Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-volatile memory technologies for beyond 2010

The development of Flash memory technology over the past decade has been one of the driving forces behind the tremendous growth in digital consumer applications, such as digital cameras, handheld music players and mobile phones. NAND Flash has been leading the way from 16Mb in 1994 to 4Gb today. This paper discusses the impact of continuous advances in NAND Flash technology on consumer applications and also reviews technical challenges to the further scaling of NAND and NOR Flash memories, while considering the possibility of other nonvolatile memory technologies for high density nonvolatile data storage beyond 2010.
Microbiological outcomes of quadrant versus full-mouth root planing as monitored by real-time PCR.

OBJECTIVES To study the short-term microbiological changes following full-mouth compared with quadrant wise scaling and root planing (FMRP and QRP) as well as long-term effects. METHOD Twenty patients with chronic periodontitis were randomized into a test group treated in two sessions with subgingival scaling and root planing within 24 h (FMRP) and a control group treated quadrant by quadrant in four sessions at intervals of one week (QRP). Microbiological samples were taken in the two deepest pockets of the maxillary right quadrant immediately before treatment and after 1 day, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks. The samples were evaluated by real-time PCR for quantification of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum ssp. , Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia as well as for total bacterial counts (TBC). RESULTS Treatment resulted in a TBC median log reduction of 0.75 (FMRP) and 0.72 (QRP). There were no differences between groups either for the short term (1 day-4 weeks) (analysis of variance: p=0.3150) or for long term (4-24 weeks) (analysis of variance: p=0.9671). Likewise, no differences were detected for selected target bacteria. CONCLUSION The results of the present study showed similar microbiological outcomes following both treatment modalities.
The Influence of Chromatic and Achromatic Variability on Chromatic Induction and Perceived Colour

Judgments of the colour of a surface are influenced by the colour of the surrounding. To determine whether only the average colour of the surrounding matters, or also the chromatic variability, judgments in colourful scenes are often compared with ones in which a target is surrounded by a plain background that provides the same average physical illumination of the retina as the colourful scene. The variability sometimes makes a difference (eg Shevell and Wei, 1998 Vision Research 38 1561–1566), and sometimes it does not (eg Brenner and Cornelissen, 1998 Vision Research 38 1789–1793). Is this because of the nonlinearity in cone responses? We designed scenes that stimulated the cones in an equivalent manner, both on average and in terms of variability, and yet differed markedly in chromatic variability. The more colourful surroundings had considerably less influence on subjects' colour judgments. We conclude that early cone-specific regulation of sensitivity cannot be responsible for the change in perceived colour, and deduce that chromatic induction takes place after contrast gain control.
Spatial-temporal characteristics of NPP based on processed model from 2002 to 2010 in Gansu Province, Northwest China

It is a complex ecological structure with grassland, forest and agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions in Northwest China. It is important for understanding and evaluating ecological efficiency to study net primary productivity of vegetation in Northwest China. In this paper, Gansu Province was selected in Northwest China to study vegetation NPP based on adjusted boreal ecosystem productivity simulator (A-BEPS) model in arid and semi-arid regions. Net primary productivity of vegetation was simulated in Gansu Province from the year of 2002 to 2010 with moderate resolution remote sensing imageries and meteorological data. And then, spatial-temporal distribution patterns of average NPP were analyzed in Gansu Province from the year of 2002 to 2010. The results show that it is high in the south and low in the north for spatial distribution, and obviously seasonal characteristics are got in Gansu Province. Finally, the trends of averaged NPP for three vegetation types and relative meteorological factors were analyzed for the past nine years. The results of a little decreasing NPP and precipitation are got for Gansu province.
Successful Use of Octreotide Therapy for Refractory Levofloxacin-Induced Hypoglycemia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Fluoroquinolones are commonly prescribed antimicrobials that have been implicated in alterations of glucose metabolism. We report a case of refractory fluoroquinolone-induced hypoglycemia in a patient with type-2 diabetes mellitus on glipizide that was successfully treated with octreotide. A patient was admitted with hypoglycemia after having been initiated on levofloxacin therapy. Despite treating the hypoglycemia supportively with multiple boluses of 25 g of dextrose, a continuous dextrose infusion, and glucagon, the patient experienced repeated episodes of rebound hypoglycemia. The persistent hypoglycemia was eventually reversed with the administration of subcutaneous octreotide. Clinicians should be cognizant of this adverse effect of fluoroquinolones, as well as predisposing risk factors, and consider octreotide as an adjunctive therapy for refractory hypoglycemia cases.
Expression analysis of Sulf1 in the chick forebrain at early and late stages of development

