Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Formal relationships in sequential object systems

Formal specifications describe the behaviour of object-oriented systems precisely, with the intent to capture all properties necessary for correctness. Relationships between objects, and in a broader sense the relationship between whole components, may not be adequately captured by specifications. One critical component of specifications having a role in relationships are invariants which define a constraint between multiple objects. If an object's invariant relies on external objects for its conditions, correct operations which abide by their specifications modifying these external objects may violate the constraint. Such an invariant defines a relationship between multiple objects which is unsound since it does not adequately describe the responsibilities which the objects in the relationship have to each other. The root cause of this correctness loophole is the failure of specifications to capture such relationships adequately as well as their correctness requirements. This thesis addresses this shortcoming in a number of ways, both for individual objects in a sequential environment, and between concurrent components which are defined as specialized object types. The proposed Colleague Technique [29] defines sound invariants between two object types using classical Design-by-Contract [35] methodologies. Additional invariant conditions introduced through the technique ensure that no correct operation may produce a post-state which does not satisfy all invariants satisfied by the pre-state. Relationships between objects, as well as their correct specification and management, are the subjects of this thesis. Those relationships between objects which can be described by invariants are made sound with the Colleague Technique, or the lightweight ownership type system that accompanies it. Behavioural correctness beyond these can be addressed with specifications in a similar manner to sequential systems without concurrency, in particular with the use of runtime assertion checking [11].
Proteases in lymphocyte killer function: redundancy, polymorphism and questions remaining

Abstract Proteases of the serine and cysteine protease families are involved in many processes crucial to the lytic functions of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. In this study we describe those functions and attempt to place them in the pathophysiological context of defence to pathogen invasion. In particular, we stress that the co-evolution of pathogens with the immune systems of higher organisms over evolutionary time has ensured that redundancy, flexibility and polymorphism of the proteases can be identified, both within the protease repertoire of a given species, and by comparing orthologous protease functions across species.
Lamellar membranes associated with rhoptries in erythrocytic merozoites of Plasmodium knowlesi: a clue to the mechanism of invasion

SUMMARY In merozoites of Plasmodium knowlesi, rhoptries have a dense substructure of fine (2·5 nm diameter) granules and short rods. These are not altered by lipid extraction, and stain with ethanolic phosphotungstate indicating a proteinaceous composition. Various types of fixation also show multilamellar whorls with a periodicity of 5–7 rim in the tips of rhoptries or extruded at the merozoite apex. In merozoites fixed during invasions of red cells, membrane continuity typically occurs between the rim of the rhoptry canal and the red cell membrane, but where this contact has apparently been lost, extensive membranous whorls and blebs are often found at the apex of the parasite. Similar structures occur at the spices of merozoites within late-stage schizonts. It is suggested that the same mechanism which generates these lamellae forms the parasitophorous vacuole by inserting membranous elements formed by the parasite into the red cell membrane, so causing its invagination. A similar mechanism may be responsible for the release of merozoites from the late-stage schizont.
The Marc Pro TM Device is a Novel Paradigm Shift in Muscle Conditioning, Recovery and Performance: Induction of Nitric Oxide (NO) Dependent Enhanced Microcirculation Coupled with Angiogenesis Mechanisms

DiNubile N, Westcott W, Reinl G, Bajaj A, Braverman ER, Madigan MA, Giordano J, Blum K. The MarcPro Device is a Novel Paradigm Shift in Muscle Conditioning, Recovery and Performance: Induction of Nitric Oxide (NO) Dependent Enhanced Microcirculation Coupled with Angiogenesis Mechanisms. JEPonline 2011;14(5):10-19. This is a follow-up commentary to a recent paper in this journal on Marc Pro electrical device stimulation (MPDS) showing Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness (DOMS) recovery. We hypothesized that MPDS increases arteriolar diameters, a mechanism involved in the recovery process, and that repeated MPDS would elicit angiogenesis, a mechanism involved in conditioning and improved performance. First, arteriolar diameters were measured in the cremaster muscle of 57 male, anesthetized rats using intravital microscopy before and after MPDS or sham stimulation (SS) at 1 or 2 Hz for periods of 30-60 min. In a separate cohort, the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the response to MPDS was assessed by blocking NO synthase
Colon-specific delivery of celecoxib is a potential strategy to improve toxicological and pharmacological properties of the selective Cox-2 inhibitor: implication in treatment of familiar adenomatous polyposis

