Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Foam-mat drying of passion fruit aril

This study was aimed to determine the effect of methylcellulose concentration and whipping time on the properties of passion fruit aril foam. The effect of foam-mat drying conditions on moisture diffusivity, physicochemical, microbiological and antioxidant properties of the dried product was also investigated. Passion fruit aril incorporated with methylcellulose at a mass concentration of 0.75%, 1.5%, 2.25% and 3.0% was whipped for 0 min, 10 min, 20 min and 25 min. The passion fruit aril foam mats (1-mm, 2-mm and 3-mm thick) were dried at 60oC, 70oC and 80oC with a constant air velocity of 0.5 m/s. The optimum condition for forming foam was 2.25% methylcellulose after 25 min whipping as it provided the highest foam expansion (187.25%) and stability as well as the lowest foam density (0.41 g/ml). Drying the passion fruit aril foam chiefly occurred in the falling rate period. Effective moisture diffusivity increased with increasing temperature and foam thickness. This value ranged from 1.06×10-7 m2/s to 1.01×10-6 m2/s. Passion fruit aril foam (1-mm thick) dried at 70oC for 90 min showed the highest amount of ascorbic acid and β-carotene as well as antioxidant activity (assayed by DPPH and ABTS methods) (p≤0.05). Based on microbial counts, freshly prepared foam-mat dried passion fruit aril samples were considered safe.
Suppression of polyamine catabolism by activated Ki‐ras in human colon cancer cells

An activated Ki‐ras was expressed in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line Caco‐2 to study the effects of Ki‐ras oncogene on polyamine metabolism during gastrointestinal tumorigenesis. Multiple clones selected for expression of the mutant Ki‐ras transgene displayed a suppression of transcription of a key catabolic enzyme in polyamine catabolism spermidine/spermine N1‐acetyltransferase (SSAT). Gene expression analysis, with cDNA microarrays, showed that Ki‐ras transfected clones had decreased levels of expression, compared to mock transfected cells, of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor family and an important regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation. The activated Ki‐ras suppressed SSAT expression by a mechanism involving the PPARγ response element (PPRE) located at +48 bp relative to the transcription start site of the SSAT gene. Transient expression of the PPARγ protein in Ki‐ras expressing Caco‐2 clones, or treatment with the PPARγ ligand ciglitazone, led to an increase in the SSAT promoter activity. A MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 induced transcription of both PPARγ and SSAT genes in the activated Ki‐ras clones, suggesting that the mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were involved in the regulation of SSAT expression by PPARγ. We concluded that mutated Ki‐ras suppressed SSAT via a transcriptional mechanism involving the PPARγ signaling pathway. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
COMPRESSION MOULDING OF FLAX FIBRE REINFORCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS

The rheological properties of flax fibre reinforc ed composites processed by compression moulding are investigated in this wo rk. For that purpose, a model composite made up of needled flax fibre mats impreg nated by a viscous paraffin gel was used. Lubricated simple compression tests were perf ormed using a large size rheometer. Results reveal that two flow regimes can occur depe nding on the test conditions: a relevant one phase flow regime at low temperature a nd/or high strain rates, an undesirable two-phase flow regime at high temperatu re and/or low strain rates.
Interpreting the clinical significance of capacity scores for informed consent in Alzheimer disease clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE Among Alzheimer disease (AD) patients enrolled in a clinical trial, the authors assessed the ability of a standardized capacity assessment procedure to identify persons who are capable of giving their own informed consent. DESIGN Cross-sectional interview. SETTING Thirteen sites participating in a randomized and placebo controlled study of simvastatin for the treatment of mild to moderate AD. PARTICIPANTS Persons with mild to moderate AD and their study partners enrolled in the simvastatin clinical trial. MEASUREMENTS Interviews to assess decision-making capacity using the MacArthur Competency Assessment Tool for Clinical Research (MacCAT-CR). RESULTS Judges blinded to the subject's clinical status had a high rate of agreement on patients capable of giving their own informed consent (kappa = 0.73). The understanding subscale had the best receiver operator characteristic and an analysis of positive and negative predictive values over a range of hypothetical prevalences of incapacity to consent demonstrated the value of a range of understanding cut-points. CONCLUSION Among mild to moderate AD patients, enrolled in an actual clinical trial, these results suggest evidence based guidelines for using the MacCAT-CR understanding subscale to help guide judgments about whether a patient has the capacity to consent.
Effect of plant growth regulators, Gibberellic acid (GA3) and Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) on growth and yield of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) under naturally ventilated polyhouse.

