Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Case Study I: Application of the Divalent Cation Bridging Theory to Improve Biofloc Properties and Industrial Activated Sludge System Performance—direct Addition Of Divalent Cations

The objectives of this study were to examine the application of the divalent cation bridging theory (DCBT) to improve settling, dewatering, and effluent quality in pilot‐scale reactors and a full‐scale system treating an industrial wastewater. This was accomplished by lowering the monovalent‐to‐divalent (M/D) cation ratio by direct divalent cation addition. Research has shown that the M/D ratio is a potential indicator for settling and dewatering problems at wastewater treatment plants, and M/D ratios above 2 have been associated with poor settling, dewatering, and effluent quality. The M/D ratio of the wastewater in this study ranged from 6 to 20. The cations studied were calcium and magnesium. Results showed that the addition of calcium improved floc properties compared to control reactors with no calcium addition. The reductions in sludge volume index, effluent chemical oxygen demand (COD), and effluent total suspended solids (TSS) were approximately 35, 34, and 55%, respectively, when the M/D ratio was decreased to approximately 2:1. In addition, the cake solids from a belt filter press simulator increased by 72% and the optimum polymer dose required forconditioning was reduced by 70% in the reactor fed the highest calcium concentration when compared to control reactors with no calcium addition. The addition of calcium also decreased the negative effect of high filamentous organism numbers. In general, the addition of magnesium (Mg2+) had similar effects on effluent quality and dewatering properties, although some differences were measured. A full‐scale test using calcium addition was performed. Measurements of effluent quality and floc properties were performed before, during, and after the calcium (Ca2+) addition period. The average M/D ratio during these periods was 6.2, 4.6, and 14.0, respectively. The addition of Ca2+ decreased the effluent five‐day biochemical oxygen demand, effluent TSS, and effluent COD. The increased Ca2+ concentration also improved dewatering measured by a decrease in specific resistance to filtration and capillary suction time. Overall, the addition of divalent cations to the pilot‐ and full‐scale activated sludge systems improved floc properties and the data fit well with the DCBT.
The Impact of the Frequency Dependence of Soil Parameters on the Lightning Performance of Transmission Lines

This study assesses the lightning performance of 230- and 138-kV transmission lines under the assumptions of constant and frequency-dependent soil parameters. An electromagnetic model was used to simulate the response of tower-footing electrodes and overvoltages across insulators due to direct lightning strikes to the line, considering representative lightning current waveforms. Backflashover rates were determined using the Disruptive Effect Model. It was found that the decrease of soil resistivity and permittivity, resulting from the frequency-dependence effect, is responsible for significant decrease of the expected outage rate of the tested lines, in the range of 13-32% for usual distributions of soil resistivity along the lines.
Effect of restraint and injection methods on heart rate and body temperature in mice

Routine procedures in the laboratory, inducing acute stress, will have an impact on the animals and might thereby influence scientific results. In an attempt to gain more insight into quantifying this acute stress by means of the parameters heart rate (HR) and body temperature (BT), we subjected mice to different restraint and injection methods. We first compared the treatment response of HR and BT, measured by means of radiotelemetry, with the treatment response of plasma corticosterone (pCORT), a common and well-validated parameter for measuring acute stress responses. It was found that HR, and to a lesser extent also BT, parallels pCORT values after subjecting the animals to different methods of restraint. Secondly, the acute stress response caused by different injection methods was evaluated. Again, HR was found to be a more sensitive parameter than BT. We found that, in case of sham injections, the acute stress response after an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection was more pronounced than after intramuscular (i.m.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) injections, but this difference was found to be inconsistent when saline was used as injection fluid. In a third experiment we investigated if the level of experience of the animal technician influenced the stress response after s.c. injections, but no differences were found. Overall, the results have indicated that HR might be considered as a useful parameter for measuring acute stress responses to routine procedures, but the value of BT seems to be of limited value in this respect.
Weight and Height Changes and Factors Associated With Greater Weight and Height Gains After Pediatric Renal Transplantation: A NAPRTCS Study

