Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) genotype but not GSTT1 or MC1R genotype influences erythemal sensitivity to narrow band (TL-01) UVB phototherapy

Objectives Although a majority of psoriasis patients respond to treatment with narrow band ultraviolet B radiation (TL-01) phototherapy, it is currently not possible to predict erythemal sensitivity, or to identify treatment responders. A variety of antioxidant enzymes, including the polymorphic glutathione S-transferase GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes, protect the cell from UVR-induced oxidative challenge. GSTM1 and GSTT1 are deleted in approximately 50 and 20% of the Caucasian population, respectively, and GST null genotype has been associated with increased sunburn sensitivity and reduced minimal erythemal dose (MED) after broadband UVR exposure in healthy volunteers and with susceptibility to skin cancer. Another polymorphic determinant of UVR sensitivity is the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), which protects cells from UVR-induced apoptosis and photodamage. Our aim was therefore to investigate whether GST or MC1R genotype influenced erythemal sensitivity to narrow band (TL-01) ultraviolet B radiation phototherapy in patients with psoriasis. Methods We used TaqMan quantitative gene copy and allelic discrimination assays to determine GST and MC1R genotypes, and looked for possible associations between genotype and threshold erythemal sensitivity (MED) and treatment outcomes in patients with psoriasis (n=256). Results We showed that GSTM1 genotype, but not GSTT1 or MC1R genotype influences erythemal sensitivity to TL-01 phototherapy, with a significantly lower MED observed in GSTM1 null individuals [&khgr;2(2 d.f.)=8.862, P=0.012]. None of the genotypes studied were associated with TL-01 treatment outcomes or relapse rates. Conclusion GSTM1 genotype may have clinical utilityin the prediction of photosensitivity and/or in identifying patients at increased risk of treatment-related side effects.
A Proxy Scheduling Algorithm of Stream Media Transmission

The transmission of stream media over the Internet require a high bandwidth. While the best-effort network could not provide constant transmission speed. The proxy server (PS) is the nearest part of the Internet to the client. The proxy can cache the data, and release the load of the servers. So the proxies have great influence on the video QoS. Through the perfect algorithm, within the acceptable scope, the proxy can improve the performance of the system. In this paper, a new cache replace strategy based on AFEC is proposed, Layered Coded Packets Based Object eXchang Strategy- LCPOXS, which can employee the characteristics of the proxy and can improve the system performance within the normal resource.
Old English wald, weald in place-names

ABSTRACT Old English wald is a not uncommon term used in place-names and pre-Conquest charter boundary clauses. The interpretation of the term is discussed and its association with woodland, together with brief references to other woodland terms, especially British *cēto and related terms. Some early recordings of wald names appear to refer to relatively large well-wooded areas such as the Weald of south-eastern England. Some area names, like ‘Cotswold’, are not recorded until the medieval period when the meaning of ‘wold’ was beginning to change and when some such regions were becoming characterised by more open countryside; the names, however, may be much older. The term was consistently associated with upland, often in marginal areas, and it seems likely that it originally implied the presence of considerable amounts of open woodland.
Sphingolipids as differential regulators of cellular signalling processes.

Sphingomyelin is a phospholipid that is preferentially located in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane of mammalian cells. It can be hydrolysed by three distinct isoforms of a phospholipase C (PLC)-like enzyme, sphingomyelinase, which are distinguished by their pH optima and Mg2+-dependence. Activation of sphingomyelinase occurs in response to stimulation of a number of distinct cell-surface receptors by a variety of biological agonists, such as cytokines and growth factors [l]. Several metabolites of sphingomyelin have been identified as potential second-messenger molecules.
Electromagnetic Device Analysis Using a Meshless Approach Coupled to a Kohonen Network

This paper describes a novel adaptive solution system for electromagnetic field problems. The solution method is based on a meshless approach and thus the preprocessing effort is minimized. The positions of the nodes used for this solution are determined adaptively using a Kohonen neural network (NN). The objective of the proposed approach is to obtain an optimal placing of the nodes before adding any new degrees of freedom to reduce the error.
Bit error probability degradation due to code tracking errors in spread-spectrum communication systems

