Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Intrabrachial metacholine infusion on muscle capillary recruitment and forearm glucose uptake during physiological hyperinsulinemia in obese, insulin-resistant individuals.

CONTEXT Impairment of insulin-mediated capillary recruitment in skeletal muscle contributes to a hampered glucose uptake in obesity. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate whether metacholine (MCh), a nitric oxide vasodilator, potentiates muscle capillary recruitment and forearm glucose uptake (FGU) during physiological hyperinsulinemia. DESIGN The double-forearm technique [i.e. infused vs. control (Ctrl) forearm] was combined with im microdialysis during an oral glucose tolerance test in 15 nondiabetic, obese subjects divided into a group of insulin-resistant (IR) (n = 7) and insulin-sensitive (n = 8) individuals. RESULTS After the oral glucose tolerance test, forearm blood flow in the Ctrl forearm was unchanged, whereas it increased about 3-fold (P < 0.0001 vs. baseline) in response to MCh. Capillary permeability surface area product for glucose (PS(glu)) (capillary recruitment), FGU, and interstitial insulin concentrations increased significantly over time (P < 0.001) in both forearms. Compared with insulin-sensitive, the IR subjects exhibited lower PS(glu) (P < 0.001) and FGU (P < 0.01) in the Ctrl arm, whereas this difference was insignificant in the MCh arm despite the blunted forearm blood flow increase. Moreover, in IR individuals MCh significantly (P < 0.05) ameliorated the delayed onset of insulin action, i.e. the FGU response to hyperinsulinemia. Finally, we found PS(glu) to be a strong and independent predictor of FGU response (adjusted R(2) 0.72; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS MCh-induced vasodilation may improve the microvascular and metabolic responses to physiological hyperinsulinemia in obese, IR individuals. Further studies are required to unravel whether stimulation of nitric oxide production in skeletal muscle may represent an attractive therapeutic approach to bypassing cellular resistance to glucose disposal.
Tanaorhamphus Longirostris (Acanthocephala) in Gizzard Shad from Ceasar Creek Lake, Ohio

Gizzard shad, Dorosoma cepedianum, were collected from Caesar Creek Lake, Ohio, from March through October, 1982. A short period of infection by Tanaorhamphus longirostris occurred from April through July. Both prevalence and intensity were low, with overall mean intensity of 2.25. No relationship could be detected between infection by the worm and the size of the host fish. Maturation and reproduction by the worms peaked in May. Male and female worms were found together in only 14.5% of the infections. It is proposed that the short period of infection results from failure of the late-appearing juvenile worms to develop to maturity. Distribution of worms within the intestine of the gizzard shad was as follows: segment I = 52%, segment II = 22%, segment III = 13%, segment IV = 13%. All of the worms found in the last segment occurred late in the infection period. Infection in June and July was dominated by juvenile worms. These apparently failed to develop because no worms were found in August or October. OHIO J. SCI. 85 (1): 7-11, 1985
Utility-based power control via convex pricing for the uplink in CDMA wireless networks

Efficient power allocation is a key element in supporting real time services' QoS prerequisites in the uplink of CDMA wireless networks. Game-theoretic approaches have been applied to study the power control problem, aiming at users' utilities maximization. However, in many cases the corresponding Nash equilibrium solutions introduce several inefficiencies. To tackle this problem in this paper we adopt a utility-based approach, and utilize a game theoretical framework with convex pricing of users' transmission powers, to obtain an efficient power allocation in the uplink of CDMA wireless networks supporting only real-time services with specific QoS characteristics. A Pareto optimal solution of the formulated noncooperative game is obtained analytically. The performance of the proposed approach is evaluated via modeling and simulation and it is compared against the results of the corresponding game with linear pricing, in terms of achievable users' utilities and transmission powers.
The Dark Side of Political Connection: Exchange Easy Loans for the Political Career of Bank CEOs

