Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiac and Aortic Remodeling in ACE2 Knockout Mice

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is present in the heart and thought to exert protective functions. We conducted studies in ACE2 deficient mice to determine whether enzyme loss would exacerbate the cardiac and vascular pathological responses to chronic subcutaneous (sc) angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion. Eight-week-old male ACE2 knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice were infused with Ang II (1000 ng/kg per min, 4 weeks) using mini-osmotic pumps. Blood pressure (radiotelemetry), cardiac function (echocardiography, echo), cardiac/aortic structure (histology, collagen, and oxidative stress), and vascular inflammation were examined. Before Ang II infusion, ACE2 KO mice showed unaltered cardiac function and blood pressure. After 4 weeks of Ang II infusion, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased from 96 ± 2 to 136 ± 17 mm Hg (∼40%) in WT and from 104 ± 5 to 141 ± 13 mm Hg (∼ 35%) in ACE2 KO. While there were no differences in MAP between groups, the ACE2 KO responded differently to the hypertensive stimulus. Echo analysis revealed severe myocardial dysfunction in Ang II-infused ACE2 KO (Ang ACE2 KO). Ejection fraction was lower (39% versus 50%) as was fractional shortening (27% versus 38%) in ACE2 KO versus WT, respectively. Cardiac dysfunction was associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy shown by increased left-ventricular wall thickness, average cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, and heart weight/body weight ratio. Collagen staining in the myocardium and aorta revealed increased collagen in Ang ACE2 KO, suggestive of remodeling. Results also showed enhanced oxidative stress in the myocardium and aorta of Ang ACE2 KO. There was a 3-fold elevation in macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP 1α) in the aorta of ACE2 KO. Studies in the ACE2 KO model reveal the importance of ACE2 in the maladaptive cardiac and aortic responses to Ang II stimulation, seen as enhanced remodeling using physiological, structural, and biochemical markers. Results document a cardio- and vascular-protective role of ACE2 under pathological conditions.
RISK ANALYSIS AND DECISION MAKING IN CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS

Claims in construction projects are inevitable and can result in costly litigation. Construction contract ambiguity, overtly restrictive terms, and unfairly allocated risks to one party increase the likelihood of disputes. The goal of this study is to introduce a decision making framework that evaluates claim processes. This paper outlines a comprehensive list of dispute triggers in construction projects. The causal relationship between these triggers are analyzed using Bayesian Belief Networks. The introduced diagrams becomes an input to a game theoretic approach which models parties’ interactions in pretrial negotiations. Then the considerations for modeling construction claims in a game theory format are elaborated. This paper concludes that the integration of Bayesian Networks and Incomplete Information Games is an effective tool to analyze construction claims.
Myelination of the Pig’s Brain: A Correlated MRI and Histological Study

Minipigs, 2, 4, 6 months old, were used to evaluate the relationship between myelination in the fiber tracts of the central nervous system (CNS) of this animal during development. Histological results showed an increased density of the myelinated fibers as well as branching of these fibers in the areas studied, including the cortical white matter, olfactory tract, the corticospinal tract, the fasciculus cuneatus and the spinal V nucleus from 2 to 6 months old. By 6 months, the pig was sexually matured. Concomitantly, there was an increase in high signal-intensity regions (sites) in the magnetic resonance T1-weighted images as myelination progressed. There is a good correlation between the histologically observed progress of myelination and the T1-weighted images in the development of the CNS of the pig.
Effects of Surface-Modified Nano-Scale Carbon Black on Cu and Zn Fractionations in Contaminated Soil

Cu contamination soil (547 mg kg–1) was mixed separately with the surface-modified nano-scale carbon black (MCB) and placed in the ratios (w/w) of 0, 1%, 3%, and 5% in pots, together with 0.33 g KH2PO4and 0.35 g urea/pot. Each pot contained 20 ryegrass seedlings (Lolium multiflorum). Greenhouse cultivation experiments were conducted to examine the effect of the MCB on Cu and Zn fractionations in soil, accumulation in shoot and growth of ryegrass. The results showed that the biomass of ryegrass shoot and root increased with the increasing of MCB adding amount (p < 0.05). The Cu and Zn accumulation in ryegrass shoot and the concentrations of DTPA extractable Cu and Zn in soil were significantly decreased with the increasing of MCB adding amount (p < 0.05). The metal contents of exchangeable and bound to carbonates (EC-Cu or EC-Zn) in the treatments with MCB were generally lower than those without MCB, and decreased with the increasing of MCB adding amount (p < 0.05). There was a positive linear correlation between the Cu and Zn accumulation in ryegrass shoot and the EC-Cu and EC-Zn in soil. The present results indicated the MCB could be applied for the remediation the soils polluted by Cu and Zn.
Durable Efficacy of Enfuvirtide Over 48 Weeks in Heavily Treatment-Experienced HIV-1-Infected Patients in the T-20 Versus Optimized Background Regimen Only 1 and 2 Clinical Trials