The influence of code synchronisation errors on the bit error probability (BEP) for spread-spectnun communication systems is investigated. Insight is gained in the BEP degradation due to the tracking bias of a noncoherent delay lock loop (DLL). Numerical results, obtained using a simple fading model of an unfiltered input signal consisting of a line-of-sight component and just one multipath signal, for receivers with an early-late spacing of one chip using a noncoherent DLL are given. In the fast fading case, the bit error probability calculated with tracking bias can be much worse than the bit error probability determined when this error is ignored. For a signal-to-multipath ratio of 3 dB and a multipath delay of . 75 chip time, the bit error probability calculated with delay bias is even 300 times larger than the probability if the tracking error is not taken into account.
The Concept of Cognitive Reserve: A Catalyst for Research

ISSN: 1380-3395 (Print) 1744-411X (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline. com/loi/ncen20 The Concept of Cognitive Reserve: A Catalyst for Research Yaakov Stern To cite this article: Yaakov Stern (2003) The Concept of Cognitive Reserve: A Catalyst for Research, Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 25:5, 589-593, DOI: 10.1076/ jcen.25. 5.589. 14571 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1076/jcen.25. 5.589. 14571
Genetic Association of Interferon Gamma Induced Protein-10 (IP-10), CXCL-10 Gene Polymorphisms with TB Pleurisy Susceptibility in South Indian Population

CXCL-10 known as Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) or small-inducible cytokine 10 is a 8.7 kDa protein, which is secreted in response to IFN-γ by monocytes, endothelial cells and fi-broblasts. It has chemo-attraction for monocytes/macrophages, T cells, NK cells and dendritic cells in promotion of T cell adhesion to endothelial cells. In the present study, we investigated whether polymorphisms in CXCL-10 gene have any role in the manifestation of Tuberculous (TB) pleurisy. Two SNPs in CXCL-10 promoter region (﹣1447A > G and ﹣135G > A) were genotyped in patients with TB Pleurisy (n = 186), Pulmonary TB patients (n = 159) and healthy controls (n = 205) by PCR-RFLP. Disease associations were statistically analyzed by Fisher exact test. At the ﹣135G > A position, the frequencies of genotype GA and allele G were significantly high in TB pleurisy patients compared to healthy controls. While the frequencies of genotype AA and allele A were significantly low in TB pleurisy patients compared to healthy controls. The frequency of haplotype A-G with the combination of 1447A > G and ﹣135G > A was significantly high in TB pleurisy. Our results reveal that genotype GA and allele G at ﹣135G > A position were strongly associated with susceptibility to tuberculous pleurisy. The GA genotype may be a useful genetic marker for early detection of the disease in high risk individuals.
Clostridium difficile: its disease and toxins

Clostridium difficile is the etiologic agent of pseudomembranous colitis, a severe, sometimes fatal disease that occurs in adults undergoing antimicrobial therapy. The disease, ironically, has been most effectively treated with antibiotics, although some of the newer methods of treatment such as the replacement of the bowel flora may prove more beneficial for patients who continue to relapse with pseudomembranous colitis. The organism produces two potent exotoxins designated toxin A and toxin B. Toxin A is an enterotoxin believed to be responsible for the diarrhea and mucosal tissue damage which occur during the disease. Toxin B is an extremely potent cytotoxin, but its role in the disease has not been as well studied. There appears to be a cascade of events which result in the expression of the activity of these toxins, and these events, ranging from the recognition of a trisaccharide receptor by toxin A to the synergistic action of the toxins and their possible dissemination in the body, are discussed in this review. The advantages and disadvantages of the various assays, including tissue culture assay, enzyme immunoassay, and latex agglutination, currently used in the clinical diagnosis of the disease also are discussed.
A Survey of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ( UAV ) for Traffic Surveillance