We study the effects of CEOs’ political connections on the operating performance of government banks during the global financial crisis. Using data for 41 countries from 2006 to 2009, we find that government banks with politically connected CEOs prior to the crisis demonstrate poorer operating performance during the crisis than those without politically connected CEOs. Our evidence suggests that a government bank’s decisions can be influenced by its politically connected CEOs’ use of their power and influence to relax lending standards and to reap private benefits that thus raise their banks’ sensitivity to a crisis.
Evidence for Inbreeding and Genetic Differentiation among Geographic Populations of the Saprophytic Mushroom Trogia venenata from Southwestern China

During the past 40 years, more than 400 Sudden Unexplained Deaths (SUDs) have occurred in Yunnan, southwestern China. Epidemiological and toxicological analyses suggested that a newly discovered mushroom called Trogia venenata was the leading culprit for SUDs. At present, relatively little is known about the genetics and natural history of this mushroom. In this study, we analyzed the sequence variation at four DNA fragments among 232 fruiting bodies of T. venenata collected from seven locations. Our ITS sequence analyses confirmed that all the isolates belonged to the same species. The widespread presence of sequence heterozygosity within many strains at each of three protein-coding genes suggested that the fruiting bodies were diploid, dikaryotic or heterokaryotic. Within individual geographic populations, we found significant deviations of genotype frequencies from Hardy-Weinberg expectations, with the overall observed heterozygosity lower than that expected under random mating, consistent with prevalent inbreeding within local populations. The geographic populations were overall genetically differentiated. Interestingly, while a positive correlation was found between population genetic distance and geographic distance, there was little correlation between genetic distance and barium concentration difference for the geographic populations. Our results suggest frequent inbreeding, geographic structuring, and limited gene flow among geographic populations of T. venenata from southwestern China.
A Combined Voxel and Particle Filter-Based Approach for Fast Obstacle Detection and Tracking in Automotive Applications

In this paper, a new method for real-time detection, motion estimation, and tracking of generic obstacles using just a 3-D point cloud and odometry information as input is presented. In this approach, a simplification of the world is done using voxels, supported by a particle filter-based 3-D object segmentation and a motion estimation scheme. That combination of techniques leverages a fast and reliable object detection, providing also motion speed and direction information. Four detailed studies have been performed in order to assess the suitability of the method, two of them related to the parameterization of the method and its input point cloud. Another one compares the tracking and detection results with other state-of-the-art methods. Last tests are intended for the characterization of the execution times required. Results are encouraging, with a high detection rate, low error rate, and real-time capable computing performance. In the attached video, it is possible to observe the behavior of the method, both using a stereovision and a light-detection and ranging generated point clouds as an input.
Physical or emotional disabilities in employment and social situations: A comparison of attitudes toward Vietnam veterans and non-veterans

Nussbaum, Bonnie R. , M.A., 1986 Psychology Physical or Emotional Disabilities in Employment and Social Situations: A Comparison of Attitudes Toward Vietnam Veterans arid Non-veterans . Director: Janet P. Wollersheim, Ph.D. This study explored attitudes toward physically or emotionally disabled individuals related to veteran status. Subjects (108 females, 108 males) were randomly distributed among 6 experimental conditions. The 6 conditions were formed by having subjects read sketches depicting the applicant as a physically handicapped Vietnam veteran or non-veteran, an emotionally handicapped Vietnam veteran or non-veteran, normal Vietnam veteran, or normal non-veteran. A 2X2X3 (AXBXC) factorial design was employed with factor A designated the veteran status variable (Vietnam war veteran or non-veteran), factor B designated the sex variable (respondents’ sex), and factor C as the handicapping variable (physical, emotional, or none). Subjects read a biographical sketch describing a job applicant's background, viewed a 15-minute videotape of the applicant in a simulated interview with an employer, and indicated whether or not they would hire the applicant. Subjects also evaluated the applicant on several attitude and social rejection measures. The 2X2X3 ANOVAs revealed no significant differences in social rejection across measures. However, significant sex differences oh ratings of confidence in hiring decisions occurred with women being more confident than men in their decisions on hiring. Conversely, men were more confident that they understood the purpose of the study despite results indicating no actual differences. Trends showed sex differences on perceived activity level and understanding of the applicant. There were also some differences in willingness to hire. Ratings revealed several A (veteran status) X C (handicap) interaction trends. The veteran with a physical handicap tended to be viewed as more dangerous than a non-veteran with a similar handicap despite low levels in all groups. Further, subjects in the group exposed to a physically handicapped non-veteran were significantly more likely to have understood the true purpose of the study. Suggestions for improving future research included increasing the saliency of veteran status and handicap, inserting diagnostic labels, utilizing more severe handicaps, testing other populations, and manipulating the level of posttraumatic adaptive functioning.
Ultrahigh-Voltage SiC MPS Diodes With Hybrid Unipolar/Bipolar Operation

