Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Safety and Efficacy Evaluation for the Addition of Either Etanercept or Leflunomide in Korean Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Inadequately Responding to Methotrexate

Objective. To compare the safety and efficacy associated with the addition of etanercept (ETN) with that of leflunomide (LEF) in Korean rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, who inadequately respond to methotrexate (MTX) in a randomized, open-label study. Methods. Twenty-nine subjects suffering moderate to severe RA, despite MTX treatment were randomly assigned to a combination therapy with either ETN or LEF. The primary end-point was the proportion of subjects achieving American College of Rheumatology (ACR20) criteria at week 16. Results. Ninety percent (n=18) of the ETN+MTX group (n=20) and 22.2% (n=2) of the LEF+MTX group (n=9) achieved an ACR20 response (p=0.001). All patients (n=20) in the ETN+MTX group showed moderate or good EULAR response as compared with 55.6% (n=5) in the LEF+MTX group (p=0.012). All of the ETN+MTX subjects completed the study without adverse events. Adverse events occurred in 77.8% (n=7) of cases in the LEF+MTX group; significantly elevated serum AST/ALT levels in 6 subjects and mild neutropenia (ANC ＜ 1,500/μL) in 1 subject. Conclusion. The ETN+MTX combination therapy was effective and safe, whereas the LEF+MTX combination therapy resulted in moderate efficacy in only half of the cases, and was accompanied by a high rate of adverse events. Elevated AST/ALT was the most common adverse event causing dose adjustment or discontinuation of therapeutic agent in the LEF+MTX group.
Study of perioperative liver function by dynamic monitoring of ICG-clearance.

BACKGROUND/AIMS To investigate the impact of liver resection on the perioperative hepatic function by evaluation of ICG-clearance. METHODOLOGY Twenty-five patients underwent major hepatic resection (Group A) and 36 underwent minor hepatic resection (Group B). Thirteen patients who received no liver surgery, acted as control group (Group C). ICG-clearance measured by a non-invasive technique was expressed in terms of plasma disappearance rate (PDR-ICG-%/min) and retention rate of ICG 15 min (ICG-R15-%) after administration ICG (0.5mg/kg) before anesthesia induction (T0), immediately after the surgery (T1) and 24h after (T2). RESULTS There was statistically significant differences between the three groups: ICG-PDR (p<0.004) and ICG-R15 (p<0.040). These differences were observed between groups A and C at T1, between A and B, or A and C, at T2 for ICG-PDR and between groups A and B at T2 for ICG-R15. There were no differences between groups for hemoglobin, platelets, PT, creatinine, albumin, total protein, bilirubin and ALP. CONCLUSIONS ICG clearance is a safe non-invasive dynamic tool to quantify the liver function in patients following hepatic surgery. It also can be used to evaluate the liver surgery impact on hepatic function which can help to diagnose early hepatic dysfunction and guide the therapeutic decision making process.
A novel class of high dielectric resonator filters in microstrip line technology

This paper highlights a novel methodology to synthesize and manufacture high dielectric resonator filters in microstrip line technology. While the adopted technology is well studied among the last decades, an innovative investigation among composite materials has been set up to create a high dielectric resonator, suitable for microwave applications. After a preliminary research, a special thin pellet has been chemically grown and manufactured. This small cylindrical rod will represents the high dielectric resonator, employed to couple the input and output microstrip lines, traced on standard commercial laminated substrates. The same specimen will be exploited to design, simulate and experimentally validate a pair of high selective filters, paving the road to the implementation of a novel class of components and systems operating among microwave frequencies.
Revisiting Dependency Network Diagrams : A Conceptual Extension Completed Research Paper

In this paper we propose an extension to the Dependency Network Diagram (DND) technique. We revisit the DND technique to discuss its ability to facilitate the strategic management of cross-organizational ICT-resource collaborations, which are increasingly paramount to achieving sustained competitive advantage. Predicated on resource dependence theory, we operationalize the constructs of power and secondary dependency, and propose their integration into the original DND technique. New rules, together with an updated algorithm for how to construct an extended DND, are introduced. We propose that the extension of the DND technique adds to clearer visualizing, understanding, and communicating dependencies in ICTresource collaborations, and ultimately facilities their strategic management. We point out potential benefits of applying the extended DND technique and provide directions for empirically validating the extension in future research.
Performance Comparison of Conventional Synchronous Reluctance Machines and PM-Assisted Types with Combined Star–Delta Winding

