Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen dioxide measurement by cavity attenuated phase shift spectroscopy (CAPS) and implications in ozone production efficiency and nitrate formation in Beijing, China

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a key species in studying photochemical smog and formation mechanisms of nitrate in fine particles. However, the conventional commercially available chemiluminescence (CL)‐based method often has uncertainties in measuring NO2 because of interferences with other reactive nitrogen species. In this study, an Aerodyne Cavity Attenuated Phase Shift Spectroscopy (CAPS) NO2 monitor that essentially has no interferences with nitrogen containing species was deployed in Beijing for the first time during August 2012. The CAPS NO2 monitor is highly sensitive with a detection limit (3σ) of 46.6 ppt for 1 min integration. The NO2 measured by CAPS shows overall agreement with that from CL, yet large differences up to 20% were also observed in the afternoon. Further, the discrepancies of NO2 measurements between CAPS and CL appear to be NOz dependent with larger differences at higher NOz concentrations (e.g., > 14 ppb). As a result, the ozone production efficiency of NOx (OPEx) derived from the correlations of Ox‐NOz with the CL NO2 can be overestimated by 19–37% in Beijing. The daily OPEx calculated with the CAPS NO2 ranges from 1.0 to 6.8 ppb/ppb with an average (±1σ) of 2.6 (±1.3) for the entire study. The relatively low OPEx and the relationship between OPEx and NOx suggest that ozone production chemistry is VOC sensitive during summer in Beijing. Two case studies further show that high concentrations of NOx can significantly enhance the formation of nitrate in fine particles in the presence of high O3 and favorable meteorological conditions.
Effect of renal nerve stimulation on the activity of the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism.

The influence of renal nerve stimulation on the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism was studied on anaesthetized rats. The analyses was made by comparing the single-glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) measured from late proximal tubules with SNGFR measured from distal tubules in the same nephron. In the former situation the flow to the macula densa cells is interrupted and in the latter the macula densa is influenced by the flow passing by. In the control situation the SNGFR measured proximally was 47.7 +/- 2.2 nl . min-1 (mean +/- SE) and 40.1 +/- 1.8 measured distally indicating an activated tubuloglomerular feedback. During renal nerve stimulation (2-3 Hz), the SNGFR fell to 38.5 +/- 2.3 and 33.5 4/- 1.7 when measured proximally and distally, respectively. The results indicate that the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism is unaffected by renal nerve stimulation.
Do-not-attempt-resuscitation orders and prognostic models for intraparenchymal hemorrhage*

Objectives:Statistical models predicting outcome after intraparenchymal hemorrhage include patients irrespective of do-not-attempt-resuscitation orders. We built a model to explore how the inclusion of patients with do-not-attempt-resuscitation orders affects intraparenchymal hemorrhage prognostic models. Design:Retrospective, observational cohort study from May 2001 until September 2003. Setting:University-affiliated tertiary referral hospital in Seattle, WA. Patients:Four hundred twenty-four consecutive patients with spontaneous intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Measurements and Main Results:We retrospectively abstracted information from medical records of intraparenchymal hemorrhage patients admitted to a single hospital. Using multivariate logistic regression of presenting clinical characteristics, but not do-not-attempt-resuscitation status, we generated a prognostic score for favorable outcome (defined as moderate disability or better at discharge). We compared observed probability of favorable outcome with that predicted, stratified by do-not-attempt-resuscitation status. We then generated a modified prognostic score using only non-do-not-attempt-resuscitation patients. Records of 424 patients were reviewed: 44% had favorable outcome, 43% had a do-not-attempt-resuscitation order, and 38% died in hospital. The observed and predicted probability of favorable outcome agreed well with all patients taken together. The observed probability of favorable outcome was significantly higher than predicted in non-do-not-attempt-resuscitation patients and significantly lower in do-not-attempt-resuscitation patients. Results were similar when applying a previously published and validated prognostic score. Our modified prognostic score was no longer pessimistic in non-do-not-attempt-resuscitation patients but remained overly optimistic in do-not-attempt-resuscitation patients. Conclusions:Although our prognostic model was well-calibrated when assessing all intraparenchymal hemorrhage patients, predictions were significantly pessimistic in patients without and optimistic in those with do-not-attempt-resuscitation orders. Such pessimism may drive decisions not to attempt resuscitation in patients in whom a favorable outcome may have been possible, thereby creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. To be most useful in clinical decision making, intraparenchymal hemorrhage prognostic models should be calibrated to large intraparenchymal hemorrhage cohorts in whom do-not-attempt-resuscitation orders were not used.
Constrained Maximin Designs for Computer Experiments

