Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating Temperature-Dependent Developmental Rates of Diorhabda elongata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a Biological Control Agent of Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.)

Abstract Developmental times and survival rates of the immature stages of Diorhabda elongata Brullé (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent of saltcedar (Tamarix spp.), were studied in the laboratory at six constant temperatures (15–40°C). At 15 and 40°C, eggs did not develop and sustained 100% mortality. Similarly, larvae at 15°C and pupae at 40°C did not develop and sustained 100% mortality. For all three larval stages, the developmental time decreased with increasing temperature between 20 and 35°C and increased at 40°C. Developmental times also decreased with increasing temperature between 20 and 35°C for the pupal stage as did total developmental time from egg to adult. Both linear and nonlinear models were used to describe the relationship between developmental rates (1/d) and temperature (°C) and to determine stage-specific lower and upper developmental thresholds, respectively. The lower developmental thresholds, calculated using the linear model, ranged from 6 to 15°C for all life stages. Using the nonlinear model, the lower developmental thresholds ranged from 15 to 18°C for all life stages. Likewise, the high temperature thresholds for the first-, second-, and third-instar larvae, pupae, and total development ranged between 40 and 42°C. Results from this study were used to enhance the efficiency of mass-rearing methods for open field releases of D. elongata in California. More importantly, this study is the first step in the construction of a detailed population simulation model to predict field phenology and density of D. elongata to further optimize the use of this biological control agent in managing saltcedar in the western United States.
Asymmetric λ/2 open circuited stubs enhancing the selectivity of parallel coupled line BPFs

In this paper, to enhance the selectivity of the conventional parallel coupled line bandpass filters (BPFs), two λ/2 open circuited stubs, symmetrical and asymmetrical, are investigated at the positions of the two open ends of the input and output λ/4 coupled lines. By simply adding the symmetrical and asymmetrical stubs, a transmission zeros and a pair of transmission zeros are generated at both sides of lower and upper transition bands, respectively, and sharper selectivities and additional in-band transmission poles have been obtained without increasing the filter order and recalculating filter parameters. Group delay peaks have been found as the ones shown in the transition bands of elliptical function type filters. The levels of in-band transmission poles are increased by this new technique without additional couple line sections. A 3rd order conventional parallel coupled line BPF with a fractional bandwidth from 0.75 GHz to 1.35 GHz and the identical BPFs with two symmetrical and asymmetric stubs have been fabricated. Measurement results show that the technique using asymmetrical stubs improves the skirt slopes of the lower and upper transition bands 14.9 dB/50 MHz and 7.8 dB/50 MHz, respectively. The BPF with the stubs shows insertion loss lower than 0.5 dB and return loss better than 10 dB in the passband and additional in-band transmission poles.
Analysis of Low-Frequency Mutations Associated with Drug Resistance to Raltegravir before Antiretroviral Treatment

ABSTRACT Raltegravir is highly efficacious in the treatment of HIV-1 infection. The prevalence and impact on virologic outcome of low-frequency resistant mutations among HIV-1-infected patients not previously treated with raltegravir have not been fully established. Samples from HIV treatment-experienced patients entering a clinical trial of raltegravir treatment were analyzed using a parallel allele-specific sequencing (PASS) assay that assessed six primary and six secondary integrase mutations. Patients who achieved and sustained virologic suppression (success patients, n = 36) and those who experienced virologic rebound (failure patients, n = 35) were compared. Patients who experienced treatment failure had twice as many raltegravir-associated resistance mutations prior to initiating treatment as those who achieved sustained virologic success, but the difference was not statistically significant. The frequency of nearly all detected resistance mutations was less than 1% of viral population, and the frequencies of mutations between the success and failure groups were similar. Expansion of pre-existing mutations (one primary and five secondary) was observed in 16 treatment failure patients in whom minority resistant mutations were detected at baseline, suggesting that they might play a role in the development of drug resistance. Two or more mutations were found in 13 patients (18.3%), but multiple mutations were not present in any single viral genome by linkage analysis. Our study demonstrates that low-frequency primary RAL-resistant mutations were uncommon, while minority secondary RAL-resistant mutations were more frequently detected in patients naïve to raltegravir. Additional studies in larger populations are warranted to fully understand the clinical implications of these mutations.
A new perspective on motor skill automation.

