Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of somatostatin analog RC‐160 and bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide antagonist RC‐3095 on growth of PC‐3 human prostate‐cancer xenografts in nude mice

Nude mice bearing xenografts of the androgen‐independent human prostate‐cancer cell line PC‐3 were treated for 4 weeks with somatostatin analog RC‐160, bombesin/gastrin‐releasing peptide (GRP) antagonist (RC‐3095), or the combination of both peptides. In the first experiment, treatment was started when the tumors measured approximately 10 mm3. Tumor volumes and weights were reduced by about 40% by RC‐160 or RC‐3095 administered by s.c. injections at doses of 100 μg/day/ animal and 20 μg/day/animal respectively. The combination of RC‐3095 with RC‐160 did not further potentiate suppression of tumor growth, but histologically the ratio of apoptotic and mitotic indices was significantly higher in the groups treated with the combination than in the other groups. Serum gastrin levels were significantly reduced in all treated groups. Therapy with RC‐160 or the combination also significantly decreased serum growth‐hormone levels. Specific high‐affinity binding sites for bombesin, somatostatin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were found on the tumor membranes. Receptors for EGF were significantly down‐regulated by treatment with RC‐3095, RC‐160 and a combination of both analogs. Tumors from mice treated with RC‐160 showed a significant increase in maximal binding capacity for somatostatin as compared with control tumors, demonstrating the absence of down‐regulation. In the second experiment, treatment was started when the tumors were well developed and measured approximately 90 mm3. No significant reduction in volume, weight and growth rate of tumors was found in the groups treated with RC‐160 or RC‐3095. Our results suggest that somatostatin analog RC‐160 and bombesin/GRP antagonist RC‐3095 can inhibit the growth of androgen‐independent prostate cancer when the therapy is started at an early stage of tumor development.
Association between nanobacteria and periodontal disease.

To the Editor: Hung et al1 recently reported that the association between periodontal disease and incident tooth loss and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is probably mediated via the oral infection-inflammation pathway. Discussions on the same hypothesis have been continuing for many decades. But so far, no clear cause-and-effect relationship has been found. Part of the link between these two diseases may be discovered through novel investigations of the opportunistic, infectious bacteria that colonize the mouth, form biofilm, cause periodontal disease, and activate white blood cells to release proinflammatory mediators that may contribute to heart disease and stroke. There are >300 species of known bacteria forming populations of several hundred billion in the human oral cavity. The number of bacteria reaches a thousand billion when the mouth is not sufficiently cleaned. Coronary atherosclerosis (CA) has been suggested to be an inflammatory disease in which chronic dental infections may trigger pathogenic mechanisms in the walls of arteries. Vascular …
Return to Sports and Subsequent Injury Rates After Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Patellar Tendon Autograft

Background: The return-to-sport and reinjury rates are not well defined after revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Hypothesis: School-age athletes would have a higher rate of return to sports and reinjury to either knee after revision ACL surgery compared with college or recreational athletes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients were prospectively studied after revision ACL reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft. Participants were grouped by competitive sport levels of school age (mean age, 16.6 ± 0.9 years; n = 84), college (19.6 ± 1.2 years; n = 58), or recreational adult (27.6 ± 4.1 years; n = 117). An activity survey was used to determine the specific sport and sport level patients participated in before and after surgery. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) knee survey and Cincinnati Knee Rating System (CKRS) survey responses were also obtained. Results: The rate of return to the same sport at the same level was 62 of 84 school-age athletes (74%), 43 of 58 college athletes (74%), and 73 of 117 recreational athletes (62%) (P = .1065). The number of patients who had a subsequent ACL graft tear rate after revision surgery was 2 of 84 (2.3%) in the high school group, 3 of 58 (5.1%) in the college group, and 4 of 117 (3.4%) in the recreational group (P = .6706). The number of patients who had a subsequent ACL tear in the contralateral knee was 1 of 84 (1.1%) in the school-age group, 1 of 58 (1.7%) in the college group, and 2 of 117 (1.7%) in the recreational group (P = .9501). At 2 years postoperatively, the mean IKDC subjective total score was 86.1 ± 11.7 points and the mean CKRS total score was 89.7 ± 11.1 points. Conclusion: Revision ACL reconstruction with BPTB autograft and perioperative rehabilitation allowed high school and college athletes to return to sports at the preinjury level at a rate of 74%; the return rate for recreational-level adults was 62%. Reinjury rates in the first 5 years after revision surgery ranged from 2% to 5%, which is lower than what has been reported for young competitive athletes after primary surgery.
Impact of Channel Heterogeneity on Spectrum Sharing in Cognitive Radio Networks

