Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Airborne Fine Particulate Matter on Antioxidant Capacity and Lipid Peroxidation in Multiple Organs of Rats

The purpose of this research was to determine whether airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could increase levels of lipid peroxidation and alter intracellular redox status in multiple organs of rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the treated groups using PM2.5 at different dosages (1.5, 7.5, 37.5 mg/kg) and with a control group using saline. Rats were sacrificed 24 h after one-time intratracheal instillation. Then we investigated the activities of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the levels of glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in hearts, livers, spleens, lungs, kidneys, brains, and testicles. It was found that PM2.5 at dosages of 7.5 and 37.5 mg/kg significantly increased lipid peroxidation levels in the hearts, livers, lungs, and testicles, decreased SOD, CAT, and GPx activities in the lungs, livers, kidneys, and brains, and depleted GSH levels in all the measured organs compared to the control. There were also differences in the changes of antioxidative enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation levels in seven organs. These results led to a conclusion that airborne PM2.5 was a systemic toxic agent, not only to respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Its toxic effects might be attributed to oxidative damage mediated by prooxidant/antioxidant imbalance or excess free radicals. Further work is required to explain the toxicity role of PM2.5 on multiple organs of mammals.
Characterization of Proteinase-3 ( PR3 ) , a Neutrophil Serine Proteinase

Proteinase 3 (PR-3) is a human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) serine proteinase that degrades elastin in vitro and causes emphysema when administered by tracheal insufflation to hamsters (Kao, R. C., Wehner, N. G., Skubitz, K. M., Gray, B. H., and Hoidal, J. R. (1988) J. CZin. Invest. 82, 1963-1973). We have determined the primary structure of several PR-3 peptides and have analyzed catalytic properties of the enzyme. The enzyme has considerable amino acid sequence homology with two other well characterized PMNL neutral serine proteinases, elastase and cathepsin G. Furthermore, the NHz-terminal amino acid sequence of PR-3 is identical to that of the target antigen of the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies associated with Wegener’s granulomatosis. PR-3 degrades a variety of matrix proteins including fibronectin, laminin, vitronectin, and collagen type IV. It shows no or minimal activity against interstitial collagens types I and 111, respectively. The analysis of peptides generated by PR-3 digestion of insulin chains and the activity profile against a panel of chromogenic synthetic peptide substrates show that PR-3 prefers small aliphatic amino acids (alanine, serine, and valine) at the P, site. The elastase-like specificity of PR-3 is consistent with its striking sequence homology to elastase at substrate binding sites. PR-3 is inhibited by a,-proteinase inhibitor (k, = 8.1 X lo6 M” s-’; delay time = 25 ms) and a2-macroglobulin (k, = 1.1 X 10’ M” s-I; delay time = 114 ms) but not by a,-anti-chymotrypsin. In contrast to elastase and cathepsin G, PR-3 is not inhibited by secretory leukoprotease inhibitor and is weakly inhibited by eglin e. Thus, PR-3 is distinct from the other PMNL proteinases.
Investigation of the physical–mechanical properties of Eudragit® RS PO/RL PO and their mixtures with common pharmaceutical excipients

Ammonio methacrylate copolymers Eudragit® RS PO and Eudragit® RL PO have found widespread use as key components in various types of extended release solid dosage forms. The deformation behavior of neat polymers and binary mixes was evaluated using Heckel Analysis, strain rate sensitivity, work of compaction and elastic recovery index. Additionally, the compact forming ability of neat materials and binary mixes were evaluated by analyzing their tabletability, compressibility and compactibility profiles. The Heckel analysis of both polymers exhibited a speed-sensitive deformation behavior typical to plastic materials. The yield values of the binary mixes of the polymers with microcrystalline cellulose revealed a linear relationship with the weight fractions of individual components. The yield values of binary mixes of both the polymers with dibasic calcium phosphate exhibited slight negative deviations from linearity. Both polymers exhibited axial relaxation after ejection typical of viscoelastic materials, as measured by the elastic recovery index values. The work of compaction and the elastic recovery index values of the binary mixtures were found to be linearly related to the weight fractions of the individual components thus, confirming ideal mixing behavior based on the composition. Addition of microcrystalline cellulose to both polymers significantly improved their tabletability and compactibility. The tensile strengths of the compacts prepared with neat materials and binary mixes with microcrystalline cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate and lactose were the function of their solid fraction and independent of the tableting speeds tested; thus, validating compactibility as a reliable parameter in predicting acceptable tablet properties.
A speed estimation method for induction motors based on Strong Tracking Extended Kalman Filter

