Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diffusion of tritiated water into roots as influenced by water status of tissue.

In the course of investigation of physiological responses of plants to water stress it has often been noted that net water uptake declines as moisture stress increases. In unsaturated soils this could be due to depression of moisture flow to the root surfaces. In culture solution, however, the depression can be attributed only to a decline in the permeability of the tissue, either of roots or of leaves, or to a change in the moisture potential difference across the plant. In recent years Brouwer (2) has cast some doubt on the idea that permeability of the roots declines. He found that in older portions of secondary roots of Vicia faba the conductivity to mass flow of water increases when tension in the xylem elements is increased either by suction or by previous treatment at hiigh diffusion pressure deficit (DPD). Rosene's data (10) also indicate that in onion roots there may be a stress-induced increase in permeability to water, although she thought the increase was due to previous solute uptake wvhich momentarily provided a larger gradient than calculated. Part of mass flowv of water occurs by diffusion meclhanism, e.g. as describedl by Scheidegger (11). Diffusion at pore openings may also govern mass flow as suggested recently by Ray (9). In the case of 'r )nporous membranes all of the mass flowv permeabilm-111ight be nmeasured by diffusive permeability. At -'undlaries where the resistance to viscous flow is low, a discrepancy may arise and (liffusive permeabilitv would not account for the entire mass flowv permeability. Despite this limitation a study of (liffusion can help elucidate the mechanism by which water is transferred through living tissue. Accordingly it was decided to determiine what effect, if any, water stress had on diffusive permeability of root segments. using tritium oxidle as an indicator.
Absorption of some organic compounds through the skin in man.

We studied the percutaneous penetration of 21 organic chemicals. The experimental method consisted of the application of the chemical to the human forearm and quantitating its penetration through the skin by its appearance in urine. There was a great diversity in the ability of the chemicals to penetrate human skin. Compounds such as hippuric acid, nicotinic acid, and nitrobenzene support the generally held view of the excellent chemical barrier properties for them. Closely related compounds showed great differences in penetration. Benzoic acid was absorbed at 200 times the amount of its glycine conjugate—hippuric acid. Nicotinic acid barely penetrated; 10% of its amide, nicotinamide, penetrated. This suggests that molecules may be tailored to decrease or increase penetration as needed for the most suitable biological function.
Health-related quality of life of U.S. military personnel: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the association between military service and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), using a large, population-based sample of U.S. adults. METHODS Participants in the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were characterized as active duty personnel (N = 1,163), reserves (N = 1,055], veterans (N = 22,558), or no military service (N = 141,620). HRQOL was described by sex and military status. Logistic regression was used to calculate sex-specific adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS Active duty men were more likely than men without military service to report 14 or more days of activity limitation, pain, and not enough rest in the past 30 days. Reserve personnel reported better overall HRQOL than nonmilitary participants, and no difference in HRQOL was observed between veterans and persons with no military service. CONCLUSIONS Recommendations are made to monitor HRQOL of active duty and reserve personnel over time and to include HRQOL measures in military-based surveys of active duty troops.
Major polyadenylated transcripts of cassava latent virus and location of the gene encoding coat protein

The nucleotide sequences of infectious cloned DNAs 1 and 2 of a Kenyan isolate of cassava latent virus (CLV) have been determined. Five virus‐specific polyadenylated transcripts have been identified and mapped either to the viral or complementary sense DNAs of both components of the CLV genome, confirming that transcription is bidirectional on both DNAs. A major mRNA has been translated in vitro to yield a 30 000 mol. wt. product, which is precipitated by antibodies raised against whole virus, and has been mapped by both the S1 nuclease procedure and hybrid‐arrested translation to the long open reading frame (ORF) in the viral sense of DNA 1 which encodes the coat protein. Other transcripts were of sufficient size and appropriate origin to encode at least five potential products.
Green Tea Polyphenols Provide Photoprotection , Increase Microcirculation , and Modulate Skin Properties of Women 1 , 2

