Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smoking Rather than Diet Deficiency is Related with Airway Obstruction in Korea

See Article on Page 132-139 Lung is an organ which contacts thousands of environmental toxins every day. Dietary factors such as antioxidant vitamins are known to have been implicated in the prevention of pulmonary emphysema [1-3]. To investigate the relationship between the dietary factor and the development of obstructive airway disease, Dr. Lee and colleagues analyzed Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II), and found that only low protein intake was associated with obstructive airway disease among dietary factors, and non-dietary factors such as smoking, hypertension, and a low income were closely associated with airway obstruction. The association between obstructive airway and dietary deficiency is already published. A study conducted in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II revealed that incidence of emphysema was 13.5% in people who died of starvation [4]. Coxson et al. [5] also showed that severity of emphysema measured by computerized tomography was greater in an anorexic group. However, in Korea, obesity was more prevalent than malnutrition in NHANES II [6]. The proportion of low body mass index (BMI) was only 4.6%, while high BMI was seen in 30.6% (Fig. 1). Therefore, obesity rather than nutritional deficiency seems to be an important factor of health problem in general Korean population. In the other way, population with low income is more vulnerable to malnutrition. Thus, low income may cause low BMI, and this may be associated with obstructive airway disease. This presumption may be supported by subgroup analysis that low BMI population shows the close relationship between dietary deficiency and the development of obstructive airway disease in NHANES II. Figure 1 The proportion of obesity in Korean population according to sex. Definitions by body mass index (BMI): low body weight, < 18.5 kg/m2; normal, 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2; overweight, 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2; mild obesity, 30.0 to 34.9 kg/m2; severe obesity, . Smoking is a well known cause of chronic obstructive airway disease worldwide, and smoking cessation is the only effective way to ameliorate the speed of the lung volume reduction, to reduce the development of emphysema, and to prevent airway inflammation and carcinogenesis. Smoking was 5 times more risky to develop airway obstruction in Korean population. Moreover, smokers with hypertension had more than 7 times higher risk of airway obstruction than never-smokers without hypertension. Epidemiologic studies evaluating the risk of heart disease have consistently shown that reduced lung function is a major risk factor for cardiac death [7]. Therefore, smoking cessation should be the urgent target to prevent airway obstruction, hypertension and death in Korea.
Artificial Tactile Sensor With Pin-type Module for Depth Profile and Surface Topography Detection

Haptic sensors based on piezoelectric sensor arrays with pin-type modules which have high responses and dynamic sensing capabilities are designed and studied for surface topography measurements. Unlike the human finger, most flexible tactile sensor designs do not detect the depth information of surfaces well, which change at the mm level despite the fact that they have a good sensitivity for pressure or force. To enhance the ability to detect depth information of the surfaces of objects, a piezoelectric sensor combining a pin-type module with excellent monitoring in the depth direction by spring is developed in this paper. Because spike types of piezoelectric signals do not match a specific surface topography directly, a signal processing method that reconstructs the surface topography is studied considering the piezoelectric working principle and spring dynamics. According to the sensor design, it can detect 3 mm depth changes with a two-dimensional plane structure at mm-level resolutions. The results show that the proposed sensor could measure various shapes and depth profiles precisely via a sliding motion, and the surface topography is reconstructed through highly accurate measurement results, similar to a human.
Mimojaterní projevy NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, nealkoholové postižení jater při steatóze). Jde o příčinnou souvislost?

Clanek přehledně pojednava o NAFLD a vztahu k mimojaternim onemocněnim. Jde o sirokou problematiku, ktera bude vyžadovat detailni dosetřeni v dalsich studiich, ktere by měly objasnit, zda jde o koincidenci nebo přicinnou souvislost. Silne důkazy pro takový vztah jsou u chorob kardiovaskularnich a T2DM. Hypoteticky se o takovem vztahu uvažuje u chorob ledvin, kolorektalniho karcinomu, u některých endokrinopatii, u syndromu spankove apnoe, u osteoporozy, event. u dalsich nemoci.
Strategies for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in foods