Background:The T-20 Versus Optimized Background Regimen Only (TORO) 1 and TORO 2 clinical trials are open-label, controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 studies comparing enfuvirtide plus an optimized background (OB) of antiretrovirals (n = 661) with OB alone (n = 334) in treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients. Methods:The primary objective at week 48 was to investigate durability of efficacy, as measured by the percentage of patients maintaining their week 24 response or improving. Efficacy analyses used the intent-to-treat population. Results:A total of 73.7% of patients randomized to the enfuvirtide group remained on treatment through week 48 versus 21.3% originally randomized to the control group. At week 48, a higher proportion of week 24 responders maintained their response or were new responders in the enfuvirtide group than in the control group in each responder category: HIV-1 RNA level ≥1.0 log10 change from baseline, <400 copies/mL and <50 copies/mL (37.4%, 30.4%, and 18.3% in the enfuvirtide group vs. 17.1%, 12.0%, and 7.8% in the control group, respectively; P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). CD4 cell count increases from baseline were twice as great in the enfuvirtide group as in the control group. Conclusion:These data demonstrate durable efficacy of enfuvirtide plus OB over 48 weeks.
Experimental investigation of cavitation in superfluid 4He.

We present the results of experiments to study cavitation in liquid [sup 4]He at negative pressures. A focused sound wave is used to generate a negative pressure in a small region of the liquid, and the cavitation is detected by light scattering. We have studied the cavitation as a function of the temperature and static pressure applied to the liquid. We are able to observe the statistical nature of the cavitation process, and to determine the nucleation barrier and the attempt frequency. The results for the attempt frequency are lower than expected for homogeneous nucleation. We discuss the possibility that the nucleation is occurring on quantized vortices. The tensile strength at constant pressure decreases slowly with increasing temperature in the range 0.8 to 1.5 K, drops rapidly as the temperature approaches the [lambda] point, and then decreases slowly above [ital T][sub [lambda]].
A 2.6 GHz RF power amplifier with 25.6 dBm linear power and −47 dBc ACLR for small-cell applications

A broadband RFIC power amplifier covering 2.5 to 2.7 GHz band and targeting LTE small-cell applications has been implemented through GaAs HBT technology. To meet high linearity requirements of LTE small-cell applications, the proposed linearization bias circuit has the characteristics of gain and phase compensations for the proposed power amplifier. The power amplifier achieves 1-dB compression point (P1dB) of 32.2 dBm and the power-added efficiency (PAE) at P1dB of 39.7%. When the proposed power amplifier is tested with standard LTE 20 MHz signal, the obtained −47 dBc adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) compliant output power and PAE are 25.6 dBm and 17.2 %, respectively.
Factors Affecting Detectability of River Otters During Sign Surveys

ABSTRACT Sign surveys are commonly used to study and monitor wildlife species but may be flawed when surveys are conducted only once and cover short distances, which can lead to a lack of accountability for false absences. Multiple observers surveyed for river otter (Lontra canadensis) scat and tracks along stream and reservoir shorelines at 110 randomly selected sites in eastern Kansas from January to April 2008 and 2009 to determine if detection probability differed among substrates, sign types, observers, survey lengths, and near access points. We estimated detection probabilities (p) of river otters using occupancy models in Program PRESENCE. Mean detection probability for a 400-m survey was highest in mud substrates (p = 0.60) and lowest in snow (p = 0.18) and leaf litter substrates (p = 0.27). Scat had a higher detection probability (p = 0.53) than tracks (p = 0.18), and experienced observers had higher detection probabilities (p > 0.71) than novice observers (p < 0.55). Detection probabilities increased almost 3-fold as survey length increased from 200 m to 1,000 m, and otter sign was not concentrated near access points. After accounting for imperfect detection, our estimates of otter site occupancy based on a 400-m survey increased >3-fold, providing further evidence of the potential negative bias that can occur in estimates from sign surveys when imperfect detection is not addressed. Our study identifies areas for improvement in sign survey methodologies and results are applicable for sign surveys commonly used for many species across a range of habitats.
The challenges and opportunities of the new IEC 62586 standards on power quality instrument type tests

