Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid BAL Variability: Re-Emerging Absorption

We study BAL variations of SDSS~J141955.28+522741.4 utilizing 32 epochs of spectroscopic observations from SDSS. We identify three individual BAL troughs for CIV and one BAL trough for SiIV. The deepest CIV BAL trough show significant EW variations in timescales of a few ten hours. The fast component of the deepest CIV BAL present disappearance and re-emergence preserving its initial velocity range and profile. All identified BAL roughs show coordinated variations supporting that the possible mechanism behind these BAL variations likely to be ionization level changes of absorbing gas.
Comparison of Two Culture Methods for Detection of Tobramycin-Resistant Gram-Negative Organisms in the Sputum of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

ABSTRACT A culture method utilizing quantitative plating on antibiotic-containing media has been proposed as a technique for the detection of tobramycin-resistant organisms that is more sensitive than standard methods. Typical sputum culture methods quantitate the relative amounts of each distinct morphotype, followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing of a single colony of each morphotype. Sputum specimens from 240 cystic fibrosis patients were homogenized, serially diluted, and processed in parallel by the standard method (MacConkey agar and OF basal medium with agar, polymyxin, bacitracin, and lactose) and by plating on antibiotic-containing media (MacConkey agar with tobramycin added at 25 μg/ml [MAC-25] and 100 μg/ml [MAC-100]). MICs of tobramycin were determined for all Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates by broth microdilution. Growth of P. aeruginosa on MAC-25 was considered to be equivalent to a tobramycin MIC of ≥16 μg/ml, and growth on MAC-100 was considered to be equivalent to a tobramycin MIC of ≥128 μg/ml. Analysis of method-specific detection rates showed that tobramycin-containing medium was more sensitive than the standard method for the detection of tobramycin-resistant P. aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Achromobacter xylosoxidans but was less sensitive for the detection of Burkholderia cepacia than the standard method. When MICs for P. aeruginosa that grew on tobramycin-containing medium were tested by broth microdilution, the MICs for 28 of 121 strains (23%) growing on MAC-25 and 22 of 56 strains (39%) growing on MAC-100 were MICs <16 and <128 μg/ml, respectively. Addition of a tobramycin-containing MacConkey plate to the routine media for sputum culture may provide additional, clinically relevant microbiologic data.
Superoxide dismutase and catalase failed to improve neurologic outcome after complete cerebral ischemia in the dog

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, natural scavengers of free oxygen radicals, or saline were administered as a continuous systemic infusion to 12 dogs, in a blind randomized fashion, starting 10 mm prior to a 10;min episode of complete cerebral ischemia, and continued thereafter for 60 min. Reversible complete cerebral ischemia was achieved by simultaneously occluding the ascending aorta and venae cavae. There were no significant differences in physiological variables (arterial blood gases, hemoglobin, mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature) between the two groups, either pre–ischemia or post–ischemia. There was no significant difference in neurologic outcome when evaluated at 48 h post–ischemia. It has previously been reported that the same dose of SOD and catalase as used in the current study could reduce infarct size by 50% when given systemically before reperfusion following coronary ischemia in dogs. The lack of a measurable effect on neurologic outcome in our cerebral ischemic modelmight be because of the failure of the free oxygen radical scavengers to reach the ischemic cells in sufficient amounts, or because free oxygen radicals do not contribute to brain injury following complete cerebral ischemia.
Skin effect and dielectric loss models of power cables

In power electronics applications, power cables spread paths of conducted disturbances throughout the system. This paper proposes a high frequency modeling method for power cables that takes into account phenomena which appear when the switching frequency of the static converter increases, such as skin effects, proximity effects and dielectric losses. The proposed power cable models are obtained by the series association of n identical RLCG basic cells. The skin and proximity effects are represented as the impedance of an R-L ladder and the dielectric losses as the admittance of an R-C ladder. The proposed method was successfully applied to a three-wire unshielded cable and extended to a four-wire shielded cable.
ASYMPTOTIC GROWTH OF CAUCHY TRANSFORMS

