Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disponibilité et exploitation des ressources ligneuses par les paléoesquimaux et Inuit sur la côte ouest du Nunavik (Québec, Canada)

Cette etude presente les caracteristiques des ressources ligneuses actuelles et archeologiques trouves sur la cote ouest du Nunavik et documente leur collecte, exploitation et origine. L'etude de 1573 bois flottes provenant des plages d'Ivujivik, Akulivik, Inukjuak et Umiujaq revele que ces derniers etaient moins nombreux, de plus petites tailles et plus degrades dans les aires les plus au nord. Huit taxons ont ete identifies sous microscope. L'epinette etait le taxon le plus abondant, suivi du saule, du meleze, du peuplier et de l'aulne. Le cedre blanc, le bouleau blanc et le sapin baumier etaient egalement presents mais extremement rares. La composition des 293 bois archeologiques, 550 charbons et 11 artefacts en bois provenant de 11 sites archeologiques dans les quatre zones d'etudes n'etait guere differente. Des charbons de pin rouge ou pin sylvestre et de châtaignier, importes, ont neanmoins ete decouverts dans un site archeologique a Ivujivik. De plus, de nombreux charbons d'ericacees probablement locaux ainsi que du chene ont ete trouves dans les sites archeologiques aux alentours d'Umiujaq. La presence du cedre blanc et du bouleau blanc dans les amas de bois flottes actuels et archeologiques temoignent d'une origine des bois au sud et sud-est de la Baie de James, ce qui est egalement appuye par les etudes comparatives et interdatations des largeurs moyennes de cernes de croissance. Des entrevues avec 27 Aines dans les quatre villages revelent que le vocabulaire du bois etait plus diversifie dans les villages les plus meridionaux. Les arbustes etaient coupes en automne et utilises pour la confection de matelas ou pour le feu. Les plus gros bois etaient prioritairement utilises pour la construction des bateaux, des kayaks et traineaux. A Ivujivik, les bois flottes etaient principalement collectes l'ete par bateau autour des iles. Plus au sud, les gros bois etaient collectes ou coupes l'hiver puis rapportes par traineaux a chiens. Finalement, les experimentations visant a differencier chimiquement un bois flotte d'un bois coupe pour en deduire le mode de collecte des gros bois archeologiques, ont montre un plus fort enrichissement en sodium dans les bois immerges. Des analyses en composantes principales (ACP), basees sur les concentrations relatives des cations, montrent que les donnees des bois immerges et des bois secs peuvent etre separes en deux groupes. La complementarite de ces recherches xylologiques, anthracologiques, radiometriques, dendrochronologiques, sociales et chimiques sur les ressources ligneuses au Nunavik apporte des connaissances inedites sur cette matiere premiere fondamentale dans la vie quotidienne des Inuits et de leurs ancetres.
Uptake of Individual Amino Acids by the Human Brain 1

Summary Individual plasma amino acids were determined in simultaneously drawn arterial and jugular venous blood samples obtained from healthy postabsorptive subjects. Consistently positive A-V differences were observed for virtually all amino acids, indicating a net uptake of essential and nonessential amino acids by the brain in intact man. The authors are grateful to Chester Meyers for skillful technical assistance.
Mechanisms of lithium action.

LITHIUM first attracted medical attention in the 19th century when A. B. Garrod attempted to treat gout with Li+ because Li+ urate was found to be more soluble than Na+ or K+ urate. However, the ubiquity of Na+ and K+ in human fluids prevented successful clinical exploitation of the differential solubility. Since that time the medical applications of Li+ have ranged from use as a sodium substitute to improve taste in low Na+ diets to use as a psychoactive agent in the treatment of manic-depressive disorders. The corresponding results have ranged from the production of severe and occasionally fatal Li .
Model Predictive Control of Two-Area Load Frequency Control Based Imperialist Competitive Algorithm

Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA) has recently been explored to develop a novel algorithm for distributed optimization and control. This paper proposes a Model Predictive Control (MPC) of Load Frequency Control (LFC) based ICA to enhance the damping of oscillations in a two-area power system. A two-area non-reheat thermal system is considered to be equipped with Model Predictive Control (MPC). ICA is utilized to search for optimal controller parameters by minimizing a time-domain based objective function. The performance of the proposed controller has been evaluated with the performance of the conventional PI controller, and PI controller tuned by ICA in order to demonstrate the superior efficiency of the proposed MPC tuned by ICA. Simulation results emphasis on the better performance of the optimized MPC based on ICA in compare to optimized PI controller based on ICA and conventional one over wide range of operating conditions, and system parameters variations.
Resolution of reactive angioendotheliomatosis in an arteriovenous fistula with innominate vein angioplasty

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF)-associated reactive angioendotheliomatosis (RAE) is a very rare entity (three previously reported cases in the literature) that can manifest as extremity wounds. RAE’s etiopathology is unknown. Case description: We report a case of severe limb-threatening upper extremity wound with pathology-proven RAE. This lesion was previously refractory to standard wound care. There was no evidence of limb ischemia or steal syndrome, previously deemed to be the underlying cause of AVF-associated RAE in other reports. Conclusions: Successful endovascular treatment of an ipsilateral innominate vein stenosis led to reduction of venous hypertension, resolution of associated arm edema, and subsequent wound healing. We therefore propose that venous engorgement and hypertension from central venous stenosis is the likely underlying cause for AVF-associated RAE. If this rare entity is encountered in the setting of AVF, there is utility in treating the wound as a sentinel lesion and venography should be conducted to rule out central venous pathology. Vascular intervention complements aggressive local wound management and biopsy is requisite for prompt diagnosis.
Comparison of antimicrobial cycling and mixing strategies in two medical intensive care units*

Objective:To compare a mixing vs. a cycling strategy of use of anti-Pseudomonas antibiotics on the acquisition of resistant Gram-negative bacilli in the critical care setting. Design:Prospective, open, comparative study of two strategies of antibiotic use. Setting:Two medical intensive care units of a university hospital. Patients:A total of 346 patients admitted for ≥48 hrs to two separate medical intensive care units during an 8-month period. Interventions:Patients, who according to the attending physician’s judgment required an anti-Pseudomonas regimen, were assigned to receive cefepime/ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, a carbapemen, or piperacillin-tazobactam in this order. “Cycling” was accomplished by prescribing one of these antibiotics during 1 month each. “Mixing” was accomplished by using the same order of antibiotic administration on consecutive patients. Interventions were carried out during two successive 4-month periods, starting with mixing in one unit and cycling in the other. Measurements and Main Results:Swabbing of nares, pharynx, and rectum and culture of respiratory secretions were obtained thrice weekly. The main outcome variable was the proportion of patients acquiring enteric or nonfermentative Gram-negative bacilli resistant to the antibiotics under intervention. The scheduled cycling of antibiotics was only partially successful. Although the expected antibiotic was the most prevalent anti-Pseudomonas agent used within the corresponding period, it never accounted for >45% of all anti-Pseudomonas antimicrobials administered. During mixing, a significantly higher proportion of patients acquired a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to cefepime (9% vs. 3%, p = .01), and there was a trend toward a more frequent acquisition of resistance to ceftazidime (p = .06), imipenem (p = .06), and meropenem (p = .07). No differences in the rate of acquisition of potentially resistant Gram-negative bacilli or incidence of intensive care unit-acquired infections and infections due to particular organisms were observed. Conclusions:In critically ill medical patients, a strategy of monthly rotation of anti-Pseudomonas &bgr;-lactams and ciprofloxacin may perform better than a strategy of mixing in the acquisition of P. aeruginosa resistant to selected &bgr;-lactams.
Liver transplantation at the extremes of the body mass index

