Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Are Accompanied by Elevations of Plasma Fibrinogen and Serum IL-6 Levels

Summary Background Respiratory tract infections may acutely increase risk from coronary heart disease (CHD), though the mechanisms have not been defined. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prone to repeated exacerbations that are often associated with respiratory infections. These patients also have increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that transient acute increases in plasma fibrinogen, an independent risk factor for CHD, could occur at COPD exacerbation (mediated through a rise in IL6) and thereby provide a mechanism linking respiratory infection to risk of coronary heart disease. Methods 93 COPD patients [mean (SD) age 66.8 (8.1) years] were followed regularly over one year, with daily diary card monitoring of respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR); 67 patients [mean FEV1 1.06 (0.44) l, FVC 2.43 (0.79) l] were seen during 120 exacerbations. At each visit spirometry was measured and blood samples taken for plasma fibrinogen and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Result At baseline, the mean (SD) plasma fibrinogen was elevated at 3.9 (0.67) g/l in the 67 patients with exacerbations during the study and the median (IQR) IL-6 at 4.3 (2.4 to 6.8) pg/ml. Plasma fibrinogen increased by 0.36 (0.74) g/l at exacerbation (p <0.001), with IL-6 levels rising by 1.10 (−2.73 to 6.95) pg/ml (p = 0.008). There was a relation between the changes in fibrinogen at exacerbation and IL-6 levels (r = 0.348, p <0.001). Multiple regression revealed significantly greater rises in fibrinogen when exacerbations were associated with purulent sputum (b = 0.34 g/l; p = 0.03), increased cough (b = 0.31 g/l, p = 0.019) and symptomatic colds (b = 0.228; p = 0.024). Conclusions Plasma fibrinogen levels were elevated in stable patients with COPD and may contribute to the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these patients. COPD exacerbations increased serum IL-6 levels, leading to a rise in plasma fibrinogen. Thus acute rather than chronic infection may have a role in predisposing to coronary heart disease or stroke.
Mutational analysis of the redox-sensitive transcriptional regulator OxyR: regions important for oxidation and transcriptional activation

OxyR is a redox-sensitive transcriptional regulator of the LysR family which activates the expression of genes important for the defense against hydrogen peroxide in Escherichia coli and Samonella typhimurium. OxyR is sensitive to oxidation and reduction, and only oxidized OxyR is able to activate transcription of its target genes. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we found that one cysteine residue (C-199) is critical for the redox sensitivity of OxyR, and a C-199-->S mutation appears to lock the OxyR protein in the reduced form. We also used a random mutagenesis approach to isolate eight constitutively active mutants. All of the mutations are located in the C-terminal half of the protein, and four of the mutations map near the critical C-199 residue. In vivo as well as in vitro transcription experiments showed that the constitutive mutant proteins were able to activate transcription under both oxidizing and reducing conditions, and DNase I footprints showed that this activation is due to the ability of the mutant proteins to induce cooperative binding of RNA polymerase. Unexpectedly, RNA polymerase was also found to reciprocally affect OxyR binding.
An in situ vertebrate bioassay helps identify potential matrices for a predator‐based synthetic management tool

To assist management and conservation needs, researchers have called for active kairomones to be elucidated and synthesized directly from animal exudates. However, the existing literature does not provide guidance on how to initiate this complex process. To our knowledge, composite synthetic predator scents that incorporate multiple compounds to accurately mimic the natural signal have not been produced. One approach to improve the accuracy of synthetics is to identify and recombine all major infochemicals within a benign solvent. Therefore, we tested 2 natural, pre-existing matrices for their potential as vehicles for delivery of a predator scent, dingo (Canis lupus dingo) urine, which causes a startle reaction among western gray kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus), and avoidance by European foxes (Vulpes vulpes). We compared 2 putative backbone matrices—aged (3-yr old) dingo urine from a previously active lot, and 10% methanol—to a distilled water control. We used a novel fence-crossing assay to observe kangaroo interactions with both solvents and a negative control. Our assay allowed us to control for high feeding motivation by testing compounds away from the food source. We determined that neither free-ranging kangaroos nor European red foxes were adversely affected by either treatment matrix. Foxes were, however, attracted to the aged dingo urine, and were often observed scent-rolling in the inactive substance. Our results suggest that dilute methanol could be a possible matrix for predator-scent applications for kangaroos, while aged scents may act as an attractant for nontarget species, particularly canids. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
A study on switching frequency limitation of high voltage power converters in combination of Si-IEGT and SiC-PiN diode

