertebrates. These injections revealed an extensive bidirectional pattern of connectivity between the PAG and known sites in both the descending vocal‐motor and the ascending auditory systems, including portions of the telencephalon, dorsal thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior tuberculum, midbrain, and hindbrain. Injections in the medial PAG produced dense label within hindbrain auditory nuclei, whereas those confined to the lateral PAG preferentially labeled hypothalamic and midbrain auditory areas. Thus, the teleost PAG may have functional subdivisions playing different roles in vocal‐auditory integration. Together the results confirm several pathways previously identified by injections into known auditory or vocal areas and provide strong support for the hypothesis that the teleost PAG is centrally involved in auditory‐vocal integration. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:791–812, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adherence to a Home-Based Exercise Program for Individuals After Stroke

Abstract Background: Although aerobic training (AT) and resistance training (RT) have been shown to improve functional abilities in patients post stroke, few patients participate, with many doing so for only a short duration. Purpose: To retrospectively identify factors that affect adherence to a home-based exercise program adapted for stroke patients in a cardiac rehabilitation program during and after program completion. Methods: Fourteen participants (age 63 ± 3 years, 37 ± 34 months post stroke) attended the rehabilitation center on a weekly (24 weeks) and then monthly (2 months) basis. Patients were required to complete 4 AT and 1 to 2 RT sessions away from the center each week. A 16-item survey exploring adherence to home-based workouts was administered. Results: Seven patients were currently participating (mean time in program, 19.4 ± 8 weeks) and 7 had graduated (mean of 32.8 ± 28 weeks post graduation) from the program. Current participants had higher adherence than graduated participants to AT (100% vs 76%; P < .01) and RT (100% vs 55%; P < .01). The most common factors motivating participants were to improve overall health, improve functional abilities, and enhance confidence and to reduce musculoskeletal issues. The most common factors preventing workouts were lack of motivation, musculoskeletal issues, and fatigue. There was a negative correlation between age and adherence to AT in the graduated group. Conclusion: Adherence to home-based exercise is superior during participation in an organized group program, with decline after graduation.
Modeling the Effects of Educational Resources on Student Achievement

The convergence of standards, accountability, and school finance policies necessitates a systematic rethinking about how state-level resource allocation policies can be created to distribute resources in a manner that provides equal educational opportunities for all students. Given the demand for policymakers to distribute adequate resources to improve schools’ capacities to increase student learning, there is a need for evidence detailing the effects of those educational resources on student achievement. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to discern the effects of educational resources on student achievement using structural equation modeling. Using data from a southeastern state in the United States, the authors offer resource allocation policy recommendations that align with the state’s constitutional obligation to provide equality of educational opportunity, particularly for students living in poverty.
Aster/TIR vicarious calibration activities in the last 11 years

Since March 2000, the project science team for the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) onboard NASA's Terra satellite has conducted vicarious calibration (VC) experiments periodically to verify the onboard calibration (OBC) of ASTER thermal infrared (ASTER/TIR) bands. In the present paper, 287 matchup data obtained from ten experimental sites by three organizations are analyzed. The radiance difference of OBC and VC shows almost no correlation with surface temperature and precipitable water vapor at each experimental site, but shows some dependence on the type of the experimental site. For example, the OBC-VC comparisons at Cold Springs Reservoir (NV) which is a small water body shows some bias due to the straylight effect of ASTER/TIR. The comparisons at Lake Kussharo covered by snow also show some bias maybe because of an extrapolation effect of ASTER radiometric calibration. The comparisons at Mauna Loa lava flows show a large deviation due to non-uniformity of surface temperature caused by the rough surface. Except for these cases, the results show that the latest version of radiometric calibration coefficients (version 3.×) for ASTER/TIR has been keeping the designed accuracy (1 K for the temperature range of 270 to 320 K).
Prognostic factors for survival among Caucasian, African-American and Hispanic men with androgen-independent prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND African-American men suffer disproportionately with respect to the incidence and mortality from prostate cancer. The objective of the current study was to define if race was an independent prognostic factor among other variables assessed for survival among men treated for androgen independent prostate cancer. METHODS Between 1988 and 1995, 379 patients with AIPC and clinical progression were referred for novel protocol therapies. Measured variables included: 1) patient age, 2) race or ethnicity, 3) hemoglobin, 4) alkaline phosphatase, 5) serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, 6) time from hormonal ablation to AIPC, 7) number of metastases on bone scan, 8) osseous stage, 9) number of organ systems with metastases and 10) type of treatment for AIPC. RESULTS Median survival for the cohort was not significantly affected by race, on uni- or multivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that increasing hemoglobin (HR = 0.87 per g, 95% CI [0.81-0.94]) and time to AIPC (HR = 0.994, 95% CI [0.990-0.998]) were associated with increased survival while higher osseous stage (HR = 1.49, stage I versus II, 95% CI [1.11-1.99]), treatment group (HR = 1.68, treatment group I versus II, 95% CI [1.33-2.12]), metastases to three or more organ systems (HR = 1.31 versus less than three organs, 95% CI [1.15-1.49]), and advanced age (HR = 1.51 for age > 70 versus < or = 70, 95% CI [1.18-1.94]) were associated with a decrease in survival among patients with AIPC. CONCLUSION Independent prognostic variables for survival among patients with AIPC included patient age, serum hemoglobin level, time to androgen-independent disease, treatment group and the extent of metastatic disease. Ethnicity did not adversely affect outcome.