IEC 62586 was just released as the standard for functional and type test on power quality instruments. Together with the existing IEC61000-4-30 series standards, IEC 62586 completes the testing needs on development and calibration over power quality related devices. While the specified tests in this new standard could be challenging in terms of signal generation, the benefits to the power quality meter and protection relay industries are obvious. The purpose of this study is to share our understandings and experiences on the new IEC 62586 standards with a focus on the challenges and opportunities which the new IEC standards bring to the industry and utilities. At the end of our paper, the suggested methods of automatic testing is elaborated as well.
Evaluation of the switching characteristics of a gallium-nitride transistor

Gallium-nitride (GaN) technology for power conversion is maturing, with a growing need to evaluate the capabilities of GaN devices in high switching frequency and elevated ambient temperature operation. These capabilities may particularly benefit systems constrained by strict EMI standards, due to the possibility of significant size and weight reduction. An inductive load tester circuit has been developed for switching characterization of a GaN transistor (EPC1010) and a paired silicon diode (SBR10U200P5). Maximum measured switching speeds for hard switching turn-on and turn-off transitions were dv/dt(on) = 4 V/ns, di/dt(on) = 4.5 A/ns, and dv/dt(off) = 18 V/ns, di/dt(off) = 5 A/ns respectively. Total measured switching energy loss was Etot = 40 µJ under 100 V supply voltage and 15 A load current conditions, with little change with increase of transistor junction temperature from 25 °C to 100 °C. Zero-voltage switching reduced loss to only Etot = 6 µJ, thus enabling high switching frequency operation. As the switching pair of a silicon diode and an EPC1010 is not suitable in hard switching mode and high switching frequency operation due to high switching loss of the turn-on process, another tester was built. Here, two EPC1010 devices were used in a phase-leg configuration. The fastest switching speeds were dv/dt(on) = 21 V/ns, di/dt(on) = 9 A/ns, and dv/dt(off) = 20 V/ns, di/dt(off) = 2 A/ns respectively. Total measured switching energy loss was Etot = 11 µJ, under 100 V supply voltage and 15 A load current conditions.
N′-(2-Chlorobenzylidene)-2-fluorobenzohydrazide

The title hydrazone compound, C14H10ClFN2O, adopts an E configuration about the C=N double bond. The dihedral angle between the two substituted benzene rings is 11.6 (2)°. The F atom is disordered over two sites with occupancies of 0.488 (2) and 0.512 (2). In the crystal, molecules are linked through intermolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the a axis. C—H⋯F and C—H⋯O interactions also occur.
Plasma advanced glycation end-products and skin autofluorescence are increased in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. These conditions may lead to the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). In this study we investigated in 88 COPD patients and 55 control subjects (80% ex-smokers) the association of the plasma protein-bound AGEs Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), pentosidine, Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), and AGE accumulation in skin by skin autofluorescence (AFR), with lung function. Mean±sd plasma CML was decreased (COPD 61.6±15.6 nmol·mmol−1 lysine, never-smokers 80.7±19.8 nmol·mmol−1 lysine and ex-smokers 82.9±19.3 nmol·mmol−1 lysine) and CEL (COPD 39.1±10.9 nmol·mmol−1 lysine, never-smokers 30.4±5.0 nmol·mmol−1 lysine and ex-smokers 27.7±6.4 nmol·mmol−1 lysine) and AFR (COPD 3.33±0.67 arbitrary units (AU), never-smokers 2.24±0.45 AU and ex-smokers 2.31±0.47 AU) were increased in COPD patients compared to controls. Disease state was inversely associated with CML, and linearly associated with CEL and AFR. Performing regression analyses in the total group, CEL and AFR showed a negative association and CML a positive association with lung function, even after correction for potential confounders. In conclusion, CEL and AFR were negatively and CML was positively associated with disease state. In the total group only the AGEs showed an association with forced expiratory volume in 1 s. Our data suggest that AGEs are involved in the pathophysiology of COPD, although their exact role remains to be determined. Advanced glycation end-products are involved in the pathophysiology of COPD, but their exact role remains unknown http://ow.ly/r2wBR
Artistic productivity and creative thinking in Parkinson’s disease