Dietary constituents including polyphenols and carotenoids contribute to endogenous photoprotection and modulate skin characteristics related to structure and function of the tissue. Animal and in-vitro studies indicate that green tea polyphenols affect skin properties. In a 12-wk, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 60 female volunteers were randomized to an intervention or control group. Participants consumed either a beverage with green tea polyphenols providing 1402mg total catechins/d or a control beverage. Skin photoprotection, structure, and function weremeasured at baseline (wk 0), wk 6, and wk 12. Following exposure of the skin areas to 1.25 minimal erythemal dose of radiation from a solar simulator, UV-induced erythema decreased significantly in the intervention group by 16 and 25% after 6 and 12 wk, respectively. Skin structural characteristics that were positively affected included elasticity, roughness, scaling, density, and water homeostasis. Intake of the green tea polyphenol beverage for 12 wk increased blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin. Likewise, in a separate, randomized, double-blind, single-dose (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g) study of green tea polyphenols, blood flow was maximized at 30 min after ingestion. In summary, green tea polyphenols delivered in a beverage were shown to protect skin against harmful UV radiation and helped to improve overall skin quality of women. J. Nutr. 141: 1202–1208, 2011.
Performance of 70 nm strained-silicon CMOS devices

An 86% electron mobility improvement and over 20% I/sub dn-sat/ enhancement were demonstrated for a 70 nm strained-Si CMOS process fabricated on SiGe virtual substrates. Compared to a bulk-Si CMOS process, the strained-Si process delivered 95% higher inverter peak-current and a 2.2 ps reduction in ring oscillator delay for the same drive current. Strained and bulk CMOS featured equivalent gate leakage through a 16 /spl Aring/ nitrided oxide, which remained the dominant leakage source despite dislocation-induced junction leakage observed on strained-Si wafers. Self-heating of strained-Si CMOS due to the low thermal conductivity SiGe virtual substrate reduces I/sub dn-sat/ by 7% during DC operation.
Enhancement of Sound Sources Located within a Particular Area Using a Pair of Small Microphone Arrays

A method for extracting a sound signal from a particular area that is surrounded by multiple ambient noise sources is proposed. This method performs several fixed beamformings on a pair of small microphone arrays separated from each other to estimate the signal and noise power spectra. Noise suppression is achieved by applying spectrum emphasis to the output of fixed beamforming in the frequency domain, which is derived from the estimated power spectra. In experiments performed in a room with reverberation, this method succeeded in suppressing the ambient noise, giving an SNR improvement of more than 10 dB, which is better than the performance of the conventional fixed and adaptive beamforming methods using a large-aperture microphone array. We also confirmed that this method keeps its performance even if the noise source location changes continuously or abruptly.
Evolution of unbalanced gain of distal chromosome 2p in neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma, one of the most common tumors of childhood, presents at diagnosis with a vast number of recurrent chromosomal imbalances that include hyperdiploidy for whole chromosomes, partial loss of 1p, 3p, 4p, 11q, 14q, partial gain of 1q, 7q, 17q and amplification of MYCN. These abnormalities are nonrandomly distributed in neuroblastoma as loss of 3p and 11q rarely occur in MYCN amplified neuroblastomas. Here, we report on a patient who had a non-MYCN amplified 3p–/11q– neuroblastoma at diagnosis who subsequently developed a high level of MYCN amplification in bone marrow metastases 41 months after induction of complete remission. The tumor at diagnosis had low level unbalanced gain of distal 2p. In order to assess the frequency of low level gain of distal 2p in neuroblastoma, we examined the comparative genomic hybridization results from 60 neuroblastomas. Among non-MYCN amplified neuroblastomas, 8/45 (18%) had low level gain of distal 2p. Low level gain for a segment of 2p (i.e. a region larger than the 2p23→p24 undergoing amplification) was also detected in five of the 15 tumors that had high level MYCN amplification. The possibility that low level gain of distal 2p is a risk factor for high level MYCN amplification is discussed.
Epidemiology of noise-induced hearing loss in New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION Hearing loss is a major cause of disability in the world. Occupational noise exposure is likely to contribute to a very high proportion of the cases of hearing loss in adults. Concern has been raised by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand about the fact that the number of new cases of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is not declining, despite the health and safety legislation and establishment of hearing conservation programmes in industry. To inform strategies for prevention, a review of the burden of NIHL in New Zealand was undertaken, particularly focusing on the trends in compensation claims and costs, and the associated sociodemographic patterns. METHODS A review of the peer-reviewed published literature was conducted to identify national and international estimates of NIHL prevalence. The ACC claims dataset (July 1995 to June 2006) was analysed to describe annual trends in new NIHL claims, cost to ACC, and claimants' age, gender and occupational group. RESULTS There is currently no reliable information regarding the overall incidence and prevalence of NIHL in New Zealand. ACC data reveals a substantial increase in the number of new NIHL claims annually, rising from 2823 in July 1995-June 1996, to 5580 in July 2005-June 2006. Together with ongoing claims the overall costs of NIHL claims increased by an average of 20% each year (a six-fold increase over the decade) resulting in a total cost to ACC of $193.82M over the review period. Collectively, agriculture and fisheries workers, trades workers, machine operators, and assemblers accounted for 53% of new claims. Most claims were lodged in middle age or later, with the vast majority of claimants (95%) being men. The relationship of age with the probability of making a claim changed significantly over the study period with rates in older age groups increasing faster than in younger. CONCLUSIONS The substantial and increasing societal costs despite decades of NIHL control legislation suggests that current strategies addressing this problem are not effective, inadequately implemented, or both.
Argentaffin and other "endocrine" cells of the small intestine in the adult mouse. II. Renewal.

