Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Fast-Recovery Low Dropout Linear Regulator for Any-Type Output Capacitors

A 1.8-V, 150-mA fast settling low dropout linear regulator (LDO) with single Miller compensation capacitor is presented. By utilizing the digital-controlled dynamic bias circuit to track the output current, the proposed LDO provides fast settling time for the output capacitors with low and high equivalent series resistance (ESR). The proposed LDO has been fabricated in a 0.35-mum 2P4M CMOS technology, and the active chip area is 480mum times 675mum. The measurement results show the settling time of 4mus can be achieved with 0.5% error for full load-current changes for both multilayer ceramic and electrolytic 1-muF output capacitors. Furthermore, the line and load regulations are 0.127%N and 40ppm/mA, respectively. The dropout voltage is 190mV in 150mA output current. The measured quiescent current is 45muA in 5V supply voltage without output current
Gingival recession: epidemiology and risk indicators in a representative urban Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND Gingival recession is a common manifestation of periodontal disease, but it is also associated with other risk factors. A few studies have investigated the epidemiology and risk factors of this condition. This study describes the epidemiology of gingival recession in a representative, urban Brazilian population and assesses various risk indicators. METHODS A representative sample of 1,460 subjects was selected using a multi-stage, probability, cluster sampling strategy. The subjects were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and had a full-mouth clinical examination in a mobile examination center. RESULTS More than half (51.6%) and 22.0% of the individuals and 17.0% and 5.8% of teeth per individual showed gingival recession > or = 3 mm and > or = 5 mm, respectively. The prevalence, extent, and severity of recession correlated with age. Recession showed a nonlinear relationship with age, with 25 to 50 year olds showing the highest level of recession. Males aged > or = 30 years showed significantly higher prevalence and extent of gingival recession than females. The percentage of teeth with recession was significantly higher in the lower socioeconomic groups irrespective of age, and in subjects > or = 30 years of age with irregular dental care than in subjects with regular care. Using a multivariable model, cigarette smoking and presence of supragingival calculus were the factors most significantly associated with localized and generalized recession, whereas gender, dental visits, and socioeconomic status were not significant risk indicators. CONCLUSIONS The high level of gingival recession in this Brazilian population may be primarily related to destructive periodontal disease and is significantly associated with a high level of supragingival dental calculus and cigarette smoking. Population-based programs aimed at the prevention of periodontal diseases may reduce the prevalence of severe gingival recession in this and similar populations.
Variation in echocardiographic and cardiac hemodynamic effects of PM and ozone inhalation exposure in strains related to Nppa and Npr1 gene knock-out mice

Elevated levels of ambient co-pollutants are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes shown by epidemiology studies. The role of particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O3) as co-pollutants in this association is unclear. We hypothesize that cardiac function following PM and O3 exposure is variably affected by genetic determinants (Nppa and Npr1 genes) and age. Heart function was measured before and after 2 days each of the following exposure sequence; (1) 2-h filtered air (FA) and 3-h carbon black (CB; 0.5 µg/m3); (2) 2-h O3 (0.6 ppm) and 3-h FA; (3) 5-h FA; and, (4) 2-h O3 and 3-h CB. Two age groups (5 and 18 months old (mo)) were tested in C57Bl/6J (B6) and 129S1/SvImJ (129) mice using echocardiographic (echo) and in vivo hemodynamic (IVH) measurements. With echo, posterior wall thickness was significantly (P < 0.01) greater in 129 relative to B6 mice at baseline. With CB exposure, young B6 and older 129 mice show significant (P < 0.01) reductions in fractional shortening (FS) compared to FA. With O3 exposure, FS was significantly (P < 0.01) diminished in young 129, which was attributable to significant increases in end-systolic left ventricular diameter. With O3 and CB combined, notable (P < 0.01) declines in heart rate and end-systolic posterior wall thickness occurred in young 129 mice. The IVH measurements showed striking (P < 0.05) compromises in cardiac function after CB and O3 exposure; however, strain differences were undetectable. These results suggest that PM and O3 exposures, alone and combined, lead to different cardiac functional changes, and these unique changes are age-specific and dependent on Nppa and Npr1 genes.
Therapeutic options for Acinetobacter baumannii infections

