Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Critical Role of Flavin and Glutathione in Complex I–Mediated Bioenergetic Failure in Brain Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Background and Purpose— Ischemic brain injury is characterized by 2 temporally distinct but interrelated phases: ischemia (primary energy failure) and reperfusion (secondary energy failure). Loss of cerebral blood flow leads to decreased oxygen levels and energy crisis in the ischemic area, initiating a sequence of pathophysiological events that after reoxygenation lead to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) brain damage. Mitochondrial impairment and oxidative stress are known to be early events in I/R injury. However, the biochemical mechanisms of mitochondria damage in I/R are not completely understood. Methods— We used a mouse model of transient focal cerebral ischemia to investigate acute I/R-induced changes of mitochondrial function, focusing on mechanisms of primary and secondary energy failure. Results— Ischemia induced a reversible loss of flavin mononucleotide from mitochondrial complex I leading to a transient decrease in its enzymatic activity, which is rapidly reversed on reoxygenation. Reestablishing blood flow led to a reversible oxidative modification of mitochondrial complex I thiol residues and inhibition of the enzyme. Administration of glutathione-ethyl ester at the onset of reperfusion prevented the decline of complex I activity and was associated with smaller infarct size and improved neurological outcome, suggesting that decreased oxidation of complex I thiols during I/R-induced oxidative stress may contribute to the neuroprotective effect of glutathione ester. Conclusions— Our results unveil a key role of mitochondrial complex I in the development of I/R brain injury and provide the mechanistic basis for the well-established mitochondrial dysfunction caused by I/R. Targeting the functional integrity of complex I in the early phase of reperfusion may provide a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent tissue injury after stroke.
Parasites of Loligo gahi from waters off the Falkland Islands, with a phylogenetically based identification of their cestode larvae

One thousand and ninety-six longfin Patagonian squid, Loligo gahi, were collected from waters off the Falkland Islands over a period of 1 year and 4 months and examined for helminths. Cestode and Anisakis sp. (Nematoda) larvae were present throughout the study, but occurred at low rates. The pooled data showed prevalences of 5.75 and 2.46%, respectively. An adult digenean, Derogenes varicus, was found in a single instance and was thus considered an accidental infection. Parasite parameters were not significantly correlated with either host sex or seasonality. Stomach contents of the squid revealed a highly varied diet, although krill, amphipods, and chaetognaths were the dominant prey items. To aid in the identification of the cestode larvae, a subsample of 14 plerocercoids was characterized for the D2 variable region of the nuclear lsrDNA gene and compared with both published cestode lsrDNA sequences as well as that of six additional adult tetraphyllidean cestode species sequenced herein. Direct sequence.
Axiomatizing Probabilistic Processes: ACP with Generative Probabilities

This paper is concerned with finding complete axiomatizations of probabilistic processes. We examine this problem within the context of the process algebra ACP and obtain as our end-result the axiom system prACP I −- , a probabilistic version of ACP which can be used to reason algebraically about the reliability and performance of concurrent systems. Our goal was to introduce probability into ACP in as simple a fashion as possible. Optimally, ACP should be the homomorphic image of the probabilistic version in which the probabilities are forgotten.
Flow Separation Control of Marine Propeller Blades through Tubercle Modifications

Tubercles are essentially sinusoidal serrations that are present in the fins of humpback whales. They have been widely postulated as a form of passive flow control device for aerodynamic surfaces. Studies pertaining the implementation of tubercles into aerofoils and turbine blades are widely present, while efforts in incorporating these tubercles onto marine propeller blades and how their presence alters the original propeller blade flow behaviour are comparatively less well understood. In this study, tubercle modifications are investigated in marine propellers through the use of high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The results indicate that while there is a substantial increase in thrust generation of up to 10%, there is also a 5% decrease in propeller efficiency. The results indicate that the particular design and implementation of leading-edge tubercles here confer selected favourable flow effects upon propeller performance by varying the pressure and velocity distributions of the propeller blades.
Model Based Optimisation of a Step in Acceleration for a CR-Diesel Engine

Abstract Due to more and more stringent emission regulations the optimisation of transient engine operation becomes necessary for future Diesel engine developments. Exemplary for the transient operation a step in acceleration pedal is investigated and optimised with respect to the engine emissions. This gives insights about the emission formation at transient driving and a benchmark for the design of open and closed-loop controls. A model structure to simulate the engine emissions and the engine torque is presented. It consists of a dynamical mean value air path model and a stationary combustion model. Thus the relevant outputs NO x , soot and torque are simulated with respect to the engine actuators. For optimisation the calibrated emission values for steady state are regarded. The actuators of the air path and the crank angle of the main injection are optimised such that the emissions follow a desired trajectory. The results are compared to a non-optimised step in acceleration and to a nonlinear closed loop control of the air path.
Personalized Medicine in Allergy

