Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acceleration of the Healing Process and Myocardial Regeneration May Be Important as a Mechanism of Improvement of Cardiac Function and Remodeling by Postinfarction Granulocyte Colony–Stimulating Factor Treatment

Background—We investigated whether the improvement of cardiac function and remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) by granulocyte colony–stimulating factor (G-CSF) relates to acceleration of the healing process, in addition to myocardial regeneration. Methods and Results—In a 30-minute coronary occlusion and reperfusion rabbit model, saline (S) or 10 μg · kg−1 · d−1 of human recombinant G-CSF (G) was injected subcutaneously from 1 to 5 days after MI. Smaller left ventricular (LV) dimension, increased LV ejection fraction, and thicker infarct-LV wall were seen in G at 3 months after MI. At 2, 7, and 14 days and 3 months after MI, necrotic tissue areas were 14.2±1.5/13.4±1.1, 0.4±0.1/1.8±0.5*, 0/0, and 0/0 mm2 ·· slice−1 · kg−1, granulation areas 0/0, 4.0±0.7/8.5±1.0*, 3.9±0.8/5.7±0.7,* and 0/0 mm2 · slice−1 kg−1, and scar areas 0/0, 0/0, 0/0, and 4.2±0.5/7.9±0.9* mm2 slice−1 kg−1 in G and S, respectively (*P <0.05, G versus S). Clear increases of macrophages and of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 1 and 9 were seen in G at 7 days after MI. This suggests that G accelerates absorption of necrotic tissues via increase of macrophages and reduces granulation and scar tissues via expression of MMPs. Meanwhile, surviving myocardial tissue areas within the risk areas were significantly increased in G despite there being no difference in LV weight, LV wall area, or cardiomyocyte size between G and S. Confocal microscopy revealed significant increases of cardiomyocytes with positive 3,3,3′3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate and positive troponin I in G, suggesting enhanced myocardial regeneration by G. Conclusions—The acceleration of the healing process and myocardial regeneration may play an important role for the beneficial effect of post-MI G-CSF treatment.
Chapter 10 Operational Dust Prediction

Over the last few years, numerical prediction of dust aerosol concentration has become prominent at several research and operational weather centres due to growing interest from diverse stakeholders, such as solar energy plant managers, health professionals, aviation and military authorities and policymakers. Dust prediction in numerical weather prediction-type models faces a number of A. Benedetti ( ) • L. Jones • J.-J. Morcrette European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Reading, UK e-mail: Angela.Benedetti@ecmwf.int; Luke.Jones@ecmwf.int; Jean-Jacques.Morcrette@ecmwf.int J.M. Baldasano • S. Basart • F. Benincasa Barcelona Supercomputer Center-Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS), Barcelona, Spain e-mail: Jose.Baldasano@bsc.es; Sara.Basart@bsc.es; Francesco.Benincasa@bsc.es O. Boucher • L. Menut Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, Paris, France e-mail: Olivier.Boucher@lmd.jussieu. fr; Menut@lmd.polytechnique. fr M.E. Brooks • J. Mulcahy Met Office, Exeter, UK e-mail: Malcolm.E. Brooks@metoffice.gov. uk; Jane.Mulcahy@metoffice.gov. uk J.-P. Chen Department of Atmospheric Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan e-mail: jpchen@as.ntu. edu.tw P.R. Colarco NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA e-mail: Peter.R. Colarco@nasa.gov P. Knippertz and J.-B.W. Stuut (eds.), Mineral Dust: A Key Player in the Earth System, DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-8978-3__10, © Springer ScienceCBusiness Media Dordrecht 2014 223 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp? R=20150002145 2019-08-14T03:12:43+00:00Z
A global event with a regional character: the Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event in the Pindos Ocean (northern Peloponnese, Greece)

