Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of ethylenic residues in wood and TMP of spruce by FT-Raman spectroscopy

Abstract A method based on FT-Raman spectroscopy is proposed for determining in situ concentrations of ethylenic residues in softwood lignin. Raman contributions at 1133 and 1654 cm-1, representing coniferaldehyde and coniferyl alcohol structures, respectively, were used in quantifying these units in spruce wood with subsequent conversion to concentrations in lignin. For coniferaldehyde units, the intensity of the 1133 cm-1 peak was measured in the difference spectrum obtained by subtracting the bleached-wood spectrum from that of the unbleached. In the case of coniferyl alcohol residues, the intensity of the 1654 cm-1 band was calculated from the spectrum of extensively bleached wood. The concentrations of coniferaldehyde and coniferyl alcohol units in spruce lignin were found to be 3.8% and 3.4%, respectively, and were in good agreement with values determined by conventional techniques. This quantification of the ethylenic residues was based on the Raman intensities of 1% coniferaldehyde and 1% coniferyl alcohol in bleached softwood kraft pulp. Initially, as background for this work, a number of suitable lignin model compounds and a softwood lignin model polymer (G-DHP) were used to calibrate the Raman method and demonstrate that the Raman technique was well suited for quantification of ethylenic structures. Experimental results demonstrated that thermomechanical pulping reduced the concentrations of coniferaldehyde and coniferyl alcohol residues in comparison to wood by 28% and 24%, respectively.
Epidemiology of Post-Stroke Dementia

Twenty to 25% of stroke patients are demented after stroke, which makes stroke an important risk factor for dementia. However, the diagnosis of dementia is difficult and depends heavily on methodology. In this review, we describe pitfalls of diagnosis, the prevalence and incidence of dementia after stroke based on data from prospectively studied stroke cohorts, and the risk factors for post-stroke dementia that emerged from these studies. Finally, the course and prognosis of post-stroke dementia are described.
Animal emotions, behaviour and the promotion of positive welfare states

Abstract This paper presents a rationale that may significantly boost the drive to promote positive welfare states in animals. The rationale is based largely, but not exclusively, on an experimentally supported neuropsychological understanding of relationships between emotions and behaviour, an understanding that has not yet been incorporated into animal welfare science thinking. Reference is made to major elements of the neural/cognitive foundations of motivational drives that energise and direct particular behaviours and their related subjective or emotional experiences. These experiences are generated in part by sensory inputs that reflect the animal's internal functional state and by neural processing linked to the animal's perception of its external circumstances. The integrated subjective or emotional outcome of these inputs corresponds to the animal's welfare status. The internally generated subjective experiences represent motivational urges or drives that are predominantly negative and include breathlessness, thirst, hunger and pain. They are generated by, and elicit specific behaviours designed to correct, imbalances in the animal's internal functional state. Externally generated subjective experiences are said to be integral to the operation of interacting ‘action-orientated systems’ that give rise to particular behaviours and their negative or positive emotional contents. These action-orientated systems, described in neuropsychological terms, give rise to negative emotions that include fear, anger and panic, and positive emotions that include comfort, vitality, euphoria and playfulness. It is argued that early thinking about animal welfare management focused mainly on minimising disturbances to the internal functional states that generate associated unpleasant motivational urges or drives. This strategy produced animal welfare benefits, but at best it could only lift a poor net welfare status to a neutral one. In contrast, strategies designed to manipulate the emotional action-orientated systems have the potential to replace the negative emotions generated within those systems with positive ones, and thereby may lift a poor net state of welfare beyond the neutral point to a net positive state. It is hoped that the analysis presented here will enhance the drive to promote positive welfare states by providing cogent and convincing neuropsychological support for the formulation of additional, more directed welfare code recommendations and standards that focus on the animal's behaviour.
Proximity and Contact Sensing with Instrumented Compliant Wrist for Close Guidance of Robotic Manipulators

