Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Locomotor function of the dorsal fin in teleost fishes: experimental analysis of wake forces in sunfish.

A key evolutionary transformation of the locomotor system of ray-finned fishes is the morphological elaboration of the dorsal fin. Within Teleostei, the dorsal fin primitively is a single midline structure supported by soft, flexible fin rays. In its derived condition, the fin is made up of two anatomically distinct portions: an anterior section supported by spines, and a posterior section that is soft-rayed. We have a very limited understanding of the functional significance of this evolutionary variation in dorsal fin design. To initiate empirical hydrodynamic study of dorsal fin function in teleost fishes, we analyzed the wake created by the soft dorsal fin of bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) during both steady swimming and unsteady turning maneuvers. Digital particle image velocimetry was used to visualize wake structures and to calculate in vivo locomotor forces. Study of the vortices generated simultaneously by the soft dorsal and caudal fins during locomotion allowed experimental characterization of median-fin wake interactions. During high-speed swimming (i.e. above the gait transition from pectoral- to median-fin locomotion), the soft dorsal fin undergoes regular oscillatory motion which, in comparison with analogous movement by the tail, is phase-advanced (by 30% of the cycle period) and of lower sweep amplitude (by 1.0 cm). Undulations of the soft dorsal fin during steady swimming at 1.1 bodylength s(-1) generate a reverse von Kármán vortex street wake that contributes 12% of total thrust. During low-speed turns, the soft dorsal fin produces discrete pairs of counterrotating vortices with a central region of high-velocity jet flow. This vortex wake, generated in the latter stage of the turn and posterior to the center of mass of the body, counteracts torque generated earlier in the turn by the anteriorly positioned pectoral fins and thereby corrects the heading of the fish as it begins to translate forward away from the turning stimulus. One-third of the laterally directed fluid force measured during turning is developed by the soft dorsal fin. For steady swimming, we present empirical evidence that vortex structures generated by the soft dorsal fin upstream can constructively interact with those produced by the caudal fin downstream. Reinforcement of circulation around the tail through interception of the dorsal fin's vortices is proposed as a mechanism for augmenting wake energy and enhancing thrust. Swimming in fishes involves the partitioning of locomotor force among several independent fin systems. Coordinated use of the pectoral fins, caudal fin and soft dorsal fin to increase wake momentum, as documented for L. macrochirus, highlights the ability of teleost fishes to employ multiple propulsors simultaneously for controlling complex swimming behaviors.
Early diagnosis of feline medulloblastoma in the vermis

+ 90 per cent or more strains positive, 90 per cent or more strains negative, d 11 to 89 per cent strains positive, Brackets Delayed reaction, w Weak reaction, ND Not determined, S Susceptible, R Resistant, a 89 per cent and 80 per cent of canine strains positive for maltose and mannitol acidification, respectively (M. Bes, unpublished data). Phenotypical characteristics were determined using standard methods (Freney and others 1999)
Malignant liver lesions: Comparison of spiral CT arterial portography and MR imaging for diagnostic accuracy, cost, and effect on patient management

We compared two imaging techniques, spiral CT arterial portography (CTAP) and MR imaging, for diagnostic accuracy, procedural cost, and effect on management of 26 patients referred for hepatic surgery for suspected limited malignant liver disease. CTAP and MR imaging were done within a 1‐week period (19 within 24 hours); the results of the studies were interpreted prospectively by separate reviewers. Surgical data were evaluated in conjunction with imaging data in 10 patients. Lesion detection and segmental involvement were determined and sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Procedural cost was determined from hospital billing codes. Effect on patient management was determined by the referring oncologic surgeon. CTAP and MR imaging showed 185 and 176 true‐positive malignant lesions, 15 and zero false‐positive malignant lesions, zero and 18 true‐negative malignant lesions, and 13 and 22 falsenegative malignant lesions, respectively. CTAP and MR imaging showed 107 and 105 true‐positive segments, 11 and zero false‐positive segments, 80 and 91 true‐negative segments, and four and six false‐negative segments, respectively. There was a significant difference in specificity of segmental involvement between MR imaging (1.0 ± 0) compared with CTAP (0.88 ± 0.05), P=. 03. Total procedural cost was $3,499 for CTAP and $1,224 for MR imaging. CTAP findings did not change patient management over MR imaging findings in any patient, whereas MR imaging findings resulted in a change in patient management over CTAP findings in seven patients (P=.015). The results of our study suggest that MR imaging has higher diagnostic accuracy and greater effect on patient management than CTAP does and is 64% less expensive.
Localized Modes in a Circular Array of Coupled Nonlinear Optical Waveguides

