Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reducing the Cancer Burden of Lifestyle Factors: Opportunities and Challenges of the Internet

This paper focuses on the Internet as a tool for enhancing behavior and lifestyle changes to reduce the burden of cancer at a population level. The premise of this paper is that the Internet can and should be leveraged to bridge the chasm between basic science, clinical trials, and public health. Our focus is specifically on the opportunity to disseminate effective behavioral science interventions via the Internet in order to decrease the prevalence of behavioral risk factors for cancer. The examples herein are primarily drawn from tobacco use to illustrate issues that can be applied more generally to other behavioral risk factors for cancer. Four areas will be addressed: (1) the scientific basis and rationale for delivering lifestyle behavior change interventions via the Internet; (2) the need to determine the quality of Internet interventions; (3) methodological considerations in conducting evaluations of Internet interventions; and (4) recommendations for a transdisciplinary approach to Internet intervention development and evaluation.
Improving the Performance and Reducing bit error rate on Wireless Deep fading Environment receivers

One of the major challenges in wireless communication system is increasing complexity and reducing performance in detecting the received digital information in indoor and outdoor Environments. Consequently to overcome this problem we analyze the delay performance of a multiuser with perfect channel state information transmitting data on deep fading environment. In this proposed system, the Wireless Deep Fading Environment (WDFE) creation for causing a Nakagami Multipath Fading Channel of fading figure ’m’ is used to rectify the delay performance over the existing Rayleigh fading channel. In this WDFE receivers received coherent, synchronized, secured and improved signal strength of information using a Multiuser Coherent Joint Diversity (MCJD) with Multi Carrier-Code Division Multiple Access (MC-CDMA). The MCJD in ’M’ branch of antennas are used to reduce the Bit Error Rate (BER) and MC-CDMA method is used to improve the performance. Therefore, in this proposed system we accompany with MCJD and MC-CDMA is very good transceiver for next generation wireless system of an existing 3G wireless system. Overall, this experimental results show improved performance in different multiuser wireless systems under different multipath fading conditions.
Chainlike Formation of Particle Deposits in Fluid-Particle Separation

A theory is proposed for the formation and growth of particle dendrites on a collector placed in an aerosol or hydrosol stream. It is based on the interplay of two intrinsic properties of suspended particles: (i) their finite size and (ii) the randomness of the location of individual particles in the fluid stream. The results of simulations based on this theory resemble those obtained from experiments.
Coevolutionary Feedbacks between Female Mating Interval and Male Allocation to Competing Sperm Traits Can Drive Evolution of Costly Polyandry

Complex coevolutionary feedbacks between female mating interval and male sperm traits have been hypothesized to explain the evolution and persistence of costly polyandry. Such feedbacks could potentially arise because polyandry creates sperm competition and consequent selection on male allocation to sperm traits, while the emerging sperm traits could create female sperm limitation and, hence, impose selection for increased polyandry. However, the hypothesis that costly polyandry could coevolve with male sperm dynamics has not been tested. We built a genetically explicit individual-based model to simulate simultaneous evolution of female mating interval and male allocation to sperm number versus longevity, where these two sperm traits trade off. We show that evolution of competing sperm traits under polyandry can indeed cause female sperm limitation and, hence, promote further evolution and persistence of costly polyandry, particularly when sperm are costly relative to the degree of female sperm limitation. These feedbacks were stronger, and greater polyandry evolved, when postcopulatory competition for paternity followed a loaded rather than fair raffle and when sperm traits had realistically low heritability. We therefore demonstrate that the evolution of allocation to sperm traits driven by sperm competition can prevent males from overcoming female sperm limitation, thereby driving ongoing evolution of costly polyandry.
A movable immaterial volumetric display

