Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optical properties of mineral dust outbreaks over the northeastern Mediterranean

[1] Ground-based aerosol optical measurements were conducted within the framework of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) program at the IMS-METU site at Erdemli (36°33′N, 34°15′E) along the Turkish coast of the northeastern Mediterranean from January 2000 to June 2001. The measurements were used to identify and define predominant regional aerosol optical properties, with an emphasis on mineral dust intrusion events. Dust storms affecting the region primarily originate from the central Sahara in spring, the eastern Sahara in summer, and the Middle East/Arabian peninsula in autumn. Summer and autumn dust intrusions usually occurred at higher altitudes (above 700 hPa), whereas urban-industrial aerosols from the north over the Balkan region, Ukraine, and Anatolia were transported to the region at lower altitudes. In addition to a drastic increase in the aerosol optical thickness, in some cases up to 1.8, the dust episodes were characterized by (1) a sharp drop in the Angstrom coefficient to values near zero, (2) a high-scattering with single-scattering albedo greater than 0.95 ± 0.03, and the real part of the refractive index around 1.5 ± 0.5, both of which acquire slightly higher values at longer wavelengths, (3) a lower absorption given by the imaginary part of the refractive index less than 0.002, and (4) an almost neutral spectral dependence of these parameters. Dust particles possessed a bimodal size distribution with typical volume mean radii of 2.2 μm and 0.08 μm for coarse and fine size fractions, respectively, and corresponding volume concentrations of about 1.0 and 0.1 μm3 μm−2 of dust particles. It was apparent that the Saharan and Middle East desert dusts differ in their absorption index values (0.0015 and 0.0005, respectively). The difference is likely a result of their contrasting mineralogies.
DNA Histogram Typing in a Series of 707 Tumors of the Central and Peripheral Nervous System

The diagnostic value of ploidy level was investigated in a series of 707 tumors (from 707 patients) of the central and peripheral nervous system. The series contained 91 nerve sheath tumors (NSTs), 222 meningiomas (MNGs), 37 primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs), 293 glial tumors of the adult (ATTs), and 64 brain metastases (MTTs). The ploidy level of each tumor was obtained by means of its DNA histogram type (DHT), which was computed (digital cell image analysis) on Feulgen-stained nuclei from archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded materials. The data reveal that the measurement of the ploidy level showed a diagnostic value in some of these tumor cases. Indeed, the proportion of highly aneuploid cases significantly (p < 0.05–0.01) decreased according to the sequence PNETs (72%) ± MTTs (64%) ± ATTs (40%) ± NSTs (23%) ± MNGs (9%). Nevertheless, this significant diagnostic value in terms of a distinction between benignity and malignancy only appears when all the tumors are taken into consideration. Indeed, at the level of one individual patient, our study shows that, like traumatic neuromas, schwannomas, or classical meningiomas, completely benign tumors can exhibit a high ane-uploidy level. In contrast, some tumors from histopathological groups like brain metastases or PNETs, which are known to be clinically aggressive, could be completely diploid.
Photovoltaic System Performance Enhancement With Nontracking Planar Concentrators: Experimental Results and Bidirectional Reflectance Function (BDRF)-Based Modeling

Nontracking planar concentrators are a low-cost method of increasing the performance of traditional solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This paper presents new methodologies for properly modeling this type of system using a bidirectional reflectance function for nonideal surfaces rather than traditional geometric optics. This methodology allows for the evaluation and optimization of specular and nonspecular reflectors in planar concentration systems. In addition, an outdoor system has been shown to improve energy yield by 45% for a traditional flat glass module and by 40% for a prismatic glass crystalline silicon module when compared with a control module at the same orientation. When compared with a control module set at the optimal tilt angle for this region, the energy improvement is 18% for both systems. Simulations show that a maximum increase of 30% is achievable for an optimized system located in Kingston, ON, Canada, using a reflector with specular reflection and an integrated hemispherical reflectance of 80%. This validated model can be used to optimize reflector topology to identify the potential for increased energy harvest from both existing PV and new-build PV assets.
Development of a Novel Parasitic-Type Piezoelectric Actuator

A piezoelectric actuator based on parasitic motion principle is proposed and tested. The piezoelectric actuator is explored to simultaneously realize coarse (long stroke) and fine (high accuracy) motions using dual-servo control method. The working principle of the proposed piezoelectric actuator is discussed, and finite-element method is adopted. A dynamic model of parasitic motion based on the LuGre friction model is simulated using matlab /Simulink. A prototype is manufactured to investigate working performance. Experimental results indicate that the maximum speed of the presented parasitic-type piezoelectric actuator is 7.95 mm/s and the resolution is 10 nm. These findings confirm the feasibility of the dual-servo nanopositioning system using piezoelectric stacks and flexure hinges.
Change of rocker function in the gait of stroke patients using an ankle foot orthosis with an oil damper: immediate changes and the short-term effects