Compliance in robotic systems has been exploited to allow rigid mechanisms to come into contact with complex and possibly fragile objects. By incorporating compliance and instrumentation into a single device nearby objects can be detected before direct contact occurs. That way, safer and smoother robot guidance can be achieved both while approaching and while touching surfaces. Furthermore, the path planning and control problem is simplified as position based algorithms can be used regardless of the state of the system, be it in free motion or constrained motion, or even during transitions between the two modes. This paper presents the design and experimental validation of a lightweight, low-cost and stand-alone instrumented compliant wrist mechanism which can be mounted on the tool plate of any rigid robotic manipulator. Embedded arrays of infrared sensors provide distance measurements. Each is finely tuned via a novel calibration procedure that overcomes inter-sensor variability. All signal processing is also embedded and wireless transmission connects the device to the robot controller to support path control. Real-time acquired measurements on the position and orientation of surfaces located in close proximity or in contact with the robot’s end effector permit close guidance of its operation. Experimental work demonstrates how the device provides physical compliance to prevent large impact forces to occur during non-contact to contact transitions by the manipulator’s end effector. It also demonstrates the stability and accuracy of the device outputs. Primary applications of the proposed instrumented compliant wrist include smooth surface following in manufacturing and safe human-robot interaction.
Perioperative Management of Anticoagulation—Review of Latest Evidence

Periprocedural anticoagulation bridging is recommended to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events in patients at a higher risk of developing thromboembolism during the perioperative period. The optimal periprocedural anticoagulation strategy has not been established. Unfractionated heparin and low molecular heparin are used in preventing thromboembolism in the special population. Novel oral anticoagulants that directly inhibit thrombin (dabigatran) or factor Xa (rivaroxaban, apixaban) are shown as effective anticoagulants in preventing thromboembolism (venous thromboembolism) in various medical conditions. They have the advantage of having a faster onset, shorter half-lives, easier monitoring, and predicable doses. But there are disadvantages to newer anticoagulants such as the unavailability of definitive reversal agents and lack of data in patients with renal insufficiency. We review the latest evidence on the effects of newer oral anticoagulants in preventing thromboembolism and its bleeding risks.
Resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in kernels of maize inbreds selected for ear rot resistance in West and Central Africa.

Thirty-six inbred lines selected in West and Central Africa for moderate to high resistance to maize ear rot under conditions of severe natural infection were screened for resistance to aflatoxin contamination using the previously established kernel screening assay. Results showed that more than half the inbreds accumulated aflatoxins at levels as low as or lower than the resistant U.S. lines GT-MAS:gk or MI82. In 10 selected aflatoxin-resistant or aflatoxin-susceptible inbreds, Aspergillus flavus growth, which was quantified using an A. flavus transformant containing a GUS-beta-tubulin reporter gene construct, was, in general, positively related to aflatoxin accumulation. However, one aflatoxin-resistant inbred supported a relatively high level of fungal infection, whereas two susceptibles supported relatively low fungal infection. When kernels of the 10 tested lines were profiled for proteins using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, significant variations from protein profiles of U.S. lines were observed. Confirmation of resistance in promising African lines in field trials may significantly broaden the resistant germplasm base available for managing aflatoxin contamination through breeding approaches. Biochemical resistance markers different from those being identified and characterized in U.S. genotypes, such as ones inhibitory to aflatoxin biosynthesis rather than to fungal infection, may also be identified in African lines. These discoveries could significantly enhance the host resistance strategy of pyramiding different traits into agronomically useful maize germplasm to control aflatoxin contamination.
PERCEPTION AND PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS IN OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED PRACTICAL EXAMINATION AND VIVA VOCE