Let μ be a complex measure on the real line. We denote by Pμ and Qμ the Poisson and the conjugate Poisson integrals of μ in the upper half-plane. In this note we study the relative asymptotic growth of Pμ and Qμ near the support of μ. In particular, we show that on μ almost every vertical line Qμ grows no slower than Pμ. We also discuss applications to the theory of Cauchy transform in the plane and related questions on Riesz transforms in R n .
Vialess wideband bandpass filter using CRLH transmission line with semi-circular stub

This paper presents a via-less wideband bandpass filter using composite right/left handed transmission line (CRLH-TL). The filter is designed with a closed rectangular ring resonator, interdigital capacitor, meander line and semicircular stub. The proposed filter is simulated and characterized using high frequency structural simulator ANSYS HFSS 14. Proposed filter can be operate in the frequency range of 4 GHz - 10.5 GHz with a fractional bandwidth of 90% (fo = 7.9 GHz). In addition to this it offers a group delay of 0.22 ns in the passband.
Serotonergic facilitation of synaptic activity in the developing rat prefrontal cortex

Previous studies have outlined an important role for serotonin (5‐HT) in the development of synaptic connectivity and function in the cerebral cortex. In this study, we have examined the effects of 5‐HT on synaptic function in prefrontal cortex at a time of intense synapse formation and remodelling. Whole‐cell recordings in slices derived from animals aged postnatal (P) days 16–20 showed that administration of 5‐HT induced a robust increase in synaptic activity that was blocked by CNQX but not by bicuculline. This 5‐HT‐induced increase in glutamate‐mediated synaptic activity was pharmacologically heterogeneous as it was differentially inhibited by the receptor subtype‐selective antagonists SB‐269970, MDL 100907 and GR 113808 and thus involved 5‐HT7, 5‐HT2A and 5‐HT4 receptors. These results, obtained in juvenile cortex, contrast with those seen in adults where the increase in spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) was mediated solely by 5‐HT2A receptors. In developing cortex, activation of 5‐HT7, but not 5‐HT2A or 5‐HT4 receptors, elicited a robust inward current. However, the facilitation of synaptic activity mediated by all three of these receptors involved increases in both the amplitude and frequency of sEPSCs and was blocked by TTX. These results are best interpreted as indicating that all three receptor subtypes increase synaptic activity by exciting neuronal elements within the slice. No evidence was found for a postsynaptic facilitation of synaptic currents by 5‐HT. Together, these results show that the repertoire of electrophysiologically active 5‐HT receptors in prefrontal cortex is developmentally regulated, and that 5‐HT7 and 5‐HT4 receptors play a previously unsuspected role in regulating synaptic activity in this region.
Optimizing Latency and Throughput Trade-offs in a Stream Processing System

The value of stream processing systems stems largely from the timeliness of the results these systems provide. Early stream processors followed the record-at-a-time approach, servicing each data point as soon as it arrives at the system. While these systems provide good latency, their behaviors become less desirable when applications require high throughput, fault tolerance, or usage of stateful or blocking operators. More recently, systems are developed to follow the micro-batch approach, where many records are processed together as small batches, providing the missing features seemingly at the cost of latency. Given the situation, we look into a micro-batch streaming system called Spark Streaming, and investigate how well the micro-batch architecture can handle latency-sensitive workloads. We instrumented Spark Streaming to understand where time goes and where development effort should be focused on. In this paper we make three contributions. First, we provide an analysis of the performance of Spark Streaming, showing the average time breakdown within the system. Second, we identify the performance and scalability bottlenecks of Spark Streaming and pinpoint the underlying deficiencies of the system. Last, we propose and evaluate several optimizations to reduce the system overhead and achieve lower latency while maintaining throughput.
Eosinophils are Required for Immune Responses Induced by Oral Immunization

