Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Validation of a Model-based Glycaemic Control Design Approach and Comparison to Other Clinical Protocols

Hyperglycaemia is prevalent in critical care and tight control can reduce mortality from 9-43% depending on the level of control and the cohort. This research presents a table-based method that varies both insulin dose and nutritional input to achieve tight control. The system mimics a previously validated model-based system, but can be used for long term, large patient number clinical evaluation. This paper evaluates this method in simulation using retrospective data and then compares clinical measurements over 15,000 patient hours to validate the models and development approach. This validation thus also validates the in silico comparison to the landmark clinical tight glycaemic control protocols. Overall, an average clinical glucose level is 5.9plusmn1. 0 mmol/L, matching simulation, however the overall clinical glucose distribution is slightly tighter than that obtained in simulation, indicating that the retrospective virtual trial design approach is slightly conservative. Finally, the model based approach is shown to have tighter control than existing, more ad-hoc clinical approaches based on the simulation results that qualitatively match reported clinical results, but also show significant variation around the average levels obtained in both the hypo-and hyperglycaemic ranges
Modeling Thermal Influence on Animal Growth and Sex Determination in Reptiles: Being Closer to the Target Gives New Views

Many species of oviparous reptiles, including crocodilians, a majority of turtles, some lizards and the 2 closely related species of Sphenodon have been shown to display temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Whereas it has been demonstrated very early that TSD also occurs in natural conditions, the relationship between a time series of changing temperatures and sex ratio remains a challenging problem for reptiles. We describe how a physiological model of embryo growth, gonadal development and aromatase activity can produce outputs that mimic well TSD. We provide an enhancement of a previously published model taking into account direct effect of temperature on aromatase activity. The comparison between the original model and the new one suggests that aromatase expression is controlled by a repressor factor expressed at masculinizing temperatures rather than its enhancement at feminizing temperatures.
Activities of the Wnt-1 class of secreted signaling factors are antagonized by the Wnt-5A class and by a dominant negative cadherin in early Xenopus development

When overexpressed in Xenopus embryos, Xwnt-1, -3A, -8 and -8b define a functional class of Wnts (the Wnt-1 class) that promotes duplication of the embryonic axis, whereas Xwnt-5A, -4, and -11 define a distinct class (the Wnt-5A class) that alters morphogenetic movements (Du, S., S. Purcell, J. Christian, L. McGrew, and R. Moon. 1995. Mol. Cell. Biol. 15:2625-2634). Since come embryonic cells may be exposed to signals from both functional classes of Wnt during vertebrate development, this raises the question of how the signaling pathways of these classes of Wnts might interact. To address this issue, we coexpressed various Xwnts and components of the Wnt-1 class signaling pathway in developing Xenopus embryos. Members of the Xwnt-5A class antagonized the ability of ectopic Wnt-1 class to induce goosecoid expression and a secondary axis. Interestingly, the Wnt-5A class did not block goosecoid expression or axis induction in response to overexpression of cytoplasmic components of the Wnt-1 signaling pathway, beta-catenin or a kinase-dead gsk-3, or to the unrelated secreted factor, BVg1. The ability of the Wnt-5A class to block responses to the Wnt-1 class may involve decreases in cell adhesion, since ectopic expression of Xwnt-5A leads to decreased Ca2+-dependent cell adhesion and the activity of Xwnt-5A to block Wnt-1 class signals is mimicked by a dominant negative N-cadherin. These data underscore the importance of cell adhesion in modulating the responses of embryonic cells to signaling molecules and suggest that the Wnt-5A functional class of signaling factors can interact with the Wnt-1 class in an antagonistic manner.
Careless touch: a comparative evaluation of mouse, pen, and touch input in shape tracing task

This short paper is a work-in-progress report on an experimental, exploratory comparison and evaluation of three input methods (mouse, pen, and touch-input) in a line-tracing task. A method to compare the original shape and user-generated version is presented. Measurements of user efficiency and accuracy showed that participants replicating a particular shape using touch-input performed the worst in terms of accuracy but were the fastest in comparison to the remaining input methods. No effect of controlled visual feedback was observed. Additionally, subjective operational biases were observed that, together with input method and expected shape related issues, might strongly affect the results.
Influence of Geometric Changes in the Thoracic Aorta due to Arterial Switch Operations on the Wall Shear Stress Distribution

