Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On ‘steady‐state’ heat flow and the rheology of oceanic mantle

A constraint on the rheology of oceanic mantle is derived on the basis of a recently established scaling law for the onset of convection with temperature‐dependent viscosity. Our approach is free from the assumption of statistically steady‐state convection, which has commonly been employed in previous studies. The estimated range of asthenospheric viscosity is 1–4 × 1019 Pa s if the activation energy is 300 kJ mol−1, and 4 × 1019– 1020 Pa s if the activation energy is 100 kJ mol−1. The former range is consistent with laboratory data as well as geodynamic inference based on the geoid. The latter is consistent with geodynamic inference based on seamount loading history. Different activation energies predict different temperature contrasts in convecting mantle. Seismic tomography has the potential to discriminate between these possibilities.
Temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis. Histopathological study of the effects of intra-articular injection of triamcinolone acetonide.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathological changes of human temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis following intra-articular injection of triamcinolone acetonide, and compare the results to these of control group. METHODS One hundred and forty nine patients who complained of temporomandibular joint dysfunction underwent non-surgical treatment for at least 6 months. Twenty three patients had high condylectomy as a treatment. Forty four patients received two intra-articular injections of triamcinolone acetonide. Histological study was carried out on 44 specimens from 41 patients, the histological changes were recorded for each specimen. RESULTS Patients who received temporomandibular intra-articular injection of triamcinolone acetonide showed damage to the fibrous layer (100%), to the cartilage (64%) and to the bone (42%). In those cases treated by condylectomy there were changes in the fibrous layer (100%), in the cartilaginous layer (68%) and to the bony layer (32%). Analysis of the results showed that the changes seen in the steroid (triamcinolone acetonide) group were more obvious than the changes in the non-steroid group. CONCLUSION The result of this study indicated that intra-articular injection of steroid (triamcinolone acetonide) into human osteoarthritic temporomandibular joints acts as a lytic agent.
Influence of magnesium on chloride-induced calcium release in skinned muscle fibers

Chloride-induced Ca release in skinned muscle fibers was studied by measuring isometric force transients and 45Ca loss from fiber to washout solutions. Skinned fibers prepared from muscles soaked in normal Ringer solution made large force transients in 120 mM Cl solution with 5 mM ATP and 1 mM Mg, but 3 mM Mg was inhibitory. Mg inhibition was antagonized by low temperature and by Cd, agents which slow active Ca uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). In low Mg++, Cl stimulated rapid 45Ca release from the SR in sufficient amounts to account for the force response. The increased 45Ca release was inhibited by EGTA, suggesting that release requires free Ca under these conditions. The 45Ca initially released was partially reaccumulated later. Reaccumulation was increased in higher Mg++. These results provide additional evidence that the Ca uptake rate is an important determinant of net release, and suggest that Mg++ acts primarily on this mechanism. Skinned fibers prepared from muscles soaked in low Cl solutions could give force responses to Cl solutions with 3 mM and 6 mM Mg. This observation suggests that the Cl stimulus varies with the [Cl] gradient across the internal membranes, and supports the hypothesis that applied Cl causes membrane depolarization.
MS-Viewer: A Web-based Spectral Viewer for Proteomics Results*

The sharing and viewing of peptide identification results from search engines analyzing mass-spectrometry-based proteomic data is made difficult by the range of analysis tools employed, in that each produces a different output format. Annotated results associated with a journal article often have to be made available, but providing these in a format that can be queried by other researchers is often difficult. This is because although standard formats for results have been developed, these are not necessarily easy to produce. In this manuscript we describe the MS-Viewer program, part of the Protein Prospector Web package, which uses easy-to-create tabular files as input for providing highly interactive viewing of search engine results. Thanks to the simplicity and flexibility of the input format, results from a wide variety of search engines have been successfully viewed through the Web interface of this tool.
Manganese Reduction by Microbes from Oxic Regions of the Lake Vanda (Antarctica) Water Column

