Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relation of colloid concentration to volume expansion for resuscitation of rats subjected to intestinal ischemic shock

This study was undertaken to determine the volumes of colloids (albumin and dextran 40) with concentrations varying from 0% (Ringer's solution) to 10% solutions required to obtain the same hemodilution. Shock was produced in rats by exteriorization of the small intestine with added complete occlusion of the superior mesenteric vessels with a rubber clamp. After 1 h the clamp was removed, the intestines returned, and the abdomen closed. Over a 6-h period, the fluids were infused continuously in volumes needed to maintain similar hematocrit. Each concentration was given over a wide range of volumes in order to obtain volume-hematocrit curves. Based on these curves, the effect of varying colloid concentration on blood volume expansion was calculated. Albumin and dextran 40 had similar volume expansion/ g colloid substance regardless of concentration. When hematocrit of 50% was chosen, as an arbitrary endpoint for volume infusion, the colloid concentration in relation to volume required to be infused is expressed by the equation F50 = 1/(0.081 + 0.092 C); where C = colloid concentration and where F50 is the volume factor, or the number of times the volume required for a 10% solution, when a 10% solution is given the volume factor of 1. This relationship is now being used to find the optimal colloid concentration with regard to survival rate in animals subjected to the same intestinal shock.
Nucleotide Sequence of the R 721 Shufflon

The shufflon is a DNA region that undergoes complex rearrangement mediated by the product of a putative site-specific recombinase gene, rci. The DNA sequences of the shuflon region and the rci gene of IncI2 plasmid R721 were determined. The R721 shufflon consists of three invertible DNA segments that are homologous to the shufilon segments found in Incll plasmid R64. Structural analysis of open reading frames indicated that the R721 shuffion possibly fumctions as a biological switch for selecting one of the six pilV genes in which the N-terminal region is constant and the C-terminal region is variable. The R721 rci gene was shown to encode a basic protein of 374 amino acid residues.
Endovascular Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke is a new and powerful treatment modality that restores functional independence to many victims. Although it has been proved of value in large-vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation, it is also used in basilar artery embolism. Time to successful reperfusion is a major determinant of recovery. A subset of patients has robust collaterals and will benefit from treatment up to 24 hours after stroke onset; the presence of salvageable brain tissue (penumbra) must be ascertained by specialized imaging. The number of patients who can benefit from EVT is estimated at 100,000/year in the United States alone in more than 300 designated Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Centers. EVT is a new anesthetic emergency. Anesthesiologists must be actively involved in creating protocol-driven care for acute ischemic stroke patients.
Changes in FMRI in the human brain related to different durations of manual acupuncture needling.

OBJECTIVES The present study is aimed at evaluating the effects of manual acupuncture with different durations on the human brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen healthy right-handed volunteers were divided into three groups randomly. Each group received only one kind of acupuncture on the right LI4 (Hegu) point, which lasted 30 sec, 60 sec, or 180 sec, respectively. Fix-effect and conjunction analysis were used to compare the effects of the three kinds of acupunctures. RESULTS The results indicated that the stimulation of manual acupuncture with different durations could induce different effects in the central nervous system on the human brain. The longer duration of manual acupuncture might induce more significant areas. CONCLUSIONS The present study provided not only neuroimaging evidence for manual acupuncture, but also a useful guide for clinical applications of acupuncture. In addition, the results might be helpful to understand the relationship between the central nervous system responses and the durations of acupuncture.
[A treatment combined Chinese with Western medicine for microcirculation diseases in tongue].

