Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Limits on the LyC signal from z~3 sources with secure redshift and HST coverage in the E-CDFS field

Aim: We aim to measure the LyC signal from a sample of sources in the Chandra deep field south. We collect star-forming galaxies (SFGs) and active galactic nuclei (AGN) with accurate spectroscopic redshifts, for which Hubble Space Telescope (HST) coverage and multi-wavelength photometry are available. Method: We selected a sample of about 200 sources at z~3. Taking advantage of HST resolution, we applied a careful cleaning procedure and rejected sources showing nearby clumps with different colours, which could be lower-z interlopers. Our clean sample consisted of 86 SFGs (including 19 narrow-band selected Lya emitters) and 8 AGN (including 6 detected in X-rays). We measured the LyC flux from aperture photometry in four narrow-band filters covering wavelengths below a 912 A rest frame (3.11<z<3.53). We estimated the ratio between ionizing (LyC flux) and 1400 A non-ionizing emissions for AGN and galaxies. Results: By running population synthesis models, we assume an average intrinsic L(1400 A)/L(900 A) ratio of 5 as the representative value for our sample. With this value and an average treatment of the lines of sight of the inter-galactic medium, we estimate the LyC escape fraction relative to the intrinsic value (fesc_rel(LyC)). We do not directly detect ionizing radiation from any individual SFG, but we are able to set a 1(2)sigma upper limit of fesc_rel(LyC)<12(24)%. This result is consistent with other non-detections published in the literature. No meaningful limits can be calculated for the sub-sample of Lya emitters. We obtain one significant direct detection for an AGN at z=3.46, with fesc_rel(LyC) = (72+/-18)%. Conclusions: Our upper limit on fescrel(LyC) implies that the SFGs studied here do not present either the physical properties or the geometric conditions suitable for efficient LyC-photon escape.
Plasma hydrogen peroxide production in hypertensives and normotensive subjects at genetic risk of hypertension

Background Oxygen free radicals may play roles in hypertension both in arteriolar constriction and in formation of lesions. Objective To quantify free radical production in blood plasma of genetic hypertensives. Design Hydrogen peroxide levels were measured, because it is one of the most stable reactive oxygen species. Methods An electrode technique was used to determine plasma hydrogen peroxide levels after blockade of endogenous catalase with sodium azide. This method was validated by an independent spectrophotometric technique. Results Members of the essential hypertensive group (n = 21) had higher plasma hydrogen peroxide levels (3.16 ± 0.14 versus 2.50 ± 0.16 mmol/l, P = 0.005) than did members of the normotensive group (n = 29). Furthermore, within the normotensive group, those with a family history of hypertension (n = 15) exhibited higher hydrogen peroxide levels (2.83 ± 0.27 versus 2.14 ± 0.13 μmol/l, P = 0.03) than did those without such a family history (n = 14). Plasma hydrogen peroxide levels in these 50 subjects were correlated to their mean arterial pressures (r = 0.54, P < 0.001). When hypertensives were grouped with normotensives without a family history of hypertension, the correlation improved (r = 0.70, P < 0.001). Statistical analysis (two-way analysis of variance) revealed that a family history of hypertension was a better predictor of plasma hydrogen peroxide production than was blood pressure status (P = 0.003 versus P = 0.093). Further investigations showed that superoxide is produced in plasma and that one of its sources is xanthine oxidase. Conclusions Hydrogen peroxide is produced in blood plasma and elevation of its level could constitute a pathogenic factor in vascular organ damage attendant upon systemic hypertension. J Hypertens 16:291-303 (c) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.
In vitro growth of the microsporidian Septata intestinalis from an AIDS patient with disseminated illness

