Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accurate CAD modelling of metal conduction losses at terahertz frequencies

Being able to accurately characterize the terahertz performance of simple metal conductors is very important for the CAD modelling of components, circuits and systems operating at these frequencies. A comprehensive survey of published experimental data for the room temperature surface resistance of simple metals, from DC up to the edge of the mid-infrared frequency range, has been undertaken. It has been found that, with the optical measurements performed within the far-IR region, there does not appear to be anomalous intrinsic conduction loss phenomenon at room temperature; this is in direct contradiction to the findings of other research groups. This is because the non-optical measurement approaches adopted by Tischer, Schwab et al. and Batt et al. are fundamentally flawed, since anomalous findings could be attributed to one or more factors that were not taken into account.
Serotonin-Induced Plasma Extravasation in the Murine Inner Ear: Possible Mechanism of Migraine-Associated Inner ear Dysfunction

Sensitivity to sound and vertigo are often components of migraine. Recent studies suggest that plasma extravasation from intradural blood vessels may contribute to migraine pain. This study documented plasma extravasation in the mouse inner ear after intravenous administration of serotonin (5-HT). Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected intravenously to trace protein extravasation in mice, followed 15 min later by intravenous 5-HT or saline. Forty-five minutes later, mice were euthanized. HRP extravasation was visualized immunohistochemically and quantified densitometrically. Baseline and evoked extravasation in stria vascularis and tectorial membrane were indistinguishable from skin, dura mater and tympanic membrane. Brain parenchyma, Scarpa's ganglion, basal spiral ganglion and modiolus, and the central vestibular nerve segment showed no significant 5-HT-induced extravasation. In contrast, 5-HT produced extravasation in the apical spiral ganglion, modiolus, and intralabyrinthine superior and inferior vestibular nerve. Thus, inner ear plasma extravasation is a potential mechanism for migraine-associated vertigo and sound sensitivity.
A Comparative Study of Local Features in Face-based Video Retrieval

Face-based video retrieval has become an active and important branch of intelligent video analysis. Face profiling and matching is a fundamental step and is crucial to the effectiveness of video retrieval. Although many algorithms have been developed for processing static face images, their effectiveness in face-based video retrieval is still unknown, simply because videos have different resolutions, faces vary in scale, and different lighting conditions and angles are used. In this paper, we combined content-based and semantic-based image analysis techniques, and systematically evaluated four mainstream local features to represent face images in the video retrieval task: Harris operators, SIFT and SURF descriptors, and eigenfaces. Results of ten independent runs of 10-fold cross-validation on datasets consisting of TED (Technology Entertainment Design) talk videos showed the effectiveness of our approach, where the SIFT descriptors achieved an average F-score of 0.725 in video retrieval and thus were the most effective, while the SURF descriptors were computed in 0.3 seconds per image on average and were the most efficient in most cases.
Blood pressure in Canadian adults.

BACKGROUND Hypertension is estimated to cause more than one-eighth of all deaths worldwide. In Canada, the last national surveys to include direct measures of blood pressure (BP) took place over the years 1985-1992; hypertension was estimated at 21%. DATA AND METHODS Data are from cycle 1 of the Canadian Health Measures Survey, conducted from March 2007 through February 2009. The survey included direct BP measures using an automated device. Weighted frequencies, means and cross-tabulations were produced to estimate levels of hypertension awareness, treatment and control in the population aged 20 to 79 years. RESULTS Among adults aged 20 to 79 years, hypertension (systolic BP higher than or equal to 140 or diastolic BP higher than or equal to 90 mm Hg, or self-reported recent medication use for high BP) was present in 19%. Another 20% had BP in the pre-hypertension range (systolic 120 to 139 or diastolic 80 to 89 mm Hg). Of those with hypertension, 83% were aware, 80% were taking antihypertensive drugs, and 66% were controlled. Uncontrolled hypertension was largely due to high systolic BP. INTERPRETATION Hypertension prevalence is similar to that reported in 1992. Since then, the level of hypertension control has increased considerably.
Effectiveness of Personal Protective Equipment: Relevance of Dermal and Inhalation Exposure to Chlorpyrifos Among Pest Control Operators

