Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for the inhibitory role of guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate in ADP-induced human platelet aggregation in the presence of nitric oxide and related vasodilators.

Previous observations that platelet guanosine 3’. 5’-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) accumulation occurred during platelet aggregation and also in the presence of nitroprusside. which inhibits aggregation. prompted an evaluation of the effects of nitroprusside. nitric oxide. and related agents on human platelet aggregation. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was employed to induce irreversible aggregation of human platelets in platelet-rich plasma. Nitroprusside. nitric oxide. and N-methyl-N’-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. in a concentration-dependent manner. inhibited ADPinduced platelet aggregation. markedly activated soluble platelet guanylate cyclase (70-280-fold). and markedly elevated platelet cyclic GMP levels (100-200-fold). The gaseous phase of cigarette smoke. which contains nitric oxide. also inhibited platelet aggregation and elevated platelet cyclic GMP levels. In addition to attenuating aggregation. these agents were effective in disaggregating platelets. which was associated with a concomitant rise in
DBT degradation enhancement by decorating Rhodococcus erythropolis IGST8 with magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Biodesulfurization (BDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT) was carried out by Rhodococcus erythropolis IGST8 decorated with magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles, synthesized in‐house by a chemical method, with an average size of 45–50 nm, in order to facilitate the post‐reaction separation of the bacteria from the reaction mixture. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the magnetic nanoparticles substantially coated the surfaces of the bacteria. It was found that the decorated cells had a 56% higher DBT desulfurization activity in basic salt medium (BSM) compared to the nondecorated cells. We propose that this is due to permeabilization of the bacterial membrane, facilitating the entry and exit of reactant and product, respectively. Model experiments with black lipid membranes (BLM) demonstrated that the nanoparticles indeed enhance membrane permeability. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1505–1512. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inability to Produce White Dermographism in the Early Stage of Infantil Eczema

Abstract: White dermographism constitutes an abnormal vascular reaction characteristically demonstrable in atopic dermatitis; however, there is no information about it in the infantile phase of atopic dermatitis. Therefore we examined 73 infants younger than 3 years of age with eczematous dermatitis for the demonstrablity of white dermographiam after mechanical strocking of the lesional skin. None of the 40 healthy control infants showed white dermographism on their normal skin. In contrast, an age‐dependent increase was demonstrated in patients with infantile eczema, from 11% in those 1 to 2 months of age to 85% in those older than 7 months. There was no correlation between the demonstrabllity of white dermographism in early infancy and the prognosls of infantile eczema. Based on our study of various types of dermatitis experimentally induced in adult volunteers, we think that, in addition to the immaturity of infantile skin, the presence of acute dermatitic changes may be related to Inabllity to demonstrate with dermographism in the early phase of infantile eczema.
Capacity of a wireless ad hoc network with infrastructure

In this paper we study the capacity of wireless ad hoc networks with infrastructure support of an overlay of wired base stations. Such a network architecture is often referred to as hybrid wireless network or multihop cellular network. Previous studies on this topic are all focused on the two-dimensional disk model proposed by Gupta and Kumarin their original work on the capacity of wireless ad hoc networks. We further consider a one-dimensional network model and a two-dimensional strip model to investigate the impact of network dimensionality and geometry on the capacity of such networks. Our results show that different network dimensions lead to significantly different capacity scaling laws. Specifically, for a one-dimensional network of n nodes and b base stations, even with a small number of base stations, the gain in capacity is substantial, increasing linearly with the number of base stations as long as b log b ≤ n. However, a two-dimensional square (or disk) network requires a large number of base stations b = Ω(√n) before we see such a capacity increase. For a 2-dimensional strip network, if the width of the strip is at least on the order of the logarithmic of its length, the capacity follows the same scaling law as in the 2-dimensional square case. Otherwise the capacity exhibits the same scaling behavior as in the 1-dimensional network. We find that the different capacity scaling behaviors are attributed to the percolation properties of the respective network models.
Sexually selected females in the monogamous Western Australian seahorse

Studies of sexual selection in monogamous species have hitherto focused on sexual selection among males. Here, we provide empirical documentation that sexual selection can also act strongly on females in a natural population with a monogamous mating system. In our field-based genetic study of the monogamous Western Australian seahorse, Hippocampus subelongatus, sexual selection differentials and gradients show that females are under stronger sexual selection than males: mated females are larger than unmated ones, whereas mated and unmated males do not differ in size. In addition, the opportunity for sexual selection (variance in mating success divided by its mean squared) for females is almost three times that for males. These results, which seem to be generated by a combination of a male preference for larger females and a female-biased adult sex ratio, indicate that substantial sexual selection on females is a potentially important but under-appreciated evolutionary phenomenon in monogamous species.
Improving Adherence to Oral Iron Supplementation During Pregnancy

