Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-wavelength iodide-sensitive fluorescent indicators for measurement of functional CFTR expression in cells.

Limitations of available indicators [such as 6-methoxy- N-(3-sulfopropyl)quinolinium (SPQ)] for measurement of intracellular Cl- are their relatively dim fluorescence and need for ultraviolet excitation. A series of long-wavelength polar fluorophores was screened to identify compounds with Cl- and/or I- sensitivity, bright fluorescence, low toxicity, uniform loading of cytoplasm with minimal leakage, and chemical stability in cells. The best compound found was 7-(β-d-ribofuranosylamino)-pyrido[2,1-h]-pteridin-11-ium-5-olate (LZQ). LZQ is brightly fluorescent with excitation and emission maxima at 400-470 and 490-560 nm, molar extinction 11,100 M-1 ⋅ cm-1(424 nm), and quantum yield 0.53. LZQ fluorescence is quenched by I- by a collisional mechanism (Stern-Volmer constant 60 M-1) and is not affected by other halides, nitrate, cations, or pH changes (pH 5-8). After LZQ loading into cytoplasm by hypotonic shock or overnight incubation, LZQ remained trapped in cells (leakage <3%/h). LZQ stained cytoplasm uniformly, remained chemically inert, did not bind to cytoplasmic components, and was photobleached by <1% during 1 h of continuous illumination. Cytoplasmic LZQ fluorescence was quenched selectively by I- (50% quenching at 38 mM I-). LZQ was used to measure forskolin-stimulated I-/Cl-and I-/[Formula: see text]exchange in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-expressing cell lines by fluorescence microscopy and microplate reader instrumentation using 96-well plates. The substantially improved optical and cellular properties of LZQ over existing indicators should permit the quantitative analysis of CFTR function in gene delivery trials and high-throughput screening of compounds for correction of the cystic fibrosis phenotype.
Removing Turbulence Effect via Hybrid Total Variation and Deformation-Guided Kernel Regression

It remains a challenge to simultaneously remove geometric distortion and space-time-varying blur in frames captured through a turbulent atmospheric medium. To solve, or at least reduce these effects, we propose a new scheme to recover a latent image from observed frames by integrating a new hybrid total variation model and deformation-guided spatial-temporal kernel regression. The proposed scheme first constructs a high-quality reference image from the observed frames using low-rank decomposition. Then, to generate an improved registered sequence, the reference image is iteratively optimized using a variational model containing the combined regularization of local and non-local total variations. The proposed optimization algorithm efficiently solves this model with convergence guarantee. Next, to reduce blur variation, deformation-guided spatial-temporal kernel regression is carried out to fuse the registered sequence into one image by introducing the concept of the near-stationary patch. Applying a blind deconvolution algorithm to the fused image produces the final output. Extensive experimental testing shows, both qualitatively and quantitatively, that the proposed method can effectively alleviate distortion, and blur and recover details of the original scene compared to the state-of-the-art methods.
Performer interaction and expectation with live algorithms: experiences with Zamyatin

ABSTRACT This paper builds on previous work into the development of a live improvising software system, Zamyatin, which is designed to perform in duets with improvising musicians. The research looks further into the issue of how performers conceptualise and approach working with the system. It takes the form of a detailed interview and analysis of the musical performance of one musician with the system, framed according to theoretical issues of the analysis and perception of agency, and the notion of how we approach different systems in the world according to Dennett's notion of ‘stances’ and principles of embodied cognition. The results of this study further support the idea that musicians maintain an ambiguous stance towards improvising software systems that do include concepts of autonomy, but do not depend on comparisons to human behaviour.
Angiotensin II induces TNF production by the thick ascending limb: functional implications.

