Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Operational considerations and comparisons of the Saturn, Space Shuttle and Ares launch vehicles

The United States (U.S.) space exploration policy has directed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to retire the Space Shuttle and to replace it with a new generation of space transportation systems for crew and cargo travel to the International Space Station, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As part of the Constellation Program, engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama are working to design and build the Ares I, the first of two large launch vehicles to return humans to the Moon. A deliberate effort is being made to ensure a high level of operability in order to significantly increase safety and availability as well as reduce recurring costs of this new launch vehicle. It is the Ares Project's goal to instill operability as part of the requirements development, design and operations of the vehicle. This paper will identify important factors in launch vehicle design that affect the operability and availability of the system. Similarities and differences in operational constraints will also be compared between the Saturn V, Space Shuttle and current Ares I design. Finally, potential improvements in operations and operability for large launch vehicles will be addressed. From the examples presented, the paper will discuss potential improvements for operability for future launch vehicles.
Species distribution and in vitro fluconazole susceptibility of clinical Candida isolates in a Brazilian tertiary-care hospital over a 3-year period.

INTRODUCTION In this study, we aimed at identifying Candida isolates obtained from blood, urine, tracheal secretion, and nail/skin lesions from cases attended at the Hospital Universitário de Londrina over a 3-year period and at evaluating fluconazole susceptibilities of the isolates. METHODS Candida isolates were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using species-specific forward primers. The in vitro fluconazole susceptibility test was performed according to EUCAST-AFST reference procedure. RESULTS Isolates were obtained from urine (53.4%), blood cultures (19.2%), tracheal secretion (17.8%), and nail/skin lesions (9.6%). When urine samples were considered, prevalence was similar in women (45.5%) and in men (54.5%) and was high in the age group >61 years than that in younger ones. For blood samples, prevalence was high in neonates (35%) and advanced ages (22.5%). For nail and skin samples, prevalence was higher in women (71.4%) than in men (28.6%). Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated in the hospital, but Candida species other than C. albicans accounted for 64% of isolates, including predominantly Candida tropicalis (33.2%) and Candida parapsilosis (19.2%). The trend for non-albicans Candida as the predominant species was noted from all clinical specimens, except from urine samples. All Candida isolates were considered susceptible in vitro to fluconazole with the exception of isolates belonging to the intrinsically less-susceptible species C. glabrata. CONCLUSIONS Non-albicans Candida species were more frequently isolated in the hospital. Fluconazole resistance was a rare finding in our study.
City–County Consolidation: Promises Made, Promises Kept?

Preface 1. A Research Design for Evaluating Consolidation PerformanceSuzanne M. Leland and Kurt Thurmaier 2. An Assessment of the City-County Consolidation of Nashville and Davidson County, TennesseeAnthony J. Nownes, David J. Houston, and Marc Schwerdt 3. Does Consolidation Make A Difference? A Comparative Analysis of Richmond and Virginia Beach, VirginiaNicholas J. Swartz 4. What Difference Does City-County Consolidation Make? A Historical Analysis of Jacksonville and Tampa, FloridaMilan J. Dluhy 5. City-County Consolidation: A Case Study of Carson City, NevadaAnna Lukemeyer 6. "The Urge to Merge": The Consolidation of Lexington and Fayette County, KentuckyShawn Gillen 7. From Company Town to Consolidated Government: The Western-Style Consolidation of Butte and Silver Bow County, MontanaSusan Keim and Justin Marlowe 8. The Case of Lynchburg and Moore County, Tennessee, ConsolidationDeborah A. Carroll, Kristin A. Wagers, and Mary Ellen Wiggins 9. Unification Promises and Outcomes: The Case of Athens and Clarke County, GeorgiaDan Durning and Paula Sanford 10. Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Service Delivery in Local Government: The Case of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KansasSuzanne M. Leland and Curtis Wood 11. Promises Made, Promises KeptKurt Thurmaier and Suzanne M. Leland Contributors Index
Adenosine Promotes GATA-2-Regulated p53 Gene Transcription to Induce HepG2 Cell Apoptosis

