Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stochastic noise removal on partial discharge measurement for transformer insulation diagnosis

Measurement of partial discharge (PD) paves a way for transformer insulation diagnosis. However, noise always interferes with PD signals and can jeopardize the diagnostic reliability. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt signal processing techniques to remove noise from collected signals. Among various types of noise, stochastic noise is considerably difficult to remove due to its similarity with PD signals. This paper proposes an effective method, which adopts fractal dimension and entropy analyses to remove stochastic noise. To verify the proposed method, PD measurements have been performed on a number of experimental models and a substation transformer. Results prove that PD signals can be extracted while the noise can be eliminated from collected noise-corrupted signals by using the proposed method. A comparison with a wavelet transform-based noise removal method has also been made in the paper.
Cocaine: An in vivo microdialysis evaluation of its acute action on dopamine transmission in rat striatum

The effects of cocaine on dopamine (DA) neurotransmission were evaluated by in vivo microdialysis in the striatum of halothane‐anesthetized rats. Intravenous cocaine produced a dose‐dependent, transient increase of the extracellular concentration of DA, with a peak response within 10 min and a return to control level by 30 min. The sharp DA response pattern was abolished in a calcium‐free environment, indicating that DA release enhanced by cocaine originates from a vesicular storage pool. Continuous administration of cocaine (via the perfusion medium) directly into the nigrostriatal terminal region also produced a dose‐dependent increase in DA release. Low concentrations (10−5 M and 10−6 M) of cocaine maintained DA at a constant stable level, consistent with the effects observed after potent DA uptake inhibitory agents (e.g., nomifensine and Lu19005). However, continuous exposure to high concentrations (< 10−4 M) induced a transient elevation of DA within 20 min, following which DA decreased to a stable but high level; this decrease might reflect tolerance to the effect of cocaine. Administration of cocaine (10−3 M) into the substantia nigra did not change striatal DA release. The local striatal action of cocaine was less potent than amphetamine in elevating DA overflow and in its effect on DA metabolism. These findings suggest that the fast transient enhancement of DA by intravenous cocaine is most likely a consequence of the transient presence of cocaine in the terminal region, correlating with the well‐known rapid pharmacokinetic and behavioral aspects of the drug.
Investigations on a metabolite from Lactobacillus bulgaricus which neutralizes the effect of enterotoxin from Escherichia coli pathogenic for pigs.

Eleven species of lactic acid bacteria when grown on a milk-based medium reduced the pH value to < 4.7. The cells of nine of these species inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli on agar in Petri dishes. However, only Streptococcus faecium and Lactobacillus bulgaricus gave significant cell free anti-E. coli activity. Activity against E. coli enterotoxin was also found only in two species. L. bulgaricus and S. faecalis. Part of the activity in the former species was cell free. Further investigation of the cell-free anti-enterotoxic activity from L. bulgaricus showed that it had a low molecular weight probably < 103, was not very stable and was independent of the anti-E. coli activity. Broths containing L. bulgaricus fermented to produce high levels of antienterotoxin were beneficial when added to diets for early weaned pigs. It was inferred that this effect was likely to be caused by the anti-enterotoxic activity.
Human norovirus occurrence and diversity in the Llobregat river catchment, Spain.

Human noroviruses (NoV) were quantified and characterized in an 18 month survey conducted along the Llobregat river catchment in Spain. Sample types included freshwater, untreated and treated wastewater and drinking water. High NoV genome copy numbers were reported, reaching up to 10(6) l(-1) and 10(9) l(-1) in freshwater and raw sewage respectively. In both types of samples, GII NoV genome copies outnumbered those of GI, although without significance. All samples of semi-treated and treated drinking water were negative for NoV. A clear seasonality of NoV occurrence was observed both in river water and sewage samples, with significantly higher genome copy numbers in the cold than in the warm months period. Mean NoV log reduction rates after biological treatment of sewage were 2.2 and 3.1 for GI and GII respectively. A total of 77 NoV strains isolated in the Llobregat river catchment could be phylogenetically characterized, 44 belonging to GI and 33 to GII. The most prevalent genotype was GI.4, followed by GII.4 and GII.21. Several variants of the pandemic GII.4 strain were detected in the environment, corroborating their circulation among the population.
What is the impact of early rheumatoid arthritis on the individual?