Allergic disease is among the most common pathologies worldwide and its prevalence has constantly increased up to the present days, even if according to the most recent data it seems to be slightly slowing down. Allergic disease has not only a high rate of misdiagnosis and therapeutic inefficacy, but represents an enormous, resource-absorbing black hole in respiratory and general medicine. The aim of this paper is to summarize principal therapeutic innovations in atopic disease management befallen in the recent years in terms of personalized/precision medicine.
Biomass Pyrolysis of Helianthus annuus Stems: Qualitative and Quantitative Study Based on Py-GC/MS

The pyrolytic product vapor of Helianthus annuus stems was analyzed by Pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) using the internal standard (ISTD) method with different pyrolysis temperatures and times. 1,3,5-tri-tert-butylbenzene (TTBB) was found to be the best ISTD chemical in this study. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that, for the solid-state product, the pores and mesh structure gradually increased along with the pyrolysis temperatures and time. Sintering and porous destruction were observed at a lower pyrolysis temperature (600 °C) with longer time (0.5 min). The pyrolysis vapors contained small gas molecules such as CO2 as well as complex organic compounds, mainly alcohols, esters, acids, aldehydes, ketones, aromatic compounds, etc. In these products, aldehyde, ketone, and aromatic compounds were the main biochemicals; the appropriate pyrolysis temperature to produce aldehydes and ketones was 700 °C, and 600 °C was suitable for aromatic compounds. The regularity of the distribution of products and pyrolytic conditions was explored through eight representative compounds. The relationship between the product contents and pyrolysis conditions were complex for Helianthus annuus stems, but partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) methods were a powerful tool for screening biochemicals whose absolute contents were sensitive to the pyrolysis conditions.
Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation: Overcoming Complications and Improving Success

Careful patient selection and optimization of the management of active medical conditions prior to proceeding with catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is critical to reducing complications and improving ablation success. AF ablation performed on patients who have not been offered appropriate antiarrhythmic drug therapy must be tempered with the procedure risks, particularly for those patients having multiple comorbidities. The inability to comply with systemic anticoagulation for thromboembolic prophylaxis in AF is a contraindication to AF ablation, as premature termination of anticoagulation therapy can lead to catastrophic thromboembolic complications. Successful pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), the cornerstone of AF ablation, is demonstrated by entrance and exit block post ablation, with sustained absence of atrium-to-pulmonary vein conduction in both directions. Beyond PVI, there is no consensus for other endpoints for AF ablation, particularly in patients with persistent or longstanding persistent AF. Complications of PVI for AF have decreased in recent years as technology and knowledge in this field has evolved; however, the risks of cardiac tamponade, thromboembolic complications, esophageal injury, and pulmonary vein stenosis may still be formidable.
of the 4-7 july 2000 – Valencia Spain

Digestion and health status of the rabbit were measured according to a dietary addition of a resistant potato starch (PS) in replacement to wheat. The three experimental diets contained 0, 7 or 14% of PS (resp. WS-PS7PS14), but had similar concentrations of starch (20%), proteins and fibre. Within 4 hours, 30% of the wheat starch was in-vitro hydrolysed, compared to 5% for PS. As PS level increased, the intake decreased by 11% (WS vs PS14) between 28-42 days of age. From weaning (28d) to slaughter (70d), weight gain was similar among diets (n=48/diet), while feed intake and feed conversion ratio increased with the PS incorporation. Mortality and morbidity rates were not significantly different between diets. However, the sanitary risk index (mortality+morbidity) tended to increase (P=0.107) with PS addition, particularly between 42 and 70d. of age (P= 0.073 for the contrast "WS vs PS7+PS14"). Starch faecal digestibility was 0.8 unit higher (P=0.04) for WS than for PS14 diet. In 6 weeks old rabbits, the ileal starch level increased (P<0.01) with PS addition : 0.3, 1.0, 1.4% resp. for WS, PS7 and PS14. The ileal starch level decreased with age (6 vs 10 wk.) only for diets PS7 and PS14 (P<0.05).
Investigation of the Safety of Focused Ultrasound-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening in a Natural Canine Model of Aging

