Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential percentage of serum prostate‐specific antigen subforms suggests a new way to improve prostate cancer diagnosis

Prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) is the tumor marker currently used for prostate cancer (PCa) screening and diagnosis. However, its use is controversial as serum PSA levels are also increased in other non‐malignant prostatic diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PSA sialic acid content is altered in tumor situation and modifies PSA's isoelectric point (pI). Our goal has been to evaluate serum PSA subforms from PCa and BPH patients by two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) and to investigate whether they could be used to improve PCa diagnosis.
No smoker left behind: it's time to tackle tobacco in Australian priority populations

To the Editor: We read with interest the recent article by Bonevski and colleagues1 calling for targeting of tobacco cessation interventions to high‐risk populations, including prisoners. People who cycle through prisons in Australia smoke tobacco at a rate five times that of the general population,2 and suffer disproportionately from smoking‐related morbidity and mortality.3 However, the suggestion by Bonevski and colleagues1 that smoke‐free policies in prisons “impact on reducing smoking” is unfortunately a case of misplaced optimism: although these policies reduce smoking in prisons, they have almost no effect on long term smoking behaviour in people who cycle through prisons. Research in the United States shows that about 60% of people released from smoke‐free prisons resume smoking on the day of release,4 and 97% relapse within 6 months of release.5 Preliminary findings from a cross‐sectional survey we have conducted with 114 ex‐smokers released from smoke‐free prisons in Queensland paint a similar picture, with 72% of participants reporting relapse on the day of release.
Monitoring test structure for plasma process induced charging damage using charge-based capacitance measurement (PID-CBCM)

We propose monitoring test structure and measurement technique for plasma process induced charging damage (PID) using charge-based capacitance measurement (CBCM). For evaluating the influence of PID on MOSFET effectively, remarkably small (several tens of fF) gate capacitance of MOSFET can be extracted by eliminating parasitic antenna capacitance. Moreover, we can extract interface trap density from the same CBCM structure using the modified Charge-Pumping measurement.
Size structural change in lightly exploited coral reef fish communities: Evidence for weak indirect effects

Exploitation influences community structure directly through preferential removal of larger-bodied fishes and indirectly because larger-bodied fishes may exert top-down control upon other community members. We consider the direct and indirect effects of subsistence exploitation upon the size structure of coral reef fish communities along an island-scale spatial gradient of fishing intensity. We explored the effect of fishing intensity and sample date (three dates over a year) at six islands and the overall effect of fishing intensity averaged over sample dates at 13 islands. Fishing intensity consistently explained more of the variation in the size metrics than sample date. In response to exploitation, the mean weight of individuals declined by 52%, the weighted average maximum size (Lmax) declined by 25%, and slopes of community size spectra steepened. The larger size classes (>26 cm) declined in relative numbers by 63% and relative biomass by 61% in response to exploitation. However, the numbers and bio.
A Distributed-Ledger Consortium Model for Collaborative Innovation

R3 has built a global consortium to focus on the application of distributed-ledger technology (DLT), which can help banks combat low return on equity and alleviate pressure on their operating costs. The authors explain the conditions that led to interest in DLT and introduce Corda, R3’s shared ledger for recording and managing financial agreements.
Correction of Radiosonde Pressure and Temperature Measurements Using Simultaneous GPS Height Data

A method of correction for radiosonde pressure and temperature data by using simultaneous global positioning system (GPS) ellipsoidal height (zGPS) is proposed. The correction is made by adjusting the observed pressure and temperature so that the ellipsoidal height (zPTU) calculated from integrating the hypsometric equation by using the latitude- and altitude-dependent gravity together with the observed pressure, temperature and humidity (PTU) agrees with zGPS. The temperature bias is assumed to arise only from inaccurate radiation correction so that there is no temperature bias in the nighttime data. Under this assumption, the deviations of zPTU from zGPS in the nighttime data result only from observational errors in pressure. The pressure adjustment required to remove these deviations is applied also to the daytime data. The daytime temperature bias can then be estimated from the difference between zPTU and zGPS during the day. The biases in Vaisala RS80 pressure and temperature measurements are estimated using the Soundings of Ozone and Water in the Equatorial Region campaign data. The estimated pressure bias is positive below ∼7 km and negative above it. The bias above 15 km is statistically significant. The daytime temperature bias lacks statistical significance due to fluctuations in the results.
CFTR, chloride concentration and cell volume: could mammalian protein histidine phosphorylation play a latent role?