Background: An ankle foot orthosis (AFO) using an oil damper (AFO-OD) to assist the first rocker during gait was previously developed but the effect on the other rocker functions has not been clarified. Objectives: The immediate and short-term effects on the gait of stroke patients with the AFO-OD were investigated from the viewpoint of the rocker function. Study Design: Crossover study. Methods: The gait of eight stroke patients in chronic phase without an AFO, with the AFO-OD, and the gait with AFO-OD after three weeks of continuous use and gait training were measured by 3D motion analysis. Results: Immediate changes observed on use of the AFO-OD were improvements in walking speed, the spatiotemporal parameters, and the angular change of dorsiflexion of the ankle joint. Three weeks of continuous AFO-OD use and gait training showed further improvements in walking speed and the spatiotemporal parameters as well as an increase in dorsiflexion angle and plantar flexor moment of the ankle joint of the paretic limb in stance. Conclusions: These changes produced improvement of the second rocker function, but improvement of the third rocker was insufficient. Results show the importance of gait training to take full advantage of an AFO.
[Identification and phylogenetic analysis on the aroA gene of Haemophilus parasuis].

OBJECTIVE We clarified the genetic structure and phylogenetic relationship of the aroA gene in Haemophilus parasuis, a gene encoding 5'-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthetase. METHODS We used PCR and bacterial genome walking techniques to determine the aroA gene locus in the genome of H. parasuis serovar 5. Then we sequenced the aroA gene of H. parasuis reference strains and local isolates. All aroA gene sequences from H. parasuis, other members of the family Pasteurellaceae, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium were analyzed for phylogenetic relationship. RESULTS An approximately 3.7 kb fragment containing the whole aroA gene was obtained from the genomic DNA of H. parasuis serovar 5. Sequence analysis showed that the size of the whole aroA gene was 1314 bp, encoding a 437 aa product with molecular weight 47.9 kDa. The sequence immediately upstream of the aroA gene shared high similarity with phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene. The whole aroA gene fragment could be amplified from all strains of H. parasuis serovars with a size of 1476 bp. The nucleotide sequence similarity was above 97.7% in H. parasuis serovars. The similarity was 70.6%-78.9% between H. parasuis serovar 5 and other members of Pasteurellaceae. The similarity between H. parasuis serovar 5 and E. coli or S. typhimurium was 66.4% and 67.2% respectively. CONCLUSION No obvious difference was found in the aroA gene sequence of H. parasuis reference strains (15 serovars) and 3 local isolates. The nucleotide sequence of the aroA gene was well-conserved within Gram-negative organisms.
Functional Analysis of Recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Virus Deletion Mutants Lacking the Small Hydrophobic and/or Attachment Glycoprotein Gene

ABSTRACT Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) produces three envelope glycoproteins, the attachment glycoprotein (G), the fusion (F) protein, and the small hydrophobic (SH) protein. It had been assumed, by analogy with other paramyxoviruses, that the G and F proteins would be required for the first two steps of viral entry, attachment and fusion. However, following repeated passage in cell culture, a viable mutant RSV that lacked both the G and SH genes was isolated (R. A. Karron, D. A. Buonagurio, A. F. Georgiu, S. S. Whitehead, J. E. Adamus, M. L. Clements-Mann, D. O. Harris, V. B. Randolph, S. A. Udem, B. R. Murphy, and M. S. Sidhu, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:13961–13966, 1997). To explore the roles of the G, F, and SH proteins in virion assembly, function, and cytopathology, we have modified the full-length RSV cDNA and used it to rescue infectious RSV lacking the G and/or SH genes. The three resulting viruses and the parental virus all contain the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene that serves to identify infected cells. We have used purified, radiolabeled virions to examine virus production and function, in conjunction with GFP to quantify infected cells. We found that the G protein enhances virion binding to target cells but plays no role in penetration after attachment. The G protein also enhances cell-to-cell fusion, presumably via cell-to-cell binding, and enhances virion assembly or release. The presence or absence of the G protein in virions has no obvious effect on the content of F protein or host cell proteins in the virion. In growth curve experiments, the viruses lacking the G protein produced viral titers that were at least 10-fold lower than titers of viruses containing the G protein. This reduction is due in large part to the less efficient release of virions and the lower infectivity of the released virions. In the absence of the G protein, virus expressing both the F and SH proteins displayed somewhat smaller plaques, lower fusion activity, and slower viral entry than the virus expressing the F protein alone, suggesting that the SH protein has a negative effect on virus fusion in cell culture.
Sexuality and Body Image: Research on breast cancer survivors documents altered body image and sexuality.