The effects of angiotensin II (ANG II) on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) production were determined in freshly isolated tubules from the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL). ANG II (10-9 M) increased the accumulation of TNF mRNA associated with enhanced production of TNF by approximately five- to sixfold. ANG II also increased prostaglandin E2(PGE2) production by the MTAL in a dose-dependent manner and exerted biphasic differential effects on86Rb uptake, depending on the exposure time of the tubules to the peptide and the doses used. Low-dose ANG II (10-11 M) increased 86Rb uptake by MTAL tubules after a "short-term" (15 min) challenge, whereas uptake was inhibited after a "long-term" (3 h) incubation period. High-dose ANG II (10-6 M) inhibited MTAL 86Rb uptake, irrespective of incubation time. Uptake of86Rb was inhibited by ∼60% in MTAL tubules that were challenged for 3 h with ANG II. The inhibitory action of ANG II was prevented by eliminating the participation of either TNF with antisera to the cytokine or PGE2 by inhibition of cyclooxygenase with indomethacin. We conclude that ANG II regulates TNF production in the MTAL, an interaction that affects86Rb uptake via an eicosanoid-dependent mechanism in this nephron segment.
Dissimilar friction stir welding of aluminum alloys reinforced with carbon nanotubes

This chapter is devoted to studying the possibility of incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reinforcing fillers in dissimilar metal matrices joints produced by friction stir welding (FSW), as well as the impact of this incorporation on the microstructural and mechanical properties of these joints. Carbon nanotubes are extensively used as a reinforcing material in nanocomposites, due to their high stiffness and strength. FSW is a solid-state welding process of joining aluminum and other metallic alloys and has been employed in the aerospace, rail, automotive, and marine industries. Recently, friction stir processing (FSP), a derivative method of FSW, has been employed as an alternative for the production of metal matrix composites (MMCs). In this work, the process parameters were optimized in order to achieve nondefective welds, with and without the addition of CNTs. Two main cases were studied: (1) FSP was optimized by changing the tool rotational and travel speed as well as the number and direction of FSW passes, and (2) a Taguchi design scheme was adopted to further investigate the FSP in relevance to three factors (number, direction of passes, and tool rotational speed). Mechanical behavior was studied, and the local mechanical properties of the produced MMCs were compared with their bulk counterparts and parent materials. More specifically, the measured mechanical properties in the micro- and nanoscale (namely hardness and elastic modulus) are correlated with the microstructure and the presence of fillers.
Voxblox: Building 3D Signed Distance Fields for Planning

Truncated Signed Distance Fields (TSDFs) have become a popular tool in 3D reconstruction, as they allow building very high-resolution models of the environment in real-time on GPU. However, they have rarely been used for planning on robotic platforms, mostly due to high computational and memory requirements. We propose to reduce these requirements by using large voxel sizes, and extend the standard TSDF representation to be faster and better model the environment at these scales. We also propose a method to build Euclidean Signed Distance Fields (ESDFs), which are a common representation for planning, incrementally out of our TSDF representation. ESDFs provide Euclidean distance to the nearest obstacle at any point in the map, and also provide collision gradient information for use with optimization-based planners. We validate the reconstruction accuracy and real-time performance of our combined system on both new and standard datasets from stereo and RGB-D imagery. The complete system will be made available as an open-source library called voxblox.
Mellin Transform Based Performance Analysis of Fast Frequency Hopping Using Product Combining

In this contribution, we analyze the bit error rate (BER) performance of fast frequency hopping (FFH) assisted M-ary frequency shift keying (MFSK) using product combining. Product combining constitutes an efficient yet low-complexity scheme that may be employed in FFH-MFSK receiver to combat the detrimental effects of interference or jamming. We propose a novel approach to the analysis of this receiver system, which is based on the Mellin transform. Using this approach, the probability density function (PDF) of the product combiner output is expressed in a closed form. Based on the resultant PDF, the BER of the FFH-MFSK product combining receiver operating in Rayleigh fading channel is evaluated analytically. It is shown that the Mellin transform simplifies the analysis of the product combining receiver
Shoulder proprioception in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.

