Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HASVC: An Efficient Hybrid Authentication Scheme for Vehicular Communication

The emerging vehicular communications will enable a variety of applications for safety, traffic efficiency, driver assistance and infotainment. Due to high vehicular speed, sporadic connection, limited communication range, and large volume of data that need to be transmitted, vehicular communications have the crucial requirements of fast authentication and encryption/decryption. This paper addresses the new and special challenges related to vehicular communications, such as large overhead and latency, presents our Hybrid scheme HASVC to address the authentication issue, and evaluates its performance so as to meet the stringent requirement of real time vehicular communications. The experimental results show that our authentication protocol can securely protect the exchanged information with less overhead and less authentication latency.
Provider verbal responses to patient distress cues during ambulatory oncology visits.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore healthcare provider cue-responding behaviors to patient cues of distress and socioemotional concerns during ambulatory, on-treatment oncology visits. DESIGN Descriptive secondary analysis of a data set of audio recordings of oncology visits and reports of symptoms and quality of life recorded with an electronic self-report assessment-cancer (ESRA-C) tool. SETTING Comprehensive cancer center, ambulatory care. SAMPLE 31 randomly selected cases from an existing data set (with one used as a training tool) of 590 audio recordings of patient-provider communication. METHODS Patients were placed in Group 1 (n = 20) and Group 2 (n = 10) to explore differences in patient-provider communication and decrease coder bias. Both groups completed the ESRA-C questionnaire prior to the visit. Providers in Group 2 received a printed ESRA-C summary report for use during the visit. Audio files of the visit were coded using the Medical Interview Aural Rating System (MIARS). MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Patient cues of distress and provider cue-responding behaviors. FINDINGS Patient cues of distress and socioemotional concerns ranged from 0-13 cues per visit, with a mean of 4.6 cues per visit. Providers acknowledged 57% of patient cues, but only acknowledged and explored 22% of all patient cues. Providers in Group 2 acknowledged patient concerns more often but explored the concerns less frequently. The number of patient cues distanced from by providers was lower in Group 2 and the overall provider score for responsiveness to patient cues of distress was higher, indicating more responsiveness than from Group 1. CONCLUSIONS The use of a summary report of patient concerns may have enhanced provider responsiveness, in general. Distancing behaviors by providers in response to patient verbal cues may indicate a lack of knowledge, time limitations, or a lack of confidence. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING To effectively support patients with cancer through active therapy, a greater level of acknowledgment, exploration, and responsive action by providers is indicated. These findings have implications for provider education, with regard to appropriate responses, and for researchers to test methods that best prompt and support effective provider behaviors, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Non-fatal suicidal behaviour in women--the role of spousal substance abuse and marital violence.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the precipitants of non-fatal suicidal behaviour in women using a gender-based comparison. DESIGN A retrospective analysis of case records. Data were analysed using chi-square tests of significance. SUBJECTS One hundred men and 100 women admitted for non-fatal suicidal behaviour at a general hospital. OUTCOME MEASURES Subjects' biographical details and self reports of precipitating factors such as marital conflict, spousal extramarital affairs, alcohol abuse and marital violence. RESULTS Significantly more married women than men cited spousal extramarital affairs, spousal alcohol abuse and marital violence as precipitants of their self-destructive behaviours. CONCLUSION The findings emphasise the role of spousal behaviour and resultant stress in precipitating non-fatal suicidal behaviour in women. Preventive efforts must focus on the psychological, social and economic empowerment of women.
Association between coping skills, past injury and hip pain and function in adolescent elite female ballet dancers

ABSTRACT Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between coping skills and current hip pain and function scores in ballet dancers. Secondly, we examined the relationship between coping skills and past injuries. Thirdly, we investigated the association between past injuries and current pain and function scores. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study. Twenty-six young elite female dancers (mean age 15.9 years, range 14–17 years) participated. Participants completed surveys indicating past injury history, rating pain and function on the short International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), and assessing coping skills on the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory Score (ACSI-28). Independent t-tests, Cohen’s d, effect size, chi-square and correlation coefficient and determination analyses were conducted. Results: There was no significant relationship between iHOT-12 scores and ACSI-28 scores (r = −0.250, p = 0.087). There was no significant difference (p = 0.289) in past injuries comparing those with ACSI-28 scores above and below the mean ACSI-28. A significant moderate negative correlation was detected between both iHOT-12 scores and total past injuries (r = −0.609, p < 0.001), and iHOT-12 scores and past non-hip injuries (r = −0.628, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Past injuries may influence current hip pain and function in young female dancers. Correlation determination (r2) indicated that 37% of current pain and function scores were explained by total past injuries in a small group of young high-level ballet dancers. Further research should engage a prospective design to investigate the predictive ability of findings.
Achieving Antigen-Specific Tolerance in Diabetes: Regulating Specifically

