Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endothelial Function in Human Coronary Arteries In Vivo: Focus on Hypercholesterolemia

To examine whether and to what extent hypercholesterolemia may affect the vasoactive role of the endothelium before the onset of angiographically visible atherosclerosis in the coronary circulation, we studied normal subjects (group 1, n=11), individuals with elevated low density lipoprotein plasma values but angiographically smooth coronary arteries (group 2, n=8), and patients with hypercholesterolemia and minimal disease of the vessel under study (group 3, n=8). Coronary vasomotor function was evaluated by three interventions: subselective intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine (0.036, 0.36, and 3.6 μ/min) with a 3F Doppler catheter in the left anterior descending artery, 0.3 mg intracoronary nitroglycerine (“endotheliumindependent”), and increase in blood flow (assessment of flow-dependent, endotheliummediated coronary dilation). In group 1, all interventions caused coronary dilation of the left anterior descending artery as assessed by automatic quantification of digitized cineframes. However, in group 2, acetylcholine elicited substantial coronary vasoconstriction, and the vasodilator response to nitroglycerine and to increases in flow (flow-dependent dilation) was preserved. In group 3, the acetylcholine-induced coronary vasoconstriction was even more pronounced, and the flow-dependent dilation was unpaired (+5.1±1% versus +10.5±l.l% [group 1], p<0.05). The coronary flow reserve (derived from Doppler flow velocity measurements) in response to papaverine was not significantly different in normal and hypercholesterolemic individuals (groups 2 and 3). However, the increase in coronary flow exerted by acetylcholine was substantially depressed in patients with hypercholesterolemia (groups 2 and 3) as compared with normal individuals (+48±8-3% and +49±25% versus +220±28.5%, respectively, p< 0.01). Thus, hypercholesterolemia elicits endothelial dysfunction in coronary conduit and resistance vessels in humans that precedes angiographically visible atherosclerotic lesions in large coronary arteries. Conceivably, these vascular alterations contribute to increased coronary vasomotor tone within the coronary circulation and may predispose these patients to myocardial ischemia.
Performance Analysis of Surfing: A Review

Abstract Farley, ORL, Abbiss, CR, and Sheppard, JM. Performance Analysis of Surfing: A Review. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 260–271, 2017—Despite the increased professionalism and substantial growth of surfing worldwide, there is limited information available to practitioners and coaches in terms of key performance analytics that are common in other field-based sports. Indeed, research analyzing surfing performance is limited to a few studies examining male surfers' heart rates, surfing activities through time-motion analysis (TMA) using video recordings and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) data during competition and recreational surfing. These studies have indicated that specific activities undertaken during surfing are unique with a variety of activities (i.e., paddling, resting, wave riding, breath holding, and recovery of surfboard in the surf). Furthermore, environmental and wave conditions also seem to influence the physical demands of competition surfing. It is due to these demands that surfers are required to have a high cardiorespiratory fitness, high muscular endurance, and considerable strength and anaerobic power, particular within the upper torso. By exploring various methods of performance analysis used within other sports, it is possible to improve our understanding of surfing demands. In so doing this will assist in the development of protocols and strategies to assess physiological characteristics of surfers, monitor athlete performance, improve training prescription, and identify talent. Therefore, this review explores the current literature to provide insights into methodological protocols, delimitations of research into athlete analysis and an overview of surfing dynamics. Specifically, this review will describe and review the use of TMA, GPS, and other technologies (i.e., HR) that are used in external and internal load monitoring as they pertain to surfing.
Long-term evolution of cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis.

BACKGROUND Cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis is a disorder manifested by multiple subcutaneous nodules, characterized by lobular panniculitis, and occasionally accompanied by severe systemic manifestations, which require an aggressive medical approach. Several case reports with a good response to immunosuppressive therapy in the acute phase can be found in the literature. OBJECTIVE AND CONCLUSION Nevertheless, the long-term evolution of this entity has not been described yet, nor have precise recommendations regarding the most adequate posology and duration of therapy. We report the result of switching from a long-term cyclosporine therapy to tacrolimus in a patient with a severe form of cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis.
Growth Depression in Socially Subordinate Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss: More than a Fasting Effect