This review assesses the various methods used to detect Escherichia coli O157:H7 in foods. As this organism has been involved in many outbreaks of disease, it is essential to develop a rapid, yet reliable, method of detection. Conventional methods such as culturing and biochemical tests are covered, followed by a discussion of immunological methods. Both enzymatic and nonenzymatic approaches are discussed, and commercially available kits based on these principles are described. PCR has allowed the rapid amplification of very small numbers of organisms and standard PCR along with multiplex and real-time PCR are discussed. Biosensors and microarrays can provide real-time detection and the current status of each of these is reviewed. It is believed that molecular beacons and integrated systems (lab-on-a-chip) can offer potential advantages for the detection of this pathogen and both are analysed. Drawbacks and advantages of each method described are considered throughout the article. 2. INTRODUCTION
HIV type-1 drug resistance testing on dried blood spots is feasible and reliable in patients who fail antiretroviral therapy in rural Tanzania

Background HIV type-1 (HIV-1) drug resistance testing is rarely available in resource-limited settings because of high costs and stringent requirements for storage and transport of plasma. Dried blood spots (DBS) can be a convenient alternative to plasma, but the use of DBS needs validation under field conditions. We assessed the performance of DBS in genotypic resistance testing of patients who failed first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in rural Tanzania. Methods A total of 36 ART-experienced patients with viral loads >1,000 copies/ml (median 15,180 copies/ml [range 1,350–3,683,000]) and with various HIV-1 subtypes were selected for resistance testing. DBS were stored with desiccant at ambient temperature for a median of 29 days (range 8–89). Samples were amplified using an in-house reverse transcriptase-nested PCR method and sequenced using the ViroSeq™ assay (Abbott Molecular, Des Plaines, IL, USA). DBS-derived genotypes were compared with genotypes from plasma. Results Overall, 34 of 36 (94%) DBS specimens were successfully genotyped. In the protease region, of 142 polymorphisms found in plasma, 132 (93%) were also detected in DBS. In the reverse transcriptase region, of 57 clinically relevant mutations present in plasma, 51 (89%) were also detected in DBS. A total of 30 of 34 (88%) patients had identical resistance profiles to antiretroviral drugs in plasma and DBS. Conclusions Genotyping was successful in the vast majority of DBS specimens stored at ambient temperature for up to 3 months, and there was high concordance between mutations found in DBS and plasma. Our study suggests that DBS can be a feasible and reliable tool to monitor HIV-1 drug resistance in patients on ART in resource-limited settings.
Improved Responsivity Drop From 250 to 200 nm in Sputtered Gallium Oxide Photodetectors by Incorporating Trace Aluminum

A solar-blind photodetector (PD) based on the cosputtered aluminum–gallium oxide (AGO) material after thermal annealing at 900 °C has been demonstrated using a metal–semiconductor–metal structure. By incorporating optimum trace aluminum (Al), the AGO PD shows the peak responsivity (at 230 nm) of 1.38 A/W under a bias voltage of 5 V, which is 53.61 times greater than that of the PD from the gallium oxide (GO) film without incorporating any Al content. The photocurrent, dark current, and detectivity (at 5 V and 230 nm) of AGO PD are also improved to be 46.4, 0.83, and 96.5 times, respectively, greater than those of GO one. Unlike conventional GO samples revealing obvious drop in spectral response from 250 to 200 nm, the AGO PD with an Al/(Al + Ga) ratio of 1.8% exhibits a nearly flat responsivity curve in the deep ultraviolet region. This improvement is significant compared with previous reports for the GO and AGO PDs by other growth methods.
Closed loop contol of high conversion ratio isolated bidirectional dc to dc converter

A bidirectional dc to dc converter is necessary between the energy storage battery and the supply to match the voltage level. For high to low power range application bidirectional isolated converter is proposed. The isolated bidirectional converter is operated in both step down and step up modes. In this work, Bidirectional Isolated DC-DC converter is designed to operate with high conversion ratio and high efficiency. By using a voltage doubler circuit in high voltage side increase the conversion ratio. The simulation of the circuit with high voltage of 200V, Low voltage of 24V input, and output power of 200W is done using MATLAB.
Conductivity structure of the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary beneath the eastern North American margin