A new species of microsporidian, Septata intestinalis, was recently recognized as an opportunistic pathogen of AIDS patients. In this study, it was cultured from the nasopharyngeal aspirate of a human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patient with disseminated microsporidiosis. In human embryonic lung cells exposed to S. intestinalis, a cytopathic effect appeared within 28 days as foci of rounded up cells. Thin-section electron microscopy showed a variety of developmental stages of the microsporidium within parasitophorous vacuoles. In monocyte-derived macrophages, evidence of infection and development of the parasite was demonstrated by light and electron microscopy. In both infected human embryonic lung cells and monocyte-derived macrophages, a network of septa separated individual spores. Partial sequencing of the RNA small-subunit gene (16S rDNA gene) confirmed the identity of this parasite as S. intestinalis. This is the first report of the isolation of S. intestinalis in vitro and provides evidence that the parasite can be disseminated by macrophages.
Immunity and immunological memory following smallpox vaccination

Summary: The smallpox vaccine consists of live vaccinia virus and is generally considered the gold standard of vaccines, since it is the only one that has led to the complete eradication of an infectious disease from the human population. Renewed fears that smallpox might be deliberately released in an act of bioterrorism have led to resurgence in the study of immunity and immunological memory to vaccinia virus and other poxviruses. Here we review our current understanding of memory T‐cell, memory B‐cell, and antibody responses to vaccinia and related poxviruses, both in animal models and human subjects. Of particular interest are recent advances in understanding protective immunity to poxviruses, quantifying immunological memory to the smallpox vaccine in humans, and identifying major vaccinia‐specific T‐cell and B‐cell epitopes. In addition, potential mechanisms for maintenance of immunological memory are discussed.
Pseudodifferential calculus on compact Lie groups and homogeneous spaces

Pseudodi erential calculus is an important tool in the theory of elliptic linear partial di erential equations. We introduce papers [I-IV], where pseudodi erential calculus is studied in the presence of a transitive group of symmetries for the underlying compact manifold. AMS subject classi cations: 35S05, 22E30, 43A77, 43A85, 46A32, 46E40, 47G30, 58J40, 47B47
A case study of Seamless Online Learning Integrated Discussion

Discussion learning activity has been one of the very important learning strategies in the current domain of learning and teaching. So far, there are studies conducted by scholars that separately focus on synchronous or asynchronous discussions; however, due to the advantages and limitations of both approaches, the integrated system which combines the synchronous discussion of MSN Messenger with the asynchronous discussion of the Facebook community was designed and developed in this study. The system posts messages of synchronous discussion from MSN Messenger on the asynchronous interface of Facebook community, and the asynchronous discussion of Facebook is sent to the synchronous interface of MSN Messenger as well. Therefore, we called our proposed system as Seamless Online Learning Integrated Discussion (SOLID). In this case study, the exploratory evaluation of Seamless Online Learning Integrated Discussion were conducted, and from the case study preliminarily focusing on the utilization of systems and discussion activities, it is found that the students would alternatively choose a proper discussion tool to use at appropriate time rather than alternate use the tools. In the discussion process, the students could choose proper tools timely in the phases of “addressed hypothesis, the definitions and clarifications of questions selections”, “possible answers of proposed solutions”, and “organized procedures and conclusions”. On the other hand, the students did not have in-depth discussion only at the phase of “aspects of comparison, discussion, and analysis of the tools”. Discussions and recommendations are given within this case study according to the findings.
Optimization of a Radiative Transfer Forward Operator for Simulating SMOS Brightness Temperatures over the Upper Mississippi Basin

AbstractThe Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite mission routinely provides global multiangular observations of brightness temperature TB at both horizontal and vertical polarization with a 3-day repeat period. The assimilation of such data into a land surface model (LSM) may improve the skill of operational flood forecasts through an improved estimation of soil moisture SM. To accommodate for the direct assimilation of the SMOS TB data, the LSM needs to be coupled with a radiative transfer model (RTM), serving as a forward operator for the simulation of multiangular and multipolarization top of the atmosphere TBs. This study investigates the use of the Variable Infiltration Capacity model coupled with the Community Microwave Emission Modelling Platform for simulating SMOS TB observations over the upper Mississippi basin, United States. For a period of 2 years (2010–11), a comparison between SMOS TBs and simulations with literature-based RTM parameters reveals a basin-averaged bias of 30 K. There.
Sunlight Exposure–Mediated DNA Damage in Young Adults

