Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Leaf Lamina Compression Method for Estimating Turgor Pressure

A portable wiltmeter instrument to estimate leaf turgor pressure according to an adaptation of the flattening method was developed. In the instrument, a flexible inflating membrane presses the leaf against a flattening plate having small orifices surrounded by a finely engraved network of obtuse indentations through which air flow is delivered. During a measurement, as the compression builds up, the leaf is progressively molded against the flattening plate, and as a consequence, the air flow (x) crossing the plate is reduced toward zero. The smallest leaf compression (p0) that blocks the air passage is an estimate of the leaf turgor. Wiltmeter measurements were compared with pressure probe measurements of cell turgor pressure in detached leaves of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. Acephala), and chicory (Chichorium endivia L.), which were allowed to suffer diverse levels of wilting caused by transpiration. Such observed wiltmeter readings were a little lower than the cell turgor pressure measured with a pressure probe; the regression coefficients between these methods were: 1.156 for lettuce, 1.13 for kale, and 1.036 for chicory. This portable quantitative procedure to measure leaf firmness has potentially valuable applications related to postharvest and field plant physiology studies.
Inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase from Dioscorea bulbifera

A search for HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors from natural sources has led to the isolation of compounds from Dioscorea bulbifera bulbils. From the bioassay-guided isolation, the chloroform fraction was then fractionated to obtain one new clerodane diterpenoid (diosbulbin E acetate, 4), two known clerodane diterpenoids (1-2), four flavonoids (5-8) and one sterol glucoside (3). Quercetin (7) exhibited the strongest anti-HIV-1 IN activity with an IC50 value of 16.28 μM, followed by kaempferol (8, IC50 = 37.71 μM), whereas (+)-catechin (6) possessed moderate activity (IC50 = 62.36 μM). Moreover, the clerodane-type diterpenoids (1 and 4) also exhibited moderate inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 70.39 and 73.49 μM, respectively. The flavonoid compounds (5-8) were also investigated for their interactions with the IN active sites using a molecular docking method. They interacted with Thr66, His67, Gln148, Glu152 and Lys159, which are important amino acid residues for inhibition of HIV-1 IN activity.
Are dingoes a trophic regulator in arid Australia? A comparison of mammal communities on either side of the dingo fence

The direct and indirect interactions that large mammalian carnivores have with other species can have far-reaching effects on ecosystems. In recent years there has been growing interest in the role that Australia's largest terrestrial predator, the dingo, may have in structuring ecosystems. In this study we investigate the effect of dingo exclusion on mammal communities, by comparing mammal assemblages where dingoes were present and absent. The study was replicated at three locations spanning 300 km in the Strzelecki Desert. We hypothesized that larger species of mammal subject to direct interactions with dingoes should increase in abundance in the absence of dingoes while smaller species subject to predation by mesopredators should decrease in abundance because of increased mesopredator impact. There were stark differences in mammal assemblages on either side of the dingo fence and the effect of dingoes appeared to scale with body size. Kangaroos and red foxes were more abundant in the absence of dingoes while Rabbits and the Dusky Hopping-mouse Notomys fuscus were less abundant where dingoes were absent, suggesting that they may benefit from lower red fox numbers in the presence of dingoes. Feral cats and dunnarts (Sminthopsis spp.) did not respond to dingo exclusion. Our study provides evidence that dingoes do structure mammal communities in arid Australia; however, dingo exclusion is also associated with a suite of land use factors, including sheep grazing and kangaroo harvesting that may also be expected to influence kangaroo and red fox populations. Maintaining or restoring populations of dingoes may be useful strategies to mitigate the impacts of mesopredators and overgrazing by herbivores.
Quantitative EEG Correlations with Brain Glucose Metabolic Rate during Anesthesia in Volunteers

