Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonography as the Gold Standard for In Vivo Volumetric Determination of Chemically-induced Mammary Tumors.

BACKGROUND/AIM In this study, we evaluated the dimensions and volume of rat mammary tumors and the association of these variables with tumor invasiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tumors were measured by caliper and ultrasonography. Volume was determined by water displacement and by application of four formulas using tumor length (L), width (W) and depth (D) or tumor weight. RESULTS Results confirmed the data obtained in our previous work, where we verified that mammary tumors grow as oblate spheroids. CONCLUSION The determination of mammary tumor volume by applying the formula V=(4/3)×π×(L/2)×(L/2)×(D/2) is the best way to evaluate tumor volume in vivo. Beyond volume evaluation by water displacement, the determination on the basis of tumor weight is the most accurate way to evaluate tumor volume after animal sacrifice or tumor excision. According to our results, it is not possible to predict if a tumor is invasive or non-invasive by its dimensions, volume or weight. Future work in chemically-induced mammary cancer should use ultrasonography and water displacement or tumor weight to determine tumor volume in vivo and after animal sacrifice or tumor excision, respectively.
Mental health service utilization among Korean elders in Korean churches: preliminary findings from the Memory and Aging Study of Koreans in Maryland (MASK-MD)

Background: Korean Americans (KA) comprise the fourth largest Asian-American subgroup, with a population estimated at nearly 1.7 million, and the vast majority (up to 85%) of KA elders attends ethnic churches. Despite the rapid increase of the KA elderly population, data on mental health service utilization among KA elders are scarce. Method: Based on a cluster sampling method, the Memory and Aging Study among Koreans in Maryland (MASK-MD) recruited and assessed 630 KA elders (mean age: 70.9 ± 6.1 years; 68.9% female) in KA churches for depression, dementia, and level of mental health service utilization. The Korean versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9K) and Mini-mental Status Examination (MMSE-KC) were administered by trained community health workers. Results: Of the 630 participants, 23.2% and 7.3% had PHQ-9 scores of 5 (‘mild depression’) or above and 10 or above (‘clinical depression’), respectively. In addition, 7.0% scored below the age- and education-specific cutoff values for probable dementia based on the MMSE-KC. Of the 92 participants with ‘clinical depression’ or having thoughts of death or self-injury, only 16 (17%) reported utilizing mental health services. Likewise, of 56 participants with probable dementia, only 3 (7.3%) sought treatment from a health care provider. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression and cognitive impairment are high in community-dwelling KA elders attending KA churches, but the rate of mental health service utilization among depressed or cognitively impaired Korean elders is low. Further research is warranted to identify barriers to and strategies for adequate mental health care for Korean immigrant elders.
Prevention of Accelerated Atherosclerosis by Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition in Diabetic Apolipoprotein E–Deficient Mice

Background—Atherosclerosis is a major complication of diabetes, but the mechanisms by which diabetes promotes macrovascular disease have not been fully delineated. Although several animal studies have demonstrated that inhibition of ACE results in a decrease in the development of atherosclerotic lesions, information about the potential benefits of these agents on complex and advanced atherosclerotic lesions as observed in long-term diabetes is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether treatment with the ACE inhibitor perindopril affects diabetes-induced plaque formation in the apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mouse. Methods and Results—Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin in 6-week-old apoE-deficient mice. Diabetic animals received treatment with perindopril (4 mg · kg−1 · d−1) or no treatment for 20 weeks. Nondiabetic apoE-deficient mice were used as controls. Induction of diabetes was associated with a 4-fold increase in plaque area compared with nondiabetic animals. This accelerated atherosclerosis was associated with a significant increase in aortic ACE expression and activity and connective tissue growth factor and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression. Perindopril treatment inhibited the development of atherosclerotic lesions and diabetes-induced ACE, connective tissue growth factor, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 overexpression in the aorta. Conclusions—The activation of the local renin-angiotensin system in the diabetic aorta and the reduction in atherosclerosis with ACE inhibitor treatment provides further evidence that the renin-angiotensin system plays a pivotal role in the development and acceleration of atherosclerosis in diabetes.
An aeroelastic instability provides a possible basis for the transition from gliding to flapping flight