Finding a design scheme for expensive computer experiments in arbitrary design regions is often a difficult task. A well-known criterion that is often used for computer experiments is the minimal (Euclidean) distance between any pair of design sites, which should be maximal. In this article we describe methods to create such a constrained maximin simulation scheme. We give some numerical results for both theoretical and practical examples.
Impact of Spherical Aberration Terms on Multifocal Contact Lens Performance.

PURPOSE To investigate the impact of the primary (PSA) and secondary (SSA) spherical aberration terms on visual performance (VP) in presbyopes, as measured using multifocal (MFCL) soft contact lenses on eye. METHODS Seventeen presbyopes (age: 55.1 ± 6.9 years) wore seven commercial lenses (four center-near (MFCL N), one center-distance (MFCL D), one bifocal, and one single vision control). Unaided and with each lens on eye, the PSA and SSA terms were obtained with an aberrometer, the BHVI-EyeMapper (low illumination, natural and 4 mm pupil diameter). High- and low-contrast distance visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, high-contrast visual acuities at near, and range of clear vision were measured. In addition, subjective VP variables included clarity of vision at distance and near, ghosting, and overall vision satisfaction. Pearson's correlation was used to determine the association between the PSA and SSA terms and the VP variables. RESULTS PSA (natural pupil) was more negative (P < .05) with the MFCL N (mean PSA = -0.053 ± 0.080 μm) and bifocal (PSA = +0.005 ± 0.067 μm) lenses and more positive with the MFCL D lens (PSA = +0.208 ± 0.160 μm) than the control (+0.067 ± 0.072 μm). SSA (natural pupil) was significantly more positive for the MFCL N lenses (mean SSA = +0.025 ± 0.029 μm) compared to the control (SSA = -0.001 ± 0.017 μm). PSA and SSA terms were significantly (P < .05) correlated with 78% and 56% of VP variables, respectively, but the correlation coefficients were weak, ranging between |0.210| and |0.334|. Although distance variables showed improved VP with more positive PSA or negative SSA, most near variables showed improved VP with more negative PSA. Range of clear focus was greater for more negative PSA terms. CONCLUSIONS The amount and direction of PSA and SSA terms, as measured with different MFCLs on eye, can affect VP at different distances. Results of this study may provide useful information when designing new or optimize existing MFCLs for improved VP at specific distances.
The cost of acute myocardial infarction treatment in the Czech Republic — The case of General University Hospital in Prague

The paper deals with costs of the treatment of acute myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention in the General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic in 2012. The average amount of the cost of treatment in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was CZK119 600 when figured out by the bottom-up method in the hospital. According to the general Health Insurance Company, the cost of treatment of a patient during one year after his release from the medical facility amounted to CZK 84 617. Hence, the total cost of treatment in patients with STEMI, calculated for one-year period, is CZK 204 217. A detailed specification of these figures is provided and discussed thoroughly.
Carboxy terminus of GATA 4 transcription factor is required for its cardiogenic activity and interaction with CDK 4

