Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrated modeling and optimization of lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization systems

The production of oxygen from lunar regolith, a form of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), is a mission-enabling technology that can break the supply logistics chain from Earth to support sustained, affordable space exploration. We present the development of an integrated ISRU system model to study and optimize the system mass and power requirements, a critical development in understanding the proper application of ISRU systems. The integrated model includes subsystem models for a Molten Regolith Electrolysis (MRE) reactor, an excavator, a hopper and feed system, the power system, and an oxygen liquefaction and storage system. A hybrid genetic-algorithm/gradient-based optimization scheme is implemented to optimize the ISRU system design across a range of production levels. Lower oxygen production levels (<;1500 kg/yr) are best managed with a single reactor operating at a traditional temperature of 1900 K and a batch time of 2-3 hrs. Larger oxygen production levels are best met with multiple reactors that each produce ~2500 kg/yr, operate at 2200 K, and have a batch time around 1 hr. It is found that an MRE reactor can generate the entire ISRU system's mass worth of oxygen in as little as 52 days at a rate of 7 kg of oxygen annually per kilogram system mass.
Orthopaedic Manifestations of Familial Dysautonomia: A Review of One Hundred and Thirty-six Patients*

Background: Familial dysautonomia is a hereditary multisystemic disease primarily affecting people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Musculoskeletal problems are related to gait disorders, spinal deformities, foot deformities, fractures, and arthropathies.Methods: The charts and radiographs of 136 patients who ranged in age from three months to forty-six years (mean, sixteen years) were reviewed. Sixty-four patients were available for follow-up examination.Results: Spinal deformity was the most common orthopaedic problem and was diagnosed in seventy-eight patients starting at the age of four years, with a prevalence of 86 percent (forty-eight of fifty-six) by the age of fifteen years. Forty-one (53 percent) of the seventy-eight patients had scoliosis only, thirty-four (44 percent) had kyphoscoliosis, and three (4 percent) had kyphosis only. Bracing was accompanied by emotional, pulmonary, and skin problems, leading to a high rate of noncompliance and progression of the curve.Twenty-four patients had an operation at a mean age of thirteen years (range, five to eighteen years): twenty patients had posterior spinal arthrodesis, and four had combined anterior and posterior arthrodesis. Fifteen patients had a total of nineteen complications, of which seven were systemic and twelve were related to the spinal fixation. Eight patients had revision surgery. At the time of the surgery, scoliosis was corrected from a mean of 55 degrees to a mean of 35 degrees and kyphosis was corrected from a mean of 69 degrees to a mean of 61 degrees.After a mean duration of follow-up of sixty-five months, scoliosis measured 49 degrees (range, 18 to 62 degrees) and kyphosis measured 67 degrees (range, 30 to 115 degrees). Postoperative progression of the deformity was caused by failure of the instrumentation or progression in unfused segments. Walking was delayed in 72 percent (ninety-four) of the 130 patients who were of walking age. All sixty-four of the patients who were examined had an ataxic gait. Foot deformities were found in sixteen patients, six of whom were treated surgically. Two patients had Charcot joints. Fifty-five patients sustained at least one fracture before skeletal maturity, with a mean of 1.5 fractures per patient. All but one of the fractures was treated nonoperatively, and fracture-healing was often accompanied by profuse callus formation.Conclusions: Spinal deformity is common in patients with familial dysautonomia. Bracing is of questionable benefit, and surgical intervention should be considered once curve progression is well documented. Arthrodesis should be extended as far proximally as possible to prevent junctional kyphosis. Swelling and warmth in a limb should raise suspicion of an undiagnosed fracture.
Low-barrier hydrogen bonding in molecular complexes analogous to histidine and aspartate in the catalytic triad of serine proteases.