A considerable body of evidence indicates that the intracellular chloride concentration ([Cl−]i) is an important regulatory signal in epithelial ion transport. [Cl−]i regulates the open channel probability of sodium and chloride channels, the rate of chloride channel recycling to the apical membrane, cell volume homeostasis, the activity of sodium‐coupled chloride entry pathways and G‐protein activity. Cell volume goes awry in epithelial cells bearing mutant forms of the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR); however, the pathways that mediate this [Cl−]i effect at the apical membrane of polarized epithelia are unknown. Recently, we proposed a mechanism for the transduction of in vitro chloride concentration into a phosphorylation signal to proteins within the apical membrane of respiratory epithelia. Our studies show that an apically enriched plasma membrane fraction from a variety of species, including sheep, human and mouse airway, contains at least two membrane‐bound protein kinases which exhibit a number of novel properties. Firstly, the phosphate is located on histidine residues within different families of proteins; one kinase(s) utilizes GTP rather than ATP as a phosphate donor and each kinase has its own unique profile of membrane protein phosphorylation (which itself varies with anion species). Secondly, both kinases mediate Cl−‐dependent phosphorylation of an apical membrane protein around the established physiological values for [Cl−]i in airway epithelial cells (∼40 mm); associated phosphatases also alter the net phosphoprotein profile of the apical membrane. These findings are reviewed and their potential roles explored in relation to the pathogenesis of CF using the control of cell volume as a model for disrupted cellular function in CF‐affected epithelia.
SPICE Electrical Models and Simulations of Silicon Photomultipliers

We present and discuss a comprehensive electrical model for Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) based on a microcell able to accurately simulate the avalanche current build-up and the self-quenching of its Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) “pixel” with series-connected quenching resistor. The entire SiPM is modeled either as an array of microcells, each one individually triggered by independent incoming photons, or as two macrocells, one with microcells all firing concurrently while the other one with all quiescent microcells; the most suitable approach depends on the light excitation conditions and on the dimension (i.e. number of microcells) of the overall SiPM. We validated both models by studying the behavior of SiPMs in different operating conditions, in order to study the effect of photons pile-up, the deterministic and statistical mismatches between microcells, the impact of the number of firing microcells vs. the total one, and the role of different microcell parameters on the overall SiPM performance. The electrical models were developed in SPICE and can simulate both custom-process and CMOS-compatible SiPMs, with either vertical or horizontal current-flow. The proposed simulation tools can benefit both SiPM users, e.g. for designing the best readout electronics, and SiPM designers, for assessing the impact of each parameter on the overall detection performance and electrical behavior.
Transoral laser resection with staged discontinuous neck dissection for oral cavity and oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma

Transoral laser resection of oral cavity and oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC) is a widely accepted approach in the absence of cervical lymph node metastases. This study investigated the results of transoral laser surgery and discontinuous neck dissection (ND) for OOSCC with clinically obvious or suspected cervical node metastases.
Reducing Heart dose during Left Breast Cancer Radiotherapy: Comparison among 3 Radiation Techniques

