Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improved Calculations for Dewatered Cells in MODFLOW

Use of the United States Geological Survey ground water flow model MODFLOW is often hampered by the occurrence of “dry cells. ” While MODFLOW allows such cells to “rewet” in the course of a simulation, stability of the heads solution process is often problematical with rewetting functionality operative. In many cases of practical interest (particularly in mining applications), MOD‐FLOW simply fails to converge. However by making a number of adjustments to the MODFLOW Block‐Centered Flow package, it is possible to overcome this problem in many instances of MODFLOW deployment. These adjustments are such as to allow a layer to transmit water, albeit with a vastly reduced transmissivity, even if the water level in that layer is below its base. With these alterations MODFLOW cells can remain active even if they lie within the unsaturated zone.
Regulation of toxin synthesis in Clostridium difficile by an alternative RNA polymerase sigma factor

Clostridium difficile, a causative agent of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and its potentially lethal form, pseudomembranous colitis, produces two large protein toxins that are responsible for the cellular damage associated with the disease. The level of toxin production appears to be critical for determining the severity of the disease, but the mechanism by which toxin synthesis is regulated is unknown. The product of a gene, txeR, that lies just upstream of the tox gene cluster was shown to be needed for tox gene expression in vivo and to activate promoter-specific transcription of the tox genes in vitro in conjunction with RNA polymerases from C. difficile, Bacillus subtilis, or Escherichia coli. TxeR was shown to function as an alternative sigma factor for RNA polymerase. Because homologs of TxeR regulate synthesis of toxins and a bacteriocin in other Clostridium species, TxeR appears to be a prototype for a novel mode of regulation of toxin genes.
A Novel Germ Cell-specific Protein, SHIP1, Forms a Complex with Chromatin Remodeling Activity during Spermatogenesis*

To determine the mechanisms of spermatogenesis, it is essential to identify and characterize germ cell-specific genes. Here we describe a protein encoded by a novel germ cell-specific gene, Mm.290718/ZFP541, identified from the mouse spermatocyte UniGene library. The protein contains specific motifs and domains potentially involved in DNA binding and chromatin reorganization. An antibody against Mm.290718/ZFP541 revealed the existence of the protein in testicular spermatogenic cells (159 kDa) but not testicular and mature sperm. Immunostaining analysis of cells at various stages of spermatogenesis consistently showed that the protein is present in spermatocytes and round spermatids only. Transfection assays and immunofluorescence studies indicate that the protein is localized specifically in the nucleus. Proteomic analyses performed to explore the functional characteristics of Mm.290718/ZFP541 showed that the protein forms a unique complex. Other major components of the complex included histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and heat-shock protein A2. Disappearance of Mm.290718/ZFP541 was highly correlated with hyperacetylation in spermatids during spermatogenesis, and specific domains of the protein were involved in the regulation of interactions and nuclear localization of HDAC1. Furthermore, we found that premature hyperacetylation, induced by an HDAC inhibitor, is associated with an alteration in the integrity of Mm.290718/ZFP541 in spermatogenic cells. Our results collectively suggest that the Mm.290718/ZFP541 complex is implicated in chromatin remodeling during spermatogenesis, and we provide further information on the previously unknown molecular mechanism. Consequently, we re-designate Mm.290718/ZFP541 as “SHIP1” representing spermatogenic cell HDAC-interacting protein 1.
Clinical profile of non-traumatic acute abdominal pain presenting to an adult emergency department

Background: Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons for presenting to the emergency depatment (ED) and the etiology is varied. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in a large ED of a tertiary care center in India. All patients older than 15 years and presenting with non-traumatic abdominal pain to the ED from May 2012 to October 2012 were recruited and the demographic characteristics, diagnosis and outcome were analyzed. Results: The study cohort included 264 patients over a 6 month period. More than half (55.6%) were aged between 15 and 40 years. There was a male predominance (56.8%). Majority of the patients (76.9%) presented with abdominal pain of less than 72 hour duration. The pain was sudden in onset in 54.9% of patients. Dull type was the most common character of pain (36%) followed by colicky type (22.3%). The most common site of pain was the lower abdomen (45.8%). Upper abdominal pain was seen in 26.9% and the pain was generalized in 27.3% of patients. The common causes were uretericcolic (16.3%), urinary tract infection (12.5%), acute pancreatitis (11%), acute appendicitis (10.6%) and acute gastritis (8%). More than half (51.9%) discharged from ED and 37% of cases were managed by the emergency physicians. Surgical intervention was required in 25.8% of patients. The mortality rate was 2.3%. Conclusions: Abdominal pain is a common ED symptom and clinicians must consider multiple diagnoses, especially those that require immediate intervention to limit morbidity and mortality.
A High-Performance Upgrade of the Perfectly Matched Layer Multilevel Fast Multipole Algorithm for Large Planar Microwave Structures

