Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis results in a marked increase in fractional clearance of albumin.

Puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis (PAN) results in a marked increase in the fractional clearance of albumin. The increase in the fractional clearance of [3H]albumin to ∼0.045, as measured both in vivo and in the isolated perfused rat kidney (IPK) with PAN, occurs without an accompanying equivalent increase in glomerular capillary wall size selectivity as previously measured with dextrans. This is very similar to the marked increase in albuminuria seen with kidneys treated with inhibitors of endocytosis by the tubular epithelium, particularly lysine (T. M. Osicka, L. M. Pratt, and W. D. Comper. Nephrology 2: 199-212, 1996). The similarity is further established that, like in the presence of lysine, [3H]albumin excreted in urine from rats with PAN is essentially intact whereas, in both in vivo and IPK control experiments, excreted [3H]albumin is heavily degraded. The same observations have also been made for3H-labeled anionic horseradish peroxidase. These observations suggest that the significant albuminuria that occurs in PAN is primarily post-glomerular basement membrane in origin.
Protective Clothing Fabrics

An increase in the fabric- or assembly-heat sensor separation improved protection against convective heat (flames) exposure. Zirpro wool assemblies required a longer exposure time to reach second-degree burns, with a longer pain-alarm time than comparable assemblies of aramid or flame-retardant cotton. An increase in the weight of Zirpro wool fabrics decreased heat transfer, but an assembly of a Zirpro wool woven outerwear and a Zirpro wool knitted underwear fabric transferred significantly less heat than a single layer of a Zirpro wool woven fabric of comparable weight with the assembly, because of entrapped air in the thicker innerwear fabric. With decreasing imposed heat flux, time for second-degree burns and pain-alarm time was increased, especially in the case of Zirpro wool.
Congruence in Control-Region Sequence and Restriction- Site Variation in Mitochondrial DNA of Brook Charr (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill)'

We compared the congruence in genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships among mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes detected with restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and sequence analysis in the brook charr, Sulvelinus fontinalis Mitchill. This was accomplished by analyzing variation both at 172 restriction sites subsampling 903 bp over the entire mitochondrial genome and in the sequence of a 300-bp segment of the control region among the same 33 individuals. The sequence and RFLP analyses were highly congruent both in terms of mtDNA variants detected per number of nucleotides sampled and in assessing phylogenetic relationships among haplotypes. Therefore, variation observed in a small segment of the control region was representative of that existing over the entire genome. The major difference between both approaches was in the number of mutational changes observed per nucleotide in the sequence analysis. This number was approximately twice as high as that in the RFLP analysis. Nevertheless, the level of variation observed in the control region of charr was less than expected a priori on the basis of previous observations in other vertebrates. Lower mutation rates may be related to an unusually low transition : transversion ratio ( 8 : 3 ) for mtDNA intraspecific variation in vertebrates. The combined restriction-site and sequence data resolved at least three distinct phylogenetic groupings in S. fontinalis. However, and despite the high-resolution level of the study (> 1,200 bp screened, or 7% of the mitochondrial genome), some major branching patterns in gene tree topology remained unresolved, which stresses the importance of recognizing large standard errors associated with sequence variability when phylogeny is reconstructed.
Aging on the input versus output side: theoretical implications of age-linked asymmetries between detecting versus retrieving orthographic information.

This experiment tested for age-linked asymmetries predicted under Node Structure theory (NST; D. G. MacKay & D. M. Burke, 1990) between detecting versus retrieving orthographic information. Older adults detected that briefly presented words were correctly spelled (e.g., endeavor) or misspelled (e.g., endeavuor) as readily as did young adults. However, they were less able than young adults to retrieve the correctly and incorrectly spelled words that they had seen. These age-linked asymmetries were not due to educational factors, stimulus characteristics, sensory-level factors, task complexity, floor or ceiling effects, general slowing, or cohort-related activities, but they were consistent with NST predictions and with similar asymmetries in a wide range of other studies. By contrast, repetition deficits in detecting and retrieving repeated- versus unrepeated-letter misspellings (e.g., elderdly vs. elderkly) were symmetrical or equivalent in magnitude for young and older adults. Implications for a wide range of theories of cognitive aging and of repetition deficits are discussed.
All-Digital RF Phase-Locked Loops Exploiting Phase Prediction