Purpose Breast cancer survivors have a high risk of cardiac death as a consequence of heart irradiation during left breast tangential radiotherapy (RT). This study compares the cardiac dose delivered by standard 3D conformal tangential RT (CRT) to that delivered by prospective-gating RT (PGRT) or 5-field intensity-modulated RT (IMRT). Methods Patients with early left breast cancer, referred for adjuvant RT to our institution, were enrolled in this study. For each patient, 2 simulation computed tomography scans were acquired: the first during free breathing, and the second on prospective gating during deep inspiration breath-hold. The scans were monitored by the Varian RPM™ respiratory gating system. For each patient, 3 treatment plans were performed: a 3D-CRT and an IMRT plan, each based on the free-breathing scan, and a PGRT plan, based on the deep inspiration breath-hold scan. Dose-volume histograms were compared by means of the Friedman test. Results The median mean heart dose was 3 Gy (range 0.9-7.3 Gy) in the CRT plans, 1.9 Gy (range 0.5-3.6 Gy) in the PGRT plans, and 4.5 Gy (range 1.1-10.5 Gy) in the IMRT plans (p = 0.001). The mean heart V25 was 1.2% (range 0%-9.7%), 0% (range 0%-2.0%), and 0.2% (range 0%-7.3%) for CRT, PGRT, and IMRT plans, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusions Prospective-gating RT to the left breast offered the best protection of heart and lung, as well as a lower irradiation of the contralateral breast, compared to CRT or IMRT.
Prenatal diagnosis of MPPH syndrome

We report the prenatal sonographic detection of a fetus with megalencephaly, polymicrogyria, postaxial polydactyly and hydrocephaly. Only 14 patients have been reported in the literature so far, all but one were diagnosed postnatally. The polymicrogyria in the frontoparietal lobe was confirmed by prenatal magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, a hypoplastic thymus as seen in a 22q11 deletion was present. Although polymicrogyria along with pre‐axial polydactyly has been described in 22q11 deletion, the diagnosis of Di George syndrome was ruled out. The etiology of megalencephaly, polymicrogyria, postaxial polydactyly and hydrocephaly has not been revealed yet. A dominant as well as recessive inheritance has been suggested. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of rRNA methylations on ribosome recycling and fidelity of initiation in Escherichia coli

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) contains a number of modified nucleosides in functionally important regions including the intersubunit bridge regions. As the activity of ribosome recycling factor (RRF) in separating the large and the small subunits of the ribosome involves disruption of intersubunit bridges, we investigated the impact of rRNA methylations on ribosome recycling. We show that deficiency of rRNA methylations, especially at positions 1518 and 1519 of 16S rRNA near the interface with the 50S subunit and in the vicinity of the IF3 binding site, adversely affects the efficiency of RRF‐mediated ribosome recycling. In addition, we show that a compromise in the RRF activity affords increased initiation with a mutant tRNAfMet wherein the three consecutive G‐C base pairs (29GGG31:39CCC41), a highly conserved feature of the initiator tRNAs, were mutated to those found in the elongator tRNAMet (29UCA31:39ψGA41). This observation has allowed us to uncover a new role of RRF as a factor that contributes to fidelity of initiator tRNA selection on the ribosome. We discuss these and earlier findings to propose that RRF plays a crucial role during all the steps of protein synthesis.
Pearls: Neurologic Complications of HIV/AIDS

Clinically apparent and frequently debilitating neurologic disease is common with infection by HIV type 1. Approximately one half of all HIV-infected patients will develop clinically significant neurologic disease, and the frequency with which neuropathologic abnormalities are detected at autopsy in some series exceeds 90%, suggesting that neurologic findings are often overlooked. Not surprisingly, careful neurologic examination, even in the absence of specific complaints by the HIV-infected patient, often reveals evidence of central or peripheral nervous system dysfunction. Although neurologic disease typically occurs with advanced disease and profound immunosuppression, it may also occur during early stages of the infection. In as many as 20% of individuals, neurologic disease is the harbinger of AIDS. The spectrum of neurologic disorders that complicate HIV infection is extremely broad; any part of the neuraxis may be affected. Additionally, the complexity of evaluating the HIV-infected person with neurologic disease is increased by the relatively high frequency with which more than one disease concurrently affects the nervous system.
O(2)-insensitive photosynthesis in c(3) plants : its occurrence and a possible explanation.

