Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carotid baroreceptor stimulation alters cutaneous vascular conductance during whole‐body heating in humans

Prior studies investigating carotid baroreflex control of the cutaneous vasculature have yielded mixed findings. However, previously used methodological and analytical techniques may limit the ability to detect carotid baroreflex‐mediated changes in cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that dynamic carotid baroreceptor stimulation (i.e. 5 s trials) using neck pressure (NP, simulated carotid hypotension) and neck suction (NS, simulated carotid hypertension) will decrease and increase CVC, respectively, during normothermic and whole‐body heating conditions in resting humans. Data were obtained from nine subjects (age, 31 ± 2 year). The ratio of forearm skin blood flux (laser‐Doppler flowmetry) and arterial blood pressure (Finapres) was used as an index of CVC. Multiple 5 s trials of NP (+40Torr) and NS (−60Torr), as well as breath‐hold/airflow control trials, were applied during end‐expiratory breath‐holds while subjects were normotheric and heat stressed (change in core temperature ∼0.75°C). CVC responses to each NP and NS trial were averaged into 1 s intervals during the following periods: 3 s prestimulus, 5 s during stimulus, and 5 s poststimulus. Peak CVC responses (3 s average) to NP and NS were compared to prestimulus values using paired t test. During normothermia, NP decreased CVC by 0.032 ± 0.007 arbitrary units (a.u.) mmHg−1; (P < 0.05); however, breath‐hold/airflow control trials resulted in similar decreases in CVC. NS did not change CVC (Δ= 0.002 ± 0.005 a.u. mmHg−1; P= 0.63). During whole‐body heating, NP decreased CVC (by 0.16 ± 0.04 a.u. mmHg−1; (P < 0.05), whereas NS increased CVC by 0.07 ± 0.03 a.u. mmHg−1; (P < 0.05). Furthermore, these changes were greater than, or directionally different from, the breath‐hold/airflow control trials. These findings indicate that carotid baroreceptor stimulation elicits dynamic changes in CVC and that these changes are more apparent during whole‐body heating.
Notes on Robust Estimation 1

The eld of robust statistics [3, 4] is concerned with estimation problems in which the data contains gross errors, or outliers that do not conform to the statistical assumptions for the majority of the data (e.g., Gaussian noise). The main goals of robust statistics are: \(i) To describe the structure best tting the bulk of the data, (ii) To identify deviating data points (outliers) or deviating substructures for further treatment, if desired. "
Effects of relative position errors of grounding holes on the performances of interdigital bandpass filters

Laser technology becomes the preferred way in the fabrication of grounding holes of interdigital bandpass filter on the Al2O3 substrates. The relative position errors of grounding holes are unavoidable because of serial processing of drilling holes. The performances of interdigital bandpass filters with grounding holes of 0.25mm diameter and relative position errors of 0.02mm in the longitudinal or horizontal direction were mainly discussed. The frequency responses were investigated by means of simulation, experiment verification, and theoretical analysis in this paper. The results showed that relative position errors of 0.02mm in different direction had completely different effects on the properties of interdigital bandpass filters. Grounding holes overall shifting 0.02mm in the longitudinal direction leads to the frequency response deterioration about 4dB around 18GHz in the passband of 16-20GHz, because the electrical length of the coupling units is changed. While grounding holes overall shift 0.02mm in the horizontal direction, passband of filter is flat and without obvious frequency response deterioration. Priority should be given to ensure the longitudinal accuracy of grounding holes in the process of manufacture.
The Post-reform Performance of the Manufacturing Sector in India

Manufacturing played an important part in sustaining India's economic growth in the 1970s and 1980s. The economic reforms of the early 1990s did not lead to sustained growth of the manufacturing sector. After an acceleration in the mid-1990s, growth slowed in the decade's second half. The analysis presented in this paper reveals that manufacturing-sector growth in the postreform period is input driven rather than efficiency driven, with significant levels of technical inefficiency. The paper advocates policies to improve production efficiency by encouraging investment in research and development, technical training for workers, and technology-aided managerial processes.
A high power and high efficiency 20 GHz InP HBT monolithic power amplifier for phased array applications

A high performance single chip monolithic power amplifier suitable for 20 GHz phased array applications exhibiting high power and high efficiency is presented in this paper. The amplifier demonstrates a 14 dB linear gain, a maximum CW power of 32 dBm, and a 30% power-added-efficiency. For the power amplifier design, we have utilized load pull analysis on HBT devices at various power levels. This power amplifier achieved the highest power and efficiency, demonstrating the suitability of the InGaAs/InAlAs/InP HBT production process for phased array applications.
Relación entre medidas neuropsicológicas y ecológicas de funcionamiento ejecutivo en infantil y su predicción del rendimiento matemático

