Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
5‐Aminolevulinic Acid‐Based Photodynamic Therapy: Principles and Experimental Research

The iron(I1) complex of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX)? (heme) is bound to different proteins to form key biomolecules (hemoproteins) such as hemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochromes, catalase, peroxidase and tryptophan pyrrolase. The lives of the cells and of the body as a whole is therefore crucially dependent upon the biosynthesis and metabolism of porphyrins. Almost all types of cells of the human body, with the exception of mature red blood cells, are equipped with a machinery to synthesize heme. In the first step of the heme biosynthetic pathway 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is formed from glycine and succinyl CoA. The synthesis of ALA is regulated by the amount of heme in the cell. The last step in the formation of heme is the incorporation of iron into PpIX and takes place in the mitochondria under the action of the enzyme, ferrochelatase. By adding exogenous ALA, PpIX may accumulate because of the limited capacity of ferrochelatase. Porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) is another enzyme that is active in the heme synthesis pathway (catalyzing the formation of uroporphyrinogen from porphobilinogen [PBG]). The activity of this enzyme is higher in some tumors (1-3), while that of ferrochelatase is lower (2-7), so that PpIX accumulates with some degree of selectivity in tumors. Because PpIX is an efficient photosensitizer, ALA has been introduced as a drug for clinical photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer (8,9). Photodynamic therapy involves systemic administration of a tumor-localizing photosensitizer and its subsequent activation by light of an appropriate wavelength to create a pho-
Subspace identification using the saturation measurement in data-driven control systems

Saturation characteristic exists widely in the real system, and a large number of articles have taken constraint conditions into account during the controller design process. However, relative to the research on the input (actuator) saturation, study on the output (sensor) saturation has not been taken seriously and research results are very little, especially in the aspect of effect on the identification due to the saturation output. In this paper, under the data-driven control system based on online subspace identification and model predictive control (MPC) method, the relationship among the output saturation step, prediction horizon and subspace matrix is obtained, while the change of the system information is unknown because the output signals are locked. Finally, a simulation example is given to demonstrate the correction of the conclusion.
Smart Sensors and MEMS: Intelligent Devices and Microsystems for Industrial Applications [Book News]

This book begins with an original discussion and definitions of sensor, smartness, intelligence, and MEMS and ends with terminology improvement. The textbook is divided into two parts and 17 chapters. Chapters 2¿9 are dedicated to advanced sensor solutions, while the second part of book begins with Chapter 10, describing MEMS fabrication processes. Chapters 11 and 12 deal with specific devices and industrial applications of smart MEMS, while Chapters 13¿17 further study applications of smart MEMS, ranging from motion sensors and printer heads to end with smart acoustic sensors. The textbook is divided into two parts and 17 chapters. This book offers a valuable analysis of smart sensors and MEMS, with chapters written by researchers involved in the creation of technology and standards. All of the chapters are easy to read and hundreds of references are provided. A preface, table of contents, and index are also included. This book is a valuable tool for graduate researchers, practicing engineers,and scientists working in the areas of sensor devices and MEMS. It provides technical background on subjects and electronic interface circuits and, therefore, is also suitable for senior undergraduates and master¿s level students of instrumentation and electrical and computer engineering.
Obesity in general practice

Abstract Objective. To explore obese patients' experiences with GPs' management of their weight problems. Methods. Focus-group study with a purposive sample of 13 participants (eight women and five men), aged 30–55 years, with BMI above 40, or BMI above 35 with additional weight-related problems. Two focus-group interviews were conducted, inviting the participants to speak about their health care experiences from general practice. Analysis applied Systematic Text Condensation inspired by Giorgi's approach, searching for issues describing or discussing participants' experiences of GPs' obesity management. Results. Obese patients want their GPs to put their weight problems on the agenda. When the patient appears reluctant, it may be a sign of embarrassment rather than rejection of the issue. However, restricted attention to obesity could lead to neglect of patients' problems. Participants complained that GPs often demonstrated insufficient engagement and knowledge regarding service resources for obesity treatment, leaving the responsibility for information on available referral resources to the patient. Finally, considerate attitudes in the GPs are needed for follow-up to be experienced as helpful by the patients. Vulnerable feelings of failure could be reinforced by well-intended advice. Degrading attitudes were perceived as especially subversive when they came from doctors. Conclusions. The challenge for the GP is to increase his or her competence in individualized and evidence-based counselling, while acknowledging the efforts needed by the patient to achieve permanent change, and shifting attention from shame to coping.
XML-based 3D: Content Creators, the Web, and xVRML Are Ready for Each Other

