Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feedback-controlled ion beam sculpting apparatus

We report the design of an “ion sculpting” instrument that enables the controlled fabrication of nanometer-sized structures in solid-state materials. The instrument employs a beam of kilo-electron-volt argon ions that impinge on a solid-state membrane containing prefabricated structures such as holes, slits, or cavities whose properties are to be modified. By controlling both the ion beam parameters and sample temperature, the instrument can be adjusted to either deliver or remove material from these articulations, for example opening or closing holes of various shapes. The instrument is unique in its use of feedback control for the crafting of structures that define a hole through which a component of the incident ion beam is permitted to pass and be monitored. Electrostatic ion optics refocus ions transmitted unimpeded through the hole, onto a detector capable of registering single ions. The transmission rate is a direct, real-time measure of the transmitting area that is used as a feedback signal to tr.
Changing patterns of cervical cancer.

radio prototype, In the Psychiatrist's Chair, and you and I, as flies on the wall, have enjoyed the advantage of the visual close up as the surest sign of the interviewee's relaxation and honesty, as well as of their less attractive opposites. Petula Clark, for example, while never anything other than honest, was instantly and visibly far from relaxed when her bland half regrets about being young, rich, and famous were swept away by Professor Clare's gentle search for her mother, virtually absent from all previous biographical accounts. Indeed, throughout the series it was his persuasive lightness of touch which allowed the interviewer to gain insight without pushing inquiry into interrogation and without dwelling interminably on the superficial and banal. Thus he encouraged George Best through a series of confessions over past weakness, although he never, it emerged, extended repentance into reform. Alternatively, he could directly dismantle the facades of those to whom the studio light was like the smell of the greasepaint. John Stonehouse presented his escape to Australia as a symbolic suicide, destroying the naive idealist he had been and giving birth to the cynical realist he now was. Here Professor Clare was at his incisive best. Wasn't his present view of an evil, selfish world, he asked, simply a distorted continuation of his earlier altruism ? Only Stonehouse himself was in doubt. Admittedly his method could fail him: Sid Weighell remained cocooned in impenetrable self satisfaction, and you longed for the suggestion that this very egocentricity had led to his ignominious downfall. Occasionally, even when he succeeded, the opening was ponderous-and, as Dr Wilkinson hints, predictable-with the pursuit of a (psychodynamically) gigantic mother. And yet no single line of inquiry bore more fruit-for example, Petula Clark's sudden ill ease, and George Best's cmphatic assertion of his mother's physical beauty. The studio setting was stark and artificial but interestingly you remained unaware of it when the subjects themselves were not. Bernadette McAliskey, ending the series, presented a lively enthusiasm for her impression of society's divisions-and clearly considered it her duty to admit the public to her own certainty. If the programme's own motive was to admit the public to the secrets of psychiatry, then this was always a pompous and unattainable target. But it seemed rather that such glimpses were a secondary bonus and that the characters of the subjects themselves were the principal items on display, whites of eyes and all. LouIs APPLEBY
Endovascular Treatment of Wide-Necked Intracranial Aneurysms Using Balloon-Assisted Technique with HyperForm Balloon.

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of the balloon-assisted technique with HyperForm balloon in the endovascular treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. METHODS A total of 34 patients with 34 wide-necked intracranial aneurysms were treated with endovascular coil embolization using balloon-assisted technique with Hyperform balloon. Twenty-nine aneurysms (85.3%) were located in the anterior circulation. The group of patients was comprised of 16 men and 18 women, aged 33 to 72 years (mean : 60.6 years). The size of aneurysms was in the range of 2.0 to 22.0 mm (mean 5.5 mm) and one of neck was 2.0 to 11.9 mm (mean 3.8 mm). The dome to neck ratio was ranged from 0.83 to 1.43 (1.15). Sixteen patients were treated for unruptured aneurysms and the remaining 18 presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage. RESULTS In the 34 aneurysms treated by the remodeling technique with HyperForm balloon, immediate angiographic results consisted of total occlusion in 31 cases (91.2%) and partial occlusion in three cases (8.8%). There were five procedure-related complications (14.7%), including two coil protrusions and three thromboembolisms; Except one patient, all were successfully resolved without permanent neurologic deficit. No new bleeding occurred during the follow-up. Twenty patients (59%) underwent angiographic follow-up from 2 to 33 months (mean 9.2 months) after treatment. Focal recanalization with coil compaction of the neck portion was observed in 5 cases (25%). Only one case showed major recanalization and underwent stent-assisted coil embolization. CONCLUSION The balloon-assisted technique with Hyperform balloon is a feasible, safe, and effective endovascular treatment of wide-necked cerebral aneurysms.
Desensitisation of protease‐activated receptor‐1 (PAR‐1) in rat astrocytes: evidence for a novel mechanism for terminating Ca2+ signalling evoked by the tethered ligand