Effect of foliar spray of plant growth regulators viz., Gibberellic acid (GA3) and Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) on vegetative, flowering, quality and yield parameters of three carnation varieties under naturally ventilated poly house in Allahabad agroclimatic condition was investigated. The treatment of foliar spray of NAA (100,150 and 200 ppm) and GA3 (100,150 and 200 ppm) was given at 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAT. The results revealed that foliar application of GA3 @ 200 ppm significantly increased plant height (84.82 cm), no. of leaves (189.37), no. of shoots (7.64), no. of internodes (17.33), intermodal length (7.37 cm), bud initiation (91.82 days), days to bud opening (17.86 days), bud length (4.55 cm), bud diameter (2.89 cm), flower length (5.38 cm), flower diameter (6.44 cm), flower stalk girth (22.89mm), flower stalk length (107.40 cm), vase life (12.02 days), no. of cut flower stalks per plat (7.11) and no. of cut flower stalks per square meter (170.66), among the varieties evaluated variety Amado was recorded with maximum no. of shoots (7.00), intermodal length (6.22 cm), minimum days to bud initiation (82.14 days ), bud length (4.12 cm), bud diameter (2.45 cm), flower diameter (6.16 cm), vase life (10.31days), no. of cut flower stalks per plant(5.90), no. of cut flower stalks per square meter (141.69). The interaction of variety Amado with foliar application of GA3 @ 200 ppm resulted in superior no. of shoots (7.73), internodal length (8.31 cm), earliness to flowering (74.93), bud length (4.76 cm), bud diameter (2.94 cm), flower diameter (6.75 cm), vase life (14.93 days).
ELECTROCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FLAME FORMED CARBON NANOFIBERS AND NANOTUBES

The flame formed carbon nanotubes recently developed at NASA Glenn Research Center were grown using a number of different catalysts on a number of different substrates[1]. The carbon nanotubes have been examined using SEM and TEM. The electrochemical properties of the nanotubes were studied recently. This report compares the effects of catalysts and substrates used during the fabrication process on the multi-wall carbon nanotube’s behaviors during the cycles of lithium intercalationdeintercalation. Four different catalysts (Ni, Cu, Co, and Fe) and two different substrate materials (Ni foil and Stainless steel mesh) were used in this study.
Fluoxetine in Parkinson's disease

1 methyl-4-phenyl1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)lesioned primates challenged with a competitive NMDA antagonist (4). Such a clinical differential response has not been reported previously with an NMDA antagonist and suggests that levodopa antiparkinsonian and dyskinetic responses are mediated via different mechanisms (5). Conceivably, overactive glutamatergic transmission or NMDA receptor supersensitivity may contribute to the dyskinetic process. The target site of action for the acute antidyskinetic effect remains undetermined but could possibly lie within the striatopallidal complex, where NMDA antagonists could theoretically rearrange the functional balance between dopamine D , and D, receptors (6). For instance, NMDA receptor blockade with MK-801 is known to reduce the apomorphine-induced excitation of pallidal neurons (equivalent of the external pallidal segment in primates) in normal, anesthetized rats (7), a structure in which increased neuronal activity has been recorded during ongoing dyskinesias in MPTP-lesioned nonhuman primates (8). Furthermore, [‘4C]2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) studies in a rodent model of parkinsonism have yielded indirect evidence of the potential of NMDA receptor blockade to reduce the regional cerebral metabolic responses to levodopa alone in a widespread fashion, including the output stations of the basal ganglia and the subthalamic nucleus (9). In comparison, the AMPA receptor antagonist NBQX showed a weaker and more selective effect on the 2-DG use response to levodopa. The proakinetic effect observed in one subject with DX alone suggests that excessive blockade of NMDA receptor-linked pathways may have the potential to adversely affect motor function. Although we cannot speculate on the long-term central effects of NMDA antagonists, the possibility of treating basal ganglia disorders such as levodopa-induced dyskinesias with better tolerated compounds in this class clearly warrants further clinical trials.
AUTOMATED PARTICLEANALYSIS : CALCAREOUS MICROFOSSILS