Eosinophils are multifunctional leukocytes that reside in several tissues, most abundantly in the small intestinal lamina propria under the steady state. To date, the phenotypic and functional characteristics of small intestinal eosinophils have remained poorly understood. In this study, we found that proliferation of ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD4 + T cells isolated from the mesenteric lymph nodes of eosinophil-deficient ΔdblGATA mice were decreased relative to wild-type mice after oral immunization with OVA and cholera toxin (CT), the typical mucosal adjuvant that induces CD4 + T cell-dependent responses. ΔdblGATA mice showed reduced mucosal secretion of OVA-specific IgA and IgG1 while maintaining a systemic level of anti-OVA IgG1 upon oral immunization with OVA and CT. These findings suggest that eosinophils might have a role in the modulation of T cell-mediated immune responses including mucosal antibody responses in the gastrointestinal tract following oral immunization.
Is there really an eccentric action of the hamstrings during the swing phase of high-speed running? Part II: Implications for exercise

ABSTRACT We have previously argued that there may actually be no significant eccentric, but rather predominantly an isometric action of the hamstring muscle fibres during the swing phase of high-speed running when the attachment points of the hamstrings are moving apart. Based on this we suggested that isometric rather than eccentric exercises are a more specific way of conditioning the hamstrings for high-speed running. In this review we argue that some of the presumed beneficial adaptations following eccentric training may actually not be related to the eccentric muscle fibre action, but to other factors such as exercise intensity. Furthermore, we discuss several disadvantages associated with commonly used eccentric hamstring exercises. Subsequently, we argue that high-intensity isometric exercises in which the series elastic element stretches and recoils may be equally or even more effective at conditioning the hamstrings for high-speed running, since they also avoid some of the negative side effects associated with eccentric training. We provide several criteria that exercises should fulfil to effectively condition the hamstrings for high-speed running. Adherence to these criteria will guarantee specificity with regards to hamstrings functioning during running. Practical examples of isometric exercises that likely meet several criteria are provided.
Identification and Evaluation of a Highly Effective Fusion Inhibitor for Human Metapneumovirus

ABSTRACT Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) can cause acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections that are particularly severe in young children, elderly subjects, and immunocompromised patients. To date, no treatments or vaccines are available for hMPV infections. Our objective was to assess the inhibitory potential of several peptides derived from the heptad repeat A and B (HRA and HRB) domains of the hMPV fusion protein. Nine candidate peptides were expressed in Escherichia coli or obtained synthetically and tested in vitro and in an animal model. Excellent in vitro inhibition of an hMPV strain of the A1 subgroup was obtained with five peptides, with 50% inhibitory concentrations ranging from 1.4 nM to 3.3 μM. One peptide, HRA2, displayed very potent activity against all four hMPV subgroups. It was also moderately active against human respiratory syncytial virus (strain A2) but displayed no activity against human parainfluenza virus type 3. BALB/c mice that received the HRA2 peptide and a lethal hMPV intranasal challenge simultaneously were completely protected from clinical symptoms and mortality. On day 5 postinfection, HRA2-treated mice had undetectable lung viral loads which were significantly less than those of untreated mice (3 × 104 50% tissue culture infective doses/lung). Pulmonary inflammation, levels of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines (RANTES, gamma interferon, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) and airway obstruction were also significantly decreased in HRA2-treated mice. The results of this study demonstrate that potent antivirals can be derived from the hMPV fusion protein HR domains. Moreover, hMPV, compared to other paramyxoviruses and to the human immunodeficiency virus, seems to be more susceptible to HRA- than HRB-derived peptides.
Understanding sperm DNA fragmentation

We greatly value the commentary by Dr. Gosalvez on the “Clinical utility of sperm DNA fragmentation testing: practice recommendations based on clinical scenarios” by Agarwal et al. (1). The author initiated his well-written note with an overview of the structural and physiologic significance of sperm DNA on male reproduction addressing its association with varicocele, recurrent spontaneous abortion and unexplained infertility, and its implications on embryonic development and fecundity both naturally and after assisted reproductive techniques (ART). Throughout his discussion, Dr. Gosalvez rightly highlighted the importance of understanding the etiology, root causes and types of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) as this would ultimately influence interpretation of SDF test result and our understanding of the novel treatment methods utilized in such circumstances. We want to seize this opportunity to elaborate on this particular issue.
A novel DC-DC converter with high step-down/high step-up voltage gain

Based on the conventional buck converter and the switched network, this study presents a new DC-DC buck-boost converter. The proposed buck-boost converter can realize high step-down gain when the duty cycle D is smaller than 0.414 and high step-up gain when D ranges from 0.414 to 0.5. Meanwhile, the proposed converter possesses continuous output current which makes the output filter unnecessary. Continuous and discontinuous conduction mode analyses are detailed presented. Finally, some SIMetrix simulations are implemented to verify the proposed buck-boost converter's effectiveness and feasibility.
Stages of change in the trajectory of postpartum weight self-management.