The morphology, kinematics and stiffness properties of lifting surfaces play a key role in the aerodynamic performance of vertebrate flight. These surfaces, as a result of their flexible nature, may move both actively, owing to muscle contraction, and passively, in reaction to fluid forces. However, the nature and implications of this fluid–structure interaction are not well understood. Here, we study passive flight (flight with no active wing actuation) and explore a physical mechanism that leads to the emergence of a natural flapping motion. We model a vertebrate wing with a compliant shoulder and the ability to camber with an idealized physical model consisting of a cantilevered flat plate with a hinged trailing flap. We find that at low wind speed the wing is stationary, but at a critical speed the wing spontaneously flaps. The lift coefficient is significantly enhanced once the wing starts to oscillate, although this increase in lift generation is accompanied by an increase in drag. Flow visualization suggests that a strong leading edge vortex attached to the wing during downstroke is the primary mechanism responsible for the enhanced lift. The flapping instability we observe suggests a possible scenario for an evolutionary transition from gliding to powered flapping flight in animals that possess compliant wings capable of passive camber. Although the flapping state is accompanied by a lower lift-to-drag ratio, the increased lifting capability it confers might have enabled increased body mass, improved foraging performance and/or flight at lower speeds, any of which might have been selectively advantageous.
Role of neonicotinyl insecticides in Washington apple integrated pest management. Part I. Control of lepidopteran pests

Abstract Three neonicotinyl insecticides, acetamiprid, thiacloprid and clothianidin, were evaluated for their impact on four species of lepidopteran pests of apple in Washington, the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), the Pandemis leafroller, Pandemis pyrusana Kearfott, and the obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), and Lacanobia subjuncta (Grote & Robinson). None of the neonicotinyl insecticides demonstrated sufficient activity against P. pyrusana, C. rosaceana, or L. subjuncta to warrant field trials. Conversely, all had some activity against one or more stages of C. pomonella. Acetamiprid was highly toxic to larvae in laboratory bioassays, and had relatively long activity of field-aged residues (21 days). It also showed some toxicity to C. pomonella eggs (via topical exposure) and adults. Acetamiprid provided the highest level of fruit protection from C. pomonella attack in field trials conducted over five years in experimental orchards with extremely high codling moth pressure. Thiacloprid performed similarly in bioassays, but fruit protection in field trials was slightly lower than acetamiprid. Clothianidin showed moderate to high toxicity in bioassays, depending on the C. pomonella stage tested, but poor fruit protection from attack in field trials. None of the neonicotinyl insecticides were as toxic to larvae or effective in protecting fruit as the current standard organophosphate insecticide used for C. pomonella control, azinphosmethyl. However, both acetamiprid and thiacloprid should provide acceptable levels of C. pomonella control in commercial orchards where densities are much lower than in the experimental orchards used for our trials. The advantages and disadvantages of the neonicotinyl insecticides as replacements for the organophosphate insecticides and their role in a pest management system for Washington apple orchards are discussed. MFR Maximum field rate
Performance-based regulation model in PJM wholesale markets

To provide sufficient incentives to faster-ramping resources and ensure efficient economic dispatch of regulation resources, in 2011 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Order 755-Frequency Regulation Compensation in the Organized Wholesale Power Markets. The order requires for an additional market-based payment for actual performance, which is separated from the existing payment for regulation capability. Prior to Order 755, frequency regulation compensation practices of Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs) only considered a capacity payment which cannot provide the correct and sufficient incentive for regulation resources to respond to a frequency control signal timely, accurately and precisely. In early 2012, PJM and ALSTOM Grid launched a project to integrate the regulation performance model into the PJM RealTime (RT) markets. The technical software has been operating in the PJM production environment since October 1, 2012. This paper focuses on the integration of the performance based regulation model into the PJM RT business processes and the subsequent studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of market clearing and pricing with consideration of performance of regulation resources. The results indicate that with the model, regulation resources with better performance can be acknowledged and compensated reasonably.
Regional distribution of neuroendocrine cells in the urogenital duct system of the male rat

Neuroendocrine (NE) cells are frequently present in the human prostate and urethra, whereas they are lacking in the other urogenital organs. This study was undertaken as there are only few detailed studies available on the distribution, form and function of NE cells and the structure of excretory ducts of the accessory sex organs in the male rat.
Neuroligin 2 Is Expressed in Synapses Established by Cholinergic Cells in the Mouse Brain

