Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Epidemiology of Lung Cancer in Female Passive Smokers

Abstract To clarify etiology of lung cancer in nonsmoker females, various studies have been done. Particularly, host factors and environmental tobacco smoking (ETS) of females have been emphasized. However, traditional epidemiological data showed controversial results of sex or gender differences in lung cancer susceptibility and suggest presence of some confounders. One of them is that most of epidemiology studies are based on self-reports for ETS. To prevent misestimate effects of ETS via the self-report, exposure monitoring of ETS is required. On the other hand, focusing on genetic polymorphisms in metabolic enzymes and DNA repair, molecular epidemiological studies have been done in nonsmoker females. Therefore, this review considered: 1. gender differences in lung cancer; 2. effects of passive smoking on lung cancer; 3. exposure monitoring of ETS including genetic risks of lung cancer to clarify etiology of lung cancer in the nonsmoker females with molecular epidemiological discussion.
VRB modeling for storage in stand-alone wind energy systems

This paper proposes into determining an appropriate electrical Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRB) model and its integration with a typical stand-alone wind energy system during wind speed variation as well as transient performance under variable load. The investigated system consists of a 3kW variable speed wind turbine with permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG), diode rectifier bridge, buck-boost converter, bidirectional charge controller, transformer, inverter, ac loads and VRB. Vanadium Redox batteries are well suited for this type of application because of their high efficiency, high scalability, fast response, long life and low maintenance requirements.
Large-Area Plasmonic-Crystal–Hot-Electron-Based Photodetectors

In view of their exciting optoelectronic light–matter interaction properties, plasmonic–hot-electron devices have attracted significant attention during the last few years as a novel route for photodetection and light-energy harvesting. Herein we report the use of quasi-3D large-area plasmonic crystals (PC) for hot-electron photodetection, with a tunable response across the visible and near-infrared. The strong interplay between the different PC modes gives access to intense electric fields and hot-carrier generation confined to the metal–semiconductor interface, maximizing injection efficiencies with responsivities up to 70 mA/W. Our approach, compatible with large-scale manufacturing, paves the way for the practical implementation of plasmonic–hot-electron optoelectronic devices.
A blind least-squares approach to STAP using MCARM data

Adaptive array processing algorithms have received much attention in the past three decades. Previous techniques have focused on statistical methods based on estimating covariance matrices. However the estimates are often inaccurate or inapplicable especially in dynamic environments. A novel technique is proposed to simultaneously estimate phase and amplitude (SEPA) of narrowband signals in highly non-homogeneous environments. A geometric interpretation of SEPA as a minimum norm operator is presented and two specific norms are investigated The algorithm is then applied to the multi-channel airborne radar measurement (MCARM) data set. Targets are clearly detected in this severely cluttered scenario.
Detection of objects carried by people

Our application context is the visual surveillance of archeological sites. In this context the main aim is to detect the presence of people and to scan them in order to recognize intruders on the basis of their gestures. Since an intruder needs some utensils indispensable to perform the illegal actions of excavating on the ancient ruins, intruder detection involves first of all to ascertain if a person is carrying some objects and then recognizing the kind. In this paper we concentrate on the recognition of the objects carried by the detected moving persons. An example-based learning technique is used to first detect people and successively to scan them to recognize the possible carried objects. The patterns to be analysed are represented through the approximation coefficients of their three level wavelet decomposition. Pattern classification is performed through a supervised three layer neural network.
Chromogranin A: a sensitive biomarker for the detection and post-treatment monitoring of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that arise from neuroendocrine cells of the GI tract and pancreas. Due to the lack of symptoms in the early stage of the disease and the frequency of nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms, GEP-NET are difficult to diagnose. This delay in diagnosis often results in patients presenting with advanced disease and thus a poor prognosis. There is an unmet medical need for earlier, more definitive GEP-NET diagnosis. Identification of effective biomarkers to improve GEP-NET diagnosis, as well as to assess treatment efficacy, relapse and prognosis, is important for improving outcomes in GEP-NET. Chromogranin A is currently the most useful general biomarker for the assessment of GEP-NET. This review summarizes the biochemical characteristics of chromogranin A, its specificity and sensitivity for GEP-NET diagnosis, and its use in monitoring treatment effectiveness, disease progression and prognosis.
Airway obstruction among high school students.