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has been interested for the past several years in obtaining data on traffic trends and to monitor and control traffic in realtime. Currently, there are several methods by which the DOT regulates and monitors road transport. Cameras mounted on towers, detectors embedded in pavements or pneumatic tubes, and unmanned aircraft have been proven to be expensive and time-consuming solution candidates. However, aerial monitoring has the potential to yield detailed information to help traffic planners, as well as commuters. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) may provide a “bird’s eye view” for traffic surveillance, road conditions and emergency response. The purpose of this technical report is to provide a survey of research related to the application of UAVs for traffic management.
Immunization of mice and baboons with the recombinant Sm28GST affects both worm viability and fecundity after experimental infection with Schistosoma mansoni

Summary A member of the glutathione S‐transferase family. Sm28GST has previous! demonstrated a good ability to protect rodents against experimental infection with Schistosoma mansoni. In order lo evaluate its efficacy in a model closer to man, two different protocols of immunization with recombinant Sm28GST were tested on baboons in a large‐scale trial. Three injections in the presence of aluminium hydroxide as adjuvant resulted in a significant 38% reduction in the adult worm burden together with a trend for a lower percentage of inflammatory tissue in the liver. Individual levels of protection, ranging from 0 to 80%, underlined the heterogeneity of the immune response to this purified molecule in outbred primates. On the other hand, two injections of Sm28GST in the presence of aluminium hydroxide and Bordetella pertussis reduced female schistosome fecundity by 33%, with a more pronounced effect (66%) on faecal egg output; there was also a trend, in this protocol, for decrease of the mean granuloma surface in the liver. Individual anti‐Sm28GST IgG antibodies were apparently unrelated to levels of immunity, but there was partial evidence that cytophilic IgE might play a role in the immune mechanisms affecting worm viability, but not fecundity. In the mouse model, Sm28GST vaccination resulted in a lower hatching ability of tissue eggs recovered from immunized mice whereas passive transfer of specific anti‐Sm28GST T‐lymphocytes, one day before infection, significantly reduced the number of eggs in the liver of mice. We propose that different protocols of immunization with a recombinant molecule can impede Schistosoma mansoni worm viability and fecundity, but can also affect miracidium
Using a criteria-based reminder to reduce use of indwelling urinary catheters and decrease urinary tract infections.

BACKGROUND Duration of indwelling urinary catheterization is an important risk factor for urinary tract infection. OBJECTIVES To determine whether a reminder approach reduces the use of urinary catheters and the incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections. METHODS A randomized control trial was performed in 2 respiratory intensive care units in a 2990-bed tertiary referral medical center. Patients who had urinary catheters in place for more than 2 days from April through November 2008 were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (use of a criteria-based reminder to remove the catheter) or the control group (no reminder). RESULTS A total of 278 patients were recruited. Utilization rate of indwelling urinary catheters was decreased by 22% in the intervention group compared with the control group (relative risk, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.76-0.80; P < .001). The intervention significantly shortened the median duration of catheterization (7 days vs 11 days for the control group; P < .001). The success rate for removing the catheters in the intervention group by day 7 was 88%. The reminder intervention reduced the incidence of catheter-associated infections by 48% (relative risk, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32-0.86; P = .009) in the intervention group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS Use of a criteria-based reminder to remove indwelling urinary catheters can diminish the use of urinary catheterization and reduce the likelihood of catheter-associated urinary infections. This reminder approach can prevent catheter-associated urinary infections, and its use should be strongly considered as a way to enhance the safety of patients.
Is Evolution Necessary for Range Expansion? Manipulating Reproductive Timing of a Weedy Annual Transplanted beyond Its Range

