Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measured and modelled long-term effects of whole-tree harvest

This thesis examines the impact of whole-tree harvest (WTH) on soils and surface waters acid-base status in coniferous forests compared with conventional harvesting (CH). A combination of field observations (up to four decades) and dynamic modelling was used to describe the impact on soil calcium (Ca²⁺) pools and surface water acid neutralizing capacity (ANC). The studies were undertaken in northern and southern Sweden at sites belonging to the long-term wood fuel experiment (HELTRAD) and the ICP Integrated Monitoring (IM) programme. One of the most important findings was that WTH and CH caused large depletions (up to 60%) in soil exchangeable Ca²⁺ pools, circa 40 years after harvest. Despite these losses, tree growth and vitality has not yet been impaired. The results also implied that the fastest depletion rates occurred in CH-plots why soil Ca²⁺ pools between CH and WTH have become more similar with time. However, soil Ca²⁺ pools still remained significantly lower after WTH. Measured differences in soil solution showed that the impact of WTH on ANC was small (16 μEq l⁻¹) and temporary but site-specific. This difference was not large enough to counteract the natural recovery from acidification or lead to adverse ecological effects. The results indicate that WTH can have a large impact on soil exchangeable pools without causing surface water acidification in the absence of strong acid mobile anions. The rapidly declining soil Ca²⁺ pools may be of concern for sustainable forest management. However, trees will likely respond to lower Ca²⁺ availability by e.g. adjusting their uptake or develop biological feed-back mechanisms. The model predictions unanimously suggested that tree growth and net accumulation of nutrients in biomass caused large depletions in soil exchangeable Ca²⁺ pools and a decrease in stream ANC during the 19th and 20th centuries, exacerbated by acid deposition. Future predictions also suggested that these Ca²⁺ losses would continue accelerated by more intense harvesting practices. The impact on modelled stream ANC was smaller and depended on the concentrations of mobile anions. The empirical data pointed in the same direction as the MAGIC predictions, but the model exaggerated the impact. Until the discrepancy between measured and modelled impact have been resolved, interpretations changes related WTH using dynamic modelling or mass balance budget calculations should be done with caution.
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF PROVISIONAL STRUCTURES OF IMPLANT-SUPPORTED COMPLETE PROSTHESES.

The use of provisional resin implant-supported complete dentures is a fast and safe procedure to restore mastication and aesthetics of patients soon after surgery and during the adaptation phase to the new denture. This study assessed stress distribution of provisional implant-supported fixed dentures and the all-on-four concept using self-curing acrylic resin (Tempron) and bis-acrylic resin (Luxatemp) to simulate functional loads through the 3D finite element method. The Solidworks software was used to build 3D models, using acrylic resin (Tempron - A) and bis-acrylic resin (Luxatemp - B) for denture captions. Two loading patterns were applied on each model: 1) right unilateral axial loading of 150 N on the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth; 2) oblique loading vector of 150 N at 45 degrees. The results showed that higher stress was found on the bone crest below oblique load application with maximum value of 187.57 MPa on model A and 167.45 MPa on model B. It was concluded that model B improved stress distribution on the denture compared to model A.
A Monolithic, 500 °C Operational Amplifier in 4H-SiC Bipolar Technology

A monolithic bipolar operational amplifier (opamp) fabricated in 4H-SiC technology is presented. The opamp has been used in an inverting negative feedback amplifier configuration. Wide temperature operation of the amplifier is demonstrated from 25°C to 500°C. The measured closed loop gain is around 40 dB for all temperatures whereas the 3 dB bandwidth increases from 270 kHz at 25°C to 410 kHz at 500°C. The opamp achieves 1.46 V/μs slew rate and 0.25% total harmonic distortion. This is the first report on high temperature operation of a fully integrated SiC bipolar opamp which demonstrates the feasibility of this technology for high temperature analog integrated circuits.
Post‐cesarean surgical site infections according to CDC standards: rates and risk factors. A prospective cohort study