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important cause of nosocomial infections, mainly in patients in intensive care units. This microorganism, although with slight differences depending on the country, presents resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents, occasionally including resistance to colistin: hence, it can be considered the paradigm of nosocomial multiresistant bacteria. This review analyzes the evolution of antimicrobial resistance and the molecular bases associated with the increase in antimicrobial resistance, as well as the current treatment of Acinetobacter infections. Although controversy remains, the pooled data suggest that infections by A. baumannii may be associated with considerable attributable mortality. Moreover, in cases of pneumonia and bacteraemia, inappropriate treatment is associated with, among other factors, mortality. Therefore, treatment should be carefully considered.
Achievement Flourishes in Larger Classes: Secondary School Students in Most Countries Achieved Better Literacy in Larger Classes.

There is no consensus among academics about whether children benefit from smaller classes. We analysed the data from the 2012 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) to test if smaller classes lead to higher performance. Advantages of this data set are not only its size (478,120 15-year old students in 63 nations) and representativeness, but also that the 2012 PISA data set for the first time includes the class size for each participating child. We found that in most countries, children in smaller classes had a lower performance score in solving reading comprehension problems than those in larger classes. We further analysed the relation between class size and factors that can explain this paradoxical phenomenon. Although grouping of students by ability and the socioeconomic status of parents played some role in some countries, these factors cannot fully explain this effect. We finish discussing the overlooked potential advantages of larger classes.
Antioxidants prevent depression of the acute hypoxic ventilatory response by subanaesthetic halothane in men

We studied the effect of the antioxidants (AOX) ascorbic acid (2 g, I.V.) and α‐tocopherol (200 mg, P.O.) on the depressant effect of subanaesthetic doses of halothane (0.11 % end‐tidal concentration) on the acute isocapnic hypoxic ventilatory response (AHR), i.e. the ventilatory response upon inhalation of a hypoxic gas mixture for 3 min (leading to a haemoglobin saturation of 82 ± 1.8 %) in healthy male volunteers. In the first set of protocols, two groups of eight subjects each underwent a control hypoxic study, a halothane hypoxic study and finally a halothane hypoxic study after pretreatment with AOX (study 1) or placebo (study 2). Halothane reduced the AHR by more than 50 %, from 0.79 ± 0.31 to 0.36 ± 0.14 l min−1 %−1 in study 1 and from 0.79 ± 0.40 to 0.36 ± 0.19 l min−1 %−1 in study 2, P < 0.01 for both. Pretreatment with AOX prevented this depressant effect of halothane in the subjects of study 1 (AHR returning to 0.77 ± 0.32 l min−1 %−1, n.s. from control), whereas placebo (study 2) had no effect (AHR remaining depressed at 0.36 ± 0.27 l min−1 %−1, P < 0.01 from control). In a second set of protocols, two separate groups of eight subjects each underwent a control hypoxic study, a sham halothane hypoxic study and finally a sham halothane hypoxic study after pretreatment with AOX (study 3) or placebo (study 4). In studies 3 and 4, sham halothane did not modify the control hypoxic response, nor did AOX (study 3) or placebo (study 4). The 95 % confidence intervals for the ratio of hypoxic sensitivities, (AOX + halothane) : halothane in study 1 and (AOX ‐ sham halothane) : sham halothane in study 3, were [1.7, 2.6] and [1.0, 1.2], respectively. Because the antioxidants prevented the reduction of the acute hypoxic response by halothane, we suggest that this depressant effect may be caused by reactive species produced by a reductive metabolism of halothane during hypoxia or that a change in redox state of carotid body cells by the antioxidants prevented or changed the binding of halothane to its effect site. Our findings may also suggest that reactive species have an inhibiting effect on the acute hypoxic ventilatory response.
A novel tableted purgative for colonoscopic preparation: efficacy and safety comparisons with Colyte and Fleet Phospho-Soda.

