Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stochastic Evaluation of Turbine-Generator Shaft Torsional Torques in an HVAC/DC Power System

This paper presents a Monte Carlo based approach to evaluate the maximum torsional torques induced in turbine-generator shafts during faults on a HVac/dc power system. In this context, investigations have been conducted on a large turbine-generator model taking into consideration the uncertainty of various factors associated with the practical operation of a power system. The results of these investigations are presented in the form of probability distributions of the maximum torsional torques induced in the turbine-generator shaft sections. A risk index that reflects the likelihood that the torque induced in a turbine-generator shaft exceeds its design value is also presented. Moreover, the paper presents a method for calculating the expected life expenditure ratio and the expected lifetime of turbine-generator shafts.
Repeated evolution of carnivory among Indo‐Australian rodents

Convergent evolution, often observed in island archipelagos, provides compelling evidence for the importance of natural selection as a generator of species and ecological diversity. The Indo‐Australian Archipelago (IAA) is the world's largest island system and encompasses distinct biogeographic units, including the Asian (Sunda) and Australian (Sahul) continental shelves, which together bracket the oceanic archipelagos of the Philippines and Wallacea. Each of these biogeographic units houses numerous endemic rodents in the family Muridae. Carnivorous murids, that is those that feed on animals, have evolved independently in Sunda, Sulawesi (part of Wallacea), the Philippines, and Sahul, but the number of origins of carnivory among IAA murids is unknown. We conducted a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of carnivorous murids of the IAA, combined with estimates of ancestral states for broad diet categories (herbivore, omnivore, and carnivore) and geographic ranges. These analyses demonstrate that carnivory evolved independently four times after overwater colonization, including in situ origins on the Philippines, Sulawesi, and Sahul. In each biogeographic unit the origin of carnivory was followed by evolution of more specialized carnivorous ecomorphs such as vermivores, insectivores, and amphibious rats.
Inhibitory Effect of a Novel Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Antagonist RNH-6270 on Growth of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells From Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: Different Anti-proliferative Effect to Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor

The current study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-proliferative effect of a novel angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist, RNH-6270, on exaggerated growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), in comparison with the effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. RNH-6270 and temocapril significantly inhibited basal DNA synthesis in VSMCs from SHRs in a dose-dependent manner, but not in cells from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. SHR-derived VSMC showed a hyperresponse of DNA synthesis to serum and angiotensin II compared with that of WKY rats–derived VSMC. RNH-6270 did not affect serum-stimulated DNA synthesis in VSMCs from both rat strains. RNH-6270 abolished angiotensin II–stimulated DNA synthesis in VSMC from both rat strains. RNH-6270 significantly inhibited proliferation of VSMC from both rat strains, but the ACE inhibitor temocapril did not exert such an effect. RNH-6270 decreased the specific binding of angiotensin II to VSMC in a competitive manner for angiotensin II receptors in both rat strains. RNH-6270 and temocapril significantly decreased the expression of growth factor mRNAs and proteins in VSMC from SHR, but not in cells from WKY rats. These results suggest that RNH-6270 is a potent AT1 receptor antagonist and has anti-proliferative effects on VSMCs from SHR, which was not seen with an ACE inhibitor. The growth inhibitory effect of RNH-6270 may be associated with the inhibition of growth factors via antagonism to AT1 receptors.
Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Inhibits Photocarcinogenesis Through Inhibition of Angiogenic Factors and Activation of CD8+ T Cells in Tumors

