Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A pharmacological and histological investigation of the involvement of mast cells in cutaneous axon reflex vasodilatation.

Arteriolar vasodilatation following injury to the pinna of the left ear was measured thermometrically in 43 rats. Quantitative histological assessments were made of the intact and degranulating dermal mast cells in the left and right ears of the animals. Vasodilatation, with associated increased proportions of degranulating mast cells, was found only in animals in which the sensory innervation of the left ear was intact, allowing the occurrence of axon reflexes. In rats depleted of mast cells by treatment for 5 days with compound 48/80, axon reflex vasodilatation was suppressed, indicating that mast cells are essential for the development of the flare in the triple response. Vasodilatation was also suppressed in animals injected with aspirin 20—30 min prior to injury. In these latter rats, there was no increase in the proportion of degranulating dermal mast cells It is suggested that aspirin protects the mast cells from the degranulating effect of axon reflexes. These results indicate that the arteriolar flare around the site of a cutaneous injury is mediated by the action of axon reflexes upon dermal mast cells. This conclusion is discussed in relation to other observations on vasodilatation in injured and diseased skin.
Varicella-zoster virus open reading frame 61 protein is functionally homologous to herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP0

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) open reading frame 61 (ORF61) protein is thought to be the homolog of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ICP0, based on gene location and limited amino acid homology. However, HSV-1 ICP0 trans activates HSV-1 genes, while VZV ORF61 protein trans represses the function of VZV trans activators on VZV promoters in transient expression assays. To investigate the functional relatedness of HSV-1 ICP0 and VZV ORF61 protein, we established Vero and MeWo cell lines which stably express VZV ORF61 under the control of a metallothionein promoter and performed complementation studies with an HSV-1 ICP0 deletion mutant (7134). Mutant 7134 is impaired for plaque formation and replication at a low multiplicity of infection in cell culture, but these defects were complemented by up to 200-fold in Vero cell lines expressing VZV ORF61. Likewise, the efficiency of plaque formation was improved by up to 100-fold in MeWo cell lines expressing VZV ORF61. A cell line expressing another VZV immediate-early gene product (ORF62) was unable to complement mutant 7134. HSV-1 mutants which are deleted for other HSV-1 immediate-early gene products (ICP4, ICP27) were unable to grow in VZV ORF61-expressing cell lines. These results indicate that, despite marked differences in their sequences and in effects on their cognate promoters in transient expression assays, VZV ORF61 protein is the functional homolog of HSV-1 ICP0.
Forest FIRE and FIRE Wood: Tools for Tree Automata and Tree Algorithms

Pattern matching, acceptance, and parsing algorithms on node-labeled, ordered, ranked trees ('tree algorithms') are important for applications such as instruction selection and tree transformation/term rewriting. Many such algorithms have been developed. They often are based on results from such algorithms on words or generalizations thereof using finite (tree) automata. Regrettably no coherent, extensive toolkit of such algorithms and automata existed, complicating their use. Our toolkit FOREST FIRE contains many such algorithms and automata constructions. It is accompanied by the graphical user interface (GUI) FIRE WOOD. The toolkit and GUI provide a useful environment for experimenting with and comparing the algorithms. In this tool paper we give an overview of the toolkit and GUI, their context and design rationale, and mention some results obtained with them.
Association of Familial Leukemia with HLA Cw3: Is it Real?

