Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attractive and repulsive tip-sample interaction regimes in tapping-mode atomic force microscopy

Attractive and repulsive tip-sample interaction regimes of a force microscope operated with an amplitude modulation feedback were investigated as a function of tip-sample separation, free amplitude, and sample properties. In the attractive regime, a net attractive force dominates the amplitude reduction while in the repulsive regime the amplitude reduction is dominated by a net repulsive force. The transition between both regimes may be smooth or steplike, depending on free amplitude and sample properties. A steplike discontinuity is always a consequence of the existence of two oscillation states for the same conditions. Stiff materials and small free amplitudes give rise to steplike transitions while the use of large free amplitudes produce smooth transitions. Simulations performed on compliant samples showed cases where the cantilever dynamics is fully controlled by a net attractive force. Phase-shift measurements provide a practical method to determine the operating regime. Finally, we discuss the influence of those regimes in data acquisition and image interpretation.
Associations between early life adversity and executive function in children adopted internationally from orphanages

Executive function (EF) abilities are increasingly recognized as an important protective factor for children experiencing adversity, promoting better stress and emotion regulation as well as social and academic adjustment. We provide evidence that early life adversity is associated with significant reductions in EF performance on a developmentally sensitive battery of laboratory EF tasks that measured cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibitory control. Animal models also suggest that early adversity has a negative impact on the development of prefrontal cortex-based cognitive functions. In this study, we report EF performance 1 y after adoption in 2.5- to 4-y-old children who had experienced institutional care in orphanages overseas compared with a group of age-matched nonadopted children. To our knowledge, this is the youngest age and the soonest after adoption that reduced EF performance has been shown using laboratory measures in this population. EF reductions in performance were significant above and beyond differences in intelligence quotient. Within the adopted sample, current EF was associated with measures of early deprivation after controlling for intelligence quotient, with less time spent in the birth family before placement in an institution and lower quality of physical/social care in institutions predicting poorer performance on the EF battery.
A lightweight and energy-efficient architecture for wireless sensor networks

This paper presents a novel architecture designed for low power consumption, in which low computational complexity and reliability have also been important design constraints. It is suitable for sensor-actuator systems, is based on IEEE 802.15. 4 and constitutes a more lightweight alternative than Zigbee. We provide a vision of how we have solved some problems that are out of the scope of IEEE 802.15. 4 like addressing scheme, topology control, multi-hop synchronization, tasks scheduling, application data model, and other points related to software and hardware considered to extend the battery life. We have designed a centralized method for scheduling the beacon transmission time. Unlike the distributed one used by Zigbee, our method avoids beacon overlapping in any case and does not require the publication of information in the beacon payload. The proposed addressing scheme also does not require the publication of the depth of coordinators. Both methods allow us to implement efficient algorithms, reduce the memory used to store the network tables, and shorten the beacon payload, what entails a significant energy saving. These solutions together with others presented in this paper allow us to reach a battery life longer than 31 months for sensors and 42 months for actuators.
Effect of herd, parity, stage of lactation and milk yield on urea concentration in milk

The objective of this study was to determine how non-nutritional factors such as herd, parity, days in milk, milk production, and milk components affect the concentration of milk urea. A retrospective, observational study comprising analyses of individual cow records from monthly dairy herd improvement milk tests including milk urea tests was conducted. Six commercial Holstein dairy herds were involved in the investigation from Octo - ber 2000 to September 2003. The data were evaluated using the mixed linear model with repeated measures, and parameters were estimated by the REML method. Significant differences in milk urea concentrations were observed between herds ( P < 0.0001), with a significant variability between test dates within herds. Significant effects of parity (P = 0.0003), days in milk ( P < 0.0001), and their interaction were also found. Higher concentrations of milk urea were determined in the cows on the first and second parity (5.63 and 5.62 mmol/l, respectively) compared to the groups of cows on the third and fourth parity (5.47 mmol/l). It was found that milk urea concentration increased with the square of milk yield ( P < 0.0001), while a negative quadratic relationship was found between milk urea concentration and milk fat % ( P < 0.0001). It was concluded that milk urea concentration should be evaluated in association with days in milk, milk yield, milk fat %, and milk protein %.
THE INFLUENCE OF IODINE ON THE EXCRETION OF CREATINE IN EXOPHTHALMIC GOITER.