Background and purpose: Creative drive and enhanced artistic‐like production may emerge in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) during dopaminergic therapy. However, it has not been described to date whether this artistic‐like production results from dopaminergic drugs triggering innate skills or it could be considered as a repeated behavior possibly associated with impulse control disorders (ICDs).
A modified cysteinyl-labeling assay reveals reversible oxidation of protein tyrosine phosphatases in angiomyolipoma cells

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) exerts an additional tier of control over tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent signal transduction by transiently inhibiting the catalytic activity of specific protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Hence, the ability to detect reversible oxidation of PTPs in vivo is critical to understanding the complex biological role of ROS in the control of cellular signaling. Here, we describe an assay for identifying those PTPs that are reversibly oxidized in vivo, which utilizes the unique chemistry of the invariant catalytic Cys residue in labeling the active site with biotinylated small molecules under mildly acidic conditions. We have applied this cysteinyl-labeling assay to the study of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor signaling in an angiomyolipoma cell model. Doing so has allowed us to detect reversible oxidation of several proteins in response to sustained PDGF stimulation. As in other cell systems, we have observed the reversible oxidation of the classical PTP SHP2 and the tumor suppressor phosphatase PTEN in response to PDGF stimulation. Furthermore, we detected reversible oxidation of members of two other subclasses of PTPs, the receptor PTP LAR and the dual-specificity phosphatase MKP1. These data demonstrate the broad selectivity of the assay, allowing us to detect representatives of all of the major subgroups of the PTP superfamily. We anticipate that this cysteinyl-labeling enrichment strategy can be applied broadly to study reversible oxidation as a mechanism of harnessing PTP catalytic activity in a variety of signaling pathways.
Impact d’une déficience en acides gras polyinsaturés (AGPI) de la série n-3 sur les comportements émotionnels et la plasticité cérébrale chez la souris

Un faible apport alimentaire en acides gras polyinsatures (AGPI) de la serie n-3 a ete associe a la prevalence des troubles de l'humeur chez l’Homme. Chez les rongeurs, les approches nutritionnelles visant a modeliser une alimentation pauvre en AGPI n-3 ont largement ete developpees au siecle dernier. En effet, un regime alimentaire carence en AGPI n-3 sur une ou plusieurs generations induit chez le rongeur des alterations des comportements emotionnels tels que des comportements de type depressif ou anxieux. Nous avons montre au laboratoire Nutrineuro que des souris nourries avec un regime deficient en AGPI n-3 presentent des niveaux d’AGPI n-3, en particulier l'acide docosahexaenoique (DHA, un AGPI n-3) plus faible dans le cortex prefrontal (PFC) et dans le noyau accumbens (NAc) par rapport aux souris controle. De plus, nous avons pu mettre en evidence qu’une alimentation deficiente en AGPI n-3 est capable de moduler la plasticite synaptique dependante du systeme endocannabinoide (eCB). De fait, la reduction de DHA dans le CPF et le NAc est accompagnee d'une alteration de la depression a long terme (LTD-eCB) et des voies de signalisation dependantes du systeme eCB au niveau du CPF (Lafourcade et al., 2011 ; Larrieu et al, 2012). Nos donnees indiquent que ces alterations sont dues a un decouplage entre le recepteur cannabinoide 1 (CB1R) et la proteine Gi/o. De plus, les souris deficientes en AGPI n-3 presentent des deficits comportementaux dans plusieurs tests evaluant les comportements emotionnels. Afin de mieux comprendre les mecanismes qui sous-tendent la diminution du DHA dans le CPF et les alterations des comportements emotionnels, nous avons etudie la morphologie neuronale dans le CPF et l’axe hypothalamo-hypophysaire (HPA) chez les souris deficientes en AGPI n-3. Nous avons montre que le regime alimentaire deficient en AGPI n-3 induit une atrophie de l’arborisation dendritique dans les neurones pyramidaux du CPF. L'atrophie dendritique est semblable a celle mesuree chez les souris soumises au regime equilibre en AGPI n-3 et soumises a un stress chronique de defaite sociale (CSDS). Aucun effet additionnel du CSDS sur la morphologie neuronale et le comportement emotionnel n’a ete observe chez les souris deficientes en AGPI n-3. Nous avons ensuite etudie le role de l’axe HPA dans le developpement des alterations comportementales et neurobiologiques chez les souris deficientes en AGPI n-3. Ces souris presentent une diminution de l'expression des recepteurs des glucocorticoides (GR) dans le CPF associee a une augmentation des taux circulants de corticosterone. Dans leur ensemble, nos resultats montrent qu’un faible apport alimentaire en AGPI n-3 peut modifier la plasticite synaptique dependante du systeme eCB ainsi que l’arborisation dendritique des neurones du CPF. Nous avons egalement pu montrer que l’elevation des niveaux de corticosterone etait impliquee dans l’alteration des comportements emotionnels observee chez des souris nourries avec un regime deficient en AGPI n-3.
Das Lidschlussverhalten als Indikator fuer Aufmerksamkeits- und Muedigkeitsprozesse bei Arbeitshandlungen

