Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Removal of Triclocarban and Triclosan during Municipal Biosolid Production

The antimicrobial compounds triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) accumulate in sludges produced during municipal wastewater treatment and persist through sludge treatment processes into finished biosolids. The objective of this research was to determine the extent to which conventional sludge processing systems such as aerobic digestion, anaerobic digestion, and lime stabilization were able to remove TCC and TCS. The concentrations of TCC and TCS in sludge and biosolid samples were determined via heated solvent extraction and analysis with liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The removal of TCC and TCS in municipal biosolid processing systems was determined from the measured concentration change after correcting for reductions in solid mass during sludge treatment. Removal in the digester systems ranged from 15 to 68% for TCC and 20 to 75% for TCS. Increased solid retention times during sludge treatment operations were correlated with higher removals of TCC and TCS.
Negative Sequence Current Control in Wind Power Plants With VSC-HVDC Connection

Large offshore wind power plants may have multi-MW wind turbine generators (WTG) equipped with full-scale converters (FSC) and voltage source converter (VSC) based high voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission for grid connection. The power electronic converters in the WTG-FSC and the VSC-HVDC allow fast current control in the offshore grid. This paper presents a method of controlling the negative sequence current injection into the offshore grid from the VSC-HVDC as well as WTG-FSCs. This would minimize the power oscillations and hence reduce the dc voltage overshoots in the VSC-HVDC system as well as in the WTG-FSCs; especially when the offshore grid is unbalanced due to asymmetric faults. The formulation for negative sequence current injection is mathematically derived and then implemented in electromagnetic transients (EMT) simulation model. The simulated results show that the negative sequence current control mitigates the power oscillations and therefore limits the dc voltage excursions in the VSC-HVDC system during the asymmetric faults.
5-Year Follow-Up of Coronary Revascularization in Diabetic Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease

Results The rate of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events was significantly higher in patients treated with BMS (BMS 53.6% vs. CABG 23.4% vs. SES 40.5%; log-rank, p 0.01 for SES vs. BMS and SES vs. CABG). There was no significant difference in mortality among all 3 groups. There was, however, a statistically significant difference in the myocardial infarction rate between BMS and CABG arms (BMS 11.0%, CABG 5.2%, SES 4.8%, p 0.04 for SES vs. BMS and p 0.76 for SES vs. CABG). The rate of repeat revascularization was significantly lower in patients treated with CABG compared with SES (SES 33.2% vs. CABG 10.7%, p 0.001). Revascularization rate of patients treated with SES at 5 years approached that of patients treated with BMS although remained significantly lower. This “catch-up” phenomenon was not apparent in the nondiabetic population.
The comparative efficacy of oxfendazole administered as bolus and suspension to naturally infected sheep in Greece

Abstract In a flock of 20 ewes naturally infected with those parasites of sheep most common in Greece, and kept indoors during the whole trial, oxfendazole at the dose rate of approximately 2–9 and 2–8 mg/kg body-weight was tested as a 4 g bolus containing 112 mg active ingredient and a 2–265% suspension. The evaluation of its efficacy was based on the necropsy findings which were also supported by faecal egg counts. No differences in efficacy were noticed between the two formulations of the drug. Both bolus and suspension proved to be 100% effective against Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis and Chabertia ovina. The efficacy against Cooperia oncophora, Nematodirus spathiger, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Oesophagostomum columbianum and Moniezia expansa could not be evaluated, because these species, though not found in any of the treated animals, were found in fewer than three controls.
Primary Isolated Subtalar Arthrodesis: Outcome after 2 to 5 Years Followup

Background: Favorable to excellent clinical results have been reported for isolated subtalar joint arthrodesis. Pedobarography after subtalar bone-block distraction arthrodesis have demonstrated a more laterally shifted gait line. However pedobarographic measurements after primary in-situ isolated subtalar arthrodesis have not been reported. This is the first study considering this. Materials and Methods: Physical examination, AOFAS Hindfoot score, full weightbearing anterior/posterior and lateral radiographs were assessed in 15 feet. Peak pressures, ground reaction force and force distribution at foot-flat and push-off were measured. Results: Average AOFAS-Score significantly improved. Subjective satisfaction was high. Non-union was found in 1 foot (7%), screws were removed in 4 of the 15 feet (27%). One new asymptomatic arthritic talonavicular joint was found. The pressure and force distributions under the operated and contralateral foot showed a different pattern compared to a normal foot. Ground reaction force under both the operated and contralateral feet were lower than a normal foot. Discussion: This study found good clinical, subjective and radiographic results matching that of the reported literature. However, pedobarographic assessment suggests that great functional differences still remain when compared to a normal foot. Subtalar arthrodesis may induce an abnormal gait pattern by preventing compensation of axial rotation of the tibia. This is also reflected in the unaffected side, which may indicate an effort in the general locomotor control to keep a symmetrical gait pattern. This finally alters the pressure and force distribution under both feet. Nevertheless, subtalar arthrodesis is considered a valuable treatment for various isolated subtalar disorders.
Direct observation of a new growth mode: Subsurface island growth of Cu on Pb(111).