We present spectroscopic evidence for the presence of low-barrier hydrogen bonds (LBHBs) in molecular complexes composed of carboxylic acids and 1-methylimidazole (1-MeIm) dissolved in aprotic organic solvents. A plot of the values of the low-field proton NMR chemical shifts versus the aqueous pKa of the carboxylic acid exhibits a positive slope for pKa values below 2.1 and a negative slope for higher pKa values. The chemical shifts for protons near the maximum in this plot are 18 ppm, similar to that of 18.3 ppm for His57-Asp102 in the protonated catalytic triad of chymotrypsin. The chemical shifts for the proton bonded to C2 of 1-MeIm in these complexes also vary with the pKa of the carboxylic acid and reveal a gradual change from neutral, hydrogen-bonded 1-MeIm in complexes of weaker acids to hydrogen-bonded 1-methylimidazolium ion in complexes of stronger acids. The midpoint chemical shift for the C2 proton corresponds to a carboxylic aqueous pKa of about 2.1. FTIR spectra of the 1-MeIm-carboxylic acid complexes in CHCl3 indicate that hydrogen bonding is strong and that the complexes are of three types: (a) neutral complexes with the weaker acids (pKa > or = 2.2) in which the antisymmetric carbonyl stretching frequencies are lowered relative to the free acids and the ethyl esters of the same acids; (b) ionic complexes of stronger acids (pKa < or = 2.1) in which the carbonyl stretching frequencies are slightly lower than those for the tetrabutylammonium salts of the same acids; (c) ionic complexes of the same acids (pKa < or = 2.1) coexisting with type b, in which the carbonyl stretching frequencies are intermediate between those for the tetrabutylammonium salts (bond order 1.5) and those of the same acids or their esters (bond order 2.0). The latter complexes appear to incorporate a low-barrier hydrogen bond and are presented as models for the protonated triad of chymotrypsin and other serine proteases. These enzymes have been postulated to utilize a low-barrier hydrogen bond between His57 and Asp102 to facilitate the abstraction of the beta-OH proton from Ser195 in the course of catalysis [Frey, P.A. , Whitt, S.A. , & Tobin, J.B. (1994) Science (Washington, D.C.)264,1927-1930].
Expression of HLA‐C‐specific natural killer cell receptors (CD158a and CD158b) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

We investigated the expression of natural killer cell receptors (NKRs) for HLA‐C on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in 23 allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo‐BMT) patients to analyse the role of NKRs in alloresponse concerning graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD). CD158a expression was low and there was little change in the expression after allo‐BMT. Also, there was no difference in the proportion of CD158a+/CD3− after allo‐BMT. In contrast, the proportion of CD158b+/CD3− cells, mainly NK cells, increased in the early stage (< 2 months) after allo‐BMT and then gradually decreased (3.3 ± 2.6% before BMT vs. 15.4 ± 8.6% in the early stage after BMT, 8.5 ± 4.9% during the period 3–6 months after BMT and 7.0 ± 3.0% > 6 months after BMT; P < 0.05). However, CD158b expression on CD3+ T cells increased 3 months after allo‐BMT (1.1 ± 1.1% before BMT vs. 5.1 ± 7.7% during the period 3–6 months after BMT and 3.0 ± 2.4% > 6 months after BMT, P < 0.05). The highest percentages of CD158 expression in patients without chronic GVHD (cGVHD) and those with cGVHD were compared. The percentage of CD158b+/CD3+ cells and also that of CD158b+/CD8+ cells were significantly increased in patients with cGVHD compared with those in patients without cGVHD (2.6 ± 2.0% vs. 8.0 ± 11.2% and 2.3 ± 1.5% vs. 8.3 ± 11.7% respectively; P < 0.05). The exact clinical relevance of these CD158b‐expressing cells is not clear. However, there is an interesting possibility that CD158b‐expressing cells play some role in the regulation of GVHD after allo‐BMT.
Dynamics of organochlorine pesticides in soils from a southeastern region of Argentina

