Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Topographic representation of the sensory and motor roots of the vagus nerve in the medulla of goldfish, Carassius auratus

The coelomic root of the vagus nerve in goldfish is connected with sensory and motor nuclei of the medulla that are distinct from those serving the orobranchial roots of the same nerve. The primary sensory nucleus for coelomic sensation is itself divisible into medial and lateral subnuclei on the basis of afferent input and immunocytochemistry. The lateral subnucleus receives sensory input from the specialized chewing organ in the posterior pharynx and is poor in both substance P‐like and tyrosine‐hydroxylase‐like immunoreactivities. The medial subnucleus receives input from the subdiaphragmatic gastrointestinal tract and is rich in substance P‐like and tyrosine‐hydroxylase‐like immunoreactivities. The primary sensory fibers that innervate the gastrointestinal tract also project directly to the area postrema and to the vicinity of subdiaphragmatic visceral motor neurons.
Transanal Approach to Rectal Polyps and Cancer

Abstract A transanal approach to rectal polyp and cancer excision is often an appropriate alternative to conventional rectal resection, and has a lower associated morbidity. There has been a steady evolution in the techniques of transanal surgery over the past 30 years. It started with traditional transanal excision and was revolutionized by introduction of transanal endoscopic microsurgery in early 1980s. Introduction of transanal minimally invasive surgery made it more accessible to surgeons around the world. Now robotic platforms are being tried in certain institutions. Concerns have been raised about recurrence rates of cancers with transanal approach and success of subsequent salvage operations.
Phenotypic analysis of outer surface protein C (OspC) of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato by monoclonal antibodies: relationship to genospecies and OspA serotype

Molecular analyses of the genes encoding OspC, a major immunodominant protein of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, revealed a considerable degree of heterogeneity. In the present study, we investigated whether a similar heterogeneity of the OspC phenotype can be shown by analysis with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Thirteen OspC-specific MAbs (L22 MAbs) were produced by immunizing mice with either different combinations of whole-cell antigens or recombinantly expressed OspCs cloned from strains belonging to different Borrelia spp. Ten of them differed in their reactivities with various strains. Western blot (immunoblot) analyses of 38 B. burgdorferi sensu lato strains resulted in 13 different reactivity patterns. These 13 different patterns were observed among only six different OspA serotypes, indicating that OspC is more heterogeneous than OspA. Patterns 1 to 4 were present only in B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, patterns 5 to 7 were present only in Borrelia afzelii, and patterns 9 to 13 were present only in Borrelia garinii. Pattern 8 was observed among B. afzelii and B. garinii strains but not among B. burgdorferi sensu stricto strains. One L22 MAb (2B8) recognized a common OspC-specific epitope of all 38 B. burgdorferi sensu lato strains analyzed, and another one (22C11) recognized a common epitope of OspC from both B. afzelii and B. garinii and was not reactive with OspC from B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. Western blot and sequence analysis of truncated OspCs located the 22C11 epitope as well as a species-specific sequence motif between amino acids 20 and 35. Other broadly reactive L22 MAbs were 10D3, 1F8, and 7G5. Some L22 MAbs (1C3, 1C3, 12E5, 1B11, 1F10, and 6C8) bound to epitopes present only in a few strains. Relapsing fever borreliae (Borrelia hermsii, Borrelia turicatae, and Borrelia duttoni) were nonreactive, with the following exception: three L22 MAbs (2B8, 6C4, and 10C5) recognized an abundantly expressed 20-kDa-range protein of B. turicatae. Because OspC is an immunodominant protein during the early immune response in Lyme borreliosis and has been shown to be effective as a vaccine in an animal model, our findings have important implications for the development of diagnostic reagents as well as vaccine research.
Role of cyclooxygenase‐2 in immunomodulation and prognosis of endometrial carcinoma

Although there are several hypotheses explaining the mechanisms of immune‐privileged status of malignant tumor, the exact pathway has yet to be explored. Cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 plays a vital role in prognosis of cancer patients in terms of contribution to neoangiogenesis and apoptosis inhibition; however, the impact of COX‐2 in immunomodulation has not been reported. We have evaluated the expression of COX‐2 and its impact on infiltration of immune‐competent cells into the tumor cell nest in endometrial carcinoma. Tissue specimens from 70 endometrial carcinoma patients who had undergone a curative resection were evaluated for COX‐2 expression and host immune status (CD8+ T cells). COX‐2 expression was associated with FIGO stage and myometrial invasion, but there was no statistically significant impact. CD8+ T cells within cancer cell nest (Nest CD8) were inversely correlated with the expression level of COX‐2 (p = 0.0006). Nest CD8 became an independent predictor of patient survival (Hazard ratio = 10.300, p = 0.0304) in Cox's multivariate analysis. The expression level of COX‐2 was found to be a significant predictor of disease relapse in univariate analysis (p = 0.0294) but not in multivariate analysis (p = 0.5949). In conclusion, increased nest CD8 produced a survival advantage in endometrial carcinoma patients. Moreover, tumor‐produced COX‐2, which reduces the infiltration of CD8+ T cells into cancer cell nests, may allow tumors to avoid immune surveillance. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Generalized analysis of current ripple in a pulsewidth modulation H-bridge converter with unipolar-bipolar switching