To assess the effects of subordinate social status on digestive function, metabolism, and enzyme activity in salmonid fish, juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were paired with size‐matched conspecifics (<1.5% difference in fork length) for 5 d. Fish that were fasted for 5 d and fish sampled directly from the holding tank were used as control groups. Both subordinate and fasted fish experienced significant decreases in intestine mass ( \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodingdefault{OT2} \normalfont \selectfont} \DeclareTextFontCommand{\textcyr}{\cyr} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} \landscape $$P=0.043$$ \end{document} ), and the gall bladder showed marked and significant changes in both size ( \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodingdefault{OT2} \normalfont \selectfont} \DeclareTextFontCommand{\textcyr}{\cyr} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} \landscape $$P=0.004$$ \end{document} ) and appearance. These findings suggest that the negative effect of social subordination on digestive function reflects in large part a lack of feeding. Hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity was significantly higher in subordinate fish relative to dominants, whereas subordinate hepatic pyruvate kinase activity was significantly lower; activities of both enzymes were significantly correlated with plasma cortisol concentrations and behavior scores. Dominant‐subordinate differences in the activities of these enzymes were eliminated by administration of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486, underlining a role for circulating cortisol in eliciting the differences. Significant increases relative to control fish were also detected in red and white muscles from subordinate fish in the activities of protein catabolic enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase). These differences occurred in the absence of any change in plasma free amino acid or ammonia concentrations, supporting an enhanced turnover of amino acids in muscle in subordinate fish. The results support the hypothesis that changes in metabolism, beyond those elicited by low food consumption, may be responsible at least in part for the low growth rates typical of subordinate fish and that these changes may be related specifically to circulating cortisol levels in subordinate fish.
Calcium Release and Influx in Yeast: TRPC and VGCC Rule Another Kingdom

Calcium is one of the most ubiquitous second messengers, in addition to being a fundamentally important cofactor for many proteins' functions. Thus, cells from fungi to plants to animals have evolved mechanisms for carefully controlling calcium concentrations in their organelles and cytosol. This perspective discusses the similarities and differences between yeast and animals in cation channels of two families: the transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) and voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). One of the key differences highlighted is in the channels implicated in the response of yeast and animal cells to depletion of calcium from intracellular stores, and the differences in localization of these channels between yeast and animal cells. Understanding the logic of fungal Ca2+ channels, therefore, may provide new insights into the organization and regulation of cellular calcium signaling networks in animals.
Recent Technologies in Japan on Array Antennas for Wireless Systems

SUMMARY Array antenna technology for wireless systems is highly integrated for demands such as multi-functionality and high-performance. This paper details recent technologies in Japan in design techniques based on computational electromagnetics, antenna hardware techniques in the millimeter-wave band, array signal processing to add adaptive functions, and measurement methods to support design techniques, for array antennas for future wireless systems. Prospects of these four technologies are also described.
Porcine Proinsulin: Characterization and Amino Acid Sequence

Proinsulin in nearly homogeneous form has been isolated from a preparation of porcine insulin. A molecular weight close to 9100 was calculated from the amino acid composition and from sedimentation-equilibrium studies. Through the action of trypsin this single-chain protein is transformed to desalanine insulin by cleavage of a polypeptide chain connecting the carboxy-terminus of the B chain to the amino-terminus of the A chain of insulin. The amino acid sequence of this connecting peptide was found to be Arg-Arg-Glu-Ala-Gln-Asn-Pro-Gln-Ala-Gly-Ala-Val-Glu-Leu-Gly-Gly-Gly-Leu-Gly-Gly-Leu-Gln-Ala-Leu-Ala-Leu-Glu-Gly-Pro-Pro-Gln-Lys-Arg.
Limited Impact of Human Cytomegalovirus Infection in African Infants on Vaccine-Specific Responses Following Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis and Measles Vaccination

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection has a profound effect on the human immune system, causing massive clonal expansion of CD8, and to a lesser extend CD4 T cells. The few human trials that have explored the effect of HCMV infection on responses to vaccination are conflicting, with some studies suggesting no effect whilst others suggest decreased or increased immune responses. Recent studies indicate substantial differences in overall immune system reactivity to vaccines based on age and sex, particularly cellular immunity. 225 nine-month old Gambian infants were immunized with diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis and/or measles vaccines. HCMV infection status was determined by the presence of CMV DNA by PCR of urine samples prior to vaccination. The effect of HCMV infection on either protective antibody immunity or vaccine-specific and overall cellular immune responses 4 weeks post-vaccination was determined, further stratified by sex. Tetanus toxoid-specific antibody responses were significantly lower in HCMV+ infants compared to their HCMV- counterparts, while pertussis, diphtheria and measles antibody responses were generally comparable between the groups. Responses to general T cell stimulation with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 as well as antigen-specific cytokine responses to purified protein derivative (PPD) were broadly suppressed in infants infected with HCMV but, perhaps surprisingly, there was only a minimal impact on antigen-specific cellular responses to vaccine antigens. There was evidence for subtle sex differences in the effects of HCMV infection, in keeping with the emerging evidence suggesting sex differences in homeostatic immunity and in responses to vaccines. This study reassuringly suggests that the high rates of HCMV infection in low income settings have little clinically significant impact on antibody and cellular responses to early life vaccines, while confirming the importance of sex stratification in such studies.
Comparison between CTIA hand phantom and different human hands for OTA power measurements

