Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and starting method of a cycloconverter with a tank circuit for induction heating

A cycloconverter with a tank circuit for induction heating which can deliver power to load keeping an input displacement factor at 1.0 is proposed in this paper. Static characteristics are analyzed using the switching functions and the mode functions and operation regions in which the input displacement factor is kept at 1.0 are found. A starting method which uses only a gate pulse sequence for thyristors to establish the tank voltage is proposed. The starting method is simulated to know feasibility. Experiments are carried out and the experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical ones.
Placental protein measurements in complicated pregnancies. I. Intrauterine growth retardation

Summary. Maternal serum levels of human placental lactogen (hPL), schwangerschaftsprotein l (SP1) and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A) were measured serially throughout pregnancy in 753 women who had a normal pregnancy when recruited during the second trimester. Thirty‐three women were delivered of an infant with low birth‐weight and with phenotypic features of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). The predictive value of an abnormal (< 10th centile) hPL result (PVpos) in the identification of IUGR was between 28 and 32%, the sensitivity (36–54%) being greatest at 35 weeks gestation. The predictive value of a normal result (PVneg) was 87–96% at various stages of pregnancy, also greatest at 35 weeks gestation. For SP1, the sensitivity and predictive values were also greatest at 35 weeks gestation (PVpos, 20%; sensitivity, 32%; PVneg, 95%), but for PAPP‐A these values were considerably less at all gestations. The trends in levels of hPL, SP1 and PAPP‐A observed in individual patients with IUGR were not apparently related to any clinically recognizable feature of the pregnancy or the degree of fetal compromise, irrespective of whether the levels were within or outside the 80% confidence limits of the normal range or whether the levels fell from within the normal range. These data suggest that maternal hPL measurements are superior in the identification of IUGR in samples obtained at 30–35 weeks gestation.
Fundamental Rights, General Principles of EU Law, and the Charter

Abstract The purpose of this chapter is to explore selected aspects of the relationship between the general principles of EU law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The chapter first looks at the expansion of fundamental rights in EU law and the importance of general principles by reference to three principles which have provided fruitful grounds for judicial activism: the right to judicial protection, the principle of non-discrimination, and the right to personal data. It then examines the sources of fundamental rights under Article 6 TEU and the relationship between Charter rights and general principles. Finally, it explores a pivotal issue in EU constitutional discourse, namely, the scope of application of the Charter and the general principles of law. The chapter concludes by observing that, far from declining in importance, the general principles of law continue to be an integral part of judicial methodology; that, following the introduction of the Charter, the CJEU applies a heightened level of judicial scrutiny; and that it favours a centralised approach opting for an autonomous interpretation of the Charter, granting it precedence over national constitutional norms, and understanding broadly its scope of application.
Role of Interleukin (IL)‐1 Type 1 Receptor in Mycobacterial Infection

It is important to gain a better understanding of IL‐1‐mediated signaling events in mycobacterial infection. In order to clarify the role of IL‐1 receptor type 1 (IL‐1 R1) in IL‐1 R1, knockout (KO) mice were infected with either Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv or Kurono strain by the respiratory route, and their ability to control mycobacterial growth, pulmonary granuloma formation, and cytokine mRNA expression was investigated. IL‐1 R1 KO mice developed significantly larger (P < 0.01) granulomatous lesions with neutrophil infiltration in their lungs than wild‐type mice did after infection with the M. tuberculosis Kurono strain. The number of mycobacterial colonies in lungs and spleen increased from five weeks post‐infection. Interferon‐γ production by spleen cells was low in IL‐1 R1 KO mice. It is concluded that the IL‐1 R1 is essential for IL‐1‐mediated signaling events in mycobacterial infection.
Do Affordable Housing Projects Harm Suburban Communities? Crime, Property Values, and Taxes in Mount Laurel, NJ