Background: The transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is one of the most severe congenital heart diseases. The arterial switch operation (ASO) is the preferred procedure to treat TGA. Although numerous reports have shown good results after ASOs, some patients suffer from circulatory system problems following the procedure. One reason for problems post-ASO is the local changes in the curvature and torsion of the thoracic aorta. Objective: The influence of these geometric changes on the blood flow field needs to be investigated in detail to consider possible cardiovascular problems after an ASO. Method: In this study, we conduct blood flow simulations in the thoracic aorta post-ASO, evaluate geometric changes in the aorta due to the ASO in terms of curvature and torsion, and consider the effect of geometric changes on blood flow in the aorta. Results: It was found that a large curvature near the aortic root causes an increase in the maximal wall shear stress value in the middle systole. Moreover, a large torsion results in a circumferential change in the maximal wall shear stress region. It was also found that the maximal wall shear stress in the post-ASO models is significantly higher than that in the normal models. This indicates that the aortic aneurysm initiation risk for a post-ASO artery may be higher than that of a normal artery. Conclusion: To reduce the risk of initiating an aneurism, it is suggested that the curvature near the aortic root should be decreased during the ASO.
Control beliefs in cancer: A literature review

The use of the control construct is widespread in research about chronic illness. Our aim was to analyse the relationship between perceived control and health outcomes in people with cancer. A search of databases (Medline, PsycINFO and Psicodoc) for articles published between 1966 and 2006 were conducted. Key words related to cancer, control beliefs and health outcomes were combined and searched resulting in the identification of 716 studies; 44 of the articles located met the criteria for inclusion in this review. The review showed that, firstly, selfefficacy beliefs had more power over patients’ adaptation than the other belief constructs. Secondly, locus of control beliefs were the most frequently assessed beliefs in the 44 studies; however, there was a lack of association between locus of control and health outcomes. Internal locus of control was the dimension with the most positive relationship with emotional status and quality of life.
Effect of Illegal Small-Scale Mining Operations on Vegetation Cover of Arid Northern Ghana

Illegal small-scale gold mining brings several benefits to developing countries like Ghana, manifested mainly as employment and revenue but simultaneously impacts negatively on the immediate environment. The study tested the hypothesis that density and diversity of key native tree and shrub species differ in the mined and unmined areas of Nangodi in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East Region, Ghana. A total of 20 plots (10×10 m) were studied in the mined and unmined areas. A total of 8 tree species and 9 shrub species were recorded. The extent of vegetation affected by the activities of illegal small scale miners was assessed. The Simpsons reciprocal diversity index of tree species at mined area was 8.33 as compared to 10.8 for the unmined area. For shrub species, the Simpsons reciprocal diversity index was 8.33 for the mined areas while that of the unmined was 10.2. Common trees and shrubs species were identified in both areas as designated by the calculated Jaccards similarity index of 0.6 for trees and 0.7 for shrubs. However low mean density of 2.4 individual trees per 100 m 2 and 5.6 individuals per 100 m 2 was recorded in the mined and unmined areas respectively. Shrubs species also recorded very low density figures of 1.4 and 2.6 per 100 m 2 in the mined and unmined areas, respectively. The null hypothesis that there is no significant difference of illegal small-scale mining on tree and shrub species density is rejected at the 0.05 significant level, indicating that mining significantly affected vegetation cover. It is suggested that efforts should be made to reclaim the degraded lands through reforestation.
Support for a Vraconnian Stage between the Albian sensu stricto and the Cenomanian (Cretaceous system)