Content creators who use the Web as a canvas may be seen as a sociological group. As knowledge of tag-based markup languages like HTML has spread through this group, content creators have become better prepared to learn other tag-based markup languages. Learning HTML did not prepare content creators for VRML, but it does prepare them for xVRML. The Web can now support delivery of high-resolution 3D to the desktops of everyday users. xVRML has significant advantages as a technology for providing virtual reality on those desktops. The specifications and documentation for xVRML have all been developed with an eye towards human readability. The structure of xVRML instance documents facilitates a constructivist approach to learning about Web 3D. The grammar and syntax of xVRML looks like any other tag-based markup language. xVRML is designed to be lightweight, simple, readable, and to encourage content creators to build on what they already know.
Adverse Effects of Fillers and Their Histopathology

Abstract Injectable fillers nowadays represent a pillar in facial rejuvenation and make a significant contribution to the success of the treatment. Despite their obvious benefits, a wide range of possible complications such as immediate, late, delayed, temporary, or irreversible adverse effects have to be respected. Differentiating the various filler materials, these effects are assigned to histopathology findings and currently available treatment options.
Formulation, characterization and evaluation of fluconazole liposomes

The aim of this work was to prepare and evaluate the topical liposomes of Fluconazole. Fluconazole loaded liposomes were prepared by thin film hydration technique. The prepared liposomes were evaluated for in-vitro drug release. The in-vitro diffusion study was carried out by dialysis membrane using both open ended tube. The study was carried out in 40 ml of phosphate buffer solution pH 7.4. The percentage cumulative release from the optimized batch i.e. F7 with drug: lecithin: cholesterol ratio 1: 10: 5, found to be 75.02% release in 8 hours. The magnitude of drug retention within the vesicles on storage under defined conditions ultimately governs shelf life of the developed formulations. Liposomes showed an increasing vesicle size in accelerated temperature but no significance changes at 4 ± 20C has observed in storage studies for two months
A thermographic study of paravertebral analgesia

Six patients undergoing paravertebral blocks for chronically painful conditions of the chest wall were thermographically imaged so that the extent of cutaneous vasodilatation and hence sympathetic block could be correlated with the distribution of the somatic block. All blocks were performed by a single experienced operator, with a single percutaneous entry, using 15ml of 0.5% bupivacaine at a mean level of T9–10 (range T7–8‐T10–11), with radiological confirmation of correct needle placement. There was a mean distribution of the somatic block of five dermatomes (range 1–8), as evidenced by loss of pinprick sensation, with upper and lower limits of T6 and L3. The mean distribution of the sympathetic block was eight dermatomes (range 6–10), as evidenced by ipsilateral skin warming (p = 0.0005‐0.001), with upper and lower limits of T5 and L3. No bilateral spread was observed. No significant postural changes in blood pressures were seen, although there was a small but significant decrease in supine heart rate (p = 0.05). This study demonstrates that a large unilateral somatic and sympathetic block is obtainable with a single thoracic percutaneous paravertebral injection. It challenges the suggestions that this method of analgesia is ineffective and hazardous, that a sympathetic component is a rare accompaniment and that the lumbar nerve roots are spared.
The repair of single-strand breaks in a radiosensitive mutant of Micrococcus radiodurans.

The kinetics of x-ray-induced single-strand break rejoinirg have been studied in wild-type M. radiodurans and a radiosensitive mutant, UV17. The initial fast rejoining reaction observed in wild-type cells in growth medium was absent in UV17. Studies in which irradiated cells were allowed to repair under various conditions confirm that a buffer-mediated rejoining system is absent in UV17 while rejoining of strand breaks under growth conditions is slower but not absent DNA breakdown is more extensive in UV17 although its rate is similar to that of the wild-type. In both strains the x-ray-induced DNA synthesis delay and the time for maximal release of acid-soluble material correlate. In vitro studies show the capacity of lysates of wild-type and mutant cells to catalyze the incorporation of deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates into acid-insoluble material are similar while DNase activity in the mutant is much greater than in the wild type. The in vitro data are correlated with the in vivo observations and indicate that the sensitivity of UV17 to ionizing radiation may be the result of an inhibition of DNA polymerase-mediated repair and not a consequence of an exr or lex type of mutation as has been previously thought.
Solanum habrochaites, a Potential Source of Resistance Against Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) and “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum”

ABSTRACT The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli Sulc, also known as tomato psyllid, is a serious pest of solanaceous plants. Its host selection criteria are poorly understood. In this study, we tested whether the Solanum habrochaites (PI127826), a wild solanaceous plant known for its property to repel whiteflies, was repellent to potato psyllids. Using a combination of nonchoice assays and choice assays on different psyllid stages, we demonstrated that S. habrochaites is both repelling and toxic to potato psyllids compared with Solanum lycopersicum. However, those properties were not sufficient to avoid transmission of the plant bacterial pathogen “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” vectored by potato psyllids, the causative agent of potato zebra chip disease. However, a lower bacterial transmission rate to S. habrochaites was observed compared with S. lycopersicum.
Assessment of femoral bone fragility and fracture risk by ultrasonic measurements at the calcaneus.

