Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of allicin stability in processed garlic of different cultivars

This research aimed at evaluating the suitability of five different garlic cultivars for the processing of unsalted garlic paste, chopped fried garlic, and fried sliced garlic. The concentration of allicin in the products was evaluated immediately after processing and at 45-day intervals during 180 days of storage. Allicin concentrations in raw garlic of the varieties under study differed (20.73 a 24.31mg of allicin g - 1 garlic). Stability exhibited a similar between the varieties according to the type of processing utilized. Processing into paste was more favorable to the preservation of allicin than the other processes. The amount of allicin lost during the process to obtain paste for the different varieties was less than 9.5%, and it reached a maximum loss of 22% for the commercial varieties during storage (180 days). All fried garlic samples showed a decrease by 99% in the content of allicin right after processing. The processing of garlic in the form of acidified paste preserved its bioactive characteristics during storage.
Pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass with intra-aortic balloon pump improves organ function and reduces endothelial activation.

BACKGROUND We aimed to evaluate if the use of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) during cardioplegic arrest improves organ function and reduces endothelial activation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). METHODS AND RESULTS Five-hundred and one CABG patients were randomized into 2 groups: (Group A n=270) linear cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB); and (Group B n=231) automatic 80 beats/min IABP-induced pulsatile CPB. We evaluated hemodynamic response, coagulation and fibrinolysis, transaminase, bilirubin, amylase, lactate, renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], creatinine and any possibility of renal insufficiency or failure), respiratory function and endothelial markers (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 [MCP-1]). IABP, which induced surplus hemodynamic energy, was 21,387 ± 4,262 ergs/cm(3). Group B showed lower chest drainage, transfusions, international normalized ratio, and antithrombin III, together with higher platelets, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen and D-dimer. Transaminases, bilirubin, amylase, lactate were lower in Group B; there were better results for eGFR in Group B from ICU-arrival to 48 h, resulting in lower creatinine from ICU-arrival to 48 h. The necessity for renal replacement therapy was lower in Group B Stage-3. Group B P(a)O(2)/F(i)O(2) and lung compliance improved with aortic de-clamping on the first day with shorter intubation time. Group B showed lower VEGF and MCP-1. CONCLUSIONS Pulsatile flow by IABP improves whole-body perfusion and reduces endothelial activation during CPB.
New Meroterpenoids from the Marine Sponge Aka coralliphaga

Three new sulfated meroterpenoids containing sesquiterpene and hydroquinone moieties, namely siphonodictyal A sulfate (1), akadisulfate A (2) and akadisulfate B (3), along with the known siphonodictyal B3 and bis(sulfato)-cyclosiphonodictyol A were isolated from the sponge Aka coralliphaga. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Akadisulfate B and siphonodictyal B3 showed a radical-scavenging activity comparable with that of the known lipophylic antioxidant BHT.
Epidemiology of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in China: Single‐center series and systematic analysis of Chinese literature with 53 951 patients

Objectives: The epidemiology of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) in Western populations has been reported; however, there are scant Asian reports. The aim of the present study was to determine the etiology of LGIB in a Chinese population by reporting a retrospective case series and a systematic analysis of Chinese literature.
A backscattering model for ocean surface

A surface scattering model based on an approximate solution of the integral equations for the surface tangential fields has been developed for non-Gaussian distributed, finitely conducting surfaces. It consists of two parts. One part is proportional to the surface roughness spectrum, and the other to the surface bispectrum. The bispectrum part comes into the model when the third-order surface statistics are included. While the second-order statistics account for the wind directional dependence, the third-order statistics account for the dependence on the sense of direction of the wind. Thus, it is the critical part for explaining the difference between upwind and downwind observations. In general, the bispectrum is a complex quantity and the asymmetric effect of the sea surface is represented by its imaginary part. The model characteristics, such as polarization and azimuthal dependence, are illustrated through numerical calculations. The predictions of the model are compared with field measurements, and excellent agreement is obtained. >
TRIM21 Immune Signaling Is More Sensitive to Antibody Affinity Than Its Neutralization Activity