Abstract The article by Richard A. Schmidt is directed to the locus of movement control. The paper's major goal is to describe a reconciliation between the peripheralists and the centralists. Schmidt describes major research issues for the future, along with current thinking about the central control of action in various theoretical conceptualizations of the structure of central motor programs. In the presentation on motor skill automation George E. Stelmach and Douglas D. Larish introduce the concept of attention and review research findings concerning attention, automation, and movement. They recommend automatic sequencing as a more viable theoretical position. Empirical support is given for the stance taken by these authors, followed by examples of potential approaches to research in motor behavior.
Prophylactic ankle braces and star excursion balance measures in healthy volunteers.

CONTEXT The effects of prophylactic ankle braces on lower extremity functional performance in healthy participants have not been studied extensively. OBJECTIVE To determine if prophylactic ankle braces affected multidirectional reach distances during a test of dynamic balance. DESIGN Crossover. SETTING Laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Thirty-six healthy, physically active volunteers (18 men, 18 women; age = 23.6 +/- 2.7 years, height = 173.8 +/- 9.3 cm, mass = 74.4 +/- 12.7 kg, reach-leg length = 91.9 +/- 5.1 cm). INTERVENTION(S) Volunteers performed balance testing in 3 conditions: unbraced, while wearing a semirigid ankle brace, and while wearing a lace-up ankle brace. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) We used the Star Excursion Balance Test, calculating the mean of 3 attempts in 8 directions (anterior, anterior-medial, medial, posterior-medial, posterior, posterior-lateral, lateral, and anterior-lateral), normalized by the participant's reach-leg length. Data were collected after 6 practice attempts for each of the conditions according to a balanced Latin square. RESULTS Bracing condition had no effect (P > .05) on any of the Star Excursion Balance Test directional measures. The largest mean difference due to bracing was 2.5% between the lace-up brace condition and the control in the posterior reach direction. This indicates that the actual reach differences due to bracing were less than 5.08 cm (2 inches) in length. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians can be confident that the prophylactic use of ankle braces does not disrupt lower extremity dynamic balance during a reaching task in healthy participants.
Human skeletal muscle and erythrocyte proteins involved in acid‐base homeostasis: adaptations to chronic hypoxia

Chronic hypoxia is accompanied by changes in blood and skeletal muscle acid‐base control. We hypothesized that the underlying mechanisms include altered protein expression of transport systems and the enzymes involved in lactate, HCO3− and H+ fluxes in skeletal muscle and erythrocytes. Immunoblotting was used to quantify densities of the transport systems and enzymes. Muscle and erythrocyte samples were obtained from eight Danish lowlanders at sea level and after 2 and 8 weeks at 4100 m (Bolivia). For comparison, samples were obtained from eight Bolivian natives. In muscle membranes there were no changes in fibre‐type distribution, lactate dehydrogenase isoforms, Na+,K+‐pump subunits or in the lactate‐H+ co‐transporters MCT1 and MCT4. The Na+–H+ exchanger protein NHE1 was elevated by 39 % in natives compared to lowlanders. The Na+‐HCO3− co‐transporter density in muscle was elevated by 47–69 % after 2 and 8 weeks at altitude. The membrane‐bound carbonic anhydrase (CA) IV in muscle increased in the lowlanders by 39 %, whereas CA XIV decreased by 23–47 %. Levels of cytosolic CA II and III in muscle and CA I and II in erythrocytes were unchanged. The erythrocyte lactate‐H+ co‐transporter MCT1 increased by 230–405 % in lowlanders and was 324 % higher in natives. The erythrocyte inorganic anion exchanger (Cl−‐HCO3− exchanger AE1) was increased by 149–228 %. In conclusion, chronic hypoxia induces dramatic changes in erythrocyte proteins, but only moderate changes in muscle proteins involved in acid‐base control. Together, these changes suggest a hypoxia‐induced increase in the capacity for lactate, HCO3− and H+ fluxes from muscle to blood and from blood to erythrocytes.
c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase signaling pathway in excitotoxic cell death following kainic acid‐induced status epilepticus

