Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vegetation responses in Alaskan arctic tundra after 8 years of a summer warming and winter snow manipulation experiment

We used snow fences and small (1 m2) open‐topped fiberglass chambers (OTCs) to study the effects of changes in winter snow cover and summer air temperatures on arctic tundra. In 1994, two 60 m long, 2.8 m high snow fences, one in moist and the other in dry tundra, were erected at Toolik Lake, Alaska. OTCs paired with unwarmed plots, were placed along each experimental snow gradient and in control areas adjacent to the snowdrifts. After 8 years, the vegetation of the two sites, including that in control plots, had changed significantly. At both sites, the cover of shrubs, live vegetation, and litter, together with canopy height, had all increased, while lichen cover and diversity had decreased. At the moist site, bryophytes decreased in cover, while an increase in graminoids was almost entirely because of the response of the sedge Eriophorum vaginatum. These community changes were consistent with results found in studies of responses to warming and increased nutrient availability in the Arctic. However, during the time period of the experiment, summer temperature did not increase, but summer precipitation increased by 28%. The snow addition treatment affected species abundance, canopy height, and diversity, whereas the summer warming treatment had few measurable effects on vegetation. The interannual temperature fluctuation was considerably larger than the temperature increases within OTCs (<2°C), however. Snow addition also had a greater effect on microclimate by insulating vegetation from winter wind and temperature extremes, modifying winter soil temperatures, and increasing spring run‐off. Most increases in shrub cover and canopy height occurred in the medium snow‐depth zone (0.5–2 m) of the moist site, and the medium to deep snow‐depth zone (2–3 m) of the dry site. At the moist tundra site, deciduous shrubs, particularly Betula nana, increased in cover, while evergreen shrubs decreased. These differential responses were likely because of the larger production to biomass ratio in deciduous shrubs, combined with their more flexible growth response under changing environmental conditions. At the dry site, where deciduous shrubs were a minor part of the vegetation, evergreen shrubs increased in both cover and canopy height. These changes in abundance of functional groups are expected to affect most ecological processes, particularly the rate of litter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and both soil carbon and nitrogen pools. Also, changes in canopy structure, associated with increases in shrub abundance, are expected to alter the summer energy balance by increasing net radiation and evapotranspiration, thus altering soil moisture regimes.
φ-LAPLACIAN BVPS WITH LINEAR BOUNDED OPERATOR CONDITIONS

The aim of this paper is to present new existence results for φ-Laplacian boundary value problems with linear bounded operator conditions. Existence theorems are obtained using the Schauder and the Krasnosel’skii fixed point theorems. Some examples illustrate the results obtained and applications to multi-point boundary value problems are provided.
Subchronic Oral Toxicity of Sodium Tungstate in Sprague-Dawley Rats

The subchronic toxicity of sodium tungstate dihydrate aqueous solution in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats was evaluated by daily oral gavage of 0, 10, 75, 125, or 200 mg/kg/d for 90 days. Measured parameters included food consumption, body weight measurements, hematology, clinical chemistry, and histopathological changes. There was a significant decrease in food consumption and body weight gain in males at 200 mg/kg/d from days 77 to 90; however, there was no effect in food consumption and body weights in females. There were no changes in the hematological and clinical parameters studied. Histopathological changes were seen in kidney of male and female and epididymis of male rats. Histopathological changes were observed in the kidneys of male and female rats dosed at 125 or 200 mg/k/d consisting of mild to severe cortical tubule basophilia in 2 high-dose groups. Histological changes in epididymides included intraluminal hypospermia with cell debris in the 200 mg/kg/d dosed male rats. Histopathological changes were observed in the glandular stomach including inflammation and metaplasia in the high-dose groups (125 or 200 mg/kg/d) of both sexes of rats. Based on histopathology effects seen in the kidneys, the lowest observable adverse effect level was 125 mg/kg/d and the no observable adverse effect level was 75 mg/kg/d in both sexes of rats for oral subchronic toxicity.
High-Frequency Performance of GaN High-Electron Mobility Transistors on 3C-SiC/Si Substrates With Au-Free Ohmic Contacts

As an alternative to the standard Au-based ohmic contacts, in this letter, Ti/TiN contacts were used to fabricate GaN high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with two barrier designs (Al0.2Ga0.8N/AlN and Al0.35Ga0.65N). The ohmic contact resistance for this Au-free metallization scheme with a very smooth surface morphology is 0.13 Qmm and the specific contact resistance is ~10-6 Ωcm2. Our best 100-nm gate transistors show a maximum drain current density of 1.13 A/mm and a peak extrinsic transconductance of 388 mS/mm. The fastest transistors with a gate length of 80-nm achieve cutoff frequencies of 176 GHz, rivaling the fastest GaN HEMTs on silicon and silicon carbide substrate with comparable gate length and Au-based ohmic contacts.
A comparative study of the metabolism of desmethylimipramine, nortriptyline, and oxyphenylbutazone in man