In this paper, ultrahigh-voltage (UHV) SiC devices with hybrid unipolar/bipolar operation are introduced and demonstrated. As the first step of such a device, a merged p-i-n Schottky (MPS) diode with an epitaxial p+-anode layer is proposed to reduce the conduction loss of a bipolar device in the low current region. A “snapback” phenomenon is intensively investigated by analytical modeling, device simulation, and experiment and a design guideline of snapback-free hybrid operating MPS diodes is presented. Using the design guideline, snapback-free MPS diodes are fabricated and forward characteristics are investigated. By using a proper edge termination structure, a UHV SiC MPS diode with breakdown voltage of 11.3 kV is demonstrated.
Isolation of a small vasohibin-binding protein (SVBP) and its role in vasohibin secretion

Upon stimulation with angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial cells (ECs) secrete a negative-feedback regulator of angiogenesis, vasohibin-1 (VASH1). Because VASH1 lacks a classical signal sequence, it is not clear how ECs secrete VASH1. We isolated a small vasohibin-binding protein (SVBP) composed of 66 amino acids. The level of Svbp mRNA was relatively high in the bone marrow, spleen and testes of mice. In cultured ECs, Vash1 mRNA was induced by VEGF, and Svbp mRNA was expressed constitutively. The interaction between VASH1 and SVBP was confirmed using the BIAcore system and immunoprecipitation analysis. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that SVBP colocalized with VASH1 in ECs. In polarized epithelial cells, SVBP accumulated on the apical side, whereas VASH1 was present throughout the cells and partially colocalized with SVBP. Transfection of SVBP enhanced VASH1 secretion, whereas knockdown of endogenous SVBP markedly reduced VASH1 secretion. SVBP increased the solubility of VASH1 protein in detergent solution and inhibited the ubiquitylation of VASH1 protein. Moreover, co-transfection of SVBP significantly augmented the inhibitory effect of VASH1 on EC migration. These results indicate that SVBP acts as a secretory chaperone for VASH1 and contributes to the anti-angiogenic activity of VASH1.
Familial Aggregation of Paget's Disease of Bone

This epidemiologic study of Paget's disease of bone used data from 788 cases and 387 spouse controls to investigate the following: (1) the extent to which this disorder aggregates in families; (2) the cumulative incidence of the disease in first‐degree relatives of patients throughout life; and (3) the influence of age at diagnosis (<55 versus 55+ years) and presence of bone deformity in the case on risk of Paget's disease in relatives.
Cross-Protective Efficacy of a Prophylactic Leishmania donovani DNA Vaccine against Visceral and Cutaneous Murine Leishmaniasis

ABSTRACT The fucose-mannose ligand (FML) complex of Leishmania donovani is a promising vaccine candidate against murine and canine visceral leishmaniasis, and its main component is a 36-kDa nucleoside hydrolase (NH36). In this study, we tested the immune response and protection induced by the purified FML, the recombinant NH36 (rNH36), and NH36 DNA vaccines against the agents of visceral (L. chagasi) and cutaneous (L. mexicana) leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice. Mice developed weak humoral response to the vaccines alone, except for those immunized with FML. However, all three vaccine groups presented elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG1, and IgG2a levels after infection with L. chagasi, whereas no differences were observed between vaccine and control groups after infection with L. mexicana. A strong intradermal reaction to L. donovani and L. mexicana antigens was observed in mice immunized with rNH36 or FML, whereas mice immunized with NH36 DNA only reacted against L. donovani antigens. Experimental infection of immunized mice demonstrated that FML and rNH36 induced significant protection against L. chagasi infection with reductions in parasite loads of 79%. FML also conferred partial protection against L. mexicana infection. The best protection was observed in mice immunized with the VR1012-NH36 DNA vaccine, which induced an 88% reduction in L. chagasi parasite load and a 65% reduction in L. mexicana lesion size. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis indicated the DNA vaccine induced a two- to fivefold increase in gamma interferon-producing CD4+ T cells, indicating a Th1-type immune response. Our results showed that the NH36 DNA vaccine induced a strong immunoprotection against visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, suggesting that this DNA vaccine represents a very good candidate for use against several Leishmania species.
A wavelet-based technique to detect stator faults in inverter-fed induction motors