Background To help elucidate the relationship between anesthetic‐induced changes in the electroencephalogram (EEG) and the concurrent cerebral metabolic changes caused by anesthesia, positron emission tomography data of cerebral metabolism obtained in volunteers during anesthesia were correlated retrospectively with various concurrently measured EEG descriptors. Methods Volunteers underwent functional brain imaging using the18 fluorodeoxyglucose technique; one scan always assessed awake‐baseline cerebral metabolism (n = 7), and the other scans assessed metabolism during propofol sedation (n = 4), propofol anesthesia (n = 4), or isoflurane anesthesia (n = 5). The EEG was recorded continuously during metabolism assessment using a frontal‐mastoid montage. Power spectrum variables, median frequency, 95% spectral edge, and bispectral index (BIS) values subsequently were correlated with the percentage of absolute cerebral metabolic reduction (PACMR) of glucose utilization caused by anesthesia. Results The percentage of absolute cerebral metabolic reduction, evident during anesthesia, trended median frequency (r = ‐ 0.46, P = 0.11), and the spectral edge (r = ‐ 0.52, P = 0.07), and correlated with anesthetic type (r = ‐ 0.70, P < 0.05), relative [small beta, Greek] power (r = ‐ 0.60, P < 0.05), total power (r = 0.71, P < 0.01), and bispectral index (r = ‐ 0.81, P < 0.001). After controlling for anesthetic type, only bispectral index (r = 0.40, P = 0.08) and [small alpha, Greek] power (r = 0.37, P = 0.10) approached significance for explaining residual percentage of absolute cerebral metabolic reduction prediction error. Conclusions Some EEG descriptors correlated linearly with the magnitude of the cerebral metabolic reduction caused by propofol and isoflurane anesthesia. These data suggest that a physiologic link exists between the EEG and cerebral metabolism during anesthesia that is mathematically quantifiable.
Chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in the guinea pig: effect of three levels of hypoxia.

Chronic hypoxia [inspiratory PO2 (PIO2) = 76 Torr for 10 days] produces pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling in the guinea pig. Increasing the duration of hypoxia from 10 to 21 days does not increase further pulmonary arterial pressure or medial thickening. To see if increasing severity of hypoxia affects the magnitude of pulmonary hypertension and remodeling, we exposed three groups of male Hartley guinea pigs to three levels of normobaric hypoxia for 10 days: PIO2 = 90 (n = 6), 78 (n = 6), and 65 Torr (n = 5). Pulmonary arterial pressure increased from 14 +/- 1 (+/- SE, n = 7) in room air to 23 +/- 3 mmHg when PIO2 = 90 Torr (P < 0.05). Pulmonary arterial pressure was slightly higher when PIO2 = 78 or 65 Torr (25 +/- 1 and 26 +/- 1 mmHg, respectively) but did not reach statistical significance vs. PIO2 = 90 Torr. Total pulmonary vascular resistance increased from 0.049 +/- 0.004 in room air to between 0.084 +/- 0.006 and 0.101 +/- 0.003 mmHg.min.kg.ml-1 (P < 0.05) in the three hypoxic groups; again there was no difference in total pulmonary vascular resistance among hypoxic groups. Medial thickness of alveolar duct and terminal bronchiole arteries increased with hypoxia, but there was no significant difference among the hypoxic groups. The percentage of intra-acinar vessels with thick walls (a measure of muscular extension) increased when PIO2 = 78 Torr and nearly doubled when PIO2 = 65 Torr in comparison to control. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Susceptibility of an Electromagnetic BandGap Filter

In a compact dual-planar electromagnetic (EM) bandgap (EBG) microstrip structure, patches are etched periodically in the ground plane to prohibit the propagation of EM waves in certain frequency bands so as to provide filtering functionality. However, the existence of the etched patches in the ground plane becomes a concern in terms of EM compatibility (EMC) and EM susceptibility (EMS). These structures might be prone to EM interference from nearby circuit components as compared to a microstrip filter with a perfect ground plane. In this paper, we study the EMS of a dual-planar EBG filter structure to a microstrip line in close proximity. This study examines the coupling effects of a nearby microstrip line on the performance of the EBG structure when the microstrip line is transmitting a signal and when it is not transmitting a signal. When the microstrip line is transmitting a signal, the effects of the working frequency and the direction of the signal on the coupling to the EBG structure are studied. Experimental and numerical work are presented, analyzed, and verified. The results obtained are useful for the applications and integrations of EBG microstrip structures to microwave circuits. They are useful for EMC and EMS studies of other patterned ground structures/defected ground structures.
The blood pressure effects of calcium supplementation in humans of known sodium responsiveness.