The Early Toarcian (Early Jurassic, c. 183 Ma) was characterized by an Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE), primarily identified by the presence of globally distributed approximately coeval black organic-rich shales. This event corresponded with relatively high marine temperatures, mass extinction, and both positive and negative carbon-isotope excursions. Because most studies of the T-OAE have taken place in northern European and Tethyan palaeogeographic domains, there is considerable controversy as to the regional or global character of this event. Here, we present the first high-resolution integrated chemostratigraphic (carbonate, organic carbon, δCcarb, δCorg) and biostratigraphic (calcareous nannofossil) records from the Kastelli Pelites cropping out in the Pindos Zone, western Greece. During the Mesozoic, the Pindos Zone was a deep-sea oceanmargin basin, which formed in mid-Triassic times along the northeast passive margin of Apulia. In two sections through the Kastelli Pelites, the chemostratigraphic and biostratigraphic (nannofossil) signatures of the most organic-rich facies are identified as correlative with the Lower Toarcian, tenuicostatum/polymorphum–falciferum/serpentinum/levisoni ammonite zones, indicating that these sediments record the T-OAE. Both sections also display the characteristic negative carbon-isotope excursion in organic matter and carbonate. This occurrence reinforces the global significance of the Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event.
Synthesis , Characterization of Poly ( 1 , 4 – cyclohexanedimethylene oxalate ) and the Study of its Metal Uptake Behavior Towards Pb ( II ) , Zn ( II ) , and Cd ( II ) Ions

Poly(1,4–cyclohexanedimethylene oxalate) was synthesized from oxalyl chloride and cis/trans–1,4–cyclohexandimethanol. The polymer was characterized by viscosity, FT–IR, NMR, elemental analysis, DSC, TGA, and SEM. The metal uptake behavior of the polymer towards Pb(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions was studied by batch technique as a function of pH, temperature, concentration, contact time and by column technique. Their uptake increases slightly with pH reaching maximum at 6.00. The order of adsorption capacity was: Pb(II) > Cd(II) > Zn(II). The uptake of the polymer shows fittings to both Langmuir’s and Freundlich equations. ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° were determined for Pb(II). The metal-unbound polymer was regenerated by treating the metal-sorbed polymer with 1.0 M HNO3 >1.0 M HCl >0.01 M EDTA.
Distribution of Uranium and Other Radionuclides in Coal and Coal Combustion Products , with Discussion of Occurrences of Combustion Products in Kentucky Power Plants

Uranium and thorium are part of the mineral assemblages within coals. Uranium can also occur in organic associations, particularly in low-rank coals. While the average U concentration in coals is 2.9 ppm for low-rank coals and 1.9 ppm for bituminous and higher rank coals, high concentrations are known from certain low-rank and thin coals and from coals in areas associated with U mineralization. No high-U coals are mined for power production in the United States. Uranium and Th in coal combustion products are found in amounts more or less in proportion to their concentrations in the feed coal. Not being volatile elements, both U and Th are concentrated in the fly ash and bottom ash with, in most cases, little indication of partitioning relative to particle size or point of ash collection. – 2016 The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research and the American Coal Ash Association All rights reserved. A R T I C L E I N F O Article history: Received 7 April 2016; Received in revised form 3 June 2016; Accepted 4 June 2016
The influence of propranolol on the exposure in vivo of agoraphobics

Synopsis This study examines the influence of 40 mg of propranolol on agoraphobics throughout 5-hour periods of exposure in vivo on 3 alternate days. Twenty-three patients were studied using a double-blind parallel design and 19 followed up for 3 months. The propranolol group spent significantly less time than the placebo group travelling alone in the month after treatment, and had improved significantly less on a measure of general symptoms at 3 months. The adverse influence of propranolol on treatment outcome appeared mainly due to a waning effect in the last hour of exposure. Attempts to measure coping with panics as an independent variable were largely unsuccessful.
First steps of the augmented design studio: The interconnected Hybrid Ideation Space and the CI Loop