GATA4-6 transcription factors regulate numerous aspects of development and homeostasis in multiple tissues of mesodermal and endodermal origin. In the heart, the best studied of these factors, GATA4, has multiple distinct roles in cardiac specification, differentiation, morphogenesis, hypertrophy and survival. To improve understanding of how GATA4 achieves its numerous roles in the heart, here we have focused on the carboxy-terminal domain and the residues required for interaction with cofactors FOG2 and Tbx5. We present evidence that the carboxy terminal region composed of amino acids 362–400 is essential for mediating cardiogenesis in Xenopus pluripotent explants and embryos. In contrast, the same region is not required for endoderm-inducing activity of GATA4. Further evidence is presented that the carboxy terminal cardiogenic region of GATA4 does not operate as a generic transcriptional activator. Potential mechanism of action of the carboxy terminal end of GATA4 is provided by the results showing physical and functional interaction with CDK4, including the enhancement of cardiogenic activity of GATA4 by CDK4. These results establish CDK4 as a GATA4 partner in cardiogenesis. The interactions of GATA4 with its other well described cofactors Tbx5 and FOG2 are known to be involved in heart morphogenesis, but their requirement for cardiac differentiation is unknown. We report that the mutations that disrupt interactions of GATA4 with Tbx5 and FOG2, G295S and V217G, respectively, do not impair cardiogenic activity of GATA4. These findings add support to the view that distinct roles of GATA4 in the heart are mediated by different determinants of the protein. Finally, we show that the rat GATA4 likely induces cardiogenesis cell autonomously or directly as it does not require activity of endodermal transcription factor Sox17, a GATA4 target gene that induces cardiogenesis non-cell autonomously. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).
Metal Ion Levels in Ceramic-on-Ceramic THR with Cobalt-Chrome Modular Necks: Analysis of Cobalt and Chromium Serum Levels in 23 Healthy Hip Patients

Background Modular necks in total hip replacement (THR) can be a source of metal ion release. Methods We measured the level of cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) ions in the serum of 23 healthy volunteers with a well-functioning ceramic-on-ceramic THR of a particular design, containing a cobalt-chrome (Co-Cr) stem and a Co-Cr modular neck. Results Average Co in serum was 1,71 μg/l; median Co was 1.50 μg/l. No patient had Co levels higher than 3.70 μg/l. Average Cr level was 0.49 μg/l; in all but one patient Cr was below the detection limit (≤0.50 μg/l). Co was higher for varus necks compared to all other subtypes: 2.14 μg/l vs 1.58 μg/l (p≤0.05). The same system with Titanium modular necks shows lower Co serum levels: 1.26 μg/l (p≤0.01). In conclusion, the hybrid THR Profemur Xm® – Procotyle L® with a Co-Cr modular neck on a Co-Cr stem design shows very low Cr ion serum levels in a randomly selected group of well-functioning hip patients. Conclusions Co ion serum levels are low, but significantly higher for 8° varus necks, and Co levels are significantly higher than values of this system with a Titanium modular neck.
Spatial mapping of integrin interactions and dynamics during cell migration by Image Correlation Microscopy

Image correlation microscopy methodology was extended and used to determine retrospectively the density, dynamics and interactions of α5-integrin in migrating cells. α5-integrin is present in submicroscopic clusters containing 3-4 integrins before it is discernibly organized. The integrin in nascent adhesions, as identified by the presence of paxillin, is ∼1.4 times more concentrated, ∼4.5 times more clustered and much less mobile than in surrounding regions. Thus, while integrins are clustered throughout the cell, they differ in nascent adhesions and appear to initiate adhesion formation, despite their lack of visible organization. In more mature adhesions where the integrin is visibly organized there are ∼900 integrins μm–2 (about fivefold higher than surrounding regions). Interestingly, α5-integrin and α-actinin, but not paxillin, reside in a complex throughout the cell, where they diffuse and flow together, even in regions where they are not organized. During adhesion disassembly some integrins diffuse away slowly, α-actinin undergoes a directed movement at speeds similar to actin retrograde flow (0.29 μm min–1), while all of the paxillin diffuses away rapidly.
Interference of Y-27632 on the signal transduction of transforming growth factor beta type 1 in ocular Tenon capsule fibroblasts.

