Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of intratonsillar injection of steroids on the palatine tonsils of rabbits

Nasal steroids may significantly improve nasal obstructive symptoms with a reduction of adenoid size in children, but they do not consistently yield the same concurrent effect on enlarged palatine tonsils. Failure of nasal steroids to decrease the size of palatine tonsils is believed to be attributable to location and washout by saliva. The purpose of this study was to determine if direct application of steroid via intratonsillar injection would reduce the size of palatine tonsils in the rabbit model.
Epidemiology of Intracerebral Haemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) has an overall incidence of 24.6 per 100,000 person-years and is associated with a high case fatality. Understanding the risk factors for ICH occurrence informs primary prevention strategies. This article provides an update on the current global patterns of ICH incidence and the common and emerging risk factors associated with ICH. METHODS We searched Ovid Medline (from 1980 to Oct 2014) for systematic reviews that addressed the epidemiology of ICH and for recent original studies that revealed new insights into the frequency of and the risk factors associated with ICH. RESULTS The incidence of ICH has not changed over the last 30 years, and this consistency is thought to be due to changes in the risk factor profiles of ICH patients. It appears that ICH is more common in men and during the winter months. ICH affects Asian populations more frequently than other populations. In addition to the known risk factors of hypertension and increasing age, alcohol consumption, the presence of the apolipoprotein ε2 or ε4 allele, extremes of body mass index, diabetes, and ophthalmic conditions have been suggested to be associated with ICH. Factors associated with a reduced risk of ICH include hypercholesterolaemia and a diet high in fruits and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS The overall incidence of ICH has remained unchanged, but its regional incidence varies by race, sex, season and geographical location. In high income countries, the beneficial effect of improving blood pressure control may be counterbalanced by the increased use of antithrombotic drugs. Emerging modifiable risk factors include alcohol consumption, body mass index, diabetes, and fruit and vegetable intake, all of which may be amenable to interventions for the primary prevention of ICH (as well as many other diseases).
Factors Related to Emotional Responses in School-aged Children Who Have Asthma

A systematic review of the literature was performed to answer the following questions (a) What factors contribute to the emotional responses of school-age children who have asthma? (b) What are the potential gaps in the literature regarding the emotional responses of school-age children (ages 6–12) who have asthma? (c) Are children with a lower socioeconomic status (SES) and those who are minorities represented in the literature proportionate to their prevalence? Two main focus areas regarding emotional responses were identified: (a) factors related to children who have asthma and (b) factors related to caregivers of children who have asthma. Internalizing disorders were reported consistently for children and caregivers of children who have asthma. Negative consequences of asthma for children included panic and asthma attacks, missed school days, and behavioral problems. Issues for caregivers included higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, asthma management deficits, and lower caregiver warmth and involvement. Gaps in the literature included separated studies for children ages 6–12, a lack of a standardized method to define SES, studies that were of a more experimental nature, and a disparate number of studies of minority children and caregivers relative to their asthma prevalence.
Open Trial of Injectable Risperidone for Methamphetamine Dependence

We tested acceptability and tolerability of long-acting injectable risperidone for methamphetamine (MA) dependence in an open trial with the hypothesis that participants would reduce MA use. Participants were also evaluated for changes in neurocognitive function and psychiatric symptomology. Participants with MA dependence (n = 34) entered a 7-day open-label run-in with oral risperidone. Participants who tolerated oral risperidone (n = 22) were begun on long-acting injectable risperidone 25 mg intramuscular medication with subsequent injections q 2 weeks to a total of 4 injections. Participants remained on oral risperidone during the first 3 weeks after initial injection. Participants were offered 8 weekly individual sessions of relapse prevention counseling. At baseline, participants reported using MA an average of 4.1 days per week (SD = 1.9). Estimated mean days of MA use per week while on injections was 1.0 (95% confidence interval = 0.6–1.4), with days of use decreasing significantly from baseline through week 8 (β = −0.27; 95% confidence interval: − 0.38–−0.16; P < 0.001). Mean week 6 risperidone + 9-OH risperidone plasma levels for participants abstinent from MA from weeks 5 to 8 (n = 7, 63.6%) were 18.8 ng/mL (SD = 6.6) compared with 12.3 (SD = 4.0) for those not abstinent (n = 4; P = 0.075). No serious adverse events occurred. Verbal memory improved at week 4 compared with baseline (P < 0.05). Participation in this trial of injectable risperidone was associated with reductions in MA use as well as some positive benefits on verbal memory. However, these results are limited by the use of an open trial design with a high dropout rate. Risperidone deserves further study in controlled trials as a pharmacotherapy for MA dependence.
Crystal structure of penoxsulam

