Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renal effects of natriuretic peptide receptor blockade in cirrhotic rats with ascites

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of HS‐142‐1, a recently discovered specific antagonist of endogenous natriuretic peptides, on systemic hemodynamics, renal function, and the renin‐aldosterone system in rats with cirrhosis and ascites. The study consisted of three protocols, each including 10 conscious control rats and 10 conscious rats with carbontetrachloride‐induced cirrhosis with ascites. In protocol 1, HS‐142‐1 administration (by intravenous bolus of 20 mg · kg−1 body weight in all protocols) was not associated with significant changes in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac output or total peripheral resistance in the two groups of animals. In protocol 2, HS‐142‐1 induced a significant reduction in glomerular filtration rate (from 4.2 ± 0.5 to 2.6 ± 0.3 ml/min, p < 0.025) in control animals. A decrease in renal plasma flow and an increase in renal vascular resistance also occurred, but these changes were not statistically significant. In cirrhotic rats, HS‐142‐1 resulted in a significant decrease in renal plasma flow (from 10.9 ± 0.7 to 4.3 ± 0.6 ml/min, p < 0.001) and a significant increase in renal vascular resistance (from 6.0 ± 0.6 to 16.3 ± 2.7 mm Hg · min · ml−1, p < 0.025). Glomerular filtration rate decreased more in cirrhotic rats with ascites than in control rats (from 3.8 ± 0.3 to 1.3 ± 0.2 ml/min, p < 0.001). Changes in urine flow rate and urinary sodium excretion rate paralleled those of glomerular filtration rate in both groups of animals. In protocol 3, HS‐142‐1 administration was associated with a marked increase in plasma renin activity (from 17 ± 3 to 39 ± 9 ng · ml−1 ± hr−1, p < 0.01) and plasma aldosterone concentration (from 130 ± 12 to 268 ± 48 pg · ml−1, p < 0.025) in cirrhotic rats with ascites. This association was not observed in control animals (plasma renin activity from 1.6 ± 0.3 to 1.6 ± 0.5 ng ± ml·1 · hr−1, aldosterone from 45 ± 15 to 44 ± 16 pg · ml−1). These findings indicate that endogenous natriuretic peptides play a critical role in the maintenance of renal function and in the regulation of the renin‐aldosterone system in cirrhosis with ascites. These peptides, however, are not critical to arterial pressure homeostasis under the conditions studied. (Hepatology 1994;20:948–954).
A New Dolphin Species, the Burrunan Dolphin Tursiops australis sp. nov., Endemic to Southern Australian Coastal Waters

Small coastal dolphins endemic to south-eastern Australia have variously been assigned to described species Tursiops truncatus, T. aduncus or T. maugeanus; however the specific affinities of these animals is controversial and have recently been questioned. Historically ‘the southern Australian Tursiops’ was identified as unique and was formally named Tursiops maugeanus but was later synonymised with T. truncatus. Morphologically, these coastal dolphins share some characters with both aforementioned recognised Tursiops species, but they also possess unique characters not found in either. Recent mtDNA and microsatellite genetic evidence indicates deep evolutionary divergence between this dolphin and the two currently recognised Tursiops species. However, in accordance with the recommendations of the Workshop on Cetacean Systematics, and the Unified Species Concept the use of molecular evidence alone is inadequate for describing new species. Here we describe the macro-morphological, colouration and cranial characters of these animals, assess the available and new genetic data, and conclude that multiple lines of evidence clearly indicate a new species of dolphin. We demonstrate that the syntype material of T. maugeanus comprises two different species, one of which is the historical ‘southern form of Tursiops’ most similar to T. truncatus, and the other is representative of the new species and requires formal classification. These dolphins are here described as Tursiops australis sp. nov., with the common name of ‘Burrunan Dolphin’ following Australian aboriginal narrative. The recognition of T. australis sp. nov. is particularly significant given the endemism of this new species to a small geographic region of southern and south-eastern Australia, where only two small resident populations in close proximity to a major urban and agricultural centre are known, giving them a high conservation value and making them susceptible to numerous anthropogenic threats.
A Novel Modular Positive-Sequence Synchrophasor Estimation Algorithm for PMUs