The aim of this letter is to describe a generalized analysis of the current ripple occurring in an H-bridge with pulsewidth modulation (PWM) technique. The general equation of the current ripple is obtained. By means of this equation, it is shown that the two strategies commonly used for the bridge control (unipolar and bipolar) are two limit cases of a general method. The control condition with minimum ripple is found. Finally, experimental results of a typical example are shown (applied to a DC drive) in different conditions, thus confirming the theoretical results.
A Segment-Based Adaptive Joint Session Scheduling Mechanism in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

Joint session scheduling (JOSCH) enables traffic to be split and transmitted over multiple radio access networks (RANs) simultaneously, which improves the quality-of-service (QoS) in terms of transmission rate, reliability and stability. Transmission synchronization is one of the key issues which JOSCH should consider, as it has direct effect on the performance of buffer management and data reassembly at the traffic receiver. In this paper, a segment-based adaptive JOSCH mechanism was proposed to guarantee the transmission synchronization during multi-RANs simultaneous transmission. The proposed mechanism restrains the delay differences between different RANs, by adjusting the traffic allocation ratios to multiple transmission RANs adaptively, based on the feedback from traffic receiver. System architecture and functional modules are designed to support the proposed mechanism. Meanwhile, a generic transport protocol model supporting multi-RANs transmission is introduced as well. Simulation results reveal that the proposed JOSCH mechanism well adapts to the dynamic change of network conditions, and guarantees the synchronization and stability of transmission. Keywordsjoint session scheduling; heterogeneous wireless networks; traffic splitting; transmission synchronization;
The Effects of Cold Pressor-Induced Pain on PASAT Performance

Although clinicians have frequently observed that patients with chronic pain experience cognitive deficits related to memory and concentration, research on these deficits is equivocal, with some studies showing significant impairment and others suggesting minimal deficits. As such, the present study sought to examine the relationship between laboratory-induced pain and performance on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) using a mixed factorial design. Seventy-two nonclinical volunteers were randomly assigned to a pain group, who took the PASAT while experiencing cold pressor-induced pain, or a control group, who took the PASAT while experiencing painless room-temperature water immersion. To account for practice effects, all participants were administered 1 practice trial and 3 standard trials of the PASAT, with the final trial administered in cold pressor-induced pain or painless water immersion. The results revealed a significant interaction between condition and PASAT performance, F(1, 64) = 23.63, p < . 001, partial η2 = . 27. The control group increased performance by 6 items while the pain group showed no such improvement. The results suggest that because the pain group did not demonstrate the same practice effects relative to the control group, their performance was impaired by cold pressor-induced pain. However, the impairment was relatively mild (about 0.5 standard deviation) and did not occur in all participants.
Tourist territorialisation and geographies of opportunity at the edges of mass destinations

ABSTRACT Geographies of tourism often highlight tourism's tendency to exclude or displace local economic actors. Tourism enclaves tend to be particularly exclusive at destination sites and urban centres. This study looks at the edge of a mass tourism town centre and investigates how landowners, entrepreneurs and employees retain a foothold in the face of tourism expansion. Conducted in 2014–2015, this microgeography of a tourist backstreet in Siem Reap, Cambodia comprises a survey of 73 of the occupants and over 40 follow-up interviews complemented by a photographic record of 135 premises. It found most local landowners retaining their properties, and only engaging strategically and selectively with the tourism economy. Entrepreneurial opportunities were initially taken by migrants from other provinces, and then, as tourism expanded, by foreigners and by local entrepreneurs with experience of employment in established tourism businesses. This study illustrates how tourism's territorialisation of back regions is quite different from that of front regions. Even in relatively impoverished settings, pre-tourism economic activities and business cultures may contribute to local actors being able to achieve relatively secure footholds in hybridised space at the edges tourism booms.
Relationship between topological order and glass forming ability in densely packed enstatite and forsterite composition glasses

