Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corona discharge in the hyperbolic point-plane configuration: direct ionization criterion versus an approximate formulations

The paper presents an algorithm to simulate the electric corona discharge in the two-dimensional hyperbolic needle-ground plate configuration. The boundary conditions for the space charge density are derived from the direct ionisation criterion. This technique doesn't rely on the Kaptzov hypothesis and can be used for any shape of the discharge electrode. The proposed algorithm has been compared with two approximate ones. One uses the Kaptzov hypothesis that the electric field on the corona electrode surface remains constant, with the value derived from the ionisation criterion, assuming that the electric field is Laplacian. The other one mechanically applies the Peek formula for the cylindrical wire, after replacing the wire radius with the surface curvature radius at given point of the electrode. The differences between all three approaches are negligible for small corona currents; they are noticeable, but still small, for higher currents.
Guillain‐Barré syndrome in the elderly

The aim of the study was to analyze specific features of Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) in old people. The study included 403 GBS patients (62% young [<60 years], 35% young‐old [60–80 years], and 3% old‐old [>80 years]). Diagnosis of GBS was made according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS criteria). Severe disability (GBS disability score of >3) at nadir was more common in old compared with young patients (p = 0.0001) as was mortality (9% vs. 2%, respectively). Acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy and hyponatremia were more common in old compared with young patients (12% vs. 6% and 27% vs. 18%, respectively, p = 0.04). A positive history for malignancy was more than three times more common in old than young patients (11% vs. 3%, respectively, p = 0.01). Disability on nadir was similar in young‐old and old‐old subjects with disability on discharge being more severe in old‐old (p = 0.04) suggesting slower recovery in this subgroup. Bulbar symptoms were more common in old‐old compared with young‐old (50% vs. 19%, respectively, p = 0.01). Comorbidities were present in virtually all old‐old patients compared with 66% of young‐old patients (p = 0.04). In conclusion, Elderly patients, and especially old‐old patients, with GBS have more severe disease with slower recovery than do younger patients.
The 50 most cited manuscripts by Indian periodontists: a citation analysis of PubMed database.

BACKGROUND Personality of a scientific publication enhances after receiving citations which in turn reflect its recognition and impact on science. There are no reported citation analyses of publications in Indian context. OBJECTIVES Analyze citations received by publications of Indian periodontists available with Pubmed database which were published till 1st March, 2012 and to select top-50-cited articles based on Pubmed citations till 15th May, 2012. METHODS Studies were identified by running select search-phrases on Pubmed search. Search inputs included, 'dental', 'oral', etc. A parallel search with above phrases including 'India' was also done for India-specific publications. All publications with available abstracts were analyzed for selected parameters and their citability. The citable articles were then individually searched for citations using various databases, and citations were analyzed. RESULTS The total number of articles published was 764 out of that citable articles were 585. The total number of Pubmed citations was 1033 for 248 cited articles. The citations received to articles in International journals (2.72 citations/article) were significantly more than National journals (0.67 citations/article). Out of top 50 most cited articles, 38 (76%) were published in journals with impact factors. CONCLUSION Although articles without citations outnumbered articles with citations, the articles published by Indian periodontists in international journals were moderately acknowledged by non-Indian authors. The articles published in national journals, to the most part were barely noticed. The articles published in journals with impact factors tend to receive maximum citations and these articles have high probability to top the list of most cited articles. IMPLICATIONS Developing nations are also progressing in right directions and are catching up with developed nations, albeit to smaller scales. There is a need to publish more and more cutting edge research manuscripts in national and international reputed journals.
Postural Sway and Exposure to Jet Propulsion Fuel 8 Among US Air Force Personnel

