Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth Performance and Acreage Response of Pulse Crops: A State-Level Analysis

Economists have extensively investigated the growth performance of rice and wheat during the past four decades. It has been widely researched at the global, regional, national, state and household levels. Unfortunately, scant attention has been paid to the study of pulse crops, which play an important role in sustaining crop systems and maintaining the nutritional security of population in India. Although, evidences are available for the sixties, seventies and eighties, inadequate recent information has impaired the policy initiatives in the changed agricultural scenario in the country. Therefore, an attempt must be made to provide current evidence on temporal and spatial dimensions of the pulse development. The present paper is devoted to the analysis of growth performance in terms of area, production and yield of five important pulse crops (gram, arhar, moong, urad and massar) along with total pulses at the all India level and in major producing states of the country between 1980-81 and 2001-02. In addition, acreage response has also been examined. The entire period is sub-divided into two periods. The first period relates to eighties beginning from 1980-81 to 1990-91 and the second period of nineties from 1990-91 to 2001-02. These represent the pre-and post-reforms periods. The cut off point of 1990-91 has strategic significance, as pulse crops were included in the Technology Mission during this year. The methodology followed for each aspect is different. For measuring the growth rates of area, production and yield, semi-log functions were used. The Nerlovian modified model of distributed lags was used to identify the factors influencing acreage of important pulse crops. The details of the methodology used are given at relevant places in the analysis. This paper is organised as follows. The first section examines the state-wise growth performance of major pulses in India in order to assess the nature of stagnancy in pulse production in the background of the changing agricultural scenario in the country. The second section identifies the factors influencing acreage of major pulses in the core states in India.
Binding of imipramine to plasma proteins: Effect of hyperlipoproteinemia

The binding of imipramine to plasma proteins was studied by equilibrium gel filtration. Imipramine was highly bound to lipoproteins as well as to other plasma proteins. The binding to the lipoproteins was higher in hyperlipoproteinemic patients than in normal subjects and correlated well with both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The overall percent binding of imipramine was also higher in hyperlipoproteinemic patients than in normal subjects. It is concluded that the varying degree of binding of imipramine to plasma proteins as a result of varying lipoprotein concentrations, as well as the special nature of the binding to lipoproteins, may be of kinetic and possibly clinical significance in hyperlipoproteinemic individuals.
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty in Herpes Simplex Corneal Opacities

Purpose: To report our experience with deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for the treatment of corneal opacities following herpetic keratitis. Methods: A total of 52 eyes of 52 patients with postherpetic stromal scars with intact endothelium were treated in our department with DALK between 2002 and 2006 as a surgical approach to restore corneal transparency. The main outcome measures of the study were the ability to successfully expose DM (descemetic DALK, dDALK), the number of cases with predescemetic plane achieved surgical plane (pdDALK), pre- and postoperative visual acuity, and endothelial cell count. The mean follow-up period was 31 months. Therapeutic protocol, recurrence of herpetic keratitis, and corneal rejection were evaluated. Results: dDALK was done in 45 of 52 cases (86.5%) and pdDALK was done in 7 of 52 cases (13.5%). Ruptures of Descemet's membrane occurred in 2 of 52 cases (3.8%) in our series. No case was converted to penetrating keratoplasty. Postoperative best-spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in 27 of 52 cases (52%) and at least 80% of patients achieved 20/30 at long-term follow-up. Average endothelial cell loss was 205.32 cell/mm2. Therapeutic protocol was conducted with long-term therapy with oral antiviral drugs and topic steroids after DALK. No episode of rejection or recurrence was detected in these patients through their last visit. Conclusions: DALK is an alternative and safe procedure to restore vision in cases with significant corneal scarring due to recurrent HSV keratitis with healthy endothelium. Pre- and postoperative antiviral prophylaxis is necessary to prevent recurrence.
Synovectomy with rifampicine in haemophilic haemarthrosis

