Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbial Functional Diversity, Biomass and Activity as Affected by Soil Surface Mulching in a Semiarid Farmland

Mulching is widely used to increase crop yield in semiarid regions in northwestern China, but little is known about the effect of different mulching systems on the microbial properties of the soil, which play an important role in agroecosystemic functioning and nutrient cycling. Based on a 4-year spring maize (Zea mays L.) field experiment at Changwu Agricultural and Ecological Experimental Station, Shaanxi, we evaluated the responses of soil microbial activity and crop to various management systems. The treatments were NMC (no mulching with inorganic N fertilizer), GMC (gravel mulching with inorganic N fertilizer), FMC (plastic-film mulching with inorganic N fertilizer) and FMO (plastic-film mulching with inorganic N fertilizer and organic manure addition). The results showed that the FMO soil had the highest contents of microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, dehydrogenase activity, microbial activity and Shannon diversity index. The relative use of carbohydrates and amino acids by microbes was highest in the FMO soil, whereas the relative use of polymers, phenolic compounds and amines was highest in the soil in the NMC soil. Compared with the NMC, an increased but no significant trend of biomass production and nitrogen accumulation was observed under the GMC treatment. The FMC and FMO led a greater increase in biomass production than GMC and NMC. Compare with the NMC treatment, FMC increased grain yield, maize biomass and nitrogen accumulation by 62.2, 62.9 and 86.2%, but no significant difference was found between the FMO and FMC treatments. Some soil biological properties, i.e. microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, being sensitive to the mulching and organic fertilizer, were significant correlated with yield and nitrogen availability. Film mulching over gravel mulching can serve as an effective measure for crop production and nutrient cycling, and plus organic fertilization additions may thus have improvements in the biological quality of the soil and its sustainability in the rainfall-limited semiarid region.
End-stage renal disease-associated managed care costs among patients with and without diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To examine the direct costs of care before and after onset of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) for patients with and without diabetes based on analyses of retrospective healthcare claims data. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients with onset of ESRD between January 1998 though June 2002 were identified based on use of dialysis, renal transplantation, or other ESRD-related services. Continuous health plan enrollment > or =12 months before and > or =1 month after ESRD onset was required. The costs calculated include both observed and adjusted estimates; the latter were calculated using generalized linear models, controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics, "onset" period, and duration of follow-up. Analyses focus on the diabetic ESRD patient and include a comparison with ESRD patients without diabetes. RESULTS The study included 2,020 patients with diabetes and 2,170 without diabetes; 63% of patients were >50 years of age. Average costs were relatively stable before ESRD ($1,535 to $4,357 for diabetes, $1,082 to $2,447 for no diabetes) but more than doubled in the month preceding onset ($9,152 and $8,211, respectively). Postonset, average monthly per-patient costs escalated sharply in the 1st month ($26,507 and $26,789), declined steadily through month 6, and remained flat but elevated thereafter. Adjusted annual costs per patient pre- and postonset of ESRD were significantly higher for diabetes (P <0.0001); annual costs were 69% ($38,041 vs. $22,538) and 79% ($96,014 vs. $53,653) higher pre- and postonset, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The economic burden of ESRD in the year after onset is substantial, particularly among patients with diabetes.
A Low Voltage SRAM Using Resonant Supply Boosting

This paper presents a novel resonating inductor-based supply boosting scheme for low-voltage static random-access memories and logic in deep 14-nm silicon on insulator (SOI) FinFET technologies. The technique combines capacitive (C) and inductive (L) boosting for the first time. Simulation and measured hardware results from a 14-nm test chip show that this new technique is able to improve <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm {min}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> (down to 0.3 V), functional yield, and access time, when compared with designs with or without capacitive-boosted supplies. Simulations also reveal the optimal combinations of “L” and “C” needed for each <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm {dd}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> to achieve minimal boost voltage, where the static random-access memory can be rendered fully functional in the absence of any assist circuitry. Furthermore, the resonant supply provides power savings compared with a boosted supply alone.
Estimates for local and movement-based transmission of bovine tuberculosis in British cattle

