Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zinc‐induced changes in ionic currents of clonal rat pancreatic β‐cells: activation of ATP‐sensitive K+ channels

1 The effects of zinc (Zn2+) on excitability and ionic conductances were analysed on RINm5F insulinoma cells under whole‐cell and outside‐out patch‐clamp recording conditions. 2 We found that extracellular application of 10‐20 μM Zn2+ induced a reversible abolition of Ca2+ action potential firing, which was accompanied by an hyperpolarisation of the resting membrane potential. 3 Higher concentrations of Zn2+, in the tens to hundreds micromolar range, induced a reversible reduction of voltage‐gated Ca2+ and, to a lesser extent, K+ currents. Low‐voltage‐activated Ca2+ currents were more sensitive to Zn2+ block than high voltage‐activated Ca2+ currents. 4 The Zn2+‐induced hyperpolarisation arose from a dose‐dependent increase in a voltage‐independent K+ conductance that was pharmacologically identified as an ATP‐sensitive K+ (KATP) conductance. The effect was rapid in onset, readily reversible, voltage independent, and related to intracellular ATP concentration. In the presence of 1 mM intracellular ATP, half‐maximal activation of KATP channels was obtained with extracellular application of 1.7 μM Zn2+. 5 Single channel analysis revealed that extracellular Zn2+ increased the KATP channel open‐state probability with no change in the single channel conductance. 6 Our data support the hypothesis that Zn2+ binding to KATP protein subunits results in an activation of the channels, therefore regulating the resting membrane potential and decreasing the excitability of RINm5F cells. Taken together, our results suggest that Zn2+ can influence insulin secretion in pancreatic β‐cells through a negative feedback loop, involving both KATP and voltage‐gated conductances.
Taming warp divergence

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are designed to exploit large amount of parallelism. However, warp-level divergence occurring due to different amounts of work, memory access latency experienced, etc., results in warps of a thread block (TB) finishing kernel execution at different points in time. This, in effect, reduces utilization of resources of SMs and hence performance of the GPU. We propose a simple and elegant technique to eliminate the waiting time of warps at the end of kernel execution and improve performance. The proposed technique uses the idea of persistent threads to define virtual thread blocks and virtual warps. This enables the virtual warp finishing earlier to initiate the execution of another warp from a subsequent thread block, avoiding the unnecessary waiting for sibling warps and the resulting resource underutilization. Further, this technique enables us to design a warp scheduling algorithm that is aware of the progress made by the virtual thread blocks and virtual warps, and uses this knowledge to prioritise warps effectively. The proposed approach is implemented using a simple source-to-source transformation and minimal hardware support. Evaluation of the proposed approach on a diverse set of kernels on the GPGPU-Sim simulator reveals a geometric mean improvement of 1.06x over the baseline architecture that uses the Greedy Then Old (GTO) warp scheduler and 1.09x over the Loose Round Robin (LRR) warp scheduler.
Prophylactic Antibiotics for Hemorrhoidectomy: Are They Really Needed?

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoidectomy is considered by many to be a contaminated operation that requires antibiotic prophylaxis to lower the incidence of surgical site infection. In reality, little evidence exists to either support or refute the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in this setting. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine if antibiotic prophylaxis is associated with reduced incidence of postoperative surgical site infection following hemorrhoidectomy. DESIGN: This is a retrospective database review. SETTING: This study was conducted at multiple institutions. PATIENTS: All patients undergoing hemorrhoidectomy with minimum 3-month follow-up were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the incidence of postoperative surgical site infection. RESULTS: Eight hundred fifty-two patients met the inclusion criteria (50.1% female; mean age, 50.0 ± 13.7 years). The prevalence of preoperative risk factors for surgical site infection included 7.7% with a smoking history, 2.5% with diabetes mellitus, 0.8% receiving steroids, and 0.2% with Crohn’s disease. Surgery was performed predominately for 3-column prolapsed internal and mixed internal/external hemorrhoidal disease. All surgeries performed were closed hemorrhoidectomies. Antibiotic prophylaxis was used in a fewer number of cases (41.3% vs 58.7%). Overall, there were only 12 documented postoperative infections identified, producing an overall incidence of 1.4%. Of those patients who developed postoperative surgical site infections, 9 (75%) did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis (p = 0.25). On multivariate regression analysis, no perioperative risk factor was associated with an increased risk of developing a posthemorrhoidectomy surgical site infection. Conversely, there were no adverse antibiotic-related complications such as Clostridium difficile colitis or antibiotic-associated diarrhea in those receiving antibiotic prophylaxis. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by the retrospective nature of the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative surgical site infection is an exceedingly rare event following hemorrhoidectomy. Antibiotic prophylaxis does not reduce the incidence of postoperative surgical site infection, and its routine use appears unnecessary.
Twitter as a resource to evaluate the university teaching process