A novel modular positive-sequence estimation algorithm for phasor measurement units (PMUs) is described in this paper with a focus on the restrictions imposed by the IEEE C37.118. 1–2011 standard. The first stage consists in a three-phase demodulator which allows us to separate the positive-sequence from the negative-sequence signal in the frequency domain and to eliminate the zero-sequence signal. The second stage is a prefilter that mitigates noise and interference, thus relaxing the filtering requirements of the following stage. The suitability of a linear-phase FIR filter is shown and a comparison of single and multistage designs is presented. On the third stage, a digital state-space-based extension of a synchronous reference frame-phase-locked loop is used for tracking of amplitude, phase, frequency, and rate of change of frequency. It is shown that a phase predictor inside the loop is required. The fourth stage is a compensation algorithm which takes into account the narrowband nature of the input signal to perform an accurate compensation of the filter effects on the signal of interest. Analytical properties of the system are then presented, providing insight into the main factors that affect global performance. Finally, a strict evaluation of the system is presented for both M and P class PMU.
Abrogation of CD 30 and OX 40 signals prevents autoimmune disease in FoxP 3-deficient mice

Lack or defective expression of the forkhead transcription factor (FoxP3) causes lethal X-linked CD4 T cell–dependent Th1and Th2-driven autoimmune disease in both mice (Brunkow et al., 2001; Fontenot et al., 2003; Khattri et al., 2003) and men (Bennett et al., 2001; Wildin et al., 2001) as a result of lack of FoxP3-dependent regulatory T cells (Treg cells). This is mainly dependent on CD4 T cells, as depletion of CD4, but not CD8, T cells abrogates disease either genetically or with mAbs (Blair et al., 1994). The murine model is therefore particularly valuable for identifying pathways that might ameliorate clinical autoimmune disease in humans. We have previously shown that the TNF receptors OX40 and CD30 play synergistic roles in the generation of CD4 memory/effector responses (Kim et al., 2003; Gaspal et al., 2005, 2008) and are also required for the maintenance of memory CD4 cells within the lamina propria of the gut (Withers et al., 2009). We show in this paper that FoxP3 Treg cells are dispensable in mice deficient in OX40 and CD30 signals. FoxP3-deficient mice lacking OX40 and CD30 develop and grow normally, fail to develop clinically relevant autoimmune disease, and have a normal lifespan. We also show that blocking mAbs to OX40 and CD30 ligands abrogates development of FoxP3KO disease. This study highlights the critical importance of both these signals in effector CD4 function and suggests that blocking both these signaling pathways in human autoimmune disease might be particularly effective at ameliorating disease. CORRESPONDENCE Peter Lane: p.j.l.lane@bham.ac. uk Abrogation of CD30 and OX40 signals prevents autoimmune disease in FoxP3-deficient mice
Growth by pulsed laser deposition and characterisation of zinc oxide thin films and nanostructures

This thesis describes the growth and characterisation of ZnO thin films and nanostructures grown using the pulsed laser deposition technique. In this technique, a solid state Nd:YAG laser operating at 266 nm and with a 6 ns pulse width was fired at a sintered, ceramic target to produce an expanding plume of ZnO into a vacuum chamber (pressures in the 10−1 mbar range). The plume material condenses on various substrates, chiefly sapphire, to form a thin film. The samples were analysed using a range of structural, optical, and surface analyses to determine the effects that varying pressures, temperatures, and laser energy fluence had on the growth modes of these thin films and nanostructures. Additionally, a study was carried out to determine the effects a mixed background gas (O2 and Ar) has on the nanostructured growth. A model for this case was proposed. Finally, a biomedical application of ZnO was investigated to determine the potential of ZnO thin films for the sterilisation of biofilms of the bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis. It was found that such a biofilm grown atop a ZnO thin film is inactivated after exposure to UV light while submerged in an aqueous solution.
Evaluation of re-aeration equations for river Ghataprabha, Karnataka, India and development of refined equation