En este estudio se exploraron las variables de funcionamiento ejecutivo (FE) a partir de pruebas neuropsicologicas y del cuestionario BRIEF, que permitieron evaluar el FE tanto en el hogar como en el colegio. El objetivo fue comparar los resultados obtenidos en la evaluacion de estas funciones en ninos de 5 a 6 anos, con las valoraciones realizadas por progenitores y profesorado, y comprobar que medida de estas variables predice mejor el rendimiento matematico. En la investigacion participaron 66 alumnos de tercer curso de Educacion Infantil a los que se les administraron dos pruebas de memoria verbal, dos de memoria viso-espacial, dos de inhibicion, un cuestionario de estimacion del rendimiento matematico y el BRIEF. Los resultados mostraron una correlacion importante entre la evaluacion de los ninos con pruebas neuropsicologicas y las valoraciones ecologicas de profesores y padres. Tambien hubo una correlacion alta entre ambas valoraciones del BRIEF, en el dominio de metacognicion. De todas las medidas utilizadas en el estudio, la que mejor predijo el rendimiento matematico fue el BRIEF de profesores, especialmente por lo que respecta a la memoria de trabajo.
Gene transfer: DNA microinjection compared with DNA transfection with a very high efficiency

We have developed a procedure that gives a very high efficiency of transfection in mammalian cells with low-molecular-weight DNA (approximately 10(4) base pairs). The procedure uses cells in suspension that are shocked with polyethylene glycol 4 h after replating. We compared this transfection technique to the standard technique involving manual microinjection of DNA into the nuclei of mammalian cells, using recombinant plasmids containing the simian virus 40 A gene or the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene or both. The efficiency of transfection depends on a number of variables, the most important of which is the difference in transfectability of different cell lines. In our laboratory, the cell line that had the highest efficiency of transfection was tk-ts13, which is derived from baby hamster kidney cells that are deficient in thymidine kinase and temperature sensitive for growth. Under the appropriate conditions, as many as 70% of these cells can be transfected so that transient gene expression can be detected. With the manual microinjection technique, gene expression is independent of the cell line used and occurs faster than after transfection. The results suggest that the critical stage in transfection is the delivery of DNA molecules to the nucleus. Our experiments also indicate that an enzymatic function, in our case, thymidine kinase activity, gives a higher percentage of positive transfectants than when proteins are visualized only by indirect immunofluorescence. The transfection procedure described in this paper is simple and reproducible and, although less efficient than microinjection, ought to be useful in phenotypic and genotypic studies in which transfer of genes to a large number of cells is desirable.
Lessons from NAPAP.

NAPAP was an institutional innovation of great benefit in bringing the United States to a decision on acid precipitation control. The nation's return from the $600 000 000 investment in NAPAP will be greater still if the lessons learned in the course of its existence are put to proper use in the future. This essay concentrates on the lessons learned about the interface between science and public policy as experienced in NAPAP.
A relational interface for heterogeneous information sources

The World Wide Web today consists of a vast repository of diverse information distributed geographically across different locations. In the near future, this wealth of information will constitute the major bulk of information resources for digital library systems. To provide integrated access to web and other kinds of information sources, we believe that it is useful to first classify the space of digital library resources into collection and reference spaces. Searching can be done by first querying the indices or metadata in the reference space, followed by retrieving the documents or data from the collection space. In this paper, we present an integrated SQL query interface for web search engines, bibliographic and relational databases. Bibliographic databases, web search engines and certain structured databases are important sources of information within the reference space. By extending the relational data model and the SQL language with new predicates, our integrated approach permits a user to specify complex queries to any or all of the three types of information sources simultaneously. This complex query service in turn improves the effectiveness of searching within the reference space.
La distribució de l'agricultura de secà i de regadiu a Catalunya: Una anàlisi a través de la teledetecció

La teledeteccio (TD) amb imatges de satel·lit ha adquirit en els darrers anys una gran rellevancia com a tecnica aplicada a l'observacio de la Terra (Wulder et al., 2008). Un dels motius ha estat la gran diversitat i quantitat d'imatges actualment disponibles, aixi com la posterior integracio de les dades obtingudes en un sistema d'informacio geografica (SIG). En consequencia, el nombre de disciplines que empren i desenvolupen dades de TD i SIG, com la geologia, les enginyeries forestals i agronomes, la biologia o la geografia, han incrementat significativament.
Assessing fatigue in ankylosing spondylitis: the importance of frequency and severity.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the value of assessing fatigue frequency and its relationship with fatigue severity in a UK cohort of AS patients. METHODS Single items from the Evaluation of AS Quality of Life and BASDAI were used to measure fatigue frequency and severity, respectively. Items were included in a questionnaire containing AS-specific and generic measures, completed by participants in a postal survey at baseline and 6 months. Respondents were categorized at baseline into four groups according to fatigue frequency and severity and compared on other measures of health status. RESULTS Of baseline responders who experienced fatigue (n = 451, 74%), 75% reported it to be frequent and severe, 15% frequent not severe and 10% severe not frequent. There was no difference between groups on gender, age or years with AS. Patients reporting frequent and severe fatigue had worse scores than other groups across all other health status measures. Patients reporting only frequent fatigue had similar scores to those reporting only severe fatigue, but worse than those without fatigue. Eighty-one per cent of non-fatigued patients and 79% of those with frequent and severe fatigue at baseline did not change their level of fatigue at 6 months. However, 80% of patients with frequent or severe fatigue at baseline changed, mainly to no fatigue (43%) or both frequent and severe fatigue (30%). CONCLUSION Routinely assessing both the frequency and severity of fatigue is important in understanding the impact of fatigue and its change over time. Not assessing frequency could result in the failure to identify patients with significant fatigue. However, the multidimensional nature of fatigue should be further explored.
Infection with a babesia-like organism in northern California.

