Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive-transfer-function bandpass filters using reconfigurable evanescent-mode-cavity resonator cascades

An original architecture of a fully-reconfigurable bandpass filter (BPF) is presented. It consists of two series-cascaded-through inter-stage connecting lines-spectrally-overlapped second-order BPFs and a filtering cell that generates two out-of-band transmission zeros (TZs) for selectivity enhancement. The three inter-cascaded filtering blocks comprise six frequency-tunable resonators that interact by means of static impedance inverters. By controlling the natural frequencies of the resonators in all filtering units through variable-reactance elements, an overall frequency-agile bandpass transfer function in terms of center frequency, bandwidth, and TZs is attained. Furthermore, since the passband-width is controlled without altering the inter-resonator couplings, benefits are obtained in terms of lower in-band insertion loss and larger bandwidth tuning ratio that can be practically reduced to zero (i.e., intrinsic switching-off state). The operating principles of the devised filter-cascade concept are expounded. Also, an evanescent-mode cavity-resonator prototype with tunable response in the range 2.9-3.5 GHz is built and tested for experimental verification. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the developed BPF circuit demonstrates one of the highest electronic-reconfiguration capabilities reported up to date for 3-D BPFs.
Factors influencing HIV/AIDS in women of color.

OBJECTIVE The author reviews selected findings on the behavioral risk factors for exposure to HIV among women of color and the social, psychological, and cultural factors that may be related to these risks and to the use of condoms. The potential value of empowerment models of AIDS intervention for women of color is examined. OBSERVATIONS The most common routes of exposure to HIV for women of color are intravenously injected drug use and prostitution related to drug use. A woman's risk for exposure to HIV is related to her ability to protect herself by negotiating a safe sexual relationship with a partner. Women who feel powerless in their relationships are less likely to protect themselves against HIV exposure. These perceptions of powerlessness are the result of a broad array of experiences that may include secondary status, exposure to violence, restricted economic opportunities, and experiences of racism and oppression. CONCLUSIONS Research on primary and secondary prevention of HIV infection in women of color must acknowledge and address the multiple determinants of health and risk behaviors in research paradigms and methodologies that assess women's risk in relationship to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors.
Effect of stimulation frequency on immediate freezing of gait in newly activated STN DBS in Parkinson's disease

Background Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) may develop freezing of gait (FOG) with chronic deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) at the commonly used frequency of 130 Hz and FOG can be ameliorated by 60 Hz stimulation in some patients. It is not clear whether the development of FOG is due to the disease progression or the chronic stimulation at this 130 Hz frequency. Aims To investigate the effect of stimulation frequency on immediate FOG in newly activated STN DBS patient with PD and determine if stimulation frequency alone could affect the FOG. Methods Two cases of PD who developed FOG immediately upon activation of the newly placed STN DBS were studied for the effect of stimulation frequency on FOG in both `off' and `on' medication status. Results Both patients developed severe FOG with the commonly used 130 Hz stimulation. Switching the frequency to 60 Hz immediately alleviated the FOG, without change in contacts, voltages and pulse widths. This frequency effect on FOG was present in both `off' and `on' statuses and remained effective during the 10-month follow-up period. Conclusion These two cases demonstrate that lower frequency stimulation of 60 Hz could improve FOG, while the commonly used 130 Hz stimulation could cause FOG or make it worse. In addition, the beneficial effect of low frequency DBS was additive to dopaminergic medication effect and included other axial symptoms.
Comparison of Bifrontal and Unilateral Ultra-Brief Pulse Electroconvulsive Therapy for Depression