1 Protease‐activated receptor‐1 (PAR‐1), a G‐protein‐coupled receptor, is activated when thrombin cleaves its N‐terminal exodomain, thereby regulating morphology, growth and survival of neurones and astrocytes. We have investigated the mechanism of PAR‐1 desensitisation and resensitisation after proteolytic or non‐proteolytic stimulation with thrombin or thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRag), respectively. 2 In rat primary astrocytes, short‐term stimulation with thrombin resulted in a single [Ca2+]i transient and a dose‐dependent de‐ and resensitisation, as assessed by single‐cell Ca2+ imaging of fura‐2‐loaded astrocytes. 3 An initial proteolytic activation of astrocyte PAR‐1 by exposure to thrombin strongly decreased the response elicited by subsequent application of a second dose of thrombin or of TRag. In contrast, after an initial non‐proteolytic activation of astrocyte PAR‐1 by TRag, the subsequent response to thrombin, but not to an additional application of TRag, was strongly attenuated, and the time course for desensitisation was slower. 4 Based on this finding we hypothesised that after PAR‐1 activation, the ‘tethered ligand’ is proteolytically destroyed. As a consequence, the receptor becomes unresponsive to a subsequent thrombin stimulus but is still capable of responding to TRag. This hypothesis was supported by applying thermolysin, which is known to cleave PAR‐1 within its tethered‐ligand domain, and was confirmed by incubation with soybean trypsin inhibitor. 5 PAR‐1 resensitisation occurs via new PAR‐1 synthesis since resensitisation was inhibited by cycloheximide and brefeldin A. 6 From these results, we derive a novel model wherein activation of PAR‐1, in addition to initiating signal transduction, activates a protease mechanism that cleaves the N‐terminus of the receptor, thus terminating the signal and probably inducing receptor internalisation.
Women’s reproductive factors and incident cardiovascular disease in the UK Biobank

Background Studies have suggested that women’s reproductive factors are associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, findings are mixed. We assessed the relationship between reproductive factors and incident CVD in the UK Biobank. Methods Between 2006 and 2010, the UK Biobank recruited over 500 000 participants aged 40–69 years across the UK. During 7 years of follow-up, 9054 incident cases of CVD (34% women), 5782 cases of coronary heart disease (CHD) (28% women), and 3489 cases of stroke (43% women) were recorded among 267 440 women and 215 088 men without a history of CVD at baseline. Cox regression models yielded adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD, CHD and stroke associated with reproductive factors. Results Adjusted HRs (95% CI) for CVD were 1.10 (1.01 to 1.30) for early menarche (<12 years), 0.97 (0.96 to 0.98) for each year increase in age at first birth, 1.04 (1.00 to 1.09) for each miscarriage, 1.14 (1.02 to 1.28) for each stillbirth, and 1.33 (1.19 to 1.49) for early menopause (<47 years). Hysterectomy without oophorectomy or with previous oophorectomy had adjusted HRs of 1.16 (1.06 to 1.28) and 2.30 (1.20 to 4.43) for CVD. Each additional child was associated with a HR for CVD of 1.03 (1.00 to 1.06) in women and 1.03 (1.02 to 1.05) in men. Conclusions Early menarche, early menopause, earlier age at first birth, and a history of miscarriage, stillbirth or hysterectomy were each independently associated with a higher risk of CVD in later life. The relationship between the number of children and incident CVD was similar for men and women.
Developmental enamel defects and their association with dental caries in preschoolers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence, severity and association of developmental enamel defects (DED) and dental caries in a sample of 4- and 5-year-old children living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS A total of 510 children were examined in nursery schools using a penlight, a mouth mirror and a CPI probe. Dental defects were described using the modified DED index, the caries were described using the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index. RESULTS The prevalence of DED of any type was 45.4%, with that of demarcated opacities being the highest, followed by hypoplasia. The most frequently affected teeth were maxillary anterior teeth, while the least affected teeth were mandibular incisors. The mean DMFT was 3.9. A positive association between DED and caries was observed. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of enamel defects and caries was high, as the enamel defects were strongly associated with caries; therefore, this association must be considered when focusing on the prevalence of caries in the Saudi community.
The history and evolution of immigration medical screening for tuberculosis

Identifying and managing TB in immigrating populations has been an important aspect of immigration health for over a century, with the primary aim being protecting the host population by preventing the import of communicable diseases carried by the arriving migrants. This review describes the history and development of screening for TB and latent TB infection in the immigration context (describing both screening strategies and diagnostic tests used over the last century), outlining current practices and considering the future impact of new advances in screening. The recent focus of the WHO, regarding their elimination strategy, is further increasing the importance of diagnosing and treating latent TB infection. The last section of this review discusses the latest public health developments in the context of TB screening in immigrant populations.
The Effects of Methylene Blue on Lung Injury in Septic Rats