A circular array of optical waveguides collectively coupled with a central core is investigated. Nonlinear losses, both linear and nonlinear coupling as well as energy transfer between neighboring array elements and between the array and the core are allowed. The concept is ideal for the design of high power stable amplifiers as well as of all-optical data processing devices in optical communications. The existence of stable steady-state continuous wave modes as well as of localized solitary and breathing type modes is demonstrated. These properties render the proposed system functionally rich, far more controllable than a planar one and easier to stabilize.
Recurrent cerebral infarctions in polyarteritis nodosa with circulating antiphospholipid antibodies and mitral valve disease

A case of recurrent cerebral infarctions in a 42-year-old woman affected by polyarteritis nodosa and antiphospholipid syndrome is reported. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed grossly thickened mitral valve leaflets, possibly related to the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. Thus, an embolic source at mitral level is hypothesized.
Modifications neuromusculaires et cardio-respiratoires induites par un exercice cycliste de longue durée

L’objet de cette etude etait d’analyser les modifications cardio-respiratoires et neuromusculaires induites par un exercice de longue duree en cyclisme. Neuf sujets, entraines en endurance, ont realise un exercice de 5 h sur ergocycle a une intensite correspondant a 55% de leur puissance maximale aerobie. La consommation d’oxygene, le debit ventilatoire et la frequence cardiaque ont augmente respectivement de 15,5 + 4,9 % (P < 0,01), 17,9 + 6,6 % (P < 0,01) et 11,3 + 5,4 % (P < 0,01) au cours des 5 h d’exercice alors que la cadence spontanee de pedalage diminuait significativement (P < 0,05) de 10 revolutions par minute (rpm). Les moments musculaires maximaux mesures sur ergometre isocinetique lors des contractions concentriques a 120? s-1 et 240? s-1 ont chute respectivement de 8,5 + 0,8 % (P < 0,01) et 9,3 + 1 % (P < 0,05) apres l’exercice. Cette perte de force etait accompagnee d’une diminution significative de l’activite electromyographique des muscles vastus lateralis (P < 0,01) et vastus medialis (P < 0,05). Les proprietes contractiles des muscles extenseurs du genou ont ete etudiees en analysant la reponse mecanique a un train de 6 stimulations a 100 Hz evoquees au niveau du nerf femoral. Le pic de moment musculaire evoque, le temps de contraction, la vitesse maximale de montee en force et la vitesse maximale de relaxation ont chute respectivement de 12 + 13 % (P < 0,05), 13 + 14 % (P < 0,05), 22 + 12 % (P < 0,01) et 24 + 13 % (P < 0,05) consecutivement a l’exercice de 5 h. Les resultats obtenus suggerent que parallelement aux modifications cardio-respiratoires, la reduction de la capacite de production de force induite par un exercice de pedalage de longue duree est due a des facteurs nerveux et contractiles.
Arthropods in Relation to Plant Disease Transmission Rates of ‘ Ca . Liberibacter asiaticus ’ by Asian Citrus Psyllid Are Enhanced by the Presence and Developmental Stage of Citrus Flush

Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) transmits a bacterium ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas) putatively responsible for a devastating citrus disease known as Asiatic huanglongbing (HLB) (citrus greening disease). The psyllid and disease have invaded many citrus-growing regions including the United States, where the disease is seriously jeopardizing the Florida citrus industry. We recently concluded research that showed CLas transmission rates are increased when citrus flush is present. Flush is any new leaf growth ranging in development from first emergence up until the leaves are fully expanded yet still tender. In an experiment with seedlings of a rootstock cultivar ‘US-942’, a 1-wk infestation of 20 Asian citrus psyllids from an infected colony resulted in 53–60% of seedlings becoming infected when flush was present compared with only 7% when no flush was present. In a second experiment with ‘US-942’, 77–97% of seedlings became infected when flush was present compared with 40% when no flush was present. A similar experiment with ‘Valencia’ sweet orange resulted in 23, 80, and 3% seedlings becoming infected when young, older, or no flush was present, respectively. Young plants are therefore more likely to contract HLB if flush is present, with older flush promoting higher infection rates under the conditions of this study. Based on this finding, healthy citrus should be protected from Asian citrus psyllid infestations throughout a flush. To evaluate germplasm for CLas resistance, inoculations using infected Asian citrus psyllid would best be achieved if flush is present.
Primary sensitization to inhalant allergens