Cognitive radio technology solves the spectrum under-utilization problem by enabling the secondary users access the spectrum holes opportunistically. Therefore, how to efficiently share the spectrum holes among the secondary users is of interest. Previous studies on spectrum sharing focused on the formulations with homogeneous channels. The channel heterogeneity, which is a unique feature in cognitive radio networks, has been ignored. In this paper, we consider heterogeneous channels and explore the impact of channel heterogeneity on the spectrum sharing. We model the channel heterogeneity, interference constraints and spectrum sharing, and formulate an optimization problem in the form of binary integer linear programming (BILP). To the best of our knowledge this is the first attempt to model the channel heterogeneity into the formulation of spectrum sharing in cognitive radio networks. Numerical results show that the optimal solution on spectrum sharing is highly dependent on the channel heterogeneity.
CD4+ T lymphocytes migrating in three‐dimensional collagen lattices lack focal adhesions and utilize β1 integrin‐independent strategies for polarization, interaction with collagen fibers and locomotion

Cell migration may depend on integrin‐mediated adhesion to and deadhesion from extracellular matrix ligands. This concept, however, has not yet been confirmed for T lymphocytes migrating in three‐dimensional extracellular matrices. We investigated receptor involvement in T cell migration combining a three‐dimensional collagen matrix model with time‐lapse videomicroscopy, computer‐assisted cell tracking and confocal microscopy. In collagen lattices, the migration of CD4+ T cells (1) involved interactions with collagen fibers at the leading edge and uropod likewise, (2) occurred independently of the co‐clustering of β1, β2, or β3 integrins with F‐actin, focal adhesion kinase, and phosphotyrosine at interactions with collagen fibers, (3) was counteracted by high‐affinity β1 integrin binding induced by antibody TS2/16; however, (4) the migration could not be blocked by a combination of adhesion‐perturbing anti‐β1, ‐β2, ‐β3, and αv integrin antibodies. Integrin blocking neither affected cell polarization, interaction with fibers, β1 integrin distribution, migration velocity, path structure, nor the number of locomoting cells in spontaneously migrating or concanavalin A‐activated cells. Hence, T lymphocytes migrating in three‐dimensional collagen matrices may utilize highly transient interactions with collagen fibers of low adhesivity, thereby differing from focal adhesion‐dependent migration strategies employed by other cells.
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA: SELECTED ISSUES

I have selected two areas of concern about cannabis that have emerged because new patterns of usage are perceptible over the past few years. In the case of pulmonary pathology there is good reason to suspect that long term use can result in inflammatory or neoplastic changes, particularly when the lung has a double burden of dealing with both tobacco and cannabis smoke. With reference to chronic substantial cannabis use and its impact on brain function, the definitive studies are yet to be done. If clinical impressions are meaningful, some people, especially young people, can sustain temporary and perhaps permanent impairment of nonintoxicated mental performance.
A profile of Gauteng : Demographics , poverty , inequality and unemployment

This paper forms part of a series of papers that present profiles of South Africa’s provinces, with a specific focus on key demographic statistics, poverty and inequality estimates, and estimates of unemployment. In this volume comparative statistics are presented for agricultural and non-agricultural households, as well as households from different racial groups, locations (metropolitan, urban and rural areas) and district municipalities of Gauteng. Most of the data presented are drawn from the Income and Expenditure Survey of 2000 and the Labour Force Survey of September 2000, while some comparative populations statistics are extracted from the National Census of 2001 (Statistics South Africa). The papers should be regarded as general guidelines to (agricultural) policymakers as to the current socio-economic situation in Gauteng, particularly with regards to poverty, inequality and unemployment. 1 The main author of this paper is Kalie Pauw. PROVIDE Project Background Paper 2005:1(7) August 2005 ii © PROVIDE Project Table of
Swing up and Balancing Control of Pendubot via Model Orbit Stabilization: Algorithm Synthesis and Experimental Verification

A model orbit stabilization approach to swing up control of a two-link pendulum robot (Pendubot) is under study. The quasihomogeneous control synthesis is utilized to design a variable structure controller that drives the actuated link of the Pendubot to a periodic reference orbit in finite time. A modified Van der Pol oscillator is involved into the synthesis as an asymptotical generator of the periodic motion. Performance issues of the proposed synthesis are illustrated in an experimental study of the swing up/balancing control problem of moving the Pendubot from its stable downward position to the unstable inverted position and stabilizing it about the vertical
Kernel sparse NMF for hyperspectral unmixing