The herbicide penoxsulam crystallizes with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. The crystal structure is stabilized by C—F⋯π and π–π interactions that combine with C—H⋯F and C—H O hydrogen bonds and weak intermolecular F⋯F short contacts to form a three-dimensional network.
Quaternion-Based Coordinated Control of a Subsea Mobile Manipulatorwith Only Position

A control scheme for the coordinated control of a Sub-sea vehicle/manipulator system is presented. The unit quaternion representation is used in a singularity free representation of the attitude. The control scheme is formulated in a 12 d.o. f. task space and only position measurements are required. The performance is evaluated by simulation with a realistic model of a commercial underwater vehicle, which includes the full dynamic interaction between vehicle and manipulator.
Prognostic value of C-reactive protein in cirrhosis: external validation from the CANONIC cohort

Background/aims The variations in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been reported to have prognostic significance in decompensated cirrhotic patients. We aimed to provide an external validation of a prognostic model combining model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and ‘sustained high CRP levels’ as main variables and to optimize the model to the context of liver transplantation by focusing on 3-month mortality with no consideration of severe chronic extrahepatic diseases. Patients and methods Data from cirrhotic patients enrolled in the CANONIC study were collected. Multivariate analyses used the competing risk model. The prognostic performance [area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC)] of the model incorporating CRP variations within 15 days was compared with that of the MELD score alone. Results 583 decompensated cirrhotic patients with Child–Pugh more than B7 and serial CRP measures available were included. Of these, 111 patients had baseline CRP at least 29 mg/l and 60 still had CRP at least 29 mg/l at day 15±6 (group A). Multivariate analysis (competing risk) identified three predictors of 3-month mortality: high MELD score [hazard ratio (HR)=1.14; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.11–1.17, P<0.001], age (HR=1.04; 95% CI: 1.02–1.06, P<0.001), and group A (HR=1.69; 95% CI: 1.01–2.81, P=0.046). The performance of the three variables taken together for predicting 3-month mortality was 0.796 (AUROC), which was significantly higher than that of the MELD score (AUROC=0.769; P=0.019). Conclusion In Child–Pugh higher than B7 cirrhotic patients with decompensation, prognostic models incorporating variations in CRP within 15 days and age predict 3-month mortality better than the MELD score alone. Such models would improve the ranking of candidates for liver transplantation by differentiating the severe patients with persistent systemic inflammation and intermediate MELD scores.
Utilization of granular activated carbon adsorber for nitrates removal from groundwater of the Cluj region

The level of nitrates from groundwater from Cluj County and other areas from Romania have increased values, exceeding or getting close to the allowed limit values, putting in danger human and animal heath. In this study we used granular activated carbon adsorbent (GAC) for nitrate (NO − 3) removal for the production of drinking water from groundwater of the Cluj county. The influences of the contact time, nitrate initial concentration, and adsorbent concentration have been studied. We determined the equilibrium adsorption capacity of GAC, used for NO − 3 removal and we applied the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used for process characterization. We also determined: pH, conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids and Total Hardness. The GAC adsorbents have excellent capacities of removing nitrate from groundwater from Cluj County areas.
Platelet‐Derived S100A8/A9 and Cardiovascular Disease in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Levels of S100A8/A9, a proinflammatory and prothrombotic protein complex, are increased in several diseases, and high levels predispose to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recently, platelet S100A8/A9 synthesis was described in mice and humans in relation to CVD. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of platelet S100A8/A9 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease with markedly increased cardiovascular morbidity, as well as the exact platelet distribution of the S100A8/A9 proteins.
The triad of paragangliomas, gastric stromal tumours and pulmonary chondromas (Carney triad), and the dyad of paragangliomas and gastric stromal sarcomas (Carney–Stratakis syndrome): molecular genetics and clinical implications