Background: Previous experimental studies showed that single ultraviolet B (UVB) light irradiation increased levels of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a well-established biomarker of carcinogenesis and oxidative DNA damage, in epithelial cells in animals and humans. We conducted for the first time an epidemiologic study to investigate the correlations among levels of oxidative DNA damage, skin pigmentation, and sunlight exposure in human daily life. Methods: Digitalized skin pigmentation levels and creatinine-adjusted urinary 8-OHdG levels were examined in 127 healthy young adults aged 20 to 24 years and in hairless mice with normal pigmented skin (HL-mice; n = 20) and hyperpigmented skin (HL-HPS-mice; n = 20). Data obtained by a questionnaire were also analyzed for the 127 subjects. Results: Binary logistic regression analysis showed that increased sunlight intensity, but not sunlight-exposed time or sunlight-exposed skin area, was correlated with elevation in creatinine-adjusted urinary 8-OHdG levels. In contrast, increased skin pigmentation level, but not the use of sunscreen, was correlated with reduction in urinary 8-OHdG level in humans. UVB irradiation corresponding to several minutes of sunlight exposure significantly increased urinary 8-OHdG levels in HL-mice but not in HL-HPS-mice. Conclusions: We showed that increase in intensity of sunlight in human daily life increased levels of DNA damage. We also showed a protective effect of skin pigmentation on sunlight exposure–mediated DNA damage. Impact: We have provided more reliable evidence of routine sunlight exposure–mediated DNA damage in humans through the combination of epidemiologic and experimental studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(8); 1622–8. ©2011 AACR.
Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Rhinovirus Replication in WI-38 Cells 1

Summary Exposure of WI-38 cells to ascorbic acid plus glutathione mixtures in growth medium for 2 days prior to infection with rhinovirus serotype 20 and during virus replication suppressed multicyclic but not single-cycle growth of the virus. Multi-cyclic growth was suppressed over the range of multiplicity of infection (m.o.i.) of 4 × 10−1-4 × 10−4 PFU/cell. There was some suggestion that, in the presence of ascorbic acid plus glutathione, interferon was produced at the highest m.o. i. tested but at barely detectable levels.
Biodentine: Periodontal perspective

Biodentine is a recently introduced calcium silicate based biomaterial that has gained momentum due to its varied applications in the field of dentistry including periodontics. It has been proposed as an ideal biomaterial for periodontal repair and/or regeneration in defects that has been created by pathways of communication between the periodontium and the pulp. It has outdated the other biomaterials due to its bioactivity and biocompatibility with the periradicular tissues and owing to its superior physical and chemical properties in the multifarious oral environment. But there are only a very few review articles explaining the behavioural characteristics of Biodentine. And to the best of our knowledge there is no review article till date on Biodentine in periodontics and its interaction with the periodontal tissues. This article provides an overview of the unique features of Biodentine and its dynamic interaction with the tissues of periodontium.
Female College Students Knowledge, Attitude and Future Intention towards Breastfeeding: Implications for Advocacy.

INTRODUCTION Breastfeeding is important for promoting child's health. Since, breastfeeding decisions are made before pregnancy and are strongly influenced by women's knowledge and attitude, it is important to identify knowledge gaps in youth girls. AIM To assess the knowledge, attitude and future intention regarding infant feeding among female college students in Puducherry, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS This descriptive study was done among 307 college going female students. Their knowledge, attitude and future intention was assessed using structured questions and Likert's scale. Data were summarized as percentages with 95% confidence interval. Responses to Likert's scale were analyzed using consensus index. RESULTS Around 98% (95% CI: 96.5%, 99.6%) and 86.3% (95% CI: 82.5%, 90.2%) knew that breast milk and colostrum respectively is good for the child. However, students had poor knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding, the age of starting supplementation, recommended duration of breastfeeding. Noteworthy, 15% and 38% of them thought that breastfeeding spoils the mother's beauty and interferes with mother's employment respectively. Around 98% (95% CI: 97.0%, 100.0%) wanted to breastfeed their child in future. A high proportion of students, 20.5% (95% CI: 16.0%, 25.0%) wanted to give formula feed before 6 months. Knowledge and future intention to breastfeed was better among 'arts and science' students than engineering students. CONCLUSION The knowledge and attitude of female college students on breastfeeding is good. Almost all students wanted to breastfeed their children in future. However, the study has identified knowledge gaps and misconceptions which need to be stressed during the health education activity to promote optimal breastfeeding practices.
Cooling during major vascular surgery.