A kindred with familial leukemia is described in which three members are affected by leukemia in three consecutive generations. One of these members had Philadelphia positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and other two had precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)--Philadelphia negative. All three of them shared a common haplotype A2, B55, Cw3. In addition, another member sharing same haplotype developed metastatic breast cancer. Phenomenon of anticipation is demonstrated in the affected family members. Possible causes of genetic susceptibility to leukemia especially the association of Cw3 with familial leukemia are discussed.
PLACENTAL CO-EFFICIENT IN NEPALESE POPULATION AND IT’S CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Shekhar Kumar Yadav, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Chitwan Medical College, Bharatpur, Nepal. E-Mail: shekhar_np1@hotmail.com Background: The placenta is a functional unit between the mother and the fetus. Placental coefficient is a method to correlate the weight of a baby and the placenta. Any pathological events that concern the mother and the fetus tend to influence the normal function of the placenta as revealed in different studies by many authors. Aim:The aim of the study was to examine and assess placental coefficient of the normal placenta and also in pathological conditions which included diabetes mellitus, anaemia and hypertension. Materials and Methods: The freshly delivered placentas for this study were obtained from department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Tribhuvan Hospital Teaching Hospital. The study was conducted on a total of 100 freshly obtained placenta, out of them, 15 were from diabetic mothers, 15 from anaemic mothers and 15 from hypertensive mothers. The placental co-efficient was obtained by dividing placental weight in grams by birth weight in grams. Results: The mean weight of placenta was 546.9 ± of 81.38 gm. The mean neonatal weight was 3.00±0.4kg. The result shows statistically significant difference between weight of placenta (p=0.001) and placental coefficient (p=0.001) of anemic and non-anemic mothers. Similarly statistically significant difference was obtained between weight of placenta (P=0.003) and neonatal weight in diabetic (P=0.016) and non diabetic. Statistically significant difference was not observed in hypertensive and normotensive placenta. Conclusion: Findings of the study shows the assessment of placenta very much essential as normal pregnancies can also show significant placental changes. Systemic illness alters the placental morphology and adequate treatment of systemic illness may therefore be necessary to normal placental function.
Predicting exercise adherence in women: the role of psychological and physiological factors.

BACKGROUND A large percentage of the normal population does not adhere to a regular exercise program. Little is known about the factors that predict exercise initiation or adherence. This study provides data on the role of psychological, physical, and biological factors in exercise adherence among women. METHODS Twenty-three women participated in a free aerobics program in which they could attend as many exercise sessions as they chose. Psychological and physical measures as well as serum beta-endorphin levels pre- and post-exercise were taken and used to predict total number of exercise sessions attended. RESULTS Endorphin levels did not change as a function of exercise and did not predict the number of sessions attended. Rather, women who were overweight, shorter, had several physical complaints, and felt somewhat anxious were most likely to attend the exercise sessions, and these variables accounted for 73% of the variance in sessions attended. CONCLUSIONS Because psychological and physical discomfort predicted exercise adherence, these results suggest that emphasizing the immediate symptom-relief benefits of exercise might increase initiation and adherence in the general population.
Humidity Halos Surrounding Small Cumulus Clouds in a Tropical Environment

Abstract A large dataset of aircraft cloud traverses from the Small Cumulus Microphysics Study (SCMS) was used to add to the existing knowledge of humidity halo characteristics for small cumulus clouds in a tropical environment. The findings from this investigation show a larger frequency of observed humidity halos than earlier studies. Regardless of the radial direction with respect to shear, humidity halos were observed with a frequency of 77%–90%. The difference in frequency of halo occurrences between upshear and downshear regions was much smaller than previously reported observations. These findings likely resulted from the absence of a strong vertical wind shear environment. SCMS cumuli had a mean cloud diameter (i.e., in-cloud traverse distance) of 1.1 km and mean halo lengths of about 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 cloud radii for upshear, cross-shear, and downshear regions, respectively. Humidity halos of less than one cloud radius were observed during about 70% of SCMS aircraft traverses. Approximately 98% o.
Endothelial progenitor cells and vascular dysfunction in children with obstructive sleep apnea.