Carney triad (CT) describes the association of paragangliomas (PGLs) with gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) and pulmonary chondromas (PCH). A number of other lesions have been described in the condition including pheochromocytomas, oesophageal leiomyomas and adrenocortical adenomas; CT is a novel form of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN), a genetic condition with a female predilection. Inactivating mutations of the mitochondrial complex II succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) enzyme subunits SDHB, SDHC and SDHD have been found in familial and sporadic PGLs, and gain‐of‐function mutations of the oncogenes c‐kit (KIT) and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor A (PDGFRA) cause sporadic and familial GISTs. We recently reported an international series of patients with CT, 34 females and three males (median age of presentation 21 years) who did not carry SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, KIT or PDGFRA gene mutations. Comparative genomic hybridization revealed a number of DNA copy number changes. The most frequent and greatest contiguous change was a deletion within the 1pcen13‐q21 region, which harbours the SDHC gene. Another frequent change was loss of 1p. Although GISTs showed more frequent losses of 1p than PGLs, the pattern of chromosomal changes was similar in the two tumours despite their different tissue origin and histology; the findings were consistent with a common genetic aetiology of these two tumours in CT. In a separate condition, in which the association (or dyad) of GISTs with PGLs is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner (Carney–Stratakis syndrome, CSS), germline mutations of the SDHB, SDHC and SDHD genes (but not KIT or PDFGRA) were found; GISTs in this condition were caused by SDH deficiency. We conclude that CT is a novel MEN syndrome whose genetic defect remains elusive. CSS is caused by SDH defects, suggesting that sarcomas (GISTs) can be caused by defective mitochondrial oxidation, consistent with recent data implicating this enzyme in a variety of endocrine and other tumours. The above have clinical implications (i) for patients with GISTs that are cKIT‐ and PDGFRA‐mutation negative: these tumours are usually resistant to treatment with currently available tyrosine kinase inhibitors and may be part of a syndrome such as CT or CSS; and (ii) for patients with an inherited PGL syndrome, family history should be explored to identify any other tumours in the family, and in particular other endocrine lesions and GISTs.
Investigating mechanical, thermal, and flammability properties of thermoplastic polyurethane/carbon nanotube composites

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites containing carbon nanotube (CNT) with the loading ratios from 0.5wt% to 2 wt% were prepared using melt-compounding process. Surfaces of the CNT particles were treated with sulfuric acid/nitric acid to purify CNT and to achieve compatible surface characteristics between TPU matrix and CNT. Mechanical, thermal, flame retardant, melt flow, and morphological properties of TPU/CNT composites were investigated. Addition of CNT to TPU matrix causes in a prominent increase in tensile strength, percentage of elongation at break, and tensile modulus values of TPU. The mechanical properties are improved for lower modified CNT loadings. CNT inclusions also improve the thermal stability of pristine TPU. Addition of CNT into TPU matrix causes increase in melting and decomposition temperatures of TPU and decrease in glass transition temperature. The flammability parameters of TPU also shift to higher values after CNT loadings to matrix. Modified CNT additions at higher concentrations exhibit better fire performance. Additions of modified CNT and pristine CNT show different trends in the case of melt flow rate values. Modified CNTs disperse more homogeneously relative to pristine ones into TPU matrix which is due to improvement in interfacial interactions between CNT and TPU.
Measurement properties of a modified Reintegration to Normal Living Index in a community-dwelling adult rehabilitation population

