Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modulation by Melatonin of the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases

Melatonin is the major secretory product of the pineal gland during the night and has multiple activities including the regulation of circadian and seasonal rhythms, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It also possesses the ability to modulate immune responses by regulation of the T helper 1/2 balance and cytokine production. Autoimmune diseases, which result from the activation of immune cells by autoantigens released from normal tissues, affect around 5% of the population. Activation of autoantigen-specific immune cells leads to subsequent damage of target tissues by these activated cells. Melatonin therapy has been investigated in several animal models of autoimmune disease, where it has a beneficial effect in a number of models excepting rheumatoid arthritis, and has been evaluated in clinical autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. This review summarizes and highlights the role and the modulatory effects of melatonin in several inflammatory autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Validity and reliability of GPS for measuring distance travelled in field-based team sports

Abstract The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of movement intensity and path linearity on global positioning system (GPS) distance validity and reliability. One participant wore eight 1-Hz GPS receivers while walking, jogging, running, and sprinting over linear and non-linear 200-m courses. Five trials were performed at each intensity of movement on each 200-m course. One receiver was excluded from analysis due to errors during data collection. The results from seven GPS receivers showed the mean (±s) and percent bias of the GPS distance values on the 200-m linear course were 205.8 ± 2.4 m (2.8%), 201.8 ± 2.8 m (0.8%), 203.1 ± 2.2 m (1.5%), and 205.2 ± 4 m (2.5%) for the walk, jog, run, and sprint trial respectively. Walk and sprint distances were significantly different from jogging and running distances (P < 0.05). The GPS distance values on the 200-m non-linear course were 198.9 ± 3.5 m (−0.5%), 188.3 ± 2 m (−5.8%), 184.6 ± 2.9 m (−7.7%), and 180.4 ± 5.7 m (−9.8%) for the walk, jog, run, and sprint trial respectively; these were significantly lower than those for the corresponding values on the linear course (P < 0.05). Differences between all non-linear movement intensities were significant (P < 0.05). The overall coefficient of variation within and between receivers was 2.6% and 2.8% respectively. Path linearity and movement intensity appear to affect GPS distance accuracy via inherent positioning errors, update rate, and conditions of use; reliability decreases with movement intensity.
Low cost analogue testing of RF signal paths

A low cost method for testing analogue RF signal paths suitable for BIST implementation in a SoC environment is described. The method is based on the use of a simple and low-cost one-bit digitizer that enables the reuse of processor and memory resources available in the SoC, while incurring little analogue area overhead. The proposed method also allows a constant load to be observed by the circuit, since no switches or muxes are needed for digitizing specific test points. Mathematical background and experimental results are presented in order to validate the test approach.
Rituximab after methotrexate failure in rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation of the SERENE trial

B cell targeted therapy using rituximab, a genetically engineered chimeric mouse/human monoclonal antibody, is recommended for patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who have failed to respond to both conventional disease-modifying drugs and TNF inhibitors. The value of ritixumab in patients with earlier disease, who have only failed methotrexate, was evaluated in a large multicentre randomised, placebo-controlled trial. The Study Evaluating Rituximab's Efficacy in MTX iNadequate rEsponders (SERENE) trial enrolled 511 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. They received one of two doses of rituximab (500 mg × 2 or 1000 mg × 2) or placebo in addition to methotrexate therapy. By 6 months significantly more patients receiving active treatment with rituximab achieved American College of Rheumatology 20 and 50% responses and had low disease activity or remission. These benefits extended to 12 months. There was not an excess of adverse reactions with rituximab. There was some evidence, albeit incomplete, that patients who were seronegative for rheumatoid factor were less likely to respond to rituximab. There is some evidence rituximab might be suitable as first choice biologic treatment, although head-to-head trials are needed against TNF inhibitors before such an approach can be justified. Its value is likely to be restricted to seropositive patients.
A cross‐layer optimization for maximum‐revenue‐based multicast in multichannel multiradio wireless mesh networks

Given a video/audio streaming system installed on a multichannel multiradio wireless mesh network, we are interested in a problem concerning about how to construct a delay‐constrained multicast tree to support concurrent interference‐free transmissions so that the number of serviced mesh clients is maximized. In this paper, we propose a heuristic approach called cross‐layer and load‐oriented (CLLO) algorithm for the problem. On the basis of the cross‐layer design paradigm, our CLLO algorithm can consider application demands, multicast routing, and channel assignment jointly during the formation of a channel‐allocated multicast tree. The experimental results show that the proposed CLLO outperforms the layered approaches in terms of the number of serviced mesh clients and throughputs. This superiority is due to information from higher layers can be used to guide routing selection and channel allocation at the same time. As a result, the CLLO algorithm can explore more solution spaces than the traditional layered approaches. In addition to that, we also propose a channel adjusting procedure to enhance the quality of channel‐allocated multicast trees. According to our simulations, it is proved to be an effective method for improving the performance of the proposed CLLO algorithm. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Science with the Interstellar Heliopause Probe

