Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet–An International Collaborative Clinical Trials Network

Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet is an international consortium of clinical research centers aimed at the prevention or delay of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The fundamental goal of TrialNet is to counter the T1D disease process by immune modulation and/or enhancement of β cell proliferation and regeneration. To achieve this goal, TrialNet researchers are working to better understand the natural history of the disease, to identify persons at risk, and to clinically evaluate novel therapies that balance potential risks and benefits. The particular focus is on studies of preventive measures. In addition, TrialNet evaluates therapies in individuals with newly diagnosed T1D with preserved β cell function to help determine the risk/benefit profile and gain an initial assessment of potential efficacy in preservation of β cell function, so that promising agents can be studied in prevention trials. In addition, TrialNet evaluates methodologies that enhance the conduct of its clinical trials, which includes tests of outcome assessment methodology, the evaluation of surrogate markers, and mechanistic studies laying the foundation for future clinical trials.
An update on the safety of psychostimulants for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

ABSTRACT Introduction: Methylphenidate is the first-line pharmacological treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although methylphenidate has a well-established evidence base for treating ADHD, its long-term benefits are unclear. Areas covered: Physical adverse effects, psychiatric adverse events and brain development Expert opinion: Some physical adverse events have been described (e.g. sleep disturbances, growth reduction, loss of appetite), although most are of transient nature. Psychiatric adverse events seem more related to the diagnosis ADHD itself, and not stimulant treatment. Concluding, short-to-mid-term use (i.e., up to 2 years) stimulants are relatively safe, but much less is known about longer-term efficacy and safety of these drugs.
Optimized design of PMSM with hybrid type permanent magnet for improving performance and reliability

This paper proposes optimized design of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) using hybrid type permanent magnet (PM) for improving the output characteristics and reliability. Here, the hybrid type PM is defined as using both of neodymium permanent magnet (Nd-PM) and ferrite permanent magnet (Fe-PM) in a rotor. First, the optimized design of PMSM considering magnetic equivalent circuit is suggested for reducing total reluctance value of Nd-PM and Fe-PM to increase the performance of motor. As a result, parallel configuration of reluctance factors is helpful for increasing output characteristics, and it is analyzed by using a finite element method (FEM). Secondly, irreversible demagnetization of Fe-PM occurring by reversed magnetic field of Nd-PM is analyzed, in two cases of a rotor exists with and without a stator in order to improve reliability of PMSM using hybrid type PM. Finally, a prototype based on proposed design is developed for evaluating the enhanced performance.
EVASION OF MACROPHAGE MICROBICIDAL ACTIVITY AND TRANSFORMATION INTO AMASTIGOTES

The leishmaniases comprise a group of diseases that display widely different clinical manifestations in humans, which depend not only on the species initiating infection but also on the general health and genetic make-up of the infected individual. All parasites of the genus Leishmania are obligate, intracellular parasites that infect cells of the mononuclear phagocyte lineage of their vertebrate hosts, in which they exist as non-motile intracellular amastigotes (reviewed by Alexander and Russell, 1992). Within the insect vector, the female sandfly of the genus Lutzomyia in the New World and of the genus Phlebotomus in the Old World, they exist as extracellular motile promastigotes. To survive successfully and multiply within these two disparate biological environments, the parasites must undergo profound biochemical and morphological adaptations. Here, we review the sequential challenges that have to be confronted and overcome by the parasites as they progress through the sandfly vector into the vertebrate host. We address questions relating to route of entry into the host cell, establishment of infection, and evasion or modulation of subsequent immune responses.
Vertical distribution of meiofauna on reflective sandy beaches