Ab-coated viruses can be detected in the cytosol by the FcR tripartite motif-containing 21 (TRIM21), which rapidly recruits the proteasomal machinery and triggers induction of immune signaling. As such, TRIM21 plays a key role in intracellular protection by targeting invading viruses for destruction and alerting the immune system. A hallmark of immunity is elicitation of a balanced response that is proportionate to the threat, to avoid unnecessary inflammation. In this article, we show how Ab affinity modulates TRIM21 immune function. We constructed a humanized monoclonal IgG1 against human adenovirus type 5 (AdV5) and a panel of Fc-engineered variants with a wide range of affinities for TRIM21. We found that IgG1-coated viral particles were neutralized via TRIM21, even when affinity was reduced by as much as 100-fold. In contrast, induction of NF-κB signaling was more sensitive to reduced affinity between TRIM21 and the Ab variants. Thus, TRIM21 mediates neutralization under suboptimal conditions, whereas induction of immune signaling is balanced according to the functional affinity for the incoming immune stimuli. Our findings have implications for engineering of antiviral IgG therapeutics with tailored effector functions.
Research on the fluctuation mechanism of electric arc furnace voltage using chaos theory

The wide application of electric arc furnace (EAF) loads usually cause negative effects in the grid, especially drastic voltage fluctuation. Chaos theory is used to study ac EAF voltage fluctuation mechanism in this paper. Firstly, C-C method is adopted to reconstruct phase space of voltage time series. According to BDS(named after Brock, Dechert, and Scheinkman) statistics, the optimal delay time and embedding dimension are determined. Then, trajectory divergence rates in the phase space are calculated by improved Wolf algorithm as nearest points evolve along the trajectory. By fitting these divergence rates through least square method, the maximum Lyapunov exponent (MLE) is obtained. Results show that the voltage fluctuation of ac EAF has chaotic property, which lays the foundation for analysis and prediction of voltage fluctuation using chaotic method.
Imaging under irregular terrain using RF tomography and numerical green functions

RF tomography has been proposed to localize and image man-made underground structures and tunnels using a set of arbitrarily distributed narrowband electromagnetic sensors placed above or below the ground. Basically, a set of s transmitters emit a monochromatic signal into the ground; waves impinge upon dielectric anomalies (e.g. tunnels) thus generating a scattered field. Finally, distributed receivers sample the scattered field and relay this information to a base station for post processing. For a deeper understanding of the principles of RF tomography for belowground imaging, see [1]. Currently, RF tomography is based upon the knowledge of the Green function of the scattering problem: analytic expressions are limited only to layered media with planar interfaces [5]. For irregular terrains, a numerical Green function has to be evaluated and here we show a proper reformulation of RF tomography that accounts for numerical Green function that describes the spatial impulse response of the terrain shape. This improvement lead to more reliable reconstructions compared to the case of a planar interface.
Increases in ambient particulate matter air pollution, acute changes in platelet function, and effect modification by aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids: A panel study

ABSTRACT Increased particulate matter (PM) air pollutant concentrations have been associated with platelet activation. It was postulated that elevated air pollutant concentrations would be associated with increases in measures of platelet function and that responses would be blunted when taking aspirin and/or fish oil. Data from a sequential therapy trial (30 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus), with 4 clinic visits (first: no supplements, second: aspirin, third: omega-3 fatty acid supplements, fourth: aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids) per subject, were utilized. Using linear mixed models, adjusted for relative humidity, temperature, visit number, and season, changes in three platelet function measures including (1) aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), (2) aggregation induced by collagen, and (3) thromboxane B2 production were associated with interquartile range (IQR) increases in mean concentrations of ambient PM2.5, black carbon, ultrafine particles (UFP; 10–100 nm), and accumulation mode particles (AMP; 100–500 nm) in the previous 1–96 h. IQR increases in mean UFP and AMP concentrations were associated with significant decreases in platelet response, with the largest being a –0.43 log(pg/ml) decrease in log(thromboxane B2) (95% CI = –0.8, –0.1) associated with each 582-particles/cm3 increase in AMP, and a –1.7 ohm reduction in collagen-induced aggregation (95% CI = –3.1, –0.3) associated with each 2097-particles/cm3 increase in UFP in the previous 72 h. This UFP effect on thromboxane B2 was significantly muted in diabetic subjects taking aspirin (–0.01 log[pg/ml]; 95% CI = –0.4, 0.3). The reason for this finding remains unknown, and needs to be investigated in future studies.
Inhibition of HeLa Cell Protein Synthesis by the Vaccinia Virion