Sienaert Pascal, Vansteelandt Kristof, Demyttenaere Koen and Peuskens Joseph. ECT Department and Department of Mood Disorders, University Center Sint-Jozef, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuvensesteenweg 517, 3070 Kortenberg (Belgium). Objective: The clinical and cognitive effects of bifrontal ultra-brief pulse electroconvulsive therapy (UBPECT) and right unilateral UBPECT were compared, in the treatment of patients with a depressive episode. Method: Sixty patients with a depressive episode that was highly medication refractory, and with a high degree of comorbidity were treated with a course of bifrontal UBPECT at 1.5 times seizure threshold (ST) or unilateral UBPECT at 6 times ST by random assignment. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS) and the standardized Mini-Mental State (MMSE) were administered at baseline and repeated during and after the course of treatment, by a blinded rater. Results: Of the 60 patients that were included in this ongoing study, 36 (56%) were treated with bifrontal ECT, 24 (44%) with unilateral ECT. At the end of the treatment course, 68.7% of the bifrontal group and 65.2% of the unilateral group responded (Q50% decrease HDRS-scores) and 47% of the bifrontal group and 54% of the unilateral group achieved remission (HDRS-score Q 10). There were no differences between the patients given bifrontal ECT and those given unilateral ECT. MMSE scores one week after the course was completed were higher than baseline MMSE scores, and did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. Conclusions: Bifrontal UBPECT at 1.5 times ST was as efficacious as unilateral UBPECT at 6 times ST and neither of these treatment techniques resulted in cognitive impairment, as measured with the MMSE.
Flagellar proteins and type III‐exported virulence factors are the predominant proteins secreted into the culture media of Salmonella typhimurium

We analysed all major proteins secreted into culture media from Salmonella typhimurium. Proteins in culture supernatants were collected by trichloroacetic acid precipitation, separated in SDS–polyacrylamide gels and analysed by amino acid sequencing. Wild‐type strain SJW1103 cells typically gave rise to nine bands in SDS gels: 89, 67, 58, 52, 50, 42, 40, 35 and (sometimes) 28 kDa. A search of the sequences in the available databases revealed that they were either flagellar proteins or virulence factors. Six of them were flagella specific: FlgK or HAP1 (58 kDa), FliC or flagellin (52 kDa), FliD or HAP2 (50 kDa), FlgE or hook protein (42 kDa), FlgL or HAP3 (35 kDa) and FlgD or hook‐cap protein (28 kDa). The other four bands were specific for virulence factors: SipA (89 kDa), SipB (67 kDa), SipC (42 kDa) and InvJ (40 kDa). The 42 kDa band was a mixture of FlgE and SipC. We also analysed secreted proteins from more than 30 flagellar mutants, and they were categorized into four groups according to their band patterns: wild type, mot type, polyhook type and master gene type. Virulence factors were constantly secreted at a higher level in all flagellar mutants except a Δmot (motAB deletion) mutant, in which the amounts were greatly reduced. A new morphological pathway of flagellar biogenesis including protein secretion is presented.
Determination of Lung Volume and Hemodynamic Changes During High-Frequency Ventilation Recruitment in Preterm Neonates With Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Objectives:To evaluate the changes in end-expiratory lung volume during an oxygenation-guided stepwise recruitment procedure in elective high-frequency ventilation. We hypothesized that high continuous distending pressure impedes pulmonary blood flow as evidenced by reduced lung volume measurements using respiratory inductive plethysmography. Changes in oxygenation, ventilation, and peripheral perfusion were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Design:A prospective, single center, observational, nonrandomized study. Setting:The study was conducted in a neonatal ICU in Italy. Patients:High-frequency ventilated preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Interventions:During the recruitment procedure, end-expiratory lung volume measured by respiratory inductive plethysmography, oxygen saturation, perfusion index, regional cerebral and perirenal tissue oxygenation, heart rate, transcutaneous PCO2, and tidal volume were simultaneously recorded at each airway pressure step. Measurements and Main Results:In 12 preterm newborns (gestational age, 27.4 ± 0.2 wk; birth weight, 979 ± 198 g), high-frequency ventilation was initiated at a continuous distending pressure of 10 cm H2O and incrementally increased by 1–2 cm H2O every 2–5 minutes until FIO2 was less than or equal to 0.25. End-expiratory lung volume progressively increased during the initial recruitment, but decreased at the maximum airway pressure in nine patients, indicative of a reduction in pulmonary perfusion. At the end of recruitment, tidal volume was significantly higher (p = 0.002) and oxygenation was significantly improved (p = 0.002); however, mean perfusion index, postductal saturation, and mean renal tissue oxygenation values were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) compared with baseline. Mean cerebral tissue oxygenation and mean transcutaneous PCO2 values were reduced but failed to reach significance. Conclusions:High distending lung pressures increased oxygenation but decreased peripheral perfusion with no adverse cerebral side effects. Coupled with the reduction in respiratory inductive plethysmography–derived lung volume, high continuous distending pressure had adverse cardiopulmonary effects. Incorporation of lung volume and hemodynamic and oxygenation variables may guide optimum lung volume determination during high-frequency ventilation recruitment procedure while preventing adverse effects on the pulmonary circulation.
Functional Characterization of Human N‐Methyl‐d‐Aspartate Subtype 1A/2D Receptors

