Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polysaccharides from Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat ameliorate colitis rats by modulating the intestinal microbiota community

The gut microflora dysbiosis has been closely related with the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, the effect of polysaccharides from Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat on the gut microbiota was evaluated by ulcerative colitis (UC) rat model. Physiological and pathological analyses suggested that Chrysanthemum polysaccharides possessed notably protective effects on UC in vivo. Based on the Illumina MiSeq platform, 16S rRNA sequencing of the rat colonic contents indicated that the intestinal flora structure remarkably changed in the model rats and the tendency was alleviated to a certain degree by treatment with different dosages of Chrysanthemum polysaccharides. In normal groups, there were more Firmicutes than Bacteroidetes, but this change lost at the pathological state. Following Chrysanthemum polysaccharides, rising Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was validated. Besides the microbial diversity and the community richness of the UC rats were improved by Chrysanthemum polysaccharides, the composition of intestinal microflora in the model group were also restored after oral administration of Chrysanthemum polysaccharides. The abundance of opportunistic pathogens was decreased (Escherichia, Enterococcus and Prevotella), while the levels of protective bacteria such as Butyricicoccus and Clostridium (butyrate-producing bacteria), Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium (probiotics), Lachnospiraceae and Rikenellaceae elevated in various degrees. Correlation analysis between intestinal flora and biochemical factors suggested that the relative abundance of protective bacteria was positively correlated with the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10 and IL-11, while aggressive bacteria were positively correlated with proinflammatory cytokine such as IL-23、IL-6、 IF-17、TNF-α、IL-1β and IFN-γ. The above results showed that the intestinal flora were closely related to the secretion and expression of cytokines in the body, and they interacted with each other to regulate immune function. Thus, Chrysanthemum polysaccharides could ameliorate ulcerative colitis by fostering beneficial intestinal flora growth, modulating the balance of intestinal microecology and restoring the immune system.
Insider trading: regulation, securities markets, and welfare under risk neutrality

I evaluate in this paper the impact of insider trading regulation (ITR) on a securities market and on social welfare. I show that ITR has both beneficial and detrimental effects on a securities market. In terms of welfare, I show that ITR has a purely redistributive effect; that is, it generates trading gains and trading losses that cancel out at the aggregate level. However, the goods and services that could have been produced with the resources allocated to enforce such a wealth redistribution are a net social cost of restricting insider trading. Finally, although I establish two conditions under which ITR is beneficial, I argue that neither condition provides sufficient support to the imposition of such a regulation.
A Stevedore's Protein Knot

Protein knots, mostly regarded as intriguing oddities, are gradually being recognized as significant structural motifs. Seven distinctly knotted folds have already been identified. It is by and large unclear how these exceptional structures actually fold, and only recently, experiments and simulations have begun to shed some light on this issue. In checking the new protein structures submitted to the Protein Data Bank, we encountered the most complex and the smallest knots to date: A recently uncovered α-haloacid dehalogenase structure contains a knot with six crossings, a so-called Stevedore knot, in a projection onto a plane. The smallest protein knot is present in an as yet unclassified protein fragment that consists of only 92 amino acids. The topological complexity of the Stevedore knot presents a puzzle as to how it could possibly fold. To unravel this enigma, we performed folding simulations with a structure-based coarse-grained model and uncovered a possible mechanism by which the knot forms in a single loop flip.
Self‐sustaining populations, population sinks or aggregates of strays: chum (Oncorhynchus keta) and Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Wood River system, Alaska