Stream re-aeration is an extremely important component to enhance the self-purification capacity of streams. To estimate the dissolved oxygen (DO) present in the river, estimation of re-aeration coefficient is mandatory. Normally, the re-aeration coefficient is expressed as a function of several stream variables, such as mean stream velocity, shear stress velocity, bed slope, flow depth and Froude number. Many empirical equations have been developed in the last years. In this work, 13 most popular empirical re-aeration equations, used for re-aeration prediction, have been tested for their applicability in Ghataprabha River system, Karnataka, India, at various locations. Extensive field data were collected during the period March 2008 to February 2009 from seven different sites located in the river to observe re-aeration coefficient using mass balance approach. The performance of re-aeration equations have been evaluated using various error estimations, namely, the standard error (SE), mean multiplicative error (MME), normalized mean error (NME) and correlation statistics. The results show that the predictive equation developed by Jha et al. (Refinement of predictive re-aeration equations for a typical Indian river. Hydrological Process. 2001;15(6):1047–1060), for a typical Indian river, yielded the best agreement with the values of SE, MME, NME and correlation coefficient r. Furthermore, a refined predictive equation has been developed for river Ghataprabha using least-squares algorithm that minimizes the error estimates.
Community-Based Lifestyle Intervention for Reducing Blood Pressure and Glucose among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China: A Pilot Study

Although evidence suggests that lifestyle interventions can reduce blood pressure (BP) and glucose levels, there is little information about the feasibility of such interventions when implemented in community settings. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a community-based lifestyle intervention on BP and glucose in the middle-aged and older Chinese population. By using a cluster randomisation approach, 474 participants from two communities were assigned to the intervention group which received intensive health education and behavioural intervention, or the control group which received conventional education. Linear mixed models were used to compare between-group differences on change in BP and fasting glucose after 6, 12 and 24 months. At the 12-month follow-up, the intervention group experienced significantly reductions in systolic BP (−4.9 vs. 2.4 mmHg; mean difference [MD] −7.3 mmHg; p < 0.001), diastolic BP (−1.9 vs. 1.9 mmHg; MD −3.8 mmHg; p < 0.001) and fasting glucose (−0.59 vs. 0.08 mmol/L; MD −0.67 mmol/L; p < 0.001). These differences were sustained at the 24-month follow-up. With only two communities, it was not possible to adjust for potential clustering by site. This approach of lifestyle interventions conducted through primary care services may be a potential solution for combating hypertension and diabetes in a resource-limited country context in China.
Interfacial evaluation of single Ramie and Kenaf fiber/epoxy resin composites using micromechanical test and nondestructive acoustic emission

Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of environmentally friendly natural fiber reinforced polymer composites plays a very important role in controlling their overall mechanical performance. The IFSS of various Ramie and Kenaf fiber/epoxy composites was evaluated using the combination of micromechanical test and nondestructive acoustic emission (AE) to find the optimal conditions for desirable final performance. Dynamic contact angle was measured for Ramie and Kenaf fibers and correlated the wettability properties with interfacial adhesion. Mechanical properties of Ramie and Kenaf fibers were investigated using single-fiber tensile test and analyzed statistically by both unimodal and bimodal Weibull distributions. The effect of clamping on the real elongation for both Ramie and Kenaf fibers was evaluated as well. Two different microfailure modes, axial dedonding and fibril fracture, coming from fiber bundles and single fiber composites (SFC) were observed under tension and compression. They were evaluated optically and also determined by AE and their FFT analysis nondestructively.
Peak Bone Mass in Young HIV-Infected Patients Compared With Healthy Controls