Objectives. The aim of this study was to document the true incidence of post‐cesarean surgical site infections (SSI), according to the definition of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and to identify independent risk factors for infection. Design. Prospective population‐based cohort study in Norway. Setting. Sykehuset Asker og Bærum HF, a secondary community hospital, associated with the University of Oslo (UiO), Norway, accounting for 2,000 deliveries per year. Participants. All cesarean deliveries during a 12‐month period from September 2003. Main outcome measures. Rate and risk factors for SSI. Results. The total rate of SSI was 8.9%, with an observation period of 30 days post‐operatively, compared to 1.8% registered at hospital discharge. The total response rate was 100%. There was no significant difference in SSI rate in elective or emergency cesarean section (CS), respectively. All SSI were superficial. We found 2 significant independent risk factors: operating time ≥38 min and body mass index (BMI) >30. Conclusion. The rate of SSI is underestimated if the observation time is limited to the hospital stay. Operating time exceeding 38 min substantially increases the risk of SSI. The finding of no significant difference in SSI rate between elective and emergency CS should lead to a different approach concerning the use of antibiotics: subgroup at risk (operating time ≥38 min and BMI >30) may benefit from antibiotics in relation to the operation, whether the CS is an emergency or elective operation.
Association between systemic neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and anemia, relative hypochromia, and inflammation in chronic systolic heart failure.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is upregulated systemically and by renal tubular cells in response to inflammation and ischemia. Recent interests in NGAL have focused on its ability to predict worsening renal function. However, as an iron-regulatory glycoprotein, the relationship between systemic NGAL levels and indices of anemia has not been examined. In 130 patients with chronic systolic heart failure, the authors examined the relationship between plasma NGAL levels and indices of anemia independent of underlying renal function and systemic markers of inflammation and oxidant stress. Plasma NGAL levels were significantly elevated in patients with anemia vs without anemia (121 [interquartile range, 98-197] vs 72 [interquartile range, 57-98] ng/mL, P<.001). Plasma NGAL levels were inversely correlated with indices of anemia including red blood cell count (r=-0.38, P<.0001), hemoglobin (r=-0.41, P<.0001), and red cell distribution width (r=0.25, P=.007), even in patients with relatively preserved renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) ; n=83, P<. 05 for all). Higher plasma NGAL levels were associated with presence of anemia independent of estimated glomerular filtration rate, plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and myeloperoxidase levels (odds ratio, 2.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-6.20; P=.045). Hence, systemic NGAL levels are independently associated with indices of anemia.
Role of the nitric oxide synthase pathway in inhibition of growth of interferon-sensitive and interferon-resistant Rickettsia prowazekii strains in L929 cells treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha and gamma interferon

The ability of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) alone and in combination with gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) to inhibit the growth of interferon-sensitive and -resistant Rickettsia prowazekii strains in mouse L929 cells was examined, and the possible role of the nitric oxide synthase pathway in the suppression of rickettsial growth induced by TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, or both cytokines was evaluated. TNF-alpha inhibited the growth of strains Madrid E (IFN-gamma sensitive and alpha/beta interferon [IFN-alpha/beta] sensitive) and Breinl (IFN-gamma sensitive and IFN-alpha/beta resistant), but not that of strain 83-2P (IFN-gamma resistant and IFN-alpha/beta resistant), in L929 cells. Inhibition of the growth of the Madrid E strain in L929 cells treated with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in combination was greater than that observed with either TNF-alpha or IFN-gamma alone. Similarly, inhibition of the growth of the Breinl strain in L929 cells treated with both cytokines was greater than that observed with TNF-alpha alone; however, it did not differ significantly from the inhibition observed with IFN-gamma alone. Although strain 83-2P was resistant to TNF-alpha or IFN-gamma alone, its growth was inhibited in L929 cells treated with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in combination. Nitrite production was measured in mock-infected and infected L929 cell cultures, and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitors NG-methyl-L-arginine (NGMA) and aminoguanidine were used to evaluate the role of the nitric oxide synthase pathway in cytokine-induced inhibition of rickettsial growth. Nitrite production was induced in mock-infected or R. prowazekii-infected L929 cell cultures treated with IFN-gamma plus TNF-alpha, but not in mock-infected cultures that were untreated or treated with IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha alone. Nitrite production was also not induced in untreated, R. prowazekii-infected cultures; however, in some instances, it was induced in infected cultures treated with IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha alone. Nitrite production was blocked by NGMA or aminoguanidine, and these compounds markedly relieved the synergistic inhibitory effect of IFN-gamma plus TNF-alpha on the growth of strain 83-2P in L929 cells. In contrast, NGMA did not alleviate the inhibition of the growth of the Madrid E strain in L929 cells treated with IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha alone; however, it slightly and variably relieved the inhibition of the growth of the Madrid E strain in L929 cells treated with IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in combination. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
EXPERIMENTAL INFECTIONS BY Brucella suis type 4 IN ALASKAN RODENTS