ABSTRACT Depth profiles of metals in Lake Vanda, a permanently ice-covered, stratified Antarctic lake, suggest the importance of particulate manganese oxides in the scavenging, transport, and release of metals. Since manganese oxides can be solubilized by manganese-reducing bacteria, microbially mediated manganese reduction was investigated in Lake Vanda. Microbes concentrated from oxic regions of the water column, encompassing a peak of soluble manganese [Mn(II)], reduced synthetic manganese oxides (MnO2) when incubated aerobically. Pure cultures of manganese-reducing bacteria were readily isolated from waters collected near the oxic Mn(II) peak. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, most of the isolated manganese reducers belong to the genusCarnobacterium. Cultures of a phylogenetically representative strain of Carnobacterium reduced synthetic MnO2 in the presence of sodium azide, as was seen in field assays. Unlike anaerobes that utilize manganese oxides as terminal electron acceptors in respiration, isolates of the genusCarnobacterium reduced Mn(IV) via a diffusible compound under oxic conditions. The release of adsorbed trace metals accompanying the solubilization of manganese oxides may provide populations of Carnobacterium with a source of nutrients in this extremely oligotrophic environment.
The Application of the Fast Fourier Transform to Jacobi Polynomial expansions

We observe that the exact connection coefficient relations transforming modal coefficients of one Jacobi Polynomial class to the modal coefficients of certain other classes are sparse. Because of this, when one of the classes corresponds to the Chebyshev case, the Fast Fourier Transform can be used to quickly compute modal coefficients for Jacobi Polynomial expansions of class (α, β) when 2α and 2β are both odd integers. In addition, we present an algorithm for computing Jacobi spectral expansions that is more robust than Jacobi-Gauss quadrature. Numerical results are presented that illustrate the computational efficiency and accuracy advantage of our method over standard quadrature methods.
Comparative evaluation of Myolaxin and EM LA cream for attenuation of venous cannulation pain: A prospective, randomised, double blind study

We evaluated the efficacy of topical Myolaxin (capsaican ointment, Geno, Mumbai) ointment over EMLA (eutectic mixture of lignocaine, prilocaine; Neon, Goa) cream for attenuating venous cannulation pain in this prospective, randomised, double blind study. Sixty adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly assigned into two equal groups. Group I (EMLA) received EMLA cream, whereas Group II (Myolaxin) received Myolaxin ointment. For both groups the cream was applied at the venous cannulation site (dorsum of the non-dominant hand) one hour prior to venous cannulation and was covered with an occlusive dressing. Following venous cannulation patients were asked if they felt pain during venous cannulation. If the answer was yes, they were asked to rate the severity of venous cannulation pain using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of O-10. The incidence of venous cannulation pain was similar between groups: in the EMLA group 65% (18/28) compared to 67% (20/30) in the Myolaxin group (P=0.19). The severity of pain (median VAS with inter quartile range) was also similar between the groups: in the EMLA group 1.5 (3) compared to 1.5 (2) in the Myolaxin group (P=0.46). As the topical application of Myolaxin ointment is cheaper than EMLA and has similar efficacy, it may be a suitable alternative for reducing the incidence and severity of venous cannulation pain.
Antibiotic-resistant pneumococci in hospitalized children

SUMMARY A search for nasopharyngeal carriers of Streptococcus pneumoniae was conducted in 573 children hospitalized in Durban, South Africa. Study subjects were divided into two groups, comprising 305 new admissions and 268 patients who had been hospitalized for more than 24 h. Of the 573 children 178(31%) yielded pneumococci on nasopharyngeal culture; 99 (32%) and 79 (29%) children in the new admission and in-patient categories respectively. Twenty-one (12%) pneumococci were resistant to penicillin, including 11 strains that were resistant to more than one antibiotic. Resistant pneumoeoeei belonged exclusively to serotypes 6 and 19 (Danish nomenclature), which were also the commonest serotypes among penicillin-sensitive strains. Factors that correlated with carriage of penicillin-resistant Pneumococci were hospitalization for more than 24 h, young age and recent exposure to beta-lactam antibiotics.
Triple nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor‐ vs. nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor‐containing regimens as first‐line therapy: efficacy and durability in a prospective cohort of French HIV‐infected patients

