Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Fast Will Jet Fuel Consumption Rise

Jet fuel consumption accounts for a growing amount of greenhouse gas emissions and continues to rise with globalization. Due to its increasing share of greenhouse gas emissions, aviation has been thrust into the spotlight as an industry with the potential to abate carbon emissions. Despite collaborative intentions, many countries cannot come to an agreement for aviation standards and greenhouse gas reduction targets. In projecting jet fuel consumption levels in 2030 and 2050, I hope to create the basis upon which discussions for setting jet fuel consumption policy can begin. I use data on oil prices, income per capita, and population to create a model to estimate expected jet fuel consumption while accounting for various stages in economic development. I find that income elasticities for jet fuel consumption are highest in the poorest countries, with the most inelastic demand occurring in the 7,000 to 15,000 GDP per capita range. My research predicts jet fuel consumption levels in 2030 and 2050 will be 39.65% and 95.06% greater than 2013 jet fuel consumption levels, respectively.
demethylation by JMJD 3 at a poised enhancer of anti-apoptotic gene BCL 2 determines ER a ligand dependency

Chromatin represents a repressive barrier to the process of ligand-dependent transcriptional activity of nuclear receptors. Here, we show that H3K27 methylation imposes ligand-dependent regulation of the oestrogen receptor a (ERa)-dependent apoptotic response via Bcl-2 in breast cancer cells. The activation of BCL2 transcription is dependent on the simultaneous inactivation of the H3K27 methyltransferase, EZH2, and the demethylation of H3K27 at a poised enhancer by the ERa-dependent recruitment of JMJD3 in hormone-dependent breast cancer cells. We also provide evidence that this pathway is modified in cells resistant to anti-oestrogen (AE), which constitutively express BCL2. We show that the lack of H3K27 methylation at BCL2 regulatory elements due to the inactivation of EZH2 by the HER2 pathway leads to this constitutive activation of BCL2 in these AE-resistant cells. Our results describe a mechanism in which the epigenetic state of chromatin affects ligand dependency during ERa-regulated gene expression. The EMBO Journal (2011) 30, 3947–3961. doi:10.1038/ emboj.2011. 284; Published online 12 August 2011 Subject Categories: chromatin & transcription
Explorer Macrophage entry mediated by HIV Envs from brain and lymphoid tissues is determined by the capacity to use low CD 4 levels and overall efficiency of fusion

HIV infects macrophages and microglia in the central nervous system (CNS), which express lower levels of CD4 than CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood. To investigate mechanisms of HIV neurotropism, full-length env genes were cloned from autopsy brain and lymphoid tissues from 4 AIDS patients with HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Characterization of 55 functional Env clones demonstrated that Envs with reduced dependence on CD4 for fusion and viral entry are more frequent in brain compared to lymphoid tissue. Envs that mediated efficient entry into macrophages were frequent in brain, but were also present in lymphoid tissue. For most Envs, entry into macrophages correlated with overall fusion activity at all levels of CD4 and CCR5. gp160 nucleotide sequences were compartmentalized in brain versus lymphoid tissue within each patient. Proline at position 308 in the V3 loop of gp120 was associated with brain compartmentalization in 3 patients, but mutagenesis studies suggested that P308 alone does not contribute to reduced CD4 dependence or macrophage-tropism. These results suggest that HIV adaptation to replicate in the CNS selects for Envs with reduced CD4 dependence and increased fusion activity. Macrophage-tropic Envs are frequent in brain but are also present in lymphoid tissues of AIDS patients with HAD, and entry into macrophages in the CNS and other tissues is dependent on the ability to use low receptor levels and overall efficiency of fusion.
The Enrichment Study of the Minnesota Twin Family Study: Increasing the Yield of Twin Families at High Risk for Externalizing Psychopathology