Objective: To determine whether short-term jet propulsion fuel 8 (JP-8) exposure is associated with balance measurements in JP-8–exposed air force personnel. Methods: As part of a larger neuroepidemiology study, balance tasks were completed by JP-8–exposed individuals (n = 37). Short-term JP-8 exposure was measured using personal breathing zone levels and urinary biomarkers. Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between workday JP-8 exposure and postural sway. Results: Balance control decreased as the task became more challenging. Workday exposure to JP-8, measured by either personal air or urinary metabolite levels, was not significantly related to postural sway. Increases in workday postural sway were associated with demographic variables, including younger age, being a current smoker, and higher body mass index. Conclusion: Results suggest that short-term workday JP-8 exposure does not significantly contribute to diminished balance control.
Morphology of the Lumbar Vertebral Endplates

Study Design. The dimensions and shapes of vertebral body endplates of inferior L4, inferior and superior L5, and superior S1 were analyzed. Computed tomographic scans parallel to each endplate were used to develop a standardized geometric model of the boundaries of each vertebral body. Objectives. To provide a detailed analytic and geometric model of the vertebral endplates from the inferior surface of L4 to the superior surface of S1. Summary of Background Data. Although measurements of the sagittal and maximum transverse diameters of the vertebral bodies have been well documented, no study offers a complete geometric description of the shape of the endplates. Also, information acquired using the techniques of previous published reports may not provide measurements as accurate as those of the current investigation. Methods. Twenty‐five men and 21 women were studied. Computed tomographic scans of the endplates were digitized. The data were interpolated, and multivariate regression equations were derived to devise a standardized model. Measurements were taken, and the data were curve fitted to give best‐fit equations for the standardized models. Results. The endplates resembled a cardioid at the inferior L4 level and became more elliptical toward the superior S1 level. The sagittal and transverse diameters of the endplates of inferior L4, superior and inferior L5, and superior S1 are provided and compared with those reported in previous studies. Conclusion. Although the female endplates are smaller than their male counterparts, the overall shapes are similar.
Performance of Visual Inspection With Acetic Acid for Cervical Cancer Screening: A Qualitative Summary of Evidence to Date

Developing countries often lack the necessary resources to use the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear as a screening tool for cervical abnormalities. Because the burden of cervical cancer is highest in such low-resource settings, alternative techniques have been sought. Recently, interest in visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) has increased. Numerous studies have been conducted on its accuracy and its ability to detect cervical lesions when compared with other techniques, both conventional and nonconventional. This review summarizes key findings from the literature to provide researchers and policymakers with an up-to-date summary on VIA. PubMed was used to identify relevant journal articles published between 1982 and 2002. Key words were cervical cancer screening, visual inspection, VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid), DVI (direct visual inspection), AAT (acetic acid test), and cervicoscopy. Studies were eligible for review only if they involved analysis of primary VIA data (ie, not review articles); studies involving magnification devices were excluded. Fifteen studies were reviewed in total; key results were extracted and a summary analysis was performed for sensitivity and specificity parameters. When reported, sensitivity ranged between 66% and 96% and specificity between 64% and 98%. Authors comparing VIA with cytology noted that the overall usefulness of VIA compares favorably with that of the Pap test. The reported findings reviewed here suggest that VIA has the potential to be a cervical cancer screening tool, especially in low resource settings. Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians Learning Objectives: After completion of this article, the reader will be able to describe how visual inspection of the cervix for cervical cancer screening (VIA) is performed, to summarize the current literature on VIA, and to list potential advantages of VIA.
Molecular mechanisms of human thyrocyte dysfunction induced by low concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl 118 through the Akt/FoxO3a/NIS pathway