Atomically resolved scanning tunneling microscopy on Cu/Pb(111) reveals a new growth mode, contrary to the Volmer-Weber mode expected from the significantly lower surface energy of Pb. (111)oriented Cu islands with a thickness of 3–11 layers are immersed in the Pb substrate and covered by a single close-packed Pb layer. This subsurface growth mode occurring at room temperature can be explained by simple thermodynamic considerations.
Efficient Twin Arginine Translocation (Tat) Pathway Transport of a Precursor Protein Covalently Anchored to Its Initial cpTatC Binding Site*

The thylakoid twin arginine protein translocation (Tat) system operates by a cyclical mechanism in which precursors bind to a cpTatC-Hcf106 receptor complex, which then recruits Tha4 to form the translocase. After translocation, the translocase disassembles. Here, we fine-mapped initial interactions between precursors and the components of the receptor complex. Precursors with (Tmd)Phe substitutions in the signal peptide and early mature domain were bound to thylakoids and photo-cross-linked to components. cpTatC and Hcf106 were found to interact with different regions of the signal peptide. cpTatC cross-linked strongly to residues in the immediate vicinity of the twin arginine motif. Hcf106 cross-linked less strongly to residues in the hydrophobic core and the early mature domain. To determine whether precursors must leave their initial sites of interaction during translocation, cross-linked precursors were subjected to protein transport conditions. tOE17 cross-linked to cpTatC was efficiently translocated, indicating that the mature domain of the precursor can be translocated while the signal peptide remains anchored to the receptor complex.
Reproducibility of multibreath nitrogen washout measurements.

The reproducibility of data obtained from the analysis of the pulmonary nitrogen clearance during oxygen breathing was studied in a group of normal subjects and in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. As shown by statistical analysis, the reproducibility of some relatively simple measures of gas distribution inequality and ventilatory efficiency (lung clearance index and mixing ratio) was found to be satisfactory; the intrasubject variation of data obtained from the graphic analysis of the nitrogen washout curve according to a multicompartment lung model was found to be greater than that of the lung clearance index and mixing ratio, but tolerable for most of these data. The results indicated that the intrasubject variability of the nitrogen washout measurements analyzed in the present study, although acceptable, is not negligible and should be taken into account when assessing the significance of experimental nitrogen clearance changes.
The Visual Cortex of Primates.

IN the course of a systematic study of the brain of the tree-shrew (Tupaia) (5), certain features in the structure of the visual area of the cerebral cortex were observed of which the interpretation was somewhat doubtful. In order to seek for an explanation, a comparative investigation of this area was carried out with reference to many brains, primate and non-primate. The results of this study seemed to be sufficiently instructive to warrant their record in the present communication. In the histological localisation of the cortex of the mammalian cerebrum, the visual area, in the cortex of which the terminal ramifications of the optic radiations are found, is one of the most easily distinguishable of the areas. This has been recognised by most workers in this field who point out that the outstanding characteristic of the visuo-sensory cortex is the well-developed and differentiated lamina granularis interna (Lamina IV)1. The most extensive comparative accounts of the microscopic anatomy of this region are those of Mott (9) and Brodmann (2). The results of these two authors are not entirely in agreement, however, either with each other or with the investigations of other authors. This disparity is partly due to the fact that some authors have described as visual cortex what is clearly cortex of quite.a different nature. The homologisation of the various cortical areas can be satisfactorily determined only by an elaborate and complete survey of the whole cortex of a large number of specimens, as has been done by Brodmann. The structure of the mammalian visual cortex in its simplest form is exemplified by the section through the occipital pole of the arboreal marsupial, Marmosa, shown in text-fig. 1. In this animal, differentiation of the various layers of the cortex is not very marked, but a definite elaboration of the inner granular layer can be readily seen. The granule cells which compose this layer spread into the pyramidal layer superficially and the lamina ganglionaris on a deeper plane so that the boundaries of the layer are not sharply demarcated. A further differentiation is shown in text-fig. 2 which shows the visual cortex of the rat kangaroo, Aepyprymnus rufescens, and this represents the condition which is found in the majority of mammalian brains. The inner granular layer forms a well-defined layer the boundaries of which can be determined fairly accurately, but the granules are somewhat diffusely scattered and, as in the previous case, they merge on either side directly with the cells of the adjacent laminate. A still further degree of differentiation is to be seen in Plate I, fig. 1,
In vitro neutralization of Chlamydia trachomatis by monovalent Fab antibody specific to the major outer membrane protein

Monovalent Fab antibodies to serovar- and subspecies-specific epitopes of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia trachomatis neutralized infectivity for hamster kidney cells by preventing chlamydial attachment. These findings exclude the aggregation of chlamydiae as a mechanism of anti-MOMP neutralization and provide additional evidence in support of the MOMP as a chlamydial adhesin.
Cardiorespiratory fitness and smoking-related and total cancer mortality in men.