BACKGROUND Quantitative ultrasound measurement (broadband ultrasound attenuation and speed of sound) is emerging as an alternative to photon absorptiometry techniques in the assessment of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE To discuss briefly the fundamentals of ultrasound measurement of bone and critically review recent studies on the role of ultrasound in bone quality assessment and hip fracture prediction. CONCLUSIONS The relationships between ultrasound and bone mineral density are too weak to allow accurate prediction of bone density at any skeletal site--including the hip--from an ultrasound measurement at the calcaneus. However, in vitro evidence indicates that ultrasound provides structural information in addition to density. In line with these in vitro data, recent prospective studies have shown that ultrasound predicts hip fractures strongly and independently of densitometry in older women.
Fibrates as therapy for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis? A systematic review

Fibrates are used as lipid-lowering drugs to prevent cardiovascular pathology. Fibrates are ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). Besides altering lipid metabolism, PPARα ligands exert anti-inflammatory effects on various cell types. In this study, we hypothesized that PPARα agonists exert beneficial effects on osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by their local anti-inflammatory effects, but also by their systemic influences. A systematic literature search of Medline and EMBASE databases was performed up to August 2011. The main search items were osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and fibrates. Inclusion criteria were in vivo or in vitro studies regarding humans or animals in which the effects of PPARα ligands were studied. Six in vivo human studies, four in vivo animal studies and seven in vitro studies were included. The in vivo human studies showed all beneficial clinical effects of PPARα ligands, but studies were small and only four were randomized. Ligands for PPARα significantly reduced pain, swelling of the joints and decreased systemic inflammatory markers. In vitro and in vivo animal studies indicate that PPARα agonists inhibit bone resorption, and reduce inflammatory and destructive responses in cartilage and synovium. PPARα agonists such as fibrates should be considered as potential therapeutic strategy for RA. There is no clinical evidence for their use in OA, although in vitro studies indicate that PPARα agonists demonstrate different joint-protective effects locally, and systemic effects on inflammation, serum lipid levels and vascular pathology. Animal studies should be performed and after confirmation of the protective effects of PPARα, large randomized controlled trials could investigate fibrates in OA and RA.
Modeling, simulation and implementation of a modified PID controller for stabilizing a quadcopter

This paper presents the mathematical modeling of a quadcopter. A modified PID control algorithm in Simulink is developed, observing the system's behavior in a virtual environment. PID controller is implemented in an embedded system. The quadcopter is attached to a test bench for submission to external forces. Finally, real test on outdoor scenarios have been made to validate the proposed PID controller.
Defining and quantifying microscale wave breaking with infrared imagery

Breaking without air entrainment of very short wind-forced waves, or microscale wave breaking, is undoubtedly widespread over the oceans and may prove to be a significant mechanism for enhancing the transfer of heat and gas across the air-sea interface. However, quantifying the effects of microscale wave breaking has been difficult because the phenomenon lacks the visible manifestation of whitecapping. In this brief report we present limited but promising laboratory measurements which show that microscale wave breaking associated with evolving wind waves disturbs the thermal boundary layer at the air-water interface, producing signatures that can be detected with infrared imagery. Simultaneous video and infrared observations show that the infrared signature itself may serve as a practical means of defining and characterizing the microscale breaking process. The infrared imagery is used to quantify microscale breaking waves in terms of the frequency of occurrence and the areal coverage, which is substantial under the moderate wind speed conditions investigated. The results imply that ”bursting“ phenomena observed beneath laboratory wind waves are likely produced by microscale breaking waves but that not all microscale breaking waves produce bursts. Oceanic measurements show the ability to quantify microscale wave breaking in the field. Our results demonstrate that infrared techniques can provide the information necessary to quantify the breaking process for inclusion in models of air-sea heat and gas fluxes, as well as unprecedented details on the origin and evolution of microscale wave breaking.
The Transmission of Schizophrenia

