Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nanocarriers as Tools in Delivering Active Compounds for Immune System Related Pathologies.

BACKGROUND Immune system related pathologies affect an increasing number of patients every year, having potentially lethal consequences and requiring expensive and difficult tolerated treatments. This area of pathologies offers an excellent potential for the development of innovative solutions such as nanoformulations; this review aims to describe the main categories of nanostructured drug delivery platforms that have been developed in order to achieve a more effective, low toxic treatment in autoimmune pathologies. METHODS We conducted a systematic search of peer-reviewed original studies focusing on nanoformulations suitable for use against autoimmune disorders. Each study was evaluated by at least two reviewers who applied inclusion and exclusion criteria in order to establish the quality of the research reported in the selected papers. The systematic screening of the literature also identified the most recent patents issued in the field of inflammatory/autoimmune diseases which were included in the current paper. RESULTS One hundred ninety-seven bibliographic titles were included in the review of which fifty-three recently published patents. Twenty-one papers were selected to define the interaction between nanoformulations and the immune system triggering either immunosuppression or immunostimulation. Thirty-seven papers outlined the characteristics of liposomal formulations that have been reported as treatment for several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis. Twentythree articles provided data on the main lipid nanoparticles of the first and second generation which may include physiological lipids with low cytotoxicity. Gold nanoparticles were described by thirteen papers which highlighted the advantages of the new hybrid organic-inorganic nanoparticles vs. the classical ionic gold compounds. Polymeric nanoformulations were the subject of fifty-nine papers that described their preparation as well as various advantages in the treatment of inflammatory disorders; dendrimers and polymeric micelles were included in the study. Thirty-three studies were selected to outline the benefits provided by the use of cyclodextrins as carriers for active drugs. The review also identified the possibility of producing combined nanoformulations (e.g. polymer/cyclodextrin, liposome/polymer) thus achieving superior therapeutic results. CONCLUSION Nanoformulations offer multiple advantages over the classical pharmaceutical formulations, the main ones being the precise targeted therapy with small doses of active drugs, longer circulating time in the bloodstream, and high loading capacity for diagnostic and therapeutic molecules; moreover, the nanoparticles may be functionalized in order to act as nanotheranostics within the larger frame of personalized medicine.
High-sensitivity troponin T as a marker of myocardial injury after radiofrequency catheter ablation

Background The aim of our study was to monitor radiofrequency catheter ablation-induced myocardial damage by measuring high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT). Methods Serum concentrations of hs-cTnT (Elecsys 2010 system, Roche) were measured in 73 healthy blood donors and serially in 27 patients who had samples taken both before and 24 h after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT), atrial fibrillation (AF) or right atrial flutter (AFL). Results Significant increases of hs-cTnT were seen in patients after RFA (AVNRT: P = 0.0115, AF: P = 0.0011, AFL: P = 0.0009). Postprocedural serum hs-cTnT correlated with the number of radiofrequency applications and with the duration of RFA procedure. Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation (r) were as follows: hs-cTnT versus RFA duration: r = 0.771 (P < 0.001); hs-cTnT versus number of pulses: r = 0.708 (P < 0.001). Patients with the diagnosis of AVNRT had lower serum hs-cTnT concentration after RFA compared with AFL (P < 0.0001) and AF (P < 0.0001) patients. Conclusions Our data indicate that RFA causes a significant increase of serum hs-cTnT concentration that could be used to monitor myocardial injury.
Alcohol and football

Abstract The use of alcohol is often intimately associated with sport, and the association is particularly strong in football. As well as providing a source of energy, alcohol (ethanol) has metabolic, cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, and neuromuscular actions that may affect exercise performance. Its actions on the central nervous system, however, result in decrements in skill and behavioural changes that may have adverse effects on performance. There is also evidence of dose-dependent decrements in aerobic capacity. Although the mechanisms are not well understood, the aftermath of alcohol use (hangover) may also adversely affect performance for many hours after intoxication. Alcohol intoxication may adversely affect the player's dietary choices by displacing carbohydrate from the diet at a time when restoration of glycogen stores should be a priority.
Flocking Approach to Spatial Configuration Control in Underwater Swarms