Autoreactive T cells that escape negative selection in the thymus do not normally cause productive immune responses to self-antigens because of a number of regulatory mechanisms. Studies with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have suggested that immune regulatory mechanisms are induced by drug treatments that are able to stop on-going unwanted immune responses, such as type 1 diabetes, involving induction of regulatory T cells. TGF-β dependent and independent mechanisms have been described involving CD4+ as well as CD8+ T cells. The challenge is now to apply these mechanisms in an antigen-specific manner and so that lasting tolerance to the autoimmune responses can be maintained. We discuss recent data concerning the mechanisms of anti-CD3 mAb treatment and the ways in which our understanding of these mechanisms can be used to develop adoptive immune therapy with regulatory T cells to treat patients with type 1 diabetes or other autoimmune diseases.
Enhancement of EM Signal Detectability in a Realistic Model of Feedforward Neuronal Network

Neuronal networks with feedforward architecture are typical of peripheral nervous system. A realistic stochastic model of feedforward network was here implemented and used to investigate the sensitivity of neuronal sensory pathways to input electromagnetic (EM) fields. Aim of this work was to address and characterize EM signal detectability throughout the network, pointing out the biophysical properties underlying possible signal amplification. Synaptic noise is shown to enhance signal transduction according to the stochastic resonance paradigm, and pooling neuron assemblies in a feedforward configuration is evidenced to give rise to amplification throughout the network layers. This may be relevant in a biomedical perspective, where techniques based on electric or magnetic stimulation of the nervous system could take advantage from signal transduction optimization.
Binding of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) to TNF‐RI induces caspase(s)‐dependent apoptosis in human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a tumour of the bile duct epithelium, occurs with a higher incidence in South‐east Asian countries than in Europe and North America. The prognosis is poor, due to the unavailability of early diagnosis and the tumours being relatively resistant to chemotherapy. In the present study one of the fatal routes of this tumour was studied. This death was stimulated by TNF‐α. TNF‐α at a concentration of 760 pg/ml and 100 pg/ml in the presence of 1 μg/ml actinomycin D induced 50% cell death of the two established human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines HuCCA‐1 and HuCCA‐1Nu, respectively. Preincubation of both cell lines with MoAb to TNF‐RI or TNF‐RII before TNF‐α treatment showed that only the MoAb specific to TNF‐RI inhibited death. The death of these two cell lines was proved to be apoptosis. Western blot analysis of extracts from both cell lines demonstrated a cleavage of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) within 6–8 h following TNF‐α treatment. The degradation of PARP was prevented by a MoAb to TNF‐RI indicating that the TNF‐RI but not TNF‐RII was involved in TNF‐induced apoptosis in these two human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. Moreover, peptide inhibitor for caspase II subfamily, Ac‐DEVD‐CHO, reduced the cytolysis of TNF‐α‐treated cholangiocarcinoma cells. The inhibitor also prevented degradation of PARP. These results indicate that the interaction between TNF‐α and TNF‐RI alone generated a sufficient signal to activate a caspase II subfamily‐dependent apoptosis in human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines.
Trust and people's participation at Gram Sabhas: Implications for Grassroots Democracy

People’s expectations from the rulers are getting eroded and this is resulting in trust violations. These violations have resulted in emotional reactions, with a mixture of anger, disappointment, frustration, and a sense of being exploited. The authors examine the influence of trust on people’s participation at Gram Sabha (basic unit of decentralized government). They conclude that the people have lost trust in their Panchas (elected representatives at the grassroots), whereas they corroborate trust in Gram Sabha, and as a result they are attending Gram Sabhas in larger numbers to question, counter question and keep checks on their Panch members. [
Effects of protein aggregates: An immunologic perspective

The capacity of protein aggregates to enhance immune responses to the monomeric form of the protein has been known for over a half-century. Despite the clear connection between protein aggregates and antibody mediated adverse events in treatment with early therapeutic protein products such as intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and human growth hormone, surprisingly little is known about the nature of the aggregate species responsible for such effects. This review focuses on a framework for understanding how aggregate species potentially interact with the immune system to enhance immune responses, garnered from basic immunologic research. Thus, protein antigens presented in a highly arrayed structure, such as might be found in large nondenatured aggregate species, are highly potent in inducing antibody responses even in the absence of T-cell help. Their potency may relate to the ability of multivalent protein species to extensively cross-link B-cell receptor, which (1) activates B cells via Bt kinases to proliferate, and (2) targets protein to class II major histocompatability complex (MHC)-loading compartments, efficiently eliciting T-cell help for antibody responses. The review further focuses on protein aggregates as they affect an immunogenicity risk assessment, the use of animal models and studies in uncovering effects of protein aggregates, and changes in product manufacture and packaging that may affect generation of protein aggregates.
A novel planar beam steering antenna