Monitoring of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was carried out to identify andquantify the contribution of point and nonpoint sources to the total OCP flux in a southeastern region of Argentina. Natural, recreational, and agricultural soils located in the surrounding of a lagoon were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron‐capture detector. Physical and chemical characteristics (texture, humidity, and organic matter content) were determined at different depths (0–15 cm, 15–30 cm, and 45–55 cm). The pattern of OCP distribution was similar in all soil sampled, with DDT and metabolites > hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) > heptachlor > chlordanes. The highest values of OCPs (656.1 ng/g dry wt) were found in the surface natural soil despite its never having received direct OCP application. This would be mainly due to the high organic matter content of the surface natural soils as well as its topographic position (highland hills), with main winds arriving from agricultural areas. Microorganism abundance and edaphic biota in the upper layer would justify the high levels of metabolites found. The agricultural soil (intensive tillage) also showed the highest OCP values (30.19 ng/g dry wt) in the surface horizon. Because of management practices, volatilization could have been one of the major causes of pesticide loss from this target area. Recreational soil showed the lowest OCP levels in the surface layer because of weathering that occurs when the nearby lagoon floods this zone. Our results show that, although most of these pesticides are banned, they are present in these soils and the atmospheric transport and deposition would be the major processes for distributing OCPs from target to natural areas.
Prevalence of Elongated Styloid Process in a Central Brazilian Population.

BACKGROUND Eagle's syndrome comprises a rare disorder caused by compression of an elongated or deformed styloid process or ossified/calcified stylohyoid ligament on neural and vascular structures. It is characterized by facial and neck pain and can be confused with a wide variety of facial neuralgias, oral and dental diseases and temporomandibular disorders. An imaging evaluation associated with a careful clinical examination, are mandatory in structuring a correct differential diagnosis and in the establishment of a proper therapeutic protocol. AIM To investigate the prevalence of the elongated styloid process in a Central Brazilian population and its relation to gender, age and side. MATERIALS AND METHODS Digital panoramic radiographs of 736 patients (412 female and 324 male, with a mean age of 35.03 years) were consecutively selected from a private radiology clinic's secondary database. The apparent length of the styloid process was measured from the point where the styloid left the tympanic plate to the tip of the process by two specialists in dental radiology, with the help of the measuring tools on the accompanying software. Styloid process measuring more than 30 mm was considered elongated. The statistical analysis included frequency distribution and cross tabulation. The data were analysed by using Chi-squared tests. The level of significance was set at 5% for all analyses. RESULTS A total of 323 (43.89%) radiographic images were suggestive of elongated styloid process. No statistically significant difference was found between the genders, although a higher prevalence was noticed in female participants. Approximately, 31% of the elongated styloid process was observed in 18-53-year-old participants (p < 0.05). Two hundred and sixty seven styloid processes (36.28%) were elongated on both right and left sides. CONCLUSION The prevalence of elongated styloid process was high and no statistically significant correlation was found between the presence of elongated styloid process and the studied variables with the exception of the age.
Topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus in the treatment of oral lichen planus: an update.

BACKGROUND The search for new drugs capable of controlling the symptoms and signs of oral lichen planus (OLP) with minimal side-effects remains an important challenge. OBJECTIVE A literature review is made to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus in the treatment of OLP. MATERIAL AND METHOD A review was made of the studies published between 1999 and 2008 in relation to the topical application of tacrolimus and pimecrolimus in OLP. RESULTS The data obtained point to the need for larger randomized, placebo-controlled studies with carefully selected and standardized endpoints, to allow adequate comparison between treatments. The adverse effects were fundamentally of a local nature, and in particular included burning sensation in the application zone. All the studies consulted found the treatment to be effective over short periods of time, with lesion recurrences after suppression of the drug. The long-term safety remains to be established. CONCLUSION There is need for larger placebo-controlled, randomized studies with carefully selected and standardized outcome measures.
Adrenal venous sampling for catecholamines: a normal value study.