Abstract: The human NMDAR2D subunit was cloned, and the pharmacological properties of receptors resulting from injection of transcripts encoding human NMDAR1A and NMDAR2D subunits in Xenopus oocytes were characterized by profiling NMDA receptor agonists and antagonists. We found that glutamate, NMDA, glycine, and d‐serine were significantly more potent on hNMDAR1A/2D than on hNMDAR1A/2A or hNMDAR1A/2B. Also, the potencies of NMDA and glycine were higher for hNMDAR1A/2D than for hNMDAR1A/2C. Ifenprodil was more potent at hNMDAR1A/2B than at hNMDAR1A/2D, whereas 5,7‐dichlorokynurenate was more potent at hNMDAR1A/2A than at hNMDAR1A/2D. As measured in transiently transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells, the maximal inward current in the presence of external Mg2+ occurred at −40 mV, and full block was not observed at negative potentials. Kinetic measurements revealed that the higher affinity of hNMDAR1A/2D for both glutamate and glycine relative to hNMDAR1A/2A and hNMDA1A/2B can be explained by slower dissociation of each agonist from hNMDAR1A/2D. The hNMDAR1A/2D combination represents a pharmacologically and functionally distinct receptor subtype and may constitute a potentially important target for therapeutic agents active in the human CNS.
Regulating energy delivery during intracardiac radiofrequency ablation using thermal strain imaging

Tissue temperature is critically related to the success or failure of catheter ablation procedures. Temperature imaging using ultrasound techniques is attractive because of the potential to provide real-time information at low cost. The signal-processing methods used here were developed to investigate the feasibility of monitoring ablative therapy by identifying the point at which the slope of the thermal strain curve changes sign caused primarily by speed of sound variations with temperature. Previously, we have demonstrated the feasibility of this method in-vivo using porcine models. In this paper, we present recent results with temperature validation for this method in-vivo using an integrated intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) probe. Also preliminary results on thermal strain imaging using a cMUT array integrated into the ICE probe are presented.
Interspecific Transfer of Bacterial Endosymbionts between Tsetse Fly Species: Infection Establishment and Effect on Host Fitness

ABSTRACT Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) can harbor up to three distinct species of endosymbiotic bacteria that exhibit unique modes of transmission and evolutionary histories with their host. Two mutualist enterics, Wigglesworthia and Sodalis, are transmitted maternally to tsetse flies' intrauterine larvae. The third symbiont, from the genus Wolbachia, parasitizes developing oocytes. In this study, we determined that Sodalis isolates from several tsetse fly species are virtually identical based on a phylogenetic analysis of their ftsZ gene sequences. Furthermore, restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis revealed little variation in the genomes of Sodalis isolates from tsetse fly species within different subgenera (Glossina fuscipes fuscipes and Glossina morsitans morsitans). We also examined the impact on host fitness of transinfecting G. fuscipes fuscipes and G. morsitans morsitans flies with reciprocal Sodalis strains. Tsetse flies cleared of their native Sodalis symbionts were successfully repopulated with the Sodalis species isolated from a different tsetse fly species. These transinfected flies effectively transmitted the novel symbionts to their offspring and experienced no detrimental fitness effects compared to their wild-type counterparts, as measured by longevity and fecundity. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that transinfected flies maintained their Sodalis populations at densities comparable to those in flies harboring native symbionts. Our ability to transinfect tsetse flies is indicative of Sodalis ' recent evolutionary history with its tsetse fly host and demonstrates that this procedure may be used as a means of streamlining future paratransgenesis experiments.
Changes in composition, ecology and structure of high-mountain vegetation: a re-visitation study over 42 years