AIM To investigate the interfering effect of Y-27632, a ROCK-I selective inhibitor, on the signal transduction pathway of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in ocular Tenon capsule fibroblasts (OTFS) in vitro. METHODS After OTFS from passages 4 to 6 in vitro were induced by TGF-β1 and then treated by Y-27632, the changes of the OTFS cell cycles were analyzed via flow cytometry, and the proteins expression of the α-smooth muscular actin (α-SMA), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), collagen I were calculated by Western blot. After OTFS treated by the different concentrations of Y-27632, the expression levels of the α-SMA, CTGF and collagen I mRNA were assayed by RT-PCR. RESULTS Y-27632 had no markedly effect on the OTFS cell cycles. After treated by TGF-β1, OTFS in G1 period significantly increased. The cell cycles distribution by both TGF-β1 and Y-27632 had no remarkable difference from that in control group. Y-27632 significantly inhibited the proteins expressions of both α-SMA and CTGF, while to some extent inhibited that of collagen I. TGF-β1 significantly promoted the proteins expressions of α-SMA, CTGF and collagen I. After OTFS treated by both TGF-β1 and Y-27632, of α-SMA, the protein expression was similar with that in control group (P=0.066>0.05), but the protein expression of CTGF or collagen I, respectively, was significantly different from that in control group (P=0.000<0.01). The differences of expressions of the α-SMA, CTGF and collagen I mRNA in 30, 150, 750µmol/L Y-27632 group were statistically significant, compared with those in control group, respectively (α-SMA, P=0.002, 0.000, 0.000; CTGF, P=0.014, 0.002, 0.001; collagen I, P=0.003, 0.002, 0.000). CONCLUSION Blocking the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway by using of Y-27632 could inhibit the cellular proliferation and the expression of both CTGF and α-SMA whatever OTFS induced by TGF-β1 or not. Y-27632 suppressed the expression of collagen I mRNA without induction.
Femoral Nerve Block Improves Analgesia Outcomes after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background:Femoral nerve blockade (FNB) is a common method of analgesia for postoperative pain control after total knee arthroplasty. We conducted a systematic review to compare the analgesia outcomes in randomized controlled trials that compared FNB (with and without sciatic nerve block) with epidural and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Methods:We identified 23 randomized controlled trials that compared FNB with PCA or epidural analgesia. These studies included 1,016 patients, 665 with FNB, 161 with epidural, and 190 with PCA alone. Results:All 10 studies of single-shot FNB (SSFNB) used concurrent PCA opioids. SSFNB was found to reduce PCA morphine consumption at 24 h (−19.9 mg, 95% credible interval [CrI]: −35.2 to −4.6) and 48 h (−38.0 mg, 95% CrI: −56.0 to −19.7), pain scores with activity (but not at rest) at 24 and 48 h (−1.8 visual analog pain scale, 95% CrI: −3.3 to −0.02 at 24 h; −1.5 visual analog pain scale, 95% CrI: −2.9 to −0.02 at 48 h) and reduce the incidence of nausea (0.37 odds ratio, 95% CrI: 0.1 to 0.9) compared with PCA alone. SSFNB had similar morphine consumption and pain scores compared with SSFNB plus sciatic nerve block, and SSFNB plus continuous FNB. Conclusions:SSFNB or continuous FNB (plus PCA) was found to be superior to PCA alone for postoperative analgesia for patients having total knee arthroplasty. The impact of adding a sciatic block or continuous FNB to a SSFNB needs to be studied further.
Target classification in perimeter protection with a micro-Doppler radar

