Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constriction of isolated collecting lymphatic vessels in response to acute increases in downstream pressure

• Arterioles undergo a myogenic constriction, defined as a decrease in diameter in response to an increase in pressure, which serves to protect the downstream capillaries from changes in pressure and flow. • A lymphatic constriction was recently identified but it remained unknown whether it reflected a true myogenic constriction. • By selectively raising downstream pressure in isolated lymphatic vessels containing a single valve, we discovered that the upstream segment constricted, even when protected from increases in pressure by the closed valve. The constriction consisted of a myogenic component and a frequency component, which were blocked pharmacologically. • The lymphatic constriction facilitated proper closure of the intraluminal valves in the face of a hydrostatic gradient, preventing lymph backflow. • This work adds to our understanding of the lymphatic myogenic constriction by showing that it maintains a functioning valve system in lymphatic vessels and that it is mechanistically similar to the arteriolar myogenic constriction.
Long‐Run Impact of Biofuels on Food Prices

About 40 percent of US corn is now used to produce biofuels, which are used as substitutes for gasoline in transportation. In this paper, we use a Ricardian model with differential land quality to show that world food prices could rise by about 32 percent by 2022. About half of this increase is from the biofuel mandate and the rest is a result of demand‐side effects in the form of population growth and income‐induced changes in dietary preferences, from cereals to meat and dairy products. However, aggregate world carbon emissions would increase, because of significant land conversion to farming and leakage from lower oil prices.
Students’ Misconceptions and Other Difficulties in Introductory Programming

Efforts to improve computer science education are underway, and teachers of computer science are challenged in introductory programming courses to help learners develop their understanding of programming and computer science. Identifying and addressing students’ misconceptions is a key part of a computer science teacher's competence. However, relevant research on this topic is not as fully developed in the computer science education field as it is in mathematics and science education. In this article, we first review relevant literature on general definitions of misconceptions and studies about students’ misconceptions and other difficulties in introductory programming. Next, we investigate the factors that contribute to the difficulties. Finally, strategies and tools to address difficulties including misconceptions are discussed. Based on the review of literature, we found that students exhibit various misconceptions and other difficulties in syntactic knowledge, conceptual knowledge, and strategic knowledge. These difficulties experienced by students are related to many factors including unfamiliarity of syntax, natural language, math knowledge, inaccurate mental models, lack of strategies, programming environments, and teachers’ knowledge and instruction. However, many sources of students’ difficulties have connections with students’ prior knowledge. To better understand and address students’ misconceptions and other difficulties, various instructional approaches and tools have been developed. Nevertheless, the dissemination of these approaches and tools has been limited. Thus, first, we suggest enhancing the dissemination of existing tools and approaches and investigating their long-term effects. Second, we recommend that computing education research move beyond documenting misconceptions to address the development of students’ (mis)conceptions by integrating conceptual change theories. Third, we believe that developing and enhancing instructors’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), including their knowledge of students’ misconceptions and ability to apply effective instructional approaches and tools to address students’ difficulties, is vital to the success of teaching introductory programming.
The Effect of Furosemide Dose Administered in the Out-of-hospital Setting on Renal Function Among Patients with Suspected Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Abstract Background The most effective dose of prehospital furosemide in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) has not yet been identified and concerns of worsening renal function have limited its use. Objective To assess if administering high-dose furosemide is associated with worsening renal function. Methods The authors conducted a 2-center chart review for patients who presented via a single Emergency Medical Service (EMS) from June 5, 2009 through May 17, 2013. Inclusion criteria were shortness of breath, primarily coded as ADHF, and the administration of furosemide prior to emergency department (ED) arrival. A total of 331 charts were identified. The primary endpoint was an increase in creatinine (Cr) of more than 0.3 mg/dL from admission to any time during hospital stay. Exploratory endpoints included survival, length-of-stay (LOS), disposition, urine output in the ED, change in BUN/Cr from admission to discharge, and change in Cr from admission to 72 hours and discharge. Results When treated as a binary variable, there was no association observed between an increase in Cr of more than 0.3 mg/dL and prehospital furosemide dose. Baseline characteristics found to be associated with dose were included in the logistic regression model. Lowering the dose of prehospital furosemide was associated with higher odds of attaining a 0.3 mg/dL increase in Cr (adjusted OR = 1.49 for a 20 mg decrease; P = .019). There was no association found with any of the exploratory endpoints. Conclusions Patients who received higher doses of furosemide prehospitally were less likely to have an increase of greater than 0.3 mg/dL in Cr during the hospital course. NievesLC, MehrtensGM, PoresN, PickrellC, TanisJ, SattyT, ChuangM, YoungTC, MerlinMA. The effect of furosemide dose administered in the out-of-hospital setting on renal function among patients with suspected acute decompensated heart failure. Prehosp Disaster Med . 2015;30(1):1-8 .
Economic evaluation of agroforestry practices in Ogun State, Nigeria