This paper presents an all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) architecture in a new light that allows it to significantly save power through complexity reduction of its phase locking and detection mechanisms. The natural predictive nature of the ADPLL to estimate next edge occurrence of the reference clock is exploited here to reduce the timing range and thus complexity of the fractional part of the phase detection mechanism as implemented by a time-to-digital converter (TDC) and to ease the clock retiming circuit. In addition, the integer part, which counts the DCO clock edges, can be disabled to save power once the loop has achieved lock. It can be widely used in fields of fractional-N frequency multiplication and frequency/phase modulation. The presented principles and techniques have been validated through extensive behavioral simulations as well as fabricated IC chips.
Dynamic adaptation of cardiac oxidative phosphorylation is not mediated by simple feedback control.

The classic idea about regulation of cardiac oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) was that breakdown products of ATP (ADP and Pi) diffuse freely to the mitochondria to stimulate OxPhos. On the basis of this metabolic feedback control system, the response time of OxPhos ( t mito) is predicted to be inversely proportional to the mitochondrial aerobic capacity (MAC). We determined t mito during steps in heart rate in isolated perfused rabbit hearts ( n = 16) before and after reducing MAC with nonsaturating doses of oligomycin. The reduction of MAC was quantified in mitochondria isolated from each perfused heart, dividing oligomycin-sensitive, ADP-stimulated state 3 respiration by oligomycin-insensitive uncoupled respiration. The t mito to heart rate steps from 60 to 70 and 80 beats/min was 5.6 ± 0.6 and 7.2 ± 0.8 s (means ± SE) and increased an estimated 34 and 40% for a 50% decrease in MAC ( P < 0.05), respectively, which is much less than the 100% predicted by the feedback hypothesis. For steps to 100 or 120 beats/min, t mito was 8.3 ± 0.5 and 11.2 ± 0.6 s and was not reduced with decreases in MAC ( P > 0.05). We conclude that immediate feedback control by quickly diffusing ADP and Pi cannot explain the dynamic regulation of cardiac OxPhos. Because calcium entry into the mitochondria also cannot explain the first fast phase of OxPhos activation, we propose that delay of the energy-related signal in the cytoplasm dominates the response time of OxPhos.
Region-specific antiproliferative effect of VIP and PACAP-(1-38) on rabbit enteric smooth muscle.

The ability of neuropeptides to modulate enteric smooth muscle proliferation was examined in primary explant cultures of rabbit gastric antrum and colon smooth muscle. Cell proliferation was determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation measurements and cell counting. Subcultured rabbit antrum and colon myocytes ( passages 2-6) preserved a smooth muscle phenotype, as verified by immunohistochemistry for α-smooth muscle actin and electron microscopy. Both vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide-(1-38) [PACAP-(1-38)] concentration dependently (10-10 to 10-6 M) inhibited the serum-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation [in colon, 48.2 ± 5.8 and 55.6 ± 9.3% of control with 10-6 M VIP and 10-7 M PACAP-(1-38)] and inhibited increase in cell numbers in cultures derived from the colon but not in those from the antrum. Effects of VIP and PACAP-(1-38) were mimicked by forskolin (10-7 to 10-6 M) but not by 8-bromo-cGMP, whereas theophylline enhanced the effects of VIP. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (10-3.5 M) did not alter the effects of VIP. Substance P, motilin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and somatostatin had no effect. A single class of125I-labeled VIP binding sites was found in antrum and colon myocyte cultures with an equal affinity for VIP and PACAP-(1-38) [dissociation constant ( K d) in antrum = 3.4 ± 0.8 nM for VIP and 2.0 ± 1.0 nM for PACAP-(1-38); K d in colon = 2.0 ± 1.0 nM for VIP and 2.8 ± 1.6 nM for PACAP-(1-38)]. Density of binding sites in the antrum was higher than in the colon. In disease states such as inflammatory bowel disease, inhibition of myocyte proliferation by VIP and PACAP may serve to control smooth muscle hyperplasia in the colon but not in the antrum.
Incomplete bone formation after sinus augmentation: A case report on radiological findings by computerized tomography at follow-up