The steady‐state plasma levels of desmethylimipramine and nortriptyline were compared with the half‐life of oxyphenylbutazone in 5 psychiatric patients, previously treated with various psychotropic drugs. The data showed large interindividual differences, but individuals who achieved a relatively high (or low) steady‐state plasma level (a long or short half‐life) with one drug, also achieved a high (or low) steady‐state plasma level (a long or short half‐life) with the other drugs tested. The findings suggest nonspecificity of the drug hydroxylating enzymes in man. Simultaneous administration of desmethylimipramine did not affect the half‐life of oxyphenylbutazone.
Impact of a defined management algorithm on outcome after traumatic pancreatic injury

Background: The optimal management of pancreatic injuries, specifically with respect to defining ductal integrity, remains controversial. Our previous experience suggested that decisions based on probability of ductal injury might improve outcome. Consequently, a management algorithm (ALG) was developed and implemented. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of this ALG on outcomes. Methods: Consecutive patients more than 13 years with pancreatic injuries subsequent to the development of the ALG were evaluated. Pancreatic injuries were defined as proximal or distal and ductal injuries classified as definite, high, low, or indeterminate (IND) probability. Pancreas-related morbidity (fistula, abscess, and pseudocyst) and mortality were recorded. Patients managed by the ALG were compared with the previous study (PS). Results: In all, 245 patients were identified; 35 died within 12 hours and were excluded. Demographics and severity of shock (24-hour transfusions) were similar between groups. Pancreas-related morbidity for proximal injuries was 13.8% in the ALG group and 13.5% in the PS (p = 0.948). Pancreas-related morbidity was significantly reduced in the ALG group for distal injuries requiring drainage alone (11% vs. 25%, p = 0.05) and for distal injuries requiring resection + drainage (26% vs. 58%, p = 0.003) when compared with the PS. There was no pancreas-related mortality in the ALG group (1.6% in the PS group, p = 0.065). Conclusions: Adherence to a defined ALG simplified the management of traumatic pancreatic injuries and contributed to a reduction in both pancreas-related morbidity and mortality. The majority of all proximal pancreatic injuries can be treated with drainage alone. For distal injuries, a clinical decision based on defined parameters and suspicion of ductal injury dictates definitive management.
A Phosphatase Associated with Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer

To gain insights into the molecular basis for metastasis, we compared the global gene expression profile of metastatic colorectal cancer with that of primary cancers, benign colorectal tumors, and normal colorectal epithelium. Among the genes identified, the PRL-3 protein tyrosine phosphatase gene was of particular interest. It was expressed at high levels in each of 18 cancer metastases studied but at lower levels in nonmetastatic tumors and normal colorectal epithelium. In 3 of 12 metastases examined, multiple copies of the PRL-3 gene were found within a small amplicon located at chromosome 8q24.3. These data suggest that thePRL-3 gene is important for colorectal cancer metastasis and provide a new therapeutic target for these intractable lesions.
An Error-Based Controlled Single-Inductor 10-Output DC-DC Buck Converter With High Efficiency Under Light Load Using Adaptive Pulse Modulation

An error-based control method is proposed for a single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) converter that maintains high efficiency under various load conditions. A peak efficiency of 88.7% was achieved with one output (IO1) of 5 mA, while the other outputs are at 432 mA. A hybrid topology composed of a switching converter and a linear regulator is also presented for fast load transient response. The proposed SIMO buck converter was fabricated with a 1P4M 0.35 μm BCD process and has 10 independently regulated outputs. The measured load transient waveform shows cross regulation of 0.1 mV/mA and a load transient of 0.17 mV/mA. This was achieved under load transient conditions for one output (IO9) in between 1 mA and 100 mA with the other outputs at 422 mA.
Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data Using $N$ -Dimensional Geometry and a Mixture-Tuned Matched Filtering Approach

Imaging spectrometers collect unique data sets that are simultaneously a stack of spectral images and a spectrum for each image pixel. While these data can be analyzed using approaches designed for multispectral images, or alternatively by looking at individual spectra, neither of these takes full advantage of the dimensionality of the data. Imaging spectrometer spectral radiance data or derived apparent surface reflectance data can be cast as a scattering of points in an n-dimensional Euclidean space, where n is the number of spectral channels and all axes of the n-space are mutually orthogonal. Every pixel in the data set then has a point associated with it in the n- d space, with its Cartesian coordinates defined by the values in each spectral channel. Given n-dimensional data, convex and affine geometry concepts can be used to identify the purest pixels in a given scene (the “endmembers”). N-dimensional visualization techniques permit human interpretation of all spectral information of all image pixels simultaneously and projection of the endmembers back to their locations in the imagery and to their spectral signatures. Once specific spectral endmembers are defined, partial linear unmixing (mixture-tuned matched filtering or “MTMF”) can be used to spectrally unmix the data and to accurately map the apparent abundance of a known target material in the presence of a composite background. MTMF incorporates the best attributes of matched filtering but extends that technique using the linear mixed-pixel model, thus leading to high selectivity between similar materials and minimizing classification and mapping errors for analysis of imaging spectrometer data.
A membership function deviation approach to network-based H∞ fuzzy output feedback control for Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems

This paper proposes a new membership function deviation approach to investigate network-based H∞ fuzzy static output feedback control for Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems, where the bilateral network channels with network-induced delays and data-packet dropouts are considered. A novel lemma about the deviations of membership functions in a network environment is first established, which presents a method of determining such deviations and formulates explicitly the quantitative relationship between the deviation bounds and the maximum allowable equivalent delay bound of such a system. Then by combining the above lemma and a matrix decoupling technique, a shape-dependent design approach of H∞ fuzzy controller is proposed in term of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, an example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Effacing of the T Cell Compartment by Cardiac Transplantation in Infancy1

For cardiac transplantation in infants, T cells are depleted and the thymus is removed. These manipulations should cause profound defects in the T cell compartment. To test this concept, 20 subjects who underwent cardiac transplantation in infancy and healthy age-matched subjects were studied. The number of T cells in the blood was nearly normal in all subjects 1–10 years after surgery. However, newly generated T cells were undetectable in 10 recipients and 10-fold less than controls in 10, suggesting absence of thymic function. TCRβ chain diversity, measured by a novel technique, was ∼100-fold lower than controls. T cell function, deduced from levels of human herpesvirus 7 and response to hepatitis B immunization, were notably impaired. Yet cardiac transplant recipients were generally free of opportunistic infections. Our findings demonstrate a novel approach to measuring lymphocyte diversity and suggest that understanding how these subjects resist infection could yield important insights into immune fitness.
Conservative Treatment of Stable Volar Plate Injuries of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint in Children and Adolescents: A Prospective Study

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess a standard conservative management for stable volar plate injuries of the proximal interphalangeal joint in children and adolescents. No study is available regarding this subject for this age group. Methods: A prospective study was performed on 37 consecutive patients (aged between 9 and 15 years; mean, 13 years) with stable acute volar plate injuries of the proximal interphalangeal joints, including 22 avulsion fractures without dislocation. All patients had a standardized conservative treatment consisting of a dorsal aluminum extension block splinting at a 15-degree flexion for 10 days, followed by a spontaneous mobilization and taping to adjacent fingers for sports only. At follow-up visits, active and passive ranges of motion, swelling of the affected joints, analgesic intake, and pain perception by the patient were recorded. Regular follow-up consisted of standardized assessments at 2, 6, and 12 weeks, with additional consultations if symptoms persisted. Results: Healing was uneventful, and hand therapy was not necessary to regain full range of motion in 32 of 33 children with a regular follow-up. The only flexion contracture observed responded well to splinting. Of the 33 patients, 31 had an excellent outcome and 2 had a good outcome. Conclusions: Dorsal extension block splinting was an efficient, simple, well-tolerated treatment for stable volar plate injuries of the proximal interphalangeal joint in a preliminary series of patients younger 16 years. Flexion contractures were rare and responded well to dynamic splinting.
Stimulatory Effect of PACAP on Neuronal Cell Survival

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a novel member of the secretidglucagodvasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)/growth hormone (GH) releasing hormone family that was isolated from hypothalamic tissue based on its ability to activate adenylate cyclase in rat pituitary cells. ',2 PACAP is widely distributed in the brain, but its function is not fully elucidated. PACAP has been shown to increase intracellular Ca2' concentration ([Ca"],) in a number of neuron^. ^ Depolarization of neuronal membrane by addition of high K' to the culture medium enhanced survival of various cultured neuronal cell^. ^. ^ This stimulatory effect is thought to be due to activation of voltage-activated Ca2' channels leading to increase in [Ca"],. If the cell survival mechanisms are working in vivo as well as in vitro, certain endogenous bioactive agents must act on neurons to increase [Ca''],. In the present study, to clarify the endogenous bioactive agent for survival of neurons, we examined the effects of PACAP on neuronal survival using PC12 cells differentiated with nerve growth factor (NGF).
Detection of generalized tonic–clonic seizures by a wireless wrist accelerometer: A prospective, multicenter study