Controversies exist regarding the morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing liver transplantation at the extremes of the body mass index (BMI). A review of the United Network for Organ Sharing database from 1987 through 2007 revealed 73,538 adult liver transplants. Patients were stratified into 6 BMI categories established by the World Health Organization: underweight, <18.5 kg/m2; normal weight, 18.5 to <25 kg/m2; overweight, 25 to <30 kg/m2; obese, 30 to <35 kg/m2; severely obese, 35 to <40 kg/m2; and very severely obese, ≥40 kg/m2. Survival rates were compared among these 6 categories via Kaplan‐Meier survival curves with the log‐rank test. The underweight and very severely obese groups had significantly lower survival. There were 1827 patients in the underweight group, 1447 patients in the very severely obese group, and 68,172 patients in the other groups, which became the control. Groups with extreme BMI (<18.5 and ≥40) were compared to the control to assess significant differences. Underweight patients were more likely to die from hemorrhagic complications (P < 0.002) and cerebrovascular accidents (P < 0.04). When compared with the control, the very severely obese patients had a higher number of infectious complications and cancer events (P = 0.02) leading to death. In 3 different eras of liver transplantation, multivariable analysis showed that underweight and very severe obesity were significant predictors of death. In conclusion, liver transplantation holds increased risk for patients at the extremes of BMI. Identifying these patients and instituting aggressive new policies may improve outcomes. Liver Transpl 15:968–977, 2009. © 2009 AASLD.
Administration of PLP139–151 Primes T Cells Distinct from Those Spontaneously Responsive In Vitro to This Antigen1

We examined the TCR repertoire used by naive SJL mice in their in vitro spontaneous response to proteolipid protein (PLP) 139–151 by Vβ-Jβ spectratyping and compared it to that used after immunization with the peptide. T cells from immunized mice use the public rearrangement Vβ10-Jβ1. 1, but naive mice do not; in contrast, TCR CDR3-β rearrangements of Vβ18-Jβ1. 2 and Vβ19-Jβ1. 2 consistently are associated with the spontaneous response. T cells involved in spontaneous and induced responses can each recognize PLP139–151 presented in vivo, but its s.c. administration has different consequences for the two repertoires. Four days after immunization, T cells associated with spontaneous responsiveness appear in the draining lymph nodes but disappear by day 10 and never appear elsewhere. Simultaneously, Vβ10-Jβ1. 1 T cells are likewise activated in the lymph nodes by day 4 and spread to the spleen by day 10. Eight- to 10-wk-old naive mice use a narrower repertoire of TCRs than do immunized age-matched mice. Induced Vβ10-Jβ1. 1 T cells home to the CNS during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, whereas we failed to detect Vβ18-Jβ1. 2 and Vβ19-Jβ1. 2 TCR rearrangements in the CNS. Thus, we observe that administration of PLP139–151 primes a T cell repertoire distinct from the one responsible for spontaneous responsiveness. This “immunized” repertoire substitutes for the naive one and becomes dominant at the time of disease onset.
Which Factors Can Protect Against Range Stress in Everyday Usage of Battery Electric Vehicles? Toward Enhancing Sustainability of Electric Mobility Systems

Objective: The objective of the present research was to advance understanding of factors that can protect against range anxiety, specifically range stress in everyday usage of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Background: Range anxiety is a major barrier to the broad adoption of sustainable electric mobility systems. To develop strategies aimed at overcoming range anxiety, a clear understanding of this phenomenon and influencing factors is needed. Method: We examined range anxiety in the form of everyday range stress (ERS) in a field study setting. Seventy-two customers leased a BEV for 3 months. The field study was specifically designed to enable examination of factors that can contribute to lower ERS. In particular, study design and sample recruitment were targeted at generating vehicle usage profiles that would lead to relatively frequent experience of situations requiring active management of range resources and thereby potentially leading to experienced range stress. Results: Less frequent encounter with critical range situations, higher practical experience, subjective range competence, tolerance of low range, and experienced trustworthiness of the range estimation system were related to lower ERS. Moreover, range stress was found to be related to range satisfaction and BEV acceptance. Conclusion: The results underline the importance of the human factors perspective to overcome range anxiety and enhance sustainability of electric mobility systems. Application: Trustworthiness should be employed as a key benchmark variable in the design of range estimation systems, and assistance systems should target increasing drivers’ adaptive capacity (i.e., resilience) to cope with critical range situations.
Increased Superconductivity for CNT Doped ${\hbox {MgB}}_{2}$ Sintered in 5T Pulsed Magnetic Field