Rationale: Ultrasound-mediated opening of the Blood-Brain Barrier(BBB) has shown exciting potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease(AD). Studies in transgenic mouse models have shown that this approach can reduce plaque pathology and improve spatial memory. Before clinical translation can occur the safety of the method needs to be tested in a larger brain that allows lower frequencies be used to treat larger tissue volumes, simulating clinical situations. Here we investigate the safety of opening the BBB in half of the brain in a large aged animal model with naturally occurring amyloid deposits. Methods: Aged dogs naturally accumulate plaques and show associated cognitive declines. Low-frequency ultrasound was used to open the BBB unilaterally in aged beagles (9-11yrs, n=10) in accordance with institutionally approved protocols. Animals received either a single treatment or four weekly treatments. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) was used to guide the treatments and assess the tissue effects. The animals underwent neurological testing during treatment follow-up, and a follow-up MRI exam 1 week following the final treatment. Results: The permeability of the BBB was successfully increased in all animals (mean enhancement: 19±11% relative to untreated hemisphere). There was a single adverse event in the chronic treatment group that resolved within 24 hrs. Follow-up MRI showed the BBB to be intact with no evidence of tissue damage in all animals. Histological analysis showed comparable levels of microhemorrhage between the treated and control hemispheres in the prefrontal cortex (single/repeat treatment: 1.0±1.4 vs 0.4±0.5/5.2±1.8 vs. 4.0±2.0). No significant differences were observed in beta-amyloid load (single/repeat: p=0.31/p=0.98) although 3/5 animals in each group showed lower Aβ loads in the treated hemisphere. Conclusion: Whole-hemisphere opening of the BBB was well tolerated in the aged large animal brain. The treatment volumes and frequencies used are clinically relevant and indicate safety for clinical translation. Further study is warranted to determine if FUS has positive effects on naturally occurring amyloid pathology.
Serodiagnosis of Lyme borreliosis by western immunoblot: reactivity of various significant antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi

The significance of various antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi was studied by Western blot (immunoblot) by using 578 human serum samples. The proteins regularly detected by using samples from patients with Lyme borreliosis were those with bands with molecular masses of 94, 83, 75, 66, 60, 55, 46, 41, 39, 34, 31, 29, 22, and 17 kDa. The detectable frequencies of most of these proteins appeared to be significantly different between the sera from patients with Lyme borreliosis and those from normal control individuals as well as from the group with syphilis. The 39-kDa protein band recognized by polyvalent antibody was found to be the most significant marker for Lyme borreliosis. Furthermore, an anti-39-kDa immunoglobulin M response was detected in the samples from patients with early-stage Lyme borreliosis. Results from the use of monoclonal antibodies and patient sera revealed that the 39- and 41-kDa proteins may be structurally related but are immunologically distinct antigens. The significance of antibody reactivities to the 41-, 94-, 22-, 31-, and 34-kDa protein bands is also discussed.
AN ACOUSTIC ANALYSIS OF ATC COMMUNICATION

Abstract : This report consists of an acoustic analysis of air traffic control (ATC) communications. Air traffic control specialists (ATCS) from a TRACON facility participated in the simulation study. Each ATCS worked light and heavy traffic density scenarios for 2 feeders and 1 final sector. All communications were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim by a retired ATCS. Workload was determined by the number of aircraft under positive control when the ATCS initiated a transmission. Utterances were selected to achieve maximal workload contrast. For each participant, the 5 lowest workload utterances from the Light version of the scenario (simulating that participant's normal work station) and the 5 highest workload utterances from the Heavy version of the scenario (simulating a work station unfamiliar to the participant) were identified and digitized. For all participants, speaking rate (syllables/second), pause frequency (number of pauses/number of words), and pause duration (duration of pauses/number of words) were generated from the selected utterances using the BLISS speech analysis system (Lieberman and Blumstein, 1988). The results indicate that ATCSs tended to pause more frequently and for greater duration under a light workload condition. The hesitations found in their speech may reflect a shift between a more cognitive "thinking" response mode in light traffic situations where ATCSs know that they have more time to respond and a more automatic mode, which allows them to respond to the increased pace induced by higher traffic loads. In conclusion, it appears that hesitation in speech may be a potential indicator of workload. Despite its highly speaker-dependent nature, hesitation pauses may be a useful indicator of an ATCS's responding in a cognitive, rather than in an automatic mode.
Locally Most Powerful Invariant Tests for the Properness of Quaternion Gaussian Vectors

Previous works have addressed the second-order statistical characterization of quaternion random vectors, introducing different properness definitions, and presenting the generalized likelihood ratio tests (GLRTs) for determining the kind of quaternion properness. This paper considers the more challenging problem of deriving the locally most powerful invariant tests (LMPITs), which can be obtained, even without an explicit expression for the maximal invariants, thanks to the Wijsman's theorem. Specifically, we consider three binary hypothesis testing problems involving the two main kinds of quaternion properness, and show that the LMPIT statistics are given by the Frobenius norm of three previously defined sample coherence matrices. The proposed detectors exhibit interesting connections with the problem of testing for the properness of a complex vector, and with the problems of testing for the sphericity of a four-dimensional real (or two-dimensional complex proper) vector. Additionally, some numerical examples show that in general, the proposed LMPITs outperform their GLRT counterparts, and in some cases the performance gap is very noticeable.
Neighborhood Effect Heterogeneity by Family Income and Developmental Period1