Background Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency on the globe. In India, pregnant women are amongst the most vulnerable population for iron deficiency anaemia. Even though iron supplements are prescribed, the compliance to therapy is inconsistent. Since India has a predominant rural population, shortage of medical manpower and lack of healthcare facilities may contribute to poor compliance with therapy. Method A controlled trial study was conducted with 140 pregnant women, from a rural area of J N Medical College, Belgaum, India. Direct observers were assigned as volunteers, who monitored consumption of oral iron supplementation tablets by pregnant women. The direct observer was a consenting adult from the same village. Detailed history and baseline investigations were done before the initiation of study and periodical assessment of haemoglobin levels were used to monitor progress. Results The mean adherence rate and haemoglobin levels in the direct observers’ group were higher compared to the control group, across all visits. The mean haemoglobin value of participants in study group during 1st visit was 7.97 gm%, whereas in control group, it was 7.98 gm%; in the 2 nd visit, mean haemoglobin level in the study group was 8.47 gm% and 8.18 gm% in the control group; in the 3 rd visit, mean haemoglobin was 8.99 gm% in the study group and 8.42 gm% in control group. There was no statistical difference in the mean haemoglobin values between two groups in the first two visits. Although the mean haemoglobin values were similar on baseline investigations (1 st visit), there was a difference of 0.30 gm% in 2 nd visit and 0.57 gm% difference in the 4 th Visit. The difference in haemoglobin values at 4 th visit was statistically significant. Conclusion The deployment of a direct observer, to monitor the administration of oral iron supplementation is feasible and helps to improve compliance with oral iron tablets.
Hydrodynamic Limit for the Vlasov-Navier-Stokes Equations . Part II : Fine Particles Regime coro

The paper is devoted to the analysis of a hydrodynamic limit for the Vlasov-Navier-Stokes equations.This system is intended to model the evolution of particles interacting with a fluid. The coupling arises from the force terms. The limit problem is the Navier-Stokes system with non constant density. The density which is involved in this system is the sum of the (constant) density of the fluid and of the macroscopic density of the particles. The proof relies on a relative entropy method.
PhysIK: Physically Plausible and Intuitive Keyframing

We present an approach for animating characters using inverse kinematics (IK) handles that allows for intuitive keyframing of physically plausible motion. Specifically, we extend traditional IK and keyframing to include center-of-mass (CM) and inertia handles along with physically based templates to help an animator produce trajectories that respect physics during dynamic activities, such as swinging, stepping, and jumping. Animators can easily control both posture and physics-based quantities (inertia shape, CM position, and linear momentum) when building motions from scratch, but also have complete freedom to create exaggerated or impossible motions. We present results for a variety of planar characters of different morphologies.
The psychometric properties of the 5‐item gratitude questionnaire in Chinese adolescents

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? : The GQ-6 is one of the most widely used self-report questionnaires to evaluate the level of gratitude among adults. The GQ-5 appears suitable for adolescents. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE? : We developed a Chinese version of the GQ-5 and examined evidence for its reliability and validity. Results demonstrated adequate reliability and validity, indicating that it is appropriate for the assessment of gratitude in Chinese adolescents. In addition, Chinese early adolescent females reported higher gratitude than adolescent males. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE? : Screening adolescents who have lower levels of gratitude through the GQ-5 could help identify students who may benefit from empirically validated interventions to promote higher levels of gratitude in an effort to promote positive psychosocial and academic outcomes. ABSTRACT Background This study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the 5-item Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-5). Method The sample consisted of 2093 middle school students (46.8% males) in mainland China. Confirmatory factor analysis and multigroup confirmatory factor analysis were performed to examine the factor structure and the measurement equivalence across gender. The convergent validity, Cronbach's α and mean interitem correlations of the GQ-5 were also evaluated. Results The results provided evidence of internal consistency reliability through a Cronbach's α of 0.812 and a mean interitem correlation of 0.463 for the total sample. The results also supported a one-dimensional factor structure. In addition, convergent validity was assessed by statistically significant positive correlations between the GQ-5 and the two subscales of the Children's Hope Scale (CHS) and the Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) total score. Finally, multigroup confirmatory factor analysis also demonstrated measurement equivalence across gender. Subsequent analyses of latent mean revealed gender differences in early adolescent male and female students. Conclusions The Chinese version of the GQ-5 appears to be a reliable and valid measure of gratitude among Chinese early adolescents. Early adolescent female students reported higher gratitude than early adolescent male students.
A memory clinic v. traditional community mental health team service: comparison of costs and quality