Automated particle analysis is a common method in biology (e.g., analysis of cell size and shape), quality control (e.g., wafer inspection systems) and in forensic sciences (e.g., analysis of gunshot residues). Within Geoscience, particle analysis is often applied to the characterization of sediments (Felix 1969; Schwarcz and Shane 1969; Ehrlich andWeinberg 1970), to quantify the morphology of fossils (Kennett 1968; Bé et al. 1973; Hecht 1976; Bollmann 1997; Knappertsbusch et al. 1997) or to analyze the assemblage composition of microfossils (Imbrie and Kipp 1971). In numerous studies, quantitative analyses, statistical treatment, and subsequent interpretation of microfossil assemblages have demonstrated the potential of these approaches in interpretation of the history of regional and global climate, the oceans, and of the evolution of the biosphere (e.g., Imbrie and Kipp (1971), CLIMAP (1976), Lipps (1993), Westbroek et al. (1993), Lazarus et al. (1995)). However, the manual collection of a statistically significant quantity of unbiased, reproducible data is time consuming and thus, automated microfossil analysis and species recognition has been a long-standing goal in micropaleontology (COSOD II 1986). In recent years, increasing computing power and the development of digitally controlled microscopes has offered a realistic opportunity to develop efficient robots for the automated
Synergistic effect of IGF-1 and OP-1 on matrix formation by normal and OA chondrocytes cultured in alginate beads

Synergistic effect of IGF-1 and OP-1 on matrix formation by normal and OA chondrocytes cultured in alginate beads S. Chubinskaya Ph.D.yzx*, A. Hakimiyan B.S.y, C. Pacione B.S.yx, A. Yanke B.A.y, L. Rappoport M.D.y, T. Aigner M.D.k, D. C. Rueger Ph.D.{ and R. F. Loeser M.D.yx yDepartment of Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA zDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA xSection of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA k Institute of Pathology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 26, 04103 Leipzig, Germany {Stryker Biotech, Hopkinton, MA, USA
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PROTEIN AND METHIONINE ON PERFORMANCE OF BAHEIJ LAYING HENS AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

192 Baheij pullets and 60 cocks, 28 wks of age, were used to investigate the effect of feeding different levels of protein and methionine on Baheij laying hens performance and reducing the environmental pollution of nitrogen. Birds were randomly assigned to twelve treatments in complete randomized factorial design (3X4) with three levels of protein (12, 14 and 16 %) and four levels of methionine (1.673, 2.000, 2.327 and 2.754% of crude protein) and housed in individual wire laying cages and fed isocaloric diets. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum throughout the experimental period. (28 – 48 wks of age). Different levels of portein (CP) insignificantly affected body weight (BW), egg production (EP), egg weight (EW), egg mass (EM) feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Increasing methionine level significantly increased EW and EM, and significantly improved FCR, while the other traits were insignificantly affected. However, the interaction between protein and methionine revealed that the best average EW was produced by hens fed 16% CP supplemented by 2.754 Meth % of CP. Wet and dry shell weight percentages, dry yolk weight percentage, and shell thickness were significantly increased by decreasing the protein levels in Baheij layer hen diets. Wet yolk weight, wet and dried albumen percentages and egg shape and egg yolk index were insignificantly affected by protein and methionine levels or by their interaction, while dried yolk percentage was significantly increased by increasing protein levels. Increasing protein levels significantly decreased hatched chicks percentages, while increasing methionine levels had the opposite results. Increasing protein and methionine levels significantly increased posthatch chicks weight and the interaction results indicated that the highest posthatch chick weight was recorded for hens fed 16% CP supplemented by the highest methionine level (2.754 Meth % of CP). Increasing protein levels significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol concentration, while methionine levels had insignificant effects. Decrease crude protein from 16 to 14 and to 12 % in Baheij diet led to significant reduction of nitrogen execrated by 33.82 and 45.45%. The layers fed the lowest levels of methionine in their diets (1.673% of CP) consumed the highest amount of nitrogen (5.46 g/day) and they avoided the lowest amount of nitrogen (0.72 g/day) in their excreta. The interaction between protein and methionine levels indicated that layer fed the lowest levels of protein (12%) consumed and excreted the lowest amount of nitrogen as compare to those fed the other levels of CP (14 or 16 % CP). Decrease protein and increase methionine levels significantly increased apparent dry matter and crude protein digestibility.
The Effect of Variation of Plyometric Push-Ups on Force-Application Kinetics and Perception of Intensity.