Spectral unmixing is one of the most challenging and fundamental problems in hyperspectral imagery. In this paper, we address a hyperspectral imagery unmixing problem by introducing sparse nonnegative matrix factorization unmixing algorithms into kernel space. Many sparse nonnegative matrix factorization algorithms has been recently applied to solve the hyperspectral unmixing problem because it overcome the difficulty of absence of pure pixels and sufficiently utilize the sparse characteristic of the data. Most existing sparse nonnegative matrix factorization algorithms for unmixing are based on the linear mixing models. In fact, hyperspectral data are more likely to lie on nonlinear model space. Motivated by the fact that kernel trick can capture the nonlinear structure of data during the decomposition, we propose a new hyperspectral imagery unmixing algorithm by introducing sparse nonnegative matrix factorization unmixing algorithms into kernel space in this paper. Experimental results based on synthetic hyperspectral data show the superiority of the proposed algorithm with respect to other state-of-the-art approaches.
IS DECREASED FREQUENCY OF MATING AMONG CONSPECIFICS A COST OF SYMPATRY IN SALAMANDERS?

Reproductive interactions among species in areas of sympatry and contact zones have long fascinated evolutionary biologists. Much interest and fierce debate has centered on the potential for natural selection to prevent interspecific mating between species in cases in which the progeny from such unions exhibit reduced fitness (see papers in Otte and Endler 1989). The potential risk of interspecific mating may be regarded as an important "reproductive cost of sympatry" for many species. Other reproductive costs of sympatry may exist even for species that are sexually incompatible and thus never engage in interspecific mating. For example, individuals of different species may use similar resources necessary for successful mating. In odonates, this may result in lost mating opportunities with conspecifics because of courtship misdirected toward heterospecific females (Singer 1990). Negative interspecific interactions also may arise during the process of mate attraction in the form of signal interference, an unintended by-product of two or more species broadcasting signals in the same sensory modality while in close physical proximity. Anuran choruses are prime examples of situations in which interspecific acoustic interference may result in a decreased probability of encounters between conspecifics (e.g., Schwartz and Wells 1983). Levels of sexual incompatibility typically are high among sympatric species of plethodontid salamanders ofthe genus Desmognathus, and thus the risk of interspecific mating probably is not a reproductive cost of sympatry for contemporary populations (Maksymovitch and Verrell 1993). Nevertheless, the presence of a heterospecific individual could still exert a negative influence on
Two-switch forward converter efficiency optimization

This contribution presents a mathematical tool for analytical calculation of the optimum switching frequency and transformer parameters of a switching power supply utilizing a two-switch forward converter. The calculations are based on minimization of total power loss of the converter with given switching semiconductors and size of transformer and inductor core. This allows the designer to construct a converter with greatest efficiency using given parts (keeping cost of the components). The results are power saving, less waste heat and possibly smaller size and weight of the converter or power supply. Applications include photovoltaic inverter, electric vehicle charging, industrial power supply and any isolated DC/DC converter in general.
Extracting Physically Unclonable Function From Spin Transfer Switching Characteristics in Magnetic Tunnel Junctions

Hardware security devices that include physically unclonable function (PUF) hold significant advantages over software-based secure identification and key storage. We propose a PUF for magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) and a method for extracting PUF based on intrinsic properties of spin transfer switching (STS). The STS characteristics of MTJs with perpendicular layers were measured and analyzed to determine how to extract PUF properties. Given the experimental intrinsic stochastic properties combined with the proposed sequence, we discuss the PUF properties extracted from MTJs. To realize secure hardware key in non-volatile devices, our methods and results are promising for constructing MTJ-PUF based on spintronic LSI devices.
Coenzyme Q10 prevents human lens epithelial cells from light‐induced apoptotic cell death by reducing oxidative stress and stabilizing BAX / Bcl‐2 ratio

Background: Cataract is one of the most prevalent eye disease and a major cause for legal blindness in the world. Beside others, cumulative light‐exposure and apoptotic cell death are significantly associated with cataract development. In contrast, supplementation with antioxidants has been suggested to prevent premature cataractogenesis. This study investigates possible protective effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) regarding light‐induced stress and apoptotic cell death in human lens epithelial cells (LEC).
PIM APPLICATIONS - An Explorative Study on Benefits and Barriers

In this exploratory study, we look into the emerging usage of Personal Information Management (PIM) applications on mobile devices. We collected data in two rounds of empirical investigation: first, with pilot users in an organization providing PIM services, then, in customer companies subscribing to these services. Our findings suggest that the benefits of PIM applications are mostly related to the users’ personal work: planning schedules and work tasks, making mobile communication even easier, and increasing flexibility, and that the benefits for companies are mainly realized through the users’ benefits. There are, however, still a range of barriers, ranging from difficulties in use and technical limitations to organizational level security concerns.
Personally Relevant Climate Change