A ocorrencia e distribuicao da meiofauna em ambientes com alta energia hidrodinâmica, tais como praias refletivas, sao normalmente limitadas por extremos fisicos. Apesar de as camadas superficiais do sedimento serem afetadas, a alta energia na zona de espraiamento e a presenca de areia grossa possibilitam que a meiofauna tenha ampla distribuicao vertical. Para testar o padrao de distribuicao vertical da meiofauna e de nematodos em relacao as variaveis fisicas, quimicas e sedimentologicas, duas praias refletivas expostas foram analisadas. As coletas ocorreram na zona de espraiamento em tres pontos de cada uma dessas praias. O sedimento coletado foi dividido em quatro estratos de 10 cm (0-10, 10-20, 20-30 e 30-40 cm). A diferenca entre os estratos foi analisada com o uso de PERMANOVA com modelo hierarquizado. A analise foi aplicada em matrizes de similaridade e de distância euclidiana, para estudo da composicao da meiofauna e densidades especificas de taxons mais abundantes, respectivamente. O padrao granulometrico evidenciado caracterizou-se pela relacao inversa entre o tamanho medio do grao e o teor de materia orgânica aliado ao grau de selecionamento. Sedimentos mais grosseiros foram encontrados nos estratos superficiais e a maior concentracao de materia orgânica e sedimentos menos selecionados localizaram-se nos estratos inferiores. A composicao e densidade da meiofauna e da nematofauna apresentaram padrao de distribuicao vertical semelhantes, sendo que a camada superficial (0-10 cm), mais afetada pela energia hidrodinâmica, mostrou os mais baixos valores. Diferencas significativas na distribuicao vertical dos organismos so foram detectadas quando considerada a menor interacao entre os fatores, indicando que a variabilidade entre os pontos dentro de uma mesma praia sao responsaveis pela estruturacao espacial e vertical dos organismos meiofaunais.
Effect of Crocus sativus L. on Expression of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 Genes (Angiogenic Biomarkers) in MCF-7 Cell Line

Article history: Received: 23 Nov 2013 Accepted: 15 Nov 2013 Available online: 20 Dec 2013 ZJRMS 2014; 16(12): 8-14 Background: Both in vivo and in vitro studies focused on anticancer effects of saffron. Angiogenesis, which is required for embryonic development and many physiological events play crucial role in many pathological conditions such as tumor growth. Two principal genes which involved in this process are VEGF-A and its main receptor VEGFR2. Effects of saffron on VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 gene expression were examined. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, saffron aqueous extract obtained by Soxhlet and lyophilized using freeze dryer. MCF-7 cells were grown in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with 10 fetal bovine serum and incubated at 37oC with 5% CO2. After 24 h of cell culture, their adhesion to the flasks investigated, then cells were treated by saffron extract at concentration of 100, 200, 400 and 800 μg/mL. Forty eight hours after treatment, total RNA extracted and cDNA was synthesized using sequence of target gene. Finally synthesized products analyzed by real time PCR to determine and compare expression level of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2. Results: Data analysis shows inhibitory effect of saffron extract in concentration 100, 200, 400 and 800 μg/mL on VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 gene expression in MCF-7 cell line in compare with control group. For VEGF-A, most reduction can be seen in the highest concentration of saffron extract (800 μg/mL) with 17% reduction on gene expression, while critical inhibitory effects on gene expression of VEGFR-2 was 20% in 400 μg/mL concentration. Conclusion: Results indicate a decrease in the expression of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 as specific biomarkers of angiogenesis in the treated samples compared to controls. Copyright © 2014 Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.
Barreras y factores clave en los proyectos de Gestión del Conocimiento en las empresas consultoras

El ambiente competitivo actual ha convertido los proyectos de Gestion del Conocimiento en necesarios para asegurar la calidad del conocimiento que las empresas aplican a sus procesos claves de negocio. Por ejemplo, en cualquier empresa, la cadena de suministro depende del conocimiento que se tenga sobre materias primas, planificacion, produccion o distribucion. En el caso de las empresas consultoras, la Gestion del Conocimiento resulta esencial ya que su actividad principal se centra en generar y aplicar conocimiento en los clientes (Sarvary, 1999).
Comparison of Hospital Risk-Standardized Mortality Rates Calculated by Using In-Hospital and 30-Day Models: An Observational Study With Implications for Hospital Profiling

