Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estados topológicos de fônons em quasicristais unidimensionais

Modelos teoricos para predicao das propriedades de materiais quasicristalinos tem apresentado bastante interesse da comunidade cienti ca. No entanto eles se resumem principalmente a caracteristicas opticas e eletronicas do sistema, sendo necessario ainda um estudo das oscilacoes elementares das redes quasicristalinas unidimensionais, tais como fonons. Trabalhos publicados recentemente mostraram que as propriedades de localizacao do modelo de Harper podem ser modeladas em um quasicristal atraves do hamiltoniano de Aubry-Andre, considerando o potencial incomensuravel com o parâmetro de rede. Este modelo apresentase como um isolante topologico, exibindo estados de borda e fases nao triviais para o caso eletronico. Motivados por esses resultados, neste trabalho, apresentamos um estudo sobre as propriedades vibracionais de quasicristais unidimensionais, destacando os estados topologicos de borda. Para isso, modelamos um quasicristal unidimensional atraves do modelo de Aubry-Andre com o parâmetro de potencial de nido pela razao aurea (b = (1 + √ 5)/2). Efetuamos os calculos a partir da diagonalizacao numerica exata do Hamiltoniano. Em nossos resultados, encontramos o espectro multifractal de frequencias conhecido como borboleta de Hofstadter , que surge para o valor critico de 1.0 na amplitude de modulacao da constante de forca adimensional, caracterizando uma transicao de estados tipo metalisolante. Tambem mostramos atraves do calculo de deslocamentos individuais que os estados cruzando os gaps maiores do espectro (em funcao da fase φ) correspondem a estados de borda no sistema, onde apresenta propriedades de localizacao em sitios especi cos na rede.
The influence of HIV-1 exposure and infection on levels of passively acquired antibodies to measles virus in Zambian infants.

BACKGROUND The age at which passively acquired antibodies are lost is critical to determining the optimal age for measles vaccination. Little is known about the influence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection on levels of prevaccination antibodies to measles virus. METHODS Antibodies to measles virus were measured by plaque reduction neutralization assay in HIV-1-infected, HIV-seropositive but uninfected, and HIV-seronegative Zambian infants aged 6 weeks to 9 months. Regression models were used to estimate age-specific antibody concentrations. RESULTS Neutralizing antibodies to measles virus were measured in 652 plasma samples collected from 448 infants, of whom 61 (13.6%) were HIV-1 infected, 239 (53.4%) were HIV seropositive but uninfected, and 148 (33%) were HIV seronegative. The best fitting model suggests that HIV-1-infected infants have lower levels of passively acquired antibodies to measles virus at birth than do HIV-seronegative infants, but their antibody levels decrease more slowly. By 6 months of age, 91% (95% confidence interval, 83%-99%) of HIV-1-infected infants, 83% (95% confidence interval, 77%-89%) of HIV-seropositive but uninfected infants, and 58% (95% confidence interval, 51%-64%) of HIV-seronegative infants were estimated to have antibody levels that were unlikely to affect immune responses to measles vaccine (cutoff value for immune response, <50 mIU/mL). By 9 months of age, 99% of all infants had antibody levels <50 mIU/mL. CONCLUSIONS Infants born to HIV-1-infected women are less likely to have passively acquired antibodies that would neutralize measles vaccine virus and, thus, have an increased risk of measles prior to the age of routine vaccination. Protection could be achieved by administration of the first dose of measles vaccine prior to 9 months of age.
Feedforward control to track the output of a forced model

In this paper a feedforward control technique is developed which enables a plant to perfectly track a model in the presence of a disturbance. It is assumed that both the model and the disturbance have time-varying inputs which are not known in advance. The technique used here develops dynamic compensators which have as inputs only a finite number of derivatives of the model and disturbance inputs. A procedure for using this technique in conjunction with optimal control is also given. Examples of how these teckniques can be used are presented.
Intraperitoneal transplantation of isologous mesothelial cells for prevention of adhesions.