In security surveillance at the perimeter of critical infrastructure, such as airports and power plants, approaching objects have to be detected and classified. Especially important is to distinguish between humans, animals and vehicles. In this paper, micro-Doppler data (from movement of internal parts of the target) have been collected with a small radar of a low-complexity and cost-effective type. From time-velocity diagrams of the data, some physical features have been extracted and used in a support vector machine classifier to distinguish between the classes "human", "animal" and "man-made object". Both the type of radar and the classes are suitable for perimeter protection. The classification result are rather good, 77% correct classification. Particularly interesting is the surprisingly good ability to distinguish between humans and animals. This also indicates that we can choose to have limitations in the radar and still solve the classification task.
Efficacy of piezocision on accelerating orthodontic tooth movement: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of piezocision as an adjunctive procedure to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. MATERIALS AND METHODS Randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials that investigated the effectiveness of piezocision on accelerating orthodontic tooth movement were identified through electronic and manual searches. The literature search, study inclusion, risk of bias assessment, and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently. RESULTS Four eligible studies were included in this review. All studies reported accelerated tooth movement after piezocision, and three reported a significant reduction of treatment duration in the piezocision group. No deleterious effects on periodontal status, pain perception, satisfaction, root resorption, or anchorage control were reported in any studies. CONCLUSION Based on currently available information, weak evidence supports that piezocision is a safe adjunct to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement, at least in the short term. More high-quality clinical trials to determine the long-term effects and optimal protocol for piezocision are needed to draw more reliable conclusions.
Branched-chain amino acids modulate the expression of hepatic fatty acid metabolism-related genes in female broiler chickens.

SCOPE The effects and roles of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in hepatic fat metabolism are still unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS Here, we used broiler chickens, in which lipogenesis occurs essentially in the liver as in human, to investigate the effects of three levels of BCAAs (control "C," low "L" and exogenous supplemented diet "L+S") on growth, carcass traits, immunity, and hepatic fat metabolism. Despite the same productive performance, immunity, and plasma BCAA levels between all groups, low BCAA levels significantly downregulated the hepatic expression of lipogenic genes particularly acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (ACCα) and stearoyl-coA desaturase 1 (p = 0.0036 and p = 0.0008, respectively) and upregulated the hepatic expression of mitochondrial β-oxidation- (uncoupling protein and NRF-1, p < 0.05) and dynamic-related genes (DNM1, p < 0.05). Concomitant with these changes, low BCAA levels increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)α(Thr172), ACCα(Ser79), and forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1(Ser256)) and decreased the phosphorylation of mTOR(Ser2481) and P70 S6 kinase (Thr389). The mRNA abundance of the transcription factors SREBP1/2, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha/beta, and FoxO1 were also increased in the liver of L group compared to the control. CONCLUSION Together our data indicate that low BCAA levels inhibit fatty acid synthesis and enhanced fatty acid β-oxidation in the liver of female broiler chickens and these effects were probably mediated through AMPK-mTOR-FoxO1 pathway.
Panitumumab in combination with infusional oxaliplatin and oral capecitabine for conversion therapy in patients with colon cancer and advanced liver metastases

Preoperative chemotherapy improves the outcome in patients with colorectal cancer with liver metastases. In the current study, the authors evaluated the activity of a conversion treatment with the combination of capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX) used in association with panitumumab in patients with unresectable, liver‐only, metastatic colon cancer.
Challenges in LCA comparisons of multifunctional electronic devices

In comparative life cycle assessment (LCA), one of the most important steps is a definition of functional unit and subsequently setting system boundaries. When comparing multifunctional electronic devices, this step is more complicated than in many other cases. We perform an illustrative LCA comparison of a smartphone and a basket of dedicated devices. On the case study we illustrate different approaches towards defining system boundaries based on different user profiles and discuss how these decisions affect the results. We present results for climate change and freshwater ecotoxicity impact categories. The results show the importance of the size of system boundaries, particularly when including network and internet infrastructure. User profile plays a key role here.