Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of menstrual cycle on pulse pressure waveforms measured from the radial artery in biphasic healthy women.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the menstrual cycle on the pulse pressure waveforms in women with regular biphasic cycles. METHODS We recruited 36 biphasic healthy eumenorrheic volunteers. Pulse pressure waveforms from the radial artery were recorded by sphygmography in both hands, each with three measurement positions and three different preload pressures, in a total of 18 measured points. The experimental design was single blinded and the technician who measured the waveforms did not know the menstrual time point of the subjects. The parameters included the pulse rate (PR), the height of the main wave (h(1)), the height of the dicrotic wave (h(3)), the rapid ejection time, the single systolic area (sSA), and the 1-minute systolic area (tSA). RESULTS Our results showed that PR was significantly greater during the luteal phase (81.5 +/- 1.5/minutes versus 78.3 +/- 1.5/minutes, p < 0.05) with an accompanying greater h(1), h(3), sSA, and tSA (p < 0.05). We also demonstrated that h(1), h(3), sSA, and tSA increased with preload pressures and decreased when the detector was moved proximally, possibly a resultant of differences in the diameter and depth of radial artery. Furthermore, we found that h(3) taken from the right hand was larger than that taken from the left hand and may reflect a shorter and simpler route of the right radial artery. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that pulse waveforms taken from the radial artery may assist in the identification of greater plasma volume, ventricular ejection volume, and vasodilatation increase in the luteal compared to the follicular phase.
Supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fibers made from borosilicate glasses

Supercontinuum generation in optical fibers has found applications from optical frequency metrology to telecommunications [1]. In this work, we present results of supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) made from borosilicate glasses and pumped by nanosecond pulses from a Q-switched microchip laser. These PCFs were fabricated by the stack-and-draw technique and consist of five hollow ring periods with their solid core composed of lead-doped borosilicate glass. They have external diameters ranging from 3.8 to 6 microns and were excited by a commercial Q-switched laser (1064 nm, average power of 60 mW, repetition rate of 144 kHz). The PCF lengths were inferior to a meter. Optical attenuations for these PCFs were measured with the cut-back method and their dispersion curves were calculated from the scanning electron microscope images. The lead-doped core borosilicate PCFs with short lengths can provide high nonlinear properties and dispersion control, and therefore can be well suited for supercontinuum generation. Figure 1 details the PCF structure and presents some of the generated spectra.
Retrograde axonal transport of BDNF in retinal ganglion cells is blocked by acute IOP elevation in rats.

PURPOSE To determine whether acute experimental glaucoma in rats obstructs retrograde transport of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). METHODS Forty rats had unilateral injection of either (125)I-BDNF (20 animals) or a mixture of (125)I-BDNF and 100-fold excess nonradiolabeled BDNF (20 animals). In each group of 20 animals, eyes contralateral to injection had either normal intraocular pressure (IOP; 10 animals) or IOP elevated to 25 mm Hg below the systolic blood pressure of the eye (10 animals). In each group of 20 rats, ipsilateral eyes had IOP set at systolic blood pressure (4 eyes), had optic nerve transection (10 eyes), or had normal IOP (6 eyes). Six hours after injection, animals were killed and tissues were fixed, embedded, and sectioned for autoradiography. Grain counts were performed over retina and optic nerve using automated image analysis. RESULTS IOP elevation to 25 mm Hg below systolic blood pressure (perfusion pressure [PP] 25) decreased median retinal nerve fiber layer (NFL) grains by 38% compared with controls (P: < 0.001). Competition by cold BDNF reduced NFL grains by 28% (P: = 0.013). Considering only the radioactivity representing specific retrograde transport of BDNF, IOP elevation to PP25 reduced transport by 74%, whereas elevation to PP0 (equaling systolic blood pressure) reduced specific transport by 83%. CONCLUSIONS BDNF is transported retrogradely from the superior colliculus in adult rats, and this transport is substantially inhibited by acute IOP elevation. Deprivation of BDNF among RGCs may contribute to neuron loss in glaucoma.
Learning to share: Engineering adaptive decision-support for online social networks