RATIONALE Endothelial dysfunction is a potential complication of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children ascribed to systemic inflammatory changes. However, not all children with OSAS will manifest endothelial dysfunction. OBJECTIVES The variability in endothelial function in pediatric OSAS may be related to the ability to recruit repair mechanisms such as endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). METHODS Prepubertal nonhypertensive children with or without polysomonographically confirmed OSAS had endothelial function assessed in a morning fasted state using a modified hyperemic test involving cuff-induced occlusion of the radial and ulnar arteries. Blood was drawn and EPCs were assessed by flow cytometry and triple staining using antibodies against CD133, CD34, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 after isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. SDF-1 levels were measured by ELISA. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Eighty children with OSAS (mean age 8.2 +/- 1.4 yr, mean body mass index [BMI] z-score, 1.43 +/- 0.3) and 20 controls (CO) matched for BMI, age, sex, and ethnicity were studied. Significant delays to peak capillary reperfusion after occlusion release (Tmax) occurred in OSAS children, but substantial variability was present. Despite similar OSAS severity, EPC counts, and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) levels were significantly lower among the 20 OSAS children with the longest Tmax, when compared with either the 20 children with normal Tmax values or to CO ( P < 0.01). Furthermore, Tmax was significantly and inversely correlated with EPCs (r(2), 0.51; P < 0.01), but neither EPCs nor Tmax were associated with apnea-hyponea index (AHI). CONCLUSIONS Endothelial dysfunction is frequently present in OSAS. Variance in endothelial functional phenotype may not only reside in the individual susceptibility but also in the ability to recruit endothelial repair mechanisms.
Inhibition of the sodium glucose co‐transporter‐2: its beneficial action and potential combination therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Sodium glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are an emerging class of glucose‐lowering drugs in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this context, SGLT2 is a low‐affinity, high‐capacity transporter that is expressed predominantly in the proximal renal tubules. The rationale for using SGLT2 inhibition as a drug for T2DM is derived from early evidence obtained from individuals with familial renal glycosuria, due to a SGLT2 mutation, which exhibits decreased renal tubular reabsorption of glucose in the absence of hyperglycaemia or any other signs of dysfunction. Thus, reduction of glucose reabsorption by SGLT2 inhibition represents a novel T2DM treatment approach. In light of the emerging role of SGLT2 inhibition in controlling glucose homeostasis, the current review provides a critical appraisal of the rationale, overviews of structural differences between SGLT2 inhibitors and summarizes recent preclinical and clinical studies. The physiological actions of SGLT2 inhibition in relation to insulin sensitivity, islet morphology, inflammation, body weight and blood pressure are reviewed. Finally, the safety and tolerability of SGLT2 inhibitors are also discussed in relation to their potential to provide insulin independence and enhance β‐cell function, as well as their potential for synergistic/additive effects if used in combination with other antidiabetic drugs.
Long-term outcome and prognostic factors in enthesitis-related arthritis: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes in patients with enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) with those in patients with other subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and healthy controls, and to determine genetic markers, patient characteristics, and early disease variables that predict the development of remission, sacroiliitis, and physical limitations in ERA. METHODS Fifty-five children with ERA who were first admitted to Rikshospitalet Medical Center between 1980 and 1985 were studied. Patients with oligoarthritis or polyarthritis who were admitted during the same period (n = 55) and individuals from a national population registry (n = 55) were matched for sex and age and used as controls. Health status was assessed after a median of 15.3 years of disease (range 11.7-21.9 years) and, in some patients, was reassessed after a median of 23.0 years (range 19.7-29.4 years) of disease, by use of the 36-item Short Form health survey and the Health Assessment Questionnaire. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at the 15-year followup visit. Variables relating to the onset of disease were retrospectively obtained by chart review. HLA alleles were determined by genotyping and serologic testing. RESULTS Patients with ERA had lower levels of physical functioning, poorer physical health, and more bodily pain compared with patients with oligoarthritis or polyarthritis (after a median of 15.3 and a median of 23.0 years) and normal controls (after a median of 15.3 years). Among patients with ERA, remission occurred in 44%, sacroiliitis was observed in 35%, and reduced spinal flexion was observed in 75%. Predictors of failure to attain disease remission included the following: ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in a first-degree relative, the presence of HLA-DRB1*08, and ankle arthritis within the first 6 months. HLA-DPB1*02 was a protective factor, whereas a persistently elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and hip arthritis within the first 6 months were risk factors for sacroiliitis. Female sex, a family history of AS, and high numbers of affected joints within the first 6 months predicted poor physical health status after 23 years. Male sex was associated with reduced anterior flexion of the spine. CONCLUSION In this study, patients with ERA had poorer physical outcomes compared with patients with oligoarticular or polyarticular JIA and controls from the general population. A family history of related diseases, sex, the presence of HLA-DRB1*08, the absence of HLA-DPB1*02, a persistently elevated ESR, early hip or ankle arthritis, and high numbers of affected joints were predictors of an unfavorable outcome.
Fluoronitriles/CO2 gas mixture as promising substitute to SF6 for insulation in high voltage applications