BACKGROUND Recently, proprioception deficits of the rotator cuff and the deltoid muscles have been suggested to play a pivotal role in the subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). To date, there are no study has been found where the kinesthesia and joint position senses have been evaluated together in SIS. OBJECTIVE To investigate the shoulder proprioception in patients with SIS. METHODS Sixty-one patients with SIS and 30 healthy controls, aging between 25 and 65 years, were included in the study. Main outcome measure was proprioception, assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer. Kinesthesia, active and passive joint repositioning senses were tested at 0° and 10° external rotation. All tests were repeated 4 times and the mean of angular errors were obtained. RESULTS The mean age was 49.14 ± 10.27 and 48.80 ± 11.09 years in patient group and in control group respectively. No significant difference was found between two groups in terms of age, gender and dominance. When involved and uninvolved shoulders of the patient group were compared, kinesthesia, active and passive joint position senses were significantly impaired in involved shoulders at all angles (P < 0.05). When involved shoulders of the patient group were compared to the control group, kinesthesia, active and passive joint position senses were significantly impaired in involved shoulders in patient group at all angles (P < 0.05) except active position sense at 0°. When uninvolved shoulders of the patient group were compared to the control group, kinesthesia at 10° was significantly impaired (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study showed that shoulder proprioception was impaired in patients with SIS. This proprioceptive impairment was found not only in involved shoulders but also in uninvolved shoulders in patients with SIS.
Prospective study of the association of changes in dietary intake, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking with 9-y gain in waist circumference among 16 587 US men.

BACKGROUND Although it is known that abdominal obesity increases the risk of chronic diseases, prospective data examining the relation between lifestyle factors and the accumulation of abdominal adipose tissue are sparse. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine the associations of changes in diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking with 9-y waist gain among US men. DESIGN A prospective cohort comprised 16 587 US men aged 40-75 y at baseline in 1986. Data on lifestyle factors were provided periodically with the use of self-reported questionnaires, and participants measured and reported their waist circumference in 1987 and 1996. RESULTS In multivariate analyses, a 2% increment in energy intake from trans fats that were isocalorically substituted for either polyunsaturated fats or carbohydrates was significantly associated with a 0.77-cm waist gain over 9 y (P < 0.001 for each comparison). An increase of 12 g total fiber/d was associated with a 0.63-cm decrease in waist circumference (P < 0.001), whereas smoking cessation and a 20-h/wk increase in television watching were associated with a 1.98-cm and 0.59-cm waist gain, respectively (P < 0.001). Increases of 25 metabolic equivalent tasks (METs) * h/wk in vigorous physical activity and of >/= 0.5 h/wk in weight training were associated with 0.38-cm and 0.91-cm decreases in waist circumference, respectively (P < 0.001 for each comparison). These associations remained significant after further adjustment for concurrent change in body mass index. Changes in total fat and alcohol consumption and in walking volume were not significantly related to waist gain. CONCLUSIONS Waist gain may be modulated by changes in trans fat and fiber consumption, smoking cessation, and physical activity.
Postprandial changes in plasma and serum viscosity and plasma lipids and lipoproteins after an acute test meal.

The influence of a fat-rich test meal on postprandial changes in plasma viscosity and serum viscosity was assessed in 12 normolipidemic adults. After a 12-14-h fast, volunteers (five men and seven women aged 23-50 y) were challenged with a test milk shake containing 50 g fat/m2 body surface area (BSA). Plasma viscosity, serum viscosity, and plasma lipids and lipoproteins were assessed at 0, 2, 3, 4, and 6 h. Viscosity values were determined by using a Mettler Contraves LS-40 rotational microviscometer. Postprandial changes in the study variables were assessed by area under the curve and included triacylglycerols (2.02 mmol/L), plasma viscosity (-0.10 mPa.s), and serum viscosity (-0.01 mPa.s). Peak plasma triacylglycerol concentrations were significantly greater than those observed at baseline (P = 0.0022). There were no significant changes in any other variable when fasting and peak values were compared. Peak plasma viscosity increased in three and decreased in two subjects with no changes in the remaining seven subjects. Changes in peak plasma viscosity ranged from -7% to 7% with similar changes for serum viscosity, from -8% to 10%, and a slightly greater range for plasma fibrinogen, -16% to 10%. In this cohort of normotriacylglycerolemic subjects, there were no significant postprandial changes in plasma viscosity or serum viscosity.
Dietary fiber decreases the metabolizable energy content and nutrient digestibility of mixed diets fed to humans.