PURPOSE We investigated the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and smoking-related, nonsmoking-related, and total cancer mortality in men. METHODS We followed 25,892 men, age 30-87 yr, who had a preventive medical evaluation, including a maximal exercise test and self-reported health habits. There were 335 cancer deaths (133 from smoking-related cancer, 202 from nonsmoking-related cancer) during an average of 10 yr of follow-up (259,124 man-yr). RESULTS After adjustment for age, examination year, smoking habits, alcohol intake, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus, there was an inverse association between cardiorespiratory fitness levels and smoking-related (P < 0.001 for trend), nonsmoking-related (P = 0.001 for trend), and total cancer mortality (P < 0.001 for trend). Moderate and high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with lower risk of smoking-related and nonsmoking-related cancer mortality when compared with low fitness in men. We also observed that smoking-related mortality rates were progressively lower across low, moderate, and high fitness groups in former (P = 0.06 for trend) and current (P = 0.04 for trend) smokers. CONCLUSION We conclude that cardiorespiratory fitness may provide protection against cancer mortality in men.
Nutritional stress of reproduction, A cohort study over two consecutive pregnancies

BACKGROUND The evaluation of nutritional stresses of reproduction is far more complex than perceived in the literature so far. The use of inappropriate outcome measures, the lack of adjustment for the complex inter-relationships among confounding variables, and the poverty of analytical models, has led to conflicting results. Our objective was to evaluate, using a new analytical framework, the maternal and fetal effects of the nutritional stress imposed by reproduction in a cohort of 278 women followed over two consecutive pregnancies. METHODS The analytical framework evaluated nutritional stress over successive pregnancies. The effect of birth interval on change in maternal weight, body mass index and hemoglobin over two consecutive pregnancies was evaluated using multiple linear regression accounting for the effects of maternal age, parity and weight or body mass index or hemoglobin in the first of the two pregnancies. For change in fetal birth weight correction was made for the confounding effect of maternal age, parity and weight, and fetal gestational age, sex and birth weight. RESULTS Birth interval was associated with change in maternal weight (p=0.001); change in body mass index (p=0.002); and change in birth weight (p=0.048). No association was found between birth interval and change in hemoglobin. CONCLUSIONS The nutritional stress imposed by reproduction affects maternal and fetal outcomes. Maternal nutrient stores can be depleted and fetal growth can be restricted in association with shorter birth intervals. Perinatal nutrition may be improved by adequate spacing of pregnancies with appropriate birth control.
Developing geometrical knowledge outside school: The case of miniature wire toy car makers

Abstract The paper explores how a group of boys develops the informal geometrical knowledge embedded in the construction of miniature, wire toy cars. Non-participant observations and semi-structured interviews were used to gather the data. The data revealed that the informal geometrical knowledge used in the construction of wire cars is not influenced by the school geometrical knowledge nor learned at school, but instead comes about through observation and interaction with materials during the activity.
Viral nanoparticles and virus‐like particles: platforms for contemporary vaccine design

Abstract Current vaccines that provide protection against infectious diseases have primarily relied on attenuated or inactivated pathogens. Virus‐like particles (VLPs), comprised of capsid proteins that can initiate an immune response but do not include the genetic material required for replication, promote immunogenicity and have been developed and approved as vaccines in some cases. In addition, many of these VLPs can be used as molecular platforms for genetic fusion or chemical attachment of heterologous antigenic epitopes. This approach has been shown to provide protective immunity against the foreign epitopes in many cases. A variety of VLPs and virus‐based nanoparticles are being developed for use as vaccines and epitope platforms. These particles have the potential to increase efficacy of current vaccines as well as treat diseases for which no effective vaccines are available. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2011 3 174–196 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.119 This article is categorized under: 1 Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease
Keeping up to date: An academic researcher's information journey

Keeping up to date with research developments is a central activity of academic researchers, but researchers face difficulties in managing the rapid growth of available scientific information. This study examined how researchers stay up to date, using the information journey model as a framework for analysis and investigating which dimensions influence information behaviors. We designed a 2‐round study involving semistructured interviews and prototype testing with 61 researchers with 3 levels of seniority (PhD student to professor). Data were analyzed following a semistructured qualitative approach. Five key dimensions that influence information behaviors were identified: level of seniority, information sources, state of the project, level of familiarity, and how well defined the relevant community is. These dimensions are interrelated and their values determine the flow of the information journey. Across all levels of professional expertise, researchers used similar hard (formal) sources to access content, while soft (interpersonal) sources were used to filter information. An important “pain point” that future information tools should address is helping researchers filter information at the point of need.
Expression of nitric oxide synthase in inflammatory bowel disease is not affected by corticosteroid treatment.