The neonatal T‐cell system is capable of responding to allergens at birth, indicating the occurrence of prenatal sensitization, and the cytokine profile of these responses is skewed towards the Th‐2 type. This response is further modified by postnatal exposure to different types of allergens. In relation to inhalant allergen (employed by HDM) the low level fetal Th‐2 responses in non‐atopics appear to be down‐regulated rapidly after birth, parallel to an increase in allergen‐specific IFN‐γ production. In contrast, atopics appear to consolidate their initial Th‐2 responses, and around the age of 6 exhibit a cytokine response profile similar to the adult pattern. A pre‐existing deficiency in IFN‐γ production may be one of the key factors determining the postnatal persistence of Th‐2 responses in atopics.
Mining data streams using clustering

A data stream is a massive unbounded sequence of data elements continuously generated at a rapid rate. Due to this reason, traditional data mining approach is replaced by systems that are able to mine continuous, high-volume, open-ended data streams as they arrive. In this paper, we survey three data stream clustering algorithms, namely clustering data streams using K-means, statistical grid-based, and regression analysis. We compare and contrast these techniques as well.
Predictors of discordant tuberculin skin test and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube results in various high-risk groups.

SETTING Persons in whom targeted testing for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is recommended in Seattle, Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; and central North Carolina, United States. OBJECTIVE To compare the performance of an interferon-gamma release assay (QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube [QFT-GIT]) with the tuberculin skin test (TST) among foreign-born, homeless, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected and substance abuse persons tested for LTBI. DESIGN A cross-sectional study requiring participants to have a blood test, a TST and data collected. RESULTS Of 1653 persons, 19.5% were TST-positive and 14.0% were QFT-GIT-positive. Overall concordance was moderate (kappa 0.53; 95%CI 0.47-0.58). Compared to concordant positive results, TST+/QFT-GIT- discordance was associated with HIV infection and sex, while TST-/QFT-GIT+ discordance was associated with HIV and inversely associated with foreign birth. Compared to concordant negative results, TST-/QFT-GIT+ discordance was associated with foreign birth and age ≥50 years, while TST+/QFT-GIT-discordance was associated with foreign birth, age 30-49 years, being Black and inversely associated with HIV. HIV infection was significantly associated with indeterminate QFT-GIT results. CONCLUSION QFT-GIT may be an improvement over the TST for diagnosing LTBI in foreign-born and older persons, and may be as useful as the TST in HIV-infected persons. The sensitivity of both tests may be low in HIV-infected persons.
Urbanization, non-familial work, education, and fertility in Taiwan.

Abstract It is well known, that there is a relationship between the level of development of a society and its level offertility. (1) However, it is not clear which of the complex ofvariables associated with development are primarily associated with the reduction of fertility. Urbanization, female labour force participation and education are three of the variables most commonly cited as bearing a causal relationship to fertility. Urbanization implies a change of environment of a substantial portion of the population which may result in a change in the value placed on large families. This is particularly true when urban mortality is lower than rural, so that more children survive. (2) However, it has also been argued that urbanization results in a change in family structure from the extended to the nuclear family with a concomitant reduction in the value placed on having many children. (3) Additional changes in family patterns which are sometimes said to explain fertility reduction due to urbanization are increases in the proportion of women never marrying and increases in the age at marriage.
PROBING THE INNER JET OF THE QUASAR PKS 1510−089 WITH MULTI-WAVEBAND MONITORING DURING STRONG GAMMA-RAY ACTIVITY

We present results from monitoring the multi-waveband flux, linear polarization, and parsec-scale structure of the quasar PKS 1510 − 089, concentrating on eight major γ-ray flares that occurred during the interval 2009.0–2009.5. The γ-ray peaks were essentially simultaneous with maxima at optical wavelengths, although the flux ratio of the two wave bands varied by an order of magnitude. The optical polarization vector rotated by 720° during a five-day period encompassing six of these flares. This culminated in a very bright, ∼1 day, optical and γ-ray flare as a bright knot of emission passed through the highest-intensity, stationary feature (the “core”) seen in 43 GHz Very Long Baseline Array images. The knot continued to propagate down the jet at an apparent speed of 22c and emit strongly at γ-ray energies as a months-long X-ray/radio outburst intensified. We interpret these events as the result of the knot following a spiral path through a mainly toroidal magnetic field pattern in the acceleration and collimation zone of the jet, after which it passes through a standing shock in the 43 GHz core and then continues downstream. In this picture, the rapid γ-ray flares result from scattering of infrared seed photons from a relatively slow sheath of the jet as well as from optical synchrotron radiation in the faster spine. The 2006–2009.7 radio and X-ray flux variations are correlated at very high significance; we conclude that the X-rays are mainly from inverse Compton scattering of infrared seed photons by 20–40 MeV electrons.
Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Corrects Dysfunctional High Density Lipoproteins and Reduces Aortic Atherosclerosis in Lecithin Cholesterol Acyltransferase Transgenic Mice*

