Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of apoptosis in age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE To investigate apoptosis in human age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS Postmortem retinas with AMD and normal retinas were studied by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) to identify dying cells, and by immunocytochemistry with cell-specific antibodies to identify rods and cones. Sections were also labeled for Fas, a cell surface receptor that triggers apoptosis in other cell types. The maculas with AMD had geographic atrophy (GA) or exudative AMD. RESULTS Maculas with AMD had statistically significant increases in TUNEL-positive cells in the inner choroid, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), photoreceptors, and inner nuclear layers compared with normal retinas. In eyes with GA, TUNEL-positive rod and RPE cell nuclei were present near edges of RPE atrophy. Photoreceptors in the maculas of eyes with AMD were strongly Fas-positive, while normal photoreceptors were only weakly labeled. CONCLUSIONS Evidence in this study suggests that in human AMD, RPE, photoreceptors, and inner nuclear layer cells die by apoptosis. Most TUNEL-positive RPE and photoreceptor cells were at edges of atrophy, correlating with clinically observed expansion of atrophic areas with vision loss in patients with GA. Increased Fas labeling in AMD photoreceptors indicates that the Fas/Fas ligand system may be involved in photoreceptor apoptosis. This information is essential for developing rational therapy for AMD.
Liberdade na Internet: Que utilização é feita dos confessionários on-line?

Sustentados pela globalizacao da Internet, os confessionarios on-line tornaram-se uma alternativa recorrente para os utilizadores que veem na confissao uma necessidade. A liberdade que ferramentas como estas conferem ao utilizador, nomeadamente a possibilidade de manter o anonimato, sao caracteristicas que o definem como um recurso em crescimento. A analise qualitativa de 100 confissoes, recolhidas a partir de tres websites, foi realizada tendo como principais factores de analise a tematica abordada, a atitude e intencao demonstradas pelo confessor, o tipo de linguagem utilizada e a relacao destes factores com o anonimato ou identificacao das confissoes. Os resultados encontrados revelam que os confessionarios sao utilizados maioritariamente para desabafar e procurar ajuda, e que o anonimato e de facto a opcao mais recorrente e que nao demonstra uma relacao directa com o tipo de linguagem utilizada.
Recent Progress in Proof Mining in Nonlinear Analysis

During the last two decades the program of ‘proof mining’ emerged which uses tools from mathematical logic (so-called proof interpretations) to systematically extract explicit quantitative information (e.g. rates of convergence) from prima facie nonconstructive proofs (e.g. convergence proofs). This has been applied particularly successful in the context of nonlinear analysis: fixed point theory, ergodic theory, topological dynamics, convex optimization and abstract Cauchy problems. In this paper we give a survey on some of the results, both on the logical foundation of proof mining as well as its applications in nonlinear analysis, obtained since the monograph [65] appeared.
Mouse digit tip regeneration is mediated by fate-restricted progenitor cells

Regeneration of appendages is frequent among invertebrates as well as some vertebrates. However, in mammals this has been largely relegated to digit tip regeneration, as found in mice and humans. The regenerated structures are formed from a mound of undifferentiated cells called a blastema, found just below the site of amputation. The blastema ultimately gives rise to all of the tissues in the regenerate, excluding the epidermis, and has classically been thought of as a homogenous pool of pluripotent stem cells derived by dedifferentiation of stump tissue, although this has never been directly tested in the context of mammalian digit tip regeneration. Successful digit tip regeneration requires that the level of amputation be within the nail bed and depends on expression of Msx1. Because Msx1 is strongly expressed in the nail bed mesenchyme, it has been proposed that the Msx1-expressing cells represent a pluripotent cell population for the regenerating digit. In this report, we show that Msx1 is dynamically expressed during digit tip regeneration, and it does not mark a pluripotent stem cell population. Moreover, we show that both the ectoderm and mesoderm contain fate-restricted progenitor populations that work in concert to regenerate their own lineages within the digit tip, supporting the hypothesis that the blastema is a heterogeneous pool of progenitor cells.
Reduced CD5+CD24hiCD38hi and interleukin‐10+ regulatory B cells in active anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody‐associated vasculitis permit increased circulating autoantibodies