BACKGROUND Currently available aqueous purgatives used before colonoscopy are poorly tolerated. We designed a tableted sodium phosphate purge that we believe will yield much greater patient acceptance. METHODS A total of 305 outpatients undergoing routine diagnostic colonoscopy were randomized to one of three preparation groups: Colyte (100 patients), Fleet Phospho-Soda (106 patients), or sodium phosphate tablets (99 patients). Endoscopists were blinded to the type of preparation administered and answered a questionnaire regarding preparation quality. Patients answered a questionnaire designed to analyze tolerability. Adverse events were closely followed and recorded. RESULTS There were no significant differences in quality of preparation across the groups (80% excellent or good, 4% repreparation). Although hypocalcemia (4 of 71), hypokalemia (18 of 68), and hyperphosphatemia (39 of 69) were observed in patients receiving the tablets, no adverse events occurred. Patients preferred taking the tablets over Colyte and Fleet Phospho-Soda. CONCLUSION The evaluation of a novel delivery system of a sodium phosphate purge is described. Intended for use before colonoscopy, it circumvents the poor taste and excessive volume of ingestion that are aversive to patients. The tableted purgative is equally effective, safe, and greatly preferred over the existing aqueous preparations. This may improve patient compliance with recommendations for screening colonoscopy.
Phosphorylation of Leukocyte PECAM and Its Association with Detergent-Resistant Membranes Regulate Transendothelial Migration

Leukocyte migration across the endothelial lining is a critical step in the body’s response to infection and inflammation. The homophilic interaction between endothelial PECAM and leukocyte PECAM is essential for this process. The molecular events that are triggered in the endothelial cell by PECAM engagement have been well characterized; however, the function of leukocyte PECAM remains to be elucidated. To study this, we first blocked leukocyte transmigration using anti-PECAM Ab and then specifically activated leukocyte PECAM. This was sufficient to overcome the block and promote transmigration, suggesting an active signaling role for leukocyte PECAM. Consistent with this, we found that ligation of leukocyte PECAM induces phosphorylation of two tyrosine residues on its cytoplasmic tail. By performing RNA interference-rescue experiments, we demonstrate that these phosphorylation events are indispensable for transendothelial migration. Finally, we show that leukocyte PECAM translocates to a detergent-resistant membrane (DRM) during transmigration. PECAM localized in DRMs displays reduced phosphorylation and does not support transmigration. Together, these data support a model whereby engagement of leukocyte PECAM induces its transient tyrosine phosphorylation and induction of downstream signals that drive transmigration. These signals are then downregulated following PECAM translocation to DRMs.
Dysregulation of Escherichia coli α-hemolysin expression alters the course of acute and persistent urinary tract infection

Significance The majority of urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Upon UPEC infection, exfoliation of host bladder epithelial (urothelial) cells leads to sloughing of bacteria-laden cells into the urine for expulsion. However, it can also facilitate bacterial dissemination into deeper tissues. Thus, the balance and timing of exfoliation are important in determining disease outcomes. Here, we investigate host–pathogen dynamics in human urothelial cells in vitro and in murine model of acute cystitis. We discovered that the CpxR response regulator-CpxA sensor kinase two-component system regulates the expression of the pore-forming toxin α-hemolysin (HlyA) in response to environmental conditions. HlyA, in turn, is critical for fine-tuning the dynamics of host cell exfoliation and enhancing UPEC fitness during acute UTI. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections, causing considerable morbidity in females. Infection is highly recurrent despite appropriate antibiotic treatment. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the most common causative agent of UTIs, invades bladder epithelial cells (BECs) and develops into clonal intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs). Upon maturation, IBCs disperse, with bacteria spreading to neighboring BECs to repeat this cycle. This process allows UPEC to gain a foothold in the face of innate defense mechanisms, including micturition, epithelial exfoliation, and the influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Here, we investigated the mechanism and dynamics of urothelial exfoliation in the early acute stages of infection. We show that UPEC α-hemolysin (HlyA) induces Caspase-1/Caspase-4–dependent inflammatory cell death in human urothelial cells, and we demonstrate that the response regulator (CpxR)-sensor kinase (CpxA) two-component system (CpxRA), which regulates virulence gene expression in response to environmental signals, is critical for fine-tuning HlyA cytotoxicity. Deletion of the cpxR transcriptional response regulator derepresses hlyA expression, leading to enhanced Caspase-1/Caspase-4– and NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3-dependent inflammatory cell death in human urothelial cells. In vivo, overexpression of HlyA during acute bladder infection induces more rapid and extensive exfoliation and reduced bladder bacterial burdens. Bladder fitness is restored fully by inhibition of Caspase-1 and Caspase-11, the murine homolog of Caspase-4. Thus, we have discovered that fine-tuning of HlyA expression by the CpxRA system is critical for enhancing UPEC fitness in the urinary bladder. These results have significant implications for our understanding of how UPEC establishes persistent colonization.
Six‐Minute Walk Distance in Patients With Severe End‐Stage COPD: ASSOCIATION WITH SURVIVAL AFTER INPATIENT PULMONARY REHABILITATION