HeLa cell protein synthesis is rapidly suppressed after infection with purified vaccinia virus. This was measured in three ways. (i) In the presence of 5 μg of actinomycin D per ml, viral protein synthesis was prevented and the decline in host protein synthesis was measured directly. (ii) Virus particles irradiated with 800 ergs or more of ultraviolet (UV) light per mm2 are defective in their ability to initiate viral protein synthesis, but they still inhibit host protein synthesis. After addition of UV-irradiated virus, the decline in host protein synthesis was measured. (iii) Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to distinguish between host- and virus-induced proteins. The following results were obtained. (i) The inhibition of HeLa cell protein synthesis begins within 20 min after infection with purified vaccinia particles. Greater than 95% inhibition occurs within 1 to 4 hr after infection, depending on the viral multiplicity used. (ii) The synthesis of viral ribonucleic acid or viral protein is not required for the inhibition of host protein synthesis. (iii) The ability of the virus particles to inhibit cell protein synthesis is lost after heat or detergent treatment. (iv) The ability of the virus particles to inhibit cell protein synthesis is retained after UV-irradiation. (v) Vaccinia viral protein synthesis in preinfected cells is resistant to the effects of superinfection with UV-irradiated vaccinia particles. (vi) Inhibition of cell protein synthesis is complete and does not involve the continued synthesis of small polypeptide fragments. (vii) A decrease in the size of host polyribosomes rapidly follows infection with vaccinia virus. The results are interpreted as a selective effect of some constituent of the vaccinia virus particle or virus-activated host enzyme on host protein synthesis at a level beyond that of transcription.
Recognition of Facial Emotions in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

ABSTRACT Recognition of facial emotions represents an important aspect of interpersonal communication and is governed by select neural substrates. We present data on emotion recognition in healthy young adults utilizing a novel set of color photographs of evoked universal emotions. In addition, we review the recent literature on emotion recognition in psychiatric and neurologic disorders, and studies that compare different disorders.
Lifetimes of 5d96p and 5d86s6p levels in Hg III.

Experimental and theoretical studies of lifetimes and transition probabilities for doubly ionized mercury, Hg III, are reported. Such data are currently of great astrophysical interest because observations with the Goddard high resolution spectrograph on board the Hubble space telescope have shown some 5d(9)6s-5d(9)6p transitions of Hg III in the spectrum of the chemically peculiar star chi Lupi. We now report experimental lifetimes for some selected 5d(9)6p and 5d(8)6s6p levels, determined by beam-foil spectroscopy, and compare the results with theoretical transition probabilities based on relativistic multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock calculations.
Spatial Dynamics in Model Plant Communities: What Do We Really Know?

A variety of models have shown that spatial dynamics and small‐scale endogenous heterogeneity (e.g., forest gaps or local resource depletion zones) can change the rate and outcome of competition in communities of plants or other sessile organisms. However, the theory appears complicated and hard to connect to real systems. We synthesize results from three different kinds of models: interacting particle systems, moment equations for spatial point processes, and metapopulation or patch models. Studies using all three frameworks agree that spatial dynamics need not enhance coexistence nor slow down dynamics; their effects depend on the underlying competitive interactions in the community. When similar species would coexist in a nonspatial habitat, endogenous spatial structure inhibits coexistence and slows dynamics. When a dominant species disperses poorly and the weaker species has higher fecundity or better dispersal, competition‐colonization trade‐offs enhance coexistence. Even when species have equal dispersal and per‐generation fecundity, spatial successional niches where the weaker and faster‐growing species can rapidly exploit ephemeral local resources can enhance coexistence. When interspecific competition is strong, spatial dynamics reduce founder control at large scales and short dispersal becomes advantageous. We describe a series of empirical tests to detect and distinguish among the suggested scenarios.
Exploring the operational characteristics of a three-phase induction motor with multi-zone stator windings