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are typical persistent organic pollutants that can interfere with multiple organ systems of humans. Previously, we concluded that persistent exposure to low doses of PCB118 could severely damage the thyroidal structure, dramatically decrease the concentration of serum thyroid hormones and inhibit the pivotal gene expressions such as sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) and thyroglobulin (Tg). To explore the molecular mechanisms of thyrocyte dysfunction induced by 2,3′,4,4′,5‐pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB118), monolayer cultured human thyroid epithelial cells (HTECs) were treated with PCB118 or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a control. Our results indicated that relatively higher concentrations of PCB118 could induce a loss in the viability of HTEC. In cultures with concentrations of PCB118 from 0.025 to 25 nM, which did not affect cell viability or apoptosis, concentrations of Tg and thyroxine (T4) were significantly decreased compared with those in the controls. In addition, mRNA and protein levels of Akt were increased significantly in the PCB118‐treated groups, whereas FoxO3a expression did not show particular variation. Furthermore, exposure to PCB118 was associated with a significant increase of the protein levels of p‐Akt and p‐FoxO3a, and these effects were blocked by LY294002. In contrast, mRNA and protein expression levels of NIS were decreased significantly, and this effect was blocked by LY294002. Unlike control cells, a cytoplasmic shift of FoxO3a was observed in the PCB118‐treated group. Our research suggests that PCB118 may induce thyrocyte dysfunction through the Akt/FoxO3a/NIS signalling pathway, which provides potential new insights for finding interventions to counteract the damage to the human body caused by PCBs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward a better understanding of what makes positive psychology interventions work: predicting happiness and depression from the person × intervention fit in a follow-up after 3.5 years.

BACKGROUND Robust evidence exists that positive psychology interventions are effective in enhancing well-being and ameliorating depression. Comparatively little is known about the conditions under which they work best. Models describing characteristics that impact the effectiveness of positive interventions typically contain features of the person, of the activity, and the fit between the two. This study focuses on indicators of the person × intervention fit in predicting happiness and depressive symptoms 3.5 years after completion of the intervention. METHODS A sample of 165 women completed measures for happiness and depressive symptoms before and about 3.5 years after completion of a positive intervention (random assignment to one out of nine interventions, which were aggregated for the analyses). Four fit indicators were assessed: Preference; continued practice; effort; and early reactivity. RESULTS Three out of four person × intervention fit indicators were positively related to happiness or negatively related to depression when controlled for the pretest scores. Together, they explained 6 per cent of the variance in happiness, and 10 per cent of the variance of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Most tested indicators of a person × intervention fit are robust predictors of happiness and depressive symptoms-even after 3.5 years. They might serve for an early estimation of the effectiveness of a positive intervention.
A metasurfaced circularly polarized antenna

An X-band metasurfaced (MS) antenna is proposed for circular polarization (CP) operation. The antenna consists of a patch antenna and a MS, which are printed on a single substrate, resulting in low profile. Results show that, with using the MS, the antenna can achieve an impedance bandwidth (IMBW) of 9.24–10.16 GHz (0.92 GHz, 9.5%) and an axial-ratio bandwidth (ARBW) of 9.54–9.94 GHz (0.4 GHz, 4.1%), and increase the boresight gain by about 2 dB on average within the ARBW.
Users' Perceptions of the Impact of Electronic Aids to Daily Living Throughout the Acquisition Process

This study investigated the experience of seven new users of a particular type of assistive technology through the stages of anticipating, acquiring, and using an electronic aid to daily living. A mixed methods research approach was used to explore each of these stages. The Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale was used to measure the perceived impact of the new assistive technology on users' quality of life, and findings were further explored and developed through open-ended questioning of the participants. Results indicated that preacquisition of the device, users predicted that the electronic aid to daily living would have a positive impact on their feelings of competence and confidence and that the device would enable them in a positive way. One month after acquiring the device a reduced, yet still positive, impact was observed. By 3 and 6 months after acquisition, perceived impact returned to the same positive high level as preacquisition. It is suggested that prior to receiving the device, potential users have positive expectations for the device that are not based in experience. At the early acquisition time, users adjust expectations of the role of the assistive technology in their lives and strive to balance expectations with reality. Three to 6 months after acquiring an electronic aid to daily living, the participants have a high positive view of how the device impacts on their lives based in experience and reality. A model illustrating the electronic aids to daily living acquisition process is proposed, and suggestions for future study are provided.
Changes in Cellular Fatty Acid Composition of Cephalosporium acremonium during Cephalosporin C Production