Neuroligin 2 is a postsynaptic protein that plays a critical role in the maturation and proper function of GABAergic synapses. Previous studies demonstrated that deletion of neuroligin 2 impaired GABAergic synaptic transmission, whereas its overexpression caused increased inhibition, which suggest that its presence strongly influences synaptic function. Interestingly, the overexpressing transgenic mouse line showed increased anxiety-like behavior and other behavioral phenotypes, not easily explained by an otherwise strengthened GABAergic transmission. This suggested that other, non-GABAergic synapses may also express neuroligin 2. Here, we tested the presence of neuroligin 2 at synapses established by cholinergic neurons in the mouse brain using serial electron microscopic sections double labeled for neuroligin 2 and choline acetyltransferase. We found that besides GABAergic synapses, neuroligin 2 is also present in the postsynaptic membrane of cholinergic synapses in all investigated brain areas (including dorsal hippocampus, somatosensory and medial prefrontal cortices, caudate putamen, basolateral amygdala, centrolateral thalamic nucleus, medial septum, vertical- and horizontal limbs of the diagonal band of Broca, substantia innominata and ventral pallidum). In the hippocampus, the density of neuroligin 2 labeling was similar in GABAergic and cholinergic synapses. Moreover, several cholinergic contact sites that were strongly labeled with neuroligin 2 did not resemble typical synapses, suggesting that cholinergic axons form more synaptic connections than it was recognized previously. We showed that cholinergic cells themselves also express neuroligin 2 in a subset of their input synapses. These data indicate that mutations in human neuroligin 2 gene and genetic manipulations of neuroligin 2 levels in rodents will potentially cause alterations in the cholinergic system as well, which may also have a profound effect on the functional properties of brain circuits and behavior.
Flavoring-related bronchiolitis obliterans

Purpose of review In 2000, inhalation of butter flavoring vapors was first associated with clinical bronchiolitis obliterans among workers in microwave popcorn production. Toxicologic and epidemiologic studies in the succeeding 5 years have intervention and research implications. Recent findings Irreversible obstructive disease exists in workers throughout the microwave popcorn industry, in flavoring manufacture, and in the chemical synthesis of diacetyl, a predominant chemical in butter flavoring. Biologic plausibility of the role of diacetyl and other components of butter flavoring in causing bronchiolitis obliterans exists in rodent experiments which demonstrate respiratory epithelial necrosis. Some risky jobs were associated with short-term peak flavoring exposures, and average 8-h diacetyl exposures as low as 0.02 parts per million were measured in a work area where disease occurred in workers mixing butter flavorings with heated oil. Summary Until safe levels of flavoring chemicals are determined, prevention requires substitution, engineering controls, improved work practices, and personal protective equipment to lower exposure, in conjunction with medical surveillance for accelerated declines in pulmonary function. An epidemiologic approach to longitudinal medical surveillance and flavoring chemical exposures, paired with inhalation toxicology studies of flavoring components, will lay the basis for determining health-protective exposure limits for various flavoring chemicals.
Integrated Carotid Chemoreceptor and Pulmonary Inflation Reflex Control of Peripheral Vasoactivity in Conscious Dogs

The interaction of carotid chemoreceptor and pulmonary inflation reflex control of vascular responses in the mesenteric, renal, and iliac beds was examined in conscious dogs by comparing responses to chemoreceptor stimulation (intracarotid injection of nicotine or cyanide) during spontaneous and controlled respiration. A biphasic response was evoked which was characterized by an initial bradycardia, an increase in mean arterial pressure, and a marked increase in resistance in the iliac [102 ± 17% (mean ± SE)] as compared with the mesenteric (16 ± 3%) and renal (9 ± 2%) beds. After the chemoreceptor-induced increases in ventilation, there was a later phase characterized by tachycardia, a decrease in mean arterial pressure, and a striking decrease in resistance in the iliac (—51 ± 2%) as compared with the mesenteric (—3 ± 4%) and renal (-11 ± 3%) beds. Alphablockade with phentolamine nearly abolished the early vasoconstriction and later vasodilation. When the chemoreceptor induced increase in respiration was prevented, or after bilateral vagotomy, there was significantly more (P <0.01) vasoconstriction in all three beds and no later vasodilation. After mechanical hyperinflation of the lungs, a striking decrease in resistance was observed in the iliac (—56 ± 3%) as compared with the mesenteric (—17 ± 5%) and renal (—6 ± 6%) beds; these responses were not observed after alpha blockade or after vagotomy. Responses to carotid chemoreceptor stimulation were not observed after carotid sinus nerve section. Thus, carotid chemoreceptor stimulation in conscious dogs with spontaneous respiration results in a biphasic vascular response. Pulmonary inflation reflexes attenuate the initial vasoconstrictor response to carotid chemoreceptor stimulation and are responsible for the later period of vasodilation.
Poor utility of the age of onset criterion for DSM-IV attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: recommendations for DSM-V and ICD-11.