We examined the interactions between sodium and calcium responsiveness of blood pressure by studying the effects of calcium supplementation in 46 normotensive and hypertensive subjects who had been previously characterized as salt sensitive or salt resistant on the basis of their blood pressure responses to rapid sodium and extracellular volume expansion and contraction. The calcium supplementation study utilized a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized crossover design. Subjects received calcium carbonate supplementation (1.5 g/day) for 8 weeks or matching placebo, with 2-week placebo lead-in and crossover periods. For the entire group, no significant blood pressure changes were seen with calcium supplementation. When the subjects were separated on the basis of race or prior salt sensitivity, significant differences were seen. Blacks and salt sensitive subjects exhibited a significant (P < .05) blood pressure decrease when compared to their counterparts. Calcium sensitive subjects had significantly (P < .02) lower levels of plasma renin activity than those not demonstrating a decrease in blood pressure with added calcium. When urinary calcium excretion of subjects previously defined as salt sensitive or salt resistant were compared, the former had significantly (P < .001) higher calcium excretion values at baseline as well as during the placebo and calcium supplementation periods than did the latter. There were no known differences in dietary calcium intake to account for the striking urinary findings. These observations confirm the heterogeneity of blood pressure response to calcium supplementation and demonstrate congruity between sodium and calcium responsiveness of blood pressure in normal and hypertensive humans. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The importance of faculty development in the transition to competency-based medical education

Medical teachers trained in conventional educational systems need faculty development to prepare them to function effectively in a competency-based medical education (CBME) system. Faculty development can provide knowledge about CBME, training in new teaching techniques in different domains of medical practice, and new strategies for providing the authentic and regular assessment that is an essential aspect of CBME. A systems-wide approach as well as efforts to provide training in CBME to individual teachers in both the undergraduate and postgraduate systems will be important. The wide implementation of CBME will be challenging and slow, and will meet with resistance, but various strategies can be used address these challenges. Faculty development is fundamental to the effectiveness of those strategies.
Microalbuminuria in untreated prehypertension and hypertension without diabetes.

OBJECTIVE Hypertension (HT) and prehypertension (preHT) were independent predictors of cardiovascular diseases. Urinary albumin leakage is a manifestation of generalized vascular damage. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a vasoactive peptide secreted by left ventricle in response to myocytic stretch. We aimed to investigate relationship between microalbuminuria (MA) and BNP in untreated elevated blood pressures. METHODS Of 105 untreated prehypertensive subjects (53 men, 52 women), 100 hypertensive subjects (51 men, 49 women) and 57 normotensive subjects (32 men, 25 women) none had history of diabetes. Urine albumin excretion was measured by immunoradiometric assay in morning urine sample. RESULTS The prevalence of MA was higher in hypertensive group than in prehypertensive group and in normotensive group (Hypertensive group; 33.9%, prehypertensive; 25.9%, normotensive; 10%). Subjects with HT had higher prevalence of microalbminuria; larger body mass index, higher levels of triglycerides, blood glucose and creatinin were more common in subjects with HT than in those with preHT. In hypertensive group; patients with microalbuminuria had higher systolic blood pressure (SBP), BNP, LVMI and lower eGFR as compared to those without MA. MA was significantly correlated with LVMI, BNP and SBP. In multivariate regression analysis, SBP (β: 0.361; P < 0.001), LVMII (β: 0.267; P = 0.011) and BNP (β: 0.284; P = 0.005) were independent variables associated with MA in hypertensives. In prehypertensive group; patients with microalbuminuria had higher SBP, BNP, LVMI and lower eGFR as compared to those without MA. MA was significantly correlated with LVMI, BNP and SBP. In multivariate regression analysis, SBP (β: 0.264; P = 0.002), LVMI (β: 0.293; P = 0.001) and BNP (β: 0.168; P = 0.045) were associated with MA in prehypertensives. CONCLUSIONS In preHT and HT, SBP, BNP and LVMI are associated with MA. In the evaluation of increased blood pressures, in case of increased BNP and LVMI, MA should be investigated even in prehypertensive stages. The subjects with increased blood pressures should get medical treatment to prevent the effects on vascular structure and myocardium even in prehypertensive phase.
Quantifying Human Circadian Pacemaker Response to Brief, Extended, and Repeated Light Stimuli over the Phototopic Range

