Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prospective evaluation of pulmonary function in Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuations

Background. Spirometry patterns suggesting restrictive and obstructive pulmonary dysfunction have been reported in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the patterns’ precise relation to PD pathophysiology remains unclear. Purpose/Aim. To assess ON- versus OFF-state pulmonary function, the quality of its spirometric evaluation, and the quality of longitudinal spirometric findings in a large sample of PD patients with motor fluctuations. Methods. During a placebo-controlled trial of an inhaled levodopa formulation, CVT-301, in PD patients with ≥2 h/d of OFF time, spirometry was performed by American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines at screening and throughout the 4-week treatment period. Results. Among 86 patients, mean motor impairment during an OFF state at screening was moderately severe. However, mean spirometry results at screening were within normal ranges, and in a mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM), the results at screening were not dependent on motor state (ON vs. OFF). In the placebo group (n = 43), 76% of ON-state and 81% of OFF-state examinations throughout the study met ATS quality metrics, and in an MMRM analysis, mean findings at these patients’ arrivals for treatment-period visits showed no significant 4-week change. Across all 86 patients, flow-volume curves prior to any study-drug administration showed only a 3% incidence of “sawtooth” morphology. Conclusions. In PD patients with motor fluctuations, longitudinal spirometry of acceptable quality was generally obtained. Although mean findings were normal, about a quarter of spirograms did not meet ATS quality criteria. Spirogram morphology may be less indicative of various forms of respiratory dysfunction than has previously been reported in PD.
Survival of a Psychrophilic Marine Vibrio Under Long-Term Nutrient Starvation

Ant-300, a psychrophilic marine vibrio isolated from the surface water of the Antarctic convergence, was starved for periods of more than 1 year. During the first week of starvation, cell numbers increased from 100 to 800% of the initial number of cells. Fifty percent of the starved cells remained viable for 6 to 7 weeks while a portion of the population remained viable for more than 1 year. During the first 2 days of starvation, the endogenous respiration of the cells decreased over 80%. After 7 days, respiration had been reduced to 0.0071% total carbon respired per hour and remained constant thereafter. After 6 weeks of starvation, 46% of the cellular deoxyribonucleic acid had been degraded. Observation of the cellular deoxyribonucleic acid with Feulgen staining before starvation showed the average number of nuclear bodies per cell varied from 1.44 to 4.02 depending on the age of the culture. A linear relationship was found between the number of nuclear bodies per cell and the increase in cell numbers upon starvation. Our data suggest that Ant-300 is capable of surviving long periods of time with little or no nutrients and is therefore well adapted for the sparse nutrient conditions of the colder portions of the open ocean.
Effects of Botulinum Toxin-A on Gait Velocity, Step Length, and Base of Support of Patients with Dynamic Equinovarus Foot

Cioni M, Esquenazi A, Hirai B: Effects of botulinum toxin-A on gait velocity, step length, and base of support of patients with dynamic equinovarus foot. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2006;85:600–606. Objective:The aim of this study was to identify if botulinum toxin type A is a drug able to modify walking velocity, step length, and width of the base of support of adult patients with dynamic equinovarus foot deformity resulting from upper motor neuron syndrome. Design:This retrospective study analyzed data from 20 patients’ files selected from 448 consecutive charts. The main inclusion criteria were the presence of dynamic equinovarus foot deformity due to upper motor neuron syndrome, age between 20 and 80 yrs, evaluation of temporospatial parameters of gait by the Gait Mat II before and 4 wks after botulinum toxin type A injection to the calf muscles, and the ability to walk barefoot, unassisted, and without braces. For data analysis, based on walking velocity, we divided the patients into two groups, slow walking velocity (0.18–0.49 m/sec) and medium walking velocity (0.50–0.99 m/sec). Results:Width of the base of support was significantly reduced after botulinum toxin type A treatment, both for the affected (P < 0.005) and the unaffected limbs (P < 0.002), in the group of subjects walking at medium velocity. Walking velocity or step length of either group of patients was not significantly modified by botulinum toxin type A treatment. Conclusions:Based on this study, a significant effect of botulinum toxin type A on width of the base of support is evident and seems to be the result of a better position of the affected foot during the stance phase of locomotion leading to increased body stability and consequent reduction of width of the base of support of the unaffected limb. No change was evident in step length or walking velocity for this patient population.
Participation, Discouraged Workers and Job Search: Evidence for Kosova