Some online social networks (OSNs) allow users to define friendship-groups as reusable shortcuts for sharing information with multiple contacts. Posting exclusively to a friendship-group gives some privacy control, while supporting communication with (and within) this group. However, recipients of such posts may want to reuse content for their own social advantage, and can bypass existing controls by copy-pasting into a new post; this cross-posting poses privacy risks. This paper presents a learning to share approach that enables the incorporation of more nuanced privacy controls into OSNs. Specifically, we propose a reusable, adaptive software architecture that uses rigorous runtime analysis to help OSN users to make informed decisions about suitable audiences for their posts. This is achieved by supporting dynamic formation of recipient-groups that benefit social interactions while reducing privacy risks. We exemplify the use of our approach in the context of Facebook.
Flight Test Evaluation of a New GPS Attitude Determination Algorithm

A new Global Positioning System (GPS) Attitude Determination Algorithm (GADA) is proposed, featuring the capability to keep its accuracy, even when the line-of-sight angle (LOS) of a given satellite vehicle (SV) is below the GPS horizontal antenna plane (HAP). The GADA model has been developed and evaluated through simulations and flight test campaigns, which comprised static and dynamic flight profiles, to best characterize the algorithm performance. As attitude reference a complete flight tests instrumentation (FTI) system was integrated into the testbed for the flight test campaign. The attitude measurements given by GADA and REQUEST algorithms are compared with those given by FTI (i.e., reference system). The results show that GADA accuracy is significantly better than that of REQUEST, for all flight conditions.
Options of Fertility Preservation in Female Cancer Patients

Modern combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy regimens have a substantial negative impact on reproduction. Premature ovarian failure and other poor reproductive outcomes subsequent to cancer therapies are being recognized. Furthermore, beside malignancies, treatment of certain precancerous and benign conditions such as myelodysplasia, aplastic anemia, and systemic lupus erythematosus may necessitate administration of high-dose chemotherapeutics with and without stem cell transplantation. Therefore, preservation of gonadal function and fertility has become one of the major quality of life issues for cancer survivors at reproductive ages. In this review, premature ovarian failure and other adverse reproductive outcomes in female patients who receive chemotherapy and radiation will be discussed and the options to preserve their fertility will be delineated. After completion of the educational activity, the reader will be better able to distinguish the experimental approaches to minimizing gonadotoxic therapy, and use the most effective treatment options. Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians Learning Objectives: After completion of this educational activity, the reader should be better able to evaluate the most effective fertility preservation strategies and relay the information to the patient; assess the most gonadotoxic cancer drugs and select the most appropriate one to treat the patient; and distinguish the experimental approaches to minimizing gonadotoxic therapy, and use the most effective treatment options.
The Relation of Glucose Absorption to Respiration in Potato Slices.

