Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Color filtering using plasmonic multilayer structure

In this paper, the transmission type plasmonic multilayer filter was theoretically investigated. The design role of the resonance properties associated with the weakly localized surface Plasmon modes was discussed. Through geometric parameters of the metal/insulator/metal waveguide, the optical properties of the filter can be engineered.
Electroporation of LPB sarcoma cells in vitro and tumors in vivo increases the radiosensitizing effect of cisplatin.

BACKGROUND Cisplatin is a cytotoxic drug with radiosensitizing effect. In this study a physical drug delivery system, electroporation, was used to facilitate cisplatin delivery into the cells and tumors with the aim of increasing radiation response. MATERIALS AND METHODS LPB murine sarcoma cells and tumors were treated either by cisplatin, electroporation or ionizing radiation, and combinations of these. In vitro radiation response was determined by colony forming assay while in vivo treatment effectiveness was determined by local tumor control (TCD50). Platinum accumulation in tumors by atomic absorption spectrometry and tumor perfusion changes by Patent blue staining were determined to elucidate some underlying antitumor mechanisms. RESULTS Exposure of cells in vitro to a combination of cisplatin and electroporation followed by irradiation increased the radiosensitizing effect of cisplatin. Also, the tumor radiocurability of this combined treatment was significantly enhanced, compared to irradiated tumors (enhancement factor; EF = 1.6) and to tumors treated with cisplatin and irradiation (EF = 1.4). Application of electric pulses to the tumors resulted in increased and prolonged accumulation of cisplatin and reduced tumor perfusion. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that electroporation of cells and tumors increases the radiosensitizing effect of cisplatin, and that the predominant underlying mechanism is increased platinum delivery into the tumors due to the electroporation.
Core Genome Responses Involved in Acclimation to High Temperature1[C][W][OA]

Plants can acclimate rapidly to environmental conditions, including high temperatures. To identify molecular events important for acquired thermotolerance, we compared viability and transcript profiles of Arabidopsis thaliana treated to severe heat stress (45°C) without acclimation or following two different acclimation treatments. Notably, a gradual increase to 45°C (22°C to 45°C over 6 h) led to higher survival and to more and higher-fold transcript changes than a step-wise acclimation (90 min at 38°C plus 120 min at 22°C before 45°C). There were significant differences in the total spectrum of transcript changes in the two treatments, but core components of heat acclimation were apparent in the overlap between treatments, emphasizing the importance of performing transcriptome analysis in the context of physiological response. In addition to documenting increases in transcripts of specific genes involved in processes predicted to be required for thermotolerance (i.e. protection of proteins and of translation, limiting oxidative stress), we also found decreases in transcripts (i.e. for programmed cell death, basic metabolism, and biotic stress responses), which are likely equally important for acclimation. Similar protective effects may also be achieved differently, such as prevention of proline accumulation, which is toxic at elevated temperatures and which was reduced by both acclimation treatments but was associated with transcript changes predicted to either reduce proline synthesis or increase degradation in the two acclimation treatments. Finally, phenotypic analysis of T-DNA insertion mutants of genes identified in this analysis defined eight new genes involved in heat acclimation, including cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase and the transcription factors HsfA7a (heat shock transcription factor A7a) and NF-X1.
Long-term risk of stroke and other vascular events in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

CONTEXT The annual risk of ischemic stroke in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis is about 2% during the short-term (2-3 years), but the long-term risks of stroke and other vascular events are unknown, although they may affect surgical decision making. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term risk of stroke and other vascular events in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. DESIGN Cohort study with a median follow-up of 10 years (range, 5-18 years). SETTING The teaching hospital of the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario. PATIENTS From the initial cohort of 500 patients, 106 patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis were selected because they had completed at least 5 years of follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Ipsilateral stroke, myocardial infarction, and nonstroke vascular death. RESULTS The 10- and 15-year actuarial risks of ipsilateral stroke were 5.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0%-12%) and 8.7% (95% CI, 1%-17%), respectively, in patients with 0% to 49% internal carotid artery stenosis, and 9.3% (95% CI, 1%-18%) and 16.6% (95% CI, 1%-32%) in patients with 50% to 99% internal carotid artery stenosis. The 10- and 15-year risks of myocardial infarction and nonstroke vascular death were 10.1% (95% CI, 4%-16%) and 24.0% (95% CI, 14%-34%). Age (P =.02), diabetes mellitus (P =.02), and internal carotid artery stenosis of 50% or more (P =.04) were predictive of increased risks of myocardial infarction and nonstroke vascular death. Internal carotid artery stenosis of 50% or more did predict the risk of ipsilateral stroke (P =.003) when all 181 asymptomatic carotid arteries were included. CONCLUSIONS The annual stroke risk in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis was low and remained stable during long-term follow-up. Any benefit from carotid surgery is therefore unlikely to increase significantly with long-term follow-up. The high long-term risks of myocardial infarction and nonstroke vascular death suggest that prevention strategies should concentrate on coronary risk more than stroke risk.
Significant and sustained antitumor activity in post-docetaxel, castration-resistant prostate cancer with the CYP17 inhibitor abiraterone acetate.