The widespread use of social networks among college students has an excellent potential for academic purposes. The university has in its own students an important source of information that can be used to evaluate the quality of its services, and social networks provide a great assessment tool. The purpose of the study is to analyse an experiment based on the use of Twitter in the daily evaluation of the teaching process and its impact on the students. One hundred and forty-five students voluntarily and, if they so wanted, anonymously, participated in the experiment. They evaluated each of the classes through tweets. The students’ perceptions of the usefulness of Twitter for evaluating the teaching process was analysed through a questionnaire with open and closed questions. The main findings of the research showed considerable satisfaction with the process followed in the subject. There was also a modest positive evaluation in assessing the incorporation and use of Twitter for academic purposes. It is concluded that Twitter can be a useful tool for students to evaluate the teaching process and that Twitter is highly suitable for incorporation into the university sphere.ResumenLa gran difusión de las redes sociales entre los estudiantes universitarios es un excelente potencial para su utilización con una finalidad académica. La universidad tiene en su alumnado una importante fuente de información para la calidad de sus servicios y en las redes sociales una potente herramienta de evaluación. El propósito del estudio se centra en analizar una experiencia basada en la utilización de Twitter en la evaluación diaria del proceso de enseñanza y su repercusión en el alumnado. La experiencia contó con la participación de un total de 145 estudiantes que voluntariamente, y de forma anónima si así lo deseaban, evaluaron cada una de las clases recibidas a través de la emisión de tuits. La percepción del alumnado sobre la utilidad de Twitter para la evaluación del proceso se realizó a través de un cuestionario de preguntas abiertas. Los principales hallazgos de la investigación indicaron una alta satisfacción con el proceso seguido en la asignatura. Más discretamente se valora positivamente la incorporación y el uso de Twitter para el fin académico. Se concluye que Twitter puede ser una herramienta adecuada para el estudiante en la evaluación del proceso de enseñanza y con amplias facultades para su incorporación en el ámbito universitario.
Study of Passivity-Based Decoupling Control of T-NPC PV Grid-Connected Inverter

For the purpose of improving the performances of T-type neutral point clamped (T-NPC) photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected inverter under large grid, a passivity-based decoupling control scheme is proposed in this paper. First, the Euler–Lagrange (EL) mathematical model of a T-NPC PV grid-connected inverter with an LC filter is built based on the power circuit and operating principles. Second, with this EL mathematical model and passivity of the inverter, the passivity-based controller is designed by the damping injecting method. Third, by adopting a proportional integral regulator to directly control direct current (dc) voltage, together with passivity-based indirect control, better performances of the dc voltage control can be further obtained. With the proposed passivity-based controller, the PV grid-connected inverter can achieve both dynamic current decoupling under the synchronous rotating dq coordinate and dc side voltage dynamic decoupling, which can improve the quality of the current connected into the power grid. The passivity-based PV grid-connected inverter is with strong robustness against parameters perturbations of resistors and attenuating the influence of delay in the inverter. Moreover, the passivity-based decoupling control scheme proposed in this paper for the T-NPC PV grid-connected inverter has a simple structure, and is easily debugged and realized in engineering. Experimental results under 10-kW prototype show that the proposed control scheme is effective.
Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and child’s cognitive performance at 6–8 years of age in rural Burkina Faso: an observational study

Background In Burkina Faso, it is not uncommon for mothers to drink alcohol, even during pregnancy. We aimed to study the association between maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the child’s cognitive performance using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition (KABC-II) and the Children’s Category Test Level 1 (CCT-1) in rural Burkina Faso. Methods We conducted a follow-up study of a community cluster-randomised Exclusive breastfeeding trial, and re-enrolled the children in rural Burkina Faso. A total of 518 children (268 boys and 250 girls) aged 6–8 years were assessed using the KABC-II and the CCT-1. We examined the effect size difference using Cohen’s d and conducted a linear regression analysis to examine the association. Results Self-reported alcohol consumption during pregnancy was 18.5% (96/518). Children whose mothers reported alcohol consumption during pregnancy performed significantly poorly for memory and spatial abilities tests from small effect size difference for ‘Atlantis’ (0.27) and ‘Triangle’ (0.29) to moderate effect size difference for ‘Number recall’ (0.72) compared to children whose mothers did not consume alcohol during pregnancy; the exposed children scored significantly higher errors with a small effect size (0.37) at problem solving (CCT-1) test compared to unexposed children. At unstandardized and standardized multivariable analysis, children whose mothers reported alcohol consumption during pregnancy performed significantly poorer for memory-‘Atlantis’ (p = 0.03) and ‘Number recall’ (p = 0.0001), and spatial ability tests-‘Triangle’ (p = 0.03); they scored significantly higher errors at problem solving CCT-1 test (p = 0.002); all the results were adjusted for age, sex, schooling, stunting, father’s education, mother’s employment and the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding. No statistical association was found for visual abilities-‘Conceptual Thinking’, ‘Face recognition’, ‘Story completion’, and reasoning tests-‘Rover’, ‘Block counting’, and ‘Pattern Reasoning’. Conclusion Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy is associated with poorer cognitive performance for memory, spatial ability, and problem solving tests in the offspring in rural Burkina Faso. Futures studies needs to assess in more detail the maternal alcohol consumption patterns in Burkina Faso and possible preventive strategies.
Focal cerebral ischemia and antiphospholipid antibodies: a case for cardiac embolism

