Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of short-term vitamin C on plasma bun, uric acid, cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The effects of daily 0.5 g vitamin C on plasma urea nitrogen, uric acid, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were recorded over a period of one month. There was a significant reduction in plasma cholesterol level (P less than 0.05). There was no significant effect of vitamin C on plasma urea nitrogen, uric acid and triglyceride levels (P greater than 0.05). It was a placebo-controlled trial. The research and control groups were formed of 105 and 47 volunteer university students, respectively. In these groups the mean ages were 20 +/- 0.33 (mean +/- S.E.M.) and 20 +/- 0.49 years, respectively. Mean body mass indices were 22.2 +/- 0.13 and 22.3 +/- 0.19 kg/m2, respectively.
Neurotransmission in Parkinson’s disease: beyond dopamine

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is most frequently associated with characteristic motor symptoms that are known to arise with degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. However, patients with this disease also experience a multitude of non‐motor symptoms, such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, apathy, anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, dementia, olfactory dysfunction, pain, sweating and constipation, some of which can be at least as debilitating as the movement disorders and have a major impact on patients’ quality of life. Many of these non‐motor symptoms may be evident prior to the onset of motor dysfunction. The neuropathology of PD has shown that complex, interconnected neuronal systems, regulated by a number of different neurotransmitters in addition to dopamine, are involved in the aetiology of motor and non‐motor symptoms. This review focuses on the non‐dopaminergic neurotransmission systems associated with PD with particular reference to the effect that their modulation and interaction with dopamine has on the non‐motor symptoms of the disease. PD treatments that focus on the dopaminergic system alone are unable to alleviate both motor and non‐motor symptoms, particularly those that develop at early stages of the disease. The development of agents that interact with several of the affected neurotransmission systems could prove invaluable for the treatment of this disease.
Commentary: Revascularization in Chronic Arterial Occlusions: A Short Summary

The revascularization of chronic arterial occlusions (CTO) is and always has been the Achilles heel of endovascular therapy. CTOs are classified as type C (single lesion or occlusion of more than 5 cm) or type D (complete common femoral or superficial femoral occlusion or complete and proximal trifurcation occlusion) by the TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) guidelines on the management of peripheral artery disease. The article by Husmann et al. presented us with an opportunity to comment on the problems of revascularization in CTOs. Generally, from a technical point of view, recanalization cannot be achieved in most CTOs using intraluminal techniques alone because calcification is so extensive that it is practically impossible to pass a guidewire intraluminally. Therefore, CTOs have historically been classified as surgical lesions. However, subintimal angioplasty often is technically possible in occlusions. In a recent meta-analysis of 506 subintimal angioplasty procedures in superficial femoral artery occlusions, Scott et al. reported a technical success rate of 87%, which shows that those lesions ordinarily destined for bypass surgery are potential candidates for treatment by nonsurgical interventionists. In contrast to subintimal angioplasty, intraluminal recanalizations are prone to early restenosis because of the heterogeneity and thrombogenicity of the heavily calcified and extremely irregular vessel wall. One of the advantages of subintimal angioplasty is that the false lumen created by this technique is free from both endothelium and atheroma, which may contribute to improved long-term results since restenosis is frequently due to either neointimal hyperplasia or atheroma formation. Because heavy calcifications in CTOs compress the subintimal channel considerably, the use of stents with good radial force, e.g., the SMART stent, is often to be recommended. Unfortunately, this increases the thrombogenicity and introduces the potential for in-stent restenosis, especially in long stented segments. To reduce these problems, investigators recommend using long balloons inflated only once rather than several times and just one (long) stent rather than multiple short stents. Another advantage of subintimal recanalization is that older patients often have severe comorbidities, so a percutaneous approach is associated with lower morbidity and/or mortality compared to surgery. Also to be considered in the choice of treatment are the aims of limb salvage and maintaining the potential for a subsequent bypass graft should reocclusion occur. In the subintimal approach, it is advantageous to achieve proximal re-entry below the occlusion to conserve potentially important side branches for secondary bypass anastomosis. The question is: How valid is subintimal recanalization clinically? In their meta-analysis, Scott et al. reported that clinical outcome
Systemic anti-VEGF treatment strongly reduces skin inflammation in a mouse model of psoriasis