Fifty smokers and an equal number of non-smokers 15 to 18 years of age who were healthy high school students were examined using a new spirometric technique for measuring “endtidal” forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Twenty per cent of the smokers had a significant airway obstruction, whereas the non-smokers were all normal. By the conventional measuring technique of 1-second forced expiratory volume none of the students, smokers and nonsmokers alike, were found to have airway obstruction.
Link to record in KAR

Objectives. Expressed emotion (EE) and attributions toward challenging behaviour (CB) were explored amongst a group of staff working within a residential and day service placement for people with learning disabilities. Design. Using a cross-sectional related-samples design, EE and attributions were measured amongst all staff working with one client with CB, and one client without CB. Methods. Fifteen staff members completed the attributional questionnaire and the five-minute speech sample (FMSS) to allow for EE ratings concerning staff relationships with two clients. One client exhibited CB, while the other did not, giving two samples. Attributional and EE ratings for each group were compared. This study did not employ vignette methodology. Results. Staff working with a client with learning disabilities and CB attributed the CB as internal to the client and controllable by the client. Staff reported high levels of EE and made more critical comments toward the client with CB as Expressed emotion and staff attributions 4 compared to the client without CB. Furthermore, staff who reported high EE attributed CB as internal to the client and controllable by the client. Conclusions. Staff working with a client with challenging behaviour appeared to be making the “fundamental attribution error”. The relationship between expressed emotion and attribution theory is discussed along with the methodological benefits of not relying on vignette methodology in research that examines challenging behaviour.
Intraarterial Cisplatin and intravenous adriamycin in nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities: a single institution experience in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND For nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities, the optimal treatment now consists of multiagent neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy and limb-sparing surgical procedures. The degree of tumor necrosis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is one of the most important prognostic indicators. Intraarterial cisplatin and intravenous adriamycin could achieve a good initial tumor response and convert the response to an ultimate cure. METHODS Between January 1989 and July 2004, 16 patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities received intravenous adriamycin and intraarterial cisplatin monthly for 2-5 courses, based on achievement of a maximized angiographic response, followed by limb salvage surgery and then adjuvant intravenous chemotherapy with adriamycin and cisplatin. After resection, if patients had a good response (the extent of tumor necrosis was > or =90%), the same regimen was administered intravenously every three weeks for a total of six courses of chemotherapy. Poor responders (tumor necrosis <90%) were treated with a regimen of high-dose methotrexate with leucovorin rescue (HD-MTX) or ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide (ICE). RESULTS Patients received an average of four cycles of neoadjuvant intraarterial chemotherapy. Sixteen patients underwent limb-preservation surgery and 12 had >90% tumor necrosis. With an average follow-up of 93.5 months, 8 patients were continuously disease -free, 6 died of disease and 2 had no evidence of disease 112 and 182 months respectively after relapse. The 5-year overall survival rate was 61%. No patient developed clinically detectable cardiac toxicity or ototoxicity after adriamycin and cisplatin administration. Febrile neutropenia occurred infrequently. CONCLUSION This study shows the effectiveness of treating nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities with intraarterial cisplatin and intravenous adriamycin infusion in Taiwan. However, the number of patients evaluated and treated in a single hospital was obviously too few to be considered statistically robust and this regimen deserves further testing in a multi-institutional fashion.
Cholesterol production, accumulation, reverse transport, and excretion: opportunities for statins, PPAR-α agonists, and PCSK9 inhibitors.

