Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tracheal mucus flow rates in experimental bronchitis in rats.

Abstract The flow of mucus in the trachea of rats previously exposed to an atmosphere of SO2 in air was measured and correlated with the histological changes in the trachea, bronchi and lungs. Reduction in the speed of mucus flow in the exposed trachea was found with increasing severity of bronchopulmonary changes.
Detection of a variable number of ribosomal DNA loci by fluorescent in situ hybridization in Populus species.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was applied to related Populus species (2n = 19) in order to detect rDNA loci. An interspecific variability in the number of hybridization sites was revealed using as probe an homologous 25S clone from Populus deltoides. The application of image analysis methods to measure fluorescence intensity of the hybridization signals has enabled us to characterize major and minor loci in the 18S-5.8S-25S rDNA. We identified one pair of such rDNA clusters in Populus alba; two pairs, one major and one minor, in both Populus nigra and P. deltoides; and three pairs in Populus balsamifera, (two major and one minor) and Populus euroamericana (one major and two minor). FISH results are in agreement with those based on RFLP analysis. The pBG13 probe containing 5S sequence from flax detected two separate clusters corresponding to the two size classes of units that coexist within 5S rDNA of most Populus species. Key words : Populus spp. , fluorescent in situ hybridization, FISH, rDNA variability, image analysis.
Chemical-Assisted Femtosecond Laser Structuring of Waveguide-Embedded Wavefront-Splitting Interferometers

A comprehensive design of wavefront-splitting interferometers (WSIs) is introduced for integration into wafer light circuits and optical fiber systems. The WSI detects the coherent interference of two wavefronts after being equally split by a single buried resonator and collected into a single mode waveguide. WSIs present a desirable compact sensor as possible with Fabry Perot interferometers (FPIs), with the additional benefits of strong visibility contrast and high sensitivity to external parameters as expected with Mach-Zehnder interferometers. Theoretical models and finite-difference time-domain simulations show the WSI spectral responses to be 2χ to 120χ more sensitive to changes in refractive index, temperature, and strain over comparable Bragg grating waveguides and FPIs. Femtosecond laser irradiation with selective chemical etching provided the flexible means for 3-D geometric structuring and waveguide integration below the surface, delivering precise WSIs with a small '12-nm rms surface roughness. Temperature and vacuum sensing were demonstrated with high sensing resolution (0.8 °C and 1.8 χ 10-5 RIU) and sensitivity (60.6 pm/°C and 2800 nm/RIU) to match theoretically anticipated values. Such high finesse optical elements open a new realm of optical sensing and integrated optical circuit concepts without relying on tedious nanoprecision assembly methods or the use of large optical components.
Emerging Infectious Diseases: Threats to Human Health and Global Stability

The inevitable, but unpredictable, appearance of new infectious diseases has been recognized for millennia, well before the discovery of causative infectious agents. Today, however, despite extraordinary advances in development of countermeasures (diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines), the ease of world travel and increased global interdependence have added layers of complexity to containing these infectious diseases that affect not only the health but the economic stability of societies. HIV/AIDS, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and the most recent 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza are only a few of many examples of emerging infectious diseases in the modern world [1]; each of these diseases has caused global societal and economic impact related to unexpected illnesses and deaths, as well as interference with travel, business, and many normal life activities. Other emerging infections are less catastrophic than these examples; however, they nonetheless may take a significant human toll as well as cause public fear, economic loss, and other adverse outcomes.
Radiation leakage from shielded cables by pigtail effect

This article aims to study the radiation leakage from shielded cables by pigtail effect. Theoretical analyses and experimental results are carried out to verify that pigtails from shielded cables do cause radiation leakage. Calculations of the radiation leakage are presented on the basis of transmission line theory and antenna theory. These calculations are simulated using Matlab program and the results are presented. Experiments are carried out and the results are in good agreement with the theoretical results.
Ontologies of Cellular Networks

A meeting of philosophers and biologists reveals the great diversity in ideas about how pathway information can be organized. As part of a series of workshops on different aspects of biomedical ontology sponsored by the National Center for Biomedical Ontology (NCBO), a workshop titled “Ontologies of Cellular Networks” took place in Newark, New Jersey, on 27 to 28 March 2008. This workshop included more than 30 participants from various backgrounds in biomedicine and bioinformatics. The goal of the workshop was to provide an introduction to the basic tools and methods of ontology, as well as to enhance coordination between groups already working on ontologies of cellular networks. The meeting focused on three questions: What is an ontology? What is a pathway? What is a cellular network?
Nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from cropland and pasture fields fertilized with poultry litter