Abstract There has been considerable interest in the use of botanical supplements to protect skin from the adverse effects of solar UV radiation, including photocarcinogenesis. We and others have shown that topical application of (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from green tea prevents photocarcinogenesis in mice; however, the chemopreventive mechanism of EGCG in an in vivo tumor model is not clearly understood. In this study, UV-B-induced skin tumors with and without treatment of EGCG (≈1 mg/cm2) and age-matched skin biopsies from SKH-1 hairless mice were used to identify potential molecular targets of skin cancer prevention by EGCG. These biopsies were analyzed for various biomarkers of angiogenesis and antitumor immune response using immunostaining, Western blotting and gelatinolytic zymography. We report that compared to non-EGCG-treated tumors, topical application of EGCG in UV-induced tumors resulted in inhibition of protein expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, which play crucial roles in tumor growth and metastasis. In contrast, tissue inhibitor of MMP-1 (TIMP-1), which inhibits MMP activity, was increased in tumors. With respect to the tumor vasculature, EGCG decreased the expression of CD31, a cell surface marker of vascular endothelial cells, and inhibited the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in tumors, which are essential for angiogenesis. EGCG inhibited proliferating cell nuclear antigen in UV-B-induced tumors as well. Additionally, higher numbers of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ T cells) were detected in EGCG-treated tumors compared with non-EGCG-treated tumors. Together, these in vivo tumor data suggested that inhibition of photocarcinogenesis in mice by EGCG is associated with inhibition of angiogenic factors and induction of antitumor immune reactivity.
Relaxation of ruminal smooth muscle by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP).

Summary The effect of VIP was studied in muscle strips isolated from sheep rumen. This neuropeptide caused a concentration-dependent (10−9-5 m 10−8 mol/l) reduction of acetylcholine-induced (5.5 m 10−6 mol/l) isotonic contraction of the muscle strips. The inhibitory effect of VIP was not affected by incubation of the preparations with phentolamine, propranolol or tetrodotoxin; the relaxation exerted by VIP is therefore myogenic. Because nerve fibres containing VIP have recently been identified in ruminal smooth muscle, VIP probably acts on ruminal smooth muscles as an inhibitory transmitter. Zusammenfassung Relaxation der glatten Muskulatur des Pansens durch vasoaktives intestinales Polypeptid (VIP) Der Einflus von VIP auf aus dem Pansen des Schafes isolierte Muskelstreifen wurde untersucht. Dieses Neuropeptid bewirkte eine konzentrationsabhangige (10−9-5 m 10−8 mol/l) Verringerung der durch Acetylcholinin hervorgerufenen Kontraktion der Muskelstreifen. Der hemmende Effekt von VIP auf die Kontraktion der glatten Muskulatur des Pansens wurde durch Inkubation mit Phentolamin, Propranolol bzw. Tetrodotoxin nicht beeinflust. Die durch VIP verursachte Relaxation ist deshalb myogen. Da kurzlich in der glatten Muskulatur des Pansens VIP-haltige Nervenfasern nachgewiesen wurden, durfte VIP als inhibitorischer Transmitter auf die glatte Muskulatur des Pansens wirken.
Permeabilization of brain tissue in situ enables multiregion analysis of mitochondrial function in a single mouse brain

Mitochondrial function in the brain is traditionally assessed through analysing respiration in isolated mitochondria, a technique that possesses significant tissue and time requirements while also disrupting the cooperative mitochondrial reticulum. We permeabilized brain tissue in situ to permit analysis of mitochondrial respiration with the native mitochondrial morphology intact, removing the need for isolation time and minimizing tissue requirements to ∼2 mg wet weight. The permeabilized brain technique was validated against the traditional method of isolated mitochondria and was then further applied to assess regional variation in the mouse brain with ischaemia–reperfusion injuries. A transgenic mouse model overexpressing catalase within mitochondria was applied to show the contribution of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species to ischaemia–reperfusion injuries in different brain regions. This technique enhances the accessibility of addressing physiological questions in small brain regions and in applying transgenic mouse models to assess mechanisms regulating mitochondrial function in health and disease.
Chemosensitivity and p53-Bax pathway-mediated apoptosis in patients with uterine cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether and how apoptosis through the p53-Bax pathway affects sensitivity to chemotherapy in cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma, who had human papilloma virus (HPV) and underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, were entered in the present study. Tumor specimens were obtained before and after chemotherapy. HPV was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The expression of Ki-67, p53, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Apoptotic cells were identified by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick-end labeling method. RESULTS Of 30 patients, 18 responded to chemotherapy and 12 did not. The apoptotic index in tumors of responders was significantly higher than in non-responders after chemotherapy. The Ki-67 labeling index (LI) in responders was significantly higher than in non-responders before chemotherapy. Patients with tumors >33% of the LI, which was determined by a receiver operating characteristic curve, had a better survival rate. The incidence of p53 protein expression did not differ between responders and non-responders. After chemotherapy, the expression of Bax protein in responders was more frequent and Bcl-2 protein expression was less frequent than in non-responders. CONCLUSIONS Chemosensitivity in cervical cancer may be associated with apoptosis via the p53-Bax pathway.
Rap1 and p38 MAPK mediate 8‐chloro‐cAMP‐induced growth inhibition in mouse fibroblast DT cells