Ecologists often consider how environmental factors limit a species’ geographic range. However, recent models suggest that geographic distribution also may be determined by a species’ ability to adapt to novel environmental conditions. In this study, we empirically tested whether further evolution would be necessary for northern expansion of the weedy annual cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) in its native North American range. We transplanted seedlings beyond the northern border and photoperiodically manipulated reproductive timing, a trait important for adaptation to shorter growing seasons at higher latitudes within the range, to determine whether further evolution of this trait would result in a phenotype viable beyond the range. Earlier reproductive induction enabled plants to produce mature seeds beyond the range and to achieve a reproductive output similar to those grown within the range. Therefore, evolution of earlier reproduction in marginal populations would be necessary for northward range expansion. This study is the first to empirically show that evolution in an ecologically important trait would enable a species to survive and reproduce beyond its current range. These results suggest that relatively few traits may limit a species’ range and that identifying evolutionary constraints on such traits could be important for predicting geographic distribution.
La vision du monde de Claude Lévi-Strauss

A cote de ses œuvres proprement scientifiques consacrees a la parente et aux mythes, Claude Levi-Strauss nous propose non pas une philosophie – il a plusieurs fois vigoureusement recuse le terme – mais une vision du monde accompagnee d’une vision de l’histoire du monde. Celles-ci procedent de ses recherches, mais elles ne s’en deduisent pas, du moins pas entierement ; elles contiennent des elements originaux qui appellent de notre part une attention particuliere. La vision du monde de Levi-St.
Ambulatory calf volume plethysmography in the assessment of venous insufficiency

Ambulatory calf volume plethysmography has been used to study venous insufficiency in 50 lower limbs. The results demonstrate that it is possible to determine the presence of venous insufficiency and differentiate between normal limbs, limbs with superficial venous insufficiency only, limbs with deep venous insufficiency and limbs with deep venous insufficiency and occlusion by determining the ambulatory volume change and maximum venous outflow or venous volume.
Contributing factors of temozolomide resistance in MCF-7 tumor xenograft models

Vasculature mediated drug resistance in tumors was studied in female SCID mice bearing wild type MCF-7 and adriamycin resistant MCF-7/ADR xenograft using temozolomide (TMZ). A strong tumor growth inhibitory effect of TMZ treatment was 5 observed in MCF-7 tumors during the initial treatment phase with subsequent relapse, but not in MCF-7/ADR tumors. Non-invasive MRI measurements of tumor vascular volume and vascular permeability-surface area product (PS) demonstrated significant reduction of PS in long-term treated MCF-7, but not in MCF-7/ADR tumors. O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) mRNA, and VEGF expression 10 was analyzed using real-time RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. No significant changes in MGMT mRNA and VEGF expression were observed in either MCF-7 or MCF-7/ADR tumors. However, in vitro incubation of MCF-7 cells with TMZ did induce the expression of MGMT mRNA. In addition, p53 and p21 levels were scored by immunoblotting. Exposure of cells to TMZ did not affect either the p21 or 15 the p53 expression in both MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADR cells. The absence of these molecular responses to TMZ treatment in MCF-7 tumors in vivo supports the possibility that the onset of cancer drug resistance is associated with reduced PS, which can decrease the delivery of the drug to the cancer cells.
p53-independent expression of p21Cip1 in muscle and other terminally differentiating cells

Terminal differentiation is coupled to withdrawal from the cell cycle. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) p21Cip1 is transcriptionally regulated by p53 and can induce growth arrest. CKIs are therefore potential mediators of developmental control of cell proliferation. The expression pattern of mouse p21 correlated with terminal differentiation of multiple cell lineages including skeletal muscle, cartilage, skin, and nasal epithelium in a p53-independent manner. Although the muscle-specific transcription factor MyoD is sufficient to activate p21 expression in 10T1/2 cells, p21 was expressed in myogenic cells of mice lacking the genes encoding MyoD and myogenin, demonstrating that p21 expression does not require these transcription factors. The p21 protein may function during development as an inducible growth inhibitor that contributes to cell cycle exit and differentiation.
Insomnia symptoms and HIV infection among participants in the Women's Interagency HIV Study.