The atomic structures of magnesium silicate melts are key to understanding processes related to the evolution of the Earth’s mantle and represent precursors to the formation of most igneous rocks. Magnesium silicate compositions also represent a major component of many glass ceramics, and depending on their composition can span the entire fragility range of glass formation. The silica rich enstatite (MgSiO3) composition is a good glass former, whereas the forsterite (Mg2SiO4) composition is at the limit of glass formation. Here, the structure of MgSiO3 and Mg2SiO4 composition glasses obtained from levitated liquids have been modeled using Reverse Monte Carlo fits to diffraction data and by density functional theory. A ring statistics analysis suggests that the lower glass forming ability of the Mg2SiO4 glass is associated with a topologically ordered and very narrow ring distribution. The MgOx polyhedra have a variety of irregular shapes in MgSiO3 and Mg2SiO4 glasses and a cavity analysis demonstrates that both glasses have almost no free volume due to a large contribution from edge sharing of MgOx-MgOx polyhedra. It is found that while the atomic volume of Mg cations in the glasses increases compared to that of the crystalline phases, the number of Mg-O contacts is reduced, although the effective chemical interaction of Mg2+ remains similar. This unusual structure-property relation of Mg2SiO4 glass demonstrates that by using containerless processing it may be possible to synthesize new families of dense glasses and glass ceramics with zero porosity.
The structured demography of open populations in fluctuating environments

At the spatial scale relevant to many field studies and management policies, populations may experience more external recruitment than internal recruitment. These sources of recruitment, as well as local demography, are often subject to stochastic fluctuations in environmental conditions. Here, we introduce a class of stochastic models accounting for these complexities and provide analytic methods for understanding their long-term behavior. The population state n(x) of these stochastic models is a function or vector keeping track of densities of individuals with continuous (e.g. size) or discrete (e.g. age) traits x taking values in a compact metric space. This state variable is updated by a stochastic affine equation nt+1 = At+1nt + bt+1 where is At+1 is a time varying operator (e.g. an integral operator or a matrix) that updates the local demography, and bt+1 is a time varying function or vector representing external recruitment. When the realized per-capita growth rate of the local demography is negative, we show that all initial conditions converge to the same time-varying trajectory. Furthermore, when A1, A2,… and b1, b2,… are stationary sequences, this limiting behavior is determined by a unique stationary distribution. When the stationary sequences are periodic, uncorrelated, or a mixture of these two types of stationarity, we derive explicit formulas for the mean, within-year covariance, and auto-covariance of the stationary distribution. Sensitivity formulas for these statistical features are also given. The analtyic methods are illustrated with applications to discrete size-structured models of space-limited coral populations, and continuously size-structured models of giant clam populations.
Pre-Screening Age African-American Males: What Do They Know About Prostate Cancer Screening, Knowledge, and Risk Perceptions?

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and the second most common cause of cancer mortality among men in America. African-American men have a mortality rate from prostate cancer twice that of Caucasian men. Although prostate screening remains controversial, it provides an opportunity for the cancer to be detected early when treatment is most effective. Limited research has been conducted regarding prostate cancer awareness and knowledge among African-American men under 50. This article highlights a pilot study assessing the knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and reasons for participating in prostate cancer screening among African-American males between the ages of 30–45. Study findings suggest these participants recognized an awareness of risk factors associated with the disease, yet underestimated their risk of developing the disease. Additionally they present uneven knowledge of the prostate and its function and possess positive perceptions of their general health beliefs and practices. Practice implications and directions for future research regarding prostate cancer among this population are highlighted.
Novel law discovery perceptrons with improved efficiency of the network learning

The issue of effective learning specific neural networks capable of creating symbolic description of rules governing a set of empirical data is considered. In the field of our interests are atypical perceptrons suitable for implementing partial-rational or polynomial functions that describe the data set. A novel factor of the presented approach is an attempt to improve effectiveness of the perceptron learning by making proper transformations of the partial-rational or polynomial functions. These transformations enable to eliminate from the learning process operations on complex numbers as well as time consuming operations connected with using activation functions of the ln(.) and exp(.) type. Such an approach has proved to be a successful way to improve efficiency of the network training in the sense of increasing the learning speed and robustness. The paper presents the proposed transformations used to modify one-dimensional partial-rational as well as one-dimensional polynomial expressions. Perceptron schemes resulting from these expressions are also shown. Moreover, we discuss the applied method suitable for learning the networks and demonstrate the achieved training effects.
A Critical Evaluation of the Use of Biobrane as a Biologic Skin Substitute: A Versatile Tool for the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Background:Biobrane and Biobrane-L are becoming increasingly popular in the management of superficial and moderate-depth partial-thickness burns, particularly in pediatric patients. When used appropriately, they have been shown to reduce pain levels, healing time, inpatient stay, and nursing requirements when compared with traditional dressings. In this manuscript, we provide a critical evaluation of the evidence base for the varied uses of Biobrane within the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Methods:We present a comprehensive review of MEDLINE-cited articles, the proceedings of national meetings, relevant books, and information from the suppliers to provide the reconstructive surgeon with an evidence base for the use of Biobrane. We also take this opportunity to discuss religious and ethical issues and the complications of Biobrane application. Results and Conclusion:Biobrane is a versatile biosynthetic wound dressing. There is good evidence (Grade A) to support the use of Biobrane in the management of burns, particularly in partial-thickness burns in children. Biobrane also has many potential uses as a dressing outside the burns unit of which we feel reconstructive surgeons should be aware. Conditions resulting in disruption of the epidermis such as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and paraneoplastic pemphigus have been managed successfully using Biobrane (Grade B). Biobrane has also been successfully used following dermabrasion, skin-graft harvesting, and laser resurfacing (Grades B to C). Temporary coverage with Biobrane has been successfully used in individuals with chronic wounds such as open sternotomy sites and venous ulcers (Grades B to C). Biobrane has a wealth of potential uses outside its traditional remit; however, further prospective clinical trials are warranted if these new applications are to become more widely accepted.
Accelerated Angiogenic Induction and Vascular Integration in a Novel Synthetic Scaffolding Matrix for Tissue Replacement