OBJECTIVE To identify women's patterns of readiness to engage in weight self-management behaviors during the postpartum period. DESIGN Prospective, longitudinal design with repeated measures, guided by the transtheoretical model of behavior change (TTM). SETTING A tertiary perinatal center in an urban setting in the midwestern United States with approximately 3,000 births annually. PARTICIPANTS One hundred ninety-one (191) adult postpartum women. METHODS Participants were surveyed in person during their postpartum hospitalizations, and by telephone at 4 and 8 weeks postpartum using the Stages of Change for Weight Management (SOCWM) and the Decisional Balance for Weight Management (DBWM) tools. RESULTS There was a significant effect of time on stage of change for women in the postpartum period, with women in a higher stage of change at 8 weeks than during the postpartum hospitalization. There were no significant differences in stage of change at any of the three time points by prepregnant weight category or by race. Nearly one half of the sample was in the contemplation stage during the postpartum hospitalization, and more than 80% were in action or maintenance stages by 8 weeks postpartum. CONCLUSIONS The early postpartum period is an opportune time to influence stage of change in women's weight management behaviors. Assessment of readiness to engage in or continue weight management behaviors will allow providers to use stage-matched interventions guided by the TTM to facilitate women's self-management of weight.
Genetic mapping of endogenous RD-114 retroviral sequences of domestic cats

The RD-114 family of endogenous retroviral sequences in domestic cats has been shown to consist of approximately 20 copies of genetically divergent virogenes per haploid genome. The chromosomal localization for four endogenous sequences (RDV1-4) was accomplished by correlating the occurrence of specific feline chromosomes with diagnostic viral DNA fragments in a panel of cat X rodent somatic cell hybrids. Analysis of the hybrid panel revealed that endogenous RD-114 sequences are dispersed on multiple cat chromosomes, that certain proviral segments are polymorphic with respect to the presence or absence of virus, and that a restriction fragment characteristic of inducible RD-114 resides on a single feline chromosome (B3), probably at a single locus.
Advances in modelling of the bovine estrous cycle : Administration of PGF 2 α

Our model of the bovine estrous cycle is a set of ordinary differential equations which generates hormone profiles of successive estrous cycles with several follicular waves per cycle. It describes the growth and decay of the follicles and the corpus luteum, as well as the change of the key substances over time. In this work we describe recent improvements of this model, including the introduction of new components, and elimination of time delays. We validate our model by showing that the simulations agree with observations from synchronization studies and with measured progesterone data after a single dose administration of synthetic prostaglandin F2a. AMS MSC 2000: 92C42, 92C30, 92C50
Developing knowledge resources to support precision medicine: principles from the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC)

To move beyond a select few genes/drugs, the successful adoption of pharmacogenomics into routine clinical care requires a curated and machine-readable database of pharmacogenomic knowledge suitable for use in an electronic health record (EHR) with clinical decision support (CDS). Recognizing that EHR vendors do not yet provide a standard set of CDS functions for pharmacogenetics, the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) Informatics Working Group is developing and systematically incorporating a set of EHR-agnostic implementation resources into all CPIC guidelines. These resources illustrate how to integrate pharmacogenomic test results in clinical information systems with CDS to facilitate the use of patient genomic data at the point of care. Based on our collective experience creating existing CPIC resources and implementing pharmacogenomics at our practice sites, we outline principles to define the key features of future knowledge bases and discuss the importance of these knowledge resources for pharmacogenomics and ultimately precision medicine.
Influence of capping agents on the growth of gold nanoparticles from aqueous and non-aqueous medium

