Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
c-Myb Is Required for Pro-B Cell Differentiation1

The c-Myb transcription factor is required for normal adult hematopoiesis. However, the embryonic lethality of Myb-null mutations has been an impediment to identifying roles for c-Myb during lymphocyte development. We have used tissue-specific inactivation of the Myb locus in early progenitor cells to demonstrate that c-Myb is absolutely required for the differentiation of CD19+ B-lineage cells and B cell differentiation is profoundly blocked beyond the pre-pro-B cell stage in Mybf/f Mb1-cre mice. We demonstrate that c-Myb is required for the intrinsic survival of CD19+ pro-B cells as well as the proper expression of the α-chain of the IL-7 receptor (CD127) and Ebf1. However, survival of c-Myb-deficient CD19+ pro-B cells cannot be rescued by transduction with CD127-producing retrovirus, suggesting that c-Myb controls a survival pathway independent of CD127. Furthermore, c-Myb-deficient progenitor cells inefficiently generate CD19+ B-lineage cells during stromal cell culture but this process can be partially rescued with exogenous Ebf1. Thus, c-Myb does not appear to be required for commitment to B cell differentiation but is crucial for B cell differentiation to the CD19+ pro-B cell stage as well as survival of CD19+ pro-B cells. Surprisingly, forced c-Myb expression in lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitors favors differentiation toward the myeloid lineage, suggesting that proper c-Myb expression is crucial for B-lineage development.
Genetic association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of FZD4 and BDNF genes with retinopathy of prematurity

ABSTRACT Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disease occurring in preterm neonates, caused by incorrect development of retinal blood vessels. It has been suggested that, in addition to gestational age, weight, and oxygen supplementation, genetic factors can play a role in the pathogenesis of ROP. Methods: In the present prospective study, 97 neonates were enrolled based on the gestational age and weight, and genomic DNA from patients diagnosed with ROP and premature newborns without ROP was collected. The DNA sequence of protein coding and 5´and 3´ untranslated regions (UTRs) of the frizzled-4 (FZD4) gene and the genotype of the locus rs7934165:G˃A (NM_170731.4: c.3 + 10976 C˃T) within the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) were determined. Results: We detected a significant association between rs61749246:C˃A (NM_012193.3: c.*2G˃T) and ROP in a general genetic model as well as in a multiplicative model and by the Cochran-Armitage test for trend. Moreover, rs61749246 was strongly associated with ROP, requiring surgical intervention. Conclusion: We suggest that rs61749246:C˃A of the FZD4 gene is likely associated with the development of ROP. It is necessary to confirm this suggestion in larger studies.
Predictors of completing a primary health care diabetes prevention intervention programme in people at high risk of type 2 diabetes

Abstract It has been shown that real-life implementation studies for the prevention of type 2 diabetes (DM2) performed in different settings and populations can be effective. However, not enough information is available on factors influencing the reach of DM2 prevention programmes. This study examines the predictors of completing an intervention programme targeted at people at high risk of DM2 in Krakow, Poland as part of the DE-PLAN project. A total of 262 middle-aged people, everyday patients of 9 general practitioners’ (GP) practices, at high risk of DM2 (Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISK) >14) agreed to participate in the lifestyle intervention to prevent DM2. Intervention consisted of 11 lifestyle counseling sessions, organized physical activity sessions followed by motivational phone calls and letters. Measurements were performed at baseline and 1 year after the initiation of the intervention. Seventy percent of the study participants enrolled completed the core curriculum (n = 184), 22% were men. When compared to noncompleters, completers had a healthier baseline diabetes risk profile (P <.05). People who completed the intervention were less frequently employed versus noncompleters (P = .037), less often had hypertension (P = .043), and more frequently consumed vegetables and fruit daily (P = .055). In multiple logistic regression model, employment reduced the likelihood of completing the intervention 2 times (odds ratio [OR] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25–0.81). Higher glucose 2 hours after glucose load and hypertension were the independent factors decreasing the chance to participate in the intervention (OR 0.79, 95% 0.69–0.92 and OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.27–0.99, respectively). Daily consumption of vegetables and fruits increased the likelihood of completing the intervention (OR 1.86, 95% 1.01–3.41). In conclusion, people with healthier behavior and risk profile are more predisposed to complete diabetes prevention interventions. Male, those who work and those with a worse health profile, are less likely to participate and complete interventions. Targeted strategies are needed in real-life diabetes prevention interventions to improve male participation and to reach those who are working as well as people with a higher risk profile.
Determination of Photovoltaic Characteristics in Real Field Conditions

