Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhaled Thrombolytics Reduce Lung Microclot and Leukocyte Infiltration After Acute Blood Loss

ABSTRACT We showed previously that a 30% blood loss in rats, without resuscitation, caused significant accumulation of microthrombi and leukocytes within the pulmonary circulation by 24 h. We hypothesized that the microthrombi formed spontaneously as a consequence of hemorrhage-induced stasis within the low-pressure pulmonary circuit and that the leukocytes were attracted to them. This suggested that elimination of the microthrombi, using an inhaled thrombolytic agent, could prevent the neutrophil sequestration after blood loss. To test this hypothesis, we removed 30% of the calculated blood volume from isoflurane-anesthetized, male Sprague-Dawley rats (350–500 g) over 5 min and allowed them to recover. Six hours later, we reanesthetized the rats and nebulized tissue plasminogen activator (80 or 320 µg/kg), lactated Ringer’s solution (LRS), or ipratropium bromide (i-bromide) into their lungs. We used i-bromide as a control after we discovered that nebulized LRS had thrombolytic properties. At 24 h, we removed and fixed the lungs and prepared sections for immunohistochemistry using antibodies against fibrinogen (microthrombi) and CD16 (leukocytes). Digital images of each section were obtained using a confocal microscope. Pixel counts of the images showed significantly less accumulation of microthrombi and leukocytes in lungs nebulized with tissue plasminogen activator or LRS than in nonnebulized lungs or in lungs nebulized with i-bromide (P ⩽ 0.05). Lactated Ringer’s solution becomes positively charged when nebulized (unlike i-bromide), suggesting that it eliminated microthrombi by fibrin depolymerization. We confirmed this using an in vitro assay. Our results demonstrate that lyses of microthrombi that accumulate in the lung after acute blood loss prevent subsequent leukocyte sequestration.
Richard H Clarida: The Federal Reserve's review of its monetary policy strategy, tools, and communication practices

Good morning, and welcome to day two of the Federal Reserve System Conference on Monetary Policy Strategy, Tools, and Communication Practices. I think you will have to agree that the presentations and discussion yesterday were uniformly thoughtful, substantive, and stimulating, and today we will have another impressive lineup of speakers and panelists addressing timely topics that are relevant to our review. And let me convey on behalf of Chair Powell, the Board of Governors, and the Reserve Bank Presidents, a sincere and deep appreciation to all the participants on this program, especially the authors of the seven outstanding papers, for the time, thought, and energy that went into preparing their contributions.
Deuterium ion extraction and neutron production from a piezoelectric transformer plasma source

A piezoelectric transformer plasma source (PTPS) is being developed as a plasma ion source for D(d, n) 3He neutron production. The PTPS consists of a lithium niobate piezoelectric disc in a differentially pumped chamber with controlled gas flow from an external source. The PTPS was previously characterized using a range of gas flows, extraction voltages, and aperture geometries. This ion source has been used for preliminary neutron production measurements using a target at high voltage. Ion current measurements are presented for deuterium gas at PTPS internal pressures from 0.5 to 4 Torr, extraction voltages up to 1.5 kV, and a range of duty cycles and operating times. Ion current yields on the order of 10 μA are presented. The PTPS was also operated with a high voltage D.C. source coupled with a deuterium impregnated palladium foil. Preliminary neutron yields are presented.
Is it Worth it? On the Returns to Holding Political Office

This paper estimate causal effects of being elected in a local election on monetary returns. The claim for causality can be made thanks to a research design where the income of some candidate who just barely won a seat is compared to that of some other candidate who was close to winning a seat for the same party, but ultimately did not. The design is made possible thanks to comprehensive data covering all political candidates in the period 1991{2006. I establish that monetary returns are absent both in the short and long run. Instead, politicians seem to be motivated by non-monetary returns, and I show that being elected locally once can be an effective starting point for enjoying such payoffs.
Interest Rates and Inflation Revisited