Nornal human adults taking a diet without meat, fish, peas or beans excrete no creatine in the urine. The exceptions to this thus far observed are the appearance of small amounts of creatine in women during the menstrual period (1) and the creatinuria in women reported by Denis and Minot (2) following the ingestion of a high protein diet. Creatine is found in the urine of individuals suffering from wasting diseases, starvation, during carbohydrate deprivation, diabetes mellitus, poisoning by phlorhizin, hydrazine, adrenalin and sodium selenite, exophthalmic goiter, fevers and the muscular atrophies and dystrophies (3). The presence of creatine in the urine in pathological conditions is considered evidence of abnormal endogenous nitrogen metabolism of muscles. Shaffer (4) reports 0.18 gram of creatine nitrogen in the twenty-four-hour urine of patients ill with exophthalmic goiter. Of the several pathological conditions studied by Shaffer only in the post partum period did he encounter values in excess of this. Associated with the abnormal creatine excretion in exophthalmic goiter there was a reduced excretion of creatiniine. Normally the daily excretion of creatinine nitrogen per kilogram of body weight amounts to 7 to 11 mgm. , whereas in the cases of goiter only 3 to 6 mgm. are excreted. Since the creatine-creatinine metabolism is apparently of great significance in normal muscle function the known disturbance of this phase of metabolism in exophthalmic goiter on the one hand and the effect of iodine administration in reducing basal metabolism and im-
Lysyl oxidase deficiency: a new cause of human arterial dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare cause of myocardial ischaemia. The underlying mechanism is unknown but some dissections are associated with extracellular matrix disorganisation of genetic origin. A deficiency in extracellular matrix protein cross links has rarely been studied. A single clinical case of spontaneous coronary artery dissection is reported. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) and extracellular matrix organisation were investigated by skin immunohistology and polymerase chain reaction of LOX expression. Both approaches found a dramatic LOX decrease. LOX deficiency has a major role in human arterial wall organisation during development. The suspected mechanism is an elastin or collagen polymer cross linking deficiency.
Fluoroquinolone resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: the effect of duration and timing of fluoroquinolone exposure.

RATIONALE Fluoroquinolones are the most commonly prescribed antibiotic class in the United States. They have the potential to become first-line antituberculosis therapy, but the effect of fluoroquinolone use on fluoroquinolone resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is not well characterized. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for fluoroquinolone-resistant tuberculosis in a large United States population. METHODS We identified all people with culture-confirmed tuberculosis enrolled in TennCare (Medicaid) and reported to the Tennessee Department of Health from January 2002 to December 2006. People with fluoroquinolone-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates (cases) were compared with those with susceptible isolates (control subjects). Fluoroquinolone resistance was determined by agar proportion using ofloxacin 2 microg/ml. Outpatient fluoroquinolone exposure in the 12 months before tuberculosis diagnosis was ascertained from TennCare pharmacy data. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Of 640 study patients, 116 (18%) had fluoroquinolone exposure in the 12 months before diagnosis, and 16 (2.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-4.0%) M. tuberculosis isolates were fluoroquinolone resistant. Among the 54 patients with more than 10 days of fluoroquinolone exposure, 7 (13%) had fluoroquinolone resistance. In multivariable logistic regression analyses using propensity score to control for age, sex, race, HIV serostatus, and site of disease, more than 10 days of fluoroquinolone exposure before tuberculosis diagnosis was associated with fluoroquinolone resistance (odds ratio 7.0; 95% CI, 2.3-20.6; P = 0.001). Fluoroquinolone exposure for more than 10 days that occurred more than 60 days before tuberculosis diagnosis was associated with the highest risk of resistance (20.8%; odds ratio 17.0; 95% CI, 5.1-56.8; P < 0.001 compared with no exposure). CONCLUSIONS Overall, fluoroquinolone resistance was relatively low. However, receipt of fluoroquinolones for more than 10 days, particularly more than 60 days before tuberculosis diagnosis, was associated with a high risk of fluoroquinolone-resistant tuberculosis.
Desensitizing efficacy of a new dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.454% stannous fluoride.

PURPOSE To evaluate the relative effectiveness provided by a new dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.454% stannous fluoride in a silica base (Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength) for reducing dentin hypersensitivity over an 8-wk period, as compared to that provided by a commercially-available antihypersensitivity dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate in a dicalcium phosphate base (Fresh Mint Sensodyne dentifrice). MATERIALS AND METHODS To qualify for participation in this examiner-blind study, male and female adults from the San Francisco, California area were required to present with tactile and air blast dentin hypersensitivity in at least 2 non-molar teeth at two examinations, spaced 1 wk apart. Qualifying subjects were randomized into two treatment groups, which were balanced for gender, age, and baseline sensitivity scores. Subjects were provided with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Examinations for tactile and air blast sensitivity were repeated after 4 wks' use of the study dentifrices, and again after 8 wks' usage. RESULTS 101 subjects complied with the protocol, and completed the entire study. After 4 wks, subjects assigned to the Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength group exhibited a statistically significant improvement over the Fresh Mint Sensodyne dentifrice group with respect to tactile sensitivity scores, and a statistically significant improvement over the Sensodyne dentifrice group with respect to air blast sensitivity scores. Correspondingly significant improvements were presented after 8 wks. Thus, the results of this examiner-blind clinical study support the conclusion that Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength dentifrice provided superior levels of control of tactile and air blast sensitivity than did the clinically tested, commercially-available Sensodyne anti-hypersensitivity dentifrice.
The release of growth arrest by microinjection of adenovirus E1A DNA.