This paper presents an improved procedure in the modeling of photovoltaic (PV) modules based on the single-diode model. This improvement allows more accurate energy yield predictions and performance analysis. Variation of parameters of the PV module model is taken into account, since the output characteristics depend on the surrounding conditions. The analytical expressions of the single-diode model along with experimental data are utilized to support the modeling approach. Moreover, the spectral effects, which influence the output of PV modules, are included in the model. Hence, the PV characteristics in real outdoor operating conditions could be precisely predicted. The effectiveness of the proposed procedure was tested against experimental measurements taken in a PV installation with different commercially available PV modules. The PV model was also validated using real data collected by the SCADA system of a 12-MW PV farm. A comparison with previous methods was made to show the advantages of the proposed model. This model can provide a powerful tool for analysis and appropriate selection of PV systems under changing environmental conditions.
Stress analysis of fiber-reinforced composite materials

Fibre-reinforced composite materials linear elastic stress-strain characteristics of fibre-reinforced material prediction of engineering properties using micromechanics the plane-stress assumption plane-stress stress-strain relations in a global coordinate system classical lamination theory - the Kirchoff hypothesis classical lamination theory - laminate stiffness matrix classical lamination theory - additional examples failure theories for fibre-reinforced materials - maximum stress criterion - failure theories for fibre-reinforced materials - the TSAI-Wu criterion environmentally-induced stresses in laminates through-thickness laminate strains introduction to fibre-reinforced laminated plates. Appendix - manufacturing composite laminates.
The INO80 chromatin remodeler sustains metabolic stability by promoting TOR signaling and regulating histone acetylation

Chromatin remodeling complexes are essential for gene expression programs that coordinate cell function with metabolic status. However, how these remodelers are integrated in metabolic stability pathways is not well known. Here, we report an expansive genetic screen with chromatin remodelers and metabolic regulators in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that, unlike the SWR1 remodeler, the INO80 chromatin remodeling complex is composed of multiple distinct functional subunit modules. We identified a strikingly divergent genetic signature for the Ies6 subunit module that links the INO80 complex to metabolic homeostasis, including mitochondrial maintenance. INO80 is also needed to communicate TORC1-mediated signaling to chromatin and maintains histone acetylation at TORC1-responsive genes. Furthermore, computational analysis reveals subunits of INO80 and mTORC1 have high co-occurrence of alterations in human cancers. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the INO80 complex is a central component of metabolic homeostasis that influences histone acetylation and may contribute to disease when disrupted.
Illness management and recovery program for mental health problems: reducing symptoms and increasing social functioning

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of the Illness Management and Recovery Program in comparison with the current standard of care in terms of reduction of symptoms, rehospitalisation rates and social functioning in Asia. BACKGROUND Focus of treatment for Mental Health had been shifted from mere management of symptoms to that of achievement of recovery. In the recovery process, strategies to achieve higher level of functioning were used (Psychiatric Services 2014, 65, 171). However, two main factors hindered clients from attaining recovery: first, the lack of Mental Health resources in the community and second the negative attitudes of healthcare professionals towards mental illness (American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation 2012, 15, 131). Hence, it is essential to implement an effective programme that will train mental health professionals to use more effective techniques and materials in helping the clients to better integrate into society by achieving skills in their attempt to work towards recovery. DESIGN This study adopts a time series experimental quantitative design. METHODS Fifty participants who consented to the study were randomly assigned to two groups. Participants in the experimental group received the experimental management and recovery programme, while the control group received standard care management by the community psychiatric nurses for a period of 12 months. RESULTS Participants in the experimental group reported significantly lower number of admissions, shorter length of stay, lower Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores, and also reported significantly higher scores on both the Illness Management and Recovery Scale and the Global Assessment Scale. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the effectiveness of IMR in helping Asian people with mental illness to not only reduce symptoms and hospitalisations but also improve social functioning. They have benefitted from the program although they are living in a different cultural setting from where IMR was developed. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The success of this study has raised the standard of care in the community intervention and led more people to their recovery.
Generating retinoic acid gradients by local degradation during craniofacial development: One cell's cue is another cell's poison

Retinoic acid (RA) is a vital morphogen for early patterning and organogenesis in the developing embryo. RA is a diffusible, lipophilic molecule that signals via nuclear RA receptor heterodimeric units that regulate gene expression by interacting with RA response elements in promoters of a significant number of genes. For precise RA signaling, a robust gradient of the morphogen is required. The developing embryo contains regions that produce RA, and specific intracellular concentrations of RA are created through local degradation mediated by Cyp26 enzymes. In order to elucidate the mechanisms by which RA executes precise developmental programs, the kinetics of RA metabolism must be clearly understood. Recent advances in techniques for endogenous RA detection and quantification have paved the way for mechanistic studies to shed light on downstream gene expression regulation coordinated by RA. It is increasingly coming to light that RA signaling operates not only at precise concentrations but also employs mechanisms of degradation and feedback inhibition to self‐regulate its levels. A global gradient of RA throughout the embryo is often found concurrently with several local gradients, created by juxtaposed domains of RA synthesis and degradation. The existence of such local gradients has been found especially critical for the proper development of craniofacial structures that arise from the neural crest and the cranial placode populations. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of how local gradients of RA are established in the embryo and their impact on craniofacial development.
Anal HPV detection in men who have sex with men living with HIV who report no recent anal sexual behaviours: baseline analysis of the Anal Cancer Examination (ACE) study