This paper offers a mixed–method analysis of the municipal–level consequences of an affordable housing development built in suburban New Jersey. Opponents of affordable housing development often suggest that creating affordable housing will harm surrounding communities. Feared consequences include increases in crime, declining property values, and rising taxes. To evaluate these claims, the paper uses the case of Mount Laurel, New Jersey—the site of a landmark affordable housing legal case and subsequent affordable housing development. Employing a multiple time series group control design, we compare crime rates, property values, and property taxes in Mount Laurel to outcomes in similar nearby municipalities that do not contain comparable affordable housing developments. We find that the opening of the affordable housing development was not associated with trends in crime, property values, or taxes, and discuss management practices and design features that may have mitigated potential negative externalities. ¿Los Proyectos de Vivienda Asequibles Dañan a las Comunidades Suburbanas? Crimen, Valores de Propiedad e Impuestos en Mount Laurel, NJ. (Len Albright, Elizabeth S. Derickson y Douglas S. Massey) Resumen Con el uso de varios métodos de análisis, este artículo ofrece un análisis de las consecuencias a nivel municipal de un proyecto de vivienda asequible construido en la zona suburbana de New Jersey. Los opositores a proyectos de vivienda asequible generalmente sugieren que la creación de este tipo de proyectos daña a las comunidades aledañas. Las consecuencias temidas incluyen incrementos en crimen, reducción del precio de las propiedades, y aumento de los impuestos. Para evaluar estos argumentos, éste artículo usa el caso de Mt. Laurel, NJ – el caso de un proceso judicial y el subsecuente proyecto de vivienda asequible. Utilizando un diseño de grupos de control a través de una serie de tiempo, comparamos las tasas de criminalidad, el valor de las viviendas y el valor de los impuestos a la propiedad en Mt. Laurel con los de municipalidades cercanas que no tienen proyectos de vivienda asequible similares. Encontramos que la apertura de dicho proyecto de vivienda asequible no está asociada con cambios en los niveles de criminalidad, en los valores de las viviendas, e impuestos. Asimismo discutimos prácticas de administración y cuestiones de diseño que pueden haber mitigado las externalidades negativas potenciales.
Domino effect protection on dataflow error detection and recovery

Dataflow Error Detection and Recovery (DFER) was shown to be a good approach to address errors in the scope of parallel programming. Previous work showed that this technique presents good performance by imposing reduced overhead in error-free executions. However, in the presence of errors excessive rollbacks may occur, characterizing the Domino Effect. In this paper we propose a scheme that addresses this issue by protecting execution from the Domino Effect. Our experimental results show that without adding any significant overheads to the original DFER version we are able to reduce in up to 40% the total execution time in situations where errors are detected. Furthermore, since there are no significant overheads, the execution time in error-free situations remains the same as in the baseline.
Molecular and cellular basis of pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension.

Clinical pulmonary hypertension is characterized by a sustained elevation in pulmonary arterial pressure. Pulmonary vascular remodeling involves structural changes in the normal architecture of the walls of pulmonary arteries. The process of vascular remodeling can occur as a primary response to injury, or stimulus such as hypoxia, within the resistance vessels of the lung. Alternatively, the changes seen in more proximal vessels may arise secondary to a sustained increase in intravascular pressure. To withstand the chronic increase in intraluminal pressure, the vessel wall becomes thickened and stronger. This "armouring" of the vessel wall with extra-smooth muscle and extracellular matrix leads to a decrease in lumen diameter and reduced capacity for vasodilatation. This maladaptive response results in increased pulmonary vascular resistance and consequently, sustained pulmonary hypertension. The process of pulmonary vascular remodeling involves all layers of the vessel wall and is complicated by the finding that cellular heterogeneity exists within the traditional compartments of the vascular wall: intima, media, and adventitia. In addition, the developmental stage of the organism greatly modifies the response of the pulmonary circulation to injury. This review focuses on the latest advances in our knowledge of these processes as they relate to specific forms of pulmonary hypertension and particularly in the light of recent genetic studies that have identified specific pathways involved in the pathogenesis of severe pulmonary hypertension.
Proof that Burkholderia Strains Form Effective Symbioses with Legumes: a Study of Novel Mimosa-Nodulating Strains from South America