In general, colon-specific delivery of a drug decreases systemic absorption and increases therapeutic concentration of the drug at the target site. N-succinylglutam-1 or 5-yl celecoxib (SG1C and SG5C) were prepared as a colon-specific prodrug of celecoxib, a selective Cox-2 inhibitor, and investigated whether the celecoxib derivatives could deliver celecoxib to the target site and improve cardiovascular toxicity and therapeutic effectiveness for the treatment of familiar adenomatous polyposis. SG1C and SA5C were cleaved to release celecoxib in the cecal contents while stable in small intestinal contents. The cecal release of celecoxib was much greater for SG1C than SG5C. SG1C administered orally was barely detected in the blood and urine. SG1C delivered much greater amount of celecoxib to the large intestine while keeping the plasma concentration of celecoxib at much lower level compared with oral administration of free celecoxib. Consistent with these pharmacokinetic results, SG1C supplied a greater concentration of celecoxib for the entire colonic tissue and did not change the serum level of 6-keto-PGF1α whose decrease is associated with the cardiovascular toxicity of celecoxib. Taken together, colon-specific delivery of celecoxib using a prodrug approach may be a useful strategy to improve toxicological and pharmacological properties of celecoxib.
A Novel Wideband Circularly Polarized Printed Antenna

A circularly polarized printed antenna, capable of operating over an octave bandwidth is designed and fabricated. The design is evolved from classical printed monopole/dipole geometry. It employs a microstrip-line fed rectangular radiator, printed on the top of a substrate. The ground, extended as another rectangular radiator is printed on the bottom of the substrate. Both the top and bottom radiators are asymmetrically configured in such a way that the surface currents on them are orthogonal so as to produce left-hand circular polarization (LHCP). The antenna configuration is simulated using a commercially available EM solver. The simulated and measured results closely match within the operating bandwidth. The measured results show a -10-dB return loss bandwidth of 800 MHz to 4.15 GHz and a 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth of 1.5 GHz to 3.4 GHz. For the designed center frequency of 2.45 GHz, these correspond to 136% and 77% respectively. A parametric study of the design is carried out and the mechanism of circular polarization is described.
The European Medicines Agency approval of 5-aminolaevulinic acid (Ameluz) for the treatment of actinic keratosis of mild to moderate intensity on the face and scalp: Summary of the scientific assessment of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use

The European Commission has recently issued a marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union for 5-aminolaevulinic acid (Ameluz). The decision was based on the favorable opinion of the CHMP recommending a marketing authorization for 5-aminolaevulinic acid for treatment of actinic keratosis of mild to moderate intensity on the face and scalp. The active substance is a sensitizer used in photodynamic/radiation therapy (ATC code L01XD04). The gel should cover the lesions and approximately 5 mm of the surrounding area with a film of about 1 mm thickness. The entire treatment area should be illuminated with a red light source, either with a narrow spectrum around 630 nm and a light dose of approximately 37 J/cm2 or a broader and continuous spectrum in the range between 570 and 670 nm with a light dose between 75 and 200 J/cm2. One session of photodynamic therapy should be administered for single or multiple lesions. Non- or partially responding lesions should be retreated in a second session 3 months after the first treatment. 5-aminolaevulinic acid is metabolized to protoporphyrin IX, a photoactive compound which accumulates intracellularly in the treated actinic keratosis lesions. Protoporphyrin IX is activated by illumination with red light of a suitable wavelength and energy. In the presence of oxygen, reactive oxygen species are formed which causes damage of cellular components and eventually destroys the target cells. The benefit with 5-aminolaevulinic acid is its ability to improve the complete response rate of actinic keratosis lesions. The most common side effects are reactions at the site of application. The objective of this article is to summarize the scientific review of the application. The detailed scientific assessment report and product information, including the summary of product characteristics (SmPC), are available on the EMA website (www.ema.europa.eu).
Advanced switching table for direct power control of a three-phase PWM rectifier