An improvement of the perfectly matched layer multilevel fast multipole algorithm (PML-MLFMA) for simulating large planar microwave structures is presented. By exploiting the low-rank property of the PML-MLFMA multimodal aggregation and disaggregation matrices, considerable reductions in memory usage and computation time are obtained. The method has been extensively validated, demonstrating complete error controllability when simulating large planar microwave structures. Reductions in memory requirements and CPU time of more than 60% and 40% have been achieved.
Ghrelin Induces Fasted Motor Activity of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Conscious Fed Rats

Ghrelin is a newly discovered orexigenic peptide originating from the stomach. However, its action in regulating the fed and fasted motor activity of the digestive tract is not fully understood. In the present study, we examined the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) and intravenous (i.v.) injection of ghrelin on the physiological fed and fasted motor activities in the stomach and duodenum of freely moving conscious rats. i.c. v. and i.v. injection of ghrelin induced fasted motor activity in the duodenum in normal fed rats, while i.v. injection of ghrelin induced fasted motor activity in both the stomach and duodenum in vagotomized rats. The effects of i.c. v. and i.v. injected ghrelin were blocked by growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS‐R) antagonist given by the same route and also blocked by immunoneutralization of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the brain. The effects of i.v. injected ghrelin were not altered by i.c. v. injection of GHS‐R antagonist in vagotomized rats. Injection of GHS‐R antagonist blocked the fasted motor activity in both the stomach and duodenum in vagotomized rats but did not affect the fasted motor activity in normal rats. Low intragastric pH inhibited the effect of ghrelin. The present results indicate that ghrelin is involved in regulation of fasted motor activity in the stomach and duodenum. Peripheral ghrelin may induce the fasted motor activity by activating the NPY neurons in the brain, probably through ghrelin receptors on vagal afferent neurons. Once the brain mechanism is eliminated by truncal vagotomy, ghrelin might be primarily involved in the regulation of fasted motor activity through ghrelin receptors on the stomach and duodenum. The action of ghrelin to induce fasted motor activity is strongly affected by intragastric pH; low pH inhibits the action.
Assessment of World Health Organization definition of dengue hemorrhagic fever in North India.

BACKGROUND Classification of symptomatic dengue according to current World Health Organization (WHO) criteria is not straightforward. In this prospective study of dengue infection during an epidemic in India in 2004, we applied the WHO classification of dengue to assess its usefulness for our patients. METHODOLOGY The study included 145 clinically suspected cases of dengue infection of all ages. Dengue was confirmed by serological methods (IgM ELISA and HI test). WHO criteria were applied to classify dengue positive patients into Dengue Fever (DF), Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS). Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between dengue patients with bleeding and those without bleeding. RESULTS Out of the 50 serologically positive cases of dengue enrolled in the study, only 3 met the WHO criteria for DHF and 1 met the criteria for DSS; however, 21 (42%) cases had one or more bleeding manifestations. CONCLUSION By using WHO criteria of DHF on Indian patients, all severe cases of dengue cannot be correctly classified. A new definition of DHF that considers geographic and age-related variations in laboratory and clinical parameters is urgently required.
Performance of tablet disintegrants: impact of storage conditions and relative tablet density