When plant tissue displays an indifference to one or another respiratory inhibitor, it is difficult to decide whether the respiration is truly resistant or whether the repression of an inhibitor-susceptible pathway elicits compensatory activity of a new or altered kind. Since resistance is in effect defined by the unimpaired utilization of 02 in the presence of the inhibitor, indirect means must be invoked to compare the respiratory behavior in the presence and absence of inhibitor in order to resolve the question. One way to estimate and characterize respiratory activity is to observe the utilization and disposition of radioactive substrate provided exogenously at levels sufficiently low so that hopefully the metabolite provided serves to label the endogenous metabolic pool without significantly altering the latter. It was early noted that when fresh and aged potato slices were compared with respect to the utilization of C14-labeled glucose, the evolution of C1402 differed very much more markedly than did gross glucose absorption (10, 19). Since a pronounced enhancement of salt absorbing capacity is known to accompany the respiratory rise which attends aging (12, 13), the question arose as to whether apparent differences in glucose utilization reflected distinctions related to glucose absorption. Consequently some attention was given the problem of glucose absorption per se. Absorption studies in turn served to answer in part the basic question regarding the meaning of inhibitor resistance. Potato slices, markedly cyanide-sensitive when freshly prepared, may become virtually cyanide-resistant in a day (7,14). By contrast, malonate-resistant fresh potato disks normally become increasingly malonate-sensitive with time (10, 19). However, when storage organ slices are aged in bicarbonate under 5 to 10 % CO2 in air, the respiration rises as normally but remains malonate-resistant (11). Thus a means is at hand to obtain metabolically active malonateresistant tissue. The experiments which follow examine the influence of malonate on both respiration and glucose absorption in malonate-sensitive and malonate-resistant potato slices, respectively. In addition, the effect of cyanide on the 2 processes is examined in cyanide-resistant tissue.
Endoscopic evaluation of the colorectum in patients presenting with haematochezia at korle-bu teaching hospital accra.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND Colorectal endoscopy is the gold standard investigation of the large bowel in patients with rectal bleeding and is employed as a means of secondary prevention of colorectal cancer. AIM To determine the frequency of benign lesions and carcinomas in patients who underwent colorectal endoscopy because of rectal bleeding and to evaluate the role of endoscopy in secondary prevention of colorectal carcinoma in our centre. METHOD A retrospective study was undertaken on patients who underwent colorectal endoscopy between January 1995 and December 2000 for rectal bleeding. RESULTS Five hundred and ninety six (596) patients were studied. Males were 403 and females 93, mean age 50.9 (SD 7.07). Three hundred and ten patients (52%) had rigid proctosigmoidoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy 105 (17.6%) and colonoscopy 181 (30.4%). Of those who had colonoscopy complete examination of the colon was achieved in 55 patients (30.4%). Those in whom colonoscopy was incomplete had double contrast barium enema. Haemorrhoids were the commonest disease diagnosed, 316 patients (53%). Colorectal carcinoma 39 patients (6.7%), non-specific colitis 34 patients (5.7%), diverticular disease 27 patients (4.5%) and adenomatous polyps 17 patients (2.9%) were the next common disease. Less common conditions were ulcerative colitis, rectal schistosomiasis and angiodysplasia. In 125 patients (21.0) the cause of bleeding could not be found. CONCLUSION An appreciable number of the patients with rectal bleeding had serious pathology that was diagnosed early by endoscopy confirming the important role of endoscopy in secondary prevention of colorectal carcinoma. The low success rate of full colonoscopy underscores the need for training in this procedure.
Apoptosis Induction on AGS Gastric Adenocarcinoma and HEF Fibroblast Cell Lines by Wild Type and cagA or vacA Negative Helicobacter pylori Strains

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common pathogens affecting humans and is the major environmental factor in the development of gastric cancer increasing from 4 to 6 folds the risk of its development. Variations in cancer risk among H. pylori infected individuals may correlate to difference in H. pylori strains, variable host characteristics and specific interactions between host and microbial determinants. To determine the effect of different strains of H. pylori on cellular apoptosis we designed an in vitro model using AGS and HEF cell lines. After specified time intervals total cell proteins was extracted and subjected to SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting using anti poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) antibody. Decrease in densitometric value of PARP was indicative of higher level of apoptosis. The ability of apoptosis induction in AGS and HEF cell lines by wild type, cagA negative and vacA negative strains were significantly different. The assessed apoptosis in AGS cell line cocultured with wild type strain was 3.22±0.2 in 24 h, 2.8±0.1 in 48 h, and 2.1±0.09 in 72 h of incubation time. Similar assessment with cagA negative strains in AGS cells was 4.17±1.49 in 24 h. , 3.32±0.45 in 48 h. , and 2.32±0.61 in 72 h. incubation. A variation in apoptotic potential between the H. pylori strains on two cells (AGS and HEF) was observed. Based on our results, it is concluded that H. pylori strains as well as target cell types are important in pathogenesis and induction of apoptosis during a specified time interval.
Determination of Synchronous Generator Armature Leakage Reactance Based on Air Gap Flux Density Signal