This paper presents a new switching table for direct power control (DPC) applied to a three-phase PWM rectifier. The conventional switching table for DPC is not satisfactory in the controlling of the active and reactive power. Based on the analysis on the change of active and reactive power, the optimal rectifier voltage can be selected. Consequently, the more effective switching table for DPC is obtained. Simulations and experiments are implemented to testify the validity of the proposed scheme.
Use of QuantiFERON®-TB Gold in-tube culture supernatants for measurement of antibody responses

QuantiFERON®-TB Gold in-tube (QFT-GIT) supernatants may be important samples for use in assessment of anti-tuberculosis (TB) antibodies when only limited volumes of blood can be collected and when a combination of antibody and cytokine measurements are required. These analytes, when used together, may also have the potential to differentiate active pulmonary TB (APTB) from latent TB infection (LTBI). However, few studies have explored the use of QFT-GIT supernatants for investigations of antibody responses. This study determined the correlation and agreement between anti-CFP-10 and anti-ESAT-6 antibody concentrations in QFT-GIT nil supernatant and serum pairs from 68 TB household contacts. We also explored the ability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) specific antibodies, or ratios of antibody to interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in QFT-GIT supernatants, to differentiate 97 APTB cases from 58 individuals with LTBI. Sputum smear microscopy was used to define APTB, whereas the QFT-GIT and tuberculin skin test were used to define LTBI. There were strong and statistically significant correlations between anti-CFP-10 and anti-ESAT-6 antibodies in unstimulated QFT-GIT supernatants and sera (r = 0.89; p<0.0001 for both), and no significant differences in antibody concentration between them. Anti-CFP-10 & anti-ESAT-6 antibodies differentiated APTB from LTBI with sensitivities of 88.7% & 71.1% and specificities of 41.4% & 51.7% respectively. Anti-CFP-10 antibody/M.tb specific IFN-γ and anti-ESAT-6 antibody/M.tb specific IFN-γ ratios had sensitivities of 48.5% & 54.6% and specificities of 89.7% and 75.9% respectively. We conclude that QFT-GIT nil supernatants may be used in the place of sera when measuring antibody responses, reducing blood volumes needed for such investigations. Antibodies in QFT-GIT nil supernatants on their own discriminate APTB from LTBI with high sensitivity but have poor specificity, whereas the reverse is true when antibodies are used in combination with M.tb specific cytokines. Further antibody and antibody/cytokine combinations need to be explored to achieve better diagnostic accuracy.
Clinal genetic variation and isolation by distance in the European eel Anguilla anguilla (L.)

The genetic variability and structure of the European eel ( Anguilla anguilla L.) in populations throughout Europe was reassessed using 15 allozymic loci, seven of which were polymorphic. Seven sites were sampled on a latitudinal gradient across the natural continental range, extending from southern France to southern Norway. Heterozygosity ( H e = 0.05) and level of polymorphism (P = 0.43) were comparable to other marine fish. Populations were poorly differentiated ( G ST = 0.014, F ST = 0.002), which is not surprising considering the high dispersal capability of the European eel. However, a significant geographical cline was detected at two alleles ( IDH-1 * 100 and GPI-1 * 110 ), and genetic distances ( D CE ) were concordant with geographical coastal distances. Mantel tests, pairwise F ST ’s and multidimensional scaling analyses identify three distinct groups: Northern Europe, Western Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. We propose that the clinal genetic structure in the European eel may be due to (1) isolation by distance (as recently detected with microsatellites), (2) temporal reproductive separation, (3) post-larval selective forces, (4) contact between formerly separated groups or (5) some combination thereof. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 77 , 509‐521
A Dual-channel Routing Protocol for Wireless Body Area Networks

