Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Enhanced UV-B Radiation and Drought Stress on Photosynthetic Performance of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. Romaine) Plants

Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate some biochemical changes in field grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv Romaine) plants in terms of importance of the accumulation of anthocyanins, flavonoids and photosynthetic pigments as well as photosynthetic limitations which changed during exposure of plants to drought stress and UV-B radiation in order to circumvent the deleterious effects of these Stresses. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted under filed conditions from November 2012 to January 2013, at the Agricultural Research Center, KAU. Methodology: The experimental design was a factorial arrangement in randomized complete blocks with four replicates. The first factor was UV-B (300 nm). The second factor was irrigation regime (complete irrigation to field capacity and limited irrigation. Gas exchange measurements were carried out using a LI-6200 portable IRGA. Chlorophyll fluorescence of Fv/Fm was measured by PAM 2000 fluorometer. Biochemical analyses and antioxidant enzymes assays were performed according to the appropriate methods. Results: Exposure of lettuce plants to enhanced UV-B radiation and drought stresses (DS) negatively and significantly affected the process of photosynthesis including CO2 assimilation (PN), stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) and transpiration rate (E). However, the amplitude of the effects of both stressors was dependent on the interactions. This resulted in alleviation of the negative effect of drought on photosynthesis and transpiration by UV-B radiation as the water stress intensified. Intercellular CO2 (Ci) concentration was only reduced due to water stress compared to control plants. The maximum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) was not affected by UV-B radiation stress but reduced by drought. There was an increase in the activities of some antioxidant due to both stresses when applied singly and in combination UV-B irradiation increased the contents of the UV-B absorbing compounds (carotenoids, soluble phenols, anthocyanins), while drought stress caused a notable increase in free proline content. Increase in content of Proline may be the drought-induced factor which plays a protective role in response to UV-B. Conclusion: UV-B radiation provoked in general more severe damage, evaluated as changes in the amounts of stress markers, than DS, when applied separately. Under multiple stress conditions, each of the stress factors seems to bring out some adaptive effects to reduce the damage experienced by plants caused by the other one. DS can induce accumulation of UV-B absorbing compounds (flavonoids, carotenoids and soluble phenols), which is likely to offer some increased protection from UV-B.
Pharyngoesophageal Pressure Monitoring in Sleep Apnea Syndrome

OBJECTIVES: This study tests the sensitivity and the specificity of overnight pharyngoesophageal pressure measurement for identification and classification of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: Fifty-nine snoring patients undergoing polysomnography were invited to have simultaneous pharyngo-esophageal manometry. We used a soft silicone catheter with 4 microtip pressure sensors at different levels. RESULTS: The apnea hypopnea indexes (AHIs) measured by the 2 methods were highly correlated (r = 0.971). Manometry was 100% sensitive and specific in excluding OSA and identifying severe OSA. It was 90% sensitive in identifying moderate OSA and 80% sensitive in identifying mild OSA. Conclusion: Overnight ambulatory pharyngo-esophageal manometry is a reliable tool for the exclusion of OSA and identification of severe OSA. It has additional advantages of localizing the level of obstruction and identifying the upper airway resistance syndrome and can be performed at home. It is cost-effective when compared with polysomnography and may aid in treatment selection for individual patients.
Blood pressure distribution and its association with anthropometric measurements among asian Indian adolescents in an urban area of Tamil Nadu