Muedigkeit ist nach einer Studie des Gesamtverbandes der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschafi (GdV) bei 24 Prozent der toedlichen Autobahnunfaelle die Unfallursache. Der Anteil von Unfaellen, die auf geminderte Aufmerksamkeit zurueckzufuehren ist, liegt weit hoeher. Ziel muss demnach sein, leistungsgeminderte Zustaende waehrend Arbeitshandlungen (Autofahren) fruehzeitig zu erkennen, um adaequate Gegenmassnahmen zu ergreifen. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt auf, dass sich das Lidschlussverhalten in besonderer Weise zur Erkennung von Aufmerksamkeits- und Muedigkeitsprozessen eignet. Gegenstand sind die messmethodischen Voraussetzungen der Signalerfassung, die Parameterentwicklung und die Validierung eines lidschlussbasierten Algorithmus, der die Unterscheidung von vier verschiedenen Stadien von "wach" bis "schlaefrig" und der damit verbundenen Leistungseinschraenkungen gestattet. Damit wird eine Methode aufgezeigt, die es erlaubt, den Fahrerzustand ueber den ganzen Bereich zu erfassen und ihn fuer die Anpassung und Steuerung von Fahrerassistenz und Fahrerinformation zu verwenden. (A)
Studies on the character and staining of fibrin

There are few satisfactory staining methods for fibrin. There are even fewer clear definitions of the material for which these methods are commended. In sections of tissue the older pathologists recognized three phenomena to which they gave the name fibrin. These were: (a) The networks and more solid masses within blood vessels that formed a large part of the substance of what had been seen with the naked eye as a thrombus; (b) the extravascular networks ofsomewhat comparable structure associated with acute inflammation and seen in the interstitial tissue, in the arachnoid space, or in pneumonic alveoli; and (c) the more solid and plaque-like masses occurring on serous surfaces. When observations came to be made on the hyaline eosinophilic fibrin-like material found to be present in pathological processes other than simple coagulation and the pyogenic lesions, the names given to it were curiously varied. It is a measure of this vagueness that in tissues from rheumatic disease of the heart the eosinophilic deposit on the epicardial surface was called 'fibrin', a comparable deposit in the superficial layers of the mitral valve was called 'platelets', and the eosinophilic and slightly refractile network of the reticular Aschoff body was called 'fibrinoid'. Within recent years, almost contemporaneously with the falling incidence of acute pyogenic inflammation, there has been an increasing recognition and experience of this fibrin-like material which, with the classical methods for staining fibrin, gives varied degrees of positiveness; typical examples are the intra-alveolar networks in the lungs of subjects with uraemia or cardiac failure, and the deposits of hyaline materials within the walls of blood vessels ('fibrinous vasculosis', Lendrum, 1955, 1956) as seen in systemic and pulmonary hypertension, in areas of infarction, and in the diseases which for want of more exact knowledge we group under the term 'sensitization'. It is fashionable still to call this material 'fibrinoid' but the new methods for demonstrating fibrin described below all give a sharp, contrasty snining reaction with this material, a finding which encourages us to abjure this melodious but misleading term. The fact of identical staining reaction on these