Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bone status assessed by quantitative ultrasound in children with inflammatory bowel disease: a comparison with DXA

ABSTRACT Background: To determine the bone status in children with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurement at hand phalanges and compare the obtained results with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Methods: Fifty-one children with IBD underwent DXA and QUS measurements at hand phalanges in the year 2013. The control group for the QUS consisted of 460 children. Reference data for DXA comes from Hologic Explorer. Results: QUS measurements did not differ significantly between IBD patients and healthy controls. There was no difference between UC and CD subjects. DXA measurements in patients with IBD were lower than in the healthy population. Tanner stage and nutritional status correlated with bone status contrary to steroids therapy. Conclusion: Low bone mineral density often complicates IBD in children. QUS is not an appropriate method for the assessment of bone status in children. Nutritional status seems to have a greater impact on bone status than corticosteroids therapy.
Detecting sweet and umami tastes in the gastrointestinal tract

Information about nutrients is a critical part of food selection in living creatures. Each animal species has developed its own way to safely seek and obtain the foods necessary for them to survive and propagate. Necessarily, humans and other vertebrates have developed special chemosensory organs such as taste and olfactory organs. Much attention, recently, has been given to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as another chemosensory organ. Although the GI tract had been considered to be solely for digestion and absorption of foods and nutrients, researchers have recently found taste‐signalling elements, including receptors, in this tissue. Further studies have revealed that taste cells in the oral cavity and taste‐like cells in the GI tract appear to share common characteristics. Major receptors to detect umami, sweet and bitter are found in the GI tract, and it is now proposed that taste‐like cells reside in the GI tract to sense nutrients and help maintain homeostasis. In this review, we summarize recent findings of chemoreception especially through sweet and umami sensors in the GI tract. In addition, the possibility of purinergic transmission from taste‐like cells in the GI tract to vagus nerves is discussed.
Functional analysis of pneumolysin by use of monoclonal antibodies

We have produced a panel of monoclonal antibodies to pneumolysin, the membrane-damaging toxin from Streptococcus pneumoniae. We have used these antibodies to identify three regions of the toxin sequence that are involved in the lytic mechanism of this toxin. Two of these sites probably form the cell binding site of this toxin. Antibodies to the third site inhibit the lytic action of this toxin but not the binding of this toxin to cells. This site is engaged in the oligomerization process involved in the formation of pores in cell membranes. Two of these epitopes are also present in the related toxin perfringolysin O.
Asymmetry between the dominant and non-dominant legs in the lower limb biomechanics during single-leg landings in females

This study aims to determine the effects of asymmetry on kinematics, kinetics, and changes in the center of pressure of the dominant and non-dominant legs during single-leg landings in female athletes. Fifteen healthy female collegiate soccer players performed dominant and non-dominant single-leg landings from a height of 40 cm. The three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics of the lower extremities were collected simultaneously with a 16-camera motion capture system and one force platform, respectively. Moreover, joint angle, joint range of motion, ground reaction force, joint moment, center-of-pressure, and absolute symmetry index (ASI%) were analyzed. Results corroborated that the range of motion in the knee and hip joints were significantly lower in the non-dominant than in the dominant leg. Meanwhile, the non-dominant leg exhibited higher medial–lateral center-of-pressure displacement than did the dominant leg. In addition, the ASI% for the peak ground reaction force and the loading rate exceeded 10% (peak ground reaction force: 11.31%, loading rate: 19.28%), which indicated asymmetry between the two legs during the single-leg landing impact. The findings also imply that for the female soccer players, the risk of injury (e.g. anterior cruciate ligament injury) can be higher in the non-dominant than in the dominant leg during unilateral dynamic movements.
Chemosensory Selectivity of Output Neurons Innervating an Identified, Sexually Isomorphic Olfactory Glomerulus

