Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aerosol emissions from prescribed fires in the United States: A synthesis of laboratory and aircraft measurements

Aerosol emissions from prescribed fires can affect air quality on regional scales. Accurate representation of these emissions in models requires information regarding the amount and composition of the emitted species. We measured a suite of submicron particulate matter species in young plumes emitted from prescribed fires (chaparral and montane ecosystems in California; coastal plain ecosystem in South Carolina) and from open burning of over 15 individual plant species in the laboratory. We report emission ratios and emission factors for refractory black carbon (rBC) and submicron nonrefractory aerosol and compare field and laboratory measurements to assess the representativeness of our laboratory‐measured emissions. Laboratory measurements of organic aerosol (OA) emission factors for some fires were an order of magnitude higher than those derived from any of our aircraft observations; these are likely due to higher‐fuel moisture contents, lower modified combustion efficiencies, and less dilution compared to field studies. Nonrefractory inorganic aerosol emissions depended more strongly on fuel type and fuel composition than on combustion conditions. Laboratory and field measurements for rBC were in good agreement when differences in modified combustion efficiency were considered; however, rBC emission factors measured both from aircraft and in the laboratory during the present study using the Single Particle Soot Photometer were generally higher than values previously reported in the literature, which have been based largely on filter measurements. Although natural variability may account for some of these differences, an increase in the BC emission factors incorporated within emission inventories may be required, pending additional field measurements for a wider variety of fires.
Open heart operations without transfusion using a multimodality blood conservation strategy in 50 Jehovah's Witness patients: implications for a "bloodless" surgical technique.

BACKGROUND Blood transfusion persists as an important risk of open heart operations despite the recent introduction of a variety of new pharmacologic agents and blood conservation techniques as independent therapies. A comprehensive multimodality blood conservation program was developed to minimize this risk. STUDY DESIGN To provide a strategy for operating without transfusion, this program was prospectively applied to 50 adult patients who are Jehovah's Witnesses and have undergone open heart operation at our institution since 1992. The blood conservation program used for these patients included the use of high-dose erythropoietin (800 U/kg load, 500 U/kg every other day), aprotinin (6 million U total dose full Hammersmith regimen), "maximal" volume intraoperative autologous blood donation, intraoperative cell salvage, continuous shed blood reinfusion, and drawing as few blood specimens as possible. RESULTS Procedures performed included first-time coronary bypass operations (n = 30) and more complex operations, including reoperations, valve replacements, and multiple valve replacements with or without coronary bypass (n = 20). Despite the absence of transfusion, the mean discharge hematocrit in these patients was greater than 30 percent, and there was no anemia-related mortality rate in this group. The overall in-hospital mortality for the group was 4 percent. A subset analysis was performed between the 30 first-time coronary bypass patients (group 1) and a control group of 30 consecutive patients who were not Jehovah's Witnesses but had undergone first-time coronary bypass during the same period (group 2). The blood conservation program described in the previous paragraph was not used in group 2 patients and specific transfusion criteria were prospectively applied. The chest tube output in group 1 patients was less than 40 percent of that for group 2 patients at all points measured after operation (p < 0.01). Postoperative hematocrit levels in group 1 were greater than those for group 2, despite the absence of red blood cell transfusion and despite a significantly lower admission hematocrit and red blood cell mass in group 1. The average length of stay and ancillary costs for the two groups were equivalent. Although group 1 and 2 patients were well matched for preoperative transfusion risk factors, none of the group 1 patients required transfusion, but 17 (57 percent) group 2 patients met transfusion criteria and received 3.0 +/- 4.8 U (mean plus or minus standard deviation) of homologous blood or blood products. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that even complex open heart operations can be performed without homologous transfusion by optimally applying available blood conservation techniques. More generalized application of these measures may increasingly allow "bloodless" operations in all patients.
An unusual cause of mass in the shoulder: A primary hydatid cyst

A hydatid cyst is a zoonotic infection which may affect any organ and tissue, particularly the liver and the lung. Primary muscular hydatid cysts comprise less than 0.7-3% of the cases. The hydatid cysts must be kept in mind to avoid a diagnostic puncture in cystic lesions to avoid the spreading of the disease. In this case report, we present an exceptionally rare case with an unusual localization of a primary hydatid cyst in the left deltoid muscle.
Changes in dentist and dental hygienist numbers in the European Union and economic area.