Both badgers and livestock movements have been implicated in contributing to the ongoing epidemic of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in British cattle. However, the relative contributions of these and other causes are not well quantified. We used cattle movement data to construct an individual (premises)-based model of BTB spread within Great Britain, accounting for spread due to recorded cattle movements and other causes. Outbreak data for 2004 were best explained by a model attributing 16% of herd infections directly to cattle movements, and a further 9% unexplained, potentially including spread from unrecorded movements. The best-fit model assumed low levels of cattle-to-cattle transmission. The remaining 75% of infection was attributed to local effects within specific high-risk areas. Annual and biennial testing is mandatory for herds deemed at high risk of infection, as is pre-movement testing from such herds. The herds identified as high risk in 2004 by our model are in broad agreement with those officially designated as such at that time. However, border areas at the edges of high-risk regions are different, suggesting possible areas that should be targeted to prevent further geographical spread of disease. With these areas expanding rapidly over the last decade, their close surveillance is important to both identify infected herds quickly, and limit their further growth.
The Holin Protein of Bacteriophage PRD1 Forms a Pore for Small-Molecule and Endolysin Translocation

ABSTRACT PRD1 is a bacteriophage with an icosahedral outer protein layer surrounding the viral membrane, which encloses the linear double-stranded DNA genome. PRD1 infects gram-negative cells harboring a conjugative IncP plasmid. Here we studied the lytic functions of PRD1. Using infected cells and plasmid-borne lysis genes, we demonstrated that a two-component lysis system (holin-endolysin) operates to release progeny phage particles from the host cell. Monitoring of ion fluxes and the ATP content of the infected cells allowed us to build a model of the sequence of lysis-related physiological changes. A decrease in the intracellular level of ATP is the earliest indicator of cell lysis, followed by the leakage of K+ from the cytosol approximately 20 min prior to the decrease in culture turbidity. However, the K+ efflux does not immediately lead to the depolarization of the cytoplasmic membrane or leakage of the intracellular ATP. These effects are observed only ∼5 to 10 min prior to cell lysis. Similar results were obtained using cells expressing the holin and endolysin genes from plasmids.
Acute migraine treatment with droperidol

To the Editor: A recent article published in Neurology raises a concern for migraineurs who have concomitant restless legs syndrome (RLS). 1 Because RLS—similar to and often conflated with akathisia—is quite common (affecting about 10% of the population), assuming no interaction between the two conditions (possibly an incorrect assumption), 1 to 2% of the population would be expected to have both migraine and RLS. Because migraine is maximally expressed in 20- to 40-year-old women, while RLS is predominant after age 45 years (with several studies showing a 3:2 women:men ratio), the actual rate of comorbidity in the target age range for typical migraine may be less than 1% of the total population (or, 10% of migraineurs). Further, the average age at onset in primary (familial) RLS, accounting for about half the patients, is about 30 years, but age at diagnosis averages >40 years, indicating that in the target age group for most migraineurs, the diagnosis of RLS is unlikely to have yet been uncovered, although its presence …
Controlling a robot using brain waves

The aim of this project is to control a robot using a Brain Machine Interface (BMI). The electrophysiological signals generated from the brain are used to command different devices. The signals generated can be processed and conditioned by the BMI to perform the specific work for which they are generated. The research in BMI can naturally improve the quality of life of the disabled persons. BMI gives neural response which helps controlling a robot with one's mind. The BMI used here is NeuroSky Mindwave which is a three electrode system as compared to the previous BMI's which has a complex twenty four electrodes and is very clumsy to handle. The main advantage of the BMI used in this paper is that it uses dry electrodes over the traditional wet electrodes which makes the user very uncomfortable which decreases the accuracy of the neural response recorded.
Synergistic induction of apoptosis of neuroblastoma by fenretinide or CD437 in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs

Retinoic acid therapy improves the survival of children with neuroblastoma and 13‐cis retinoic acid now forms an important component of treatment for residual disease of stage IV neuroblastoma after chemotherapy. However, although 13‐cis retinoic acid induces differentiation, other retinoids are effective at inducing apoptosis of neuroblastoma in vitro, including the novel compounds fenretinide and CD437 and these may be alternative retinoids for neuroblastoma therapy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the ability of fenretinide, CD437 (6‐{3‐(1‐adamantyl)‐4‐hydroxyphenyl} ‐2‐naphthalene carboxylic acid) and different retinoic acid isomers to induce apoptosis of neuroblastoma in conjunction with the chemotherapeutic drugs, cisplatin, etoposide and carboplatin. Neuroblastoma cell lines were treated with retinoids prior to treatment with chemotherapeutic agents and flow cytometry used to measure apoptosis and free radical generation. Pre‐treatment of neuroblastoma cell lines with fenretinide or CD437 prior to treatment with cisplatin, etoposide or carboplatin synergistically increased apoptosis, an effect not seen with 13‐cis, all‐trans or 9‐cis retinoic acid. Contrary to retinoic acid isomers or chemotherapeutic drugs, apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells induced by fenretinide or CD437 was accompanied by the generation of intracellular free radicals. Quenching of fenretinide‐ or CD437‐induced free radicals with antioxidants abolished the synergistic response seen with the subsequent addition of chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, the generation of free radicals by fenretinide or CD437 may be the key property of these retinoids leading to synergistic responses with chemotherapeutic drugs. Clearly, these synthetic retinoids provide new opportunities for novel neuroblastoma therapy. Int. J. Cancer 88:977–985, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental differences in the sensitivity of hippocampal GABAA receptor-mediated IPSCS to ethanol.