Aims and method To compare the cost and quality of a memory-clinic-based service (MCS) with a traditional community mental health team (CMHT) service. Using a retrospective case-note review, we studied two groups, each with 33 participants. Consecutive referrals for diagnostic ‘memory’ assessments over 4 months were evaluated. Participants were evaluated for up to 6 months. Results The MCS was less costly than the CMHT service but the difference was not statistically significant (mean cost for MCS was £742, mean cost for CMHT service was £807). The MCS offered more multidisciplinary and comprehensive care, including: pre- and post-diagnostic counselling, more systematic screening of blood for reversible causes of dementia, more use of structured assessment instruments in patients/carers, signposting to the third sector as well as more consistent copying of letters to patients/carers. Clinical implications An MCS service offered more comprehensive and multidisciplinary service at no extra cost to secondary care.
Thermal properties and thermal stability of polypropylene composites filled with graphene nanoplatelets

The thermal properties and thermal stability of polypropylene (PP) composites separately filled with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) with three different sizes were measured using a differential scanning calorimetry and a thermal gravimetric analyser. The results showed that the values of the melting temperature of the composites were higher than that of the unfilled PP; the thermal stability increased with increasing the weight fraction and lateral dimension of GNPs in the case of low filler concentration, while the effect of the GNPs thickness on the thermal stability was insignificant; the onset decomposition temperature increased with increasing the GNPs lateral dimension, while the maximum thermal decomposition rate increased first and then decreased with increasing the GNPs weight fraction. The thermal stability improvement should be attributed to the sheet barrier function of the GNPs.
Quantity discrimination in salamanders

SUMMARY We investigated discrimination of large quantities in salamanders of the genus Plethodon. Animals were challenged with two different quantities (8 vs 12 or 8 vs 16) in a two-alternative choice task. Stimuli were live crickets, videos of live crickets or images animated by a computer program. Salamanders reliably chose the larger of two quantities when the ratio between the sets was 1:2 and stimuli were live crickets or videos thereof. Magnitude discrimination was not successful when the ratio was 2:3, or when the ratio was 1:2 when stimuli were computer animated. Analysis of the salamanders' success and failure as well as analysis of stimulus features points towards movement as a dominant feature for quantity discrimination. The results are generally consistent with large quantity discrimination investigated in many other animals (e.g. primates, fish), current models of quantity representation (analogue magnitudes) and data on sensory aspects of amphibian prey-catching behaviour (neuronal motion processing).
TESTIN Induces Rapid Death and Suppresses Proliferation in Childhood B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Cells

Background Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in children. Despite high cure rates, side effects and late consequences of the intensive treatments are common. Unquestionably, the identification of new therapeutic targets will lead to safer, more effective treatments. We identified TES promoter methylation and transcriptional silencing as a very common molecular abnormality in childhood ALL, irrespective of molecular subtype. The aims of the present study were to demonstrate that TES promoter methylation is aberrant, to determine the effects of TES re-expression in ALL, and to determine if those effects are mediated via TP53 activity. Methods Normal fetal and adult tissue DNA was isolated and TES promoter methylation determined by Sequenom MassARRAY. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblot were used to confirm re-expression of TES in ALL cell lines after 5’-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (decitabine) exposure or transfection with TES expression plasmids. The effects of TES re-expression on ALL cells were investigated using standard cell proliferation, cell death and cell cycle assays. Results In this study, we confirm that the TES promoter is unmethylated in normal adult and fetal tissues. We report that decitabine treatment of ALL cell lines results in demethylation of the TES promoter and attendant expression of TES mRNA. Re-expression of TESTIN protein in ALL cells using expression plasmid transfection results in rapid cell death or cell cycle arrest independent of TP53 activity. Conclusions These results suggest that TES is aberrantly methylated in ALL and that re-expression of TESTIN has anti-leukaemia effects which point to novel therapeutic opportunities for childhood ALL.
Long‐Term Prognosis of Brugada‐Type ECG and ECG With Atypical ST‐Segment Elevation in the Right Precordial Leads Over 20 Years: Results From the Circulatory Risk in Communities Study (CIRCS)