This study investigates the Over the Air (OTA) power measurements from a mobile phone when held by the CTIA hand phantom compared to a number of participant's hands. A measurement setup in a shielded environment was setup to ensure that all the participants held the mobile phone in a similar fashion to the hand phantom so that accurate comparisons could be made. Measured results show that the received power from all the participants was lower than that received from the hand phantom when the index finger covered the whole antenna region.
THE DEGRADATION OF PHENOL IN WATER SOLUTION BY TiO 2 PHOTOCATALYSIS IN A HELICAL REACTOR

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is an advanced oxidation process (AOP) which has been widely studied by numerous researchers in the world and is used to degrade or remove a wide range of pollutants in water and air. The photocatalytic oxidation and mineralization of phenol in aqueous catalyst suspensions of titanium dioxide (TiO2) Degussa P25 (80% anatase, 20% rutile) has been carried out in a helical reactor. The photodegradation was investigated using two kinds of high pressure mercury irradiation lamps one emitting at 254 nm (15 Watts) and the other emitting at 365 nm (400 Watts). The effects of the recirculation flow, source of withdrawal, initial phenol concentration, amount of catalyst, suspension pH and light intensity on photodegradation of phenol were investigated. These parameters were studied to find the optimal conditions for a complete and fast oxidation of this organic compound. Kinetic experiments were performed at 32 o C over a range of phenol concentrations from 2.5 to 25 mg l -1 , a range of TiO2 concentrations from 0.1 to 1 g l 1 , a range of suspensions pH from 3 to 9. The helical reactor was operated under a continuous flow-mode. Results showed that photodegradation is an effective method for the removal of phenol from wastewaters. The efficiency of the process depends strongly on the experimental conditions. The amount of catalyst, UV irradiation time, pH and light intensity were important parameters in the degradation process. The rate constants for the different parameters (TiO2, phenol concentration) were evaluated. Kinetic studies showed that titanium dioxide photocatalyst P25 was very active in phenol degradation; we observed that 99% of pollutant was degraded after 6 hours of UV irradiation; furthermore, we observed that phenol degradation was more effective under acidic conditions than alkaline. The kinetics were described by the LangmuirHinshelwood (L-H) kinetic model. An overall pseudo-first order kinetic constant has been calculated for phenol conversion and values obtained in acidic pH are higher than those calculated for basic pH media.
Equational Bases for If-Then-Else

Four formalizations of the instruction if–then–else are considered. Let K be an equational class of algebras. Assume the language has constants $ \bot $ in case II, T, F, $ \bot $ in case III and T in case IV. Any equational class with $ \bot $ is assumed to be strict, i.e. satisfies $F(\_, \bot ,\_) = \bot $ for all functions f Form the classes I $K^d $, II $K^{d \bot } $, III $K^t $ and IV $K^{t'} $ by adding an operation $[,,,]$ in cases I and II defined by \[ {\text{I}}\quad [x,y,z,w] = \left\{ \begin{gathered} z\quad {\text{if }}x = y, \hfill \\ w\quad {\text{else}} \hfill \\ \end{gathered} \right. \qquad {\text{II}}\quad [x,y,z,w] = \left\{ \begin{gathered} z\quad {\text{if }}x = y \ne \bot \hfill \\ w\quad {\text{if }} \bot \ne x \ne y \ne \bot , \hfill \\ \bot \quad {\text{else,}} \hfill \\ \end{gathered} \right. \]and by adding an operation $[,,]$ in cases III and IV defined by \[ {\text{III}}\quad [x,y,z] = \left\{ \begin{gathered} y\quad {\text{if }}x = T, \hfill \\ z\quad {\text{if }}x = F \hfi.
Financial strain and smoking cessation among racially/ethnically diverse smokers.

OBJECTIVES We evaluated the influence of financial strain on smoking cessation among Latino, African American, and Caucasian smokers of predominantly low socioeconomic status. METHODS Smokers enrolled in a smoking cessation study (N = 424) were followed from 1 week prequit through 26 weeks postquit. We conducted a logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between baseline financial strain and smoking abstinence at 26 weeks postquit after control for age, gender, race/ethnicity, educational level, annual household income, marital status, number of cigarettes smoked per day, and time to first cigarette of the day. RESULTS Greater financial strain at baseline was significantly associated with reduced odds of abstinence at 26 weeks postquit among those who completed the study (odds ratio [OR] = 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.62, 0.94; P = .01). There was a significant association as well in analyses that included those who completed the study in addition to those lost to follow-up who were categorized as smokers (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.64, 0.96; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS Greater financial strain predicted lower cessation rates among racially/ethnically diverse smokers. Our findings highlight the impact of economic concerns on smoking cessation and the need to address financial strain in smoking cessation interventions.
VisionWand: interaction techniques for large displays using a passive wand tracked in 3D

A passive wand tracked in 3D using computer vision techniques is explored as a new input mechanism for interacting with large displays. We demonstrate a variety of interaction techniques and visual widgets that exploit the affordances of the wand, resulting in an effective interface for large scale display interaction. The lack of any buttons or other electronics on the wand presents a challenge that we address by developing a set of gestures and postures to track and enable command input.
BORBOLETAS (LEPIDOPTERA: PAPILIONOIDEA) DE UMA ´ AREA DE CAMPO DO BIOMA PAMPA, SANTA MARIA, RIO GRANDE DO SUL, BRASIL.