Tectonic plate motion and mantle dynamics processes are heavily influenced by the characteristics of the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary (LAB), yet this boundary remains enigmatic regarding its properties and geometry. The processes involved in rifting at passive margins result in substantial alteration of the lithosphere through the transition from continental to oceanic lithologies. Here we employ marine magnetotelluric (MT) data acquired along a ∼135 km long profile, offshore Martha's Vineyard, New England, USA, to image the electrical conductivity structure beneath the New England continental margin for the first time. We invert the data using two different MT 2‐D inversion algorithms and present a series of models that are obtained using three different parameterizations: fully unconstrained, unconstrained with an imposed LAB discontinuity and a priori constrained lithosphere resistivity. This suite of models infers variability in the depth of the LAB, with an average depth of 115 km at the eastern North America passive margin. Models robustly detect a ∼350 Ωm lithospheric anomalous conductivity zone (LACZ) that extends vertically through the entire lithosphere. Our preferred conductivity model is consistent with regional P‐to‐S receiver function data, shear‐wave velocity, gravity anomalies, and prominent geological features. We propose that the LACZ is indicative of paleolithospheric thinning, either resulting from kimberlite intrusions associated with rifting and the New England Great Meteor hot spot track, or from shear‐driven localized deformation related to rifting.
Control of a direct matrix converter induction motor drive with modulated model predictive control

This paper investigates the use of a novel model-predictive control strategy to control an induction motor fed by a matrix converter. The proposed control method combines the features of classical Model Predictive Control and the Space Vector Modulation technique into a Modulated Model Predictive Control. This new solution maintains all the characteristics of Model Predictive Control (such as fast transient response, multi-objective control using only a single feedback loop, easy inclusion of nonlinearities and constraints of the system, the flexibility to include other system requirements within the controller) adding the advantages of operating at a fixed switching frequency and improving the quality of the controlled waveforms. Simulation results employing the control method to a direct matrix converter induction motor drive are presented.
Encapsulación de Alimentos Probióticos mediante Liofilización en Presencia de Prebióticos.

espanolSe evaluo Curante liofilizacion y almacenamiento, el efecto Ce los prebioticos inulina y fructo-oligosacariCo-FOS (25% p/v) sobre las propieCaCes fisicoquimicas Ce los polvos y la viabilidad Ce las cepas L. casei ATCC-393 y Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC-9469. La humeCaC, la activiCaC Ce agua y los recuentos Ce celulas viables no menores a 106 UFCg-1 fueron los criterios Ce estabiliCaC. Se evaluaron las propieCaCes Ce rehiCratacion (higroscopiciCaC, humectabiliCaC, solubiliCaC) y estructurales (tamano Ce poro, area superficial). En el almacenamiento (20±2°C) se Ceterminaron Ciferencias significativas en la supervivencia; para L casei fue Ce 70.49% a los 63 Cias y para L. rhamnosus fue 73.58% a los 98 Cias. Para ambos microorganismos la humeCaC y la activiCaC Ce agua se incrementaron por encima Cel 50%; el tamano Ce poro se incremento por la aCicion Ce los prebioticos y el area superficial (BET) reporto valores bajos. Se Cemostro que la inulina genera una mayor estabiliCaC al L. rhamnosus permitienCo su aplicacion en alimentos funcionales con potencial simbiotico. EnglishDuring lyophilization and storage the effects of the prebiotics inulin and fructo-oligosaccharide-FOS (25% w/v) on the physicochemical properties of powders and the viability of the strains L. casei ATCC-393 y Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC-9469 were evaluated. Humidity, water activity and the viable cell counts not less than 106 CFUg-1 were the stability criteria. Properties of rehydration (hygroscopicity, wettability, solubility) and structural properties (pore size, surface area) were evaluated. Significant differences in survival during storage (20 ± 2 ° C) were determined. For L casei was 70.49% after 63 days and for L. rhamnosus was 73.58% after 98 days. For both microorganisms, the moisture and the water activity, increased above 50%; the pore size was increased by addition of prebiotics and the surface area (BET) reported low values. It is shown that inulin generates greater stability for L. rhamnosus, allowing its application in functional foods with symbiotic potential.
Tuberculosis diagnosis--time for a game change.

