Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of vitamin C treatment on collar-induced intimal thickening

Vitamin C has efficient antioxidant properties and is involved in important physiological processes such as collagen synthesis. As such, vitamin C deficiency leads to serious complications, including vascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin C treatment on collar-induced intimal thickening. Rabbits were fed a normocholesterolemic diet and a non-occlusive silicon collar was placed around the left carotid artery for 3, 7, and 14 days. The rabbits were treated with or without vitamin C (150 mg/kg/day). Collar-induced intimal thickening became apparent at day 7. The effect of the collar on intimal thickening was more prominent at day 14. Vitamin C treatment significantly inhibited collar-induced intimal thickening at day 14. The placement of the collar around the carotid artery decreased maximum contractile responses against contractile agents (KCl, phenylephrine, 5-hydroxytryptamine). The effect of the collar on contractile responses was enhanced as days elapsed. Decreased contractile responses of collared carotid arteries normalized at day 14 in the vitamin C treatment group. Vitamin C treatment also restored sensitivity to phenylephrine. The collar also significantly decreased acetylcholine-induced relaxations at day 3 and day 7. Acetylcholine-induced relaxations normalized in collared-arteries in the placebo group at day 14. Vitamin C treatment significantly increased acetylcholine-induced relaxations of both normal and collared carotid arteries at day 14. MMP-9 expression increased in collared arteries at day 3 and day 7 but did not change at day 14. MMP-2 expression increased in collared arteries at day 14. However, vitamin C treatment reduced collar-stimulated expression of MMP-2 at day 14. These findings indicate that vitamin C may have potentially beneficial effects on the early stages of atherosclerosis. Furthermore these results, for the first time, may indicate that vitamin C can also normalize decreased contractile response through perivascular collar placement.
Impact of cognitive and linguistic ability on gaze behavior in children with hearing impairment

In order to explore verbal–nonverbal integration, we investigated the influence of cognitive and linguistic ability on gaze behavior during spoken language conversation between children with mild-to-moderate hearing impairment (HI) and normal-hearing (NH) peers. Ten HI–NH and 10 NH-NH dyads performed a referential communication task requiring description of faces. During task performance, eye movements and speech were tracked. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model associations between performance on cognitive and linguistic tasks and the probability of gaze to the conversational partner’s face. Analyses compare the listeners in each dyad (HI: n = 10, mean age = 12; 6 years, SD = 2; 0, mean better ear pure-tone average 33.0 dB HL, SD = 7.8; NH: n = 10, mean age = 13; 7 years, SD = 1; 11). Group differences in gaze behavior – with HI gazing more to the conversational partner than NH – remained significant despite adjustment for ability on receptive grammar, expressive vocabulary, and complex working memory. Adjustment for phonological short term memory, as measured by non-word repetition, removed group differences, revealing an interaction between group membership and non-word repetition ability. Stratified analysis showed a twofold increase of the probability of gaze-to-partner for HI with low phonological short term memory capacity, and a decreased probability for HI with high capacity, as compared to NH peers. The results revealed differences in gaze behavior attributable to performance on a phonological short term memory task. Participants with HI and low phonological short term memory capacity showed a doubled probability of gaze to the conversational partner, indicative of a visual bias. The results stress the need to look beyond the HI in diagnostics and intervention. Acknowledgment of the finding requires clinical assessment of children with HI to be supported by tasks tapping phonological processing.
Impacts of Repeated Wildfire on Vegetation in the Southern Appalachian Mountains

3 Background and Purpose 4 Study Description and Location 7 Key Findings 12 Management Implications 28 Relationship to Other Findings and Ongoing Work 29 Future Work Needed 30 Deliverables Crosswalk Table 31 Appendix 1 Draft Manuscript for Publication 32 Appendix 2 – Literature Cited 56
Semantic Representation and Correspondence for State-Based Motion Transition

Consistent transition algorithms preserve salient source motion features by establishing feature-based correspondence between motions and accordingly warping them before interpolation. These processes are commonly dubbed as preprocessing in motion transition literature. Current transition methods suffer from a lack of economical and generic preprocessing algorithms. Classical computer vision methods for human motion classification and correspondence are too computationally intensive for computer animation. The paper proposes an analytical framework that combines low-level kinematics analysis and high-level knowledge-based analysis to create states that provide coherent snapshots of body-parts active during the motion. These states are then corresponded via a globally optimal search tree algorithm. The framework proposed here is intuitive, controllable, and delivers results in near realtime. The validity and performance of the proposed system are tangibly proven with extensive experiments.
Effectiveness and safety of meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimens in the treatment of MDR- and XDR-TB

