Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial division/mitophagy inhibitor (Mdivi) Ameliorates Pressure Overload Induced Heart Failure

Background We have previously reported the role of anti-angiogenic factors in inducing the transition from compensatory cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure and the significance of MMP-9 and TIMP-3 in promoting this process during pressure overload hemodynamic stress. Several studies reported the evidence of cardiac autophagy, involving removal of cellular organelles like mitochondria (mitophagy), peroxisomes etc., in the pathogenesis of heart failure. However, little is known regarding the therapeutic role of mitochondrial division inhibitor (Mdivi) in the pressure overload induced heart failure. We hypothesize that treatment with mitochondrial division inhibitor (Mdivi) inhibits abnormal mitophagy in a pressure overload heart and thus ameliorates heart failure condition. Materials and Methods To verify this, ascending aortic banding was done in wild type mice to create pressure overload induced heart failure and then treated with Mdivi and compared with vehicle treated controls. Results Expression of MMP-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, CD31, was increased, while expression of anti angiogenic factors like endostatin and angiostatin along with MMP-9, TIMP-3 was reduced in Mdivi treated AB 8 weeks mice compared to vehicle treated controls. Expression of mitophagy markers like LC3 and p62 was decreased in Mdivi treated mice compared to controls. Cardiac functional status assessed by echocardiography showed improvement and there is also a decrease in the deposition of fibrosis in Mdivi treated mice compared to controls. Conclusion Above results suggest that Mdivi inhibits the abnormal cardiac mitophagy response during sustained pressure overload stress and propose the novel therapeutic role of Mdivi in ameliorating heart failure.
Using Virtual-Reality Simulation to Assess Performance in Endobronchial Ultrasound

Background: For optimal treatment of patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma, it is essential to have physicians with competence in endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). EBUS training and certification requirements are under discussion and the establishment of basic competence should be based on an objective assessment of performance. Objectives: The aims of this study were to design an evidence-based and credible EBUS certification based on a virtual-reality (VR) EBUS simulator test. Methods: Twenty-two respiratory physicians were divided into 3 groups: experienced EBUS operators (group 1, n = 6), untrained novices (group 2, n = 8) and simulator-trained novices (group 3, n = 8). Each physician performed two standardized simulated EBUS-TBNA procedures. Simulator metrics with discriminatory ability were identified and reliability was explored. Finally, the contrasting-groups method was used to establish a pass/fail standard, and the consequences of this standard were explored. Results: Successfully sampled lymph nodes and procedure time were the only simulator metrics that showed statistically significant differences of p = 0.047 and p = 0.002, respectively. The resulting quality score (QS, i.e. sampled lymph nodes per minute) showed an acceptable reliability and a generalizability coefficient of 0.67. Reliability of 0.8 could be obtained by testing in 4 procedures. Median QS was 0.24 (range 0.21-0.26) and 0.098 (range 0.04-0.21) for groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.001). The resulting pass/fail standard was 0.19. Group 3 had a median posttraining QS of 0.11 (range 0-0.17). None of them met the pass/fail standard. Conclusions: With careful design of standardized tests, a credible standard setting and appropriate transfer studies, VR simulators could be an important first line in credentialing before proceeding to supervised performance on patients.
Experimental Verification of an Accelerated Test for Predicting the Lifetime of Organic Fiber Composites

We have experimentally tested a model which is used to predict the stress-rupture lifetime of organic fiber composites. The experiment con sisted of a series of accelerated stress-rupture tests in which an aramid fiber impregnated with an epoxy resin was subjected to high temperatures and stresses. The resulting data were used to generate the model's material constants. The model was then used to predict the median lifetime of the composite at stresses and temperatures lower than those of the accelerated tests. A comparison of the model-predicted lifetimes at 25°C with 4 years of known stress-rupture data at room temperature showed that the experi mental data were in good agreement with model-predicted values. In a statistical analysis of the results, a Weibull distribution function with temperature-dependent parameters was assumed to describe the variability of lifetimes about the median lifetime.
Improving alpha matting and motion blurred foreground estimation