All experts are agreed that schizo-phrenia is commoner among the relatives of schizophrenic patients than it is in the general population. Many are agreed that other abnormalities are commoner as well, but there is less consensus as to what, precisely, these abnormalities are. Most disagreement has arisen over the mode of transmission of abnormality, the two main types of theory being genetic (transmission via one or several genes) and social (transmission by learning from an abnormal social environment). Controversy has often been bitter and it has sometimes appeared that opposing points of view were irreconcilable. Eminent exponents of both types of theory were brought together in the symposium reported in this book, and the result is a fascinating and readable exchange of information and ideas which not only clears the air but will do a great deal to determine future lines of research. in two masterly chapters, review the evidence for a genetic factor in transmission, and find it convincing. None of the other contributors questions this conclusion and, indeed, the results of family studies, twin studies and adoption studies all tend to confirm it. The environmentalists at the meeting did not dispute the matter and it may be regarded as no longer controversial. The mode, or modes, of inheritance remain to be elucidated , and it is clear that the merits of single versus multigene theories, or of genetic homogeneity versus genetic heterogeneity, cannot yet be decided. Lidz, Wynne, Alanen and others contribute chapters on their studies of family dynamics and communications which do not lead so overwhelmingly to a single conclusion, since it is not clear how far the operation of a genetic factor would explain their results and how much remains over to be interpreted in other terms. Taken together with other evidence, however, it seems clear that many people do not develop schizophrenia, even though they have the genetic constitution to do so, and that environmental causes are therefore of the first importance. John Clausen contributes a very useful discussion of this evidence, and, again, the conclusion seems hardly a matter for argument. The mode of environmental precipitation and the mechanisms whereby hereditary and environmental factors interact remains un
160 GHz Balanced Frequency Quadruplers Based on Quasi-Vertical Schottky Varactors Integrated on Micromachined Silicon

This work reports on an integrated frequency quadrupler operating at 160 GHz with maximum efficiency of 30% and corresponding output power of 70 mW. The quadrupler design includes two frequency doubler stages in cascade and is based on a balanced circuit architecture that addresses degradation issues often arising from impedance mismatches between multiplier stages. A unique quasi-vertical diode fabrication process consisting of transfer of GaAs epitaxy to a thin silicon support substrate is used to implement the quadrupler, resulting in an integrated drop-in chip module that incorporates 18 varactors, matching networks and beamleads for mounting. The chip is tailored to fit the multiplier waveguide housing, resulting in high reproducibility and consistency in manufacture and performance. Estimates of the varactor temperature for the multiplier were made using the diodes as integrated thermometers. These measurements estimate the operating temperature of the varactors in the quadrupler input stage to be 35 °C.
Age-related epigenetic drift in the pathogenesis of MDS and AML

The myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal hematologic disorder that frequently evolves to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Its pathogenesis remains unclear, but mutations in epigenetic modifiers are common and the disease often responds to DNA methylation inhibitors. We analyzed DNA methylation in the bone marrow and spleen in two mouse models of MDS/AML, the NUP98-HOXD13 (NHD13) mouse and the RUNX1 mutant mouse model. Methylation array analysis showed an average of 512/3445 (14.9%) genes hypermethylated in NHD13 MDS, and 331 (9.6%) genes hypermethylated in RUNX1 MDS. Thirty-two percent of genes in common between the two models (2/3 NHD13 mice and 2/3 RUNX1 mice) were also hypermethylated in at least two of 19 human MDS samples. Detailed analysis of 41 genes in mice showed progressive drift in DNA methylation from young to old normal bone marrow and spleen; to MDS, where we detected accelerated age-related methylation; and finally to AML, which markedly extends DNA methylation abnormalities. Most of these genes showed similar patterns in human MDS and AML. Repeat element hypomethylation was rare in MDS but marked the transition to AML in some cases. Our data show consistency in patterns of aberrant DNA methylation in human and mouse MDS and suggest that epigenetically, MDS displays an accelerated aging phenotype.
Burnout Phenomenon in U.S. Plastic Surgeons: Risk Factors and Impact on Quality of Life

Background: Recent studies by the American College of Surgeons reveal that nearly 40 percent of U.S. surgeons exhibit signs of burnout. The authors endeavored to quantify the incidence of burnout among U.S. plastic surgeons, determine identifiable risk factors, and evaluate its impact on quality of life. Methods: All U.S. residing members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons were invited to complete an anonymous survey between September of 2010 and August of 2011. The survey contained a validated measure of burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory) and evaluated surgeon demographics, professional and personal risk factors, career satisfaction, self-perceived medical errors, professional impairment, and family-home conflicts. Results: Of the 5942 surgeons invited, 1691 actively practicing U.S. plastic surgeons (28.5 percent) completed the survey. The validated rate of burnout was 29.7 percent. Significant risk factors for burnout included subspecialty, number of hours worked and night calls per week, annual income, practice setting, and academic rank. Approximately one-fourth of plastic surgeons had significantly lower quality-of-life scores than the U.S. population norm, and this risk increases in burned out surgeons. In addition to having lower career satisfaction and more work-home conflicts, plastic surgeons with burnout also had a nearly two-fold increased risk of self-reported medical errors and self-reported impairment. Conclusions: Over one-fourth of plastic surgeons in the United States experience validated burnout, with concomitant attenuated career satisfaction and quality of life. Multivariate analysis identified predisposing factors that may aid in better understanding risk profiles that lead to burnout; therefore, efforts to understand and thereby avoid this burnout phenomenon are warranted.