Background/Aims: In our earlier study, adenosine induced apoptosis in HepG2 human hepatoma cells by tuning of apoptosis-mediator gene transcription. The present study aimed at understanding the regulatory mechanism underlying the apoptosis-mediator gene transcription under the control of adenosine. Methods: For HepG2 cells with and without knocking-down p53 or GATA-2, cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potentials, caspase activity, and transcriptional activity were monitored, and Western blotting, RT-PCR, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were carried out. Results: Extracellular adenosine upregulated expression of the p53 mRNA and protein in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Adenosine induced apoptosis, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potentials, and activated caspase-3, -8 and -9 in HepG2 cells, and those effects were inhibited by silencing the p53-targetd gene. In the assay of transcriptional activity using full-length p53 gene promoter and 5’ deletion mutants combined with the luciferase reporter vector, adenosine enhanced transcriptional activity for full-length p53 gene promoter, that was prevented by deleting from -240 to -146 bp on the promoter. In the EMSA using a 32P-labeled DNA probe to detect binding to the putative GATA-2 biding site on the p53 gene promoter, adenosine produced 32P-positive signals in nuclear extracts from HepG2 cells. In the Western blot analysis, adenosine increased presence of GATA-2 in nuclear extracts. In the ChIP assay, adenosine increased PCR products for the p53 gene promoter in chromosomal extracts from HepG2 cells, immunoprecipitated using an anti-GATA-2 antibody. Adenosine-induced upregulation of the p53 mRNA expression was suppressed by knocking-down GATA-2. Conclusion: The results of the present study show that p53 is a transcriptional target of GATA-2 and that adenosine upregulates GATA-2-regulated p53 expression, thereby activating caspase-3, -8, and -9 to induce HepG2 cell apoptosis.
"Weathering" and age patterns of allostatic load scores among blacks and whites in the United States.

OBJECTIVES We considered whether US Blacks experience early health deterioration, as measured across biological indicators of repeated exposure and adaptation to stressors. METHODS Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, we examined allostatic load scores for adults aged 18-64 years. We estimated probability of a high score by age, race, gender, and poverty status and Blacks' odds of having a high score relative to Whites' odds. RESULTS Blacks had higher scores than did Whites and had a greater probability of a high score at all ages, particularly at 35-64 years. Racial differences were not explained by poverty. Poor and nonpoor Black women had the highest and second highest probability of high allostatic load scores, respectively, and the highest excess scores compared with their male or White counterparts. CONCLUSIONS We found evidence that racial inequalities in health exist across a range of biological systems among adults and are not explained by racial differences in poverty. The weathering effects of living in a race-conscious society may be greatest among those Blacks most likely to engage in high-effort coping.
La construction de la confiance sur une plateforme de l’économie collaborative

L'economie collaborative connait depuis quelques annees un developpement rapide, en particulier dans les services. Cette croissance pose avec acuite la question de la construction de la confiance dans ce contexte singulier qui ne reunit pas les conditions de cette derniere. La plateforme, seul intermediaire entre les pairs candidats a l'echange doit en effet pallier l'anonymat, l'absence de reputation, le manque de repetition de la transaction, pour amener les participants potentiels a accepter de se placer en situation de vulnerabilite les uns par rapport aux autres. Nous nous proposons dans cet article d'etudier le process de construction de la confiance des jeunes de 18 a 25 ans, principaux usagers de la plateforme de covoiturage BlaBlaCar.
T helper 1 cells stimulated with ovalbumin and IL-18 induce airway hyperresponsiveness and lung fibrosis by IFN-γ and IL-13 production

We previously reported that ovalbumin (OVA) and IL-18 nasally administered act on memory type T helper (Th)1 cells to induce airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and inflammation, which is characterized by peribronchial infiltration with neutrophils and eosinophils. Here, we report this administration also induces lung fibrosis in an IL-13-dependent manner. Th1 cells secrete several cytokines, including IFN-γ and bronchogenic cytokine IL-13, when stimulated with antigen (Ag) and IL-18. However, IL-13 blockade failed to attenuate AHR, although this treatment inhibited eosinophilic infiltration. To understand the mechanism by which Th1 cells induce AHR after Ag plus IL-18 challenge, we established “passive” and “active” Th1 mice by transferring OVA-specific Th1 cells into naïve BALB/c mice or by immunizing naïve BALB/c mice with OVA/complete Freund's adjuvant, respectively. Administration of Ag and IL-18 induced both types of Th1 mice to develop AHR, airway inflammation, and lung fibrosis. Furthermore, this treatment induced deposition of periostin, a novel component of lung fibrosis. Neutralization of IL-13 or IFN-γ during Ag plus IL-18 challenges inhibited the combination of eosinophilic infiltration, lung fibrosis, and periostin deposition or the combination of neutrophilic infiltration and AHR, respectively. We also found that coadministration of OVA and LPS into Th1 mice induced AHR and airway inflammation via endogenous IL-18. Thus, IL-18 becomes a key target molecule for the development of a therapeutic regimen for the treatment of Th1-cell-induced bronchial asthma.
Relative leg length is associated with type 2 diabetes differently according to pubertal timing: The Brazilian longitudinal study of adult health