Professional or school design studios are essential environments for design supporting free exploration of materials and representations, analogue or digital. New technologies have moved into the studio with mixed results. Paradoxically, the use of portable computers, using Internet as collaboration channel, has actually individualized the design work and limited the support to co-creation, reinforcing individual work. The Augmented Design Studio argues for the implementation of hybrid technology, such as the Hybrid Ideation Space (HIS), in the design studio to compensate for the absence of collective local or remote efficient ideation space. This paper presents a case study showing the primary results of distant synchronous and asynchronous design collaboration supported by the interconnected HIS during an ad-hoc project and assessed by the improved Collaborative Ideation Loop (CI Loop) methodology. The HIS was installed in two universities located in different countries. We ran a research protocol in the format of a design charrette where two teams (team a: two architecture students, team b: two industrial design students) participated in the ideation of a bus shelter. This case study shows that teams were able to co-design while they were virtually “teleported” into each other’s representations.
Community Engagement for Reentry Success of Youth from Juvenile Justice: Challenges and Opportunities

Based on our research over the past ten years, we have identified six evidence-based transition practices that are critical for promoting youth success after release from secure care. Success, however, also relies heavily on the engagement of community partners and stakeholders who receive these youth after release. To further understand the construct of community engagement, we conducted a reintegration survey and held focus groups with stakeholders representing several agencies that provided services to youth from the juvenile justice system. We also interviewed youth to identify barriers in the transition process. The findings suggest that juvenile justice personnel need to consistently work in collaboration with community partners to generate and sustain the resources and awareness necessary to improve reentry outcomes for youth. Definitions of community engagement are offered and specific barriers and challenges that interfere with effective reentry are identified. Suggestions to improve reentry are included.
Exploring Gender Differences in Cross-disciplinary Discourse : Interactional Metadiscourse Markers in the Discussion Section of Research Articles

The present comparative study sought to explore the gender differences in the use of interactional metadiscourse markers in the discussion section of Research Articles (RAs) in the two disciplines of microbiology and applied linguistics. Using Hyland’s (2005a) metadiscourse model, the research study investigated the use of five subcategories of interactional metadiscourse in a corpus of 64 research articles written by all-male, all-female, and malefemale authors in the respected fields. Based on quantitative analysis, it was found that there was a significant difference between male and female writers and male-female ones in using attitude markers as one of the interactional metadiscourse elements. Besides, the results showed that there was a cross-disciplinary variation in using interactional metadiscourse. These findings acknowledge the fact that different disciplines use various rhetorical thought patterns in their writings.
Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing zoledronic acid administered at 12-week and 4-week intervals in patients with bone metastasis

Zoledronic acid is used to treat patients with bone metastasis, but the optimal dosing interval remains controversial. We therefore performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of a 12-week interval of zoledronic acid with the standard 4-week interval. Three randomized controlled trials comprising 2650 patients were analyzed. Using a random-effects model, pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. No differences in the occurrence of skeletal-related events (SREs: RR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.86–1.12; P = 0.80) or grade 3/4 adverse events (RR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.69–1.20; P = 0.52) were observed between the 12-week and 4-week groups. The 12-week group tended to have lower incidences of osteonecrosis of the jaw [13 (0.98%) vs. 23 (1.73%)] and kidney dysfunction [21 (1.68%) vs. 31 (2.45%)] than the 4-week group, though the difference did not reach statistical significance (RR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.30–1.12; P = 0.11); (RR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.39–1.15, P = 0.15). These data show that zoledronic acid administered at 12-week intervals instead of 4-week intervals does not increase the risk of SREs, and may reduce the incidence of osteonecrosis of the jaw and kidney dysfunction. This suggests the 12-week interval with zoledronic acid may be an acceptable treatment option.
Butyltin compounds and inorganic tin in sediments in Ontario [Canada].