We have created a movable, limitedly volumetric "immaterial" display. Our prototype is the first mobile, hand-held fogscreen. It can show e.g., slices of volumetric objects when swept across mid-air. It is based on the patented FogScreen [Fogio 2013] technology. The previous FogScreen installations have been fixed set-ups, where the screen device and a projector are typically rigged up, leaving space for the viewers to walk through the mid-air display. Also mid-air virtual reality and mid-air user interfaces have been implemented [DiVerdi et al. 2006, Rakkolainen et al. 2009].
Interactions of Nitrate and CO2 Enrichment on Growth, Carbohydrates, and Rubisco in Arabidopsis Starch Mutants. Significance of Starch and Hexose1

Wild-type (wt) Arabidopsis plants, the starch-deficient mutant TL46, and the near-starchless mutant TL25 were grown in hydroponics under two levels of nitrate, 0.2 versus 6 mm, and two levels of CO2, 35 versus 100 Pa. Growth (fresh weight and leaf area basis) was highest in wt plants, lower in TL46, and much lower in TL25 plants under a given treatment. It is surprising that the inability to synthesize starch restricted leaf area development under both low N (N L ) and high N (NH). For each genotype, the order of greatest growth among the four treatments was high CO2/NH > low CO2/NH, > high CO2/N L , which was similar to low CO2/N L . Under high CO2/N L , wt and TL46 plants retained considerable starch in leaves at the end of the night period, and TL25 accumulated large amounts of soluble sugars, indicative of N-limited restraints on utilization of photosynthates. The lowest ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase per leaf area was in plants grown under high CO2/N L . When N supply is limited, the increase in soluble sugars, particularly in the starch mutants, apparently accentuates the feedback and down-regulation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, resulting in greater reduction of growth. With an adequate supply of N, growth is limited in the starch mutants due to insufficient carbohydrate reserves during the dark period. A combination of limited N and a limited capacity to synthesize starch, which restrict the capacity to use photosynthate, and high CO2, which increases the potential to produce photosynthate, provides conditions for strong down-regulation of photosynthesis.
The epidemiology of pathogenic mitochondrial DNA mutations

During the past decade, there have been many descriptions of patients with neurological disorders due to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, but the extent and spectrum of mtDNA disease in the general population have not yet been defined. Adults with suspected mtDNA disease in the North East of England were referred to a single neurology center for investigation over the 10‐year period from 1990 to 1999 inclusive. We defined the genetic defect in these individuals. For the midyear period of 1997, we calculated the minimum point prevalence of mtDNA disease in the adults of working age (>16–<60 years old for female subjects and <65 years old for male subjects) and the minimum prevalence of adults and children (<60 years for female subjects, <65 years for male subjects) at risk of developing mtDNA disease. mtDNA defects caused disease in 6.57 per 100,000 individuals in the adult population of working age, and 7.59 per 100,000 unaffected adults and children were at risk of developing mtDNA disease. Overall, 12.48 per 100,000 individuals in the adult and child population either had mtDNA disease or were at risk of developing mtDNA disease. These results reflect the minimum prevalence of mtDNA disease and pathogenic mtDNA mutations and demonstrate that pathogenic mtDNA mutations are a common cause of chronic morbidity. These findings have resource implications, particularly for supportive care and genetic counseling. Ann Neurol 2000;48:188–193
Intrauterine environment and fetal allergic sensitization

The possibility that raised cord blood IgE levels are either a risk factor or predictor of subsequent allergic disease has been a focus of research and subject of discussion for many years [1–3]. The conclusion to date has been that raised cord blood IgE is highly specific for subsequent atopic disease but has low sensitivity because most atopics did not have raised levels. Most recently, Edenharter et al. [4] have tried to resolve this issue. In their large German multicentre allergy study, elevated cord blood total IgE was identified as a strong risk factor for sensitization of infants (detected by the presence of >0.35 kU/L allergen-specific IgE to one of nine test allergens) at 12 months of age, with a weaker positive association at 60 months, Unfortunately, the predictive performance was poor being described by the authors as ‘useless as a basis for preventive measures’. Remarkably, they found elevated cord blood IgE was a significant protective factor for early onset atopic dermatitis, a finding in conflict with that of Halonen et al. [5]. This finding is very difficult to explain. However, irrespective of the low sensitivity of cord blood IgE in predicting atopic disease, its presence in some subsequent atopics indicates that intrauterine allergic sensitization can occur.
Central innervation of neurones in the inferior mesenteric ganglion and of the large intestine of the cat