Pathogenesis of anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)‐associated vasculitis is B cell‐dependent, although how particular B cell subsets modulate immunopathogenesis remains unknown. Although their phenotype remains controversial, regulatory B cells (Bregs), play a role in immunological tolerance via interleukin (IL)‐10. Putative CD19+CD24hiCD38hi and CD19+CD24hiCD27+ Bregs were evaluated in addition to their CD5+ subsets in 69 patients with ANCA‐associated vasculitis (AAV). B cell IL‐10 was verified by flow cytometry following culture with CD40 ligand and cytosine–phosphate–guanosine (CpG) DNA. Patients with active disease had decreased levels of CD5+CD24hiCD38hi B cells and IL‐10+ B cells compared to patients in remission and healthy controls (HCs). As IL‐10+ and CD5+CD24hiCD38hi B cells normalized in remission within an individual, ANCA titres decreased. The CD5+ subset of CD24hiCD38hi B cells decreases in active disease and rebounds during remission similarly to IL‐10‐producing B cells. Moreover, CD5+ B cells are enriched in the ability to produce IL‐10 compared to CD5neg B cells. Together these results suggest that CD5 may identify functional IL‐10‐producing Bregs. The malfunction of Bregs during active disease due to reduced IL‐10 expression may thus permit ANCA production.
Immigration and Welfare Magnets

This article investigates if the location choices made by immigrants when they arrive in the United States are influenced by the interstate dispersion in welfare benefits. Income‐maximizing behavior implies that foreign‐born welfare recipients, unlike their native‐born counterparts, may be clustered in the states that offer the highest benefits. The empirical analysis indicates that immigrant welfare recipients are indeed more heavily clustered in high‐benefit states than the immigrants who do not receive welfare, or than natives. As a result, the welfare participation rate of immigrants is much more sensitive to changes in welfare benefits than that of natives.
Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor Expression in the Pituitary of Fetal Sheep after Lesion of the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus1.

Both the capacity of CRF to release ACTH and the number of binding sites for CRF in the anterior pituitary decline during the final weeks of gestation in fetal sheep. The present study examined regulation of pituitary CRF receptor expression by the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) during late gestation in fetal sheep. Bilateral radiofrequency lesions of the PVN (PVN-Lx; n = 4) or sham lesions (SHAM; n = 5) were performed in fetal sheep at 118–122 days of gestational age (dGA). Pituitary glands from PVN-Lx and SHAM fetuses were collected at 139–142 dGA (term, approximately 148 dGA). Dual-label in situ hybridization was performed using a digoxigenin-labeled ovine POMC complementary RNA, together with a 35S-labeled ovine CRF type I (CRF1) receptor complementary RNA, to localize and quantify CRF1 receptor mRNA in POMC-hybridizing cells. Binding of[ 125I]-ovine CRF was also examined in the fetal pituitary of both PVN-Lx and SHAM fetuses using in situ autoradiography. The hybridization signal for the .
Comparison of computer- and interviewer-administered versions of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule.

A group of 150 psychiatric patients were administered the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) on two occasions, once by a trained layperson and once using a computerized interview format in which the patient interacted directly with the computer. Agreement between the two methods on 15 diagnoses was relatively modest, as indicated by a mean kappa score of . 51, but was similar to agreement rates reported in other studies of the DIS. The discrepancies may have been due to the high number of acutely ill inpatients studied, patients' reporting more symptoms in one of the interviews, and difficulty translating some of the DIS questions to the computer. Patients had positive feelings about both methods, but a significant majority liked the computer interview better and found it less embarrassing. The authors conclude that computerized administration of the DIS is as reliable as other methods but that exclusive reliance on the DIS for clinical diagnosis is inappropriate.
A clustered randomized trial of the effects of feedback using academic detailing compared to postal bulletin on prescribing of preventative cardiovascular therapy.