Background. Obesity is a significant problem among children undergoing renal transplantation. We sought to describe changes in adiposity (reflected by percent difference from the median body mass index [BMI] for height-age and sex [BMI%]) after pediatric renal transplantation and to identify risk factors for greater gains in adiposity within 12 months of transplantation and for persistence of these gains at 48 months. The changes in height-for-age were also examined. Methods. By using the North American Pediatric Renal Trials and Collaborative Studies registry, we performed a retrospective cohort study of children (age 2–18 years.) transplanted between 1995 and 2006, and followed up to January 2007. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify risk factors for greater gains in adiposity and height. Results. BMI was recorded at baseline in 4326 children, and collected every 6 months. Median BMI% increased by 11.37 units within 6 months; no substantial changes were seen thereafter. The pattern of change in BMI% was similar regardless of BMI% at transplant. Age 6 to 12 years at transplant, more remote transplant, female sex, black race, Hispanic ethnicity, and lower baseline BMI% were associated with significantly greater gains in adiposity both within 12 months and persisting 48 months posttransplant. Compared with daily use, no corticosteroid use at 6 and 48 months were associated with smaller increases in BMI% within the first 12 months and at 48 months, respectively. Conclusions. The majority of children experienced early increases in BMI%, which persisted up to 4 years. Increases in BMI% were similar regardless of BMI% at baseline.
Cath lab costs in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angioplasty — detailed analysis of consecutive procedures

Background: Costs of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) have an important impact on health care expenditures. Despite the present stress upon the cost-effectiveness issues in medicine, few comprehensive data exist on costs and resource use in different clinical settings. Aim: To assess catheterisation laboratory costs related to use of drugs and single-use devices in patients undergoing PCI due to coronary artery disease. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 1500 consecutive PCIs (radial approach, n = 1103; femoral approach, n = 397) performed due to ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; n = 345) and non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI; n = 426) as well as unstable angina (UA; n = 489) and stable angina (SA; n = 241) was undertaken. Comparative cost analysis was performed and shown in local currency units (PLN). Results: The cath lab costs were higher in STEMI (4295.01 ± 2384.54PLN, p < 0.001) compared to NSTEMI (3493.40 ± 1907.43 PLN, p < 0.001), UA (3206.31 ± 1692.82 PLN, p < 0.001) and SA patients (3138.91 ± 1427.62 PLN, p < 0.001). They were higher in males than in females (3668.9 ± 2095.2 vs. 3292.0 ± 1656.0 PLN, p < 0.05). In females PCIs performed via radial approach were more expensive than via femoral approach (3360.4 ± 1540.1 vs. 3135.5 ± 1890.3 PLN, p < 0.01). In all subgroups analysed, costs were positively correlated with X-ray dose, fluoroscopy, and total procedure times. Patients’ age negatively correlated with cath lab costs in STEMI/NSTEMI patients. Conclusions: Cath lab costs were higher in STEMI patients compared to other groups. In STEMI/NSTEMI they were lower in older patients. In all analysed groups costs were related to the level of procedural difficulty. In female patients, the costs of PCI performed via radial approach were higher compared to femoral approach. Despite younger age, male patients underwent more expensive procedures.
BsmI, TaqI, ApaI, and FokI polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene and periodontitis: a meta-analysis of 15 studies including 1338 cases and 1302 controls.