In this paper, we investigate the labour supply determinants in Kosova, a high unemployment and transition economy. Our approach takes into account demand-side restrictions of labour supply that are typical in high unemployment economies and pays particular attention to gender differences. We assess the appropriateness of the ILO guidelines in determining an individualâ€™s labour force status in developing/high unemployment economies, such as Kosova. In addition, we investigate the determinants of engaging in job search and find evidence that the more educated show a stronger attachment to the labour market. This is the first systematic study of these issues in this post-socialist and post-conflict economy.1
Impact of Dielectric Layers on Liquid-Phase Crystallized Silicon Solar Cells

Liquid-phase crystallization (LPC) of thin silicon layers on glass substrates is a technique to fabricate solar cells with low energy and material consumption and open-circuit voltages comparable to multicrystalline silicon wafer cells. We studied the impact of different passivation layers deposited with plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) on the cell quality. Silicon nitride (SiN<sub>x</sub>) and ultrathin silicon oxide (SiO<italic><sub>x</sub> </italic>) layers with varying thicknesses were used. In addition, we plasma-treated the SiN<italic><sub>x</sub> </italic> surface to form a thin silicon oxynitride (SiO<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>N<italic><sub>y</sub></italic>) passivation layer. Plasma oxidation is an attractive alternative to PECVD, since thicknesses of ultrathin layers can be controlled easier as compared with PECVD. We found that the cell performance is influenced by the passivation layer. Particularly, cells on the 9 nm PECVD SiO<italic><sub>x</sub></italic> passivation layer are worse than cells on the 11 nm SiO<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>N<italic><sub>y</sub></italic> layer. We modeled cell parameters employing ASPIN3 to estimate effective diffusion lengths. Using transmission electron microscopy as well as electron energy loss spectroscopy, we studied the effect of the plasma treatment on the morphology and elemental distribution at the interface between passivation layer and LPC-Si absorber. Our best interdigitated back contacted solar cell with an efficiency >14% is based on the SiO<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>N<italic><sub>y</sub></italic> layer.
Hematological Condition Indexes in Greenfinches: Effects of Captivity and Diurnal Variation

Ecophysiological research aiming at explaining the causes and consequences of variation in individual condition, health state, and allostasis is traditionally performed on captive animals under controlled laboratory conditions. The question about how captivity per se affects studied parameters is therefore of central importance for generalizing the information gained from such studies. We addressed this question by comparing various indexes of physiological condition of wintering greenfinches sampled in the wild and kept in captivity for different time periods. Bringing wild greenfinches into captivity did not result in systematic alteration in nine of 12 physiological parameters studied. Captive birds had consistently lower plasma carotenoid and uric acid levels than wild ones. Variation in differential leukocyte counts did not reveal any signs of elevated stress of birds kept in captivity. These results indicate that for a number of physiological parameters, information obtained from captive animals can be generalized to natural situations. Variance in traits most closely related to physical exercise capacity (body mass and hematocrit) were much lower in the wild than in captivity. These findings suggest that under harsh environmental conditions experienced by wild birds (i.e., predation threat, scarce resources), traits such as hematocrit and body mass are fine tuned by physiological trade‐offs.
An analogue of the DnaJ molecular chaperone whose expression is controlled by σS during the stationary phase and phosphate starvation in Escherichia coli