The continuously compounded (CC) interest rate on a one-month Treasury bill observed at the end of month t–1 is the sum of a CC expected real return and a CC expected inflation rate, Rt–1 = Et–1(rt) + Et–1(It). Two approaches are used to split Rt–1 between its two components. In the first, models for rt produce estimates of Et–1(rt), which are used to infer Et–1(It) as Rt–1 – Et–1(rt). The second approach models It to produce estimates of Et–1(It) and infer Et–1(rt) as Rt–1 – Et–1(It). By design, the estimates of Et–1(rt) and Et–1(It) from both approaches have the properties implied by rational bill prices. Received October 10, 2018; Editorial decision December 31, 2018 By Editor Jeffrey Pontiff
Analysis of landuse landcover changes of Kazhakuttam block based on GIS

Expansion of human settlement and accompanying activities, especially the rapid urbanisation occurring in the developing countries, play an important role in global land use land cover change. The changes in land use associated with urban development affect the hydrological regime in many ways such as change in total runoff, flooding in low lying areas etc. Preparation of Land use map from toposheets and satellite imageries and their analysis by ArcGIS is an efficient method for assessing the landuse landcover change. Landuse landcover information have become important for landuse planning and resource management. In this study, Kazhakuttam block of Trivandrum district is taken as the study area. Here a study is conducted to assess the landuse landcover changes of Kazhakuttam block from 1967 to 2005 using GIS and ERDAS imagine softwares. The landuse map of 1967 is prepared from toposheets and landuse maps of 1999 and 2005 were made from satellite images. These maps are analysed to identify the land use changes of the study area.
Field and laboratory findings of the first incursion of the Asian H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Africa

In mid-January 2006 an outbreak of avian influenza in domestic birds was recorded in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The virus responsible for the outbreak was characterized as a highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (A/chicken/Nigeria/641/06), belonging to the Qinghai lineage. The index case occurred on a farm containing mixed avian species including free-range birds. Clinical signs and mortality were observed in chickens, geese and ostriches. The present paper describes the clinical, pathological and virological findings of this outbreak.
Chronic Benzodiazepine Dependence

Thirty-one patients dependent on benzodiazepines were randomly assigned to either slow withdrawal (SW) or abrupt withdrawal under propranolol cover (PW). Of 16 patients in the SW group, 11 successfully withdrew from their drugs, while only 4 out of 15 in the PW group did so. Patients in the SW group had only mild withdrawal symptoms, while those in the PW group suffered more severe symptoms, which lasted around four weeks. In all, 81 % of the whole group suffered withdrawal symptoms of some kind. Patients in both groups were significantly less anxious at the end of the study than at baseline. Younger subjects and those who were more severely anxious at the start of the trial had more difficulty in withdrawing than older and less anxious patients.
Clinical evaluation of chemiluminescent lighting: an adjunct for oral mucosal examinations.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe the utility of oral chemiluminescent lighting (FDA-cleared ViziLite) as an adjunct to standard visual examination (SVE) to enhance visualization of mucosal lesions, particularly those "clinically suspicious" for oral pre-cancer or cancer. Subjects were considered at risk for oral cancer or pre-cancer if they have no a priori knowledge of the presence or absence of an oral lesion at the time of examination. METHODOLOGY Five-hundred and one consecutive consenting subjects, over 40 years of age and with a positive tobacco history, received a standard visual examination with conventional incandescent lighting, followed by chemiluminescent lighting. All lesions were recorded, and for lesions detected by both screening modalities, comparisons were made of the subjective parameters of lesion brightness, sharpness, surface texture, and relative size. RESULTS A total of 410 epithelial lesions were detected in 270 subjects by standard visual examination, of which 127 were clinically "suspicious" for oral cancer and pre-cancer. Ninety-eight lesions were also visualized by chemiluminescent lighting as "aceto-white" (CL+), in addition to six lesions not previously seen by standard visual examination. Seventy-seven of the CL+ lesions (78.5%) were clinically suspicious; all "suspicious" lesions with an ulcerative component and ulcerated lesions consistent with trauma were CL+. Leukoplakias were significantly more likely to be CL+ than erythroplakias (p < 0.01). Overall, those lesions illuminated by chemiluminescent lighting appeared brighter, sharper, and smaller compared to incandescent illumination. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that oral chemiluminescent lighting, when used as a screening adjunct following the standard visual oral examination, provides additional visual information. Leukoplakias may be more readily visualized by chemiluminescence. Studies are underway to explore the clinical significance and predictive value of oral chemiluminescent lighting.
Orthodontic treatment in children with cleft lip and palate repaired using a two-stage surgical correction - authors' experience.