In this paper a novel planar beam steering antenna controlled by reactive loads is proposed and designed based on the principle of electrically steerable parasitic array radiator antenna (ESPAR). The antenna prototype is designed using HFSS and the reactance values are optimized by the differential evolutionary (DE) algorithm. The main beam can be steered from -34° to 40° in the xoy plane by controlling the value of the loaded reactance. The frequency range of each state with S11 below -10dB is from 5.7GHz to 6.1GHz while the gain is from 3.5dBi to 4.9dBi.
Bacteria Belonging to the Genus Cycloclasticus Play a Primary Role in the Degradation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons Released in a Marine Environment

ABSTRACT To identify the bacteria that play a major role in the aerobic degradation of petroleum polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a marine environment, bacteria were enriched from seawater by using 2-methylnaphthalene, phenanthrene, or anthracene as a carbon and energy source. We found that members of the genus Cycloclasticus became predominant in the enrichment cultures. The Cycloclasticus strains isolated in this study could grow on crude oil and degraded PAH components of crude oil, including unsubstituted and substituted naphthalenes, dibenzothiophenes, phenanthrenes, and fluorenes. To deduce the role of Cycloclasticus strains in a coastal zone oil spill, propagation of this bacterial group on oil-coated grains of gravel immersed in seawater was investigated in beach-simulating tanks that were 1 m wide by 1.5 m long by 1 m high. The tanks were two-thirds filled with gravel, and seawater was continuously introduced into the tanks; the water level was varied between 30 cm above and 30 cm below the surface of the gravel layer to simulate a 12-h tidal cycle. The number of Cycloclasticus cells associated with the grains was on the order of 103 cells/g of grains before crude oil was added to the tanks and increased to 3 × 106 cells/g of grains after crude oil was added. The number increased further after 14 days to 108 cells/g of grains when nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers were added, while the number remained 3 × 106 cells/g of grains when no fertilizers were added. PAH degradation proceeded parallel with the growth of Cycloclasticus cells on the surfaces of the oil-polluted grains of gravel. These observations suggest that bacteria belonging to the genus Cycloclasticus play an important role in the degradation of petroleum PAHs in a marine environment.
Analysis of data as information: quality assurance approach.

Describes a prototype module for data analysis of the healthcare delivery system. It consists of three main parts: data/variable selection; algorithms for the analysis of quantitative and qualitative changes in the system; and interpretation and explanation of the results. Such a module designed for primary health care has been installed on a PC in the health manager's office. Data enter the information system through the standard DBMS procedures, followed by calculating a number of different indicators and the time series, as the ordered sequences of indicators, according to demands of the manager. The last procedure is "the change analysis" with estimation of unexpected differences between and within some units, e.g. health-care teams, as well as some unexpected variabilities and trends. As an example, presents and discusses the diagnostic pattern of neurotic cases, referral patterns and preventive behaviour of GP's teams as well.
Age and Skill Differences in Adaptive Competence

Previous research has documented qualitative changes in certain cognitive abilities during the older adult years, such as in short-term memory, perceptual and motor skills, and attentional capacities. Other work has suggested that a number of significant age-related changes, across a variety of cognitive abilities, are based on social experiences, such as occupational or recreational activities. The current study is based on earlier research by Perlmutter and her colleagues (1990) and examines age and skill-related differences among adults engaged in a social-recreational activity. BINGO players, ranging in age from nineteen to seventy-four, and having from less than two months to over twenty years of playing experience, were given a variety of psychometric, cognitive, and experimental measures. The participants were also observed as they played real BINGO games. No age-related differences were found on the psychometric or memory measures, suggesting that BINGO playing experience may have positive benefits for many older adults. Skilled players at all age levels were found to be more efficient in their game-playing actions. The oldest and most experienced players did not differ from the younger, equally experienced, players on the cognitive and skill-based tasks. These findings demonstrate the need to investigate adaptive competence in those situations in which social-environmental factors play a role in enhancing older adults' cognitive skills.
Measurement of adhesion of bovine endothelial cells on different materials using dielectrophoresis