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of transplantation of mesothelial cells on the formation of adhesions after peritoneal abrasion. DESIGN Animal study. SETTING Teaching hospital, Germany. ANIMALS 30 isologous eight-week old Lewis rats to allow for harvesting of the greater omentum from a separate group. INTERVENTIONS The first group (n = 10) served as mesothelial cell donors. The other animals had laparotomy and induction of adhesions by standardised abrasion of the peritoneum. The trial group (n = 10) were given a suspension of 10(6) mesothelial cells/100 g body weight intraperitoneally and the control group (n = 10) an equal volume of culture medium. After 10 days the animals were killed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Measurements of the areas of adhesions by computer aided morphometry. RESULTS The trial group developed a mean (SD) adhesion area of 122.7 (176.7) mm2, and the controls 310.5 (179.1) mm2. The corresponding medians (range) were 51.2 (0-547.1) and 274.3 (100.6-575.4). Transplantation of mesothelial cells resulted in a significant reduction in adhesion formation (Wilcoxon test, p<0.01). CONCLUSION Intraperitoneal transplantation of mesothelial cells is an effective way of reducing the formation of adhesions.
Four Ways to Improve Security

How can you tell if an IT security product (or a product that includes security components) can secure your application? How can you be certain that a product will fully deliver on its claims that it will protect against malice in a deployed environment? Unfortunately, few vendors - and even fewer customers - can make these judgments. The article won't make you a security wizard, but it will give you a feel for what to look for in, and when to be concerned about, a vendor's claims. To ensure that a product has a chance of being secure; customers should check that vendors use adequate approaches in four primary areas. In order of importance (and maturity and availability), they are: quality-control (QC) mechanisms; cryptographic primitives; hardware assist mechanisms; and separation mechanisms.
Clinicopathologic and Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Goblet Cell Type Adenocarcinoma of the Lung

Twenty‐two resected goblet cell type adenocarcinomas of the lung were examined clinicopathologically and immunohistochemically. The stage and survival curve of goblet cell type adenocarcinomas were compared with those of 44 cases of pure or mixed Clara cell and bronchial surface epithelial cell (Clara and BSE) type adenocarcinomas. Each case of goblet cell type was matched with two cases of Clara and BSE type as to sex, age and date of surgery. In goblet cell type adenocarcinomas, lymph node metastasis was less frequently and intrapulmonary metastasis was more frequently detected than in other types of adenocarcinomas (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Goblet cell type adenocarcinomas showed better prognoses than Clara and BSE type adenocarcinomas. However, the estimated survival curves of those two groups become similar after adjustment of the TNM condition using Cox's proportional‐hazard general linear model. This result indicated that the longer survival of goblet cell type adenocarcinoma was due to the characteristic distribution of TNM conditions, that is, unique local growth and low incidence of lymph node metastasis. When goblet cell type adenocarcinoma was macroscopically classified into two types, i.e. solitary peripheral nodule type (nodular type) and multifocal nodular type or consolidation of all or part of a lobe (diffuse type), the nodular type had better prognosis than the diffuse type (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemically, 83%, 11%, and 0% of goblet cell type adenocarcinomas were positive for NCC‐CO‐450, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and surfactant apoprotein, respectively. Most Clara and BSE type adenocarcinomas were negative for NCC‐CO‐450, but positive for CEA and surfactant apoprotein. NCC‐CO‐450 was considered to be a good immunohistochemical marker of goblet cell type adenocarcinoma of the lung. These results indicated that goblet cell type tumors are different from most adenocarcinomas of other types both clinicopathologically and immunohistochemically. Acta Pathol Jpn 41: 737‐743, 1991.
A novel neurotransmitter‐independent communication pathway between axons and glial cells