Background: Overweight and obesity has become a global public health burden. Compounded with this there is an increase in non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and hypertension. Early tracking of blood pressure is effective in introducing preventive measures. Aims & Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of high blood pressure among adolescents aged 10-15 years in urban schools and to study the association of the anthropometric measurements on the blood pressure. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional study involving 3624 school children aged between 10-15 years in the schools of the catchment area of the urban health centre affiliated to the Department of Community Medicine. Anthropometric measurements along with blood pressure measurements twice each ten minutes apart was done. The mean blood pressure values were included for the study. Results: Defining ≥ 95th percentile as hypertension, 153 (10.2%) females and 177 (8.3%) males were hypertensive. Totally there were 330 subjects (8.3%) hypertensive in the study group. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of hypertension between the genders. A rise is observed in mean systolic and diastolic BP with increase in mean weight, height and BMI. There were 173 (4.8%) children who were overweight and 30 (0.8%) children who were obese. Among the overweight children, 62 subjects (35.83%) were hypertensive. Among the children who were obese, 19 (63.3%) were hypertensive. There was also a correlation between body mass index and hypertension. Conclusion: The study points out the need for early screening for high blood pressure in school students and introducing effective lifestyle modifications at an early age to prevent the epidemic of non-communicable diseases in future.
Pulse glucocorticoid therapy in neuroimmune disorders

Th e goals of this review were to examine published data concerning glucocorticoid pulse therapy in general, as well as evidence-based treatment regimens in several neurological disorders. Th e aim of pulse therapy is achieving a stronger and more rapid therapeutic eff ect, and decreasing the need for long- term use of steroids. It is supposed that the action of supra pharmacological doses of glucocorticoids is medi- ated through nongenomic actions within the cell. Only in multiple sclerosis there is enough evidence from relatively large randomized controlled trials (class I evidence) for the effi cacy of pulse therapy, so that it can be recommended as fi rst-line therapy (recommendation level A). More information is needed to defi ne the specifi c diseases to be treated and the optimal timing of pulses to obtain maximal benefi t.
Patient exposure and associated radiation risks from fluoroscopically guided vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty.

PURPOSE To derive normalized data for the estimation of effective, gonadal, and peak skin doses to patients undergoing vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty and to investigate the potential for cancer induction, genetic effects, and radiation-induced skin injury after such procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Dose values normalized over dose-area product were determined for all radiosensitive organs and tissues by using a humanoid phantom and thermoluminescence dosimetry separately for anteroposterior and lateral projections. Measurements were obtained for treatments of the fifth, eighth, and 11th thoracic vertebrae and the first, third, and fifth lumbar vertebrae. Total fluoroscopy time and resultant dose-area product from each fluoroscopic exposure were monitored in 11 consecutive patients (seven women and four men) undergoing kyphoplasty. The age range of these patients was 41-78 years, and the mean age was 58 years. RESULTS Mean total fluoroscopy time for kyphoplasty was 10.1 minutes +/- 2.2 (standard deviation). Mean effective dose to patients from kyphoplasty was 8.5-12.7 mSv, and mean gonadal dose was 0.04-16.4 mGy, depending on the level of the treated vertebra. Skin injuries after kyphoplasty are improbable if source-to-skin distance is 35 cm or more; however, such injuries may occur if the total fluoroscopy time per projection is extended and/or the source-to-skin distance is less than 35 cm during the procedure. CONCLUSION Patient radiation exposure and associated risks from vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty may be considerable. Data obtained in the current study may be used to establish patient effective dose, gonadal dose, and entrance skin exposure, as well as associated risks, from these fluoroscopically guided surgical treatments of spinal disorders.
An improved NLOS detection scheme for hybrid-TOA/AOA-based localization in indoor environments

Collecting location information of persons or things in sensor networks enables a variety of services and applications. For such location information, time of arrival (TOA) or angle of arrival (AOA) of radio waves is often used. Moreover, a hybrid use of them, called hybrid-TOA/AOA (HTA), has also been proposed for performance improvement. However, when the direct wave is blocked by obstacles in the non-line-of-sight (NLOS) environment, the estimation accuracy is severely deteriorated. To coordinate this problem, an iterative minimum residual (IMR) scheme has been proposed for TOA-based estimation. In the IMR scheme, the NLOS nodes are sequentially detected and eliminated, and the estimation performance is improved. However, the IMR scheme for HTA measurements has not been considered. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a new NLOS detection scheme based on IMR scheme for HTA localization and evaluate its improved performances by computer simulations.
Forum for Injection Technique 2.0 Addendum 1: Insulin use in indoor settings