BACKGROUND Ethanol consumption by juveniles and adolescents is a public health problem of massive proportions. Recent studies have indicated that adolescents may be less sedated by ethanol than adults, and may thus be able to consume more ethanol, putting them at greater risk for ethanol addiction and other negative consequences of ethanol use. However, the mechanisms underlying this developmental difference are unknown. One contributing factor may be GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition, which is known to produce sedation. Ethanol is known to enhance this inhibitory process. METHODS Using whole cell recording, we tested the response of GABAA receptor-mediated IPSCs in brain slices of rat hippocampus from animals representing three developmental stages: juvenile, early adolescent, and adult. RESULTS We found significantly greater ethanol-induced enhancement of GABA-mediated IPSPs in cells from adult animals compared to those from juvenile or adolescent animals. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the sensitivity of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory processes to ethanol increases with development from the juvenile period to adulthood.
Progress in the battle against hypertension. Changes in blood pressure levels in the United States from 1960 to 1980.

Intensive efforts by practicing physicians and public health workers to identify and treat persons with hypertension have been underway for many years. In this report, changes in blood pressure levels in the United States are assessed based on nationally representative health (and nutrition) examination surveys conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics in 1960 to 1962, 1971 to 1974, and 1976 to 1980. Analysis of age-adjusted data for adults aged 18 to 74 years (including those on antihypertensive medication) indicates that between the first and third surveys for whites and blacks, respectively, mean systolic blood pressure declined 5 and 10 mm Hg; the proportion of persons with systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher fell 18 and 31%; the proportion with undiagnosed hypertension decreased 17 and 59%; and the proportion taking antihypertensive medications rose 71 and 31%. These differences between the first and third surveys were all statistically significant (p less than 0.05 or better). Changes in diastolic blood pressure levels were generally not significant among race-sex groups. The proportion of persons with definite hypertension (i.e., systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 160 mm Hg, and/or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 95 mm Hg, and/or taking antihypertensive medication) declined among blacks but rose slightly among whites. Study results are consistent with the recent decline in cardiovascular disease mortality.
Baicalein and 12/15-Lipoxygenase in the Ischemic Brain

Background and Purpose— The natural product baicalein is a specific inhibitor of 12/15-lipoxygenase, but it also has antioxidant properties. The current study was designed to test if the neuroprotective properties of baicalein are related to its lipoxygenase inhibition. Methods— The presence of 12/15-lipoxygenase in the ischemic mouse brain was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. A mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion was used to study lipoxygenase-dependent protection of the ischemic brain by baicalein. Rat primary neurons were subjected to oxidative stress in the presence or absence of baicalein. Results— In a mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, 12/15-lipoxygenase is increased in the peri-infarct area surrounding the primary infarction, predominantly in neurons. Oxidative toxicity in primary rat neurons is reduced by baicalein. C57Bl6J mice are protected against transient focal ischemia by intraperitoneal injection of baicalein, and a similar degree of protection is seen in 12/15-lipoxygenase knockout mice compared with wild-type mice. In contrast, the 12/15-LOX knockout mice are not further protected by baicalein. Conclusion— Baicalein protects against ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting the 12/15-lipoxygenase pathway to neuronal cell death.
Synthesis And Characterization Of Poly Ester Amide Polymer For Drug Delivery Applications

Polymers are ideal class of materials to cover large application areas due to their light wt. , biocompatibility, non-corrosive nature, chem. inertness, low cost and comparable densities with that of human organs. The usage of polymers is increasing day by day due to some of their special features which include higher strength to wt. ratio, the ease of processability, low cost, light wt. , inertness (in most cases), amenability to get a specific property etc. The present study aims for synthesis of biopolymer which is bio compatible and non toxic and which will envisages a tool for the drug delivery. Polymer is characterized by FTIR and DSC which shows presence of moiety present in required polymer. Acute toxicity testing is done in order to render the polymer acceptable for therapeutic use. [on SciFinder(R)]
Performance Evaluation of CMFB Transmultiplexer for Broadband Power Line Communications under Narrowband Interference