A modification of the flocking algorithm approach for a swarm of underwater vehicles is introduced. The proposed approach relaxes the symmetry of the inter vehicle interaction. It is thus possible to change the swarm spatial configuration assuming different formations with varying parameters. The swarm geometry is changed with a very limited effort, exploiting the capability of the flocking approach to make emerge a large scale arrangement. Examples of proposed variations are provided. The vehicles are dynamically modelled and the relative non holonomic proportional derivative controller is described. Experimental data are gathered from many vehicle physical simulations and graphically presented.
The Effect of Radiation Losses on High Frequency PCB Performance

Radiation losses can be a disruptive force for many different reasons. Designs which are sensitive to EMI (ElectroMagnetic Interference) can be affected by radiation loss of a circuit and specifically how the radiated energy may corrupt neighboring circuits. Also the performance of loss-sensitive systems can be impacted with the addition of radiation loss when it is not fully considered. Finally, broadband high frequency RF and millimeter-wave applications certainly have issues with radiation loss and designers expend many efforts to account for these losses.
On the Minimum Cable Tensions for the Cable-Based Parallel Robots

This paper investigates the minimum cable tension distributions in the workspace for cable-based parallel robots to find out more information on the stability. First, the kinematic model of a cable-based parallel robot is derived based on the wrench matrix. Then, a noniterative polynomial-based optimization algorithm with the proper optimal objective function is presented based on the convex optimization theory, in which the minimum cable tension at any pose is determined. Additionally, three performance indices are proposed to show the distributions of the minimum cable tensions in a specified region of the workspace. An important thing is that the three performance indices can be used to evaluate the stability of the cable-based parallel robots. Furthermore, a new workspace, the Specified Minimum Cable Tension Workspace (SMCTW), is introduced, within which all the minimum tensions exceed a specified value, therefore meeting the specified stability requirement. Finally, a camera robot parallel driven by four cables for aerial panoramic photographing is selected to illustrate the distributions of the minimum cable tensions in the workspace and the relationship between the three performance indices and the stability.
Two intelligent applications supports English distance learning

This work presents a novel English distance learning system that was developed through multimedia database and Internet technologies called English multimedia corpus. The system includes English articles, dialogs, and videos. A student can study English writing and reading as well as view Web browser listings to connect the Corpus server In the system, semantic query and "Link grammar" are applied to construct the English multimedia corpus system. Furthermore, it promotes the query level from keyword-base and content-based query to a semantic level. The main function of this system is to query the English sentence pattern through keywords from the English multimedia corpus. The other function is to detect grammatical errors in written English. Thus, the system not only leaches English grammar but also, due to its database, allows teachers to understand the most frequent mistakes.
Auditive and cognitive factors in speech perception by elderly listeners.

A key issue in research on speech perception in the elderly is whether the difficulties in understanding speech are caused by auditive and/or cognitive factors. Resolving this issue is not only scientific interest but has many practical, i.e. diagnostic and rehabilitative, implications as well. We developed a test battery comprising auditive (sensitivity, frequency selectivity and temporal resolution), cognitive (memory performance, processing speed and intellectual abilities), and speech perception tests (at the phoneme, spondee and sentence level). This test battery was administered to 72 elderly subjects (aged 60 to 93 years). The results show that the deterioration of speech perception in the elderly consists of two statistically independent components (a) a large component mainly representing the progressive high-frequency hearing loss with age which accounts for approximately two-thirds of the systematic variance of the tests of speech perception, and (b) a smaller component (accounting for one-third of the systematic variance of the speech perception tests) mainly representing a general performance decrement due to reduced mental efficiency, which is indicated by a general slowing of performance and a reduced memory capacity. Although both components are correlated with age, it was found that the balance between auditive and cognitive contributions to speech perception performance did not change with age.
Strategies of adaptation of Staphylococcus epidermidis to hospital and community: amplification and diversification of SCCmec.