We present a new method for separating motion blurred foreground objects from their background given a single image. Previous techniques focused on estimating alpha mattes for separating sharp, non-moving foreground objects from fairly homogeneous background. In those cases the only pixels which are ambiguous are those which exhibit fractional pixel occupancy. In this paper, we address the problem of alpha matte and foreground estimation of motion blurred objects. We show, that explicit modeling of the object motion facilitates the estimation and improves the quality of the estimated alpha mattes. In addition, we improve foreground extraction of motion blurred objects with a new regularization term. This task is particularly difficult in smeared out regions, where the background shimmers through. Both synthetic and real-world examples illustrate the merit of our approach.
Young-Person''s Guide to Detached-Eddy Simulation Grids

We give the ``philosophy'''', fairly complete instructions, a sketch and examples of creating Detached-Eddy Simulation (DES) grids from simple to elaborate, with a priority on external flows. Although DES is not a zonal method, flow regions with widely different gridding requirements emerge, and should be accommodated as far as possible if a good use of grid points is to be made. This is not unique to DES. We brush on the time-step choice, on simple pitfalls, and on tools to estimate whether a simulation is well resolved.
Microstructure of piezoelectric AlN films deposited by AC reactive sputtering

Highly c-axis oriented 1000 nm thick AlN films having full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the X-ray rocking curve 1.2 degrees were deposited on Mo underlayers by ac reactive magnetron sputtering at various process conditions. AFM, SEM, TEM, HR-XRD, and defect selective chemical etching were used to characterize the microstructure of the AlN films. It was found that the Ar pressure during the Mo deposition had a critical effect on the Mo film surface morphology affecting the structure of subsequently deposited AlN films and, hence, their wet etching characteristics. AlN films deposited on Mo sputtered at relatively high pressure could not be etched completely while AlN films deposited on low pressure Mo etched more easily. Post-deposition etching of the Mo surface in Ar rf discharge prior to deposition of the AlN film was found to influence the formation of AlN residuals that were difficult to etch. Optimal rf plasma etching conditions were found which minimized the formation of these residuals.
Effect of Vaginal Pessaries on Symptoms Associated With Pelvic Organ Prolapse

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the effects of vaginal pessaries on symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse and identify the risk factors for failure. METHODS: All women referred to a specialist urogynecology unit with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse who elected to use a pessary were included in this study. All completed the Sheffield pelvic organ prolapse symptom questionnaire before use and after 4 months of use. The primary outcome measure was change of symptoms from baseline to 4 months. RESULTS: Of 203 consecutive women fitted with a pessary, 153 (75%) successfully retained the pessary at 2 weeks, and 97 completed the questionnaires at 4 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that failure to retain the pessary was significantly associated with increasing parity (odds ratio [OR] 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–2.02, P = .004) and hysterectomy (OR 4.57, 95% CI 1.71–12.25, P = .002). In the success group at 4 months (n = 97), a significant improvement in voiding was reported by 39 participants (40%, P = .001), in urinary urgency by 37 (38%, P = .001), in urge urinary incontinence by 28 (29%, P = .015), in bowel evacuation by 27 (28%, P = .045), in fecal urgency by 22 (23%, P = .018), and in urge fecal incontinence by 19 (20%, P = .027), but there was no significant improvement in stress urinary incontinence in 22 participants (23% P = .275). Of the 26 (27%) who were sexually active, 16 (17%, P = .001) reported an increase in frequency of sexual activity, and 11 (11%, P = .041) had improved in sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSION: A vaginal pessary is an effective and simple method of alleviating symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse and associated pelvic floor dysfunction. Failure to retain the pessary is associated with increasing parity and previous hysterectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3
On the complexity of Engh and Huber refinement restraints: the angle τ as example