Wireless Body Area networks (WBANs) are a subset of wireless sensor networks that interconnect miniaturized nodes with sensor or actuator capabilities in, on, or around a human body. WBANs can operate over a number of different frequency bands such as MICS (Medical Implant Communications system), 2.4 GHz ISM (Industrial Scientific and Medical), UWB (Ultra Wideband), HBC (Human Body Communications) bands. Most WBANs utilize only one of these wireless bands for routing, network access, etc. Fading conditions can result in poor network performance in terms of node energy and throughput. With recent interest in multi-band devices for WBANs such as multi-band antennas and transceivers effective utilization of multiple bands requires an equally effective routing protocol. In this paper we develop a multi-channel extension to the Ad Hoc on Demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol for use in multi-channel WBANs that chooses the next hop channel that has the best Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value. Our extensions to AODV were implemented by modifying the single-band Castalia model built on the OMNeT++ network simulator. We compared our dual channel AODV protocol with RSSI channel selection against a dual channel AODV with random channel selection and single channel AODV. Our simulation experiments showed that in terms of packet delivery dual channel AODV with RSSI performs equally with single channel AODV but with a lower overhead of AODV control packets, better routing stability and slightly better energy per bit efficiency.
Activity restrictions after posterior lumbar discectomy. A prospective study of outcomes in 152 cases with no postoperative restrictions.

STUDY DESIGN A prospective clinical trial was conducted. OBJECTIVES To determine the feasibility of removing activity restrictions after surgery and encouraging early return to work; to ascertain the clinical and behavioral response to such a strategy; and to identify factors predictive of early return to work, preparatory to possible randomized clinical trials. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION Current practice usually entails several weeks to several months of restricted activities after lumbar discectomy to avoid disc "reinjury. " Earlier work has suggested these restrictions may not be necessary. METHODS One hundred fifty-two consecutive working patients undergoing limited open discectomy for herniated lumbar intervertebral disc were treated postoperatively with no activity restrictions. Patients were encouraged to return to full activities as soon as possible. The patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years (average follow-up time = 4.8 years). At follow-up, an independent examiner evaluated each patient and collected further postoperative data. RESULTS One hundred forty-nine of the 152 patients (98%) returned to work. The average work loss was 1.2 weeks and 148 of 149 patients had returned to full duty by 8 weeks. Approximately one-third of the group returned to work within 1 week of surgery (32%), many the next day. Statistical analysis demonstrated very early return to work did not correlate with either recurrent sciatica, reoperation for reherniation, or ultimate clinical outcome. Seventeen patients (11.2%) had possible reherniations (recurrent sciatica) and eight underwent reoperation (5.3%). CONCLUSION Lifting of postoperative activity restrictions after limited discectomy allowed shortened time to return to work relative to the 4 to 16 weeks commonly recommended. Complication rates appear comparable to those reported in the literature for patients under postoperative restrictions. Postoperative restrictions may not be necessary in most patients.
Trigeminal nervous system sensitization by infraorbital nerve injury enhances responses in a migraine model

