Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An in vivo Randomized Study of Human Skin Moisturization by a New Confocal Raman Fiber-Optic Microprobe: Assessment of a Glycerol-Based Hydration Cream

Background: In a recent study, we demonstrated the ability of the new confocal Raman microprobe to investigate molecular and structural human skin composition under in vivo conditions. Experiments were performed at different anatomical sites, different layers, and with intervolunteer comparison. We also carried out feasibility tests using this probe to determine depth profiles of water content within the skin. Objective: In the present investigation we employed this confocal Raman optical microprobe to rigorously objectify the resulting hydration capacities after application of a moisturizing enhancer. Method: The in vivo experiments were performed on 26 healthy volunteers and measurements were undertaken on six areas of the volar forearm after a randomized application of hydrating agents. Responses were evaluated by calculating the water/protein band ratio, which determines the water content in the skin. Results: Data collected with the Raman microprobe showed significant changes between baseline values of control and treated skins. Statistical analysis performed on these data revealed an increase in skin moisture after application of a glycerol-based cream, which is the most widely used hydrating agent. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate clearly the potentials of this confocal Raman microprobe in the screening of hydrating agents or molecules under in vivo conditions. In the cosmetics field, this promising and suitable technique will undoubtedly offer new opportunities of hydration skin test evaluation.
Impact of HIV infection on the development, clinical presentation, and outcome of tuberculosis among children in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

Objective:To assess the impact of HIV infection upon the development, clinical presentation, and outcome of tuberculosis (TB) among children. Design:Case-control study and prospective cohort study. Methods:From March 1994 to November 1995, children aged 0–9 years with newly diagnosed TB were enrolled at the two outpatient TB centers and the two principal university hospitals in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Children were examined, blood samples were collected for HIV serology and lymphocyte phenotyping, chest radiography was performed, and gastric aspirates and sputum samples were collected for acid-fast bacilli smear and culture. Children were then followed every 2 months during a standard 6-month course of anti-TB therapy. To examine risk factors for TB, age- and sex-matched healthy control children were enrolled from among the siblings of children referred for TB skin testing. Results:Overall, 161 children with TB were enrolled, including 39 (24%) with culture-confirmed pulmonary TB, 80 (50%) with clinically diagnosed pulmonary TB, and 42 (26%) with extrapulmonary TB. Children with TB were significantly more likely than 161 control children to be HIV-seropositive (19 versus 0%), to have a past TB contact (55 versus 16%) and to live in very low socioeconomic status housing (24 versus 6%). No significant differences between HIV-seropositive and seronegative children were found in the distribution of radiologic abnormalities for pulmonary TB or in the site of extrapulmonary TB. The mortality rate in HIV-seropositive children was significantly higher than in seronegative children (23 versus 4%; relative risk, 3.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.0–6.6), and all deaths in HIV-seropositive children with available lymphocyte subtyping results occurred in those with a CD4 percentage of <10%. Conclusions:This study documents the importance of HIV infection as an independent risk factor for the development of TB in children, and demonstrates that HIV-related immunosuppression is a critical risk factor for mortality in this population.
Practical current control techniques for torque ripple minimization in SR motors

The switched reluctance motor (SRM) has many benefits owing to its low cost, simple and rugged construction, and comparatively high torque-to-mass ratio. Because of the saturation effect and the variation of magnetic reluctance with respect to rotor position, all the relevant characteristics of the machine are highly nonlinear functions of both rotor position and phase current. The ultimate outcome of all these nonlinearities is that the generated torque contains significant ripples. The nonlinearities in SRM have been extensively studied and many control strategies to reduce the generated torque ripples have been proposed in the literatures. However, the problem of reduction of generated torque ripple still remains an active area of research especially for low speed applications. A new method called fuzzy iterative approach (FIA) is introduced in this work to modulate the phase current profile. FIA uses a multiplying factor in the conventional current calculation method, and a fuzzy rule base determines this multiplying factor by a heuristic judgment iteratively to reduce the torque ripple to zero. The modulated phase current for zero torque ripples is stored in a look-up table, which is utilized for practical implementation. Experimental verification under closed-loop speed control with the stored reference current data has been done. Various current control techniques to track the reference current closely to minimize the torque ripple are investigated and explained in this paper. The experimental results indicate that the torque ripple is reduced to lie within 5% of the desired steady torque.
Intravitreal Administration of Human Bone Marrow CD34+ Stem Cells in a Murine Model of Retinal Degeneration

