Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of P-glycoprotein on blood-retinal barrier permeability: comparison of blood-aqueous humor and blood-brain barrier using mdr1a knockout rats.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to clarify the impact of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) on blood-retinal barrier (BRB) and blood-aqueous humor barrier (BAB) permeability, in contrast to blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. METHODS Permeabilities of six compounds, including P-gp substrates (quinidine, digoxin, and verapamil), were investigated in wild-type and mdr1a knockout rats using retinal, aqueous humor, and brain uptake index (RUI, AHUI, and BUI, respectively) methods and integration plot analysis. RESULTS In both rat strains, quinidine, digoxin, and verapamil were transported by P-gp across each barrier; however, the impact of P-gp on retinal uptake of quinidine and verapamil was less pronounced than that on brain uptake. The apparent influx permeability clearance (Kin) values of verapamil in retina obtained from wild-type and knockout rats were similar (0.824 ± 0.201 and 0.849 ± 0.980 mL/min·g retina, respectively; mean ± SD; n = 3 rats). The Kin in aqueous humor and brain obtained from knockout rats was, respectively, 3-fold and 12-fold higher than that of wild-type (P < 0.05). In P-gp-deficient conditions, the RUI and AHUI of quinidine, digoxin, and verapamil, as well as the BUI of quinidine and digoxin, were decreased by P-gp inhibitors. However, the BUI of verapamil was not changed by P-gp inhibitors. Results suggest that carrier-mediated influx transporters exist in the blood-ocular barriers and that the function of verapamil influx transporters is markedly different between the retina and brain. CONCLUSIONS In both rat strains, P-gp operates in the blood-ocular barriers, and the impact of P-gp on BRB permeability to quinidine and verapamil is lower than that on BBB permeability.
Observation of Conductance Quantization in Oxide‐Based Resistive Switching Memory

Conductance quantization phenomena are observed in oxide-based resistive switching memories. These phenomena can be understood by the formation and disruption of atomic-scale conductive filaments in the insulating oxide matrix. The quantum conductance effect can be artificially modulated by controlling the electrical parameters in Set and Reset processes, and can be used for multi-level data storage and help understand and design one-dimensional structures at atomic scales in various materials systems.
Improved Poly(3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) for Neural Stimulation

This study compares the stability of three variations of the conductive polymer poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) or PEDOT for neural micro‐stimulation under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. We examined PEDOT films deposited with counter‐ions tetrafluoroborate (TFB) and poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS), and PEDOT:PSS combined with carbon nanotubes (CNTs).
Timing Is Everything: Results to an Observational Study of Mealtime Insulin Practices

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the timing and practices of blood glucose testing and rapid-acting insulin administration around mealtimes. Design: This study used an observational, descriptive design to assess the time between blood glucose testing and insulin administration and the time between first bite of the meal and insulin administration. Setting: The setting was 4 cardiology units in 2 hospitals within a large community healthcare system. Sample: Sixty-four mealtime practice events at breakfast, lunch, and supper were observed. Methods: Investigators directly observed the timing of rapid-acting insulin administration at 3 mealtime periods an assessed timing of blood glucose testing, food intake, and method of glucose reporting. Results: Overall, 14% (n = 64) of the patients received blood glucose testing within 1 hour prior to insulin administration and insulin administration within 15 minutes of the meal. As separate elements, blood glucose testing was done within the defined ideal range 35% (n = 63) of the time, and insulin was administered within range 40% (n = 58) of the time. Conclusions: Timing for meals, blood glucose testing, and rapid-acting insulin administration varied significantly and was not well synchronized among the various patient caregivers with low achievement of ideal practices. Implications: Results to this study revealed opportunities for better coordination of mealtime insulin practices. Lack of coordination can lead to medication errors and adverse drug events. Further study should include effect of mealtime coordination on glycemic control outcomes and testing the effect of interventions on timing of mealtime insulin practices.
SLC30A8 rs13266634 polymorphism is related to a favorable cardiometabolic lipid profile in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients

