Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developmental changes in the positive feedback effect of estrogen on luteinizing hormone release in ovariectomized female rhesus monkeys.

To examine developmental changes in the LH response to estrogen, eight neonatally ovariectomized monkeys received repeated injections (sc) of 50 micrograms/kg estradiol benzoate (EB) at approximately 4-month intervals starting at age 8-12 months and ending at 49-52 months. Serum samples were obtained 24 before and 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 94, 108, and 120 h after each EB injection. Serum LH and estradiol levels were measured by RIA. The baseline LH level before EB injection during the prepubertal period (greater than 20 months of age) was 14.4 +/- 2.2 ng/ml, and it increased progressively to 115.3 +/- 13.5 ng/ml at 41-44 months, the age shortly before the first ovulation in our intact colony animals, then declined slightly. EB first induced a typical LH response, which consisted of a negative phase (suppression) followed by a positive phase (surge), at the average age of 29.3 +/- 1.9 months (n = 8). This is similar to the age of menarche in our colony animals. The baseline LH level before EB injection at the time of the first typical response (with negative and positive phases) was 36.7 +/- 6.7 ng/ml, a level 2.5 times higher than that of the prepubertal age. The magnitude of LH suppression by EB was significantly correlated with the baseline level of LH; the higher the baseline LH before EB injection, the greater the degree of LH decrease (r = 0.968; P less than 0.001). Similarly, the amplitude of the LH peak from the trough of the negative phase was significantly correlated with the baseline LH; the higher the LH level before EB injection, the higher the LH increase (r = 0.863; P less than 0.001). The latency to the LH peak was shortest when baseline LH was highest; the peak latency (34.4 +/- 1.6 h) of the LH surge at 41-44 months of age was significantly shorter than the latency (46.5 +/- 2.7 h) of the first LH response occurring at 29.3 +/- 1.9 months of age (P less than 0.001). Finally, the pattern of circulating levels of estradiol after EB injection did not differ across the developmental stages examined. These results are interpreted to mean that an increase in LH release, presumably LHRH release, starts at the onset of puberty and continues until the age of first ovulation, and that the levels of LHRH release during the pubertal period may determine the effectiveness of estrogen on the LH surge. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Randomized comparison of intravenous nitroglycerin and magnesium sulfate for treatment of preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE To compare the safety and efficacy of high-dose intravenous (IV) nitroglycerin with those of IV magnesium sulfate for acute tocolysis of preterm labor. METHODS Thirty-one women with preterm labor before 35 weeks' gestation were assigned randomly to IV magnesium sulfate or IV nitroglycerin for tocolysis. Preterm labor was defined as the occurrence of at least two contractions in 10 minutes, with cervical change or ruptured membranes. Acute tocolysis was defined as tocolysis for up to 48 hours. Magnesium sulfate was administered as a 4-g bolus, then at a rate of 2-4 g/h. Nitroglycerin was administered as a 100-microg bolus, then at a rate of 1- to 10-microg/kg/min. The primary outcome measure was achievement of at least 12 hours of successful tocolysis. RESULTS Thirty patients were available for analysis. There were no significant differences in gestational age, cervical dilation, or incidence of ruptured membranes between groups at the initiation of tocolysis. Successful tocolysis was achieved in six of 16 patients receiving nitroglycerin, compared with 11 of 14 receiving magnesium sulfate (37.5 versus 78.6%, P = .033). Tocolytic failures (nitroglycerin versus magnesium sulfate) were due to persistent contractions with cervical change or rupture of previously intact membranes (five of 16 versus two of 14), persistent hypotension (four of 16 versus none of 14), and other severe side effects (one of 16 versus one of 14). Maternal hemodynamic alterations were more pronounced in patients who received nitroglycerin, and 25% of patients assigned to nitroglycerin treatment had hypotension requiring discontinuation of therapy. CONCLUSION Tocolytic failures were more common with nitroglycerin than with magnesium sulfate. The hemodynamic alterations noted in patients receiving nitroglycerin, including a 25% incidence of persistent hypotension, might limit the usefulness of IV nitroglycerin for the acute tocolysis of preterm labor.
Clinical Evaluation of Eye Movements in Spinocerebellar Ataxias: A Prospective Multicenter Study