Background: The assessment of laboratory skills in the subject of Physiology is examined by Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) and Viva Voce (VV). The performance of students as well as their opinion about the assessment tools is dissimilar. The objective of this study was to compare OSPE and VV in terms of perception and scores acquired by students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 students of 1st year MBBS at Bahria University Medical & Dental College, Karachi from December 2009 to September 2010 in which perception and performance of students in OSPE and VV after completion of each (consecutive) module of Cell Biology, Neuromuscular and Cardiovascular systems were assessed. Performance of students was grouped on the basis of secured marks into 3 categories, fail (less than 50%), pass (50â€“70%), and distinction (>70%). A closed ended questionnaire analysed studentsâ€™ responses on both assessment tools about subject content, given time, difficulty level and influence by mood of examiners. Results: In all modules, 90â€“92% of distinctions were acquired with the help of OSPE compared to 5â€“10% by VV (p<0.0001). Pass percentage was acquired more by VV compared to OSPE (p<0.0001). Perception of OSPE revealed it to be a focused system of examination by 86 (92%) students, 76 (82%) were satisfied with allotted time and 75 (81%) found it easy to attempt. VV was considered to be influenced by mood of examiners by 84 (90%) students while 73 (78%) found it to be stressful. Conclusion: Students secured significantly higher in OSPE, described it as an easy, uniform, fair, un-stressful and un-biased method of examination and recommended its continuation as an assessment tool for practical examination system.
Cyclin A2 is phosphorylated during the G2/M transition in mouse two‐cell embryos

In the present study, we investigated the expression of cyclin A2 in mouse two‐cell embryos to elucidate the role of cyclin A2 at the G2/M transition. Two forms of cyclin A2 on SDS–PAGE (an upper and a lower band) were detected in two‐cell embryos synchronized at the M phase by nocodazole. To investigate the nature of this shift, embryos synchronized at the M phase were treated with alkaline phosphatase (AP). The upper band of cyclin A2 was fainter in AP‐treated embryos than in nontreated embryos. This result indicates that cyclin A2 in mouse two‐cell embryos is phosphorylated and the band on SDS–PAGE shifts up during the G2/M transition. In addition, we examined the sequential expression of cyclin A2 in two‐cell blocked embryos after OA treatment. The upper band of cyclin A2 was first detected at 2 hr after the treatment, corresponding to the timing of Cdc2 kinase activation. In two‐cell embryos after removal from nocodazole treatment, the phosphorylated form of cyclin A2 protein decreased abruptly just before cytokinesis. These results suggest that the mechanism of cyclin A2 degradation in mouse two‐cell embryos may be different from that in somatic cells. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 66: 343–348, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gating, modulation and subunit composition of voltage‐gated K+ channels in dendritic inhibitory interneurones of rat hippocampus

GABAergic interneurones are diverse in their morphological and functional properties. Perisomatic inhibitory cells show fast spiking during sustained current injection, whereas dendritic inhibitory cells fire action potentials with lower frequency. We examined functional and molecular properties of K+ channels in interneurones with horizontal dendrites in stratum oriens‐alveus (OA) of the hippocampal CA1 region, which mainly comprise somatostatin‐positive dendritic inhibitory cells. Voltage‐gated K+ currents in nucleated patches isolated from OA interneurones consisted of three major components: a fast delayed rectifier K+ current component that was highly sensitive to external 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA) (half‐maximal inhibitory concentrations < 0.1 mm for both blockers), a slow delayed rectifier K+ current component that was sensitive to high concentrations of TEA, but insensitive to 4‐AP, and a rapidly inactivating A‐type K+ current component that was blocked by high concentrations of 4‐AP, but resistant to TEA. The relative contributions of these components to the macroscopic K+ current were estimated as 57 ± 5, 25 ± 6, and 19 ± 2 %, respectively. Dendrotoxin, a selective blocker of Kv1 channels had only minimal effects on K+ currents in nucleated patches. Coapplication of the membrane‐permeant cAMP analogue 8‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)‐adenosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cpt‐cAMP) and the phosphodiesterase blocker isobutyl‐methylxanthine (IBMX) resulted in a selective inhibition of the fast delayed rectifier K+ current component. This inhibition was absent in the presence of the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H‐89, implying the involvement of PKA‐mediated phosphorylation. Single‐cell reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis revealed a high abundance of Kv3.2 mRNA in OA interneurones, whereas the expression level of Kv3.1 mRNA was markedly lower. Similarly, RT‐PCR analysis showed a high abundance of Kv4.3 mRNA, whereas Kv4.2 mRNA was undetectable. This suggests that the fast delayed rectifier K+ current and the A‐type K+ current component are mediated predominantly by homomeric Kv3.2 and Kv4.3 channels. Selective modulation of Kv3.2 channels in OA interneurones by cAMP is likely to be an important factor regulating the activity of dendritic inhibitory cells in principal neurone‐interneurone microcircuits.
How Theory-Building Research on Instruction can Support Instructional Improvement: Toward a Modeling Perspective in Secondary Geometry