We report clinical, neuroimaging and immunological findings in seven women with antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA) and cerebral ischemia. Two patients had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and five had the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Autopsies were done in 3 women who died acutely with focal neurological deficits. Evidence for cerebral embolism was found in all patients: a) pathology demonstrated multiple cerebral infarctions and cerebral emboli from underlying non‐bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) in the patients who died. b) Three patients had thickened mitral valves and embolic cerebral occlusions were identified with cerebral angiography. c) In one patient, echocardiography detected a thrombus on the posterior leaflet of a prolapsing mitral valve at the time of ictus. Our data provide further evidence to implicate valvular endothelium in the genesis of cerebral ischemia in some patients with APLA.
What do patients recall from informed consent given before orthopedic surgery?

OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the consent process and the retention of relevant information in patients with orthopedic trauma and those undergoing elective surgery. METHODS The study enrolled 142 consecutive patients (79 women, 63 men; mean age 52.02±20.05 years) undergoing either elective or trauma-related surgery. The patients were introduced to the consent process, which involves a verbal and written explanation of the orthopedic condition, surgical procedure, and intraoperative and postoperative risks. At postoperative 1-3 days, patients were asked to recall the orthopedic condition, procedure they underwent, and risks of the surgery. RESULTS The rate of recall by patients was 131/142 patients (92.3%) for diagnosis, 86/142 patients (60.6%) for surgical procedure, and 32/142 patients (22.5%) for potential complications. Fifty-nine patients (41.5%) could not recall any potential complications. Gender did not influence the ability to describe the operation or potential complications (p>0.05). Advanced age negatively affected recall of information about the surgery and complications (p<0.01), and educational level was correlated with the recall rate (p<0.05). Forty-two patients (29.6%) claimed to have read the consent form before signing it. A greater percentage of patients undergoing elective surgery had read the consent form (p<0.05). Rate of not recalling any potential complications was higher in the trauma group compared with the elective surgery group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION Patients had poor retention of information presented during the consent procedure. Further attention should be focused on enhancing patients' understanding of several components of the informed consent process for surgery.
Passive elongation of muscle fascicles in human muscles with short and long tendons

This study tested the hypothesis that the ratio of changes in muscle fascicle and tendon length that occurs with joint movement scales linearly with the ratio of the slack lengths of the muscle fascicles and tendons. We compared the contribution of muscle fascicles to passive muscle‐tendon lengthening in muscles with relatively short and long fascicles. Fifteen healthy adults participated in the study. The medial gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and brachialis muscle‐tendon units were passively lengthened by slowly rotating the ankle or elbow. Change in muscle fascicle length was measured with ultrasonography. Change in muscle‐tendon length was calculated from estimated muscle moment arms. Change in tendon length was calculated by subtracting change in fascicle length from change in muscle‐tendon length. The median (IQR) contribution of muscle fascicles to passive lengthening of the muscle‐tendon unit, measured as the ratio of the change in fascicle length to the change in muscle‐tendon unit length, was 0.39 (0.26–0.48) for the medial gastrocnemius, 0.51 (0.29–0.60) for tibialis anterior, and 0.65 (0.49–0.90) for brachialis. Brachialis muscle fascicles contributed to muscle‐tendon unit lengthening significantly more than medial gastrocnemius muscle fascicles, but less than would be expected if the fascicle contribution scaled linearly with the ratio of muscle fascicle and tendon slack lengths.
Prevalence of mental health problem during first-half pregnancy at Siriraj Hospital.

OBJECTIVE To study the prevalence of mental health problem during first-half pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional descriptive study. MATERIAL AND METHOD The 255 singleton pregnant women < 20 weeks of gestation were enrolled. They were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire which included Thai GHQ-30 (mental health problem screening tool) and frequent psychosocial stressor forms. The prevalence and factors associated with mental health problem were evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT The prevalence of mental health problem. RESULTS The prevalence of mental health problem was 17.3%. Factors independently associated with mental health problem included worrying about health, stress of taking care of other family members and financial problem with adjusted OR 3.5 (95% CI 1.16, 10.74), 3.8 (95% CI 1.80, 7.89) and 3.2 (95% CI 1.34, 7.53) respectively. CONCLUSION The prevalence of mental health problem was 17.3%. Screening of mental health problem should be included in antenatal care service especially in the risk group.
Energy uptake and utilization by limit- and ad libitum-fed growing horses.