The authors' previous models have been able to describe accurately the effects of extended (5 h) bright-light (>4000 lux) stimuli on the phase and amplitude of the human circadian pacemaker, but they are not sufficient to represent the surprising human sensitivity to both brief pulses of bright light and light of more moderate intensities. Therefore, the authors have devised a new model in which a dynamic stimulus processor (Process L) intervenes between the light stimuli and the traditional representation of the circadian pacemaker as a self-sustaining limit-cycle oscillator (Process P). The overall model incorporating Process L and Process P is intended to allow the prediction of phase shifts to photic stimuli of any temporal pattern (extended and brief light episodes) and any light intensity in the photopic range. Two time constants emerge in the Process Lmodel: the characteristic duration for necessary bright-light pulses to achieve their full effect (5-10 min) and the characteristic stimulus-free (dark) interval that can be tolerated without incurring an excessive penalty in phase shifting (30-80 min). The effect of reducing light intensity is incorporated in Process L as an extension of the time necessary for the light pulse to be fully realized (a power-law relation between time and intensity). This new model generates a number of new testable hypotheses, including the surprising prediction that 24-h cycles consisting of8hof darkness and 16 h of only 3.5 lux would be capable of entraining a large fraction of the adult population (45%). Experimental data on the response of the human circadian system to lower light intensities and briefer stimuli are needed to allow for further refinement and validation of the model proposed here.
Simulation of gravel‐sand bed response to flushing flows using a two‐fraction entrainment approach: Model development and flume experiment

In this work we combine existing ideas on gravel and sand entrainment into a simulation model for flows that flush sand from the surface and subsurface of a gravel riverbed. A flume experiment is conducted to provide a test of the flushing model. The primary advance represented in this paper is incorporation of a two‐fraction entrainment approach into a routing model to account for the effect of sand content on the entrainment and transport of bed sediment, which is crucial for simulation of the flushing process associated with progressively decreasing sand proportions. A combination of the active layer concept and two‐layer treatment is adopted herein to outline the framework of sediment transport system, which allows incorporation of subsurface sand into the surface layer through the mechanisms of upward entrainment and bed degradation. Sediment routing computations are executed in two steps: in the first step, the change of bed level is computed with the continuity equation of sediment in the surface layer; in the second step, the changes of sediment storage in the surface and subsurface layers are calculated with the mass conservations of sediment. An important finding of this study is that the flume results could not be adequately simulated without an upward sand flux from the subsurface, which confirms the operation of a process that has only been hypothesized. The simulation results, including the evolutions of bed composition and elevation, are in good agreement with the observations, implying a potential application of the proposed model in determining flushing flows for environmental benefit.
Effect of Conservative Treatment for Refracture in Cemented Vertebrae After Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: A Long Term Follow-up