BACKGROUND In-hospital mortality measures, which are widely used to assess hospital quality, are not based on a standardized follow-up period and may systematically favor hospitals with shorter lengths of stay (LOSs). OBJECTIVE To assess the agreement between performance measures of U.S. hospitals by using risk-standardized in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING Nonfederal acute care hospitals in the United States with at least 30 admissions for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), and pneumonia from 2004 to 2006. PATIENTS Medicare fee-for-service patients admitted for AMI, HF, or pneumonia from 2004 to 2006. MEASUREMENTS The primary outcomes were in-hospital and 30-day risk-standardized mortality rates (RSMRs). RESULTS Included patients comprised 718,508 admissions to 3135 hospitals for AMI, 1,315,845 admissions to 4209 hospitals for HF, and 1,415,237 admissions to 4498 hospitals for pneumonia. The hospital-level mean patient LOS varied across hospitals for each condition, ranging from 2.3 to 13.7 days for AMI, 3.5 to 11.9 days for HF, and 3.8 to 14.8 days for pneumonia. The mean RSMR differences (30-day RSMR minus in-hospital RSMR) were 5.3% (SD, 1.3) for AMI, 6.0% (SD, 1.3) for HF, and 5.7% (SD, 1.4) for pneumonia; distributions varied widely across hospitals. Performance classifications differed between the in-hospital and 30-day models for 257 hospitals (8.2%) for AMI, 456 (10.8%) for HF, and 662 (14.7%) for pneumonia. Hospital mean LOS was positively correlated with in-hospital RSMRs for all 3 conditions. LIMITATION Medicare claims data were used for risk adjustment. CONCLUSION In-hospital mortality measures provide a different assessment of hospital performance than 30-day mortality and are biased in favor of hospitals with shorter LOSs. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Amplification Options for Patients With Mixed Hearing Loss

Objectives To compare amplification options for patients with mixed hearing loss. Devices tested include percutaneous and transcutaneous bone conductors (BCDs) and middle ear implants with their actuator directly coupled to the cochlea. Setting Tertiary academic medical center. Method and Participants Maximum output was studied with simulators. As simulators are lacking for the middle ear implants (the Vibrant Soundbridge [VSB] and the Cochlear’s Direct Acoustic Cochlear Stimulator [Codacs]), the maximum output had to be measured in patients (4 and 5 patients, respectively). Main Outcome Measure The maximum output averaged at 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz was the main outcome measure, which was expressed in dB HL, using appropriate transformation tables. Results The maximum output was the highest for the Codacs device and was above the patients’ uncomfortable loudness levels. The maximum output of the VSB varied between 65 and 85 dB HL, and that of percutaneous BCD varied between 68 and 80 dB HL depending on the type of device. The transcutaneous BCD, the Sophono device, had the lowest output. Conclusion Only with the Codacs device can the complete dynamic range be used. The maximum output of the VSB is lower and variable owing to the coupling to the cochlea. For patients with a sensorineural hearing loss component up to 50 dB HL, a percutaneous BCD forms a good treatment option that is completely independent of the middle ear status. The transcutaneous Sophono BCD is suitable for patients with a (sub-)normal sensorineural hearing loss component of 20 dB or less.
Genetic Algorithm for Service Function Chaining in NFV

Network function virtualization (NFV) is a network architecture concept that virtualizes network functions into building blocks of software. NFV can reduce cost and increase operational efficiency by assigning a network function that specific equipment has to a virtualized general server. Such virtualized functions should be connected or chained together to create communication services. This technology is called a service function chaining (SFC) and SFC should be computed with consideration of two or more conditions such as bandwidth, memory, and CPU of virtualized resources and physical node. It is irrelevant to use conventional distance vector routing algorithm or link state routing algorithm to find the optimal path while maintaining multiple constraints. This paper suggests a method of finding an efficient routing path by using genetic algorithm with consideration of multiple conditions regarding this issue. Keyword: NFV, SDN, SFC, Genetic Algorithm
Antiretroviral Treatment Strategies and Immune Reconstitution in Treatment-naive HIV-Infected Patients with Advanced Disease