The angle τ (backbone N—Cα—C) is the most contested Engh and Huber refinement target parameter. It is shown that this parameter is ‘correct’ as a PDB-wide average, but can be improved by taking into account residue types, secondary structures and many other aspects of our knowledge of the biophysical relations between residue type and protein structure.
HLA Polymorphism in Anthropology

Humans are the most adaptable species among living organisms. Adaptation is the sum of all processes which allows the organism to cope with environmental stresses, in particular climate and topography, for its survival. All living species continuing through time and space to the present day are endowed with innate biological adaptation. The whole gamut of biological adaptation of human species is dependent on the sum total of anatomical, physiological, immunological and genetic characteristics. But the human species, in addition to biological adaptation, also possess cultural adaptation. Cultures are customs and traditions which help shape the human body and mind. The quest for understanding diversity of his own species and the rest of the species through time and space has promoted the expansion of the science of biological/physical Anthropology [1].
On-site methods for reliable moisture determination in power transformers

This paper discusses present day and new on-site approaches to determine moisture in power transformers: dielectric response methods and equilibrium diagrams. In recent years dielectric diagnostic methods have been developed, which derive moisture concentration of the solid insulation from its dielectric properties. This paper presents a new method, which combines measurements in frequency and time domain, and which makes reliable diagnostics possible even for heavily aged insulations. The second part of this paper deals with equilibrium diagrams applied for moisture determination. Since the conventional application of these diagrams leads to erroneous results for aged insulations, a new representation of equilibrium diagrams based on moisture saturation in oil is introduced. Examples of onsite moisture determinations compare the new methods to conventional approaches and describe the assessment of moisture analysis results.
Dosimetric review of cardiac implantable electronic device patients receiving radiotherapy

A formal communication process was established and evaluated for the management of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) receiving radiation therapy (RT). Methods to estimate dose to the CIED were evaluated for their appropriateness in the management of these patients. A retrospective, institutional review board (IRB) approved study of 69 patients with CIEDs treated with RT between 2005 and 2011 was performed. The treatment sites, techniques, and the estimated doses to the CIEDs were analyzed and compared to estimates from published peripheral dose (PD) data and three treatment planning systems (TPSs) — UMPlan, Eclipse's AAA and Acuros algorithms. When measurements were indicated, radiation doses to the CIEDs ranged from 0.01–5.06 Gy. Total peripheral dose estimates based on publications differed from TLD measurements by an average of 0.94 Gy (0.05–4.49 Gy) and 0.51 Gy (0–2.74 Gy) for CIEDs within 2.5 cm and between 2.5 and 10 cm of the treatment field edge, respectively. Total peripheral dose estimates based on three TPSs differed from measurements by an average of 0.69 Gy (0.02–3.72 Gy) for CIEDs within 2.5 cm of the field edge. Of the 69 patients evaluated in this study, only two with defibrillators experienced a partial reset of their device during treatment. Based on this study, few CIED‐related events were observed during RT. The only noted correlation with treatment parameters for these two events was beam energy, as both patients were treated with high‐energy photon beams (16 MV). Differences in estimated and measured CIED doses were observed when using published PD data and TPS calculations. As such, we continue to follow conservative guidelines and measure CIED doses when the device is within 10 cm of the field or the estimated dose is greater than 2 Gy for pacemakers or 1 Gy for defibrillators. PACS number: 87.55. N‐
Effect of short-term isometric handgrip training on blood pressure in middle-aged females