Background Although the peripheral and central sensitizations of trigeminal nervous system may be one of the important factors of migraine, the precise mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we examined the influence of the sensitization of the second division of the trigeminal nerve (V2) by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the infraorbital nerve (ION) on migraine headache, using the capsaicin-induced migraine model. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups: (a) sham surgery and topical-dural vehicle application (Sham + Vehicle) group, (b) CCI-ION and topical-dural vehicle application (CCI-ION + Vehicle) group, (c) sham surgery and topical-dural capsaicin application (Sham + Capsaicin) group, (d) CCI-ION and topical-dural capsaicin application (CCI-ION + Capsaicin) group. Behavioral testing and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Results In the behavioral test, the Sham + Capsaicin group showed significantly longer duration of immobilization and shorter duration of exploration compared with the Sham + Vehicle group, which is similar to clinical features of migraine patients. Moreover, CCI-ION enhanced these effects in the CCI-ION + Capsaicin group. Immunohistochemical staining for phospho-extracellular signal-related kinase (pERK) in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) containing first and second divisions of the trigeminal nerve and the trigeminocervical complex (TCC) revealed that pERK expression was significantly increased in the CCI-ION + Capsaicin group compared with the other groups. However, comparing between effects of the peripheral and central sensitizations (in the TG and TCC), from our results, peripheral sensitization would play a much less or not significant role. Conclusions These data demonstrate that the sensitization of V2 could influence the activation and the sensitization of the first division of the trigeminal nerve in the TCC, subsequently exacerbating pain sensation and pain-related behaviors. We have shown for the first time that the existence of the central sensitization of V2 can be an exacerbating factor for migraine related nociceptive thresholds/activation.
Clinico-Tomographical Aspects in the Pathogenesis of Vascular Dementia

This article discusses the role of some pathogenetical factors in the main morphological variants of vascular dementia and their correlation with certain clinical parameters. On the basis of computer-tomographical (CT) studies of 62 patients with dementia, it was possible to distinguish three groups of patients, according to the type of parenchymatous brain lesions: (1) 14 patients with “pure” leukoaraiosis (LA); (2) 23 patients with ischemic foci (IF), and (3) 25 patients with a combination of LA and IF. A comparative study of these groups confirmed the concept that in the development of LA and dementia related to it, a special role is being attributed to such factors as arterial hypertension and aging.
A framework for automatic modelling of survival using fuzzy inference

Survival analysis describes the analysis of data that corresponds to the time from when an individual enters a study until the occurrence of some particular event or end-point. It is most commonly used in the context of modelling survival (or disease-free interval time) in medical contexts, often concerned with the comparison of survival for different combinations of risk factors and/or treatments. Analytical methods which are transparent to the clinicians in understanding and explaining individual inference need to be considered when dealing with such medical data. In this paper, we present a framework for modelling survival utilising the application of the ANFIS fuzzy inference system. In this framework, alternative methods of partitioning the input space can be selected to define the membership functions, for example by using expert knowledge, equalizer partitioning, fuzzy c-means clustering, or the combination of these techniques. Further, the rule base can be established by enumerating all possible combinations of membership functions of all inputs. After the initialisation of the fuzzy inference structure, the replication data (until time to event) will be subject to be trained using the gradient descent and nonnegative least square algorithm to estimate the conditional event probability. This framework is validated over a novel dataset of patients following operative surgery for ovarian cancer. We demonstrate that the proposed framework can be successfully applied to estimate the hazard and survival curves between different prognostic factors, and model survival times, while providing models with explicit explanation capabilities.
Month of birth and childhood atopic diseases in the tropics

Relatiotiship between the month of hirth and prevalence of diagnosed asthma, asthma‐like symptoms (wheezing, nocturnal cough, and exerctse wheezing), rhinitis, and eczema was investigated in four cohorts each ol primary schoolchildren and secondary school (high school) adolescents in Singapore by questionnaire survey. Significantly increased prevalence rates of diagnosed asthtna and asthma‐like symptoms were observed in certain hirth months of the year for two adolescent cohorts, while significant association between birth month and presence of symptoms of rhinitis was found in a cohort of 6‐7‐year‐olds. However, when demographic factors were taken into consideration by multivariate analysis, only the association between asthtna. asthma‐like symptoms, and birth month remained significant in one of the adolescent cohorts. There was, therefore, only a weak association between the month of birth and atopic disease in our schoolchildren. The overall seasonal trends, however, did show two mam seasons (March‐May and September‐November) associated with higher prevalence of these diseases.