No large study has ever evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of meropenem/clavulanate to treat multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR- and XDR-TB). The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the therapeutic contribution, effectiveness, safety and tolerability profile of meropenem/clavulanate added to a background regimen when treating MDR- and XDR-TB cases. Patients treated with a meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimen (n=96) showed a greater drug resistance profile than those exposed to a meropenem/clavulanate-sparing regimen (n=168): in the former group XDR-TB was more frequent (49% versus 6.0%, p<0.0001) and the median (interquartile range (IQR)) number of antibiotic resistances was higher (8 (6–9) versus 5 (4–6)). Patients were treated with a meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimen for a median (IQR) of 85 (49–156) days. No statistically significant differences were observed in the overall MDR-TB cohort and in the subgroups with and without the XDR-TB patients; in particular, sputum smear and culture conversion rates were similar in XDR-TB patients exposed to meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimens (88.0% versus 100.0%, p=1.00 and 88.0% versus 100.0%, p=1.00, respectively). Only six cases reported adverse events attributable to meropenem/clavulanate (four of them then restarting treatment). The nondifferent outcomes and bacteriological conversion rate observed in cases who were more severe than controls might imply that meropenem/clavulanate could be active in treating MDR- and XDR-TB cases. Meropenem/clavulanate is effective and safe to treat MDR- and XDR-TB in comparison with controls http://ow.ly/XG75j
Variation in host susceptibility and infectiousness generated by co-infection: the myxoma–Trichostrongylus retortaeformis case in wild rabbits

One of the conditions that can affect host susceptibility and parasite transmission is the occurrence of concomitant infections. Parasites interact directly or indirectly within an individual host and often these interactions are modulated by the host immune response. We used a free-living rabbit population co-infected with the nematode Trichostrongylus retortaeformis, which appears to stimulate an acquired immune response, and the immunosuppressive poxvirus myxoma. Modelling was used to examine how myxoma infection alters the immune-mediated establishment and death/expulsion of T. retortaeformis, and consequently affects parasite intensity and duration of the infection. Simulations were based on the general TH1–TH2 immunological paradigm that proposes the polarization of the host immune response towards one of the two subsets of T helper cells. Our findings suggest that myxoma infections contribute to alter host susceptibility to the nematode, as co-infected rabbits showed higher worm intensity compared with virus negative hosts. Results also suggest that myxoma disrupts the ability of the host to clear T. retortaeformis as worm intensities were consistently high and remained high in old rabbits. However, the co-infection model has to include some immune-mediated nematode regulation to be consistent with field data, indicating that the TH1–TH2 dichotomy is not complete. We conclude that seasonal myxoma outbreaks enhance host susceptibility to the nematode and generate highly infected hosts that remain infectious for a longer time. Finally, the virus–nematode co-infection increases heterogeneities among individuals and potentially has a large effect on parasite transmission.
The HerMES SPIRE submillimeter local luminosity function

Local luminosity functions are fundamental benchmarks for high-redshift galaxy formation and evolution studies as well as for models describing these processes. Determining the local luminosity function in the submillimeter range can help to better constrain in particular the bolometric luminosity density in the local Universe, and Herschel offers the first opportunity to do so in an unbiased way by imaging large sky areas at several submillimeter wavelengths. We present the first Herschel measurement of the submillimeter 0
MR Imaging Findings of Painful Type II Accessory Navicular Bone: Correlation with Surgical and Pathologic Studies

Objective To evaluate the MR imaging findings of painful type II accessory navicular bone and to correlate these with the surgical and pathologic findings. Materials and Methods The MR images of 17 patients with medial foot pain and surgically proven type II accessory navicular abnormalities were reviewed. The changes of signal intensity in the accessory navicular, synchondrosis and adjacent soft tissue, the presence of synchondrosis widening, and posterior tibial tendon (PTT) pathology on the T1-weighted and fat-suppressed T2-weighted images were analyzed. The MR imaging findings were compared with the surgical and pathologic findings. Results The fat-suppressed T2-weighted images showed high signal intensity in the accessory navicular bones and synchondroses in all patients, and in the soft tissue in 11 (64.7%) of the 17 patients, as well as synchondrosis widening in 3 (17.6%) of the 17 patients. The MR images showed tendon pathology in 12 (75%) of the 16 patients with PTT dysfunction at surgery. The pathologic findings of 16 surgical specimens included areas of osteonecrosis with granulomatous inflammation, fibrosis and destruction of the cartilage cap. Conclusion The MR imaging findings of painful type II accessory navicular bone are a persistent edema pattern in the accessory navicular bone and within the synchondrosis, indicating osteonecrosis, inflammation and destruction of the cartilage cap. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction was clinically evident in most patients.
The Determinants of Export Performance : Panel Data Evidence for Irish Manufacturing Plants December 2001