This paper is aimed at the breakdown characteristics of Fluoronitriles - CO2 gas mixtures in different experimental conditions; these mixtures constitute promising substitutes to SF6 gas in high voltage applications especially gas insulating switchgear (GIS). Fluoronitriles chemical gas compound based on 3M™ NOVEC 4710 have a high dielectric strength, more than 2 times that of SF6 and a low Global Warming Potential (GWP). Mixed with CO2 as gas carrier, the obtained mixtures offer interesting dielectric properties and the possibility to be used for low temperature applications. The experiments are conducted with different electrodes geometries namely plane-to-plane, sphere-to-sphere, sphere-to-plane and rod-to-plane (i.e. in homogeneous, quasi-homogeneous and inhomogeneous electric field distribution) and different field utilization factors, under AC and lightning impulse voltages. The same experiments are reproduced for pure SF6 for the comparison. The comparison of breakdown voltages results of mixtures with different concentrations of Fluoronitriles in CO2 in sphere-to-sphere electrodes arrangement shows that the 3.7 % Fluoronitriles / 96.3% CO2 mixture constitutes a good compromise and an appropriate gas mixture for high voltage apparatus insulation in point of view of pressure and low ambient temperature application (-30°C).
Perceptual and motor space representation: an event-related potential study.

The purpose of this experiment was to study the brain potentials generated during spatial tasks related to the “schema corporel” (a mental map of sensory-motor relationships). Seven right-handed subjects performed a choice reaction-time task (Experiment 1), in which the spatial position of a visual stimulus (right or left of a fixation point) was varied independently of the spatial position of the response (right or left hand). The subjects also made self-paced extensions and flexions of the right and left index fingers (Experiment 2). Experiments 1 and 2 were performed with the hands both crossed and uncrossed. Spatio-temporal maps showed that the P300 component elicited by the choice RT situation in Experiment 1 was largest ipsilateral to the hand involved in the response, whether or not the hands were crossed. The later part of the pre-movement potentials during Experiment 2 and the motor potential were significantly larger contralateral to the moving hand under all conditions. Thus this pattern of lateralization can be attributed to the superimposition of a bilateral P300 wave on the asymmetrical motor potential. This suggests that distinct neuronal populations are involved in the generation of these two components. P300 latency and RT reflected the spatial conflict: both were longer when the stimulus and response were on opposite sides than when they were on the same side, even when the hands were crossed. However, the average P300 latency was not increased when the hands were crossed, whereas the average RT was substantially increased. Since the additional time required for programming the movement in the crossed hand situation had no effect on P300 generation, we infer that the P300 does not index this motor programming. However, P300 does reflect the stimulus-response spatial matching, since its latency was delayed by spatial conflict.
Exocomet signatures around the A-shell star φ Leonis?