Argentaffin and other “endocrine” cells of the gastrointestinal tract were investigated in the mouse jejunum by electron microscopic radio-autography after administration of 3H-thymidine either in a single injection or by continuous infusion. One hour after a single injection or after a 24-hour infusion of 3H-thymidine, no labeling is seen in the three main types of “endocrine” cells: Type EC (true argentaffin) or biconcave granule cells, Type L or large spherical granule cells, and Type S or small spherical granule cells. Furthermore, no mitosis of these cells may be observed. Hence, they are not capable of division. However, when continuous infusion is prolonged for one and one-half days, examination of the lower half of the crypts shows labeling in some cells of the three types. The number of granules in these cells is small. By three days, labeled cells of the three types appear in villi, while the number of their granules increases. With time, the percentage of labeled cells rises gradually to reach over 60% after four days and over 80% after six to eight days of continuous infusion. After the infusion is stopped, the number of labeled cells decreases. Thus, eight days after the end of a four-day infusion less than 10% cells are labeled. It is concluded that the three main types of “endocrine” cells observed in the mouse jejunum arise from unidentified precursors in the lower half of the crypts. They migrate from crypts to villi and are probably extruded from villus tips. Even though the three cell types seem to evolve independently, their turnover time is the same, that is, about four days.
Alkalinization of Intracuff Lidocaine: Efficacy and Safety