To help mitigate the negative effects of climate change, citizens’ attitudes and behaviors must be better understood. However, little is known about which factors predict engagement with climate change, and which messaging strategies are most effective. A community sample of 324 residents from three regions in British Columbia read information either about a climate change impact relevant to their local area, a more global one, or, in a control condition, no message. Participants indicated the extent of their climate change engagement, the strength of their attachment to their local area, and demographic information. Three significant unique predictors of climate change engagement emerged: place attachment, receiving the local message, and gender (female). These results provide empirical support for some previously proposed barriers to climate action and suggest guidelines for effective climate change communication.
Effects of scopolamine and ketamine on reconsolidation of morphine conditioned place preference in rats

Persistent memory associated with addictive drugs contributes to the relapse of drug abuse. The current study was conducted to examine the effects of scopolamine and ketamine on reconsolidation of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). In experiment 1, after morphine CPP was acquired, rats were injected with ketamine (60 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and scopolamine (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), respectively, after reexposure to an earlier morphine-paired context or in their home cages. The CPP was reassessed 24 and 48 h after reexposure. An additional group of rats received saline following reexposure to the earlier morphine-paired context. In experiment 2, two groups of rats were only given saline during the CPP training and subsequent administration of ketamine or scopolamine during the reexposure. In experiment 1, rats failed to exhibit morphine CPP when ketamine and scopolamine were administered only after reexposure to a morphine-paired context. CPP was not abolished by ketamine or scopolamine administration in the animals' home cages. Also, the animals receiving only saline injections showed strong morphine CPP 24 h after a short exposure to the morphine-paired context. In experiment 2, ketamine or scopolamine treatment alone did not induce CPP or aversion. Administration of scopolamine and ketamine, after reexposure to a drug-paired context, resulted in the disruption of morphine CPP, suggesting the potential effects of scopolamine and ketamine in disrupting memory associated with environmental cues and addictive drugs.
A novel method for nonfluoroscopic catheter-based electroanatomical mapping of the heart. In vitro and in vivo accuracy results.

BACKGROUND Cardiac mapping is essential for understanding the mechanisms of arrhythmias and for directing curative procedures. A major limitation of the current methods is the inability to accurately relate local electrograms to their spatial orientation. The objective of this study was to present and test the accuracy of a new method for nonfluoroscopic, catheter-based, endocardial mapping. METHODS AND RESULTS The method is based on using a new locatable catheter connected to an endocardial mapping and navigating system. The system uses magnetic technology to accurately determine the location and orientation of the catheter and simultaneously records the local electrogram from its tip. By sampling a plurality of endocardial sites, the system reconstructs the three-dimensional geometry of the chamber, with the electrophysiological information color-coded and superimposed on the anatomy. The accuracy of the system was tested in both in vitro and in vivo studies and was found to be highly reproducible (SD, 0.16 +/- 0.02 [mean +/- SEM] and 0.74 +/- 0.13 mm) and accurate (mean errors, 0.42 +/- 0.05 and 0.73 +/- 0.03 mm). In further studies, electroanatomical mapping of the cardiac chambers was performed in 34 pigs. Both the geometry and activation sequence were repeatable in all pigs. CONCLUSIONS The new mapping method is highly accurate and reproducible. The ability to combine electrophysiological and spatial information provides a unique tool for both research and clinical electrophysiology. Consequently, the main shortcomings of conventional mapping-namely, prolonged x-ray exposure, low spatial resolution, and the inability to accurately navigate to a predefined site-can all be overcome with this new method.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of optical molecular motors

Molecular motors are multicomponent molecular structures that consume energy to induce motion and to generate forces. Their dynamics covers various time and length scales and critically depends on chemical-mechanical coupling, external forces and molecular properties such as diffusion, particle distribution and density. The complex behavior of these systems consequently offers a formidable challenge for theoretical descriptions and numerical approaches that aim to provide a computational laboratory for a fundamental analysis of the underlying interaction mechanisms as well as interpretations or to study control of the system's behavior. Coupling a linear molecular motor system to an energy supply can induce movement of the motor molecules along a filamentous structure. The complex dynamics of bound (i.e. attached to a filament) and free (i.e. diffusing in the surrounding medium) molecular motors thereby may depend on the diffusive properties of the molecules and on the excitation process driving the motor system. Our theory is therefore based on spatially dependent Fokker-Planck equations for the dynamics of bound and free motors. The model considers spatially inhomogeneous transition rates coupling the energetic sublebels of the molecules as well as spatial fluctuations and diffusion. Computational modelling of the spatio-temporal dynamics of molecular motors shows that both, molecular diffusion and bandwidth of the transition rate set an upper limit to the efficiency of the motor progression. A sufficiently small molecular diffusion as well as a thorough adjustment of transition rates lead to a regular forward propagation while for high diffusion and improperly chosen rates spatio-temporally diverging particle distributions may evolve. Suitable excitation conditions for efficient movement-control are discussed.