Based on the short‐term results of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5095 trial, zidovudine (ZDV)/lamivudine (3TC)/abacavir (ABC) is no longer recommended as a first‐line antiretroviral regimen. Data on the efficacy of this triple nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) combination compared with the gold‐standard nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) regimen could provide important information.
Effects of personal familiarity on early neuromagnetic correlates of face perception

This study investigated effects of familiarity and orientation on face processing by means of magnetoencephalography. Participants were presented with photographs of personally familiar, famous and unfamiliar faces in both upright and inverted orientation. They had to decide whether faces were familiar by means of manual yes/no responses. Independent of orientation, we observed a clear modulation of the M170 by familiarity, with personally familiar faces evoking larger amplitudes than unknown faces. The M170 was also sensitive to orientation, with larger amplitudes for inverted than upright faces. Moreover, the M170 exhibited larger amplitudes over the right than over the left hemisphere, but this asymmetry was present for upright faces only. The present data suggest that at least for personally familiar faces, neural correlates of identification start no later than ∼ 170 ms, and underline a special role of the right hemisphere for faces in their typical upright orientation.
Abnormal hepatocystin caused by truncating PRKCSH mutations leads to autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease

Mutations in protein kinase C substrate 80K‐H (PRKCSH), encoding for the protein hepatocystin, cause autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease (PCLD), which is clinically characterized by the presence of multiple liver cysts. PCLD has been documented in families from Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, Finland) as well as from the United States. In this article, we report results from extensive mutational analysis of the PRKCSH gene in a group of 14 PCLD families and 65 singleton cases of Dutch and Finnish descent with multiple simple liver cysts. We identified PRKCSH mutations in 12 families and in 3 sporadic cases. In 8 of 10 Finnish families we detected the 1437+2delTG splice‐site mutation. In Dutch families, we found 2 other mutations that affect correct splicing of PRKCSH: 292+1 G>C (2 families) and 1338‐2 A>G (1 family). In another Dutch family, we detected a novel deletion (374‐375delAG) in exon 6, predicting an abnormal shortened protein. Investigation of the carrier haplotypes identified a common founder chromosome in unrelated individuals in each of the 3 identified splice‐site mutations. In 2 Finnish families with dominantly inherited PCLD, and in 62 of 65 sporadic cases with multiple simple liver cysts, we failed to demonstrate any PRKCSH mutation. This corroborates the notion that autosomal dominant PCLD is genetically heterogeneous. In conclusion, we propose that, on the basis of our results, genetic screening for PRKCSH gene mutations should be limited to patients either with a positive family history for PCLD or who have severe polycystic liver disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;39:924–931.)
Femoral Artery Ligation as Treatment for Infected Pseudo-Aneurysms, Secondary to Drug Injection

Abstract Objective: Parenteral drug injection can cause a wide range of vascular complications, from simple vascular irritation to severe infections, thrombosis and pseudo-aneurysm formation. These latter complications may become limb-or even life-threatening. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of cases admitted to the Shohada Medical Centre, between March 1990 and June 2005. Results: A total of 134 drug addicts presenting with infected femoral artery pseudo-aneurysms were treated. All patients had their femoral arteries ligated. Limbs of all 134 patients were saved. Conclusions: Ligating the femoral artery is an effective way to treat femoral artery pseudo-aneurysm, secondary to drug abuse.
Substrate Integrated Magneto-Electric Dipole Antenna for 5G Wi-Fi

In this communication, a new technique-tapered H-shaped ground, is proposed to reduce the thickness of a magneto-electric (ME) dipole antenna. By employing the proposed technique, the antenna height of the ME dipole antenna is reduced from 0.25 to 0.11 λ0 (where λ0 is the wavelength of 5.5 GHz). This new antenna structure can be easily realized by the multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) technology, which is low cost and easy to fabricate. Measured results show that this antenna has an impedance bandwidth of 18.74% for VSWR ≤ 2 (4.98 to 6.01 GHz). Stable radiation patterns with low back radiation and low cross polarization radiation are achieved across the entire operating bandwidth for 5G Wi-Fi.
The Higher Carbon Intensity of Loans, the Higher Non-Performing Loan Ratio: The Case of China

