Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Sulfite Treatment on Erythrocyte Deformability in Young and Aged Rats

It is known that aging is associated with marked effects on integrity and function of cell membrane. These effects may also be exacerbated by exogenous chemicals, e.g. sulfite. Thus, the aim of this paper is to examine the influence of sulfite on hemorheological and related hematological parameters in rats of various ages. In this study, male Wistar rats at the age of 3 and 18 months were used and the following parameters were evaluated: Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Red blood Cell (RBC) deformability and aggregation. The results show that aging is associated with a decrease in RBC deformability and MCHC, an increase in MCV. Sulfite administration significantly increased RBC deformability in both young and aged rats. Although MCHC was decreased in young rats, it was increased in aged rats in response to sulfite exposure. Additionally, sulfite induced a decrement in MCV of aged rats. Neither aging nor sulfite treatment caused significant alterations in RBC aggregation parameters in all experimental groups. In conclusion, these findings suggest that RBC deformability impairs with age and sulfite has ameliorating effects on RBC deformability in both young and aged rats.
New open‐source ictal SPECT analysis method implemented in BioImage Suite

Ictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a powerful tool for noninvasive seizure localization, but it has been underutilized because of practical challenges, including difficulty in implementing ictal‐interictal SPECT difference analysis. We previously validated a freely available utility for this purpose, ictal‐interictal subtraction analysis by statistical parametric mapping (SPM) (ISAS). To further simplify and improve the difference imaging technique, we now compare a new algorithm, ISAS BioImage Suite (see http://spect.yale.edu and http://bioimagesuite.org), to the original ISAS method in 13 patients with known seizure localization. We found that ISAS BioImage Suite was in agreement with the original algorithm in all cases for which ISAS correctly identified a single unambiguous region of seizure onset. We also tested for possible effects of scan‐order bias in the control group used for the analysis and found no significant effect on the results. These findings establish a simple, validated and objective method for analyzing ictal‐interictal SPECT difference images for use in the care of patients with epilepsy.
Comorbid ADHD is associated with altered patterns of neuronal activation in adolescents with bipolar disorder performing a simple attention task.

OBJECTIVES Bipolar disorder is increasingly recognized as a significant source of psychiatric morbidity in children and adolescents. Younger bipolar patients symptomatically differ from adults, and frequently present with comorbid disorders, particularly attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The neurophysiological relationship between these two disorders, however, remains unclear. In this study we utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare activation patterns during performance of a simple attention task between bipolar adolescents with and without ADHD. METHODS Eleven bipolar adolescents with comorbid ADHD and 15 bipolar adolescents without comorbidity were recruited to participate in fMRI scans. A single-digit continuous performance task alternated with a control task in a block-design paradigm. between-group comparisons were made using voxel-by-voxel analysis. Follow-up correlations were made between performance and activation. RESULTS Group performance did not significantly differ in percentage correct (p = 0.36) or discriminability (p = 0.11). ADHD comorbidity was associated with less activation in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann 10) and anterior cingulate, and greater activation in posterior parietal cortex and middle temporal gyrus. Comorbid ADHD was associated with substantial differences in patterns of correlation between performance and voxel-by-voxel activation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that comorbid ADHD in bipolar adolescents is associated with activation of alternative pathways during performance of a simple attention task. The pattern of differences suggests that bipolar adolescents with comorbid ADHD demonstrate decreased activation of prefrontal regions, compared with bipolar adolescents without ADHD, and preferentially recruit portions of posterior parietal and temporal cortex.
Evaluation and Refinement of a Restructured Introduction to Engineering Design Course Using Student Surveys and MBTI Data

A major restructuring of the Sophomore level “Introduction to Design Theory” course at the United States Air Force Academy has recently been completed. The most significant aspect of this restructuring is the addition of a redesign component to the course. In order to gauge the effectiveness of this restructuring, a questionnaire was developed to determine student rating of the course content lecture by lecture. Student responses are compared from before and after the restructuring. In addition, Myers/Briggs Types Indicator (MBTI) data are correlated with responses from specific lectures to determine if portions of the restructured course can be further improved. Results indicate that the course restructuring has been viewed positively by the students. Also, MBTI data indicate that, with additional effort towards providing “hands-on” experiences as well as increasing the amount of abstract content, the content can be better directed to the span of MBTI types. In addition, increased ties to student’s design projects and other relevant examples will further improve the present course.
Public health implications.