The geological scale for the middle Cretaceous currently used throughout the world was proposed by Alcide d'Orbigny in the XIXth century between the years 1842 and 1847 and establishes the succession of stages as Albian, Cenomanian and Turonian. In 1868 Renevier proposed that a supplemental chronostratigraphic division be intercalated between the Albian and the Cenomanian: the Vraconnian stage. This term was not generally accepted and after a period when it was referred to by Breistroffer (1936) as a substage constituting the upper part of the Albian, as an equivalent of the Stoliczkaia dispar ammonite Zone, its abandonment was recommended by the Conference on the Lower Cretaceous held in Lyon in 1963. The conditions that led to this decision will be discussed herein. Historically, for almost a century the Vraconnian was studied only in the condensed levels of the platform where ammonites are abundant, but the succession is thin and not mappable. The type section of the Vraconnian in the Vaud canton of Switzerland is only 2 meters thick. In France the situation is the same in the northern Alps, in most of central Europe, in Russia, in the Crimea, and as far as the Caspian sea. The examination of a certain number of sections located in other parts of the world: in the southeastern basin of France (Salazac, Marcoule, Mont-Risou), in the Anglo-Paris basin (Folkestone, Merstham, Grandpre), in the Mons basin (Harchies, Strepy-Thieu), at the southern edge of the Tethys in central Tunisia (Kaalat Senan), in Madagascar (Diego Suarez) and North America in California (Dry Creek) demonstrates, however, that in a number of regions of the globe the sedimentary record of the Vraconnian is sometimes rather considerable, often much more important than that of the Albian sensu stricto. In addition, the Vraconnian represents a very important eustatic event between an Albian transgression and the great Cenomanian transgression (third order cycle and the peak of transgression in a second order cycle). It involves a period of rapid ecologic expansion both as regards the macrofauna (ammonites in particular) and microfauna (planktonic foraminifera). These are the main reasons why a rehabilitation of the Vraconnian as a true stage is proposed here.
Identification of pyramidal cells as the critical elements in hippocampal neuronal plasticity during learning.

The activity of single neurons recorded from rabbit hippocampus during classical conditioning of the nictitating membrane reflex was studied. All cells were first categorized according to their responses after fornix stimulation--i.i. , antidromic activation, orthodromic activation, or no activation. The majority of cells that were antidromically activated--pyramidal cells--showed a highly positive correlation between the pattern of unit discharge and the topography of the nicititating membrane response within trial periods. Units that were orthodromically driven by fornix stimulation tended to inhibit during the presentation of trial stimuli, whereas most non-activated cells maintained low spontaneous levels of activity at all times. Thus, the major output neurons of the hippocampus appear to be the neuroanatomical substrate for the large and rapidly developing neuronal plasticity induced by this classical conditioning paradigm.
Collected studies on interfaces and interphases as related to the behaviour of fibre‐reinforced aluminium alloy composites

This paper is an essentially practical treatment of interphases and interfaces and of their influence on the properties of a number of metal matrix composites (MMCs). The illustrations are drawn from the authors' experiences and have been chosen to underline the importance of detailed microstructural analysis for elucidating the fabrication behaviour and the mechanical performance of this group of materials. The work involves a series of MMCs based upon different combinations of aluminium alloy and ceramic/carbon fibre (both continuous and short) and made using the method of low‐pressure liquid metal infiltration (LMI). Detailed analyses of the composite microstructures are given, with particular attention being paid to the interface regions. The data are used to categorize an interface according to the type of bond, that is a mechanical bond resulting from thermal mismatch between the fibre and metal matrix, or a chemical bond, with or without second phase, caused by chemical reaction. The information is then employed to account for aspects of composite fabrication, such as the cast microstructure produced by the LMI method and the effect of heat treatment, and to elucidate composite properties such as stiffness, yield stress and failure strength.
From “Hindu Growth” to Productivity Surge: The Mystery of the Indian Growth Transition

This paper explores the causes of India's productivity surge around 1980, more than a decade before serious economic reforms were initiated. Trade liberalization, expansionary demand, a favorable external environment, and improved agricultural performance did not play a role. We find evidence that the trigger may have been an attitudinal shift by the government in the early 1980s that, unlike the reforms of the 1990s, was probusiness rather than promarket in character, favoring the interests of existing businesses rather than new entrants or consumers. A relatively small shift elicited a large productivity response, because India was far away from its incomepossibility frontier. Registered manufacturing, which had been built up in previous decades, played an important role in determining which states took advantage of the changed environment.
Diaphragmatic and external intercostal muscle control during vomiting: behavior of inspiratory bulbospinal neurons.