The induction of DNA synthesis in growth‐arrested mouse fibroblasts (NIH 3T3) was studied by microinjection of different constructs of adenovirus DNA using SV40 DNA and plasmid DNA as positive and negative controls. The E1A region of adenovirus types 2 and 12 appears to be sufficient to induce cellular DNA synthesis after growth arrest in approximately 30% of the cells and both 13S and 12S cDNA constructs mediate this effect. The presence of the E1A protein products as assayed by immunofluorescence does not strictly correlate with the induction of DNA synthesis in microinjected cells in contrast to the SV40 large T‐antigen. Microinjection of truncated fragments of the Ad12 E1A region suggests, however, that the protein products of 12S and 13S may be involved in the induction process. A sequence comparison of the SV40 T‐antigen and the adenovirus E1A products identified a region of significant homology providing a basis for a hypothesis concerning the evolution of T‐antigen genes in DNA viruses.
Early Intervention With Transplantation Recipients to Improve Access to and Knowledge of Palliative Care.

BACKGROUND The literature continues to support that patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) receive early consultation with palliative care specialists. Nurses can be leaders in this initiative. OBJECTIVES This quality improvement project was conducted to determine whether patients undergoing HSCT, who were provided an early consultation with palliative care, would report increased knowledge and increased ability to access palliative services. METHODS Patients completed a postintervention questionnaire in which the majority of patients reported that they had increased knowledge about palliative care and learned how to access their services. FINDINGS Patient comments were positive about the successful intervention of early palliative care. The palliative care team, however, revealed a different view of the situation, showing that patients were often overwhelmed, anxious, and sometimes did not remember the content of their meetings.
Succinylcholine-Induced Hyperkalemia in Patients with Renal Failure: An Old Question Revisited

release from cells as a result ofdepolarization at the neuromuscular junction. How-ever, in certain conditions, such as trauma, burns,infection, and certain neuromuscular disorders (in-cluding spinal cord injury, upper motor lesions, andstructural brain damage, peripheral nerve injury, pe-ripheral neuropathy, Parkinson’s disease, tetanus, andmuscular dystrophy), there is an exaggerated increasein the serum K
Quantification of fetal nucleated cells in maternal blood of pregnant women with a male trisomy 21 fetus using molecular cytogenetic techniques

Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21 is based on fetal karyotyping generally obtained using invasive methods. During pregnancy, the circulating fetal cells in maternal blood constitute a potential source for development of a noninvasive prenatal diagnosis. The objective of this study was the identification and quantification of all fetal nucleated cells per unit volume of peripheral blood of pregnant women carrying male fetuses with trisomy 21 using molecular cytogenetic techniques.
Recognition of adenovirus types in faecal samples by Southern hybridization in South Australia

SUMMARY The distribution of adenovirus types in faecal samples of patients with suspected viral gastroenteritis from South Australia was determined during the 12-month period, July 1991–June 1992. There were 3299 samples tested and 226 (6·9%) were positive for adenovirus by enzyme immunoassay. Of these 226 samples. 154 (68%) were typed directly using virus DNA extracted from the faecal samples according to the Sma I, Hind III and BstEII restriction patterns and Southern hybridization analysis with pooled viral genomic DNA probes. In this group, 86% of the samples were from patients who were < 3 years of age. Enteric adenovirus types 40 and 41 accounted for 20 and 40% respectively, of these samples, and types 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 31 comprised the remainder. Type 40 was detected mainly in the winter and spring periods, and type 41 predominated in the autumn period. The majority of the non-enteric types were found during the late winter and spring periods.
Growth dependent changes in the endothelial factors regulating arteriolar tone