* Vitamin K prophylaxis to the newborn is beneficial in preventing early and late haemorrhagic disease * Recent epidemiological studies indicated that intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis doubled the risk for childhood cancer * In this study all Swedish infants born full term after non-instrumental delivery during 1973-89 were followed up for cancer until 1992 * No increase in risk of childhood cancer or childhood leukaemia was found with intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis
Multi‐colour direct STORM with red emitting carbocyanines

Single molecule‐based super‐resolution methods have become important tools to study nanoscale structures in cell biology. However, the complexity of multi‐colour applications has prevented them from being widely used amongst biologists. Direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) offers a simple way to perform single molecule super‐resolution imaging without the need for an activator fluorophore and compatible with many conventionally used fluorophores. The search for the ideal dye pairs suitable for dual‐colour dSTORM has been compromised by the fact that fluorophores spectrally apt for dual‐colour imaging differ with respect to the optimal buffer conditions required for photoswitching and the generation of prolonged non‐fluorescent (OFF) states.
Low-cost oblique illumination: an image quality assessment

Abstract. We study the effectiveness of several low-cost oblique illumination filters to improve overall image quality, in comparison with standard bright field imaging. For this purpose, a dataset composed of 3360 diatom images belonging to 21 taxa was acquired. Subjective and objective image quality assessments were done. The subjective evaluation was performed by a group of diatom experts by psychophysical test where resolution, focus, and contrast were assessed. Moreover, some objective nonreference image quality metrics were applied to the same image dataset to complete the study, together with the calculation of several texture features to analyze the effect of these filters in terms of textural properties. Both image quality evaluation methods, subjective and objective, showed better results for images acquired using these illumination filters in comparison with the no filtered image. These promising results confirm that this kind of illumination filters can be a practical way to improve the image quality, thanks to the simple and low cost of the design and manufacturing process.
Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction assay for multiple mRNA markers in the detection of breast cancer metastases in sentinel lymph nodes

The identification of specific tumor mRNA markers by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction might be a valuable diagnostic adjunct for the detection of breast cancer metastases in axillary sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). In this study we have compared the diagnostic accuracy of an extensive histopathologic examination of 146 SLNs from 123 breast carcinoma patients with that of the evaluation of 5 mRNA markers. When analyzed individually, none of the different markers attained a sensitivity higher than 77.8%, and the general concordance with the histopathologic findings ranged from 78.8 to 83.6%. In a multiple‐marker assay, taking into account the expression of at least 1 of the 5 tumor markers, the sensitivity of the test rose to 95.6%, with a specificity of 66.3% and a general concordance with the histopathologic status of 75.3%. Finally, when at least 2 of 3 markers (maspin, cytokeratin 19 and mammaglobin 1) were expressed, the concordance with either SLN or axillary lymph node status was highest (88.4% and 84.6%, respectively). The high prevalence of positive reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction assays in histologically uninvolved SLNs, however, may hamper extensive application of these techniques in the clinical setting. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Torsional Motions of the Eyeball *

OF the many attempts which have been made in the past to record motions of the eyeball, the most successful investigations have used the corneal reflex method (Lord and Wright, 1948), photographic recording ofthe motions of a beam of light reflected from a plane mirror worked on a contact lens (Ratliff and Riggs, 1950; Ditchburn and Ginsborg, 1953), or photographic recording of the motion of the image of a bright source reflected in a globule of mercury pipetted on to the cornea (Barlow, 1952). These experiments have recorded at most the motions of the eyeball producing side-to-side and up-and-down motion of the visual axis when performing various visual tasks. The motions described by previous authors may be summarized as follows:
Mutations in the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase that affect the regulation of porin gene transcription in Escherichia coli K-12

The two-component regulatory system consisting of OmpR and EnvZ controls the differential expression of major outer membrane porin proteins OmpF and OmpC of Escherichia coli K-12. We have isolated and characterized two mutations in rpoA, the gene encoding the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase, that decrease the expression of OmpF. These mutations have a number of properties that distinguish them from previously isolated rpoA mutations that affect porin expression. The rpoA203 mutation decreases the expression of porin genes ompF and ompC and also decreases the expression of the malE and phoA genes. In contrast, rpoA207 decreases the expression of ompF but does not affect ompC, malE, or phoA transcription. Our results suggest that mutations at various positions in the alpha subunit may affect the OmpR-dependent transcription of ompF and ompC differently and may be useful for analyzing the mechanism underlying their differential expression in response to medium osmolarity.
High-dimensional computing with sparse vectors