The effective treatment of tuberculosis is a lifesaving intervention. The global scale-up of tuberculosis therapy has averted 6 million deaths over the past 15 years, making it one of the greatest public health interventions of our lifetime.1 Unfortunately, by the time most patients are treated, they have already infected many others.2 This failure to interrupt transmission fuels the global epidemic so that every year there are more new cases of tuberculosis than in the previous year.1 National tuberculosis programs are particularly challenged by multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Globally, fewer than 2% of the estimated cases of multidrug-resistant disease are reported to the .
PSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF MONOAMINE OXIDASE ACTIVITY IN NORMALS

This study replicates and extends earlier work by finding that low levels of platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity correlate with sensation seeking, high ego strength, positive affect, and high leisure time activity levels, somewhat similar psychological correlates also being found for plasma amine oxidase activity. Although there are several ways in which a schizophrenia/MAO relationship may exist and still be congruent with the present data, these results pose difficulties for theories which link low MAO activity levels specifically to schizophrenia. Nothing in the present findings, however, is incongruent with the possibility of an association between low platelet MAO activity and bipolar affective disorder.
Actuator and Sensor Fault Reconstruction Using an LPV Sliding Mode Observer

This paper presents a new actuator and sensor fault reconstruction scheme for Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) systems, based on a sliding mode observer. Two separate observer schemes for actuator and sensor fault reconstruction are presented. For the design of the actuator fault reconstruction scheme, the varying input distribution matrix has been factorized into a flxed and a varying component. A virtual system comprising the system matrix and the flxed input distribution matrix is used for the design of the observer. The flxed input distribution matrix facilitates a coordinate transformation which deflnes the observer gains and ensures a stable closed-loop reduced order sliding motion. The ‘output error injection signals’ from the observer are used for reconstruction. For the sensor fault design, augmenting the LPV system with a flltered version of the faulty measurements allows the problem of sensor fault reconstruction design to be posed as an actuator fault reconstruction problem. Simulation tests based on an LPV and high-fldelity model of a large transport aircraft have been used to demonstrate the proposed actuator and sensor FDI scheme. The simulation results show good reconstruction of the faults for both actuator and sensors.
Murine monoclonal antibodies to Klebsiella pneumoniae protect against lethal endotoxemia and experimental infection with capsulated K. pneumoniae

To prepare monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against the core-lipid A fractions of smooth lipopoly-saccharide (LPS) from Klebsiella pneumoniae O1:K2, we immunized BALB/c mice with the LPS-associated proteins plus LPS. This preparation exposed the core-lipid A moiety, which is normally hidden in the micellar structure of classical LPS preparations. Among 10 MAbs selected for their reactivity with LPS-associated proteins plus LPS from K. pneumoniae O1:K2, 6 (3A3, 3C2, 3C4, 7D2, 11C3, and 12B6) were directed against the core fraction and 2 (6C5 and 10A5) were directed against the lipid A fraction. Only one (2A4) recognized the O antigen, and one (6D5) had an undefined specificity. When injected before challenge with K. pneumoniae O1:K2 LPS in galactosamine-sensitized mice, five of the MAbs (3C4, 6D5, 7D2, 11C3, and 12B6) provided protection in this model of lethal endotoxemia. MAb 7D2 was also protective in an experimental infection with capsulated K. pneumoniae O1:K2.
The role of intranuclear lamin complexes in muscular dystrophy