1. The role of dorsal and ventral respiratory group (DRG and VRG) bulbospinal inspiratory (I) neurons in the control of diaphragmatic and external intercostal (inspiratory) muscle activity during vomiting was examined by recording from these neurons during fictive vomiting in decerebrate, paralyzed cats. Fictive vomiting was defined by a characteristic series of bursts of coactivation of phrenic and abdominal muscle nerves, elicited either by electrical stimulation of abdominal vagal afferents or by emetic drugs, which would be expected to produce vomiting if the animals were not paralyzed. 2. Data were recorded from 22 DRG and 29 VRG I neurons that were antidromically activated from the fourth cervical spinal segment (C4). Only 10% (5/51) of these neurons started to fire near the beginning of phrenic discharge during fictive vomiting and thus had the appropriate discharge pattern to contribute to the initial activation of the diaphragm and coactive external intercostal muscles during vomiting. The frequency of occurrence of these Active neurons was not significantly different in the DRG (3/22) and VRG (2/29) (chi 2 test). Most remaining neurons were either totally silent (n = 7) or had only sporadic, infrequent firing (n = 16) (Silent neurons, 23/51 = 45%), or else fired near the end of phrenic discharge during fictive vomiting (End neurons, 21/51 = 41%). Two neurons were categorized as having miscellaneous (Misc) behavior. 3. No differences were found among neurons having different response patterns during fictive vomiting in regard to the following: the manner in which fictive vomiting was elicited: cell location: conduction velocity; and neuronal firing onset, rate, and pattern during respiration. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Towards Conservation of Omani Local Chicken: Phenotypic Characteristics, Management Practices and Performance Traits

Characterizing local chicken types and their mostly rural production systems is prerequisite for designing and implementing development and conservation programs. This study evaluated the management practices of small-scale chicken keepers and the phenotypic and production traits of their chickens in Oman, where conservation programs for local livestock breeds have currently started. Free-range scavenging was the dominant production system, and logistic regression analysis showed that socio-economic factors such as training in poultry keeping, household income, income from farming and gender of chicken owners influenced feeding, housing, and health care practices (p<0.05). A large variation in plumage and shank colors, comb types and other phenotypic traits within and between Omani chicken populations were observed. Male and female body weight differed (p<0.05), being 1.3±0.65 kg and 1.1±0.86 kg respectively. Flock size averaged 22±7.7 birds per household with 4.8 hens per cock. Clutch size was 12.3±2.85 and annual production 64.5±2.85 eggs per hen. Egg hatchability averaged 88±6.0% and annual chicken mortality across all age and sex categories was 16±1.4%. The strong involvement of women in chicken keeping makes them key stakeholders in future development and conservation programs, but the latter should be preceded by a comprehensive study of the genetic diversity of the Omani chicken populations.
NK cell heparanase controls tumor invasion and immune surveillance

NK cells are highly efficient at preventing cancer metastasis but are infrequently found in the core of primary tumors. Here, have we demonstrated that freshly isolated mouse and human NK cells express low levels of the endo-&bgr;-D-glucuronidase heparanase that increase upon NK cell activation. Heparanase deficiency did not affect development, differentiation, or tissue localization of NK cells under steady-state conditions. However, mice lacking heparanase specifically in NK cells (Hpsefl/fl NKp46-iCre mice) were highly tumor prone when challenged with the carcinogen methylcholanthrene (MCA). Hpsefl/fl NKp46-iCre mice were also more susceptible to tumor growth than were their littermate controls when challenged with the established mouse lymphoma cell line RMA-S-RAE-1&bgr;, which overexpresses the NK cell group 2D (NKG2D) ligand RAE-1&bgr;, or when inoculated with metastatic melanoma, prostate carcinoma, or mammary carcinoma cell lines. NK cell invasion of primary tumors and recruitment to the site of metastasis were strictly dependent on the presence of heparanase. Cytokine and immune checkpoint blockade immunotherapy for metastases was compromised when NK cells lacked heparanase. Our data suggest that heparanase plays a critical role in NK cell invasion into tumors and thereby tumor progression and metastases. This should be considered when systemically treating cancer patients with heparanase inhibitors, since the potential adverse effect on NK cell infiltration might limit the antitumor activity of the inhibitors.
Effects of aminophyllinein preventing renal failure in premature neonates with asphyxia in Isfahan-Iran.