CONTEXT Pheochromocytomas are rare, but potentially fatal, neoplasms. The diagnosis and localization of pheochromocytoma can be challenging, and recently there has been some debate regarding the role for adrenal venous sampling (AVS). The utility of AVS in this setting is hampered by a lack of normative value data for adrenal vein catecholamine concentrations and the reliability of lateralization ratios. We sought to address these concerns by analyzing AVS catecholamine concentrations from patients who did not have pheochromocytoma. DESIGN/SETTING Eighteen patients underwent successful AVS for evaluation of cortisol-producing adrenal masses. All had normal 24-h urinary excretion of fractionated catecholamines and metanephrines. RESULTS There was a wide range of catecholamine concentrations in both the right (epinephrine 389-118326 pg/ml; norepinephrine 156-11193 pg/ml) and left (epinephrine 113-9327 pg/ml; norepinephrine 229-2216 pg/ml) adrenal veins. The right adrenal vein-to-left adrenal vein epinephrine gradient was as high as 83:1 (median 2.1:1; P < 0.02). Although less striking, similar findings were also seen for norepinephrine. CONCLUSIONS This report provides a reference range for adrenal vein catecholamine concentrations in nonpheochromocytoma patients and illustrates the wide variation in epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations. Epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations are statistically significantly higher in the right vs. the left adrenal vein; in the case of epinephrine, up to an 83-fold difference was found between the right and left adrenal veins. These data highlight why AVS should not be used in the investigation of adrenal pheochromocytoma.
Characterization of the gene encoding herpes simplex virus type 2 glycoprotein C and comparison with the type 1 counterpart

The gene encoding the glycoprotein C (gC) of herpes simplex virus type 1 maps to the region of the viral genome from 0.62 to 0.64. Recently, a herpes simplex virus type 2 glycoprotein previously designated gF and now designated gC was mapped to a homologous location. Analysis of the herpes simplex virus type 2 mRNA species encoded in this region revealed a major transcript of 2.5 kilobases, a 0.73-kilobase transcript (the 5' ends of which were mapped by primer extension), and several minor species, all nearly identical to the herpes simplex virus type 1 pattern. A polypeptide of ca. 60,000 daltons was identified by in vitro translation of hybrid-selected mRNA. A smaller protein of ca. 20,000 daltons was also mapped to this region. The nucleotide sequence of a 3.4-kilobase segment of DNA encompassing gC was determined, and an open reading frame of 1,440 nucleotides specifying a 480-amino acid protein with properties consistent with that of a glycoprotein was identified. Comparative DNA sequence analysis showed regions of limited homology within the coding sequences for gC and a deletion which results in 31 fewer amino acids in the gC-2 near the amino terminus of the protein. The carboxy termini of gC-1 and gC-2 are very similar, as are the 20,000-dalton proteins.
Autism spectrum disorders in relation to parental occupation in technical fields

A previous study reported that fathers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were more likely to work as engineers, requiring “systemizing skills,” and suggesting a distinct phenotype, but alternatively this may have been related to selection biases. We conducted a population‐based study to explore whether fathers, or mothers, of children with ASD are over‐represented in fields requiring highly technical skills. Subjects included 284 children with ASD and 659 gender‐matched controls, born in 1994 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Parental occupation and industry were abstracted verbatim from birth certificates. Engineering, computer programming, and science were examined as highly technical occupations. To limit bias by parental socio‐economic status, we selected a referent group of occupations that seemed professionally similar but of a less technical nature. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by logistic regression, adjusting for parental age, education, and child race. Mothers of cases were somewhat more likely to work in hi‐tech occupations (6.7%) than mothers of controls (4.0%, P=0.07), but little difference was observed among fathers, nor for engineering separately. Compared to parents in other “white collar” occupations, the adjusted OR for highly technical occupations among mothers was 2.5 (95% CI: 1.2–5.3) and among fathers was 1.3 (95% CI: 0.79–2.1), with no evidence of a joint effect observed. Our results regarding maternal occupation in technical fields being associated with ASD in offspring suggest further study to distinguish parental occupation as a phenotypic marker of genetic loading vs. other social or exposure factors.
Chemical Control of Bacterial Epibiosis and Larval Settlement of Hydroides elegans in the Red Sponge Mycale adherens