This study assessed the effectiveness of a custom fit personal protective equipment (PPE) program aimed at reducing occupational exposure to pesticides. The intervention study was carried out on 15 pest control operators (PCOs) during mixing/loading and application of chlorpyrifos. Each worker was measured twice; first while the worker used PPE as normal (baseline measurement), and second after making some adjustments to the PPE (postintervention measurement). The applied intervention consisted of a tight-fitting, full-face respirator, fit-testing, long gloves, chemical-proof boots, a Tyvekreg; hood, and an instruction video that was shown prior to putting on the PPE. A comprehensive evaluation program was used for the within-subject comparisons, including assessment of potential dermal exposure, actual dermal exposure, inhalation exposure, and internal dose as measured by the urinary metabolite 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP). The PPE program resulted in a significant increase in fit factors from a mean of 670 to 132,000. Actual dermal exposure levels decreased on average by fourfold after implementation of the PPE program (baseline AM = 132.1 μg; postintervention AM = 32.6 μg). The TCP levels in urine collected 24–32 hours after spray activities were lower in the postintervention data set (AM = 21.2 μg TCP/g creatinine vs. AM = 13.9 μg TCP/g creatinine). However, it is impossible to attribute these differences totally to the PPE program since workers had significant and varying urinary TCP levels before onset of spraying activities. Linear regression models showed that dermal exposure was only a predictive parameter for TCP levels in urine in the baseline data set. Although the results should be interpreted cautiously this study suggests a protective effect of the evaluated PPE program.
Higher-Affinity Agonists of 5-HT1AR Discovered through Tuning the Binding-Site Flexibility

Discovery of high-affinity and high-selectivity agonists of 5-HT1AR has become very attractive due to their potential therapeutic effects on multiple 5-HT1AR-related psychological and neurological problems. On the basis of our previously designed lead compound FW01 (Ki = 51.9 nM, denoted as 9a in the present study), we performed large-scale molecular dynamics simulations and molecular docking operations on 5-HT1AR-9a binding. We found the flip-packing events for the headgroup of 9a, and we also found that its tail group could bind flexibly at the agonist-binding site of 5-HT1AR. By finely tuning the flip-packing phenomenon of the 9a headgroup and tuning the binding flexibility of 9a tail group, we virtually designed a series of new 9a derivatives through molecular docking operations and first-principles calculations and predicted that these newly designed 9a derivatives should be higher-affinity agonists of 5-HT1AR. The computational predictions on the new 9a derivatives have been confirmed by our wet-experimental studies as chemical synthesis, binding affinity assays, and agonistic-function assays. The consistency between our computational design and wet-experimental measurements has led to our discovery of higher-affinity agonists of 5-HT1AR, with ∼50-fold increase in receptor-binding affinity and ∼25-fold improvements in agonistic function. In addition, our newly designed 5-HT1AR agonists showed very high selectivity of 5-HT1AR over subtype 5-HT2AR and also over three subtypes of dopamine receptors (D1, D2, and D3).
RAPID EFFECTS OF GROWTH HORMONE ON AMINO ACID TRANSPORT AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS *

Pituitary growth hormone increases the rate of net transport of a number of amino acids across cell membranes into the intracellular fluid of a variety of tissues. Available evidence suggests that this effect of growth hormone on membrane transport occurs early in its course of action on the cell. A definite increase in the accumulation of amino acids by certain tissues, including liver and muscle, has been shown to occur within 30 min following an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of growth hormone into hypophysectomized rats. The addition of growth hormone to fluid bathing the isolated diaphragm of the hypophysectomized rat also increases the rate at which the cells accumulate amino acids from the m e d i ~ m . ” ~ Again, a consistent increase in net transport rate has been observed to occur 30 min after exposure of the cells to the hormone. However, the early time-course of this phenomenon has not been explored with adequate methods. Incubation of the isolated diaphragm of the hypophysectomized rat with growth hormone also increases the incorporation of labeled amino acids into the protein of the It is not likely, however, that this apparent increase in the rate of muscle protein synthesis can be attributed to the action of growth hormone on amino acid transport. In a number of experiments with the diaphragm, Knobil‘ has shown that the incorporation of certain labeled amino acids, such as leucine, valine, and phenylalanine, into proteins can be increased by growth hormone in vitro without a concomitant change occurring in the concentration of tracer in the intracellular fluid. This investigator has also established6 that the incorporation of carbon into proteins from a variety of compounds other than amino acids is also enhanced in this muscle by growth hormone. Moreover, studies in our laboratory’ have shown that the incorporation of glycine into diaphragm protein is still enhanced by growth hormone when its action on glycine transport is abolished by replacing the Na’ in the incubation medium with choline. It is also of interest that the in vitro effect of growth hormone on muscle protein synthesis does not appear to be related to the synthesis of RNA. Growth hormone in vitro is quite effective in stimulating amino acid incorporation into diaphragm protein when RNA synthesis has been virtually blocked with actinomycin D.5’6 Also, to demonstrate an in vitro effect of growth hormone on the incorporation of precursors into the RNA of the diaphragm have not been successful. This is *Supported by U.S.P.H. S. grant AM-04521 and grant G-65-11 from the Life Insurance Medical Research Fund. 1
Gallbladder Surgery in Patients Over 60: Is There an Increased Risk?

We reviewed the records of 101 patients over the age of 60 who had exploration and cholecystectomy in 1982 at Norfolk General Hospital. There were 52 elective and 49 emergency cases. Women comprised 57.4% of the patients, and almost 50% of the patients were over the age of 70. Forty-nine percent of the cases were emergencies. All but two of the patients had cholecystectomy. The average hospital stay was 12 days for the elective group and 19 days for the urgent group. Complications extended the average hospital stay to 23 days. Although complications developed in 35 patients, only 14 had major complications that were life-threatening and/or extended the hospital stay. Of these, four were in elective cases (7%) and the remainder (21%) were in the urgent group. A major complication more than doubled the average hospital stay to 29 days. There were three deaths (3% of the entire group), all in patients who had emergency exploration, and all in patients over age 70. We advocate earlier elective cholecystectomy for patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis—before patients reach an older age, when associated systemic diseases increase their overall risk should emergency operation be necessary.
Eicosanoid production and glucocorticoid regulatory mechanisms in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells.

The techniques we developed to propagate HTM cells in serial cell culture have provided an opportunity to investigate the spectrum of endogenous PGs and other eicosanoids that are produced by these cells. PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were the major cyclooxygenase products detected by both radioimmunoassay and thin-layer chromatography. A small amount of 6-keto PGF1 alpha was also detected, indicating that these cells are able to produce prostacyclin. The observation of a substantial increase in the proportion of PGF2 alpha relative to PGE2 at later time periods after a media change suggests a metabolic conversion of PGE2 to PGF2 alpha by these cells. Bradykinin, thrombin, platelet activating factor, and serum were found to be effective stimulators of PG production by HTM cells, whereas calcium ionophore produced only a minor effect. Using high pressure liquid chromatography, elution profiles of radiolabeled metabolites of AA suggested the presence of certain lipoxygenase products, including LTB4, 12-HETE, 15-HETE, and a small amount of 5-HETE in HTM cells. The formation of these products was inhibited by both DEX and BW 755c, reinforcing the view that metabolic conversions of AA through the lipoxygenase pathway were possible in the trabecular meshwork. We also examined the effects of glucocorticoids on specific protein synthesis in the HTM cells, using 35S-methionine labeling and SDS-PAGE techniques. Short-term (1 day) DEX treatment revealed a major induction of a protein band at approximately 30 kDa. Longer treatments (1 to 3 weeks) resulted in major inductions at approximately 55 kDa inside the cells, with the presence of secreted forms (probably glycoproteins) between 55 and 72 kDa. The short-term DEX effect on protein synthesis a phospholipase inhibitor regulating eicosanoid production within the HTM. The longer-term induction may, on the other hand, be related more directly to the development of steroid glaucoma, based on our findings that the inductions of these proteins correlate with the observed time course and dose-dependence topical glucocorticoid effects on IOP. Continued in vitro and in vivo evaluations of the eicosanoid pathways in cultured HTM cells obtained from normal and glaucomatous human eyes may help to delineate their relationship to IOP regulation and the pathogenesis and treatment of glaucoma. Glucocorticoid-induced proteins may be key participants in the regulation of phospholipase activity and hence may represent a major control mechanism of the AA cascade. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Bioinspired locomotion and grasping in water: the soft eight-arm OCTOPUS robot