ABSTRACT Twenty Mimosa-nodulating bacterial strains from Brazil and Venezuela, together with eight reference Mimosa-nodulating rhizobial strains and two other β-rhizobial strains, were examined by amplified rRNA gene restriction analysis. They fell into 16 patterns and formed a single cluster together with the known β-rhizobia, Burkholderia caribensis, Burkholderia phymatum, and Burkholderia tuberum. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of 15 of the 20 strains were determined, and all were shown to belong to the genus Burkholderia; four distinct clusters could be discerned, with strains isolated from the same host species usually clustering very closely. Five of the strains (MAP3-5, Br3407, Br3454, Br3461, and Br3469) were selected for further studies of the symbiosis-related genes nodA, the NodD-dependent regulatory consensus sequences (nod box), and nifH. The nodA and nifH sequences were very close to each other and to those of B. phymatum STM815, B. caribensis TJ182, and Cupriavidus taiwanensis LMG19424 but were relatively distant from those of B. tuberum STM678. In addition to nodulating their original hosts, all five strains could also nodulate other Mimosa spp. , and all produced nodules on Mimosa pudica that had nitrogenase (acetylene reduction) activities and structures typical of effective N2-fixing symbioses. Finally, both wild-type and green fluorescent protein-expressing transconjugant strains of Br3461 and MAP3-5 produced N2-fixing nodules on their original hosts, Mimosa bimucronata (Br3461) and Mimosa pigra (MAP3-5), and hence this confirms strongly that Burkholderia strains can form effective symbioses with legumes.
Older Adults Attending Georgia Senior Centers Increase Preventive Behaviors for Falls and Fractures Following a Community-Based Intervention

A community-based intervention to reduce risk factors related to falls and fractures administered to Georgians participating in the Older Americans Act (OAA) congregate meal-site program (N = 691, mean age = 75, 84% female, 45% Black and 55% White, convenience sample) was evaluated. The intervention consisted of 16 weekly sessions, with 8 focused on prevention of falls and fractures, and all 16 including a physical activity component. Interviewer-administered pre- and posttests evaluated fall preventive home safety behavior, intakes of calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods, use of calcium- and vitamin D-containing supplements, and five modifiable fall- and fracture-related risk factors. Following the intervention, there were significant increases in the intake of calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods (p < 0.001), the use of calcium- or vitamin D-containing supplements (p < 0.05), days of week with physical activity (p < 0.001) and fall preventive home safety behaviors (p < 0.001), and decreases in overall modifiable fall- and fracture-related risk factors (≥4 to 5 risk factors: pre: 32% vs. post: 18%; p < .001). This evaluation provides evidence that a multi-factorial fall prevention intervention offered at senior centers and delivered by trained staff can be beneficial for improving behaviors that may contribute to decreasing the risk of falls and fractures in older adults.
Disease severity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus correlates with an increased ratio of interleukin-10:interferon-gamma-secreting cells in the peripheral blood.