OBJECTIVES Staphylococcus epidermidis is a harmless commensal, but it can become a human pathogen, mainly in the hospital environment. In order to clarify strategies used by these bacteria to adapt to the hospital environment, we compared the population structure and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) content of S. epidermidis from the community and hospital. METHODS S. epidermidis were collected from nasal swabs of both healthy military draftees (192 isolates) and patients (94 isolates) recovered in the same time period and geographical region. S. epidermidis were characterized by PFGE, multilocus sequence typing and SCCmec typing. RESULTS Clonal complex 5 was predominant in the hospital (100%) and the community (58%), but some clonal types were specific to each environment and others were found in both (C/H clones). The methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) colonization rate in the community was very low (7%) when compared with the hospital (30%; P < 0.05). Community-associated MRSE carried mostly SCCmec IV and V [Simpson's index of diversity (SID) = 57.52%; 95% CI 38.35-76.69], whereas hospital-associated MRSE carried 17 SCCmec structures (SID = 82.67%; 95% CI 77.38-87.96). Isolates of the same PFGE type had a much higher number of different SCCmec types when collected in the hospital than in the community. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the S. epidermidis population is composed of hospital-associated clonal types, community-associated clonal types and types that are able to survive in both environments. Moreover, adaptation to the hospital environment in S. epidermidis appears to promote an increase in the frequency and diversification of SCCmec.
Symptomatic Hemorrhagic Transformation and Its Predictors in Acute Ischemic Stroke with Atrial Fibrillation

Background and Purpose: Patients with acute cardioembolic stroke frequently show hemorrhagic transformation (HTr). We attempted to identify predictors of symptomatic HTr in acute ischemic stroke with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Of the consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients with AF at 12 hospitals in Korea, patients with posterior circulation stroke or thrombolytic therapy were excluded. Immediate anticoagulation was recommended to all patients, except those with: (1) large infarcts, 50% or more of the middle cerebral artery territory, (2) significant HTr on initial imaging, or (3) other safety concerns. Symptomatic HTr was defined as cerebral hemorrhage temporally related to neurological deterioration. Results: Of the 389 included patients (mean age 71 years), 260 (67%) were treated with anticoagulation within 1 week from the onset. Symptomatic HTr occurred in 4.6%. Large infarct (OR 6.38, 95% CI 1.16–35.14), previous hemorrhagic stroke (OR 10.67, 1.77–64.25), and low platelet count (OR per 104 increase 0.87, 0.79–0.97) were independent predictors of symptomatic HTr. hsCRP values tended to be higher in patients with symptomatic HTr (p = 0.055). Conclusions: Caution is needed in anticoagulation treatment of acute cardioembolic stroke patients with a large infarct, previous hemorrhagic stroke, low platelet count, or a high hsCRP level.
The Effect of Cleft Palate Repair on Contractile Properties of Single Permeabilized Muscle Fibers From Congenitally Cleft Goat Palates

Inherent differences in the levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle of cleft palates before palatoplasty may play a role in persistent postrepair velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Contractile properties of LVP muscle fibers were analyzed from young (2-month) normal (YNP), young congenitally cleft (YCP) and again on the same YCP subjects 6 months after palatoplasty, mature repaired palate (MRP). The cross-sectional area and rate of force development (ktr) were measured. Specific force (sF0) and normalized power (nPmax) were calculated. Using ktr to determine fiber type composition, YNP was 44% type 1 and 56% type 2, while YCP was 100% type 2. Two MRP subjects shifted to 100% type 1; 1 demonstrated increased resistance to fatigue. No differences in sF0 were observed. nPmax increased with presence of type 2 fibers. The persistent state of type 2 fibers following palatoplasty leads to increased fatigue in the LVP of MRP subjects and may cause VPI symptoms.
Optimal realizable networked controllers for networked systems