The purpose of this paper was to assess the effectiveness of intra‐articular injected rifampicine® in haemophilic patients in order to achieve synovectomy by preventing repeated intra‐articular bleeding. We have used this technique in haemophilic patients previously and reported our results on 13 cases [ 1 ]. Two hundred and fifty milligrams of rifampicine was injected into the elbow and ankle joints and 500 mg was injected into knee joints with 3–10 mL of lidocaine, depending on the joint size. The injections were repeated once a week for 7 weeks. Patients were only covered with antihaemophilic factor on the day of the injection at 30% above their coagulation level. We evaluated the results using two measures: subjective reports from the patient and objective assessment by the examiner. In the subjective reports the patient graded the results from their own perspective from 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent): 1–3, poor; 4–6, fair; 7–8, good; and 9–10, excellent. In the objective reports the grading was: excellent (‘dry joint’, full function, no haemarthrosis, no synovitis); good (clinical improvement, synovitis, reduction of haemarthroses, full function); fair synovitis (reduction of haemarthroses, no change in function); poor synovitis (persistent haemarthroses). This paper reports on the results of 38 patients with 39 joints with more that 3 years follow up, mean 1.8 years. There were 22 knees, nine elbows and eight ankles. Subjectively, there were excellent results in 21 joints (11 knees, six elbows and four ankles) good results in 15 joints (eight knees, three elbows and four ankles), fair results in two knees and a poor result in one knee. Objectively, results obtained were excellent in 20 joints (11 knees, six elbows and three ankles); good in 17 (nine knees, three elbows and five ankles); fair in one knee and poor in one knee.
Research on ECG Biometric in Cardiac Irregularity Conditions

This paper studies the principle of ECG signals applied to identification, particularly considers the case of users' ECG abnormal conditions. This paper presents an improved multi-template matching algorithm for identification, which can achieve good discrimination effects under ECG abnormality. Normal and abnormal ECG templates are constructed by QRS complex, the discrimination is based on the correlation coefficient of the testing data and template. We used 44 ECG data files from the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database (MITDB) to measure the performance of the algorithm, extracted normal templates in 18 data files as well as normal and abnormal templates in the remaining 26 data files. The experiment obtained an 88.06% accuracy of template matching, when considering the discrimination results of all the testing data belong to one user, the individual recognition accuracy reaches 100%. Experiments showed that the improved multi-template matching algorithm characterized by QRS complex can be used to identify individuals in the state of arrhythmia.
Glycosylation flux analysis reveals dynamic changes of intracellular glycosylation flux distribution in Chinese hamster ovary fed-batch cultures

N-linked glycosylation of proteins has both functional and structural significance. Importantly, the glycan structure of a therapeutic protein influences its efficacy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and immunogenicity. In this work, we developed glycosylation flux analysis (GFA) for predicting intracellular production and consumption rates (fluxes) of glycoforms, and applied this method to CHO fed-batch monoclonal antibody (mAb) production using two different media compositions, with and without additional manganese feeding. The GFA is based on a constraint-based modelling of the glycosylation network, employing a pseudo steady state assumption. While the glycosylation fluxes in the network are balanced at each time point, the GFA allows the fluxes to vary with time by way of two scaling factors: (1) an enzyme-specific factor that captures the temporal changes among glycosylation reactions catalyzed by the same enzyme, and (2) the cell specific productivity factor that accounts for the dynamic changes in the mAb production rate. The GFA of the CHO fed-batch cultivations showed that regardless of the media composition, the fluxes of galactosylation decreased with the cultivation time in comparison to the other glycosylation reactions. Furthermore, the GFA showed that the addition of Mn, a cofactor of galactosyltransferase, has the effect of increasing the galactosylation fluxes but only during the beginning of the cultivation period. The results thus demonstrated the power of the GFA in delineating the dynamic alterations of the glycosylation fluxes by local (enzyme-specific) and global (cell specific productivity) factors.
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Citalopram Inhibits GnRH Synthesis and Spermatogenesis in the Male Zebrafish1

