Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Volatile and Intravenous Anesthesia on the Alveolar and Systemic Inflammatory Response in Thoracic Surgical Patients

Background:One-lung ventilation (OLV) results in alveolar proinflammatory effects, whereas their extent may depend on administration of anesthetic drugs. The current study evaluates the effects of different volatile anesthetics compared with an intravenous anesthetic and the relationship between pulmonary and systemic inflammation in patients undergoing open thoracic surgery. Methods:Sixty-three patients scheduled for elective open thoracic surgery were randomized to receive anesthesia with 4 mg · kg−1 · h−1 propofol (n = 21), 1 minimum alveolar concentration desflurane (n = 21), or 1 minimum alveolar concentration sevoflurane (n = 21). Analgesia was provided by remifentanil (0.25 &mgr;g · kg−1 · min−1). After intubation, all patients received pressure-controlled mechanical ventilation with a tidal volume of approximately 7 ml · kg−1 ideal body weight, a peak airway pressure lower than 30 cm H2O, a respiratory rate adjusted to a Paco2 of 40 mmHg, and a fraction of inspired oxygen lower than 0.8 during OLV. Fiberoptic bronchoalveolar lavage of the ventilated lung was performed immediately after intubation and after surgery. The expression of inflammatory cytokines was determined in the lavage fluids and serum samples by multiplexed bead-based immunoassays. Results:Proinflammatory cytokines increased in the ventilated lung after OLV. Mediator release was more enhanced during propofol anesthesia compared with desflurane or sevoflurane administration. For tumor necrosis factor-&agr;, the values were as follows: propofol, 5.7 (8.6); desflurane, 1.6 (0.6); and sevoflurane, 1.6 (0.7). For interleukin-8, the values were as follows: propofol, 924 (1680); desflurane, 390 (813); and sevoflurane, 412 (410). (Values are given as median [interquartile range] pg · ml−1). Interleukin-1&bgr; was similarly reduced during volatile anesthesia. The postoperative serum interleukin-6 concentration was increased in all patients, whereas the systemic proinflammatory response was negligible. Conclusions:OLV increases the alveolar concentrations of proinflammatory mediators in the ventilated lung. Both desflurane and sevoflurane suppress the local alveolar, but not the systemic, inflammatory responses to OLV and thoracic surgery.
CLUSTERED STAR FORMATION IN MAGNETIC CLOUDS: PROPERTIES OF DENSE CORES FORMED IN OUTFLOW-DRIVEN TURBULENCE

We investigate the physical properties of dense cores formed in turbulent, magnetized, parsec-scale clumps of molecular clouds, using three-dimensional numerical simulations that include protostellar outflow feedback. The dense cores are identified in the simulated density data cube through a clumpfind algorithm. We find that the core velocity dispersion does not show any clear dependence on the core size, in contrast to Larson's linewidth–size relation, but consistent with recent observations. In the absence of a magnetic field, the majority of the cores have supersonic velocity dispersions. A moderately strong magnetic field reduces the dispersion to a subsonic or at most transonic value typically. Most of the cores are out of virial equilibrium, with the external pressure dominating the self-gravity. The implication is that the core evolution is largely controlled by the outflow-driven turbulence. Even an initially weak magnetic field can retard star formation significantly, because the field is amplified by the outflow-driven turbulence to an equipartition strength, with the distorted field component dominating the uniform one. In contrast, for a moderately strong field, the uniform component remains dominant. Such a difference in the magnetic structure is evident in our simulated polarization maps of dust thermal emission; it provides a handle on the field strength. Recent polarization measurements show that the field lines in cluster-forming clumps are spatially well ordered. It is indicative of a moderately strong, dynamically important field which, in combination with outflow feedback, can keep the rate of star formation in embedded clusters at the observationally inferred, relatively slow rate of several percent per free-fall time.
International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 176 Young Women's Access to and Use of Contraceptives: the Role of Providers' Restrictions in Urban Senegal