Rheumatoid arthritis has a significant impact on patients' physical, emotional and social functioning that often occurs very early in the disease with the onset of symptoms. Patients therefore come to their consultation with the rheumatologist, having often experienced these symptoms over a period of some months, with specific expectations (for reassurance and diagnosis) and their own understanding and beliefs about the aetiology and prognosis of their symptoms. Information and advice given by rheumatologists will be rejected by patients if it cannot be accommodated within these lay beliefs. The diagnosis itself can cause a variety of reactions, including relief, disbelief, anger, fear and devastation. Following diagnosis, patients are faced with the problems of adapting to a new self-concept, managing their symptoms and trying to assimilate the large amount of information that they are given about their disease, its treatment, preferred health behaviours, prognosis and so on. There are a number of ways in which health professionals can reduce this impact in early disease. Eliciting patients' lay beliefs about the cause of their symptoms will ensure that information given in the consultation is relevant to individual patients and is presented in a way that has meaning for them. Determining patients' expectations of the rheumatologist will ensure that patients' needs for information and reassurance are met and that unrealistic or inappropriate expectations can be discussed and re-negotiated. Understanding patients' attitudes towards treatment interventions will inform shared clinical decision-making and promote adherence. Obtaining this information in the context of a time-limited consultation can be assisted by the use of validated clinical tools, presented as self-completed questionnaires. Further research is needed to determine the content, frequency, timing and methodology of educational interventions in early rheumatoid arthritis and to improve the understanding of the complex interaction between lay beliefs and disease outcome.
Flatness based control of a two valve hydraulic joint actuator of a large manipulator

For the hydraulically driven joint of a large manipulator, a new control scheme is applied using the flatness of the hydraulic actuator with two valves. Position and pressure can be controlled independently by expanding the SISO system with one valve to a MIMO system with two valves. The model is described by piecewise defined nonlinear equations. It is shown that the system is flat. The flatness property allows a piecewise defined approach for the nonlinear tracking problem. For this, suitable trajectories for the displacement of the actuator and the pressure inside are chosen that can be tracked based on static state feedback linearization. The usefulness of the proposed concept is verified in simulation and by a laboratory test bench.
Vanadate trapping of nucleotide at the ATP-binding sites of human multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein exposes different residues to the drug-binding site

The human multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein uses ATP to transport a wide variety of structurally unrelated cytotoxic compounds out of the cell. In this study, we used cysteine-scanning mutagenesis and cross-linking studies to identify residues that are exposed to the drug-binding site upon vanadate trapping. In the absence of nucleotides, C222(TM4) was cross-linked to C868(TM10) and C872(TM10); C306(TM5) was cross-linked to C868(TM10), C872(TM10), C945(TM11), C982(TM12), and C984(TM12); and C339(TM6) was cross-linked to C868(TM10), C872(TM10), C942(TM11), C982(TM12), and C985(TM12). These cysteines are in the middle of the predicted transmembrane (TM) segments and form the drug-binding site. Cross-linking between 332C(TM6) and cysteines introduced at the extracellular side of other TM segments was also done. In the absence of nucleotides, residues 332C and 856C on the extracellular side of TMs 6 and 10, respectively, were cross-linked with a 13-Å cross-linker (M8M, 3,6-dioxaoctane-1,8-diyl bismethanethiosulfonate). ATP plus vanadate inhibited cross-linking between 332C(TM6) and 856C(TM10) as well as those in the drug-binding site. Instead, vanadate trapping promoted cross-linking between 332C(TM6) and 976C(TM12) with a 10-Å cross-linker (M6M, 1,6-hexanediyl bismethanethiosulfonate). When ATP hydrolysis was allowed to proceed, then 332C(TM12) could form a disulfide bond with 975C(TM12). The cross-linking pattern of 332C(TM6) with residues in TM10 and TM12 indicates that the drug-binding site undergoes dynamic and relatively large conformational changes, and that different residues are exposed to the drug-binding site during the resting phase, upon vanadate trapping and at the completion of the catalytic cycle.
Diagnostic performance of fluorescent light‐emitting diode microscopy for tuberculous lymphadenitis in a high‐burden setting

Diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis using fine‐needle aspiration cytology is a simple and safe but low‐specificity method, whereas conventional smear microscopy has variable sensitivity due to low bacterial load. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of fluorescent light‐emitting diode (LED) microscopy on routinely collected fine‐needle aspirates from tuberculous lymphadenitis presumptive cases.
Adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) by bare magnetite nanoparticles with surface oxidative impurities that prevent aggregation