PURPOSE To evaluate the relationship between the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and survival in a cohort of patients with severe end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who received inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (IPR) from 1995 to 2007. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 815 patients with severe end-stage COPD who received IPR. 6MWDs before and after IPR (pre-6MWD, post-6MWD) were compared to assess whether 6MWD was significantly changed after IPR. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed to show the relationship between survival and 6MWD. The age- and or comorbidities-adjusted Cox proportional hazard model was applied to assess association between the survival and the pre-6MWD, post-6MWD, or difference in 6MWD from the pre-6MWD to post-6MWD (Δ6MWD). RESULTS Baseline demographics demonstrated a median age 74.0 years, mostly women (60.1%), and white (89.9%) patients with significant comorbid diseases who were most recently hospitalized in acute care facilities (95.1%). IPR significantly increased the 6MWD (mean distance change: 86.4 m; 95% confidence interval [CI], 81.5–91.3 m). Pre-6MWD was not significantly associated with survival. However, post-6MWD was significantly associated with age- and comorbidity-adjusted survival (post-6MWD hazard ratio = 1.336; 95% CI, 1.232–1.449 [post-6MWD x m relative to post-6MWD 2x m]), and Δ6MWD was also significantly associated with age-, comorbidities-, and pre–6MWD-adjusted survival (Δ6MWD hazard ratio = 1.337; 95% CI, 1.227–1.457 [Δ6MWD x m relative to Δ6MWD 2x m]). CONCLUSIONS In patients with severe end-stage COPD, IPR significantly improved 6MWD, and the post-6MWD and Δ6MWD were positively associated with the length of survival.
Thalidomide–dexamethasone as up‐front therapy for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: thrombophilic alterations, thrombotic complications, and thromboprophylaxis with low‐dose warfarin

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major complication of myeloma therapy recently observed with the increasing use of up‐front thalidomide and dexamethasone (thal–dex). The pathogenesis of thal‐induced VTE is not well recognized, and the role of prothrombotic factors, especially of thrombophilic abnormalities, is not yet determined.
Theoretical analysis and control of the modular multilevel cascade converter based on double-star chopper-cells (MMCC-DSCC)