OBJECTIVE To compare the phenotype and frequency of cells that actively secrete type 1 and type 2 cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (n = 46), versus normal controls (n = 60). METHODS ELISPOT analysis of freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). RESULTS T cells were the major source of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and interferon gamma (IFN gamma), whereas monocytes were the primary source of IL-6 and IL-10 in the PB of lupus patients. Significantly fewer PBMC spontaneously secreted IFN gamma and IL-2 (P > or = 0.03), while significantly more PBMC produced IL-6 and IL-10 (P < 0.001), in lupus patients versus controls. Disease severity in lupus patients correlated with an elevated ratio of IL-1O:IFN gamma-secreting cells (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION SLE is characterized by an imbalance in the ratio of type 1:type 2 cytokine-secreting PBMC.
Seven days of erythromycin estolate is as effective as fourteen days for the treatment of Bordetella pertussis infections.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS Although 14 days of erythromycin is recommended for the treatment of Bordetella pertussis infection, there have been no prospective controlled studies to support the contention that this long course of therapy is required to eradicate the microorganism from the nasopharynx or to prevent bacteriological relapse. We randomly allocated children and adults with culture-positive community-acquired pertussis to either 7 or 14 days of erythromycin estolate treatment (40 mg/kg/d; maximum dose 1 g/d). Nasopharyngeal aspirate cultures were obtained by study nurses during home visits before and at the end of treatment, and 1 week after the completion of treatment. B pertussis-specific antibodies were measured before treatment and 1 month later. Information about clinical symptoms, adverse reactions, and compliance were collected at each scheduled contact. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS A total of 168 participants were eligible for analysis (74 treated for 7 days and 94 treated for 14 days). Bacteriological persistence (positive end of therapy culture) occurred once in each group, and bacteriological relapse (positive culture 1 week after completion of treatment) occurred in one participant treated for 7 days. The overall failure rate (persistence plus relapse) of 2.70% in the 7-day group was not different than the rate of 1.06% in the 14-day group. The study had a power of 99.99% at the 5% level to detect a difference in failure rates of 10% and a power of 80% to detect a difference of 5%. We conclude that 7 days of erythromycin estolate is as effective as 14 days for the eradication of B pertussis.
Is combined topical and intravenous tranexamic acid superior to intravenous tranexamic acid alone for controlling blood loss after total hip arthroplasty?

Background: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the efficacy and safety of combined intravenous (IV) and topical tranexamic acid (TXA) with IV-TXA alone for controlling blood loss in patients following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Google database, the Chinese Wanfang database, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database were searched to identify studies comparing combined IV and topical TXA with IV-TXA alone in patients who were prepared for THA. The weighed mean differences for total blood loss, hemoglobin drop, intraoperative blood loss, and the length of hospital stay were calculated. We calculated risk ratios for the need for transfusion and the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the combined TXA and IV-TXA alone groups. Relevant data were analyzed using Reviewer Manager 5.3. 0. Results: Eight RCTs with a total of 850 patients (combined TXA: n = 471; IV-TXA: n = 479) were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled results indicated that compared with the IV-TXA alone group, the combined TXA group was associated with a lesser need for transfusion, total blood loss, intraoperative blood loss, and hemoglobin drop (P < .05). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups for the length of hospital stay and the occurrence of DVT (P > .05). Conclusions: The current meta-analysis indicated that combined topical and IV-TXA was a relatively effective hemostasis method compared with IV-TXA alone. The number of studies included in this meta-analysis is limited, and more studies are needed to verify the effects of combined IV and topical TXA in THA patients.
The role of micro-structural and mechanical properties in the framework of the model for damage inception and growth from air-filled voids in Polyethylene-based materials for HVDC cables

An innovative, physical, aging and life model for polymeric insulation systems, founded on damage inception and growth at the level of microscopic cavities, was developed previously by the authors. This paper is focused on the role played by micro-structural and mechanical properties (such as crystallinity and Young's modulus) in the framework of such model. These concepts are applied to the case of LDPE, HDPE and XLPE matrixes. The relevant estimates of damage growth rate and time-to-failure as a function of void size and applied electric field in typical working conditions for HVDC power cables are performed. The results show that, under the assumptions made, the crystallinity level itself does not seem to affect significantly the life times, while the mechanical characteristics of the investigated materials (accounted for via the Young's modulus) seem to have a non-negligible impact on damage growth rate and time-to-failure of the polymeric matrix.
Expression and localization of c-Fos and NOS in the central nerve system following esophageal acid stimulation in rats.