This paper proposes a novel method to overcome one of the difficulties arising from the VSI supply of low voltage motors in the early detection of inter-turns stator short circuits, i.e. the presence of a high variability of harmonics both in the stator current and in the external stray flux. A pre-processing technique based on the wavelet decomposition has experimentally proved to be able to remove this variability and therefore to make more robust the diagnostics of this fault and its progression by means of the spectral analysis of each of the measured signals (current of one phase and stray flux measured with two different sensors).
Rhodohalobacter halophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a moderately halophilic member of the family Balneolaceae.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive bacterium, designated JZ3C29T, was isolated from a saltern located in Feicheng, PR China. JZ3C29T was tolerant of moderately saline conditions. Optimal growth occurred at 40 °C (range 20-50 °C) and pH 7.5-8.5 (range pH 7.0-9.0) with 8-10 % (w/v) NaCl (range 2-16 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that JZ3C29T shared highest similarity with Gracilimonas tropica CL-CB462T (90.5 %), Gracilimonas mengyeensis YIM J14T (90.5 %) and Gracilimonas rosea CL-KR2T (90.4 %) and less than 90.0 % similarity with other species of the phylum Bacteroidetes. The isolate formed a novel genus-level clade in the recently described family Balneolaceae. The polar lipid profile of the novel isolate consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified glycolipids, four unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified lipids. The dominant cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and iso-C15 : 0 and the sole respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The DNA G+C content of JZ3C29T was 44.4 mol%. On the basis of these phenotypic and phylogenetic data, JZ3C29T should be classified as representing a novel genus and species within the family Balneolaceae, for which the name Rhodohalobacter halophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JZ3C29T (=MCCC 1H00131T=KCTC 52046T=JCM 31413T).
Evaluation of aetiology and efficacy of management protocol of epistaxis.

BACKGROUND Epistaxis is one of the commonest medical emergencies. It affects all age groups and both sexes. The cause may be local or systemic but in majority it is spontaneous and idiopathic. Trauma is considered to be a major aetiological factor. Various treatment protocols are utilized to control epistaxis derpending upon the type, severity and cause of bleeding. METHODS This descriptive study was designed to evaluate the aetiology and efficacy of management protocol of epistaxis in a tertiary care setting. 313 patients underwent prospective evaluation by consultant and non-consultant doctors with considerable experience in Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) emergencies management. Standard principles were followed in the management. RESULTS This study demonstrated a bimodal distribution with incidence peaks in below 25 years & above 50 years of age. Males were affected twice more than the females (2.15:1.04). Anterior nasal bleeding was noted in majority of the patients. Anterior nasal packing was the most effective method of controlling anterior epistaxis. While posterior bleeding was controlled by posterior nasal packing with Foley's catheter. The most common cause was found to be trauma, followed by hypertension. CONCLUSION It may be concluded from this study that epistaxis is the most common ENT emergency, affecting all age groups. It has a bimodal age presentation and affects males twice more than females. Anterior bleeding is more common than posterior bleeding. Epistaxis may be controlled with chemical/electro-cautery if the bleeding point is visible. In case of failure to localize or access a bleeding point or profuse bleeding, anterior nasal packing can effectively control majority of epistaxis. Foley's catheter is a good option that can be used for posterior nasal packing. Gelfoam may be used for controlling epistaxis in cases of bleeding disorders, when there is mucosal ooze.
Approximation methods for multiple period Value at Risk and Expected Shortfall prediction