Evaluation of the economic aspects of agroforestry provide basis for estimating financial needs and feasibility, highlights trade-offs between multiple benefits and monitors economic efficiency in a given agroforestry system. This study evaluated the economic aspect of selected agroforestry practices in Ogun State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 240 respondents involved in agroforestry practices from four agricultural zones in Ogun State (Abeokuta, Ilaro, Ikenne and Ijebu-Ode). Data were collected with the aid of structured and pre-tested questionnaire administered interpersonally to the respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and cost and returns analysis. The mean age of the agroforestry farmers was 53 years; and the majority (76.7%) was male; married (89.6%), the average household size of six. Most of the respondents (64.5%) funded their farms from personal savings. The mean farming experience was 19 years and the mean farm size was 2.4 ha; while 68.8% acquired their lands through inheritance. Seven agroforestry practices were identified in the study area, out of which ‘scattered trees on farmland’ was predominantly practiced (77.5%) when prioritized according to the level of participation. The cost and returns analysis revealed that in all zones (pooled) the total revenue (TR) generated from agroforestry products was N 411,135.40 ($2,055.70) and the net profit was N 190,229.90 ($951.20). In each zone TR and net profits were Abeokuta [ N 467,879.17 ($2,339.40) and N 296,369.62 ($1,481.80)]; Ijebu-ode ( N 284,049.17 ($1,420.30) and N 134,426.57 ($672.10); Ilaro [ N 566,566.67 ($2,832.80) and N 244,207.39 ($1,221.00)] and Ikenne [ N 326,046.67 ($1,630.00) and N 124,266.98 ($621.00)] per hectare respectively. Conclusively, agroforestry practices were found to be profitable and capable of providing rural employment and contribute to food security in the study area.
Orbital arteriovenous malformations.

OBJECTIVE To present the clinical features, management, and outcomes in a series of patients with orbital arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). METHODS Clinical records of patients with orbital AVMs confirmed using angiography were reviewed as a retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. RESULTS Eight patients (3 women and 5 men) with unilateral AVMs and a mean age of 39 years (median, 36.5 years; range, 26-70 years) were reviewed. Findings existed for an average of 11.2 years before diagnosis and included periocular mass (7 patients, 88%); periocular edema, pulsation/bruit, proptosis, episcleral congestion, and previous trauma (4 patients each, 50%); elevated intraocular pressure (3 patients, 38%); pain and reduced visual acuity (2 patients each, 25%); and restriction of extraocular movements, and diplopia (1 patient each, 12%). All of the patients except 1 underwent surgical resection, with 3 (38%) receiving preoperative embolization of feeder vessels; all of the patients had initial resolution of manifestations after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Angiography is essential for diagnosis and for planning the management of orbital AVMs. Treatment depends on patient-specific features and includes observation, embolization, and surgical excision or combined preoperative embolization/excision. Given their vascular nature, the main cause of poor management outcomes is perioperative hemorrhage. Outcomes after a multidisciplinary approach are good, with few recurrences reported at follow-up.
High frequency performance of a fully depleted 0.25-/spl mu/m SOI CMOS technology

A fully depleted (FD) 0.25-/spl mu/m silicon-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS process technology has been developed and established at Lincoln Laboratory. Here we describe the FDSOI process technology, report the high frequency performance of 0.25-/spl mu/m n- and p-channel MOSFETs and digital and analog circuits, and predict the performance of the FDSOI technology scaled to 0.1-/spl mu/m gate lengths.
A 0.45-to-1.2-V Fully Digital Low-Dropout Voltage Regulator With Fast-Transient Controller for Near/Subthreshold Circuits

A low quiescent current digital low-dropout (DLDO) voltage regulator with fast-transient response time is proposed for self-powered wireless sensor applications operating at near/subthreshold supply voltage. The D-LDO regulator incorporates both hill-climbing and binary search algorithms (HCBS) in the control logic, thus leveraging on each other's strengths to minimize the output voltage's ripple and the quiescent current during the steady-state period as well as output voltage's spike and response time during the transition period. Additional features such as hysteresis mode control and freeze mode control are incorporated into the system to improve the performance of the D-LDO regulator. A dynamic comparator is proposed for the near/subthreshold supply voltage operation, which minimizes the voltage error and improves the maximum operating frequency. Fabricated in 130-nm CMOS technology, the D-LDO regulator regulates the output voltage VOUT from 350 to 1150 mV, while the input supply voltage VIN ranges from 450 to 1200 mV. At a VOUT of 450 mV, VIN of 500 mV and an operating frequency of 10 MHz, the regulator delivers 1500-μA load current with IQUIESCENT of 8.9 μA and a transient response time of 1.6 μs. The maximum current and power efficiencies reach 99.9% and 89.9%, respectively. The measured line regulation and load regulation are 1.6 and 0.6 mV/mA, respectively.
Evidence that Release of Dopamine in the Brain is Involved in the Inhibitory Effect of Cholecystokinin Octapeptide on Ingestion of Intraorally Administered Sucrose in Male Rats