After the exciting in-situ observations of the ter- mination shock and the entry of the Voyager 1 spacecraft in the heliosheath, there is a growing awareness of the signifi- cance of the physics of the outer heliosphere. Its understand- ing helps to clarify the structure of our immediate interstellar neighbourhood, contributes to the clarification of fundamen- tal astrophysical processes like the acceleration of charged particles at a steller wind termination shock, and also sheds light on the question to what extent interstellar-terrestrial re- lations are important for the environment of and on the Earth. Consequently, there are new seriously discussed suggestions for sending a modern spacecraft into the heliosheath and be- yond. One of those candidates is the Interstellar Heliopause Probe (IHP) that has been studied in a Technology Reference Study by ESA/ESTEC. Here, we discuss the science objec- tives and expected scientific performance of this mission.
The opportunistic screening of refractive errors in school-going children by pediatrician using enhanced Brückner test

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the results of enhanced Brückner test (EBT) performed by a pediatrician and an experienced pediatric ophthalmologist. Subjects and Methods: In this prospective double-masked cohort study, a pediatrician and a pediatric ophthalmologist performed the EBT in a classroom of a school in semi-dark lighting condition using a direct ophthalmoscope. The results of the test were compared using 2 × 2 Bayesian table and kappa statistics. The findings of the pediatric ophthalmologists were considered gold standard. Results: Two hundred and thirty-six eyes of 118 subjects, mean age 6.8 ± 0.5 years (range, 5.4–7.8 years), were examined. The time taken to complete this test was <10 s per subject. The ophthalmologist identified 59 eyes as ametropic (12 hyperopic and 47 myopic eyes) and 177 as emmetropic compared to 61 eyes as ametropic and 175 emmetropic by pediatrician. The prevalence of the test positive was 25.9%. The sensitivity of the pediatrician was 90.2%, specificity was 97.7%, predictive value of the positive test was 93.2%, and predictive value of the negative test was 96.6%. The clinical agreement (kappa) between the pediatric ophthalmologist and the pediatrician was 0.9. Conclusion: The results of the EBT performed by pediatrician were comparable to that of an experienced pediatric ophthalmologist. Opportunistic screening of refractive errors using EBT by a pediatrician can be an important approach in the detection of ametropia in children.
Correlated Connectivity and the Distribution of Firing Rates in the Neocortex

Two recent experimental observations pose a challenge to many cortical models. First, the activity in the auditory cortex is sparse, and firing rates can be described by a lognormal distribution. Second, the distribution of nonzero synaptic strengths between nearby cortical neurons can also be described by a lognormal distribution. Here we use a simple model of cortical activity to reconcile these observations. The model makes the experimentally testable prediction that synaptic efficacies onto a given cortical neuron are statistically correlated, i.e., it predicts that some neurons receive stronger synapses than other neurons. We propose a simple Hebb-like learning rule that gives rise to such correlations and yields both lognormal firing rates and synaptic efficacies. Our results represent a first step toward reconciling sparse activity and sparse connectivity in cortical networks.
Measurement and mathematical modelling of elastic and resistive lung mechanical properties studied at sinusoidal expiratory flow

Elastic pressure/volume (Pel/V) and elastic pressure/resistance (Pel/R) diagrams reflect parenchymal and bronchial properties, respectively. The objective was to develop a method for determination and mathematical characterization of Pel/V and Pel/R relationships, simultaneously studied at sinusoidal flow–modulated vital capacity expirations in a body plethysmograph. Analysis was carried out by iterative parameter estimation based on a composite mathematical model describing a three‐segment Pel/V curve and a hyperbolic Pel/R curve. The hypothesis was tested that the sigmoid Pel/V curve is non‐symmetric. Thirty healthy subjects were studied. The hypothesis of a non‐symmetric Pel/V curve was verified. Its upper volume asymptote was nearly equal to total lung capacity (TLC), indicating lung stiffness increasing at high lung volume as the main factor limiting TLC at health. The asymptotic minimal resistance of the hyperbolic Pel/R relationship reflected lung size. A detailed description of both Pel/V and Pel/R relationships was simultaneously derived from sinusoidal flow–modulated vital capacity expirations. The nature of the Pel/V curve merits the use of a non‐symmetric Pel/V model.
Crystallization Kinetics and Morphology Control of Formamidinium–Cesium Mixed‐Cation Lead Mixed‐Halide Perovskite via Tunability of the Colloidal Precursor Solution