Systemic injections of kainic acid (KA) cause epileptic seizures with delayed neuronal damage in the limbic system, particularly in the hippocampus. KA excitotoxicity activates complex signal transduction events that trigger apoptotic cell death. The c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) pathway plays an important role in cell death, and the peptide D‐JNKI1, a competitive JNK inhibitor, is a potent neuroprotective agent. To analyse the role of JNK and the effects of D‐JNKI1 administration on excitotoxic neuronal death, we induced epileptic seizures by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of KA in adult male Sprague–Dawley rats; a group of rats received i.p. D‐JNKI1 2 h after KA. KA caused massive cell death in the hippocampus: in Nissl‐stained sections, stereological counts showed a significant decrease in neuronal density in all CA fields, both at 1 and 5 days after seizures, which was partially prevented by D‐JNKI1 treatment. These results were confirmed by counts of degenerating neurons in CA3 in FluoroJade B‐stained sections. Seizure activity also induced marked gliosis as observed with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry. We also analysed c‐Jun activation as a target of JNK and central transcriptional effector in the adult rat brain following KA injection. Phospho‐c‐Jun immunoreactivity was absent in the hippocampus of untreated animals, whereas strong nuclear neuronal labeling could be observed, starting from 3 h after KA administration, in microtubule‐associated protein‐2‐positive neurons but not in GFAP‐positive astrocytes. D‐JNKI1 treatment also reduced the positivity for phospho‐c‐Jun in the hippocampus, thus confirming the specificity of the peptide in blocking JNK. Therefore, JNK is a promising target for blocking seizure‐induced cell death.
Multi-focus tissue harmonic images obtained with parallel transmit beamforming by means of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing

Parallel beamforming in transmit (PBT) by means of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) was recently applied to increase the frame rate of ultrasound tissue harmonic imaging. OFDM-PBT improves the data acquisition rate by generating, for each transmission event, multiple beams that are allocated to a specific portion of the available transducer bandwidth. Improving the frame rate is however not the only possible application of an increased data acquisition rate. In this paper, OFDM-PBT is exploited to perform multi-focus tissue harmonic imaging for improving the penetration depth and signal to noise ratio (SNR) without affecting the frame rate. Tissue harmonic images of a tissue mimicking phantom were obtained with OFDM-PBT and standard B-mode imaging. Results present improved penetration depth and SNR for OFDM-PBT as compared to standard B-mode. We estimated an improvement of 6 dB of the average SNR, at the expenses of a reduction of the axial resolution (0.7 vs 1.1 mm).
Reaching into cluttered visual environments: spatial and temporal influences of distracting objects.

Subjects reached for visual target lights in the presence of distractor lights. Previous studies (e.g., Tipper, Lortie, & Baylis, 1992) have shown that distractors at locations between the starting position of the hand and the target location caused greater interference (as indexed by response time) than distractors beyond the target. This finding has been attributed to the former distractors being in the path of the response to the target, but we provide evidence that they interfere more because of their proximity to the starting position of the hand (a "proximity-to-hand effect"). Also, distractors located in the hemispace ipsilateral to the responding hand caused more interference than contralateral distractors (an "ipsilateral effect"). The proximity-to-hand and ipsilateral effects were found in both reaction and movement time, suggesting that the resolution of the selection problem caused by a distractor could occur before or after movement initiation. Further evidence for this suggestion was provided by individual differences in movement initiation strategies which were predictive of the temporal locus of distractor influence. Errors of touching the distractor location also showed proximity-to-hand and ipsilateral effects. We discuss applications of these findings to real-world situations in which people reach for the wrong object in multiple-object visual displays.
Agent based simulation applied to the design of control systems for emergency vehicles access