The ideas expressed in this paper have been developed with the support of the National Science Foundation through grants REC-0133619, ESI-0353285, and DRL- 0918425 (P. Herbst, PI), and DRL- 1316241 (D.Chazan, PI). All opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Foundation.
Efficient intra prediction VLSI architecture for HEVC standard

Intra prediction with fine directions is a critical feature in the new High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard because it provides significant performance gain. Different from the intra prediction in the H.264/AVC, this approach is more complicated in terms of computation and memory access, which makes the VLSI design very difficult. In this paper, with the analysis of the algorithm of the DC prediction mode and the planar prediction mode in HM, a reused adder VLSI architecture for DC mode and a high efficient VLSI architecture for planar mode are proposed for intra prediction. Implementation with TSMC 90 nm CMOS technology indicates that the proposed architecture can work at 357MHz operation frequency and 12970 logic gates acquired for DC prediction and can work at 308 MHz operation frequency and 57500 logic gates acquired for planar prediction. The processing latency of the proposed VLSI architecture can support the real-time processing of 4:2:0 format 4096×2048@30fps video sequences.
Selective Harmonic Elimination in Multimodule Three-Phase Current-Source Converters

Modular current-source converter (MCSC) structures can enhance the current capacity and improve the power quality of converters in medium-voltage pulsewidth-modulated applications. An MCSC uses individual three-phase modules in a shunt connection to share the total power in a symmetrical manner. The modulation of these units is normally done using optimized patterns such as selective harmonic elimination patterns. However, the optimization is usually performed at the module level. This paper proposes a modulation technique that optimizes the operation of a complete MCSC taking into account all P modules. Thus, from the injected ac current, we remove P times the number of harmonics as compared with the conventional approach using the same switching frequency. A complete mathematical formulation and experimental results validate the proposed approach.
[The effects of curcumin on the 19 000 Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein-induced inflammatory and apoptotic reaction and the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases in WBC264-9C macrophages].