AIM: To examine the effect of corticosteroid treatment on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the colon of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Four groups of patients were studied: (1) ulcerative colitis treated with high dose corticosteroids (six patients, 10 blocks); (2) ulcerative colitis patients who had never received corticosteroids (10 patients, 16 blocks); (3) Crohn's disease treated with high dose corticosteroids (12 patients, 24 blocks); (4) Non-inflammatory, non-neoplastic controls (four patients, six blocks). Full thickness paraffin sections of colons removed at surgery were immunostained with an antibody raised against the C terminal end of iNOS. Sections were assessed semiquantitatively for the presence and degree of inflammation and immunoreactivity for nitric oxide synthase. RESULTS: Cases of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease with active inflammation showed strong staining for nitric oxide synthase. The staining was diffuse in ulcerative colitis and patchy in Crohn's disease, in accordance with the distribution of active inflammation. Staining was seen in epithelial cells and was most intense near areas of inflammation such as crypt abscesses. Non-inflamed epithelium showed no immunoreactivity. Treatment with corticosteroids made no difference to the amount of nitric oxide synthase. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of nitric oxide synthase is increased in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and appears to be unaffected by treatment with corticosteroids. Disease severity necessitated surgery in all the cases included in this study, regardless of whether or not the patients had received long term corticosteroid treatment. It seems therefore that a high level of iNOS expression and, presumably, production of nitric oxide characterise cases which are refractory to clinical treatment; this suggests that specific inhibition of the enzyme may be a useful therapeutic adjunct.
Effects of temperature and food concentration on the survival, development and growth rates of naupliar stages of Oithona davisae (Copepoda, Cyclopoida)

Oithona spp. are probably the most abundant and ubiquitous copepods in the world's oceans. However, knowledge of their development and growth rates is scarce compared to that of calanoid copepods. In the present laboratory study, we determined the survival, development and growth rates of the naupliar stages of Oithona davisae under different temperature regimes and food concentrations. Naupliar survival was reduced to approximately 60% at the lowest food concentra- tion tested (11 µg C l -1 after 7 d at 20°C). The development of O. davisae nauplii was equipropor- tional, but not isochronal. Food concentrations required for maximum development and growth rates were 56 and 87 µg C l -1 , respectively. The Q10 values for development and growth depended on the temperature range. O. davisae nauplii showed similar developmental times, but lower growth rates and food requirements than values reported in the literature for calanoid copepods. We suggest that these differences may help to explain the ubiquity of Oithona spp. in oceanic environments.
Morphologic complexity of the pericellular matrix in the annulus of the human intervertebral disc

The pericellular region of the extracellular matrix (ECM) contains collagens, proteoglycans and other noncollagenous matrix proteins. Although such specialized pericellular ECM has been well studied in articular cartilage, little is known about the pericellular matrix in the disc. In the study reported here, pericellular matrix was studied in annulus tissue from 52 subjects ranging in age from 17-74 years. In aging/degenerating intervertebral discs, cells were identified that formed a distinctive cocoon of encircling pericellular ECM. Immunohistochemical studies identified types I, II, III and VI collagen in these pericellular sites with diverse morphological features. Similar types of changes in the pericellular matrix were observed in both surgical specimens and control donor discs. Results indicate the need for future studies to address why such specialized matrix regions form around certain disc cells and to determine the consequences of these unusual matrix regions on annular lamellar organization and function.
ARPN Journal of Science and Technology::Evaluation of Serum Copper and Zinc in Hypothyroidism Patients

Decreased thyroid hormone synthesis and low levels of circulating thyroid hormones result in biochemical and clinical hypothyroidism. Deficiency of thyroid hormones causes many metabolic processes to slow down. The maintenance of optimal health requires an adequate supply of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, and macronutrients, micronutrients, and trace elements. In this work, the serum content of the trace elements; Zn and Cu in hypothyroidism patients was determined and compared to that of normal subjects. Fifty hypothyroid patients and fifty normal healthy control persons participated in this study. Serum zinc and copper was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that serum zinc level of hypothyroidism patients was significantly lower as compared to the normal subjects. There is no significant difference between the groups in serum copper. The results of this study indicates, the role of these trace elements in many metabolic process either as essential nutrients or as cofactors for different enzymes contributed directly or indirectly to the hypothyroidism. Consequently, the results of this study suggest that the metabolism of zinc is abnormal in hypothyroidism disease.