The antennal lobe (AL) of insects, like the olfactory bulb of vertebrates, is characterized by discrete modules of synaptic neuropil called glomeruli. In some insects (e.g., moths and cockroaches), a few glomeruli are sexually dimorphic and function in labeled lines for processing of sensory information about sex pheromones. Controversy still exists, however, about whether projection (output) neurons (PNs) of glomeruli in the main AL are also narrowly tuned. We examined this critical issue in the AL of the moth Manduca sexta. We used intracellular recording and staining techniques to investigate the chemosensory tuning of PNs innervating an identifiable, sexually isomorphic glomerulus, G35, in the main AL. We found that the morphological features and chemosensory tuning of G35-PNs were nearly identical in females and males. G35-PNs responded to low concentrations of the plant-derived volatile compound cis-3-hexenyl acetate (c3HA), but the sensitivity threshold of female PNs was lower than that of male PNs. The propionate and butyrate homologs of c3HA could evoke excitatory responses but only at moderate-to-high concentrations. Other plant volatiles did not evoke responses from G35-PNs. Moreover, PNs innervating glomeruli near G35 (in females) showed little or no response to c3HA. Female G35-PNs were hyperpolarized by (±)linalool, a compound that excites PNs in an adjacent glomerulus, thus providing evidence for lateral-inhibitory interactions between glomeruli. Our results show that PNs arborizing in an identified glomerulus in the main olfactory pathway are morphologically and physiologically equivalent in both sexes and have characteristic, limited molecular receptive ranges that are highly conserved across individuals.
Concentration of air‐borne pheromone required for long‐lasting peripheral adaptation in the obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana

Abstract. Electroantennogram (EAG) responses of male obliquebanded leafrollers, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), to the main component of its pheromone blend and traces of geometric isomer ((Z)11‐14:Ac and (E)11‐14:Ac, respectively) were recorded before and after 1 h of continuous exposure to pheromone in laboratory experiments, and 24 h of exposure under field conditions. Concentrations of pheromone ranging from 56 to below 1 ng mL−1 air in Teflon chambers with regulated air exchange reduced peripheral sensory responses by 40–60% as measured by amplitudes of the EAG. Adaptation did not increase in a dosage‐dependent fashion over most of this range; an identical reduction of responsiveness was observed at each exposure to an effective concentration. Exposure of C. rosaceana at a loading dosage of 1 ng of pheromone in 100 µL of mineral oil (air concentration below the GLC detection limit) did not induce measurable adaptation. Caging C. rosaceana in apple trees adjacent to one, two or four Isomate OBLR/PLR Plus polyethylene pheromone dispensers for 24 h resulted in long‐lasting adaptation similar to that seen in laboratory experiments. Adaptation was not observed for C. rosaceana caged at a distance of 2 m from Isomate dispensers in 1‐ha plots treated with 500 dispensers per ha. Whenever observed, this type of adaptation was expressed for more than 5 min after exposure to pheromone ceased. Collectively, this adaptation phenomenon in C. rosaceana is consistent with the third of Zufall & Leinders‐Zufall's types of olfactory adaptation that is ‘long‐lasting’. Although the dosage of pheromone required to induce long‐lasting adaptation in this moth is judged high relative to that for normal sexual communication, we suggest this type of adaptation may come into play for some but not all moths under pest‐control regimes using the tactic of pheromone‐disruption, particularly those using high‐dosage release technologies like pheromone rope dispensers or Microsprayers.
ANTI-TUMOR POTENTIAL OF ERVATAMIA DIVARICATA

Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the anti-tumor potential of EEED (ethanolic extract of Ervatamia divaricata. L. Burkill) on EAC (Ehrlich ascites carcinoma). Methods: The ethanolic extract of Ervatamia divaricata. L. Burkill was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and the antitumor effect of EEED was assessed by employing in-vitro methods. Compounds present in the ethanol extract of the plant were identified using GC-MS (Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) and attempts were made to understand the mechanism of action using insilico methods. Results: The results of the in vitro cytotoxicity assay and MTT assay revealed the anticancer potential of the ethanol extract of Ervatamia divaricata. When different concentrations of EEED were assayed, the dead cells were found to increase with increase in concentration of the extract. This proved that there was considerable damage of the cell membrane that leads to the blocking of the cell signaling in cancer cells. Conclusion: The present study revealed that EEED possessed significant antitumor activity against EAC.
Degree of midline shift from CT scan predicted outcome in patients with head injuries.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between the degree of midline shift by Computed Tomography (CT) finding and Glasglow Coma Score (GCS) as a predictive of clinical outcome in patients after head injury. METHOD AND METHOD: The present study was performed by retrospectively reviewing 216 consecutive cases of traumatic head injury admitted to the trauma center in Siriraj Hospital from 1999 until 2004. All patients were evaluated for level of consciousness by a neurosurgeon determining by GCS and underwent CT brain for evaluation of intracranial hemorrhage and midline shift. The final clinical outcome was also divided into two groups; good outcome for the patients who recovered well with moderate disability and the poor outcome for the patients who suffered severe disability, vegetative status and death. Then, the authors compared midline shift vs. GCS and midline shift vs. clinical outcomes. RESULTS Total of 216 cases, the three most common types of head injury were motorcycle accident, fall or assault and car accident. 96 of 216 patients had midline shifting, 53 of 96 patients had CT scan of midline shifting less than 10 mm whereas 37 of 96 patients had a CT scan of greater than 10 mm of midline shifting. 63.3% with midline shifting up to 10 mm had severe head injury and up to 81% with brain shifting greater than 10 mm had severe head injury. The clinical outcome also showed that poor clinical outcomes correlated to midline shifting greater than 10 mm. CONCLUSION The increased degree of midline shift in patients with head injuries by CT scan was related to the severity of head injury (GCS = 3-12) and was significantly related to poor final clinical outcome.
Diffusion of Technology-enabled Value Innovation among Manufacturing SMEs

The research models the effect of firm characteristics and institutional environment on the implementation of technologies across a small or medium enterprise’s (SME) entire value chain. The approach is motivated by two research streams, namely diffusion of innovation and institutional theory. Firm characteristics are based on diffusion of innovation literature and the role of external parties such as customers, vendors, and government agencies is based on institutional theory. An empirical study of SMEs in the Greater Boston area, based on this model, is in progress.
Transmitting information with microfluidic systems

In recent past, researchers have suggested the idea of extending information theory to the microfluidic domain. Along this stream, a few solutions have been proposed to support logic and computing functions as well as simple communications in droplet-based microfluidic systems. Of course, pursuing this objective, requires a deep knowledge of microfluidic basics and relies on the use of an appropriate information coding strategy. Accordingly, in this paper we introduce a possible scheme for information coding in microfluidic devices, evaluate its performance by means of some preliminary experimental results and draw a number of considerations.
Measured Winding Impedances of a Large A-C Motor

This paper presents measured R, L, C, G parameters of the stator winding of a large A-C motor. The values of these parameters were determined within the frequency range from 100 Hz up to 10 MHz with a high quality impedance analyzer. Twenty different measurements of the R, L, C, G parameters of turns, coils and phases are reported. The results should be of help to utility engineers concerned with turn insulation breakdown and surge protection of large A-C motors. The presented data can be used as an aid in development and calibration of wave propagation models needed for computation of electromagnetic transients in the windings of rotating machines. Ontario Hydro's assistance in this work and EPRI's funding are gratefully acknowledged.
How digital information services can reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Purpose – The study aims to determine the environmental impact of printed content in libraries and thus to find out how a digital information service can help libraries and institutions play a key role in helping the environment.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected and analysed through a combination of environment scan and document analysis, and some mathematical calculations. Comparative data for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from printed books and journals in certain countries, and some specific university libraries in Australia and New Zealand are presented. A lifecycle analysis approach is used to identify various factors that are responsible for GHG emissions for printed as well as digital information resources.Findings – The study found that dematerialisation, i.e. the replacement of printed content with digital information services, can help libraries and institutions to reduce their impact on the environment. However it is also noted that further research is needed to develop benchma.
Large-Signal Charge Control Modeling of Photoreceivers for Applications up to 40 Gb/s