In response to the call of the Chinese government to support low-carbon development, the issue has come to the view gradually as to whether the behaviors of banks’ green credit will contribute to easing their own credit risk. To reflect the behaviors of green credit of banks in detail, an indicator, named the carbon intensity of loans (CIL), is first proposed in this paper to measure the carbon emissions with association of the loans for commercial banks, on basis of the series of the input–output table. Then, a panel data model is used to explore the relationship between CIL and non-performing loan ratio, which measures the credit risk of banks. Based on the data of China’s commercial banks from 2007 to 2014, an empirical study has been conducted to investigate the impacts of CIL upon the non-performing loan ratio from a microscopic-level perspective. The result indicates that CIL has a positive effect on the non-performing loan ratio of banks. Since CIL is considered a significant indicator for the banks’ green credit, this paper comes to a conclusion that the green credit policy not only contributes to achieving of the emission-reduction targets for the society, but also promotes the development of banks’ credit risk.
Spatial Reconstructions and Comparisons of Historic Snow Avalanche Frequency and Extent Using Tree Rings in Glacier National Park, Montana, U.S.A

ABSTRACT Natural snow avalanches have periodically damaged infrastructure and disrupted railroad and highway traffic at the southwestern corner of Glacier National Park, Montana. The 94-year history of these disruptions constitutes an uncommon record of natural avalanches spanning over nine decades and presents a unique opportunity to examine how natural avalanche frequency and minimum extent have varied over time due to climatic or biophysical changes. This study compared the historic record of natural avalanches in one avalanche path with tree-ring evidence of avalanches from 109 cross sections and increment cores collected in the same path. Results from combined historic and tree-ring records yielded 27 avalanche years in the 1910–2003 chronology, with the historic record alone underestimating avalanche years by half. Mean return period was 3.2 years. Interpolated maps allowed for more spatially precise estimates of return periods throughout the runout zone than previous studies. The maps show return periods increase rapidly downslope from 2.3 to 25 years. Avalanche years were associated with positive Snow Water Equivalent anomalies at a nearby snow course. Minimum avalanche extent was highly variable but not associated with snowpack anomalies. Most avalanche years coincided with years in which the mean January–February Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) 3.4 indices were neutral. The findings suggest that changes in Pacific climate patterns that influence snowfall could also alter the frequency of natural snow avalanches and could thus change disturbance patterns in the montane forests of the canyon.
Microdialysis Can Detect Age-Related Differences in Glucose Distribution within the Dermis and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

Background: Intrinsic (chronological) cutaneous aging is a continuous and complex process. Limitation in nutrient supply to the skin could contribute to this process. Objective: Our study focused on the impact of age on glucose supply to human skin and its distribution within the dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Methods: An oral glucose load (100 g) was given to healthy volunteers of two age groups (24 ± 4 and 59 ± 10 years, n = 4 for each group). Dialysate concentrations of glucose and glycerol were monitored by microdialysis in the dermis and adipose tissue. Results: Baseline tissue [glucose] did not differ significantly between the two groups. After the glucose load, dialysate [glucose] of the dermis peaked between 60 and 80 min and between 80 and 120 min in the young and old groups, respectively. In the old group, dialysate [glucose] was significantly higher in the dermis than adipose tissue at 80, 100, 120, 160 and 180 min after the load. The sum of the areas under the curve (dermis + adipose tissue) did not differ significantly between the two age groups. Conclusions: Aging is accompanied by an increased diffusion barrier for glucose between the dermis and adipose tissue.
Active noise control and secondary path modeling algorithms for earphones

This paper presents the development of active noise control (ANC) for earphones, which uses natural sound for estimating the secondary path model instead of extra random noise. Real-time experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the developed ANC earphones using the microphone inside KEMAR's ear. Experimental results show the developed light-weight ANC earphones achieve higher noise reduction in wider frequency range than the commercial ANC headphones and earphone, and natural sound can be used to replace annoying white noise as an excitation signal for adaptive identification of secondary path required by ANC system.
The Life Skills Profile: A Study of Its Psychometric Properties