AIM The purpose of this study was to present and evaluate orthodontic rules and methods in the treatment of children and adolescents with complete cleft lip and palate. MATERIALS AND METHODS The material consists of about 5500 primary clefts treated at the Hospital and Clinic of Plastic Surgery in Polanica-Zdrój in the years 1976-2008. The most common surgical procedure (>99%) consisted of two-stage repair of cleft lip and palate. In the years 1976-2008, surgical treatment was administered to 5,500 children with a cleft lip and palate. The efficiency of orthodontic procedures is discussed in relation to multidisciplinary cooperation, with a particular emphasis on surgery. CONCLUSIONS Apart from cleft morphology and the quality of primary surgery, the patients appearance, midface development and occlusal conditions depend on multidisciplinary cooperation, with special regard given to orthodontic treatment.
Performance study of link estimation in static wireless sensor networks

The lossy nature of wireless communication leads to many challenges in designing multi-hop sensor networks. As an integral part of routing protocols, effective link estimation is essential for reliable communication. In this paper, we conduct a detailed performance analysis of several representatives of link estimators in the interplay with Collection Tree Protocol. The evaluation process has been carried out a test-bed of real nodes running ContikiOS. We also improve the Direct Estimate estimator to show the importance of acknowledgement delivery in reliable communication. The resulting extend-Direct Estimate shows better performance. We final conclude some suggestions of using which links estimator for which kind of applications.
Explicating, Understanding, and Managing Technical Debt from Self-Driving Miniature Car Projects

Technical debt refers to various weaknesses in the design or implementation of a system resulting from trade-offs during software development usually for a quick release. Accumulating such debt over time without reducing it can seriously hamper the reusability and maintainability of the software. The aim of this study is to understand the state of the technical debt in the development of self-driving miniature cars so that proper actions can be planned to reduce the debt to have more reusable and maintainable software. A case study on a selected feature from two self-driving miniature car development projects is performed to assess the technical debt. Additionally, an interview study is conducted involving the developers to relate the findings of the case study with the possible root causes. The result of the study indicates that "the lack of knowledge" is not the primary reason for the accumulation of technical debt from the selected code smells. The root causes are rather in factors like time pressure followed by issues related to software/hardware integration and incomplete refactoring as well as reuse of legacy, third party, or open source code.
Psychosexual and social-cognitive correlates of sexual risk behavior among male clients of female sex workers in Tijuana, Mexico

Abstract Male clients of female sex workers (FSWs) may act as a bridge to the general population contributing to the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the USA and Mexico. This study used cross-sectional data to identify psychosexual and social-cognitive factors associated with sexual risk behavior in a bi-national sample of 300 male clients of FSWs recruited in Tijuana, Mexico from June to October 2008. In a multiple regression analysis, the number of unprotected vaginal sex acts with FSWs was associated with higher sexual compulsivity scores, lower self-efficacy for condom use, greater use of illicit drugs, and more financial need. Behavioral interventions are urgently needed to assist clients of FSWs in reducing high-risk behaviors in an effort to prevent the spread of HIV/STIs in this high-risk population and their sexual partners.
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 inhibits activation of the β-catenin signaling in melanoma cells

The tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) family, including TIMP-2, regulates the activity of multifunctional metalloproteinases in pathogenesis of melanoma. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is constitutively activated and plays a critical role in melanoma progression. However, the relationship between TIMP-2 expression and β-catenin activity is still unclear. We hypothesize that TIMP-2 over expression inhibits the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in melanoma cells. Protein expression, distribution, and transcriptional activity of β-catenin were assayed in established stable melanoma cell lines: parental A2058 expressing, A2058 T2-1 over-expressing (T2-1), and A2058 T2R-7 under-expressing (T2R-7) TIMP-2. Compared to T2-1 cells at the basal level, T2R-7 showed significantly lower amount protein and weaker immunofluorescence staining of β-catenin. This regulation is through posttranslational level via ubiquitination. Functionally, proliferation and cell growth were lower in T2R-7 compared to A2058 and T2-1. Lithium treatment was used to mimics activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In T2R-7 cells under-expressing TIMP2, lithium significantly increased total β-catenin, nuclear β-catenin, and its downstream protein phosphor-c-Myc (S62). Nuclear β-catenin staining was enhanced in T2R-7. Beta-catenin transcriptional activity and cell proliferation were also increased significantly. Axins inhibit β-catenin pathway via GSK-3 β. We further found the ratio of p-GSK-3 β (S9) to β-catenin and protein levels of Axins were significantly lower, whereas downstream Wnt 11 was high in T2R-7 treated with lithium. Collectively, the high level of TIMP-2 protein inhibits the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, thus suppressing proliferation. Insights in the molecular mechanisms of TIMP-2 may provide promising opportunities for anti-proliferative therapeutic intervention.
The Athenian Revolution

Where did "democracy" come from, and what was its original form and meaning? Here Josiah Ober shows that this "power of the people" crystallized in a revolutionary uprising by the ordinary citizens of Athens in 508-507 B.C. He the examines the consequences of the development of direct democracy for upper- and lower-class citizens, for dissident Athenian intellectuals and for those who were denied citizenship under the new regime (women, slaves, resident foreigners), as well as for the general development of Greek history. When the citizens suddenly took power into their own hands, they changed the cultural and social landscape of Greece, thereby helping to inaugurate the Classical Era. Democracy led to fundamental adjustments in the basic structures of Athenian society, altered the forms and direction of political thinking and sparked a series of dramatic reorientations in international relations. It quickly made Athens into the most powerful Greek city-state, but it also fatally undermined the traditional Greek rules of warfare. It stimulated the development of the Western tradition of political theorizing and encouraged a new conception of justice that has striking parallels to contemporary theories of rights. But Athenians never embraced the notions of inherency and inalienability that have placed the concept of rights at the centre of modern political thought. Thus the play of power that constituted life in democratic Athens is revealed as at once strangely familiar and desperately foreign, and the values sustaining the Athenian political community as simultaneously admirable and terrifying.
Compact passively Q-switched Raman laser at 1176  nm and yellow laser at 588  nm using Nd3+:YAG/Cr4+:YAG composite crystal.

Compact passively Q-switched YVO4 first Stokes Raman laser and its frequency doubling laser were reported by using Nd3+:YAG/Cr4+:YAG composite crystal for what is believed to be the first time. Nanosecond lasers at 1176 and 588 nm were obtained. At the incident pump power of 7.84 W, the average output power at 1176 nm was 423 mW with a pulse width of 1.32 ns and the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 13.7 kHz. By applying a KTP crystal, an intracavity second harmonic generation (SHG) laser at 588 nm also was realized. With an incident pump power of 8.95 W, we obtained 105.3 mW average output power of a yellow laser corresponding to the pulse width of 4.95 ns and the PRF of 10.75 kHz. In addition, the composite crystal efficiently compacted the resonant cavity.
Genomic Analysis of Non-NF2 Meningiomas Reveals Mutations in TRAF7, KLF4, AKT1, and SMO