PURPOSE The principal objective of this trial was to evaluate the antitumor activity of abiraterone acetate, an oral, specific, irreversible inhibitor of CYP17 in docetaxel-treated patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS In this multicenter, two-stage, phase II study, abiraterone acetate 1,000 mg was administered once daily continuously. The primary end point was achievement of a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline of > or = 50% in at least seven of 35 patients. Per an attained phase II design, more than 35 patients could be enrolled if the primary end point was met. Secondary objectives included: PSA declines of > or = 30% and > or = 90%; rate of RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) responses and duration on study; time to PSA progression; safety and tolerability; and circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration. RESULTS Docetaxel-treated patients with CRPC (N = 47) were enrolled. PSA declines of > or = 30%, > or = 50% and > or = 90% were seen in 68% (32 of 47), 51% (24 of 47), and 15% (seven of 47) of patients, respectively. Partial responses (by RECIST) were reported in eight (27%) of 30 patients with measurable disease. Median time to PSA progression was 169 days (95% CI, 113 to 281 days). The median number of weeks on study was 24, and 12 (25.5%) of 47 patients remained on study > or = 48 weeks. CTCs were enumerated in 34 patients; 27 (79%) of 34 patients had at least five CTCs at baseline. Eleven (41%) of 27 patients had a decline from at least five to less than 5 CTCs, and 18 (67%) of 27 had a > or = 30% decline in CTCs after starting treatment with abiraterone acetate. Abiraterone acetate was well tolerated. CONCLUSION Abiraterone acetate has significant antitumor activity in post-docetaxel patients with CRPC. Randomized, phase III trials of abiraterone acetate are underway to define the future role of this agent.
Disseminated infection with Simiae-Avium group mycobacteria in persons with AIDS--Thailand and Malawi, 1997.

Persons with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection are susceptible to disseminated mycobacterial infections. In the United States, most such infections are caused by Mycobacterium avium or M. intracellulare (i.e., M. avium complex [MAC]). In less developed countries, M. tuberculosis is equally or more prevalent than MAC in persons with HIV-1 infection. Other mycobacterial species have been reported to cause disseminated infection in HIV-infected persons, including Simiae-Avium (SAV) group mycobacteria. SAV group organisms share characteristics of M. avium and M. simiae. Although disseminated (i.e., the isolation of a mycobacterial species from the blood) infection with M. simiae has been reported in HIV-infected persons, another distinct species within the SAV group, M. triplex, was characterized in 1996. Two cases of disseminated infection caused by M. triplex have been reported in HIV-1-positive persons. This report describes four HIV-infected patients from Bangkok, Thailand, and Lilongwe, Malawi, who were infected with SAV group organisms. Because different mycobacterial species are not susceptible uniformly to antimycobacterial agents, accurate identification of mycobacterial species causing an infection is crucial for directing appropriate therapy.
Psychosocial consequences of living with breathlessness due to advanced disease

Purpose of reviewBreathlessness is one of the most important symptoms of patients with advanced life-limiting disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic heart failure, cancer, or pulmonary fibrosis. Breathlessness has major implications for patients as well as their family caregivers. The present review provides an overview of recent knowledge concerning the psychological and social consequences of breathlessness, including behavioural responses to breathlessness, and the impact of breathlessness on the family caregiver. Recent findingsBreathlessness results in avoidance of exertion and deterioration of functional status. Functional impairment leads to care dependency and social limitations, resulting in a change in social role. Anxiety is an emotional response to breathlessness, but also increases the perception of breathlessness. Family caregivers of patients have to cope with changes in daily life, witnessing breathlessness and adapt to new and challenging role as family caregiver. SummaryThe consequences of living with breathlessness are multidimensional and arise in all aspects of daily life of patients, their family caregivers and their social environment. Multidimensional treatment programmes should become widely available to support patients with advanced disease and their family caregivers in coping with the functional, psychological and social consequences of living with breathlessness.
Prevalence, Mutation Patterns, and Effects on Protease Inhibitor Susceptibility of the L76V Mutation in HIV-1 Protease

ABSTRACT Patterns of HIV-1 protease inhibitor (PI) resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) and effects on PI susceptibility associated with the L76V mutation were studied in a large database. Of 20,501 sequences with ≥1 PI RAM, 3.2% contained L76V; L76V was alone in 0.04%. Common partner mutations included M46I, I54V, V82A, I84V, and L90M. L76V was associated with a 2- to 6-fold decrease in susceptibility to lopinavir, darunavir, amprenavir, and indinavir and a 7- to 8-fold increase in susceptibility to atazanavir and saquinavir.
Closing remarks to the conference, Aromatase: New Perspectives for Breast Cancer.