Food labeling regulations implemented by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration emphasize nutrient composition and energy content of foods. Dietary energy and digestibility of complex foods can be affected by the content and type of dietary fiber. The metabolizable energy (ME) content and apparent digestibility of dietary fiber in human diets are difficult to assess. Fiber can affect the digestibility of fat and protein and, subsequently, the ME content of the diet. This study was conducted to measure the ME content of nine diets with different fat and fiber concentrations. Diets varied in level of fat (18, 34 or 47% of energy) and level of total dietary fiber (3, 4 or 7% of diet dry matter) and were consumed for 2 wk. Subjects (n = 17) consumed three diets (14 d for each diet) containing different levels of fiber and one level of fat. Food consumption was measured and all urine and feces were collected during a 5-d period. Combustible energy, protein, fat, total dietary fiber (TDF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were measured in composite samples of food and feces, and urine was analyzed for combustible energy and nitrogen. Metabolizable energy and apparent digestibility coefficients were calculated. Overall, increasing fiber intake decreased fat and protein digestibility. As a consequence of these interactions, the ME content of the diets decreased as fiber intake increased, and TDF and NDF had similar effects on the ME value. A published empirical formula accurately predicted the ME content of diets using either TDF or NDF.
High-fat dairy food and conjugated linoleic acid intakes in relation to colorectal cancer incidence in the Swedish Mammography Cohort.

BACKGROUND High-fat dairy foods contain many potentially anticarcinogenic factors, including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). However, few epidemiologic studies have specifically evaluated high-fat dairy food consumption, and none have evaluated CLA intake, in relation to colorectal cancer risk. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to prospectively examine the associations of long-term high-fat dairy food consumption and CLA intake and the incidence of colorectal cancer. DESIGN Our study population consisted of 60 708 women aged 40-76 y who participated in the Swedish Mammography Cohort. The women's consumption of high-fat dairy foods was assessed at baseline, which was from 1987 to 1990, and again in 1997. RESULTS We ascertained 798 incident cases of colorectal cancer during an average 14.8 y of follow-up. After adjustment for age and other potential confounders, the women who consumed > or =4 servings of high-fat dairy foods/d (including whole milk, full-fat cultured milk, cheese, cream, sour cream, and butter) had a multivariate rate ratio of colorectal cancer of 0.59 (95% CI: 0.44, 0.79; P for trend = 0.002) when compared with the women who consumed <1 serving/d. Each increment of 2 servings of high-fat dairy foods/d corresponded to a 13% reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer (multivariate rate ratio: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.96). For CLA, the multivariate rate ratio of colorectal cancer in a comparison of the 2 extreme quartiles of intake was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.91; P for trend = 0.004). CONCLUSION These prospective data suggest that high intakes of high-fat dairy foods and CLA may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Fish oil containing phytosterol esters alters blood lipid profiles and left ventricle generation of thromboxane a(2) in adult guinea pigs.