This paper compares four prototype Synchronous Reluctance Motors (SynRMs) having an identical geometry of iron lamination stacks in the stator and rotor. Two different stator winding layouts are employed: a conventional three-phase star connection and a combined star–delta winding. In addition, two rotors are considered: a conventional rotor without magnets and a rotor with ferrite magnets. The performance of the four SynRMs is evaluated using a two-dimensional (2D) Finite Element Model (FEM). For the same copper volume and current, the combined star–delta-connected stator with Permanent Magnets (PMs) in the rotor corresponds to an approximately 22% increase in the output torque at rated current and speed compared to the conventional machine. This improvement is mainly thanks to adding ferrite PMs in the rotor as well as to the improved winding factor of the combined star–delta winding. The torque gain increases up to 150% for low current. Moreover, the rated efficiency is 93.60% compared to 92.10% for the conventional machine. On the other hand, the impact on the power factor and losses of SynRM when using the star–delta windings instead of the star windings is merely negligible. The theoretical results are experimentally validated using four identical prototype machines with identical lamination stacks but different rotors and winding layouts.
‘Bystander polarization’ of CD4+ T cells: activation with high‐dose IL‐2 renders naive T cells responsive to IL‐12 and/or IL‐18 in the absence of TCR ligation

Responsiveness of CD4+ T cells to the IFN‐γ‐inducing cytokines IL‐12 and IL‐18 is generally thought to be acquired only after stimulation via the TCR. We report herein that stimulation of naive CD4+ T cells with high‐dose IL‐2 (1000 U/ml) renders these cells responsive to IL‐12 and/or IL‐18 without a requirement for TCR ligation. Naive CD4+CD62L+ Tcells from normal C57BL/6 mice or from DO11.10/Rag2–/– OVA‐specific TCR‐transgenic mice secreted substantial amounts of IFN‐γ when stimulated concurrently with high‐dose IL‐2 plus IL‐12 or IL‐18. mRNA encoding both chains of the IL‐12 and the IL‐18 receptors was expressed by CD4+ T cells after stimulation with high‐dose IL‐2. Furthermore, anti‐CD3‐induced IL‐12/IL‐18 responsiveness was fully abrogated in the presence of cyclosporin A whereas IL‐2‐induced IL‐12/IL‐18 responsiveness was not, reminiscent of the previously reported IL‐12+IL‐18 innate pathway of T cell activation. Lastly, after stimulation with IL‐2+IL‐12, naive CD4+ T cells from DO11.10/Rag2–/– mice exhibited polarization towards a Th1 phenotype (high IFN‐γ but no IL‐4) during secondary stimulation with immobilized anti‐CD3. We have coined the term ‘bystander polarization’ to describe this phenomenon and we speculate that bystander polarization of naive CD4+ T cells may occur in vivo during strong antigen‐specific immune responses.
Effect of Methanol Root Extract of Senna occidentalis against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Damage in Rats

Protective effect of methanol root extract of Senna occidentalis was investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage in white Wistar strain albino rats. Hepatic damage was induced by injecting a single intraperitoneal dose of 1.0 ml (50% volume/volume) CCl4 in olive oil. Plant extract (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight) was given for seven days. Hepatic damage was induced and the animals were scarified after 48 hours. The hepatoprotective effect of the extract was monitored by estimating the activities of the serum AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase), serum ALT (Alanine Amino Transferase), serum ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase), Total proteins, unconjugated bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin. This observation could be supported by some Phytochemicals detected in the methanol root extract. Results showed that methanol extract of Senna occidentalis possessed hepatoprotective activity by significantly (p<0.05) reversing the damage of the liver indices in the treated experimental animals compared with the CCL4 treated group. Some of the Phytochemicals component detected in the methanol extract of this plant indicated the presence of Flavonoids (0.8 ± 0.11), Phenols (12.0 ± 0.21), Tannins (5.0 ± 0.26), Saponins (21.5 ± 0.71). Terpenoids (0.28 ± 0.04) and Alkaloids (4.8 ± 0.21).
Effects of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and the drug transporters P‐glycoprotein (MDR1/ABCB1) and MRP2 (ABCC2) on the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir

Background and purpose: Lopinavir is extensively metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and is considered to be a substrate for the drug transporters ABCB1 (P‐glycoprotein) and ABCC2 (MRP2). Here, we have assessed the individual and combined effects of CYP3A, ABCB1 and ABCC2 on the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir and the relative importance of intestinal and hepatic metabolism. We also evaluated whether ritonavir increases lopinavir oral bioavailability by inhibition of CYP3A, ABCB1 and/or ABCC2.
Dissociative mechanism of thermal denaturation of rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen phosphorylase b.

The thermal stability of rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen phosphorylase b was characterized using enzymological inactivation studies, differential scanning calorimetry, and analytical ultracentrifugation. The results suggest that denaturation proceeds by the dissociative mechanism, i.e., it includes the step of reversible dissociation of the active dimer into inactive monomers and the following step of irreversible denaturation of the monomer. It was shown that glucose 1-phosphate (substrate), glucose (competitive inhibitor), AMP (allosteric activator), FMN, and glucose 6-phosphate (allosteric inhibitors) had a protective effect. Calorimetric study demonstrates that the cofactor of glycogen phosphorylase-pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-stabilizes the enzyme molecule. Partial reactivation of glycogen phosphorylase b preheated at 53 degrees C occurs after cooling of the enzyme solution to 30 degrees C. The fact that the rate of reactivation decreases with dilution of the enzyme solution indicates association of inactive monomers into active dimers during renaturation. The allosteric inhibitor FMN enhances the rate of phosphorylase b reactivation.
Inhibition and Killing of Oral Bacteria by Silver Ions Generated with Low Intensity Direct Current

Silver cations generated by passing low intensity direct current through pure silver electrodes were found to be sufficiently antibacterial to cause sterilization of samples of infected dentin. The optimal procedure involved a 5 μA current applied for 20 minutes with the anode then left in contact with the sample. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of electrically generated silver ions for representative oral bacteria were essentially equal to those for silver ions added as nitrate or fluoride salts, and medium constituents, including sodium thioglycolate, antagonized antibacterial action. A major advantage to the use of the electrode method is that it allows for continuous, focal application of antibacterial silver cations.
Clinicopathological classification and individualized treatment of breast cancer

Background The clinicopathological classification was proposed in the St. Gallen Consensus Report 2011. We conducted a retrospective analysis of breast cancer subtypes, tumor‐nodal‐metastatic (TNM) staging, and histopathological grade to investigate the value of these parameters in the treatment strategies of invasive breast cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis of breast cancer subtypes, TNM staging, and histopathological grading of 213 cases has been performed by the methods recommended in the St. Gallen International Expert Consensus Report 2011. The estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 (HER2), and Ki‐67 of 213 tumor samples have been investigated by immunohistochemistry according to methods for classifying breast cancer subtypes proposed in the St. Gallen Consensus Report 2011. Results The luminal A subtype was found in 53 patients (24.9%), the luminal B subtype was found in 112 patients (52.6%), the HER2‐positive subtype was found in 22 patients (10.3%), and the triple‐negative subtype was found in 26 patients (12%). Histopathological grade and TNM staging differed significantly among the four subtypes of breast cancer (P <0.001). Conclusion It is important to consider TNM staging and histopathological grading in the treatment strategies of breast cancer based on the current clinicopathological classification methods.
Flow Visualization and Force Measurement of an Insect Wing Based on Dragonfly Hovering