Our objective was to assess the clinical reliability of a wrist‐worn, wireless accelerometer sensor for detecting generalized tonic–clonic seizures (GTCS). Seventy‐three consecutive patients (age 6–68 years; median 37 years) at risk of having GTCS and who were admitted to the long‐term video–electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring unit (LTM) were recruited in three centers. The reference standard was considered the seizure time points identified by experienced clinical neurophysiologists, based on the video‐EEG recordings and blinded to the accelerometer sensor data. Seizure time points detected real‐time by the sensor were compared with the reference standard. Patients were monitored for 17–171 h (mean 66.8; total 4,878). Thirty‐nine GTCS were recorded in 20 patients. The device detected 35 seizures (89.7%). In 16 patients all seizures were detected. In three patients more than two thirds of the seizures were detected. The mean of the sensitivity calculated for each patient was 91%. The mean detection latency measured from the start of the focal seizure preceding the secondarily GTCS was 55 s (95% confidence interval [CI] 38–73 s). The rate of false alarms was 0.2/day. Our results suggest that the wireless wrist accelerometer sensor detects GTCS with high sensitivity and specificity. Patients with GTCS have an increased risk for injuries related to seizures and for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), and many nocturnal seizures remain undetected in unattended patients. A portable automatic seizure detection device will be an important tool for helping these patients.
Backstepping boundary control of Navier-Stokes channel flow: a 3D extension

We present an extension from 2D to 3D of a boundary control law which stabilizes the parabolic profile of an infinite channel flow. In this 3D case, we include an additional controller in the spanwise direction which, similar to the streamwise and wall normal velocity controllers, actuates solely along one boundary. The controller that acts in the wall normal direction transforms the system into a strict feedback form. The streamwise and spanwise controllers decouple the normal vorticity from the normal velocity and then stabilize the normal velocity. This result guarantees exponential stability in the L2 sense of the linearized Navier-Stokes equations
Does surface anodisation of titanium implants change osseointegration and make their extraction from bone any easier?

Summary Objectives: Titanium implants have a tendency for high bone-implant bonding, and, in comparison to stainless steel implants are more difficult to remove. The current study was carried out to evaluate, i) the release strength of three selected anodized titanium surfaces with increased nanohardness and low roughness, and ii) bone-implant bonding in vivo. These modified surfaces were intended to give improved anchorage while facilitating easier removal of temporary implants. Material and methods: The new surfaces were referenced to a stainless steel implant and a standard titanium implant surface (TiMAX™). In a sheep limb model, healing period was 3 months. Bone-implant bonding was evaluated either biomechanically or histologically. Results: The new surface anodized screws demonstrated similar or slightly higher bone-implantcontact (BIC) and torque release forces than the titanium reference. The BIC of the stainless steel implants was significant lower than two of the anodized surfaces (p=0.04), but differences between stainless steel and all titanium implants in torque release forces were not significant (p=0.06). Conclusion: The new anodized titanium surfaces showed good bone-implant bonding despite a smooth surface and increased nanohardness. However, they failed to facilitate implant removal at 3 months.
Evaluation of the World Health Organization standard tourniquet test and a modified tourniquet test in the diagnosis of dengue infection in Viet Nam

OBJECTIVES A positive tourniquet test is one of several clinical parameters considered by the World Health Organization to be important in the diagnosis of dengue haemorrhagic fever, but no formal evaluation of the test has been undertaken. As many doctors remain unconvinced of its usefulness, this study was designed to assess the diagnostic utility of both the standard test and a commonly employed modified test.
Protein Phosphatases Pph3, Ptc2, and Ptc3 Play Redundant Roles in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair by Homologous Recombination

ABSTRACT In response to a DNA double-strand break (DSB), cells undergo a transient cell cycle arrest prior to mitosis until the break is repaired. In budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), the DNA damage checkpoint is regulated by a signaling cascade of protein kinases, including Mec1 and Rad53. When DSB repair is complete, cells resume cell cycle progression (a process called “recovery”) by turning off the checkpoint. Recovery involves two members of the protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) family, Ptc2 and Ptc3, as well as the protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) enzyme, Pph3. Here, we demonstrate a new function of these three phosphatases in DSB repair. Cells lacking all three phosphatases Pph3, Ptc2, and Ptc3 exhibit synergistic sensitivities to the DNA-damaging agents camptothecin and methyl methanesulfonate, as well as hydroxyurea but not to UV light. Moreover, the simultaneous absence of Pph3, Ptc2, and Ptc3 results in defects in completing DSB repair, whereas neither single nor double deletion of the phosphatases causes a repair defect. Specifically, cells lacking all three phosphatases are defective in the repair-mediated DNA synthesis. Interestingly, the repair defect caused by the triple deletion of Pph3, Ptc2, and Ptc3 is most prominent when a DSB is slowly repaired and the DNA damage checkpoint is fully activated.