Sulfatase 1 is a secreted enzyme that modulates the sulfation state of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), which are potential key regulators of diverse developmental signals during embryonic patterning. In the present work, we have analyzed the Sulf1 gene expression pattern during chicken forebrain development. Our results indicate that, at early developmental stages, chicken Sulf1 is expressed in the alar and basal plate of the secondary prosencephalon (telencephalon and hypothalamus, respectively) as well as in the diencephalic basal and floor plates. Later in development, Sulf1 is expressed by a subset of nuclei derived from these regions. Developmental Dynamics 238:2418–2429, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pericardial Effusion in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious condition that can lead to right heart failure and death. Pericardial effusion in PAH is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and its pathogenesis is complex and poorly understood. There are few data on the prevalence of pericardial effusion in PAH, and more importantly, the management of pericardial effusion is controversial. Current literature abounds with case reports, case series, and retrospective studies that have limited value for assessing this association. Hence, we summarize the available evidence on this ominous association and identify areas for future research.
The Changing Face of Young-Onset Diabetes: Type 1 Optimism Mellowed by Type 2 Concerns

Until recently the outlook for a youth or young adult diagnosed with diabetes, which was almost universally type 1, was bleak. Indeed, using data from the National Health Interview Survey as recent as from 1984 to 2000, it was estimated that U.S. children diagnosed with diabetes at 10 years of age had a life expectancy approximately 19 years less than seen in the general population (1). However, more recent data from the Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications (EDC) study suggest those diagnosed with childhood-onset diabetes between 1965 and 1980 have a life expectancy of almost 69 years, which is less than 4 years lower than the comparable U.S. population (2). This good news has been accompanied by the observation from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) study that virtually all of the excess mortality seen in type 1 diabetes is related to the development of micro- or macroalbuminuria (3). This seminal observation has been confirmed and extended for up to a 20-year period in the EDC population (4). The improved prognosis, in terms of mortality, has been accompanied by a dramatic reduction (5) or delay (6) in the incidence of end-stage renal disease. Interestingly, the decline in cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of overall mortality in diabetes, is less marked (5). One cautionary note, however, has to be made concerning the improvement in mortality of patients with type 1 diabetes. In a recent analysis of over 17,000 individuals in Finland, diagnosed between 1970 and 1999, Harjutsalo et al. (7) compared the time trends of mortality for those diagnosed at an age less than 15 years to those diagnosed at an age of 15 through 29 years. Although a very significant fall was seen in mortality over time for the young-onset group, consistent with the Pittsburgh EDC population (who were …
Review of measurement and modelling of permeation and diffusion in polymers.

Diffusion and permeation in polymeric materials is of fundamental importance in many applications and is the subject of considerable scientific interest. Measurement methods for determining permeation through polymer sheets and within polymeric materials have been reviewed. An overview of the generic mechanisms involved reveals dependence of these properties on a wide range of factors, some relating to the materials others to the exposure environments. There can often be an interrelationship between factors, for example the combination of stress and chemical exposure is often a critical degradation mechanism in the service performance of polymeric structures. Dispersed phases and interfaces play important roles in the mass transport process but the mechanisms are not well understood, limiting predictive capabilities. Modelling is used to supplement experimental measurements, improving understanding and enabling extrapolation of behaviour over timescales and in large components that are not experimentally convenient.
Undergraduate students’ conceptual understanding on rational inequalities

Rational inequalities are in part of algebraic inequality problems. Ability to solve the problems related to this type of inequality can be brought by the decent understanding about algebraic logic and manipulation. This study aims to investigate undergraduate students’ conceptual understanding on dealing with rational inequality tasks. In this analysis, we considered indicators of mathematical conceptual understanding in order to develop an instrument including five tasks. The tasks were administered to ten first-year undergraduate students in mathematics education. Then, we analyzed students’ solution to indicate their difficulties and misconceptions. We underlined two conclusions. First, the participating students must reconsider their conceptual understanding related to rational inequality topic, especially on translating graphical situations into the algebraic situations and vice-versa. Second, the lack of students’ abilities related to mathematical conceptual understanding indicators can be viewed as the sources of revealed students’ difficulties and misconceptions. We also summarize the potential difficulties and misconceptions categorized by their sources.
Path validation in constrained motion with uncertainty

The performance of tasks with robots in environments with low clearances (e.g. robotized assembly) is usually difficult, due mainly to geometric uncertainty and tolerances. Following a pragmatical approach to planar constrained-motion planning, this paper proposes a method for checking the feasibility of paths generated by gross-motion planning algorithms, taking into account the uncertainties affecting the task and the use of a compliant control mode. The method enables the extension of gross-motion planning techniques to constrained-motion planning problems, ensuring the feasibility of the task despite the uncertainties.
Plant-hummingbird interactions : natural history and ecological networks = Interação entre plantas e beija-flores : história natural e redes ecológicas