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the effects of methylene blue (MB) on NO production, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in lung injury during different stages of sepsis in rats. Material and Methods: Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 20): group C, sham operated; group CMB, sham operated and receiving MB (25 mg/kg, i.p.); group S, sepsis; group SMB, sepsis and receiving MB (25 mg/kg, i.p.). Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The MB dose was administered after CLP. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups (n = 10) which were sacrificed at 9 or 18 h after the surgical procedure. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and MPO activity, total nitrite/nitrate and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the lung tissue were measured. Lung injury was graded from 1 (injury to 25% of the field) to 4 (diffuse injury) by the pathologist. Results: In group SMB, while SOD and CAT increased in both early and late sepsis periods, GSH-PX increased significantly only in the early sepsis period when compared with group S. Increase in lung MPO activity after CLP-induced sepsis was prevented by MB administration. MB significantly decreased to nitrite/nitrate and MDA levels both in early and late sepsis periods when compared with group S (p < 0.05). Group S showed a marked increase in neutrophil infiltration into the interstitial space and thickening of the alveolar septa, whereas the alveolar damage score was lower in the SMB group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: MB reduced the MPO activity and lipid peroxidation by both decreasing oxidative stress and NO overproduction in the lungs, which resulted in the attenuation of lung injury after CLP-induced sepsis in rats.
Bovine herpes virus infections in cattle

Abstract Bovine herpes virus 1 (BHV-1) is primarily associated with clinical syndromes such as rhinotracheitis, pustular vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis, abortion, infertility, conjunctivitis and encephalitis in bovine species. The main sources of infection are the nasal exudates and the respiratory droplets, genital secretions, semen, fetal fluids and tissues. The BHV-1 virus can become latent following a primary infection with a field isolate or vaccination with an attenuated strain. The viral genomic DNA has been demonstrated in the sensory ganglia of the trigeminal nerve in infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and in sacral spinal ganglia in pustular vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis cases. BHV-1 infections can be diagnosed by detection of virus or virus components and antibody by serological tests or by detection of genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nucleic acid hybridization and sequencing. Inactivated vaccines and modified live virus vaccines are used for prevention of BHV-1 infections in cattle; subunit vaccines and marker vaccines are under investigation.
Estimation and Goodness-of-Fit for Regime-Switching Copula Models with Application to Option Pricing

We consider several time series and for each of them, we fit an appropriate dynamic parametric model. This produces serially independent error terms for each time series. The dependence between these error terms is then modeled by a regime-switching copula. The EM algorithm is used for estimating the parameters and a sequential goodness-of-fit procedure based on Cramer-von Mises statistics is proposed to select the appropriate number of regimes. Numerical experiments are performed to assess the validity of the proposed methodology. As an example of application, we evaluate a European put-on-max option on the returns of two assets. In order to facilitate the use of our methodology, we have built a R package HMMcopula available on CRAN.
Analytical identification of system parameter nonlinearly coupled in dynamic transition matrix

In this paper, we focus on the problem of parameter identification in a class of linear system, where system parameter (SP) is nonlinearly coupled in dynamic transition matrix (DTM), such as the well-known maneuvering target tracking with unknown turn rate. By regarding these elements nonlinearly parameterized by SP in DTM as a group of new multiplicative parameters (MP) linearly coupled with system state, the original SP identification problem is equivalently transferred into that of MP. By doing this, MP exhibits linearity characteristic so that we propose a new EM algorithm to analytically identify MP with both accuracy and efficiency, instead of SP. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed method is illustrated in an example of estimating the turn rate in maneuvering target tracking.
Mastoparan Changes the Cellular Localization of Gαq/11 and Gβ through Its Binding to Ganglioside in Lipid Rafts