AIM To determine the distribution of neurons expressing c-Fos and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the central nerve system (CNS) following esophageal acid exposure, and to investigate the relationship between c-Fos and NOS. METHODS Twelve Wistar rats were randomly divided into two equal groups. Hydrochloric acid with pepsin was perfused in the lower part of the esophagus for 60 min. As a control, normal saline was used. Thirty minutes after the perfusion, the rats were killed and brains were removed and processed for c-Fos immunohistochemistry and NADPH-d histochemistry. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR) during the experimental procedures were recorded every 10 min. RESULTS There were no significant differences in BP, HR and RR between the two groups. c-Fos immunoreactivity was significantly increased in rats receiving acid plus pepsin perfusion in amygdala (AM), paraventricular nucleus (PVN), parabrachial nucleus (PBN), nucleus tractus solitarius and dorsal motor nucleus of vagus (NTS/DMV), nucleus ambiguous (NA), reticular nucleus of medulla (RNM) and area postrema (AP). NOS reactivity in this group was significantly increased in PVN, PBN, NTS/DMV, RNM and AP. c-Fos and NOS had significant correlation between PVN, PBN, NTS/DMV, RNM and AP. CONCLUSION Acid plus pepsin perfusion of the esophagus results in neural activation in areas of CNS, and NO is likely one of the neurotransmitters in some of these areas.
Subspecies distribution and macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance genetics of Mycobacterium abscessus in Korea.

BACKGROUND Treating Mycobacterium abscessus infections with antimicrobials remains difficult, possibly due to drug resistance. OBJECTIVE To investigate the subspecies distribution of M. abscessus and its correlation with antibiotic susceptibility and the genetics of antibiotic resistance, focusing on macrolides and fluoroquinolones, in the Republic of Korea. DESIGN A total of 53 M. abscessus isolates were identified to the subspecies level by sequencing of hsp65 and erm(41). The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of clarithromycin (CLM) and ciprofloxacin (CFX) were determined using Sensititre™ RAPMYCO plates. The rrl, gyrA and gyrB genes were sequenced to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance. RESULTS Isolates included 22 M. abscessus subsp. abscessus and 31 M. abscessus subsp. bolletii. erm(41) sequences showing subspecies-specific deletions and sequence variations in the 28th nucleotide were concordant with inducible CLM resistance; however, mutations in rrl were not detected. Low- and high-level CFX resistance was observed in respectively 19 (35.8%) and 10 (18.9%) of the 53 clinical isolates, regardless of subspecies. However, no non-synonymous mutations were detected in gyrA or gyrB. CONCLUSION Sequencing of the erm gene and subspeciation of M. abscessus may be used to predict inducible macrolide susceptibility. Further studies of the relationship between specific mutations in gyrA or gyrB to MIC change are required.
Dendritic architecture of rat somatosensory thalamocortical projection neurons

This study examines dendrites from physiologically characterized and intracellularly labelled thalamocortical projection (TCP) neurons from the rat ventrobasal complex (VB) and posterior nucleus (POm). The goals were to provide quantitative descriptions of TCP neuron dendrites, examine underlying design principles of dendritic morphology, and determine correlations between dendritic size parameters. Forty‐four dendrites from seven VB neurons and 21 dendrites from three POm TCP neurons that responded to low‐threshold mechanical stimuli were reconstructed and quantitatively analyzed at the light microscopic level. The dendritic architecture of the neurons was remarkably similar in most parameters studied, including the percentage of dichotomous branching, contribution of terminal branches to total dendritic length, and branching symmetry. There was a positive correlation between stem dendrite diameter and the length of the entire dendrite arbor, making it possible to estimate the total length of a dendritic arbor by measuring the stem dendrite diameter. The correlations of the VB and POm dendrites had different slopes. The path distance (the distance from the soma to a dendritic end point) of individual dendrites showed only a small variation with large differences in the total dendritic length of an arbor. The constant diameter of distal dendrites shows that dendrite diameter is a poor predictor of synaptic location on the dendritic tree.