The dramatic GDP and export growth of the Republic of Ireland over the last decade forms a marked contrast with that of its nearest neighbour Northern Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland, export volume growth averaged 15.5 per cent pa from 1991-99 compared to 6.3 per cent from Northern Ireland. Using data on individual manufacturing plants throughout Ireland this paper considers the determinants of export performance in the two areas. Larger, externally-owned plants with higher skill levels are found to have the highest export propensities in both areas. Other influences (plant age, R&D etc.) prove more strongly conditional on location, plant size, and ownership. Structural factors (e.g. ownership, industry) explain almost all of the difference in export propensity between larger plants in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland but only around half of that between smaller plants. Significant differences are also evident between plants in terms of their sources of new technology. For indigenously-owned plants, in-house R&D is important. For externally-owned plants, R&D conducted elsewhere in the group typically outside Ireland proves more significant. Both this external dependency and lower than expected export propensity on the part of small plants in Northern Ireland represent significant policy challenges for the future.
The relation between dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction in couples dealing with haematological cancer

Couples' ability to cope with cancer is significantly associated with how satisfied they are with their relationship. However, little evidence specific to haemato-oncological patients exists. The objective of this study was to examine how dyadic coping (DC) affects relationship satisfaction among couples facing haematological cancer. Furthermore, we tested complex interactions between distress, disease-related and socio-demographic factors. In a multicentre study, 327 patients (haemato-oncological cancer; mean age: 57 years, 63% male) and their partners responded to surveys examining their relationship satisfaction, DC and distress. The Actor-Partner-Interdependence-Model (APIM) and moderator analyses were used to assess interactions between these concepts. In the APIM, positive DC was significantly related to greater levels of relationship satisfaction, and negative DC was related to lower levels of relationship satisfaction (all p < .001). The partners' distress was significantly related to lower levels of relationship satisfaction of the partners (p < .05). Furthermore, distress, age and relationship duration had significant moderating effects on the association between DC and relationship satisfaction (p < .05). Our results enable describing patient and partner as an interactional unit in which positive DC supports a satisfying relationship. They imply that strengthening positive DC in a couple facing haematological cancer can contribute to them having a well-functioning and sustaining relationship.
Molecular phylogeny of the Sceloporus torquatus species-group (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae)

The genus Sceloporus is one of the largest genus of lizards in North and Central America, with 22 species groups. Among these, the torquatus group has a notably wide geographic distribution with populations occurring from southern United States to Guatemala. In spite of the taxonomical work done with the group, some problems remain unsolved. We therefore obtained the phylogeny of the torquatus group, based on 925 bp of the ribosomal 16S gene, 912 bp of the ribosomal 12S gene, and 893 bp of the ND4 gene, for a total of 54 specimens of 25 taxa. The genes were analyzed, both separately and combined, by means of maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses. The subspecies of S. serrifer did not form a monophyletic group. The sequence data refuted the morphological evidence that suggested that S. s. plioporus and S. cyanogenys are closely related to S. s. serrifer and to S. s. prezygus. Regardless, these last two were recovered as sister taxa. Moreover, evidence was found that S. ornatus does not form a monophyletic group, and that S. ornatus ornatus and S. oberon are a single species, despite their marked differences in coloration and scutelation. In addition, the non-monophyly of S. mucronatus was confirmed and the phylogenetic relationships of its different species were determined. At the same time, the subspecies of S. dugesii were recovered as a monophyletic group, refuting the nonmonophyly of this taxon suggested in the phylogenetic hypothesis of the entire genus.
Diamond Films Handbook

A short history of diamond synthesis film characterization methods - structure and composition deposition chemistry - deposition pathways, nucleation, and growth thermally-assisted (hot-filament) deposition of diamond plasma torch diamond deposition combustion synthesis of diamond laser-assisted and optical pumping techniques for diamond synthesis CVD diamond solutions for machining and other mechanical applications diamond heat spreaders and thermal management diamond active electronic devices diamond film optics.
Geographical and socioeconomic variation in the prevalence of asthma symptoms in English and Scottish children