Application of litter and other organic by-products to agricultural land off site of animal production facilities has created both environmental concerns and agro-economic opportunities, but limited long-term, field-scale data are available to guide management decisions. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the water quality effects of repeated annual poultry litter application as a cropland and pasture fertilizer. Eight years of data collected on ten field-scale watersheds indicated several significant water quality differences based on litter rate (0.0 to 13.4 Mg ha−1 [0 to 6 ton ac−1]) and land use (cropland and pasture). On cropland fields, increasing litter rates (with corresponding decreases in supplemental inorganic nitrogen [N]) increased runoff orthophosphate phosphorus (PO4-P) concentrations but reduced extreme high nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) concentrations. Whereas runoff PO4-P concentrations were somewhat similar between land uses, NO3-N concentrations were much lower in pasture runoff because of supplemental inorganic N application, reduced nutrient uptake potential, and faster litter mineralization on cropland. Although considerable variability was observed, intra-annual runoff NO3-N and PO4-P concentrations generally exhibited curvilinear decay based on time since fertilizer application. In spite of repeated annual litter application and buildup of soil phosphorus (P) at high litter rates, few long-term trends in N and P runoff were evident due to the dynamic interaction between transport and source factors. These results support several practical implications, specifically: (1) combining organic and inorganic nutrient sources can be environmentally friendly and economically sound if application rates are carefully managed; (2) high runoff N and P concentrations can occur from well-managed fields, which presents difficulty in regulating edge-of-field water quality; and (3) change in the animal industry mindset to view by-products as marketable resources could mitigate environmental problems, provide alternative fertilizer sources, and enhance animal industry revenue opportunities.
Off-line identification of digitally controlled power converters using an analog frequency response analyzer

The use of a digital architecture in PWM controllers for point-of-load (POL) applications, together with system identification techniques, allows the development of fully automated routines for in-situ system performance optimization where controller parameters are specifically tailored to the application. In this context, this paper proposes a method for performing parametric system identification of digitally controlled power converters using a conventional analog frequency response analyzer (FRA). Nonlinearities intrinsic to the digital loop are taken into account, thus leading to accurate estimation of converter parameters. The proposed method has been verified on a digitally controlled POL with Vin=12V, Vout=1.2V, Iout=10A and fsw=400kHz for various bulk capacitor scenarios.
Risk factors predicting exertional heat illness in male Marine Corps recruits.

A matched population-based case-control study was conducted on exertional heat illness (EHI) in male Marine Corps recruits in basic training at Parris Island, SC. Physical fitness and anthropometric measurements were obtained for 391 of 528 cases of EHI identified in this population during 1988-1992, and 1467 of 1725 controls matched to cases by initial training platoon. The risk for developing EHI increased with increase in body mass index (BMI = weight.height-2) as measured on arrival and with increase in time to complete a 1.5-mile run conducted during the first week. Recruits at highest risk for developing exertional heat illness had a BMI of 22 or more kg.m-2 and a 1.5-mile run-time for 12 of more minutes. These recruits had an eightfold higher risk for developing exertional heat illness during basic training when compared with those with BMI less than 22 kg.m-2 and 1.5-mile run-time under 10 min (P < 10(-6). Only one-fifth (18%) of male recruits met these criteria for high risk, but they accounted for nearly half (47%) of the exertional heat illness cases occurring during the 12-wk basic training course.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Induces Heparin-binding Epidermal Growth Factor-like Growth Factor in Vascular Endothelial Cells*

Although several cytokines and growth factors have been shown to regulate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production, little is known about how VEGF may regulate growth factors that have known mitogenic and chemotactic actions on mesenchymal cells (which are involved in the maturation of the angiogenic process). We investigated the effect of VEGF on heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. HB-EGF mRNA was induced by 8-fold after 2 h of VEGF stimulation, and it returned to base line within 6 h. VEGF did not alter the half-life of HB-EGF mRNA (55 min). Nuclear run-on experiments showed a 4.9-fold increase in HB-EGF gene transcription within 2 h of VEGF stimulation, and Western analysis demonstrated an associated increase in cellular HB-EGF protein. We found that platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) mRNA was also induced 3-fold after 5 h of VEGF stimulation, whereas neither endothelin 1 nor transforming growth factor-β1 was regulated by VEGF. Finally, conditioned medium from VEGF-stimulated endothelial cells produced an increase in DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells, and this effect was blocked by a neutralizing antibody to PDGF. The induction of HB-EGF and PDGF-BB expression in endothelial cells may represent the mechanism by which VEGF recruits mesenchymal cells to form the medial and adventitial layers of arterioles and venules during the course of angiogenesis.
Fabry Disease in Hemodialysis Patients in Southern Brazil: Prevalence Study and Clinical Report