ABSTRACT Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used antidepressants for the treatment of depression. However, SSRIs cause sexual side effects such as anorgasmia, erectile dysfunction, and diminished libido that are thought to be mediated through the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system. In vertebrates, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons play an important role in the control of reproduction. To elucidate the neuroendocrine mechanisms of SSRI-induced reproductive failure, we examined the neuronal association between 5-HT and GnRH (GnRH2 and GnRH3) systems in the male zebrafish. Double-label immunofluorescence and confocal laser microscopy followed by three-dimensional construction analysis showed close associations between 5-HT fibers with GnRH3 fibers and preoptic-GnRH3 cell bodies, but there was no association with GnRH2 cell bodies and fibers. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that short-term treatment (2 wk) with low to medium doses (4 and 40 μg/L, respectively) of citalopram significantly decreased mRNA levels of gnrh3, gonadotropins (lhb and fshb) and 5-HT-related genes (tph2 and sert) in the male zebrafish. In addition, short-term citalopram treatment significantly decreased the fluorescence density of 5-HT and GnRH3 fibers compared with controls. Short-term treatment with low, medium, and high (100 μg/L) citalopram doses had no effects on the profiles of different stages of spermatogenesis, while long-term (1 mo) citalopram treatment with medium and high doses significantly inhibited the different stages of spermatogenesis. These results show morphological and functional associations between the 5-HT and the hypophysiotropic GnHR3 system, which involve SSRI-induced reproductive failures.
Quadriceps function in anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees exercising with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and cryotherapy: a randomized controlled study

Objective: To compare strength and quadriceps muscle activation in anterior cruciate ligament-deficient patients who underwent a two-week rehabilitation exercise program using TENS or cryotherapy. Design: Randomized, controlled study. Setting: Clinical research laboratory. Subjects: Thirty patients: 20 males, 10 females, 31.6 (13.0) years, 172.8 (10.0) cm, 75.8 (13.0) kg with diagnosed tear of the anterior cruciate ligament. Interventions: All patients attended four sessions of supervised quadriceps strengthening exercises over two weeks, prior to reconstruction surgery. Patients were randomly allocated (n = 10/group) to receive exercises alone, exercise while wearing a sensory transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device on the knee joint for the duration of each daily session, or 20 minutes of knee joint cryotherapy immediately prior to each daily exercise session. Main measures: Normalized knee extension force and quadriceps central activation ratio were measured before and after the first supervised treatment session and within 24 hours of the last session. Results: When accounting for differences in baseline measures, there were no statistically significant group differences immediately following the first exercise session for knee extension force (P = 0.10) or central activation ratio (P = 0.30) nor were there statistically significant group differences after the two-week intervention for knee extension force (P = 0.92) or central activation ratio (P = 0.94). Effect sizes for the change in knee extension force and central activation ratio after two weeks of therapy were all large. Conclusions: Quadriceps strength and central activation in anterior cruciate ligament deficient patients improved after two weeks of rehabilitaiton exercises, however, there were no significant differences between treatment groups.
Validation of swarms of robots: theory and experimental results

In this paper we present a formulation of a swarm algorithm for some predefined formations and we show that using the control laws derived, the whole system is stable. Furthermore, the algorithm for the formation is implemented in microcontrollers, which effectively makes the experiment a system of systems. The only input for the algorithm is the position of the robot and the relative positions of neighbours within two metres of the robot. The results of experiments presented show that the algorithm presents the same general behaviour as predicted in simulations. However, due to noise in measurements and commands, the behaviour is slightly different.
Experiences among older persons using mobility devices