Jody Pelusi is an oncology nurse practitioner with Northern Arizona Hematology and Oncology Associates in Sedona, AZ. Contact author: jody.pelusi@usoncology.com. The author of this article has no significant ties, financial or otherwise, to any company that might have an interest in the publication of this educational activity. Most of the existing research on sexuality and cancer has involved breast cancer survivors, since they are the largest group of long-term survivors. Therefore, the breast cancer population is the focus of this article. Studies on body image and sexuality in breast cancer survivors began in the early 1950s. Originally, the research came from disciplines other than nursing, such as psychology, family care, sociology, and sexual therapy. Most of the research has been descriptive and qualitative in nature, focused on defining changes and alterations in the sexuality of breast cancer survivors. In April 2004, the National Breast Cancer Centre in Australia produced a document reviewing the psychosocial impact of body image and sexuality for women with breast cancer and provided an overview of the current literature.
Sex differences in sports interest and motivation: An evolutionary perspective.

Although girls and women in many societies avidly participate in sports, they have been traditionally underrepresented compared with boys and men. In this review, we address the apparent sex differences in sports interest and motivation from an evolutionary perspective. First, we demonstrate that females’ underrepresentation generally reflects lesser interest, not merely fewer opportunities for engagement. Moreover, there is mounting evidence that male and female athletes generally differ in their motivation, specifically their competitiveness and risk taking. Second, we examine the functional explanations for sports. We argue that the courtship display hypothesis applies mainly to females; the spectator lek hypothesis applies chiefly to males; and that 2 other hypotheses—the allying with coalitions hypothesis and the development of skills hypothesis—are important for both females and males. Third, we explore the proximate causes for the sex differences in sports interest and motivation. We show that although there is compelling evidence that prenatal hormones contribute, the evidence that socialization plays a role remains equivocal. We conclude by discussing key findings and identifying areas for further research.
Prevalence of nontraumatic foot pain among urban young working women and its contributing factors.

INTRODUCTION Foot pain is a common problem, especially in women, and studies have shown that it is related to footwear. This study was conducted to establish the prevalence of nontraumatic foot pain and its contributing factors in young working Malaysian women in an urban setting. METHODS The survey was conducted on a group of working women (age range 21-40 years) selected using convenience sampling. Data on foot problems was collected through an investigator-directed questionnaire and during clinical inspection of the foot. RESULTS A total of 400 women, with a mean age of 29.4 years, were recruited. Half (n = 200) of the women had experienced recurrent nontraumatic foot pain in the past one year. Subjective assessments of foot pain using the Numeric Intensity Scale gave an average score of 4.89 ± 1.78 (range 2-10), with most episodes occurring at the heel. There was no statistically significant association between foot pain and age, ethnicity or body mass index. However, there was a higher incidence of foot pain in women wearing high-heeled footwear than those wearing non-high-heeled footwear (p = 0.027, odds ratio 1.591). CONCLUSION Nontraumatic foot pain is common among young working women in our society. More than half (68.4%) of the women with foot pain in our study attributed the pain to footwear. Wearing high-heeled shoes to work was a significant contributing factor. Increased public awareness on the importance of proper footwear may help to reduce the prevalence of nontraumatic foot pain in working women.
Self-organization of shallow basins in tidal flats and salt marshes

[1] Shallow tidal basins such as the Venice Lagoon, Italy, are often characterized by extensive tidal flats and salt marshes that lie within specific ranges of elevation. Tidal flats lie just below the mean sea level, approximately between −0.6 and −2.0 meters above the mean sea level (m a.m.s.l.), whereas salt marshes lie at an average elevation higher than mean sea level (i.e., between +0.1 and +0.5 m a.m.s.l.). Only a small fraction of the tidal basin area has elevations between −0.6 and +0.1 m a.m.s.l. This occurrence suggests that the morphodynamic processes responsible for sediment deposition and erosion produce either tidal flats or salt marshes but no landforms located in the above intermediate range of elevations. A conceptual model describing this evolutionary trend has recently been proposed. The model assumes that the bimodal distribution of bottom elevations stems from the characteristics of wave induced sediment resuspension and demonstrates that areas at intermediate elevations are inherently unstable and tend to become either tidal flats or salt marshes. In this work, the conceptual model is validated through comparison with numerical results obtained with a two-dimensional wind wave-tidal model applied to the Lagoon of Venice, Italy. Both the present and the 1901 bathymetries of the Venice Lagoon are used in the simulations and the obtained numerical results confirm the validity of the conceptual model. A new framework that explains the long-term evolution of shallow tidal basins based on the results presented herein is finally proposed and discussed.
Increased proportion of KIR3DS1 homozygotes in HIV-exposed uninfected individuals