Abstract The Enrichment Study (ES) was designed to extend the Minnesota Twin Family Study (MTFS) by oversampling 11-year-old twins at especially high risk for substance use disorders by virtue of having a childhood disruptive disorder. The sample was ascertained from Minnesota birth records. To identify high-risk twins, we conducted telephone screening interviews for parent-reported symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) as well as indications of academic disengagement. Twins who exceeded a predetermined threshold were invited to participate. To facilitate comparison with the previously ascertained MTFS participants, a random sample of 11-year-old twins was also recruited. As part of the ES study, 499 twin pairs, and their parents, visited the University of Minnesota, where each participant completed a clinical interview, psychophysiological evaluation, and thorough assessment of environmental risk. We were highly successful in recruiting at-risk twins; 52% of the screened male twins and 41% of the screened females met criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD, CD, or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). At the pair level, 63% of the screened pairs had at least one member with a childhood disruptive disorder. This article provides an overview of the study design and includes a review of recent findings using this sample of twins.
A look inside an interdisciplinary spine center at an academic medical center.

An interdisciplinary spine center can serve as a model of cost-effective, patient-centered care within an academic medical center. The ideal spine center would serve back or spine pain patients expeditiously, provide a comprehensive range of imaging and physiologic testing, and offer timely surgical or nonsurgical treatment options. Most importantly, however, the ideal spine center should include professionals who are good communicators who can provide patients with appropriate explanations of the cause of their symptoms, take into account the patient preferences and encourage patients to become more actively involved in treatment of their back pain. Only a minority of back pain patients ultimately needs surgical intervention. The typical yield of spine surgery cases from spine surgery clinics can vary from a low of five percent to a high of 50 percent anecdotally, depending on surgeon preference and whether a successful triage mechanism is in place. If a spine center does not have patient triage, it could be viewed as a “factory,” churning out high-cost spine surgeries or procedures, yet not offering much to the majority who do not want or need surgery. We describe herein how the University of Iowa (UI) Spine Center has developed programs to insure that patients are seen by the right provider at the right time, while providing appropriate treatment for each patient. All these programs can improve patient and provider satisfaction. We reviewed the operation of a spine center in an academic medical center over the past 20 years to identify some of the important factors required for success. The most important factor appeared to be dedicated professionals with extensive experience in dealing with complex, difficult, and frustrated patients with chronic back pain.
Serum thyroglobulin concentrations predict disease‐free remission and death in differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Objective Most studies on the diagnostic value of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) concentrations in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) use fixed cut‐off levels in heterogeneous groups of patients with respect to initial therapy and do not provide prognostic data. The objective was to investigate the prognostic values of serum Tg for disease‐free remission and death, measured at fixed time‐points after initial therapy using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses.
Anti‐inflammatory effects of low molecular weight heparin derivative in a rat model of carrageenan‐induced pleurisy

Low molecular weight heparin derivatives are characterized by low anti‐coagulant activity and marked anti‐inflammatory effects that allow for these molecules to be viewed as a new class of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). We show here that K5NOSepiLMW, an O‐sulphated heparin‐like semi‐synthetic polymer of the D‐glucuronic acid–N‐acetyleparoson disaccharide unit with low molecular weight, has marked anti‐inflammatory effects in a rat model of acute inflammation, the carrageenan‐induced pleurisy, commonly used to test NSAID efficacy. A 30‐min. pre‐treatment with K5NOSepiLMW (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg b.wt., given intrapleurally) attenuated the recruitment of leucocytes in the lung tissue and the pleural exudate, inhibited the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), thereby abating the generation of nitric oxide and pro‐inflammatory prostaglandins such as PgE2 and PGF1α, reduced the inflammation‐induced nitroxidative lung tissue injury, as shown by tissue thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances and nitrotyrosine, and blunted the local generation of cytokines such as interleukin‐1β and tumour necrosis factor‐α. All these parameters were markedly increased by intrapleural carrageenan in the absence of any pre‐treatment. The anti‐inflammatory action of K5NOSepiLMW is specific, as judged by the lack of therapeutic effects of B4/110, a biologically inactive cognate polysaccharide, given in the place of the authentic molecule. Moreover, K5NOSepiLMW showed similar effects as celecoxib (1 mg/kg b.wt), a COX‐2 inhibitor and well‐known NSAID. This study provides further insight into the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of heparin derivatives in inflammation and identifies K5NOSepiLMW as a novel, promising anti‐inflammatory drug.
Serum Bactericidal Activities of High-Dose Daptomycin with and without Coadministration of Gentamicin against Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus species