Studies from developed societies have shown that individuals with short legs relative to height have higher risk of type 2 diabetes. This has been much less explored in less developed populations where influences on relative leg length and diabetes may differ. The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (in Portuguese, ELSA‐Brasil) allows us to test, in a cohort born (1934–1975) and raised when undernutrition was common, whether short legs relative to height is positively associated with diabetes, independent of early‐life factors, including birth weight, age at menarche, and young‐adult BMI.
The CC Chemokine Eotaxin (CCL11) Is a Partial Agonist of CC Chemokine Receptor 2b*

Despite sharing considerable homology with the members of the monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP) family, the CC chemokine eotaxin (CCL11) has previously been reported to signal exclusively via the receptor CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3). Using the monocyte cell line THP-1, we investigated the relative abilities of eotaxin and MCPs 1–4 to induce CCR2 signaling, employing assays of directed cell migration and intracellular calcium flux. Surprisingly, 1 μm concentrations of eotaxin were able to recruit THP-1 cells in chemotaxis assays, and this migration was sensitive to antagonism of CCR2 but not CCR3. Radiolabeled eotaxin binding assays performed on transfectants bearing CCR2b or CCR3 confirmed eotaxin binding to CCR2 with a K d of 7.50 ± 3.30 nm, compared with aK d of 1.68 ± 0.91 nm at CCR3. In addition, whereas 1 μm concentrations of eotaxin were able to recruit CCR2b transfectants, substimulatory concentrations of eotaxin inhibited MCP-1-induced chemotaxis of CCR2b transfectants and also inhibited MCP-1-induced intracellular calcium flux of THP-1 cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that eotaxin is a partial agonist of the CCR2b receptor. A greater understanding of the interaction of CCR2 with all of its ligands, both full and partial agonists, may aid the rational design of specific antagonists that hold great promise as future therapeutic treatments for a variety of inflammatory disorders.
Determination of Rod and Cone Influence to the Early and Late Dynamic of the Pupillary Light Response

Purpose This study aims to identify which aspects of the pupil light reflex are most influenced by rods and cones independently by analyzing pupil recordings from different mouse models of photoreceptor deficiency. Methods One-month-old wild type (WT), rodless (Rho−/−), coneless (Cnga3−/−), or photoreceptor less (Cnga3−/−; Rho−/− or Gnat1−/−) mice were subjected to brief red and blue light stimuli of increasing intensity. To describe the initial dynamic response to light, the maximal pupillary constriction amplitudes and the derivative curve of the first 3 seconds were determined. To estimate the postillumination phase, the constriction amplitude at 9.5 seconds after light termination was related to the maximal constriction amplitude. Results Rho−/− mice showed decreased constriction amplitude but more prolonged pupilloconstriction to all blue and red light stimuli compared to wild type mice. Cnga3−/− mice had constriction amplitudes similar to WT however following maximal constriction, the early and rapid dilation to low intensity blue light was decreased. To high intensity blue light, the Cnga3−/− mice demonstrated marked prolongation of the pupillary constriction. Cnga3−/−; Rho−/− mice had no pupil response to red light of low and medium intensity. Conclusions From specific gene defective mouse models which selectively voided the rod or cone function, we determined that mouse rod photoreceptors are highly contributing to the pupil response to blue light stimuli but also to low and medium red stimuli. We also observed that cone cells mainly drive the partial rapid dilation of the initial response to low blue light stimuli. Thus photoreceptor dysfunction can be derived from chromatic pupillometry in mouse models.
Iterative lattice reduction aided MMSE list detection in MIMO system

This paper proposes a novel lattice-reduction aided (LRA) detection in MIMO systems by improving the LRA-MMSE detection. The proposed detection scheme makes five transform matrices by iteratively reducing the columns of the channel matrix. Using the five transform matrices, five estimates of the transmitted signal are created, among which the most reliable estimate is chosen. The transmit signal energy is saved about 7dB at BER=10-5, and the BER slope became much steeper, which is almost the same as that with the ML detection in the 8times8 MIMO system.
Postprandial lipemia 16 and 40 hours after low-volume eccentric resistance exercise.