Effects of disadvantaged neighborhoods on child educational outcomes likely depend on a family’s economic resources and the timing of neighborhood exposures during the course of child development. This study investigates how timing of exposure to disadvantaged neighborhoods during childhood versus adolescence affects high school graduation and whether these effects vary across families with different income levels. It follows 6,137 children in the PSID from childhood through adolescence and overcomes methodological problems associated with the joint endogeneity of neighborhood context and family income by adapting novel counterfactual methods—a structural nested mean model estimated via two-stage regression with residuals—for time-varying treatments and time-varying effect moderators. Results indicate that exposure to disadvantaged neighborhoods, particularly during adolescence, has a strong negative effect on high school graduation and that this negative effect is more severe for children from poor families.
Treatment of a brachial plexus injury using kinesiotape and exercise

Purpose: This describes a child whose neonatal brachial plexus injury was treated with kinesiotape and exercise. Description: The subject was a two-year-old female whose X-rays demonstrated severe inferior subluxation of the humeral head and winging of the scapula on the left. She was fitted with a shoulder brace with surgery scheduled in six months. The initial PT exam noted 80 degrees of shoulder abduction (trumpet sign), significant asymmetry, and nonuse. Mallet score was 15/25. Treatment consisted of d/c of the brace and E-stimulation, parent education on exercise and taping, and kinesiotape to facilitate rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers. Typical wear time was 2–3 days on, 1–2 days off. Outcomes: After 2 weeks, there was prominent deltoid definition. The shoulder was in 20 degrees of abduction, shoulders level with less scapular winging. Scapular stabilizers were then taped. At 4 weeks, her arm was held to her side displaying a stable symmetrical scapula. The arm displayed increased fine motor use and initiation of activities. At 10 weeks there was a forced d/c, and a decline toward baseline levels. After 2 weeks of reinstatement, function returned to prior level. At 20 weeks (12 total visits) she displayed full ROM, symmetrical shoulders, Mallet score of 20/25, rare trumpet sign, and was hanging by arms during play. X-rays displayed significant improvement in humeral head position, rib cage rotation, angle of scapula and clavicle, and size and mineralization of humerus. Reconstructive surgery was cancelled. Discussion: Kinesiotape and parent education made a significant difference in this child's function.
QANet: Combining Local Convolution with Global Self-Attention for Reading Comprehension

Current end-to-end machine reading and question answering (Q\&A) models are primarily based on recurrent neural networks (RNNs) with attention. Despite their success, these models are often slow for both training and inference due to the sequential nature of RNNs. We propose a new Q\&A architecture called QANet, which does not require recurrent networks: Its encoder consists exclusively of convolution and self-attention, where convolution models local interactions and self-attention models global interactions. On the SQuAD dataset, our model is 3x to 13x faster in training and 4x to 9x faster in inference, while achieving equivalent accuracy to recurrent models. The speed-up gain allows us to train the model with much more data. We hence combine our model with data generated by backtranslation from a neural machine translation model. On the SQuAD dataset, our single model, trained with augmented data, achieves 84.6 F1 score on the test set, which is significantly better than the best published F1 score of 81.8.
Processing of GRAS/METOP radio occultation data recorded in closed-loop and raw-sampling modes

Abstract. Instrument GRAS (Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver for Atmospheric Sounding) on-board of the Metop-A satellite was activated on 27 October 2006. Currently, Metop-A is a fully operational satellite with GRAS providing from 650–700 occultations per day. We describe our processing of GRAS data based on the modification of our OCC software, which was modified to become capable of reading and processing GRAS data. We perform a statistical comparison of bending angles and refractivities derived from GRAS data with those derived from ECMWF analyses. We conclude that GRAS data have error characteristics close to those of COSMIC data. In the height range 10–30 km, the systematic refractivity difference GRAS–ECMWF is of the order of 0.1–0.2 %, and the standard deviation is 0.3–0.6 %. In the lower troposphere GRAS refractivity and bending angle indicate a negative bias, which reaches its maximum value in the tropics. In particular the retrieved refractivity is biased by up to 2.5 %. The negative bias pattern is similar to that found in the statistical validation of COSMIC data. This makes it probable that the bias should not be attributed to the instrument design or hardware.
Cities as Organisms: Allometric Scaling of Urban Road Networks

We propose a statistical approach to determine the features of urban road networks affecting accessibility. Our approach is inspired by metabolic scaling theory (MST) in biology (West et al. 1997). We study the structure of road networks across 425 cities of different sizes in the USA. We show decentralization as an important difference between urban road networks and biological vascular networks. Per capita road capacity is independent of the spatial extent of cities. Driving distances do depend on the size of the city, although not as much as is predicted by a completely centralized model. This intermediate pattern between centralized and decentralized extremes may reflect a mixture of different travel behaviors. The approach presented here offers a novel macroscopic perspective on the differences between small and large cities and on how the road infrastructure and traffic might change as cities grow.