PURPOSE To examine differences between ground-reaction-force (GRF)-based parameters collected from 5 types of plyometric push-ups. Between-trials reliability and the relationships between parameters were also assessed. METHODS Thirty-seven highly active commando soldiers performed 3 trials of 5 variations of the plyometric push-up in a counterbalanced order: standard countermovement push-up (SCPu), standard squat push-up (SSPu), kneeling countermovement push-up (KCPu), kneeling squat push-up (KSPu), and drop-fall push-up (DFPu). Vertical GRF was measured during these exercises using a portable Kistler force plate. The GRF applied by the hands in the starting position (initial force supported), peak GRF and rate of force development during takeoff, flight time, impact force, and rate of force development impact on landing were determined. RESULTS During standard-position exercises (SCPu and SSPu) the initial force supported and impact force were higher (P < .001) than with kneeling exercises (KCPu, KSPu, and DFPu). The peak GRF and rate of force development during takeoff were higher (P < .001) in the countermovement push-up exercises ([CMP] SCPu, KCPu, and DFPu) than squat push-up exercises ([SP] SSPu and KSPu). Furthermore, the flight time was greater (P < .001) during kneeling exercises than during standard-position exercises. A significant relationship (P < .01) between impact force and the rate of force development impact was observed for CMP and SP exercises (r = .83 and r = .62, respectively). The initial force supported was also negatively related (P < .01) to the flight time for both CMP and SP (r = -.74 and r = -.80, respectively). It was revealed that the initial force supported and the peak GRF during takeoff had excellent reliability; however, other parameters had poor absolute reliability. CONCLUSIONS It is possible to adjust the intensity of plyometric push-up exercises and train athletes' muscle power by correctly interpreting GRF-based parameters. However, caution is required as some parameters had marginal absolute reliability.
Second-Harmonic Generation in GaAs : Experiment versus Theoretical Predictions of 2 xyz

036801-1 For GaAs we have determined j 2 xyz 2! ;! ;! j in second-harmonic generation experiments using two-photon energies between 2 and 5 eV. In addition to the E1, E1 1, E0, and E2 critical-point bulk transitions of GaAs, a surprisingly strong surface transition at 3.35 eV was observed for natively oxidized GaAs(001) samples. A detailed comparison with theoretical predictions reveals that calculations that include many-particle effects at the level of the ‘‘scissors’’ approximation can describe the overall frequency dependence of the second-harmonic susceptibility reasonably well.
How the BRAF V 600 E Mutation Defines a Distinct Subgroup of Colorectal Cancer : Molecular and Clinical Implications

The BRAF oncogene is an integral component of the MAP kinase pathway, and an activating V600E mutation occurs in 15% of sporadic colorectal cancer. This is an early event in serrated pathway tumourigenesis, and the BRAF V600E has been commonly associated with the CpG island methylator phenotype, microsatellite instability (MSI), and a consistent clinical presentation including a proximal location and predilection for elderly females. A proportion of the BRAF mutant lesions remain as microsatellite stable (MSS), and in contrast to the MSI cancers, they have an aggressive phenotype and correlate with poor patient outcomes. Recent studies have found that they have clinical and molecular features of both the BRAF mutant/MSI and the conventional BRAF wild-type cancers and comprise a distinct colorectal cancer subgroup. This review highlights the importance of the BRAF mutation occurring in colorectal cancer stratified for molecular background and discusses its prognostic and clinical significance.
Microscale implementation of a bio-inspired acoustic localization device

We present a microscale implementation of an acoustic localization device inspired by the auditory organ of the parasitic fly Ormia Ochracea. The device consists of a pair of circular membranes coupled together with a beam. The coupling serves to amplify the difference in magnitude and phase between the response of the two membranes as the incident angle of the sound changes, allowing directional information to be deduced from the coupled device response. The device was fabricated using MEMS technology and tested with laser Doppler vibrometery. Amplification factors of up to 7 times were observed in the phase difference between the membranes at 90 degree incident sound angles, with directional sensitivity of up to 0. 3μs/degree.
Internal Fixation of the Unstable Anterior Pelvic Ring: A Biomechanical Comparison of Standard Plating Techniques and the Retrograde Medullary Superior Pubic Ramus Screw