Objectives. The aim of the study was to investigate older persons' experiences of using mobility devices. Methods. In this qualitative study, focus group interviews were carried out with participants living in two municipalities in the south of Sweden. Occupational therapists and physiotherapists identified interested participants, 65 years or older. A total of 22 persons participated once in the seven focus group interviews that were arranged. Results. Five main categories of participant experiences emerged from the data: ‘Municipal supply and non-supply of devices’, ‘Acceptance or non-acceptance of mobility devices’, ‘Different use of mobility devices supports everyday and social activities’, ‘Different kinds of obstacles constrain everyday and social activities’ and ‘Adaptive strategies in order to use mobility devices’. Conclusion. Since the participants experienced non-acceptance and obstacles related to the use of mobility devices, this highlights the needs for quality development concerning more efficient data-collecting in community-based rehabilitation.
Implementing Safer Alternatives to Lithographic Cleanup Solvents to Protect the Health of Workers and the Environment

The use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in lithographic printing cleanup is an environmental and occupational hazard. Regulations to reduce ambient ozone levels limited VOC emissions from lithographic cleanup operations and spurred the development of low-VOC alternatives. The purpose of this project was to promote the substitution of hazardous cleanup solvents with less toxic chemicals to protect the health of workers and the environment. A convenience sample of printers, employers, union, industry, and government representatives was constructed. Data regarding the lithographic printing work force and the use of cleanup solvents and alternatives were collected through: (1) work site walk-throughs, (2) a focus group, (3) key informant interviews, (4) a half-day workshop, and (5) demonstration projects. Overall, 66 individuals from 15 different print shops, 10 government agencies, the lithographic printing industry, and one printer's union participated in one or more aspects of the project. Printer inhalation exposure to hazardous cleanup solvents was prevalent and printers were not aware of safer alternatives. Employers should implement low-VOC, low-toxicity cleanup products in a timely manner to protect the health of printers and the environment. Use of low-VOC lithographic cleanup products does not mitigate the potential for printer dermal exposure and may carry safety and ergonomic implications. Lithographic cleanup solvent manufacturers should seek low-VOC ingredients that do not pose a dermal exposure hazard. Linking environmental and occupational health prevented the development of substitutes that would have introduced worker hazards and provided an opportunity to circumvent some of the inadequacies of the current occupational health regulatory apparatus. Governmental organizations should establish and maintain institutional interdisciplinary mechanisms to support these linkages.
Vestiges of vibrissal capsular muscles exist in the human upper lip

In nonhuman mammals, sinus hairs grow around the nostrils and serve for tactile sensation. The hair follicles of sinus hairs are rooted in vibrissal capsular muscles connected to the underlying, deeper orbicularis oris, thereby enabling the voluntary movement of sinus hairs. These vibrissal capsular muscles as well as the sinus hairs are believed to have been lost during human evolution, and no previous reports can be found on the existence of vestiges of sinus hairs in humans. Our study, however, has now verified the existence of vestigial muscles of vibrissae in the human upper lip. Using conventional histological techniques, microscopic observations were made on specimens obtained from the upper lips of human adult cadavers. In 35% of these individuals, several striated muscle fascicles diverging from the underlying orbicularis oris and reaching the hair follicles were observed. Histological findings of the vibrissal capsular muscle complex suggest that these fascicles are a vestigial remnant of the sinus hair muscle. Clin. Anat. 20:628–631, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gut ischemia-reperfusion affects gut mucosal immunity: A possible mechanism for infectious complications after severe surgical insults*