In this paper, we present a comparison between 2.5kV silicon carbide (SiC-) PiN diode and commercial 3.3kV silicon (Si-) PiN diode with 3.3kV silicon injection enhancement gate transistor (Si-IEGT) in the inductively loaded chopper circuit. The experimental switching characteristics of SiC-PiN diode are presented under 1200-V DC bias voltage and 40-A cutoff current and compared to commercially available a Si-PiN diode. Experimental results show that the reverse recovery time and Si-IEGT turn-on loss are significantly reduced in the combination of SiC-PiN diode and Si-IEGT. Also, we propose a design concept of Si-IEGT combined with SiC-PiN diode to reduce switching losses and investigate the limitation of switching frequency in the high power converters. The proposed design concept is evaluated based on device simulation. The internal parameters of the Si-IEGT are adjusted to find the minimum value of total devices loss. In the device simulation result, the possible switching frequency by comprehensive total devices loss in the test circuit is discussed
Teaching clinically experienced physicians communication skills. A review of evaluation studies

Interest in the teaching of communication skills in medical schools has increased since the early seventies but, despite this growing interest, relatively limited curricular time is spent on the teaching of communication skills. The limited attention to the teaching of these skills applies even more to the physicians’ clinical years, when attention becomes highly focused on biomedical and technical competence. Continuing training after medical school is necessary to refresh knowledge and skills, to prohibit decline of performance and to establish further improvements.
Psychological Symptoms Somatic Symptoms Parental Education Univariate effects Psychological Symptoms Somatic Symptoms Ethnicity Univeyjate effaces Psychological Symptoms Somatic Symptoms

In order to test Maccoby and Martin's (1983) revision of Baumrind's (1967) conceptual framework, the families of approximately 4,100 14to 18-year-olds were classified into one of four groups (authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, or neglectful) on the basis of the adolescents' ratings of their parents on two dimensions: acceptance/involvement and firm control. The youngsters were then contrasted along four sots of outcomes: psychcsocial development, school achievement, internalized distress, and problem behavior. Results indicate that adolescents raised in authoritative homes score highest on measures of psychosocial competence and lowest on measures of psychological and behavioral dysfunction; the reverse is true for adolescents raised in neglectful homes. Adolescents raised in authoritarian homes score reasonably well on measures indexing obedience and conformity to the standards of adults but have relatively poorer self-conceptions than other youngsters. In contrast, adolescents from indulgent homes evidence a strong sense of self-confidence, but report a higher frequency of substance abuse and school misconduct and are less engaged in school. The findings suggest that Maccoby and Martin's four-fold classification scheme provides a workable empirical framework for those interested in the study of adolescent socialization. More important, the results indicate the need to distinguish between two types of "rermissive" families: those that are indulgent and those that are neglectful.
Identification of the bursa-dependent and thymus-dependent areas in the tonsilla caecalis of chickens.