Objective:To analyze the relationship of SLC30A8 rs13266634 polymorphism with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. Design:Cross-sectional study in 260 HIV/HVC-coinfected patients. Methods:SLC30A8 polymorphisms were genotyped by GoldenGate assay. Genetic data were analyzed under the dominant inheritance model (CT/TT versus CC). Cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), LDL-C/HDL-C, atherogenic index, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values were assayed for each genotype. Results:rs13266634 CT/TT carriers had higher serum values of HDL-C (P = 0.014) and lower values of LDL-C/HDL-C (P = 0.036) and atherogenic index (P = 0.011) than CC carriers. Additionally, rs13266634 CT/TT carriers had lower percentage of HDL 35 mg/dl or less (P = 0.050) and higher percentage of LDL/HDL at least 3 (P = 0.091) and atherogenic index at least 3.5 (P = 0.003) than CC carriers. When adjusted regression analysis was performed, rs13266634 CT/TT genotype was associated with high serum values of HDL-C [arithmetic mean ratio (AMR) = 1.10 (95% confidence interval, CI = 1.03–1.19) P = 0.006], and low values of LDL-C/HDL-C [AMR = 0.88 (95% CI = 0.79–0.99) P = 0.045] and atherogenic index [AMR = 0.89 (95% CI = 0.81–0.98) P = 0.024]. For categorical outcomes, rs13266634 CT/TT carriers had lower significant likelihood of having atherogenic index at least 3.5 [odds ratio = 0.47 (95% CI = 0.26–0.83) P = 0.009], and very close to significance for LDL-C/HDL-C at least 3 [odds ratio = 0.52 (95% CI = 0.27–1.02) P = 0.056], supporting the protective effect of the CT/TT genotypes. No significant relationship was observed between rs13266634 and HOMA-IR values. Conclusion:rs13266634 CT/TT genotype was associated to higher levels of HDL-C and lower values of cardiovascular risk indices (LDL-C/HDL-C and atherogenic index), but there was a lack of association with HOMA-IR values. Thus, rs13266634 polymorphism might play a significant role in lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.
Improved Beluga Whale Optimizer-Based Cluster Head Selection in FANET

Important issues have arisen for the reliability of communications in FANETs as of the high-speed mobility of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). One of the more recent Meta-heuristic (MH) methods, makes use of the Beluga Whale optimizer (BWO) to optimize network parameters in FANET. However, BWO may get stuck in local optima and converge too quickly because of its lack of diversity. This paper provides two steps to improve the original BWO procedure. Opposition-based learning (OBL), also known as OBWO's first stage, helps to speed up the search procedure and improve the learning procedure so that a higher quality generation of candidate keys for the basic BWO can be selected. In addition, a powerful cluster maintenance algorithm for continually updating UAV clusters is proposed. The simulation findings show that the projected OBWO scheme outperforms state-of-the-art clustering techniques by a wide margin in terms of packet delivery ratio, network lifetime to cluster head altering ratio, and energy usage.
Single-Switch Cell Voltage Equalizer Using Multistacked Buck-Boost Converters Operating in Discontinuous Conduction Mode for Series-Connected Energy Storage Cells

The cell voltage imbalance of series-connected energy storage cells, such as supercapacitors (SCs) and lithium-ion cells, causes premature deterioration and a decrease in the available energies of the cells. Various equalization techniques have been developed for diminishing such imbalances. However, since the number of switches, sensors, and/or multiwinding transformers present in conventional equalizers is directly proportional to the number of series connections of the cells, the circuit complexity and cost of the equalizers are prone to increase with the number of series connections. In this paper, single-switch cell voltage equalizers using multistacked buck-boost converters, such as the single-ended primary inductor converter (SEPIC), Zeta, and Ćuk converters, are proposed. These equalizers consist of passive components and a single switch, significantly reducing the complexity of the circuit when compared with that of conventional equalizers. In addition, when the proposed equalizers operate in discontinuous conduction mode, feedback control is not required to limit currents flowing through cells and circuit components. The proposed equalizers are compared with conventional topologies in terms of the number of active and passive components required. Operating analyses were conducted under both cell-voltage-balanced and -imbalanced conditions. Experimental equalization tests were performed for four series-connected SCs using the SEPIC-based single-switch equalizer. The energies of the series-connected SCs were preferentially redistributed by the equalizer to the cell(s) having the lowest voltage, resulting in the elimination of the cell voltage imbalance and subsequent uniformity of the cell voltages.
HIV DNA Vaccine: Stepwise Improvements Make a Difference