Introduction:Peak bone mass (PBM) is the amount of bone present at the end of skeletal maturation. It is an important determinant of osteoporotic fracture risk. Data on the PBM in the HIV-infected population are lacking. Design and Methods:We performed a multicenter (6 centers in Spain), case–control study to assess PBM using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. We studied HIV-infected patients aged 20–30 years and compared them with age- and gender-matched non–HIV-infected controls. We also assessed the predictive factors for a low PBM. Results:We included 307 subjects: 232 HIV-infected patients and 75 non–HIV-infected controls. Bone mineral density was similar in both groups although differences were seen in the total femur T-score (−0.15SD versus +0.50SD, respectively, P = 0.018). The percentage of osteopenia and osteoporosis was higher in the HIV-infected patients (56.5% and 10.7%, respectively) than in the controls (50.7% and 4%, respectively; P = 0.019). Osteoporosis was more frequent in HIV-infected men than in control men and HIV-infected women (12.2% versus 5.5% and 4.8%, P = 0.033). Protease inhibitors and nadir CD4 T-cells were negatively associated with PBM, whereas fat and lean mass were positively associated with PBM. Conclusions:Bone mineral density was similar between HIV-infected patients aged 20–30 years than in age- and gender-matched controls. However, lower femoral T-scores and higher rate of osteopenia and osteoporosis were seen in HIV-infected men. Therapy with protease inhibitors, nadir CD4 counts, and fat and lean mass were predictive factors of PBM. Given that these patients will be living with HIV infection for many years, every effort should be made to modify risk factors.
AN INTERTEMPORAL CAPITAL ASSET PRICING MODEL

An intertemporal model for the capital market is deduced from the portfolio selection behavior by an arbitrary number of investors who aot so as to maximize the expected utility of lifetime consumption and who can trade continuously in time. Explicit demand functions for assets are derived, and it is shown that, unlike the one-period model, current demands are affected by the possibility of uncertain changes in future investment opportunities. After aggregating demands and requiring market clearing, the equilibrium relationships among expected returns are derived, and contrary to the classical capital asset pricing model, expected returns on risky assets may differ from the riskless rate even when they have no systematic or market risk. ONE OF THE MORE important developments in modern capital market theory is the Sharpe-Lintner-Mossin mean-variance equilibrium model of exchange, commonly called the capital asset pricing model.2 Although the model has been the basis for more than one hundred academic papers and has had significant impact on the non-academic financial community,' it is still subject to theoretical and empirical criticism. Because the model assumes that investors choose their portfolios according to the Markowitz [21] mean-variance criterion, it is subject to all the theoretical objections to this criterion, of which there are many.4 It has also been criticized for the additional assumptions required,5 especially homogeneous expectations and the single-period nature of the model. The proponents of the model who agree with the theoretical objections, but who argue that the capital market operates "as if" these assumptions were satisfied, are themselves not beyond criticism. While the model predicts that the expected excess return from holding an asset is proportional to the covariance of its return with the market
Midtrimester maternal plasma concentrations of angiopoietin 1, angiopoietin 2, and placental growth factor in pregnant women who subsequently develop preeclampsia

Objective The aim of this study was to compare midtrimester maternal plasma concentrations of angiopoietin 1, angiopoietin 2, and placental growth factor between pregnant women who subsequently developed preeclampsia and those who did not. Methods Midtrimester maternal plasma was collected and stored at -70℃ when genetic amniocentesis was performed. Cases included 37 samples of individual who subsequently developed preeclampsia, and matched controls were from individuals who did not develop preeclampsia. Angiopoietin 1, angiopoietin 2, and placental growth factor concentrations were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. A P-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results In pregnant women who subsequently developed preeclampsia, midtrimester maternal plasma concentrations of angiopoietin 1 and angiopoietin 2 were significantly higher and placental growth factor concentrations were significantly lower than in women who did not develop preeclampsia (angiopoietin 1: 10.6 [3.1-19.7] vs. 7.8 [0.9-24.4] ng/mL, P=0.031; angiopoietin 2: 31.0 [4.7-81.2] vs. 18.4 [4.2-49.7] ng/mL, P<0.001; placental growth factor: 87.1 [14.2-774.3] vs. 148.8 [57.2-425.6] pg/mL, P<0.001). Within the case group who subsequently developed preeclampsia, the placental growth factor was significantly lower in those who had fetal growth restrictions than in those who did not (placental growth factor: 72.5 [14.2-774.3] vs. 140.9 [44.2-257.5] pg/mL, P=0.003). Conclusion Midtrimester maternal plasma concentrations of angiopoietin 1, angiopoietin 2, and placental growth factor may be associated with the subsequent development of preeclampsia.
AN AUGMENTED COMPUTER USER LOGIN AUTHENTICATION USING CLASSIFYING REGIONS OF KEYSTROKE DENSITY NEURAL NETWORK