Background: Ocular motor abnormalities reflect the varied neuropathology of spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) and may serve to clinically distinguish the different SCAs. We analyzed the various eye movement abnormalities detected prospectively at the baseline visit during a large multicenter natural history study of SCAs 1, 2, 3, and 6. Methods: The data were prospectively collected from 12 centers in the United States in patients with SCAs 1, 2, 3, and 6, as part of the Clinical Research Consortium for Spinocerebellar Ataxias (NIH-CRC-SCA). Patient characteristics, ataxia rating scales, the Unified Huntington Disease Rating Scale functional examination, and clinical staging were used. Eye movement abnormalities including nystagmus, disorders of saccades and pursuit, and ophthalmoparesis were recorded, and factors influencing their occurrence were examined. Results: A total of 301 patients participated in this study, including 52 patients with SCA 1, 64 with SCA 2, 117 with SCA 3, and 68 with SCA 6. Although no specific ocular motor abnormality was pathognomonic to any SCA, significant differences were noted in their occurrence among different disorders. SCA 6 was characterized by frequent occurrence of nystagmus and abnormal pursuit and rarity of slow saccades and ophthalmoparesis and SCA 2 by the frequent occurrence of slow saccades and infrequent nystagmus and dysmetric saccades. SCA 1 and SCA 3 subjects had a more even distribution of eye movement abnormalities. Conclusions: Prospective data from a large cohort of patients with SCAs 1, 2, 3, and 6 provide statistical validation that the SCAs exhibit distinct eye movement abnormalities that are useful in identifying the genotypes. Many of the abnormalities correlate with greater disease severity measures.
A CUSUM framework for detection of space–time disease clusters using scan statistics

Several methods for timely detection of emerging clusters of diseases have recently been proposed. We focus our attention on one of the most popular types of method; a scan statistic. Different ways of constructing space–time scan statistics based on surveillance theory are presented. We bridge the ideas from space–time disease surveillance, public health surveillance and industrial quality control and show that previously suggested space–time scan statistics methods can be fitted into a general CUSUM framework. Crucial differences between the methods studied are due to different assumptions about the spatial process. An example is the specification of the spatial regions of interest for a possible cluster, another is the increased rate to be detected within a cluster. We evaluate the detection ability of the methods considering the possibility of a cluster emerging at any time during the surveillance period. The methods are applied to the detection of an increased incidence of Tularemia in Sweden. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intelligent Polymerized Crystalline Colloidal Arrays: Novel Chemical Sensor Materials

We report the development of a novel sensing material that reports on analyte concentrations via diffraction of visible light from a polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA). The PCCA is a mesoscopically periodic crystalline colloidal array (CCA) of spherical polystyrene colloids polymerized within a thin, intelligent polymer hydrogel film. CCAs are brightly colored, and they efficiently diffract visible light meeting the Bragg condition. The intelligent hydrogel incorporates chemical molecular recognition agents that cause the gel to swell in response to the concentration of particular analytes; the gel volume is a function of the analyte concentration. The color diffracted from the hydrogel film is, thus, a function of analyte concentration: the swelling of the gel changes the periodicity of the CCA, which results in a shift in the diffracted wavelength. We have fabricated a sensor, utilizing a crown ether as the recognition agent, that detects Pb2+ in the 0.1 μM−20mM (∼20 ppb−∼4000 ppm) concenra.
Mismatch Correction by Measurements of Conducted Radio Disturbances With AMN