Treatment-naive advanced HIV-infected patients have a lower life expectancy than those treated early with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Early treatment allows greater immunological recovery, a reduction of AIDS progression, a reduced risk of related illnesses, and lower mortality compared with HAART initiation in advanced disease. Given the numbers with advanced disease worldwide and the high cost of care, strategies encouraging early detection may be life saving and cost effective. Factors associated with increased clinical progression include higher baseline HIV viral load and older age, emphasizing the need for early viral load suppression. HAART initiation faces many challenges; interactions between antiretroviral agents and drugs used to treat life-threatening opportunistic infections may cause subtherapeutic antiretroviral exposure and the development of resistance or supratherapeutic levels resulting in adverse effects. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome can be another cause of suboptimal outcomes. The management of patients with advanced HIV infection should include rapid short-term immune reconstitution to limit the risk of disease progression plus aggressive antiviral treatment to achieve rapid virological suppression. Clear evidence on the optimal regimen and agents to use to target advanced HIV disease is lacking. Therefore, antiretroviral treatment for these patients has to be carefully tailored to the individual according to many variables.
Pleiotropic Effects of Mutations Involved in the Regulation of Escherichia coli K-12 Alkaline Phosphatase

Induction of alkaline phosphatase in wild-type Escherichia coli K-12 leads to the appearance of three new proteins in addition to alkaline phosphatase in the periplasmic space of the bacteria. These proteins are detected in autoradiograms of sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electropherograms of extracts from cells labeled with [35S]methionine. Studies with constitutive mutants defective in the three genes phoS, phoT, and phoR that have been shown to regulate alkaline phosphatase synthesis indicate that the three periplasmic proteins are coregulated with alkaline phosphatase. A mutant that has a deletion in the alkaline phosphatase structural gene phoA produces the three proteins, but a newly discovered mutant phoB that has a defect in the expression of alkaline phosphatase fails to produce the three proteins. phoB mutants are shown here to be unable to make detectable amounts of alkaline phosphatase polypeptides, as measured by immunoprecipitins or acrylamide gel electropherograms. On the basis of these results we suggest a new model for the regulation of alkaline phosphatase biosynthesis. In this model, a ternary complex composed of phoB+ and phoR+ gene products and an internal metabolite functions as a positive control element to regulate the transcription of several cistrons coding for periplasmic proteins.
Ablation, Flux, and Atmospheric Implications of Meteors Inferred from Stratospheric Aerosol

Single-particle analyses of stratospheric aerosol show that about half of the particles contain 0.5 to 1.0 weight percent meteoritic iron by mass, requiring a total extraterrestrial influx of 8 to 38 gigagrams per year. The sodium/iron ratio in these stratospheric particles is higher and the magnesium/iron and calcium/iron ratios are lower than in chondritic meteorites, implying that the fraction of material that is ablated must lie at the low end of previous estimates and that the extraterrestrial component that resides in the mesosphere and stratosphere is not of chondritic composition.
3D Line segment matching based on Gaussian mixture model for VirCA

This paper describes a system concept which is a combination of the Intelligent Space (iSpace) and the Virtual Collaboration Arena (VirCA) for cooperation between human operators and teleoperated intelligent agents. The described system can create 3D feature of certain objects by the iSpace using 3D line segment matching based on texture of images. And these created 3D features allow strong connection between human teleoperators and also intelligent agents by showing their reflections in real time.
Designing E1 deleted adenoviral vector by homologous recombination.

BACKGROUND Adenoviruses are used extensively to deliver genes into mammalian cells, particularly where there is a requirement for high-level expression of transgene products in cultured cells, or for use as recombinant viral vaccines or in gene therapy. In spite of their usefulness, the construction of adenoviral vectors (AdV) is a cumbersome and lengthy process that is not readily amenable to the generation of large collection of clones. METHODS In this project, to delete E1 gene in adenovirus, an adenoviral plasmid containing lateral sites of E1 region of adenovirus was made and recombination in the 293A cells between the homologous region of this linearized plasmid and the adenovirus genome resulted in the formation of the complete adenoviral recombinant. RESULTS This recombination resulted in loss of E1 region and we constructed a recombinant adenovirus type 5 vector that E1 gene was deleted by homologous recombination. CONCLUSION Homologous recombination is more easy and fast technique in the production of AdV.
Simultaneous Interpretation: Qualitative and Linguistic Data