The meteoric rise of the field of perovskite solar cells has been fueled by the ease with which a wide range of high‐quality materials can be fabricated via simple solution processing methods. However, to date, little effort has been devoted to understanding the precursor solutions, and the role of additives such as hydrohalic acids upon film crystallization and final optoelectronic quality. Here, a direct link between the colloids concentration present in the [HC(NH2)2]0.83Cs0. 17Pb(Br0.2I0.8)3 precursor solution and the nucleation and growth stages of the thin film formation is established. Using dynamic light scattering analysis, the dissolution of colloids over a time span triggered by the addition of hydrohalic acids is monitored. These colloids appear to provide nucleation sites for the perovskite crystallization, which critically impacts morphology, crystal quality, and optoelectronic properties. Via 2D X‐ray diffraction, highly ordered and textured crystals for films prepared from solutions with lower colloidal concentrations are observed. This increase in material quality allows for a reduction in microstrain along with a twofold increase in charge‐carrier mobilities leading to values exceeding 20 cm2 V−1 s−1. Using a solution with an optimized colloidal concentration, devices that reach current–voltage measured power conversion efficiency of 18.8% and stabilized efficiency of 17.9% are fabricated.
Surface Texturing of CVD Diamond Assisted by Ultrashort Laser Pulses

Diamond is a wide bandgap semiconductor with excellent physical properties which allow it to operate under extreme conditions. However, the technological use of diamond was mostly conceived for the fabrication of ultraviolet, ionizing radiation and nuclear detectors, of electron emitters, and of power electronic devices. The use of nanosecond pulse excimer lasers enabled the microstructuring of diamond surfaces, and refined techniques such as controlled ablation through graphitization and etching by two-photon surface excitation are being exploited for the nanostructuring of diamond. On the other hand, ultrashort pulse lasers paved the way for a more accurate diamond microstructuring, due to reduced thermal effects, as well as an effective surface nanostructuring, based on the formation of periodic structures at the nanoscale. It resulted in drastic modifications of the optical and electronic properties of diamond, of which “black diamond” films are an example for future high-temperature solar cells as well as for advanced optoelectronic platforms. Although experiments on diamond nanostructuring started almost 20 years ago, real applications are only today under implementation.
Slight chronic elevation of C‐reactive protein is associated with lower aerobic fitness but does not impair meal‐induced stimulation of muscle protein metabolism in healthy old men

Development of low grade inflammation has been correlated with sarcopenia in humans and shown to induce an anabolic resistance of muscle protein metabolism to dietary amino acid intake in an animal model. Low grade inflammation is clinically and routinely detected in humans by measurement of the plasma C‐reactive protein level. In healthy elderly individuals presenting a slight but chronic elevation of C‐reactive protein, we show that neither muscle, nor whole body protein metabolism was affected. By contrast, a decrease in aerobic fitness, an increase in abdominal fat mass and a post‐prandial insulin resistance was detected. Our results show that the unique detection of chronic C‐reactive protein elevation could predict a decrease in aerobic fitness and insulin resistance installation in elderly individuals but not muscle anabolic resistance to food intake.
What Triggers Environmental Management and Innovation? Empirical Evidence for Germany

It is frequently hypothesized that environmental management systems (EMSs) may improve firms' environmental innovation performance. Whether this hypothesis is true is as critical for environmental policy as questions pertaining to the relevant incentives for (1) a firm's voluntary adoption of an EMS and (2) its environmental innovation behavior. Based on ample empirical evidence for German manufacturing, this paper addresses the simultaneity of these issues on the basis of a recursive bivariate probit model that explores the hypothesis that a facility's decision on innovation activities is correlated with the decision on EMS adoption. Our empirical results, indicating that environmental innovation activities are not associated with EMS implementation nor any other single policy instrument, reflect the perceptions of the survey respondents and, hence, should be interpreted as correlations rather than causal relationships. According to these perceptions, innovation behavior seems to be mainly correlated with the stringency of environmental policy.
Sufficient LMI conditions for output feedback control problems

The authors present linear matrix inequality (LMI) conditions for output feedback control problems. The results are based on sufficient conditions because they are dependent on the particular state-space representation used for describing the system. Nevertheless, the conditions are not sensitive to a certain class of state-space transformations, and if the control problem is feasible then there exists some state-space transformation leading the conditions to be necessary and sufficient for the problem. The authors approach can be used for designing decentralized controllers and is easily extended to H/sub 2/, H/sub /spl infin// and mixed H/sub 2//H/sub /spl infin// problems via standard LMI techniques. The continuous- and discrete-time cases are considered and numerical examples are given to illustrate the results.
Turning induced residual stress prediction of AISI 4130 considering dynamic recrystallization