Conducted radio disturbances at a power port of the equipment under test (EUT) are sensed with the artificial mains network (AMN) and transmitted via the 50- coaxial system to the measurement receiver. The voltage division factor of the two-port network between the EUT port of the AMN and the receiver input is defined by neglecting a mismatching. As a matter of course, the mismatch correction factor appears. It depends on all components of the path, including the AMN. This fact is ignored in Comité International Spécial des Perturbations Radioélectriques 16-4-2 document. Due to the reflection at the receiver input, whose only the extreme is usually available in the technical specification, the mismatch correction factor cannot be determined. Its estimate is built-in into the measurement uncertainty budget. Two approaches for the estimation of the mismatch correction factor by the divided and the integrated measurement path are derived. The estimations are illustrated with numerical calculations by Monte Carlo method. The distinction of the mismatch correction factor by conducted disturbances from radiated disturbances, as well as recommendation of the approach with the integrated path, constitute the essence of the paper.
Aetiology in severe and mild mental retardation: a population‐based study of Norwegian children

The aetiology of mental retardation (MR) was studied in a population‐based series of Norwegian children derived from 30 037 children born between 1980 and 1985. The study included 178 children, 79 with severe MR (SMR) (IQ<50) and 99 with mild MR (MMR) (IQ 50 to 70). Aetiology was divided into two main groups: biopathological and unspecified. The biopathological group comprised 96% of SMR and 68% of MMR, and was subdivided into prenatal (70% and 51%), perinatal (4% and 5%), and postnatal damage (5% and 1%), and a group of undetermined timing of the damaging event (18% and 11%). Single‐gene disorders accounted for 15 of the 63 children with genetic disorders, including X‐linked recessive in six. During the course of the study, at least 27 (15%) children had their aetiological diagnosis revised. Gestational age <32 weeks, birthweight <1500g, and Apgar scores 0 to 2 at 1 and 5 minutes implied a significantly increased risk of MR, but contributed to only 4% of the children in the study. Decreased birthweight (1500 to 2499 g) and Apgar scores 3 to 6 at 1 and 5 minutes showed increased probability of MR. Despite extensive investigations, 4% of SMR and 32% of MMR were not identified with any biological markers and were considered as unspecified MR, several most probably representing the lower end of the normal IQ distribution in the population.
A 29-1 up to 25Gb/s M-Sequence Generator IC for UWB Radar Applications in a Low-Cost SiGe BiCMOS Technology

In this paper the analysis, design and characterization of a fully integrated multi purpose m-sequence generator for UWB radar signal generation and broadband power amplifier testing is presented. The generator can generate m-sequences of 511 bits length up to data rates of 25.52 Gb/s. A mixer is included to shift the spectrum to higher center frequencies to fit into FCC or ECC UWB masks. The generator is fabricated in a low cost 75-GHz fT 0.25 ¿m SiGe BiCMOS technology and occupies 1mm2 chiparea. The power consumption is 151 mW from a 2.85 V supply. A simple, intuitive calculation algorithm is given to find the feedback taps for a phase shifted m-sequence.
Nonlinear output‐feedback control of torsional vibrations in drilling systems

This paper considers the design of a nonlinear observer‐based output‐feedback controller for oil‐field drill‐string systems aiming to eliminate (torsional) stick–slip oscillations. Such vibrations decrease the performance and reliability of drilling systems and can ultimately lead to system failure. Current industrial controllers regularly fail to eliminate stick–slip vibrations under increasingly challenging operating conditions caused by the tendency towards drilling deeper and inclined wells, where multiple vibrational modes play a role in the occurrence of stick–slip vibrations. As a basis for controller synthesis, a multi‐modal model of the torsional drill‐string dynamics for a real rig is employed, and a bit–rock interaction model with severe velocity‐weakening effect is used. The proposed model‐based controller design methodology consists of a state‐feedback controller and a (nonlinear) observer. Conditions, guaranteeing asymptotic stability of the desired equilibrium, corresponding to nominal drilling operation, are presented. The proposed control strategy has a significant advantage over existing vibration control systems as it can effectively cope with multiple modes of torsional vibration. Case study results using the proposed control strategy show that stick–slip oscillations can indeed be eliminated in realistic drilling scenarios in which industrial controllers fail to do so. Moreover, key robustness aspects of the control system involving the robustness against uncertainties in the bit–rock interaction and changing operational conditions are evidenced. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A generic method of pulse width modulation applied to 3-level T-type NPC inverter