Inefficient DNA delivery methods and low expression of plasmid DNA have been major obstacles for the use of plasmid DNA as vaccine for HIV/AIDS. This review describes successful efforts to improve DNA vaccine methodology over the past ~30 years. DNA vaccination, either alone or in combination with other methods, has the potential to be a rapid, safe, and effective vaccine platform against AIDS. Recent clinical trials suggest the feasibility of its translation to the clinic.
Analysis of the fatigue life of neat and modified bitumens using linear amplitude sweep test

The paper presents an evaluation of the fatigue resistance of selected Polish bituminous binders: neat bitumen 50/70, polymer modified bitumen PMB 45/80-55 and polymer highly modified bitumen PMB 45/80-80. The linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test, which is a new bitumen performance grading test developed in the USA, and was used to assess the fatigue life of the bitumens. Highly modified bitumen 45/80-80 showed 10-20 times higher fatigue durability than neat bitumen 50/70 and modified bitumen PMB 45/80-55. The differences in fatigue durability between neat bitumen 50/70 and modified bitumen PMB 45/80-55 were much smaller, which means that the bitumens are characterized by similar fatigue reliability. Also the effect of different test temperatures on the fatigue life and mode of failure of the bitumen binders were examined. It has been shown that the quality of a bitumen can be more accurately assessed on the basis of results of the durability test carried out for several different temperatures than for one equivalent temperature.
New approaches to the study of sepsis

Models of sepsis have been instructive in understanding the sequence of events in animals and, to an extent, in humans with sepsis. Events developing early in sepsis suggest that a hyperinflammatory state exists, accompanied by a buildup of oxidants in tissues reflective of a redox imbalance. Development of immunosuppression and degraded innate and adaptive immune responses are well‐established complications of sepsis. In addition, there is robust activation of the complement system, which contributes to the harmful effects of sepsis. These events appear to be associated with development of multiorgan failure. The relevance of animal models of sepsis to human sepsis and the failure of human clinical trials are discussed, together with suggestions as to how clinical trial design might be improved.
Making hospitals in China smoke-free: a prospective study of implementing the new standard.

OBJECTIVES In the run-up to all Chinese health care facilities becoming smoke-free, the feasibility of the new standard was assessed by monitoring its implementation in a sample of Chinese hospitals. METHODS Forty-one hospitals across 20 provinces were asked to ban smoking inside the hospital and provide advice and referral to stop-smoking treatment. Smoking status of more than 24,000 members of staff at 21 hospitals was surveyed at baseline (April 2009) and at follow-up (October 2010). Surveys monitored implementation of several specific aspects of the new standard to identify potential barriers to nationwide implementation. RESULTS All hospitals managed to implement the ban and most set up smoking cessation clinics. Routine recording of patients' smoking status proved more difficult to implement. The hospitals improved significantly in 8 out of 11 monitored policy parameters. Smoking prevalence among staff decreased from 14.8% to 10.7% (p < .001), suggesting an important collateral benefit of making hospitals smoke-free. Outdoor smoking areas facilitated the indoor ban. Staff education emerged as the key priority. CONCLUSIONS The smoke-free standard is feasible even in a country with a widespread acceptance of smoking inside health facilities. Several challenges need to be addressed when the new standard is disseminated across China.
An approach for traffic characterization in generalized processor sharing networks