The possibility of increasing the operating characteristics of the induction motor by using three-phase multizone stator windings has been studied. A development has established that by working with a three-phase network implies four types of the stator winding design, schemes for laying singlelayer, one-two-layer and two-layer windings for stators with a number of grooves from twelve to 90. The induction motor field model in the ANSYS Maxwell package and the dependences of the performance characteristics for the motor with the 0.55 kW power on the distribution of the rated power between sets of three-phase windings have been studied for the induction motor characteristics analysis with the proposed winding. Design recommendations for the asymmetric multi-zone stator winding, depends on the induction motor operating conditions are developed. The carried out experimental researches confirm that the usage of the developed winding allows to increase the inducted motors energy characteristics.
State parity laws and access to treatment for substance use disorder in the United States: implications for federal parity legislation.

IMPORTANCE The passage of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and the 2010 Affordable Care Act incorporated parity for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment into federal legislation. However, prior research provides us with scant evidence as to whether federal parity legislation will hold the potential for improving access to SUD treatment. OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of state-level SUD parity laws on state-aggregate SUD treatment rates and to shed light on the impact of the recent federal SUD parity legislation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS We conducted a quasi-experimental study using a 2-way (state and year) fixed-effect method. We included all known specialty SUD treatment facilities in the United States and examined treatment rates from October 1, 2000, through March 31, 2008. Our main source of data was the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, which provides facility-level information on specialty SUD treatment. INTERVENTIONS State-level SUD parity laws during the study period. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES State-aggregate SUD treatment rates in (1) all specialty SUD treatment facilities and (2) specialty SUD treatment facilities accepting private insurance. RESULTS The implementation of any SUD parity law increased the treatment rate by 9% (P < .001) in all specialty SUD treatment facilities and by 15% (P = .02) in facilities accepting private insurance. Full parity and parity only if SUD coverage is offered increased the SUD treatment rate by 13% (P = .02) and 8% (P = .04), respectively, in all facilities and by 21% (P = .03) and 10% (P = .04), respectively, in facilities accepting private insurance. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE We found a positive effect of the implementation of state SUD parity legislation on access to specialty SUD treatment. Furthermore, the positive association is more pronounced in states with more comprehensive parity laws. Our findings suggest that federal parity legislation holds the potential to improve access to SUD treatment.
Long-Term Strength Training Effects on Change-of-Direction Sprint Performance

Abstract Keiner, M, Sander, A, Wirth, K, and Schmidtbleicher, D. Long-term strength training effects on change-of-direction sprint performance. J Strength Cond Res 28(1): 223–231, 2014—The requirement profiles for sports such as soccer, football, tennis, and rugby demonstrate the importance of strength and speed-strength abilities, in addition to other conditional characteristics. During a game, the athletes complete a large number of strength and speed-strength actions. In addition to the linear sprints, athletes perform sprints while changing the direction (change-of-direction sprint [COD]). Therefore, this study aims to clarify the extent to which there is a strength training intervention effect on COD. Further, this investigation analyzes the possible correlations between the 1-Repetition Maximum/body mass (SREL) in the front and back squats and COD. The subjects (n = 112) were at pretest between 13 and 18 years of age and were divided into 2 groups with 4 subgroups (A = under 19 years of age, B = under 17 years of age, and C = under 15 years of age). For approximately 2 years, 1 group (control group [CG]) only participated in routine soccer training, and the other group (strength training group [STG]) participated in an additional strength training program with the routine soccer training. Additionally, the performances in the COD of 34 professional soccer players of the first and second divisions in Germany were measured as a standard of high-level COD. For the analysis of the performance development within a group and pairwise comparisons between 2 groups, an analysis of variance with repeated measures was calculated with the factors group and time. Relationships between the COD and SREL were calculated for the normal distributed data using a plurality of bivariate correlations by Pearson. Our data show that additional strength training over a period of 2 years significantly affects the performance in the COD. The STG in all subcohorts reached significantly (p < 0.05) faster times in the COD than did the CG. The STG amounted up to 5% to nearly 10% better improvements in the 10-m sprint times compared with that of the CG. Furthermore, our data show significant (p < 0.05) moderate to high correlations (r = −0.388 to −0.697) between the SREL and COD. Our data show that a long-term strength training improves the performance of the COD. Therefore, a long-term resistance training is recommended as early as in childhood and adolescence.
A Literature Review of Spreadsheet Technology