The octopus is an interesting model for the development of soft robotics, due to its high deformability, dexterity and rich behavioural repertoire. To investigate the principles of octopus dexterity, we designed an eight-arm soft robot and evaluated its performance with focused experiments. The OCTOPUS robot presented here is a completely soft robot, which integrates eight arms extending in radial direction and a central body which contains the main processing units. The front arms are mainly used for elongation and grasping, while the others are mainly used for locomotion. The robotic octopus works in water and its buoyancy is close to neutral. The experimental results show that the octopus-inspired robot can walk in water using the same strategy as the animal model, with good performance over different surfaces, including walking through physical constraints. It can grasp objects of different sizes and shapes, thanks to its soft arm materials and conical shape.
Epstein–Barr virus and methotrexate-related CNS lymphoma in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially those treated with methotrexate (MTX), might have an increased risk of lymphoproliferative disorders that are associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). We describe a case of EBV-associated central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) in a patient with RA on a short course of MTX treatment. The neoplastic cells express the B-cell surface markers (CD20, Pax-5 and CD30), and EBV-encoded RNA was demonstrated by in situ hybridization. The patient’s lymphoma did not recur for the 8-year follow-up period after the tumor resection and cessation of MTX. MTX may promote EBV-positive CNS lymphoma in RA patient due to its immunosuppressive properties as well as reactivating latent EBV infection.
Effect of Antioxidant Trace Elements on the Response of Cardiac Tissue to Oxidative Stress a

Abstract: It is now well established that several trace elements, because of their involvement in the catalytic activity and spatial conformation of antioxidant enzymes, may contribute to the prevention of oxidative stress such as occurs upon reperfusion of ischemic tissue. The aim of this paper is (1) to review the role of these trace elements (Cu, Mn, Se, and Zn) in antioxidant cellular defenses in the course of post‐ischemic reperfusion of cardiac tissue, (2) to provide experimental data suggesting that variations in trace element dietary intake may modulate the vulnerability of cardiac tissue to ischemia‐reperfusion, and (3) to discuss in more detail the effect of Mn ions, which seem to play a special protective role against reperfusion injury. Some results obtained from experiments in animal models of myocardial reperfusion have shown that the dietary intake of such trace elements can modulate cardiac activity of antioxidant enzymes and, consequently, the degree of reperfusion damage. In addition, experimental data on the protective effects of an acute treatment with Mn are presented. Finally, experimental evidence on the protective role of salen‐Mn complexes, which exhibit catalytic SOD‐ and CAT‐like activities against reperfusion injury, are described. These complexes should be of considerable interest in clinical conditions.
Long‐Term Prognosis in Infantile Spasms: A Follow‐up Report on 112 cases

A long‐term follow‐up study has been made of 98 children, aged five years or more, with infantile spasms, 58 of whom had been treated with steroids. 18 had died, mostly before the age of four years. Of the 80 survivors only 9 still had spasms, but nearly two‐thirds of the patients had other types of fit at some time, and only a third were free from all types of epilepsy at follow‐up. Neurological abnormality was present in half the children, being most common in those with a history of perinatal insult. The EEG was normal in 50 per cent of the 68 children examined at follow‐up, only 3 showed hypsarrhythmia, and the rest showed bilateral or focal abnormality. Only 13 children appeared to have made a complete recovery. A good prognosis appears to depend more upon the cause than upon the treatment given.
First detection and sequence analysis of the bla-CTX-M-15 gene in Lebanese isolates of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing Shigella sonnei