Abstract Tablet disintegration can be influenced by several parameters, such as storage conditions, type and amount of disintegrant, and relative tablet density. Even though these parameters have been mentioned in the literature, the understanding of the disintegration process is limited. In this study, water uptake and force development of disintegrating tablets are analyzed, as they reveal underlying processes and interactions. Measurements were performed on dibasic calcium phosphate tablets containing seven different disintegrants stored at different relative humidities (5–97%), and on tablets containing disintegrants with different mechanisms of action (swelling and shape recovery), compressed to different relative densities. Disintegration times of tablets containing sodium starch glycolate are affected most by storage conditions, which is displayed in decreased water uptake and force development kinetics. Disintegration times of tablets with a swelling disintegrant are only marginally affected by relative tablet density, whereas the shape recovery disintegrant requires high relative densities for quick disintegration. The influence of relative tablet density on the kinetics of water uptake and force development greatly depends on the mechanism of action. Acquired data allows a detailed analysis of the influence of storage conditions and mechanisms of action on disintegration behavior.
Clinical implications of cytogenetic variants in chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML).

Serial cytogenetic studies were performed on 179 chronic myelocytic leukemia patients (CML) at the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health. Patients were divided into 6 groups according to cytogenetic findings: Ph1 negative (18 patients), Ph1 negative with other chromosomal abnormalities (3 patients), Ph1 positive (116 patients), Ph1 positive and negative (10 patients), Ph1 positive with other chromosomal abnormalities (24 patients), and Ph1 positive which turned to other chromosomal abnormalities (8 patients). Patients who were Ph1 negative and negative with other chromosomal abnormalities (11.8 per cent of total) had the shortest median survival, 12 to 15 months. In contrast, the median survival of patients in the Ph1 positive groups was 31 to 40 months. The development of other chromosomal abnormalities in Ph1 positive patients presaged the terminal stage of the disease.
Análisis de las actitudes y conocimientos estadísticos elementales en la formación del profesorado

En esta Tesis nos hemos interesado por el estudio de los conocimientos y las actitudes hacia la estadistica de los profesores en formacion, justificando el interes del estudio por la influencia de estas variables sobre la planificacion de la accion educativa que cubra tanto los conocimientos matematicos y didacticos como la educacion de la afectividad del profesor. El trabajo se ha llevado a cabo en dos fases. En la primera presentamos los resultados de pasar una escala de actitudes de construccion propia a una muestra de 66 profesores en ejercicio y 74 profesores en formacion de educacion primaria. No encontramos diferencias por genero, aunque si una mejoria en aquellos alumnos que la estudiaron previamente. Contrariamente a nuestra hipotesis inicial, tampoco encontramos unas diferencias acusadas en las actitudes de profesores en formacion y profesores en ejercicio, por lo que decidimos continuar el trabajo centrandonos exclusivamente en el primer grupo, que es sobre el que recae principalmente nuestra accion formativa. Para la segunda fase del estudio, realizada con una muestra de 367 profesores en formacion elegimos la escala SATS, despues de realizar un comparativo de escalas de medicion de actitudes. Asimismo utilizamos una parte del cuestionario Statistics Reasoning Assessment, construido por Konold y Garfield para obtener algunos datos sobre los conocimientos estadisticos de los profesores. Se confirma que la actitud de los profesores en formacion es en general positiva independientemente del genero y de la especialidad. Aporta ademas una evaluacion orientativa de los conocimientos estadisticos de los profesores en formacion, encontrando errores conceptuales sobre los promedios, muestreo, valor atipico, asi como en las interpretaciones de la probabilidad. En estos errores influye la especialidad cursada en los estudios de Magisterio. Se observa tambien una relacion moderada entre actitudes y conocimientos estadisticos. Pensamos que esto sugiere la necesidad de apoyo desde los departamentos de didactica y facultades de educacion. Todos estos resultados se comparan con otros estudios previos de actitudes hacia la estadistica. La Memoria incluye tambien un estudio detallado de las investigaciones previas sobre actitudes hacia la estadistica y errores en conceptos estadisticos elementales, asi como un analisis del concepto actitud, sus componentes y medicion y de las principales escalas de actitudes hacia la estadistica.
Cadre fondé sur les modèles pour une utilisation avancée de la théorie de l'ordonnancement dans la conception des systèmes temps réel. (Model-based Framework for Using Advanced Scheduling Theory in Real-Time Systems Design)