Leaves of C(3) plants which exhibit a normal O(2) inhibition of CO(2) fixation at less than saturating light intensity were found to exhibit O(2)-insensitive photosynthesis at high light. This behavior was observed in Phaseolus vulgaris L. , Xanthium strumarium L. , and Scrophularia desertorum (Shaw.) Munz. O(2)-insensitive photosynthesis has been reported in nine other C(3) species and usually occurred when the intercellular CO(2) pressure was about double the normal pressure. A lack of O(2) inhibition of photosynthesis was always accompanied by a failure of increased CO(2) pressure to stimulate photosynthesis to the expected degree. O(2)-insensitive photosynthesis also occurred after plants had been water stressed. Under such conditions, however, photosynthesis became O(2) and CO(2) insensitive at physiological CO(2) pressures. Postillumination CO(2) exchange kinetics showed that O(2) and CO(2) insensitivity was not the result of elimination of photorespiration.It is proposed that O(2) and CO(2) insensitivity occurs when the concentration of phosphate in the chloroplast stroma cannot be both high enough to allow photophosphorylation and low enough to allow starch and sucrose synthesis at the rates required by the rest of the photosynthetic component processes. Under these conditions, the energy diverted to photorespiration does not adversely affect the potential for CO(2) assimilation.
Malignant melanoma of the gallbladder. Report of three cases and review of the literature

Three cases of primary melanoma of the gallbladder are described to add to the five reported in the literature. As an organ of endodermal origin, the gallbladder appears to share the melanoblastic potentiality possessed by similarly derived organs, and hence, the development of a melanoma within the gallbladder is not unexpected. Presence of melanocytes within the gallbladder mucose is absolute proof that the tumor is primary, Whether these cells originate from the neural crest and migrate to the gallbladder, or result from local differentiation from preexisting cells remains to be answered.
Realization of arbitrary current transfer functions based on commercially available CCII + s

In this paper, a new topology for realizing arbitrary nth‐order current transfer function (TF), consisting of only plus‐type second‐generation current conveyors (CCII+s), is suggested. The proposed TF simulator employs only grounded capacitors and is free from the passive element matching requirements. The developed TF simulator can be constructed directly with commercially available active components such as AD844s. It has low‐input and high‐output impedances, a feature which makes it fully cascadable with other current‐mode topologies. Moreover, the proposed simulator can provide gain at its outputs. Simulation and experimental test results for various filter examples are included to confirm the claimed theory. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population structure of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.): a range‐wide perspective from microsatellite DNA variation

Atlantic salmon (n = 1682) from 27 anadromous river populations and two nonanadromous strains ranging from south‐central Maine, USA to northern Spain were genotyped at 12 microsatellite DNA loci. This suite of moderate to highly polymorphic loci revealed 266 alleles (5–37/locus) range‐wide. Statistically significant allelic and genotypic heterogeneity was observed across loci between all but one pairwise comparison. Significant isolation by distance was found within and between North American and European populations, indicating reduced gene flow at all geographical scales examined. North American Atlantic salmon populations had fewer alleles, fewer unique alleles (though at a higher frequency) and a shallower phylogenetic structure than European Atlantic salmon populations. We believe these characteristics result from the differing glacial histories of the two continents, as the North American range of Atlantic salmon was glaciated more recently and more uniformly than the European range. Genotypic assignment tests based on maximum‐likelihood provided 100% correct classification to continent of origin and averaged nearly 83% correct classification to province of origin across continents. This multilocus method, which may be enhanced with additional polymorphic loci, provides fishery managers the highest degree of correct assignment to management unit of any technique currently available.
Spontaneous and reflex activity of intercostal gamma motoneurones