ABSTRACT The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and serum bactericidal titers (SBTs) of daptomycin alone and in combination with gentamicin against strains of Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci to determine if there might be any benefit to the addition of the aminoglycoside. A multiple-dose, randomized crossover study was performed in 11 healthy volunteers to evaluate the steady-state pharmacokinetic profile of 6 mg/kg of body weight daptomycin once daily with or without 1 mg/kg gentamicin every 8 h. SBTs were determined against clinical isolates of nosocomial (MRSA 494) and community-acquired (CA-MRSA 44) methicillin-resistant S. aureus, vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis (VSEF 49452), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF 80), and quality control strains of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (ATCC 29213) and vancomycin-susceptible E. faecalis (ATCC 29212). Enhancement of bactericidal activity was evaluated by calculating and comparing the areas under the bactericidal curve (AUBC) for each dosing regimen against each isolate. The area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h and clearance for daptomycin alone were 645 ± 91 μg · h/ml and 9.47 ± 1.4 mg/h/kg, respectively, compared with 642 ± 69 μg · h/ml and 9.45 ± 1.0 mg/h/kg for daptomycin plus gentamicin. Daptomycin alone displayed sustained bactericidal activity against five of the six isolates over the entire 24-h dosing interval; bactericidal activity was maintained for 8 h against VREF 80. Mean AUBCs for daptomycin alone ranged from 935 to 1,263 and 36 to 238 against staphylococcal and enterococcal isolates, respectively, compared with 902 to 972 and 34 to 213 against staphylococci and enterococci when coadministered with gentamicin. The results of this study suggest that the addition of gentamicin does not alter the pharmacokinetic profile or enhance the bactericidal activity of daptomycin against staphylococcal or enterococcal isolates.
Antiferromagnetism in Iron-Based Superconductors: Selection of Magnetic Order and Quasiparticle Interference

The recent discovery of superconductivity in the iron-based layered pnictides with Tc ranging between 26 and 56 K generated enormous interest in the physics of these materials. Here, we review some of the peculiarities of the antiferromagnetic order in the iron pnictides, including the selection of the stripe magnetic order and the formation of the Ising-nematic state in the unfolded BZ within an itinerant description. In addition we analyze the properties of the quasiparticle interference spectrum in the parent antiferromagnetic phase.
The impact of hypoxia and hyperventilation on outcome after paramedic rapid sequence intubation of severely head-injured patients.