Bare, uncoated magnetite nanoparticles, synthesized using an electrochemical surfactant-free synthesis, have highly oxidized surfaces that prevent aggregation. These particles have demonstrated highly intriguing biological activity showing extremely potent antibiotic activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria with little toxicity to rats. This difference in activity could be ascribed to the nature of the protein corona. The kinetics and thermodynamics of the binding of bovine serum albumin (BSA), used as a model serum protein, to these magnetite nanoparticles were analyzed. There is no significant change in particle diameter by dynamic light scattering following adsorption, indicating corona formation does not induce aggregation. The maximum adsorption capacity of the particles was determined to be 300 mg of BSA per gram of magnetite. The particles are able to adsorb 90% of the BSA at protein concentrations as high as 500 mg/L. The adsorption is best described using a pseudo second order model and a Langmuir Type III isotherm model. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the process is entropically driven and is spontaneous at all tested temperatures and conditions. However, it appears to be a weak to moderate physical adsorption. This moderate binding affinity could indicate the differential biological activity of these particles towards bacteria and mammalian cells and further support the contention that these are potentially useful new tools for targeting antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), the infection and inflammation of the female upper genital tract, is a common cause of infertility, chronic pain and ectopic pregnancy. Diagnosis and management are challenging, largely resulting from varying signs and symptoms and a polymicrobial etiology that is not fully delineated. Owing to the potential for serious sequelae, a low threshold for diagnosis and treatment is recommended. As PID has a multimicrobial etiology, including Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydial trachomatis and anaerobic and mycoplasmal bacteria, treatment of PID should consist of a broad spectrum antiobiotic regimen. Recent treatment trials have focused on shorter duration regimens, such as azithromycin, and monotherapies including ofloxacin, but data are sparse. Research comparing sequelae development by differing antimicrobial regimens is extremely limited, but will ultimately shape future treatment guidelines.
Determinants of Capital Structure: An Empirical Analysis of Indian Private Corporate Sector

The objective of this paper is to examine the capital structure of the Indian firms. The investigation has been performed using panel data procedure for a sample of 504 Indian companies listed on any Stock Exchange of India during 1994–95 2003–04. The hypothesis that is tested in this paper is that the debt ratio at time t depends upon the asset structure at time t, the size at time t, the return on assets at time t, and the debt ratio at time t-1. I have used multivariate regression analysis to find out the significant factors for determinant of capital structure. The empirical results justify our hypothesis that the debt ratio of the Indian companies is positively related to its asset structure and its growth rate, and negatively related to its profitability, business risk and non-debt tax shield. Thus, I conclude that firms that maintain a large proportion of fixed assets tend to maintain a higher debt ratio than smaller firms. Furthermore, larger firms employ more debt capital in comparison with smaller firms and firms with high profitability ratios tend to use less debt than firms that do not generate high profits. My findings also suggest that firms do follow a target capital structure during the examined period. These results are consistent with the theoretical background presented in the second section of the paper.
Molecular Architecture and Biomedical Leads of Terpenes from Red Sea Marine Invertebrates

Marine invertebrates including sponges, soft coral, tunicates, mollusks and bryozoan have proved to be a prolific source of bioactive natural products. Among marine-derived metabolites, terpenoids have provided a vast array of molecular architectures. These isoprenoid-derived metabolites also exhibit highly specialized biological activities ranging from nerve regeneration to blood-sugar regulation. As a result, intense research activity has been devoted to characterizing invertebrate terpenes from both a chemical and biological standpoint. This review focuses on the chemistry and biology of terpene metabolites isolated from the Red Sea ecosystem, a unique marine biome with one of the highest levels of biodiversity and specifically rich in invertebrate species.
Interleukin 6 promotes epithelial migration by a fibronectin‐dependent mechanism

We investigated the effect of interleukin 6 (IL‐6) on the migration of rabbit corneal epithelial in vitro and on the attachment of dissociated corneal epithelial cells to a fibronectin matrix. When corneal blocks were cultured with IL‐6 for 24 hours, the length of the path of epithelial migration over exposed corneal stroma increased significantly (p < 0.005 at the concentration of 10 ng/ml) in proportion to the concentrations of IL‐6 (0.1–10.0 ng/ml). The addition of antiserum against fibronectin or of GRGDSP abolished the stimulatory effect of IL‐6 on epithelial migration. When corneal epithelial cells were cultured with various concentrations of IL‐6, suspended, and plated on wells coated with fibronectin (10 μg/ml), the number of cells attached to the wells increased in a dose‐dependent manner. The presence of antibody against fibronectin or of GRGDSP during the attachment assay decreased the number of cells attached to the fibronectin matrix, regardless of the fact that the cells had been cultured with IL‐6 or not. IL‐6 stimulated the attachment of corneal epithelial cells to collagen type IV and to laminin matrices. However, the presence of GRGDSP did not affect the cell attachment to collagen type IV and to laminin. These findings strongly indicate that IL‐6 stimulates epithelial migration in the cornea by a fibronectin‐dependent mechanism, presumably the increased expression of fibronectin receptors. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exercise-induced irisin secretion is independent of age or fitness level and increased irisin may directly modulate muscle metabolism through AMPK activation.