Small populations can provide insights into ecological and evolutionary aspects of species distributions over space and time. In the Wood River system in Alaska, USA, small aggregates of Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and chum salmon (O. keta) spawn in an area dominated by sockeye salmon (O. nerka). Our objective was to determine whether these Chinook and chum salmon are reproductively isolated, self‐sustaining populations, population sinks that produce returning adults but receive immigration, or strays from other systems that do not produce returning adults. DNA samples collected from adult chum salmon from 16 streams and Chinook salmon from four streams in the Wood River system over 3 years were compared to samples from large populations in the nearby Nushagak River system, a likely source of strays. For both species, microsatellite markers indicated no significant genetic differentiation between the two systems. Simulations of microsatellite data in a large source and a smaller sink population suggested that considerable immigration would be required to counteract the diverging effects of genetic drift and produce genetic distances as small as those observed, considering the small census sizes of the two species in the Wood River system. Thus, the Wood River system likely receives substantial immigration from neighbouring watersheds, such as the Nushagak River system, which supports highly productive runs. Although no data on population productivity in the Wood River system exist, our results suggest source–sink dynamics for the two species, a finding relevant to other systems where salmonid population sizes are limited by habitat factors.
Brane-bulk duality and non-conformal gauge theories

We discuss non-conformal gauge theories from type-IIB D3-branes embedded in orbifolded space-times. Such theories can be obtained by allowing some non-vanishing logarithmic twisted tadpoles. In certain cases with = 0,1 supersymmetry correlation functions in the planar limit are the same as in the parent = 2 supersymmetric theories. In particular, the effective action in such theories perturbatively is not renormalized beyond one loop in the planar limit. In the = 2 as well as such = 0,1 theories quantum corrections in the D3-brane gauge theories are encoded in the corresponding classical higher dimensional field theories whose actions contain the twisted fields with non-vanishing tadpoles. We argue that this duality can be extended to the non-perturbative level in the = 2 theories. We give some evidence that this might also be the case for = 0,1 theories as well.
Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome: a community survey in an African population.

BACKGROUND Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been reported to be common in the West. Community surveys are lacking in the African setting. We determined the prevalence of IBS in a rural community setting in Nigeria. METHOD Questionnaires were administered to consenting individuals. Subjects satisfying the Rome II criteria for IBS were invited for physical examination at a health center to identify the presence of "alarm factors. " RESULTS One hundred forty (31.6%) of the 443 evaluated individuals fulfilled the Rome II criteria for IBS, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.37:1 (P= .11). The prevalence of IBS was highest (39.3%) in the third decade, followed by 25% in the fourth decade (P= .009). Ninety-six (67%) IBS individuals had the alternating pattern of diarrhea and constipation, whereas 28 (20%) and 19 (13%) had constipation and diarrhea subtypes, respectively. CONCLUSION IBS as diagnosed by the Rome II criteria has a high prevalence in the African rural population, as obtained elsewhere.
Risk Factors for Local Recurrence and Metastasis in Soft Tissue Sarcomas of the Extremity

ObjectivesWe reviewed our institution's experience in treating soft tissue sarcomas of the extremity to identify factors associated with local recurrence, metastasis, and overall survival, to identify patients who may benefit from intensification of therapy. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for patients who underwent both limb-sparing surgery and external beam radiotherapy for extremity sarcoma. Those who had gross residual disease or who presented with recurrent or metastatic disease were excluded. The Kaplan-Meier product limit and multivariate Cox regression were used to estimate local failure-free probability, distant failure-free probability, and overall survival along with associations with patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics. ResultsOne hundred eighty-eight patients were included in the analysis. Twenty-five (13%) and 46 (24%) experienced local and distant recurrence, respectively. Patients with high/intermediate-grade tumors [hazard ratio (HR)=5.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27-24.89, P=0.023] or with multifocally positive margins (HR=4.27, 95% CI: 1.20-15.24, P=0.026) were more likely to fail locally. Those with a preceding local recurrence (HR=8.58, 95% CI: 3.87-19.04, P<0.0001), high/intermediate-grade tumors (HR=5.68, 95% CI: 1.28-25.25, P=0.023), or no secondary reexcision (HR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.09-5.74, P=0.031) were more likely to develop metastasis. Patients with local recurrence (HR=3.6, 95% CI: 1.77-7.29, P<0.001), metastasis (HR=16.0, 95% CI: 7.93-32.31, P<0.0001), or without secondary reexcision (HR=3.2, 95% CI: 1.27-8.09, P=0.014) had decreased overall survival. ConclusionsPatients whose tumor grade or margin status put them at high risk for local failure should be considered for intensification of therapy. Those with a local recurrence should be considered for increased surveillance or systemic therapy, as local failure is associated with subsequent metastasis and decreased survival.
Pulmonary Adverse Events in Cancer Immunotherapy: Case Studies of CT Patterns