A speed estimation method for induction motors based on Strong Tracking Extended Kalman Filter (STEKF) is proposed in this paper, implementing optimization of speed sensorless vector control. With this method, the fading factor is introduced into the covariance matrix of the predicted state, which forces the residual sequences orthogonal to each other and tunes the gain matrix online. The estimation error is adjusted adaptively, and the mutational state is tracked fast. The proposed method shows more robust against the model uncertainties or the time-varying parameter systems, and it has better tracking ability to the mutations and the slow changes. Therefore, the proposed method improves the model adaptability to the actual systems and the environmental variations, and reduces the speed estimation error. The correctness and the effectiveness of the proposed method are verified by the simulation and experimental results.
Do Analysts Practice What They Preach and Should Investors Listen? Effects of Recent Regulations

ABSTRACT: From 1994 to 1998, Bradshaw (2004) finds that analysts' stock recommendations relate negatively to residual income valuation estimates (scaled by current price) but positively to valuation heuristics based on the price‐to‐earnings‐to‐growth ratio and long‐term growth. These results are surprising, especially considering that future returns relate positively to residual income valuation estimates and negatively to heuristics. Using a large sample of analysts for the 1993–2005 period, we consider whether recent regulatory reforms affect this apparent inconsistent analyst behavior. Consistent with the intent of these reforms, we find that the negative relation between analysts' stock recommendations and residual income valuations is diminishing following regulations. We also show that residual income valuations, developed using analysts' earnings forecasts, relate more positively with future returns. However, we document that stock recommendations continue to relate negatively with future returns.
Segmentation Method of Breast Masses on Ultrasonographic Images Using Level Set Method Based on Statistical Model

It is important to segment mass region accurately in a computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) scheme for evaluating the likelihood of malignancy of the mass on ultrasonographic breast image. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel level set method for segmentation of breast mass on ultrasonographic image. Our database consisted of 151 ultrasonographic images with 70 malignant and 81 benign breast masses. In a novel level set method, an energy function was defined with region-based, edge-based, and regularizing terms. The region-based term analyzed global information, whereas the edge-based term analyzed local information. The regularizing term also controlled the length of the boundary curve. The region of breast mass was segmented so that the energy based on those terms was minimized. With our proposed method, true positive (TP) ratio, false positive (FP) ratio, jaccard similarity (JS), and Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) were 92.2%, 9.1%, 84.2%, and 91.3%, respectively. These results tended to be substantially higher than those with two conventional segmentation methods. Our proposed method based on the novel level set method was shown to segment mass region accurately on ultrasonographic breast image.
Post‐Golgi Traffic in Plants

Secretory and endocytic traffic through the post‐Golgi endomembrane system regulates the abundance of plasma‐membrane proteins such as receptors, transporters and ion channels, modulating the ability of a cell to communicate with its neighbours and to adapt to a changing environment. The major post‐Golgi compartments are numerous and appear to be similar to their counterparts in animals. However, endosomes are rather ill defined morphologically but seem to be involved in specific trafficking pathways. Many plasma‐membrane proteins cycle constitutively via endosomal compartments. The trans‐Golgi network (TGN) appears to be an early endosome where secretory and endocytic traffic meet. Endocytosed proteins that are to be degraded are targeted to the vacuole via the multivesiculate prevacuolar compartment (PVC) whereas cycling proteins pass through recycling endosomes. The trafficking machinery involves the same classes of proteins as in other eukaryotes. However, there are modifications that match the specifics of post‐Golgi traffic in plants. Although plants lack epithelia, some plasma‐membrane proteins are located on specific faces of the cell which reflects polarized traffic and influences the physiological performance of the tissue. Plants also differentiate highly polarized tip‐growing cells in which post‐Golgi traffic is adapted to very high rates of targeted exocytosis, endocytosis and recycling.
Preliminary studies and potential applications of localized surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy in medical diagnostics

Miniature optical sensors that specifically identify low concentrations of environmental and biological substances are in high demand. Currently, there is no optical sensor that provides identification of the aforementioned species without amplification techniques at naturally occurring concentrations. Recently, it has been demonstrated that triangular silver nanoparticles have remarkable optical properties and that their enhanced sensitivity to their nanoenvironment has been used to develop a new class of optical sensors using localized surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The examination of both model and nonmodel biological assays using localized surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy will be presented in this review. It will be demonstrated that the use of a localized surface plasmon resonance nanosensor rivals the sensitivity and selectivity of, and provides a low-cost alternative to, commercially available sensors.
Lifting the Veil on Reverse Leveraged Buyouts: What Happens During the Private Period?