Genetic Clues to Meningioma Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumors in adults. Located within the layer of tissue covering the brain, these tumors are usually slow-growing and benign but can cause serious neurological complications. About half of these tumors have mutations in the neurofibromin 2 gene (NF2). To identify other genes that contribute to meningioma pathogenesis, Clark et al. (p. 1077, published online 24 January) performed genome sequence analysis on 300 tumors. Meningiomas fell into two general classes: benign tumors located at the skull base—which tend to harbor mutations in the TRAF7, KLF4, AKT1, and SMO genes—and higher-grade tumors located in the cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres harbor mutations in NF2. The mutational profiles of meningiomas, a common type of brain tumor, correlate with their anatomical location and clinical status. We report genomic analysis of 300 meningiomas, the most common primary brain tumors, leading to the discovery of mutations in TRAF7, a proapoptotic E3 ubiquitin ligase, in nearly one-fourth of all meningiomas. Mutations in TRAF7 commonly occurred with a recurrent mutation (K409Q) in KLF4, a transcription factor known for its role in inducing pluripotency, or with AKT1E17K, a mutation known to activate the PI3K pathway. SMO mutations, which activate Hedgehog signaling, were identified in ~5% of non-NF2 mutant meningiomas. These non-NF2 meningiomas were clinically distinctive—nearly always benign, with chromosomal stability, and originating from the medial skull base. In contrast, meningiomas with mutant NF2 and/or chromosome 22 loss were more likely to be atypical, showing genomic instability, and localizing to the cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres. Collectively, these findings identify distinct meningioma subtypes, suggesting avenues for targeted therapeutics.
Terrestrial gross primary production inferred from satellite fluorescence and vegetation models

Determining the spatial and temporal distribution of terrestrial gross primary production (GPP) is a critical step in closing the Earth's carbon budget. Dynamical global vegetation models (DGVMs) provide mechanistic insight into GPP variability but diverge in predicting the response to climate in poorly investigated regions. Recent advances in the remote sensing of solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) opens up a new possibility to provide direct global observational constraints for GPP. Here, we apply an optimal estimation approach to infer the global distribution of GPP from an ensemble of eight DGVMs constrained by global measurements of SIF from the Greenhouse Gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT). These estimates are compared to flux tower data in N. America, Europe, and tropical S. America, with careful consideration of scale differences between models, GOSAT, and flux towers. Assimilation of GOSAT SIF with DGVMs causes a redistribution of global productivity from northern latitudes to the tropics of 7–8 Pg C yr−1 from 2010 to 2012, with reduced GPP in northern forests (~3.6 Pg C yr−1) and enhanced GPP in tropical forests (~3.7 Pg C yr−1). This leads to improvements in the structure of the seasonal cycle, including earlier dry season GPP loss and enhanced peak‐to‐trough GPP in tropical forests within the Amazon Basin and reduced growing season length in northern croplands and deciduous forests. Uncertainty in predicted GPP (estimated from the spread of DGVMs) is reduced by 40–70% during peak productivity suggesting the assimilation of GOSAT SIF with models is well‐suited for benchmarking. We conclude that satellite fluorescence augurs a new opportunity to quantify the GPP response to climate drivers and the potential to constrain predictions of carbon cycle evolution.
Non-endoscopic biopsy techniques: a review

ABSTRACT Introduction: Diseases of the stomach and small intestine account for approximately 20% of all gastrointestinal (GI)-related mortality. Biopsy of the stomach and small intestine remains a key diagnostic tool for most of the major diseases that affect the GI tract. While endoscopic means for obtaining biopsy is generally the standard of care, it has several limitations that make it less ideal for pediatric patients and in low resource areas of the world. Therefore, non-endoscopic means for obtaining biopsy samples is of interest in these settings. Areas covered: We review non-endoscopic biopsy techniques reported thus far, and critically examine their merits and demerits regarding their suitability for obtaining biopsy samples in non-sedated subjects. Expert commentary: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is the current standard for acquiring biopsy from the GI tract, however, its limitations include subject sedation, expensive endoscopy infrastructure, expert personnel, and a small but significant risk of complications. A less costly, minimally-invasive and non-endoscopic means for obtaining biopsy samples is therefore of interest for addressing these issues. Such a technology would be of significant impact in low- and middle-income countries where conducting endoscopy is challenging.