A charge control model was used to simulate the sensitivity and responsivity in a range of photodetector configurations including heterojunction bipolar phototransistors (HPTs), PIN-HBT, and APDs. Our simulations enabled for the first time a direct comparison of the performance between these photodetectors to be made. Simulations have been performed at bit rates from 2 to 40 Gb/s using various combinations of device design parameters (layer thickness, source resistance, and dc base voltage). For a BER=10-9 at 40 Gb/s the best sensitivity of approximately -20 dBm was achieved using an optimized APD-HBT configuration, followed by sensitivities of approximately -14 dBm using optimized PIN-HBTs and HPTs. These results were found to agree well with published experimental data.
A Quantum Hybrid PSO Combined with Fuzzy k-NN Approach to Feature Selection and Cell Classification in Cervical Cancer Detection

A quantum hybrid (QH) intelligent approach that blends the adaptive search capability of the quantum-behaved particle swarm optimisation (QPSO) method with the intuitionistic rationality of traditional fuzzy k-nearest neighbours (Fuzzy k-NN) algorithm (known simply as the Q-Fuzzy approach) is proposed for efficient feature selection and classification of cells in cervical smeared (CS) images. From an initial multitude of 17 features describing the geometry, colour, and texture of the CS images, the QPSO stage of our proposed technique is used to select the best subset features (i.e., global best particles) that represent a pruned down collection of seven features. Using a dataset of almost 1000 images, performance evaluation of our proposed Q-Fuzzy approach assesses the impact of our feature selection on classification accuracy by way of three experimental scenarios that are compared alongside two other approaches: the All-features (i.e., classification without prior feature selection) and another hybrid technique combining the standard PSO algorithm with the Fuzzy k-NN technique (P-Fuzzy approach). In the first and second scenarios, we further divided the assessment criteria in terms of classification accuracy based on the choice of best features and those in terms of the different categories of the cervical cells. In the third scenario, we introduced new QH hybrid techniques, i.e., QPSO combined with other supervised learning methods, and compared the classification accuracy alongside our proposed Q-Fuzzy approach. Furthermore, we employed statistical approaches to establish qualitative agreement with regards to the feature selection in the experimental scenarios 1 and 3. The synergy between the QPSO and Fuzzy k-NN in the proposed Q-Fuzzy approach improves classification accuracy as manifest in the reduction in number cell features, which is crucial for effective cervical cancer detection and diagnosis.
Infectious and lymphocytic myocarditis: epidemiology and factors relevant to sports medicine

Myocarditis is a disease entity of permanent actuality and of special concern in the sports setting. This is because the probability of complications or sequelae increases if exercise is imposed. Myocarditis may pass unrecognized by the sufferer or be easily overlooked by the physician, especially in athletes, where electrocardiographic changes often exist normally. Furthermore, although the immune system of the conditioned individual may be more efficient than that of the sedentary individual, very strenuous and frequently repeated or long‐lasting exercise may cause immunosuppression and an increased susceptibility to respiratory tract infections (RTI). Several causative agents of RTI can give rise to myocarditis as well. The true incidence of proven infectious myocarditis in society is unknown. Histopathologically defined myocarditis (lymphocytic myocarditis), on the other hand, has been found in about 1% of unselected routine autopsies. In general, the long‐term prognosis in myocarditis is favorable but exercise stress may cause long‐term sequelae or sudden death. It is thus essential to refrain from strenuous exercise during RTI.
A ZnO nanowire vacuum pressure sensor