Recent studies have provided evidence that transmitters released by neurons can activate glial receptors and stimulate calcium signalling in glial cells. Glial calcium signalling, in turn, may affect neuronal performance such as long‐term changes in synaptic efficacy. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a special glial cell type in vertebrates and insects and promote axon growth in the developing and mature nervous system. Physiological properties of OECs, however, have not been studied so far in detail. We measured changes in the calcium concentration in OECs of the moth Manduca sexta, in situ and in vivo. Electrical stimulation of olfactory receptor neurons in pupae or odour stimulation of receptor neurons in adults resulted in calcium transients in OECs. Olfactory receptor axons release acetylcholine; however, application of acetylcholine or other transmitters such as glutamate, GABA or nitric oxide did not induce calcium transients in OECs. Upon nerve stimulation, extracellular potassium rose by several millimolar as measured with potassium‐sensitive microelectrodes. When potassium in the perfusion saline was increased from 4 to 10 mm or higher, voltage‐dependent calcium transients in OECs that resembled stimulation‐induced calcium transients were evoked. Blocking neuronal potassium channels with TEA reduced both the stimulation‐induced increases in extracellular potassium and the calcium transients in OECs, whereas calcium transients in receptor axons were augmented. Our results show for the first time that accumulation of potassium, released by electrically active axons, is sufficient to evoke voltage‐dependent calcium influx into glial cells, whereas neurotransmitters appear not to be involved in this neuron–glia communication in Manduca.
Development of methodology for the characterisation and modelling of soft tissues for real-time simulation. Application to the modelling of the viscoelastic mechanical response of brain tissue.

La caracterizacion y modelado de las propiedades mecanicas de tejidos biologicos blandos resulta de gran interes para diversas aplicaciones en el ambito de la bioingenieria, como por ejemplo, para la deteccion de tumores y enfermedades, asi como para tecnologias de asistencia medica y quirurgica. Entre estas tecnologias esta la simulacion quirurgica, que basandose en metodos computacionales, reproduce procedimientos quirurgicos con el fin de desarrollar las habilidades del cirujano, planificar operaciones o proporcionar tecnicas de apoyo al cirujano durante la operacion. Sin embargo, la modelizacion del comportamiento fisico de los organos y tejidos humanos sigue siendo un desafio. Por una parte, esto es debido a la dificultad para caracterizar las propiedades fisicas de los tejidos blandos. Por otro lado, el reto reside en los requerimientos de tiempo de calculo que se necesita en la simulacion, cuando esta se quiere realizar en tiempo real, siendo el mayor interes el minimizar estos tiempos. Con el fin de hacer frente a estas dificultades, en esta tesis se ha desarrollado una metodologia para la caracterizacion y el modelado de las propiedades mecanicas de tejidos blandos para su integracion en simuladores quirurgicos. La caracterizacion se ha llevado a cabo en el laboratorio mediante un reometro de platos paralelos. La metodologia se ha aplicado a materiales sinteticos, como el gel de agar, asi como a tejidos biologicos, como el tejido cerebral porcino. Mediante la realizacion de esta caracterizacion, se han analizado y desarrollado diferentes modelos matematicos para los tejidos elegidos. Se han estudiado estos modelos, con el fin de seleccionar el mas adecuado en funcion de los requerimientos del simulador.
Design of Artificial Transmission Line and Low-Pass Filter Based on Aperiodic Stubs on a Microstrip Line

Among many microstrip configurations, the open-circuited shunt stub is probably the most common and versatile one. It is capable of performing a wide range of functions. Despite extensive studies and applications of the open-circuited shunt stub, comparatively little is known about aperiodic stubs on a microstrip line. In this paper, aperiodic stubs on a microstrip line are exploited to implement a high-performance low-pass filter and a joint design of the artificial transmission line and low-pass filter. The experimental results validate the performance of the proposed circuits. For the low-pass filter application, the proposed circuit outperforms a seventh-order Butterworth filter while their circuit sizes are comparable. For the joint design, it may potentially enhance the degree of integration in RF and microwave systems.
Antigenicity, Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of Three Proteins Expressed in the Promastigote and Amastigote Stages of Leishmania infantum against Visceral Leishmaniasis