OBJECTIVE Glossodynia is a common oral disease. The purpose of the investigation is to analyse the mechanism of microcirculation disorder in glossodynia, and find a new effective treatment. METHODS 18 cases with microcirculation disorder in tongue were studied by histopathology, hemorrheology and nail microcirculation, treated by intravenous injection of angelica for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. RESULTS Hyper-viscosity of blood was found in this group of patients. Abnormal micro-vessels were observed in microcirculation examination, though vasculitis wasn't detected in tongue tissue. CONCLUSION Microcirculation disorder may play an important role in the cause of glossodynia. For elderly patients, cardiovascular and mental diseases should be considered. According to the theory of the blood stasis in chinese medicine, these studies show that a treatment combined chinese with western medicine can be applied for the patients, and injection of angelica can improve microcirculation.
Soup or Art? The Role of Evidential Force in Empirical Software Engineering

Software project managers' decisions should be based on solid evidence, not on common wisdom or vendor hype. What distinguishes the science from the art is the way in which we as managers and practitioners make decisions, by forming rational arguments from the evidence we have - evidence that comes both from our experience and from related research. That is, we move from the part to the whole, examining the body of evidence to determine what we know about the best ways to build good software. This view isn't particular to software engineering or even to mathematical sciences; it's what characterizes good science in general. This article examines the ways in which careful understanding of argumentation and evidence can lead to more effective empirical software engineering - and ultimately to better decision making and higher-quality software products and processes.
New composite thixotropic hydrogel composed of a polymer hydrogelator and a nanosheet

A composite gel composed of a water-soluble aromatic polyamide hydrogelator and the nanosheet Laponite®, a synthetic layered silicate, was produced and found to exhibit thixotropic behaviour. Whereas the composite gel contains the gelator at the same concentration as the molecular gel made by the gelator only, the composite gel becomes a softer thixotropic gel compared to the molecular gel made by the gelator only. The reason for this could be that bundles of polymer gelator may be loosened and the density of the polymer network increased in the presence of Laponite.
Study of some electrical properties for PMMA-TiO 2 composites

SUMMARY. – In the present work, the effect of the addition of TiO2 on some electrical properties of poly-methyl methacrylate has been studied. For such a purpose, many samples have been prepared by adding TiO2 on the poly-methyl methacrylate by different weight percentages of TiO2 and with different thickness. The experimental results show that the D.C. electrical conductivity changes when the concentration of additional TiO2 increases and when the temperature increases. Also the activation energy changes when the additional TiO2 increases.
Comparative Analysis Between Two-Level and Three-Level DC/AC Electric Vehicle Traction Inverters Using a Novel DC-Link Voltage Balancing Algorithm

This paper presents an extensive comparative study between a two- and three-level inverter for electric vehicle traction applications. An advanced control strategy for balancing the two dc-link capacitors is also proposed. In this paper, the main focus is on the total voltage harmonic distortion (%THDv), the analytical derivation of the three-level capacitor currents, and the voltage balancing of two capacitor voltages. For generating the gate signals, space vector pulse width modulation (SV-PWM) is used. The developed voltage-balancing scheme helps to reduce the number of converter switching sequences, compared with the conventional SV-PWM strategy, and keeps the voltage difference between the two dc-link capacitors at the desired voltage level. The developed test-bench is used for a permanent magnet synchronous machine drive for electric vehicle (EV) applications. Detailed simulation studies are performed using MATLAB/Simulink block set and experimental verification is achieved using dSpace based real-time simulator. Both the simulation and experimental results show a significant improvement in reduction of total harmonic distortion (%THDv) for the three-level inverter.
Development of new power control unit for compact-class vehicle

Toyota Motor Corporation has developed the new compact-class hybrid vehicle (HV). This vehicle incorporates Toyota Hybrid System II (THS-II) to improve fuel efficiency. For this system, a new power control unit (PCU) which features substantial size reduction, light weight, and high efficiency has been developed by applying the newly developed direct-cooling structure to the intelligent power module (IPM). In this paper, the IPM is our main focus and its development is described
Applications of Maqasid al-Shari’ah and Maslahah in Islamic Banking practices: an analysis