Flow visualization and aerodynamic force measurements were conducted in order to investigate the flow phenomena around the wing of a hovering dragonfly. Two pairs of 4-bar linkage mechanisms were installed in a flapping model and driven by a stepping motor. The foreand hindwing have a phase difference angle of 180°. The stroke amplitude, pitch angle and incidence angle of the model were 75°, 0-90° and 60°, respectively. A wing beat frequency of 0.087 was chosen, and the corresponding Reynolds number was 2.0×10 based on the forewing. Each wing generated LEV at the start of downstroke and the LEV was developed and maintained on the upper surface of the wing. Aerodynamic forces were also generated in the downstroke motion in all cases. When the wings stroke together, the LEV on the hindwing was deformed by the forewing, and the forces on the hindwing are lower than in the hindwing only cases. These results indicate that the wing-wing interaction have a negative effect on the generation of aerodynamic forces.
Extracellular ATP: a central player in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle phenotype. Focus on "Dual role of PKA in phenotype modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells by extracellular ATP".

the extracellular nucleotides ATP, ADP, UTP, and UDP are potent growth factors for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) by actions on P2Y receptors ([7][1], [9][2], [14][3], [20][4]). The growth-stimulating effects may be of importance in the development of atherosclerosis, neointima after balloon
La Configuración Espacial de la Ciudad como Factor de Definición de la Realidad Socio-Demográfica. Análisis Electoral de un Entorno Urbano

El articulo lleva a cabo un analisis interdisciplinar del comportamiento electoral de un entorno urbano especifico, como fundamento para observar como la configuracion espacial urbana aparece recogida en la estructura sociodemografica del cuerpo electoral. Recogiendo categorias analiticas procedentes de la geografia urbana y la sociologia, y partiendo de la realidad social de las distintas zonas urbanas de una ciudad, se aporta un estudio de caso que muestra el vinculo existente entre determinados rasgos sociodemograficos especialmente relevantes y la actitud ante las urnas de los ciudadanos definidos por ellos. Observamos, por lo tanto, el calado sociopolitico de la configuracion espacial urbana, a la vez que percibimos una vertiente interpretativa del comportamiento electoral en base a conceptualizaciones sociologicas esenciales que recogen tanto a aquellos elementos estructurales que ponen el enfasis en el condicionamiento social del individuo como a aquellos otros que, basados en modelos de eleccion y eleccion racional, priman al individuo sobre la estructura.
A new method to assess skin treatments for lowering the impedance and noise of individual gelled Ag–AgCl electrodes

A model-based new procedure for measuring the single electrode–gel–skin impedance (ZEGS) is presented. The method is suitable for monitoring the contact impedance of the electrodes of a large array with limited modifications of the hardware and without removing or disconnecting the array from the amplifier. The procedure is based on multiple measurements between electrode pairs and is particularly suitable for electrode arrays. It has been applied to study the effectiveness of three skin treatments, with respect to no treatment, for reducing the electrode–gel–skin impedance (ZEGS) and noise: (i) rubbing with alcohol; (ii) rubbing with abrasive conductive paste; (iii) stripping with adhesive tape. The complex impedances ZEGS of the individual electrodes were measured by applying this procedure to disposable commercial Ag–AgCl gelled electrode arrays (4 × 1) with a 5 mm2 contact area. The impedance unbalance ΔZ = ZEGS1 − ZEGS2 and the RMS noise (VRMS) were measured between pairs of electrodes. The tissue impedance ZT was also obtained, as a collateral result. Measurements were repeated at t0 = 0 min and at t30 = 30 min from the electrode application. Mixed linear models and linear regression analysis applied to ZEGS, ΔZ and noise VRMS for the skin treatment factor demonstrated (a) that skin rubbing with abrasive conductive paste is more effective in lowering ZEGS, ΔZ and VRMS (p < 0.01) than the other treatments or no treatment, and (b) a statistically significant decrement (p < 0.01), between t0 and t30, of magnitude and phase of ZEGS. Rubbing with abrasive conductive paste significantly decreased the noise VRMS with respect to other treatments or no treatment.
Antimicrobial activity of plant extracts against sexually transmitted pathogens

