Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nasal neutrophil activity and mucinous secretory responsiveness in COPD

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently report nasal symptoms. In the present study, we have examined whether or not COPD is associated with any nasal inflammation. Plasma exudation evoked by histamine challenges has been employed to improve the recovery of inflammatory indices in nasal lavage fluids. In 23 COPD‐patients and 26 healthy subjects, all without history or signs of allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, or chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal saline‐lavages were performed with and without histamine. α2‐Macroglobulin, fucose, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined as indices of plasma exudation, mucinous secretion, eosinophil activity and neutrophil activity, respectively. The difference in MPO‐levels between the histamine and the saline lavage was greater in COPD patients compared with healthy subjects (P<0·05). Also, COPD patients reporting nasal symptoms presented an increase in MPO at histamine challenge (P<0·05, cf. saline) and greater differences in MPO and fucose, respectively, between the histamine and the saline lavage (P<0·05, cf. patients without symptoms). We conclude that COPD is not associated with any marked nasal inflammation. However, our observation on increased MPO‐levels at histamine challenge suggests some degree of increased neutrophil activity in this condition. Furthermore, when associated with nasal symptoms, COPD may be associated with an increased nasal secretory responsiveness.
Proposals for improvement of methodology and process of collecting and analyzing compatibility of power quality indicators in distribution systems

This article aims to present proposals for improvement of key standards and resolutions concerned about the methodology for calculating the indicator of total harmonic voltage distortion, and should contribute to the process of examining the compatibility of potentially disturbing loads in electric power quality in distribution systems. These proposals were drawn from the analysis of results from measurement campaigns conducted in a case study including analysis of the connection of a new induction furnace in a foundry served by a distributor of São Paulo state. A general historical situating the quality of electric energy in the electricity sector is presented, and methodological guidelines and procedures used in experimental trials are shown. The analysis and discussion of results are prepared to answer the main questions that arise during the implementation of standards, resolutions and procedures.
Red blood cells from patients with sickle cell disease exhibit an increased adherence to cultured endothelium pretreated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)

Red blood cells (RBCs) from 24 patients with sickle cell disease were more adherent to cultured endothelium pretreated with the inflammatory cytokine, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) than RBCs from 22 healthy subjects. The enhanced sticking was apparent in RBC preparations from patients who were in crisis (mean 190% increase from controls) and out of crisis (mean 220% increase) and was not related to the number of circulating RBCs, reticulocytes, platelets, leucocytes or haemoglobin levels. When irreversibly sickled RBCs, enriched by centrifugation on density gradients, were added to TNF‐treated endothelium they were found to be significantly more adherent (mean 411% increase; P<0·001) than the unfractionated RBCs from the same patients. There was no difference between the adherent properties of sickle RBCs and normal RBCs for untreated endothelium.
Mechanical Strain Affects Dura Mater Biological Processes: Implications for Immature Calvarial Healing