SUMMARY Cooling in patients undergoing major vascular surgery is considerable when no active means are used to limit fall of temperature. Temperatures were measured in twenty-eight patients undergoing major arterial reconstruction and it was found that both central and peripheral temperatures fell. This fall was not limited by the use of a heat retaining colloid mattress but appeared to be inversely related to the ambient temperature of the operating theatre. No relationship could be found between the low body core or skin temperature of these patients and the success of the arterial procedure when this was assessed in the immediate postoperative period
Cardiovascular risk factors among children after a 2 1/2-year intervention-The CATCH Study.

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular risk factors and related behaviors begin during youth. METHODS As part of the Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health, 4,019 children from four states and representing multiple ethnic groups were measured for selected risk factors both at baseline and after 2(1/2) years of intervention. Common protocols were used for both examinations at the four sites. RESULTS Overall, changes in obesity, blood pressure, and serum lipids in the intervention group, compared with the control group, were not statistically significant. Total cholesterol, the primary physiologic outcome measure, decreased by 1.3 mg/dl over time in the intervention group and by 0.9 mg/dl (P > 0.05) in the control group. Different risk factor patterns for boys and girls and among three ethnic groups were noted. CONCLUSIONS Although the school-based program effected significant institutional changes in food service and physical education class and although the children made significant changes in eating and physical activity behaviors, these did not translate to significant changes in risk factors at these ages. These behavioral changes, however, if sustained into adulthood, have the potential to influence cardiovascular risk reduction.
From Hub Proteins to Hub Modules: The Relationship Between Essentiality and Centrality in the Yeast Interactome at Different Scales of Organization

Numerous studies have suggested that hub proteins in the S. cerevisiae physical interaction network are more likely to be essential than other proteins. The proposed reasons underlying this observed relationship between topology and functioning have been subject to some controversy, with recent work suggesting that it arises due to the participation of hub proteins in essential complexes and processes. However, do these essential modules themselves have distinct network characteristics, and how do their essential proteins differ in their topological properties from their non-essential proteins? We aimed to advance our understanding of protein essentiality by analyzing proteins, complexes and processes within their broader functional context and by considering physical interactions both within and across complexes and biological processes. In agreement with the view that essentiality is a modular property, we found that the number of intracomplex or intraprocess interactions that a protein has is a better indicator of its essentiality than its overall number of interactions. Moreover, we found that within an essential complex, its essential proteins have on average more interactions, especially intracomplex interactions, than its non-essential proteins. Finally, we built a module-level interaction network and found that essential complexes and processes tend to have higher interaction degrees in this network than non-essential complexes and processes; that is, they exhibit a larger amount of functional cross-talk than their non-essential counterparts.
Adherence of an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain, serotype O78:H11, to purified human intestinal brush borders