Purpose Intravitreal murine lineage-negative bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic cells slow down retinal degeneration. Because human BM CD34+ hematopoietic cells are not precisely comparable to murine cells, this study examined the effect of intravitreal human BM CD34+ cells on the degenerating retina using a murine model. Methods C3H/HeJrd1/rd1 mice, immunosuppressed systemically with tacrolimus and rapamycin, were injected intravitreally with PBS (n = 16) or CD34+ cells (n = 16) isolated from human BM using a magnetic cell sorter and labeled with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). After 1 and 4 weeks, the injected eyes were imaged with scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO)/optical coherence tomography (OCT) and tested with electroretinography (ERG). Eyes were harvested after euthanasia for immunohistochemical and microarray analysis of the retina. Results In vivo SLO fundus imaging visualized EGFP-labeled cells within the eyes following intravitreal injection. Simultaneous OCT analysis localized the EGFP-labeled cells on the retinal surface resulting in a saw-toothed appearance. Immunohistochemical analysis of the retina identified EGFP-labeled cells on the retinal surface and adjacent to ganglion cells. Electroretinography testing showed a flat signal both at 1 and 4 weeks following injection in all eyes. Microarray analysis of the retina following cell injection showed altered expression of more than 300 mouse genes, predominantly those regulating photoreceptor function and maintenance and apoptosis. Conclusions Intravitreal human BM CD34+ cells rapidly home to the degenerating retinal surface. Although a functional benefit of this cell therapy was not seen on ERG in this rapidly progressive retinal degeneration model, molecular changes in the retina associated with CD34+ cell therapy suggest potential trophic regenerative effects that warrant further exploration.
Application of the self-interaction correction to transition-metal oxides.

We have implemented the self-interaction-corrected local-spin-density approximation within the standard linear-muffin-tin-orbital\char21{}atomic-sphere-approximation band-structure method making use of a unified Hamiltonian concept. We have used this ab initio band-structure scheme to study the electronic structure of MnO, FeO, CoO, NiO, and CuO. We find them to be wide-gap insulators, where the top of the valence band, of predominantly oxygen p character, shows a substantial hybridization with the metal d states.
Effects of Gender on Listeners' Judgments of Speech Intelligibility

Effects of gender on listeners' judgments of intelligibility were investigated. Subjects (15 women; 15 men) provided magnitude-estimation scaling responses and over-all impressions of the intelligibility of a male and female speaker's comparable versions of audiotaped speech samples varying systematically in terms of the number of phonemes produced correctly. There was no significant difference between male and female subjects' magnitude-estimation scaling responses; however, their over-all impressions of the intelligibility of the speakers tended to differ. Women indicated that the male speaker was more understandable, and men indicated that the female speaker was more understandable. Magnitude-estimation scaling may provide an objective means for evaluating a speaker's intelligibility. It appears to transcend gender-biases associated with judgments of speech intelligibility.
The Type II Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptor Autophosphorylates Not Only on Serine and Threonine but Also on Tyrosine Residues*