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have profoundly changed cancer treatment, improving the prognosis of many oncologic patients. However, despite the good efficacy of these drugs, their mechanism of action, which involves the activation of the immune system, can lead to immune-related adverse events, which may affect almost all organs. Pulmonary adverse events are relatively common, and potentially life-threatening complications may occur. The diagnosis is challenging due to the wide and non-specific spectrum of clinical and radiological manifestations. The role of the radiologist is to recognize and diagnose pulmonary immune-related adverse events, possibly even in the early stages, to estimate their extent and guide patients’ management.
Distinct element method analysis of jointed rock fragmentation induced by TBM cutting

Abstract The mechanism of rock breaking and optimal design of the cutters are especially significant in tunnel excavation by Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). In order to investigate the jointed rock fragmentation induced by TBM cutting, and to improve the capability and efficiency in rock breaking, a series models of jointed rock cutting were simulated by the Distinct Element Method, where an improved zero-thickness bond contact model was implanted to capture the main mechanical behaviour of the hard and brittle rocks. The fragmentation of intact and jointed rock induced by TBM cutting with double cutters was simulated to investigate the influence of jointed angle, spacing and cutter penetration depth on the rock breaking. The main results show that: the process of intact rock or jointed rock fragmentation can be divided into loading stage, unloading stage and residual leaping broken stage and the existence of the joint will make unloading phase in advance; the failure modes for jointed rock breaking can be classified into four types: joint-prevent failure mode, joint-propagation failure mode, joint-tendency failure mode and joint-initiation failure mode; the optimum cutter spacing can be found in the process of jointed rock fragmentation. The result will be useful in the optimisation design of cutters and estimation of penetration depth.
Propagation of individual spikes as "patches" of activation in isolated feline duodenum.

Asynchrony of spikes has made it difficult to study the spatial and temporal behavior of spikes in the gastrointestinal system. By simultaneously recording from a large number of closely spaced electrodes, we investigated the propagation of individual spikes. Recordings were performed from the serosal surface of the isolated feline duodenum at 240 sites simultaneously. Analysis of the tracings made it possible to reconstruct the propagation of individual spikes. Spikes propagate in the longitudinal and circumferential directions in self-limiting areas or "patches. " Conduction within patches may occur in the orad or aborad direction irrespective of the direction of the slow wave. Most of the patches are smaller (<40 mm(2)), although inhomogeneous activation by the preceding slow wave may increase their size. Stimulation by ACh, TTX, or tetraethylammonium does not affect the average patch size but does increase significantly their number and distribution in the duodenum [from 26% (control) to 56%, 61%, and 72%, respectively]. In conclusion, individual spikes activate limited areas or patches in the small intestine, and pharmacological stimulation increases the number and distribution of these patches. In the small intestine, this pattern of activation would induce localized contractions. Contraction could be modulated by the size, number, and distribution of spike patches.
Food gardens as important elements of urban agriculture: Spatio-developmental trends and future prospects for urban gardening in Czechia