Although, vascular remodeling is a hallmark of many chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis, anti-vascular strategies to treat these conditions have received little attention to date. We investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of systemic blockade of VEGF-A by the inhibitory monoclonal antibody G6–31, employing a therapeutic trial in a mouse model of psoriasis. Simultaneous deletion of JunB and c-Jun (DKO*) in the epidermis of adult mice leads to a psoriasis-like phenotype with hyper- and parakeratosis and increased subepidermal vascularization. Moreover, an inflammatory infiltrate and elevated levels of cytokines/chemokines including TNFα, IL-1α/β, IL-6, and the innate immune mediators IL-22, IL-23, IL-23R, and IL-12p40 are detected. Here we show that anti-VEGF antibody treatment of mice already displaying disease symptoms resulted in an overall improvement of the psoriatic lesions leading to a reduction in the number of blood vessels and a significant decrease in the size of dermal blood and lymphatic vessels. Importantly, anti-VEGF–treated mice showed a pronounced reduction of inflammatory cells within the dermis and a normalization of epidermal differentiation. These results demonstrate that systemic blockade of VEGF by an inhibitory antibody might be used to treat patients who have inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis.
Letter: Lack of fast glycoclytic fibers in the ankle extensors of the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis).

To accomodate the unique demands of a feeding niche which requires them to nightly wander great distances, striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) have evolved locomotor patterns which are both deliberate and economical. The physiologic, histochemical, biochemical and biomechanical characteristics which form the foundation of these patterns are under study in our laboratory. The initial results of the histochemical aspects of this study are unique and warrant early communication. The primary ankle extensors of the striped skunk lack the fast glycolytic (FG) fibers which are normally found in significant proportions (41 to 73%) (1) in the ankle extensor muscles of other mammals. Two male and one female striped skunks, which had been kept for a year in cages allowing moderate movement, were used for histochemical analysis. They had been fed dried food and tap water ad libiturn throughout this period. Prior to taking the samples the animals were anesthetized with pentobarbital (30 mg/kg). Each of the muscles, medial
New Type of Polymeric Indium Tellurides: Low-Temperature Synthesis and Structure Characterization of [M(en)(3)]In(2)Te(6) (M = Fe, Zn) and alpha- and beta-[Mo(3)(en)(3)(&mgr;(2)-Te(2))(3)(&mgr;(3)-Te)(&mgr;(3)-O)]In(2)Te(6).

Crystal growth of metal tellurides and tellurometalates employing solvothermal reactions at temperatures below 200 degrees C have resulted in four new indium tellurium phases, [Fe(en)(3)](In(2)Te(6)) (I), [Zn(en)(3)](In(2)Te(6)) (II), and alpha- and beta-[Mo(3)(en)(3)(&mgr;(2)-Te(2))(3)(&mgr;(3)-Te)(&mgr;(3)-O)]In(2)Te(6) (III-alpha and III-beta). Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses show that I and II are isostructural and belong to the orthorhombic crystal system, space group P2(1)()2(1)()2(1)() (No. 19). Compound I: a = 11.654 (1) Å, b = 12.968(2) Å, c = 16.273(2) Å, Z = 4. Compound II: a = 11.662(2) Å, b = 12.948(2) Å, c = 16.285(1) Å, Z = 4. The two polymorphs III-alpha and III-beta crystallize in the monoclinic system. Compound III-alpha: a = 11.815(2) Å, b = 21.769(3)Å, c = 14.498(4) Å, beta = 95.43(2) degrees, Z = 4, space group P2(1)()/c (No. 14). Compound III-beta: a = 22.154(3) Å, b = 11.550(2)Å, c = 14.230(2) Å, beta = 99.05(1) degrees, Z = 4, space group P2(1)()/a (No. 14). All four are Zintl compounds containing novel one-dimensional polymeric chains of [(In(2)Te(6))(2)(-)] that can be described as alternating fused five-membered rings [(In(3+))(2)(Te(2)(2)(-))(Te(2)(-))], joined at the In atoms.
Study on Resonant Gate Driver circuits for high frequency applications