A method has been developed for the analysis of butyltin species and inorganic tin in sediments, and the presence of these compounds in sediments in Ontario is reported for the first time. Although inorganic tin occurred frequently in sediments collected around the province, butyltin species were found mainly in the sediments of harbors, reflecting earlier findings on their occurrence in water, with which these findings are compared. Tri-n-butyltin, the most toxic of the butyltin species to aquatic life, was present at 0.5 mg/kg (dry weight) in the top 2 cm of sediment in Toronto Harbour. In addition, tri-n-butylmethyltin and di-n-butyldimethyltin were found in the sediment of a few harbors, indicating that some butyltin species can be methylated in aquatic environments.
Vascular, renal and placental effects on pregnant offspring of protein‐restricted rat dams

Aim: Our previous study showed that a maternal low‐protein diet induced hypertension and vascular dysfunction in rat offspring after day 175. In the present study, we hypothesized that these female offspring would develop hypertension in their own pregnancies even at ages less than 175 days because potential vascular dysfunction is exacerbated by the circulatory demands of pregnancy.
Association of ABCA 2 expression with determinants of Alzheimer ' s disease

With the use of a novel method for detecting differential gene expression, alterations in functional gene clusters related to transport or oxidative stress response and β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide metabolism were identified in a HEK293 cell line engineered to overexpress the human ATP binding cassette transporter ABCA2. These included fatty acid binding protein, phospholipid binding protein, phospholipid synthesis protein, transporter cofactors, seladin-1, Aβ precursor protein (APP), vimentin, and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein. ABCA2 was highly expressed in neuroblastoma cells and colocalized with Aβ and APP. Additionally, increased APP protein levels were detected within ABCA2/APP double-transfected cells, and increased Aβ was detected in the media of ABCA2-transfected cells relative to controls. The transporter was abundant in the temporal and frontal regions of both normal and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain but was detected at lower concentrations in the parietal, occipital, and cerebellar regions. The ABCA2 transfected cell line expressed resistance to a free radical initiator, confirming involvement in protection against reactive oxygen species and suggesting a further possible link to AD.
Colchicine for prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery : a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The most common complication following cardiac surgery, postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) increases hospital costs and morbidity. Inflammation may be an important pathogenic factor for POAF. Colchicine, an ancient and natural anti-inflammatory drug, has potential antiarrhythmic properties which have aroused interest regarding its use for POAF prevention. To evaluate effects of colchicine on POAF prevention following cardiac surgery, published randomized controlled trials (RCTs), reporting the effects of colchicine on POAF prevention, were searched up to the end of January 2017 in Cochrane library, PubMed, and EMBASE databases. Four RCTs, involving 1272 patients (636 in colchicine group, 636 in controls group), were included in the meta-analysis. Data are expressed as odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Colchicine significantly reduced incidence of POAF following cardiac surgery (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.45 0.79; P<0.001), especially Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) (OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.31 0.80; P<0.01), and shortened length of hospitalization (MD = -1.35, 95% CI = -1.76 -0.94; P<0.001), compared with controls. Although colchicine therapy has been associated with increased incidence of gastrointestinal side effects (OR = 3.44, 95% CI = 2.27 5.22; P<0.001), it did not increase treatment discontinuation (OR = 1.45; 95% CI = 0.95 2.24; P = 0.09). Collectively, colchicine may prove beneficial in POAF prevention following cardiac surgery, especially CABG. However, because of the small number of studies in CABG, further research with larger RCTs is warranted to confirm the effects of colchicine for POAF prevention.
Hematological parameters , serum biochemistry and antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens fed diet supplemented with two sources of antioxidants as feed additives