The sponge, Mycale adherens , usually occurs within the fouling community of Hong Kong waters, yet its body surface is rarely fouled by other macroorganisms. In this study, sponge-associated bacteria were isolated using enrichment culture techniques and compared with indigenous bacterial isolates from an inanimate reference site in the close vicinity. Bacterial isolates were identified phylogenetically by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The comparison between culturable bacterial communities from the sponge and indigenous benthic bacteria revealed differences both in the total number of isolates and their phylogenetic affiliation. Laboratory bioassays utilizing monospecies bacterial films revealed that a significant portion of sponge-associated bacteria had either an inhibitory or neutral effect on larval settlement of the fouling polychaete, Hydroides elegans . In contrast to natural biofilms, which harbor ca 65% of bacteria with at least some sort of inductive effect on H. elegans , statistical analysis showed that only 25% of sponge-associated bacteria were classified as "inductive" strains while the remaining 75% were classified as "non-inductive" strains. Waterborne metabolites of sponges affected the larvae of H. elegans in a concentration-dependent manner by either exerting a toxic or an anti-settlement effect. Organic solvent extracts of sponge tissue weakly inhibited growth of bacterial strains isolated from marine biofilms. A potential antifouling mechanism in the sponge M. adherens is discussed.
Dural arteriovenous shunts at the craniocervical junction.

OBJECT A retrospective analysis was conducted of 10 patients (three women and seven men) who were treated for spinal dural arteriovenous shunts (AVSs) located at the craniocervical junction. This analysis was performed to evaluate the characteristics of this unusual location in contrast with those of the more common thoracic and lumbar AVSs. METHODS Seven patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and one with slowly progressive quadriparesis and dyspnea due to myelopathy. The other two cases were detected incidentally and included a transverse-sigmoid dural AVS and a cerebellar arteriovenous malformation. Angiographic studies revealed that the spinal dural AVSs at the C-1 and/or C-2 levels were fed by the dural branches of the radicular arteries that coursed from the vertebral artery and drained into the medullary veins. Venous drainage was caudally directed in the patient with myelopathy. In contrast, the shunt flow drained mainly into the intracranial venous system in patients with SAH. Furthermore, in four of these patients a varix was found on the draining vein. In all patients, the draining vein was interrupted surgically at the point at which this vessel entered the intradural space, using intraoperative digital subtraction angiography to monitor flow. The postoperative course was uneventful in all patients and no recurrence was confirmed on follow-up angiographic studies obtained in seven patients at 6 months after discharge. CONCLUSIONS If computerized tomography scanning shows SAH predominantly in the posterior fossa and no abnormalities are found on intracranial four-vessel angiographic study, proximal vertebral angiography should be performed to detect dural AVS at the craniocervical junction. The results of surgical intervention for this disease are quite satisfactory.
Efficacy of Dynamic Muscular Stabilization Techniques (DMST) Over Conventional Techniques in Rehabilitation of Chronic Low Back Pain

Kumar, S, Sharma, VP, and Negi, MPS. Efficacy of dynamic muscular stabilization techniques (DMST) over conventional techniques in rehabilitation of chronic low back pain. J Strength Cond Res 23(9): 2651-2659, 2009-Low back pain (LBP) is a common health problems. Although it is multifactorial, its treatment varies considerably, including medication, physical therapy modalities, and exercise therapy, and each have several interventions. Despite their effectiveness, their head-to-head comparisons are limited. This study was aimed at 1 such comparison. A total of 30 hockey players, 18 to 28 years of age, with subacute or chronic LBP were randomly assigned equally in 2 groups. One group was treated with conventional treatment-a combination of 2 electrotherapies (ultrasound and short-wave diathermy) and 1 exercise therapy (lumbar strengthening exercises)-and the other group was treated with dynamic muscular stabilization techniques (DMST), an active approach of stabilizing training. The results showed that both the treatments are effective in the management of LBP, but DMST was found to be more effective than conventional treatment. The walking, stand ups, climbing, and pain improved 4.7, 2.0, 1.4, and 2.1 times, respectively, more with DMST than with conventional treatment. With time (days), walking, stand ups, climbing, and pain improved (correlation) significantly (p < 0.01) higher in DMST (r = 0.83 to 0.92) than in conventional treatment (r = 0.40 to 0.75), and their rate of improvement (regression β coefficients) were also significantly (p < 0.01) higher in DMST (β = −0.16 to 0.73) than in conventional treatment (β = −0.07 to 0.15). Subjects matching were perfect (p < 0.01) and test-retest reliability of all dependent variables was significantly (p < 0.01) high (intraclass correlation coefficient ≈ 1). No major adverse effects were recorded in any of the patients in either group. This study concluded that for early recovery, DMST is more suitable than conventional treatment.