Objectives Men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV are at high risk of infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of anal cancer. We assess whether anal HPV DNA detection is related to recent anal sexual activity, what types of anal sexual activity or the persistence of HPV genotypes. Methods We analysed anal swabs taken at the baseline of a 2-year prospective anal cancer screening study of MSM living with HIV from four HIV clinics in Melbourne, Australia. Anal HPV detection was stratified by age and anal sexual behaviours. Results 281 anal swabs were included in the analysis. The majority (80%, 95% CI 75 to 84) of men were positive for any HPV; 59% (95% CI 53 to 65) were positive for high-risk HPV (hr-HPV) genotypes; and 31% (95% CI 26 to 36) men were positive for HPV 16 and/or 18 with no significant differences according to age groups (p>0.261). In men who reported no receptive anal sexual activity in the last six months (22%), hr-HPV was found in 53% (95% CI 41 to 65) for no anal sexual activity versus. 60% (95% CI 54 to 67) for anal sexual activity (p=0.320). HPV 16 and/or 18 was found in 26% (95% CI 16 to 38) for no anal sexual activity versus. 32% (95% CI 27 to 39) for anal sexual activity (p=0.320). Conclusions Anal HPV in MSM living with HIV is detected in the majority of men throughout all age groups. Anal HPV detection remains high even in men reporting no anal sexual activity in the preceding six months.
Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking Complications

ABSTRACT Corneal cross-linking was approved by United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of progressive keratoconus in April 2016. As this approach becomes more widely used for the treatment of keratoconus and post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) ectasia, the medical community is becoming more familiar with potential complications associated with this procedure. This article aims to review the reported complications of collagen cross-linking for the treatment of keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia.
Enhancing Saliency of an Object Using Genetic Algorithm

It is often required to emphasize an object in an image. Artists, illustrators, cinematographers and photographers have long used the principles of contrast and composition to guide visual attention. In order to achieve this, a novel perceptually-driven approach is put forth which leads to the enhancement of visual saliency of target object without destroying the naturalness of the contents of the image. The proposed approach computes new feature values for the intended object by maximizing the feature dissimilarity (which is weighted by positional proximity) with other objects. Too much change in feature values in the target segment may destroy naturality of the image. This poses as the constraint in the proposed maximization problem. Genetic algorithm has been used, in this context, to find the feature values which maximize the saliency of the target object. Experimental validation through objective evaluation metrics using saliency maps, as well as analysis of eye-tracking data, establish the success of the proposed method.
Enhanced optical limiting in functionalized hydrogen exfoliated graphene and its metal hybrids

We present the mechanism and performance of optical limiting (OL) in hydrogen exfoliated graphene (HEG), functionalized HEG (f-HEG) and its metal hybrids. At the wavelengths used, the mechanism of nonlinear absorption (NLA) involves two-photon absorption and excited state absorption in the nanosecond excitation regime, and saturable absorption in combination with two-photon absorption in the femtosecond (ultrafast) excitation regime. The role of defects in the OL performance of HEG and f-HEG is investigated with the help of their Raman spectra. OL efficiency of f-HEG is found to improve with Pt and Pd nanoparticle decoration due to an enhanced NLA, which arises mainly from interband transitions between the d band and the s–p conduction band in the metal NPs, and charge transfer between f-HEG and metal NPs. Thermally induced light scattering is negligible in these water dispersed systems.
Electrophysiological property and chemical sensitivity of primary afferent neurons that innervate rat whisker hair follicles