Purpose The aim of this case report is to present a case of incomplete bone formation after sinus augmentation. Methods A patient having alveolar bone resorption of the maxillary posterior edentulous region and advanced pneumatization of the maxillary sinus was treated with sinus elevation using deproteinized bovine bone in the Department of Periodontology, Kyung Hee University School of Dentistry and re-evaluated with computed tomography (CT) follow-up. Results Even though there were no significant findings or abnormal radiolucency on the panoramic radiograph, incomplete bone formation in the central portion of the augmented sinus was found fortuitously in the CT scan. The CT scan revealed peri-implant radiolucency in the apical portion of the implant placed in the augmented maxillary sinus. Nevertheless, the dental implants placed in the grafted sinus still functioned well at over 15 months follow-up. Conclusions The result of this case suggests that patients who received maxillary sinus augmentation may experience incomplete bone formation. It is possible that 1) osteoconductive graft material with poor osteogenic potential, 2) overpacking of graft material that restricts the blood supply, and 3) bone microbial contamination may cause the appearance of incomplete bone formation after sinus augmentation. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of this unexpected result and care must be taken to prevent it.
Efficacy and Toxicity of Low-Dose versus Conventional-Dose Chemotherapy for Malignant Tumors: a Meta-Analysis of 6 Randomized Controlled Trials

Low-dose chemotherapy has emerged as a new strategy for control of cancer. However, there is a controversy as to whether low-dose chemotherapy is an effective way to manage many human malignancies. To shed light on this controversy, we performed a meta-analysis of relative merits between low-dose and conventional-dose chemotherapy in different carcinomas. Studies published before February 29, 2016 were reviewed for the meta-analysis and selected according to defined criteria. The effect levels of low-dose chemotherapy regarding overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and severe adverse events (SAEs) (Grade≥3) were calculated as risk ratios (ORs) or adjusted hazard ratios (HRs). Six randomized controlled studies (RCTs) have provided data for low-dose chemotherapy versus conventional-dose chemotherapy for 838 cases and 833 cases, respectively. Interestingly, low-dose chemotherapy achieved the same desired potency as conventional-dose chemotherapy, with no differences in pooled ORR (RR=1.00, 95%CI [0.89, 1.13]; (P=0.97), OS (HR=1.07, 95%CI [0.90, 1.26]; P=0.44) and PFS (HR=1.02, 95%CI [0.84, 1.23]; P=0.87) values. Furthermore, pooled data for common SAEs showed that, compared with conventional-dose chemotherapy regimen, low-dose chemotherapy regimen resulted in significant less mucositis (P<0.0001), thrombocytopenia (P<0.00001), anemia (P=0.0001) and febrile neutropenia (P=0.004). At the same time, no statistically significant differences were observed with regard to treatment-related death (P=0.36), diarrhea (P=0.49), leucopenia (P=0.11), neutropenia (P=0.74) and nausea/vomiting (“P”=0.21). Publication bias was assessed by Egger’s test and the funnel plot. In conclusion, the meta-analysis seems to support the idea that low-dose chemotherapy may play an important role in achieving the same desired potency as conventional-dose chemotherapy in managing malignant tumors. Moreover, low-dose regimen seems to possess positive advantages of lower toxicity which is a particular concern for most patients.
Design and evaluation of a NoSQL database for storing and querying RDF data

Currently the amount of web data has increased excessively. Its metadata is widely used in order to fully exploit web information resources.This causes the need for Semantic Web technology to quickly analyze such big data. Resource Description Framework (RDF) is a standard for describing web resources. In this paper, we propose a method to exploit a NoSQL database, specifically MongoDB, to store and query RDF data. We choose MongoDB to represent a NoSQL database because it is one of the most popular high-performance NoSQL databases. We evaluate the proposed design and implementation by using the Berlin SPARQL Benchmark, which is one of the most widely accepted benchmarks for comparing the performance of RDF storage systems. We compare three database systems, which are Apache Jena TDB (native RDF store), MySQL (relational database), and our proposed system with MongoDB (NoSQL database). Based on the experimental results analysis, our proposed system outperforms other database systems for most queries when the data set size is small. However, for a larger data set, MongoDB performs well for queries with simple operators while MySQL offers an efficient solution for complex queries. The result of this work can provide some guideline for choosing an appropriate RDF database system and applying a NoSQL database in storing and querying RDF data.
Changes in sarcolemmal PLC isoenzymes in postinfarct congestive heart failure: partial correction by imidapril.