Download the Issue @ a Glance podcast Subscribe to the EHJ Podcast ! [Graphic][1] Guidelines for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with statins, including the most recent,1 fail to make optimal use of current evidence by considering absolute CVD risk as a statin indication, but not the magnitude of the LDL (or non-HDL) cholesterol reduction, a major determinant of the therapeutic benefit. This issue is addressed in a Current Opinion entitled ‘Cholesterol, not just cardiovascular risk, is important in deciding who should receive statin treatment’ by Handrean Soran from the Central Manchester University Hospital in the UK.2 Dr Soran reminds us that the LDL (or non-HDL) cholesterol decrease is proportional to its pre-treatment concentration and, when incorporated into the calculation of the number needed to treat to prevent one event (NNT), such findings challenge recent guidelines. The NNT value leads to exclusion of some individuals with higher cholesterol levels who may benefit more, while others are needlessly exposed to statins with little prospect of benefit. Furthermore, as outlined previously by Kausik et al . ,3 abandonment of cholesterol therapeutic goals, as is recommended by the US Guidelines,4 disadvantages people with higher levels. These problems can be overcome by basing the decision to treat on the NNT calculated both from the absolute CVD risk and on the LDL (or non-HDL) cholesterol reduction achievable with statin treatment. Already existing computer programs to estimate CVD risk could be easily amended to permit deployment of statins in the population more effectively. After its production in the liver via the 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl (HMG)-coenzyme A pathway, LDL-cholesterol accumulates in the subendothelial space. There it is modified5 and becomes an antigen, leading to an activation of inflammatory pathways.6 This in turn leads to the development of the so-called vulnerable plaque, which is considered … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Simulation and implementation of a hexapod configuration using modular robotics

This paper details development of a functional hexapod configuration by means of MECABOT robotic modules, previously designed and built at Universidad Militar Nueva Granada. For this configuration, the modules received a series of upgrades which allowed reduction of size and weight, as well as an increase in torque. In order to develop control software, Webots IDE was used to simulate workspace characteristics in a virtual environment. Once the configuration was assembled using the improved modules, locomotion tests were carried out for forward and lateral motions, for which robot speed was measured and compared with simulation results. Analysis of the divergence between simulated and practical speeds led to a series of design considerations that will require further evaluation in future work.
Multiple resonant controller with load-adaptive phase compensation capabilities

The use of voltage source inverters (VSI) in microgrid stand-alone applications needs the accurate control of the filter output voltages. Resonant controllers represent a good tradeoff between implementation issues and control performance. However, the un-known nature and size of connected loads, from the control point of view, affect the dynamic control behavior and may reduce the effectiveness of the harmonic controllers. The proposed multiple resonant controller is on-line tuned according to the designed filter and load behavior which may change during the converter operation. In this manner, several harmonic compensators can be placed in the loop to achieve better output voltage waveform, (i.e. lower total harmonic distortion).
Localisation de sources acoustiques en milieu réverbérant par déréverbération semi-aveugle

La localisation de sources a bande etroite dans les milieux reverberants est un probleme difficile a cause multiples reflexions du signal direct sur les murs. Recemment, nous avons developpe une methode pour localiser des sources monochromatiques au sein d’une antenne constituee de quelques dizaines de microphones [1,2]. Cette approche est fondee sur la decomposition du champ en deux composantes : le champ direct ps issu de la source et celui reverbere p0. La composante ps peut etre approchee par une combinaison lineaire d’atomes d’un dictionnaire de sources S constitue des fonctions de Green libres (c-a-d avec des conditions de Sommerfeld). La reverberation est modelisee comme une combinaison lineaire d’atomes d’un dictionnaire W d’ondes planes permettant de decomposer les modes propres [3]. Le champ p mesure s’ecrit alors :
Effect of Antibody on the Rickettsia-Host Cell Interaction