In the present study, two Leishmania infantum hypothetical proteins present in the amastigote stage, LiHyp1 and LiHyp6, were combined with a promastigote protein, IgE-dependent histamine-releasing factor (HRF); to compose a polyproteins vaccine to be evaluated against L. infantum infection. Also, the antigenicity of the three proteins was analyzed, and their use for the serodiagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) was evaluated. The LiHyp1, LiHyp6, and HRF DNA coding sequences were cloned in prokaryotic expression vectors and the recombinant proteins were purified. When employed in ELISA assays, all proteins were recognized by sera from visceral leishmaniasis (VL) dogs, and presented no cross-reactivity with either sera from dogs vaccinated with a Brazilian commercial vaccine, or sera of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected or Ehrlichia canis-infected animals. In addition, the antigens were not recognized by antibodies from non-infected animals living in endemic or non-endemic areas for leishmaniasis. The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the three proteins administered in the presence of saponin, individually or in combination (composing a polyproteins vaccine), were evaluated in a VL murine model: BALB/c mice infected with L. infantum. Spleen cells from mice inoculated with the individual proteins or with the polyproteins vaccine plus saponin showed a protein-specific production of IFN-γ, IL-12, and GM-CSF after an in vitro stimulation, which was maintained after infection. These animals presented significant reductions in the parasite burden in different evaluated organs, when compared to mice inoculated with saline or saponin. The decrease in parasite burden was associated with an IL-12-dependent production of IFN-γ against parasite total extracts (produced mainly by CD4+ T cells), correlated to the induction of parasite proteins-driven NO production. Mice inoculated with the recombinant protein-based vaccines showed also high levels of parasite-specific IgG2a antibodies. The polyproteins vaccine administration induced a more pronounced Th1 response before and after challenge infection than individual vaccines, which was correlated to a higher control of parasite dissemination to internal organs.
Bootstrap estimation of confidence intervals on mutation rate ratios

The fluctuation test is a useful tool for estimating the mutation rate of cells. However, statistical methods for comparing mutation rate estimates between different strains or conditions have not yet been fully developed. Methods exist for placing confidence intervals on estimates of the number of mutational events in cultures for a given strain and set of conditions, but placing confidence intervals on mutation rate is complicated by differences in the final number of cells in culture between parallel cultures. Additionally, confidence intervals on individual mutation rate estimates are not always the most useful statistical tool when comparing two or more different strains or conditions. We present a bootstrap method for estimating confidence intervals on the quotient of two mutation rates determined from two fluctuation test experiments using experimental and control strains or conditions. We use Monte Carlo simulations to validate this method over a wide range of mutation rates and for empirically measured variation in the estimates of final number of cells in culture. Furthermore, we provide the computational tools to implement the bootstrap method described here on experimental fluctuation test data and to evaluate this method for experimental parameters other than those considered herein. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Burden of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Germany

Objective: To review studies quantifying the burden of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in Germany. Methods: A review of 17 original English-language studies on the human, health care and economic burden of GAD in Germany, identified in electronic databases (MEDLINE/ EMBASE: 1990-2008) and published bibliographies. Results: Nationally representative data indicate that GAD is more prevalent in primary care (5.3%, 4-week point prevalence) than in the community (1.5%, 12-month prevalence). Although GAD commonly co-occurs with depression, the burden of GAD was not satisfactorily explained by comorbidity. Functional impairments and high rates of medical resource use observed for pure GAD were at least similar in magnitude compared with that of pure major depressive disorder (MDD). The per-patient cost of GAD in Germany (€2728, adjusted for purchase power parity in 2004) was higher than the corresponding cost of other anxiety disorders. Direct medical costs were nearly four times higher than indirect costs of sick leave. Although both disorders are burdensome in primary care, GAD was less likely than MDD to be accurately recognized and adequately treated. Conclusions: Results from Germany underscore that GAD is a distinct, clinically relevant and costly disorder. Strategies to improve recognition and treatment of GAD have the potential to reduce the serious burden of illness (German J Psychiatry 2008; 11: 159-167).
Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy With Lactic Acidosis and Stroke-Like Episodes-MELAS Syndrome.