This paper presents the modular multilevel cascade converter based on double-star chopper-cells (MMCC-DSCC), which is intended for installation on the 6.6-kV Japanese industrial and utility distribution systems without using line-frequency transformers. The converter is characterized by an arm structure based on the module consisting of cascade connection of multiple bidirectional PWM chopper-cells and floating dc capacitors per arm. This arm structure requires voltage-balancing control for all the chopper-cells. However, the voltage control combining averaging- with individual-balancing controls imposes certain limitations on operating conditions. This paper proposes an arm-balancing control to achieve voltage balancing in all the operating conditions. The validity of the arm-balancing control as well as the theory developed in this paper is confirmed by computer simulation.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY PREFERENCE INFORMATION IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT DECISION MAKING? A CASE STUDY OF COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the role of community preference information from discrete choice studies of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in health technology assessment (HTA) reports and subsequent policy decisions. Methods: We undertook a systematic review of discrete choice studies of CRC screening. Included studies were reviewed to assess the policy context of the research. For those studies that cited a recent or pending review of CRC screening, further searches were undertaken to determine the extent to which community preference information was incorporated into the HTA decision-making process. Results: Eight discrete choice studies that evaluated preferences for CRC screening were identified. Four of these studies referred to a national or local review of CRC screening in three countries: Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands. Our review of subsequently released health policy documents showed that while consideration was given to community views on CRC, policy was not informed by discrete choice evidence. Conclusions: Preferences and values of patients are increasingly being considered “evidence” to be incorporated into HTA reports. Discrete choice methodology is a rigorous quantitative method for eliciting preferences and while as a methodology it is growing in profile, it would appear that the results of such research are not being systematically translated or integrated into HTA reports. A formalized approach is needed to incorporate preference literature into the HTA decision-making process.
Feeding by the Heterotrophic Dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina on the Red-Tide Raphidophyte Heterosigma akashiwo: a Potential Biological Method to Control Red Tides Using Mass-Cultured Grazers

Abstract As part of the development of a method to control the outbreak and persistence of red tides using mass-cultured heterotrophic protist grazers, we measured the growth and ingestion rates of cultured Oxyrrhis marina (a heterotrophic dinoflagellate) on cultured Heterosigma akashiwo (a raphidophyte) in bottles in the laboratory and in mesocosms (ca. 60 liter) in nature, and those of the cultured grazer on natural populations of the red-tide organism in mesocosms set up in nature. In the bottle incubation, specific growth rates of O. marina increased rapidly with increasing concentration of cultured prey up to ca. 950 ng C ml−1 (equivalent to 9,500 cells ml−1), but were saturated at higher concentrations. Maximum specific growth rate (μmax), KGR (prey concentration sustaining 0.5 μmax) and threshold prey concentration of O. marina on H. akashiwo were 1.43 d−1, 104 ng C ml−1, and 8.0 ng C ml−1, respectively. Maximum ingestion and clearance rates of O. marina were 1.27 ng C grazer−1 d−1 and 0.3 μl grazer−1 h−1, respectively. Cultured O. marina grew well effectively reducing cultured and natural populations of H. akashiwo down to a very low concentration within 3 d in the mesocosms. The growth and ingestion rates of cultured O. marina on natural populations of H. akashiwo in the mesocosms were 39% and 40%, respectively, of those calculated based on the results from the bottle incubation in the laboratory, while growth and ingestion rates of cultured O. marina on cultured H. akashiwo in the mesocosms were 55% and 36%, respectively. Calculated grazing impact by O. marina on natural populations of H. akashiwo suggests that O. marina cultured on a large scale could be used for controlling red tides by H. akashiwo near aquaculture farms that are located in small ponds, lagoons, semi-enclosed bays, and large land-aqua tanks to which fresh seawater should be frequently supplied.
Gsk3β is required in the epithelium for palatal elevation in mice

In Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway, Gsk3β functions to facilitate β‐catenin degradation. Inactivation of Gsk3β in mice causes a cleft palate formation, suggesting an involvement of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling during palatogenesis. In this study, we have investigated the expression pattern, tissue‐specific requirement and function of Gsk3β during mouse palatogenesis. We showed that Gsk3β is primarily expressed in the palatal epithelium, particularly in the medial edge epithelium overlapping with β‐catenin. Tissue‐specific gene inactivation studies demonstrated an essential role for Gsk3β in the epithelium for palate elevation, and disruption of which contributes to cleft palate phenotype in Gsk3β mutant. We observed that expression of Aixn2, a direct target gene of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, is ectopically activated in the mutant tongue, but not in the palate. Our results indicate that Gsk3β is an intrinsic regulator required in the epithelium for palate elevation, and could act through a pathway independent of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling to regulate palate development. Developmental Dynamics 239:3235–3246, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.