Cephalosporium acremonium was cultivated in fermentation medium containing sucrose or methyl oleate as a carbon source for cephalosporin C production. The level of antibiotic production was 48 g of cephalosporin C per liter under optimum conditions when methyl oleate was used. The C18:1 (oleic acid) methyl ester appeared to be utilized faster than the C18:2 (linoleic acid) methyl ester in fermentation broth. Physiological characteristics of C. acremonium were investigated by determining the fatty acid composition of the total cellular free lipid. Significant changes in cellular fatty acid composition occurred during inoculum cultivation and fermentation. The percentage of C18:1 increased from 19.1 to 38.5%, but the percentage of C18:2 decreased from 56.7 to 36.1%, and there was an increase in pH during inoculum cultivation. The cellular fatty acid composition of C. acremonium grown in fermentation medium containing methyl oleate (methyl oleate medium) was significantly different from that in fermentation medium containing sucrose (sucrose medium). The major fatty acids detected were C16:0 (palmitic acid), C18:1, and C18:2. In methyl oleate medium, the ratio of C18:1 to C18:2 increased from 0.34 to 1.37, while the cell morphology changed from hyphae to arthrospores and conidia. In contrast, in sucrose medium, the ratio of C18:1 to C18:2 decreased from 0.70 to 0.43, and most of the cells remained hyphal at the end of fermentation. We observed that hyphae contained a higher proportion of C18:2 but arthrospores and conidia contained a higher proportion of C18:1.
A Ring-Oscillator-Based Wide Locking Range Frequency Divider

This letter proposes a wide locking range injection locked frequency divider (ILFD) and describes the operation principle of the ILFD. The circuit is made of a dual band two-stage differential complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) ring oscillator and is based on MOS switches directly coupled to the differential outputs of the ring oscillator. The divide-by-two ILFD can provide wide locking range and the measurement results show that at the supply voltage of 1.8-V, the divider free-running frequencies are 1.36GHz and 2.3GHz, and at the incident power of 0dBm, the locking range is about 1.75GHz from the incident frequency 1.9GHz to 3.65GHz at low band and 2.55GHz from 2.95GHz to 5.5GHz at high band
Central Venous Septic Thrombophlebitis—The Role of Medical Therapy

Suppurative thrombosis of a central vein is a serious complication of central venous catheter use. Surgical removal of the vein, the treatment usually recommended for peripheral vein suppuration, is technically difficult. We describe six patients with central venous septic thrombophlebitis. Four patients were receiving TPN; three from this group were successfully treated medically with removal of the catheter, intravenous antibiotics, and anticoagulants. The fourth patient improved clinically with 2 weeks of medical therapy prior to surgery, which showed the clot to be sterile. In contrast, two patients with suppuration adjacent to and secondarily involving a large vein required surgical drainage of the perivenous collection. Patients with central venous septic thrombophlebitis can be successfully managed with prompt catheter removal, intravenous antibiotics, and anticoagulation, but surgery should be considered when there is a suppurative focus around the vein.
Nestin-Expressing Precursors Give Rise to Both Endothelial as well as Nonendothelial Lymph Node Stromal Cells