Eighteen weanling horses were assigned to two treatments: limited or ad libitum feed intake. Growth and feed utilization were evaluated over a 78-wk period. Ad libitum-fed horses gained 24% more (P less than .05) weight than limit-fed horses. Total BW was distributed into 57% fore and 43% hind weight and did not differ between groups regardless of dietary treatment or age. Net gain and ADG in wither height of ad libitum-fed horses exceeded (P less than .05) that of limit-fed horses over 78 wk. Ad libitum-fed horses consumed 19, 44 and 34% more digestible energy (DE) than indicated in 1978 NRC tables from 6 to 12 mo, 12 to 18 mo and 18 to 24 mo of age, respectively. Total DE intakes were positively correlated to weight and therefore were confounded by age. Weight-scaled DE intake of ad libitum-fed weanling horses increased . 2% for each 1 C degree decrease in barn temperature below 0 degree C. Maintenance energy requirements were estimated at 37.8 and 35.6 kcal DE/kg BW for limit- and ad libitum-fed horses, respectively. Grams of gain per megacalorie of DE consumed above maintenance ranged from 83 to 24 g/Mcal and were only 22 to 75% of values derived from 1978 NRC tables. Energy guidelines given by NRC were considered suitable for growth based on normalcy of musculoskeletal growth. However, the ADG by our horses, which were fed high-forage diets, were lower than those predicted by 1978 NRC.
Extreme fitness differences in mammalian and insect hosts after continuous replication of vesicular stomatitis virus in sandfly cells

Continuous, persistent replication of a wild-type strain of vesicular stomatitis virus in cultured sandfly cells for 10 months profoundly decreased virus replicative fitness in mammalian cells and greatly increased fitness in sandfly cells. After persistent infection of sandfly cells, fitness was over 2,000,000-fold greater than that in mammalian cells, indicating extreme selective differences in the environmental conditions provided by insect and mammalian cells. The sandfly-adapted virus also showed extremely low fitness in mouse brain cells (comparable to that in mammalian cell cultures). It also showed an attenuated phenotype, requiring a nearly millionfold higher intracranial dose than that of its parent clone to kill mice. A single passage of this adapted virus in BHK-21 cells at 37 degrees C restored fitness to near neutrality and also restored mouse neurovirulence. These results clearly illustrate the enormous capacity of RNA viruses to adapt to changing selective environments.
Criminal Justice in the United States, 1789-1939

1. Criminal justice and the nation, 1789-1860 2. Law and justice in the states, 1789-1839 3. Law vs justice in the states, 1840-65 4. States and nation, 1860-1900 5. Criminal justice, 1900-35 6. Rights and the turn to law, 1937-9.
Structure and dynamics of the potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor by 1H and 15N NMR

The solution structure and backbone dynamics of the recombinant potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor (PCI) have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The structure, determined on the basis of 497 NOE‐derived distance constraints, is much better defined than the one reported in a previous NMR study, with an average pairwise backbone root‐mean‐square deviation of 0.5 Å for the well‐defined region of the protein, residues 7–37. Many of the side‐chains show now well‐defined conformations, both in the hydrophobic core and on the surface of the protein. Overall, the solution structure of free PCI is similar to the one that it shows in the crystal of the complex with carboxypeptidase A. However, some local differences are observed in regions 15–21 and 27–29. In solution, the six N‐terminal and the two C‐terminal residues are rather flexible, as shown by 15N backbone relaxation measurements. The flexibility of the latter segment may have implications in the binding of the inhibitor by the enzyme. All the remaining residues in the protein are essentially rigid (S2 > 0.8) with the exception of two of them at the end of a short 3/10 helix. Despite the small size of the protein, a number of amide protons are protected from exchange with solvent deuterons. The slowest exchanging protons are those in a small two‐strand β‐sheet. The unfolding free energies, as calculated from the exchange rates of these protons, are around 5 kcal/mol. Other protected amide protons are located in the segment 7–12, adjacent to the β‐sheet. Although these residues are not in an extended conformation in PCI, the equivalent residues in structurally homologous proteins form a third strand of the central β‐sheet. The amide protons in the 3/10 helix are only marginally protected, indicating that they exchange by a local unfolding mechanism, which is consistent with the increase in flexibility shown by some of its residues. Backbone alignment‐based programs for folding recognition, as opposite to disulfide‐bond alignments, reveal new proteins of unrelated sequence and function with a similar structure. Proteins 2003;50:410–422. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.