1. Segmental, lumbar sympathetic outflow to neurones in the cat inferior mesenteric ganglion and to the large intestine were studied. Synaptic responses of neurones in the inferior mesenteric ganglion were recorded intracellularly, in vitro, during electrical stimulation of preganglionic fibres in the lumbar white rami. Synaptic responses consisted of excitatory post‐synaptic potentials and/or action potentials.
Design and evaluation of a novel triaxial isometric trunk muscle strength measurement system

Abstract Maximal strength measurements of the trunk have been used to evaluate the maximum functional capacity of muscles and the potential mechanical overload or overuse of the lumbar spine tissues in order to estimate the risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries. A new triaxial isometric trunk strength measurement system was designed and developed in the present study, and its reliability and performance was investigated. The system consisted of three main revolute joints, equipped with torque sensors, which intersect at L5—S1 and adjustment facilities to fit the body anthropometry and to accommodate both symmetric and asymmetric postures in both seated and standing positions. The dynamics of the system was formulated to resolve validly the moment generated by trunk muscles in the three anatomic planes. The optimal gain and offset of the system were obtained using deadweights based on the least-squares linear regression analysis. The R2 results of calibration for all loading courses of all joints were higher than 0.99, which indicated an excellent linear correlation. The results of the validation analysis of the regression model suggested that the mean absolute error and the r.m.s. error were less than 2 per cent of the applied load. The maximum value of the minimum detectable change was found to be 1.63 N m for the sagittal plane torque measurement, 0.8 per cent of the full-scale load. The trial-to-trial variability analysis of the device using deadweights provided intra-class correlation coefficients of higher than 0.99, suggesting excellent reliability. The cross-talk analysis of the device indicated maximum cross-talks of 1.7 per cent and 3.4 per cent when the system was subjected to flexion—extension and lateral bending torques respectively. The trial-to-trial variability of the system during in-vivo strength measurement tests resulted in good to excellent reliability, with intra-class correlation coefficients ranging from 0.69 to 0.91. The results of the maximum voluntary isometric torques exertion measurements for 30 subjects indicated good agreement with the previously published data in the literature. The extensive capabilities and high reliability of the system are promising for more comprehensive investigations on the trunk biomechanics in future, e.g. isometric strength measurement at symmetric and asymmetric postures, muscle endurance, and recruitment pattern analysis.
Effects of assertive training on marital interaction.

The effects of assertive training with passive male patients were evaluated with respect to subsequent changes in interaction with their wives. Three couples were video taped while discussing their marital conflicts before and after husbands received training in assertive expression. Based on the couple's initial interaction, specific behavioral deficits in the husband's responses were identified. In the context of role-played interpersonal encounters, assertive training consisting of instructions, behavior rehearsal, and feedback were administered. In all three cases, behavioral tests revealed substantial improvement in the husband's assertiveness. In two out of three cases, increased assertiveness produced marked changes in the couple's marital interaction. Training on simulated interactions relevant to the couple's interpersonal difficulties appeared to produce results superior to training on situations unrelated to their problems.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Molecular biology and pharmacogenetics of x-linked adrenoleukodystrophy