Computing with high-dimensional vectors in a manner that resembles computing with numbers is based on Plate's Holographic Reduced Representation (HRR) and is used to model human cognition. Here we examine its hardware realization under constraints suggested by the properties of the brain's circuits. The sparseness of neural firing suggests that the vectors should be sparse. We show that the HRR operations of addition, multiplication, and permutation can be realized with sparse vectors, making an energy-efficient implementation possible. Furthermore, we propose a processor that has both data and instructions embedded in the same high-dimensional vector. The operation is highlighted with a sequence memory example.
Dynamical Polynomial Chaos Expansions and Long Time Evolution of Differential Equations with Random Forcing

Polynomial chaos expansions (PCE) allow us to propagate uncertainties in the coefficients of differential equations to the statistics of their solutions. Their main advantage is that they replace stochastic equations by systems of deterministic equations. Their main challenge is that the computational cost becomes prohibitive when the dimension of the parameters modeling the stochasticity is even moderately large. We propose a generalization of the PCE framework that allows us to keep this dimension as small as possible in favorable situations. For instance, in the setting of stochastic differential equations (SDEs) with Markov random forcing, we expect the future evolution to depend on the present solution and the future stochastic variables. We present a restart procedure that precisely allows PCE to depend only on that information. The computational difficulty then becomes the construction of orthogonal polynomials for dynamically evolving measures. We present theoretical results of convergence for our Dynamical generalized Polynomial Chaos (DgPC) method. Numerical simulations for linear and nonlinear SDEs show that it adequately captures the long-time behavior of their solutions as well as their invariant measures when the latter exist.
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS): An Emerging Neuroimaging Technology with Important Applications for the Study of Brain Disorders

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an emerging functional neuroimaging technology offering a relatively non-invasive, safe, portable, and low-cost method of indirect and direct monitoring of brain activity. Most exciting is its potential to allow more ecologically valid investigations that can translate laboratory work into more realistic everyday settings and clinical environments. Our aim is to acquaint clinicians and researchers with the unique and beneficial characteristics of fNIRS by reviewing its relative merits and limitations vis-à-vis other brain-imaging technologies such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We review cross-validation work between fMRI and fNIRS, and discuss possible reservations about its deployment in clinical research and practice. Finally, because there is no comprehensive review of applications of fNIRS to brain disorders, we also review findings from the few studies utilizing fNIRS to investigate neurocognitive processes associated with neurological (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury) and psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders).
Quantification of central metabolic fluxes in the facultative methylotroph methylobacterium extorquens AM1 using 13C‐label tracing and mass spectrometry

The metabolic fluxes of central carbon metabolism were measured in chemostat‐grown cultures of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 with methanol as the sole organic carbon and energy source and growth‐limiting substrate. Label tracing experiments were carried out using 70% 13C‐methanol in the feed, and the steady‐state mass isotopomer distributions of amino acids derived from total cell protein were measured by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Fluxes were calculated from the isotopomer distribution data using an isotopomer balance model and evolutionary error minimization algorithm. The combination of labeled methanol with unlabeled CO2, which enters central metabolism in two different reactions, provided the discriminatory power necessary to allow quantification of the unknown fluxes within a reasonably small confidence interval. In wild‐type M. extorquens AM1, no measurable flux was detected through pyruvate dehydrogenase or malic enzyme, and very little flux through α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (1.4% of total carbon). In contrast, the α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase flux was 25.5% of total carbon in the regulatory mutant strain phaR, while the pyruvate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme fluxes remained insignificant. The success of this technique with growth on C1 compounds suggests that it can be applied to help characterize the effects of other regulatory mutations, and serve as a diagnostic tool in the metabolic engineering of methylotrophic bacteria. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 84: 45–55, 2003.
Ageing of corona protection material on rotating machines

The outer corona protection (OCP) is a field grading part of an insulation system, which is located in the stator slot area and the step iron area of an electrical machine. Recent publications show increasing numbers of ageing phenomena regarding the OCP, unrelated to a specific manufacturer. Although no direct correlation could be determined between the phenomenon and essential damage of machine insulation, it is necessary to establish a basic understanding of its main cause and the contributing parameters in order to estimate possible consequences for the machine operation and future designs.
The SIGN Nail: Factors in a Successful Device for Low-Resource Settings

Summary: Surgeons in low-resource settings manage an increasing number of patients presenting with high-energy fractures. The number of surgeons and the operating time available are frequently not adequate to treat these fractures in a timely manner. A common cause of delay in treating fractures is waiting for the patient to accumulate sufficient funding to pay for the surgery, including the surgical implant. The donation of the SIGN intramedullary nail interlocking screw system obviates a major delay in timing of surgery. The SIGN intramedullary nail has been designed to be used in low-resource settings as it can be placed without fluoroscopy or electricity. The SIGN-trained surgeons are very skillful in hand reaming the canal, placing the nail, and interlocking screws without fluoroscopy. As more is learned about fracture healing, the SIGN system continues to evolve. The SIGN system is expanding to include deformity correction and soft tissue coverage.
Isolation of DNA from biological specimens without extraction with phenol.