The type I and type II receptors for transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) are structurally related transmembrane serine/threonine kinases, which are able to physically interact with each other at the cell surface. To help define the initial events in TGF-β signaling, we characterized the kinase activity of the type II TGF-β receptor. A recombinant cytoplasmic domain of the receptor was purified from Escherichia coli and baculovirus-infected insect cells. Anti-phosphotyrosine Western blotting demonstrated that the type II receptor kinase can autophosphorylate on tyrosine. Following an in vitro kinase reaction, the autophosphorylation of the cytoplasmic domain and phosphorylation of exogenous substrate was shown by phosphoamino acid analysis to occur not only on serine and threonine but also on tyrosine. The dual kinase specificity of the receptor was also demonstrated using immunoprecipitated receptors expressed in mammalian cells and in vivo 32P labeling showed phosphorylation of the receptor on serine and tyrosine. In addition, the kinase activity of the cytoplasmic domain was inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin. Tryptic mapping and amino acid sequencing of in vitro autophosphorylated type II receptor cytoplasmic domain allowed the localization of the sites of tyrosine phosphorylation to positions 259, 336, and 424. Replacement of all three tyrosines with phenylalanines strongly inhibited the kinase activity of the receptor, suggesting that tyrosine autophosphorylation may play an autoregulatory role for the kinase activity of this receptor. These results demonstrate that the type II TGF-β receptor can function as a dual specificity kinase and suggest a role for tyrosine autophosphorylation in TGF-β receptor signaling.
Association between bacterial vaginosis and partner concurrency: a longitudinal study

Objectives The study aimed to test if there was an association between prevalent bacterial vaginosis (BV) and women reporting that their partner had other partners at the same time (partner concurrency). This association has not been assessed in a longitudinal cohort. Methods The Longitudinal Study of Vaginal Flora recruited a cohort of 3620 non-pregnant women aged 15–44 years who presented for routine primary healthcare at 12 clinics in Birmingham, Alabama. Behavioural questionnaires and vaginal smears were obtained quarterly for a year and BV was defined by a Nugent score 7 or higher as well as Amsel criteria. Mixed effects logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between prevalent BV and reporting that one's partner had other partners in the preceding 3–6 months time interval. Results Nugent score prevalent BV was associated with both reporting that one's partner definitely (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.5; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.8) and possibly (aOR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.8) engaged in partner concurrency in the preceding 3–6 months time period. Prevalent BV diagnosed by Amsel criteria was similar. Conclusions A diagnosis of prevalent BV was associated with reporting that one's partner possibly or definitely engaged in partner concurrency.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO, COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

This paper examines the stationarity of Asian-Pacific real exchange rates (RERs) using a nonlinear unit root test. The results reject the null hypothesis of nonstationarity in favor of the alternative of nonlinear stationarity for most of US, Australian, or Singapore dollar based RERs, but fail to do so for the majority of Japanese yen based RERs. There is more evidence for level stationarity in the Singapore dollar based rates than in other currency based rates. Many US dollar based Asian-Pacific RERs appear to be trend stationary.
Minimizing the Number of Mobile Chargers to Keep Large-Scale WRSNs Working Perpetually

Wireless Rechargeable Sensor Networks, in which mobile chargers ( M C s) are employed to recharge the sensor nodes, have attracted wide attention in recent years. Under proper charging schedules, the M C s could keep all the sensor nodes working perpetually. Since M C s can be very expensive, this paper tackles the problem of deciding the minimum number of M C s and their charging schedules to keep every sensor node working continuously. This problem is NP-hard; we divide it into two subproblems and propose a GCHA (Greedily Construct, Heuristically Assign) scheme to solve them. First, the GCHA greedily addresses a Tour Construction Problem to construct a set of tours to 1-cover the WRSN. Energy of the sensor nodes in each of these tours can be timely replenished by one M C according to the decision condition derived from a Greedy Charging Scheme (GCS). Second, the GCHA heuristically solves a Tour Assignment Problem to assign these tours to minimum number of M C s. Then each of the M C s can apply the GCS to charge along its assigned tours. Simulation results show that, on average, the number of M C s obtained by the GCHA scheme is less than 1.1 over a derived lower bound and less than 0.5 over related work.
Anthrax toxin evades Toll‐like receptor recognition, whereas its cell wall components trigger activation via TLR2/6 heterodimers