Family planning services were introduced in Senegal in the early 1960s at the private Blue Cross Clinic in Dakar, but it was only in 1981 that the government developed an administrative structure capable of directing a national program and began to provide information, education and counseling support and family planning services. Wider provision of family planning prior to 1981 was prohibited by a law passed during the 1920s, when Senegal was a French colony, 1 and repealed only in 1980. In 1988, a national population policy was issued, giving official and political approval of the family planning program and paving the way for progress in family planning in Senegal. But despite changes in Senegal's legal and regulatory environment in regard to family planning, contraceptive prevalence has been slow to increase. According to the 2010–2011 Senegalese Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), only 12% of currently married women used a modern contraceptive method, compared with 8% in 1997 and 10% in 2005. 2 This slow change can be attributed to low demand for contraceptives, as well as to supply-side barriers. For instance, most African countries have been providing oral contraceptives and injectables through community based distribution programs for decades; however, Senegal pilot-tested such a program only in 2012–2013, a delay caused by illogical restrictions on which types of providers can supply oral contraceptives and injectables. 3 Nearly 30% of currently married Senegalese women have an unmet need for family planning—that is, they want to either postpone their next birth for at least two years or stop childbearing altogether, but are not currently using a contraceptive method; 2 the current level is slightly lower than in 2005 (32%). The level of unmet need in Sen-egal—especially for spacing (29% among currently married women)—is higher than in other West African countries, such as Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali and Nigeria. 4 Factors contributing to unmet need for family planning in developing countries include lack of contraceptive knowledge; poor quality of and access to family planning services; method cost; women's concerns about side effects; and women's, husbands' or family members' objections to contraceptive use. 4,5 According to a descriptive analysis of Urban Reproductive Health Initiative data, women's beliefs and misconceptions about contraceptives, husbands' objections to contraceptive use and the poor quality of family planning services are the most frequent reasons deterring women in urban Senegal from practicing contraception. 6 Youth constitute a key target in reproductive health …
Prediction of Long-Term Failure in Kevlar 49 Composites

Creep rupture data in Kevlar 49 epoxy usually exhibit considerable scatter: the coefficient of variation (CV) about the mean failure time at a given stress exceeds 100%. Quasi-static strength data, in contrast, shows little scatter: <4% CV for pressure vessels and <10% for impregnated strands. In this paper analysis of existing creep rupture data on Kevlar epoxy vessels at four storage pressures has produced an interesting and useful result. It was found that a significant portion of the scatter in failure times for pressure vessels is due to spool-to-spool variation in the eight spools of Kevlar fibers used to wind the vessels. The order rank of mean times to failure was consistent over a pressure range from 3400 to 4300 psi, 68 to 86% of short term burst. Also, the coefficient of variation about the mean failure time for each spool was less than that for the total sample. The statistical inference that the sample is nonhomogeneous was supported by a nonparametric check using the Kruskal-Wallis test, and by a parametric analysis of variance. The order rank found in long-term tests did not unequivocally agree with static strength ranks; several spool sets were distinctly high or low. The implication ismore » that, while static strengths are not valid predictors of long-term behavior, short term creep rupture tests at high stress definitely are. The material difference which causes the spool-to-spool variations has not yet been identified for all eight spools. However, it appears that Kevlar behavior at lower pressures may be predicted through the use of curves fitted to the data for each spool. A power law relating failure time to pressure, t = t/sub 0/(p/p/sub 0/)/sup m/, was found to fit the data reasonably well. The implication is that, both in composite vessel design and in creep rupture experiments, the pressure (or stress) level be carefully controlled. « less
CD40 Signaling Drives B Lymphocytes Into an Intermediate Memory‐Like State, Poised Between Naïve and Plasma Cells

Immunological memory comprising of antigen‐specific B and T cells contributes to the acquisition of long‐term resistance to pathogens. Interactions between CD40 on B cells and CD40L on T cells are responsible for several aspects of acquired immune responses including generation of memory B cells. In order to gain insights into events leading to memory B cell formation, we analyzed the genome‐wide expression profile of murine naive B cells stimulated in the presence of anti‐CD40. We have identified over 8,000 genes whose expression is altered minimally 1.5‐fold at least at one time point over a 3‐day time course. The array analysis indicates that changes in expression level of maximum number of these genes occur within 24 h of anti‐CD40 treatment. In parallel, we have studied the events following CD40 ligation by examining the expression of known regulators of naive B cell to plasma cell transition, including Pax5 and BLIMP1. The expression profile of these regulatory genes indicates firstly, that CD40 signaling activates naïve B cells to a phenotype that is intermediate between the naive and plasma cell stages of the B cell differentiation. Secondly, the major known regulator of plasma cell differentiation, BLIMP1, gets irreversibly downregulated upon anti‐CD40 treatment. Additionally, our data reveal that CD40 signaling mediated BLIMP1 downregulation occurs by non‐Pax5/non‐Bcl6 dependent mechanisms, indicating novel mechanisms at work that add to the complexity of understanding of B cell master regulatory molecules like BLIMP1 and Pax5. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1387–1396, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study of the Inelastic Response of TRIP Steels after Plastic Deformation