O Brasil possui uma grande diversidade de borboletas, com quase metade de todas as especies neotropicais ja descritas (aproximadamente 3200) (Brown Jr. & Freitas, 1999; Lamas, 2004). A superfamilia Papilionoidea e dividida nas cinco familias que seguem: Papilionidae, com 69 especies no Brasil; Pieridae, com 65; Lycaenidae e Riodinidae, com 1181 e Nymphalidae, com 78 (Brown Jr. & Freitas, 1999). As borboletas estao envolvidas em muitas interacoes ecologicas dentro das comunidades a que pertencem, destacando se as mutuaĺisticas (polinizacao) e de predacao (herbivoria), dentre outras. Elas ainda servem como modelo em pesquisas de ecologia de populacoes e comportamento (pela facilidade de marcacao nas asas); genetica da selecao natural e em processos basicos como: alimentacao, parasitismo, competicao e predacao (identificacao de substâncias toxicas presentes, camuflagem e mimetismo) (Boggs et al., 2003). No Brasil, sao objetos de muitos estudos cientificos (Brown Jr., 1996), podendo ainda ser usadas como indicadoras em levantamentos de fauna e determinacao de prioridades, planejamento e administracao de reservas naturais (Brown Jr., 1992; Brown Jr. & Freitas, 2002; Emery et al., 2006).
Impact of the type of emulsifier on the physicochemical characteristics of the prepared fish oil-loaded microcapsules

Abstract Fish oil microcapsules were successfully prepared from fish oil-in-water emulsions using chitosan as shell material and anionic surfactants sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS), sodium cholate (cholate), and sodium deoxycholate (DOC) as emulsifiers. The type of emulsifier influenced the physicochemical characteristics of the prepared microcapsules to different extents. The microcapsules formed with DOC showed the least mean effective diameter (MED) of 500 nm. Emulsion formed with DOC exhibited the smallest MED of 100 nm. The emulsions showed negative zeta potential values which became positive after encapsulation with chitosan. The surfactants showed little influence on thermal stability. Microcapsule suspensions showed creaming over storage. Fish oil at higher loading in SDS microcapsules showed higher primary and secondary oxidation. All microcapsules showed sustained release but the values varied depending upon the surfactants. The emulsion and microcapsules formed with DOC showed better morphology and stability despite its lower loading and encapsulation efficiency.
Instant Messaging Addiction among Teenagers in China: Shyness, Alienation, and Academic Performance Decrement

This exploratory research proposes the concept of instant messaging (IM) addiction and examines (a) whether IM addiction exists among Chinese teenagers and, if so, who the addicts are, what their symptoms are, and to what extent they are addicted; (b) whether psychological variables such as shyness and alienation can predict IM use or addiction among teenagers; and (c) whether IM use or IM addiction can impair the academic performance of teenagers. Using Young's classic definition of Internet addiction, results of a stratified random sample of 330 teenagers in China in 2007 found 95.8% of participants use IM, and 9.8% of them can be classified as IM addicts. Factor analysis identified four major IM addiction symptoms among teenagers: preoccupation with IM, loss of relationships due to overuse, loss of control, and escape. Results also showed that shyness and alienation from family, peers, and school are significantly and positively associated with levels of IM addiction. As expected, both the level of IM use and level of IM addiction are significantly linked to teenagers' academic performance decrement.
An Observer-Based Mode Switching Control Scheme for Improved Position Regulation in Servomotors

A mode switching control scheme is proposed to achieve fast and precise set-point tracking in motor servo systems. The control scheme incorporates a composite nonlinear feedback (CNF) control law into the framework of proximate time-optimal servomechanism (PTOS). The CNF control law consists of a linear feedback part for achieving fast response and a nonlinear feedback part for suppressing the overshoot, so as to improve the transient performance in short span positioning, while the PTOS control law is responsible for fast acceleration and deceleration when the tracking error is large. A reduced-order extended state observer is designed to estimate the unmeasured velocity and unknown disturbance for feedback and compensation. The closed-loop stability is analyzed theoretically. The control scheme is then applied to the position-velocity control loop in a permanent magnet synchronous motor servo system. Experimental studies have been carried out using the TMS320F2812 digital signal controller board. The results verify that the controlled system is capable of tracking a wide range of target positions fast, smoothly, and accurately, with some degrees of performance robustness against disturbance and uncertainty.