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a complex and perplexing neurodegenerative disorder. The metabolic abnormality, elevated levels of very long-chain fatty acids in tissues and plasma, and the biochemical defect, reduced peroxisomal very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (VLCS) activity, are ubiquitous features of the disease. However, clinical manifestations are highly variable with regard to time of onset, site of initial pathology and rate of progression. In addition, the abnormal gene in X-ALD is not the gene for VLCS. Rather, it encodes a peroxisomal membrane protein with homology to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transmembrane transporter superfamily of proteins. The ALD protein (ALDP) is closely related to three other peroxisomal membrane ABC proteins. In this report we summarize all known X-ALD mutations and establish the lack of an X-ALD genotype/phenotype correlation. We compare the evolutionary relationships among peroxisomal ABC proteins, demonstrate that ALDP forms homodimers with itself and heterodimers with other peroxisomal ABC proteins and present cDNA complementation studies suggesting that the peroxisomal ABC proteins have overlapping functions. We also establish that there are at least two peroxisomal VLCS activities, one that is ALDP dependent and one that is ALDP independent. Finally, we discuss variable expression of the peroxisomal ABC proteins and ALDP independent VLCS in relation to the variable clinical presentations of XALD.
Mobile-Host-Centric Transport Protocol for EAST Experiment

Some physics researchers retrieve EAST experiment data using TCP in wireless local area network (WLAN). TCP is the most commonly used transport control protocol. It assumes that every packet loss is caused by network congestion and invokes congestion control and avoidance. TCP's blind congestion control results in degraded performance in the lossy wireless networks. In a wireless network, mobile hosts have first-hand knowledge of the lossy wireless links; therefore, mobile stations can make better transmission control based on the known status of wireless link. In this paper, we proposed a new mobile-host-centric transport protocol (MCP) that integrates the characteristics of sender-centric and receiver-centric transport control schemes. MCP shifts most control policies to the mobile host side. The general behavior of MCP is similar to the TCP, but by utilizing the local information collecting from the mobile node in WLAN, MCP allows for better congestion control and loss recovery. Specifically, we designed a cross-layer implementation of MCP and ran it on NS-2. With valuable MAC (Medium Access Control) layer feedback information, MCP is able to distinguish packet loss caused by wireless random errors from network congestion more clearly and can perform a more accurate congestion control. We did extensive simulations of MCP on various WLAN scenarios, and the results show that the throughput of MCP with cross-layer feedback is higher than that of TCP Reno and Westwood.
Carbon Starvation Can Induce Energy Deprivation and Loss of Fermentative Capacity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT Seven different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were tested for the ability to maintain their fermentative capacity during 24 h of carbon or nitrogen starvation. Starvation was imposed by transferring cells, exponentially growing in anaerobic batch cultures, to a defined growth medium lacking either a carbon or a nitrogen source. After 24 h of starvation, fermentative capacity was determined by addition of glucose and measurement of the resulting ethanol production rate. The results showed that 24 h of nitrogen starvation reduced the fermentative capacity by 70 to 95%, depending on the strain. Carbon starvation, on the other hand, provoked an almost complete loss of fermentative capacity in all of the strains tested. The absence of ethanol production following carbon starvation occurred even though the cells possessed a substantial glucose transport capacity. In fact, similar uptake capacities were recorded irrespective of whether the cells had been subjected to carbon or nitrogen starvation. Instead, the loss of fermentative capacity observed in carbon-starved cells was almost surely a result of energy deprivation. Carbon starvation drastically reduced the ATP content of the cells to values well below 0.1 μmol/g, while nitrogen-starved cells still contained approximately 6 μmol/g after 24 h of treatment. Addition of a small amount of glucose (0.1 g/liter at a cell density of 1.0 g/liter) at the initiation of starvation or use of stationary-phase instead of log-phase cells enabled the cells to preserve their fermentative capacity also during carbon starvation. The prerequisites for successful adaptation to starvation conditions are probably gradual nutrient depletion and access to energy during the adaptation period.
Potential health-promoting effects of astaxanthin: a high-value carotenoid mostly from microalgae.