PURPOSE There is evidence to suggest that muscle damage caused by resistance exercise (RE) may increase postprandial lipemia (PPL). This study examined PPL for two consecutive days after a protocol of low-volume eccentric RE that caused muscle damage. METHODS Nine healthy, untrained male volunteers aged 27.2 +/- 1.1 yr performed a session of eccentric RE consisting of eight sets of inclined leg presses at six repetition maximum with 3-min rest intervals. A high-fat meal (1.2 g fat, 1.2 g carbohydrate, 0.22 g protein, and 68.6 kJ kg(-1) body mass) was administered 16 h (day 1) and 40 h (day 2) after exercise as well as after an overnight fast with no prior exercise (control condition [C]). Venous blood samples were obtained before and hourly for 6 h after each meal. RESULTS The duration of the exercise session (including rest intervals) was 25.6 +/- 0.2 min, whereas net exercise time was 4.6 +/- 0.2 min. Total energy expenditure was 0.64 +/- 0.04 MJ. Serum creatine kinase and ratings of perceived muscle soreness were significantly elevated on day 1 and peaked on day 2. Triacylglycerol total area under the curve was 12.1% lower on day 1 compared with C (7.51 +/- 0.99 vs. 8.54 +/- 1.07 mmol L(-1) 6h(-1), P < 0.02), whereas no difference existed between C and day 2. Serum insulin incremental area under the curve was significantly elevated on day 2 compared with C, indicating transient insulin resistance. CONCLUSION These results show that low-volume eccentric RE is effective in reducing postprandial triacylglycerol concentration despite the low energy expenditure. Muscle damage does not have a detrimental effect on PPL.
A comparative study of root canal preparation using FlexMaster and HERO 642 rotary Ni-Ti instruments.

AIM To compare several parameters of root canal preparation using two different rotary nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) instruments: FlexMaster (VDW, Munich, Germany) and HERO 642 (Micro-Mega, Besançon, France). METHODOLOGY Fifty extracted human mandibular molars with root canal curvatures between 20 and 40 degrees were embedded into a muffle system. All root canals were prepared to size 45 using a high-torque motor with two different Ni-Ti instruments, FlexMaster and HERO 642. In both groups, irrigation was performed with 2 mL NaOCl (3%) after each instrument size. RC-Prep (Premier, Philadelphia, USA) was used as a chelating agent with each instrument. The following parameters were evaluated: straightening of curved root canals, postoperative root canal diameter, working safety (file fractures, perforations, apical blockages, loss of working length), cleaning ability and working time. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon's test (P < 0.05) for straightening and Fishers's exact test (P < 0.05) for comparison of cross-sections, contact between pre- and postoperative diameter, root canal cleanliness and working time. RESULTS Both Ni-Ti systems maintained the curvature well: the mean degree of straightening was 0.6 degrees for FlexMaster and 0.5 degrees for HERO 642. One file was fractured with the FlexMaster system, but further procedural incidents were not recorded. Following preparation with FlexMaster, 18% of the root canals had a round diameter, 53% an oval diameter and 29% an irregular diameter; HERO 642 preparations resulted in a round diameter in 25%, oval shape in 47% and irregular cross-sections in 28% of the cases. Mean working time was shorter for HERO 642 (66.0 s) than for FlexMaster (71.1 s). Cleanliness of the root canal walls was investigated under the SEM using 5-score indices for debris and smear layer. For debris, HERO 642 and FlexMaster achieved 73 and 70% scores of 1 and 2, respectively. The results for smear layer were similar: HERO 642 and FlexMaster achieved 33 and 26% scores of 1 and 2, respectively. Significant differences between the two systems were not detected for any of the parameters evaluated. CONCLUSIONS Both systems respected original root canal curvature well and were safe. Both systems failed to remove debris and smear layer in the majority of the cases.
Hereditary thrombophilia in elite athletes.