Summary: The purpose of this study was to evaluate pubic ramus fracture fixation. This biomechanical evaluation compared standard plating techniques with retrograde medullary screw fixation of a superior pubic ramus fracture in a pelvic fracture model. Six fresh-frozen, cadaveric pelvic specimens with a mean age of 79 years were harvested. These specimens were physiologically loaded according to the following modifications and instrumentations: (a) intact; (b) an APC-II unstable pelvic injury, specifically, unilateral superior and inferior rami osteotomies combined with ipsilateral anterior sacroiliac (SI) joint, sacrospinous, and sacrotuberous ligamentous disruptions, without fixation; (c) disrupted as in (b) but fixed anteriorly with a 10-hole 3.5-mm reconstruction plate contoured to the superior ramus and secured with four 3.5-mm cortical screws; (d) disrupted as in (b) but fixed anteriorly with a 10-hole 3.5-mm reconstruction plate contoured to the superior ramus and secured with six 3.5-mm cortical screws; (e) disrupted as in (b) but fixed anteriorly with a 4.5-mm retrograde medullary superior pubic ramus cortical screw 80 mm long (medial to the hip joint); and (f) disrupted as in (b) but fixed anteriorly with a 4.5-mm retrograde medullary superior pubic ramus cortical screw 130 mm long that was extraarticular and engaged the lateral iliac cortex cephalad to the ipsilateral hip joint. The posterior disruptions of the pelvic ring were not fixed. The APC-II injury created in this study resulted in significant (p < 0.05) motion at the disrupted rami and the injured SI joint, compared with the intact pelvic specimen. When compared with the disrupted specimen without fixation, displacement at the superior ramus was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased by all forms of ramus fixation evaluated. Plate fixation decreased pubic ramus and sacroiliac deflections slightly better than retrograde screw fixation did, yet not significantly better. The number of screws in the plate did not significantly affect displacement measurements at either the disrupted ramus or the disrupted SI joint. Similarly, the length of the retrograde ramus screw did not significantly alter displacements at either the injured pubic ramus or the disrupted SI joint. Sacroiliac joint deflections were not significantly (p < 0.05) decreased by any of the forms of anterior pelvic fixation. Flexion at the disrupted SI joint was slightly, but not significantly (p < 0.05), decreased with all forms of fixation when compared with the disrupted specimen. The long retrograde screw and the plate with six screws decreased flexion slightly, but not significantly, better than the short retrograde screw and the plate with four screws.
The Effect of Combined Exercise Training in Adolescents Who Are Overweight Or Obese With Intellectual Disability: The Role of Training Frequency

Elmahgoub, SS, Calders, P, Lambers, S, Stegen, SM, Van Laethem, C, and Cambier, DC. The effect of combined exercise training in Adolescents Who Are Overweight or Obese with intellectual disability: the role of training frequency. J Strength Cond Res 25(8): 2274-2282, 2011—Data about effects of exercise training in adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) are very limited. This study investigated the effect of 2 different frequencies of the same intensity and total training volume of combined exercise training on indices of body composition, physical fitness, and lipid profile in overweight and obese adolescents with ID. A total of 45 overweight and obese adolescents with ID aged 14-22 years with a total IQ 45-70 received combined exercise training 3 times a week (CET3) for 30 sessions (10 weeks; n = 15), twice a week (CET2) for 30 sessions (15 weeks; n = 15), or no training (10 weeks; n = 15). Groups were matched for age, sex, and education form. Before and after the intervention period, indices of body composition, physical fitness and lipid profile have been evaluated. Compared to the control group, CET3 resulted in a significant improvement of physical fitness, obesity indices, and lipid profile of the participants. Comparing CET2 with CET3, no significantly different evolutions were noticed, except for lower limb strength in favor of exercising 3 times a week. In conclusion, exercising 2 times a week, which is more feasible and practical for participants and guidance, has the same health beneficial effects as 3 times per week in overweight and obese adolescents with ID in short-term training.