Comprehensive management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) using vaginal or rectal microbicide-based intervention is one of the strategies for prevention of HIV infection. Herbal products have been used for treating STIs traditionally. Herein, we present in vitro activity of 10 plant extracts and their 34 fractions against three sexually transmitted/reproductive tract pathogens – Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Haemophilus ducreyi and Candida albicans. The plant parts were selected; the extracts/fractions were prepared and screened by disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory and minimum cidal concentrations were determined. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of selected extracts/fractions showing activity was performed. Of the extracts/fractions tested, three inhibited C. albicans, ten inhibited N. gonorrhoeae and five inhibited H. ducreyi growth. Our study demonstrated that Terminalia paniculata Roth. extracts/fractions inhibited growth of all three organisms. The ethyl acetate fraction of Syzygium cumini Linn. and Bridelia retusa (L.) Spreng. extracts was found to inhibit N. gonorrhoeae at lowest concentrations.
Improvement in ozone generation with low voltage high frequency power converters

This paper proposes a low voltage, high frequency power converters to produce ozone gas in atmospheric pressure. The ozone chamber is made of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) chamber using perforated electrodes sheet and insulation material which has lower dielectric breakdown. The power converter is an isolated high frequency inverter with resonance at the secondary of the transformer. This converter is expected to generate ozone gas with lower voltage and power consumption.
An In Situ Approach to Real-Time Spatial Control of Steady-State Wafer Temperature During Thermal Processing in Microlithography

We proposed an in situ method to control the steady-state wafer temperature uniformity during thermal processing in microlithography. Thermal processing of wafer in the microlithography sequence is conducted by the placement of the wafer on the bake-plate for a given period of time. A physical model of the thermal system is first developed by considering energy balances on the system. Next, by monitoring the bake-plate temperature and fitting the data into the model, the temperature of the wafer can be estimated and controlled in real-time. This is useful as production wafers usually do not have temperature sensors embedded on it, these bake-plates are usually calibrated based on test wafers with embedded sensors. However, as processes are subjected to process drifts, disturbances, and wafer warpages, real-time correction of the bake-plate temperatures to achieve uniform wafer temperature at steady state is not possible in current baking systems. Any correction is done based on run-to-run control techniques which depends on the sampling frequency of the wafers. Our approach is real-time and can correct for any variations in the desired steady-state wafer temperature. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the approach
A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Written Emotional Disclosure on the Health Outcomes of Clinical Populations

A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effects of the written emotional disclosure paradigm on health outcomes of people with physical or psychiatric disorders. After nine studies were meta-analyzed, it was determined that expressive writing significantly improved health (d = .19; p < .05). However, this positive relationship (r = .10) was not moderated by any systemic variables because of the nonsignificant test of homogeneity (Qw = 5.27; p = .73). Nonetheless, a planned contrast illustrated that expressive writing is more effective on physical (d = .21; p = .01) than on psychological (d = .07; p = .17) health outcomes (Qb > 10.83; p < .001). One explanation for the small effect size (ES) results and the nonsignificant test of homogeneity may be the small and heterogeneous samples used in some of the studies within this research synthesis. Future research with expressive writing should be tested with randomized controlled trials to increase the likelihood of detecting a larger treatment effect.
Development and prototyping system far an 8-bit multitask micropower processor

A low power, event-driven microprocessor, called PUNCH, has been conceived, realized and commercialized in Switzerland. In this paper we present a development and prototyping system for PUNCH, composed of two main parts: an emulator and a monitor. The emulator is an implementation of the PUNCH architecture using Actel FPGA circuits, on a NuBus format card hosted by a Macintosh computer. The monitor is a program running on the Macintosh, allowing symbolic debugging (display and modification of the resources of the processor, as well as control of the execution of the applications).
Neural network based multiuser detection techniques in SDMA-OFDM system

The multiuser detection (MUD) process followed by the prominent channel estimation at the receiver end of the SDMA-OFDM (Space Division Multiple Access - Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) system plays a vital role to retrieve data appropriately. This paper examines the neural network (NN) model based MUD schemes as a possible alternative to Genetic Algorithm (GA) based Minimum Bit Error Rate (MBER) MUD schemes. In this paper, both Widrow-Hoff (WH) learning in single layer structured NN and Back Propagation (BP) learning in a Multi layer perceptron (MLP) structured NN models are described. These techniques offer low complexity and the need for channel estimation can be eliminated. Simulation based performance study is carried out to prove the efficiency of the proposed techniques. The bit Error Rate (BER) and complexity plots show improvement over the previous techniques.