: We develop a system consisting of a neural architecture resulting in classifying regions corresponding to users’ keystroke patterns. We extend the adaptation properties to classification phase resulting in learning of changes over time. Classification results on login attempts of 43 users (216 valid, 657 impersonation samples) show considerable improvements over existing methods.
MICROBIAL AND PROCESSING CRITERIA FOR PRODUCTION OF PROBIOTICS: AREVIEW

Summary The use of probiotics has become widely accepted as a natural means to promote health for both humans and animals. Today, probiotics are used as health supplements in food and feeds and they are replacing the use of antibiotic growth promotors or chemical supplements. Under the right conditions the claims made for probiotic preparations can be realized. The development of suitable technology for probiotic production, taking into account viability and stability, is a key area of research for industrial production. Production of probiotics should be based on the microbial criteria, and the ability to withstand stress during processing and storage of products is important. Thermophilic/thermotolerant probiotics are of great interest in this area as they can have all the desired characteristics. This review makes an overview of probiotic selection studies including new technologies for isolation/identification, adhesion and immune response. The importance of multistrain cultures is also stressed. The development of suitable probiotics in food and feed needs good proof of their efficacy and function in order to be accepted as a valuable product.
MR of vasculitis-induced optic neuropathy.

PURPOSE To describe the MR characteristics of optic neuropathy caused by vasculitis. METHODS Nine cases of optic neuropathy with diagnosis of vasculitis (six with systemic lupus erythematosis and one each with rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren disease, and radiation vasculitis) were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were 31 to 62 years old, and all but one were women. All patients had MR imaging through the orbits and anterior visual pathways, five with fat suppression, with and without gadopentetate dimeglumine. Five patients also had MR imaging of the entire brain. The size and enhancement of various segments of the optic nerve and anterior visual pathways were studied. RESULTS MR imaging with contrast material showed enhancement and enlargement of segments of the optic nerves and/or chiasm in six of the nine patients (all but three with systemic lupus erythematosis). Enlargement of a segment of the anterior visual pathway never occurred without enhancement, but enhancement alone did occur in three cases. Of the five patients who had MR imaging of the whole brain, abnormalities were seen in three: periventricular hyperintensity in two and a lacunar infarct in one; none had vessel abnormalities. CONCLUSION Because the MR enhancement seen represents disruption of the blood-brain barrier within the optic nerve, MR imaging with gadopentetate dimeglumine and fat suppression should be performed to detect increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier in acute optic neuropathy.
Computerized Tomography Technique for the Investigation of the Maxillary First Molar Mesiobuccal Root

The aim of this paper was to review the literature about the use of computerized tomography to evaluate the presence and characteristics of the second mesiobuccal canal in the maxillary first molar. An electronic search was performed. Frequencies of the presence of second mesiobuccal canal and root anatomy characteristics were extracted from the selected studies. Pooled frequencies were calculated as weighted means. Seven articles were included. A second mesiobuccal canal was present in 59.32% of the teeth, and it was noncommunicating in 58.45% of teeth presenting the canal itself. The most common root canal morphology was single canal or two separated canals. The present paper showed that cone beam CT is a viable radiologic device for the evaluation of the mesiobuccal root of maxillary first molars. In fact, it was observed that the frequency of second mesiobuccal canal detection is similar to those presented by clinical studies or micro-CT evaluations.
Radio Resource Management for Group-Oriented Services in LTE-A

The objective of this paper is to design radio resource management policies for supporting the effective delivery of multicast service in Long-Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) systems. Specifically, we propose multicast subgrouping-based solutions to maximize the system efficiency in terms of throughput under the constraints that 1) all user equipment devices are served and that 2) fairness among the activated multicast subgroups is guaranteed to avoid users' dissatisfaction. These results are obtained by modeling the multicast subgroup formation problem through a bargaining game. Moreover, an algorithm, which achieves the optimal fairness–efficiency tradeoff, is proposed to support the system in selecting the most appropriate solution in terms of 1) subgroups activated over each system carrier and 2) resource allocated to them.