To study the possibility that release of dopamine in the brain mediates the inhibitory effect of Cholecystokinin octapeptide on ingestive behaviour, the effect of amphetamine on intake of pellets or an intraorally administered sucrose solution was compared with that of Cholecystokinin octapeptide. Additionally, comparisons were made between the effect of Cholecystokinin octapeptide and pargyline, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and α‐methyl‐ρ‐tyrosine, a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor. While amphetamine dose‐dependently inhibited pellet intake it failed to inhibit sucrose intake in doses which caused behavioural stereotypies (<800 μg). Cholecystokinin octapeptide (5 μg) inhibited ingestive behaviour in both tests. A very high dose of amphetamine (2 mg) was required to inhibit sucrose intake to a level comparable to that of Cholecystokinin octapeptide. Pargyline (5 to 25 mg) or α‐methyl‐p‐tyrosine (25 to 100 mg) dose‐dependently inhibited pellet intake but had only weak effects on the intake of sucrose. Pargyline increased the concentration of dopamine and 3‐methoxytyramine in the dorsal striatum and decreased the concentration of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. α‐Methyl‐ρ‐tyrosine decreased the concentration of dopamine and 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, but not that of 3‐methoxytyramine. Injection of amphetamine (2 mg), but not Cholecystokinin octapeptide, in rats pretreated with pargyline increased the concentration of 3‐methoxytyramine in the dorsal striatum and this effect was blocked by pretreatment with α‐methyl‐ρ‐tyrosine. Pretreatment with α‐methyl‐ρ‐tyrosine partially reversed the inhibitory effect of Cholecystokinin octapeptide on sucrose ingestion, enhanced the effect of amphetamine but did not affect that of apomorphine, a dopamine agonist. The results support the possibility that the inhibitory effect of Cholecystokinin octapeptide on consummatory ingestive behaviour, in part, is mediated via release of dopamine in the brain.
Impact of Sanctions of European Union and Unites States of America on the Development of Russian Oil and Gaz Complex

The present article analyzes the impact of the restrictive measures adopted by the European Union and the United States of America against Russian Federation. In particular, the item aims to analyze the sectoral sanctions in oil and gas industry. Sanctions in oil and gas sector are extended to the supply of equipment particularly to the technologies for development of the Arctic shelf. The article proposes and analyzes scenarios of Russian oil and gas complex in the conditions of restrictive measures from the part of Western countries. As for equipment authors offer two options: The importation of equipment through third countries or copying it from Western equipment. In the area of finance they offer attracting Asian credits and the use of the National Welfare Fund of Russian Federation
Levamisole-Adulterated Cocaine: What about in European Countries?

Abstract Background: A wide variety of somatic complications is reported or expected among cocaine users because of the adulterant levamisole. Most of the reports come from North America. Methods: To update the data on levamisole-adulterated cocaine in European countries, we present here a synthesis of data on samples seized by the police with the detection of levamisole, the amount of levamisole in cocaine samples, European drug information reports, and clinical cases. Results: Although there is a variation in the percentage of levamisole in cocaine samples between European countries, the trend is an increase of these percentages. As in North America, levamisole is becoming the most common cocaine adulterant. First European cases of complications secondary to the use of adulterated cocaine with levamisole were skin necrosis, vasculitis, and agranulocytosis. Levamisole postmortem data concerned two cases of complications leading to death, possibly related to levamisole or its metabolite (acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary hypertension). Conclusion: Even if it is difficult to have a global European view with comparable data, levamisole is present in European cocaine specimens and can lead to severe adverse health effects. However data on the prevalence of toxicity related to levamisole-adulterated cocaine abuse are missing.
Ncor1 and Ncor2 play essential but distinct roles in zebrafish primitive myelopoiesis