This paper illustrates the application of a method based on the resolution of linear systems to an uncommon inverter switching cell. This study describes the mathematical model of the modulated inverter leg associated at the considered structure. The generalized inverse of a matrix is used to generate the admissible conduction rates. Among the modulation strategies obtained, three specific modulation schemes are proposed and discussed thanks to the generic mathematical standpoint used.
A randomised trial of population screening for melanoma

Objectives: Melanoma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and incidence is increasing. Survival after treatment is inversely related to the thickness of the tumour at diagnosis. Population screening has the potential to reduce mortality but there is no conclusive evidence of benefit. Such evidence can come best from a randomised trial. Here we describe the design of a community based randomised trial of a population screening programme for melanoma in Queensland, Australia and early results of the first phase of the trial. Methods: A total of 44 communities (aggregate population 560 000 adults aged 30 years or more) will be randomised to receive either a community based screening programme for 3 years or normal practice. The screening programme promotes thorough skin self examination and whole body skin examination by a doctor and provides open access skin cancer screening clinics. In its first phase, the trial is underway in nine intervention and nine control communities. The primary outcome measure is mortality from melanoma during 15 years of follow up. Results: The first phase of the trial has shown the feasibility of implementing a population skin screening programme including regular skin cancer screening clinics, and has shown the strong support of communities and doctors for the programme. There has been a significant 2.5-fold increase in participation in screening in the intervention communities in this first phase after the first 12 months of the trial and no significant increase in participation in screening in control communities during this period. Conclusions: The design of a community based randomised trial of screening for melanoma has been successfully peer reviewed and the intervention has been shown to be feasible in practice. This randomised trial may be one of the last opportunities to develop the evidence required for public health recommendations for population screening for melanoma.
Emergency Nurse Residency Program Evaluation

The purpose of this mixed method descriptive study was to perform a program evaluation on an emergency nurse residency program. The study identified leaders’ goals, objectives, and outcomes and the nurse residents’ perceptions of the program, including whether they felt prepared to make the transition into their new role. The program evaluation revealed that the nurse residents felt confident, secure, and prepared to function as well-rounded emergency nurses after completing the emergency nurse residency program, in congruence with leaders’ objectives.
Treatment of clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis in adults: a systematic review

Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) affects a subset of 5–20% of patients with dermatomyositis and is defined as the presence of cutaneous features of dermatomyositis without clinical muscle weakness for ≥ 6 months. There is no consensus on first‐line treatment for CADM and whether treatment should differ from treatment of classic dermatomyositis with muscle weakness. We carried out a systematic review of published literature about treatment of adult patients with CADM, via the Embase, Medline, CINAHL and ClinicalTrials.gov databases on 17 February 2015. The aim was to establish which treatments have been used for adult‐onset CADM and what evidence is available regarding the efficacy of these treatments including topical treatments, dapsone, antimalarials, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), nonsteroidal oral immunosuppressants and biological therapies. Eighteen cases series and 42 case reports were found. These provided data on 153 adult patients who met the inclusion criteria. No randomized controlled trials or robust observational studies were found. The majority of patients (60%) had tried more than one treatment due to side‐effects or lack of efficacy. Antimalarial agents were the most commonly used treatment type. In the majority of patients (55%), antimalarial treatments were discontinued due to lack of improvement or inability to wean concomitant steroids. IVIG was the treatment that led to improvement or remission in the greatest proportion of patients. Further robust, high‐quality studies are needed to assess treatment efficacy in CADM without bias.
Antitumor and neurotoxic effects of novel harmine derivatives and structure‐activity relationship analysis