BACKGROUND An increase in mortality has been documented in association with paramedic rapid sequence intubation (RSI) of severely head-injured patients. This analysis explores the impact of hypoxia and hyperventilation on outcome. METHODS Adult severely head-injured patients (Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3-8) unable to be intubated without neuromuscular blockade underwent paramedic RSI using midazolam and succinylcholine; rocuronium was administered after confirmation of tube position. Standard ventilation parameters were used for most patients; however, one agency instituted use of digital end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and oxygen saturation (Spo2) monitoring during the trial. Each patient undergoing digital ETCO2/Spo2 monitoring was matched to three historical nonintubated controls on the basis of age, gender, mechanism, and Abbreviated Injury Scale scores for each of six body regions. Logistic regression was used to explore the impact of oxygen desaturation during laryngoscopy and postintubation hypocapnia and hypoxia on outcome. The relationship between hypocapnia and ventilatory rate was explored using linear regression and univariate analysis. In addition, trial patients and controls were compared with regard to mortality and the incidence of "good outcomes" using an odds ratio analysis. RESULTS Of the 426 trial patients, a total of 59 had complete ETCO2/Spo2 monitoring data; these were matched to 177 controls. Logistic regression revealed an association between the lowest ETCO2 value and final ETCO2 value and mortality. Matched-controls analysis confirmed an association between hypocapnia and mortality. A statistically significant association between ventilatory rate and ETCO2 value was observed (r = -0.13, p < 0.0001); the median ventilatory rate associated with the lowest recorded ETCO2 value was significantly higher than for all other ETCO2 values (27 mm Hg vs. 19 mm Hg, p < 0.0001). In addition, profound desaturations during RSI and hypoxia after intubation were associated with higher mortality than matched controls. Overall mortality was 41% for trial patients versus 22% for matched controls (odds ratio, 2.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-4.72; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Hyperventilation and severe hypoxia during paramedic RSI are associated with an increase in mortality.
Esophageal Motility and Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) represents a real social problem in the western world. About 20% of population has at least once a week, typical symptoms of this disease (heartburn and acid regurgitation); this incidence is probably underestimated because many patients have symptoms referable to extra-esofageal locations (asthma, cough, hoarseness, , non cardiogenic chest pain). The Montreal consensus conference defined GERD as “a condition which develops when the reflux of gastric contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications” (Vakil et al.,2006) But this definition does not take into account all possible pathogenetic causes and their therapeutic implications. Therefore seems more relevant to the definition of Brazilian consensus conference who considered GERD to be “a chronic disorder related to the retrograde flow of gastro-duodenal contents into the esophagus and/or adjacent organs, resulting in a spectrum of symptoms, with or without tissue damage”(Moraes-Filho et al.,2002). This definition recognizes the chronic character of the disease, and acknowledges that the refluxate can be gastric and duodenal in origin, with important implications for the treatment of this disease (Herbella & Patti, 2010).
A case of thrombocythaemia with red cell aplasia.

from the tumour cells is provided by Amatruda, Mulrow, Gallagher and Sawyer (1963). So far as one is aware this association has not been seen in the reticuloses, although Plimpton & Gellhorn, (1956), have reported 'hypercalcaemria (also probably endocrine 'in origin) in one case of Hodgkin's disease. In all the cases in the present series, Hodgkin's disease was histologically proven. In each case the serum sodium level was at some time 125 mEq/l. or below. This hyponatraemnia was associated with a low serum osmolality with a ratio of urine-to-serum osmotic pressure greater than one. There was, therefore, good evidence of inappropriate secretion of ADH. The absence of clinical disturbance associated with the hyponatraemia is also in favour of a dilutional hyponatraem'ia rather than an Addisonian type, and this was suggested in Case 1 by the fall in serum specific gravity in parallel with sodium. This was confirmed by studies of total body fluids and exchangeable electrolytes. In each case the total exchangeable sodium was in the normal range, but the total body water was increased in volume. Rees, Rosalki and Maclean (1960) and Ross (1963), also described hyponatraemia in carcinoma of the bronchus associated with increased renal loss of sodium. This was thought to be the result of a proximal renal tubular lesion, since aminoaciduria, glycosuria and phosphaturia were also present. None of our cases had excess aminoacids or glucose in the urine. Moreover, in Rees' case there was evidence of dehydration rather than overhydration. In the patients discussed 'here there was no evidence of adrenal failure, although one had hypoplasia of the adrenal cortex at post mortem. This was thought to be consistent with long term steroid therapy. It seems, therefore, that inappropriate secretion of ADH can occur in Hodgkin's disease. It would be of interest to attempt extraction of the antidiuretic sbstance from the affected nodes and spleen.
Analysis and control of S/SP compensation contactless resonant converter with constant voltage gain