Les systemes embarques temps reel necessitent une analyse temporelle pour valider leur comportement temporel.Afin de reduire le cout de developpement, l’analyse doit etre effectuee a une phase precoce au moment de la modelisationpour detecter les anomalies de conception. L’analyse d’ordonnancabilite est une des analyses temporelles qui permettentde s’assurer du bon fonctionnement du systeme concu. Elle est issue de la theorie de l’ordonnancement temps reel.Plusieurs methodes et tests analytiques ont ete proposes par la communaute academique mais peu sont les tests adoptespar les industriels. En effet, l’utilisation des tests d’analyse exige une large connaissance des travaux de recherches - misa jour regulierement - afin de choisir la methode la plus adaptee aux systemes concus pour les valider ou les dimensionnerpour le cas des systemes qui sont en cours de conception.Cette these s’interesse a cette utilisation minimaliste de la theorie de l’ordonnancement dans l’industrie, et propose dessolutions d’aide a la decision basees sur l’ingenierie dirigee par les modeles. Nos solutions visent a augmenter l’applicabilitede la theorie de l’ordonnancement, a faciliter le choix des tests appropries et a reduire le surdimensionnement qui peutetre genere au moment de la conception. Ces solutions sont implementees dans un Framework appele MoSaRT offrantdes fonctionnalites pour les concepteurs (modeleurs et analystes) afin d’ameliorer le processus de conception des systemestemps reel en vue de leur ordonnancabilite.
Effect of Short-Term Low-Protein Diet Supplemented with Keto Acids on Hyperphosphatemia in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Aim: To evaluate the effects of short-term restriction of dietary protein intake (DPI) supplemented with keto acids on hyperphosphatemia in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods: Forty MHD patients with uncontrolled hyperphosphatemia were randomized to either low DPI with keto acid-supplemented (sLP) or normal DPI (NP) group for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the sLP group was shifted to NP for another 8 weeks. Low-protein diet (LPD) was individualized with total caloric intake 30–35 kcal/kg/day, protein intake of 0.8 g/kg/day and phosphate intake of 500 mg/day. Keto acids were supplied in a dosage of 12 pills per day. Calcium phosphorous metabolism index and nutritional index (serum albumin, total protein, somatometric measurements, 3-day diaries and Mini-Nutritional Assessment score) were recorded. C-reactive protein, CO2 combining power and Kt/V were measured to evaluate the inflammation, metabolic acidosis and dialysis adequacy, respectively. Results: Serum phosphorus level and calcium-phosphate product were significantly decreased at the end of the first 8 weeks in the sLP group compared to the basal value and the NP group (p < 0.001). No difference was observed in C-reactive protein, Kt/V and nutritional index, while CO2 combining power was significantly higher at week 8 in the sLP group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Short-term restriction of DPI supplemented with keto acids could decrease hyperphosphatemia and calcium-phosphate product, while keeping stable nutritional status among MHD patients.
Evidence for an A2‐subtype adenosine receptor on pancreatic glucagon secreting cells

1 The effects of a 5′‐substituted analogue of adenosine, 5′‐N‐ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) have been studied on glucagon secretion in vitro, using the isolated pancreas of the rat perfused in the presence of glucose (2.8 mM). 2 NECA provoked a peak of glucagon secretion, the kinetics of which were comparable to those previously obtained with adenosine. The effect was concentration‐dependent and appeared at nanomolar concentrations. The EC50 was approximately 4 × 10−8 M. 3 A comparison of relative potency between adenosine and NECA showed that NECA was about 800 fold more potent than adenosine in inducing glucagon secretion. 4 Theophylline (50 μM) considerably decreased the peak of glucagon secretion induced by 1.65 μM NECA and totally suppressed the effect of 16.5 nM NECA. These results indicate the involvement of an adenosine receptor. 5 These and other previous results (low stereoselectivity of N6‐phenylisopropyladenosine) provide evidence for an adenosine receptor of the A2‐subtype being involved in glucagon secretion.
Growth and nodulation of cowpea after 5 years of consecutive composted tannery sludge amendment