The superconductivity of carbon nanotube (CNT) doped MgB2 sintered in pulsed magnetic field (PMF) was investigated with Raman scattering measurements and Raman spectral fit analysis. Although the carbon (C) substitution for the boron (B) is increased for the sample sintered in PMF, its superconductivity is advanced comparing with the sample sintered without PMF. The improved critical transition temperature, Tc, is attributed to the strengthening of the electron-phonon coupling (EPC) in MgB2, as reflected by the broadened E 2g mode in the Raman spectra, because the carbon atoms are homogeneously distributed in the boron planes.
Multiple Paternity In the American Dog Tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract: The reproductive strategies and variation in reproductive success of ticks are poorly understood. We determined variation in multiple paternity in the American dog tick Dermancentor variabilis. In total, 48 blood-engorged female ticks and 22 male companion ticks were collected from 13 raccoon (Procyon lotor) hosts. In the laboratory, 56.3% of blood-engorged females laid eggs, of which 37.0% hatched or showed signs of development. We examined the presence of multiple paternity in the ensuing clutches by genotyping groups of eggs and larvae at 5 microsatellite loci and subtracting the known maternal alleles, thereby identifying male-contributed alleles. Seventy-five percent of the clutches presented multiple paternity, with a mode of 2 fathers siring the clutch. Males associated with the females on the host always sired some offspring. In 1 case, a male was the sire of clutches derived from 2 females, indicating both polygyny and polyandry may occur for this species. These results, combined with those of several other recent studies, suggest that multiple paternity might be frequent for ixodid ticks.
Role of DNA repair-related gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to risk of prostate cancer.

AIM We assessed the association between genetic variants of XPG, XPA, XPD, CSB, XPC and CCNH in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway and risk of prostate cancer. METHODS We genotyped the XPG, XPA, XPD, CSB, XPC and CCNH polymorphisms by a 384-well plate format on the MassARRAY® platform. Multivariate logistical regression analysis was used to assess the associations between the six gene polymorphisms and risk of prostate cancer. RESULTS Individuals carrying the XPG rs229614 TT (OR=2.01, 95%CI=1.35-3.27) genotype and T allele (OR=1.73, 95%CI=1.37-2.57) were moderately significantly associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer. Subjects with XPD rs13181 G allele had a marginally increased risk of prostate cancer, with adjusted OR(95%CI) of 1.53 (1.04-2.37). Moreover, individuals carrying with CSB rs2228526 GG genotype (OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.23-3.52) and G allele (OR=1.56, 95%CI=1.17-2.05) were associated with a higher increased risk of prostate cancer. The combination genotype of XPG rs2296147 T and CSB rs2228526 G allele had accumulative effect on the risk of this cancer, with an OR (95% CI) of 2.23(1.37-3.59). CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that XPG rs2296147 and CSB rs2228526 polymorphisms are significantly associated with increased risk of prostate cancer, and that combination of XPG rs2296147 T allele and CSB rs2228526 G allele is strongly associated with an increased risk.
Film bulk acoustic-wave resonator based ultraviolet sensor

This letter described ultraviolet (UV) radiation sensing with ZnO based film bulk acoustic-wave resonator (FBAR). The resonant frequency upshifted when there was UV illumination on the FBAR. For 365 nm UV light, the frequency upshift was 9.8 kHz with an intensity of 600 μW/cm2, and the detection limit of the sensor was 6.5 nW. The frequency increase in the FBAR UV sensor was proposed to be due to the density decrease in ZnO film upon UV illumination. When UV was incident on the ZnO film, it can cause oxygen desorption from the ZnO surface, resulting in density decrease in the film. This study has proven the feasibility of detection of low intensity UV using ZnO film based FBAR.
The Transcription Factor c-Maf Promotes the Differentiation of Follicular Helper T Cells

Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) have been identified as the primary cell subpopulation regulating B cell responses in germinal centers, thus supporting high-affinity antibody production. Among the transcription factors orchestrating Tfh cell differentiation and function, the role played by the proto-oncogene c-Maf remains poorly characterized. We report herein that selective loss of c-Maf expression in the T cell compartment results in defective development of Tfh cells in response to both antigen/adjuvant vaccinations and commensal intestinal bacteria. Accordingly, c-Maf expression in T cells was essential for the development and high-affinity antibody secretion in vaccinated animals. c-Maf was expressed early, concomitantly to BCL6, in Tfh cell precursors and found to regulate Tfh fate in a cell-autonomous fashion. Altogether, our findings reveal a novel, non-redundant, function for c-Maf in the differentiation of Tfh cells and the regulation of humoral immune responses to T-cell-dependent antigens.
Stepwise cumulation of RUNX3 methylation mediated by Helicobacter pylori infection contributes to gastric carcinoma progression