AIM To investigate the extent to which changes in the numbers of dental hygienists and dentists have occurred in the Member States of the European Union and Economic Area (EU/EEA) during the last ten years and discuss the changes in relation to the possibilities of sharing tasks between the two groups. METHODS Numbers for active dentists, registered hygienists and EU/EEA member state populations in 2007 were taken from the website of the Council of European Chief Dental Officers (CECDO) (www.cecdo.org) and from CECDO records for the EU/EEA member states in 1998 and for the new EU member states (who joined in 2004 and 2007) in 2000. From these data, population: active dentists, population: registered dental hygienist and active dentists: registered dental hygienist ratios were calculated together with percentage changes in the number of dentists and dental hygienists by member state, between 1998 and 2007 for the old and between 2000 and 2007 for the new EU member states. RESULTS In 2007, there were a total of 343,922 active dentists and 30,963 registered dental hygienists in the 30 EU/EEA member states plus Switzerland. The mean population to dentist ratio was about 1500:1 and the mean population to dental hygienist ratio (in the 25 states where dental hygienists were registered) was 13,454:1. During the study period, the population of the EU/EEA plus Switzerland increased by less that 3%, the number of dentists increased by 13% and the number dental hygienists by 42%. The overall ratio of active dentists: dental hygienists changed from 18:1 to 11:1. In six of the 30 member states plus Switzerland the population to dental hygienist ratio was between 2000:1 and 6000:1 and the dentist: dental hygienist ratio less than 1:3. CONCLUSIONS Although, most member states educate dental hygienists and their numbers in the EU/EEA during the last 10 years have risen more than the dentist numbers, there are still only a handful countries where the hygienist numbers are great enough to make a significant difference to the delivery of oral health care.
Heterogeneity and weak coupling may explain the synchronization characteristics of cells in the arterial wall

Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) exhibit different types of calcium dynamics. Static vascular tone is associated with unsynchronized calcium waves and the developed force depends on the number of recruited cells. Global calcium transients synchronized among a large number of cells cause rhythmic development of force known as vasomotion. We present experimental data showing a considerable heterogeneity in cellular calcium dynamics in the vascular wall. In stimulated vessels, some SMCs remain quiescent, whereas others display waves of variable frequency. At the onset of vasomotion, all SMCs are enrolled into synchronized oscillation. Simulations of coupled SMCs show that the experimentally observed cellular recruitment, the presence of quiescent cells and the variation in oscillation frequency may arise if the cell population is phenotypically heterogeneous. In this case, quiescent cells can be entrained at the onset of vasomotion by the collective driving force from the synchronized oscillations in the membrane potential of the surrounding cells. Partial synchronization arises with an increase in the concentration of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, but in a heterogeneous cell population complete synchronization also requires a high-conductance pathway that provides strong coupling between the cells.
The hemagglutination inhibition test for rubella: a comparison of its sensitivity to that of neutralization, complement fixation and fluorescent antibody tests for diagnosis of infection and determination of immunity status.

The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test for rubella was compared to neutralization, complement fixation (CF) and indirect fluorescent antibody (FA) tests for sensitivity in the serodiagnosis of infection and detection of antibody elicited by past infection (determination of immunity status). The FA and HI tests were the most sensitive techniques for demonstration of significant antibody titer rises in rubella infections, and the combination of the HI and CF tests was the most useful for serodiagnosis. CF antibodies appear more slowly than do HI antibodies, and significant increases in CF antibody may be demonstrated in certain instances in which HI antibody has reached maximum levels at the time the acute-phase serum is collected. Levels of HI antibody produced by rubella infection were higher than those demonstrated in the three other test systems. Correlation between the presence or absence of HI and neutralizing or fluorescent antibody was good, and the HI test was found to be as sensitive as these two tests for determination of immunity status to rubella.
Vasoactive and antioxidant activities of plants used in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

This study demonstrated that the aqueous extracts of plants employed in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases are able to modify the tone of arterial smooth muscle. Agastache mexicana (Kunth) Lint & Epling (Labiatae), Chenopodium murale L. (Chenopodiaceae), Chirantodendron pentadactylon Larreat (Sterculiaceae), Dracocephalum moldavica L. (Labiatae), Psittacanthus calyculatus G. Don (Loranthaceae), Prunus serotina ssp. capuli (Cav. ex Spreng) McVaugh (Rosaceae), and Sechium edule Sw. (Cucurbitaceae) contain secondary metabolites that promote vascular relaxation and display antioxidant activities. As expected, their antioxidant effects showed a significant correlation with the polyphenolics content. However, a lower correlation was found between the antioxidant activity and the maximum vasodilatory effect, suggesting that the vasodilatation elicited by the plant extracts could be only partly attributed to their antioxidant properties. The extract of P. calyculatus, which displayed a maximum vasorelaxant effect that was higher than that of acetylcholine, induced endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. Futhermore, the vasorelaxant response to the P. calyculatus extract was reduced after adding an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase activity, providing evidence that the NO/cGMP pathway is involved. On the other hand, the extracts of Bocconia frutescens L. (Papaveraceae), Magnolia grandiflora L. (Magnoliaceae), and Solanum rostratum Dunal (Solanaceae) induced concentration-dependent contraction of rat aortic rings, suggesting that these plants have potential health benefits for the treatment of ailments such as venous insufficiency. The pharmacological activities of the extracts studied provide scientific support for their ethnomedical use.
CHILDREN WITH DEFICITS IN ATTENTION, MOTOR CONTROL AND PERCEPTION (DAMP) ALMOST GROWN UP: GENERAL HEALTH AT 16 YEARS