The Escherichia coli CbpA protein appears to be an analogue of the molecular chaperone, DnaJ, as judged from not only its structure but also its possible function. The expression of cbpA, however, was not significantly affected by up‐shift of the growth temperature. Remarkably, it was found that the expression of cbpA was induced under certain growth conditions, such as the entry of cells into stationary phase, or growth in a phosphate‐limited medium. Such conditional expression of cbpA was regulated at the transcriptional level in a σS ‐dependent manner. The structure of this σS ‐dependent cbpA promoter was clarified by determining its transcription start site. The cbpA promoter region was found to contain an unusual DNA structure (i.e. DNA curvature). From these results, it was suggested that, in contrast to DnaJ, CbpA may function as a molecular chaperone in an adaptive response to environmental stresses other than heat shock.
Ischaemic heart disease – a selected review of recent developments

Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to highlight important and interesting advances in the field of ischaemic heart disease that have occurred over the last 18 months. It is focused on research that is likely to lead to changes in clinical practice. Recent findings There is new evidence on appropriate pharmacotherapy during angioplasty in both stable and unstable patients. The use of pressure wire assessment has been shown to improve patient outcome. The management of patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is likely to change with a reduction in the use of manual thrombectomy and an increase in the treatment of nonculprit disease. Summary The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy in percutaneous coronary intervention remains an intensely debated topic with contradictory results from major trials. Pressure wire guided coronary intervention reduces the need for urgent revascularization. The use of fractional flow reserve computed tomography has the potential to revolutionize functional testing. The treatment of patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction is likely to change dramatically. Heparin with bailout glycoprotein IIbIIIa-inhibitor (GPIIbIIIa-I) appears superior to bivalirudin alone, although there is no longer a role for routine manual thrombectomy. Multivessel PCI to establish complete revascularization may become the gold standard in patients presenting with STEMI, although larger trials are needed. Novel therapies are being devised for the treatment of patients with intractable angina, but further work is required in this area.
Cooperation between Two Micro-Grids Considering Power Exchange: An Optimal Sizing Approach Based on Collaborative Operation

Optimal sizing of single micro-grid faces problems such as high life cycle cost, low self-consumption of power generated by renewable energy, and disturbances of intermittent renewable energy. Interconnecting single micro-grids as a cooperative system to reach a proper size of renewable energy generations and batteries is a credible method to promote performance in reliability and economy. However, to guarantee the optimal collaborative sizing of two micro-grids is a challenging task, particularly with power exchange. In this paper, the optimal sizing of economic and collaborative for two micro-grids and the tie line is modelled as a unit commitment problem to express the influence of power exchange between micro-grids on each life cycle cost, meanwhile guaranteeing certain degree of power supply reliability, which is calculated by Loss of Power Supply Probability in the simulation. A specified collaborative operation of power exchange between two micro-grids is constructed as the scheduling scheme to optimize the life cycle cost of two micro-grids using genetic algorithm. The case study verifies the validity of the method proposed and reveal the advantages of power exchange in the two micro-grids system. The results demonstrate that the proposed optimal sizing means based on collaborative operation can minimize the life cycle cost of two micro-grids respectively considering different renewable energy sources. Compared to the sizing of single micro-grid, the suggested method can not only improve the economic performance for each micro-grid but also form a strong support between interconnected micro-grids. In addition, a proper price of power exchanges will balance the cost saving between micro-grids, making the corresponding stake-holders prefer to be interconnected.
Numerical Modeling of MR Angiography for Quantitative Validation of Image-Driven Assessment of Carotid Stenosis

In this paper we present a numerical framework for validating methods of quantitative analysis of non-invasive MR angiography imaging protocols such as Time-of-Flight (ToF) and Phase Contrast Angiography (PCA). Our study is motivated by the need to reliably and objectively verify blood flow and geometry measurements derived from image data. Both factors are important predictors in diagnosing of carotid artery stenosis. Credibility of the tested image processing methods is verified by comparing their results against reference models designed using integrated flow and MRA imaging simulator.
Functional synergy between DP‐1 and E2F‐1 in the cell cycle‐regulating transcription factor DRTF1/E2F.