BACKGROUND Interventions to promote prescribing of preventive therapies in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes have reported variable success. OBJECTIVE (i) To evaluate the effect of prescribing feedback on GP practice using academic detailing compared to postal bulletin on prescribing of CVD preventive therapies in patients with CVD or diabetes at 3 and 6 months post intervention and (ii) to evaluate the intervention from a GP's perspective. METHODS Volunteer GP practices (n = 98) were randomized to receive individualized prescribing feedback via academic detailing (postal bulletin plus outreach visit) (n = 48) or postal bulletin (n = 50). The proportion of CVD or diabetic patients on statins and antiplatelet agents/warfarin pre- and post-intervention was calculated for each GP practice. Multivariate regression with a random effects model was used to compare differences between the groups adjusting for GP clustering and confounding factors. beta-Coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are presented. RESULTS There was a 3% increase in statin prescribing in CVD patients at 6 months post-intervention for both randomized groups, but there was no statistical difference between the groups (beta = 0.004; 95% CI = -0.01 to 0.02). Statin and antiplatelet/warfarin prescribing also increased in the diabetic population; there was no significant differences between the groups. GPs participating in the project expressed a high level of satisfaction with both interventions. CONCLUSION Prescribing of preventive therapies increased in both randomized groups over the study period. But academic detailing did not have an additional effect on changing prescribing over the postal bulletin alone.
Chronic Paraneoplastic Cutaneous Syndrome Preceding an Indolent Variant of Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Favorable Response to Rituximab

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive type of malignant lymphoma with short median survival despite conventional therapy. We describe the unusual case of a 66-year-old man with a chronic skin rash which preceded the occurrence of an indolent MCL by 2 years. Repeated skin biopsies did not show involvement by the lymphoma. Short therapy with rituximab resulted in the complete and lasting resolution of the cutaneous lesions.
Reliability of self-rated tinnitus distress and association with psychological symptom patterns.

Psychological complaints were investigated in two samples of 60 and 138 in-patients suffering from chronic tinnitus. We administered the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ), a 52-item self-rating scale which differentiates between dimensions of emotional and cognitive distress, intrusiveness, auditory perceptual difficulties, sleep disturbances and somatic complaints. The test-retest reliability was . 94 for the TQ global score and between . 86 and . 93 for subscales. Three independent analyses were conducted to estimate the split-half reliability (internal consistency) which was only slightly lower than the test-retest values for scales with a relatively small number of items. Reliability was sufficient also on the level of single items. Low correlation between the TQ and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) indicate a distinct quality of tinnitus-related and general psychological disturbances.
Revision Surgery for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Results of surgical treatment in 50 failed back surgery patients were retrospectively reviewed to determine what factors influenced surgical outcome. Before surgery, all patients had disabling pain and limited function. Overall significant improvement in pain and function was obtained in 66% of the patients. Thirteen of 16 patients (81%) who had successful fusion of pseudarthrosis had a satisfactory outcome, whereas only 3 of 13 patients (23%) who had failed pseudarthrosis repair had a satisfactory outcome. Successful pseudarthrosis repair is the key to a high clinical success rate in revision surgery for failed back surgery syndrome. Pseudarthrosis repair by conventional posterolateral fusion with postoperative lumbosacral corset immobilization showed a high failure rate. The success rate of reoperation on failed back surgery syndrome patients is low.
Practical mitigation options for phosphorus and sediment loss from winter – sown crops : an overview of contemporary methods