When alkalinized lidocaine instead of air is used to fill the endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff, coughing, and bucking are decreased during extubation when ventilation is controlled with N2O. However, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) used to transform lidocaine hydrochloride (L-HCl) to lidocaine base induces a pH increase that could be irritating for mucosa in the case of cuff rupture. Therefore, we determined, in a randomized controlled study with controlled patient ventilation without N2O, whether the smallest concentrations of NaHCO3 (1.4% versus 8.4%) reduced diffusion (in vitro evaluation) and other secondary clinical benefits. After pH determination of different solutions (2 mL of 2% L-HCl and 2 to 6 mL of 8.4%, or 1.4% NaHCO3), an in vitro lidocaine diffusion through the ETT cuffs was evaluated (2 mL of 2% L-HCl and 3 mL of 8.4% or 1.4% NaHCO3). Then, adult patients scheduled for total thyroidectomy surgery were consecutively enrolled (n = 20 for each group). The ETT cuff was filled with air (group air) or with alkalinized lidocaine (2 mL of 2% L-HCl) using 8.4% (group large dose) or 1.4% (group small dose) of NaHCO3. After tracheal extubation, sore throat was evaluated by visual analog scale as the main end-point of the study. Hoarseness, bucking, dysphonia, dysphagia, cough, restlessness, and postoperative nausea and vomiting were also evaluated. There was a slight tendency toward a slower release when a small concentration of NaHCO3 was used (i.e., 1.4%). Compared with group air, the alkalinized-lidocaine groups had a significant reduction in sore throat during the 24-h postoperative period (P < 0.0001). The difference was not significant between the two alkalinized lidocaine groups. This increase in ETT tolerance was confirmed by the analysis of secondary end-points. No laryngospasm, rupture of ETT cuff, or depression of the swallowing reflex were recorded. A decrease in sore throat during the postoperative period was recorded when the cuff was inflated with a small dose of alkalinized lidocaine (i.e., 40 mg of L-HCl and 1.4% of NaHCO3) rather than with air when ventilation was controlled without N2O.
Age and body composition influence TSH concentrations after administration of rhTSH

Summary Aim: Previous studies listed body surface area (BSA), lean body mass (LBM), and age as modifying factors on the TSH concentrations after administration of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH). The purpose of this study was to identify the main modifying factors on serum TSH levels and to compare the stimulation via single rhTSH injection after a short thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) with that of the standard stimulating protocol. Patients, methods: 106 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) undergoing radioiodine therapy (RIT) after rhTSH administration were obtained through chart review. Two groups were evaluated: Group I was treated with a single rhTSH administration after two weeks of T3 therapy followed by one week of THW. Group II was stimulated according to the international standard protocol via rhTSH injections for two consecutive days. Serum TSH concentrations were documented prior to rhTSH administration (day 1 TSH), one day after (day 3 TSH) and 3–6 days after (mean 4.2 days, day 6 TSH) the last rhTSH injection. The following data was collected: age, gender, weight, height, BMI, LBM, BSA, residual thyroid tissue, CRP, creatinine, GFR, liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Results: Group I: Age combined with anthropometric factors like BMI (TSH increase and day 6 TSH), BSA (TSH decrease), and gender (day 6 TSH) are the main modifying factors on serum TSH concentrations after rhTSH administration. Group II: Age and lean body mass (LBM) showed a significant impact on day 3 TSH, TSH increase (day 3-day 1), and TSH decrease (day 6-day 3). Day 6 TSH was found to be influenced by GFR (group II). Conclusion: Age and anthropometric parameters have significant independent influence on TSH concentrations after rhTSH injection in both groups. Anthropometric parameters (BSA, LBM) and demographic parameters (female gender) show strong influence on TSH concentrations. Further research should be conducted to examine the influence of body compartments on TSH levels through measuring total body water.
Antiarrhythmic drugs in atrial fibrillation: an overview of new agents, their mechanisms of action and potential clinical utility

Despite recent advances in our understanding of the mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF), effective treatment remains difficult in many patients. Pharmacotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment and includes control of ventricular rate as well as restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm. The currently available antiarrhythmic drugs are particularly effective in converting paroxysmal AF to sinus rhythm and in enhancing the positive effect of electrical cardioversion, but are limited in their efficacy in maintaining sinus rhythm. Moreover, there are limited options in the setting of co-existing ischaemic heart disease, left ventricular dysfunction and structural heart diseases. New drugs added to our clinical armamentarium have been, or are being, developed to combine better efficacy and lack of pro-arrhythmic effects. These developments have gained more interest particularly with the recent debate over rate control versus rhythm control for AF. Although some of these agents are promising, their uptake in clinical practice will not only depend on their efficacy as antiarrhythmic agents but also on their safety in acutely terminating AF and in long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm or rate control in the community.
Four Years of Epiphyte Colonization in Douglas-fir Forest Canopies