In this study, we report the growth and characterization of lateral ZnO nanowires (NWs) on ZnO:Ga/glass templates. Using x-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy, it was found that crystal quality of the as-grown ZnO NWs is good. It was also found that the average length and average diameter of the laterally grown ZnO NWs were 5 µm and 30 nm, respectively. A vacuum pressure sensor was then fabricated using a single NW bridging across two electrodes. By measuring the current–voltage characteristics of the samples at low pressure, we found that the currents were of 17, 34.28, 57.37 and 96.06 nA for the ZnO NW measured at 1 × 10−3 Torr, 1 × 10−4 Torr, 3 × 10−5 Torr and 5 × 10−6 Torr, respectively. These values suggest that the laterally grown ZnO NWs prepared in this study are potentially useful for vacuum pressure sensing.
(-)-2'-deoxy-3'-thiacytidine is a potent, highly selective inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2 replication in vitro

The (-)-enantiomer of 2'-deoxy-3'-thiacytidine (3TC) was found to be a potent and selective inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus types 1 (HIV-1) and 2 (HIV-2) in vitro. We determined its antiviral activity against a number of laboratory strains of HIV-1 and HIV-2 in a range of CD4-bearing lymphocyte cell lines (mean 50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] range, 4 nM to 0.67 microM). 3TC was also active against a range of HIV-1 strains in peripheral blood lymphocytes (mean IC50 range, 2.5 to 90 nM). The IC50 for cytotoxicity in seven lymphocyte cell cultures, including human peripheral blood lymphocytes, ranged from 0.5 to 6 mM. 3TC had no detectable antiviral activity against a range of other viruses or in cells chronically infected with HIV-1 or HIV-2. The effects of time of addition of the compound and varying the multiplicity of infection on the antiviral activity of 3TC were determined. The results showed that 3TC is a potent and selective inhibitor of HIV-1 and HIV-2 replication in vitro.
Antibody response of guinea-pigs and cattle to a Campylobacter fetus oil emulsion vaccine.

It is now generally accepted that heifers can be effectively immunized against Campylobacter fetus infections (Firehammer & Berg, 1966; Newhall , 1966; Mitchell, 1968; Kendrick, Williams, Crenshaw & Vestal, 1971; Clark, Dufty & Monsbourgh, 1972 a; Clark, Dufty & Monsbourgh, 1972 b; Clark & Fitzpatrick, 1972; Clark, Dufty, Monsbourgh & Parsonson, 1976; Clark, Dufty & Monsbourgh, 1975). Mass production of vaccines, however, remains a problem, since strains of C. fetus ss venerialis grow poorly, the media are either complex or expensive (Simon, 1975; Clark, Dufty & Monsbourgh, 1976; Berg & Firehammer, 1978) and specific atmospheric conditions are required (Robertstad & Morrison, 1957; Dennis & Jones, 1959; Clark et al., 1972 a) . It was therefore proposed to employ a production technique based on the procedures described by Clark et al. (1972 b) and Berg & Firehammer (1978), respectively, to overcome the above-mentioned obstacles.
Stability of maxillary advancement using external rigid distractors in cleft lip and palate patients

Purpose: To evaluate the skeletal changes associated with maxillary advancement using the external rigid distractor in cleft lip and palate patients after distraction and to assess the stability of these changes. Patients and Methods: Eight cleft lip and palate patients with maxillary hypoplasia underwent maxillary distraction osteogenesis using external rigid devise. Lateral cephalometric records were obtained before distraction T1 and after completing active distraction T2. After a three month follow up period a final lateral cephalometric record was evaluated T3. Results: The maxilla was significantly advanced as indicated by the increase in maxillary depth angle and effective maxillary length (median difference, 10 mm). The palatal plane angle showed a significant increase (median difference, 5o), showing clockwise rotation. At T3 there was a slight decrease in maxillary depth angle (median difference, 3o). Effective maxillary length decreased significantly at T3 (median difference, 2 mm). The palatal plane angle decreased (median difference, 3o) and almost returned to its original position, showing a counterclockwise rotation. Conclusion: Maxillary advancement using external rigid distractor resulted in clockwise rotation of maxilla with increase in palatal plane angle and slight increase in mandibular plane angle. The amount of maxillary advancement was slightly reduced during follow up and the palatal plane almost returned to its original position. These changes showed good stable clinical results.