It was estimated that there would be over 55 million end-user programmers in 2012 [1] in many different fields such as engineering, insurance and banking, and the numbers are not expected to have dwindled since. Consequently, technological advancements of spreadsheets is of great interest to a wide number of people from different backgrounds. This literature review presents an overview of research on spreadsheet technology, its challenges and its solutions. We also attempt to identify why software developers generally frown upon spreadsheets and how spreadsheet research can help alter this view.
Inhibitory effect of cyanide on wastewater nitrification determined using SOUR and RNA‐based gene‐specific assays

The effect of cyanide (CN−) on nitrification was examined with samples from nitrifying bacterial enrichments using two different approaches: by measuring substrate (ammonia) specific oxygen uptake rates (SOUR), and by using RT‐qPCR to quantify the transcripts of functional genes involved in nitrification. The nitrifying bioreactor was operated as a continuous reactor with a 24 h hydraulic retention time. The samples were exposed in batch vessels to cyanide for a period of 12 h. The concentrations of CN− used in the batch assays were 0·03, 0·06, 0·1 and 1·0 mg l−1. There was considerable decrease in SOUR with increasing dosages of CN−. A decrease of more than 50% in nitrification activity was observed at 0·1 mg l−1 CN−. Based on the RT‐qPCR data, there was notable reduction in the transcript levels of amoA and hao for increasing CN− dosage, which corresponded well with the ammonia oxidation activity measured via SOUR. The inhibitory effect of cyanide may be attributed to the affinity of cyanide to bind ferric haeme proteins, which disrupt protein structure and function. The correspondence between the relative expression of functional genes and SOUR shown in this study demonstrates the efficacy of RNA‐based function‐specific assays for better understanding of the effect of toxic compounds on nitrification activity in wastewater.
Gentamicin distribution from a collagen carrier

Local delivery of antibiotics by a degradable carrier has the potential for high local antibiotic levels and avoids systemic toxicity. Intravenous access, renal function monitoring, and subsequent surgical removal may not be required when degradable local delivery modalities are used. This study examined the in vivo elution of gentamicin from processed bovine collagen (type I) in 66 adult White rabbits. Collagen impregnated with gentamicin (3 mg/kg) was implanted into the vastus lateralis, and data were collected from 15 minutes to 28 days after implantation. Local tissue biopsies were taken a minimum of 2 mm from the implantation site. The gentamicin was released into the local tissue and averaged more than 3,800 μg/ml during the initial 4 hours after implantation. Local levels fell to 6.90 ± 5.22 μg/ml at 24 hours and subse‐quently were 2.70 ± 1.75. μg/ml or more through day 28. Serum levels reached an average peak of 4.04 ± 1.75 μg/ml at 5 hours after implantation, decreased after the initial 24 hours, and subsequently were less than 0.41 ± 0.20 μg/ml through day 28. Collagen impregnated with gentamicin proved to be an effective degradable carrier of gentamicin in the healthy rabbit; it provided local tissue concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration and serum concentrations below levels associated with systemic toxicity for 28 days after implantation.