Whisker hair follicles are sensory organs that sense touch and perform tactile discrimination in animals, and they are sites where sensory impulses are initiated when whisker hairs touch an object. The sensory signals are then conveyed by whisker afferent fibers to the brain for sensory perception. Electrophysiological property and chemical sensitivity of whisker afferent fibers, important factors affecting whisker sensory processing, are largely not known. In the present study, we performed patch-clamp recordings from pre-identified whisker afferent neurons in whole-mount trigeminal ganglion preparations and characterized their electrophysiological property and sensitivity to ATP, serotonin and glutamate. Of 97 whisker afferent neurons examined, 67% of them are found to be large-sized (diameter ≥45 µm) cells and 33% of them are medium- to small-sized (diameter <45 µm) cells. Almost every large-sized whisker afferent neuron fires a single action potential but many (40%) small/medium-sized whisker afferent neurons fire multiple action potentials in response to prolonged stepwise depolarization. Other electrophysiological properties including resting membrane potential, action potential threshold, and membrane input resistance are also significantly different between large-sized and small/medium-sized whisker afferent neurons. Most large-sized and many small/medium-sized whisker afferent neurons are sensitive to ATP and/or serotonin, and ATP and/or serotonin could evoke strong inward currents in these cells. In contrast, few whisker afferent neurons are sensitive to glutamate. Our results raise a possibility that ATP and/or serotonin may be chemical messengers involving sensory signaling for different types of rat whisker afferent fibers.
Challenges in implementing an advance care planning programme in long-term care

Background: A high prevalence of cognitive impairment and frailty complicates the feasibility of advance care planning in the long-term-care population. Research aim: To identify challenges in implementing the ‘Let Me Decide’ advance care planning programme in long-term-care. Research design: This feasibility study had two phases: (1) staff education on advance care planning and (2) structured advance care planning by staff with residents and families. Participants and research context: long-term-care residents in two nursing homes and one community hospital. Ethical considerations: The local research ethics committee granted ethical approval. Findings: Following implementation, over 50% of all residents had completed some form of end-of-life care plan. Of the 70 residents who died in the post-implementation period, 14% had no care plan, 10% (with capacity) completed an advance care directive and lacking such capacity, 76% had an end-of-life care plan completed for them by the medical team, following discussions with the resident (if able) and family. The considerable logistical challenge of releasing staff for training triggered development of an e-learning programme to facilitate training. Discussion: The challenges encountered were largely concerned with preserving resident’s autonomy, avoiding harm and suboptimal or crisis decision-making, and ensuring residents were treated fairly through optimisation of finite resources. Conclusions: Although it may be too late for many long-term-care residents to complete their own advance care directive, the ‘Let Me Decide’ programme includes a feasible and acceptable option for structured end-of-life care planning for residents with variable capacity to complete an advance care directive, involving discussion with the resident (to the extent they were able) and their family. While end-of-life care planning was time-consuming to deliver, nursing staff were willing to overcome this and take ownership of the programme, once the benefits in improved communication and enhanced peace of mind among all parties involved became apparent in practice.
Effects of Tongue Strength Training on Mealtime Function in Long-Term Care.

Purpose The primary aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of an 8-week tongue-strengthening intervention protocol for seniors with mild to moderately severe cognitive impairment in the long-term care setting. Outcome measures of interest included tongue strength, mealtime duration, and food intake. Method In this pre-post group study of treatment outcomes, data were collected from 7 adults (aged 84-99 years). Participants were observed across a series of mealtimes to determine mealtime duration and intake before and after 16 treatment sessions. During therapy, participants performed isometric strength exercises and tongue pressure accuracy tasks using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (model number 2.1, IOPI Medical). Differences in tongue strength as a function of treatment were explored between the first 3 and final 3 sessions using univariate repeated-measures analysis of variance. Single-subject methods were used to explore baseline and posttreatment data for measures of mealtime function. Results Anterior and posterior tongue strength increased significantly with therapy. There were no changes in mealtime function. Conclusions This study shows proof of concept that some older adults with cognitive impairment are able to participate in a tongue-strengthening intervention and achieve improvements in tongue strength. Failure to find evidence of associated changes of mealtime function suggests that mealtime measures may not be directly sensitive to changes in tongue strength.
RANS Modelling of Turbulence in Combustors

Turbulence modelling is a major issue, affecting the precision of current numerical sim- ulations, particularly for reacting flows. The RANS (Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes) modelling of turbulence is necessary in the development of advanced combustion sys- tems in the foreseeable future. Therefore, it is important to understand advantages and limitations of these models. In this chapter, six widely used RANS turbulence models are discussed and validated against a comprehensive experimental database from a model combustor. The results indicate that all six models can catch the flow features; however, various degrees of agreement with the experimental data are found. The Reynolds stress model (RSM) gives the best performance, and the Rk- ε model can provide similar predictions as those from the RSM. The Reynolds analogy used in almost all turbulent reacting flow simulations is also assessed in this chapter and vali- dated against the experimental data. It is found that the turbulent Prandtl/Schmidt number has a significant effect on the temperature field in the combustor. In contrast, its effect on the velocity field is insignificant in the range considered (0.2 – 0.85). For the present configuration and operating conditions, the optimal turbulent Prandtl/Schmidt number is 0.5, lower than the traditionally used value of 0.6 – 0.85.