The susceptibility of nine species of rodents and one species of lagomorph to Brucella suis type 4 was studied experimentally. The rodent species included: guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), Scandinavian lemming (Lemmus lemmus), brown lemming (L. sibiricus), northern red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilis), varying lemmings (Dicrostonyx stevensoni and D. rubricatus), yellow-cheeked vole (Microtus xanthognathus), flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) and ground squirrel (Citellus parryii). The lagomorph, Lepus americanus (varying hare), was also studied. All of these species were readily infected by intraperitoneal inoculations of brucellae. Pathologic responses were not marked in most of these species. However, both species of varying lemmings responded dramatically to infections initiated by about as few as two cfu. All individuals of both species that were not killed eventually died from the infection.
Alcohol metabolism in American Indians and whites. Lack of racial differences in metabolic rate and liver alcohol dehydrogenase.

To investigate alleged racial differences in alcohol tolerance, we measured the rate of ethanol metabolism in 30 American Indians and 30 whites. The mean rates of alcohol metabolism were virtually identical in the two groups: 92 +/- 3 mg of ethanol metabolized per kilogram of body weight per hour for the Indians versus 93 +/- 3 for the whites (mean +/- S.E.M.). Similarly, a comparison of liver alcohol dehydrogenase specific activity and isoenzyme pattern in biopsy specimens from seven American Indians and six whites revealed no racial differences. Biopsy specimens from the Indians demonstrated a mean specific enzymatic activity of 0.073 +/- 0.004 mumoles of ethanol oxidized per minute per milligram of soluble protein and from the whites, 0.082 +/- 0.009. These findings make it unlikely that alleged racial differences in response to alcohol can be explained on the basis of racial differences in the rate of alcohol metabolism.
Application Techniques for Checking and Transformation of Names

Many Internet applications have been designed to deduce top-level domains (or other domain name labels) from partial information. The introduction of new top-level domains, especially non-country-code ones, has exposed flaws in some of the methods used by these applications. These flaws make it more difficult, or impossible, for users of the applications to access the full Internet. This memo discusses some of the techniques that have been used and gives some guidance for minimizing their negative impact as the domain name environment evolves. This document draws summaries of the applicable rules together in one place and supplies references to the actual standards.
A Compact High Performance Linear Series-fed Printed Circuit Antenna Array

This paper presents a new design for a high performance vertical polarized linear series-fed printed circuit antenna array at C-band (5.8 GHz). It is compact and it can be applied to an intelligent antenna system. Measurement results show that the proposed antenna offers a wide bandwidth, a high gain, low-sidelobe and low cross-polarized performance.
Soccer (football) ocular injuries: An important eye health problem

Are statins or antihypertensives protective? The observation that age related macular degeneration (AMD) and atherosclerosis share risk factors and pathogenetic mechanisms1 has led to the development of a hypothesis that is identified as a haemodynamic2 or vascular1 model of the pathogenesis of AMD. It holds that AMD is a vascular disorder characterised by impairment of choroidal perfusion of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). This model, evolved over four decades,3 is now updated to incorporate recently reported evidence4 that the changes affecting Bruch’s membrane in age and AMD involve lipoproteins processed by the RPE. The model proposes that these lipoproteins accumulate in drusen and in Bruch’s membrane because the choriocapillaris does not clear them. Theoretical models of disease are evaluated by how much they explain and by their success in making useful predictions. As the vascular model, by emphasising the pathogenetic importance of atherosclerotic processes and increased intravascular pressure, essentially predicts that statins and antihypertensive agents should have a protective effect on AMD, it is instructive to review the evidence to date. Figure 1 Schematic representation of the vascular model of the pathogenesis of age related macular degeneration.
Pneumoperitoneum after argon plasma coagulation treatment: perforation or accumulation of air in the cavity?