A study of the elastic response before and after tensile plastic strain was undertaken for two commercial low-alloyed TRIP steels. These steels, TRIP 700 (C-Mn-Al alloy) and TRIP 800 (C-Mn-Si) are commercial alloys used in sheet metal stamping. The behaviour of the instantaneous tangent modulus (ET) versus stress during loading and unloading was measured for each degree of prestrain. Loading curves show a decrease in the ET of the deformed samples as compared with the underformed state. Though at low stresses a highly linear response was measured for both steels, a decrease was obtained for TRIP 700 as strain increased, whereas TRIP 800 remained unchanged. During unloading, a progressive decrease in ET was obtained in all deformed states, with lower chord modulus values as the tensile plastic prestrain increased. The inelastic response observed is attributed mainly to microplastic strain caused by the displacement of mobile dislocations. Thus, the differences between the two TRIP steels studied are related to the microstructure and the different dislocation structures observed in them. A notable consequence of this study is a better accuracy in the prediction of springback passes due to a better understanding of these inelastic effects that stems from going beyond mere use of traditional Young's modulus values.
CD 23-mediated transport of IgE / immune complexes across human intestinal epithelium : role of p 38 MAPK

Tu, Yahong, and Mary H. Perdue. CD23-mediated transport of ige/immune complexes across human intestinal epithelium: role of p38 MAPK. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 291: G532– G538, 2006. First published; doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00524. 2005. —We previously reported that CD23/Fc RII (low-affinity IgE receptor) is expressed on human intestinal epithelial cells and is responsible for transepithelial transport of IgE. In this study, we compared the transport of IgE with that of immune complexes in both the apicalto-serosal and the serosal-to-apical directions across HT29 epithelial cell layers and examined the effects of two p38 MAPK inhibitors, SKF86002 and SB203580, on the expression and function of CD23. Our study showed that both p38 MAPK inhibitors at 10 M significantly inhibited constitutive and IL-4-upregulated CD23 protein expression in epithelial cells. Both inhibitors, in a concentration-dependent manner, also significantly reduced IgE binding and uptake into cells. Transepithelial transport of IgE and immune complexes across the epithelial barrier were similarly inhibited. IL-4 upregulated the phosphorylation and activity of p38 MAPK and the phosphorylation of the downstream substrate MAPKAPK-2 (MK-2). The inhibitors exerted effects in the pathway post the p38 MAPK; SB203580 significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of MK-2. Our results indicate that CD23 expression in these human intestinal epithelial cells is mediated through the p38 MAPK pathway and that inhibition of p38 MAPK consequently interferes with the transport of IgE and immune complexes across the intestinal epithelial barrier.
Three People Can Synchronize as Coupled Oscillators during Sports Activities

We experimentally investigated the synchronized patterns of three people during sports activities and found that the activity corresponded to spatiotemporal patterns in rings of coupled biological oscillators derived from symmetric Hopf bifurcation theory, which is based on group theory. This theory can provide catalogs of possible generic spatiotemporal patterns irrespective of their internal models. Instead, they are simply based on the geometrical symmetries of the systems. We predicted the synchronization patterns of rings of three coupled oscillators as trajectories on the phase plane. The interactions among three people during a 3 vs. 1 ball possession task were plotted on the phase plane. We then demonstrated that two patterns conformed to two of the three patterns predicted by the theory. One of these patterns was a rotation pattern (R) in which phase differences between adjacent oscillators were almost 2π/3. The other was a partial anti-phase pattern (PA) in which the two oscillators were anti-phase and the third oscillator frequency was dead. These results suggested that symmetric Hopf bifurcation theory could be used to understand synchronization phenomena among three people who communicate via perceptual information, not just physically connected systems such as slime molds, chemical reactions, and animal gaits. In addition, the skill level in human synchronization may play the role of the bifurcation parameter.
Radiological diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) is often complicated by the fact that early HCCs are mostly asymptomatic and the carcinoma is often discovered at an advanced stage. The aim of diagnostic imaging is to detect HCC at an early stage, when curative options are available. In recent years, there have been many efforts to improve early detection of small HCC. The purpose of this article is to describe the pertinent findings of HCCs in non‐invasive, diagnostic imaging, including ultrasound, computed tomography, as well as modern magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Special emphasis is given to the frequently addressed difficulties of differentiation of precancerous lesions and small HCCs. A non‐invasive diagnostic approach is considered with a review of the literature.
NOX1/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form (NADPH) oxidase promotes proliferation of stellate cells and aggravates liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation

Among multiple isoforms of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form (NADPH) oxidase expressed in the liver, the phagocytic NOX2 isoform in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) has been demonstrated to play a key role in liver fibrogenesis. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of NOX1, a nonphagocytic form of NADPH oxidase, in the development of fibrosis using Nox1‐deficient mice (Nox1KO). Liver injury and fibrosis were induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) and carbon tetrachloride in Nox1KO and wildtype littermate mice (WT). Primary HSCs were isolated to characterize the NOX1‐induced signaling cascade involved in liver fibrogenesis. Following BDL, a time‐dependent increase in NOX1 messenger RNA (mRNA) was demonstrated in WT liver. Compared with those in WT, levels of collagen‐1α mRNA and hydroxyproline were significantly suppressed in Nox1KO with a reduced number of activated HSCs and less severe fibrotic lesions. The expression levels of α‐smooth muscle actin, a marker of HSCs activation, were similar in cultured HSCs isolated from both genotypes. However, cell proliferation was significantly attenuated in HSCs isolated from Nox1KO. In these cells, the expression of p27kip1, a cell cycle suppressor, was significantly up‐regulated. Concomitantly, a significant reduction in phosphorylated forms of Akt and forkhead box O (FOXO) 4, a downstream effector of Akt that regulates the transcription of p27kip1 gene, was demonstrated in Nox1KO. Finally, the level of the oxidized inactivated form of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a negative regulator of PI3K/Akt pathway, was significantly attenuated in HSCs of Nox1KO.
Morphology and properties of thermoplastic polyurethane composites incorporating hydrophobic layered silicates