The human brain grows rapidly during the first 2 years of life. This growth generates tensile strain in the overlying dura mater and neurocranium. Interestingly, it is largely during this 2-year growth period that infants are able to reossify calvarial defects. This clinical observation is important because it suggests that calvarial healing is most robust during the period of active intracranial volume expansion. With a rat model, it was previously demonstrated that immature dura mater proliferates more rapidly and produces more osteogenic cytokines and markers of osteoblast differentiation than does mature dura mater. It was therefore hypothesized that mechanical strain generated by the growing brain induces immature dura mater proliferation and increases osteogenic cytokine expression necessary for growth and healing of the overlying calvaria. Human and rat (n = 40) intracranial volume expansion was calculated as a function of age. These calculations demonstrated that 83 percent of human intracranial volume expansion is complete by 2 years of age and 90 percent of Sprague-Dawley rat intracranial volume expansion is achieved by 2 months of age. Next, the maximal daily circumferential tensile strains that could be generated in immature rat dura mater were calculated, and the corresponding daily biaxial tensile strains in the dura mater during this 2-month period were determined. With the use of a three-parameter monomolecular growth curve, it was calculated that rat dura mater experiences daily equibiaxial strains of at most 9.7 percent and 0.1 percent at birth (day 0) and 60 days of age, respectively. Because it was noted that immature dural cells may experience tensile strains as high as approximately 10 percent, neonatal rat dural cells were subjected to 10 percent equibiaxial strain in vitro, and dural cell proliferation and gene expression profiles were analyzed. When exposed to mechanical strain, immature dural cells rapidly proliferated (5.8-fold increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression at 24 hours). Moreover, mechanical strain induced marked up-regulation of dural cell osteogenic cytokine production; transforming growth factor-&bgr;1 messenger RNA levels increased 3.4-fold at 3 hours and fibroblast growth factor-2 protein levels increased 4.5-fold at 24 hours and 5.6-fold at 48 hours. Finally, mechanical strain increased dural cell expression of markers of osteoblast differentiation (2.8-fold increase in osteopontin levels at 3 hours). These findings suggest that mechanical strain can induce changes in dura mater biological processes and gene expression that may play important roles in coordinating the growth and healing of the neonatal calvaria.
Numerical Methods for Simulating the Motion of Porous Balls in Simple 3D Shear Flows Under Creeping Conditions

Abstract In this article, two novel numerical methods have been developed for simulating fluid/porous particle interactions in three-dimensional (3D) Stokes flow. The Brinkman–Debye–Bueche model is adopted for the fluid flow inside the porous particle, being coupled with the Stokes equations for the fluid flow outside the particle. The rotating motion of a porous ball and the interaction of two porous balls in bounded shear flows have been studied by these two new methods. The numerical results show that the porous particle permeability has a strong effect on the interaction of two porous balls.
ERREICHBARKEIT UND NUTZUNG VON INFRASTRUKTUR-EINRICHTUNGEN

ZUSAMMENHAENGE ZWISCHEN DEMOGRAPHISCHEN FAKTOREN, AUTOMOBILBESITZ UND DER NUTZUNG STAEDTISCHER EINRICHTUNGEN WERDEN AN BEISPIELEN AUFGEZEIGT UND EMPIRISCH UEBERPRUEFT. EINE AUSWERTUNG VON BEFRAGUNGEN ERGIBT, DASS NUTZER AUS VERSCHIEDENEN SOZIALEN GRUPPEN UNTERSCHIEDLICHE DISTANZEN ZURUECKLEGEN, UM DIE ANGEBOTE STAEDTISCHER INFRASTRUKTUR ZU NUTZEN. FERNER WIRD GEZEIGT, WIE DURCH TRANSPORTSYSTEME (BESONDERS DAS KFZ) DER EINZUGSBEREICH EINER EINRICHTUNG WESENTLICH ERHOEHT UND DIESE BESSER GENUTZT WIRD. LETZTLICH BEDEUTET DIESER GROSSE VORTEIL ABER AUCH EINEN NACHTEIL FUER BEVOELKERUNGSGRUPPEN, DIE UEBER KEIN TRANSPORTSYSTEM VERFUEGEN, DENN SIE SIND BEI GROESSERER ZURUECKZULEGENDER DISTANZ VON DER NUTZUNG EINER EINRICHTUNG FAST AUSGESCHLOSSEN. INSGESAMT ZEIGT DIE EMPIRISCHE ANALYSE DIE WESENTLICHE BEDEUTUNG DER TRANSPORTSYSTEME FUER DIE NUTZUNG DER STAEDTISCHEN INFRASTRUKTUR. (A)
Content Distribution for 5G Systems Based on Distributed Cloud Service Network Architecture