One hundred and one children (56 with and 45 without deficits in attention, motor control and perception (DAMP)), originally diagnosed at six or seven years of age and belonging to a representative cohort of children from the general population were followed up at 16 and 17 years of age. There was a significant excess of substance abuse, fractures and other accidents in the DAMP group than among controls, in addition to more motor co‐ordination problems, clumsiness, and height and weight problems. Mean complex visuat reaction time was significantly longer in the DAMP group, accounted for by the number of boys in the group. It appears that 10‐year outcome for children who had attention problems and clumsiness during the preschool period is considerably poorer than for those who did not have such problems.
Noninvasive detection of coronary artery disease using parametric spectral analysis methods

The detection of coronary artery disease by noninvasive analysis of isolated diastolic heart sounds is considered. It is based on identifying features associated with turbulent blood flow in partially occluded coronary arteries. The application of two types of parametric spectral analysis-autoregressive methods and eigenvector methods-to identify the additional signal components is discussed. Results obtained with one eigenvector method, (the MUSIC method) for spectra obtained from an angioplasty patient and results obtained with the autoregressive model in a comparison study of ten diseased and five normal patients are presented and discussed. <<ETX>>
Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplant: Patterns and prognosis

Very little is known about the natural history, effects of therapy, and survival after recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation. All adult patients undergoing liver transplant from September 19, 1988, until September 19, 2002, were reviewed. Only patients with histologically proven HCC in the explant who subsequently developed recurrence were included in further analysis. The endpoints analyzed were survival from time of transplant and survival from time of recurrence. Recipient demographics and laboratory values, technique of transplant (whole cadaver, split, or living donor), and tumor characteristics were analyzed. The time to, location of, and any medical or surgical treatment of recurrences also were considered. Of the 311 patients with HCC in the explant, 57 (18.3%) eventually were diagnosed with recurrent tumor after transplant. Median time to recurrence was 12.3. Five‐year survival was significantly lower for patients with recurrence (22%) than for patients without recurrence (64%)(P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the size and differentiation of the original tumor, as well as the presence of bone recurrence, were independently associated with survival from transplant in patients with recurrence. When survival from the time of recurrence was analyzed, multivariate analysis showed that the absence of bone metastases, recurrence more than 12 months from transplant, and surgical treatment of the recurrence were independently associated with significantly longer survival. In conclusion, recurrence of HCC significantly shortens survival after transplant. Nonetheless, some patients with recurrence can be expected to live for a considerable period of time. Recurrent disease should be treated surgically when possible, because surgery is independently associated with longer survival. (Liver Transpl 2004;10:534–540.)
Skin reactions to irritants assessed by non‐invasive bioengineering methods

Pathophysiological components of irritant contact dermatitis caused by 3 chemically‐different irritants were investigated. 20 healthy volunteers were patch tested with sodium lauryl sulphate, nonanoic acid and hydrochloric acid on the flexor side of the upper arm. The skin response was evaluated after 24, 48 and 96 h by visual scoring and measured by the following bioengineering methods: transepidermal water loss measurement, electrical conductance for measurement of skin hydration, laser Doppler flowmetry for measurement of cutaneous blood flow and 20 MHz ultrasound A‐scan for measurement of skin thickness. In spite of homogeneous inflammatory responses, significant differences in the severity of the injury to the skin barrier function caused by the different irritants were found. Also significant differences between irritants were found in the time course of development of maximum irritant reactions. Bioengineering methods indicating inflammatory responses (measurement of blood flow and skin thickness) were helpful in quantifying the irritant response in general, while bioengineering methods indicating epidermal damage (measurement of TEWL and electrical conductance) were helpful in classifying the individual irritants.
The effects of low‐dose epinephrine infusion on spleen size, central and hepatic circulation and circulating platelets