This work is motivated by the increasing need of end-to-end performance bound provisioning in multi-service networks. Providing performance bounds in a networking environment is a difficult problem as traffic is bursty and its dynamics is far more complex than in a single server environment. As end-to-end bounds are basically based on local switch guarantees, computation of local performance bounds requires the knowledge of traffic conditions at inputs of each switch. This paper investigates the problem of traffic characterization of arbitrary topology networks that employ the generalized processor sharing (GPS) scheduling discipline at each node. The study focuses on the derivation of internal (at inputs of switches) traffic descriptors of sessions which are originally leaky bucket constrained at the network edge. Allowing arbitrary weight assignment of sessions the analysis classifies GPS networks into different sets by means of various stability conditions. Methods are presented for the determination of internal traffic parameters in cyclic, acyclic networks with and without virtual feedback. Numerical examples are shown for the illustration of our algorithmic approach for the above mentioned scenarios as well as for end-to-end delay computation of sessions.
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 activation protects against hypertension‐induced cardiac fibrosis involving extracellular signal‐regulated kinases

Our previous studies have indicated that chronic treatment with 1‐[(2‐dimethylamino) ethylamino]‐4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐7‐[(4‐methylphenyl) sulfonyl oxy]‐9H‐xanthene‐9‐one (XNT), an angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activator, reverses hypertension‐induced cardiac and renal fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Furthermore, XNT prevented pulmonary vascular remodelling and right ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis in a rat model of monocrotaline‐induced pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of XNT against cardiac fibrosis. Hydroxyproline assay was used to measure cardiac collagen content in control and XNT‐treated (200 ng kg−1 min−1 for 28 days) SHRs. Cardiac ACE2 activity and protein levels were determined using the fluorogenic peptide assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. Extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERKs; p44 and p42) and angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor levels were quantified by Western blotting. Cardiac ACE2 protein levels were ∼15% lower in SHRs compared with Wistar–Kyoto control animals (ACE2/glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase ratio: Wistar–Kyoto, 1.00 ± 0.02 versus SHR, 0.87 ± 0.01). However, treatment of SHRs with XNT completely restored the decreased cardiac ACE2 levels. Also, chronic infusion of XNT significantly increased cardiac ACE2 activity in SHRs. This increase in ACE2 activity was associated with decreased cardiac collagen content. Furthermore, the antifibrotic effect of XNT correlated with increased cardiac angiotensin‐(1–7) immunostaining, though no change in cardiac AT1 protein levels was observed. The beneficial effects of XNT were also accompanied by a reduction in ERK phosphorylation (phospho‐ERK/total ERK ratio: Wistar–Kyoto, 1.00 ± 0.04; control SHR, 1.46 ± 0.25; treated SHR, 0.86 ± 0.02). Our observations demonstrate that XNT activates cardiac ACE2 and inhibits fibrosis. These effects are associated with increases in angiotensin‐(1–7) and inhibition of cardiac ERK signalling.
Finite differences of the logarithm of the partition function

Let $p(n)$ denote the partition function. DeSalvo and Pak proved that $\frac{p(n-1)}{p(n)}\left(1+\frac{1}{n}\right)> \frac{p(n)}{p(n+1)}$ for $n\geq 2$, as conjectured by Chen. Moreover, they conjectured that a sharper inequality $\frac{p(n-1)}{p(n)}\left( 1+\frac{\pi}{\sqrt{24}n^{3/2}}\right) > \frac{p(n)}{p(n+1)}$ holds for $n\geq 45$. In this paper, we prove the conjecture of Desalvo and Pak by giving an upper bound for $-\Delta^{2} \log p(n-1)$, where $\Delta$ is the difference operator with respect to $n$. We also show that for given $r\geq 1$ and sufficiently large $n$, $(-1)^{r-1}\Delta^{r} \log p(n)>0$. This is analogous to the positivity of finite differences of the partition function. It was conjectured by Good and proved by Gupta that for given $r\geq 1$, $\Delta^{r} p(n)>0$ for sufficiently large $n$.
Temperature dependence of breakdown voltage in InAlAs/InGaAs HEMTs: theory and experiments