Future mobile communications face enormous challenges as traditional voice services are replaced with increasing mobile multimedia and data services. To address the vast data traffic volume and the requirement of user Quality of Experience (QoE) in the next generation mobile networks, it is imperative to develop efficient content distribution technique, aiming at significantly reducing redundant data transmissions and improving content delivery performance. On the other hand, in recent years cloud computing as a promising new content-centric paradigm is exploited to fulfil the multimedia requirements by provisioning data and computing resources on demand. In this paper, we propose a cooperative caching framework which implements State based Content Distribution (SCD) algorithm for future mobile networks. In our proposed framework, cloud service providers deploy a plurality of cloudlets in the network forming a Distributed Cloud Service Network (DCSN), and pre-allocate content services in local cloudlets to avoid redundant content transmissions. We use content popularity and content state which is determined by content requests, editorial updates and new arrivals to formulate a content distribution optimization model. Data contents are deployed in local cloudlets according to the optimal solution to achieve the lowest average content delivery latency. We use simulation experiments to validate the effectiveness of our proposed framework. Numerical results show that the proposed framework can significantly improve content cache hit rate, reduce content delivery latency and outbound traffic volume in comparison with known existing caching strategies.
The Temperature Dependence of Relaxation Mechanisms in Amorphous Polymers and Other Glass-Forming Liquids

The ratio UT of all mechanical and electrical relaxation times at temperature T to their values at a reference temperature T. can be expressed, after suitable choice of T. , by the equation log UT = -8.86 ( T - Ta)/( 101.6 + T - Ts). Over a T range of T, rt 50", this applies to a wide variety of polymers, polymer solutions, organic glass-forming liquids, and in- organic glasses. If, alternatively, the reference temperature is chosen as T,, then log UT - 17.44 ( T - Tg)/(51.6 + T - TE). Above T. + 50 (or T, + 100) the equa- tion fails because different systems show specific properties which are no longer dominated by the non-specific behavior associated with supercooling and vitrification. The apparent activation energy for relaxation processes, unlike UT, is not a universal function of T - T. or T - T,. Our empirical equations are shown to be consistent with earlier formulations of Fox and Flory, Tobolsky, Dienes and Bueche over limited temperature ranges. Comparison with a simplified version of Doolittle's free space equation for temperature dependence of viscosity shows that our empirical constants are determined by the increase in thermal expansion coefficient at the glass transition temperature and the fractional free volume at that point. deg. -], in rather good agreement with experimental measure- ments, and 0.025, a reasonable value. As chosen, T. lies about 50' above the glass transition temperature T,. The latter quantities are calculated to be 4.8 X The reaction between mesitylene and bromine in carbon tetrachloride solution is catalyzed by iodine bromide. At low concentrations of mesitylene the rate of disappearance of bromine is second order in iodine bromide, first order in bromine and fust order in mesitylene. At concentrations of mesitylene above 1 M the effect of increasing mesitylene concentration on the rate of reaction may be explained on the basis that both free and complexed iodine bromide act as a catalyst for the conversion of a 1-1 mesitylene-bromine complex to ring substituted bromomesitylene.
Tumor Targeting Using Affibody Molecules: Interplay of Affinity, Target Expression Level, and Binding Site Composition

Radionuclide imaging of cancer-associated molecular alterations may contribute to patient stratification for targeting therapy. Scaffold high-affinity proteins, such as Affibody molecules, are a new, promising class of probes for in vivo imaging. Methods. The effects of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) affinity and binding site composition of HER2-binding Affibody molecules, and of the HER2 density on the tumor targeting, were studied in vivo. The tumor uptake and tumor-to-organ ratios of Affibody molecules with moderate (dissociation constant [KD] = 10−9 M) or high (KD = 10−10 M) affinity were compared between tumor xenografts with a high (SKOV-3) and low (LS174T) HER2 expression level in BALB/C nu/nu mice. Two Affibody molecules with similar affinity (KD = 10−10 M) but having alternative amino acids in the binding site were compared. Results. In SKOV-3 xenografts, uptake was independent of affinity at 4 h after injection, but high-affinity binders provided 2-fold-higher tumor radioactivity retention at 24 h. In LS174T xenografts, uptake of high-affinity probes was already severalfold higher at 4 h after injection, and the difference was increased at 24 h. The clearance rate and tumor-to-organ ratios were influenced by the amino acid composition of the binding surface of the tracer protein. Conclusion. The optimal affinity of HER2-binding Affibody molecules depends on the expression of a molecular target. At a high expression level (>106 receptors per cell), an affinity in the low-nanomolar range is sufficient. At moderate expression, subnanomolar affinity is desirable. The binding site composition can influence the imaging contrast. This information may be useful for development of imaging agents based on scaffold affinity proteins.
The ‘Research Magnificent’ in Late Life: Psychiatric Epidemiology and the Primary Health Care of Older Adults