Hematological parameters, serum biochemistry and antioxidant capacity of 125 broilers (4 weeks of age) were assessed in other to study the effect of Zingiberofficinale (Ginger), Piper nigrum (Black Pepper) and Vitamin C as feed additives in their diet. Ginger, Black pepper and Vitamin C powder were administered at the level of 50g/10kg of feed. The broilers were randomly allotted to five treatments:T1 (no antioxidant), T2 (0.5% ginger powder), T3 (0.5% black pepper powder), T4 (0.25% ginger+ 0.25% black pepper), T5 (0.5% Vitamin C) in a completely randomized design. The results obtained showed that PCV (%), Hb(g/dl), MCV(fl), MCH (pg), MCHC (%), RBC(x10 6 /mm 3 )and platelets (x10 3 /μl) were not significantly (P>0.05) different across the treatment groups. Total white blood cell (x10 6 /mm 3 ) of T2 (8.22) and T3 (8.25) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the other treatment groups, and results ranged from the highest which was T3 (8.25) to the lowest T4 (7.72),although monocytes count of T1 was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to other groups with T2 having the lowest value of 0%. Serum glucose (mg/dl) of T2(186.50) and T4(184.50) were not significantly different but both were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the other treatment groups. Total cholesterol (mg/dl) of T1 (130.00) was (P<0.05) higher other treatment groups with T5 having the lowest result. T4 had the highest level of triglyceride of 46mg/dl while T2 had the lowest value of 32.33mg/dl. Low density lipoprotein was highest in T1 (83.08mg/dl) and T2 had the lowest level of low density lipoprotein of 64.77mg/dl. The results of high density lipoprotein showed no significant difference among the treatment groups but ranged from the highest in T2 (35mg/dl) to the lowest in T4 (23.50mg/dl). The total antioxidant capacity in T5 (40.20μmol/l) was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to the other treatment groups. The level of vitamin C (mg/dl) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T3(1.160) compared to other treatment groups.In conclusion, inclusion of ginger and blackpepper as sole agents may maintain or regulate Total white blood count in the blood, increase High density lipoprotein and reduce low density lipoprotein and triglyceride.
The Concept of Intelligent Space with a Robot

Intelligent space is where people may easily interact with computers and robots, changing the environmental conditions based on users’ needs to create more comfortable and satisfying surroundings. In our proposed system, we would integrate an intelligent space with a robot that would act as an active part of the environment. The system is illustrated in a few caregiver scenarios, showing the actions of a robot. The skills of a robot are explained, presenting the advantages and contributions of the system.
Lasers in Manufacturing Conference 2017 Patterning of graphene from ps to fs pulses

Single-layer graphene is a one-atom thick carbon crystal with unique material properties: extremely high mechanical strength and elasticity, very high electrical and thermal conductivity, uniform absorption over all of the optical and infrared spectrum. These properties make it highly attractive for many applications, among which flexible electronics. The properties of graphene depend on the number of layers so that patterning with a controlled number of layers affords flexibility in the fabrication of graphene devices; selective ablation leading to the control of the number of graphene layers down to a monolayer has recently been demonstrated using picosecond laser pulses. In our work we study selective patterning of graphene as a function of pulse length from 340 fs to 14 ps both on glass and on PET polymer substrates. We characterize the patterned graphene using optical transmission and Raman measurements.
The effect of synectics pattern on increasing the level of problem solving and critical thinking skills in students of Alborz province

The present investigation was aimed to study the effect of synectics pattern on increasing the level of problem solving and critical thinking skills in students of Alborz province in 2013. The method of the present investigation was of semi-experimental type with pre-test, post-test with control group and random assignment of subjects. The population consisted of 6725 of high school students in Alborz province in the academic year of 20132014. The statistical sample of the research consisted of 40 individuals who were chosen randomly. Afterwards, they were divided into two classes of 20 individuals, which one of the classes was a control group and the other was an experimental group. The data collection was based on questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaires was based on Cronbach’s alpha method. The calculated value was 0.84 for the standard problem-solving questionnaire of Heppner and Peterson (1982) and 0.94 for the standard critical thinking skills questionnaire of Facion (2007). In addition, the content validity was used in order to check the validity of the questionnaire. In this regard, the questionnaires were confirmed by the related specialists. The analysis of the obtained data from the implementation of the questionnaires was carried out by SPSS software in two parts of descriptive and inferential (covariance analysis). The findings demonstrated that the synectics pattern leads to increase in the level of critical thinking and its dimensions (inference factor level, analysis, deductive and inductive reasoning) at 95% significance level. It also leads to increase of problem-solving skills in students and its dimensions (trust on problem-solving, tendency-avoidance in problem-solving and personal control in problem solving).