This paper presents qualitative data in relation to a previously reported study on simultaneous interpretation (Barik, 1973). The interpreter's version of a passage may reveal omissions, additions and substitutions or errors of translation. Several categories of each type of event are noted and related to temporal and grammatical attributes of the input material. Other linguistic observations are also made. One critical factor in interpretation is the interpreter's ability to segment the incoming message at linguistically appropriate locations. Failure to do so can lead to a number of difficulties and to inadequate performance. Examples are given.
ON BEHAVIOUR AND CALCULATION OF COMPOSITE PLATE SHEAR WALLS

Subject review Application of vertical stabilisation systems composed of frames with infilled panel has been increasingly adopted in nowadays buildings, primarily due to high resistance as well as their favourable behaviour when exposed to significant seismic activity. This paper has covered systems consisting of composite panels placed within the steel or composite member frames. These systems are listed in leading world norms, but the given guidelines are, due to insufficient research, very scarce and leave the designer with a number of opened questions. Aside these guidelines, this paper provides their additional clarification, and indicates the field’s current state of the art which would be used to set the course of further research.
Physical Activity in Elderly

Aging is a multifactorial irreversible process associated with significant decline in muscle mass and neuromuscular functions. One of the most efficient methods to counteract age-related changes in muscle mass and function is physical exercise. An alternative effective intervention to improve muscle structure and performance is electrical stimulation. In the present work we present the positive effects of physical activity in elderly and a study where the effects of a 8-week period of functional electrical stimulation and strength training with proprioceptive stimulation in elderly are compared.
Phenotype and Effector Function of CC Chemokine Receptor 9-Expressing Lymphocytes in Small Intestinal Crohn’s Disease1

CCL25/CCR9 chemokine ligand/receptor pair has been reported to play an important role in small bowel (SB) immunity and inflammation. We have previously reported an aberrant SB expression of CCL25 in Crohn’s disease (CD) and an increased frequency of CCR9+ T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with SB inflammatory diseases such as CD and celiac disease. In this study, we have characterized the phenotype and effector function of CCR9+ T cells in mucosal lymphoid tissues in CD. We show that CCR9+ T cells isolated from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) draining CD SB express a more activated phenotype compared with MLN draining normal SB. Stimulation of CCR9+ T cells isolated from CD SB lamina propria produced more IFN-γ and IL-17 in response to anti-CD3 or IL-12/IL-18 stimulation compared with those isolated from normal SB. The addition of TL1A to the cytokine combination markedly augmented the secretion of IFN-γ, but not IL-17, by CD lamina propria CCR9+ T cells. CCL25 incubation of CD SB lamina propria lymphocytes and MLN lymphocytes increased their adhesion to VCAM-1/Fc in vitro. Finally, the TCRVβ analysis of CCR9+ T cells revealed a diverse TCRVβ repertoire among MLN CCR9+ T cells in patients with SB CD. Our data indicate that CCR9+ T cells in SB CD are proinflammatory and support the rationale for the use of CCR9 antagonists for the treatment of human SB CD.
Coevolutionary relationship between helminth diversity and MHC class II polymorphism in rodents

Parasite‐mediated selection on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes has mainly been explored at the intraspecific level, although many molecular studies have revealed trans‐species polymorphism. Interspecific patterns of MHC diversity might reveal factors responsible for the long‐term evolution of MHC polymorphism. We hypothesize that host taxa harbouring high parasite diversity should exhibit high levels of MHC genetic diversity. We test this assumption using data on rodent species and their helminth parasites compiled from the literature. Controlling for similarity due to common descent, we present evidence indicating that high helminth species richness in rodent species is associated with increased MHC class II polymorphism. Our results are consistent with the idea that parasites sharing a long‐term coevolutionary history with their hosts are the agents of selection explaining MHC polymorphism.