Objective: Primary care occupies a strategic position in the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of the mental disturbances of later life. This article highlights four themes that are crucial to understanding mental disturbances among older adults: 1) subsyndromal depression, 2) coexisting depression and anxiety, 3) comorbidity of depression and chronic medical conditions, and 4) risk factors for cognitive impairment. Method: The literature was selectively reviewed for each theme to ask the central question, “What can primary care physicians learn about mental disturbances of their older patients from epidemiologic and community studies? ” Results: The primary care setting itself is an important venue for an examination of aging issues and mental health. Workers in the “middle ground of psychiatric epidemiology”—primary health care—have not yet reached a full appreciation for the value of research in the primary care setting for enhancing our understanding of the mental disturbances of late life, and how these intersect with other salient factors. Conclusions: Primary care physicians and others who work in primary care should advocate for further mental health integration and research in primary care. Research is needed that will lead to new ways of maximizing the health and quality of life of older adults and their families.
Introduction to the Culture, Health & Sexuality Virtual Special Issue on sex, sexuality and sex work

Abstract This article provides an editorial introduction to a virtual special issue on sex work and prostitution. It offers a brief history of sex work studies as published in the journal Culture, Health & Sexuality; reflects on the breadth and scope of papers the journal has published; considers the contribution of the journal’s papers to the wellbeing and sexuality of people who sell sex; and envisions future areas of inquiry for sex work studies. As authors, we identify major themes within the journal’s archive, including activism, agency, context, discourse, hazard, health, legalisation, love, place, power, race, relationships, stigma and vulnerabilities. In particular, we reflect on how HIV has created an environment in which issues of culture, health and sexuality have come to be disentangled from the moral agendas of earlier years. As a venue for the dissemination of a reinvigorated scholarship, Culture, Health & Sexuality provides a platform for a community of often like-minded, rigorous thinkers, to provide new and established perspectives, methods and voices and to present important developments in studies of sex, sexuality and sex work.
Effects of query complexity and learning on novice user query performance with conceptual and logical database interfaces

Users see the database interface as the database system. A good interface enables them to formulate queries better. The semantics communicated through the interface can be classified according to abstraction levels, such as the conceptual and logical levels. With the conceptual interface, interaction is in terms of real-world concepts such as entities, objects and relationships. Current user-database interaction is mainly based on the logical interface, where interaction is in terms of abstract database concepts such as relations and joins. Many researchers argue that end users will perform better with the conceptual interface. This research tested this claim, as well as the effects of query complexity and learning, on the visual query performance of users. The experiment involved three tests: an initial test, a retention test and a relearning test. The results showed that, for complex queries, conceptual interface users achieved higher accuracy, were more confident in their answers, and spent less time on the queries. This is persistent across retention and relearning tests.
I Computational Complexity

A b s t r a c t . In this paper, we consider the formula complexity of the majority function over a basis consisting only of small (bounded-size) majority gates. Using Valiant's amplification technique, we show that there is a formula of size O(n 4"29) when only the gate M3 (the majority gate on three inputs) is used. Then, based on a result of Boppana, we show that not only is our result optimal with respect to the amplification technique, there is no smaller formula over the basis of all monotone 3input functions (again with respect to amplification). Finally, we show that no better bounds are possible even with respect to more general input distributions. In particular, we show that it is not possible to use amplification to "bootstrap", that is, use smaller majority functions in the initial distribution to find an optimal formula for a larger majority function.
Evaluation of serum vitamins A and E and zinc levels according to the severity of acne vulgaris