Abstract In 1995, we installed surface-sterilized, rough-barked and smooth-barked tree branches in clearcuts, young forests, and old growth. Half of the experimental branches were inoculated with propagules of the epiphytic cyanolichen, Lobaria oregana. In 1997, we concluded that L. oregana was associated with old-growth Douglas-fir forests because of dispersal limitation; addition of L. oregana propagules resulted in a marked increase in establishment rates. In 1999, we revisited the experiment to determine whether other epiphytes had colonized the tree branches. We also checked to see if the 1997 results of the experiment persisted. A total of 26 epiphyte genera (nine bryophytes and 17 lichens) had colonized the branches. Lichen colonization was generally fastest in clearcuts. Colonization by alectorioid lichens was rapid in both clearcuts and old growth but slow in young forests. In contrast, bryophyte colonization was relatively rapid in all age classes. Epiphyte colonization was generally more rapid on smooth bark than on rough bark, although Cladonia was more frequent on rough-barked branches. Bryophytes, cyanolichens, and Sphaerophorus globosus were more frequent on inoculated branches than on control branches, implying that the L. oregana propagule mixture used in 1995 was contaminated with other epiphytes. Like L. oregana, these species may also be dispersal-limited. The number of established L. oregana thalli in clearcuts and young stands decreased from 1997 to 1999, but the number of thalli remained relatively stable in old growth. After four years, established L. oregana thalli were larger in clearcuts than in either young stands or old growth. Overall, the fourth-year results of our experiment confirm the importance of dispersal limitation as the cause of old-growth association in L. oregana in western Oregon.
Temporal Evolution of Coronagraphic Dynamic Range and Constraints on Companions to Vega

The major obstacle to the direct detection of companions to nearby stars is the overwhelming brightness of the host star. Current instruments employing the combination of adaptive optics (AO) and coronagraphy can typically detect objects within 2'' of the star that are ~104-105 times fainter. Correlated speckle noise is one of the biggest obstacles limiting such high-contrast imaging. We have obtained a series of 284 8 s, AO-corrected, coronagraphically occulted H-band images of the star Vega at the 3.63 m AEOS telescope located on Haleakala, Hawaii. This data set is unique for studying the temporal behavior of speckle noise and represents the first time such a study on highly corrected coronagraphic AO images has been carried out in a quantitative way. We find the speckle pattern to be highly stable in both position and time in our data. This is due to the fact that the AO system corrects disturbances to the stellar wave front at the level where the instrumental wave front errors dominate. Because of this, we find that our detection limit is not significantly improved simply with increased exposure time alone. However, we are able to improve our dynamic range by 1.5-2 mag through subtraction of static/quasi-static speckles in two rotating frames: the telescope pupil frame and the deformable mirror frame. The highly stable nature of speckles will exist for any program using coronagraphy and high-order AO. Furthermore, from our data, we are able to constrain the mass of any purported companion to Vega to be less than ~45MJ at 8 AU and less than ~30MJ at 16 AU, radii not previously probed at these sensitivities.
Seroprevalence of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan analyzed by a recombinant nucleocapsid protein‐based enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a newly identified respiratory virus associated with respiratory tract infection in both adults and children. Previous reports showed that infection of hMPV appeared to be ubiquitous. To determine the seroprevalence of hMPV, a total of 576 human sera from patients in Saskatchewan, Canada, were screened by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on expression of the nucleocapsid (N) protein of hMPV in recombinant baculovirus. The recombinant N protein with a molecular mass of 43.5 kDa was abundantly produced in insect cells. Moreover, the recombinant N proteins of the prototype viruses for the two major groups of hMPV have cross‐antigenicity. The seropositive rate for each age group was 13.5% (13/96) (0–5 years), 26.1% (25/96) (6–10 years), 32.3% (31/96) (11–15 years), 99.0% (95/96) (16–30 years), 91.7% (88/96) (31–60 years), and 93.8% (90/96) (61+ years), respectively. The data indicated that exposure to hMPV is a common phenomenon. The ELISA based on recombinant baculovirus produced N protein of hMPV provides a useful tool for seroepidemiological study of this virus. J. Med. Virol. 79:308–313, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.