In this paper, we provide the optimal solution for the H2 control problem in the case when both plant and controller are interconnected systems interacting over an arbitrary directed causal network. We first analyze the structure of network realizable systems and then characterize the set of all stabilizing controllers that are realizable over the given network using the Youla parametrization. The H2 control problem is then cast as a convex optimization problem and its solution is shown to provide the optimal distributed controller over the given network. The results of this paper allow one to apply many classical results and approaches of multi-variable robust control to networked systems.
Altered expression of aquaporin 4 and H+/K+‐ATPase in the stomachs of peptide YY (PYY) transgenic mice

Background information. The hormone PYY (peptide YY), synthesized by endocrine cells in the pancreas, ileum, colon and stomach has widespread inhibitory effects on gastrointestinal and pancreatic fluid secretion. Transgenic mice expressing a viral oncoprotein under the control of the PYY gene 5′‐flanking region develop well‐differentiated colonic endocrine tumours producing mainly PYY and enteroglucagon. In the present study, we investigated the expression of AQP4 (aquaporin 4) water channel and H+/K+‐ATPase in stomachs from both control and transgenic mice.
lectrophysiological evidence for a multisensory speech-specific ode of perception

We investigated whether the interpretation of auditory stimuli as speech or non-speech affects audiovisual (AV) speech integration at the neural level. Perceptually ambiguous sine-wave replicas (SWS) of natural speech were presented to listeners who were either in ‘speech mode’ or ‘non-speech mode’. At the behavioral level, incongruent lipread information led to an illusory change of the sound only for listeners in speech mode. The neural correlates of this illusory change were examined in an audiovisual
Cerebellar damage reduces the stability of motor memories

Alkis M. Hadjiosif, Sarah E. Criscimagna-Hemminger, Tricia L. Gibo, Allison M. Okamura, Reza Shadmehr, Amy J. Bastian and Maurice A. Smith A number of studies have shown that motor adaptation is impaired following cerebellar damage. However, the degree of impairment varies considerably from one study to another, with widely ranging results reported even within the same task. For example, three recent force field adaptation studies in reaching arm movements have reported very different levels of impairment ranging from 30-70%, as shown in Figure 1. Smith and Shadmehr (2005) reported a substantial 75% deficit in force field adaptation, but two more recent studies (Gibo et al 2013; Criscimagna-Hemminger et al 2010) found only 30-40% learning deficits in this task. Why would this be? Here we suggest that cerebellar damage reduces the temporal stability of motor memories. If this were the case, paradigms with longer inter-trial spacing might be more sensitive to cerebellar damage, as this damage would lead to greater decay of adaptation in the time interval between movements. Interestingly, the Smith and Shadmehr study was based on an 8-movement-direction paradigm whereas Gibo et al (2013) and Criscimagna-Hemminger et al (2010) employed only one or two movement directions, respectively. Correspondingly, the inter-trial intervals between consecutive movements in the same direction were 4-fold greater in the Smith and Shadmehr study, as shown in Figure 1.
Population pharmacokinetic modelling of carbamazepine in epileptic elderly patients: implications for dosage

Background: Proper use of antiepileptic drugs in the elderly involves knowledge of their pharmacokinetics to ensure a patient‐specific balance between efficacy and toxicity. However, populations of epileptic patients on chronic carbamazepine (CBZ) therapy which have been studied have included data of relatively few elderly patients.
Multitemporal JERS repeat-pass coherence for growing-stock volume estimation of Siberian forest

Multitemporal radar data from the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite (JERS) satellite from the period 1993 to 1998 have been used to investigate if L-band interferometric coherence with a 44-day temporal baseline is suitable for estimations of growing-stock volume in boreal forest. Two forest regions north of Krasnoyarsk in Siberia have been used as test areas. Seasonal variations in the repeat-pass coherence have been studied, and a comparison with C-band coherence from the European Remote sensing Satellite 1 and 2 (ERS-1/2) tandem missions in 1997 and 1998 has been done. JERS coherence from the winter shows a clear correlation with the forest growing-stock volume. For the summer scenes, the spread in the values is too large to give reliable results. Acquisitions from the spring and fall show large problems with decorrelation caused by temporal changes. The results indicate potential of repeat-pass interferometric L-band coherence in winter, as will be provided by the forthcoming Advanced Land Observing Satellite/Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (ALOS/PALSAR) to map growing-stock volume in Siberia and boreal forests.
Folic acid modulates cancer-associated micro RNAs and inflammatory mediators in neoplastic and non-neoplastic colonic cells in a different way.