In this report, on the basis of the difference in lymphocytic make-up, the lymphatic tissue of the tonsilla caecalis was divided into two parts, the mid and deep portion of the lamina propria and its superficial portion which was referred to as a subepithelial zone. In the former there were accumulated small lymphocytes, while in the latter lymphocytes in various sizes, small to large, and cells of plasmocytic series. The germinal centers always appeared in the mid and deep portion and never in the subepithelial zone. Chickens which were bursectomized and X-irradiated at hatching showed a marked depletion of lymphocytes in the subepithelial zone while an increasing accumulation of small lymphocytes was persistent in the mid and deep portion. On the other hand, in chickens which received repeated X-irradiation of the thymus, lymphocyte depletion was striking in the mid and deep portion but not in the subepithelial zone. In both groups of treated chickens the germinal centers were markedly decreased in number or essentially lacking. In the bursectomized-irradiated chickens, foci of reticular cell aggregation usually occurred in the mid and deep portion and were deemed as an incomplete form of the germinal center. It was concluded that in the tonsilla caecalis the bursa-dependent area was the subepithelial zone and the thymus-dependent area was the mid and deep portion of the lamina propria, Possible relation to the germinal center development of three factors, i.e. the formation of the focus of reticular cell aggregation in the thymusdependent area, the accumulation of bursa-derived lymphoid cells and a certain thymus-dependent factor, was discussed.
Carotid artery rupture following radioiodine therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION Radioiodine therapy for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer aims at reducing tumor recurrence by eradicating residual macro- and microscopic foci. Side effects are generally rare, tenuous and transient, with little clinical significance. OBJECTIVE To report a rare case of differentiated thyroid carcinoma presenting a large expansive solid mass at the base of the skull, with invasion of the left masticatory muscle and adjacent subcutaneous tissue, and without invasion of the carotid space, which evolved to carotid artery rupture following radioiodine therapy. DISCUSSION Side effects are uncommon after radioiodine therapy and when present, have mild intensity. Serious adverse events are very rare, especially those arising from structures not directly invaded by metastatic tissue with radioiodine uptake, as occurred in this case. This occurrence serves to raise awareness of the need for increased care when using radioiodine therapy on high-avidity masses located close to important structures.
Avaliação da Coesão Textual: Desafios para Automatizar a Correção de Redações

Avaliar uma redacao e uma tarefa complexa e de grande responsabilidade. Metodos automaticos podem auxiliar no processo avaliativo de redacoes. O presente artigo propoe um software de analise e avaliacao da coesao textual. O metodo empregado se vale do mecanismo de coesao lexical como elemento principal da analise. Foram realizados experimentos com o software e comparados com as avaliacoes de dois especialistas humanos. Os resultados convergentes do software com especialistas foram observados em 70% dos casos. Considera-se que tais resultados iniciais sao promissores para o desenvolvimento de um software para avaliacao automatica de redacoes.
Partial Differential Equations for Function Based Geometry Modelling within Visual Cyberworlds

We propose the use of partial differential equations (PDEs) for shape modelling within visual cyberworlds. PDEs, especially those that are elliptic in nature, enable surface modelling to be defined as boundary-value problems. Here we show how the PDE based on the Biharmonic equation subject to suitable boundary conditions can be used for shape modelling within visual cyberworlds. We discuss an analytic solution formulation for the Biharmonic equation which allows us to define a function based geometry whereby the resulting geometry can be visualised efficiently at arbitrary levels of shape resolutions. In particular, we discuss how function based PDE surfaces can be readily integrated within VRML and X3D environments.
Swollen Toes with Skin Eruptions.

A 28-year-old man developed erythematous changes in his toes, including swelling with local tenderness after visit-ing a hot spring one month earlier. The lesions progressively spread to the bilateral foot days later, with onycholysis (Pic-ture A, C), and increased despite the use of oral antibiotics. The patient also recalled experiencing erythematous and scaly plaques over his four proximal limbs and scalp for years. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral subcu-taneous swelling of the feet and bone marrow edema (Pic-ture B), while soft-tissue ultrasound showed tenosynovitis
Optimisation de nouveaux agonistes topiques intestinaux du récepteur aux acides biliaires TGR5 pour le traitement du diabète de type 2