We document the different types of restructuring activities undertaken during the private period after the reverse leveraged buyout (RLBO) of previously public firms. Preceding the LBO, firm leverage significantly exceeds that of their peers, while their profitability is better than the industry. However, despite their superior performance, these firms are undervalued before going private. While private firms undertake value-enhancement measures by increasing employee productivity, asset restructuring, decreasing cost of goods sold, and increasing ownership concentration. Enhanced valuation at the RLBO is a result of value capture, as well as efficiencies obtained from restructuring activities. We also identify factors determining the private period duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Unraveling the Web of Viroinformatics: Computational Tools and Databases in Virus Research

ABSTRACT The beginning of the second century of research in the field of virology (the first virus was discovered in 1898) was marked by its amalgamation with bioinformatics, resulting in the birth of a new domain—viroinformatics. The availability of more than 100 Web servers and databases embracing all or specific viruses (for example, dengue virus, influenza virus, hepatitis virus, human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], hemorrhagic fever virus [HFV], human papillomavirus [HPV], West Nile virus, etc.) as well as distinct applications (comparative/diversity analysis, viral recombination, small interfering RNA [siRNA]/short hairpin RNA [shRNA]/microRNA [miRNA] studies, RNA folding, protein-protein interaction, structural analysis, and phylotyping and genotyping) will definitely aid the development of effective drugs and vaccines. However, information about their access and utility is not available at any single source or on any single platform. Therefore, a compendium of various computational tools and resources dedicated specifically to virology is presented in this article.
Twenty-four-month clinical evaluation of different posterior composite resin materials.

BACKGROUND In a 24-month clinical trial, the authors compared three brands of light-cured composite resins that were used to restore the posterior teeth of 38 patients. METHODS A total of 88 Class I and 32 Class II restorations were made using Z100 (3M Dental Products Div.), Clearfil Ray-Posterior (Kuraray Co. Ltd.) and Prisma TPH (Caulk/Dentsply). Quadrant impressions were taken using a polyvinyl siloxane impression material, and stone casts were obtained every six months for indirect evaluations of anatomical form and marginal adaptation. The restorations were evaluated directly by three clinicians using the Ryge criteria. RESULTS The authors statistically evaluated parameters at each recall period, using a chi 2 test; compared baseline scores with the recall scores, using a McNemar test; and evaluated changes in the parameters, using the Cochran Q test. Color match, cavosurface margin discoloration and secondary caries remained unchanged at the end of the 24-month recall period for all materials (P > or = .05). A total of 11.5 percent of the Z100 restorations and 16.7 percent of the Prisma TPH restorations showed a slight crevice along the margin (P < or = .05). The surface texture was scored as Bravo only for Clearfil Ray-Posterior restorations at the end of the study (P < or = .05). The authors found that the indirect evaluation results were different from the direct evaluations for Z100 and Prisma TPH. CONCLUSIONS According to these findings, all the materials used are suitable for posterior restorations. The difference between the two evaluation methods can be attributed to the level of sensitivity. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS With the improvement in materials, careful case selection and application of the restorative techniques, posterior composites placed under appropriate conditions and monitored routinely can be expected to last 10 years or longer.
Nutritional Status Assessment in Critically Ill Children.

Critical Care Medicine www.ccmjournal. org e1007 In addition to the questionable nutritional assessment, this study has another important flaw: the authors created ex novo the missing weights and heights in 9% and 28% of enrolled patients, respectively. This estimation appears methodologically uncorrect and may influence reported results. Despite of the limitations mentioned above, this study underlines the importance of feeding critically ill children and the difficulties related to adequate nutritional evaluation. Anthropometric measures, even if easy and reproducible (weight, mid-arm circumference, etc.), are markedly influenced by fluids balance and therefore cannot be used alone to assess nutritional status and to guide feeding. Adequate nutrition assessment requires energy expenditure estimation and evaluation of nutritional markers (plasma proteins, triceps skinfold thickness, nitrogen balance, etc.). In light of the above, an “all-inclusive score,” that integrates the anthropometric parameters and nutritional markers with the energy requirements, the child history, the primary diagnosis, the presence of comorbidities, and the disease evolution, is required. The score should allow the assessment of the nutritional status on PICU admission and its evolution in the course of PICU and hospital stay and should facilitate the development of an adequate nutrition care plan. The authors have disclosed that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest.
Seasonal change in neuron size and spacing but not neuronal recruitment in a basal ganglia nucleus in the avian song control system