AIM A meta-analysis was conducted in order to investigate the potential association of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to aggressive and chronic periodontal disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS A database search yielded a total of 15 studies involving 1338 cases and 1302 controls. Four polymorphisms were included in the meta-analysis: VDR TaqI (rs731236), VDR BsmI (rs1544410), VDR FokI (rs2228570), and VDR ApaI (rs7975232). Odds ratios (ORs) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to compare the distribution of alleles and genotypes between cases and controls. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The combined results based on all studies showed that (1) chronic periodontitis cases had a significantly lower frequency of bb genotype of BsmI [OR=0.63, 95% CI=0.42, 0.94; p=0.02] in Asians; (2) chronic periodontitis cases had a significantly higher frequency of AA genotype of ApaI (OR=2.20, 95% CI=1.39, 3.48; p<0.001) in Asians; (3) chronic periodontitis cases had a weak significantly higher frequency of TT genotype of TaqI (OR=1.86, 95% CI=1.002, 3.46; p=0.049) in Asians. After Bonferroni's correction, we found that in Asians chronic periodontitis cases still had a significantly higher frequency of AA genotype of ApaI. No significant difference was found in any genotype of FokI. No association was found for all the VDR gene polymorphisms examined as far as the aggressive form of the disease is concerned. Future studies need to focus on the possible biological consequences and mechanisms of the VDR genetic variants. The current findings confirm that VDR gene is a candidate gene for periodontitis.
Functional properties of phosphorylated elongation factor 2.

The effect of phosphorylation on the functional activity of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF-2) was studied using a purified phosphorylated factor. The modified factor was unable to stimulate protein synthesis in an eEF-2-dependent rabbit reticulocyte lysate. The functional alteration was further analyzed by measuring the effects of phosphorylation on the ability of the factor to catalyse the ribosome-dependent hydrolysis of GTP. Kinetic analysis showed that both phosphorylated and unmodified factor was able to hydrolyse GTP with approximately the same maximum rate, indicating that the rate of nucleotide exchange was not impaired by the modification. However, the phosphorylated factor showed a marked reduction in the second-order rate constant, suggesting that the phosphorylation interfered with ribosome.eEF-2 complex formation by reducing the affinity of eEF-2 for the ribosome. This assumption was confirmed by direct measurements of the dissociation constants for the ribosomal complexes containing unmodified and phosphorylated eEF-2.
The cognitive side of essential tremor: what are the therapeutic implications?

While essential tremor (ET) has traditionally been categorized as a pure motor disease, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of cognition in ET have demonstrated that these patients may have cognitive dysfunction. Recent epidemiological studies demonstrate an association between ET (particularly with onset after age 65) and increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia. Although existing studies have generally conceptualized cognitive changes in ET as consistent with a ‘frontosubcortical’ or ‘corticocerebellar’ profile, results from these same studies suggest that cognitive impairment in ET may in fact be heterogeneous. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. Cognitive changes could be a byproduct of the cerebellar dysfunction of ET itself; alternately, they may be a feature of concomitant neurodegenerative diseases that have been associated in several studies with ET, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or progressive supranuclear palsy. While the study of cognitive dysfunction in ET has received research attention in recent years, the results of these studies have not been translated into the clinical domain and clinical practice. This review first summarizes the current literature on the potential relationships between ET and cognitive change. We then suggest areas of further clinical evaluation and treatment; these suggestions are directed at physicians caring for ET patients who may demonstrate or complain of cognitive impairment. As we discuss, clinicians should ideally screen ET patients for possible signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment in addition to assessing for psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life. These recommendations are in contrast to most current clinical practice, which does not routinely include such assessment among ET patients. To our knowledge, there have been no pharmacotherapeutic trials to date of any agent for cognitive change associated with ET. We believe that studies for this indication are now called for. Future efforts in this direction will also need to take into account the pathobiology of cognitive changes in ET, which itself is an area that is ripe for future investigations.
Effect of etilefrine in preventing syncopal recurrence in patients with vasovagal syncope: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The Vasovagal Syncope International Study.