It is widely believed that the cellular transcription factor DRTF1/E2F integrates cell cycle events with the transcription apparatus because during cell cycle progression in mammalian cells it interacts with molecules that are important regulators of cellular proliferation, such as the retinoblastoma tumour suppressor gene product (pRb), p107, cyclins and cyclin‐dependent kinases. Thus, pRb, which negatively regulates early cell cycle progression and is frequently mutated in tumour cells, and the Rb‐related protein p107, bind to and repress the transcriptional activity of DRTF1/E2F. Viral oncoproteins, such as adenovirus E1a and SV40 large T antigen, overcome such repression by sequestering pRb and p107 and in so doing are likely to activate genes regulated by DRTF1/E2F, such as cdc2, c‐myc and DHFR. Two sequence‐specific DNA binding proteins, E2F‐1 and DP‐1, which bind to the E2F site, contain a small region of similarity. The functional relationship between them has, however, been unclear. We report here that DP‐1 and E2F‐1 exist in a DNA binding complex in vivo and that they bind efficiently and preferentially as a heterodimer to the E2F site. Moreover, studies in yeast and Drosophila cells indicate that DP‐1 and E2F‐1 interact synergistically in E2F site‐dependent transcriptional activation.
The integrated reporting of financial, social and sustainability capitals: a critical review and appraisal

Organisations are increasingly disclosing financial and non-financial performance as they are encouraged to become more accountable and transparent to the providers of capital and toward other interested parties. Most of them are clearly specifying their environmental, social and governance (ESG) content, as they report material information and resort to assurance mechanisms in their corporate disclosures. In this light, this research provides a critical review of key theoretical underpinnings that have anticipated the development of the corporations' integrated disclosures. Afterwards, it describes the International Integrated Reporting Council's Framework and its guiding principles. This contribution posits that there are both costs and benefits for those organisations who intend using the Framework. In conclusion, this paper outlines future avenues as it identifies knowledge gaps in the realms of the organisations' integrated reporting of capitals.
Protein folding mechanisms studied by time-resolved electrospray mass spectrometry.

Mass spectrometry (MS) owes its remarkable rise as a bioanalytical tool to the development of two “soft” ionization techniques: matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization (MALDI) (1,2) and electrospray ionization (ESI) (3). The salient feature of soft ionization is that a wide range of analytes, from small metabolites to very large biomolecular systems, can be transferred intact into the gas phase, thus making them amenable to mass spectrometric analysis. For MALDI-MS, the sample is embedded into a crystalline matrix prior to analysis. For ESI, in contrast, ionization is initiated directly from the liquid phase by spraying analyte solution from the tip of an electrically charged capillary. The small droplets formed by the ESI emitter undergo rapid evaporation and fi ssion, ultimately releasing the analyte as multiply protonated (or deprotonated) species (4).
Hybrid telemetric MEMS for high temperature measurements into harsh industrial environments

A temperature sensor that could be interrogated contactless represents an attractive solution for measurements into harsh environments such as in presence of high temperatures that do not permit the correct working of electronics. This paper discusses a telemetric system consisting of two coupled planar inductors, which constitute a coupled transformer with the primary one connected to the measurement electronics and the secondary one to a capacitive MEMS sensor that is designed for high-temperature environments. The proposed hybrid sensor is composed by the capacitive MEMS bonded to the planar inductor. The hybrid sensor behaves as an LC resonant circuit in which the MEMS represents the capacitance and the planar inductor is the inductance. The whole system has been tested in the laboratory and several results are reported. The proposed telemetric temperature system can be a solution for efficiency monitoring and predictive maintenance for harsh and complex environments.
Acquired METD1228V Mutation and Resistance to MET Inhibition in Lung Cancer.