Neural plasticity in the song control system of seasonally breeding songbirds accompanies seasonal changes in singing behavior. The volume of Area X, a song control nucleus that forms a portion of the avian basal ganglia, is 75% larger in the spring than it is in the fall. The neuronal basis of the seasonal plasticity in Area X is largely unknown, however. We examined neuronal attributes of Area X in wild adult male song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) captured during the spring and the fall after being implanted for 30 days with osmotic pumps containing [3H]thymidine. We measured the volume of Area X from thionin‐stained sections, and neuronal density and number, and average area of the soma from sections labeled with an antibody against Hu, a neuron‐specific protein. We sampled two neuron classes: “small” neurons that were most likely striatal‐like spiny neurons and “large” neurons, which most likely included pallidal‐like projection neurons. We also analyzed seasonal patterns of neuronal recruitment to Area X. The average area of the soma and neuronal spacing for both neuronal classes were greater in breeding birds. There was no difference in total neuron number for both neuronal classes between seasons. The average area of the soma and density and number of newly recruited neurons did not vary across seasons. These results demonstrate that seasonal plasticity in Area X includes changes in neuron size and neuronal density, but not changes in the rate at which new neurons are recruited. J. Comp. Neurol. 481:276–283, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Current measurement gain tuning for interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drives using controlled short circuit tests

This paper presents a nonintrusive method to automatically identify and compensate for current measurement errors in interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drives. Each IPM motor has a distinct short-circuit current vs. speed characteristic, which is solely defined by its machine design. By controlling the IPM motor to operate at its steady-state short-circuit current during coasting down, all phases of the IPM motor can be safely short circuited using the inverter without introducing any current transients. Then the d-q axis currents measured by the inverter are compared with the known short-circuit characteristic of the IPM motor. The distortion pattern in the d-q axis currents contains all the information needed to correct for current sensor errors in IPMSM drives.
A grid and cloud-based framework for high throughput bioinformatics

Recent advances in genome sequencing technologies have unleashed a flood of new data. As a result, the computational analysis of bioinformatics data sets has been rapidly moving from a labbased desktop computer environment to exhaustive analyses performed by large dedicated computing resources. Traditionally, large computational problems have been performed on dedicated clusters of high performance machines that are typically local to, and owned by, a particular institution. The current trend in Grid computing has seen institutions pooling their computational resources in order to offload excess computational work to remote locations during busy periods. In the last year or so, commercial Cloud computing initiatives have matured enough to offer a viable remote source of reliable computational power. Collections of idle desktop computers have also been used as a source of computational power in the form of ‘volunteer Grids’. The field of bioinformatics is highly dynamic, with new or updated versions of software tools and databases continually being developed. Several different tools and datasets must often be combined into a coherent, automated workflow or pipeline. While existing solutions are available for constructing workflows, there is a clear need for long-lived analyses consisting of many interconnected steps to be able to migrate among Grid and cloud computational resources dynamically. This project involved research into the principles underlying the design and architecture of flexible, high-throughput bioinformatics processes. Following extensive research into requirements gathering, a novel Grid-based platform, Microbase, has been implemented that is based on service-oriented architectures and peer-to-peer data transfer technology. This platform has been shown to be amenable to utilising a wide range of hardware from commodity desktop computers, to high-performance cloud infrastructure. The system has been shown to drastically reduce the bandwidth requirements of bioinformatics data distribution, and therefore reduces both the financial and computational costs associated with cloud computing. The system is inherently modular in nature, comprising a service based notification system, a data storage system scheduler and a job manager. In keeping with e-
Red cell alterations associated with virucidal methylene blue phototreatment

Several red cell storage properties were evaluated following phototreatment with methylene blue (MB) under conditions that inactivated > or = 6 log10 of added vesicular stomatitis virus. Red cell 2,3 DPG levels were similar to untreated controls throughout conventional 42‐day storage at 4 degrees C. Plasma hemoglobin levels were elevated approximately twofold in MB‐phototreated samples, and morphology scores were 5 percent lower after 42‐day storage. ATP levels declined 30 percent in phototreated samples and in a control sample containing MB and not exposed to light. Lipid peroxidation was not observed in treated or control cells, nor were differences observed in sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of ghost membranes derived from phototreated and control samples. Phototreated cells exhibited enhanced ion permeability; sodium and potassium levels approached equilibrium with the suspending medium within 4 to 7 days after treatment. Direct agglutination tests using rabbit anti‐human IgG or rabbit anti‐human serum albumin on MB‐phototreated cells indicated that serum proteins had absorbed to the surface of treated red cells. Plasma depletion by washing red cells prior to phototreatment did not prevent protein binding upon subsequent addition of untreated autologous or group AB plasma. To a much smaller extent, phototreatment of plasma resulted in IgG association with untreated red cells. The addition of glutathione to red cell suspensions prevented IgG binding to phototreated red cells but did not prevent enhanced ion permeability. Taken together, these data suggest that the red cell surface is altered by virucidal MB phototreatment of vesicular stomatitis virus.
Screening for oropharyngeal dysphagia.

, has insufficient methodologi-cal design in studies about oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). It is necessary to understand OD as a symptom characterized by the combination of signs and other symptoms that put the people at nutritional, hydric, and pulmonary risk; the screening is addressed to identify individuals who have predictive factors for this outcome and who need a con-firmatory diagnosis