Two hundred patients with severe mental illness of mixed type were assessed by treating mental health professionals a total of 730 times with the Life Skills Profile (LSP). Confirmatory factor analyses broadly confirmed the existence of the Self-care and Non-turbulence subscales. Internal consistencies were generally good but inter-rater reliabilities were of only marginal acceptability. The fit of the data to the five subscales can be improved by reassigning two items. The Communication subscale had the poorest psychometric properties. Certain LSP scale scores were found to vary with how well and how long the rater had known the patient. Validity, which was assessed by relating LSP scores to locus of care (i.e. community or hospital), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) ratings and Resource Associated Functional Level Scale (RAFLS) ratings, was good. An alternative scoring system yielded rather clearer meaning for some of the subscales.
Acute effects of intravenous dronedarone on electrocardiograms, hemodynamics and cardiac functions in anesthetized dogs

Dronedarone is a class III antiarrhythmic that has been used for management of atrial fibrillation in humans, but limited information was found in dogs. The objective of this study was to determine the acute effects of escalating concentrations of dronedarone on electrocardiograms (ECG), hemodynamics and cardiac mechanics in healthy dogs. A total of 7 beagle dogs were anesthetized with isoflurane and instrumented to obtain lead II ECG, pressures at ascending aorta, right atrium, pulmonary artery and left ventricle, and left ventricular pressure-volume relationship. Five dogs were given vehicle and followed by escalating doses of dronedarone (0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 mg/kg, 15 min for each dose), and two dogs were used as a vehicle-treated control. All parameters were measured at 15 min after the end of each dose. The results showed that all parameters in vehicle-treated dogs were unaltered. Dronedarone at 2.5 mg/kg significantly lengthened PQ interval (P<0.01), reduced cardiac output (P<0.01) and increased systemic vascular resistance (P<0.01). Dronedarone produced negative inotropy assessed by significantly lowered end-systolic pressure-volume relationship, preload recruitable stroke work, contractility index and dP/dtmax. It also impaired diastolic function by significantly increased end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship, tau and dP/dtmin. These results suggested that acute effects of dronedarone produced negative dromotropy, inotropy and lusitropy in anesthetized dogs. Care should be taken when given dronedarone to dogs, especially when the patients have impaired cardiac function.
Examination of Static and Dynamic Postural Stability in Individuals With Functionally Stable and Unstable Ankles

Objective:To determine static and dynamic postural stability differences between functional ankle instability and stable ankle groups. Design:Subjects were required to balance on a single leg and remain motionless for 20 seconds. After completing 3 trials, they performed a jump-landing test, which required them to jump 50% to 55% of their maximum vertical jump height. They landed on a single leg, stabilized quickly, and remained motionless for 20 seconds. Setting:Sports Medicine Research Laboratory. Participants:Subjects with functional ankle instability (n = 14) who reported at least 2 sprains and “giving way” sensations at their ankle joint within the year prior to testing. Fourteen subjects with no history of ankle sprain injury were matched to subjects with functional ankle instability. Main Outcome Measures:Anterior/posterior and medial/lateral mean sway quantified static postural stability during single-leg stance. Dynamic postural stability was quantified with anterior/posterior and medial/lateral time to stabilization during single-leg jump landing. Results:Mean sway was not significantly different between groups in the anterior/posterior (P = 0.28) and medial/lateral (P = 0.65) directions. The functional ankle instability group took significantly longer to stabilize in the anterior/posterior (3.27 ± 0.72 seconds vs. 2.33 ± 0.33 seconds; P < 0.001) and medial/lateral (2.48 ± 0.50 seconds vs. 2.00 ± 0.65 seconds; P = 0.04) directions. Conclusions:Individuals with functional ankle instability took significantly longer to stabilize than individuals with stable ankles after a single-leg jump landing. Differences between groups were not detected with mean sway measured during single-leg stance.