BACKGROUND Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is a rare inherited disorder that results in waxing and waning nervous system and muscle dysfunction. MELAS syndrome may overlap with other neurologic disorders but shows distinctive imaging features. CASE REPORT We present the case of a 28-year-old female with atypical stroke-like symptoms, a strong family history of stroke-like symptoms, and a relapsing-remitting course for several years. We discuss the imaging features distinctive to the case, the mechanism of the disease, typical presentation, imaging diagnosis, and disease management. CONCLUSION This case is a classic example of the relapse-remitting MELAS syndrome progression with episodic clinical flares and fluctuating patterns of stroke-like lesions on imaging. MELAS is an important diagnostic consideration when neuroimaging reveals a pattern of disappearing and relapsing cortical brain lesions that may occur in different areas of the brain and are not necessarily limited to discrete vascular territories. Future studies should investigate disease mechanisms at the cellular level and the value of advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques for a targeted approach to therapy.
Impact of a rapid access protocol on decreasing door-to-balloon time in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE Ischemic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Canada. In ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), time to reperfusion is a key determinant in reducing morbidity and mortality with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) being the preferred reperfusion strategy. Where PCI is available, delays to definitive care include times to electrocardiogram (ECG) diagnosis and cardiovascular laboratory access. In 2004, the Cardiac Care Network of Ontario recommended implementation of an emergency department (ED) protocol to reduce reperfusion time by transporting patients with STEMI directly to the nearest catheterization laboratory. The model was implemented in Frontenac County in April 2005. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a protocol for rapid access to PCI in reducing door-to-balloon times in STEMI. METHODS Two 1-year periods before and after implementation of a rapid access to PCI protocol (ending March 2005 and June 2006, respectively) were studied. Administrative databases were used to identify all subjects with STEMI who were transported by regional emergency medical services (EMS) and received emergent PCI. The primary outcome measure was time from ED arrival to first balloon inflation (door-to-balloon time). Times are presented as medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs). Statistical comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U test and presented graphically with Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS Patients transported under the rapid access protocol (n = 39) were compared with historical controls (n = 42). Median door-to-balloon time was reduced from 87 minutes (IQR 67-108) preprotocol to 62 minutes (IQR 40-80) postprotocol (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION In our region, implementation of an EMS protocol for rapid access to PCI significantly reduced time to reperfusion for patients with STEMI.
Regulation of Phosphoinositide-specific Phospholipase C Isozymes*

The hydrolysis of a minor membrane phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), 1 by a specific phospholipase C (PLC) is one of the earliest key events in the regulation of various cell functions by more than 100 extracellular signaling molecules (1–4). This reaction produces two intracellular messengers, diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, which mediate the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and intracellular Ca release, respectively. Furthermore, a decrease in the amount of PIP2 itself in the cell membrane is likely an important signal because the activities of several proteins are modulated by this phospholipid (5). PIP2 is a cofactor for phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase D (PLD) and a substrate for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), both of which are also receptor-activated effector enzymes. In addition, PIP2 modulates actin polymerization by interacting with various actin-binding proteins and serves as a membrane-attachment site for many signaling proteins that contain pleckstrin homology (PH) domains. Consequently, the activity of PLC is stringently regulated in cells through several distinct mechanisms that link multiple PLC isoforms to various receptors.
A novel metamaterial-based RFID antenna with efficient of operating distance

In the paper, a novel inductive RFID antenna based on high permeability metamaterials substrate is presented. For high frequency band spiral shaped lattice is proposed as metamaterials substrate. The efficiency of radiated fields is determined by comparison of the novel antenna with a standard coil antenna. It is shown that lattice of spirals provides higher radiation of magnetic fields and an improvement of operating distance. Induction of currents on antennas allows communication in RFID system. With the novel performance of antenna it is reached higher magnetic flux which is proportional to induced currents and provides wider useful operating plane to activate the RFID system.