Bacillus anthracis is a Gram‐positive bacillus that is the causative agent of anthrax. The virulence of the bacillus is partly due to the production of a tripartite virulence factor: protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF). Recognition of the bacillus and its toxins by the innate immune system is likely to play a key role following infection. In this study we set out to investigate whether anthrax cell wall (ACW) components as well as the lethal toxin are sensed by Toll‐like receptors (TLRs). Our data suggest that ACW components as well as PA are sensed by TLR2/6 heterodimers triggering an inflammatory response. This recognition takes place on the cell surface within specialized microdomains for ACW, whereas PA seems to trigger responses intracellularly. Interestingly, LF does not trigger a pro‐inflammatory response, and when combined with PA, the complex is not sensed by the innate immune system. Overall our data suggest that TLR2/6 heterodimers are responsible for sensing the ACW and PA, whereas the formation of the subsequent toxin (LF + PA) seems to evade detection by the innate immune system contributing to the virulence of the toxin.
IS SURVIVORSHIP A BETTER FITNESS SURROGATE THAN FECUNDITY?

Abstract Although fitness depends on both survivorship and fecundity, we tend to assume fecundity relates to fitness more directly than survivorship. In fact, several recent ecological studies suggest fitness depends more heavily on annual survivorship than annual fecundity for most taxa with lifespans longer than one year. These studies review elasticities of transition matrices for a broad range of taxa. Elasticities covary monotonically with selection gradients for demographic rates and are identical to selection gradients for traits rescaled to have mean values of zero and variance of one. For all taxa except semelparous perennial plants, adult survivorship has consistently higher elasticity than other suites of demographic rates. Fecundity only rarely has the highest elasticity. Thus, differences in yearly survival affect fitness disproportionately more than differences in yearly fecundity, even in many exponentially growing populations. This pattern reinforces the importance of interpreting the contribution of vital rates to fitness in the context of life history and population dynamics. Corresponding Editor: T. Mousseau
Detection, isolation, and incidence of Listeria spp. in small-scale artisan cheese processing facilities: a methods comparison.

Environmental sampling, focused on environmental sites with a high probability of contamination, was conducted in eight artisan cheese processing facilities. Samples (n = 236) from 86 food contact surfaces and 150 non-food contact surfaces were examined for the presence of Listeria spp. by comparing the efficacy of three different primary enrichment media used in five detection and isolation methods. University of Vermont broth was the most sensitive primary enrichment medium for the detection of Listeria spp. , including Listeria monocytogenes. These results, however, did not differ significantly from those obtained with Listeria repair broth or Oxoid 24 Listeria enrichment broth. When full methods were considered, the use of dual enrichment methods identified the most Listeria spp. -positive samples, whereas the BAX System PCR Assay for the Genus Listeria 24E provided the most rapid results (approximately 30 h). Cultural results from the direct plating of secondary enrichment broths were generally in agreement with PCR results when compared within methods. Despite minor differences in efficacy, all five methods were in agreement with one another. Overall, 24 (10.7%) of the 236 environmental samples were positive for Listeria spp. , all of which were collected from non-food contact surfaces. Nine of these sites were also positive in previous sampling events, suggesting that these sites serve as Listeria niches and that certain ribotypes are particularly persistent, inhabiting environments and specific sites for over 2 years. Overall, our results suggest that the extent of Listeria spp. contamination, notably L. monocytogenes, in small-scale artisan cheese processing environments is low.
The Impact of Supply Chain Analytics on Operational Supply Chain Transparency: An Information Processing View