Although it is known that mastoparan, a wasp venom toxin, directly activates Gi/o, mastoparan-induced biological responses are not always explained by this mechanism. For instance, we have demonstrated previously that mastoparan suppressed phosphoinositide hydrolysis induced by carbachol in human astrocytoma cells (FEBS Lett 206:91–94, 1990). In the present study, we examined whether mastoparan affected phosphoinositide hydrolysis by interacting with lipid rafts in PC-12 cells. Mastoparan inhibited UTP-induced increase in [Ca2+]i and phosphoinositide hydrolysis in a concentration-dependent manner. UTP-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis occurred in lipid rafts, because methyl-β-cyclodextrin, a disrupting regent of lipid rafts, inhibited the hydrolysis. Mastoparan changed the localization of Gαq/11 and Gβ together with cholesterol from lipid rafts to nonraft fractions or cytosol. These changes were inhibited by ganglioside mixtures, suggesting that mastoparan interacts with gangliosides in lipid rafts. In fact, ganglioside mixtures and neuraminidase, but not sialic acid, attenuated the inhibitory effect of mastoparan on phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Furthermore, fluorescence intensity of tyrosine residue of [Tyr3]mastoparan was potentiated by ganglioside mixtures, suggesting the direct binding of mastoparan to gangliosides. Mastoparan caused cytotoxicity of PC-12 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, determined by LDH release. The mastoparan-induced cytotoxicity was significantly inhibited by neuraminidase or gangliosides. The order of inhibitory potency of gangliosides was GT1b ≈ GD1b > GD1a > GM1 >> GQ1b, but asialo-GM1 and sialic acid were inactive. These results suggest that mastoparan initially binds to gangliosides in lipid rafts and then it inhibits phosphoinositide hydrolysis by changing the localization of Gαq/11 and Gβ in lipid rafts.
CMS Solenoid Assembly

CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) is a general-purpose detector designed to run at the highest luminosity at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Its distinctive features include a 4 T superconducting solenoid with a 6 m diameter by 12.5 m long free bore, enclosed inside a 10,000-ton return yoke. The assembly of the solenoid on CERN site starts with the building up, the electrical and hydraulic connection of the 5 coil modules. After instrumentation cabling, the outer thermal shield is mounted. The cold mass is then swiveled and inserted inside the outer vacuum tank. The cold mass is supported from the outer vacuum tank by a set of titanium tie rods. After inserting the inner vacuum tank and its thermal shield, both end of the cryostat are closed. In parallel, the current leads and the cryogenic chimney are connected to the coil. This paper describes all these activities and in particular the checks performed at each step of the coil assembly
Protocolo de prevención de las infecciones del tracto urinario en personas mayores institucionalizadas

Introduccion: Las infecciones del tracto urinario constituyen una de las infecciones mas comunes y representan un grave problema de salud publica, que afecta a la calidad de vida de las personas que la padecen. Es considerada la segunda infeccion mas prevalente y habitual en ancianos institucionalizados, por lo que la implementacion de intervenciones orientadas a su prevencion constituyen una prioridad. Objetivo: Conocer la efectividad de una intervencion de enfermeria dirigida a la prevencion de las infecciones del tracto urinario en un centro residencial para la tercera edad. Metodologia: Estudio cuasi-experimental con medidas pre-test y post-test dirigido a personas mayores institucionalizadas. Para la recogida de datos se ha disenado un cuestionario unico que incluye variables sociodemograficas y del estado de salud, asi como factores de riesgo de la infeccion del tracto urinario y practica de medidas preventivas. Dicho cuestionario se administrara antes de la intervencion y 6 meses despues. Previamente a la implementacion del protocolo se determinara la prevalencia de dicha patologia. Asimismo se dirigira un cuestionario a los profesionales sanitarios a fin de conocer el nivel de conocimientos y buenas practicas en relacion a su prevencion y se contrastaran tras un seguimiento de 6 meses. Intervencion: Se estructura de acuerdo a tres fases, dirigidas por una enfermera responsable. En la primera fase se presentara la intervencion al equipo sanitario y se realizara la recogida de datos inicial. La segunda fase corresponde a la realizacion de un taller teorico- practico dirigido a los profesionales sanitarios, asi como a la presentacion del protocolo. La ultima fase comprende la recogida de datos post- intervencion. Conclusiones: El diseno de esta intervencion pretende arrojar luz hacia la disminucion de la prevalencia de infecciones del tracto urinario en centros residenciales, por medio de la implementacion de un protocolo dirigido a la prevencion de las infecciones del tracto urinario en personas mayores institucionalizadas, siendo la base la instauracion de medidas higienico-dieteticas y la buena praxis en los cuidados de enfermeria.
Determination of phthalates in raw bovine milk by gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOF-MS) and dietary intakes

Low levels of phthalates, including di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), in raw bovine milk were determined using gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOF-MS). A fast and convenient process of sample treatment combined with TOF-MS analysis (medium resolution >5000), yielded good recoveries (85–125%) and low limits of detection (<0.002 mg kg−1). The most commonly used phthalate, DEHP, was found in 15 out of 30 samples monitored in this study. DEHP concentrations in raw milk ranged from not detected to 0.154 mg kg−1, and the mean concentration was 0.057 mg kg−1. The dietary intake of DEHP was about 0.004 mg kg−1 body weight day−1 if a child (24 months, 13 kg body weight) drinks 1 L day−1 of milk that contains the mean concentration of DEHP found in raw milk. The estimated dietary intake corresponded to 8% of the European Union tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.05 mg kg−1 body weight day−1. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) were found from two and 20 samples, respectively, at low levels. Diethyl phthalate (DEP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) were not found in any of the samples.