BACKGROUND To test whether the retrospective reporting of the age of onset impairment criterion for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) required in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - IV (DSM-IV) complicates identification of new and known child and adolescent cases later in life. METHODS A birth-records-based cohort of twins assessed at ages 7 to 19 years were blindly reassessed five years later using the MAGIC interview. Study outcome measures were differences in reported ages of onset for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). RESULTS For all age groups and respondents (parent on youth or youth self-report), later ages of ADHD onset were reported five years later. The same phenomenon was also present for the other diagnostic groups. Of the initial ADHD individuals who continued to meet all other ADHD criteria at follow-up, 46% failed the age of onset criterion five years later. When ignoring the age of onset criterion, late onsets of ages 7-16 years accounted for about 10% of all ADHD. CONCLUSIONS Use of the DSM-IV age of onset criterion for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the assessment of adolescents and young adults results in under-identification of affected individuals. Consideration should be given to revising the current nomenclatures to reflect the reality of retrospective reporting errors in age of onset as well as the presence of late onset cases.
The macroscopic behavior of the TCP congestion avoidance algorithm

In this paper, we analyze a performance model for the TCP Congestion Avoidance algorithm. The model predicts the bandwidth of a sustained TCP connection subjected to light to moderate packet losses, such as loss caused by network congestion. It assumes that TCP avoids retransmission timeouts and always has sufficient receiver window and sender data. The model predicts the Congestion Avoidance performance of nearly all TCP implementations under restricted conditions and of TCP with Selective Acknowledgements over a much wider range of Internet conditions.We verify the model through both simulation and live Internet measurements. The simulations test several TCP implementations under a range of loss conditions and in environments with both drop-tail and RED queuing. The model is also compared to live Internet measurements using the TReno diagnostic and real TCP implementations.We also present several applications of the model to problems of bandwidth allocation in the Internet. We use the model to analyze networks with multiple congested gateways; this analysis shows strong agreement with prior work in this area. Finally, we present several important implications about the behavior of the Internet in the presence of high load from diverse user communities.
Use of Exhaled Nitric Oxide as a Biomarker in Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive and nonreversible disease, is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Because airway inflammation is a hallmark of COPD, it has been proposed that measuring exhaled nitric oxide, a marker of inflammation, in exhaled breath condensate could prove to be an inexpensive and efficient method to detect COPD in outpatient settings. Methods: This study used secondary data on a sample of 10,214 individuals 30 years and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007 to 2010. Binary and ordinal logistic regression analyses were used to test the association of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) with COPD and COPD severity. Results: The prevalence of COPD was 7.2%, based on self-reported physician diagnoses and 11.4% based on prebronchodilator spirometry analysis. This study found no statistically significant association between eNO, COPD, and COPD severity (P > .05). Conclusions: The findings of this study do not support use of eNO as a biomarker of inflammation in diagnosis and management of COPD.
Dysconnection Topography in Schizophrenia Revealed with State-Space Analysis of EEG

Background The dysconnection hypothesis has been proposed to account for pathophysiological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia. Widespread structural changes suggesting abnormal connectivity in schizophrenia have been imaged. A functional counterpart of the structural maps would be the EEG synchronization maps. However, due to the limits of currently used bivariate methods, functional correlates of dysconnection are limited to the isolated measurements of synchronization between preselected pairs of EEG signals. Methods/Results To reveal a whole-head synchronization topography in schizophrenia, we applied a new method of multivariate synchronization analysis called S-estimator to the resting dense-array (128 channels) EEG obtained from 14 patients and 14 controls. This method determines synchronization from the embedding dimension in a state-space domain based on the theoretical consequence of the cooperative behavior of simultaneous time series—the shrinking of the state-space embedding dimension. The S-estimator imaging revealed a specific synchronization landscape in schizophrenia patients. Its main features included bilaterally increased synchronization over temporal brain regions and decreased synchronization over the postcentral/parietal region neighboring the midline. The synchronization topography was stable over the course of several months and correlated with the severity of schizophrenia symptoms. In particular, direct correlations linked positive, negative, and general psychopathological symptoms to the hyper-synchronized temporal clusters over both hemispheres. Along with these correlations, general psychopathological symptoms inversely correlated within the hypo-synchronized postcentral midline region. While being similar to the structural maps of cortical changes in schizophrenia, the S-maps go beyond the topography limits, demonstrating a novel aspect of the abnormalities of functional cooperation: namely, regionally reduced or enhanced connectivity. Conclusion/Significance The new method of multivariate synchronization significantly boosts the potential of EEG as an imaging technique compatible with other imaging modalities. Its application to schizophrenia research shows that schizophrenia can be explained within the concept of neural dysconnection across and within large-scale brain networks.