Islamic Banking system has developed more than thirty years ago. Throughout its history, beside its successes, it assumed much controversies and criticism in its run to win the hearts of the Muslim clients. Established with the objective of providing an interest-free (riba-free) banking service, it has so far been criticized to open several other back-doors to riba-based transactions, despite its immense success in creating an alternative to the conventional banking system. This paper aims to analyze some of the contemporary Islamic Banking products and practices in the light of maslahah and maqasid al-Shari’ah in order to propose a better banking system for the Muslims. It also shows how the preference of ‘macro- maqasid’ over the ‘micro-maqasid’ is not a perfect justification for many such Islamic Banking practices. The paper suggests that Bai’ al-‘Inah, along with few other contemporary practices like Bai’ Bithaman Aajil (BBA) and ijarah Sukuk needs to be thoroughly revised before being offered as a riba-free product, as it does not comply with the maqasid of Islamic Economic and Banking principles – economic development, social wellbeing, individual freedom and equality, elimination of injustice and poverty, etc.
Chlamydia trachomatis IncA Is Localized to the Inclusion Membrane and Is Recognized by Antisera from Infected Humans and Primates

ABSTRACT Chlamydia psittaci produces a collection of proteins, termed IncA, IncB, and IncC, that are localized to the chlamydial inclusion membrane. In this report we demonstrate that IncA is also produced by Chlamydia trachomatis. C. trachomatis IncA is structurally similar to C. psittaci IncA and is also localized to the inclusion membrane. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that sera from C. trachomatis-infected patients and from experimentally infected monkeys both recognized C. trachomatis IncA.
Flotillins Regulate Membrane Mobility of the Dopamine Transporter but Are Not Required for Its Protein Kinase C Dependent Endocytosis

Flotillins were proposed to mediate clathrin‐independent endocytosis, and recently, flotillin‐1 was implicated in the protein kinase C (PKC)‐triggered endocytosis of the dopamine transporter (DAT). Since endocytosis of DAT was previously shown to be clathrin‐mediated, we re‐examined the role of clathrin coat proteins and flotillin in DAT endocytosis using DAT tagged with the hemagglutinin epitope (HA) in the extracellular loop and a quantitative HA antibody uptake assay. Depletion of flotillin‐1, flotillin‐2 or both flotillins together by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) did not inhibit PKC‐dependent internalization and degradation of HA‐DAT. In contrast, siRNAs to clathrin heavy chain and μ2 subunit of clathrin adaptor complex AP‐2 as well as a dynamin inhibitor Dyngo‐4A significantly decreased PKC‐dependent endocytosis of HA‐DAT. Similarly, endocytosis and degradation of DAT that is not epitope‐tagged were highly sensitive to the clathrin siRNAs and dynamin inhibition but were not affected by flotillin knockdown. Very little co‐localization of DAT with flotillins was observed in cells ectopically expressing DAT and in cultured mouse dopaminergic neurons. Depletion of flotillins increased diffusion rates of HA‐DAT in the plasma membrane, suggesting that flotillin‐organized microdomains may regulate the lateral mobility of DAT. We propose that clathrin‐mediated endocytosis is the major pathway of PKC‐dependent internalization of DAT, and that flotillins may modulate functional association of DAT with plasma membrane rafts rather than mediate DAT endocytosis.
University of Groningen Apathy , fatigue and quality of life in patients with Parkinson ' s disease

Objectives: Fatigue and apathy are two of the most common and most disabling non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). They have a high coincidence and can often be confused; moreover, their relationship is not fully understood. The aim of our study was to describe the coincidence of apathy with different fatigue domains in the presence/ absence of depression and to separately describe the associations of different aspects of primary and secondary fatigue with apathy and other clinical and disease-related factors. Materials & methods: A total of 151 non-demented patients with PD were examined using the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), the Starkstein Apathy Scale, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Results: The prevalence and severity of fatigue and apathy were significantly higher in depressed PD patients. However, our results show that depression, fatigue and apathy can be clearly distinguished in PD. Apathy was associated with the MFI’s reduced motivation domain in both depressed and non-depressed patients. However, apathy was associated with mental fatigue aspects only in non-depressed patients, and it was not related to the physical aspects of fatigue in any of the studied groups. Conclusions: Although the pathophysiology of fatigue and apathy in PD is clearly multifactorial, in a proportion of PD patients, these symptoms are associated with depression, dopaminergic dysfunction and disruption of the prefrontal cortex-basal ganglia axis. Therefore, in some PD patients adequate management of depression and optimal dopaminergic medication may improve both fatigue and apathy.
How Do They Fit?