In this study, the design, fabrication, and characterization of dielectrophoresis based devices for the measurement of adhesion of bovine endothelial cells on different biomaterials are conducted. At the design stage, the finite element analysis software COMSOL is used to determine a better design of the dielectrophoretic electrode. Accordingly, a dielectrophoretic device that contains several micro electrodes for producing unbalanced electric field is fabricated using microelectromechanical fabrication technique. The proposed device is then used for the detection of cell adhesion on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and poly lactide (PLA) substrates. The hydrophilicity measurement results reveal that PLA is more hydrophilic than PDMS. It is inferred that BEC should have better adhesion on PLA than on PDMA. However, the cell detachment results do not fully agree with this inference. It is further suggested that other features of the substrate are more crucial than the hydrophilicity on the adhesion of BEC. Cell detachment experiments demonstrate that the applied electrophoresis can not detach the adhered BECs from a PDMS substrate for a seeding time larger than 4 h. However, the dielectrophoretic force due to a 6 V applied potential is enough to lift those cells having cultured on the PLA for 4 and 6 hr. When the culture time is increased to 8 h, cells stretch out apparently and a higher voltage is required to lift and move the cells. The results of cell detachment experiments may suggest that BEC can adhere on PLA stably after 8 h of seeding.
High-Speed Optical Wireless Demonstrators: Conclusions and Future Directions

Two high-speed angle diversity optical wireless systems have recently been implemented, as part of a European Community funded project. One operates at 1.25 Gb/s offering a limited coverage area, and the other at 280 Mb/s, with room scale coverage. In this paper, we summarize the design approach for these systems and their performance. Implications of these results for the design and implementation of future systems are also discussed.
The diagnosis of breast cancer: transition from health to illness.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To gain a better understanding of the common meanings and shared experiences that women encounter after a diagnosis of breast cancer. RESEARCH APPROACH Qualitative using Heideggerian hermeneutics. SETTING Tertiary breast care center in suburban Buffalo, NY. PARTICIPANTS Purposive, convenience sampling recruited 30 women. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH Secondary analysis on tape-recorded interviews of women receiving their last cycle of chemotherapy. Narratives were interpreted using the seven-stage hermeneutic process. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Life experiences, shared meanings, and perceptions. FINDINGS Four themes emerged: Changing Health Overnight, Erasing of a Former Self, Appraising of Illness, and Approaching the Future Now What? The constitutive pattern was transitioning from health to illness. CONCLUSIONS Women experience a precipitous change in their lives after a diagnosis of breast cancer. How they mentally and emotionally approached diagnosis and treatment affected their symptom experience and outcomes. INTERPRETATION This study provides oncology nurses with the awareness that beyond physical symptoms, women experience profound and precipitous emotional transformation following a diagnosis of breast cancer. It gives meaning to the devastation and symptom distress women experience that may be lessened if they are given adequate information and support. Women in the study who approached diagnosis and treatment more positively better incorporated the breast cancer process into their lives and better managed the side effects of treatment.
In silico local structure approach: A case study on Outer Membrane Proteins

The detection of Outer Membrane Proteins (OMP) in whole genomes is an actual question, their sequence characteristics have thus been intensively studied. This class of protein displays a common β‐barrel architecture, formed by adjacent antiparallel strands. However, due to the lack of available structures, few structural studies have been made on this class of proteins. Here we propose a novel OMP local structure investigation, based on a structural alphabet approach, i.e., the decomposition of 3D structures using a library of four‐residue protein fragments. The optimal decomposition of structures using hidden Markov model results in a specific structural alphabet of 20 fragments, six of them dedicated to the decomposition of β‐strands. This optimal alphabet, called SA20‐OMP, is analyzed in details, in terms of local structures and transitions between fragments. It highlights a particular and strong organization of β‐strands as series of regular canonical structural fragments. The comparison with alphabets learned on globular structures indicates that the internal organization of OMP structures is more constrained than in globular structures. The analysis of OMP structures using SA20‐OMP reveals some recurrent structural patterns. The preferred location of fragments in the distinct regions of the membrane is investigated. The study of pairwise specificity of fragments reveals that some contacts between structural fragments in β‐sheets are clearly favored whereas others are avoided. This contact specificity is stronger in OMP than in globular structures. Moreover, SA20‐OMP also captured sequential information. This can be integrated in a scoring function for structural model ranking with very promising results. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
NEONATAL SEPSIS AND OTHER INFECTIONS DUE TO GROUP B BETA-HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI.

BETA-hemolytic streptococci of Lancefield Group B have been implicated in human disease almost from the time when the precipitin-grouping technic first came into use.1 2 3 Since that time additional reports4 5 6 7 8 have established the fact that these organisms occasionally cause severe infection in parturient women, and less frequently in other adult patients and in newborn infants. Streptococcus agalactiae, the species designation9 of Group B streptococcus, has been recognized for many years at the Boston City Hospital from its characteristic colonial morphology on suitable solid mediums10 and observed frequently in primary cultures from obstetric patients and newborn infants. Recently, there appeared to be .