OBJECTIVES Considering the relation between prematurity andasphyxia and also renal failure in neonates, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of aminophyllinein urine and serum indices of renal failure and consequently its prevention, in Premature Infants with asphyxia in Esfahan-lran. METHODS In this descriptive clinical trial study, 22 preterm neonates diagnosed with perinatal asphyxia in neonatal ward of Shahid Beheshti hospital, during 2009.The participants were randomized in two intervention and placebo groups. They randomized to receive a single dose of aminophyiline (5 mg/kg) or placebo of 5% dextrose water for injection (5 cc/kg) during the first hour of life. Renal function was assessed by GFR, beta2-microglobulin (beta2M), N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG) serum creatinine and electrolytes level measurement, during the 1st, 4th and 7th day of life, in two studied groups. The results compare between the two groups before and after intervention. RESULTS Mean of urine output, was significantly higher in neonates who received aminophylline (P < 0.05). Mean of 132M and NAG 24 hours after intervention was not significant in the two groups of asphyxiated preterm neonates (P > 0.05). GFR was significantly higher in neonates who received aminophylline on 4th day of life (P < 0.05) and it had trend to be significantly high on 7th day (P = 0.05) and was not significantly high on 1st day (P > 0.05) comparing with control group. The most common pathophysiology of renal failure was prerenal. CONCLUSION Aminophylline could prevent renal dysfunction in preterm neonates with asphyxia. Neonates who received aminophylin on the first day of life indicated a significant improvement in GFR and urine output.
Single Intracoronary Injection of Encapsulated Antagomir‐92a Promotes Angiogenesis and Prevents Adverse Infarct Remodeling

Background Small and large preclinical animal models have shown that antagomir‐92a‐based therapy reduces early postischemic loss of function, but its effect on postinfarction remodeling is not known. In addition, the reported remote miR‐92a inhibition in noncardiac organs prevents the translation of nonvectorized miR‐targeted therapy to the clinical setting. We investigated whether a single intracoronary administration of antagomir‐92a encapsulated in microspheres could prevent deleterious remodeling of myocardium 1 month after acute myocardial infarction AUTHOR: Should “acute” be added before “myocardial infarction” (since abbreviation is AMI)? Also check at first mention in main text (AMI) without adverse effects. Methods and Results In a percutaneous pig model of reperfused AMI, a single intracoronary administration of antagomir‐92a encapsulated in specific microspheres (9 μm poly‐d,‐lactide‐co‐glycolide [PLGA]) inhibited miR‐92a in a local, selective, and sustained manner (n=3 pigs euthanized 1, 3, and 10 days after treatment; 8×, 2×, and 5×‐fold inhibition at 1, 3, and 10 days). Downregulation of miR‐92a resulted in significant vessel growth (n=27 adult minipigs randomly allocated to blind receive encapsulated antagomir‐92a, encapsulated placebo, or saline [n=8, 9, 9]; P=0.001), reduced regional wall‐motion dysfunction (P=0.03), and prevented adverse remodeling in the infarct area 1 month after injury (P=0.03). Intracoronary injection of microspheres had no significant adverse effect in downstream myocardium in healthy pigs (n=2), and fluorescein isothiocyanate albumin‐PLGA microspheres were not found in myocardium outside the left anterior descending coronary artery territory (n=4) or in other organs (n=2). Conclusions Early single intracoronary administration of encapsulated antagomir‐92a in an adult pig model of reperfused AMI prevents left ventricular remodeling with no local or distant adverse effects, emerging as a promising therapeutic approach to translate to patients who suffer a large AMI.