Objective To determine the effect of isometric handgrip training on blood pressure (BP) in middle-aged women (47.88 ± 1.8 years). Methods Isometric handgrip training was performed over five consecutive days. In each session, the treatment group (n = 9) performed four isometric contractions of 45 seconds each at 30% of their maximal grip strength. The control group (n = 9) sat for 15 minutes without exercising, for five consecutive days. Resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured pre- and post-intervention. Data were analysed using a two-factor ANOVA (p ≤ 0.05). Results Blood pressure readings were reduced in both groups (SBP: p = 0.036; DBP: p = 0.0079), however there was no interaction effect for SBP or DBP. Conclusions The findings suggest that 15 minutes of sitting per day for five consecutive days is just as effective as isometric handgrip training for reducing BP levels. Future research is required to investigate the optimal isometric handgrip training stimulus required to reduce resting BP levels.
The Formation Mechanism of the Factory-Roof Pattern in a Torsional Fatigue Specimen with Circumferential Notch

The formation mechanism of the factory-roof pattern in a circumferential notched specimen was examined. To achieve observation of the material's cracks internally, plastic material, that was acrylic, was used for the test. Cyclic torsional tests were performed with and without application of static tension. A factory-roof pattern was formed in the fracture surface when cyclic torsion tests were conducted with static tension. Formation of the factory-roof pattern was found to be dependent on testing conditions. When such a pattern was formed, many small cracks were initiated by shear mode, followed by their coalescence. The new cracks' initiation at the front of the shear mode cracks could be one of the reasons for the coalescence. After the coalescence and branching of cracks, the cracks grew under the control of the maximum principal stress criterion. This behavior was examined by direct observation of the cracks. The final fracture pattern showed the initiation of many shear-mode cracks and their succeeding coalescence. From those observations, we considered the formation of a factory-roof pattern model.
Environmental Regulation of Bacillus subtilis ςD-Dependent Gene Expression

ABSTRACT The ςD regulon of Bacillus subtilis is composed of genes encoding proteins for flagellar synthesis, motility, and chemotaxis. Concurrent analyses of ςD protein levels and flagellin mRNA demonstrate that sigD expression and ςD activity are tightly coupled during growth in both complex and minimal media, although they exhibit different patterns of expression. We therefore used the ςD-dependent flagellin gene (hag) as a model gene to study the effects of different nutritional environments on ςD-dependent gene expression. In complex medium, the level of expression of ahag-lacZ fusion increased exponentially during the exponential growth phase and peaked early in the transition state. In contrast, the level of expression of this reporter remained constant and high throughout growth in minimal medium. These results suggest the existence of a nutritional signal(s) that affects sigDexpression and/or ςD activity. This signal(s) allows for nutritional repression early in growth and, based on reconstitution studies, resides in the complex components of sporulation medium, as well as in a mixture of mono-amino acids. However, the addition of Casamino Acids to minimal medium results in a dose-dependent decrease in hag-lacZ expression throughout growth and the postexponential growth phase. In work by others, CodY has been implicated in the nutritional repression of several genes. Analysis of a codY mutant bearing a hag-lacZ reporter revealed that flagellin expression is released from nutritional repression in this strain, whereas mutations in the transition state preventor genes abrB, hpr, and sinRfailed to elicit a similar effect during growth in complex medium. Therefore, the CodY protein appears to be the physiologically relevant regulator of hag nutritional repression in B. subtilis.
Biochemical , histopathological and ultra structural profile after pulsed water medication of enrofloxacin in broiler chickens

Aim: A pharmacological study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and adverse effects of enrofloxacin administration in broiler chickens by assessing the serum biochemical parameters, associated histopathological and ultra structural changes in liver and kidney. Materials and Methods: Birds in the treatment group were administered with enrofloxacin at the recommended therapeutic dose 10mg/kg body weight via drinking water for five successive days, while the control group (untreated group) received non medicated water. Serum biochemical parameters viz., total protein, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, lipase, triglyceride, gamma glutamyl transferase, urea, uric acid and creatinine were estimated at 24hour and 48hour intervals during the dosing and withdrawal periods, respectively. Liver and kidney tissue samples collected from 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 days post treatment groups were subjected to histopathological and ultrastructural examinations. Results: There was no significant change (p>0.05) in total protein, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, lipase, triglyceride and urea levels in the enrofloxacin administered broiler chickens at all the time points evaluated. However, a significant increase (p<0.05) in gamma glutamyl transferase, uric acid and creatinine levels were th observed after the 4 dose of the enrofloxacin and on day 1 post treatment. During the withdrawal period, the elevated levels declined gradually and showed the trend towards control values as evidenced by a statistically insignificant difference on 3, 5, 7 and 9 days post treatment when compared to that of control group. These biochemical changes were substantiated by histopathological and ultrastructural changes elicited in liver and kidney. Conclusion: The reversible trend observed in serum biochemical parameters, histopathological and ultra structural alterations in liver and kidney during the withdrawal period suggests that enrofloxacin is safe if administered to broiler chickens at the recommended therapeutic dose and if the stipulated withdrawal period is strictly adhered to.
Effects of socioeconomic status on maternal and child positive behaviors in daily life among youth with asthma.