ABSTRACT Machining-induced residual stress distribution is strongly influenced by the machining process condition, tool geometry and workpiece material mechanical properties. The high temperature, large strain and high strain rate environment will promote the material micro-structural attribute changes. The material micro-structural attribute changes could directly affect the material mechanical properties. An analytical model is proposed for the residual stress prediction in the orthogonal turning by considering the material dynamical recrystallization induced grain growth effect. The grain size effect on the material flow stress behavior is included by adding a grain size dependent term into the traditional Johnson–Cook model. The Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov model calculates the recrystallized volume fraction and grain size as a function strain, strain rate and time. The average grain size is calculated with a rule of mixture by volume. Then the modified Johnson–Cook model is embedded into a classic residual stress prediction model for the machining induced residual stress profile prediction on the machined workpiece surface. Experimental tests are conducted for the model validation. The predicted residual stress shows good approximation with the measurement in both the trend and magnitude of the residual stress. Also, the effects of cutting speed and feed rate on the residual stress profile are investigated.
Renal‐cell cancer

A variety of tumors may arise in the kidneys, which vary widely in clinical significance. In adults, the most common form of malignant renal tumor is the adenocarcinoma, which arises from tubular epithelium. In part because the kidneys are located in the retroperitoneum, renal cell adenocarcinomas are characterized by a lack of early clinical warning signs; a substantial proportion of patients with renal cancer present with disseminated metastases. At present, surgical removal of renal cell adenocarcinomas is the only effective means of curing the disease, as these tumors are resistant to standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A potential role for immunotherapy in treating advanced renal cell cancer is being evaluated. Increased utilization of radiologic imaging techniques has led to the identification of small renal lesions in asymptomatic patients. Early detection of renal tumors has prompted the development of objective criteria for the classification of renal tumors of low and high metastatic potential and the establishment of uniformly accepted pathologic features of prognostic significance. Studies of patients with inherited predisposition to developing renal cell cancer have greatly contributed to our understanding of the pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma. Inherited mutations in different genes predispose to the development of histologically distinct types of renal cancer. These studies provide support for the inclusion of genetic alterations in the histopathologic classification of renal tumors.
Embolism repair and xylem tension: Do We need a miracle?

There is widespread agreement that negative hydrostatic pressure makes water transport in the xylem intrinsically vulnerable to cavitation ([Pickard, 1981][1]; [Zimmermann and Milburn, 1982][2]; [Tyree and Sperry, 1989][3]). Xylem hydraulic conductivity is often substantially reduced by cavitation
Surveying migrant households: a comparison of census‐based, snowball and intercept point surveys

Summary. Few representative surveys of households of migrants exist, limiting our ability to study the effects of international migration on sending families. We report the results of an experiment that was designed to compare the performance of three alternative survey methods in collecting data from Japanese–Brazilian families, many of whom send migrants to Japan. The three surveys that were conducted were households selected randomly from a door‐to‐door listing using the Brazilian census to select census blocks, a snowball survey using Nikkei community groups to select the seeds and an intercept point survey that was collected at Nikkei community gatherings, ethnic grocery stores, sports clubs and other locations where family members of migrants are likely to congregate. We analyse how closely well‐designed snowball and intercept point surveys can approach the much more expensive census‐based method in terms of giving information on the characteristics of migrants, the level of remittances received and the incidence and determinants of return migration.
Environmental conditions which influence mucoid conversion Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

Growth and conversion to the mucoid phenotype by nonmucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 was studied in a chemostat system under conditions designed to reflect those likely to be present during chronic infection in the lung in cystic fibrosis patients. Mucoid variants were consistently isolated during continuous culture in the presence of 0.3 M NaCl or 5 or 10% glycerol. Mucoid subpopulations were also detected under conditions of carbon, nitrogen, or phosphate limitation. During carbon or nitrogen limitation, mucoid conversion was dependent upon the choice of substrate. Phosphate-limited cultures exhibited an inverse relationship between culture growth rate and number of mucoid organisms detected. Mucoid variants were not detected when dilution rates (D) exceeded 0.173 h-1. Conversely, at a D of 0.044 h-1, 40% of the population expressed the mucoid phenotype. Phosphorylcholine, a product of phospholipase C activity on the major lung surfactant phosphatidylcholine, was also used as a growth substrate in nutrient limitation studies. Under all conditions, growth of PAO1 supplied with phosphorylcholine resulted in isolation of mucoid variants, indicating that the lung may provide at least one nutrient source conducive to mucoid conversion. Continuous culture also resulted in detection of a phage associated with strain PAO1. High titers of phage were present under all conditions, including those which yielded no mucoid organisms, suggesting that environmental conditions rather than the phage regulated the appearance of mucoid variants.