The ketocarotenoid astaxanthin can be found in the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorella zofingiensis, and Chlorococcum sp. , and the red yeast Phaffia rhodozyma. The microalga H. pluvialis has the highest capacity to accumulate astaxanthin up to 4-5% of cell dry weight. Astaxanthin has been attributed with extraordinary potential for protecting the organism against a wide range of diseases, and has considerable potential and promising applications in human health. Numerous studies have shown that astaxanthin has potential health-promoting effects in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as cancers, chronic inflammatory diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, liver diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, eye diseases, skin diseases, exercise-induced fatigue, male infertility, and HgCl₂-induced acute renal failure. In this article, the currently available scientific literature regarding the most significant activities of astaxanthin is reviewed.
Dronedarone and Captisol-enabled Amiodarone in an Experimental Cardiac Arrest

Objective: To compare the energy required for defibrillation and postshock outcomes after the administration of dronedarone, amiodarone, and placebo in a porcine model of cardiac arrest. Methods: Forty-two pigs were randomized to amiodarone, dronedarone, or control treatments. After induction of ventricular fibrillation, compressions and ventilations were performed for 3 minutes and treatment was administered over 30 seconds. If defibrillation was unsuccessful, cardiopulmonary resuscitation continued and repeated shocks were administered every 2 minutes with continual hemodynamic monitoring for a total duration of 30 minutes. Results: The cumulative energy required for defibrillation was 570 ± 422 J for dronedarone, 441 ± 365 J for amiodarone, and 347 ± 281 J for control (P = not significant). Survival at 30 minutes was 1 (7.1%) for dronedarone compared with 11 (78.6%) for control (P = 0.001). Mortality in the dronedarone group was because of refibrillation in 3 (21.4%) cases, atrioventricular block in 1 (7.1%) case, and hypotension not because of bradycardia in 9 (64.3%) cases. Two minutes after successful defibrillation, systolic aortic pressure was lower in dronedarone versus control (86.6 ± 26.9 vs. 110 ± 15.1 mm Hg; P = 0.035). Conclusions: The administration of dronedarone resulted in a significant reduction in survival and both systolic aortic and coronary perfusion pressure compared with control.
Rhythmic units and syntactic units in production and perception.

It has been claimed that spoken utterances consist of isochronous rhythmic units (metric feet), lasting from one major stress to the next. A study of 17 specially constructed sentences showed that productions of the same metric foot types have remarkably similar durations. However, there are clear differences in the average duration of different foot types in the same position, and there is neutralization of durational differences in final position. The partial isochrony found in the study leads to two further questions: the influence of syntax on the production of rhythmic units, and the perceptual nature of isochrony. If rhythmic units are independent of syntactic structure, sentences consisting of the same lexical items should have the same temporal structure regardless of syntax. A study of syntactically ambiguous sentences showed that they can be successfully disambiguated by adjusting the rhythmic units to reflect syntactic structure. The hypothesis that isochrony is primarily perceptual was tested .
Séparation Intégrale Quadratique et Applications en Commande Robuste. (Integral Quadratic Separation and its use for robust control)

L’HDR porte sur une approche theorique intitulee “separation integrale quadratique”. C’est l’occasion de revenir sur les origines de cette approche, de decrire dans le detail certains aspects techniques et surtout d’illustrer les contributions qu’elle permet pour certaines questions d’analyse robuste. Lors de la soutenance nous parlerons des resultats de separation integrale quadratique pour le cas de modeles descripteurs et des suites de relaxations LMI au pessimisme decroissant que cela permet de construire. Des exemples seront abordes traitant de: stabilite robuste vis a vis d’incertitudes parametriques, le cas d’incertitudes variant dans le temps, les systemes a retard, ainsi que les systemes avec saturations.
Studies on the antibacterial properties of the bile acids and some compounds derived from cholanic acid

In this work the bile acids and certain of their derivatives have been studied with regard to their bacteriostatic power and relative activities in removing the Gram-positive complex from yeast. No correlation between these properties was obtained. A simple relationship was apparent, however, between the bacteriostatic activities of the compounds and their ability to depress the surface tension of the metabolism medium. The limiting dilution at which the 'active' bile acids were bacteriostatic for Staphylococcus aureus corresponded to a depression of the surface tension of the medium by approximately 4∙5 dynes. The relationship between bacteriostatic power and surface activity was only valid for this particular series of compounds of closely related molecular structure.