Abstract Despite public policies that promote an increased role for faith-based organizations in the delivery of publicly supported services, insufficient attention has been paid to assessing how service delivery by faith-based and secular providers might differ. This study considers the issues involved in evaluating the role of faith-based organizations within the broad context of a community's social service offerings. Criteria are developed for assessing role differences by comparing the types of services, delivery approaches, and service locations offered by different types of providers. The approach is then illustrated using a large sample of social service providers in Los Angeles County. Important role differences are revealed. Faith-based organizations offer fewer and different types of services than their secular counterparts. The results suggest a modest and focused role for faith-based organizations in social service delivery, but one that is complementary to the efforts of secular providers. The methodological issues raised by such analyses are highlighted.
Complete Genome Sequence of Spiroplasma cantharicola CC-1T (DSM 21588), a Bacterium Isolated from Soldier Beetle (Cantharis carolinus)

ABSTRACT Spiroplasma cantharicola CC-1T (DSM 21588) was isolated from the gut of a soldier beetle (Cantharis carolinus) collected in Maryland, USA. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this bacterium to facilitate the investigation of its biology.
Statins and atrial fibrillation: do we need a further study?

A recent boom in exploring therapies for atrial fibrillation (AF) and appreciation of the greater efficacy of primary prevention at the population level have highlighted the antiarrhythmic potential of traditionally non-antiarrhythmic drugs (i.e., agents with a negligible effect on the cardiac ion channels). Intervening to treat the conditions that promote the occurrence of structural changes in the atrial myocardium (e.g., hypertension and heart failure) and ultimately, to prevent, delay or reverse atrial remodeling associated with AF has been dubbed ‘upstream’ therapies [1]. Targeting specific mechanisms of AF (e.g., inflammation after cardiac surgery) have also been alluded to as part of this new approach. To this end, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, aldosterone antagonists, statins, w-3 poly unsaturated fatty acids, corticosteroids, and even specific antifibrotic agents (e.g., pirfenidone) have been subjects of antiarrhythmic drug studies in the AF [2].
Stereoselective single-dose kinetics of citalopram and its metabolites in rats.

The single-dose kinetics of the enantiomers of citalopram (CIT) and its metabolites, demethylcitalopram (DCIT) and didemethylcitalopram (DDCIT), were investigated after administration of 10, 20, or 100 mg/kg (s.c.) rac-CIT to rats. Samples from serum and two brain regions were collected 1, 3, 10, or 20 h postdose for HPLC analysis. In the 100 mg/kg rats, the enantiomeric (S/R) serum concentration ratios of CIT decreased during the study period (0.93 at 1 h vs. 0.59 at 20 h; P < 0.001). In the 10 and 20 mg/kg rats, the decrease in serum S/R CIT ratios was not so evident as in the 100 mg/kg rats. In all three groups the S/R CIT ratio was almost the same in the brain as in serum, although both CIT enantiomer levels in the brain were found to be 5-10 times higher than the levels in serum. The serum and brain metabolite levels were low in the 10 and 20 mg/kg rats, whereas the levels increased during the study period in the 100 mg/kg rats. In conclusion, the CIT enantiomers were shown for the first time to be stereoselectively metabolized after single-dose administration to rats, as previously shown in steady-state dosing studies in humans and rats.
Phase separation between nucleoid and cytoplasm in Escherichia coli as defined by immersive refractometry