O entendimento sobre as interacoes mutualisticas entre plantas e animais, principalmente a nivel de comunidade, tem avancado consideravelmente devido ao uso crescente da abordagem de redes complexas. Estes estudos tem revelado alguns padroes constantes na organizacao da "teia da vida", e as propriedades estruturais nas redes sao sugeridas como tendo fortes implicacoes para a estabilidade e dinâmica das assembleias de especies que interagem nas comunidades. Estudos mais recentes na area revelam a importância do acoplamento nos atributos das especies na estruturacao das redes. O crescente apreco dos atributos funcionais das especies significa que o conhecimento acerca da historia natural das especies tambem tera importância crescente em estudos com redes de interacoes. Nesta tese, focamos especificamente na interacao entre plantas e beija-flores, um grupo especializado de polinizadores vertebrados encontrados nas Americas, como modelo de estudo. Os estudos individuais encontrados nessa tese incluem a consideracao de diferentes tipos de comportamentos exibidos pelos polinizadores ao visitarem uma flor (mutualismo vs. antagonismo), investigacao de como diferentes atributos das especies determinam a organizacao das redes de interacoes e tambem de como os atributos das especies podem estar associados a incorporacao de especies exoticas de plantas nas redes de polinizacao. Assim, utilizamos abordagens que vao desde o estudo focal de uma especie de planta e/ou polinizador a estudos em ampla escala geografica englobando varias comunidades espalhadas pelas Americas. Todos os estudos apresentam um aspecto em comum: conduzimos estudos que combinam informacoes de historia natural das especies a abordagem das redes para reforcar como uma melhor compreensao basica das partes (i.e. especies) pode permitir um melhor entendimento do conjunto (i.e. redes, ou comunidades). O uso de atributos funcionais relevantes (e.g. comportamento, morfologia, distribuicao espaco-temporal, etc.) associado a abordagem de redes e promissor para avaliar a associacao entre a estrutura das interacoes em comunidades e o funcionamento destas. Alem disso, a consideracao dos atributos das especies pode ser util no cenario de mudancas ambientais globais, podendo auxiliar nas predicoes de como as especies rearranjarao suas interacoes em ambientes cambiaveis. Dessa forma, compreender a associacao entre os atributos das especies e a estrutura das interacoes podera ser uma estrategia interessante para entender, predizer e mitigar os efeitos das mudancas ambientais em curso no planeta sobre os sistemas ecologicos e suas funcoes. Abstract
All-or-None Ca2+ Release from Intracellular Stores Triggered by Ca2+ Influx through Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels in Rat Sensory Neurons

Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) from intracellular stores amplifies the Ca2+signal that results from depolarization. In neurons, the amplification has been described as a graded process. Here we show that regenerative CICR develops as an all-or-none event in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in which ryanodine receptors have been sensitized to Ca2+ by caffeine. We used indo-1-based microfluorimetry in combination with whole-cell patch-clamp recording to characterize the relationship between Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release. Regenerative release of Ca2+ was triggered when action potential-induced Ca2+ influx increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) above threshold. The threshold was modulated by caffeine and intraluminal Ca2+. A relative refractory period followed CICR. The pharmacological profile of the response was consistent with Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels triggering release from ryanodine-sensitive stores. The activation of a suprathreshold response increased more than fivefold the amplitude and duration of the [Ca2+]i transient. The switch to a suprathreshold response was regulated very precisely in that addition of a single action potential to the stimulus train was sufficient for this transformation. Confocal imaging experiments showed that CICR facilitated propagation of the Ca2+ signal from the plasmalemma to the nucleus. This all-or-none reaction may serve as a switch that determines whether a given electrical signal will be transduced into a local or widespread increase in [Ca2+]i.
Gene transfer to human rheumatoid synovial tissue engrafted in SCID mice.

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of gene therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and determine the appropriate vector. METHODS Human rheumatoid synovial tissue from 6 patients with RA was transduced ex vivo with a recombinant retroviral vector (pMFG.nlsLacZ) containing the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) gene in a coculture assay in the presence of 20 ng/ml tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) for promoting cell division. We also conducted in vitro infection experiments using an adenoviral vector (AdCMVSpl.LacZ) containing the beta-gal gene. After gene transduction, the synovial tissue was engrafted subcutaneously in 8-week-old severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) CB17 mice. Beta-gal expression was then monitored as a function of time (up to 21 days) and of virus dose [up to 50 colony forming units (cfu)/cell]. The efficacy of direct in vivo gene transfer was also tested by injection of 10(6) cfu of pMFG.nlsLacZ into rheumatoid synovial tissue engrafted in SCID mice. RESULTS When recombinant retroviral vector was used, 30 +/- 5% of ex vivo infected synovial cells were positive for staining. In synovial tissue implanted in SCID mice, beta-gal expression declined to 5% after one week, but persisted for at least 21 days. Direct injection of pMFG.nlsLacZ vector into the rheumatoid synovial tissue implanted in SCID mice allowed efficient and stable in vivo infection of the synovial tissue. Ex vivo gene transfer with adenoviral vector resulted in a 98% infection rate of the synovial lining cells. However, beta-gal activity declined 7 days after subcutaneous implantation. CONCLUSION Highly efficient gene transfer in rheumatoid synovial tissue is achievable with both adenoviral and retroviral vectors, but the results were transient. Exogenous gene transfer through retroviral vectors required stimulation with TNF-alpha for synovial cell division and proviral integration. Direct in vivo gene transfer with recombinant retrovirus was shown to be efficient. Transduction of human synovial tissue engrafted in SCID mice is a potent tool for developing preclinical models of gene therapy in RA.
Sepsis therapy in the next decade: seamless care from emergency to the ICU.