We present results of an experimental and theoretical study of the temperature dependence of the off-state breakdown voltage of InAlAs/InGaAs high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). We find that the breakdown voltage (BV) has a negative temperature coefficient that is more prominent for lower values of the extrinsic sheet carrier concentration (n/sub s/). Structural parameters such as the insulator thickness and top-to-bottom delta doping ratio have little effect on BV if n/sub s/ is held constant. These results are consistent with an extension of a new tunneling model for breakdown in HEMTs to include thermionic-field emission.
Contracting human skeletal muscle maintains the ability to blunt α1‐adrenergic vasoconstriction during KIR channel and Na+/K+‐ATPase inhibition

During exercise there is a balance between vasoactive factors that facilitate increases in blood flow and oxygen delivery to the active tissue and the sympathetic nervous system, which acts to limit muscle blood flow for the purpose of blood pressure regulation. Functional sympatholysis describes the ability of contracting skeletal muscle to blunt the stimulus for vasoconstriction, yet the underlying signalling of this response in humans is not well understood. We tested the hypothesis that activation of inwardly rectifying potassium channels and the sodium–potassium ATPase pump, two potential vasodilator pathways within blood vessels, contributes to the ability to blunt α1‐adrenergic vasoconstriction. Our results show preserved blunting of α1‐adrenergic vasconstriction despite blockade of these vasoactive factors. Understanding this complex phenomenon is important as it is impaired in a variety of clinical populations.
Damping of the Woodwind Instrument Reed Material Arundo donax L

The viscoelastic properties (E', G', tanΦ, δ) of Arundo donax (AD) and a polypropylene-beech fiber composite (PPC) were measured from RT to 580K for various frequencies and strains. E' of AD varies between 5250-6250MPa depending on ageing at RT while E'(RT)=2250MPa of PPC is signifcantly lower. E' of the AD is higher than E' of PPC in the whole investigated temperature range with the exception of AD after a heat treatment up to 575K. Damping spectra exhibit peaks around 340K (Q=234kJ/mol) and 415K for the PPC related to relaxations in the crystalline part of polypropylene and the relaxation at melting temperature. For AD damping peaks were found at 350K (Q=320kJ/ mol) related to the glass-rubber transition of lignin, at 420K due to a reorganization in the amorphous phase of lignin, at 480K related to micro-Brownian motions in the non-crystalline region of cell-wall polymers and reduction of the crystallinity of cellulose, and at 570K due to the polymeric compounds of wood and/or a decomposition of lignin. The course of E' and tanΦ of AD and PPC is comparable from 20-200Hz, whereas tanΦ of AD is lower than tanΦ of PPC while E' of AD is higher than E' of PPC.
Potentiation of the Hepatic Toxicity of Carbon Disulfide by Chlordane

Objectives: In this study, we investigated whether cytochrome P450s (CYPs) induced by a typical chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide chlordane (CLD) potentiate hepatic toxicity of carbon disulfide (CS 2 ). Materials and Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with CLD (25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)) daily for 4 days, and 24 h after the final injection the rats were treated with CS 2 (380 mg/kg, i.p.) in corn oil; while controls received the vehicle alone. The rats were then sacrificed at 3, 6, and 24 h following the CS 2 treatment. Results: It was found that at 3 h post-treatment, total hepatic glutathione (GSH) decreased modestly, but lipid peroxidation increased markedly, while all CLD-inducible CYPs (1A1, 2B1, 2E1, and 3A2) were inhibited by CS 2 variably but significantly. On the other hand, samples taken at 24 h following the CS2 treatment showed a significant increase in relative liver weights, hepatic GSH and lipid peroxidation, microsomal reactive oxygen species (ROS), and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) level. Activity of the CYPs was also increased, but remained significantly depressed, especially that of CYP2B1. Livers removed at 3 and 6 h after CS 2 treatment showed subtle to distinct apoptotic changes, while a severe lesion of hydropic degeneration of the centrilobular cells with apoptosis was microscopically distinguishable in samples taken at 24 h. Conclusions: These results suggest that the metabolism of CS 2 by CLD-induced CYPs and the generation of lipid peroxides may have in concert contributed to the distinct hepatocellular damage.