Background. Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of α-Galactosidase A (α-Gal A). Fabry nephropathy typically progresses throughout the fifth decade to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), requiring hemodialysis and/or kidney transplantation. Objective. To estimate the prevalence of FD among ESRD males on hemodialysis treatment in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil. Methods. Screening for α-Gal A activity was performed by a dried blood spot (normal reference value: >1.5 nmoles/hour/mL). Positive screening results were confirmed by plasma α-Gal A activity assay (reference value: >3.3 nmoles/hour/mL). Results. Five hundred fifty-eight male patients on hemodialysis were evaluated. Of these, only two had low α-Gal A activity and were diagnosed with Fabry disease (0.36%). One of these, age 42, had left ventricular hypertrophy and renal manifestations of Fabry disease without the classic symptoms. The other, age 46, had the classical manifestations of angiokeratomas, acroparesthesias, hypohidrosis, and ocular opacities. Conclusions. Although the prevalence of Fabry disease was very low in our study (0.36%), routine screening of male hemodialysis patients would enable earlier identification of many other affected relatives in their families who might benefit from specific clinical treatment.
Methods of Wear Measuring in Dentistry

Wear in dentistry affects both the natural tooth structure as well as reconstructive materials that replace them. For perfect understanding of the properties and the correct indication of dental materials it is necessary to understand their wear mechanism. Wear of hard dental tissues and dental reconstructions can be measured in vivo or in vitro. In developing of new materials their investigation using different devices is especially important. It's the first system to distinguish inappropriate material that could in extreme cases threaten the patients. It is also an orientation aid for the dentist with respect to be able to compare materials without distorting by the patient individuality. In doing so, it should be kept in mind that it is impossible strictly use only laboratory or clinical tests, but it is always necessary to combine them. In the paper the authors descript the measuring methods of hard dental tissues and dental reconstructions wear.
Simple Theoretical Model May Explain Apparent Climate Instability

Abstract The authors propose a simple theory to explain a climatic drift previously found in a series of coupled general circulation model (GCM) experiments. Their theory places the GCM results on a simple stability diagram for the thermohaline circulation in the Atlantic. It is argued that the drift is due to Stommel’s salt advection feedback and arises because the particular spinup procedure of the coupled model has in some cases resulted in an initial state on an unstable solution branch. Such drift may result from model initialization with unsuitable relaxation boundary conditions, rather than being a climatic transition that could occur in the real world.
Sex and the Liver – A Journey Through Five Decades

Metabolism of steroids and drugs in rodents is sexually differentiated. The reason for this turned out to be the sexually differentiated growth hormone (GH) secretory pattern regulating the expression of a number of hepatic cytochrome P-450 genes. Although not fully resolved, it is clear that several signaling pathways and transcription factors are involved in mediating the effects of GH. It may be argued that such a well-controlled physiological system should have an important biological role and we speculate that the demands of a robust hepatic steroid metabolism during pregnancy has led to the development of this sexually differentiated hypothalamo-pituitary-liver axis.
Translocation of MRE11 from the Nucleus to the Cytoplasm as a Mechanism of Radiosensitization by Heat1