The human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli pathogen designated H10407 expresses two different types of surface pili, one designated type 1 pili and the other designated colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I), CFA/I pili are thought to promote the adherence of H10407 to the mucosa of the human small bowel. H10407 was grown under conditions which promoted the expression of either type 1 pili or CFA/I pili, and in each case, the adherence of H10407 to purified human intestinal brush borders was quantitated. The adherence assays revealed that H10407 adhered to human brush borders only when it expressed CFA/I pili. It appears that in vitro adherence of H10407 to human intestinal epithelial cells is dependent on the expression of CFA/I.
1.2% Rosuvastatin and 1.2% Atorvastatin Gel Local Drug Delivery and Redelivery in the Treatment of Class II Furcation Defects: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND Statins are one of the lipid-lowering drugs that help in reducing cholesterol levels in the body by specifically inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, which is a rate-limiting enzyme for cholesterol synthesis. Rosuvastatin (RSV) and atorvastatin (ATV) have shown bone stimulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study aims to explore efficacy of 1.2% RSV and 1.2% ATV gels as a local drug delivery and redelivery system adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) for treatment of Class II furcation defects. METHODS Ninety patients with mandibular buccal Class II furcation defects were randomly allocated to three treatment groups: 1) SRP with placebo gel (group 1); 2) SRP with 1.2% RSV gel (group 2); and 3) SRP with 1.2% ATV gel (group 3). Clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded at baseline and after 6 months. Gels were redelivered at the respective sites at a 6-month recall appointment. All clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded again after 3 months (i.e., 9 months from baseline). RESULTS Greater mean probing depth (PD) reduction and greater mean gain in relative vertical clinical attachment level (CAL) and relative horizontal CAL were seen in the RSV group than in the ATV group at 6 and 9 months. Significantly greater mean percentage of defect depth reduction (DDR) was found in the RSV group (30.80% ± 8.35%, 41.86% ± 6.76%) than in the ATV group (25.54% ± 8.89%, 34.31% ± 8.04%) at 6 and 9 months, respectively. CONCLUSION The RSV group shows significant improvement in all clinical parameters and significantly greater DDR compared with the ATV group in treatment of mandibular Class II furcation defects as an adjunct to SRP.
Slow conductances in neurons from cat sensorimotor cortex in vitro and their role in slow excitability changes.

1. The electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of slow afterpotentials in large layer V neurons from cat sensorimotor cortex were studied in an in vitro slice preparation using intracellular recording and single-microelectrode voltage clamp. These properties were used to assess the role of afterpotential mechanisms in prolonged excitability changes. 2. The mean duration of a slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP) was 13.5 s following 100 spikes evoked at 100 Hz. Its time course was best described by two exponential components, which decayed with time constants of several hundred milliseconds (the early sAHP) and several seconds (the late sAHP). The amplitude of both the early and late components were sensitive to membrane potential and raised extracellular K+ concentration [( K+]o). 3. The early sAHP was reduced when divalent cations were substituted for Ca2+, whereas the late sAHP was unaffected. We conclude that a Ca2+-mediated K+ conductance is responsible for much of the early sAHP. In the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), 1-s voltage-clamp steps were used to evoke slow AHPs or outward ionic currents. These AHPs and currents were abolished in Ca2+-free perfusate, but they had a maximum duration of only a few seconds. Thus the slowest outward currents we could observe during voltage clamp in TTX were responsible only for the early sAHP. 4. The possible role of an electrogenic Na+-K+ pump in the late sAHP was examined by applying ouabain to the slice. Ouabain did not reduce selectively the late sAHP, and its effect was best explained by a decrease in intracellular K+ concentration and an increase in [K+]o. 5. Muscarinic and beta-adrenergic agonists reduced or abolished the entire (early and late) sAHP. Neither type of agonist affected the Ca2+-dependent, apamin-sensitive medium-duration afterhyperpolarization (35). We conclude that both the Ca2+-mediated K+ conductance underlying the early sAHP and the Ca2+-independent mechanisms underlying the late sAHP are sensitive to at least two classes of transmitter agonists. 6. We focused on the muscarinic effects. When concentrations greater than 5 microM were employed, the entire (early and late) sAHP was replaced by a slow afterdepolarization (sADP). Muscarine reduced the sAHP directly by reducing the underlying outward ionic currents and indirectly by causing the sADP. The sADP was Ca2+-mediated, since it was abolished by Ca2+-free perfusate but not by TTX. 7. The ionic currents underlying the sAHP and the sADP influenced excitability for seconds following evoked repetitive firing. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)