PURPOSE Although under normal circumstances exercise prevents thrombosis, there are cases in the literature that indicate a connection between exercise and the onset of thrombosis. In the average population, hereditary thrombophilia is a major cause of thrombosis. However, nothing is known about the prevalence of hereditary thrombophilia in elite athletes. Because high-performance sports are known to carry an increased risk of thrombogenesis, measures to avoid thrombosis must be initiated in cases of known hereditary thrombophilia. METHODS Hereditary thrombophilia was checked for in 173 elite athletes, members of the German national team. Antithrombin III, protein C, protein S, and the APC ratio, followed by a molecular genetic analysis, were measured, and molecular analysis of factor II G20210A mutation was used to detect the presence of an antithrombin III-, protein C- and protein S-deficiency, as well as factor V Leiden (factor V 506Arg to Gln) and factor II G20210A mutation. RESULTS No definite antithrombin III-, protein C- or protein S-deficiency was found. In 12 cases, an APC resistance caused by a factor V Leiden mutation (11 heterozygous; 1 homozygous) was detected. In 10 cases, a heterozygous factor II G20210A was observed; a combination of both mutations was not found. For factor V Leiden, this corresponds to a prevalence of 6.9% (CI 95% 3.6-11.8%) in our group, similar to prevalence rates in the general population. Additionally, the observed prevalence of 5.8% (CI 95% 2.8-10.4%) of factor II G20210A is nearly within the range as reported by several authors. CONCLUSION Based on the observed prevalence of APC resistance and factor II G20210A mutation in our group of athletes, along with consideration of additional circumstantial risks, screening tests for elite athletes should be considered to allow the undertaking of preventive measures.
Memory optimization of bilateral filter and its hardware implementation

As a method for edge-preserving or noise-reducing, a bilateral filter is widely used. However, because every pixel in a filtering window needs a separate Look-Up Table (LUT) for the parallel processing, its hardware implementation is still bulky. In this paper, we propose Similar Weight Grouping (SWG) which maps multiple indexes with a similar value onto a single index and Zero Value Suppression (ZVS) which removes indexes with a value of almost zero to reduce a size of the LUT. By our scheme, a total size of LUT is reduced by approximately 95% while maintaining its performance. Finally, it is implemented using 7.7 KB on-chip memory and 93.1 Kgates with 65 nm process.
Recent trends in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes

Purpose of reviewTo provide an updated literature review highlighting important aspects of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) including epidemiology, pathogenesis, complications, screening, and management. Recent findingsAlthough CFRD continues to be associated with increased rates of mortality in the cystic fibrosis (CF) population, this has improved over the past several years, and the previous sex difference is no longer present. Recent studies support that CFRD is primarily caused by insulin deficiency due to loss of β cells, which may occur via a number of mechanisms including oxidative stress. Aggressive screening programs with oral-glucose tolerance testing and early treatment with insulin for patients with CFRD with or without fasting hyperglycemia have led to improvements in nutritional states and lung function. Oral agents do not appear to be effective in CFRD. SummaryCFRD is the most common comorbidity in the CF population and is associated with microvascular complications and protein catabolism leading to worse health outcomes. Recognition of glycemic abnormalities through aggressive screening has led to improvements in nutritional status, pulmonary function, and mortality rates.
PFC and zero torque control of SRM drive for EV battery charging

Integrated switched reluctance motor drive as an electric vehicle battery charger is presented in this paper. The SRM, which is used as the traction power in the driving mode, is used in the charge circuit to improve the power factor of charging system. The charging circuit can share the power switches of the asymmetric converter and phase windings of SRM to charge the battery, and can reduce the size and cost of the system in the plug-in system. To keep the rotor at standstill, zero torque control method is proposed. Since the inductances of the SRM windings are not same at any stop position, the charger controller controls the reference current to satisfy the total charging current with PFC and zero torque condition. A novel cubic equation method is proposed as a current reference distributor of the charging controller. Simulations are performed by MATLAB software and results satisfy the Effectiveness of proposed battery charging system.