Insulin is a frequently used drug in the indoor setting. Comprehensive recommendations for best practice in insulin injection technique have been published by the forum for injection technique (FIT), India. This addendum focuses on insulin use in indoor settings, and complements the FIT 2.0 recommendations. It discusses insulin use and disposal in critical care and noncritical care settings. It also highlights the need to ensure continuing nursing and medical education, and frame insulin policies for such use.
Realizing Efficient Wireless Power Transfer in the Near-Field Region Using Electrically Small Antennas

In the early 1900’s, Tesla carried out his experiment on power transmission over long distances by radio waves (Tesla, 1914). He built a giant coil (200-ft mast and 3-ft-diameter copper ball positioned at the top) resonating at 150 kHz and fed it with 300 kW of low frequency power. However, there is no clear record of how much of this power was radiated into space and whether any significant amount of it was collected at a distant point. Over the years, wireless power delivery systems have been conceived, tried and tested by many (Brown, 1984; Glaser, 1968; McSpadden et al., 1996; Shinohara & Matsumoto, 1998; Strassner & Chang, 2002; Mickle, et al., 2006; Conner, 2007). For very short ranges, the inductive coupling mechanism is commonly exploited. This is best exemplified by non-contact chargers and radio frequency identification (RFID) devices operating at 13 MHz (Finkenzeller, 2003). Such systems are limited to ranges that are less than the device size itself. For long distance wireless power delivery, directed radiation is required, which dictates the use of large aperture antennas. This line of thinking is best exemplified by NASA’s effort to collect solar power on a single satellite station in space and relay the collected power via microwaves to power other satellites in orbit (Glaser, 1968). In addition to needing large antennas, this scheme requires uninterrupted line-of-sight propagation and a potentially complicated tracking system for mobile receivers. In 2007, MIT physicist Soljacic and his group demonstrated the feasibility of efficient nonradiative wireless power transfer using two resonant loop antennas (Kurs et al., 2007). Since then, there has been much interest from the electromagnetics community to more closely study this phenomenon (Kim & Ling, 2007; Jing & Wang, 2008; Kim & Ling, 2008; Pan et al., 2009; Thomas et al., 2010; Jung and Lee, 2010; Cannon et al., 2009; Kurs et al., 2010; Casanova et al., 2009). It was found that when two antennas are very closely spaced, they are locked in a coupled mode resonance phenomenon. In this coupled mode region, the two antennas see each other’s presence strongly, and very high power transfer efficiency (PTE) can be attained (see Fig. 1). The term magnetic resonance coupling is often used to describe this phenomenon, although such coupled mode resonance can exist in antenna systems dominated by either magnetic or electric coupling, as shown in (Kim & Ling, 2007). It was also found that to maximize the power transfer the antennas need to have low radiation loss
Specificity of 17β-oestradiol and benzo[α]pyrene oxidation by polymorphic human cytochrome P4501B1 variants substituted at residues 48, 119 and 432

1. Eight human cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) allelic variants, namely Arg48Ala119Leu432, Arg48Ala119Val432, Gly48Ala119Leu432, Gly48Ala119Val432, Arg48Ser119Leu432, Arg48Ser119Val432, Gly48Ser119Leu432 and Gly48Ser119Val432 (all with Asn453), were expressed in Escherichia coli together with human NADPH-P450 reductase and their catalytic specificities towards oxidation of 17β-oestradiol and benzo[α]pyrene were determined. 2. All of the CYP1B1 variants expressed in bacterial membranes showed Fe2+·CO versus Fe2+ difference spectra with wavelength maxima at 446nm and they reacted with antibodies raised against recombinant human CYP1B1 in immunoblots. The ratio of expression of the reductase to CYP1B1 in these eight preparations ranged from 0.2 to 0.5. 3. CYP1B1 Arg48 variants tended to have higher activities for 17β-oestradiol 4-hydroxylation than Gly48 variants, although there were no significant variations in 17β-oestradiol 2-hydroxylation activity in these eight CYP1B1 variants. Interestingly, ratios of formation of 17β-oestradiol 4-hydroxylation to 2-hydroxylation by these CYP1B1 variants were higher in all of the Val432 forms than the corresponding Leu432 forms. 4. In contrast, Leu432 forms of CYP1B1 showed higher rates of oxidation of benzo[α]pyrene (to the 7,8-dihydoxy-7,8-dihydrodiol in the presence of epoxide hydrolase) than did the Val432 forms. 5. These results suggest that polymorphic human CYP1B1 variants may cause some altered catalytic specificity with 17β-oestradiol and benzo[α]pyrene and may influence susceptibilities of individuals towards endogenous and exogenous carcinogens.
A Closer Look at Prebiotics