From 1930 to 1960, surgery was the dominant modality used to palliate the disease of patients with advanced breast cancer. It was during this period that ovariectomy, adrenalectomy, and hypophysectomy came to be widely used. Patients were not cured of their disease, but certainly objective re sponses and symptomatic relief were obtained. The next period in the treatment of breast cancer was the development of the concept of combination chemotherapy in the early 1960's. Marked improvement in response rates was
Psychiatric Emergencies in an Urban Borough

An analysis is presented of all emergency calls made in one year, “out of hours,” to local authority mental health social workers as part of a comprehensive psychiatric service in an urban community. Of 212 calls received, more related to men than women, and in both sexes the peak age group was 40 to 49 years; 72% of referrals were in the psychosis or personality disorder diagnostic groups. A minority of cases referred had symptoms of only recent onset, and 70% of all calls related to patients previously known to the local services.
Comprehensive molecular analysis demonstrates type V collagen mutations in over 90% of patients with classic EDS and allows to refine diagnostic criteria

Type V collagen mutations are associated with classic Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome (EDS), but it is unknown for which proportion they account and to what extent other genes are involved. We analyzed COL5A1 and COL5A2 in 126 patients with a diagnosis or suspicion of classic EDS. In 93 patients, a type V collagen defect was found, of which 73 were COL5A1 mutations, 13 were COL5A2 mutations and seven were COL5A1 null‐alleles with mutation unknown. The majority of the 73 COL5A1 mutations generated a COL5A1 null‐allele, whereas one‐third were structural mutations, scattered throughout COL5A1. All COL5A2 mutations were structural mutations. Reduced availability of type V collagen appeared to be the major disease‐causing mechanism, besides other intra‐ and extracellular contributing factors. All type V collagen defects were identified within a group of 102 patients fulfilling all major clinical Villefranche criteria, that is, skin hyperextensibility, dystrophic scarring and joint hypermobility. No COL5A1/COL5A2 mutation was detected in 24 patients who displayed skin and joint hyperextensibility but lacked dystrophic scarring. Overall, over 90% of patients fulfilling all major Villefranche criteria for classic EDS were shown to harbor a type V collagen defect, which indicates that this is the major—if not only—cause of classic EDS. Hum Mutat 33:1485–1493, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Motivating Identity-Related Behaviors in Online Community - a Broaden-and-Build Perspective

With the pervasiveness of online community, people expand their identities by acquiring memberships of different online communities. Online community not only provides contexts and tools for people to build up and manage new identities, but also evokes people to have emotional experience. This research aims to understand how member’s emotional experience induced by different community artifacts (contents or other members) will influence the participation behaviors through the understanding of their relationships with the online community. This research proposes that emotional experience changes how one identifies with the community, hence influences the behaviors that relate to the self-definitions, e.g. self-disclosure, knowledge contribution, self-presentation and social interaction. Taken the perspective of broaden-and-build theory and social identity theory, this research proposes that positive emotional experience promotes open-minded coping, and consequently expands the self-concepts and become more social inclusive.
A New Method in Coverage for Wireless Sensor Networks

One of the main problems in designing wireless sensor networks is to present a strategy which leads to increasing network lifetime by paying attention to energy resources. One of the most important issues in WSN is covering the region. So, the presented strategy should be able to cover all over the region by using lowest amount of sensor nodes. It is not always necessary that all the network nodes to be turning on, so by using a suitable algorithm, network nodes can be divided into some groups and each group will be in charge of covering its corresponding part of the region by turn on some nodes in some time slices such that full coverage is guaranty. In this paper, we propose a new idea that uses grouping and time scheduling for sensor nodes for turning them on to cover area. According to this method sensing range of all the nodes aren't always same, and it is depending to their remained energy. Cluster head denotes the sensing range and also turn on time slice of each node by considering its remained energy and position. Using the mentioned algorithm leads to energy efficiency for better coverage; consequently it is increasing in network life.
Modeling a Heterogeneous Embedded System in Coloured Petri Nets

Embedded devices are everywhere now and, unlike personal computers, their systems differ in implementation languages and behaviors. Interactions of different devices require programmers to master programming paradigms in all related languages. So, a defect may occur if differences in systems' behaviors are ignored. In this paper, a heterogeneous system which is composed of two subsystems is introduced and we point out a potential defect in this system caused by an interface mismatch. Then, a state based approach is applied to verify our analysis of the system.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-associated Copper/Zinc Superoxide Dismutase Mutations Preferentially Reduce the Repulsive Charge of the Proteins*