In several conditions associated with adrenergic stimulation, an increase in peripheral count of larger platelets has been observed, but the mechanism remained elusive. Larger platelets have greater prothrombotic potential and increase the risk of acute thrombotic events. The human spleen retains one‐third of total body platelets, with mean volume (MPV) about 20% greater than that of circulating platelets. We aimed to answer whether low‐dose epinephrine infusion results in spleen contraction and MPV increase. We undertook the continuous ultrasonic measurements of spleen volume, hepatic and central circulation with concurrent blood sampling in response to intravenous infusion of epinephrine (6 min of 0·06 µg kg−1 per min, followed by 3 min of 0·12 µg kg−1 per min) in nine healthy young subjects. The spleen volume started to decrease immediately after the onset of infusion, in the presence of substantial decreases in peripheral resistance and mean blood pressure and increases in heart rate and cardiac output. The majority of spleen emptying, approximately 25%, (95% CI 71·3–299·7) was observed 1 min after infusion onset, the hepatic vein flow peaked at the end of infusion for 28·4% (95% CI 1074·6–407·9), while increases in platelet count for approximately 31% (95% CI 187·8–314·8) and MPV for 4·4% (95% CI 7·3–10·9) lagged until 1 min after infusion cessation. We suggest that spleen is a dynamic reservoir of large platelets, which are mobilized even by low‐dose epinephrine infusion in conditions of decreased blood pressure.
Crosstalk Between Rac and Rho

Cell motility is the result of a delicate balance between the activities of Rac, Cdc42, and RhoA, members of the Rho family of guanine nucleotide triphosphatases that are important regulators of the cell cytoskeleton. In his Perspective, Burridge discusses the report by [ Sanders et al . ][1] in this issue, which implicates p21-activated kinase (PAK) in a pathway that counteracts the contractility induced by RhoA. PAK (which is activated by Rac or Cdc42) blocks myosin light chain phosphorylation, resulting in a decrease in myosin activity, which in turn reduces cell contractility. [1]: http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/short/283/5410/2083
Imperialist Competitive Algorithm-based design of PSS to improve the power system

This paper deals with designing of Power System Stabilizer (PSS) based on Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA) to improve the stability of power system. The proposed algorithm has been applied on a Single Machine Infinite Bus (SMIB) system where the coefficients of PSS controller has been optimized by ICA. The system with proposed controller has been simulated for the special disturbance in input power of generator and the dynamic responses of generator has been presented. The simulation results shows that the system composed with recommended PSS has outstanding performance in fast damping of oscillations of power system.
A unique vertebrate histone H1‐related protamine‐like protein results in an unusual sperm chromatin organization

Protamine‐like proteins constitute a group of sperm nuclear basic proteins that have been shown to be related to somatic linker histones (histone H1 family). Like protamines, they usually replace the chromatin somatic histone complement during spermiogenesis; hence their name. Several of these proteins have been characterized to date in invertebrate organisms, but information about their occurrence and characterization in vertebrates is still lacking. In this sense, the genus Mullus is unique, as it is the only known vertebrate that has its sperm chromatin organized by virtually only protamine‐like proteins. We show that the sperm chromatin of this organism is organized by two type I protamine‐like proteins (PL‐I), and we characterize the major protamine‐like component of the fish Mullus surmuletus (striped red mullet). The native chromatin structure resulting from the association of these proteins with DNA was studied by micrococcal nuclease digestion as well as electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. It is shown that the PL‐I proteins organize chromatin in parallel DNA bundles of different thickness in a quite distinct arrangement that is reminiscent of the chromatin organization of those organisms that contain protamines (but not histones) in their sperm.
Effects of the Acoustical Dynamic Range on Speech Recognition with Cochlear Implants:Efectos en el rango dinámico del reconocimiento del habla con implantes cocleares

The amplitude compression function in a speech processor for cochlear implants maps the wide acoustical dynamic range of sounds into the smaller electrical dynamic range available on the implanted electrodes. In this study, we examined the effects of systematic variations of the acoustical dynamic range of the compression function on speech recognition with cochlear implants. Statistical measures of the amplitude distribution of speech sounds were made in each channel of a research speech processor providing more than 50 dB of input signal-to-noise ratio. Several systematic variations of the dynamic range of the compression function were implemented on this basis, and speech recognition was determined using vowel and consonant identification tests in three experienced cochlear implant users. Results demonstrated that the acoustical dynamic range of the compression function does have a significant effect on speech recognition with cochlear implants. They suggest that a dynamic range of about 45 dB is necessary for optimal speech recognition.