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with different shape and size were prepared in an aqueous and non-aqueous solution using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) as a capping agent by simple chemical synthesis. In an aqueous bath Au NPs were synthesized at room temperature and high temperature was found to be suitable for non-aqueous bath. These Au NPs are characterized by using different characterization techniques. Effect of capping agent on the particle size and shape for different medium were extensively studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Physical and chemical analysis of the siliceous skeletons in six sponges of two groups (demospongiae and hexactinellida)

The siliceous skeletons of six hexactinellids and demosponges were compared using a series of physical and chemical tests. The sponges were two hermit‐crab sponges (Class Demospongiae, family Suberitidae), one from Scotland, Suberites domuncula, and the other, Pseudospongosorites suberitoides, from the Gulf of Mexico, and four hexactinellids, Hyalonema sp. , Euplectella aspergillum, Rhabdocalyptus dawsoni, and Aphrocallistes vastus. The operating hypothesis was that differences in the amorphous hydrated silica skeletons in Demosponges and Hexactinellids might prove taxonomically useful. Physical properties studied included SEM, glass density, glass transition temperature (Tg), TG/DTA to determine water content, and FTIR spectra. Chemical determinations were made using energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF). Spicular skeletal material is deposited in concentric layers around the axial canal. With the exception of differences at several bands in the IR spectra, the siliceous skeletons in demosponges and hexactinellids are largely indistinguishable. Density was similar in all sponges (range 2.03–2.13 g/cc) and similar to the density of opal (SiO2 · 1.5H2O) (mean = 2.09 g/cc). IR spectra were similar, with prominent absorption bands at 460–470, 800, and 1,090–1,100 cm−1 (due to different vibrational modes of Si‐O‐Si linkages) and at 1,650 and 3,450–3,560 cm−1 (due to water). The skeletons of all six showed similar spectra to that of silica gel both before and after heating to 1,200°C. Water comprised 10–14% of the skeleton by weight, slightly higher in the demosponges. Average spicule chemical composition was 85.2% SiO2, 12.3% water, and 2.5% other elements (mainly S, Al, K, Ca, and Na). The percent amounts of Si did not differ significantly between the demosponges and the hexactinellids. Microsc. Res. Tech. 62:336–355, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enzyme‐assisted Reforming of Glucose to Hydrogen in a Photoelectrochemical Cell ¶

Hydrogen gas has been produced by reforming glucose in a hybrid photoelectrochemical cell that couples a dye‐sensitized nanoparticulate wide band gap semiconductor photoanode to the enzyme‐based oxidation of glucose. A layer of porphyrin sensitizer is adsorbed to a TiO2 nanoparticulate aggregate sintered to a conducting glass substrate to form the photoanode. Excitation of the porphyrin results in electron injection into the TiO2, and migration to a microporous platinum cathode where hydrogen is produced by hydrogen ion reduction. The oxidized sensitizer dye is reduced by NADH, regenerating the dye and poising the NAD+/NADH redox couple oxidizing. The NAD+ is recycled to NADH by the enzyme glucose dehydrogenase, which obtains the necessary electrons from oxidation of glucose. The reforming of glucose produces gluconolactone, which hydrolyzes to gluconate; the electrochemical potential necessary to overcome thermodynamic and kinetic barriers to hydrogen production by NADH is provided by light. The quantum yield of hydrogen is ∼2.5%.
Temporal lobectomy outcome in older versus younger adults

Article abstract A total of 340 patients age 50 years and older were compared with 30 patients younger than 50 years, all of whom had anterior temporal lobectomy for refractory epilepsy. Seizure outcome, neuropsychological test scores, and change in driving status were analyzed. Age and duration of epilepsy were related independently to outcome, but laterality of interictal sharp waves (an early epilepsy risk factor) and presence of tumor were not. Sixteen patients (52%) in the older group and 257 patients (75.6%) in the younger group (p < 0.008) were seizure free. Postoperative neuropsychological outcome and driving status were similar in older and younger patients.