For many firms, implementing business analytics in supply chain management has become a key element of strategic success. Drawing on organizational information processing theory, this paper uses a sample of 114 survey respondents to investigate the role supply chain analytics play in operational supply chain transparency under turbulent supply environment. Three areas of analytics are involved: supply chain analytics in plan, source, and make. We find that supply chain analytics capability in all the three areas positively affects operational supply chain transparency. In addition, supply uncertainty positively moderates the relationship between supply chain analytics in make and transparency. This paper contributes to the supply chain transparency literature and provides managers with insights on the importance of supply chain analytics in building transparent supply chains, especially the role of supply chain analytics in make in turbulent supply environment.
Transferases of O-antigen biosynthesis in Salmonella enterica: dideoxyhexosyltransferases of groups B and C2 and acetyltransferase of group C2

The O antigen is a polymer of oligosaccharide units. O antigens differ in their sugar composition and glycosidic linkages, and genes responsible for O-antigen-specific biosynthesis are grouped in the rfb gene cluster. In this study, we identified two abequosyltransferase genes and an acetyltransferase gene in Salmonella enterica groups B and C2 by in vitro assay and identified paratosyl-, tyvelosyl-, and abequosyltransferase genes from S. enterica groups A and D and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serovar IIA, respectively, by comparison.
Attitudes toward and beliefs about family presence: a survey of healthcare providers, patients' families, and patients.

BACKGROUND Although some healthcare providers remain hesitant, family presence, defined as the presence of patients' family members during resuscitation and/or invasive procedures, is becoming an accepted practice. Evidence indicates that family presence is beneficial to patients and their families. OBJECTIVES To describe and compare the beliefs about and attitudes toward family presence of clinicians, patients' families, and patients. METHODS Clinicians, patients' families, and patients in the emergency department and adult and neonatal intensive care units of a 300-bed urban academic hospital were surveyed. RESULTS Surveys were completed by 202 clinicians, 72 family members, and 62 patients. Clinicians had positive attitudes toward family presence but had concerns about safety, the emotional responses of the family members, and performance anxiety. Nurses had more favorable attitudes toward family presence than physicians did. Patients and their families had positive attitudes toward family presence. CONCLUSIONS Family presence is beneficial to patients, patients' families, and healthcare providers. As family presence becomes a more accepted practice, healthcare providers will need to accommodate patients' families at the bedside and address the barriers that impede the practice.
Effects of Speed and Limb Dominance on Eccentric and Concentric lsokinetic Testing of the Knee.

This study investigated the effects of speed and limb dominance on torque values and ratios of the quadriceps and hamstrings during both eccentric and concentric exercise. Both knees of 12 males and 13 females, 21-33 years of age, were tested at 30 degrees /sec and 180 degrees /sec on the KIN-COM. Results indicated that: 1) concentric quadriceps torque values and torque/body weight ratios decreased significantly at the higher speed, 2) no significant changes in eccentric quadriceps or eccentric hamstrings torque occurred at the two speeds, 3) no significant differences were demonstrated in the torque values or torque/body weight ratios between dominant and nondominant knees during both concentric and eccentric exercise at both speeds, 4) hamstrings/quadriceps torque ratios increased significantly at the higher speed during concentric exercise, and 5) for males, the hamstrings/quadriceps ratios were significantly greater in the nondominant limb during both concentric and eccentric exercise at both speeds. These findings are important when establishing appropriate and safe rehabilitation goals during isokinetic eccentric activity.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1988;10(2):59-65.
QT and QTc dispersion are accurate predictors of cardiac death in newly diagnosed non-insulin dependent diabetes: cohort study

Patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus have an excess risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. One small study suggested that a prolonged QT interval could predict cardiac death in patients with diabetic nephropathy who have received insulin treatment. The question now is whether the same is true in newly diagnosed diabetes in patients who have no apparent complications. In addition, QT dispersion, a new but related electrocardiographic variable, predicts cardiac death in patients who have chronic heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, or essential hypertension.1–3 We investigated whether it also predicted cardiac death in diabetic patients. The study group of 182 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (103 men; mean age 52.8 (SD 8.5) years) represented the Dundee cohort of the United Kingdom prospective diabetes study, which was recruited between 1982 and 1988. Patients were followed up for a mean of 10.3 (1.7) years. …