We provide bioinformatical evidence that protein charge plays a key role in the disease mechanism of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Analysis of 100 ALS-associated mutations in copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) shows that these are site-selective with a preference to decrease the proteins' net repulsive charge. For each SOD1 monomer this charge is normally -6. Because biomolecules as a rule maintain net negative charge to assure solubility in the cellular interior, the result lends support to the hypothesis of protein aggregation as an initiating event in the ALS pathogenesis. The strength of the preferential reduction of repulsive charge is higher in SOD1-associated ALS than in other inherited protein disorders.
The 5-HT1D/1B receptor agonist sumatriptan enhances fear of simulated speaking and reduces plasma levels of prolactin

This study measured the effects of the preferential 5-HT1D/1B receptor agonist sumatriptan in healthy volunteers who performed the Simulated Public Speaking Test (SPST), which recruits the neural network involved in panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. In a double-blind, randomised experiment, 36 males received placebo (12), 50 mg (12) or 100 mg (12) of sumatriptan 2 h before the SPST. Subjective, physiological and hormonal measures were taken before, during and after the test. The dose of 100 mg of sumatriptan increased speech-induced fear more than either a 50mg dose of the drug or placebo. The largest dose of sumatriptan also enhanced vigilance more than placebo, without any change in blood pressure, heart rate or electrical skin conductance. Sumatriptan decreased plasma levels of prolactin. A significant but moderate increase in plasma cortisol after SPST occurred, independent of treatment. Because sumatriptan decreases 5-HT release into the extracellular space, the potentiation of SPST-induced fear caused by the drug supports the hypothesis that 5-HT attenuates this emotional state. As acute administration of antidepressants has also been shown to enhance speaking fear and increase plasma prolactin, in contrast to sumatriptan, the 5-HT regulation of stress-hormone release is likely to be different from that of emotion.
Experience with Modeling MTDC Systems in Transient Stability Programs

A typical AC/DC transient stability program is used to illustrate the selection of DC system and control models for multiterminal DC (MTDC) studies. Experience with developing and using the models is emphasized rather than their implementation within particular programs. Three models with different degrees of detail are presented. Typical applications of different models are discussed in the context of early planning studies of the Hydro-Quebec New England shunt MTDC interconnection. >
Localization of 125-I-labelled antigen in germinal centres of mouse spleen: effects of competitive injection of specific or non-cross-reacting antigen.

Studies were performed on localization of 125I-human γ-globulin in spleen lymphatic tissue germinal centres during the primary and secondary immune response as influenced by competitive injections of specific or non-cross-reacting antigens. Isologous mouse 7S serum protein labelled with 125I was used as the control. The results of these studies support the following conclusions: (1) Antigen retention in germinal centres during the primary immune reaction is a dynamic process. For some antigens there may be opsonins available at the the time of injection which promote initial localization in germinal centres. However, the continued localization of antigen over weeks and months is a function of specific antibody production. (2) For some period of time, germinal centres are specific to the antigen that stimulated their development, and eventually these centres will respond to a different antigen. (3) Antigen persisting in germinal centres is functional in the development of the secondary immune potential.
Listening Tests of the Localization Performance of Stereodipole and Ambisonic Systems

In order to find a possible correlation of objective parameters and subjective descriptors of the acoustic of theatres, auditoria or music hall, and so to perform meaningful listening tests, we need to find a reliable 3D audio system which should give the correct perception of the distances, a good localization all around the listener and a natural sense of realism. For this purpose a Stereo Dipole system and an Ambisonic system were installed in a listening room at La Casa Della Musica (Parma, Italy). Listening tests were carried out for evaluating the localization performances of the two systems.
Principles and practice of health services administration and planning in Africa.

Western or scientific medical practice was introduced by Europeans into Africa less than a century ago. Hospital and preventive health services were first provided for the few European civil servants, commercial officers, and those who could afford. Bold attempts were made to tackle epidemics and highly endemic diseases resulting in the eradication or effective control of yaws, yellow fever, sleeping sickness, smallpox and, to a more limited extent, malaria. Medical field units in Anglo and Francaphone African countries were the most rewarding and successful contributions of Western medical practice as it was possible for almost every African to have at least one medical examination a year and those afflicted with the above listed diseases could receive treatment at least once a year in their own villages. Further development of health facilities (hospitals, clinics, health officers, maternity centres, and dispensaries) was due to missionaries, private organizations, communities, and other self-help groups and lastly but least effectively by local government councils. As most local government councils could not raise much revenue, health was relatively neglected. Hence they depended largely on national, regional, divisional or state administration for finance, equipment, and trained health manpower.