This paper presents an overview on advantages and limitations of existing resonant gate drivers for the high-frequency applications. Conventional gate drive circuits dissipate energy in gate resistance and this energy is independent of gate resistance. Instead of dissipating all the energy, some of the energy can be recovered or recycled using the principle of resonance. This paper analyzes various gate drive circuits and presents their advantages and limitations. The gate drive circuits are simulated on LTspice Simulation Software. Simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the analysis.
Outcome of cervical near-hanging injuries.

BACKGROUND Cervical near-hangings are not rare, but have received little attention in the trauma literature. Increasing numbers of patients received from our local jail and detention centers prompted this study. METHODS Seventeen-year review of a level I Trauma Center Registry identified 67 patients with cervical strangulation for study. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test to evaluate continuous predictors, and Fisher's exact test for categorical predictors. RESULTS Ten of 67 patients died (14.9% mortality). Patients having a lower Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) at the scene (3.5 +/- 1.3 vs. 8.3 +/- 5.0; p = 0.001) and lower GCS in the emergency department (ED) (3.0 +/- 0.0 vs. 9.0 +/- 5.3; p < 0.001) were more likely to die. Injuries consisted predominantly of neck abrasions and anoxic brain injuries (83% mortality). Laryngeal fractures and carotid arterial injuries were detected. No cervical spine fractures were seen, but subluxations were identified. Forty-two percent of the patients were in detention centers when the near-hanging incident occurred. CONCLUSIONS Cervical near-hangings are referred to the Trauma Service for evaluation. Scene or ED GCS of 3 does not preclude neurologically intact survival, although mortality is high. In our study, the most useful prognostic factors were the need for airway control by intubation or cricothyrotomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, lower scene and ED GCS, and cerebral edema on CT Scan. Optimal evaluation includes head and neck CT and CT angiography of the neck. We plan to share these results with local authorities and encourage improvement in risk identification, with earlier involvement of mental health personnel.
Cross-national and Cross-industrial Comparison of Two Strategy Approaches for Global Industrial Evolution

This research focuses on analyzing the two prime science and technology (S&T) strategy approaches for industrial evolution based on the concept of S&T gap, namely, the optimist and pragmatist approaches. Particularly, the cases of global IC, pharmaceutical, and computer industries, are used to make cross-national and cross-industrial comparison of these two approaches. The optimist approach is developed based on the product life cycle theory which envisions technology transcending everyday limitations. With this perspective, market demand is the most critical factor in selecting the S&T strategy approaches. The pragmatist approach is formed based on the new trade theory which recognizes the power of science and technology but seeks to fit it into structures that already exist, and government must manage resources pouring into science and technology. Case studies of global IC, pharmaceutical, and computer industries during the 2nd half of the 20th century are used as research targets to reflect policy impacts on the technological evolution. The results of this study reveal that, strategy approaches have to be adapted and turned to the specific stage, technology level, and market segment that have been selected for intervention. This result of comparison also offers the criteria of strategy approach selection for developing different industry based on distinct national base.
Flow-volume curves and breathing patterns during exercise in patients with obstructive lung disease.