In this paper, we are interested in predicting multiple period Value at Risk and Expected Shortfall based on the so-called iterating approach. In general, the properties of the conditional distribution of multiple period returns do not follow easily from the one-period data generating process, rendering this a non-trivial task. We outline a framework that forms the basis for setting approximations and study four different approaches. Their performance is evaluated by means of extensive Monte Carlo simulations based on an asymmetric GARCH model, implying conditional skewness and excess kurtosis in the multiple period returns. This simulation-based approach was the best one, closely followed by that of assuming a skewed t-distribution for the multiple period returns. The approach based on a Gram–Charlier expansion was not able to cope with the implied non-normality, while the so-called Root-k approach performed poorly. In addition, we outline how the delta-method may be used to quantify the estimation error in the predictors and in the Monte Carlo study we found that it performed well. In an empirical illustration, we computed 10-day Value at Risk’s and Expected Shortfall for Brent Crude Oil, the EUR/USD exchange rate and the S&P 500 index. The Root-k approach clearly performed the worst and the other approaches performed quite similarly, with the simulation based approach and the one based on the skewed t-distribution somewhat better than the one based on the Gram–Charlier expansion.
Activation of glnA transcription by nitrogen regulator I (NRI)-phosphate in Escherichia coli: evidence for a long-range physical interaction between NRI-phosphate and RNA polymerase

Growth of cells of Escherichia coli in nitrogen-limited medium induces the formation of glutamine synthetase, product of the glnA gene, and of other proteins that facilitate the assimilation of nitrogen-containing compounds. Transcription from the glnAp2 promoter of the glnALG operon requires the phosphorylation of nitrogen regulator I (NRI) and, for optimal transcription, the binding of NRI-phosphate to two sites that can be over 1,000 base pairs from the binding site for RNA polymerase. In other procaryotic genes, placement of an activator-binding site further upstream from the start site of transcription diminishes expression. To determine how NRI-phosphate activates transcription and why NRI-dependent transcription differs from activation in other systems, we constructed recombinant plasmids with small alterations between the binding sites for NRI-phosphate and RNA polymerase and between the two high-affinity NRI-binding sites. We demonstrate that tightly bound NRI-phosphate activated transcription from either side of the DNA helix when at least 30 base pairs separated NRI-phosphate from RNA polymerase. In contrast, activation from a partial NRI-binding site was effective only from one side of the DNA. We also observed that glnA expression was optimal when the two high-affinity NRI-binding sites were on the same side of the DNA helix. We explain these results on the basis of a hypothesis that a contact between RNA polymerase and NRI-phosphate bound to an upstream site determines the rate of glnA transcription.
Laparoscopic-assisted cecectomy is associated with decreased formation of postoperative pulmonary metastases compared with open cecectomy in a murine model.

BACKGROUND It was shown in a murine model that sham laparotomy is associated with a higher incidence of postoperative lung metastases when compared with results seen after carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum. Using the same tumor model, the present study was undertaken to determine if the addition of bowel resection to the operative procedure would impact the results. METHODS Sixty mice underwent anesthesia alone (anesthesia control [AC]), laparoscopic-assisted cecectomy (LC), or open cecectomy (OC). After surgery, all animals received tail vein injections of 105 TA3-Ha tumor cells. On postoperative day 14, the lungs and trachea were excised en bloc and processed, and surface lung metastases were counted and recorded by a blinded observer. RESULTS The mean number of surface lung metastases in the AC, LC, and OC groups was 30.9, 76.3, and 134.5, respectively. Significantly more metastases were documented after OC (P<.001) and LC (P<.05) than after anesthesia alone. Mice in the LC group had significantly fewer lung metastases (43% less) than mice in the OC group (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS OC was associated with significantly more lung metastases than either LC or AC. Surgery-related immune suppression or trophic tumor cell stimulation occurring after surgery may contribute to this phenomenon.