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is home to more than 3 pounds of microorganisms, among which are beneficial species, including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. These organisms contribute to the nutritional status of the host, regulation of intestinal angiogenesis, and the development of immunity in infants and children, as well as protection from pathogens. The balanced organization of this ecosystem of microorganisms has led to the concept of normobiosis, in which microorganisms with potential health benefits outnumber potentially harmful ones. On the contrary, dysbiosis refers to a disruption in this balance, where one or more potentially harmful microorganisms are predominant, thus increasing the possibility of disease.
Characterization of homogeneously staining regions in a small cell lung cancer cell line, using in situ hybridization with an MYCN probe

The cell line CIPL38 was derived from the pleural effusion of a patient with small cell lung cancer. The karyotype was hyperdiploid and complex with a variable number of marker chromosomes. Two of the markers had large homogeneously staining regions (hsr), which were shown to consist of amplified MYCN by in situ hybridization. One hsr bearing a marker chromosome could not be identified with G‐banding, but the other was situated on a der(14). This was elucidated further with FISH analysis, which enabled the identification of sequences of chromosome I involved in a complex rearrangement with chromosome 14 and the hsr. Genes Chromosom Cancer 10:213–216 (1994). © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using Machine Learning Approaches to Identify Emergence: Case of Vehicle Related Patent Data

Bibliometric studies have long used simple search strings, publications count, and word counts to track the emergence of technologies. Novel machine learning methods open new possibilities to study bibliometric data and use algorithmic approaches to uncover emergence of a technology. This study looks at the large and complex dataset of vehicle related patents to uncover emergence indicators. By using machine learning methods this study focuses on if, and to what extent different methods can produce patterns of emergence from the data directly. The data extracted from PATSTAT contains 711296 granted US patent abstracts between the years 1980 and 2014 resulting from a search for "vehicle" creating a complex dataset of technologies from automotive to medical applications. Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation and Dynamic Topic Modeling we show different emergence patterns. Finally, we discuss in detail the possibilities of using machine learning approaches to draw emergence dynamics of technologies.
The MainSTREAM Component Platform

A microfluidic component library for building systems driving parallel or serial microfluidic-based assays is presented. The components are a miniaturized eight-channel peristaltic pump, an eight-channel valve, sample-to-waste liquid management, and interconnections. The library of components was tested by constructing various systems supporting perfusion cell culture, automated DNA hybridizations, and in situ hybridizations. The results showed that the MainSTREAM components provided (1) a rapid, robust, and simple method to establish numerous fluidic inputs and outputs to various types of reaction chips; (2) highly parallel pumping and routing/valving capability; (3) methods to interface pumps and chip-to-liquid management systems; (4) means to construct a portable system; (5) reconfigurability/flexibility in system design; (6) means to interface to microscopes; and (7) compatibility with tested biological methods. It was found that LEGO Mindstorms motors, controllers, and software were robust, inexpensive, and an accessible choice as compared with corresponding custom-made actuators. MainSTREAM systems could operate continuously for weeks without leaks, contamination, or system failures. In conclusion, the MainSTREAM components described here meet many of the demands on components for constructing and using microfluidics systems.
HMGB1 exacerbates experimental mouse colitis by enhancing innate lymphoid cells 3 inflammatory responses via promoted IL-23 production

In inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), as an endogenous inflammatory molecule, can promote inflammatory cytokines secretion by acting on TLR2/4 resulting in tissue damage. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report a novel role of HMGB1 in controlling the maintenance and function of intestine-resident group-3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) that are important innate effector cells implicated in mucosal homeostasis and IBD pathogenesis. We showed that mice treated with anti-HMGB1 Ab, or genetically deficient for TLR2–/– or TLR4–/– mice, displayed reduced intestinal inflammation. In these mice, the numbers of colonic ILC3s were significantly reduced, and the levels of IL-17 and IL-22 that can be secreted by ILC3s were also decreased in the colon tissues. Furthermore, HMGB1 promoted DCs via TLR2/4 signaling to produce IL-23, activating ILC3s to produce IL-17 and IL-22. Our data thus indicated that the HMGB1-TLR2/4-DCs-IL-23 cascade pathway enhances the functions of ILC3s to produce IL-17 and IL-22, and this signal way might play a vital role in the development of IBD.
Purification and Cloning of a Brefeldin A-inhibited Guanine Nucleotide-exchange Protein for ADP-ribosylation Factors*

Activation of ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs), ∼20-kDa guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that play an important role in intracellular vesicular trafficking, depends on guanine nucleotide-exchange proteins (GEPs), which accelerate replacement of bound GDP with GTP. Two major families of ARF GEPs are known: ∼200-kDa molecules that are inhibited by brefeldin A (BFA), a fungal metabolite that blocks protein secretion and causes apparent disintegration of Golgi structure, and ∼50-kDa GEPs that are insensitive to BFA. We describe here two human brain cDNAs that encode BFA-inhibited GEPs. One is a ∼209-kDa protein 99.5% identical in deduced amino acid sequence (1,849 residues) to a BFA-inhibited ARF GEP (p200) from bovine brain. The other smaller protein, which is ∼74% identical (1,785 amino acids), represents a previously unknown gene. We propose that the former, p200, be named BIG1 for (brefeldin A-inhibited GEP1) and the second, which encodes a ∼202-kDa protein, BIG2. A protein containing sequences found in BIG2 had been purified earlier from bovine brain. Human tissues contained a 7.5-kilobase BIG1 mRNA and a 9.4-kilobase BIG2 transcript. The BIG1 andBIG2 genes were localized, respectively, to chromosomes 8 and 20. BIG2, synthesized as a His6 fusion protein in Sf9 cells, accelerated guanosine 5′-3-O-(thio)triphosphate binding by recombinant ARF1, ARF5, and ARF6. It activated native ARF (mixture of ARF1 and ARF3) more effectively than it did any of the nonmyristoylated recombinant ARFs. BIG2 activity was inhibited by BFA in a concentration-dependent manner but not by B17, a structural analog without effects on Golgi function. Although several clones for ∼50-kDa BFA-insensitive ARF GEPs are known, these new clones for the ∼200-kDa BIG1 and BIG2 should facilitate characterization of this rather different family of proteins as well as the elucidation of mechanisms of regulation of BFA-sensitive ARF function in Golgi transport.
Flower differentiation and spur leaf area in almond

Summary In mature almond trees, flowers are borne laterally and predominantly on spurs. The flower buds contain a single terminal flower and no leaves. We investigated variation in the timing of floral initiation and organogenesis among and within spurs on ‘Nonpareil’ almond (Prunus dulcis [Mill.] D. A. Webb). Spurs were sampled twice during the late-summer period of flower initiation and differentiation. All lateral buds on individual spurs were dissected and the developmental status of the meristem was determined. Extensive variation in the progress of floral initiation and differentiation was evident among spurs. Spurs with high total leaf areas had more floral buds, and these buds underwent transition to flowering and floral organogenesis earlier than buds on spurs with lower total leaf areas. Within spurs, there was no gradient in floral development relative to bud position on the spur. The results indicate that spurs function independently with regard to floral development events, and suggest that within spurs buds may function somewhat independently as well.