Polyurethane (PU) composites incorporating Cloisite 15A (15A) were prepared via melt compounding and solvent casting. The melt-compounded composites had better dispersion and a smaller silicate stack size as a result of the higher shear forces associated with twin-screw extrusion. The PU microphase separation and hard domain order were greater in the melt-processed materials. At the concentrations of 15A employed in this study (L 7 wt %), the filler did not have an observable effect on the microphase texture of either the solvent- or melt-processed PU. The tensile properties of the melt-compounded materials were lower than those of their solvent-cast counterparts because of thermal degradation. The solvent-cast composite containing a 3 wt % loading of 15A displayed improved tensile strength and elongation, primarily because of plasticization by the silicate organic treatment. The addition of layered silicates with high aspect ratios increased the hysteresis and permanent set of this PU elastomer. C 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 300-309, 2005.
Respiratory Rate and Flow Waveform Estimation from Tri-axial Accelerometer Data

There is a strong medical need for continuous, unobstrusive respiratory monitoring, and many shortcomings to existing methods. Previous work shows that MEMS accelerometers worn on the torso can measure inclination changes due to breathing, from which a respiratory rate can be obtained. There has been limited validation of these methods. The problem of practical continuous monitoring, in which patient movement disrupts the measurements and the axis of interest changes, has also not been addressed. We demonstrate a method based on tri-axial accelerometer data from a wireless sensor device, which tracks the axis of rotation and obtains angular rates of breathing motion. The resulting rates are validated against gyroscope measurements and show high correlation to flow rate measurements using a nasal cannula. We use a movement detection method to classify periods in which the patient is static and breathing signals can be observed accurately. Within these periods we obtain a close match to cannula measurements, for both the flow rate waveform and derived respiratory rates, over multi-hour datasets obtained from wireless sensor devices on hospital patients. We discuss future directions for improvement and potential methods for estimating absolute airflow rate and tidal volume.
Microstructure control and extrudability of Al–Mg–Si alloys microalloyed with manganese

AbstractThe hot deformation of AA 6063 and AA 6005 Al alloys has been related to chemical composition and the microstructural evolution occurring during the various heat treatment procedures before extrusion. It was shown that a small addition of Mn significantly accelerates the homogenising process (transformation of the brittle platelike β-AlFeSi phase to the more rounded α-AlFeSi phase) which results in superior hot formability and ductility. The mechanical behaviour of Al–Mg–Si alloys during hot deformation can be explained in terms of a model of dislocations climbing around particles. Large β phase particles increase initial work hardening rate and flow stress and impair hot ductility. The hot ductility of the material investigated via tensile testing was found to correlate with the density of particles covering grain boundaries. It was also shown that grain refinement in the billet leads to more uniform distribution of intermetallic constituents, which accelerates the homogenising process and improv.
Exercise partly reverses the effect of maternal separation on hippocampal proteins in 6‐hydroxydopamine‐lesioned rat brain

• What is the central question of this study? Maternal separation exacerbates behavioural deficits induced by 6‐hydroxydopamine lesioning in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. In contrast, voluntary exercise reduces these effects due to compensation in the non‐lesioned hemisphere. We have asked how maternal separation and exercise affect protein expression in lesioned and non‐lesioned hemispheres of the rat brain. • What is the main finding and its importance? Using isobaric tagging and quantification of peptides by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry, we show that exercise and maternal separation have opposing effects on the hippocampus in the non‐lesioned hemisphere, with exercise partially reversing effects of maternal separation on the levels of energy metabolism and synaptic plasticity proteins.
Context-Aware Web Service Composition based on AI Planning

ABSTRACT A web service is an application that is published on the web and can be discovered and used automatically. In many cases, a web service cannot provide the capability that the user has requested. Therefore, according to the user request, it should be possible to combine various services and produce a new composite service for the user request. Context is the information that can be used to characterize the situation of an entity. In this paper, we present our context model for web service composition and implement the newly proposed framework for context-aware web service composition and show how the newly proposed framework reduces the number of failures and composition time.