We have examined the changes in quantity and activity of cardiac sarcolemmal (SL) phosphoinositide-phospholipase C (PLC)-β1, -γ1, and -δ1 in a model of congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to large transmural myocardial infarction (MI). We also instituted a late in vivo monotherapy with imidapril, an ANG-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, to test the hypothesis that its therapeutic action is associated with the functional correction of PLC isoenzymes. SL membranes were purified from the surviving left ventricle of rats in a moderate stage of CHF at 8 wk after occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. SL PLC isoenzymes were examined in terms of protein mass and hydrolytic activity. CHF resulted in a striking reduction (to 6-17% of controls) of the mass and activity of γ1- and δ1-isoforms in combination with a significant increase of both PLC β1 parameters. In vivo treatment with imidapril (1 mg/kg body wt, daily, initiated 4 wk after coronary occlusion) improved the contractile function and induced a partial correction of PLCs. The mass of SL phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and the activities of the enzymes responsible for its synthesis were significantly reduced in post-MI CHF and partially corrected by imidapril. The results indicate that profound changes in the profile of heart SL PLC-β1, -γ1, and -δ1 occur in CHF, which could alter the complex second messenger responses of these isoforms, whereas their partial correction by imidapril may be related to the mechanism of action of this ACE inhibitor.
Cholic acid aids absorption, biliary secretion, and phase transitions of cholesterol in murine cholelithogenesis.

Cholic acid is a critical component of the lithogenic diet in mice. To determine its pathogenetic roles, we fed chow or 1% cholesterol with or without 0.5% cholic acid to C57L/J male mice, which because of lith genes have 100% gallstone prevalence rates. After 1 yr on the diets, we measured bile flow, biliary lipid secretion rates, hepatic cholesterol and bile salt synthesis, and intestinal cholesterol absorption. After hepatic conjugation with taurine, cholate replaced most tauro-β-muricholate in bile. Dietary cholic acid plus cholesterol increased bile flow and biliary lipid secretion rates and reduced cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity significantly mostly via deoxycholic acid, cholate's bacterial 7α-dehydroxylation product but did not downregulate cholesterol biosynthesis. Intestinal cholesterol absorption doubled, and biliary cholesterol crystallized as phase boundaries shifted. Feeding mice 1% cholesterol alone produced no lithogenic or homeostatic effects. We conclude that in mice cholic acid promotes biliary cholesterol hypersecretion and cholelithogenesis by enhancing intestinal absorption, hepatic bioavailability, and phase separation of cholesterol in bile.
Comparison of smartphone addiction and loneliness in high school and university students

PURPOSE This study was conducted to compare the relationship between the smartphone addiction and loneliness in high school and university students. DESIGN AND METHODS A correlation and descriptive study from a convenience sample of 1156 high school and university students. Questionnaire, Smartphone Addiction scale, and Short Loneliness scale were used to collect the data of the study. FINDINGS No relationship was found between the smartphone addiction and loneliness in high school and university students. PRACTICE IMPLACITIONS It is recommended to organize comprehensive training programs for the students and their families in the school health services.
Antigen-induced hyperreactivity to histamine: role of the vagus nerves and eosinophils.