Background: Although Ncor1 and Ncor2, the co‐repressors that can actively repress gene transcription through binding nuclear receptors in the absence of ligands, are crucial to vertebrate embryogenesis, their roles in its primitive myelopoiesis remain unknown. We investigated the function of ncor1 or ncor2 in zebrafish embryos by antisense morpholino knocking down technologies. Results: Development of both mfap4+ macrophages and mpx+ neutrophils was abolished in ncor2 morphants, whereas development of mpx+ neutrophils was depleted in ncor1 morphants. ncor2 was essential to the development of spi1b+ myeloid precursors but not anterior hemangioblasts whereas ncor1 was dispensable to the specification of spi1b+ myeloid precursors and anterior hemangioblasts. Overexpressing spi1b could partially rescue expressions of mfap4 and mpx in ncor2 morphants. Furthermore, overexpressing tal1/lmo2 could well rescue the defective myelopoiesis in both ncor1 and ncor2 morphants. Conclusions: Ncor1 and Ncor2 play essential but distinct roles in zebrafish primitive myelopoiesis. ncor2 could parallel with tal1/lmo2 and acted upstream of spi1b to produce mature macrophages and neutrophils during primitive myelopoiesis. The role of ncor1 in zebrafish myelopoiesis could be substituted by excessive Tal1/Lmo2. Developmental Dynamics 243:1544–1553, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Heat-induced quaternary transitions in hetero- and homo-polymers of alpha-crystallin.

PURPOSE To compare the effects of heat incubation on the structure and function of native alpha-crystallin, urea denatured/renatured alpha-crystallin, and alphaA and alphaB-crystallin homo-polymers purified from bovine lenses. METHODS Each of the alpha-crystallin samples were incubated for 1 h at temperatures ranging from 35 degrees C to 70 degrees C. After heat incubation structural perturbations in each of the samples were studied using non-denaturing gel electrophoresis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and far-UV circular dichroism. The chaperone-like activity of each of the heat-treated samples was measured using the DTT induced insulin aggregation assay. RESULTS The native alpha-crystallin samples showed secondary structure perturbations, an increase in aggregate size and asymmetry, and an increase in chaperone-like activity after heat incubation above 50 degrees C. The other three sample types showed secondary structure perturbations beginning at lower incubation temperatures, and a progressive decrease in chaperone-like activity with exposure to increasing temperatures. TEM showed all samples formed large asymmetric high molecular weight aggregates after incubation at 65 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS The urea denaturation/renaturation of alpha-crystallin has been shown to result in the loss of a small amount of alpha-helix, but to have no effect on chaperone-like activity under standard test conditions. The present results indicate this lost alpha-helix may be responsible for the differential effects of heat incubation on the different forms of alpha-crystallin.
Evaluation of the use of a sensory room on an adolescent inpatient unit and its impact on restraint and seclusion prevention

TOPIC Restraint and seclusion (R/S) reduction initiatives require multimodal efforts, particularly proactive approaches to facilitate patients' regulation. Sensory approaches are an increasingly popular method for helping patients self-regulate. A plan-do-check-act quality improvement model was used to measure practical aspects of a newly implemented sensory room on an adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit. PURPOSE This article describes an adolescent unit's implementation processes and methods used to evaluate a sensory room and its impact on R/S use, staff-patient relationships, and patients' aggressive behaviors. SOURCES USED Selected multidisciplinary literature on sensory rooms and R/S reduction, adolescent unit staff/patient surveys, and institutional quality metrics. CONCLUSIONS The use of a sensory room intervention substantially decreased patients' distress and reduced R/S use and aggressive behaviors. Improvements were also found in patient and staff members' sense of safety. No differences in the quality of staff-patient relationships were found based on sensory room use. An increase in the durations of R/S did occur and was attributed to a few patients who were "high users" of R/S. Considerations for continuous program improvement and research are discussed.
Nickel Allergy and Our Children's Health: A Review of Indexed Cases and a View of Future Prevention

Nickel is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) from early childhood through adolescence. Studies have shown that skin piercings and other nickel‐laden exposures can trigger the onset of nickel ACD in those who are susceptible. Nickel ACD causes a vast amount of cutaneous disease in children. Cases of nickel ACD in children have been reported in peer‐reviewed literature from 28 states. Common items that contain inciting nickel include jewelry, coins, zippers, belts, tools, toys, chair studs, cases for cell phones and tablets, and dental appliances. The diagnosis of nickel ACD has been routinely confirmed by patch testing in children older than 6 months suspected of ACD from nickel. Unlike in Europe, there are no mandatory restrictions legislated for nickel exposure in the United States. Denmark has demonstrated that regulation of the nickel content in metals can lower the risk of ACD and the associated health care–related costs that arise from excess nickel exposure. To further awareness, this article reviews the prominent role of nickel in pediatric skin disease in the United States. It discusses the need for a campaign by caretakers to reduce nickel‐related morbidity. Lastly, it promotes the model of European legislation as a successful intervention in the prevention of nickel ACD.