OBJECTIVE By using the cell wall component of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19 000 lipoprotein (P19) and curcumin (CUR) acting on the human macrophage cell line WBC264-9C, and by the blocking of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway, we wanted to investigate the effect of curcumin on P19-induced inflammatory responses and apoptosis in human macrophages and the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS P19 and CUR were used to stimulate human macrophages for 48 h. Their effects on growth inhibition and on apoptosis in macrophages were observed. The combination effect of CUR with P19 on the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, STAT3, P53, Bax, Bcl2 and phspho-p38 MAPK levels were also observed. By using the antagonist of p38 MAPK, the effect of CUR on P19-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic proteins were investigated. RESULTS Twenty and 40 µmol/L of CUR inhibited the growth of macrophages by (10.1 ± 2.3)% and (19.0 ± 2.7)%. The growth inhibition rate of macrophages in the controls, P19 and P19+CUR treated groups were (6.7 ± 4.2)%, (45.4 ± 3.6)% and (32.1 ± 3.0)%, respectively. The P19-induced growth inhibition was significantly attenuated by CUR treatment (q = 9.75, P < 0.01). The expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and STAT3 mRNA (13.2 ± 2.7, 33.5 ± 1.1, 3.3 ± 2.2, 0.9 ± 1.7) were significantly lower than P19-treated groups (21.8 ± 3.5, 14.3 ± 1.4, 6.1 ± 3.6, 4.5 ± 3.4) (q values were ranged from 7.18 to 3.22, all P < 0.05). Furthermore, P53 protein (94.3 ± 0.2; q = 7.05, P < 0.01) and Bax (70.8 ± 8.7; q = 7.66, P < 0.01) levels were decreased in CUR+P19 group as compared with P19 group (320.2 ± 0.2 and 182.6 ± 1.2). Blockade of p38 MAPK accompanied with CUR and P19 induced significantly lower levels of IL-6 mRNA (34.9 ± 1.5, q = 2.36, P < 0.05) and Bax/Bcl2 protein (0.36 ± 0.09; q = 3.50, P < 0.05) expression, as compared with the controls (69.9 ± 1.8 and 0.71 ± 0.11). CONCLUSIONS P19 increased the expression of inflammatory cytokines and promoted the apoptosis of macrophages possibly through the activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Low concentration of curcumin may play a protective effect against P19-induced immune responses by inhibiting the p38 MAPK pathway in macrophages.
Learning how to learn : eight lessons for impact evaluations that make a difference Background Note April 2011

This Background Note outlines key lessons on impact evaluations, utilisation-focused evaluations and evidence-based policy. Drawing on recent and ongoing work by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), the Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP), the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) and others, it is aimed at researchers, policy-makers and practitioners working on development and humanitarian issues.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MOLECULAR AND CYTOGENETIC MARKERS IN THE PROGNOSTIC OF MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES REVIEW

95 Iuliana-Maria Nicorescu 40 Ficusului Blvd, 1st District, 013975, Bucharest, Romania e-mail: nicorescuiuliana@yahoo.com Abstract. Myelodysplastic syndromes represent clonal diseases of hematopoietic stem cells that occur predominantly in elderly people, but myelodysplastic syndromes can affect younger patients as well. Myelodysplastic syndromes are characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, causing different forms of cytopenia in peripheral blood, contrasting normal or hypercellular bone marrow. Although less known, due to its absence from current clinical practice or in the prognostic score, molecular analysis could bring a significant contribution in the early diagnosis of disease. In this respect, the latest studies (2011) show that this type of analysis is of great importance in terms of input added to the pathogenic mechanisms of the Myelodysplastic syndromes subtypes establishment, with high conversion. Furthermore, the analysis serves elect the optimal timing for the initiation of specific therapy.
Incidence and behaviour of Tn916-like elements within tetracycline-resistant bacteria isolated from root canals.

INTRODUCTION Tetracycline resistance is commonly found in endodontic bacteria. One of the most common tetracycline-resistance genes is tet(M), which is often encoded on the broad-host-range conjugative transposon Tn916. This study aimed to determine whether tet(M) was present in bacteria isolated from endodontic patients at the Eastman Dental Institute and whether this gene was carried on the transferable conjugative transposon Tn916. METHODS The cultivable microflora isolated from 15 endodontic patients was screened for resistance to tetracycline. Polymerase chain reactions for tet(M) and for unique regions of Tn916 were carried out on the DNA of all tetracycline-resistant bacteria. Filter-mating experiments were used to see if transfer of any Tn916-like elements could occur. RESULTS Eight out of 15 tetracycline-resistant bacteria isolated were shown to possess tet(M). Furthermore, four of these eight were shown to possess the Tn916-unique regions linked to the tet(M) gene. Transfer experiments demonstrated that a Neisseria sp. donor could transfer an extremely unstable Tn916-like element to Enterococcus faecalis. CONCLUSIONS The tet(M) gene is present in the majority of tetracycline-resistant bacteria isolated in this study and the conjugative transposon Tn916 has been shown to be responsible for the support and transfer of this gene in some of the bacteria isolated.