Phosphorus (P) and suspended sediment (SS) play a pivotal role in influencing water quality and biodiversity and, as a result, controlling the transfer of these important diffuse pollutants from land to water, represents a priority task for catchment managers and stakeholders (Kronvang et al., 2005a). This review briefly summarises the environmental and legislative context regarding phosphorus and suspended sediment losses from land to water, outlines the pathways for such losses, and reviews contemporary research evidence on mitigation methods for controlling these losses to surface water systems. Mitigation methods discussed include fertiliser and manure management, dietary strategies, tillage methods, residue management, cover (catch) cropping, tramline management, gateway locations, strategic management along river margins, and the use of wetlands and retention ponds. The review concludes with a synthesis which considers different mitigation options in the context of catchment management for sustainable water quality.
Cyanide-binding Site of bd-type Ubiquinol Oxidase from Escherichia coli(*)

We extended our investigation on the structure of the redox centers of bd-type ubiquinol oxidase from Escherichia coli using cyanide as a monitoring probe. We found that addition of cyanide to the air-oxidized O2-bound enzyme caused appearance of an infrared C-N stretching band at 2161 cm− and concomitant disappearance of the 647 nm absorption band of the cytochrome d (Fe2+)-O2 species. Addition of cyanide to the air-oxidized CO-bound enzyme also resulted in disappearance of the 635 nm absorption band and the 1983.4 cm− C-O infrared band of the cytochrome d (Fe2+)-CO species. The resulting species had a derivative-shaped electron paramagnetic resonance signal at g = 3.15. Upon partial reduction with sodium dithionite, this species was converted partly to a transient heme d (Fe3+)-C=N species having an electron paramagnetic resonance signal at gz = 2.96 and a C-N infrared band at 2138 cm−. These observations suggest that the active site of the enzyme has a heme-heme binuclear metal center distinct from that of the heme-copper terminal oxidase and that the treatment of the air-oxidized enzyme with cyanide resulted in a cyanide-bridging species with “heme d(Fe3+)-C=N-heme b595(Fe3+)” structure.
Spatial Variability of Turbulent Mixing in the Abyssal Ocean

Ocean microstructure data show that turbulent mixing in the deep Brazil Basin of the South Atlantic Ocean is weak at all depths above smooth abyssal plains and the South American Continental Rise. The diapycnal diffusivity there was estimated to be less than or approximately equal to 0.1 × 1044 meters squared per second. In contrast, mixing rates are large throughout the water column above the rough Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and the diffusivity deduced for the bottom-most 150 meters exceeds 5 × 1044 meters squared per second. Such patterns in vertical mixing imply that abyssal circulations have complex spatial structures that are linked to the underlying bathymetry.
Optimization of Thermomechanical Reliability of Board-level Package-on-Package Stacking Assembly

In this paper, the Taguchi optimization method is applied to obtain the optimal and robust design towards enhancement of board-level thermomechanical reliability of a package-on-package stacking assembly under an accelerated thermal cycling test condition. An L18(2 1times37) orthogonal array is arranged for the optimization of eight selected control factors of the assembly, including thickness of dies, molding compounds, and substrates, sizes of package and molding compound, and solder joint standoffs. The importance of each of these control factors is compared and ranked
A Simple Model for Scattering Coefficients of Vegetation Canopies

A new simple microwave backward and forward scattering model for vegetation canopies is developed in this study. This simple model has only ten input parameters for a natural earth surface, which is modeled as a two-layer structure comprising a vegetation layer and a ground layer. The computation results of this model are compared with the experimental measurements, which were obtained by a ground-based scatterometer and the NASA/JPL air-borne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system. It is found that the scattering model agrees well with the experimental data, even though the model uses only ten input parameters.
Detection, identification, location, and remote sensing using SAW RFID sensor tags