A novel S/SP type compensation contactless resonant converter is proposed in this paper, which features the advantage of constant gain intersection point with zero phase angle of input impedance. Different from S/P compensation, the constant gain value is not only independent of load change but also independent of transformer's coupling coefficient change causing by the change of gap or misalignment. The characteristic analysis of the proposed resonant converter is performed in this paper. It is also found that with the proposed S/SP compensation the output voltage gain is not sensitive to the parameter change around the gain intersection point. Therefore, both phase locking control and fixed-frequency control can be employed for the proposed converter. A 60W prototype with PLL control and a 1.5kW prototype with constant frequency control are built to verify the analysis. Experimental results testify the theoretical analysis very well. The efficiency of the fabricated prototype reaches 95.2% with 1.5kW output at 10 cm gap.
Stochastic maximum likelihood methods for semi-blind channel equalization

A blind stochastic maximum likelihood channel equalization algorithm is adapted to incorporate a known training sequence as part of the transmitted frame. A hidden Markov model formulation of the problem is introduced and the Baum-Welch (1970) algorithm is modified to provide a computationally efficient solution to the resulting optimization problem. The proposed method provides a unified framework for semi-blind channel estimation, which exploits information from both the training and the blind part of the received data record. The performance of the maximum likelihood estimator is studied, based on the evaluation of Cramer-Rao bounds. Finally, some simulation results are presented.
Evaluation of Acute Immunotoxicity of Aerosolized Aflatoxin B1 in Female C57BL/6N Mice

There is evidence for immunotoxicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in chronic animal feeding studies; however, little information is available as to the effects of inhalation exposure. This study evaluated the acute affects of aerosolized AFB1 on systemic immune function of female C57BL/6N mice following a single aerosol exposure. Mice were exposed in nose-only inhalation tubes to 0, 2.86, 6.59 and 10 μg AFB1 aerosol/L air for 90 minutes. A negative control group of untreated mice and a positive control group of cyclophosphamide-treated mice were included to account for day to day variation. Three days following exposure, mice were sacrificed and body, liver, lung, thymus and spleen weights, and complete blood counts and white blood cell differentials were measured. Splenocytes were isolated for flow cytometric analysis of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, CD19+ B-cells and natural killer cells (NK 1.1+). The effect of AFB1 on humoral immunity was assessed by measuring serum anti-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) IgM levels. Of the tissues examined, only the thymus weight of AFB1 exposed mice decreased significantly compared to naïve mice; however, the decrease was not dose related and was also observed in the 0 AFB1 aerosol control group. A decrease in the mean white blood cell count of treated vs. naïve mice was observed at all dose levels but was clearly not dose related and was statistically significant only in the 0 and 2.86 μg/L groups. Red blood cell and platelet counts and white blood cell differentials were not significantly affected by AFB1. The number of CD4+ (helper T-cells), CD8+ (cytotoxic T-cells) and CD19+ (B-cells) decreased in spleens of AFB1 aerosol exposed mice compared to naïve mice; however, the decrease was not dose-related and was also observed in the 0 AFB1 exposure group. Dose-related changes in the CD4+/CD8+ T-lymphocyte ratios were not observed. The IgM response to KLH was not significantly different in AFB1 compared to naïve mice, suggesting that AFB1 did not effect antigen-specific antibody production. Based on the results of this study, a single AFB1 inhalation exposure up to 10 μg/L for 90 minutes (CxT = 900 μg ·min/L) did not significantly alter the immune parameters measured in this study. The aerosol vehicle (ethanol) and/or stress could have masked subtle AFB1-dependent changes in thymus and spleen weights, and in splenic lymphocyte subpopulations. However, for other immunological parameters, such as the IgM response to KLH, there was clearly no significant effect of AFB1 aerosol exposure.
Plasma renin concentration and phenobarbital levels in patients with epilepsy

Plasma renin activity, renin concentration, and renin substrate were measured in patients on long‐term anticonvulsant medication. An inverse correlation was observed between phenobarbital levels and renin activity or concentration. There was a positive correlation between phenobarbital and renin substrate. Since elevation of renin substrate should have resulted in increased renin activity, it is possible that phenobarbital exerts 2 effects on the renin system: induction of renin substrate synthesis and suppression of renin release.