The refractive indices of nucleoid and cytoplasm in Escherichia coli were derived theoretically and experimentally. For the theoretical estimates, we made use of the known macromolecular composition of E. coli B/r (G. Churchward and H. Bremer, J. Theor. Biol. 94:651-670, 1982) and of estimates of cell and nucleoid volumes. These were obtained from micrographs of living bacteria made with a confocal scanning light microscope. The theoretical values were calculated, assuming that all DNA occurred in the nucleoid and that all protein and RNA occurred in the cytoplasm. Comparison with experimental refractive index values directly obtained by immersive refractometry showed that, besides its DNA, the nucleoid must contain an additional amount of solids equivalent to 8.6% (wt/vol) protein. With the nucleoid containing 6.8% (wt/vol) DNA and 8.6% (wt/vol) protein and the cytoplasm containing 21% (wt/vol) protein and 4% (wt/vol) RNA, a mass difference is obtained, which accounts for the phase separation observed between the nucleoid and cytoplasm in living cells by phase-contrast microscopy. The decrease in the refractive index of the nucleoid relative to that of the cytoplasm observed upon, for instance, OsO4 fixation was interpreted as being indicative of the loss of protein content in the nucleoid.
Distinct Epigenetic Profiling in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stem Cells

Objective. To identify unique epigenetic signature in cancer stem cells (CSCs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Study Design. Molecular and microarray studies. Setting. Tertiary referral center. Subjects and Methods. Head and neck CSCs were isolated in HNSCC cells by CD44 staining and flow cytometry sorting. CSCs with highest CD44 expression (CD44hi) and non–stem cells (non-SCs) with lowest CD44 expression (CD44low) were then characterized for stemness gene expression and their responses to chemotherapeutic agents, followed by high-throughput epigenetic profiling using the Illumina BeadChip Array, targeting 28,544 CpG sites covering more than 14,956 genes. Results. CD44hi CSCs expressed higher levels of stem cell markers and were more resistant to chemotherapeutic agents as compared to CD44low non-SCs. By DNA methylation microarray analysis, 17 hypomethylated and 9 hypermethylated genes were identified in CD44hi CSCs as compared to non-SCs in most HNSCC cell lines. Cluster analysis using these 26 genes showed that CD44hi CSCs were epigenetically distinct from the CD44low non-SCs in all 5 HNSCC cell lines. Conclusion. A unique epigenetic profile consisting of 17 hypomethylated and 9 hypermethylated genes was seen in HNSCC CSCs. These genes may be critically required in maintaining the stemness or pluripotency of CSCs and may represent novel molecular targets for anticancer therapies aimed at eradicating CSCs in HNSCC.
The Complete Map of the Ig Heavy Chain Constant Gene Region Reveals Evidence for Seven IgG Isotypes and for IgD in the Horse12

This report contains the first map of the complete Ig H chain constant (IGHC) gene region of the horse (Equus caballus), represented by 34 overlapping clones from a new bacterial artificial chromosome library. The different bacterial artificial chromosome inserts containing IGHC genes were identified and arranged by hybridization using overgo probes specific for individual equine IGHC genes. The analysis of these IGHC clones identified two previously undetected IGHC genes of the horse. The newly found IGHG7 gene, which has a high homology to the equine IGHG4 gene, is located between the IGHG3 and IGHG4 genes. The high degree of conservation shared between the nucleotide sequences of the IGHG7 and IGHG4 genes is unusual for the IGHG genes of the horse and suggests that these two genes duplicated most recently during evolution of the equine IGHG genes. Second, we present the genomic nucleotide sequence of the equine IGHD gene, which is located downstream of the IGHM gene. Both the IGHG7 and IGHD genes were found to be expressed at the mRNA level. The order of the 11 IGHC genes in the IGH-locus of the horse was determined to be 5′-M-D-G1-G2-G3-G7-G4-G6-G5-E-A-3′, confirming previous studies using λ phage clones, with the exception that the IGHG5 gene was found to be the most downstream-located IGHG gene. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to localize the IGHC region to Equus caballus (ECA) 24qter, the horse chromosome corresponding to human chromosome 14, where the human IGH locus is found.