8‐Cl‐cAMP, which is known to induce differentiation, growth inhibition, and apoptosis in various cancer cells, has been investigated as a putative anti‐cancer drug. Previously, we reported that 8‐Cl‐cAMP and its metabolite 8‐Cl‐adenosine induce growth inhibition and apoptosis through p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. To further investigate the signal mechanisms that regulate the cellular effects of 8‐Cl‐cAMP, we focused on a small GTPase Rap1 that is known to be involved in growth inhibition and reverse‐transformation. 8‐Cl‐cAMP and 8‐Cl‐adenosine could increase Rap1 activity, which was blocked by ABT702—an adenosine kinase inhibitor. This suggests that 8‐Cl‐cAMP‐induced Rap1 activation is also dependent on the metabolic degradation of 8‐Cl‐cAMP. Overexpression of a constitutively active mutant form of Rap1 (Rap1V12) attenuated cellular growth and soft‐agar colony formation, which was basically the same effect as that observed with the 8‐Cl‐cAMP treatment. Furthermore, the Rap1V12 transfectant showed a high level of p38 MAPK activation. However, 8‐Cl‐cAMP‐induced Rap1 activation was not diminished by SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, suggesting that Rap1 activation might act upstream of p38 MAPK activation during 8‐Cl‐cAMP‐induced growth inhibition. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 1039–1045, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Apoptosis of Neutrophils

Regulation of the neutrophil life span by apoptosis provides a fine balance between their function as effector cells of host defense and a safe turnover of these potentially harmful cells. Alterations of neutrophil apoptosis are associated with a number of diseases. As do other cell types, neutrophils possess components of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic routes. The intrinsic pathway of apoptosis seems to be of major importance in neutrophils since they are programmed for a rapid spontaneous cell death. However, in neutrophils this mechanism of apoptosis has special features, probably due to peculiarities of neutrophil mitochondria, which are believed to be a core regulator of intrinsic cell death. A better understanding of mechanisms underlying neutrophil cell death would help to understand neutrophil physiology and contribute to the search of new approaches for handling of pathology related to disturbances in neutrophil apoptosis and also increase our knowledge of inflammation in general.
The Criminal

at one time led a branch of science to be unduly identified with a personality. There is no school of criminal anthropology, as some have vainly imagined. " Within recent years much has been written on this subject, the most important works beinc* Ferii's great monograph L'Omicidio, and the concluding volumes of Lombroso's L'Uomo Delinquente. Medical readers who do not understand Italian will a complete r&mm6 ot Lombroso's views in his article in the XII Volume of the Twentieth Century Practice of Medicine ; and reviews of various aspects of the subject in
Younger Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Have Better Prognosis After Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy

Goals: To evaluate the impact of age on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Background: Whether age plays an important role in the outcomes of HCC after RFA remains controversial. Study: Two hundred fifty-eight consecutive treatment naive HCC patients who underwent RFA were enrolled. Patients aged ⩽65 years (n=100) were defined as the younger group and those aged >65 years (n=158) were the elderly group. Their clinicopathologic features and prognosis were compared. Results: Younger patients had a higher male-to-female ratio, higher prevalence of hepatitis B virus, and smaller tumor size than elder patients. After median follow-up of 28.5±18.7 months, 45 patients died. The cumulative 5-year survival rates were 81.3% and 65.4% in younger and elder HCC patients, respectively (P=0.008). Multivariate analysis disclosed that age >65 years, serum albumin level ⩽3.7 g/dL, prothrombin time international normalized ratio >1.1, &agr;-fetoprotein (AFP) >20 ng/mL, and no antiviral therapy after RFA were independent risk factors associated with poor overall survival. Besides, there were 163 patients with tumor recurrence after RFA. Multivariate analysis showed that age >65 years, platelet count ⩽105/mm3, AFP >20 ng/mL, multinodularity, and tumor size >2 cm were the independent risk factors predicting recurrence. Conclusions: Both liver functional reserve (serum albumin level, prothrombin time international normalized ratio, platelet count, and antiviral therapy) and tumor factors (tumor size, number, and AFP level) were crucial in determining post-RFA prognosis in HCC patients. Moreover, younger HCC patients have better overall survival and lower recurrence rate after RFA compared with elder patients.
Response to the Critique of the Huffman (2014) Article, "Reading Rate Gains during a One-Semester Extensive Reading Course".

Extensive reading (ER) is an effective way to provide large amounts of comprehensible input to foreign language learners, but many teachers and administrators remain unconvinced, and it has been argued that there is still insufficient evidence to support the claims that have been made regarding its benefits. Few studies have looked at ER’s effect on reading fluency. This article reports on an investigation of the reading rate gains of Japanese nursing college freshmen during a one-semester ER course, with students in an intensive reading (IR) course serving as the comparison group (N = 66). The ER group achieved significantly higher reading rate gains (20.73 wpm) than the IR group (-.62 wpm), without sacrificing comprehension. These results add to a growing body of empirical evidence of the effectiveness of ER.
A New Approach to Treating Alzheimer's Disease

It is rational to try to normalize changes that correlate with the severity of the clinical disabilities in Alzheimer's disease (AD) rather than focusing on other of the many abnormalities in end‐stage AD brain that relate only theoretically to the clinical manifestations. The neurobiological measure that correlates most closely to the degree of cognitive deterioration is reduction in cerebral metabolic rate. An attempt to treat this abnormality in AD patients is described; it is based, in part, on metabolic control theory. Encouraging results of a preliminary double‐blind clinical trial do not allow confident conclusions but do support the need for more intensive examination of this approach to AD treatment.
Collaboration among Missouri nonprofit hospitals and local health departments: content analysis of community health needs assessments.

OBJECTIVES We identified the levels of joint action that led to collaboration between hospitals and local health departments (LHDs) using the hospital's community health needs assessments (CHNAs). METHODS In 2014, we conducted a content analysis of Missouri nonprofit hospitals (n = 34) CHNAs, and identified hospitals based on previously reported collaboration with LHDs. We coded the content according to the level of joint action. A comparison sample (n = 50) of Missouri nonprofit hospitals provided the basic comparative information on hospital characteristics. RESULTS Among the hospitals identified by LHDs, 20.6% were "networking," 20.6% were "coordinating," 38.2% were "cooperating," and 2.9% were "collaborating. " Almost 18% of study hospitals had no identifiable level of joint action with LHDs based on their CHNAs. In addition, comparison hospitals were more often part of a larger system (74%) compared with study hospitals (52.9%). CONCLUSIONS The results of our study helped develop a better understanding of levels of joint action from a hospital perspective. Our results might assist hospitals and LHDs in making more informed decisions about efficient deployment of resources for assessment processes and implementation plans.
Quantitative regional blood volume studies in rat myocardium in Vivo