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a safe method of electrocoagulation [1, 2]. How− ever, perforation can occasionally occur after the development of submucosal em− physema: contact of the probe with the mucosa, thermal injury, and high argon flow can all lead to an escape of gas through the gastrointestinal tract wall. Pneumoperitoneum developing after APC can be asymptomatic and heal spon− taneously, and the perforation site might not be found at laparotomy [2 ±5]. We have encountered two patients with sub− mucosal emphysema and pneumoperito− neum which developed after APC.
Effect of protein kinase Cgamma on gap junction disassembly in lens epithelial cells and retinal cells in culture.

PURPOSE To determine the effects of protein kinase Cgamma (PKCgamma) on phosphorylation of Cx43, the gap junction protein of lens epithelial cells, and on cell surface assembly/disassembly of Cx43-gap junction complexes. METHODS Association and phosphorylation of Cx43 by PKCgamma was determined using co-immunoprecipitation and reaction with phosphoserine antisera. Activation of PKCgamma was with 200 nM phorbol ester for 30 to 60 min. Effects of specific PKC isoforms was determined after overexpression of either PKCalpha or PKCgamma for 24 h in N/N 1003A rabbit lens epithelial cells or in two retinal cell lines, WERI and Y79. Gap junction plaques were counted on the cell surface by immunolabeling of Cx43 using confocal microscopy. RESULTS Co-immunoprecipitation of Cx43 with PKCgamma was observed only in cells over expressing PKCgamma and in cells activated with phorbol ester. Both overexpression and phorbol ester produced a rapid phosphorylation of Cx43 on serine. Cx43 cell surface gap junction plaques decreased in cells over expressing PKCgamma and in cells treated with phorbol ester. Similar results were observed using the retinal cell lines, WERI and Y79. The effect of PKCgamma overexpression was persistent for 7 days but total cell Cx43 was not decreased. Overexpression of PKCa resulted in an increase in cell surface gap junction plaques. CONCLUSIONS PKCgamma can be co-immunoprecipitated with Cx43 from lens epithelial cells using phorbol ester activation. PKCgamma phosphorylates Cx43 on serine and this causes disassembly and loss of gap junction Cx43 from the cell surface. Overexpression of PKCgamma confirmed that only this PKC isoform caused the loss of cell surface Cx43. Overexpression of PKCalpha, the other major lens PKC isoform, caused an increase in cell surface Cx43. The presence of PKCgamma and loss of surface Cx43 from two retinal cell lines, WERI and Y79, upon phorbol ester activation further suggests that activation of PKCgamma may be a common mechanism for control of cell surface Cx43.
Influence of pentoxifylline on sperm membrane functional integrity.

In epididymal mouse spermatozoa, the effects of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate 1 mmol/L (dbcAMP), pentoxifylline 5 mmol/L (PX), and/or mastoparan 50 mumol/L (MT) were evaluated for the following parameters: percentage of motile cells and response to hypoosmotic shock (HOS). The gametes were incubated during 80 min (A) or 200 min (B) in Tyrode's medium, and the drugs were added during the last 20 min. In A, dbcAMP + PX (61.5 +/- 5.4%; n = 10) enhanced and MT decreased significantly the population of motile cells (13.4 +/- 5.4%; n = 6) (control: 47.6 +/- 3.9%; n = 11). In B, PX significantly increased this parameter and MT plus PX also exerted a significant detrimental effect. Responses to HOS dropped significantly in the presence of PX + MT in A or in B; in this latter condition a similar decrease was evoked by MT alone. A positive correlation between percentages of swollen and motile spermatozoa was detected in A or in B in samples incubated with PX (r = .58, n = 11 and r = .76, n = 10; p < .05, respectively). These results that support that, in mouse sperm tail, PX would preserve functional membrane integrity, a relevant condition for adequate motility.
Mandatory IFRS Adoption and Accounting Conservatism