Le recepteur membranaire TGR5 (Takeda G Protein-coupled Receptor 5), est un recepteur ubiquitaire sensible aux acides biliaires. Il est exprime dans de nombreux tissus et organes dont l’intestin (dans les cellules enteroendocrines L), la vesicule biliaire, les muscles lisses et squelettiques, le tissu adipeux brun et dans certaines cellules immunitaires. Des etudes menees in vitro et in vivo chez l’animal ont montre des effets benefiques de l’activation de TGR5 sur l’homeostasie energetique et glucidique. Il est maintenant communement admis que les effets benefiques de TGR5 sur l'homeostasie du glucose sont, au moins en partie, medies par sa capacite a promouvoir la secretion de l'incretine intestinale glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) au niveau des cellules enteroendocrines L.Cependant, de recentes experiences ont montre que l’activation de TGR5 par des agonistes systemiques dans des modeles animaux peut induire des effets non souhaites tels qu’une augmentation du volume de la vesicule biliaire, des demangeaisons et des effets cardiovasculaires. Afin de s’affranchir des effets non desires d’agonistes systemiques de TGR5, le projet s’est oriente vers le developpement d’agonistes de TGR5 presentant une distribution tissulaire ciblee et limitee a l’intestin et dont la biodisponibilite orale serait tres faible, voire nulle. Nous avons alors emis l’hypothese qu’une activation de TGR5 limitee a l’epithelium intestinal sans exposition systemique permettrait d’obtenir des effets benefiques sur l’homeostasie du glucose via l’effet GLP-1 secretagogue, tout en minimisant les effets non souhaites sur d’autres tissus ou organes exprimant TGR5.A partir des etudes de relations structure-activites obtenues au laboratoire sur une serie d’agonistes de TGR5, nous avons concu des composes chimeriques de la facon suivante : le pharmacophore responsable de l’activite sur le recepteur TGR5 est lie via un bras espaceur a des elements structuraux appeles kinetophores qui ajustent les proprietes physicochimiques et pharmacocinetiques de nos agonistes pour limiter leur absorption intestinale. Ainsi, l’objectif de ce travail etait d’obtenir des agonistes non systemiques de TGR5, puissants et originaux, exercant leur action dans l’intestin afin de generer la preuve de concept in vivo de l’interet d’utiliser de tels agonistes dans le traitement du diabete de type 2.Une etude systematique de l’effet de kinetophores varies a ete realisee. Une trentaine de composes ont ete synthetises en 8 a 12 etapes permettant l’identification d’agonistes puissants et presentant des proprietes pharmacocinetiques en accord avec notre strategie de composes topiques intestinaux. Des etudes in vivo ont ensuite permis de valider l’effet GLP-1 secretagogue de tels composes. Enfin, l’evaluation d’un des meilleurs composes dans un modele murin de diabete nous a permis de valider l’hypothese qu’un agoniste topique intestinal de TGR5 peut avoir un effet benefique sur l’homeostasie energetique et glucidique.
The Ca2+ -dependent DNases are involved in secondary xylem development in Eucommia ulmoides.

Secondary xylem development has long been recognized as a typical case of programmed cell death (PCD) in plants. During PCD, the degradation of genomic DNA is catalyzed by endonucleases. However, to date, no endonuclease has been shown to participate in secondary xylem development. Two novel Ca(2+) -dependent DNase genes, EuCaN1 and EuCaN2, were identified from the differentiating secondary xylem of the tree Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. , their functions were studied by DNase activity assay, in situ hybridization, protein immunolocalization and virus-induced gene silencing experiments. Full-length cDNAs of EuCaN1 and EuCaN2 contained an open reading frame of 987 bp, encoding two proteins of 328 amino acids with SNase-like functional domains. The genomic DNA sequence for EuCaN1 had no introns, while EuCaN2 had 8 introns. EuCaN1 and EuCaN2 digested ssDNA and dsDNA with Ca(2+) -dependence at neutral pH. Their expression was confined to differentiating secondary xylem cells and the proteins were localized in the nucleus. Their activity dynamics was closely correlated with secondary xylem development. Secondary xylem cell differentiation is influenced by RNAi of endonuclease genes. The results provide evidence that the Ca(2+) -dependent DNases are involved in secondary xylem development.
PREVENTION DU WINDUP SOUS CONTRAINTES D’AMPLITUDES ET VITESSES

PREVENTION DU WINDUP SOUS CONTRAINTES D’AMPLITUDES ET VITESSES PETER HIPPE Lehrstuhl fur Regelungstechnik Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg, Cauerstr. 7, D-91058 Erlangen, Allemagne Peter.Hippe@rt.eei. uni-erlangen.de http://www.rt. e-technik.uni-erlangen.de/ Resume— Les methodes pour tenir compte des limitations d’amplitude du signal de commande sont bien connues. Mais aussi des limitations de vitesse peuvent causer des effets divers dans le systeme en boucle fermee. Les methodes existantes pour eviter les phenomenes de windup en presence des contraintes d’amplitudes et vitesses sont beaucoup plus compliquees que les methodes classiques anti windup , developpee pour des contraintes d’amplitude seulement. Ceci est du au fait qu’il existe un deuxieme element non lineaire pour la vitesse, qui complique le test de stabilite. Dans cet article, nous presentons une solution pour le probleme considere qui est tres simple parce que le modele utilise pour une limitation conjointe d’amplitude et de vitesse ne contient qu’un seul element non lineaire. Mots cles— Systemes non lineaires, windup, controle multivari- able, contraintes de vitesse. I
Rupture de symétrie et formation de structures dans certaines équations de champs neuronaux