ABSTRACT A recent study demonstrated that polyclonal antibodies to Rickettsia conorii and monoclonal antibodies to outer membrane proteins A (OmpA) and B (OmpB) provided effective, Fc-dependent, passive immunity, even in severe combined immunodeficient mice with an established infection. In order to determine the mechanism of protection, mouse endothelial and macrophage-like cell lines were infected with R. conorii that had been exposed to polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies to OmpA or OmpB, Fab fragments of the polyclonal antibodies, or normal serum or that were left untreated. At 0 h, Fc-dependent antibody enhancement of R. conorii adherence to endothelial and macrophage-like cell lines was inhibited by the presence of normal serum, suggesting Fc receptor-mediated adherence of opsonized rickettsiae. At 3 h, the opsonized rickettsiae had been internalized. After 72 h, inhibited survival of rickettsiae exposed to polyclonal antibodies or monoclonal antibodies to OmpA or OmpB was evident compared with growth of untreated and normal serum-treated and polyclonal Fab antibody-treated R. conorii. Polyclonal antibodies and an anti-OmpB monoclonal antibody inhibited the escape of R. conorii from the phagosome, resulting in intraphagolysosomal rickettsial death. At 48 h of infection, rickettsicidal activity of macrophages by opsonized rickettsiae was inhibited by NG-monomethyl-l-arginine, superoxide dismutase, mannitol, or supplemental l-tryptophan, and endothelial rickettsicidal activity against opsonized rickettsiae was inhibited by NG-monomethyl-l-arginine, superoxide dismutase, catalase, or supplemental l-tryptophan. Thus, Fc-dependent antibodies protected against R. conorii infection of endothelium and macrophages by opsonization that inhibited phagosomal escape and resulted in phagolysosomal killing mediated by nitric oxide, reactive oxygen intermediates, and l-tryptophan starvation.
New insights into HIV epidemic in South Africa: key findings from the National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey, 2012

This article presents key findings from the 2012 HIV prevalence, incidence and behaviour survey conducted in South Africa and explores trends in the HIV epidemic. A representative household based survey collected behavioural and biomedical data among people of all ages. Chi-squared test for association and formal trend tests (2002, 2005, 2008 and 2012) were used to test for associations and trends in the HIV epidemic across the four surveys. In 2012 a total of 38 431 respondents were interviewed from 11 079 households; 28 997 (67.5%) of 42 950 eligible individuals provided blood specimens. HIV prevalence was 12.2% [95% CI: 11.4–13.1] in 2012 with prevalence higher among females 14.4% than males 9.9%. Adults aged 25–49 years were most affected, 25.2% [95% CI: 23.2–27.3]. HIV prevalence increased from 10.6% [95%CI: 9.8–11.6] in 2008 to 12.2% [95% CI: 11.4–13.1] in 2012 (p < 0.001). Antiretroviral treatment (ART) exposure doubled from 16.6% in 2008 to 31.2% in 2012 (p < 0.001). HIV incidence in 2012 among persons 2 years and older was 1.07% [95% CI: 0.87–1.27], with the highest incidence among Black African females aged 20–34 years at 4.5%. Sexual debut before 15 years was reported by 10.7% of respondents aged 15–24 years, and was significantly higher among male youth than female (16.7% vs. 5.0% respectively, p < 0.001). Reporting of multiple sexual partners in the previous 12 months increased from 11.5% in 2002 to 18.3% in 2012 (p < 0.001). Condom use at last sex dropped from 45.1% in 2008 to 36.2% in 2012 (p < 0.001). Levels of accurate HIV knowledge about transmission and prevention were low and had decreased between 2008 and 2012 from 31.5% to 26.8%. South Africa is on the right track with scaling up ART. However, there have been worrying increases in most HIV-related risk behaviours. These findings suggest that there is a need to scale up prevention methods that integrate biomedical, behavioural, social and structural prevention interventions to reverse the tide in the fight against HIV.
Staff Knowledge and Perceptions of Sexuality and Dementia of Older Adults in Nursing Homes