A new procedure for the armature leakage reactance of the synchronous generator determination is proposed. The procedure is based on measurement of the phase displacement between the fundamental harmonics of the armature voltage and the generator air gap flux density. The accuracy of the algorithm for the phase displacement determination, which is based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), is proved by the laboratory measurement first. After that, measurements on the synchronous generator in HEPP Peruca on Cetina River in Croatia are performed. Two sensors are used for the air gap flux density measurement: the Hall sensor and the measuring coil. To prove the proposed procedure, on the same generator the applied voltage test with rotor removed is performed, too. It is proved that a measuring coil can not be used as the flux density sensor because of the system error due to the air gap field harmonics. On the other hand, when the Hall sensor is used one should pay attention to the voltage noise due to the armature reaction fundamental harmonic. This voltage noise can be minimized by performing measurement at a particular operating point of the generator. The theoretical criterion for determination of this particular operating point is defined in this paper.
Formal verification of energy consumption for an EEG monitoring wireless body area sensor network

Wireless Body Area Sensor Networks (BASNs) are increasingly gaining notable attention in the domain of real-time and non-invasive human health care due to their cost-effectiveness. Minimizing their energy consumption under given data delay and distortion constraints is considered to be the most critical design factor for BASNs and specialized algorithms are developed for finding optimal parameters for minimizing the energy levels for BASNs. The optimization criteria are usually obtained based on the energy, delay and distortion relationships for the given BASN using paper-and-pencil proof and the performance of optimal parameter-finding algorithms is usually analyzed using simulation techniques. Due to the informal nature of paper-and-pencil proofs and simulation, 100% accuracy can never be ascertained, which is a severe limitation considering the safety-critical nature of BASNs. To overcome this limitation, we propose to use higher-order-logic theorem proving to conduct these analyses. As a first step towards this direction, this paper presents the higher-order-logic formalization of the commonly used mathematical relationships for energy consumption, data delay deadlines and distortion threshold constraints for an EEG monitoring BASN. These relationships can in turn be used for devising the optimization problem for the given BASN configuration.
p130Cas, a Substrate Associated with v-Src and v-Crk, Localizes to Focal Adhesions and Binds to Focal Adhesion Kinase*

p130Cas (rk ssociated ubstrate) has the structural characteristics of an adapter protein, containing multiple consensus SH2 binding sites, an SH3 domain, and a proline-rich domain. The structure of p130Cas suggests that it may act to provide a framework for protein-protein interactions; however, as yet, its functional role in cells is unknown. In this report we show that p130Cas is localized to focal adhesions. We demonstrate that p130Cas associates both in vitro and in vivo with pp125FAK (ocal dhesion inase), a kinase implicated in signaling by the integrin family of cell adhesion receptors. p130Cas also associates with pp41/43FRNK (pp125FAK-related, non-kinase), an autonomously expressed form of pp125FAK composed of only the C-terminal noncatalytic domain. We show that the association of p130Cas with pp125Fak and pp41/43FRNK is direct, and is mediated by the binding of the SH3 domain of p130Cas to a proline-rich sequence present in both the C terminus of pp125FAK and in pp41/43FRNK. In agreement with recent studies we show that p130Cas is tyrosine-phosphorylated upon integrin mediated cell adhesion. The association of p130Cas with pp125FAK, a kinase which is activated upon cell adhesion, is likely to be functionally important in integrin mediated signal transduction.
A dual-band 90-degree SiGe HBT active phase shifter using band-pass and band-stop designs

A dual-band 90-degree SiGe HBT active phase shifter using band-pass and band-stop designs is presented in this paper. The active phase shifter employs differential configuration and has band-pass and band-stop filters in the load circuit. By switching two output ports of the differential amplifier, 90-degree phase shifting has been realized at dual bands. The implemented dual-band active phase shifter using 0.35 micron SiGe HBT has achieved a gain of 9.3 dB and a phase shift of 95 degrees at 0.74 GHz as well as a gain of 8.9 dB and a phase shift of 98 degrees at 0.88 GHz. This is the first time to present a dual-band active phase shifter using band-pass and band-stop designs.
Cadmium, kidney and bone

Toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium, mercury and lead, occur in the environment both naturally and as contaminants due to agricultural and industrial activities. The aims of this thesis were to examine the levels of these metals in the kidney in the general population and the association with sources of exposure, and to study the effects of low-level cadmium exposure on kidney and bone. The first three studies were cross-sectional and were conducted on 109 living kidney donors. In the first study, the concentrations of cadmium, mercury and lead in kidney cortex, and the impact of different exposure sources and background factors, were examined. Kidney cadmium levels were relatively low (median 12.9 μg/g wet weight), and increased with age, smoking, and in women with low iron stores. Kidney mercury levels were associated with the number of amalgam surfaces, but not with fish consumption. Kidney lead levels were very low, and not related to any of the background factors. In the second study, the relationships between kidney cadmium, urinary calcium and bone mineral density were investigated. A positive association was found between kidney cadmium and calcium excretion in women, but not in men. Negative correlations were found between kidney cadmium and bone mineral density, but the associations were not significant after adjustment for covariates. In the third study, the relation between kidney cadmium and kidney function was explored, and significant positive associations were found with the excretion of alpha-1-microglobulin, but there was no association with glomerular filtration rate. The fourth study was both cross-sectional and prospective, and was conducted on 936 elderly men. Negative associations were found between urinary cadmium and bone mineral density, and those with high urinary cadmium had an increased risk of incident non-vertebral osteoporosis fractures. In conclusion, the results of this thesis indicate effects of cadmium on kidney and bone also at the low levels found in the general population in Sweden. This provides further support for the importance of reducing the spread of cadmium in the environment.
A systematic review of the effectiveness of strength-training programs for people with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether strength training is beneficial for people with cerebral palsy (CP). DATA SOURCES We used electronic databases to find trials conducted from 1966 though 2000; key words used in our search were cerebral palsy combined with exercise, strength, and physical training. We supplemented this search with citation tracking. STUDY SELECTION To be selected for detailed review, reports found in the initial search were assessed by 2 independent reviewers and had to meet the following criteria: (1) population (people with CP), (2) intervention (strength training or a progressive resistance exercise program), and (3) outcomes (changes in strength, activity, or participation). Of 989 articles initially identified, 23 were selected for detailed review. DATA EXTRACTION Empirical studies were rated for methodologic rigor with the PEDro Scale, and studies with a PEDro score of less than 3 were excluded. Review articles were evaluated for quality with the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination form. DATA SYNTHESIS Of the 23 selected articles, 11 studies (10 empirical, 1 review) met the criteria for quality and were included. Only 1 randomized controlled trial was identified. With respect to impairment, 8 of the 10 empirical studies reported strength increases as a result of a strength-training program, with effect sizes ranging from d equal to 1.16 (95% confidence interval,.11-2.21) to d equal to 5.27 (95% CI, 4.69-5.05). Two studies reported improvements in activity, and 1 study reported improvement in self-perception. No negative effects, such as reduced range of motion or spasticity, were reported. There was insufficient evidence from which to draw conclusions about the effects of environmental and personal contextual factors. CONCLUSIONS The trials suggest that training can increase strength and may improve motor activity in people with CP without adverse effects. More rigorous studies are needed that have a greater focus on changes in activity and participation and that consider contextual factors.
Analysis and Design of Repetitive Control Systems using the Regeneration Spectrum

The absolute and relative stability of continuous-time SISO repetitive control systems is examined here using a function of frequency termed the regeneration spectrum. The regeneration spectrum is easily computed and is related to important of the characteristic root distribution of such systems, for large values of the time delay. The regeneration spectrum is combined with other frequency domain measures of control system performance such as the sensitivity and complementary sensitivity functions to obtain improved insight into the trade-offs in repetitive control system design. The result is a more rational approach to repetitive control system design and is illustrated by an example.