Expression of human lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) in mice (LCAT-Tg) leads to increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels but paradoxically, enhanced atherosclerosis. We have hypothesized that the absence of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in LCAT-Tg mice facilitates the accumulation of dysfunctional HDL leading to impaired reverse cholesterol transport and the development of a pro-atherogenic state. To test this hypothesis we cross-bred LCAT-Tg with CETP-Tg mice. On both regular chow and high fat, high cholesterol diets, expression of CETP in LCAT-Tg mice reduced total cholesterol (−39% and −13%, respectively; p < 0.05), reflecting a decrease in HDL cholesterol levels. CETP normalized both the plasma clearance of [3H]cholesteryl esters ([3H]CE) from HDL (fractional catabolic rate in days−1: LCAT-Tg = 3.7 ± 0.34, LCATxCETP-Tg = 6.1 ± 0.16, and controls = 6.4 ± 0.16) as well as the liver uptake of [3H]CE from HDL (LCAT-Tg = 36%, LCATxCETP-Tg = 65%, and controls = 63%) in LCAT-Tg mice. On the pro-atherogenic diet the mean aortic lesion area was reduced by 41% in LCATxCETP-Tg (21.2 ± 2.0 μm2 × 103) compared with LCAT-Tg mice (35.7 ± 2.0 μm2 × 103;p < 0.001). Adenovirus-mediated expression of scavenger receptor class B (SR-BI) failed to normalize the plasma clearance and liver uptake of [3H]CE from LCAT-Tg HDL. Thus, the ability of SR-BI to facilitate the selective uptake of CE from LCAT-Tg HDL is impaired, indicating a potential mechanism leading to impaired reverse cholesterol transport and atherosclerosis in these animals. We conclude that CETP expression reduces atherosclerosis in LCAT-Tg mice by restoring the functional properties of LCAT-Tg mouse HDL and promoting the hepatic uptake of HDL-CE. These findings provide definitive in vivo evidence supporting the proposed anti-atherogenic role of CETP in facilitating HDL-mediated reverse cholesterol transport and demonstrate that CETP expression is beneficial in pro-atherogenic states that result from impaired reverse cholesterol transport.
Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): What large-scale sequencing projects can tell us about ADME

To date over 800 complete genomes have been sequenced, with many more partially complete. Coupled with the large amount of mRNA transcript sequence data being produced from expression studies, there is now a daunting amount of information available to the research scientist. This review examines how this information may be best used, focusing on examples from sequences encoding absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME)-related proteins in particular. Through the use of phylogenetic, splice variant and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, the review examines not only how insights into species-specific responses to drug exposure may be gained, but also how best to utilize this information to predict both individual human responses and the impact of population variance in response.
ASSESSMENT OF NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION ON WATERSHED BASIS USING REMOTE SENSING, GIS AND AGNPS MODEL

The Non point Source (NPS) pollutants (eg. Sediment, fertilizers, pesticides, salts, and trace elements) are contaminants of surface and subsurface soil and water resources that are diffuse in nature and cannot be traced to a point location. Agriculture has been identified as the largest contributor of non-point source pollution of surface and ground water systems. Because of diffused sources and vastness of the problem, it is generally estimated by simulation approach using the distributed models. A major limitation in the use of Hydrology and water Quality (H/WQ) models has been their inability to handle the large amounts of input data that describe the heterogeneities of the natural system. A recent and emerging technology represented by geographic information systems (GIS) provide the tools to generate, manipulate, and spatially organize disparate for distributed modelling. The knowledge and information required to address the problem of assessing the impact of NPS pollutants on the environment crosses several sub-discipline lines like remote sensing, GIS ,hydrology, and soil science. The present study demonstrated the application of remote sensing, GIS and distributed parameter model (AGNPS) for assessment of hazardous non-point source pollution in a watershed. The ARC-INFO GIS and Remote sensing provided the input data to support modelling, while the AGNPS model was used to predict several water quality variables within a watershed on cell basis. Thus, flow, soil erosion, and chemical movement at any point in the watershed can be examined. Upland sources contributing to a potential problem are identified and subsequently locations are prioritised for remedial action to improve water quality most effectively. Runoff is predicted using the soil conservation service (SCS) runoff curve method. Sediment yields are predicted using a modified version of the universal soil loss equation (USLE). Nutrient movement components have been adapted from the CREAMS model. The framework was used to evaluate the effectiveness of several alternative management strategies in reducing sediment pollution in the study area. The variation in the cell wise distribution of runoff and sediment yield for different rainfall events was within 20 to 30 percent and 14 to 40% respectively. The simulation technique was also used for reasonably predicting the loading of total pollutants in terms of fertilizer nitrogen and phosphorus.