Objectives: Adults hold negative attitudes toward sexual expression in late life. We investigated knowledge and attitudes about older adult sexuality and dementia among staff in nursing homes (NHs). Method: We acquired staff demographics, knowledge of dementia and sexuality, and attitudes of sexuality. Staff participated in focus groups and received continuing education credit. Results: The three NHs had an average census of 178 beds. Participants’ (N = 100) mean age was 38.53. The most common type of sexual contact reported was nondemented male with nondemented female (67.5%), followed by demented male with demented female (53.6%). Participants endorsed neutral attitudes about late-life sexuality. Focus groups revealed a need for more training and effective interventions to balance resident safety and autonomy. Discussion: Staffs’ knowledge of sexuality and dementia, desire for guidance in “managing” sexual expression, and neutral attitudes toward late-life sexuality supports the need for educational interventions on sexuality and dementia in NH.
Teoremas do tipo Banach-Stone para algebras de funções holomorfas em espaços de dimensão infinita

We derive Banach-Stone theorems for several topological algebras of holomorphic functions on infinite dimensional spaces. To be more specific, if E and F are Frechet spaces, one of them separable with the bounded approximation property and U ⊂ E, V ⊂ F are connected domains of holomorphy, we prove that U and V are biholomorphically equivalent if and only if the algebras (H(U), τ) and (H(V ), τ) are topologically isomorphic, for τ = τ0, τω or τδ. We present two examples: one in which the theorem fails if only one of the open subsets is a domain of holomorphy, and another one in which the results are not valid if one of the spaces is not a Frechet space. We also present similar results for algebras of holomorphic functions of bounded type. In fact, if E and F are reflexive Banach spaces, one of them a Tsirelson-like space, and U ⊂ E, V ⊂ F are absolutelly convex open subsets, then there exists a suitable biholomorphic mapping between U and V if and only if the Frechet algebras Hb(U) and Hb(V ) are topologically isomorphic. Finally we give analogous theorems for topological algebras of germs of holomorphic functions as follows: if E and F are Tsirelson-James-like spaces, K ⊂ E and L ⊂ F are absolutely convex compact subsets, then there exists a biholomorphic mapping from an open neighborhood of K onto an open neighborhood of L, which maps K onto L, if and only if the algebras H(K) and H(L) are topologically isomorphic.
An Analysis of Time-Dependent Changes of Neurotrophic Factors (BDNF, CNTF) in Traumatic Facial Nerve Injury of a Nerve-Cut and Nerve-Crush Model in Rats

Hypothesis: To investigate neurotrophic changes in the injured facial nerve in rats. Background: Time-dependent follow-up of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) concentrations in a standardized nerve-cut and nerve-crush trauma model could present valuable information about estimation of the extent of the injury. Methods: Ninety Wistar rats were grouped into permanent (transection: nerve-cut) and transient (compression: nerve-crush) nerve injury and analyzed for neurotrophic changes at Week 1 and after 1, 3, and 6 months. Ten undissected rats served as controls. Permanent injury was accomplished with a 5-mm transection. To model transient injury, the facial nerve was pressed by vascular clamps for 40 minutes. Rat BDNF and CNTF enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to perform histochemical analysis of blood samples. Measurements were compared with variance analysis and Student's t tests. Results: BDNF levels in nerve-injured preparations from both groups at consecutive intervals were not significant from those of controls, except for transient increases in the first week. When BDNF levels in nerve-cut and nerve-crush groups were compared at each interval separately, differences were insignificant (p > 0.05). CNTF levels at consecutive intervals were significant from that of control rats in both groups. When CN0054F levels in nerve-cut and nerve-crush groups were compared at each interval separately, differences were significant (p = 0.023, p = 0.001, p = 0.043, and p = 0.023). Conclusion: Elevated levels of BDNF in the first week after nerve injury do not differentiate the severity of the facial nerve injury. However, diminished CNTF levels in the nerve-crush group were significant when compared with that of nerve-cut group. This finding suggests the possibility that CNTF levels can distinguish whether the facial nerve is interrupted after trauma. Further experimental studies should investigate the indicative role of CNTF levels as a marker of nerve disruption in the clinical setting.