Abstract Background: Although hyperseborrhea, follicular hyperkeratinization, Propionibacterium acnes colonization and inflammation are found to be responsible in the pathogenesis of acne, the exact mechanisms are unknown. Vitamin A and E are basic antioxidants vital for health. Zinc is also an essential element for human. But these parameters of the effects on skin are not fully understood. We aimed to evaluate plasma levels of vitamin A, E and zinc in acne patients in relation to the severity of the disease. Material and method: There were 94 acne patients who were referred to our clinic, all new diagnosed, and 56 age and sex matched healthy volunteers as control group. All patients are assessed according to Global Acne Grading System and grouped as mild, moderate, severe and very severe. Acne patients further grouped as group 1 consist of patients with mild to moderate disease; and group 2 consist of patients with severe to very severe acne. The patients with the controls and group 1 with group 2 was compared. Results: The level of vitamin E, vitamin A and zinc were significantly lower than the control group (Table 1,p < 0.001). When the patient group is compared among each other there was no statistically significant difference for plasma vitamin A levels between group 1 and 2 whereas vitamin E and zinc levels were significantly low in group 2 than group 1. Thus there was a negative correlation between acne severity and vitamin E and zinc levels. Conclusion: Our study marks the importance of diet in patients with acne. We offer supportive dietary measures with foods rich in vitamin A and E and zinc in the acne prophylaxis and treatment. Supportive treatment with these vitamins and zinc in severe acne may lead to satisfactory results.
BDNF is required for the normal development of taste neurons in vivo

THE vallate gustatory epithelium of neonatal trkB null mutant mice (−/−) lacked innervation. This prompted the evaluation of null mutant mice corresponding to the three neurotrophin ligands for tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB): brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin (NT)3, NT4. The vallate gustatory epithelium of nt3−/− mice and of nt4−/− mice appeared normal. Only bdnf−/− mice had a vallate papilla that was stunted, sparsely innervated, and lacked up to 98% of its taste buds. All three defects persisted. For example, the vallate papilla of 12-day-old bdnf−/− mice remained markedly less well innervated than the vallate of 7-day-old or newborn bdnf+/+ mice. The foliate taste papillae of neonatal bdnf−/− mice had similar defects. We conclude that the normal development of taste neurons requires BDNF.
Siderophores of Fluorescent Pseudomonads

Though iron is fourth in abundance in the earth crust it is not readily available to many m icroorga­ nisms: In the early days of earth life developed in a reductive atm osphere where iron necessary for many physiological processes was abundant in its divalent form. Fe2+-salts are sufficiently w ater soluble to provide an adequate supply of this elem ent to the cells. But as a consequence of the photolytic cleavage of water, oxygen was set free and soon with rare exceptions only trivalent iron abounded which is present in the soil mainly in the form of its oxide hydrates [Fe20 3 . n H zO ]x. D ue to their low dissociation constants the con­ centration of free Fe3+ is at best 10-17 mol/1 at physiological pH-values while 10-6 mol/1 would be needed to provide the necessary supply. To cir­ cum vent this problem soil bacteria as well as the ones infecting higher organisms (where the avail­ ability of iron is limited for o ther reasons such as com plexation by peptides as, e.g., transferrins) produce a variety of com pounds which can form w ater soluble Fe3+-complexes, so-called sidero­ phores. Fe 3+ forms octahedral d5 high spin complexes which can accomodate three b identate ligands with oxygen or occasionally nitrogen and sulfur as binding sites. Most frequently encountered are catecholate and hydroxam ate units. M ixed systems are no t uncommon and other structural types as a-hydroxy-carboxylates are observed occasion-
Thymus epithelium induces tissue-specific tolerance

Most current models of T cell development include a positive selection step in the thymus that occurs when T cells interact with thymic epithelium and a negative selection step after encounters with bone marrow-derived cells. We show here that developing T cells are tolerized when they recognize antigens expressed by thymic epithelium, that the tolerance is tissue specific, and that it can occur by deletion of the reactive T cells.