Mediterranean high-mountain ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change, causing biodiversity loss, habitat degradation and landscape modifications. In this work, we used phytosociological relevés to conduct a re-visitation study in order to analyze changes in floristic composition over the last 42 years in the central Apennines (Majella National Park). We observed changes in floristic composition, along with a significant increase in thermophilic and nutrient-demanding species. Such changes are likely attributable to the combined effect of higher temperatures and the increase in soil nutrients triggered by global change.
Trophoblasts acquire a chemokine receptor, CCR1, as they differentiate towards invasive phenotype

At the human feto-maternal interface, trophoblasts differentiate towards extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) and form the cell column. EVTs acquire invasive activity in the distal part of the cell column and begin to migrate into the maternal tissue. We previously reported that dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) is expressed on EVTs in the proximal part of cell column and is involved in the inhibition of their migration. Because DPPIV has been shown to degrade several chemokines, we examined possible roles of chemokines in EVT migration. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that C-C chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) was hardly detected on cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblast but was expressed on EVTs in the cell column. In vitro, CCR1 protein was also present on the surface of EVTs that grew out from chorionic villous explants cultured under 20% O2. Chemokines that can bind to CCR1 (CCR1 ligands), such as regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), were confirmed in the decidual tissues by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. These CCR1 ligands promoted the migration of the EVTs that were isolated from the explant cultures in vitro. These results indicate that CCR1 is expressed on trophoblasts as they differentiate to EVTs and that CCR1 ligands produced from the decidual tissue induce EVT migration. By contrast, CCR1 was scarcely expressed on EVTs that grew out from villous explants cultured in 1% O2, indicating that a relatively high oxygenic environment is needed to induce CCR1 expression. Moreover, CCR1 expression on the isolated EVTs was significantly reduced in the presence of decidua-conditioned medium. Such regulation of CCR1 by surrounding oxygenic and decidual environments supports a close correlation between EVT invasion and their expression of CCR1. This study demonstrates that trophoblasts acquire CCR1 as they differentiate to an invasive phenotype at the villus-anchoring sites and indicates a novel role for the chemokine-CCR1 system in the initial step of trophoblastic invasion towards the maternal tissue.
Thrombospondin‐1 up‐regulates expression of cell adhesion molecules and promotes monocyte binding to endothelium

Expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAM) responsible for leukocyte‐endothelium interactions plays a crucial role in inflammation and atherogenesis. Up‐regulation of vascular CAM‐1 (VCAM‐1), intracellular CAM‐1 (ICAM‐1), and E‐selectin expression promotes monocyte recruitment to sites of injury and is considered to be a critical step in atherosclerotic plaque development. Factors that trigger this initial response are not well understood. As platelet activation not only promotes thrombosis but also early stages of atherogenesis, we considered the role of thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1), a matricellular protein released in abundance from activated platelets and accumulated in sites of vascular injury, as a regulator of CAM expression. TSP‐1 induced expression of VCAM‐1 and ICAM‐1 on endothelium of various origins, which in turn, resulted in a significant increase of monocyte attachment. This effect could be mimicked by a peptide derived from the C‐terminal domain of TSP‐1 and known to interact with CD47 on the cell surface. The essential role of CD47 in the cellular responses to TSP‐1 was demonstrated further using inhibitory antibodies and knockdown of CD47 with small interfering RNA. Furthermore, we demonstrated that secretion of endogenous TSP‐1 and its interaction with CD47 on the cell surface mediates endothelial response to the major proinflammatory agent, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α). Taken together, this study identifies a novel mechanism regulating CAM expression and subsequent monocyte binding to endothelium, which might influence the development of anti‐atherosclerosis therapeutic strategies.
Accelerated aging in the tumor microenvironment