CONTEXT Irisin has been proposed to be a myokine mediating the effect of exercise on adipocyte browning. The physiology of irisin in humans is not completely understood. OBJECTIVE To study the physiology of irisin in healthy individuals with different age and fitness levels and to explore the direct effects of irisin on muscle metabolism. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS Treadmill exercise studies were conducted to measure circulating irisin at baseline and in response to exercise among old and young, physically active and sedentary individuals. Also, high- and moderate-intensity swimming was performed in adolescent men and women to study the effect of exercise intensity and the time course of irisin induction by acute bouts of exercise. Human myotubes were treated with recombinant irisin, and the effect on gene expression, cell signaling, and metabolism was examined. RESULTS Baseline circulating irisin was lower in old (vs young) and physically active (vs sedentary) subjects. Despite differences in basal levels, the percentage increase of irisin by acute bouts of exercise was not related to age or fitness level. The time course study revealed that circulating irisin increased immediately after high-intensity interval exercise and declined 1 hour thereafter. In vitro experiments showed that irisin facilitates glucose and lipid metabolism in human muscle through AMP kinase phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS Despite the differences in basal irisin levels, exercise-induced irisin secretion is independent of age or fitness level. Increased irisin can directly modulate muscle metabolism through AMP kinase activation.
Beautiful small: Misleading large randomized controlled trials? The example of colloids for volume resuscitation

In anesthesia and intensive care, treatment benefits that were claimed on the basis of small or modest-sized trials have repeatedly failed to be confirmed in large randomized controlled trials. A well-designed small trial in a homogeneous patient population with high event rates could yield conclusive results; however, patient populations in anesthesia and intensive care are typically heterogeneous because of comorbidities. The size of the anticipated effects of therapeutic interventions is generally low in relation to relevant endpoints. For regulatory purposes, trials are required to demonstrate efficacy in clinically important endpoints, and therefore must be large because clinically important study endpoints such as death, sepsis, or pneumonia are dichotomous and infrequently occur. The rarer endpoint events occur in the study population; that is, the lower the signal-to-noise ratio, the larger the trials must be to prevent random events from being overemphasized. In addition to trial design, sample size determination on the basis of event rates, clinically meaningful risk ratio reductions and actual patient numbers studied are among the most important characteristics when interpreting study results. Trial size is a critical determinant of generalizability of study results to larger or general patient populations. Typical characteristics of small single-center studies responsible for their known fragility include low variability of outcome measures for surrogate parameters and selective publication and reporting. For anesthesiology and intensive care medicine, findings in volume resuscitation research on intravenous infusion of colloids exemplify this, since both the safety of albumin infusion and the adverse effects of the artificial colloid hydroxyethyl starch have been confirmed only in large-sized trials.
Molecular features determining lymphocyte reactivity in allergic contact dermatitis to chloramphenicol and azidamphenicol

Background: We report on two cases of allergic contact dermatitis to chloramphenicol and azidamphenicol respectively, with in vivo and in vitro lymphocyte reactivity to both compounds. The molecular features determining lymphocyte reactivity were explored because chloramphenicol, azidamphenicol, and thiamphenicol exhibit almost identical chemical structures.
Dynamic Mutation–Selection Balance as an Evolutionary Attractor

The vast majority of mutations are deleterious and are eliminated by purifying selection. Yet in finite asexual populations, purifying selection cannot completely prevent the accumulation of deleterious mutations due to Muller’s ratchet: once lost by stochastic drift, the most-fit class of genotypes is lost forever. If deleterious mutations are weakly selected, Muller’s ratchet can lead to a rapid degradation of population fitness. Evidently, the long-term stability of an asexual population requires an influx of beneficial mutations that continuously compensate for the accumulation of the weakly deleterious ones. Hence any stable evolutionary state of a population in a static environment must involve a dynamic mutation–selection balance, where accumulation of deleterious mutations is on average offset by the influx of beneficial mutations. We argue that such a state can exist for any population size N and mutation rate U and calculate the fraction of beneficial mutations, ε, that maintains the balanced state. We find that a surprisingly low ε suffices to achieve stability, even in small populations in the face of high mutation rates and weak selection, maintaining a well-adapted population in spite of Muller’s ratchet. This may explain the maintenance of mitochondria and other asexual genomes.
Inhibitory Effect of Low‐Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on the Expression of Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Inflammatory Factors in U937 Cells

Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (US) has been reported to promote periodontal tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation in soft tissues and in bone infectious diseases. Here we investigated the effect of low‐intensity pulsed US on the expression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammatory factors in U937 macrophage cells.