Beta‐carboline alkaloids such as harmine are present in medicinal plants such as Peganum harmala that have been used as folk medicine in anticancer therapy. In our study, 9 harmine derivatives (including harmine) were investigated for their antitumor effects and acute toxicities in mice, and the structure‐activity relationship (SAR) was also analyzed. Administration of these compounds resulted in tumor inhibition rates of 15.3–49.5% in mice bearing Lewis Lung Cancer, sarcoma180 or HepA tumor, with the highest value of 49.5% from compound 6. Acute toxicity studies showed that all these compounds except compounds 2 and 5 caused remarkable acute neurotoxicities manifested by tremble, twitch and jumping. SAR analysis indicated that the formate substitution at R3 of the tricyclic skeleton reduced their neurotoxicity, while the short alkyl or aryl substitution at R9 increased the antitumor activity. The harmine and its derivatives resulted in in vitro cytotoxicity (IC50) values of 0.011–0.021 μmol/ml in HepG2 cells, with compound 8 being the most potent among all agents tested. Compounds 1, 6, 7 and 8 induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells, with the highest apoptotic rate (55.34%) from compound 6. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that compound 6 completely inhibited the expression of Bcl‐2 gene, and compounds 1 and 8 produced a significant inhibition by 40 and 60%, respectively, compared to the control, while compound 7 did not alter the level of Bcl‐2. Compounds 1, 6, 7 and 8 upregulated the expression of death receptor Fas by approximately 50–120%. All these findings indicate that compounds with both substitutions at R3 and R9 (such as compound 5) have high antitumor activity and low toxicity, which might be chosen as lead molecules for further development. Further studies on the effects of harmine derivatives on key regulators for tumor cell apoptosis are needed. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Usability Rekindled : In Pursuit Of Easier Simulator Control Station Operability Mr

Currently, research and development of the usability of simulator control stations (i.e., the interfaces used to manage simulators and deploy scenarios) receive less attention than the task environments they are used to manipulate and control. Focus tends to be channeled into discussions and debates surrounding the development of fidelity and other functional matters, such as simulator effectiveness, or ways to expand their scope of application. While these are important issues, simulator control stations need to have more usability built into them to ensure an overall smooth and efficient operation of the simulator. This paper aims to motivate industry and research participants to expand efforts to improve the design of simulator control stations, particularly in their ease of use. First, a review of the current state of usability within simulator research and development is given, followed by an evaluation of the features and functionalities of simulator control stations in their two primary contexts (training and research). Existing issues with simulator control station operability are explored, including the causes and consequences of low operability. Other design and engineering domains are used to highlight: (1) frontiers where usability is more progressive and fertile in its advancement; and (2) usability best practices that have been researched and developed. Using these findings, the paper provides some preliminary suggestions and proposes steps that the simulator industry could start taking, in order to change the way control stations are currently being developed, and to make them more user-friendly. The paper concludes by revealing several prospective roadblocks that may impede these aims, followed by some advice on how to tackle them. These realities and challenges will help to invigorate novel research and develop ideas that will advance the overall quality of future simulators.
In vitro and in vivo activity of MT201, a fully human monoclonal antibody for pancarcinoma treatment

In our study, a novel, fully human, recombinant monoclonal antibody of the IgG1 isotype, called MT201, was characterized for its binding properties, complement‐dependent (CDC) and antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), as well as for its in vivo antitumor activity in a nude mouse model. MT201 was found to bind its target, the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Ep‐CAM; also called 17‐1A antigen, KSA, EGP‐2, GA733‐2), with low affinity in a range similar to that of the clinically validated, murine monoclonal IgG2a antibody edrecolomab (Panorex®). MT201 exhibited Ep‐CAM‐specific CDC with a potency similar to that of edrecolomab. However, the efficacy of ADCC of MT201, as mediated by human immune effector cells, was by 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of edrecolomab. Addition of human serum reduced the ADCC of MT201 while it essentially abolished ADCC of edrecolomab within the concentration range tested. In a nude mouse xenograft model, growth of tumors derived from the human colon carcinoma line HT‐29 was significantly and comparably suppressed by MT201 and edrecolomab. The fully human nature and the improved ADCC of MT201 with human effector cells will make MT201 a promising candidate for the clinical development of a novel pan‐carcinoma antibody that is superior to edrecolomab. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.