M2muscarinic receptors limit acetylcholine release from the pulmonary parasympathetic nerves. M2receptors are dysfunctional in antigen-challenged guinea pigs, causing increased vagally mediated bronchoconstriction. Dysfunction of these M2 receptors is due to eosinophil major basic protein, which is an antagonist for M2 receptors. Histamine-induced bronchoconstriction is composed of a vagal reflex in addition to its direct effect on airway smooth muscle. Because hyperreactivity to histamine is seen in antigen-challenged animals, we hypothesized that hyperreactivity to histamine may be due to increased vagally mediated bronchoconstriction caused by dysfunction of M2 receptors. In anesthetized, antigen-challenged guinea pigs, histamine-induced bronchoconstriction was greater than that in control guinea pigs. After vagotomy or atropine treatment, the response to histamine in antigen-challenged animals was the same as that in control animals. In antigen-challenged animals, blockade of eosinophil influx into the airways or neutralization of eosinophil major basic protein prevented the development of hyperreactivity to histamine. Thus hyperreactivity to histamine in antigen-challenged guinea pigs is vagally mediated and dependent on eosinophil major basic protein.
High shear strain rate rheometry of polymer melts

The rheology of a range of polymer melts has been measured at strain rates above those attained during conventional rheometry using an instrumented injection molding machine. Deviations from shear thinning behavior were observed at high rates, and previously unreported shear thickening behavior occurred for some of the polymers examined. Measured pressure and volumetric throughputs were used to calculate shear and extensional viscosity at wall shear strain rates up to 107 s−1. Parallel plate rheometry and twin bore capillary rheometry were used to provide comparative rheological data at low and medium shear strain rates, respectively. Commercial grades of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and PMMA were studied. Measured shear viscosity was found to follow Newtonian behavior at low rates and shear thinning power law behavior at intermediate strain rates. At shear strain rates approaching or above 106 s−1, shear viscosity reached a rate-independent plateau, and in some cases shear thickened with further increase in strain rate. A relationship between the measured high strain rate rheological behavior and molecular structure was noted, with polymers containing larger side groups reaching the rate-independent plateau at lower strain rates than those with simpler structures. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Adaptive Supersampling in Object Space Using Pyramidal Rays

We introduce a new approach to three important problems in ray tracing: antialiasing, distributed light sources, and fuzzy reflections of lights and other surfaces. For antialiasing, our approach combines the quality of supersampling with the advantages of adaptive supersampling. In adaptive supersampling, the decision to partition a ray is taken in image‐space, which means that small or thin objects may be missed entirely. This is particularly problematic in animation, where the intensity of such objects may appear to vary. Our approach is based on considering pyramidal rays (pyrays) formed by the viewpoint and the pixel. We test the proximity of a pyray to the boundary of an object, and if it is close (or marginal), the pyray splits into 4 sub‐pyrays; this continues recursively with each marginal sub‐pyray until the estimated change in pixel intensity is sufficiently small.
Update on Vascular Cognitive Impairment Associated with Subcortical Small-Vessel Disease2

Subcortical small-vessel disease (SSVD) is a disorder well characterized from the clinical, imaging, and neuropathological viewpoints. SSVD is considered the most prevalent ischemic brain disorder, increasing in frequency with age. Vascular risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, elevated homocysteine, and obstructive sleep apnea. Ischemic white matter lesions are the hallmark of SSVD; other pathological lesions include arteriolosclerosis, dilatation of perivascular spaces, venous collagenosis, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, microbleeds, microinfarcts, lacunes, and large infarcts. The pathogenesis of SSVD is incompletely understood but includes endothelial changes and blood-brain barrier alterations involving metalloproteinases, vascular endothelial growth factors, angiotensin II, mindin/spondin, and the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. Metabolic and genetic conditions may also play a role but hitherto there are few conclusive studies. Clinical diagnosis of SSVD includes early executive dysfunction manifested by impaired capacity to use complex information, to formulate strategies, and to exercise self-control. In comparison with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), patients with SSVD show less pronounced episodic memory deficits. Brain imaging has advanced substantially the diagnostic tools for SSVD. With the exception of cortical microinfarcts, all other lesions are well visualized with MRI. Diagnostic biomarkers that separate AD from SSVD include reduction of cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β (Aβ)42 and of the ratio Aβ42/Aβ40 often with increased total tau levels. However, better markers of small-vessel function of intracerebral blood vessels are needed. The treatment of SSVD remains unsatisfactory other than control of vascular risk factors. There is an urgent need of finding targets to slow down and potentially halt the progression of this prevalent, but often unrecognized, disorder.