with either TCA or perchloric acid and acetone (PCA-A) (5). After centrifugation, the precipitates were dissolved in a small amount of NaOH, 0.2 moLfL, and their protein content was measured by the CBB method. Prior precipitation standards (diluted Labtrol), with TCA or PCA-A did not modifS’the binding capacity of proteins to CBB. Applying the CBB method to urine proteins precipitated by TCA gave results in good agreement with the PR method, the average protein concentrations being 123 and 116 mg/L, respectively (r = 0.86). Moreover, all CBBreacting material of urine was precipitated by PCA-A: the respective average concentrations of protein were 355 and 353 mg/L (r = 0.97). Obviously, the discrepancy between CBB and PR is due to a urine component that binds CBB and is not precipitated by TCA. The average difference was 240 mg/L (range, 0 to 610 mg/L). Mucoproteins are soluble in TCA, and the main urinary mucoprotein, Tamm-Horsfall protein, binds CBB as other proteins do (6). Thus these urine components are probably responsible for the differences in apparent proteinuria measured by the two methods. Although mucoproteins are expected to be always present in urine (7), a variable part of them may be discarded with the sediment before the chemical analysis of urine (8). Saifer and Gerstenfeld (5) found a highly variable amount of TCA-soluble proteins, ranging from 0 to 0.5 g/L. Our results are consistent with these observations. Because the CBB method measures mucoproteins as well as other proteins, it gives a more exact estimate of the total amount of urinary proteins; however, this very improvement decreases the diagnostic specificity of proteinuria. The upper limit of physiological proteinuria measured by turbidimetry with sulfosalicylic acid or by TCA precipitation is below 0.2 g/L for average urinary flow (9). With the CBB method, a variable amount (up to 0.6 g/L) of mucoproteins is included in the result, so that the threshold of pathological proteinuria becomes very imprecise. Laboratories using CBB for determination of urinary protein should be aware of this drawback and warn the clinicians that the results are not equivalent to those of conventional methods for low proteinuria.
Differential expression of telomerase activity in neuroendocrine lung tumours: correlation with gene product immunophenotyping

Telomerase activity was examined by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay in 38 neuroendocrine (NE) lung tumours. A significantly (p = 0.001) different frequency of telomerase positivity was observed among different histological tumour types. Specifically, a positive TRAP signal was observed in 14 of 15 (93%) small cell lung cancers (SCLCs), 7 of 8 (87%) large‐cell NE carcinomas (LCNECs), and only 1 of 15 (7%) typical carcinoid tumours. When telomerase activity was correlated with the gene product‐based immunophenotypic profile of individual tumours, it was found that the absence of telomerase activity was associated with a lack of bcl‐2, p53, and c‐kit expression, and characterized by a low proliferation index consistent with the absence of cdk‐4 expression and the presence of the cdk inhibitor Rb. Such a phenotype was appreciable in most of the carcinoid tumours. Conversely, telomerase‐positive tumours generally showed an immunophenotype consistent with gene product alterations (including high expression of bcl‐2, p53, and c‐kit, and loss of Rb) and were characterized by a high proliferation index. These telomerase data support the previously reported evidence for two genetically unrelated groups of NE lung tumours (SCLC, and to some extent LCNEC, versus carcinoid tumours) that have distinct phenotypic profiles. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A protection and reconfiguration scheme for distribution networks with DG

Recently, the advantages of using distributed generation have been analyzed in most of scientific discussions. Distributed generation rapidly changes the configuration of the electric industry from monopoly to competitive and will totally change the configuration of power systems in the 21st century. One of the main changes, that can be a disadvantage of distributed generation presence, is changing the radial configuration of distribution networks. Injection of DGs currents to a distribution network results in losing radial configuration and consequently losing the existing coordination among protection devices along with decreasing reliability of the system. In this paper, a new method for distribution system reconfiguration has been presented which by implementing on distribution networks including DG, in addition to maintaining the efficiency of their protection system; optimizes DGs operation through islanding operation and causes the system reliability and total ENS of the system to be decrease. The suggested method has been implemented on a sample distribution network using DIgSILENT Power Factory 13.2 and its results have been presented.