Objectives:Natural killer (NK) cell activity is increased in individuals who remain uninfected despite repeated exposures to HIV. Given that a combined major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) KIR3D genotype has been linked to rate of HIV disease progression, we assessed whether these genotypes played a role in protection from infection. Design:The study genotyped 80 HIV-exposed uninfected (EU) and 304 subjects in HIV primary infection (PI) at the MHC class IB and KIR3DS/L1 loci. Methods:KIR3D genotyping was performed by sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction using two pairs of specific primers for each locus. The MHC class IB locus was typed by sequence-specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction and sequencing to resolve Bw4 and Bw6 alleles and the amino acid present at position 80. Results:Comparison of the genetic distribution of KIR3D, HLA Bw4 and HLA Bw4-I80 genotypes in EU versus PI subjects reveal an increased proportion of KIR3DS1 homozygotes in EU (11/80, 13.8%) compared to subjects in PI (16/304, 5.3%). Analyses of combined MHC class I and KIR3D expression show no differences between the two populations. Conclusions:Homozygosity for the activating NK receptor KIR3DS1, may contribute to the more active NK cell function observed in EU and their relative resistance to HIV infection.
Cold-induced peripheral vasodilation at high altitudes--a field study.

A significant reduction in cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) is observed at high altitudes. No agreement is found in the literature about acclimatization effects on CIVD. Two studies were performed to investigate the effect of altitude acclimatization on CIVD. In the first study 13 male subjects immersed the distal phalanx of the left middle finger in water of 0 degrees C for 30 min to evoke CIVD. Five subjects were exposed to altitudes of 5,100 to 7,000 m for 45 days (A). Eight subjects were exposed to an altitude of 5,100 m for <3 days (NA). The groups did not differ in age, weight, and stature. No significant differences were observed between A and NA. However, the maximum finger skin temperature of group A tended to return to sea level values (6.9 +/- 3.2 degrees C at sea level vs. 6.0 +/- 0.7 degrees C at altitude), while a strong reduction was observed for the NA group (7.7 +/- 4.3 degrees C vs. 3.7 +/- 3.1 degrees C). This indicates that the CIVD response at altitude tended to be stronger for the acclimatized subjects. In a second study, nine males were followed in a longitudinal study. CIVD was measured before, during and after 7 days of exposure to 4,350 m. Maximum finger skin temperature before and after exposure did not differ (8.5 +/- 2.6 degrees C vs. 7.8 +/- 1.6 degrees C), and was reduced at altitude. There was no difference in maximum finger skin temperature between the 7 days at altitude (e.g., 5.3 +/- 2.7 degrees C at day 2 and 4.7 +/- 1.1 degrees C at Day 7). It can be concluded that no acclimatization effects of CIVD occur during the first 7 days of altitude exposure, but that differences may occur after altitude exposure of several weeks.
Structural and Functional Characterization of Factor XII

In this article we have reviewed the current knowledge regarding the involvement of Factor XII in contact activation. Clearly in the past decade an overwhelming amount of data and hypotheses have been published regarding the central role of this zymogen in the initiation and further propagation of contact activation reactions. Therefore we feel that it will be helpful to conclude this article with a figure that summarizes those interactions and reactions that are generally believed to reflect the major molecular events occurring during surface-dependent contact activation. The contact factors are capable of very efficient interation with each other, provided a suitable negatively charged surface is present. Such surfaces are thought to stimulate the interactions between the contact factors through binding of the proteins and thus bringing the proteins together. Factor XII readily binds to the negatively charged surface, but for the binding of prekallikrein and Factor XI, the cofactor HMW kininogen is likely to be necessary. Bound at the surface, the zymogens Factor XII and prekallikrein are thought to be involved in a so-called reciprocal activation mechanism in which Factor XIIa activates prekallikrein to kallikrein, which in turn converts Factor XII to Factor XIIa. The formation of Factor XIIa is further promoted by the fact that surface-bound Factor XII is likely more susceptible to proteolytic cleavage and by the fact that the activated Factor XIIa is capable of auto-activating its own zymogen Factor XII. However, the latter effect, although undoubtedly contributing to the formation of Factor XIIa at the surface, seems to be of less importance than the reciprocal activation mechanism. This is underscored by the fact that Factor XII activation is rather slow in prekallikrein-deficient plasma. Surface-bound Factor XIIa is then responsible for the activation of Factor XI to Factor XIa, thereby propagating the initial trigger. Presumably, Factor XIa must leave the surface in order to be able to become involved in the activation of blood coagulation Factor IX.
Simulation of Rigid-Limit and Slow-Motion EPR Spectra for Extraction of Quantitative Dynamic and Orientational Information

© 2012 Vorobiev and Chumakova, licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Simulation of Rigid-Limit and Slow-Motion EPR Spectra for Extraction of Quantitative Dynamic and Orientational Information