Abstract The emergence in Shigella species of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) that impart resistance to third-generation cephalosporins is a growing concern world-wide. So far, however, ESBL-producing Shigella have only been reported seven times, albeit from seven different countries. In Lebanon, three ESBL-producing clinical isolates of S. sonnei were recovered from 30 cases of shigellosis diagnosed between July 2004 and October 2005. All three were found to be resistant to amoxycillin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, aztreonam, trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole, gentamicin, and kanamycin. Each harboured the bla-CTX-M gene, and the results of sequence analysis indicated this to be of the bla-CTX-M-15 type and encoded on a 70-kb plasmid, flanked by an insertion element (ISEcp1). The bla-TEM-1 gene was also detected on the chromosomes of two of the ESBL-producing isolates. Class-2 integrons containing dhfr1, aadA1 and sat1 genes were detected on the chromosomes of all three isolates but not on the plasmids. Fluoroquinolone-modifying factors [QnrA, QnrB, QnrS or AAC(6′)-Ib-cr] were not detected. The results of RAPD analysis, combined with data on antimicrobial susceptibility, indicated that each isolate was unique. In conclusion, the emergence of ESBL-producing isolates of S. sonnei has been demonstrated for the first time in Lebanon. The resistance of these isolates to third-generation cephalosporins was mediated by the CTX-M-15 enzyme, which was plasmid-encoded.
Avaliação física de ovos comerciais de diferentes espécies de aves

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar e comparar as caracteristicas fisicas de ovos comerciais. Os experimentos foram conduzidos com ovos brancos de galinha de granja (GB) e vermelhos (GV), galinha caipira (CP1 e CP2), pata (PT1 e PT2) e galinha da Angola (AG1 e AG2), avaliando-se as cascas, albumens, gemas inteiras e homogeneizadas e mistura do albumen e gema. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: massa individual, diâmetro transversal e longitudinal, coloracao (luminosidade e intensidade de vermelho e amarelo) e textura (adesividade e compressao). Verificou-se que a massa individual variou de 38,08 (AG2) a 72,38 g (PT1). Os maiores diâmetros transversais foram encontrados nos tratamentos PT1 (45,50 mm) e GB (45,00 mm). Os ovos dos tratamentos GV, GB e CP1 apresentaram as maiores porcentagens de albumen, e os tratamentos PT1 e PT2, as maiores porcentagens de gema. As maiores luminosidades foram verificadas nas cascas dos tratamentos GB, AG1, PT1 e PT2. Os valores de intensidade de amarelo variaram de 2,54 (casca do tratamento GB) a 99,57 (mix do tratamento CP1). Quanto a textura, os valores de adesividade variaram de -12,33 (albumen do tratamento CP1) a -71,53 N (gema do tratamento PT2), e os de compressao variaram de 7,13 (albumen do tratamento CP1) a 58,38 N (gema do tratamento PT1). Os tratamentos GV, GB e CP1 sao recomendados para o processamento de produtos que necessitam de grandes quantidades de albumen, enquanto que os tratamentos PT1 e PT2 sao indicados para o processamento de produtos que necessitem sensorialmente de maior adesividade.
Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Child Behavior Problems Among Latina Adolescent Mothers: The Buffering Effect of Mother-Reported Partner Child Care Involvement

We examined the relations between maternal depressive symptoms and child internalizing and externalizing problems in a sample of 125 adolescent Latina mothers (primarily Puerto Rican) and their toddlers. We also tested the influence of mother-reported partner child care involvement on child behavior problems and explored mother-reported partner characteristics that related to this involvement. Results suggested that maternal depressive symptoms related to child internalizing and externalizing problems when accounting for contextual risk factors. Importantly, these symptoms mediated the link between life stress and child behavior problems. Mother-reported partner child care interacted with maternal depressive symptoms for internalizing, not externalizing, problems. Specifically, depressive symptoms related less strongly to internalizing problems at higher levels of partner child care than at lower levels. Participants with younger partners, coresiding partners and in longer romantic relationships reported higher partner child care involvement. Results are discussed considering implications for future research and interventions for mothers, their children, and their partners.