Background Brugada syndrome is recognized as being associated with sudden cardiac death; however, the prevalence of non–type 1 Brugada‐type ECG (BrS) or atypical ST‐segment elevation in the right precordial leads (STERP) and the long‐term prognosis for those patients remain unknown. Methods and Results We analyzed standard 12‐lead ECGs of 7178 apparently healthy participants (age range 40–64 years) who underwent health checkups from 1982 to 1986 in the Circulatory Risk in Communities Study, a prospective, large, community‐based cohort study in Japan. ECGs with J point amplitude ≥0.2 mV in the right precordial leads were divided into 3 groups: (1) type 1 BrS, (2) type 2 or 3 BrS (non‐type 1 BrS), and (3) STERP. The others served as the non–ST‐segment elevation group. We identified 8 participants (0.1%) with type1 BrS, 84 (1.2%) with non–type 1 BrS, and 228 (3.2%) with STERP. During a median follow‐up of 18.7 years (133 987.0 person‐years), sudden cardiac death was observed in no participants (0.0%) with type 1 BrS, in 1 (1.2%) with non–type 1 BrS, in 7 (3.1%) with STERP, and in 50 (0.7%) with non–ST‐segment elevation. Participants with STERP had a markedly elevated risk of sudden cardiac death (multivariable hazard ratio 3.9, 95% CI 1.7–9.0). Conclusions STERP was associated with an elevated risk of sudden cardiac death in a middle‐aged population.
On the Ability of Graph Coloring Heuristics to Find Substructures in Social Networks

Social network is a graph G = [V;E], in which each vertex from V corresponds to a person and each edge from E describes, that two persons know each other. Social substructure of size m is dened as a clique Km in social network G with m of its vertices. In other words, in a social substructure, everybody knows everybody. In this paper, we study the complementary graph G, in which edges represent persons, who do not know each other. By solving the graph coloring problem with a proper heuristic over this graph, one can nd social substructures without any additional information. We dene this strategy as the uninformed approach to substructure discovery. Thus, the natural interpretation is assigned to the substructures by user of the method. Our experiments were performed using a well-known tabu search algorithm for the graph coloring problem, called TabuCol [6]. Experimental results are presented on several articial social networks and one instance of real data.
A User's Guide to a Data Base of the Diversity of Pseudomonas syringae and Its Application to Classifying Strains in This Phylogenetic Complex

The Pseudomonas syringae complex is composed of numerous genetic lineages of strains from both agricultural and environmental habitats including habitats closely linked to the water cycle. The new insights from the discovery of this bacterial species in habitats outside of agricultural contexts per se have led to the revelation of a wide diversity of strains in this complex beyond what was known from agricultural contexts. Here, through Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) of 216 strains, we identified 23 clades within 13 phylogroups among which the seven previously described P. syringae phylogroups were included. The phylogeny of the core genome of 29 strains representing nine phylogroups was similar to the phylogeny obtained with MLST thereby confirming the robustness of MLST-phylogroups. We show that phenotypic traits rarely provide a satisfactory means for classification of strains even if some combinations are highly probable in some phylogroups. We demonstrate that the citrate synthase (cts) housekeeping gene can accurately predict the phylogenetic affiliation for more than 97% of strains tested. We propose a list of cts sequences to be used as a simple tool for quickly and precisely classifying new strains. Finally, our analysis leads to predictions about the diversity of P. syringae that is yet to be discovered. We present here an expandable framework mainly based on cts genetic analysis into which more diversity can be integrated.
The ALX4 homeobox gene is mutated in patients with ossification defects of the skull (foramina parietalia permagna, OMIM 168500)

Foramina parietalia permagna (FPP) (OMIM 168500) is caused by ossification defects in the parietal bones. Recently, it was shown that loss of function mutations in the MSX2homeobox gene on chromosome 5 are responsible for the presence of these lesions in some FPP patients. However, the absence ofMSX2 mutations in some of the FPP patients analysed and the presence of FPP associated with chromosome 11p deletions in DEFECT 11 (OMIM 601224) patients or associated with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome suggests genetic heterogeneity for this disorder. Starting from a BAC/P1/cosmid contig of the DEFECT 11 region on chromosome 11, we have now isolated theALX4 gene, a previously unidentified member of the ALX homeobox gene family in humans. Mutation analysis of the ALX4 gene in three unrelated FPP families without the MSX2mutation identified mutations in two families, indicating that mutations in ALX4 could be responsible for these skull defects and suggesting further genetic heterogeneity of FPP.
Cotton Fiber Tenacity and Elongation in Rapidly Changing Relative Humidity

Five cotton samples were tested for 3.2 mm-gauge tenacity and elongation five times daily as relative humidities (RH) were cycled within the limits of 70 and 48%. Tenacity and elongation responded almost instantaneously to changes in RH. In a controlled laboratory maintained at a standard atmosphere of 70 ± 2°F and 65 ± 2% RH, up to 4% range in tenacity and in elongation may be expected due to the oscillating RH alone.