Cancer is thought to be a disease associated with aging. Interestingly, normal aging is driven by the production of ROS and mitochondrial oxidative stress, resulting in the cumulative accumulation of DNA damage. Here, we discuss how ROS signaling, NFκB- and HIF1-activation in the tumor microenvironment induces a form of “accelerated aging,” which leads to stromal inflammation and changes in cancer cell metabolism. Thus, we present a unified model where aging (ROS), inflammation (NFκB) and cancer metabolism (HIF1), act as co-conspirators to drive autophagy (“self-eating”) in the tumor stroma. Then, autophagy in the tumor stroma provides high-energy “fuel” and the necessary chemical building blocks, for accelerated tumor growth and metastasis. Stromal ROS production acts as a “mutagenic motor” and allows cancer cells to buffer—at a distance—exactly how much of a mutagenic stimulus they receive, further driving tumor cell selection and evolution. Surviving cancer cells would be selected for the ability to induce ROS more effectively in stromal fibroblasts, so they could extract more nutrients from the stroma via autophagy. If lethal cancer is a disease of “accelerated host aging” in the tumor stroma, then cancer patients may benefit from therapy with powerful antioxidants. Antioxidant therapy should block the resulting DNA damage, and halt autophagy in the tumor stroma, effectively “cutting off the fuel supply” for cancer cells. These findings have important new implications for personalized cancer medicine, as they link aging, inflammation and cancer metabolism with novel strategies for more effective cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Resource allocation strategy for cloud computing environment

Cloud computing has been established as a novel approach for computing where virtualized resources are available on demand. This permits the user to concentrate on the functional area and frees her/him from the burden of setting up data centers, hardware, software, network and licensing etc. Cloud computing helps in cost saving, easy accessibility, security, and 24×7 availability of resources to the users. User can demand the resources as per the requirement and budget. Therefore, there is great deal of competition in the market for providing resources to users. In this paper, earlier work [1] has been extended. In [1], a user was identified as Frequent User (FC) by the broker and is given priority in resource allocation. To increase the customer base and to maximize the profit of broker as well as vendors, the new attribute of pricing is introduced in this paper. The user also gets advantage in terms of improved services.
[Medical treatment of spinal cord injury in the acute stage].

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect on neurologic outcome and the safety of nimodipine (N), methylprednisolone (M), or both (MN) versus no medical treatment (P) in spinal cord injury at the acute phase. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized clinical trial. PATIENTS One hundred and six patients with a spinal trauma, including 48 with paraplegia and 58 with tetraplegia. METHOD After eligibility, patients were randomly allocated in one of the following groups: M = methylprednisolone 30 mg.kg-1 over 1 hour, followed by 5.4 mg.kg-1.h-1 for 23 hours, N = nimodipine 0.015 mg.kg-1.h-1 over 2 hours followed by 0.03 mg.kg-1.h-1 for 7 days, MN or P. Neurologic assessment (ASIA score) was performed by a senior neurologist before treatment and at the 1-year follow-up. Early spinal decompression and stabilization was performed as soon as possible after injury. RESULTS One hundred patients were reassessed at the 1-year follow-up. Neurologic improvement was seen in each group (P < 0.0001), however no neurologic benefit from treatment was observed. Infectious complications occurred more often in patients treated with M. Early surgery (49 patients), within the first 8 hours did not influence the neurologic outcome. The only predictor of the latter was the extent of the spinal injury (complete or incomplete lesion). CONCLUSION Currently, no evidence of the benefit of medical treatment in this indication is existing. Because of the lack of clinical studies proving efficacy of pharmacological treatment in this specific pathology, a systematic use of medications cannot be recommended.