This study was designed to investigate the lipid-lowering ability of a novel dietary ingredient composed of phytosterols esterified to (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) [PS(n-3)]. Adult guinea pigs were fed a test diet supplemented with PS(n-3) (25 g/kg) and corn oil (CO, 5 g/kg), whereas the diet fed to control guinea pigs was supplemented with CO only (30 g/kg). Cholesterol was added to both diets (0.8 g/kg). After 3-4 wk of consuming the diets, serum total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TAG) in the PS(n-3) group were 36 and 29% lower, respectively, than levels in controls (P < 0.05). The lower TC levels in the PS(n-3) group reflected a 38% reduction in non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C), whereas the HDL-C concentration was unaffected. Analysis of cardiac left ventricle indicated that generation of the proaggregatory, arrhythmic eicosanoid, thromboxane A(2), was >60% lower in the PS(n-3)-supplemented guinea pigs than in CO controls (P < 0.001). This study demonstrates that the TAG-lowering and eicosanoid-modifying properties of the fish oil (n-3) PUFA are retained when they are provided in the diet in ester linkage with hypocholesterolemic phytosterols.
Experimental study on the dynamic compressive properties of concrete

In construct,concrete as the most widely application range of materials,the research on dynamic mechanical properties give full play to concrete compressive performance,so it become critical to improve safety and reduce the construction cost.Use the improved Hydraulic minister loading system(MTS) of America proceed single axis loading experiment to standard prism body concrete samples(70 mm×70 mm×200 mm). Objectively,It completed four different order of magni tude within the scope of the concrete compression experiment which process from 1× 10-5/s to 1×10-2/s,it get the typical stress-strain curve which in different strain rate successfully,so that the basic properties of concrete under pressure get comprehensive macroscopic reaction.
Common dihydrofolate reductase 19-base pair deletion allele: a novel risk factor for preterm delivery.

BACKGROUND Folate is critical for cell division, a major feature of in utero development. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is required to convert the folic acid used in supplements and for food fortification and the dihydrofolate produced by thymidylate synthase during DNA synthesis to the reduced folate forms used by the cell. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine whether a common, recently discovered deletion polymorphism in the DHFR gene is a risk factor for preterm delivery or low birth weight. DESIGN We studied 324 pregnant women from Camden, NJ. Folate intake was computed from folate supplement intake plus the mean of two 24-h recalls completed during the course of pregnancy. Genomic DNA was extracted from the women's leukocytes and genotyped. RESULTS Women with a deletion allele had a significantly greater risk of preterm delivery [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 3.0; 95% CI: 1.0, 8.8; P < 0.05] than did those without a deletion allele. Women with both a DHFR deletion allele and low folate intake (<400 microg/d from diet plus supplements) had a significantly greater risk of preterm delivery (AOR: 5.5; 95% CI: 1.5, 20.4; P = 0.01) and a significantly greater risk of having an infant with a low birth weight (AOR: 8.3; 95% CI: 1.8, 38.6; P = 0.01) than did women without a deletion allele and with a folate intake >/=400 microg/d. CONCLUSIONS The DHFR 19-base pair deletion allele may be a risk factor for preterm delivery. In the presence of low dietary folate, the allele may also be a risk factor for low birth weight. This may be a gene-environment interaction.
Sex differences in postabsorptive plasma vitamin A transport.

This study examined postabsorptive plasma vitamin A after doses of retinyl palmitate in healthy men (n = 28) and women (n = 31). On consecutive days one physiologic [3000 retinol equivalents (RE)] and one pharmacologic dose (105,000 RE) were administered and blood samples collected. Plasma retinol and retinyl esters were measured by HPLC. Tolerance curves were constructed by plotting plasma retinyl ester concentration vs time. Postprandial retinyl ester response was measured as peak rise in retinyl ester concentration and area under the curve (AUC). Peak plasma retinyl ester concentration occurred earlier for females but the earlier peak was significant only for younger subjects (< or = 50 y, P < 0.02) given the low dose and older subjects (> 50 y, P < 0.02) given the high dose. Peak rise and AUC were lower in females than in males, but this difference was significant for the high dose only (P < 0.05). In the high-dose experiment, when each age group was evaluated for sex differences the peak rise was significantly greater in males than in females in the older subjects (P < 0.05). Postabsorptive plasma retinol did not change from fasting concentrations. A lower plasma response in retinyl esters in women could be due to a more efficient chylomicron-remnant clearance.