We present an intensive monitoring of high-resolution spectra of the Ca ii K line in the A7IV shell star φ Leo at very short (minutes, hours), short (night to night), and medium (weeks, months) timescales. The spectra show remarkable variable absorptions on timescales of hours, days, and months. The characteristics of these sporadic events are very similar to most that are observed toward the debris disk host star β Pic, which are commonly interpreted as signs of the evaporation of solid, comet-like bodies grazing or falling onto the star. Therefore, our results suggest the presence of solid bodies around φ Leo. To our knowledge, with the exception of β Pic, our monitoring has the best time resolution at the mentioned timescales for a star with events attributed to exocomets. Assuming the cometary scenario and considering the timescales of our monitoring, our results indicate that φ Leo presents the richest environment with comet-like events known to date, second only to β Pic.
Neosporosis in Sheep and Different Breeds of Goats from Southern Jordan: Prevalence and Risk Factors Analysis

A cross sectional study was performed to investigate the epidemiology of Neospora caninum infection in Southern Jordan. A total of 320 sheep and 300 goats from 38 and 24, sheep and goat flocks, respectively, were randomly sampled and assayed for presence of antibodies against N. caninum. A structured pre-tested questionnaire was administered to collect information on flocks' health and management. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to investigate risk factors associated with seropositivity to N. caninum. The individual true seroprevalence of N. caninum in sheep and goats was 4.3 and 5.7%, respectively. The sheep and goat flock level true seroprevalence for N. caninum was 45.8 and 48.7%, respectively. The logistic regression model revealed small herd size, having more than one dog and grazing in communal pastures as risk factors for N. caninum seropositivity in both sheep and goats. Damascus breed goats were more likely to be seropositive than goats of other breeds.
Fault resilient and compression tolerant digital signature for image authentication

Many watermarking schemes have been proposed to protect the authority of the image producer. These schemes can help the image producer to assert the ownership when their images are illegal reproduced. A buyer may want to make sure that the received commodity is from the legal sender and prove its integrity. In this situation, digital signature schemes can meet these requirements. In this sender-receiver protocol, images are always compressed before transmission. So compression tolerant image-features have to be designed to replace the hash functions in conventional digital signature schemes. In this paper, a public-key based fault resilient and compression tolerant digital signature is proposed. The proposed method can not only verify the authenticity and the integrity of commodities, but also can locate the illegal modifications. Furthermore, the proposed method can provide the capability of recovery if images are tampered.
Creating a Profile of a Nurse Effective in Caring

BackgroundWatson's Theory of Caring and Caritas proposes that caring and love potentiate healing. Creating a profile of the characteristics of a “Caritas nurse” has implications for integrating caring and love into patient care, and measuring the impact of caring on patient and operational outcomes. MethodsThis psychometric study examined the profile of nurses effective in caring. The Caring Factor Survey and the Healthcare Environment Survey were selected to measure caring and work environment conditions as reported by the patient and by the nurse, respectively. ResultsThe results of this study revealed that nurses of all ages who received high scores in caring were most frustrated with the work environment, were most experienced, worked only the hours scheduled, were most affected by the relationship with the patient, derived the most enjoyment from the relationship with their coworkers, and provided continuity of care most consistently. Discussion and ImplicationsFindings from this study indicate that further inquiry into the profile of nurses effective in caring and evaluation of the presence of caring and love on patient outcomes is warranted.
Impact of a ball with a bat or racket

The collision of a ball with a baseball bat or a tennis racket is usually modeled in terms of rigid body dynamics, assuming that the hand exerts no impulsive reaction force on the handle during the collision. In this paper, a uniform aluminum beam was used as an idealized bat or racket, in order to examine both the rigid body approximation and the assumption that the hand force can be neglected. An aluminum beam was chosen so that its length and stiffness could easily be varied and so that the results could be compared with solutions for a flexible beam. It was found that rigid body models of beams, bats, or rackets are of limited use but the hand force can usually be neglected. The flexible beam model provides remarkably good agreement with experimental results and provides new insights into the dynamics of this type of collision, including the nature of the sweet spot.