We consider the problem of simultaneous detection, identification, location estimation, and remote sensing for multiple objects in an environment. In particular, we describe the design and performance of a system capable of simultaneously detecting the presence of multiple objects, identifying each object, and acquiring both a low-resolution estimate of location and a high-resolution estimate of temperature for each object based on wireless interrogation of passive surface acoustic wave (SAW) radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor tags affixed to each object. The system is being studied for application on the lunar surface as well as for terrestrial remote sensing applications such as pre-launch monitoring and testing of spacecraft on the launch pad and monitoring of test facilities. The system utilizes a digitally beam-formed planar receiving antenna array to extend range and provide direction-of-arrival information coupled with an approximate maximum-likelihood signal processing algorithm to provide near-optimal estimation of both range and temperature. We examine the theoretical performance characteristics of the system and compare the theoretical results with results obtained from controlled laboratory experiments.1,2
Continuity of depression during the transition to adulthood: a 5-year longitudinal study of young women.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the clinical course and psychosocial correlates of unipolar depression in late adolescent women and to examine the continuity in affective disturbance from adolescence to early adulthood during the post-high school transition. METHOD One hundred fifty-five women aged 17 or 18 years were recruited from 3 local public high schools and were followed at yearly intervals for 5 years for clinical and psychosocial outcomes. RESULTS The 5-year incidence of first major depressive episode was 36.9%, and overall, 47% of the women had one or more episodes of major depression. Risk for recurrence was substantial, and those with onsets prior to the study were more likely to have depressive episodes during the post-high school period. The presence of nonaffective disorder also increased the risk for depression. Young women with major depression during the post-high school transition had more negative functional outcomes in school and intimate romantic relationships. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that there is substantial continuity in affective disturbance from adolescence to adulthood. The risk for both new onset of depression and recurrence is remarkably high during late adolescence, and the risk continues throughout early adult years, accompanied by notable interpersonal dysfunction.
Asynchronous multi‐domain variational integrators for non‐linear problems

We develop an asynchronous time integration and coupling method with domain decomposition for linear and non‐linear problems in mechanics. To ensure stability in the time integration and in coupling between domains, we use variational integrators with local Lagrange multipliers to enforce continuity at the domain interfaces. The asynchronous integrator lets each domain step with its own time step, using a smaller time step where required by stability and accuracy constraints and a larger time step where allowed. We show that in practice the time step is limited by accuracy requirements rather than by stability requirements. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelo de referencia de un modulador de la norma DTMB de Televisión Digital

El presente trabajo describe el proceso de diseno y verificacion de un modelo de sistema desarrollado en Simulink para un modulador conforme a la norma DTMB de Television Digital Terrestre. El diseno realizado permite leer un fichero . ts compatible con el estandar ISO/IEC 13818-1 y produce como salida un fichero de senales I, Q de la senal codificada y modulada para la norma DTMB. La funcionalidad de todo el modelado se comprueba pasando el fichero de salida a un Generador de Forma de Onda Arbitraria, que realiza la funcion de traslacion de frecuencias y ajuste del nivel de senal para ser aplicada a instrumentos de laboratorios y un receptor comercial, con lo cual se comprueba practicamente que el modelo implementado cumple con el estandar.
FSM model and analysis for reconfigurable protocol stack in networked control system

The protocol stack plays a critical role in determining the performance of networked control system (NCS), which governs the communication activities and directly affects the communication quality of service (QoS). Full or partial reconfiguration of protocol stack offers both optimized communication service and system performance. This paper proposes a finite state machines (FSMs) approach for modeling analysis of reconfiguration protocols stack in NCS. The proposed reconfiguration architecture is implemented by illustrating a simulation for the flexible scheduling scheme on the Ethernet protocol. Detail FSM implement modules for composing node models of master and salve are discussed respectively in OPNET environment. The simulation results validate the effective of our architectural concepts on the protocol implementation in NCS.
Collateral innervation of the medial and lateral prefrontal cortex by amygdaloid, thalamic, and brain‐stem neurons

The distribution of the afferents to the rat's prefrontal cortex originating in the thalamic mediodorsal nucleus and the amygdala was investigated with two fluorescent tracers. Special emphasis was laid on detecting the loci of neurons which project via axonal collaterals into both lateral and medial portions of the prefrontal cortex.