Helicobacter pylori has been recognized as a definite carcinogen for gastric cancer (GC); however, the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection remains unclear. Runt‐related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is a candidate tumor suppressor gene whose deficiency is causally related to GC. However, in H. pylori infection‐associated GC, the role of RUNX3 has not been studied.
Ultrasound based positioning using Time of Flight measurements and crosstalk mitigation

This paper addresses the problem of adaptive noise cancellation in a multi-channel system. The proposed canceller is a recursive system, based on the Least Mean Squares filter (LMS). This method is analyzed by simulations and experimental results are given. Specifically, it is shown that this technique can improve the accuracy of ultrasound ranging and positioning systems using multichannel receivers.
The Effect of Thrombin Inhibitors on Tissue Plasminogen Activator Induced Thrombolysis in a Rat Model

Summary Successful coronary thrombolysis depends on rapidly restoring blood flow and maintaining patency of the infarct-related artery. Although widely used as an adjunct to lytic therapy, heparin is limited in its ability to produce these effects. Since the limitations of heparin may reflect its inability to inactivate clot-bound thrombin, we developed a rat model of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) induced thrombolysis to compare doses of heparin, hirudin, hirulog (a synthetic hirudin-derived peptide), and D-Phe-Pro-ArgCH2Cl (PPACK) that produced a 4-fold prolongation of the baseline activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) with saline in terms of their ability to accelerate thrombolysis and to prevent reocclusion. A thrombus rich in red cells and fibrin was formed in the distal aorta by applying an external constrictor after denuding the endothelium with a balloon catheter. Thrombolysis was induced with t-PA (1 mg/kg bolus, followed by 1 mg kg–1 h–1 over 30 min) and the rats were then randomized to receive a concomitant 80 min infusion of a thrombin inhibitor or saline. By continuously monitoring blood flow and pre- and post-stenotic blood pressures, the time to clot lysis, and the number of reocclusions were determined. Compared to saline, heparin had no significant effect on these variables. In contrast, hirudin, hirulog, and PPACK significantly (p <0.01) increased the percentage of the time that the vessel remained patent from 63.9 ± 7.7 to 90.7 ± 2.2, 94.0 ± 0.9, and 94.7 ± 1.0%, respectively by significantly (p <0.01) decreasing the number of reocclusions. The superiority of the antithrombin III-independent inhibitors over heparin supports the hypothesis that the limited effectiveness of heparin in this setting reflects its inability to inactivate clot-bound thrombin. Compared to saline, hirulog and PPACK also significantly (p <0.02) accelerated the time to thrombolysis from 10.5 ± 2.3 to 4.4 ± 0.6, and 4.2 ± 0.8 min, respectively, whereas heparin and hirudin did not. The ability of the lower molecular weight inhibitors of thrombin to accelerate lysis may reflect their greater accessibility to clot-bound thrombin. These findings raise the possibility that the antithrombin III-independent inhibitors of thrombin may not be equally effective as adjuncts to thrombolytic therapy with t-PA.
Repair of Alveolar Cleft Defects: Reduced Morbidity With Bone Marrow Stem Cells in a Resorbable Matrix

Harvest of the autogenous iliac crest bone graft for an alveolar cleft defect (the gold standard) may cause short- and long-term pain and sensory disturbances. To determine if a tissue engineering technique with similar bone healing results offered decreased morbidity, we compared techniques for postoperative donor site pain. Traditional iliac crest bone graft had more donor site complications compared with both tissue engineering and minimally invasive iliac crest bone graft. With donor site pain, traditional had the most patients with pain and tissue engineering had the least patients with pain at all time points. The mean pain score, including both intensity and pain frequency, was greatest at all time points in traditional and least at all time points in tissue engineering. Closure of alveolar cleft defects with a resorbable collagen sponge and bone marrow stem cells resulted in reduced donor site morbidity and decreased donor site pain intensity and frequency.