OBJECTIVE Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with poorer behavioral and emotional outcomes in children with asthma. This study investigated the associations between maternal income and education and naturalistically observed behaviors and affect during everyday parent-child interactions. METHODS 53 predominantly low-income youth with asthma, aged 10-17 years, wore a naturalistic event-sampling device, the Electronically Activated Recorder, for 4 days to assess mother and child positive behaviors and affect in daily life. RESULTS Maternal education, but not income, was positively associated with child positive behaviors, displays of mother and child positive affect, and increased maternal responsiveness. Maternal positive affect and maternal responsiveness mediated the effect of maternal education on child positive affect. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that maternal education has an important influence on the socioemotional adjustment of youth with asthma and point to the importance of investigating the independent influence of socioeconomic status components on everyday parent-child interactions.
Antiarrhythmic Effects of Combining Dofetilide and Ranolazine in a Model of Acutely Induced Atrial Fibrillation in Horses

Background: Antiarrhythmic compounds against atrial fibrillation (AF) often have reduced efficacy and may display cardiac and/or noncardiac toxicity. Efficacy can be improved by combining 2 compounds with distinct mechanisms, and it may be possible to use lower doses of each compound, thereby reducing the likelihood of adverse side effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the effective doses of dofetilide and ranolazine can be reduced if the drugs are combined. Methods: Dofetilide, ranolazine, and a combination of these were administered in 4 incremental dosing regimens to horses with acutely pacing-induced AF. Time to cardioversion, atrial effective refractory period, and AF vulnerability and duration were assessed. Results: Of 8 horses, 6 cardioverted to sinus rhythm after infusion with a combination of 0.889 &mgr;g/kg dofetilide and 0.104 mg/kg ranolazine. Two horses cardioverted with 0.104 mg/kg ranolazine alone, and 3 cardioverted with 0.889 &mgr;g/kg dofetilide alone. The combination therapy decreased AF vulnerability (P < 0.05) and AF duration (P < 0.05). No change in atrial effective refractory period was detected with any of the drugs. Conclusions: The combination of dofetilide and ranolazine showed increased antiarrhythmic effects on acutely induced AF in horses, affecting time to cardioversion, AF vulnerability, and AF duration.
Optimized Iterative Clipping and Filtering for PAPR Reduction of OFDM Signals

Iterative clipping and filtering (ICF) is a widely used technique to reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signals. However, the ICF technique, when implemented with a fixed rectangular window in the frequency-domain, requires many iterations to approach specified PAPR threshold in the complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF). In this paper, we develop an optimized ICF method which determines an optimal frequency response filter for each ICF iteration using convex optimization techniques. The design of optimal filter is to minimize signal distortion such that the OFDM symbol's PAPR is below a specified value. Simulation results show that our proposed method can achieve a sharp drop of CCDF curve and reduce PAPR to an acceptable level after only 1 or 2 iterations, whereas the classical ICF method would require 8 to 16 iterations to achieve a similar PAPR reduction. Moreover, the clipped OFDM symbols obtained by our optimized ICF method have less distortion and lower out-of-band radiation than the existing method.