Purpose Reduced or delayed neovascularization is a major obstacle with regard to tissue-engineered constructs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early microvascular response to a novel degradable ε-caprolactone terpolymer matrix. Methods ε-caprolactone terpolymer matrices (Suprathel Plus®; Institute of Textile and Process Engineering, Denkendorf, Germany) were implanted into dorsal skinfold chambers of balb/c mice (n=10). Microcirculatory changes were observed by intravital fluorescence microscopy. Scaffolding matrices from PEGT/PBT copolymer were used as controls (n=10). Results The formation of de novo vascular networks within both scaffolding matrices was noted throughout the experiment. A vascular ingrowth of perfused microvessels into the matrices up to 600 μm apart from the edge was noted within 10 days of implantation. The earliest signs of neoangiogenesis were visible in ε-caprolactone terpolymer matrices on day 1. In both scaffolds the new developed vessels extended centripetally from the border of the matrices towards the center and anastomosed to form a perfused microvascular network. There was significantly earlier onset of vascularization, increased vascularized area and higher vessel density in ε-caprolactone terpolymer matrices compared to PEGT/PBT copolymer matrices were observed. Conclusions The scaffolding matrix from ε-caprolactone terpolymer allowed for an earlier and more intense induction of angiogenesis and displayed the tendency to vascularize more rapidly within a shorter period of time after transplantation compared to PEGT/PBT copolymer scaffolds, thus indicating its potential application for tissue engineering purposes.
Once Poor always Poor? Exploring Consumption- and Asset-based Poverty Dynamics in Ethiopia

This paper examines the dynamics of wellbeing in Ethiopia by assessing changes in poverty status based on consumption and asset ownership. Using panel data from the first two waves of the Ethiopia Socioeconomic Survey (ESS), we discover that although the cross-sectional poverty remains relatively unchanged (approximately 30% in both 2012 and 2014), the proportion of the population experiencing consumption poverty at some point during this period is 47%. An asset-based measure of poverty exhibits fewer transitions in and out of poverty. Examination of the direction and magnitude of change in consumption both at aggregate and subgroup levels indicates that despite a stagnant poverty rate, consumption patterns have changed significantly. The forward movers and non-poor households have increased their share of spending on nutrient-dense foods, while the chronic poor and backward movers have increased spending shares on staples (reduced on nutrient-dense foods). Our findings indicate that availability of longitudinal data at the household level provides additional insights on the dynamics of wellbeing that would be impossible to understand using cross sectional data only.
Characterization of a unique defective type C virus associated with a Moloney leukemia virus-induced splenic T-cell lymphoma cell line

Moloney leukemia virus (MoLV) induces lymphomas in BALB/c mice which either involve an immature thymic T-cell subpopulation or a splenic mature T-cell subpopulation. To investigate further the possible virological and immunological differences in these lymphomas, several lymphoma cell lines were derived. Although the majority of these cell lines expressed only the parental MoLV, one lymphoma cell line (5F4) was found which expressed only a defective virus. 5F4 virions lacked detectable reverse transcriptase activity and by immunoprecipitation lacked a serologically detectable reverse transcriptase. The lack of reverse transcriptase did not appear to be due to a deletion in the viral genome. Intracellularly 5F4 cells synthesized normal gag gene precursors but had little, if any, detectable Pr180gag-pol or an altered precursor. These results suggest that the defect of the 5F4 virus is associated with the inability to translate the appropriate precursor for reverse transcriptase. The possible origin of the detective 5F4 virus was also examined by competition radioimmunoassays. These results demonstrate that the type-specific proteins, gp71 and p12, are serologically identical to those of the endogenous ecotropic virus and distinct from the MoLV proteins. Competition assays of 5F4 cell extracts further demonstrated the lack of any detectable MoLV type-specific proteins, although the tumor was presumably induced by MoLV. The significance of these observations to leukemogenesis is discussed.