OBJECTIVES This study assessed the prevalence of insomnia symptoms among women with and without HIV-infection and examined factors associated with insomnia. DESIGN Participants (n = 1682) were enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS); 69% were infected with HIV. This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from standardized interviewer-administered instruments and physical/gynecological exams. Analysis focused on sociodemographics, sleep measures, depressive symptoms, drug use, alcohol consumption, medications, and HIV-related clinical variables. Women were classified as having symptoms of insomnia if they reported either difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, or early morning awakening ≥ 3 times a week in the past 2 weeks. RESULTS Overall, HIV-infected women were 17% more likely to endorse insomnia symptoms than uninfected women (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04-1.34, P < 0.05). The adjusted prevalence of insomnia symptoms varied by HIV status and age groups. Among women ages 31-40 years, those with HIV infection were 26% more likely to endorse insomnia symptoms than their counterparts (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01-1.59, P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the likelihood of reporting insomnia symptoms based on HIV treatment type. Multivariate-adjusted regression analyses showed that depression was the most consistent and significant independent predictor of the likelihood of reporting insomnia symptoms across all age strata. CONCLUSIONS Insomnia symptoms are common among both HIV-infected and uninfected women. Prevalence of insomnia did not vary significantly by HIV status, except among younger women. Younger women with HIV infection are at greater risk for experiencing insomnia symptoms.
Joint Blind Timing and Frequency Offset Estimation for MIMO-OFDM over Spatially Correlated Fading Channels

With the reduced size of mobile devices and the adoption of MIMO channels in wireless applications, the impact of spatial correlation on the design of wireless communication systems has to be investigated. In this paper, we consider the blind joint symbol timing and frequency offset estimation for MIMO-OFDM systems over spatially correlated frequency selective fading channels. Taking the spatial correlation into account, we first derive a blind joint symbol timing and frequency offset estimator by exploiting the second order cyclostationarity (CS) of received signals and using the least square estimation technique. The effect of the number of transmitters and receivers, the antenna spacing and the angle of arrivals on the performance of the proposed estimator is next investigated. It has been shown that the MSE performance of the proposed symbol timing and frequency offset estimators improves with the increase in SNR, the number of antennas, the number of OFDM symbols used for estimation, while degrades with the increase in the number of channel path and the spatial correlation which is a function of antenna spacing and angle of arrivals (departure).
Endocytosis of AtRGS1 Is Regulated by the Autophagy Pathway after D-Glucose Stimulation

Sugar, as a signal molecule, has significant functions in signal transduction in which the seven-transmembrane regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS1) protein participates. D-Glucose causes endocytosis of the AtRGS1, leading to the physical uncoupling of AtRGS1 from AtGPA1 and thus a release of the GAP activity and concomitant sustained activation of G-protein signaling. Autophagy involves in massive degradation and recycling of cytoplasmic components to survive environmental stresses. The function of autophagy in AtRGS1 endocytosis during D-glucose stimulation has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigate the relationship between autophagy and AtRGS1 in response to D-glucose. Our findings demonstrated that AtRGS1 mediated the activation of autophagy by affecting the activities of the five functional groups of protein complexes and promoted the formation of autophagosomes under D-glucose application. When the autophagy pathway was interrupted, AtRGS1 recovery increased and endocytosis of ATRGS1 was inhibited, indicating that autophagy pathway plays an important role in regulating the endocytosis and recovery of AtRGS1 after D-glucose stimulation.
Effect of microstructure on electrical and mechanical properties: Impurities of inkjet-printed Ag and Cu interconnects

Inkjet printing technology is a pattern-on-demand technology which has numerous advantages. However, this technology needs an additional thermal treatment, i.e., drying process. This treatment results in microstructure evolution which is expected to relate to properties of film. The microstructure, electrical and mechanical properties of the inkjet printed Ag and Cu films were characterized as drying process. Model study on electrical resistivity of Ag film shows that the decomposition of capping molecule plays a key role in microstructure evolution and electrical resistivity. The effect of ambient in thermal treatment of inkjet printed Cu film also investigated in this purport. The adhesion strength as a mechanical property was measured by 4 point bend test using sandwiched structure. Strengthening of adhesion was observed as densification of inkjet printed film.