Purpose. To examine the validity and reliability of a modified Reintegration to Normal Living Index (mRNL Index) with a sample of community-dwelling adults with mixed diagnoses. Method. Forty-six adults (mean 55.2 ± 20.3 years) were recruited through convenience sampling from outpatient rehabilitation services. They completed the mRNL Index, Community Integration Measure (CIM) and Life Space Assessment (LSA) and were invited to complete them again 2 weeks later. Results. Construct validity of the mRNL Index was confirmed by good fit to the Rasch measurement model. The mRNL Index demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α == 0.80), as did the Daily Functioning subscale (Cronbach's α == 0.80) and Personal Integration subscale (Cronbach's α == 0.82). Test-retest reliability was also acceptable (intraclass correlation coefficient (3,1) == 0.83, p == . 0001). As hypothesised, the LSA did not correlate with the Personal Integration subscale (Spearman rho == 0.08) and moderately correlated to the Daily Functioning subscale (Spearman rho == 0.59). The CIM was moderately correlated with the Personal Integration subscales (Spearman rho == 0.54) and the Daily Functioning subscale (Spearman rho == 0.53), though higher correlation was expected with the latter. Conclusion. Modifications to the phrasing, rating scale and subscales improved the validity of the original RNL Index for a mixed rehabilitation, community-dwelling population.
Quantifying negative feedback regulation by micro-RNAs

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in post-transcriptional gene regulation by pairing with target mRNAs to repress protein production. It has been shown that over one-third of human genes are targeted by miRNA. Although hundreds of miRNAs have been identified in mammalian genomes, the function of miRNA-based repression in the context of gene regulation networks still remains unclear. In this study, we explore the functional roles of feedback regulation by miRNAs. In a model where repression of translation occurs by sequestration of mRNA by miRNA, we find that miRNA and mRNA levels are anti-correlated, resulting in larger fluctuation in protein levels than theoretically expected assuming no correlation between miRNA and mRNA levels. If miRNA repression is due to a catalytic suppression of translation rates, we analytically show that the protein fluctuations can be strongly repressed with miRNA regulation. We also discuss how either of these modes may be relevant for cell function.
An RNA polymerase III subunit determines sites of retrotransposon integration

Keeping jumping genes out of harm's way The genomes of most eukaryotes, including our own, are jam-packed with parasitic mobile DNA elements. Most are nonfunctional remnants, but a few are still active, capable of jumping about in our DNA, potentially causing serious damage to our genes. Nevertheless, they avoid landing in and disrupting coding regions. For example, in yeast, the retrotransposon Ty1 is targeted away from protein genes to positions upstream of yeast RNA polymerase III genes. Bridier-Nahmias et al. show that Ty1 is targeted to these “safe havens” through an interaction between a Ty1-encoded protein that controls its genome jumping activity and a subunit of the yeast RNA polymerase III complex. Science, this issue p. 585 A mobile genetic element is targeted away from gene-coding regions by a component of a host transcription complex. Mobile genetic elements are ubiquitous. Their integration site influences genome stability and gene expression. The Ty1 retrotransposon of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae integrates upstream of RNA polymerase III (Pol III)–transcribed genes, yet the primary determinant of target specificity has remained elusive. Here we describe an interaction between Ty1 integrase and the AC40 subunit of Pol III and demonstrate that AC40 is the predominant determinant targeting Ty1 integration upstream of Pol III–transcribed genes. Lack of an integrase-AC40 interaction dramatically alters target site choice, leading to a redistribution of Ty1 insertions in the genome, mainly to chromosome ends. The mechanism of target specificity allows Ty1 to proliferate and yet minimizes genetic damage to its host.
Evolutionary status of dense cores in the NGC 1333 IRAS 4 star-forming region