Many pathophysiological processes in the myocardium are in close relation to changes of the regional blood volume and regional myocardial blood flow or perfusion. Only few methods exist to obtain quantitative values for these parameters. Quantitative regional blood volume (RBV) studies in rat myocardium are presented using snapshot fast low angle shot (FLASH) inversion recovery T1 measurements with two different blood pool contrast agents, gadolinium diethylenetriamin‐opentaacetic acid (Gd‐DTPA) albumin and Gd‐DTPA polyly‐sine. In contrast to previous attempts, each snapshot FLASH image acquisition was ECG‐triggered under breathhold conditions. To measure relaxation times shorter than a heart cycle, each T1 sequence was repeated two times with different delays between inversion pulse and first image acquisition. The experiments were performed on a Bruker Biospec 70/21 using a homogeneous transmitter coil and a circularly polarized surface receiver coil, a special ECG trigger unit, and a respirator that is controlled by the pulse program. Based on a fast exchange model RBVm maps were calculated from the relaxation time maps for different concentrations of the two blood pool contrast agents. A significant dependence of the RBV, values on blood T1 was found. This is in accordance with a model that has been developed recently relating the dependence of RBVm on T1 of blood to perfusion. For Gd‐DTPA albumin, the application of the model to the experimental data yields realistic values for RBV and perfusion. The values, which are in accordance with literature data, were obtained at highest contrast agent concentrations i.e., lowest relaxation times of blood (ca. 200 ms).
Dofetilide‐Induced Long QT and Torsades de Pointes

Dofetilide, a new class III antiarrhythmic agent, has been approved as an antiarrhythmic agent for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Dofetilide selectively inhibits the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current resulting in a prolongation of the effective refractory period. Like other drugs that affect potassium currents, the prolonged QT interval occurring in the patients treated with dofetilide can be complicated by torsades de pointes. We report four cases of dofetilide‐induced QT prolongation and torsades de pointes. We discuss the risk factors for the development of dofetilide‐induced long QT and torsades de pointes and review the current literature.
Integrating path testing with software reliability estimation using control flow graph

In this paper, we propose a new approach to calculate a pathpsilas reliability along three basic programming structures, which include sequential, branching, and looping structures. The pathpsilas reliability is then taken to approximate the systempsilas reliability, and an example is evaluated to validate and show the effectiveness of proposed method. The numerical example yields several findings. First, the proposed method can be effectively used in the early stages of testing. Second, the path reliability is highly relative to system reliability, and the estimated error of the proposed method is acceptable. Third, with higher test coverage on path testing, the accuracy of system reliability estimation can be further improved. Therefore, the proposed method is a viable alternative method for architecture-based software reliability modeling.
Placebo effect of carbohydrate feedings during a 40-km cycling time trial.

PURPOSE The placebo effect, a favorable outcome from belief that one has received a beneficial treatment, may be an important phenomenon in athletic performance. We have therefore investigated the placebo effect of a carbohydrate supplement on endurance performance. METHODS Forty-three competitive endurance cyclists (2 female, 41 male) performed two simulated 40-km time trials on an air-braked ergometer. In the first trial they ingested water to establish baseline performance (mean power 265 +/- 46 W for 58 +/- 4 min, mean +/- SD). For the second trial 6-8 d later they were randomized to two groups: one group ingested 16 mL x kg(-1) of a drink containing 7.6 g x 100 mL(-1) carbohydrate; the other ingested an indistinguishable noncaloric placebo drink. Cyclists in each group were further randomized to three subgroups according to whether they were told the drink contained carbohydrate, placebo, or either (not told). RESULTS Changes in mean power in the second trial were: told carbohydrate, 4.3 +/- 4.8%; told placebo, 0.5 +/- 5.8%; and not told, -1.1 +/- 8.5%. The difference between the told-carbohydrate and told-placebo groups was 3.8% (95% likely range 7.9 to -0.2%). The change in performance in the not-told group was more variable than that of the told groups by a factor of 1.6 (2.6 to 1.0). The real effect of carbohydrate was a slight reduction in power of 0.3% (4.4 to -3.8%). CONCLUSIONS (a) The placebo effect of a potentially ergogenic treatment during unblinded laboratory time trials lasting approximately 1 h is probably a small but worthwhile increase in endurance power. (b) Blinding subjects to the treatment increases individual differences in endurance effort, which may reduce precision of performance outcomes in controlled trials.