BACKGROUND Human babesiosis is a tick-transmitted zoonosis associated with two protozoa of the family Piroplasmorida: Babesia microti (in the United States) and B. divergens (in Europe). Recently, infection with an unusual babesia-like piroplasm (designated WA1) was described in a patient from Washington State. We studied four patients in California who were identified as being infected with a similar protozoal parasite. All four patients had undergone splenectomy, three because of trauma and one because of Hodgkin's disease. Two of the patients had complicated courses, and one died. METHODS Piroplasm-specific nuclear small-subunit ribosomal DNA was recovered from the blood of the four patients by amplification with the polymerase chain reaction. The genetic sequences were compared with those of other known piroplasm species. Indirect immunofluorescent-antibody testing of serum from the four patients and from other potentially exposed persons was performed with WA1 and babesia antigens. RESULTS Genetic sequence analysis showed that the organisms from all four patients were nearly identical. Phylogenic analysis showed that this strain is more closely related to a known canine pathogen (B. gibsoni) and to theileria species than to some members of the genus babesia. Serum from three of the patients was reactive to WA1 but not to B. microti antigen. Serologic testing showed WA1-antibody seroprevalence rates of 16 percent (8 of 51 persons at risk) and 3.5 percent (4 of 115) in two geographically distinct areas of northern California. CONCLUSIONS A newly identified babesia-like organism causes infections in humans in the western United States. The clinical spectrum associated with infection with this protozoan ranges from asymptomatic infection or influenza-like illness to fulminant, fatal disease.
Influence of selected variables on fabrication of Triamcinolone acetonide loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for topical treatment of dermal disorders

Aim of the study was to develop solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and to study the effect of various process variables in order to optimize the formulation for effective delivery. Drug loaded SLNs were successfully prepared and characterized by TEM, XRD and DSC study. Process variables like surfactant concentration, drug concentration, lipid concentration etc. showed significant effect on the particle size and entrapment efficiency. SLNs exhibited prolonged drug release following Higuchi release kinetics (R2 = 0.9909). In vitro skin distribution study demonstrated systemic escape of drug from TA loaded SLNs which might eliminate side effects associated with systemic exposure.
Magnetic resonance elastography of liver: Technique, analysis, and clinical applications

Many pathological processes cause marked changes in the mechanical properties of tissue. MR elastography (MRE) is a noninvasive MRI based technique for quantitatively assessing the mechanical properties of tissues in vivo. MRE is performed by using a vibration source to generate low frequency mechanical waves in tissue, imaging the propagating waves using a phase contrast MRI technique, and then processing the wave information to generate quantitative images showing mechanical properties such as tissue stiffness. Since its first description in 1995, published studies have explored many potential clinical applications including brain, thyroid, lung, heart, breast, and skeletal muscle imaging. However, the best‐documented application to emerge has been the use of MRE to assess liver disease. Multiple studies have demonstrated that there is a strong correlation between MRE‐measured hepatic stiffness and the stage of fibrosis at histology. The emerging literature indicates that MRE can serve as a safer, less expensive, and potentially more accurate alternative to invasive liver biopsy which is currently the gold standard for diagnosis and staging of liver fibrosis. This review describes the basic principles, technique of performing a liver MRE, analysis and calculation of stiffness, clinical applications, limitations, and potential future applications. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:544–555. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of creatine monohydrate ingestion on anaerobic power indices, muscular strength and body composition.