BACKGROUND Etilefrine is an alpha-agonist agent with a potent vasoconstrictor effect, which is potentially useful in preventing vasovagal syncope by reducing venous pooling and/or by counteracting reflex arteriolar vasodilatation. The present multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of this drug for the long-term management of patients with recurrent vasovagal syncope. METHODS AND RESULTS In the 20 participating centers, 126 patients with recurrent vasovagal syncope (at least 3 episodes in the last 2 years) and a positive baseline head-up tilt response were randomly assigned to placebo (63 patients) or etilefrine at a dosage of 75 mg/d (63 patients) and were followed up for 1 year or until syncope recurred. The primary end-point of the study was the first recurrence of syncope. There were no differences between the 2 study groups in the patients' baseline characteristics. During follow-up, the group treated with etilefrine had a similar incidence of first syncopal recurrence to that of placebo group both in the intention-to-treat analysis (24% versus 24%) and in on- treatment analysis (26% versus 24%). Moreover, the median time to the first syncopal recurrence did not significantly differ between the 2 study groups (106 days in the etilefrine arm and 112 days in the placebo arm). CONCLUSIONS Oral etilefrine is not superior to placebo in preventing spontaneous episodes of vasovagal syncope. Randomized controlled studies are essential to assess the real usefulness of any proposed therapy for patients with vasovagal syncope.
How Consumers Evaluate eWOM (Electronic Word-of-Mouth) Messages

This experiment explored how consumers evaluate electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) messages about products. Each participant was exposed a 10-message set in a single board. Five groups were manipulated in terms of their ratios of positive and negative messages. The result showed significant differences across various sets of eWOM messages. Although more positive sets showed higher scores in many cases, this was not true in all situations, especially for the case of credibility. Involvement and prior knowledge partially moderated the relationship between the ratio of messages and the eWOM effect. The credibility of Web sites and eWOM messages can be damaged in the long run if all of the eWOM messages are positive.
Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Oral Soft Tissues: A Clinicopathologic and Immunohistochemical Study of 16 Cases

We describe the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of 16 solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) originating within the oral soft tissues. There were 10 women and six men with a mean age at diagnosis of 56 years. In all cases the tumors were slow-growing, asymptomatic, submucosal growths of variable size and duration. The buccal mucosa was involved in 12 cases, and the tongue and lower lip were affected in two cases, respectively. Thirteen tumors developed on the left side of the mouth. Follow-up information was available in 10 cases and averaged 44.7 months, with no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. All 16 tumors were well circumscribed and demonstrated histologic features that were invariably benign. In all cases they were composed of an admixture of alternating hypercellular and hypocellular, collagenous zones; haphazardly arranged, cytologically bland spindle and ovoid cells that in areas were intimately intermixed with collagen; a prominent vasculature; and perivascular hyalinization. Immunohistochemically, the tumors were consistently positive for CD34, bcl-2, factor XIIIa, and vimentin, whereas 75% of the tumors were reactive for CD99. To further define the clinicopathologic profile of intraoral SFT, we include a review of the previously reported cases. We also include a comparison and brief review of the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of other spindle cell tumors of the oral cavity, from which SFTs must be differentiated.
Etiology of early-onset type 2 diabetes in Indians: islet autoimmunity and mutations in hepatocyte nuclear factor 1alpha and mitochondrial gene.

CONTEXT Indians are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at an early age, despite their lower body mass index. Studies on the etiology of patients presenting as early-onset T2DM in this racial group are not available. OBJECTIVE The objective was to delineate the clinical features in young Indian patients with T2DM and to determine the role of mutations in the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1alpha (HNF1alpha) gene [MODY3 (maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 3)], mitochondrial A3243G mutation, and islet autoimmunity in its etiology. DESIGN This was an observational cohort study. SETTING The setting was an outpatient diabetes clinic in a teaching hospital. PATIENTS Ninety-six consecutive young patients with T2DM (onset, <or=30 yr) were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS Glutamic acid decarboxylase and insulinoma antigen 2 antibodies, mitochondrial A3243G mutation, and the common HNF1alpha mutation P291fsinsC were measured in all patients. The entire HNF1alpha gene was studied for mutations in 32 subjects with onset less than 25 yr or with normal weight. The common HNF1alpha A98V polymorphism was studied in 91 patients. RESULTS The patients were clinically heterogeneous, with 42% having a normal body mass index. Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies were present in three (3%) subjects and mitochondrial A3243G mutation in one (1%) subject. The P291fsinsC mutation was not detected in any patient. A MODY3 mutation (R200W) was detected in one patient (3%). In this family, diabetes cosegregated with the R200W mutation in the proband and his youngest brother but not in three paternal uncles. The Val 98 allele was associated with T2DM (allele frequency, 0.14 vs. 0.03 in controls; odds ratio, 5.2; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Despite a significant proportion of young Indian patients with T2DM having normal weight, islet autoimmunity, A3243G mitochondrial, and HNF1alpha gene mutations were infrequent.
Expression of the Human Poliovirus Receptor/CD155 Gene Is Activated by Sonic Hedgehog*