Using a large sample of listed firms from 17 European countries that mandatorily adopted IFRS over the period 2005-2008, we examine the effect of mandatory IFRS adoption on accounting conservatism defined using Basu’s (1997) differential timeliness (DT) measure. An important distinction of our study is that we avoid the common criticisms of the DT measure by comparing the difference in the DT measure under local accounting standards and IFRS for the same firm in the same IFRS reconciliation year. We find no evidence that the mandatory IFRS adoption changes the degree of accounting conservatism for non-financial firms, independent of the firms’ countries of domicile. For financial firms domiciled in strong legal enforcement countries, we find some weak evidence that the mandatory IFRS adoption increases the degree of accounting conservatism. In contrast, for financial firms domiciled in weak legal enforcement countries, we find that the mandatory IFRS adoption results in a decrease in accounting conservatism.
Comparative studies of type 1 and type 2 & 'herpes simplex' viruses.

THE various strains of the so-called " herpes simplex virus " fall into 2 distinct antigenic groups referred to as Type 1 and Type 2 (Plummer, 1964; Pauls and Dowdle, 1967). clearly type 1 strains of the mouth strains are responsible for herpes genitalis through a 3 ,u filter and the filtrate diluted 1/10. This diluted material was also stored in a stoppered bottle and titrated at intervals. Heparin tests. -The effect of heparin (Panheprin from the Abbott laboratories) on the 2 types was determined in rabbit kidney cultures. Each virus strain was inoculated at a concentration of 1000 PFU per tube culture 1 hr. after the addition of heparin to the culture fluid at a concentration of 100 USP units/ml. of fluid. The cultures were observed for several days and the rate of development of CPE was recorded and compared with the rate of progress of CPE in cultures receiving similar inocula of virus but no heparin.
Mapping wireless networks - SSID WLAN(D)SCAPE

The paper introduces the SSID WLAN(D)SCAPE project, an open source framework dedicated to promoting the development and availability of wireless networks and attached services through gathering, networking, and publishing data valuable for customers, service providers, education and research. The distributed client-server application basically combines wireless networks, topographical visualization, mapping services, a geo-tracking and navigation system, as well as location based services. The paper provides a brief introduction into the sociology of wireless networks, businesses and applications. Existing technologies and solutions are analyzed, advantages and disadvantages documented and a system and network overview of our application is provided. Furthermore the next features of WLAN(D)SCAPE are presented, offering an outlook into the future of wireless networks, and discussing the implications of such landscapes.
Early Histologic Lesions and Risk Factors for Recurrence of Diabetic Kidney Disease After Kidney Transplantation

Background Recurrence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) after diabetic kidney transplantation has been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the early histologic lesions, focusing especially on abnormal glomerular angiogenesis, and clinical risk factors of recurrent DKD after kidney transplantation. Methods The authors studied 34 renal transplant recipients with diabetes and 30 without diabetes. All patients had undergone both baseline and posttransplant follow-up biopsies. Glomerular morphometric analyses of the mesangial area, the capillary number, and the capillary area were performed with a computer-assisted image analyzer, and glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickness was evaluated by electron microscopy. The incidence of polar vasculosis as an angiogenic phenomenon was also evaluated. Clinical data including hemoglobin (Hb)A1c, blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion, and serum lipid profiles were compared with histologic parameters. Results Together with the increased glomerular mesangial area and GBM thickness, the glomerular capillary number and area and the incidence of polar vasculosis were significantly higher in patients with diabetes. Most of these alterations were significantly associated with the mean posttransplant HbA1c levels but not with blood pressure or lipid profiles. In the multiple regression analysis, HbA1c level remained significantly associated with these histologic parameters. Conclusions Similar to mesangial expansion and GBM thickening, glomerular neovascularization represented by increased capillary number and area and glomerular polar vasculosis can occur as an early diabetic lesion in recurrent DKD. Posttransplant hyperglycemia is a significant risk factor predictive of the progression of recurrent DKD in kidney allografts.