AbstractFlow-volume curves were recorded in 12 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease at rest, and during forced expiratory vital capacity (MEFV curves) and work. At rest most patients breathed along the MEFV curves, and all reached it at light exercise. During maximal exercise somewhat higher flows were achieved than at corresponding lung volume in the MEFV curve. Respiratory mid-position was increased. Gas exchange studies during exercise did not explain the limitation of exercise tolerance.
Externalization Method and Its Evaluation of Know-how Information for Care Planning Processes by Awareness of Novices

The know-how information to perceive care needs based on assessment results is crucial to improve the quality of care service. We developed a know-how information sharing system for care planning processes. We propose a method that externalizes and shares know-how information by visualizing and observing care plans drawn by experts in various forms that allow beginners to notice the differences between the plans of novices and experts. Sharing know-how information is possible by recording, accumulating, and referring to what has been observed when comparing documents. This system two-dimensionally maps and visualizes each document based on the differences among documents perceived by the assessment results. Externalizing and sharing know-how information are supported by visualization. Trial results in a care facility confirmed that our system effectively externalized and shared know-how information. Improvement in individual capabilities, organization growth, and the possibility of rejuvenation were confirmed by using
Ratio of dietary rumen degradable protein to rumen undegradable protein affects nitrogen partitioning but does not affect the bovine milk proteome produced by mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows

Little is known about the bovine milk proteome or whether it can be affected by diet. The objective of this study was to determine if the dietary rumen degradable protein (RDP):rumen undegradable protein (RUP) ra-tio could alter the bovine milk proteome. Six Holstein cows (parity: 2.5 ± 0.8) in mid lactation were blocked by days in milk (80 ± 43 d in milk) and milk yield (57.5 ± 6.0 kg) and randomly assigned to treatment groups. The experiment was conducted as a double-crossover design consisting of three 21-d periods. Within each period, treatment groups received diets with either (1) a high RDP:RUP ratio (RDP treatment: 62.4:37.6% of crude protein) or (2) a low RDP:RUP ratio (RUP treatment: 51.3:48.7% of crude protein). Both diets were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic (crude protein: 18.5%, net energy for lactation: 1.8 Mcal/kg of dry matter). To confirm N and energy status of cows, dry matter intake was determined daily, rumen fluid samples were collected for volatile fatty acid analysis, blood samples were collected for plasma glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, urea nitrogen, and fatty acid analysis, and total 24-h urine and fecal samples were collected for N analysis. Milk samples were collected to determine the general milk composition and the protein profile. Milk samples collected for high-abundance protein analysis were subjected to HPLC analysis to determine the content of α-casein, β-casein, and κ-casein, as well as α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin. Samples collected for low-abundance protein analysis were fractionated, enriched using ProteoMiner treatment, and separated using sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE. After excision and digestion, the peptides were analyzed using liquid chromatography (LC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The LC-MS/MS data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS (version 9.4, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) and adjusted using the MULTTEST procedure. All other parameters were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. No treatment differences were observed in dry matter intake, milk yield, general milk composition, plasma parameters, or rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations, indicating no shift in total energy or protein available. Milk urea N and plasma urea N concentrations were higher in the RDP group, indicating some shift in N partitioning due to diet. A total of 595 milk proteins were identified, with 83% of these proteins known to be involved in cellular processes. Although none of the low-abundance proteins identified by LC-MS/MS were affected by diet, feeding a diet high in RUP decreased β-casein, κ-casein, and total milk casein concentration. Further investigations of the interactions between diet and the milk protein profile are needed to manipulate the milk proteome using diet.
The 3′→5′ Exonuclease of Apn1 Provides an Alternative Pathway To Repair 7,8-Dihydro-8-Oxodeoxyguanosine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT The 8-oxo-7,8-dihydrodeoxyguanosine (8oxoG), a major mutagenic DNA lesion, results either from direct oxidation of guanines or misincorporation of 8oxodGTP by DNA polymerases. At present, little is known about the mechanisms preventing the mutagenic action of 8oxodGTP in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Herein, we report for the first time the identification of an alternative repair pathway for 8oxoG residues initiated by S. cerevisiae AP endonuclease Apn1, which is endowed with a robust progressive 3′→5′ exonuclease activity towards duplex DNA. We show that yeast cell extracts, as well as purified Apn1, excise misincorporated 8oxoG, providing a damage-cleansing function to DNA synthesis. Consistent with these results, deletion of both OGG1 encoding 8oxoG-DNA glycosylase and APN1 causes nearly 46-fold synergistic increase in the spontaneous mutation rate, and this enhanced mutagenesis is primarily due to G · C to T · A transversions. Expression of the bacterial 8oxodGTP triphosphotase MutT in the apn1Δ ogg1Δ mutant reduces the mutagenesis. Taken together, our results indicate that Apn1 is involved in an S. cerevisiae 8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase (Ogg1)-independent repair pathway for 8oxoG residues. Interestingly, the human major AP endonuclease, Ape1, also exhibits similar exonuclease activity towards 8oxoG residues, raising the possibility that this enzyme could participate in the prevention of mutations that would otherwise result from the incorporation of 8oxodGTP.
Discrete shear failure planes resulting from oblique hypervelocity impacts