The human poliovirus receptor/CD155 is a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The ectodomain of CD155 mediates cell attachment to the extracellular matrix molecule vitronectin, while its intracellular domain interacts with the dynein light chain Tctex-1. CD155 is a primate-restricted gene that is expressed during development in mesenchymal tissues and ventrally derived structures within the CNS. Its function in adults is as yet unknown, but significantly, CD155 is aberrantly expressed in neuroectodermal tumors. We show that the expression of CD155 mRNA is up-regulated when human Ntera2 cells are treated with purified Sonic hedgehog (Shh) protein. Reporter gene expression driven by theCD155 core promoter is activated by Shh in transient co-transfection assays. Analysis of the CD155 core promoter indicates that an intact GLI binding site is required for Shh activation. In addition, overexpression of Gli1 orGli3 potently activates reporter gene expression driven by the CD155 core promoter. These data identify theCD155 gene as a transcriptional target of Shh, a finding that has significance for the normal function of CD155 during development and the expression of CD155 in neuroectodermal tumors.
Design and implementation of Pan-Tilt control for face tracking

This paper presents design and implementation of face tracking system using servo-motor-controlled Pan-Tilt visual system. The objective is to maintain the position of a tracked object at the center of frame window on the screen. A simple camera is used as visual sensor to obtain the face object's actual position. Combination of Viola-Jones and Template Matching algorithms are used for face detection, in which template matching method acts as a back up on the occasion Viola-Jones fails to detect the face object. Object's position on the screen is controlled indirectly through the position of the camera using an Arduino-based controller. Two control methods are implemented to track the object, namely lead-lag compensator and PID control. To obtain proper parameters of the controller, identification of the Pan and Tilt system has been done and validated. Both controller algorithms are then compared and analyzed in accordance with system design specification. Overall, experimental results show that PID has faster transient response than lead-lag either for Pan or Tilt.
The signaling potential of the receptors for insulin and insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) in 3t3‐l1 adipocytes: Comparison of glucose transport activity, induction of oncogene c‐fos, glucose transporter mRNA, and DNA‐synthesis

The receptors for insulin and insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) have in common a high sequence homology and diverse overlapping functions, (e.g., the stimulation of acute metabolic events and the induction of cell growth.). In the present study, we have compared the potential of insulin and IGF‐I receptors in stimulating glucose transport activity, glucose transporter gene expression, DNA‐synthesis, and expression of proto‐oncogene c‐fos in 3T3‐L1 adipoytes which express high levels of both receptors. Binding of both hormones to their own receptors was highly specific as compared with binding to the respective other receptor (insulin receptor: KD = 3.6 nM, K1 of IGF‐I > 500 nM; IGF‐I receptor, KD = 1.1 nM, K1 of insulin = 191 nM). Induction of proto‐oncogene c‐fos mRNA by insulin and IGF‐I paralleled their respective receptor occupancy and was thus induced by both hormones via their own receptor (EC50 of insulin, 3.7; IGF‐I, 3.9 nM). Similarly, both insulin and IGF‐I increased DNA synthesis (EC50 of insulin, 5.8 nM; IGF‐I, 4.0 nM), and glucose transport activity (EC50 of insulin, 1.7 nM; IGF‐I, 1.4 nM), and glucose transporter (GLUT4) mRNA levels in concentrations corresponding with their respective receptor occupancy. These data indicate that in 3T3‐L1 cells the α‐subunits of insulin and IGF‐I receptors have an equal potential to stimulate a metabolic and a mitogenic response.