Amplified and/or mutated MET can act as both a primary oncogenic driver and as a promoter of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the landscape of MET-specific targeting agents remains underdeveloped, and understanding of mechanisms of resistance to MET TKIs is limited. Here, we present a case of a patient with lung adenocarcinoma harboring both a mutation in EGFR and an amplification of MET, who after progression on erlotinib responded dramatically to combined MET and EGFR inhibition with savolitinib and osimertinib. When resistance developed to this combination, a new MET kinase domain mutation, D1228V, was detected. Our in vitro findings demonstrate that METD1228V induces resistance to type I MET TKIs through impaired drug binding, while sensitivity to type II MET TKIs is maintained. Based on these findings, the patient was treated with erlotinib combined with cabozantinib, a type II MET inhibitor, and exhibited a response. SIGNIFICANCE With several structurally distinct MET inhibitors undergoing development for treatment of NSCLC, it is critical to identify mechanism-based therapies for drug resistance. We demonstrate that an acquired METD1228V mutation mediates resistance to type I, but not type II, MET inhibitors, having therapeutic implications for the clinical use of sequential MET inhibitors. Cancer Discov; 6(12); 1334-41. ©2016 AACR.See related commentary by Trusolino, p. 1306This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1293.
The finance-growth nexus: Does risk premium matter?

The bounds testing approach to cointegration analysis is employed in this paper to examine whether the risk premium demanded by the banking sector moderates the finance–growth nexus with data (1970–2015) from South Africa. To the extent that the interaction between risk premium and financial development positively affects growth in the long run, we affirm that the risk premium demanded by the banking sector represents a significant channel through which financial development drives growth. The main policy implication of this finding is that financial liberalization that removes interest rates restrictions, allowing the banking sector to adequately price risk, is in the best interest of the South African economy.
Relationships Among Deoxyribonucleic Acid, Ribonucleic Acid, and Specific Transfer Ribonucleic Acids in Escherichia coli 15T− at Various Growth Rates

The levels of macromolecules in Escherichia coli 15T− growing in broth, glucose, succinate, and acetate media were determined to compare relationships among deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and protein in cells at different growth rates. DNA and protein increased in relative amounts with decreasing growth rate; relative amounts of rRNA and tRNA decreased, tRNA making up a slightly larger proportion of RNA. For several amino acid-specific tRNAs studied, acceptor capacities per unit of DNA increased with increasing growth rate. The syntheses of tRNA and rRNA are regulated by similar, yet different, mechanisms. Chromatographic examination on columns of benzoylated diethylaminoethyl-cellulose of isoaccepting tRNAs for arginine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, serine, and valine did not reveal differences in the isoaccepting profiles for rapidly (broth culture) and slowly growing (acetate culture) cells. Therefore, isoacceptors for individual amino acids appear to be regulated as a group. Lower efficiencies of ribosomal function in protein synthesis can be explained, in part, by a low ratio of tRNA to the number of ribosomes available and by a decreasing concentration of tRNA with decreasing growth rate. Data on the tRNAs specific for seven amino acids indicate that the decreasing concentration of tRNA is a general event rather than a severe limitation of any one tRNA or isoaccepting tRNA.
A Comparative Study of Performance in the Conners' Continuous Performance Test Between Brazilian and North American Children

Objective: The present study investigated the performance of Brazilian children in the Continuous Performance Test, CPT-II, and compared results to those of the norms obtained in the United States. Method: The U.S. norms were compared to those of a Brazilian sample composed of 6- to 11-year-olds separated into 4 age-groups (half boys) that represented the socioeconomic class distribution of São Paulo City. The children were prescreened for attention deficit disorders (ADHD). Results: Age and gender effects in the Brazilian sample were similar to those previously described. However, the Brazilian sample showed better performance in almost all measures in all age-groups compared to that of the United States. Conclusion: It is discussed that differences between samples probably reflect lack of ADHD screening of the U.S. children. More studies are necessary to determine if the CPT-II is a cross-cultural test with participants from different samples matched for age, gender, and socioeconomic status screened for ADHD. (J. of Att. Dis. 2008; 11(5) 588-598)