ABSTRACT The main research goals of the article are to explain the historical context of urban food gardens in Czechia, to describe the current spatial pattern of allotment gardens, and to introduce and analyse recent trends in urban gardening. The main method for achieving the first goal was a literature study. For the second goal, geographical mapping and analysis of data relating to the spatial distribution of allotment gardens were used. For the third goal, mapping together with analysis of semi-structured interviews carried out in community gardens in Prague were used. The analysis showed a strong tradition of urban agriculture and urban food gardening activities in Czechia. Both allotment gardens and newly emerged community gardens were concentrated mainly in the biggest cities and in areas with a rich industrial and mining tradition. This finding supports the significance of gardening as an important element of urban agriculture. However, uncertainty regarding land tenure and long-term sustainability were among the greatest obstacles for the future of allotment and community gardens. The authors’ main recommendations are that urban agriculture should be included as primary land use in sustainable planning and there should be broader community involvement in planning and decision-making processes.
Foundations of problem‐based learning: some explanatory notes

Summary. The present article elaborates on cognitive effects of problem‐based learning put forward by Schmidt, De Volder, De Grave, Moust & Patel (1989) and Norman & Schmidt (1992) . Its purpose is to discuss, in some detail, the theoretical premises of this approach to learning and instruction. It is argued that problem‐based learning, above all, promotes the activation of prior knowledge and its elaboration. Evidence is reviewed demonstrating that these processes actually occur in small‐group tutorials and that the processing of new information is indeed facilitated by discussion of a relevant problem. These effects must be attributed to a reorganization taking place in the knowledge structures of students as a result of problem‐oriented study. In addition, a cognitive process called epistemic curiosity (or intrinsic interest) is enabled. Some directions for further research are outlined. The contribution starts, however, with a discussion of the philosophical and pedagogical roots of problem‐based learning.
Demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft with/without i-Platelet-rich fibrin in 3 wall intrabony defects

Demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) contains bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), hence is osteoinductive. Autologous platelet concentrates exhibit a higher quantity of growth factors. Both these biomaterials aid in bone regeneration when placed in three-wall intrabony defects. However, their efficacy when used alone and in conjugation is not clear. Aim: To assess clinical and radiographic efficacy of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) with microsurgical access flap in the treatment of three-wall intrabony defects in chronic periodontitis patients. Methods: Thirty sites with three-wall intrabony defects were randomly assigned to control and test group by computer generated method. The test group obtained i-PRF mixed with DFDBA while the control group received only DFDBA. Clinical parameters such as site-specific Plaque index (PI), Radiographic intrabony defect depth (IBDD), modified- Sulcular bleeding index (mSBI), Clinical attachment level (CAL), and Probing pocket depth (PPD) were measured at baseline, three and six months. Results: Intragroup comparison within the control group and test group exhibited statistically highly significant variation of mean PI, mSBI, PPD, CAL, and IBDD score from baseline to 3 months and from 3-6 months (p<0.001). However, intergroup comparison demonstrated no statistically significant variation of mean IBDD at all 3 intervals (p>0.05). Conclusion: i-PRF combined with DFDBA enhanced the radiographic and clinical parameters as opposed to DFDBA alone. The role of i-PRF is promising in its capacity for easy obtainability and increased potential to aid in regeneration.
Low-Rank Matrix Approximation Using the Lanczos Bidiagonalization Process with Applications

Low-rank approximation of large and/or sparse matrices is important in many applications, and the singular value decomposition (SVD) gives the best low-rank approximations with respect to unitarily-invariant norms. In this paper we show that good low-rank approximations can be directly obtained from the Lanczos bidiagonalization process applied to the given matrix without computing any SVD. We also demonstrate that a so-called one-sided reorthogonalization process can be used to maintain an adequate level of orthogonality among the Lanczos vectors and produce accurate low-rank approximations. This technique reduces the computational cost of the Lanczos bidiagonalization process. We illustrate the efficiency and applicability of our algorithm using numerical examples from several applications areas.
Fast Texture Segmentation Based on Semi-Local Region Descriptor and Active Contour