Context: Protostellar evolution after the formation of the protostar is becoming reasonably well characterized, but the evolution from a prestellar core to a protostar is not well known, although the first hydrostatic core (FHSC) must be a pivotal step. Aims: NGC 1333 – IRAS 4C is a potentially very young object that we can directly compare with the nearby Class 0 objects IRAS 4A and IRAS 4B. Observational constraints are provided by spectral imaging from the JCMT Spectral Legacy Survey (330−373 GHz). We present integrated intensity and velocity maps of several species, including CO, H₂CO and CH₃OH. CARMA observations provide additional information with which we can distinguish IRAS 4C from other evolutionary stages. Methods: We present the observational signatures of the velocity of an observed outflow, the degree of CO depletion, the deuterium fractionation of [DCO⁺]/[HCO⁺], and gas kinetic temperatures. Results: We report differences between the three sources in four aspects: a) the kinetic temperature as probed using the H₂CO lines is much lower toward IRAS 4C than the other two sources; b) the line profiles of the detected species show strong outflow activity toward IRAS 4A and IRAS 4B, but not toward IRAS 4C; c) the HCN/HNC is <1 toward IRAS 4C, which confirms the cold nature of the source; d) the degree of CO depletion and the deuteration are lowest toward the warmest of the sources, IRAS 4B. Conclusions: IRAS 4C seems to be in a different evolutionary state than the sources IRAS 4A and IRAS 4B. We can probably exclude the FHSC stage becaues of the relatively low Lsmm/Lbol (~6%), and we investigate the earliest accretion phase of Class 0 stage and the transition between Class 0 to Class I. Our results do not show a consistent scenario for either case; the main problem is the absence of outflow activity and the cold nature of IRAS 4C. The number of FHSC candidates in Perseus is ~10 times higher than current models predict, which suggests that the lifespan of these objects is ≥103 yrs, which might be due to an accretion rate lower than 4 × 10⁻⁵ M⊙/yr.
Hybrid Additive Manufacturing Method for Selective Plating of Freeform Circuitry on 3D Printed Plastic Structure

This work proposes a hybrid additive manufacturing method coupling the advantages of dual‐material fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing and selective electroless plating. The method relies on the selective sensitization/activation and metallization of dual‐material FDM 3D printed structure. High‐conductive nickel alloy can only be deposited on the platable plastic surface leaving the nonplatable plastic bare. The study reveals that a combination of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene and polyethylene terephthalate glycol‐modified materials provides the best metallization selectivity and film adhesion strength. The effects of electroless plating parameters such as temperature, pH value, and duration on the electrical conductivity of metallic film are systematically investigated. Through four‐point probe measurement, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy inspection, and scanning electron microscopy cross‐section analysis, it is found that the metal deposition rate majorly depends on the plating temperature, while the composition of plated film is mainly determined by the pH value. Thus, the conductivity of metallic film can be customized according to the detailed requirements of practical applications. A minimal resistivity of 6.7 × 10−5 Ω cm is obtained when electrolessly plated at 50 °C and pH 9. A light‐emitting diode (LED) blinking circuitry is fabricated in both 2D and 3D manners as demonstrators to prove the feasibility and potential of this technology in industry applications.
PROPERTIES OF DISKS AND BULGES OF SPIRAL AND LENTICULAR GALAXIES IN THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY

A bulge–disk decomposition is made for 737 spiral and lenticular galaxies drawn from a Sloan Digital Sky Survey galaxy sample for which morphological types are estimated. We carry out the bulge–disk decomposition using the growth curve fitting method. It is found that bulge properties, effective radius, effective surface brightness, and also absolute magnitude, change systematically with the morphological sequence; from early to late types, the size becomes somewhat larger, and surface brightness and luminosity fainter. In contrast, disks are nearly universal, their properties remaining similar among disk galaxies irrespective of detailed morphologies from S0 to Sc. While these tendencies were often discussed in previous studies, the present study confirms them based on a large homogeneous magnitude-limited field galaxy sample with morphological types estimated. The systematic change of bulge-to-total luminosity ratio, B/T, along the morphological sequence is therefore not caused by disks but mostly by bulges. It is also shown that elliptical galaxies and bulges of spiral galaxies are unlikely to be in a single sequence. We infer the stellar mass density (in units of the critical mass density) to be Ω = 0.0021 for spheroids, i.e., elliptical galaxies plus bulges of spiral galaxies, and Ω = 0.00081 for disks.