Previous studies from our laboratory suggest that in young rats, the rapid growth of skeletal muscle and its vascular network is accompanied by a modification of the mechanisms responsible for the integrated regulation of blood flow. Building on this work, we studied isolated gracilis muscle arterioles from weanling (22–26 days) and juvenile (50–56 days) rats to test the hypothesis that this modification includes a change in the contribution of nitric oxide to the regulation of arteriolar tone. Normalized to dilator capacity, arteriolar responses to acetylcholine (ACh), A23187, VEGF and simvastatin were not different between age groups. Treatment with L‐NAME significantly attenuated the dilation to each of these agonists in juvenile, but not in weanling arterioles. In juvenile vessels, combined treatment with L‐NAME and indomethacin reduced ACh and simvastatin responses by 88–90% and 68–73%, respectively. In contrast, this combined treatment had no effect on responses to either agonist in weanling arterioles. Treatment with miconazole had no effect on ACh or simvastatin responses in either group. However, combined treatment with all three pathway inhibitors abolished ACh and simvastatin responses in juvenile arterioles, but had no consistent effect in weanling arterioles. These data suggest that age‐dependent differences in the control of vascular tone exist and may have significant implications for the regulation of tissue perfusion. (NIH RO1 DK64668, AHA 0330194N, NIH HL 44012)
Internalization of interpersonal process in time-limited dynamic psychotherapy.

Seventy patients in outpatient psychodynamic, time-limited psychotherapy and their sixteen therapists participated in the Vanderbilt II psychotherapy research project. Results of an investigation of the internalization of therapist-patient relationships using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior indicate that patients' intrapsychic functioning became more similar to interpersonal activity in the therapist-patient relationship over the course of psychotherapy. Intrapsychic movement toward interpersonal activity in the therapist—patient relationship was associated with positive outcome on measures of depression, anxiety, and on independent clinician ratings of patient psychological functioning. Implications for psychodynamic theory, practice, and research are discussed.
Ju n 20 05 Local Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computation

Columbia University, 1214 Amsterdam Ave. MC:0401, New York, NY 10025 2IBM Watson Research Center, P.O. Box 218, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, USA (Dated:) Abstract We analyze and study the effects of locality on the fault-tol erance threshold for quantum computation. We analytically estimate how the threshold will depend on a s cale parameter r which characterizes the scaleup in the size of the circuit due to encoding. We carry out a det iled semi-numerical threshold analysis for concatenated coding using the 7-qubit CSS code in the local a nd the ‘nonlocal’ setting. First, we find that the threshold in the local model for the [[7, 1, 3]] code has a1/r dependence, which is in correspondence with our analytical estimate. Second, the threshold, beyond the 1/r dependence, does not depend too strongly on the noise levels for transporting qubits. Beyond these re ults, we find that it is important to look at more than one level of concatenation in order to estimate the thre shold and that it may be beneficial in certain places, like in the transportation of qubits, to do error cor rection only infrequently.
Intrafirm Competition and Charter Evolution in the Multibusiness Firm

We develop a theoretical framework for a specific form of intrafirm competition, namely the extent of overlap between the charters of two or more units in a single organization. This phenomenon is commonly seen in large organizations, e.g., cases of two business units producing competing products, or two product development groups trying to solve the same technological problem, but the existing academic literature provides little insight into the forms intrafirm competition takes, or the conditions under which it is beneficial or harmful to the organization. Building on the concept of an organization charter (Galunic and Eisenhardt 2001), we identify two generic forms of intrafirm competition: the dynamic community model has fluid and frequently changing charter boundaries, and it emerges through the creation of strategic options in the face of a changing environment; the coexistence model has fixed and relatively static charter boundaries, and it owes its existence to economies of scope and differentiation of unit charters to cover multiple market segments. In the body of the paper we develop a theoretical framework to specify the environmental and organizational conditions under which each form of intrafirm competition is expected to occur.
Function of semicircular canals, utricles and saccules in deaf children

Objective To study vestibular function in deaf children. Material and Methods In 36 deaf children the function of the semicircular canals, saccules and utricles was measured by means of caloric testing, recordings of vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) and measurements of the subjective visual horizontal (SVH) at different body tilts, respectively. Results In total, 30% of subjects had caloric hypo- or areflexia and 24% had a caloric asymmetry. VEMPs were weak or absent bilaterally in 22% of cases, and asymmetric in 19%. Regarding the utricle, 17% of subjects had a pathologically reduced perception of roll tilt to both sides and 25% had an asymmetry. In total, 30% of subjects were pathologic in all 3 tests and 30% were completely normal. Semicircular canal function correlated best with the function of the saccule. If hearing was better than 90 dB (pure-tone average of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 kHz) vestibular function was often normal. For hearing levels of 100–120 dB, otolith function declined significantly. Conclusions Vestibular function tends to be preserved up to a point where hearing is nearly extinct. Hearing level correlates more closely with otolith function, especially that of the utricle, than with semicircular canal function.