Objective:To examine influences of gut ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) on gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) mass and function. Design:Prospective, randomized controlled study. Setting:Research laboratory. Subjects:Male Institute of Cancer Research mice. Interventions:Ninety mice were randomized to three groups: I/R (60-min gut ischemia), sham (laparotomy only), and control (no operation). On days 1, 2, 4, 7, and 10, mice were killed to harvest lymphocytes from Peyer patches, the intraepithelial space, and the lamina propria (LP) of the small intestine. Respiratory tract and small intestinal washings were also obtained. Measurements and Main Results:Gut I/R significantly reduced lymphocyte numbers in Peyer patches, the intraepithelial space, and the LP. The reduction was prominent in GALT effector sites, that is, the intraepithelial space and LP, but numbers recovered quickly in LP. Changes in cell numbers in Peyer patches, GALT inductive sites, were subtle but persistent. Gut I/R reduced B cell numbers in Peyer patches; αβ T cell receptor (TCR)+, γ&dgr;TCR+, CD8+, and B cell numbers in the intraepithelial space; and γ&dgr;TCR+, CD8+, and B cell numbers in the LP, in comparison with the sham or control group. There were no significant differences in respiratory tract immunoglobulin A levels between the I/R and sham groups. Intestinal immunoglobulin A was elevated on day 1 in the I/R group, with no significant difference after day 2 in comparison with the sham group. Conclusions:Despite the maintained mucosal immunoglobulin A level, gut I/R markedly reduces GALT cell numbers, with changes in lymphocyte phenotypes. These alterations may be associated with increased morbidity due to infectious complications after severe surgical insults.
Proteus mirabilis urease: transcriptional regulation by UreR

Proteus mirabilis urease catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea, initiating the formation of urinary stones. The enzyme is critical for kidney colonization and the development of acute pyelonephritis. Urease is induced by urea and is not controlled by the nitrogen regulatory system (ntr) or catabolite repression. Purified whole-cell RNA from induced and uninduced cultures of P. mirabilis and Escherichia coli harboring cloned urease sequences was probed with a 4.2-kb BglI fragment from within the urease operon. Autoradiographs of slot blots demonstrated 4.2- and 5.8-fold increases, respectively, in urease-specific RNA upon induction with urea. Structural and accessory genes necessary for urease activity, ureD, A, B, C, E, and F, were previously cloned and sequenced (B. D. Jones and H. L. T. Mobley, J. Bacteriol. 171:6414-6422, 1989). A 1.2-kb EcoRV-BamHI restriction fragment upstream of these sequences confers inducibility upon the operon in trans. Nucleotide sequencing of this fragment revealed a single open reading frame of 882 nucleotides, designated ureR, which is transcribed in the direction opposite that of the urease structural and accessory genes and encodes a 293-amino-acid polypeptide predicted to be 33,415 Da in size. Autoradiographs of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels of [35S]methionine-labeled polypeptides obtained by in vitro transcription-translation of the PCR fragments carrying only ureR yielded a single band with an apparent molecular size of 32 kDa. Fragments carrying an in-frame deletion within ureR synthesized a truncated product. The predicted UreR amino acid sequence contains a potential helix-turn-helix motif and an associated AraC family signature and is similar to that predicted for a number of DNA-binding proteins, including E. coli proteins that regulate acid phosphatase synthesis (AppY), porin synthesis (EnvY), and rhamnose utilization (RhaR). These data suggest that UreR governs the inducibility of P. mirabilis urease.
In vitro biosynthesis and membrane association of photosynthetic reaction center subunits from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides

The reaction center of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides is an integral membrane protein complex responsible for primary photochemical charge separation in photosynthesis. We report the synthesis of two of the three subunits of the photosynthetic reaction center using a DNA-directed in vitro transcription-translation system prepared from R. sphaeroides. The in vitro-synthesized polypeptides, as resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, had apparent Mrs of 24,000 and 21,000 and were shown to be synthesized in equimolar amounts. This corresponds precisely to the in vivo reaction center subunits M and L, respectively. The in vitro-synthesized polypeptides were immunoprecipitated with antibody prepared against whole native reaction centers. In addition, the identity of the in vitro-synthesized polypeptides as L and M was verified by comparing the protease digestion products of in vivo- with in vitro-synthesized reaction center subunits. Both of the in vitro-synthesized polypeptides were also found to partition with the particulate material in the transcription-translation system and to associate with added membranes.