Power lines are one of the most attractive communication media for access and/or in-home networks. The regulations on power line communication (PLC) may he eased in Japan and we could utilize a frequency band from 2 to 30 MHz in the future. However, this frequency band often suffers from narrowband interference caused by amplitude modulated (AM) broadcasting and/or amateur ham radio. The narrowband interference level may be much higher than the background noise if the interference source is close enough. Therefore, modulation and coding over power line channels are required to have immunity to narrowband interference. Multicarrier modulation (MCM) is expected as one of modulation methods which are robust to narrowband interference. In this paper, we investigate two MCMs, one is OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) with windowing whose window type is a raised cosine window and the other is CMFB (cosine-modulated filter bank) based transmultiplexer, under narrowband interference environments. We compare the performances of these two MCMs over narrowband noise channels by computer simulations. As these results, we show that CMFB transmultiplexer has a better performance than OFDM with windowing under narrowband noise environments
Learning the relationship between computer architecture and technology by reconfiguring

This paper proposes an approach for teaching Computer Organization and Architecture which is based on building knowledge from the bottom up. Students should design three processors with increased complexity and measure their performances. These processor designs are assigned during a sequence of three 15-week courses and are implemented using a low-cost FPGA-based reconfigurable platform developed at University of Las Palmas G. C. Emphasis is placed on comparing the relation of computer performance with hardware requirements to what has been experimented during the recent history of computers. Our experience shows that students understand better the architecture-technology relation and gain a sense of accomplishment on the computer design when given the opportunity to use real hardware. It is demonstrated here that the learning curve can be modelled as an exponential function of time.
Blockade of platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib receptors delays intracoronary thrombogenesis, enhances thrombolysis, and delays coronary artery reocclusion in dogs.

Von Willebrand factor and platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib receptors interact to mediate platelet adhesion and thrombogenesis in stenosed and endothelium-injured arteries. We wished to determine whether blocking glycoprotein Ib receptors with a recombinant von Willibrand factor binding domain (VCL) increases the time required for thrombus formation after injury to the coronary arteries. We also wished to determine whether, after thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), VCL delays or protects against coronary artery reocclusion. Twenty-seven dogs were treated with either saline, VCL, or aspirin before thrombosis was induced in their coronary arteries by electrical injury. The time from injury to the formation of occlusive thrombi was significantly greater with VCL (70 +/- 10 minutes) and aspirin (69 +/- 20 minutes) than with saline (18 +/- 3 minutes, P < .001 and P < .05). Thrombosis was induced in 30 other dogs that then received thrombolytic treatment in four groups. Our major finding was that coronary artery reocclusion occurred in 72 +/- 11 minutes after treatment with TPA (80 micrograms/kg + 8 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) and heparin (200 U/kg) (n = 7); in 142 +/- 24 minutes after TPA, heparin, and VCL (4 mg/kg + 2 mg.kg-1.h-1) (n = 7) (compared with TPA and heparin, P < .05); in 74 +/- 13 minutes after TPA, heparin, and aspirin (5 mg/kg) (n = 8); and in 173 +/- 8 minutes after TPA, heparin, VCL, and aspirin (n = 8) (compared with TPA and heparin, P < .001). Thus, VCL increases the length of time required for thrombus formation in coronary arteries, and, when given with TPA and heparin, delays coronary artery reocclusion more effectively than aspirin.
Customer Relationship Management: Emerging Practice, Process, and Discipline

Customer relationship management (CRM) has once again gained prominence amongst academics and practitioners. However, there is a tremendous amount of confusion regarding its domain and meaning. In this paper, the authors explore the conceptual foundations of CRM by examining the literature on relationship marketing and other disciplines that contribute to the knowledge of CRM. A CRM process framework is proposed that builds on other relationship development process models. CRM implementation challenges as well as CRM's potential to become a distinct discipline of marketing are also discussed in this paper.
Exploiting Tree Decomposition and Soft Local Consistency In Weighted CSP

Several recent approaches for processing graphical models (constraint and Bayesian networks) simultaneously exploit graph decomposition and local consistency enforcing. Graph decomposition exploits the problem structure and offers space and time complexity bounds while hard information propagation provides practical improvements of space and time behavior inside these theoretical bounds. Concurrently, the extension of local consistency to weighted constraint networks has led to important improvements in branch and bound based solvers. Indeed, soft local consistencies give incrementally computed strong lower bounds providing inexpensive yet powerful pruning and better informed heuristics. In this paper, we consider combinations of tree decomposition based approaches and soft local consistency enforcing for solving weighted constraint problems. The intricacy of weighted information processing leads to different approaches, with different theoretical properties. It appears that the most promising combination sacrifices a bit of theory for improved practical efficiency.