SCOPE Scientific evidence suggests that folic acid (FA) supplementation protects the healthy colonic mucosa from neoplastic transformation but may promote the progression of precancerous lesions. The underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Therefore, we explored, if high physiological FA doses provoke changes in (i) promoter-specific DNA methylation (ii) expression of cancer-associated micro RNAs (miRNAs) and (iii) inflammatory mediators in human neoplastic and non-neoplastic colonic cell lines. METHODS AND RESULTS The malignant and the non-malignant colonic cell lines HT29 and HCEC were adapted to different near-physiological FA concentrations. Using DNA methylation and pathway specific PCR arrays, high-physiological FA concentrations revealed no relevant impact on promoter methylation but a number of differences between the cell lines in the expression of miRNAs and inflammatory mediators. In the HCEC cell line pro-inflammatory genes were repressed and the miRNA expression remained nearly unaffected. In contrast, in the HT29 cell line tumour-suppressive miRNAs were predominantly down-regulated and the expression of genes involved in chemotaxis and immunity were modulated. CONCLUSION The different effects of high-physiological FA concentrations in malignant and non-malignant colonic cell lines regarding cancer-associated miRNAs and inflammatory mediators may contribute to the different effects of FA supplementation on colonic carcinogenesis.
A User eXperience Evaluation Framework for Mobile Usability

The worldwide mobile software market has grown dramatically since feature phones became popular in the early 1990s. In practice, mobile usability — which can be defined for a resource-constrained device in two ways, namely, User eXperience (UX) and User Interface (UI) — has been regarded as the key to gaining superiority in terms of both market share and customer loyalty. Unfortunately, de facto standards for software design and the development process, such as Unified Modeling Language (UML) and Rational Unified Process (RUP), do not seem to promote mobile usability in a systematic manner in practice. This paper proposes a systematic and generalizable approach to modeling and evaluating the properties of mobile usability, herein treating it as a first-class software quality from the perspective of software engineering. We devise a UX evaluation framework for mobile usability, which we call UX Evaluation Framework (UEF) throughout this paper. A UX is specified by inter-scene interactions between users and terminals of software products using Extended Menu Navigation Viewpoints (EMNVs); then, a model checker, NuSMV, is adopted to observe whether the EMNV model meets a set of given UX properties. Importantly, the analysis and design of RUP is extended to support the co-design of UX and UI so that major roles, activities and artifacts in the UX and UI can be explicitly monitored and controlled by stakeholders. Through case studies, we demonstrate that UEF works properly to treat software products that prioritize mobile usability. Consequently, UEF plays a key role in filling the gap between two research disciplines to address usability: software engineering and human–computer interactions.
Cavitation rheology of the vitreous: mechanical properties of biological tissue

We demonstrate the importance of measuring the mechanical properties of biological tissue in vivo by quantifying the mechanical properties of bovine vitreous both in its native state and upon removal from the eye. The mechanical properties are determined by the cavitation rheology technique developed in our labs to determine the linear modulus. This technique involves inducing a cavitation event at the tip of a syringe that is located at an arbitrary location within the vitreous sample. The pressure at which the cavitation event occurs can be directly related to the modulus. We show that the modulus decreases upon removal of the vitreous from the ocular cavity and decreases still further when the vitreous cortex, the thin membrane that surrounds the vitreous, is removed. This study has important implications for both diagnostic science of diseased tissue and developmental biology in studying tissue properties with age.