Abstract Zhu, W-G. , Seno, J. D. , Beck, B. D. and Dynlacht, J. R. Translocation of MRE11 from the Nucleus to the Cytoplasm as a Mechanism of Radiosensitization by Heat. Radiat. Res. 156, 95–102 (2001). Hyperthermia sensitizes mammalian cells to ionizing radiation, presumably by inhibiting the repair of radiation-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs). However, the mechanism by which heat inhibits DSB repair is unclear. The nuclear protein MRE11 is a component of a multi-protein complex involved in nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) of radiation-induced DSBs. Using one-dimensional sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting, we found that MRE11 is translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm when human U-1 melanoma or HeLa cells are heated for 15 min at 45.5°C or when cells are heated after irradiation with 12 Gy of X rays. No such translocation is observed in unheated irradiated cells. The kinetics of migration of MRE11 to the cytoplasm was dependent upon whether the heated cells were irradiated, while the magnitude of redistribution of MRE11 was dependent upon post-treatment incubation time at 37°C. Cytoplasmic MRE11 content reached a maximum 2–4 h after heating; the increase was not due to new protein synthesis. Partial recovery of nuclear MRE11 content was observed when heated cells or heated irradiated cells were incubated for up to 7 h at 37°C after treatment. Western blotting results showing translocation of MRE11 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm after heating and irradiation were confirmed using confocal microscopy and immunofluorescence staining of fixed cells. Our data suggest that radiosensitization by heat may be caused, at least in part, by translocation of the DNA repair protein MRE11 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
Acute effects of antidepressants on hippocampal seizures

Electrically kindled hippocampal seizures in rats were used to evaluate the acute effects of the antidepressants amitriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, bupropion, maprotiline, and trazodone on behavioral and electrical convulsions. All of the drugs reduced afterdischarge duration significantly. Behavioral seizures were not significantly reduced by bupropion or trazodone, whereas the other drugs did reduce seizure severity. Afterdischarge threshold was not modified by these drugs. In contrast, phenobarbital significantly elevated threshold and reduced seizure severity and afterdischarge duration. Amitriptyline was the most effective antidepressant, attenuating both seizure severity and afterdischarge duration.
Orthodontics: A Perspective

In dentistry, cariology can be seen as the pioneer of prevention, while other fields, including orthodontics, continue to emphasize symptomatic treatment. Although functional and orthopedic treatment has gained some popularity, the focus in orthodontic therapy has been on alignment of malpositioned teeth by mechanical tooth movements, usually in almost or fully developed permanent dentition. It is difficult to avoid the impression that the better the mechanics of tooth movement have been mastered, the smaller has been the interest in etiological or developmental aspects of the malocclusions. It is of interest, however, to ask what would be the theoretical and practical prospects of prevention in orthodontics, i.e., what measures are available or could be evolved to preclude the development of malocclusions. In addition, it would be interesting to know what measures could be used in interceptive or corrective treatment to stop an unwanted development at an early stage and to ensure normal growth thereafter. The importance of the questions related to early treatment was recently emphasized by Curzon (1994), who also stressed the need to determine how possible interceptive or corrective interventions would compare with a more traditional type of orthodontic treatment in a cost-effectiveness analysis. Orthodontic textbooks (Graber and Swain, 1985; Moyers, 1988; Proffit and Fields, 1993; Thilander and Ronning, 1985) consider the potential of prevention or early treatment to be very limited. It is suggested that in 15 to 20% of cases needing treatment, early intervention might be advantageous. This figure, however, reflects mainly the benefits gained by measures which are aimed at eliminating the deleterious effects of premature loss of deciduous teeth, dental decay in the deciduous dentition, or habits like finger sucking. Prevention of malocclusions, in the strict sense, is not considered possible. Precautions against treating too early are frequent, because the chance of recurrence of occlusal disturbances is regarded as high, and the cost-benefit ratio weak. A closer scrutiny of the background of these views reveals that they are based on existing clinical practice rather than on controlled studies. Nevertheless, there have been new developments in both basic craniofacial biology and clinical orthodontics during the last decades which warrant a new assessment of the prospects of preventive and interceptive orthodontics.
SOH estimation of lead acid battery for automobile

Recently, deterioration of lead acid battery for automobile is one of the problems. Because an electrical load of the automobile increases. In this paper, on-line SOH (State Of Health) estimation is proposed. The equivalent circuit constants vary by the deterioration of the battery. The equivalent circuit constant can be calculated by using terminal voltage and current. Therefore, SOH can be estimated during operation.
Multicarrier PWM strategies for multilevel inverters

Analytical solutions of pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) strategies for multilevel inverters are used to identify that alternative phase opposition disposition PWM for diode-clamped inverters produces the same harmonic performance as phase-shifted carrier PWM for cascaded inverters, and hybrid PWM for hybrid inverters, when the carrier frequencies are set to achieve the same number of inverter switch transitions over each fundamental cycle. Using this understanding, a PWM method is then developed for cascaded and hybrid inverters to achieve the same harmonic gains as phase disposition PWM achieves for diode-clamped inverters. Theoretical and experimental results are presented in the paper.