Cette these se propose de comprendre la formation de structures dans les equations de champs neuronaux en presence de symetrie ainsi que la consequence pour la modelisation du cortex visuel. Les equations de champs neuronaux sont des modeles mesoscopiques qui decrivent l'activite spatio-temporelle de populations de neurones. Elles ont ete introduites dans les annees 1970 et sont souvent appelees les equations de Wilson-Cowan-Amari en reference a leurs auteurs. D'un point de vue mathematique, les equations de champs neuronaux sont des equations integro-differentielles posees sur des domaines qui dependent des proprietes anatomiques et/ou fonctionnelles modelisees. Dans la premiere partie, nous rappelons quelques elements de biologie du cortex visuel, derivons les equations de champs neuronaux de maniere generale et introduisons ensuite une nouvelle classe de champs neuronaux pour le probleme de modelisation de la perception des textures. La seconde partie de cette these est dediee a l'etude de formation de structures en geometrie non-euclidienne et s'appuie principalement sur la theorie des systemes dynamiques en dimension infinie en presence de symetrie. Cette seconde partie est relativement independante des autres et est ecrite de maniere suffisamment generale pour pouvoir etre appliquee de facon systematique a tout probleme de formation de structures en geometrie non-euclidienne satisfaisant certaines conditions de genericite. Enfin, dans la derniere partie, nous etudions l'existence de solutions localisees pour une certaine classe de champs neuronaux definis sur des domaines non bornes.
Position control of permanent magnet synchronous motor via composite nonlinear feedback

A parameterized design of composite nonlinear feedback controller is proposed for typical second-order servo systems subject to unknown constant disturbance and control input saturation. The control law consists of a linear feedback part for achieving fast response, a nonlinear feedback part for suppressing the overshoot, and a disturbance compensation mechanism for erasing the steady-state error. An extended state observer is adopted to estimate the unmeasured state and unknown disturbance. The control scheme is applied to a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) position servo system, and experimental tests are carried out using a TMS320F2812 DSP board. The results confirm that the servo system can achieve fast, smooth and accurate position regulation, and has a certain degree of robustness with respect to the load disturbance and system parameter perturbations.
Double-Stranded RNA Binding May Be a General Plant RNA Viral Strategy To Suppress RNA Silencing

ABSTRACT In plants, RNA silencing (RNA interference) is an efficient antiviral system, and therefore successful virus infection requires suppression of silencing. Although many viral silencing suppressors have been identified, the molecular basis of silencing suppression is poorly understood. It is proposed that various suppressors inhibit RNA silencing by targeting different steps. However, as double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) play key roles in silencing, it was speculated that dsRNA binding might be a general silencing suppression strategy. Indeed, it was shown that the related aureusvirus P14 and tombusvirus P19 suppressors are dsRNA-binding proteins. Interestingly, P14 is a size-independent dsRNA-binding protein, while P19 binds only 21-nucleotide ds-sRNAs (small dsRNAs having 2-nucleotide 3′ overhangs), the specificity determinant of the silencing system. Much evidence supports the idea that P19 inhibits silencing by sequestering silencing-generated viral ds-sRNAs. In this study we wanted to test the hypothesis that dsRNA binding is a general silencing suppression strategy. Here we show that many plant viral silencing suppressors bind dsRNAs. Beet yellows virus Peanut P21, clump virus P15, Barley stripe mosaic virus γB, and Tobacco etch virus HC-Pro, like P19, bind ds-sRNAs size-selectively, while Turnip crinkle virus CP is a size-independent dsRNA-binding protein, which binds long dsRNAs as well as ds-sRNAs. We propose that size-selective ds-sRNA-binding suppressors inhibit silencing by sequestering viral ds-sRNAs, whereas size-independent dsRNA-binding suppressors inactivate silencing by sequestering long dsRNA precursors of viral sRNAs and/or by binding ds-sRNAs. The findings that many unrelated silencing suppressors bind dsRNA suggest that dsRNA binding is a general silencing suppression strategy which has evolved independently many times.