In this paper, we present an efficient approach for unsupervised segmenta- tion of natural and textural images based on the extraction o fi mage features and a fast active contour segmentation model. We address the problem of textures where neither the gray-level information nor the boundary information is adequate for object extraction. This is often the case of natural images compose do f both homogeneous and textured regions. Because these images cannot be in generaldirectly processed by the gray-level information, we propose a new texture descripto rw hich intrinsically def ines the geometry of textures using semi-local image informatio na nd tools from differen- tial geometry. Then, we use the popular Kullback-Leibler distance to design an active contour model which distinguishes the background and textures of interest. The exis- tence of a minimizing solution to the proposed segmentationmodel is proven. Finally, at exture segmentation algorithm based on the Split-Bregma nm ethod is introduced to extract meaningful objects in a fast way. Promising synthetic and real-world results for gray-scale and color images are presented.
∞-jets of diffeomorphisms preserving orbits of vector fields

Let F be a C∞ vector field defined near the origin O ∈ ℝn, F(O) = 0, and (Ft) be its local flow. Denote by the set of germs of orbit preserving diffeomorphisms h: ℝn → ℝn at O, and let , (r ≥ 0), be the identity component of with respect to the weak Whitney Wr topology. Then contains a subset consisting of maps of the form Fα(x)(x), where α: ℝn → ℝ runs over the space of all smooth germs at O. It was proved earlier by the author that if F is a linear vector field, then = . In this paper we present a class of examples of vector fields with degenerate singularities at O for which formally coincides with , i.e. on the level of ∞-jets at O.We also establish parameter rigidity of linear vector fields and “reduced” Hamiltonian vector fields of real homogeneous polynomials in two variables.
Proprioceptive Feedback Facilitates Motor Imagery-Related Operant Learning of Sensorimotor β-Band Modulation

Motor imagery (MI) activates the sensorimotor system independent of actual movements and might be facilitated by neurofeedback. Knowledge on the interaction between feedback modality and the involved frequency bands during MI-related brain self-regulation is still scarce. Previous studies compared the cortical activity during the MI task with concurrent feedback (MI with feedback condition) to cortical activity during the relaxation task where no feedback was provided (relaxation without feedback condition). The observed differences might, therefore, be related to either the task or the feedback. A proper comparison would necessitate studying a relaxation condition with feedback and a MI task condition without feedback as well. Right-handed healthy subjects performed two tasks, i.e., MI and relaxation, in alternating order. Each of the tasks (MI vs. relaxation) was studied with and without feedback. The respective event-driven oscillatory activity, i.e., sensorimotor desynchronization (during MI) or synchronization (during relaxation), was rewarded with contingent feedback. Importantly, feedback onset was delayed to study the task-related cortical activity in the absence of feedback provision during the delay period. The reward modality was alternated every 15 trials between proprioceptive and visual feedback. Proprioceptive input was superior to visual input to increase the range of task-related spectral perturbations in the α- and β-band, and was necessary to consistently achieve MI-related sensorimotor desynchronization (ERD) significantly below baseline. These effects occurred in task periods without feedback as well. The increased accuracy and duration of learned brain self-regulation achieved in the proprioceptive condition was specific to the β-band. MI-related operant learning of brain self-regulation is facilitated by proprioceptive feedback and mediated in the sensorimotor β-band.
Dynamic T cell migration program provides resident memory within intestinal epithelium

Migration to intestinal mucosa putatively depends on local activation because gastrointestinal lymphoid tissue induces expression of intestinal homing molecules, whereas skin-draining lymph nodes do not. This paradigm is difficult to reconcile with reports of intestinal T cell responses after alternative routes of immunization. We reconcile this discrepancy by demonstrating that activation within spleen results in intermediate induction of homing potential to the intestinal mucosa. We further demonstrate that memory T cells within small intestine epithelium do not routinely recirculate with memory T cells in other tissues, and we provide evidence that homing is similarly dynamic in humans after subcutaneous live yellow fever vaccine immunization. These data explain why systemic immunization routes induce local cell-mediated immunity within the intestine and indicate that this tissue must be seeded with memory T cell precursors shortly after activation.