1993). To the author’s knowledge, Cr.H20 supplementation in strength trained athletes has not yet been reported in the literature. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of Cr.H20 supplementation on muscular power and strength indices in 10 experienced weight-trained male subjects. Three series of high intensity, anaerobic type, muscular workbouts were used. Series one included three consecutive 30-s Wingate bike tests, interspersed with 5 min of rest. Peak anaerobic power was denoted as the greatest power achieved in a given 5-s work interval. Anaerobic work was defined as the total amount of work performed in a 30-s period. Series two utilized a one repetition maximum (1 RM) free weight bench press as a test of muscular strength. Series three employed complete lifting repetitions at 70% of the bench press 1 RM until fatigue. Lifting cadence was paced through the use of a metronome set at a 1-s timing interval (1
Contralateral Hyperalgesia from Injection of Endothelin-1 into the Ipsilateral Paw Requires Efferent Conduction into the Contralateral Paw

BACKGROUND: Contralateral hyperalgesia, occurring after unilateral injury, is usually explained by central sensitization in spinal cord and brain. We previously reported that injection of endothelin-1 (ET-1) into one rat hindpaw induces prolonged mechanical and chemical sensitization of the contralateral hindpaw. Here, we examined the role of contralateral efferent activity in this process. METHODS: ET-1 (2 nmol, 10 &mgr;L) was injected subcutaneously into the plantar surface of right (ipsilateral) hindpaw (ILP), and the thermal response latency and mechanical threshold for nocifensive withdrawal were determined by the use of, respectively, plantar radiant heating and von Frey filaments, for both ILP and contralateral hindpaws (CLP). Either paw was anesthetized for 60 minutes by direct injection of bupivacaine (0.25%, 40 &mgr;L), 30 minutes before ET-1. Alternatively, the contralateral sciatic nerve was blocked for 6 to 12 hours by percutaneous injection of bupivacaine-releasing microspheres 30 minutes before injection of ET-1. Systemic actions of these bupivacaine formulations were simulated by subcutaneous injection at the nuchal midline. RESULTS: After the injection of ET-1, the mechanical threshold of both ILP and CLP decreased by 2 hours, appeared to be lowest around 24 hours, and recovered through 48 hours to preinjection baseline at 72 hours. These hypersensitive responses were suppressed by bupivacaine injected into the ipsilateral paw before ET-1. Injection of the CLP by bupivacaine also suppressed the hypersensitivity of the CLP at all test times, and that of the ILP, except at 2 hours when it increased the sensitivity. This same pattern of change occurred when the contralateral sciatic nerve was blocked by bupivacaine-releasing microspheres. The systemic actions of these bupivacaine formulations were much smaller and only reached significance at 24 hours post−ET-1. Thermal hypersensitivity after ET-1 injection also occurred in both ILP and CLP and showed the same pattern in response to the 2 contralateral anesthetic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that efferent transmission through the contralateral innervation into the paw is necessary for contralateral sensitization by ET-1, suggesting that the release of substances by distal nerve endings is involved. The release of substances in the periphery is essential for contralateral sensitization by ET-1 and may also contribute to secondary hyperalgesia, occurring at loci distant from the primary injury, that occurs after surgery or nerve damage.
Transverse modes suppression and loss reduction for buried electrodes SAW devices

High coupling substrates using overcoat layers of silicon oxide for temperature compensation exhibit a strong affinity toward multi-mode behavior. Apodization, which is the standard technique to suppress the transverse modes, suffers from drawbacks such as reduction of the transduction efficiency and additional losses. By changing the transducer layout, the guiding can be improved and a “piston mode” can be obtained. This approach is demonstrated on resonators and DMS test devices manufactured on lithium niobate with an orientation close to YX128 deg.
Temporal trends in rates of patient harm resulting from medical care.

BACKGROUND In the 10 years since publication of the Institute of Medicine's report To Err Is Human, extensive efforts have been undertaken to improve patient safety. The success of these efforts remains unclear. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of a stratified random sample of 10 hospitals in North Carolina. A total of 100 admissions per quarter from January 2002 through December 2007 were reviewed in random order by teams of nurse reviewers both within the hospitals (internal reviewers) and outside the hospitals (external reviewers) with the use of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Global Trigger Tool for Measuring Adverse Events. Suspected harms that were identified on initial review were evaluated by two independent physician reviewers. We evaluated changes in the rates of harm, using a random-effects Poisson regression model with adjustment for hospital-level clustering, demographic characteristics of patients, hospital service, and high-risk conditions. RESULTS Among 2341 admissions, internal reviewers identified 588 harms (25.1 harms per 100 admissions; 95% confidence interval [CI], 23.1 to 27.2) [corrected]. Multivariate analyses of harms identified by internal reviewers showed no significant changes in the overall rate of harms per 1000 patient-days (reduction factor, 0.99 per year; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.04; P=0.61) or the rate of preventable harms. There was a reduction in preventable harms identified by external reviewers that did not reach statistical significance (reduction factor, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.00; P=0.06), with no significant change in the overall rate of harms (reduction factor, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.04; P=0.47). CONCLUSIONS In a study of 10 North Carolina hospitals, we found that harms remain common, with little evidence of widespread improvement. Further efforts are needed to translate effective safety interventions into routine practice and to monitor health care safety over time. (Funded by the Rx Foundation.).