The vagal inhibitory-inspiratory reflex of Breuer (1868) has recently been found to be of minor importance or even absent in adult man (Campbell, Dickinson, Dinnick & Howell, 1961; Widdicombe, 1961). As a consequence the proprioceptive control of breathing, hitherto rather neglected, is now brought into the focus of interest, as is evident from many papers (Campbell, Dinnick & Howell, 1961; Campbell, Bennet & Rubenstein, 1963; Campbell & Howell, 1962, 1963; Critchlow & von Euler, 1962, 1963; Eccles, Sears & Shealy, 1962; von Euler & Fritts, 1963; Sears, 1963). In an investigation on the reflex regulation of the force of contraction of the respiratory muscles in cat, von Euler & Fritts (1963) found that the 'gain' of the cervico-thoracic dorsal-root circuits was of the same order as that of the vagal circuits. It would thus seem possible to utilize this species for studies on the basic principles of proprioceptive control of the respiratory movements. In a single-fibre analysis of the afferent inflow from the intercostal muscles it was shown that the y efferent fibres which innervate the intrafusal muscles of the muscle spindles are strongly engaged in the proprioceptive control of respiratory movements (Critchlow & von Euler, 1963). These fusimotor fibres were shown to drive the muscle spindles both tonically and in phase with respiration. In order to obtain a more complete picture of the fusimotor-muscle-spindle control of movements the present study was carried out by the method of recording directly from y efferent fibres. Critchlow & von Euler (1963) produced evidence for a supraspinal linkage of the respiratory drive of a and y motoneurones. To what extent, however, the rhythmic fusimotor activity is driven from the medullary respiratory mechanisms was a problem that was left to be approached by recording directly from the fusimotor fibres. Sears (1963)
Multiple defects in innate and adaptive immunologic function in NOD/LtSz-scid mice.

The scid mutation was backcrossed ten generations onto the NOD/Lt strain background, resulting in an immunodeficient stock (NOD/LtSz-scid/scid) with multiple defects in adaptive as well as nonadaptive immunologic function. NOD/LtSz-scid/scid mice lack functional lymphoid cells and show little or no serum Ig with age. Although NOD/(Lt-)+/+ mice develop T cell-mediated autoimmune, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, NOD/LtSz-scid/scid mice are both insulitis- and diabetes-free throughout life. However, because of a high incidence of thymic lymphomas, the mean lifespan of this congenic stock is only 8.5 mo under specific pathogen-free conditions. After i.v. injection of human CEM T-lymphoblastoid cells, splenic engraftment of these cells was fourfold greater in NOD/LtSz-scid/scid mice than in C.B17/Sz-scid/scid mice. Although C.B-17Sz-scid/scid mice exhibit robust NK cell activity, this activity is markedly reduced in both NOD/(Lt-)+/+ and NOD/LtSz-scid/scid mice. Presence of a functionally less mature macrophage population in NOD/LtSz-scid/scid vs C.B-17Sz-scid/scid mice is indicated by persistence in the former of the NOD/Lt strain-specific defect in LPS-stimulated IL-1 secretion by marrow-derived macrophages. Although C.B-17Sz-scid/scid and C57BL/6Sz-scid/scid mice have elevated serum hemolytic complement activity compared with their respective +/+ controls, both NOD/(LtSz-)+/+ and NOD/LtSz-scid/scid mice lack this activity. Age-dependent increases in serum Ig levels (> 1 micrograms/ml) were observed in only 2 of 30 NOD/LtSz-scid/scid mice vs 21 of 29 C.B-17/Sz-scid/scid animals. The multiple defects in innate and adaptive immunity unique to the NOD/LtSz-scid/scid mouse provide an excellent in vivo environment for reconstitution with human hematopoietic cells.
HJB approach for motion planning and reachabilty analysis

Because of their importance in many applications, questions of path planning and reachability analysis for nonlinear dynamical systems have been studied extensively in the control theory. Here we focus on the cases when the controlled systems are constrained to evolve in a certain known set (e.g avoidance of obstacles). We study general framework based on an optimal control approach and on solving Hamilton-Jacobi (HJ) equations. This approach provides a very efficient tool for treating many cases encountered in real applications and can be extended to general situations including moving targets and/or obstacles problems, dynamical systems under uncertainties, or differential games. The relevance of the method will be shown on some numerical examples (motion planning with obstacle avoidance).