Tannery industry releases high amounts of tannery sludge which are currently composted and used in agricultural soils. The consecutive amendment of such composted tannery sludge (CTS) may affect soil microrganisms, such as rhizobia. In this study, we evaluated the effects of 5-year repeated CTS amendment on growth, nodulation, and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) CTS was applied in different amounts (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 Mg/ha) to a sandy soil. Amendment of CTS increased soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium and chromium content. Plant growth, nodulation, N accumulation, and cowpea yield increased up to 10 Mg/ha; however, above this rate, these variables decreased. After 5 years of CTS amendment, the increase in soil chemical properties, particularly EC and Na content, exerted negative effects on the growth, nodulation, and yield of cowpea.
DYNAMIC SPIROMETRY STUDIES IN PATIENTS WITH LUNG DISEASE

Dynamic spirometry is a better measure ot ventilatory capacity than estimations of static lung volumes ( i 6 ) . '^he FEV%, i.e., the forced one second volume (FEV,.,,) in per cent of the forced vital capacity (FVC) is closely connected to flow resistance in the airways (,-51, 51). On the other hand, an increase of airways resistance will also augment the functional residual capacity (FRC) and the residual volume ( KV). This paper contains a stutly in pulmonary diseased patients on the relationship between the FEV% and the ratios of RV and FRC to the t(jtal lung capacity {TI.C) and on the relationship of FE\'i. ,, to FRC and RV. A preliminary report was published in Nordisk Medicin i960 : 6;^: ^^74.
Hepatoprotective activity of some indigenous plants.

Herbal plants or botanical medicines have been used traditionally by herbalist worldwide for the prevention and treatment of liver disease. The plant kingdom plays a major role in the life of human beings and animals. The plant, as one of the important sources, still maintains its original place in the treatment of various diseases, including liver disorders, with no ill effects. Considerable studies have been carried out on ethno medicinal plants; however, only few medicinal plants have attracted the interest of scientists, to investigate them for a remedy for hepatoprotective. Clinical research in this century has confirmed the efficacy of several plants in the treatment of liver disease. Hence, this review article contributes to the knowledge of reported indigenous plants, which are prevalent for prevention and treatment of liver disorders.
Control of Mitotic Exit in Budding Yeast

The elimination of mitotic kinase activity at the end of mitosis is essential for progression to the next stage of the eukaryotic cell cycle. In budding yeast, this process is controlled by a regulatory cascade called the mitotic exit network. Extensive genetic data indicate that mitotic exit network activity is determined by a GTP-binding protein, Tem1, and its putative regulators, Bub2, Bfa1, and Lte1. Here we describe the purification and in vitro activities of Tem1, Bub2, and Bfa1. We describe the nucleotide binding properties of Tem1 and characterize its intrinsic GTPase activity. The combination of Bfa1 and Bub2 acts as a two-component GTPase-activating protein for Tem1. In the absence of Bub2, Bfa1 inhibits the GTPase and GTP exchange activities of Tem1. This inhibition is elicited by either the N- or C-terminal regions of Bfa1, which also retain some ability to co-activate GTPase activity in the presence of Bub2. Although the C-terminal region of Bfa1 binds to Bub2, no interaction of the N-terminal half of Bfa1 with Bub2 was detected despite their combined GAP activity. Therefore, we propose that Bfa1 acts both as an adaptor to connect Bub2 and Tem1 and as an allosteric effector that facilitates this interaction.
Site-directed and linker insertion mutagenesis of herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein H

The gH-gL complex of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is essential for virion infectivity and virus-induced cell fusion, but functional domains of the gH molecule remain to be defined. We have addressed this question by mutagenesis. A set of linker insertion mutants in HSV-1 gH was generated and tested in transient assays for their ability to complement a gH-negative virus. Insertions at three sites in the C-terminal third of the external domain affected the ability of gH to function in cell-cell fusion and virus entry, while insertions at six sites in the N-terminal half of the external domain induced conformational changes in gH such that it was not recognized by monoclonal antibody LP11, although expression at the cell surface was unchanged. A recombinant virus in which a potential integrin-binding motif, RGD, in gH was changed to the triplet RGE entered cells as efficiently as the wild type, indicating that HSV-1 entry is not mediated by means of the gH-RGD motif binding to cell surface integrins. Furthermore, mutagenesis of the glycosylation site which is positionally conserved in all herpesvirus gH sequences in close proximity to the transmembrane domain generated a recombinant virus that grew in vitro with wild-type single-step kinetics.