Die Kernlamina ist ein fibrillares Netzwerk, das als Teil der Kernhulle neben anderen Aufgaben vorwiegend fur die Stabilitat des Zellkerns sorgt. Seine Hauptkomponenten sind A-Typ Lamine (neben B-Typ Laminen), die verschiedene Krankheiten, sogenannte Laminopathien, verursachen konnen, sollten sie von Gendefekten betroffen sein. Das Lamina-assoziierte Polypeptid 2α (LAP2α) ist ein nukleoplasmisches Membranprotein, das den Teil der A-Typ Lamine bindet, der sich im Zellkerninneren befindet. Diese sogenannten intranuklearen Komplexe (aus Laminen und LAP2α) spielen in der Regulierung der Zellzyklusprogression von Gewebsvorlauferzellen eine Rolle, die vom Retinoblastoma-Protein bestimmt wird. Um die von Mutationen in einem der beiden Bindungspartner oder durch das Fehlen von LAP2α verursachten in vivo Effekte naher zu bestimmen, analysierte ich insbesondere zwei Mutationen: Die Mutation ΔK32 in A-Typ Laminen (unter Verwendung eines Doppelmutanten- Mausmodells) und die Mutation P426L in LAP2α (unter Verwendung von Patientengewebsproben und primaren Zellen). Die Mutation ΔK32 in A-Typ Laminen verursacht eine schwere kongenitale Muskeldystrophie im Menschen und einen Muskel-Maturationsdefekt im transgenen LmnaΔK32/ΔK32 knock-in Mausmodell. Auf molekularer Ebene war das mutierte Protein signifikant reduziert und misslokalisierte ins Zellkerninnere anstatt an die Zellkernperipherie. Um die Hypothese zu testen, dass ein anormal regulierter Pool von Intranuklearkomplexen zum Krankheitsbild der LmnaΔK32/ΔK32 Mause beitragen kann, loschten wir zusatzlich LAP2α aus, indem wir Lap2α-/- Mause mit LmnaΔK32/ΔK32 Mausen kreuzten. In den daraus resultierenden Doppelmutanten war der auf der ΔK32 Mutation basierende Muskeldefekt unverandert. Lamin ΔK32 bewahrte seine Fahigkeit, an LAP2α zu binden; Seine intranukleare Lokalisation wurde aber nicht - im Kontrast zum Wild-Typ Lamin - von LAP2α beeinflusst. Andererseits fuhrte das Fehlen von LAP2α in LmnaΔK32/ΔK32 Mausen zu einer veranderten Regulierung von Gewebsvorlauferzellen, genauso wie im Wild-Typ. Zusammenfassend lasst sich sagen, dass ein von LAP2α unabhangiger Assemblierungsdefekt des ΔK32 Proteins fur den Phanotyp bestimmend ist, obwohl die mit LAP2α in Zusammenhang stehenden Funktionen in der Regulierung der Vorlauferzellen nicht beeintrachtigt werden. Die Mutation P426L in LAP2α wurde erst kurzlich entdeckt und segregiert mit einem Emery-Dreifuss Muskeldystrophie Phanotyp. Die Mutation wirkte sich weder storend auf die Fahigkeit von LAP2α aus, an Lamine zu binden, noch beeintrachtigte es die Expression oder Lokalisierung von Lamin A/C in primaren Patienten- Fibroblasten oder Muskelbiopsien. Interessanterweise verfugen Patienten- Fibroblasten uber weniger Retinoblastoma Protein und zeigten eine verminderte Zellzyklusregulierung in vitro. Diese Daten weisen darauf hin, dass die P426L Mutation die zuvor festgestellte Funktion LAP2αs in der pRb-bestimmten Regulierung der Zellzyklusprogression von Gewebsvorlauferzellen beeinflusst, was wiederum zum Krankheitsbild beitragen konnte.
OFDM signals based on shaping filters

In this paper we formulate OFDM signals based on explicit pulse shaping filtering. A rectangular pulse in time domain for shaping filtering is most often used, but it has SNR loss compared to a shaping filter with a brick-wall frequency domain filter since in practice both require guard time or guard band. Our formulation of OFDM signal based purely on shaping filter may provide a common platform, and both can be implemented efficiently using DFT and commutating polyphase filters.
Inhibitory effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide on vasoactive intestinal peptide-induced stimulation of adrenocortical secretion.

The occurrence of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in various structures of the central nervous system has been shown by a number of investigators. Immunoreactive VIP was also demonstrated in nerve endings of the hypothalamus (EMSON et al., 1978; BESSON et al., 1979) and in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal blood (SAID and PORTER, 1979). From these findings, VIP seems to be involved in the control of pituitary hormone secretion. Actually, several reports indicated that VIP stimulates the secretion of prolactin, affecting prolactin cells directly (SHAAR et al., 1979; ENJALBERT et al., 1980; ROTSZTEJN et al., 1980). Moreover, the release of growth hormone was shown to be influenced by VIP indirectly through the inhibition of somatostatin secretion (EPELBAUM et al., 1979; TAPIA-ARANCIBIA et a1.,1980). As to the release of ACTH, we have observed that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of VIP stimulates the pituitary-adrenocortical axis, but in vitro experiments showed that VIP could not cause the release of ACTH from the pituitary tissue (IToH et al., 1982). We also found that cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) possesses a sedative action (KATSUURA and IToH, 1982) and does not affect ACTH secretion when injected i.c. v. into rats (IToH et al., 1982). Along the line of these observations, it would be of interest to examine the interaction of VIP and CCK-8 in regard to ACTH secretion. Male Wistar rats, weighing 250-300 g, were housed at a constant temperature of 25°C under a controlled illumination of light/dark cycle, lights turned on