By a long term follow-up, we evaluated the effects of conservative treatment for refracture of cemented vertebrae after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). 12 patients of 324 patients who underwent PVP from January 2012 to August 2014, with back pain, were confirmed refracture in cemented vertebrae. 7 patients got conservative treatment: the usage of analgesics, osteoporosis medication, brace and physical therapy. Visual analogue seale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were evaluated at 7 days, 1, 3 and 12 months after treatment. Patients were followed up for 21.3 ± 11.2 months. Compared with that before treatment, VAS and ODI scores were significantly decreased after treatment (P 0.05). Further, there were no complications happened, such as leg phlebothrombosis, decubitus and hypostatic pneumonia. Thus, the results of our conservative treatment were optimal. Accordingly, the ratio of refracture in cemented vertebrae after PVP is low, but it is critical for back pain after PVP which should be pay enough attention for clinicians. Conservative treatment can relieve pain and improve spine function, without obvious complications.
Myoglobin: an essential hemoprotein in striated muscle

SUMMARY Myoglobin is a cytoplasmic hemoprotein, expressed solely in cardiac myocytes and oxidative skeletal muscle fibers, that reversibly binds O2 by its heme residue, a porphyrin ring:iron ion complex. Since the initial discovery of its structure over 40 years ago, wide-ranging work by many investigators has added importantly to our understanding of its function and regulation. Functionally, myoglobin is well accepted as an O2-storage protein in muscle, capable of releasing O2 during periods of hypoxia or anoxia. Myoglobin is also thought to buffer intracellular O2 concentration when muscle activity increases and to facilitate intracellular O2 diffusion by providing a parallel path that augments simple diffusion of dissolved O2. The use of gene targeting and other molecular biological techniques has revealed important new insights into the developmental and environmental regulation of myoglobin and provided additional functions for this hemoprotein such as scavenging nitric oxide and reactive O2 species. These recent findings, coupled with additional emerging technologies and the discovery of other tissue globins, provide a framework for addressing new questions about myoglobin and readdressing old ones.
Relative nearest neighbors for classification

Classification approaches based on the k nearest neighbors are simple and often result in goodxii performance. However, they heavily depend on the collection of selected neighbors. When performing the classification on the sparse or noisy data, the selected nearest neighbors are not consistent with our perception which in turn leads to the worse performance. This paper proposes two new classifiers by applying the relative transformation to define the k nearest neighbors, where the relative transformation is defined on the local region varying with the query sample to generate the relative space in which nearest neighbors to the query sample can be selected more reason-ably. The conducted experiments on challenging benchmark data sets validate the proposed approach.
Two Nosocomial Pertussis Outbreaks and Their Associated Costs—King County, Washington, 2004

Objective. Pertussis outbreaks in healthcare settings result in resource-intensive control activities, but studies have rarely evaluated the associated costs. We describe and estimate costs associated with 2 nosocomial pertussis outbreaks in King County, Washington, during the period from July 25 to September 15, 2004. One outbreak occurred at a 500-bed tertiary care hospital (hospital A), and the other occurred at a 250-bed pediatric hospital (hospital B). Methods. We estimated the costs of each outbreak from the hospitals' perspective through standardized interviews with hospital staff and review of contact tracing logs. Direct costs included personnel time and laboratory and medication costs, whereas indirect costs were those resulting from hospital staff furloughs. Results. Hospital A incurred direct costs of $195,342 and indirect costs of $68,015; hospital B incurred direct costs of $71,130 and indirect costs of $50,000. Cost differences resulted primarily from higher personnel costs at hospital A ($134,536), compared with hospital B ($21,645). Total cost per pertussis case was $43,893 for hospital A (6 cases) and $30,282 for hospital B (4 cases). Total cost per person exposed to a pertussis patient were $357 for hospital A (738 exposures) and $164 for hospital B (737 exposures). Conclusions. Nosocomial pertussis outbreaks result in substantial costs to hospitals, even when the number of pertussis cases is low. The cost-effectiveness of strategies to prevent nosocomial pertussis outbreaks, including vaccination of healthcare workers, should be evaluated.