To the Editor: Severe sepsis: defined by inflammation (aberrant temperature and white blood cell count, tachypnea and tachycardia); suspicion of infection; and evolving organ dysfunction, is associated with an incidence, mortality and cost similar to acute coronary syndromes. 1 However, sepsis has not received similar recognition or funding. Evidence suggests “golden hours” during which early and aggressive therapy can prevent progression to intractable organ failure. 2 Guidelines now provide evidence-based strategies to expedite a continuum of care from the emergency department, to the ward, to the ICU. 3 As such, the next decade holds great potential. Conceptually this is similar to the “chain-of-survival” recommended for cardiac disease. 4 Early goal-directed therapy, early antibiotic administration, tight glycemic control, low-dose corticosteroids, consideration of recombinant protein C, and consideration of early transfer to ICU are all likely to improve mortality. 3
A inserção dos estudantes africanos e afro-brasileiros na Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS)

Na sociedade contemporânea, constata-se uma crescente necessidade de aumento da escolarizacao das populacoes, de aquisicao de maiores competencias para enfrentar o mercado de trabalho e a aspiracao das familias por mobilidade social atraves da educacao. Esses fatores tem contribuido para o aumento da valorizacao da educacao, especialmente no seu nivel superior. O objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em analisar a insercao dos estudantes africanos e afro-brasileiros na UFRGS. Foram utilizados como procedimentos metodologicos: levantamento de bibliografias, dados e documentos sobre o tema, seguida da analise de entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas com os estudantes pesquisados. Como resultado, a pesquisa revelou que a insercao destes estudantes no ambiente academico consiste num ganho de capital cultural e social. A insercao dos estudantes africanos se da principalmente pelo PEC-G, programa realizado pelo Brasil desde 1960 com os paises parceiros da America Latina, Africa e Asia, no qual a UFRGS participa desde a sua adocao. Por outro lado, a insercao dos estudantes afro-brasileiros da-se, em especial, atraves da Politica de Acoes Afirmativas, implementada no Brasil em 2003. Conforme os relatos dos entrevistados percebe-se que o acesso a educacao superior consiste em um importante mecanismo de reducao da desigualdade de oportunidades e como fator de promocao da mobilidade social.
Hair removal with an 800-nm pulsed diode laser.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Laser hair removal is a relatively new procedure. Our purpose was to study the efficacy and safety of a high-power, pulsed diode laser array for removing unwanted hair. METHODS A total of 38 subjects were treated with a prototype of the 800-nm diode laser system. Fluences ranging from 10 to 40 J/cm(2) (mean, 33.4 J/cm(2)) were used and 1 to 4 treatments (mean, 2.7) were performed. Evaluation of hair loss was performed at least 4 months after the last treatment (mean, 8.7 months) by a blinded assessment of clinical photographs. RESULTS A total of 59% of the subjects had only sparse hair regrowth at the final follow-up. Higher fluences and multiple treatments produced greater long-term efficacy. Transient pigmentary changes occurred in 29% of the subjects and were more common in darker skin types IV to VI (P =. 047). CONCLUSION The 800-nm diode laser is an efficient and safe technique for hair reduction. Adverse pigmentary effects occur, but are transient.
Robust Dynamics Estimation of Gene Expression Data

In this paper, we apply a nonlinear filtering algorithm based on SVD and compression-based filtering, to estimate the characteristic modes of observed gene expression data with independently identically distributed (i.i.il.) random variables of Gaussian density of zero mean. The essence of the technique is that when the proposed lossy data compression algorithm, with the allowed loss set equal to the noise strength, is applied to a noisy gene expression data, the loss and the noise tend to cancel. Then we use the estimated noise strength as a threshold to determine the effective characteristic modes for reconstructing the gene expression profiles, followed by fitting of a linear discrete-time dynamical system in which the expression values at a given time point are linear combinations of the values at a previous time point. Furthermore, the time evolution of expression values by using the translation matrix to predict future expression values was investigated. Finally the publicly available data set of yeast from microarray experiments on the synchronized cell cycle (CDC15) is given to exemplify the implementation of the proposed technique.