BACKGROUND There has been controversy over the relation between poverty and asthma in the community. The aim of this analysis was to disentangle geographical and socioeconomic variation in asthma symptoms. METHODS The analysis is based on parental reports of symptoms from data collected in 1990 and 1991. Children aged 5–11 years from three populations (English representative sample, Scottish representative sample, and an English inner city sample) were included. Of 17 677 eligible children, between 14 490 (82.0%) and 15 562 (88.0%) children were available for analysis according to symptom group. RESULTS Wheezy symptoms were less prevalent in the Scottish sample than in the English samples and asthma attacks were most prevalent in the English representative sample. Asthma attacks were less prevalent in inner city areas than in the English representative sample (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.95), but persistent wheeze and other respiratory symptoms were more prevalent (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.65 to 2.32 and OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.52 to 1.84, respectively). The prevalence of persistent wheeze was higher in children whose father’s social class was low and in those living in areas with a high Townsend score (an index of poverty) than in other children (p<0.001). Of the 14 areas with the highest Townsend score, 13 had an OR above 1 and six had an OR significantly higher than the reference area. CONCLUSIONS Persistent wheeze is more prevalent in poor areas than in less deprived areas. This may indicate that poverty is associated with severe asthma or that a high percentage of persistent asthma symptoms in inner city areas are unrecognised and untreated.
Learning What and Where to Draw

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) have recently demonstrated the capability to synthesize compelling real-world images, such as room interiors, album covers, manga, faces, birds, and flowers. While existing models can synthesize images based on global constraints such as a class label or caption, they do not provide control over pose or object location. We propose a new model, the Generative Adversarial What-Where Network (GAWWN), that synthesizes images given instructions describing what content to draw in which location. We show high-quality 128 x 128 image synthesis on the Caltech-UCSD Birds dataset, conditioned on both informal text descriptions and also object location. Our system exposes control over both the bounding box around the bird and its constituent parts. By modeling the conditional distributions over part locations, our system also enables conditioning on arbitrary subsets of parts (e.g. only the beak and tail), yielding an efficient interface for picking part locations.
Compressing an inverted file with LCS

The document index construction is one of the most important concerns in designing an information retrieval system. The most common index structure used in document retrieval is the inverted file, which consists of inverted lists holding lists of pointers to all the locations of the given terms in the documents collected. The size of an inverted file can be reduced by the use of compression techniques. We exploit randomized minimum spanning tree (MST) algorithm, which uses the spanning tree verification and randomized sampling.
Effect of Functional Chewing Training on tongue thrust and drooling in children with cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial

Tongue thrust, which is an oral reflex associated with sucking behaviour, may cause problems in swallowing, speech, oro-facial development and also drooling. We aimed to examine the effect of Functional Chewing Training (FuCT) on tongue thrust and drooling in children with cerebral palsy. The study included 32 children with a mean age of 58·25 ± 9·58 months who had tongue thrust. Children were divided into two groups: the FuCT group and control group receiving classical oral motor exercises. Each group received training for 12 weeks. Oral motor assessment was performed. Chewing performance level was determined with the Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale. Tongue thrust severity was evaluated with the Tongue Thrust Rating Scale. The Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale was used to evaluate drooling severity and frequency. The evaluations were performed before and after treatment. Groups were well matched in age, gender and oral motor assessment. No significant difference was found between groups in terms of pre-treatment chewing function, tongue thrust severity, drooling severity and frequency (P > 0·05). The FuCT group showed improvement in chewing performance (P = 0·001), tongue thrust severity (P = 0·046) and drooling severity (P = 0·002), but no improvement was found in terms of drooling frequency (P = 0·082) after treatment. There was no improvement in chewing performance, tongue thrust, drooling severity and frequency in the control group. A significant difference was found between groups in favour of FuCT group in tongue thrust severity (P = 0·043). This study showed that the FuCT is an effective approach on the severity of tongue thrust and drooling in children with CP.
Cell cooperation and role of the P2X7 receptor in pulmonary inflammation induced by nanoparticles

Abstract Macrophages and alveolar epithelial cells are the first targets of inhaled nanoparticles (NPs) reaching the alveoli. Mono- or co-cultures of lung epithelial (A549 or NCI-H441) and macrophage (THP-1) cell lines were used to study the cell cooperation and the involvement of the P2X7 cell death receptor during the inflammation caused by SiO2 and TiO2 NPs. Here we show that, secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8) in response to NPs exposure was higher in co-cultures than in mono-cultures. A functional P2X7 receptor was found in all the cell lines studied. Its involvement in IL-1β secretion in co-cultures was demonstrated using a specific antagonist, the brilliant blue G. Furthermore, mono and co-cultures exhibited distinct secretion patterns of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to NPs exposure, and we provide the first evidence that the P2X7 receptor is involved in the inflammation triggered by SiO2 and TiO2 NPs, by increasing IL-1β secretion, and likely through the inflammasome pathway. Altogether, our data indicate that cell co-cultures used in this study represent valid models to study the inflammatory mechanisms of NPs within the alveoli.