During embryogenesis, lymph nodes form through intimate interaction between lymphoid tissue inducer and lymphoid tissue organizer (LTo) cells. Shortly after birth in mice, specialized stromal cell subsets arise that organize microenvironments within the lymph nodes; however, their direct precursors have not yet been identified. In the bone marrow, mesenchymal stem cells are labeled with GFP in nestin-GFP mice, and we show that during all stages of development, nestin+ cells are present within lymph nodes of these mice. At day of birth, both mesenchymal CD31− and endothelial CD31+ LTo cells were GFP+, and only the population of CD31− LTo cells contained mesenchymal precursors. These CD31−nestin+ cells are found in the T and B cell zones or in close association with high endothelial venules in adult lymph nodes. Fate mapping of nestin+ cells unambiguously revealed the contribution of nestin+ precursor cells to the mesenchymal as well as the endothelial stromal populations within lymph nodes. However, postnatal tamoxifen induced targeting of nestin+ cells in nes-creER mice showed that most endothelial cells and only a minority of the nonendothelial cells were labeled. Overall our data show that nestin+ cells contribute to all subsets of the complex stromal populations that can be found in lymph nodes.
phnE and glpT Genes Enhance Utilization of Organophosphates in Escherichia coliK-12

ABSTRACT Wild-type Escherichia coli K-12 strain JA221 grows poorly on low concentrations (≤1 mM) of diisopropyl fluorophosphate and its hydrolysis product, diisopropyl phosphate (DIPP), as sole phosphorus sources. Spontaneous organophosphate utilization (OPU) mutants were isolated that efficiently utilized these alternate sources of phosphate. A genomic library was constructed from one such OPU mutant, and two genes were isolated that conferred the OPU phenotype to strain JA221 upon transformation. These genes were identified asphnE and glpT. The original OPU mutation represented phnE gene activation and corresponded to the same 8-bp unit deletion from the cryptic wild-type E. coliK-12 phnE gene that has been shown previously to result inphnE activation. In comparison, sequence analysis revealed that the observed OPU phenotype conferred by the glpT gene was not the result of a mutation. PCR clones of glpT from both the mutant and the wild type were found to confer the OPU phenotype to JA221 when they were present on the high-copy-number pUC19 plasmid but not when they were present on the low-copy-number pWSK29 plasmid. This suggests that the OPU phenotype associated with theglpT gene is the result of amplification and overproduction of the glpT gene product. Both the active phnEand multicopy glpT genes facilitated effective metabolism of low concentrations of DIPP, whereas only the active phnEgene could confer the ability to break down a chromogenic substrate, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoxyl phosphate-p-toluidine (X-Pi). This result indicates that in E. coli, X-Pi is transported exclusively by the Phn system, whereas DIPP (or its metabolite) may be transported by both Phn and Glp systems.
Neural Correlates of Sevoflurane-induced Unconsciousness Identified by Simultaneous Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Electroencephalography

Background:The neural correlates of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness have yet to be fully elucidated. Sedative and anesthetic states induced by propofol have been studied extensively, consistently revealing a decrease of frontoparietal and thalamocortical connectivity. There is, however, less understanding of the effects of halogenated ethers on functional brain networks. Methods:The authors recorded simultaneous resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography in 16 artificially ventilated volunteers during sevoflurane anesthesia at burst suppression and 3 and 2 vol% steady-state concentrations for 700 s each to assess functional connectivity changes compared to wakefulness. Electroencephalographic data were analyzed using symbolic transfer entropy (surrogate of information transfer) and permutation entropy (surrogate of cortical information processing). Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were analyzed by an independent component analysis and a region-of-interest–based analysis. Results:Electroencephalographic analysis showed a significant reduction of anterior-to-posterior symbolic transfer entropy and global permutation entropy. At 2 vol% sevoflurane concentrations, frontal and thalamic networks identified by independent component analysis showed significantly reduced within-network connectivity. Primary sensory networks did not show a significant change. At burst suppression, all cortical networks showed significantly reduced functional connectivity. Region-of-interest–based thalamic connectivity at 2 vol% was significantly reduced to frontoparietal and posterior cingulate cortices but not to sensory areas. Conclusions:Sevoflurane decreased frontal and thalamocortical connectivity. The changes in blood oxygenation level dependent connectivity were consistent with reduced anterior-to-posterior directed connectivity and reduced cortical information processing. These data advance the understanding of sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness and contribute to a neural basis of electroencephalographic measures that hold promise for intraoperative anesthesia monitoring.