A combination of laboratory and numerical experiments examines the role of shear localization in subsurface damage following very oblique (15–30°) hypervelocity impacts. Laboratory experiments reveal subsurface damage planes (“blades”) parallel to the impact trajectory for highly oblique impacts (15–30°), which are characterized by unique surface textures relative to other failure regions. Observations of growth rate and surface texture of the damage planes combined with three‐dimensional CTH simulations indicate that the blades are the result of frictional processes during localized shear deformation. Laboratory experiments also reveal that impact angle and projectile failure play a role in the development of these blades: aluminum projectiles result in distinct along‐trajectory blades for both 15° and 30° impacts, whereas the blades are weakly developed for Pyrex projectiles and nonexistent for planar polymethylmethacrylate projectiles. The blades form early in the cratering process and are signatures of the projectile momentum being transferred into the target. Based on the growth rate, and melting seen along the surface of these damage planes, the blades may provide an analog for the generation of pseudotachylytes during the early stages of impact crater formation.
Quantum cryptography without Bell's theorem.

Ekert has described a cryptographic scheme in which Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) pairs of particles are used to generate identical random numbers in remote places, while Bell’s theorem certifies that the particles have not been measured in transit by an eavesdropper. We describe a related but simpler EPR scheme and, without invoking Bell’s theorem, prove it secure against more general attacks, including substitution of a fake EPR source. Finally we show our scheme is equivalent to the original 1984 key distribution scheme of Bennett and Brassard, which uses single particles instead of EPR pairs.
N-removal in a granular sludge sequencing batch airlift reactor.

The removal of N-compounds in the sequencing batch airlift reactor (SBAR) containing granular sludge was studied under conditions of decreased dissolved oxygen (DO). A simulation model was developed to describe and evaluate the effects of several process conditions in the SBAR on N-removal performance. The model described the experimental data reasonable well. It has been shown that nitrification, denitrification, and removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) can occur simultaneously in a granular sludge SBR. It has also been shown that the exact location of the autotrophic biomass influences the net N-removal. The distribution of the autotrophic biomass is influenced by the DO in the reactor. The optimal DO value is expected to be around 40% air saturation. It was shown that storage and subsequent degradation of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) benefit the denitrification. In particular, PHB is stored in bacteria situated in deeper layers of the granules below where the autotrophic activity occurs, serves as a C-source for denitrification.
A Semiparametric Life Cycle Labor Supply Model with Non-Additive Fixed Effects ∗

This paper estimates the Frisch elasticity of labor supply, which represents the intertemporal elasticity of substitution. Estimation of this elasticity has previously required assuming that utility is either separable between consumption and leisure or quasi-homothetic with respect to leisure. These restrictions are required to generate hours equations in which individual effects, representing the marginal utility of wealth, enter additively and can be differenced out. Using PSID data, I relax this assumption for a sample of prime-age men. I estimate a semiparametric labor supply equation, using a control function to control for the individual effects. This strategy allows fixed effects to be both non-additive and correlated with the regressors. The average structural function and average partial effects of wages on hours are identified and estimated. In addition, variation in the elasticity over different points in the data is explored. JEL Classification: J22, C14