Traffic congestions have huge impact on urban transportation and are even more problematic when emergency vehicles are present, their fast travel requirements disrupting regular traffic. The aim of this study is to formulate an agent based simulation perspective on aiding the design of complex and distributed control systems, such as the one facilitating the arrival of the emergency vehicles to accident sites. Thus, we provide a user friendly method for validation of traffic control systems that supports interdisciplinary design. In particular, such a simulation model can be easily used by transportation engineers not acquainted with the mechanics of control systems, as it allows for empirical transfer of knowledge from the ITS field into controller synthesis methodology.
Phosphatidylinositol Induces Caspase-Independent Apoptosis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Cells by Accumulating AIF in the Nucleus

Background/Aims: Phosphatidylinositol (PI) regulates a variety of cell processes. The present study investigated the antitumor action of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-myo-inositol)(DOPI) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-myo-inositol)(DPPI) on human malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cell lines such as NCI-H28, NCI-H2052, NCI-H2452, and MSTO-211H cells. Methods: MTT assay, TUNEL staining, flow cytometry using propidium iodide (PI) and annexin V (AV), enzymatic caspase assay, and nuclear staining using DAPI were carried out, and mitochondrial membrane potentials and intracellular distribution of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) were monitored in cells with and without the siRNA silencing the Bid-targeted gene. Results: Both DOPI and DPPI reduced cell viability for all the investigated MPM cell lines in a concentration (0.01-100 µM)-dependent manner. DOPI and DPPI significantly increased TUNEL-positive cells and the population of PI-negative/AV-positive and PI-positive/AV-positive cells, corresponding to early apoptosis and late apoptosis/secondary necrosis, respectively. DOPI and DPPI perturbed mitochondrial membrane potentials in MSTO-211H cells, but no significant activation of caspase-3, -4, -8, and -9 was obtained. DOPI and DPPI upregulated expression of Bid in MSTO-211H cells. DOPI and DPPI significantly increased nuclear localization of AIF without affecting expression of the mRNAs and proteins in MSTO-211H cells, which was inhibited by knocking-down Bid. In the DAPI staining, nuclear fragmentation and condensation were found. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that DOPI and DPPI facilitate Bid-mediated AIF release from the mitochondria, to accumulate AIF in the nucleus and induce caspase-independent apoptosis of MPM cells.
High-Efficiency Boost Half-Bridge Converter With Fast Boost Current Transferring ZVS Operation

A new boost half bridge (BHB) converter is presented. It is composed of additional switch, diode and coupled winding to boost inductor of BHB converter. Using the transferring of boost inductor current to coupled winding in a short period, the cancellation of zero voltage switching (ZVS) current, which always occurs in convention one, is prevented. Therefore, the ZVS operation is easily achieved by leakage inductor current of transformer. Furthermore, since negatively build-up leakage inductor current of boost winding helps the ZVS operation throughout full load range, the excellent ZVS operation and high efficiency is achieved.
A multivariate analysis of clinical and pathological variables in prognosis after resection of large bowel cancer

Data on 709 patients who had a resection for colorectal carcinoma at Concord Hospital between 1971 and 1980 were studied to determine the independent effects on survival of several patient characteristics and pathological variables using the Cox regression model. Clinicopathological stage had the strongest association. Other variables ranked according to their relative importance independent of stage were: histological grade, level of direct spread, the presence of venous invasion, age and sex of the patient and the presence of obstruction.
Effectiveness of strategies to implement urinary incontinence clinical practice guidelines on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes

Review Question: Are strategies to disseminate and/or implement urinary incontinence clinical practice guidelines effective in modifying healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes? Objective: The overall aim of this review is to establish the effectiveness of strategies to disseminate and/or implement urinary incontinence clinical practice guidelines in modifying healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.More specifically, the objectives are to: - To establish the effectiveness of strategies to disseminate and/or implement urinary incontinence clinical practice guidelines in modifying healthcare delivery. - To establish the effectiveness of strategies to disseminate and/or implement urinary incontinence clinical practice guidelines in improving health outcomes of patients with urinary incontinence. - To describe the quality of the clinical practice guidelines on urinary incontinence used in the included studies. Inclusion Criteria Types of participants The review will consider studies in which the units of analysis are: - Healthcare providers treating patients with urinary incontinence. Physicians, nurses, midwives and physical therapists will be included; and/or - Patients with some form of urinary incontinence: urge, stress, mixed incontinence or functional incontinence; and/or - Healthcare institutions. Types of interventions Studies which evaluate the effectiveness of strategies to disseminate and/or implement urinary incontinence clinical practice guidelines will be included: The following groups will be used for comparison: - Urinary incontinence clinical practice guidelines plus a strategy to disseminate and/or implement vs. no guideline. - Urinary incontinence clinical practice guidelines plus a strategy to disseminate and/or implement vs. guidelines plus another strategy to disseminate and implement.
Joint Effects of Physical Activity and Body Weight on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

Recent studies have evaluated the interrelationship between physical activity and body weight on the incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The combined effect seems to be different and to be dependent on the disease mechanism. Studies reveal that body weight has a greater influence on diabetes, and physical activity plays a greater role in CVD.
Novel HeLa topoisomerase II is the II beta isoform: complete coding sequence and homology with other type II topoisomerases.

DNA topoisomerase (topo) II mediates DNA strand passage in an ATP-dependent reaction. Human cell lines express at least two genetically distinct forms of the enzyme, topo II alpha (p170) and II beta (p180). Previously, we isolated a novel HeLa cDNA clone (CAA5) that partially encodes a protein homologous to topo II alpha (Austin, C.A. and Fisher, L.M. (1990) FEBS Lett. 266, 115-117). In this paper we show that CAA5 encodes a C-terminal segment of human topo II beta. We report here for the first time cDNA clones spanning the entire coding sequence. Overlapping clones specifying the 3' end of the cDNA have been isolated, mapped and sequenced. The missing 5' coding sequence was obtained by an inverse PCR protocol and from a specifically primed cDNA library. Human topo II beta is a 1621 amino acid protein which is closely homologous to topo II alpha in the N-terminal three quarters of its sequence. In contrast, the C-terminal segments of the alpha and beta sequences show considerable divergence suggesting these regions may mediate different cellular functions of the two isoforms. Southern blot analysis of yeast and Drosophila DNA using human alpha and beta specific probes detected a single topo II homologue in these lower eukaryotes. Comparison of the protein sequence for human topo II beta with other type II topoisomerases revealed several conserved motifs and has allowed identification of the likely ATPase- and DNA breakage-reunion domains.
Shear Mechanics of the TMJ Disc

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex hinge and gliding joint that induces significant shear loads onto the fibrocartilage TMJ disc during jaw motion. The purpose of this study was to assess regional variation in the disc’s shear loading characteristics under physiologically relevant loads and to associate those mechanical findings with common clinical observations of disc fatigue and damage. Porcine TMJ discs were compressed between an axially translating bottom platen and a 2.5-cm-diameter indenter within a hydrated testing chamber. Discs were cyclically sheared at 0.5, 1, or 5 Hz to 1, 3, or 5% shear strain. Within the anterior and intermediate regions of the disc when sheared in the anteroposterior direction, both shear and compressive moduli experienced a significant decrease from instantaneous to steady state, while the posterior region’s compressive modulus decreased approximately 5%, and no significant loss of shear modulus was noted. All regions retained their shear modulus within 0.5% of instantaneous values when shear was applied in the mediolateral direction. The results of the disc’s regional shear mechanics suggest an observable and predictable link with the common clinical observation that the posterior region of the disc is most often the zone in which fatigue occurs, which may lead to disc damage and perforation.